Welcome to Linkland...

I am still without photodock, so no photos can be uploaded. The battery life is pulling one of those biblical stretches of longevity, I'm trying to avoid creating too much of a backlog for myself. To compensate, it appears I've gotten a little link happy.

TKGA was, to quote Count Blah once again (scroll way down), 'aiii-ig-it'. Kathy and I were immediately deflated when we learned that Brooks Farm had to cancel due to floods in Texas. Our sadness about this was at least 51% not about yarn. I'll be making my usual beeline to them at Rhinebeck.

There were some purchases, a skein of deliciously speckled Koigu for a Purl beret (not unlike the birthday cake version I got at Stitches West), some hilarious albino (#269) Silk Garden, Lexie bags and some patterns I'm really excited about: a steeked Fair Isle wrap knit in Reynolds Whiskey (if I ever finish Enid I'm sure to have leftovers to work with) and a drop dead cute cardigan with (channeling Anne Shirley) short PUFFED SLEEVES. I'm sorry I can't link to either of these, Google yields nothing! I do know that the latter is a new Jordana Paige design for Stitch Diva and it's called the Trapeze Jacket. I love their patterns with all the excellent information but the layouts are so cramped, it gives me mee-graine!

TOO BAD IT ISN'T AS USER FRIENDLY AS....RAVELRY!! What else?? Just as Kathy and I were flagging on a slow Saturday in the booth, Jess and Casey stroll by, causing me to short circuit. Speaking of Johnny Five, I can totally picture the two of them replicating the encyclopedia massacre, hands flailing saying "Imput, moorrrre IMMMPUT!"


Picture borrowed from Jess, but I'll post my own when my dock arrives. Fun fact: out of all the Ravelers, my #1 neighbor (based on # of projects we have in common) is Jess! Casey is on the verge of joining the ranks of needleworking men, who never cease to amaze me with their fearlessness. I almost pulled one of these:


More later, with pictures (bitte Mutter, padded envelope, automated mailing center...I will send yarn in exchange...)

CR

Shedding!

Thank you to everyone who purchased yarn from my destashing sale! I still have quite a bit of good stuff if you're looking for some cheap stash enhancement.

I've cast on some new projects. Don't roll your eyes, I might actually finish these!! The first is so addictive to knit and such a cool shape that I might actually complete my goal of knitting and wearing a garment in the SAME SEASON. I quickly fell for Coachella in the new Knitty as it covers up an unfortunate tattoo I have (racerback=my friend). Details to follow!

Speaking of Knitty, Gudrun Johnson, a former student of mine and loyal Webs customer scored the cover, deservedly so!! Looks like her daughter will be joining me in the elite ranks (ha) of knitwear supermodels!

I'm using another Knitty pattern for my sock pal socks (after many, many starts I've finally settled on a yarn and pattern): Sweet Pea in Socks that Rock Silkie, Beryl. She professed a new love for green and lace (funny, those were MY preferences) so I ripped the pink baby cable socks I'd started and cast on for these. I realize I'm under the gun but I have a bit of travel in my future so I'm planning to bring these along. I finished a pair of socks the last time I visited Mom in D.C. so maybe the luck will continue!

The real reason I'm posting is because of Berroco--have you seen the fall preview?! I am totally, totally INFATUATED with the following (and one of the new yarns, Ultra Alpaca LITE anyone?!):

Kaino:


Annikki:




Chantal:


Manon:

Peso:



Pinot:




Also adorable: Aune, Aamu, Parchesi, Poska, Piccolo, Josepha. The Stash and Burn ladies recently sung the praises of KnitBits and the free pattern archive on Berroco.com and I have to second them. The patterns are always well-written and I have to say, my Berroco sweater is one of the only ones I actually wear.

Enough gushing for one day,

CR