An Interesting New Twist...

....on an old favorite:

The Seven Deadly Spins Yarn Club

Be naughty, go sign up! After all, you never know who's going to be designing for these types of things. . . ; )

Free Pattern Day - La Vie en Rose

Another free treat for my readers, courtesy of my LYS:

Knit up with only 2 skeins of scrumptious laceweight Malabrigo, this wrap is deliciously squishy, soft and warm! Little ruffled cap sleeves keep the wrap securely in place. Wear it open, tied in front, or thrown artistically over one shoulder and secured with a shawl pin! You can even wear it as a keyhole scarf - just wrap 'round your neck and poke one end through a sleeve! Beaded ends weigh the easy, 3-row repeat lace pattern down nicely.

Download the PDF for free, here. Add it to your Ravelry queue, here.

Till next time,
Sarah

Welcome, Knitty Readers!

. . .(and everyone else, too, of course!)

We're so glad you're here!

I'm excited to be premiering my first Knitty pattern, Cables & Bits, in the Winter 2007 issue! I'm totally looking forward to seeing what all of you are going to make out of this pattern! I welcome hearing from all of you on Ravelry!

Download the PDF for free, here.

Till next time,
Sarah

Free Pattern Day - Mel's Scarf

I whipped this up a couple of weeks ago as a special order for a friend of mine:

Mel's Scarf

Warm & Comfy!

A bit of bling

This was knit on US 35's using the following yarns:

Vanna's Choice (1 skein each) - 174 Olive and 99 Linen

Bernat Bamboo (2 skeins) - Dill

Joann Sensations Angel Hair (1 skein each) - Mint and Cream/Brown

Patons Brilliant (1 skein) - Marvelous Mocha

1/8" double face satin ribbon - 12 spools of 10 yards each, chocolate brown


Here's the "pattern" (queue it up on Ravelry here!):


Holding all yarns at once, cast on 15 sts. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) until piece measures 8 inches square. Continue by working in stockinette stitch, slipping the first stitch of every row. Work even until piece measures approximately 4 feet, 4 inches in length from cast on row. Finish by working an additional 8 inches in garter stitch. Bind off. Fasten tassels to each corner of the scarf, attaching beaded charm to one tassel, if desired.

The ribbons can be simply knotted together as you go; the texture of the scarf will hide any ends! Wear produly and be fabulous. : )

Till next time,
Sarah

PS - Other knitting has been going on, too! I finished Bella Paquita last week, looky!

It's a bird! It's a plane!

No, it's Tim Gunn in a perfectly tailored suit, getting ready to begin Project Runway Season 4!

Starts tomorrow night, folks! Click here to meet the cast and get read up on all the details. (And don't bother looking for any self-taught designers this season. . .there's not a single one. Don't even get me started.)

Till next time,
Sarah

Mail Goodies. . .and Baddies.

This week has been an awesome week, mail-wise!

First up, look what was waiting for me in the mailbox last night:

Ravelry tee, BAY-BEE!!!!!

These are running a little small; I'm hoping mine doesn't shrink much! Anyway, I'm super happy to have it now. Hopefully the doggies won't put tiny nail-holes in this one like they have all my other T-shirts. . .*sigh*

Next up, swap goodies!

Yay!

I've been wanting to join another swap for awhile now. I happened across Swap-Bot and found this wonderful pre-Christmas knitting swap! The hostess was generous enough to allow me to participate, even though I hadn't been in any previous swaps on the site. Well, I think I was the first person in the group to receive my package; my partner, Debbie, was super quick! She did a great job, too, as I received tons of cute things! Sock yarn, a project bag, three adorable zippy bags, some handmade stitch markers, and Cat Bordhi's new book on knitting socks on 2 circs! (Hey, I've been wanting to try that!) Thanks, Debbie! You did an awesome job. : ) Meanwhile, my package goes out to my partner as soon as I receive the book I ordered for her on Half.com. I love doing swaps! If anyone out there knows of another good one, I'm all ears!

I heart this colorway!

Also in the mail this week was my first issue of Lucky Magazine, a birthday gift from my BFF. . .I think she got me a three year subscription!

My favorite feature is the page with stickers you can use to mark things you like!

Oh, AND I received not one but THREE skeins of yarn from the fabulous Marnie Maclean this week, just because she thought I should try out Rowan Calmer and she "had some lying around. . ." Well, imagine my delight when I received her package and found not only a skein of Calmer, but two other skeins of yarny goodness, as well! Somehow I didn't manage to snap a shot of these yummy yarns, but they'll be up on my Ravelry page soon. Thanks, Marnie! You rock.

Unfortunately, we are now going to have to interrupt this program in order to bitch for a moment (if you have sensitive ears or eyes, you're going to want to cover them for a sec. . .better yet, just come back for the next post).

Because I also received this in the mail yesterday:

I don't remember opening a Dell Preferred Account. . .

Yes, folks, I am a victim of identity theft. I have known this for a few years now, that my private information (including my SS #) is in the hands of an unkown cretin. However, up till now, the worst that has happened is that the little jackass went to Petsmart and had a Starbucks on me. Which my bank reimbursed me for, of course. But this? This is going a bit too far. You don't open a $4000 line of credit using someone else's information. Because that's just not nice.

SO!

If you're the rat bastard using my social security number for your own purposes, go to hell.

That is all.

(We now return you to your regularly scheduled, family programming)

Till next time,
Sarah

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

The happiest of birthday wishes to my oldest brother, Matty:

Twenty points to anyone who can tell me where this photo was taken! ; )

Love you, bro!

Till next time,
Sarah

Holey Socks!

(Or, Here's Something You Don't See Everyday, Part Deux. . .)

Now, I know as knitters, we can all appreciate a good pair of socks. But selling your used socks on eBay for $11.25?


Ew!

Or perhaps you'd be more interested in paying $14.99 for a pair of used pantyhose?

Shexy.

I think someone needs to lay off the marijuana; either that, or she's been seriously misled as to the purpose and uses of eBay.

Hey, does anyone have a good suggestion as to a book of sock patterns? It has to have been published in the last 2 years. . .

Till next time,
Sarah

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the world's best seester! Hope you have a great one, Jenni!

. . .and many more. . .

And what did she get from me, you ask?

Bauble!

Till next time,
Sarah

Dog Pile!

Me & the doggies were having fun with the camera last night:

But Mooooommy, I'm sleeeeeeepy!

Can't we just take a short nap???

Okay, I'll give you ONE kiss. But then you've got to stop!

Oh, and guess who'll be making an appearance in the Winter issue of Knitty?

What's that? Did someone say "star"?

Till next time,
Sarah

Item of the day: Alligator Scarf Kits from Morehouse. Too cute! And one of those (in Cranky Green) would be a, uh, great Christmas gift idea. . . or you could just check out my Amazon Wish List. For anyone who, you know, might be into that kind of thing. : ) Oh, and while you're over at Morehouse, check out the Lobster Claw Mittens. HI-larious!

Adventures in Receptionism

(rrrrrrring)

"Good afternoon, law office."

"Yes, I have an appointment this afternoon and I don't know where I'm supposed to park."

"You may park anywhere outside the building in the guest parking lot."

"Well then, what the hell am I doing in a parking garage?"

(Hmm. I could think of several reasons for that, the first of which being that you were too stupid to call me for instructions before you drove into the parking garage.) "Well, I'm not sure. If you'll just drive back down to the parking lot, you'll be able to find a spot. We're in Suite 701."

"Allright, what building are you in?"

(Now you don't even know what building you're going to? What did you decide to do, just pick a random office building and hope you're in the right place?) "The Centurion Tower, 1601 Such-and-So Street; there's a large sign out front, you can't miss it." (The phone begins to ring.) "Okay? We'll see you soon."

"Wait. . .you aren't going to HELP ME FIND IT?????"

(rrrrrrrrrring) "Sure, let me put you on hold, okay?"

(transferring second caller)

"Ma'am? Did you need additional assistance?"

"Yes, I need you to Tell Me How To Get There."

"What street are you on now?"

"I don't know. I'm by some buildings, can you tell me how to get there from here?"

(I could certainly tell you where to go. . .) "You don't know where you are?"

"No! Is there someone else I can talk to besides YOU?"

"Well, I don't think anyone else is going to be able to help you get here from where you are if you don't know where that is."

I gave the woman standard directions from the nearest major intersection. She had to call again from inside our building to find out what floor Suite 701 was on. (Any guesses? Anyone?) She'd gone to the third.

And what was she coming in for, you ask?

A job interview. I swear, I can't make this stuff up!

Till next time,
Sarah

All About My Man

1. Who is your man? Jonathan Edward Wilson

2. How long have you been together? We met June 8th, 2003. We started dating about a week after that.

3. How long dated? Uhhhh, about 2 1/2 months before we were engaged!

4. How old is your man? 29. . .30 next year, I can't believe it!

5. Who eats more? Hmmm. I would say I do, but I only see Jonathan for dinner, and even then not all the time, so I don't really know! I think we both have healthy appetites.

6. Who said "I love you" first? Jonathan did, the day before I left for a family reunion. . .I think that was in August 2003.

7. Who is taller? Jonathan! I'm 5'3", he's 5'9"

8. Who sings better? We both sing well!

9. Who is smarter? Jonathan! (Hello, can we say undergrad in biochemistry and after that medical school?)

10. Whose temper is worse? Jonathan's.

11. Who does the laundry? I do, sometimes Jonathan.

12. Who takes out the garbage? Jonathan! : )

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do.

14. Who pays the bills? Jonathan does. . .thank goodness!

15. Who is better with the computer? I am.

16. Who mows the lawn? No lawn, but when we have one, it will likely be the neighbor's kid. I've never mowed a lawn in my life, and there is no way Jonathan will have the time.

17. Who cooks dinner? Cook? Right now my fridge is filled with Lean Cuisines, fruit and vegetables. If you consider peeling a peach or nuking a frozen dinner as cooking, then that would be me.

18. Who drives when you are together? Usually Jonathan, although since he just bought me one of these, I have a feeling it'll be me more often.

19. Who pays when you go out? Jonathan, unless he forgot his wallet, in which case I pay with the credit card he got me. (Which is pink! And he picked it out just for me! Awwww. . .)

20. Who is most stubborn? Jonathan.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Depends on the offence. . .

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine; my dad is a retired airline pilot, so he and my mom get to fly for free!

23. Who kissed who first? Jonathan kissed me first, but I heartily returned the affection!

24. Who asked who out? Jonathan asked me out; our first date was to the zoo, where the lions. . .uh. . .shall we say. . .put on a show? ; )

25. Who proposed? Jonathan proposed on Halloween of 2003; he was wearing a Superman outfit! He proposed by singing me a song he'd written just for me.

26. Who is more sensitive? Jonathan. . .definitely.

27. Who has more friends? Um.

28. Who has more siblings? I do, I have 2 older brothers (and a fabulous seester!) and Jonathan has 1 younger brother.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? Jonathan! And I'm glad! : )

Jenni, your turn!

Till next time,
Sarah

Giselle

The talented and beautiful Marnie Maclean has posted photographs of the finished piece I test knit for Stitch Diva Studios to her Flickr account! Check them out by clicking the photo below.

I knit that!

Giselle will be available exclusively at Stitch Diva Studios later this month, I believe. This beautiful wrap sweater is knit in one piece from the top down, and has several different variations to choose from: an all-knit version, a knit-and-crochet version, and full length or cropped versions in both styles.

Here's a bonus pic:

Yours truly, modeling the fresh-off-the-needles, unblocked piece for her knitting group.

Till next time,
Sarah

A Survey

I got a new toy the week before last, so of course I have to personalize it! Cast your vote for one of the options below.

#1:

I have been known to knit while driving. And not while stopped, either. Yes, I am a very scary driver; I fit in well in Florida.

#2:

Well, because I am! Hello!

#3:

Interesting, and I think it fits well with the sporty feel of the new wheels.

#4:

'Cuz that's just cute!

Well, I can't make up my mind, so do help me decide by casting a vote for your favorite in the comments section!

Till next time,
Sarah

PS - Name ideas also welcome. I'm thinking Gigi, but I'd much prefer a knitting-related name, if one can be found.

A Tiny Glimpse

Of what's been keeping me busy lately:

Yes, that really is all you get to see.

Till next time,
Sarah

In Which The Dr. Catches On. . .

Well, the jig is up. After receiving no less than 5 packages of yarn in the last two weeks, the Dr. finally looked at me last night, and asked suspiciously, "How much yarn do you have, anyway?"

Hmmm. . .enough to keep me busy?

Hand-dyed Superwash from Monkeypal - $6.50 for a 200-yard skein????? Yes, please!

Seriously though, my stash is ridicously inproportionate to my age. Awhile back, I decided to knit those skeins of yarn not intended for any particular project into sweaters for Knit for Kids. So out came the tubs of yarn and the gallon-size baggies, for sorting. (I'm organized that way. Blame it on the OCPD.) I wound up with enough yarn to make at least 30 sweaters. And that's just the first-round sorting! I have a feeling that when all is said and done, I'll have made 40+. But hey! It's for a good cause, right?

So you may be asking, "With 40+ children's sweaters in the works, why all the packages of new yarn?" Okay, you knitters are probably Not Asking That, because You Understand, but for you poor friends and family out there who Don't Get It, I shall explain.

See, I have a love/hate relationship with Destash. You've heard of Destash, right, knitters? I thought so. Well, the love part of the relationship is that a lot of sellers want to get rid of their yarn, and are so desperate to do so that they let it go for unbeatably low prices. Another appeal to me is being able to swatch with so many lovely yarns without really having to commit to a large purchase. I tend to buy single skeins off Destash. . .you know, the ones selling for $5 or less, including shipping. Why, just this past week I snagged 6 skeins of yarn from one seller for only $8! Now, I get to try out two colorways of Knit Picks Shine Sport (which I can already tell is going to become one of my favorite yarns) and a skein of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. As a fledgling designer, I've realized that these kinds of opportunities are too good to pass up; shouldn't I be familiar with (and have tried?) all these different yarns? I consider it an investment for that purpose. These lonely skeins of yarn are also going to be used for Knit for Kids.

Oh, and the hate part of the relationship? Well, there isn't any, really. Just that the pocketbook is getting a little thinner! : )

Besides Destash, there's always Etsy. So many sellers, so little time! Be sure to check out Yarntopia Treasures for some lovely and very reasonably priced handpainted yarns, like so:

270 yards of sport weight rayon for only $3.00????? Go get some! NOW!

I have about six of Yarntopia's items on my favorites right now. Unlike many hand-dyers, you will find more than one skein of yarn available in the same colorway. For instance, there are four skeins of the yarn featured above in the store right now. AND, they'll custom dye more for you, if needed! The shipping prices here are also very low; only $4.85 for the first item, with an additional $1.00 per item! Dyeing everything from bamboo to kid mohair, this store is a must to put on your favorites list.

I wish you all luck to resist! Either that, or I wish you all fat pocketbooks. .

Till next time,
Sarah

PS - My biggest news? I'm gonna be in the Winter Issue of Knitty!!!!!!!! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Feel the Need. . .

. . .to get a jump on your Christmas decorations? Well, here's a couple of cute options for you to consider:

Gourmet Crochet Amigurumi Nativity
from Annie's Attic

The Nativity Collection (knitted)
by Alan Dart

The detail on both of these collections is amazing. The genius of Alan Dart is quite overwhelming, isn't it? I happen to have this nativity set in an issue of Simply Knitting, and the intricacy. . .well, let's just say this guy is one uber-talented designer. Let me also say that if you're not familiar with Alan Dart or Simply Knitting, you are seriously missing out.

Till next time,
Sarah

Finally Finished!

Looky what I got through with this weekend:

Goddess!

Yeah, I know mine fits a little tighter than the photo in the pattern shows, but the Dr.'s not complaining so I figure I'm good to go! Actually I love the fit of this top, PLUS it's made out of cashmere, so really. . .need I say more? And yes, I'm totally wearing this top as I write this post, because my knitting group threatened me within an inch of my life if I don't show up tonight wearing it!

On with the show! I've picked up my on-hold Knit for Kids sweater and am also more than halfway finished with a design for GBOY; laceweight Malabrigo, bay-bee! Pics to come. . .

Till next time,
Sarah

PS - Thanks to the talented and generous Marce for taking this photo! (And for hosting us gals for knitting brunch at her fabulous house!)

Ravelry Beta Tees Are Here!

Go get one. . .you know you want to! (Please note: Ravelry Beta Tees are available only for current Ravelry members, sorry!)

Till next time,
Sarah

Uninspired

It's true: I've been feeling very uninspired design-wise lately. Other than making a whoooooooole bunch of jewelry for my new Etsy shop, I haven't been feeling the love. Oh, don't get me wrong, there's been lots of knitting going on, and in fact I have designed something in the last week or so, but right now I just want to KNIT. At the moment, I'm working on Goddess, which is about 99% done - just have a few inches of trim left! I'm working it up in doubled laceweight cashmere, and let me tell you: never in all my years of knitting have I ever seen two balls of yarn get more tangled! Lucky for me, I was able to recruit a helper:

Real men untangle knots.

Yup, the Dr. thinks knots are his thing. Me? I was so frustrated with the stuff I let him at it. And you know what? He got it untangled! What a good hubby!

I'm concentrating on finishing Goddess before I start anything else. . .which really should be something for the shop, since I haven't turned in anything in awhile, but like I said: uninspired! Maybe I'll work on that beaded shawl with the laceweight Malabrigo; I had it about 50% finished when I realized I was using too much yarn, so, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrip! Ugh. Wish me luck! And inspiration!

Till next time,
Sarah

Happy Birthday, Nephew!

Happy 4th birthday to the cutest little boy in the world! Love you, Noah! Hope your dad's not commermorating the day by going commando! ; )

One Stylin' Dude

Till next time,
Aunt Sawah

Sarah Wilson: Original Coffee Doofus

Most people who know me know that I do not enjoy drinking hot (or even mildly warm) beverages. However, when presented with a free sample of Starbucks' seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte last week, I took the plunge. Well, what do you know? It was mighty tasty! So, this morning on my regular Starbucks stop, I decided to go the whole nine yards and actually order a hot coffee drink! Friends, the world is upside down. Things were going well until I got in my car, sipping away happily, when my legs suddenly started to feel hot. . .and wet. I looked down at my pants, which are of course white today, and my stoopid latte has been dripping all down the side of the cup onto my crisp white pants!

Not thrilled with this new development in my morning routine, I immediately grabbed the cell phone to call my brother. (No, I do not normally recommend driving, drinking a leaking coffee, and talking on the phone all at once, but this was an emergency!) "What's the deal?" I said, "Am I supposed to know some secret trick to these cups?" Thankfully, my coffe-guru brother had some good advice. "Check the lid," he advised. "Make sure the opening isn't lined up with the seam in the cup, sometimes that can make it leak" Well of course!!!! Sheesh. Jumping out of my car and walking hastily into the lobby to wait for my elevator, I was able to maintain a perfect balance of purse, keys, and coffee cup. . .for about ten seconds. Fiddling with the lid on my piping hot latte, somehow I managed to squeeze my little paper cup just tightly enough to collapse the cup, make the lid go flying, and slop coffee all over myself.

And they charge you five bucks for this?

From now on, I'm sticking with my Izze. Oh well, at least I entertained about ten people in the lobby this morning!

Till next time,
Sarah

Introducing:

My very own Etsy shop!!!!

Featuring jewelry designed by yours truly and my good friend, Laury Royse, this shop just opened this morning! We are now somewhat fully stocked, and are already making sales! Come on over and check us out! Oh...and we named the shop 5 7 9 Jewelry, because everything costs only $5, $7, or $9! And shipping is included, so you can't go wrong!

Keep your eyes open for needle jewelry in the near future!

Till next time,

Sarah

Simpsonized!

If I lived in Springfield, perhaps this is what I would look like:

Want to try? Come on, you know you do.

Till next time,
Sarah

Weekend Fun on the Ichetucknee!

The Dr. and I were able to get away this weekend for a much-needed mini vacation. Where to, you ask? Why, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, of course! : )

Here's a few shots of the trip:

Packing

Our first day of fun

It rained almost the entire first day we werein town, so we hung out at Floyd's Diner and had some very yummy chicken fried steak and mud river pie! We missed the doggies, who didn't actually get to come, because with the only pet-friendly patio in town, Floyd's created an entire menu just for your pooch!

We sat at the counter and talked to a man who insisted on sharing his french onion soup with me - he drives over an hour every weekend just to get some!

We happened upon the local community theater, which was playing Charlotte's Web for their Summer Youth Production. For only $5, I got to enjoy some real small-town family fun!

Such a cute show, and some very talented children!

Sunday morning we got up bright and early to get down to the state park, which allows only 750 entrants per day in order to preserve the spring.

The Dr. was gentlemanly and carried both tubes down to the spring! : )

Preparing to dip into the 72-degree water...

Floating down the Ichetucknee, otherwise known as....

Spider Springs!

See all those cocoon-like things in that tree? Yeah, those are all spider webs! And I don't do spiders. I mean, I can do snakes, rats, beetles, and other generally revolting creatures, but I Do Not Do Spiders.

Especially these. *shiver*

All in all, though, we had a great time and saw lots of wildlife other than the thousands of hugemongous spiders that live along the spring.

Okay, one last shot to get that awful spider out of your mind:

Car silliness!

That's about it for now, I guess! I've installed my camera drivers on the cpu here at work, so hopefully that means I'll be blogging more regularly from now on!

Till next time,
Sarah