I Voted!!

Early voting started today in NC. So I took some time off work and voted!

It's done - after months of breathless anticipation, concern that my canidate would not making through the rough primary season - it's done. My vote is cast.

I was suprised at how many people were there. Half were senior citizens. And due to the ridiculous setup where you carried your ballot for EVERYONE to see across the room to machine. I was not suprised to see these Concordian's voting for McCain.

Figures - all the McCain/Palin signs I see around Concord. I hate living in Concord sometimes.

But we are a battleground state, and every vote counts. So - go Davidson, Chapel Hill and Charlotte and other more progressive areas - I'm pulling for you to swing us to Obama!

Our neighbor and I are going to put up lawn signs - just to buck the tide a bit......I'll have to let you know how long they last before they are ripped up and destroyed.

As I'm on a political roll - I have to release this into cyber space to get it of my chest. I'm so unsuprised, but incredibly disappointed in the contingent in America who is unable to look past someone's skin to the ideas and abilities they possess. I can totally respect someone who cannot vote for Obama due to his positions or platform. But the vague - "He's not like us", "I just don't trust him" and worse that is moving from whispers (you always knew it was there) to statements and shouts in Palin Rally's is dispicable. I almost wish McCain on you if you are that ignorant. Too bad my children would be left with the consequences. America has come a long way, but clearly has territory to cover. I pray these next few weeks remain peaceful. And if we are fortunate enough to have an Obama Presidency - that it ends in election or after 8 years - not due to the close mindedness of some among us. And if that happens -- maybe a few more will realize that just because someone is browner than them - doesn't mean that they are less American.

Now back to the safe world of fiber......

Actually- I'm very worried about the fiber world, if it can withstand this downturn. But that's another blog.

But - two scarves I started to coordinate with my cape:

Crochet:



The yarn is Ella Rae Lacy Merino. So squishy and soft. Incredible yarn and dying.

Look at this cake of lovelyness:



I decided to try the nice yarn out on crochet. And the results are wonderful. The stitch is the crazy stitch. It's my second scarf using this pattern, and I think I'm going to write it up and publish it (for free) - I've gotten a few questions on the first scarf with Malabrio Lace.

The 2nd scarf is made with Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 2-Ply.



I think this color Purple looks so nice with the Split Pea Green in the cape. I'm using the Ruffle Edge Scarf pattern by Mac & Me. Easy and simple - but with a bit of an extra touch with the ruffle. I love me a good ribbed scarf. So scruncy and adds so much air and fluff to the yarn if it's knit loosly.



Look at this cake. I don't know which one is prettier. I can't wait to have my two 08 scarves for the fall/winter!

Busy bee, Busy Me

2008 has really been my year of knitting so far. I have either been working on quick, satisfying projects or trying to complete some of my many, many WIPs. I have to get some WIPs out of the way so I can start some fabulous new projects I have planned but don't want to start with so many incomplete projects!

The main item I want to make is a sweater. I really want to knit a nice., nice sweater. With some super soft alpaca yarn I have and something I could not buy in a store. I don't want it overly complicated and ornate, but simplistic beauty. I've been on the hunt for a pattern for a while.

I also want to make a Fair Isle vest - and I have some other Fair Isle projects in mind. Fingerless gloves, a headband, a hat/tam (with more than just 2 colors).

So much to do, so little time. But this blog is to catch up on my busy January.

First of all - it's my mother's birthay month. She had commented that she liked a crochet scarf I had made - the color of the yarn. So I decided to knit her a scarf in that color for her birthday.



I love that color way too. It's Moda Dea Sassy Stripes in the Crush Colorway - I made it on Size 5 needles. I'm thinking about making a matching hat for her, but I haven't decided on a pattern. The pattern I used is the same one I used for the teacher's scarves. It's so fast, but it's nice and chunky feeling.

I love that pattern so much - I wanted to make one for me.



I'm using SWS in Natural Russet, needle size 7. This is my first time using this yarn, though its been in my stash for a while. It's a nice feeling yarn - although a bit hairy. It also sheds. I'm interested to see how the scarf will wear after a while and if the cables will stay nice looking or if it will get floppy due to the single ply and fuzziness. I want to wear this before I make anything bigger in this yarn. I knit so loosly, I don't want to make something larger with the yarn only to have it descend into a loose, floopy mess in a few washings. I would be very dissappointed.

Next up is a pair of socks that I have been working on for a while. Well actually, I completed everything but the heel in July, and then lost interest. So - last week I finally put in the heels.





The yarn is Ditto and Pace by Universal yarns. I bought it at Rave Knits when the Universal ladies would come and visit. I liked how both yarns knitted, not super luxurious like the merinos I love, but they seem to be longer wearing that some of my merino socks.



Here are another pair of socks that were unfinished. These were on hold at the heel. I don't know why I loose interest at the 2nd heel, but that is my typical stopping point and it take me to get on one of my finishing kicks to pick it back up again. I'm working on wrapping these up this week. They are knit with XXL purchased at Knit One Stitch Too. I love XXL yarn colors, but the yarn is a bit splitty, not my favorite to work with. These are a set of sock yarns I purchased to wear with jeans.

Once complete - I have to finish these two Fleece Artist Merino socks:





Aren't the yarns just simply wonderful? I love the colors the dyers choose. I'm having a hard time giving these socks away. I think that's why I haven't finished them yet.

I didn't make this hat - but I helped! Ashley - a young lady that I know and helped (along with my sister) teach to knit - wanted to make a hat. I helped her get started with this Stitch and Bitch hat. Didn't she do a fabulous job!!



Joleen has already been named by her "twin" Janeen. It's Janeen's 9th year birthday present from mommy. I have to get her and her clothes done by Friday!! I'm sort of making up the pattern as I go along because I forgot I gave my crochet toy book to my sister! So I didn't have a pattern to use. But so far - it's working out although the hands are a bit weird looking!



And last but not least - I had to start another tam. This is the #2 version, and I think one of the easist of the bunch because there are several rows with just one of the two yarns.



I guess you can tell I've been in a lot of phone meetings! :) My favorite time to knit, it keeps me listening and not doing email. At least that is what I tell myself!