Socks. Done.

I love making crocheted socks. Love.Them. This is my basic sock pattern - pieces of patterns from here and there that work for me - and is what I teach in my beginning sock class. These took about 8 hours; I got both cuffs done last night while watching teevee.

And it looks like I finished them just in time. Our first winter storm is supposed to hit here later today, with nighttime temps all the way down in the 30's. (For California, that's really cold. Stop laughing.) At least my toes will be nice and toasty.

Making A List, Checking It Twice

I love having little kids around at this time of year. They are so excited about the lights and decorations and trees and presents and SANTA. We took the California branch to visit the jolly old guy this week. I thought Miles - who turns 3 shortly after Christmas - might not care for this strange bearded guy, but he thought the whole thing was great fun, as did Naia. Leia? Leia couldn't have cared less. But she sure looked cute in her little 'jammies and headband. (you can click the picture to see it bigger.)

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Date Day

After I got home from yesterday's spin night, I decided it was time for us to get out of town. A quick spin down the innerwebs and I had tickets for today at Hearst Castle.

Dick and I love visiting La Casa Grande but didn't realize how long it's been since our last trip. This visitor's center was completed in 1996 and we've never seen it before. That's just sad.
The castle doesn't look very imposing from the center (see it up on the hill?);until you realize that it's over 5 miles away. Close up, it's every bit as imposing - and beautiful - as you may have heard, with unimpeded views from the coast, to the mountains, and back again. Begun in 1919 and finished in 1947, it was donated to the State of California in 1956. Everywhere you look there are statues and artwork and incredible details on every surface. The two pools - outdoor and indoor - are both in pristine condition. Our tour guide said that during August, staff and friends are allowed to swim in the outdoor pool. Makes me want to move up there just for that.

Each of the approx. 165 rooms in the house are overwhelmingly ornate - and the gorgeous ceilings, many brought intact from Europe, are among my favorite things. But if you look closely, you can also see touches of whimsy and humor. Like the 'mooning' cherubs hanging their bare behinds over the front entrance and along the front facade. Cheeky little devils. The reason we went to the Castle now was to see the holiday decorations. Lights, trees, poinsettias and garland in the 2500 square foot front assembly room (that's not a typo; the scale of everything on the hill is unimaginably oversized) - along with the priceless tapestries and choir stalls - and in the dining room, where the table is still set with bottles of mustard and ketchup along with the antique silver and china. The day was gorgeous, with temps in the 60's, and flowers in bloom everywhere. December in California; it's such a hardship.

The Good Life

I'm sitting in my recliner, with a cat on my lap and another at my feet, eating Brie and crackers and drinking a glass of good Merlot, all of which (not the cats) I won on the Guild's raffle table last week; having just come home from spinning night at my LYS where I crocheted on a shawl* while helping two students work on their first pair of crocheted socks and getting a friend started on her first crocheted shawl.

Life doesn't get much better.

*I decided the shawl I finished last night was too short, so I added another 20+ inches. Better too long than too short.

Blocked

This - is now this: 16" wide by about 71" long. I'm estimating on the length; it's too long to fit on my blocking board so I had to buy a second one to get this shawl pinned out.

And where do you put two full blocking boards? On a ping pong table, of course. Gary and his buddies aren't overly happy with me but I'll have this off tomorrow and things will get back to normal. Maybe.

Projects!

Although there hasn't been much proof here lately, I have been working on several projects. Most are for class samples but a couple are for fun.

Another Crocus Bud Shawl, this time for Tanya in black silky alpaca lace. I'm about 85% done with this one and hope to have it in the mail by Tuesday. I showed this to my last two crochet classes and they all want to make one. The pattern is easy - a one-row repeat - and the finished project is spectacular.

I'm doing a bulky version of the Mock Faroese Shawl that Anne and I are teaching (she's teaching the knit version; I'm doing the crocheted) in February. I've also done this pattern in lace (cashmere - yum!) and fingering (sock yarn). Not crazy about these colors but maybe they'll grow on me.
I started these stash-yarn socks for last week's crocheted sock class. I won the yarn in a raffle at the crochet show in Oakland two years ago. It's a little loud but I think they'll make good spinning socks (I don't wear shoes when using my spinning wheels so it's the perfect time to show off hand-crocheted socks).

And since I couldn't resist these colors - brown + teal + orange = perfect - I'm making two pairs of socks at the same time, hoping to prevent 2nd (4th??) sock syndrome. And speaking of no resistance, look what followed me home from my LYS's holiday party. Bamboo, wool and silk in the most gorgeous cranberry reds. Not sure if this will become a pineapple shawl or a basketweave tee, but I bought 12 balls just to make sure I have enough. 'Cause you never know when a yarn drought might strike.

Happy Holly Days

We took the grandkids to get holiday pix last week (at J.C. Penney; what a disaster. The pix turned out great but the service was awful. Doubt we'll be going back there!)

The kids were all in a good mood and the photographer was great, getting them to smile and ham it up - especially Miles - for the camera. That boy does love to have a camera focused on him. Isn't Leia getting big? Only 3 months old and already sitting up and trying to stand. Note the pierced ears - very cute. Happy Holly Days from the California branch.

Why I've Been Missing From Blogland

RIP
Computer BATTERY

We had a power surge two nights ago and it blew the fuse to my studio - and all my computer equipment. When I tried to get the computer going again, it took almost 30 minutes just to get to the log-in screen - NOT a good sign. I decided to replace the CMOS battery (the little coin-sized battery that holds important info - like the date and time - when the power goes off) before I totally panicked. And Voila, I'm back up and computing.

And yes, while I was out buying a battery I also bought a UPS system. Better late than never, right?

Graydogs

I've been collecting antique, unusual or finely made crochet hooks for several years. One of the few non-antique wood hooks (because I like the ones Dick makes better than any I can find on Ebay or Etsy) I covet are Graydogs (ebay link; check here too.) I have a fairly extensive collection of Bill's hooks in exotic woods - before I retired I was trying to get one in each hook size, both 'regular' and 'steel' - but they can get pricey, especially this time of year when the bidding goes crazy on Ebay. More than a few times I've seen his hooks go for over $100.

In addition to crochet hooks, Bill also does barrettes and needle/toothpick holders from hardwoods. Wenona got me hooked (sorry!) on his needle holders last year after she bought one for a gift. I've been watching and bidding for about a month now but no luck so far.

But what I did win was two hook auctions. The first is an "H" hook in purpleheart, red palm and "Joseph's Coat" hardwoods. My photo is really crummy so here's the one from the auction:
The second is a "J" hook in purpleheart, walnut, maple and ebony hardwoods. Absolutely gorgeous.

These are 'plain' hooks - no fancy flame ends (like the $100 one linked above) or curlicues - which is probably why I got them at an affordable price. And unlike my previous purchases, I plan to use these as everyday hooks rather than saving them for 'special'. Can't wait to show these off at crochet class this week.

Gorgeous, But . . .

This is one of the most gorgeous things I've ever seen. And I really want to make it. But I'm not sure it's wearable. So answer me this: would you wear it?

Projects

It's been raining here for about 5 hours, fairly steadily. All the newsies are on STORM WATCH. I feel bad for the people in the burn areas that may get mud flows but give me a break. We might have had a quarter inch of wet by now. Sheesh.

I finished the Window Pane scarf today and love it. Very interesting technique using 2 strands of yarn. I'm thinking about felting this, just to see what it would look like. The black is superwash, so it won't felt; the pretty colors are Noro Silk Garden, a wool/silk blend and that will felt. Might be a pretty neat effect.I'm also making headway on the Mock Faroese shawl I'm teaching in the spring. This is made with Tofutsie's sock yarn. Love the colors. I think I remember reading somewhere (Cheryl??) that Tofutsie's colors fade badly in sunlight. Sure hope that's not true! This needs to be finished by the middle of December since it's a store sample. Piece of cake (unless I get sidetracked - again - with more projects . . . )

Another Addy FO

I finished another Roselette top for Addy, this one in teal blue, before we left Colorado. Truthfully, I almost finished it - I had to leave the buttons for Rachel to sew on. (Will she? Won't she?? Only time - and pictures - will tell.)

I added the same 4 rows to this sweater - 2 in the top section, 2 in the bottom - as I did to the first to make it long enough for Addy. I also did a foundation single crochet rather than chain stitch for the first row to make the neck stretchier and added a row of picots around the bottom. Love the picots; I'll definitely add them to any others I make from this pattern.

The yarn is Red Heart's Soft Yarn, which I've never used before. I'm interested to see how it looks after a few washings. I'm not a fan of Red Heart - too scratchy and acrylic (horrors!) - but this is nice and soft, pleasant to work with and the colors are rich. If it holds up in the laundry, Soft Yarn just might give my usual kid's yarn, Plymouth Encore, a run for it's money.

Birthday Girl

Friday was Addy's second birthday and after her photo session (Rachel should be putting up the photos any.day.now.) we took her to Build A Bear for the first time. I think we were all a little overwhelmed at the choices; not just of stuffed animals, but in clothes and shoes and accessories and strollers and stuff.

There was obviously some thought put into these stores. First you choose an unstuffed animal. Addy's favorite animal is an elephant so Rachel, after showing her a few other options, steered Addy in that direction.

Then you help stuff it. See the pedal at Rachel's foot? She (and older kids) controlled how fast and how much stuffing goes in. The helpful employee sewed up the back (the threads are already in place, it's just a matter of pulling them tight, tying a knot and cutting the strings) and then gave Addy her new friend. Next up is a 'bath' (air, not water) complete with scrub brushes to get any excess lint off the toy. Then came the really hard part; choosing an outfit and accessories. See the counter behind Addy? That's about one-sixth of what's available, accessory-wise. They even had sparkly ruby slippers to match the ones Addy wore for her pictures. Addy finally settled on a pair of Pretty Kitty pj's for her elephant, passing up the princess, camouflage, and Broncos cheerleader outfits. (She'll probably get the stroller she was also interested in for Christmas.)

We had a minor meltdown at the cash register - it was well after Addy's nap time - but that was solved by taking her to see the ginormous Christmas tree that was right outside the store. Addy marched around - and around - the tree carrying her new elephant in a box that was almost half her size, and talking to him the entire time. A quick ride on Grandpa's shoulders, with the elephant she refused to put down, then home for a nap in her princess bed. I think my baby likes her new baby.