Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Happy Tuesday! Knitting, Yarn and Another Give-Away!

I've been knitting! I've been excited about it! Finally I have some semi-finished objects to show you. Well, one is semi-finished. It's the laptop cover that I started a couple of months ago. I got the yarn in that I needed to finish it a while ago, but was in my slump, and then distracted by a shiny new project. But I picked it up a few days ago and hammered out the knitting portion. I was little worried about how it was going to look as it was puckering a bit (my fair-isle skills need a little work still), but it blocked out really well and I'm looking forward to sewing the steeks, zipper and lining. The pattern doesn't call for a lining, but I'm going to put one in anyway to keep the floats from getting snagged when I put the computer in.





I've also been working on my spiral sweater for Shelly's knit-along. I still think she is brilliant for coming up with this pattern and so thrilled that she's sharing the pattern with all of us. I am eagerly awaiting the instructions for the next step! I tried to take pictures, but it's hard to capture exactly how beautifully the lace is working up in the Koigu.

The other WIP I have right now is my Pomatomus socks. I have one done and have turned the heel on the second. I'm loving the pattern and think I will make another pair after this. Perhaps in the lovely Mardi Gras yarn (Rav link) my friend, Kelly gave me. Hmm....

What else? Well, last week was a really good yarn week at Chez Sarah. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be grounded, but in my defense, four skeins were part of sock clubs that I subscribed to prior to my grounding. And one skein I won in a contest by Knit Witch for helping her name one of her entries into the Sock Summit dying contest. And the other two, well, I couldn't make her send me just one skein, right? That would be a waste of postage! So, I ordered several skeins, but she only had two ready as of shipping time. (read: excitement, there's more yarn to follow!) I love Brittany's yarn, she dyes it all herself and it's soft and skooshy and so much fun. She dyed the Tulane yarn that I told you guys about a while back. I still haven't made anything with it, but I did give a skein to one of my friends this past weekend and she was just as pleased with it as I am.


These first three are from my Robyn's Nest sock club. She sent out three months worth since so many people are going to be traveling over the summer and might want to bring their yarn with them.







This one is from my Rockin' Sock Club membership. I love the colors, but am not crazy about the pattern that came with it (pretty, but not my style. Shh, don't tell!), so I think I'm going to use it for a different pair, I just haven't figured out which one yet.



This is Waters of the Willamette from the Sock Summit contest. It's so pretty, I don't think the picture does it justice. I'll have another skein coming in my upcoming order.


And, for all that yarn, this is the only one that I actually purchased this week. It's called Hail to the Redskins, but I got it to make a pair of socks for one of my friends who graduated from FSU. I'm hoping I can convince Brittany to dye some University of Florida yarn soon. I already have some LSU yarn that she made, too, so I think that will take care of all my schools.



What else? Oh, I got two really cute project bags and some stitch markers from Gritty Knits. The bags are just the perfect size for sock projects, and although I really didn't need them or the stitch markers for that matter, I couldn't resist. Plus, her prices are really great and she shipped the out super-quick.

And, if you've toughed it out through this whole post, it's time for another give-away. Actually, I have two prizes this time. You can let me know which one you would prefer, or you can enter for both. But if you win one, I won't pick you to win the other. I want to spread the wealth. :-)

The first prize is a screen printing kit that I have had for ages. I have no idea if the ink is even any good anymore or not, but I'm guessing the screens don't go bad. I kinda want to keep it, but given the fact that I have yet to even try and use this, I think it's best to send it to someone else who may actually enjoy it.


The other prize is a tub of crochet cotton. I got this when my grandmother passed away. She used it to make really cute little snowflakes for Christmas. She also made beautiful doilies and tablecloths. I've worked with the tiny cotton on a few projects, and although I love the results, I don't see myself using it again for a while. If you win, I'll also send the patterns my grandmother had to go with them. She only had photocopies, but they're yours if you win them.










ETA - Grr, the curse of the yarn has returned, I had to frog the second sock because I failed to read the chart correctly.

ETA2 - The contest will be open between now and July 28th when I will select a winner.

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

That laptop cover is absolutely gorgeous! I am so impressed with your skills. I bow down to you!

Lori McNamara said...

I would love the crochet thread and patterns! The laptop cover is very cool.

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

i agree... the cover is awesome!! :D and I would love to enter to win the tub of crochet thread!! I've been wanting to do some projects with some thread... :D
Zaneta
superwoman_4002@yahoo.com

dealonnia said...

Love the colors of the laptop cover. The handwork is awesome. As for the sock yarn love the last two...the one you purchased and the burg/gold

Marsha said...

I stumbled here after doing a google for a laprop cover and what do I find? ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!
I will be stalking back to see the finished item coz I know it will be really beautiful.

Hope it's ok to enter your contest too, would love the crochet cotton.

I must say you sweater is starting off beautifully as well. Best wishes on finishing it.

rochard said...

I, too, love the laptop cover and would love the tub of crochet thread and your grandmother's patterns. It would be lovely if you could post a picture of her and some of her work.

All the best, Sally R.

Patti Sandlin said...

I would love to win the crochet cotton. And if I do, I will even crochet a little angel to send back to you, for being such an angel and doing giveaways! ohsobroke on Ravelry.

Bethany said...

Love the colors of the laptop cover! Please enter me for the drawing for the crochet cotton. I made some doilies last Christmas & would love to make more.

Lara said...

Damn, girl! You've been BUSY!!! Sign me up for the screenprinting kit!!! That's something I've been kind of dying to learn how to do. I'm envisioning a world of cute onesies for the babes, you know...

Also, if you need volunteer recipients for the FSU socks, I'm your girl. ;)

Lara said...

Oh, ps - I am LOVING the yarn you chose for the spiral sweater!!!

Aria said...

Wow I love those laptop covers. It certainly looks like you'll be busy knitting socks too! The crochet cotton would be great to have! I have some doily patterns I've been dying to try out! Thanks

Unknown said...

Where did you get the laptop cover pattern? You are doing a great job with it.

I love crochet yarn, and would like to give it a great new home.

cherie said...

I would love to help you clean out your craft room! The crochet cotton would be awesome, leaving you more room for sock yarn!!

ashleyjoy26 said...

absolutey love the sock yarns! I hope one day to knit as well as you. May I enter the contest?

redraveler said...

Wow, I love your laptop cover and I'm very jealous of your stash! I'd love the crochet thread and patterns too; please enter me!

MamaKnits2Much said...

Oh my goodness! That is some beautiful yarn. And I love the laptop cover.
I would like to enter the drawing for the crochet cotton. Crochet doilies are my favorite summer projects and I just ran out of crochet cotton (all except some green..) :)

Melissa F. in CA said...

The laptop cover is sooooooo beautiful! Wow :)

I would love to provide a new home for the crochet cotton and patterns. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this contest!

I'm on Rav as Pudmuddles :)

Rachel said...

I want the crochet thread. I actually learned to crochet on thread that thin.

Anonymous said...

Hey, your laptop cover is marvelous-fancy making me one-ha ha.

Can you throw me in for the competition for your grandmother's thread? It would be amazing.

Thanks for this really sweet give-away idea. Hugs

Lucy

Nicole said...

Your laptop bag is so beautiful and detailed! You shall have to post pics once you get it lined, cannot wait to see what you choose to go with those rich colors.

I would love to be entered into both, I love crocheting, but screen-printing just looks so fun, too!

A L said...

Wow! That laptop cover is gorgeous. The colors really pop. If this is the way to enter, I'd be interested in the crochet thread.

Linz Knits Now said...

I don't particularly want to enter the contest but I just had to comment on your laptop cover - it's amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the laptop and the sweater -- beautiful!

I'd love the crochet thread and patterns. I've been wanting to learn the screen printing but if I were to win the thread it would give my elderly mom and I some thread to make snowflakes with and doilies.

Thanks!

Rachel said...

Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
I'm starting on a series of Christmas snowflakes, and some baby booties for a christening.

Hermioneann said...

Neat cover idea for the laptop. I'd love the thread- though honestly I've got white coming out my ears, so maybe just the others? If nothing else, I could just pass the white on again.

kayla said...

id like to enter for both giveaways.youve inspired me to make a slip cover for my moms laptop!

Penni said...

I have the same kit but have been scared to start! You have given me the incentive to start it noe, yours is absolutly beautiful! I would love to win the crochet thread too! It's seems to be calling out to be made into something Lacey!

Melinda said...

I too would like to enter the contest for the crochet thread.
Melinda

Knitcrazy said...

YourLapcover is Beautiful!! Great Colors...

And I am sitting here Drooling over your Sock Yarns.... Ohhhhhh

Maria said...

I would like to enter your contest for the screen printing kit! BEAUTIFUL laptop cover!!

Purl47 said...

I wouldn't mind getting the crochet thread. I just started learning crochet this year and have wanted to try my hand at a table runner!
I am dizzyjedi on Ravelry.

Tracie said...

I would love to be entered for the tub of crochet cotton.

And fabulous job on the laptop cover!

Olga said...

How nice of you to give away the thread you are not going to use! Please enter me in your drawing as well. It's been a while since I made a doily but I have a baby girl who could use some lacy outfits for the summer. Thanks!

Unknown said...

What beautiful, beautiful work! I agree with so many others - the laptop cover is gorgeous!

And it's very sweet and generous of you to do a give-away! I'd like to enter for the screen-printing kit, please. I've been working with carving stamps for use on fabric with textile paints (you can see some of my work on my blog), and screen-printing might be fun to branch out into. :)

Carol C said...

That laptop cover is beautiful. I am not at that level yet. Although I would love to win the crochet thread and patterns.
Nice blog too.

Anonymous said...

Great Laptop cover! I would love to be entered into the drawing for the screen printing kit. Thanks.

Happymomma2448 said...

Hello...as all the other have said the laptop cover is awesome....where did you find the patter?? I would love to make one for my daughter....do you have any tips to stop the puckering of carrying the colour?? you do such a beautifuln job!!!

Please enter me for the corchet cotton and the screen printing kit.

Thanks!!

Brinn said...

Ooh, pretty laptop cover! I found you post via Ravelry, and I'd like to enter both contests. And I'll be adding your blog to my blog reader. : )

fae said...

Wow. Those lap top covers are really pretty. I love them.
And, I'd love to join the crochet thread contest, please, if there is still time.

Mama said...

I would love to have the crochet thread (I like to use it to make the Mason Dixon bubbly curtains and the Knit Picks lace curtain + a few doilies).

ps: your Nanny was an AMAZING crafter. I can only imagine how wonderful it feels to surround yourself with such lovely memories.

JellysJar Ravelry said...

Wow, what a nice collection of sock yarns. I am drooling over them not even getting to the thread. :)

Sara said...

Would love to put to use the thread. BUT I gotta say, I so love that laptop cover. Times like this, I so wish I could get a hang of knitting so I can make something like that for my laptop.

Nilda said...

That laptop cover is beautiful!
I also enjoyed your later post with the picture of your grandma and some of the items your grandma made. I have fond memories of my grandma, too. She taught me how to sew. I think we were both blessed to have had such wonderful grandmas.

Please enter me in the drawing for the crochet cotton.

Herbert said...

ooh, that laptop cover is gorgeous.

I could always use crochet thread, so please enter me into your contest!

Love,
Herbert

Teri DiBlanca said...

I'd love to be included in your contest and make something wonderful with your grandmother's crochet thread!

Jabezprayer said...

I love crochet thread. I've started making doilies and things this summer. Your grama's quilts are simply gorgeous.
jabezprayer@hotmail.com

Knitz2 said...

I'd love to enter your contest - for the crochet cotton. Although I do occasionally make doilies, my usual project for the thread is market totes and baby sock laundry bags.

You're braver than I am to even attempt the fair isle computer bag. I like to try new things but tend to get bogged down in things that require a lot of concentration.

Heide said...

Clever and beautiful laptop cover. I've never tried silk screening, but it looks like loads of fun. I dabble in crocheting, but knitting is more of a passion. You have quite the collection of yummy sock yarn... I think I licked the monitor. Cheers!

Rachel said...

I have to agree with the crowd. The laptop cover is very pretty. Alas, fair isle knitting is a ways off for me. I do crochet tho and would love to be entered for the crochet thread. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I'd love the crochet thread if my being overseas isn't a problem...