Another FO and some more gorgeous yarn for the stash!

Well, my "bus-knitting" project is finally done! I am pleased to present to you, my Party Lace Scarf knit in Rowan Kid Silk Haze (wonderfully provided to me by Duchess!)


The pictures aren't that great - my camera just doesn't do a good job of picking up detail, but I kind of liked the soft feel that the picture with the flowers had and then thought at least you might be able to see some detail on the picture of me wearing it. Thanks to N for taking the picture of me! I dragged him outside, away from the TV while he was still in his PJs to be my photographer!

The talented Duchess also sent me another lovely skein of yarn in the mail the other day. It's her own handspun merino and it's gorgeous and has now inspired a mad search for a drop spindle for myself. I've been toying with the idea for a bit now, but after seeing this lovely skein, I've decided I want to try this new skill for myself. No where in Winnipeg seems to have them though, and shipping through ebay makes it so much more expensive, so not to be deterred, I've scouted out the instructions to make one for myself and am going to try and hit Michaels this afternoon for a toy car wheel, then it will be off to Rona for a cup hook and dowel. I am convinced I can do this! Anyways, without further adieu, here's the skein of yarn in question:



Clapotis is going really well, although I've set it aside this weekend to work on the spa set in the 101 One Skein book. (can't remember the exact title right at the moment.) I'm knitting it out of Jade Bamboo. I like the feel of the bamboo. It's soft and has a lovely drapy feel to it. I also learned how to crochet this week. My friend Kathi from work has generously offered to teach me! I finished learning the single and double crochet while making a dish cloth the other day. I had bought the newest Interweave Crochet magazine two weeks ago and decided I really need to have someone show me the intricacies of crocheting. I do have the "Happy Hooker", which is great, but somehow I learn better by watching someone actually do it. Well, it's just too beautiful to be cooped up inside so I'm off to enjoy the warmth and sunshine outside!

Coffee Swap 2

I'm really excited to be taking part in the 2nd Knitter's Coffee Swap. We were asked to post some answers on our blog so that our partner can get to know our likes and dislikes, so here's mine!

QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean... I love the smell of fresh ground coffee beans in the morning!
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully loaded or what's the point?!?
3. Regular or flavored? I really love flavoured coffees
4. How do you drink your coffee? With milk and sugar
5. Favorite coffee ever? Mexican coffee served at a resort in Mazatlan. It involved flaming glasses, kaluha, tequila, coffee and cream that tasted like ice cream! And the waiter who prepared it wasn't bad to look at either!!
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I am not fussy - pretty much any ol' bean will do!
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Biscotti, cookies, scones, muffins... apparently I'm not fussy about that either!
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? I like a medium roast rather than a dark roast
9. Yarn/fiber you love? Natural fibres are my favourites!
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Right now, fun fur unless it's just a little accent. I did way too many fun fur scarves a few years ago!
11. What's on your needles? Clapotis, Samus, (both from Knitty) and Party Lace Scarf (from MagKnits)
12. Favorite colors? Bright or rich colours - not crazy about pastels.
13. Allergies? Nope
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? I really look forward to getting to know my coffee swap partner! I think meeting someone new is the best part of these swaps!

Yarn-y delights

Well, it's been almost a week since I finished them at the dance competition, but I am just finally getting a chance to show off my very fabulous (well to me anyways) Monkey socks! Cookie A. is a sock genius! I loved everything about the pattern, the fit, the design, the way I was able to zip through knitting them in only two weeks! So here I present to you Monkey. Knit on bamboo needles (I love them for socks!!) using Sweet Georgia's Berry.



Now on to other yarn-y delights...

I can't remember if I mentioned how very weak I am when it comes to having discipline in NOT increasing my stash. I might as well come clean right here and right now. I have no self control. I have a problem. I really do. That being said, I don't think anyone can blame me for snapping up a lovely bag of 10 balls of Jade bamboo. I have no idea which project it's destined to, but I just had to have it. It came a few weeks ago, and so far has been sitting all forlorn in my closet. I thought it should come out into the beautiful sunny afternoon just for a few minutes so I could really get a good feel for the colour. I think I love it even more now!!

Now, my latest little aquisition is some absolutely gorgeous Araucania Nature Wool that is destined to become my very own Clapotis! I've been wanting to find the perfect yarn and then I stumbled across these little gems on ebay one night. Such a good price, shipping to Canada was awesome, Canada customs however was less than awesome and charged me another $8.77 tax. Grrrr. Still worth it though. I am so eager to start my "Clap" tonight!

In other knitty news, I am having a ball (ha ha pardon the pun) with my Spring Fling Swap Partners! I've been sending and receiving e-cards, messages and emails with my partners and it's a hoot! And a shout out to my Knitty SP8 partner, Duchess, who sent me such lovely lovely gifts - (BF)G absolutely loves his socks made from the wool you hand dyed for me, and my Party Lace Scarf gets compliments from everyone who sees me knitting it! Your generousity and thoughtfulness are so very appreciated! And I would be terribly remiss not to mention Colette from right here in Manitoba who was my secret partner in the International Tote Exchange III. She knit me a fantastic bag in terrific colours of yellow, green, brown and blue! I actually have the perfect spring outfit to go with it too!

Well, I'm off to go print off the pattern for Clapotis! Until next time... Happy knitting!