Four little sockies all in a row.
They do make a pretty show.
Four little sockies all in a row.
Knitting them was so painfuly slow.
Four little sockies all in a row.
Why I made them I'll never know.
Four little sockies all in a row.
What I shall do with them only Heaven knows.
* * * * *
After I read my little poem to my husband, he appeared thoughtful for a moment and then he spoke with a wicked grin:
"Quit while you're ahead, darling. Your prose is sorely lacking."
RB and I conquered the back to school shopping.
I purchased a gorgeous brand new Liz Claiborne dress and a pair Vera Wang shoes for a total of ten bucks!
We transformed the back of my truck into a mini super store and barely had room for the suitcases when we were done.
Tuesday and Thursday evening I visited my friends at the Black Sheep Knitters group. I really miss seeing those gals each week.
On Wendnesday night, Judah brought me to Vero Beach to meet to a wack of knitters there.
Vicki is new knitter to the VB group and is more fun than a yarn sale. We got along so well that we are planning another meet up soon.
She spoiled me and sent me home with a hank of undyed Donegal, which is going to stay that way. I love it just the way it is.
I also met June aka "The Tribble Queen", she has knit dozens and dozens of them and gives them as gifts. Now if only I could convince her to knit something else for a little variety.
Most of these gals are talented scrapbook makers too and have the best knitting journals that I have ever seen. They put my own to shame:D
Aren't they fabby?
It was an honor to be around such diverse talent and I do hope to see them again next month.
I was so busy visiting, making new friends and shopping that I hardly knit at all. Though I did make up for it on Saturday between loads of laundry.
Can you guess what it is?
Last night I came home utterly exhausted but stayed awake long enough to sign up for Dish Rag Tag - The Sequel.
Why are you still here?
Run, I tell you run on over and help bring your team to Dish Rag Glory!
Quite often I travel light, taking only knitting bag with a sock tucked inside and nothing more. There have been a few times when a crochet hook at the ready would have been helpful indeed.
Of course it would be logical to carry one of my own hooks with me but I flat out refuse to do such a risky thing. You might think this is odd but do let me explain.
My hooks belonged to my Great Grandma and are one of the few things that I own that was hers. I simply could not bare it if I lost one.
So whilst happily skipping through Esty I came across the niftiest tool ever.
The Stitch Saver - a modified crochet hook that can be attached to a knitting bag, key ring or purse and is ready to rescue a drop stitch in a flash or help you sort out a mistake.
How positively brilliant and clever. I wish I had thought of it.
5elementknitr has a variety of sizes available and she will customize them if you wish.
Be warned if you show it to your friends they will want yours.
Do yourself a favor and order a dozen, then hand them out as Christmas Stocking stuffers for all the knitters on your list.
Do you remember the major trauma I had with my precious Wee Tiny Sock?
Well I found the perfect solution and never again will I experience that kind of horror again, nor will you.
Whilst knitting a toe up Wee Tiny Sock with the nugget of yarn and thinking about the frightening incident, which very nearly gave me a heart attack, an idea bubbled up from the deep recesses of my mind.
What if I knit an I-cord with the remainder of the yarn, which could be formed into a little loop? Then I could slip the chain of the sock blocker through the loop, and would prevent my Wee Tiny Sock from slipping quietly away.
I thought about that for a moment and did just that.
What I did was bind off all but the last stitch. I picked up two stitches from the bound off edge and proceeded to knit an I-cord for approximately two inches. When done, I sewed the tail through the three stitches and wove the last bit of the yarn into the base of the cord which automatically formed the loop.
Should you knit the sock from the top down try this: Make the I-Cord first, then cast on the rest of the stitches that you need. Knit the sock. When finished make a loop with the cord and weave in the tail neatly.
Easy Peasy.
P.S. After driving North for six hours and three pit stops later, including the place where that last WTS was temporarily lost, this little sockie stayed where I put her.
Yes, I think it my little idea worked quite well.
P.P.S. You can knit one little sockie with a nugget of wool.
to drive to the Jensen Beach with RB today.
5. Grocery Shopping.
Add 75 cents to every single item that you buy at the grocery store and then you will understand how expensive it is to live here! I am not joking people.
4. School supply shopping.
See reason number 5.
3. Hair cuts for the both of us.
My hair looks like a mop. Don't believe me? Take a good look at the Matilda photo.
2. Shop at Great Balls of Yarn's new store in Stuart!
I need a serious yarn fix. Knit Wits is closed until September and besides their inventory is pathetic on a good day. They simply can't complete with my personal stash.
1. Visit my knitting friends - Judah, Chosen and Magnolia!!!
'nuff said:D
RB and I have a jammed packed week planned so I will be off the radar until Saturday morning.
Don't despair I have two posts ready for your reading pleasure.
See you next week.
Winter is non-existent in Key West, so I decided that it would be nice to enjoy a touch of winter by knitting a shawl in dark earthy tones.
This picture more accurately reflects the soft slate blue, plum, russet, chocolate, and sage colors in the yarn.
As for the pattern this is my second tour. The first time I mucked it up with an extraordinary amount of mistakes, however this time I relied heavily on stitch markers to keep me on track. Those beastly little rings slowed me down considerably with every pass, but having an error free shawl was absolutely worth every single one.
Details on my Ravelry page.
Fridays much needed meltdown proved to be an excellent day for knitting. Once RB and I settled into a movie, my needles began to make good progress on the Forest Canopy Shawl.
By late Sunday afternoon a canopy of earthy leaves came off the needles and went straight to the dressing room after a refreshing bath.
Only a tiny little nugget of wool was left from the 420 yard hank.
I wonder, do you think I could craft a Wee Tiny Sock with this very small remnant?
Your blue lace diamonds are too pretty for words, even if there are a few unplanned design elements hidden within your wings. I promise that I won't show them to anyone. It will be our little secret.
Thankfully, you were exceedingly patient with this novice lace knitter, even though things were a little dicey in the beginning. More than a few rows were tinked back until I found my bearings.
If it was not for your clear and accurate instructions to spur me on, you would have been destined to live out the remainder of your life as a simple pair of socks.
Since you stayed with me to the very end you shall be rewarded. Wherever I go so shall you go, draped gracefully over my shoulders for all the world to see.
Come Sunday morning you will make your first debut at church. I'm so excited. Perhaps you will attract the attention of other knitters in the congregation. Fingers crossed.
Together we have experienced the challenges and thrills of lace knitting and you have given me the much needed courage to try another "fancy" shawl.
Wish me luck, Abigail
Project details on my Ravelry page.
A Cormorant drying his wings by the sea wall.
Ernest's Home.
American Gothic in front of the Art Museum.
The auto that made the boys loose their teen-aged minds.
We held up traffic to snap this photo.
Dinner in a Tree.
The Lighthouse.
Banyan Tree by the Key West Library.
* * * * *
Our friends have returned to Arizona and today I am having a proper meltdown which will include the following:
Conquer the laundry.
Bathe and dress Matilda.
Watch a movie with RB and begin to craft a fall inspired beauty.
Relax at the pool.
Take a nap.
Order pizza for dinner.
Sorry I have not been very responsive lately, I've been busy entertaining our dear friends.
So far we have visited Earnest Hemingway's home.
Drove and walked all around town.
Went kayaking.
Walked on White's Pier.
Had three visits to Matthessen's Ice Cream parlor.
Walked along the Sea Wall four times.
Enjoyed the sunset at Mallory Square.
Climbed Key West Lighthouse.
Prepared nine meals.
Constantly fed two hungry teenagers.
Celebrated Mass at Mary - Star of the Sea.
Washed six loads of laundry.
Completed the daily pick up and quick cleaning of the flat.
And I thought about knitting. That counts doesn't it?
By Wednesday night we will have done even more.
Gone tourist shopping.
Explored the Theater of the Sea, Butterfly Museum, Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum and the Little White House.
Prepared nine meals and done at least six more loads of laundry.
Yes, we are having a grand time and I could sleep for a week.
* * * * *
As for the shawl the pattern is Matilda and the yarn is Collinette Jitterbug in Blue - the very same yummy yarn that I sent to Trek a while back.
After three planes and twelve hours of travel time, Mr. Band Teacher and his son, Science Teen arrived safely in Key West completely exhausted from their long journey from Arizona last night.
While they are recovering from yesterdays terminal ordeal I am sitting quietly on the back porch being entertained by Mr. Iguana, who is taking his morning breakfast in the tree.
Even though I was momentarily distracted my hands continued to happily work on my latest project.
Would anyone care to guess what pattern this is?
I've been busy preparing the guest bedroom this week and was in need of a reading lamp for the bedside table. So I put it on my list of things to get while out and about.
Well I didn't have go very far to procure such an item. When I went down to the dumpster with a bag of trash there was a smart looking lamp right next to it!
I gave it the once over and found it to be in excellent condition so I brought it back up to our flat, then proceeded to plug it in.
Much to my surprise the lamp worked and discovered that it even has a dimmer switch! How cool is that?! I only wish I could thank the person who left it there.
Anyway, the timing on this was brilliant because the next round of visitors starts tomorrow. Be prepared to see more of Key West.....
She has been done for quite sometime now and her appearance is long overdue.
A humble, rustic and serviceable shawl with a crochet shell border, which is very appropriate considering her source of inspiration.
I think my two Grandmas would be proud.
Or maybe one would not. Elizabeth disapproved of mixing the grape and vine. Why, I do not know.
However, my Grandma was not bothered by this one little bit and always put a little crochet border on a project if it needed it.
Upon the completion of the shawl I felt that it was lacking something so I followed my Grandmas lead and did what she would have done. I added the shells. After all, she always knew what was best.
Project details can be found on my Ravelry page.
With my fifth Knit-o-versary coming in August I decided that it was high time to upgrade the tools of my trade. And Knit Picks was more than happy to assist me with the change over.
I purchased the entire set of Options needles, sizes 0, 1, 2, 3 in 40 inch lengths and 2 extra cords in 40 and 47 inches. After all one must be prepared for any project that comes ones way.
Yes, this is one of the best investments I've ever made.
And claim your two yummy hanks of Koigu!
Do allow me to take a moment and introduce her before you skip off to her blog and show her some bloggy love by leaving her a comment or two or three.
Robin is a beautiful Christian, a new blogger and a prolific sock knitter. She also knits the most beautiful beaded purses that I have ever seen.
Are you are interested in purchasing one? Then check our her Esty shop. She still has a few for sale.
Should you would prefer to knit one instead than you can find the pattern on her blog.
* * * * *
I'll be taking a wee break from the comment contest this month but that doesn't mean that you should stop commenting. You really cheer me up when you do.
Anyway, the reason for this is simple. A week from Thursday another round of visitors will be at my door and I really need to get my home in order.
I guess that old saying is true.
You never know how many friends you have until you own a beach house!
Magnolia is a dear friend of mine whom I positively adore. We met at the Black Sheep Knitters club in Jensen Beach.
She is a fine Southern Woman of excellent taste and has the coldest feet known to mankind.
Naturally, I siezed the opportunity and knit a pair of socks to chase the chill away from her. After all there is no better way to keep ones feet warm than a pair of hand knit socks.
And all reports say that she is in love with them and rarely takes them off.
The yarn is Mountain Colors Barefoot and very soft to the touch. I loved knitting every single stitch.
Project details can be found on my Ravelry page.
My mother left Key West early this morning and I have no cookies to console my heart.
We had a great time despite RB's wicked case of Salmonella and I was grateful that she was here with me when RB was so violently ill.
Our lean teen eating machine is back to his typical teen self and has emptied the fridge just as predicted, for which I am truly thankful.
As you know Mom and I have been busy exploring the Island. 
Yesterday I brought her to the famous buoy to have her picture taken. I love it.
Did you know that Havana Cuba is closer to us than the mainland? Strange but true.
* * * * *
I promise knitting will appear on Monday's post and on Wednesday you will discover who won June's comment contest. Be sure to continue to comment since there is going to be yet another contest for July. There is simply too much yarn in my home and it's begging to live elsewhere.
And now that my life has returned to normal I will be reponding to all of your comments again. Thanks for your understanding during the past two weeks.
This home is a must see should you ever come to Key West.
(Due to a large group of people in the home I was unable to take any decent photographs so all I can share with you is the grounds of the house.)
* * * * *
A most perturbed but beautiful puss, who is one of sixty cats that are permanent residents of his home.
The Lilly Pond.
A tree in full bloom.
The Lighthouse which is literally across the street and can be seen from the second floor balcony.
The pool that cost 20,000 dollars to build.
Hemingway was so infuriated with his wife for spending a small fortune (in those days) on the construction of the pool, that in retaliation he had a urinal installed in the back yard. He and his friends were known to use it on occasion!
This offended his wife's sensibilities to no end. So she had a large imported olive jar placed on top of the urinal and converted it into the fountain which you can see today. It is now used by the cats as a watering hole.
And should you be curious about how he managed to acquire such a unique but serviceable treasure, please read on.
It was a "gift" from his friend Joe Russell, who owned Sloppy Joe's bar. (Hemingway was a regular since it was conveniently located a half a block up the street from his home.) When Joe sold the bar the urinal was removed and then presented to Hemingway.
Now you know the rest of the story.
Does that qualify as TMI?
* * * * *
And before you begin to think that I forgotten how to knit, I assure you that I am and I have something rather pretty to show you on Monday.
Have a good weekend.
Mom and I went for a three hour stroll through Mallory Square.
The view from across the Square.
Yes we could live here, if we had three million dollars to spare.
The Sculpture Garden.
I adore the little girl who is being carried to safety.
A blond Key West Rooster.
A most terrifying Sea Sponge monster.
And what you really see
when you visit the beach!
