Green Socks, they never get dirty, the longer you wear them, the stronger they get. 

Sometimes, I think I might wash them, but something inside me keeps saying not yet, not yet, not yet....

So, it looks as though others sang this song using black as their sock color, which makes a lot more sense in context of the song. I would swear we sang about green socks... perhaps my memory fails me.

Regardless, they are done! And, they're really pretty! 

Pattern: Herringbone Ribs Toe Up Socks by Wilma Becker
Yarn:  Blue Moon Fiver Socks that Rocks lightweight in Jade
Needles: Addi Lace size 1.5 US
Notes: This was my first time using Socks that Rock.  I think I'm beginning to understand the hype. This yarn is really fantastic to work with. My only obstacle, if you can consider it that, was trying to adapt to the gauge. In order to make this combo work for my foot size, I reduced my total stitch count from 64sts to 55sts. I worked the pattern over 32 top stitches and after my heel, I integrated the lace by using my already established border stitches as the beginning and end of both front and back. ( I worked the lace bits between the stockinette borders, without regard to front/back). I could probably benefit from reducing my stitch count by at least four or five more stitches, but these fit well enough. I also continued to use an extra long cuff, because I LOVE wearing socks that stay up! Though, the next time I work with STR I need to make sure to use a twisted rib for a tighter fabric.  

Annnnnnnnnnd Break. Take five. Make it ten.

...knitting your way to the top...Don't I wish...Somebody point me in the direction of this building!

I can't begin to imagine the level of knitterly productivity I could achieve if knitting suddenly became an office approved activity!  

Summer in the city is here. I know this to be true, because Monday, I sat gloriously in the sun in the middle of Millennium Park: eating, drinking, being merry, listening to music (for free), all while knitting away on my second May Sock.  

Not too shabby for a Monday night. I wonder, do other cities come close to offering the types of totally free, totally fun public amenities and recreation that we have here in Chicago? 

Today, I delivered my May sweater. It's a success! 

Pattern: This is THAT Sweater by Kim Wagner
Yarn: Wool of the Andes in Dove Grey

Needles: Addi Click Interchangeable Size 8
Notes: I knit to the pattern for the "40 bust. I didn't make any modifications. I think the construction of this sweater is WONDERFUL and clever; it's knit in one piece and seamed only on the sides. Finishing is easy, because there are minimal ends to weave in. For me, this knit very quickly. I will warn you that this sweater becomes very large and heavy near the end; aside from that, I can't say I have any complaints. 

It's been a lot of fun working on a project for my mom. I loved seeing how excited she was to receive it! While I was at the house to drop it off, my dad mentioned that father's day is in June... hint.hint. nudge. nudge. You know... just something to think about while I'm contemplating next month's project. 

I was a little nervous, when Mike told me that he picked out and ordered my birthday present earlier this week. Usually, present choosing is a group activity; at minimum, it requires consultation. I'm finicky. I'm picky. And, I'm also a pretty spoiled pain in the ass. 

My immediate initial reaction, of course, was to pout. Mike reassured me that he nailed it, and I had no reason to preemptively doubt his gift-giving capabilities. Then, he upped the ante by agreeing to let me open my gift when the UPS guy delivered it (My birthday isn't until June 5)....  

Tonight, I met the delivery dude at the door. You can imagine my delight when I tore the boxes open and found these.

I had to share my excitement. I texted my mom a picture; she said "COOL!" in her preschool teacher voice, and then asked me "What does it do?" ... I thought maybe you would be better suited to share my giddy enthusiasm. (Love you, Mom). 


Mike, I'm sorry I doubted your ability to pluck a present right out of my mental wish list. You knocked this one out of the park! 

Progress on my Mother's Day sweater is... astonishingly spectacular. I still have belt and loops to add, and I need to weave in a couple ends (this sweater has, literally, two end to weave in!). But, prognosis is good for my end of month deadline, which is still a whole 11days away! 

Do you ever stop to think about the yardage you put into your knitting? Like, by completing this sweater, I just knit over a mile of yarn. It's kinda wild. Certainly, my hands have been putting on more miles than my feet these days. I should probably work on that.

Remember when I cast on my socks this month....like a solid two weeks ago??? This is all I have to show for myself.

What? No two-at-a-time socking this month? That's so stupid of you.  Yes. I agree. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Mostly, it seemed like a good idea because I wanted to use Turkish cast on, and I didn't want to spare the 60seconds it would have taken me to find another set of needles to hold stitches while I worked the toes separately. Laziness is just no good, friends. You take one short-cut, then another short cut, and before you know it, you're back where you started and you've only got one sock. (Mind you, this sock only took ~2days to knit, and I have been occupied otherwise meanwhile: item1, item 2, item3). My problem arises in my complete lack of motivation to cast-on and work my second sock. Hopefully, I will run out of sweater to knit soon and be forced to resume progress. I'll keep you posted. 

A side note; I'm both confused by and in love with my first skein of STR. I'm confused because, well... it's a lot more ... substantial... than the sock yarns I've used before. I had to modify the pattern and work 10 fewer stitches around in order to achieve a good fit. It knits really quickly, which is never bad, but it seems a little, bulky?? That is, until you put it on your foot. And then it feels normal; another point of confusion. As far as the love is concerned, it feels incredible and the stitch definition is swell.  

...since I talked about food on this blog. Allow me to fix that. As you may know, Sunday brunch is my absolute favorite meal. Lately, Mike and I have been in a redundant pancake sort-of routine, but we broke out today by inviting some good friends over to break bread.

We had fruit and yogurt parfaits with strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and shaved dark chocolate.

We had a mixed green salad tossed with balsamic vinaigrette, cranberries, walnuts, and a breaded goat cheese nugget. 

We had knock-off Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls

And, we had herbed baked eggs.

It was good. All of it. Even better, it tasted like it took a lot more work than it did. All of these are fairly simple to throw together, and, combined, they create a brunch feast worthy of envy. Give it a try for yourselves and let me know what you think! 

Did you make it to the Dream in Color Seconds Sale today? I did. I woke up early to be there when the door opened. There was already a room full of scavengers when I walked in the door at 9:33. Literally, one girl had a vinyl clothes hamper loaded with goodies. I didn't go nearly as crazy as some, but I did stock-up with some more Baby and a couple varieties of irregular sock weight; all destined to become sweaters. 

For now, though, my attention is turned to my May sewing project. The warm weather we had last week has me inspired to create something summery. Butterick 6655 fits the bill. 

I've had this piece of material sitting in my stash since last year when I took my beginner sewing class. I'm beginning to think of ways I might add some flair to this pattern without clashing with the fabric, maybe some piping around the neckline? Any suggestions?

Spring and summer in and around the windy city  hold so much fibery goodness, it's hard to keep up with it all! 

Saturday, May 14 from 9:30-12:15 is the Dream in Color Semi-Annual Seconds Sale in West Chicago. This sale is a WONDERFUL opportunity to get your hands on some highly discounted, high quality yarn! Recently, I knit my Olive and Vintage Lady's Jumper using yarn I purchased at this sale last year! If you're able to be there, you won't want to miss it!

June 11 is WWKIP Day!  The Windy City Knitting Guild will be gathering in Millenium Park to participate

June 24-26 is this year's Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair! There are tons of workshops, contests, meetups, and a wonderful market place to take advantage of here! This is Chicago's "organic" fiber fest. 

August 19-28- Twenty eight Chicago area yarn stores will be participating in the 2nd Annual Chicago Yarn Crawl. Mike and I crawled all over the city last year and discovered some fantastic resources we didn't know were available! Participants collect stamps from each store they visit and enter store and crawl-wide drawings for chances to win incredible prizes! Also, each store has a free pattern and their own bonus discounts for crawlers. 

August 25-28 is STITCHES MIDWEST!!! I keep telling myself that I'm going to start stashing away my entire yarn budget annually for the Stitches market place... it hasn't happened. The first time I walked into the convention center and saw all the vendor booths lined up.... I felt like Charlie when he stepped into the Chocolate Factory. It's amazing. 

September 10-11 is this Summer's Renegade Craft Fair, which, technically, isn't a yarn specific fest at all. However, there are a handful of really wonderful local fiber artists with booths sprinkled down Division Street. And there are HUNDREDS of incredible crafters to check out while you walk around.  

September 24 is YarnCon at the Pulaski Park field house. This is a much smaller scale market place, but it's lovely regardless and an excuse to spend even more money on yarn....

If these events aren't enough to satisfy your hunger for fiber, there are also several fiber fests and events in Wisconsin and Michigan throughout the summer. Mark you calendars! It'll be here and gone before we know it!