The "Pedicure" sock....

One of the little luxuries in life for me is having my nails done, not so much my finger nails groomed but my pedicures...... oh it is so relaxing ..... oh it is so makes me feel like a queen even if it's just for an hour.

I like to wear red nail polish on my toe nails and in the winter time wearing my "crocs" my feet get cold and I don't want to wait patiently till the polish dries besides the polish never really dries for hours.

I designed the "Pedicure Sock"

"This little piggy went to ...... have her nails done"

Yarn I used is Universal, Deluxe Chunky LP 100% wool.
The pattern is improvised.
Cuff top, "banana short row heel" crochet "toes".

Summer Knitting part "deux"... will it wash well?

I'm always hesitant laundering a knitted garment, I never know how it's going to hold it's shape and drape and over all look. Will it come out looking like a dishrag or will it be as "good as new"?

After spending $80 dollars on the yarn and all that work what will happen when I wash it? Should I take it to the dry cleaners? Oh no not the "dry" cleaners! That just means a lot of chemicals and now a days $..... I think last time I had something at the dry cleaners it cost me $7 dollars and quite frankly I was not crazy about the way they "pressed" it. The cleaners I go to is very very good, I've tested them out over the years so it's not them it's just that a knitted garment is a delicate operation to clean.

So it's always with trepidation when it comes to washing a knitted project for the first time. Because I've been wearing "Marsh" almost every day for about a week it was time for a bath. Mind you some days I only wore it a couple of hours and some days even less I did not feel it was all that dirty but I just did not want to start smelling like some of the people wondering around here in Venice. But I digress.

Because I work at home and often in my pajamas I only get "dressed" when I have to leave the house and I confess I sometimes go out in my pajamas but around here nobody knows the difference. Some days I take a shower and put on a clean pair of pajamas à la Hugh Hefner, pajamas are the most comfy wear for me and yes right now as I write this I am in my pajamas. But again I digress, back to the big test will it wash or not?

I'm using cold water and "Eucolan" soap. It is recommended for all natural fibers, according to their label and I've had good success with it before. I rinse it out some of the time depending on the garment oh yes sometimes I do not rinse!

Saves time and labor. Just soak your wool garment and squeeze out the moisture; no need to rinse or use a softener. Recommended for all natural fibers, cotton baby diapers and for laundering sheep skins. Contains fiber-restoring lanolin and moth-inhibiting eucalyptus or lavender scent. Try it - you will not want to use anything else. Available in Eucalyptus and Lavender.

Oh the water is starting to turn dark! Not a good sign! No I was not gardening or digging ditches it must be the dye coming out. Oh I just hope this works I love this top and if it does not wash well all that expense and work out the window. I let it soak then give it a rinse till the water is clear and carefully squeeze out the water and wrap it up in a towel as if it was a baby.

Then I laid it out flat and crossed my fingers. And ..... Wait.... it's a nice summer day and it dried in a few hours.

Yes! It passed the test the top is as good as new! The color looks the same the shine is there and the drape is actually a bit better. So success!

Summer Knitting

The other day when I was having my nails done and was actually sitting still without knitting one of the ladies who knows me remarked that I must not be knitting because it's summer time. Not at all my nails were wet, I didn't want to mess up the bright red nail polish I sometimes wear.

Yes I knit during the summer, maybe not a wool sweater or a lap blanket but certainly summer things like this top I made for comfort and cool. The cotton and rayon content of this Blue Heron yarn has a very nice feel to it and the boucle adds a particular shine to the fabric.

It took 2 skeins about $80 bucks, no knitting is not cheap, but so much fun to make and then to wear. Exactly to my size and exact length and comfort. Oh the pattern well I made that up, it's not rocket science.

- Marsh -

Cotton and Rayon Boucle

I'm teaching some classes.....

I'm not sure what "pos·sessed" me but I agreed to teach a couple of knitting classes at my LYS (Local Yarn Store). I've created a bunch of extra work for myself..... shish....

I decided to write an original pattern for the sock class. The sock is called "Mandzsetta" which simply means cuff in Hungarian. Why because I love to name my projects and I like to get very "creative" with my naming. No simple task mind you it takes some research and thought to name children, puppies and projects.


I have been extremely busy knitting samples and writing patterns as I say I've created a bunch of extra work for myself but it's a labor of love.


BananaKnits.com is teaching a SOCK Class

at Amano Yarn Center

When: Saturday Aug 23 rd & Saturday August 30 th 2008
What Time: ... 3-5 pm


A Mano Yarn Center
12808 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066

(310) 397-7170 phone

amanoyarn@gmail.com

I'm posting this because I want to learn how to do fair isle knitting and it's just easier to have it on my blog then to go and search around for it.

Fair Isle Knitting with 2 yarns in the left hand, Continental Style.

Hiya Hiya Sock it to me.

My newest discovery: Knitting socks on a 9" circular needle. It has opened a whole new world. I usually knit socks on 5 double pointed needles and have been satisfied with this method. Well during the SeaSock Cruise to Alaska a lady named Angela was knitting on these tiny little needles and her progress was remarkable.

I thought I would give it a try, it takes a bit of getting used to but the speed you pick up is amazing. I am a convert from now on it's 9" circular for me. Socks knitted from some of my yarn stash from Alaska.

http://www.hiyahiya.com

Indiana Jones actress: " went to go knit"

Karen Allen Fiber Arts
Handmade Cashmere Clothing

from the Los Angeles Times:

Did she quit Hollywood or did Hollywood quit her? We mean, after 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and that nakedly classical opening salvo: "Indiana Jones. I always knew someday you'd come walking back through my door." There was, less remembered now, 1984's "Starman," in which she played another loner tough girl -- this one visited by an outer-space creature (Jeff Bridges).

But at some point she went to go knit in the Berkshire Mountains.

Yarn Shops we visited.

2818 NE 55th St.

Seattle, WA 98105
800-987-6354
(206) 525-1726

Acorn is a delightful shop and staff! Very helpful nice selection of high quality yarns and gadgets for the knitter. I met Janet and she was a delight, had some great giggles with her, by the time I got home she had already added me to her "friends" on Ravelry.com If I ever go to Seattle again I am definitely going to visit this shop.

************

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
118 Madrone Lane,
Bainbridge Island,
WA 98110
206.780.2686
Very nice people, nice and organized and if you are into tea they have it.

************
The Weaving Works
4717 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206.524.1221
If you are a "spinner" this shop is a must. Previous to this trip I only spin around my own axes but I am now a proud owner of 3 drop spindles and lots of roving to spin. I'll let you know how that goes.

************
Bead & Yarn Shoppe: Salmon Landing Market

Second Floor,
Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-2858

‎
Amy Singer from Knitty.com shopping .......


Brenda Dayne from Cast-on a knitting podcaster also shopping as the rest of us. Oh the sooo soft and warm Quiviot !

I actually have so many pictures and as time permits I will be posting more. I just wanted to remember the yarn stores we visited. Oh so much fun to shop for yarn.....

Alaska was Beautiful!

I had a wonderful time, knit and ate and knitted some more and then we ate dinner. Then we knitted and had a snack. ...... ... ......

Thank You Ellen Bloom

Ellen posted about the gallery show last Sunday and she did a wonderful job! Great Pictures Ellen!

Just Dreaming

Felted, and warm and cozy

I'm packing these, just getting ready to go to Alaska! It's SeaSocks 08! Wow I can hardly wait knitting socks on the high seas!

I'm part of a Exhibition in Venice

Please come to the reception on Sunday, May 4th, 2008. Reception will be a fun party. Wear your tiara, I'm wearing mine. Live music by Fred Sokolow, Lina Sved & emerging musicians.

I have submitted 5 pieces to an Art Gallery and my pieces will be part of an Exhibit called

"All Fired Up!"

The exhibit will run from May 4th, 2008 through May 25th, 2008.

The Reception will be May 4th from 3-6 pm at the Gallery.

"Off Rose Gallery"
841 Flower Avenue
Venice, CA 90291

310-664-8977

Gallery Hours: Saturdays 2-5 pm or by appointment.

Directions: Rose Avenue & Lincoln Blvd.
One block south of Rose just east of Lincoln Blvd.
The Gallery is in the back.

A Fashion Show I attended.

Fun, fun, and more fun. The exhibit was from February 22 - April 20, 2008 at the Palos Verdes Art Center

Beckstrand & Walker Galleries

WEARABLE EXPRESSIONS 2008

"Art doesn’t only hang on the wall or sit on pedestals. It also finds expression in the clothing, jewelry and accessories with which people adorn their bodies. This is wearable art—art that combines aesthetics and function as it adds a fourth dimension of animation and personal expression, through the movements of the people wearing it.

The best in wearable art from around the world is on display in Wearable Expressions, the Palos Verdes Art Center’s sixth biennial international juried wearable art exhibition....."

Presented "Off the Wall and On the Runway" I took lots of pictures because I was mesmerized by the imagination and creativity of artists from around the world.

My friend Ellen has these slide shows on her blog and I like them when there are so many pictures to share. If you see a picture that you want to see just click on it and a bigger version is available. Pretty slick.

Oops I turned left..... Progress....

Mitre Sqares, and more Mitre sqares...... Kind of fun to knit but I am kind of getting dizzy from it. Maybe I need to give this project a rest.


I should have turned right ..... it just did not look right. When I woke up this morning and was admiring my new project I suddenly realized my mistake.

This is the prize I won at Stitches West Fashion Show, the kit for the "Carnaby Coat" in this beautiful black and white wool. It was a score the price on the label says $250 dollars. Well wool made in Italy is not cheap.This is what it looks like in the picture, here is my progress.

I frogged the little hick up and all is back on track. Just a little mistake, it was late at night I was watching television and simply did not pay attention. But luckily I listen to the advice I give "admire your work often" to catch any mistakes early.


I have a lot of knitting to do on this one.

A friend sent me this...

I don't usually post these, I get so many jokes interesting stuff my friends feel I should see but this one I really liked

by Maya Angelou

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,

even if she never wants to or needs to..



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

something perfect to wear if the employer,

or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her
family...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,

and a recipe for a meal,

that will make her guests feel honored...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,

break up with a lover


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...