Got a lovely surprise from Jill on art night. Tea! She went to Boston and brought us all back some tea from this place called Tealuxe-www.TeaLuxe.com. So nice...thanks Jill!! She's the best.
Everyone got some different. M. and I got a total of 4: Green Tea with Pear, Kir Royale, Gingerbread, and Creme de la Earl Grey which smells absolutely fabulous. I had a pot of the Gingerbread today, which is a great tea for fall and the smell....mmmmmm. Also had the green with pear which was different. The smell was very reminiscent of ? what? I'm still not sure. I liked it when it was hot but when it cooled some I didn't really care for it. But hot it's pretty good.

On the knitting front I have finally finished the back of the "beast" or the garter-stitch cardigan. Whew! And almost finished with the first of A's sock. Maybe I will get those done this weekend and can cast-on a pair for me. Oh...still working on the toe-up pair so I suppose I should finish those first. Sigh...oh alright.

Drizzly, gray, foggy, chilly today. Perfect fall weather to put on a pair of Perry Ellis lounging pants...aka..pj's, slippers and making a pot of Jasmine tea. MMMMM. I have been making some progress on the garter stitch sweater-finally! I have decided that I don't really care for knitting a sweater that have the sleeves cast on while knitting the piece. It seems like it takes a week to finish one row. I only have about 3 1/2" left on the back and then bind-off. Woohoo. And I am almost finished with the first sock of A.'s. I think there will be enough yarn for a pair of short socks for me as well. Always a plus.
Went to Williams-Sonoma the other day and picked up some of their Spiced Chestnut hand lotion. It is a great hand cream and the smell...absolutely fabulous. Also got a nifty little peeler that rests in the palm of your hand and a nice paring knife. Used them to make sweet potato fries and portobello mushroom pizzas (vegan). Yum. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

Not too much knitting content today. Spent alot of the day running errands...Trader Joe's for some vegetables and food and Coffee Emporium for tea for me and COFFEE for A. Yeah, 'cause she can never have enough coffee. Did stop at one of the yarn shops because I have been looking for reinforcement yarn for my socks and only one local place carried it. I got the last card of it...yah for me!
I did go to one of the other shops the other day-yarnsandfabrications.com and picked up another skein of (wait for it.....) sock yarn. It is Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Fantasy in a beautiful red/orange colorway. Very bright. Can't wait to knit with it.

This is the sock yarn that I am using for A.'s socks. I call it "Mike" although I don't know why. I am about halfway through the first one. I went up to a size 3 needle for hers.

I also have started knitting a pair from the toe-up from the left over yarn from my first socks. The pattern is very easy to follow but I had to rip it out because I couldn't "unzip" the crocheted provisional cast on.

I haven't really knitted too much today because I was painting around the outside of the house and my arms are sore. Took some arnica and will knit tomorrow!

First socks!!! I LOVE them. So soft and warm. The leg shot is an obligatory Starbucks' shot...art night but I had to show off the sockies.

Pattern: generic Yarn Harlot pattern.

Yarn: Opal sock yarn

Needles: size 2 dpn's

Once I got over my fear of turning the heel it was a very easy,fun pattern to knit. I knit the second one in a day. I think it went so fast because I was excited to have finished the first one.

The next pair on the needles are for A. Same pattern but went up to a size 3 needle to make them a little bigger. I also have some of the Opal yarn leftover (since I had no idea how much yarn it would actually take to make a pair) and I am using a toe-up pattern to make a short pair. I am using the generic pattern from http://wendyknits.net and once I finally master the wrap and turn it will go much smoother.

The weather is supposed to be nasty tomorrow-stormy and cool, so a good day to knit socks.

Just a quick note...I am wearing my lovely new socks as I type. I finished them last night and they are the most comfortable things I have ever worn. I have taken a picture of them but have to wait until it's sent to me. Then I will post a picture of the most bee-u-ti-ful socks ever!!!

Have I mentioned how much I love knitting socks? I have finished...that's right...finished the first sock. I am calling them my "I didn't ever think that I would be able to finish them but here they are" socks. I finished the first one on Sunday evening and was so excited that I immediately cast on the second as well as a pair for A. I will need them in a few days as the weather is turning cooler...finally! In the 60*'s tomorrow and in the 40*'s at night!!

Here is the Tofutsies sock yarn that I bought at Yarn Market that seems to be calling my name to knit. What do you think? Should this be the next pair? And should I try knitting from the toe up following a WendyKnits pattern? Maybe I'll just stick with what I've tried for a few until I get it down.

I lovesssssssss knitting socks. So cool and fast. Thanks to the Yarn Harlot for her nice, easy pattern that made me go ahead and just knit them! Love them. Can hardly wait to cast on the next one.
Found a great swap-http://www.wintercoffeeswap.blogspot.com. Go and sign up...registration opens October 24th. Coffee, yarn...can't get much better.
Still so HOT. 91* today. This is ridiculous. It's October. I want to wear long sleeves....sweats...nice comfy blankies. Not stupid shorts and sandals. Tired of them.

Doncha' just "lurve" this yarn? I have it on the list to make a pair of flip-top mitten/gloves. It is Lorna's Laces in colorway "Flames". I just think it is sooooo pretty.

It has been a little cooler these past few days but tomorrow it is going to be in the upper 80*'s and humid. Oh goody.

Finished my "Hilda" hat from "Hip Knit Hats" and I will have to see if I can get a picture of it. Tres cute. Made one for K. as well because I ended up having another ball left over. I think she'll like it.

Since it was cooler today I made a few fabulous dishes. Asian slaw with chinese noodles and vegetables and curried greens and pasta that was fabulous. Used collard greens which were very good and just a great dish. I never really enjoyed cooking but since becoming a vegan it's hard to find things to eat I have had to resort to *shudder* cooking. Luckily, I have found alot of great vegan cookbooks that are easy without alot of ingredients. So far, so good.

I TURNED THE HEEL!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I'm not too excited...heehee. So easy, as I knew it would be, but just couldn't seem to make myself do it. But do it I did and quite proud as well.
Almost f.o. tonight. Have been knitting a hat from "Hip Knit Hats" the "Hilda". Very, very easy and cute. Only have to make the pompoms and seam it up the back. I think I am going to leave part of it unseamed so my ponytail can stick out. I think it will a cute look.
I am going to finish the sock this week and start on the second so I can have a pair when it cools down. It is somewhat cooler this week and we had RAIN today. The weather is "a-changin'". Finally. Still in the 80*'s during the day but has that fall feeling that is somewhat different...more moisture perhaps.