Meliabella Knits

Are happening. Can’t speak about them until Friday. They are not directly knitting related, but are important to knitting just the same. Not vague enough for you?

Will have a post with spinning photos and hopefully finished socks as well as big news on Friday.

So what’s new you ask?

Well, I finished a pair of socks. My first complete pair for Summer of Sock 2008!
Pattern: Fresh, Again by Sarah Lou Nopper
Yarn: Keegan Lane Toasty Sock March Spring Fling Club Offering in Fresh Cut Grass
Size: HUGE! Size 11 with a long 6+ inch cuff!
A very fun knit!

What else, you ask?

I crocheted some cotton coasters to catch the sweat off of my cool beverages at work. I couldn’t take the little puddles running across my desk any longer. I had not crocheted in a very, very long time and kind of just went for it. Learned a lot and plan to do some more in the future. Maybe some baby items to put away for when friends start their families.

What? You want more? Ok. Well we’ve been trying to keep cool…



It’s been a bit of a loosing battle. But we’re trying really hard to be fun and entertaining but while trying to stay cool and hydrated and using as little electricity as possible.

Anything else? Well, I’ve started the second Spring Forward sock and started Ampersand in Socks that Rock medium weight. They’re ok. We’ll see as I go. And we dyed some yarn…



There are a few skeins left in the shop. I want to keep them. Help me and purchase them. I am on a yarn diet and shouldn’t keep it for myself!

This morning we listed a few new kits in the shop.
This one is already gone, but there will be more matchy-matchy kit sets soon!

These are currently (as of 7-17 at 12:50 EST) available:

This is the new Bahama Mama color way in a kit.

Yummy Lilac En Pointe Sock (Read: Louet Gems!) also in a kit. One of these days I’ll keep what I dye for myself. Really I will.

I am working on finishing up the second sock of my Fresh, Agains by Sarah Lou. Must be done by 10 pm tomorrow. Piece of cake, right? ::knock on wood!::

Equal a Yarn Safari! As some of you may remember, back in February Hubby gifted me a day of yarn bliss with trips to LYs far and wide. It was to be known as the yarn safari and it took place yesterday. MJ and I mapped out our route, with intentions to hit four New Hampshire based yarn shops. We had a great time!

Our first stop was The Knitting Nook in Keene, NH. The owner is always sweet and there are some nice yarns in stock. She has recently added Claudia Hand Painted sport and has a few nice colors of Malabrigo. There are beautiful beaded scarf kits and I wish I had picked one up. The only purchase made here was 6 buttons for my Wicked Cardi. They are pewter flower buttons and are so cute.
Next up we hauled off to Patternworks located in Center Harbor, NH. The shop does not have as much as the catalog, and there really wasn’t anything super special here. I did pick up two skeins of Koigu for some socks and a stuffed toy llama for Peanut. While Patternworks was nice enough, I was displeased with the service at Keepsake Quilters (an adjacent and sister store) as an employee made a huge scene when I took a photograph for the blog. There was no sign posted asking to refrain from photography. Let’s just say I”ll be contacting their customer service about their lack there of. ::ahem::
The gem of our safari was by far The Elegant Ewe in Concord, NH. This is my dream LYS. They had over 5 Kromski wheels on the premisis, a room full of hand dyed sock yarn, amazing kits, and a lovely selection of yarns. There where tons of shop patterns and great sample knits. The staff was attentive and friendly (which is so so so important). Here I purchased the Zig Zag hat kit with Koigu and Celestial Merino and the Charlotte’s Web shawl pattern. There was an amazing woven cardigan kit and a beautiful Thanksgiving Shawl kit, but I was trying to behave, since we had one more shop on our safari.
The last stop, after a late lunch at Ruby Tuesday in Concord, was Ewe’ll Love It in Nashua, NH. The shop owner stayed open late for us so we could do a little shopping and was such a nice lady! They have a wide array of yarns and the shop is a sensory overload! Here we saw Seacoast Handpainted yarn in every weight imaginable, kits to benefit the 3 Day Cancer Walk in Boston, and four types of Cherry Tree Hill. There where other yarns as well, but they where pretty picked over. It looks like this shop is visited often and people buy a lot when they come! Here i purchased a skein of Alpaca With a Twist Baby Twist, which is 100% worsted weight baby alpaca boasting 549 yards!

We had a lovely time and have plans to return to NH soon, as there are a few kits we passed on in Concord that must join our stash in the future.

Today MJ is off to pick up her husband “Fey” to visit family out east. They’ll be back tomorrow for a few days to visit and we have a BBQ planned. I can’t wait! Today I am finishing the first of the Spring Forward socks and I think I might spin some yarn tonight. The garden is all weeded and trimmed up, so maybe I’ll take Ellah out there and spin…

In pictures…





The lovely Karen is having a blog contest, to show your summer through pictures. I thought it was a super fun way to show you a little bit of what we’ve done so far! Go stop on by and enter!

The flights to Detroit where pretty uneventful. Everything left on time and actually arrived early. The attendants on Southwest Airlines are attentive and funny and one even turned out to be a knitter from Texas. Pretty neat, huh? She had never heard of Ravelry, so I gave her my card and the web address, so maybe she’ll sign up soon. She stopped by my seat after the snacks where served and asked what I was knitting on. When I told her it was a sock, her eyes lit up, and I knew she was in trouble. The sock above is the Spring Forward Sock from Knitty Summer 2008 knit out of Claudia Hand Painted in Blue Terra Cotta.
When I arrived in Detroit I met up with MJ (MJ and I met in college and have been BFFs ever since) and we had some yummy margaritas to celebrate her graduation and national certification. After, we went to her parent’s for a 4th of July BBQ and then retired to their home for a night of knitting. It was heavenly.
In the morning I woke to this:

And this:

Both of which where a site for sore eyes. The lake is located behind their home and is so beautiful, in the morning especially. They are blessed with ducks, geese and even a family of swans. For breakfast we met up with Fey, MJ’s husband, and one of my very best friends. He worked the 7p-7a shift on the holiday to keep everyone safe. Fey will be flying in on Thursday for a few days of vacation before they drive back to the D.
After breakfast, MJ and I started on the 12 hours, 1600 mile drive back to Massachusetts. We had a scheduled stop in Perrysburg, OH to visit our lovely friends and their LYS!

I was finally able to meet Karen, Sarah Lou and Mary and visit their local yarn shop Yarn Cravin’ (formally Yarn Haven). The shop is adorable and the owners Dale Ann and Bobbie are so sweet!

Every nook and cranny has yarn! And patterns! And needles! And samples, oh the samples!

Even the porch has yarn!

There was sock yarn…

And the wool room…

And the ladies are hot on this new felted bag pattern…

I need one!!!
I purchased a few skeins (I showed severe self-control thankyouverymuch) and already have plans for them.

And MJ gifted me the last skein. I also purchased 2 skeins of CHP for Mom and got a super cute “Just one more row” country kitchy placcard for the living room. The best part though? Meeting the lovely ladies I’ve known online for the last 2.5 years. I wish I lived in Detroit so that I could come on down to Knit Night every Tuesday. HUGS!!!
We didn’t get to spent tons of time on OH as we still had a 12 hour drive ahead of us. So we had to say good-bye to the ladies and their cute shop and head east. We found cheap gas…

in Ohio and stopped for a late lunch/dinner at a Cracker Barrel in PA by Lake Errie. It was too humid and hazy for a picture though. We where lucky to find a CD of Twilight and listened to that until Albany, NY. It was quite a find as it make the time go quickly and MJ finally got to find out why I’ve been so obsessed (Edward Cullen!!! ::swoons::).
We made it home just before midnight only to find a pluthera of purchases waiting for me!

The Loopy Ewe Sock Club July shipment arrived! The color way is called Spicy Smooches and is a pretty red/brown/orange color. The package came with a pattern, a notebook & pen with Loopy on it, and the summer Loopy kisses. Apparantly there was also a knitting jibbitz, but one didn’t make it into my package. No harm. I’ll live.
My purchase from Gaslight Dye Works also arrived.

A skein of Cider Moon Rainbow Trout Glacier! I have been searching far and wide for a skein since Cider Moon closed. These will become socks for Hubby to keep his toes warm this winter. I am excited for this skein, but even more excited to see what Jackie comes up with for the future.
I also received a blue and brown piddlee and a knit girl car sticker, but I’ll show those next time.

P.S. Karen - I’m waering my bracelet today! I love it and have received many compliments! Thanks so much! ::hugs::

Visit Wendy and vote for the fourth caption option for Lucy’s most recent LOLcats photo. It’s my caption.

I am re-reading the Twilight series again already. It’s soooo much better the second time!!! 30 days from now I’ll be at the launch of book four - celebrated by a vampire prom. Very excited. Look out pirates and ninjas; vampires and werewolves are on the loose!

Working on sock #2 of Fresh, Again. It’s not looking good for Friday’s deadline, but I will not give up hope!

Yarn: Keegan Lane Yarns Fresh Cut Grass in Toasty Sock
Pattern: Fresh, Again
Needles: US2 Knit Picks Harmony Circs

Sock #1 of SOS08 is complete. Now to finish sock #2 by 10pm on Friday. Hmmm…

Four days until I leave for a short visit in Detroit to drive east with MJ! We’re stopping in Toledo, OH to see Sarah Lou, Karen, Mary and whoever else shows up! Can’t wait!

Yesterday, in between yucky weather, we had the oppertunity to eat dinner on the patio of the garden.

Peanut has a new found love of corn and Hubby rested for a few moments between grilling. He did a lovely job grilling the corn, it was very tasty.

In the mean time…

Sneak peak:

Still time to join! Stop on by the Ravelry group and check us out!

1. How long have you been spinning? What skill level do you consider yourself?
I have been spinning regularly for about 6 months. I consider myself an intermediate with some advanced skills.

2. What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)?
I prefer to spin 2-ply dk/worsted but am going to work on fingering weight soon.

3. What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?
I spin on my Louet S10 DT. Her name is Ellah and I love her.

4. What are your favorite fibers to spin with? Anything you don’t like?
I love BFL and merino tencel. I’d like to try some quiviot before I die. I’d prefer to stay away from recycled silk as I already have some of that in my stash.

5. Who are your favorite crack dealers fiber sources (etsy or otherwise)?
Funky Carolina, Pigeonroof, Gaslight Dye Works, Copperpot and many more…

6. What kind of fiber do you want to try?
Quiviot would be cool but is so expensive. I’d like to try some hand dyed locks.

7. Is there any techniques you would like to learn?
Spinning silk hankies would be neat, but I dunno.

8. Do you dye fiber? If not, would you like to learn?
LOL. Yes. My husband and I own Keegan Lane Yarns.

9. Do you have fiber prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fiber?
I prefer ready to spin fiber, please.

10. What do you do with your hand spun? What projects have you completed?
I plan to knit it. Eventually. So many projects so little time.

11. Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?
I would looooove one of these…

12. What colors “fall into your shopping basket”? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I prefer jewel tones, and pinks and greens. I steer clear of warm tones - red, orange, yellow. Not sure why…

13. What is on your wheel/spindle right now?
Funky Carolina BFL for a gift.

14. What other crafts/hobbies do you have?
I dye, and knit. I love to knit socks and lace and sweaters and mittens. I also enjoy reading and am excited for book 4 of the Twilight series. I enjoy cooking and baking. I like to putter in my garden.

15. Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?
Getting healthy. Family. Friends. Relay for Life.

16. Do you have an online wish list?
The Loopy Ewe
ETSY

17. Is there anything that you collect?
Sheep, Vera Bradley bags, Piddleloop Bags, Yarn, Fiber, Polish Pottery, Fiesta ware.

18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What magazine subscriptions do you have?
I would like to try a set of the Sox Stix. I would like to renew my Interweave and Spin Off subscriptions and would loooove a subscription to Rebecca.

19. When is your birthday?
February 4th.

20. What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality?
Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail/Sleepless in Seattle with a bit of Julia Roberts in Mona Lisa Smile and a touch of Julia Styles in 10 Things I Hate About You and a dash of Sylvia Plath minus the crazy.

21. What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)? I live in the north east and it’s currently summer. But if meltables where placed in ziplock they might be ok…

22. Tell us one weird fact about yourself!
I can clap with one hand.

Favorites
favorite painting/picture(link): It’s a tie! Water Lilies and Starry Night.

Candy: Haribo Candy Peaches (Not the ones that look like donuts, the real ones).

Food: Veggie Chili.

Drink: Coke.

Movie(s): 10 Things I Hate About You, Pretty Woman, Mona Lisa Smile, Sleepless in Seattle/You’ve Got Mail, Super Troopers, Office Space… Too many!

TV Show(s): Grey’s Anatomy, John & Kate Plus 8, Paula Deane, Ace of Cakes, All My Children…

Book(s): Anything Shakespeare, the Twilight series, Harry Potter, The Bell Jar, etc.

Guilty Pleasure(s): Coke and chocolate. Both of which have been lacking due to WW. (4.8 lbs!)

How I missed thee…

Summer of Socks 2008 is in full swing! I am working on sock #1 knit from Fresh, Again by Sarah Nopper with Keegan Lane Yarns Fresh Cut Grass. I’m knitting on Knit Picks size US2 circs and loving it.

Back to work!