And it's Friday

Well, we were gone several days longer than scheduled. The show in MO didn't go as well as anyone hoped. There were plenty of unhappy vendors. But we detoured on the way home to quilt shops in Ohio and New York and made some sales, so that is a help. But it sure feels good to sleep in my own bed.
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My Sockapalooza Sock Angel is the BEST! The day we left for MO, a surprise package arrived from my angel. She sent Tofutsies sock yarn, a pattern, and stitch markers! I STILL haven't taken the time to learn how to insert pictures. But once I do, you will get to see the beautiful socks I am working on thanks to my Angel. And she is knitting me socks too. What a deal! We drove through the night to get there, so there wasn't any knitting on that part of the trip! But I did manage to finish one sock and start the second on the way home.
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I am participating in International Scarf Exchange 5 and have heard from both partners, so that is fun. Now to decide on yarn and pattern for my pal. And let's not forget the dishcloth exchange. Both are very low pressure exchanges - easy to knit and plenty of time. I'll save my weekly dishcloth post for tomorrow's post. Pictures? That would be great - but work is screaming at me, so no promises.

Topic #2 and Comments!

Hmm...Blogger just ate my post - or the computer did. Either way...Note to Self: If the Save Now button won't work DO NOT LEAVE THAT PAGE! If you have to rethink and retype everything, you are not saving any time!
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Topic 2 for Fall into Autumn is all about our knitting needles. I use addi turbo circs to knit my dishcloths and face cloths with because that is all I own! Since you can use circular needles for all knitting, that is what I've invested in. Although I'll admit that the sliding back and forth over my 24" cable for a small dishcloth does get a bit old. For this, I think I would like to try some (relatively) short straights. And aren't those new Knit Picks new wooden needles gorgeous! I don't know if they are available in straights or just as tips for their circular Options, but wowie!
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Comments are so fun! I have read knitting blogs for years. Sometimes even the same ones for years. But I rarely comment. I had a bad experience years ago (flaming anyone?) when I left a comment on a blog. Apparently, I thought the purpose was to spark conversation. But unless you agreed with the blog writer and her cult, your comments were not welcome. Once burned, never commented again. Well, it's obviously time I get over that!

I really enjoy the comments I get. I know at least part of it is the newness. The someone actually reads my blog! feeling. Because of that, I do vow to become better at leaving comments.

Ok - off to work. We leave tomorrow to work at a quilt show in MO, and there is still lots to be done!

Home Again, Home Again

After a week on the road for work, I'm home again. Only had one good night's sleep while gone, so I'm just wiped out.

But! I heard from my Fall into Autumn spoiler. That's always fun, and thanks for the comment.

There is a weekly topic we can respond to for the Fall into Autumn swap. Fulfills the posting requirements, but also allows us to get to know each other better. This week's topic pertains to the yarn/season changes. I do tend to knit "warmer" things in the winter than the summer. I've mostly knit cotton dishcloths and (wool) socks over the summer. But now that it is getting cooler, I won't mind pulling out my wool sweater to try to finish. Although I almost always have a pair of socks on the needles!

A Full Plate

I seem to have acquired a full knitting plate for the coming fall and winter seasons. Hopefully, this will be the year that I (finally) finish my aran cardigan. I bought the kit from Philosopher's Wool at MD Sheep & Wool several years ago. I think the body may be too long, so I'm dreading the rip out and reknit.

I've obviously signed up for the Fall Into Autumn Dishcloth exchange. I had a lot of fun getting my box ready (and receiving my box) from the Dog Days of Summer exchange. I have some fun ideas for this swap already thanks to the fun holiday timing.

And I think I made it into the 200 max people for the ISE 5. I haven't received my invite to the blog yet, but I have received an email from the swap hostess. I was in a previous ISE and missed being in the last one. Funny thing is, other than Norma's Red Scarf project, I'm not usually a scarf knitter. ISE and the Orphan Foundation of America just bring out the scarf knitter in me!

The learning curve is progressing well apparently. I still haven't learned (or tried to learn I should say) how to insert photos. But I successfully made the jump into embedded links, so that's progress!

Personal note to Julie H: You didn't leave an email address, so I can't respond privately to you. But on the sidebar of her blog, Alison has directions on how to sign up to be a Sock Angel.

Fall Into Autumn Questionnaire

I had so much fun with the Dog Days of Summer Dishcloth swap, that I'm doing it again for fall. With a mail by date of 10/31, it should be a real hoot! Now I need to learn how to upload a button onto the blog, because the button for this swap is a beauty. Blogger at the post when I changed the date to leave it at the top, so I'm posting (I hope!) now.

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it?
My great-aunt taught me to crochet when I was (maybe?) pre-teen or early teen. And then a few years later, my girlfriend and I taught ourselves to knit.

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both?
Both.

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ?
I don't have a "local" yarn shop - the closest one is over an hour away. So dishcloth cotton is usually my only resource. I did make one facecloth from Rowan 4 ply cotton that I adore.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles?
I prefer circular and I use metal or wooden needles usually.

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much?
I'm not wild about pink. I don't use many pastels.

6. What do you like best about Autumn?
The beauty of the changing colors.

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks!
Oh, I'd have to say All of them!

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day?
Oh, the one who couldn't wait!

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap)
Yes, I celebrate - but I can't seem to get rid of the italics!

Edited: I no longer decorate for Halloween. My kids are grown and out of the house, and we only have one child in the neighborhood old enough to trick or treat. But I DO enjoy the kids - the costumes, excitement, etc. I'm not sure if I just made this clearer or more confusing! I love autumn. And to me, Halloween is a part of that.

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose?
Oh, that's a tough one! Dark chocolate, peanut butter, and nuts (almonds and macadamias, yum!)

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids?
I have two grown children, no husband, but I do have a Sweetheart.

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?
Koigu. Enough changes to keep you on your toes, fun, and with care, long lasting.

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths?
Both.

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)
Definately Thanksgiving and truly because of the meaning behind the holiday. Thanksgiving is one of the few remaining holidays still devoted to family and friends. Sharing good food and being thankful for our blessings without an abundance of commercialism.

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about?
I am sensitive to cigarette smoke, but nothing else that would come into play here!

Sockapalooza Update

Thanks for the comments. Not everyone that left a comment left me an email addy to respond, so I thought I'd do so here. I've heard from Alison and she IS working on it. She is contacting those who have yet to fulfill their commitment and plans are in place for Sock Angels. In the end, I have no doubt that this will all work out for the good.

And my sock pal was a blast to knit for! That alone makes the whole thing fun. She said she likes "Dobby" socks. Well, I sure hope she was serious, because she sure is getting them! I forgot to take pictures, so I hope she posts pics once she has received them.

Patience.......

Sockapalooza Pal, Are You Out There?

I joined Sockapalooza 4. Joined the blog too, but can't find my log-in information and only posted once. But I've never heard a peep from my pal. Are you still out there? Are you still knitting and intend to mail soon? Please let me know. I know I was late mailing to my pal. But I did send several emails letting her know she was not forgotten. I have since mailed - and let her know that too. But here we are, a month after the mail-by date. And no word from my pal. I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Another Knitting Blog??

Does the world really need another knitting blog? Well, since I can't imagine who in the world will be reading my blog, I'm not gonna give it another thought. I am starting this with the idea that this will be a way to track what is going on in my life - knitting, quilting, job, life, etc.

And what a steep learning curve this will turn out to be. I get to learn not only how to post, but how to upload pictures, insert links, etc.

As long as I keep this up to date, I think this will become a great resource for me. I'll keep my fingers crossed!