Earlier this month I was visiting one of the many beloved blogs that I like to keep my eye on and 2 Sistahs Knit Together had their 2nd blog anniversary contest.

And guess who won?!?! :oD It was a great package with a project bag, stitch markers, lovely yarn from Karida's Neighborhood Fiber Co. (along with a sample) and her co-authored book Pints & Purls!!

This whole package is filled with irony! As I just so happened to be thumbing thru this knit pattern book when later on that week I was notified I would be getting it! I have also been wanting to try this yarn when I heard about it after I met Chelette in person earlier this year. And how about I've always wanted a fabric made project bag ;o) But the biggest irony of it all. They randomly selected the winner which number came up to be eight and how about I was the 8th commenter and my favorite number happens to be eight!! With all of that it truly was so meant to be!! :o) And I am truly happy about it too!

Here is a closer look at the yummy yarn
It is called Kalorama Circle and it is 435 yards of 100% Superwash Merino...squeeeeeeeee!

And I am already thinking about pairing this yarn with the cowl that is in the book ;o)Which was personally signed by Karida!!! YAY!!!! Since I am more of a martini (and wine) sipper I will be a Tini & Purl chick! :o)

Thank you Cici & Chelette for a great blog anniversary contest gift!!! It definitely is very much appreciated and will be put to good use...hopefully over a few potent 'Tinis of course!! ;o)

This was a really nice laid back weekend :o)

I got a nice pedicure and my nails polished in a new color,
then had a mini private concert in the comforts of my own living room with Commissioned Live! Haha!

Got some much needed rest by catching up on my sleep. I had major insomnia all last week.
So it felt good to be sleeping beauty over this extra day.

Sunday I went to a fun get together with some of my belly.dancing gurls...see for yourself:

We had a good time dishing dirt and laughing throughout the evening! :oD

I finally watched my netflix DVDs that were sitting on my counter for almost a month! One was good, one was stupid.

Awhile back I took part in the 40% sale on Knit.PicksStocked up on my EZ books, B.ordhi, and sock needles/cables...oh and some extra yarn I needed...ur um wanted.

I finally got off my extended knitting break from Ravelympics and picked up my needles again ;op

However, I had a little trial & error with picking up the neckline of my tank

it ended up puckering out...so I need to find some energy to rip it back out and try again...sigh

Also this right here

for a $1.98 Works!! My first time using some Fray Check on my Phenomenal Ripple to keep it togetha! :o)

Lately, I have been snatching up knit magazines like they are going to sell out!

Well let me go get some more rest before another work day creeps back up on me!

Have a FABULOUS week and September!

Alright a lot of you were amazed at the wonders of a lifeline and inquired how it exactly works.

I actually took it for granted that a lot of people already knew about this trick!

Well this knitting secret power was passed onto me by Turtlegirl some time ago...can't remember when as we sit & knit together from time to time! ;o)

So here I am wanting to ensure I pass on this gem of knowledge to all of you lovelies!!! :oD

(psst...forgive the picture quality, as I didn't think about capturing it until the early morning hours of trying to finish up my Phenomenal Ripple)

1. You need a needle set that has a tiny hole at the cable join (i.e. Denise/Options)

2. You then get your handy dandy dental floss! (tee hee my dentist would be so proud of me! Haha)

Or anything that fits into that hole and thread it thru...tie a knot so it will stay

3. Then you begin knitting that particular row (normally a non-pattern row) and watch it thread itself thru your stitches while knitting!
That is it!!

Hope that helps you in saving any knits in the future....the key is to actually USE IT! LOL

Have any questions about this easy technique?? If so, I will answer them in the comment section this time so others can view them as well.

Now go forth and grab yourself a lifeline

to avoid any heartache on your projects!! :o)

One of my favorite authors is J. C.alifornia C.ooper, and one of the many books I have enjoyed by her is Some L.ove, Some P.ain, Sometime. Hence, the relatable blog title for today. Definitely check this author out if you haven't yet, she is phenomenal!

I have Some Things I want to say and share :o)

Let me take a brief moment to thank all of my knitter pals for giving me the personal heads up about the Malabrigo factory fire. Y'all know how I am a fein over some Mal :oD
I actually ended up discovering the tragedy shortly after it was announced on their site, so thanks for lookin' out just in case!
My heart was heavy for them when I heard about it. I am watching for updates on their blog. Hoping they can recover quickly from this setback.

If you care to send your well wishes and prayers you can send a card to them here:
Malabrigo 8424 NW 56 St. Suite #80496 Miami FL 33166 USA
The mail will then get forwarded onto Uruguay

A couple of weeks ago one of my favorite bloggers, Robin, had a contest for her Ravelry anniversary (definitely read some of the great responses over there!), and guess who won! :oD

She even wrapped it up like LYS yarn packages! ;op

I didn't even realize that I had won, and my gurl had to tell me about it as I was headed out the door to A.tlanta that weekend! ;opI received some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (BSCF) that I have yet to knit with (*gasp!*), Colinette Prism that I was thrilled about as I have been wanting to get my hands on some of Colinette other than Jitterbug ;o), and Noro Kochoran.

Because I ended up being the random winner, and Robin knowing that I am a Noro Lover ;op she even threw in some extras for me! Noro Kueryon (believe it or not I have never knit with this one either! Haha!) and I already know what I plan to do with that yarn. As well as some Noro Iro!

And she included this cute card :o)I must give a big Thank You to Ms. Robin for a great fiber package!

So I got wind of a new knit magazine not too long ago The Burda folks have spread their wings into fiber publications. I never knew who Burda was until I started reading some of my sewing pal blogs. ;o)

And I wanted to get my hands on V.erena to see what it was all about! I was able to scoop it up during my A.T.L. yarnsploration at K.nitch!

Here is a lookey inside:

Whatcha think?? :o) They boost that every issue will have over 50 patterns in them!

I have a feeling I will be subscribing since I know it will be hard for me to find it here locally.

Surprisingly I have not been hording Malabrigo since the upsetting fire accident. Because I have plenty of Mal to keep me busy!! Especially my new lace weights that I need to untwist and wind up to get ready for casting on! ;o)

In preparation I have been studying hard on Ravelry what patterns I would want to knit with it and in what colors.

Here is one design I plan on making one of my mal lace hanks bloom into!That is the beautiful Alhambra by KnitSpot. Ain't it just yummy!

So I need help! Which color should I use on her??

Tell me your vote!

And before I leave I must show you my very "kewl" knitting t-shirts I got a couple of weeks ago :o)

I love my Fearless Knitter one!! Did you notice it in my Stitch 'N' Pitch pics?

And I am actually getting my O.bama one exchanged to have a black edging instead. But I think how timely it is since now he is our D.emocratic Nominee!!!! :oD It is very serendipitous!

Until next blog time!

That is what I am declaring for 2008! I plan to really dig into making socks!

Last year I learned about the construction and basics of them, and even made my 1st pair of socks. Dabbled in taking a class to learn how to knit 2 at a time on 1 needle toe-up (loved it!), but some of you remember how that produced some FUGLY socks! ;op

Well I have lots of beautiful sock yarn just stashed over here waiting for me to knit it up and it is about high time!!

I just really want to learn how to make some GOOD socks!

Since I have always been resistant to DPNs, and that being confirmed how I truly do detest them (my 1st pair of baby booties on DPNs did me in).

I insisted on learning how to do socks only on one needle from the very beginning.
I didn't want to have to deal with more needles than I needed to (i.e. DPNs or 2 circ method) at one time.

However, I have been dying for someone to actually make a book that focuses on just that (instead of the magic loop pamphlet ;op) Well someone finally did!!! Yah!!

I got my long awaited book last week in the mail, and had actually ordered it right before Christmas but there was some kind of distribution delay. No matter! It is here!
Ready for me to begin My Year of the Sock!

Here is a peek inside:

Well I have just about everything I need to make this happen...so now there is nothing to it but to do it!! :oD

I also added this book to my library not too long ago
I wish I could tell you how much knowledge I have received from this book...but I have yet to read it! LOL
I just felt that it would be a great resource book to have as I continue to learn what yarns would be best to use as I knit projects, or want to substitute for one in a pattern. Couldn't hurt a bit!

And I recently purchased this book I had on my wish list and have been seeing everywhere!

This will be the new "it" book! ;oD Mark my words! For $12 bucks off of a.mazon I had to drop in my e-basket. Heck I get knit magazines that cost about the same, so not bad for a knit book!

There are 6 preview designs you can see on a.mazon. I have yet to actually flip thru it myself, but everyone keeps telling me I will really like it based on my style.

And next up are a couple of books that I have my eye on since they were just recently released!

Realistic huh? I hope so! I need to flip thru that one! Haha!

And since I just defeated my odds of not staying a seasonal knitter I figured this would be a good one to stay motivated

And then I caught a glimpse of a few books that will be coming out some time this year!
(of course that last one will sell like hotcakes!) Happy Knit Reading! :o)

I must say what a wonderful response on my last post about a wonderful woman!
I am so glad it excited and inspired you all! Thank U for coming to read about Sojourner on my blog and sharing her story with others! You all are too kind and really know how to keep a positive thing going!

Speaking of those in history that have knitted. Recently, Urban Knitrix ironically mentioned on her blog how Dr. George Washington Carver crocheted, knitted and did needlepoint!
I also discovered HIStory over at a site called Yarn Boys in History. George even dyed his own yarn!

And speaking of males knitting. Over this past weekend, I meet a black man who knits. I never personally layed eyes on one before!! It was refreshing to experience!

And like George Washington Carver he is a doctor too! Hi Dr. John! He was such a delight to meet!

~ I also really wanted to highlight the eternal kindness of knitters in this post ~

Shortly after Thanksgiving, A Knitter In Queens had a blog contest on her site and I ended up being one of the winners!

Guess who has enhanced her stash with 7 balls of NORO! Yah!!She felt bad about delaying my package that she included 2 balls of Regia sock yarn. Which will be perfect since I made the commitment to do more socks in the new year! And I would prefer to do 2 at 1 time having these two balls will work out well! Thank You Veronica!!

Then I received something in the mail besides bills! Myriam went back to her home country and was a sweetheart to remember me! Just one of her regular ole e-blog buddies!

She sent me a post card all the way from Germany! Did I mention how she was just a sweetheart for even thinking of me??I have yet to travel overseas and I just love when others send me postcards from their travels!

Top: 1. Glowing Colors Afghan - out of Jiffy yarn!! I could not believe it...but it sheds like crazy! 2. Cable Vision - cute but probably won't knit it. 3. Cable Luxe Tunic - the one I had to just get and you probably have seen everywhere in the knit blog world. I must knit this eventually! It made my mouth drop, and reminds me of the tangled yoke, not to mention it could 'almost' be the cousin to Silver Belle.

Bottom: 4. Drop Stitch Pattern 5. Cabled Baby Set - out of Lion Organic Cotton 6. Satchel Grande

I have always have been concerned with L.ion B.rand's patterns. Every time I see or hear of a knitter/crocheter making something from them they consistently complain about the errors and logic behind the writing....doesn't exactly make me want to jump and knit up something from one of their patterns.


Sure does remind me a lot of something I just did not too long ago! ;op Haha!

BTW - I am LUVIN curling up with mine. It may be lightweight, but it sure does heat my legs up quick!!

And look at this yummy yarn that LB has now

Nice! Really likin' that bark color! And it would look great in that baby cable set - item #5.

Well that is all I got.

Enjoy the rest of your week! :o)

Y'all know it is that time of year. Trying to decide what you are going to knit for "him".

Waaaaaay back during the summer time I took advantage of Knit Picks' 40% off book sale (which in all actuality is about the same prices at a.mazon.com) and ended up dropping some books in my virtual cart.Great additions to my library!

EZ Knitter's Almanac (got it mainly for the FBJ pattern), Interweave Favorite Socks (b/c I really am going to knit some more one day! LOL), Knit Fix (LUV this reference book), EZ Knitting without Tears (ole sage!), Debbie Bliss Quick Baby Knits (cute book).

I also have been meaning to get this book for awhile nowand since I needed a pattern out of it for a baby knit (I really need to get crankin' on making that too!), I went ahead and got this long overdue book.

I found it over at my lovely Destash Store (fyi - not really a store) a few weeks ago for only $9 bucks!

My knitting library is growing pretty quickly and I can't control it! LOL Which is really funny because I remember when I was new to knitting I didn't see a reason to waste good money on knitting books! HA!

Well since I don't believe that anymore I noticed a few books that just came out (and want):

some books on my wishlist:
and books coming soon, that I can't wait to see!!

I really appreciate everyone who chimed in about their recommendations on what color I should knit up Silver Belle. Thank You!

It had been on my wishlist, but I never really got around to getting it. So I was very happy that she was giving it away!

Fran buys so many books that sometimes she ends up with duplicates! LOL And then I am the lucky one who gets the extra ones YAH! I think this is like the fourth or fifth book she just handed over to me! Haha!

I have already gleaned some knitting tidbits from this little book already! Isn't that right Adrienne ;o)

The kindenss of knitters is just awesome. Thanks to all those who have just automatically been so sweet to me in their own knitterly way! :o)

This post is just for you Zanete!! :o) Since you wanted an update and all! LOL :op

LOOK!!

HOT STICKS!!
I saw them first over at Superstarra's blog (great knitter by the way, AND she has a special visitor over there too ;op Go check her out)!

Let me tell you, I try not to go and visit KnitPicks website unless I know I am going to spend some money! LOL It is like Wal-mart you start picking up $4 here...$5 there and before you know it your are spending over $100!! Haha!

Now y'all know I don't knit on anything but circular needles! And normally I don't like the Options b/c all of that screwing and putting pins in them. I just love that my Denise needles are like tinker toys *click click*.

But did you see how sharp those wooden tips are?!? Normally wooden needles have a dull end on them.

And OOoooh the COLORS!! Love it! And it comes in the cutest case (unlike that ugly binder the metal ones come in)

I may have to break down and get the whole set, but then again I really like their "fixed" ones! And then I could just select the sizes I truly want b/c I don't use wooden needles as much since I am in luv with my Denise needles. I would definitely get the "fixed" needles in US1-3, and US 6-8 since I tend to use those sizes the most.

And did I mentioned they come in double points too! Just a little FYI because I am soooo anti-DPNs! LOL Magic Loop is the only way!! :oD You betta ask somebody!! Haha!!

GO! Check out the Hot Sticks!