1st, what’s wrong with this picture?

I had finished the Swallowtail months ago, but had yet to block it, but thanks to Cheryl, I now was able to block it. Being that it had been a long time, I forgot how my Swallowtail was supposed to look, and blocked the right/left edges wrong. But I referred to the pattern and voila!

Since I’m talking about Stitches West, last year I saw Jennifer Hansen from Stitch Diva Studios there demonstrating her stash busting Tunisian blanket, which was totally gorgeous! I quickly bought the Jenkin’s Tunisian Crochet hook in S with a stopper, thankfully, her blanket was such a hit that Jenkin’s has these on back order still because of demand. After Stitches I went to a knit along for this blanket at Knitting Arts and started my blanket. I worked on it and found the method very easy and great “mindless” crocheting, or a cross between crocheting and knitting. I finally finished this, and am so proud of it. I love it so much. There are 9 different yarns in this, including Alpaca silk! It’s so soft, and warm, this is fast to make if you actually spend the time working it, for me I put it away and finally decided to bring it out again.

I’ve been steadily knitting along on my Tech Square Afghan blanket, and finally, oh finally finished my Pocket Square! There are 3 pockets to it, a Kangaroo, Ribbed, and Pouch pocket. All are different methods and pretty darn interesting. I went on faith when following the directions, and thankfully the designer didn’t fail.

In the middle is the Kangaroo pocket, method is fairly simple, you knit the center stitches to the desired length of the pocket, while leaving the sides on waste yarn, when your ready to knit the back of the pocket, you start knitting the live stitches on the waste yarn and when you get to the pocket front, pick up stitches in the back of it, in a straight line then continue knitting the remaining live stitches on yarn, and when you reach the same length of the front pocket, you use 2 needles, one for the back stitches and one for the front pocket stitches and knit the front and back stitches together, creating one seam stitch. Here’s a close up:

This is the Pouch Pocket, the angle is looking at the inside or opening, that is lined with Red yarn. To start it off you take waste yarn and knit 2 rows of X amount of stitches you want for your pocket width, and then continue re-knitting the same stitches of waste yarn with the working yarn, and continue on your piece. When your ready to work the pocket, you remove the waste yarn, leaving 2 rows of live stitches, top and bottom row. You take these stitches and knit in the round, picking up a stitch at the corners to close the gap, and knit for however deep you want your pocket. You knit in stockinette so when you push the pocket inwards, it’s knitted inside.

This is the back of the square:

The last pocket is a Ribbed square, you do a YO every other knit stitch, and then the next row you knit the knit stitches and transfer the YO’s to waste yarn. When your’ve ready to knit the back of the pocket, you knit the YO’s thru the back stitch, knit tightly, and keep going until you’ve reached the ribbing. You then seam up the sides.

Opening of pocket:

Out of all 3 pockets, all methods are pretty interesting, I like the Pouch pocket for being a loose change pocket, you really can’t loose anything in it, the Ribbed one is nice, but you need to seam nicely, and the Kangaroo I love, very pretty and so many designs you can incorporate with it, I just don’t care for picking up stitches on the purl bump side. I was so happy to finish this square, it had be hibernating for awhile because I was knitting other things or got stuck in the holidays.

I quicky cast on for my next square, the Entrelac square. I’ve made leaps of progress with this, almost done, but need to buy more yarn. It has 2 of my fave colors, green and red, oh my! I’ve never done Entrelac before, this is my first attempt, and I admit when I was first looking at the instructions, I was like, WTF, but mainly because the picture was far more confusing then the actual method. Anyways, I followed the instructions like a good little knitter, and sure as day, was speeding along in no time. This is why I love this project, you get something of everything and your smack ready for a real garment, like a sweater, or vest.

I’m loving the color combo, my hubby picked the 2 to go with out of my entire color scheme. So far these are all the squares I have done, the Entrelac is not shown yet cause it’s not yet finished.

From a previous post, I never got the chance to post a picture of the Dayflower gloves I knitted for my daughter for Christmas, here’s her pose (note she wouldn’t let me show her face, kids??!??)

This is yarn scrumptous!

I also participated in a Christmas Stocking Swap with Yarnwhisperer on Ravelry for the Death By Socks group. All the members thought it would be nice to knit a stocking, no competition, but a way of knitting something nice for someone else.

Here’s the stocking I sent her:

And here’s the goodies and stocking she sent me:

I love the stocking, good color choice, and I love the Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn! All the goodies she sent, plus the lovely magnets and ornament.

Oooh.. and last, but not least, I received my Scout’s Swag shipment, “Red Pear Tweed”, I’m loving this color! Great for the upcoming Valentines day!

Phew! Sorry for the long post, but gosh I just needed to share all this, I have more, but I’ll spare you and save it for another post.

R

As most of you know I didn’t start knitting until December 0f 2007, when a good friend, Leslie B., taught me the basic Knit and Purl. Before that, I knew nothing of the fibery world beyond the staples of Knit and Purl. Little did I know at the time that it would be a craft I would wholeheartedly embrace and thrive in. Since then, knitting has been a “gateway” of wonderful things for me.

I’ve learned how to knit useful, beautiful, and creative garments. I’ve met other wonderful, creative knitters, crocheters, spinners, dyers, to name a few would be Marisol, Nell, Leslie, and Cheryl. All are great knitters, crafters, creative and inspirational in their own special way. I have knitting to thank for meeting them.

I’ve learned more about myself, how my love for this art really has a deeper meaning, finding out that my late Grandma Luz was a natural in this craft. Many times as I’m going through my stash, knitting, or anything that involves the wooly stuff, I often think of her. It’s a connection with her I never knew when she was alive, but one that I’m thankful for now because I feel her presence with me when I knit. Other great things I’ve experienced are swap, competitions, dyeing, spinning, and novice designing.

I’ve compiled a mosaic of pictures all from my 2008 year, which now that I look back was filled with so much. Especially this blog, something I enjoy so much. I’ve been maintaining it for 1 full year now, and am proud of what it inspires and how I can look back at my past.

There were so many more pictures I wanted to include, but felt this was pushing it. I won’t list what each picture is because there’s too many, but for short will list an overview below.

I look forward to another year of knitting, blogging, dyeing, spinning, and crafting.

-Sock Wars Socks, 3 kills
-Mini Scarf pin (personal project for Etsy)
-Tunisian Blanket
-Tech Square Afghan project (4 squares shown)
-Traveling Scarves Groups
-Crochet bag, Crochet Cowl
-Christmas Stocking
-MS4, SofSIII, Elm Row
-Basetweave scarf, Niners scarf
-Bookmarks, Dishcloths
-Gloves, beanies
-1st Rockymoreno “Skull” Cowl design
-My own dyed yarn, My handspun, knitting at night needles, knitta tag

Rocky's 2008 Year of Knitting, Dyeing, Spinning, Everything

First I’ll share this luscious yarn I scored at Artfibers months ago, and don’t think I ever shared it? It is Satori, and I purchased 300 yards. I didn’t write the color # down, but it is basically black with a purple sheen to it, it’s pretty cool in person. My camera isn’t that great at picking up the purple, can you tell?

I bought this yarn specifically for my daughter, to knit her something with, and for her Xmas gift I’ve started to knit “Dayflower Fingerless” gloves from HandJiveKnits. This yarn is so soft and warm, I’ll have enough to make me a pair or maybe a cowl??? Hmmm..

Here’s the right glove done

I’m about halfway done with the Left glove, should finish tomorrow. My other Xmas FO is not done but will be my mission to finish after I finish the Left glove. I was so lucky to at least get this done, my time has been little lately.

In the midst of my crazy life, I got some yummy cookies from Marisol, she’s so kind to have mailed me these.

I got these cookies a few days ago, and they didn’t last long. Everyone loved them, and gobbled them up quickly.

Some other goodies arrived too, the last installment of the Woolgirl Sock Club 2008 came in, and it’s a treat, we get yarn from Hazel Knits in “Whispering Pine” colorway. A very pretty color that fits the weather so well. In this package is 400 yards of sock yarn, a Sheepy calendar for 2009, personal hand knit tags, and a stitch marker.

Last, I’ll leave you with my doggy, who looks so comfy. I’ll also be heading to sleep myself, it’s already going to be Monday 8( but hey it’s a short week!

Happy Holidays Everyone!
R

The kids had such a great time, and really enjoyed the rock climbing. My son climbed the rock wall over 4 times and did each turn in record time. We said he looked like Spiderman up there, he navigated that wall like it was nothing.

My daughter tried too, but had a wee bit harder of a time.

It was such a great time, but very tiring. The long 2 hour drive to the party gave me plenty of time to finish knitting my Holiday Stocking. I made one for my Death By Socks Christmas Stocking Swap Pal, Yarnwhisperer. I have to apologize to her, I had over a month to get this done, but fell behind on so many projects and ended up casting on this past Friday 11/21/08.

I didn’t know what to do for a stocking, so I decided to wing it and let the project happen as I knitted it.

I started off with a provisional chain cast on and knitted in red for about 9 inches, then turned the heel, onto the toe, which was about 2 1/2 inches. I used a plain stockinette because I felt it would look nice.

I then swiss stitched in a snowflake design, plus Yarnwhisperer’s initials “A T”. After closing up the toe, I removed my crochet chain and picked up the live stitches, then with white yarn, knitted for 2 rows, then reversed knitted the opposite direction to make the right side the wrong side. I was pretty skeptical at first, but it worked out better than I thought. The 2 knitted right side rows allowed the reverse knitted (purls on right side) to puff out, so it really looks like a stocking.

For the yarn, I used Vanna White’s Red Yarn, very soft, and economical, and this yarn from Stacy Charles that is white with laced tinsel sparklins through it. I thought it would be perfect and it is!

For added flair, I weaved in some red beads for the snowflake. I’ll put together the notes from my pattern and share for free again! I plan on making another one, but for my daughter, I might switch up the design though.

That’s my Bear in the picture, he had to share the spotlight.

Can you see those beads? I love how they turned out.

Besides my stocking gift, I also got a few gifts of my own, a lovely Starbucks & Yarn Package came from Shoegirl on Ravelry.

I got some really pretty Lorna Laces sock yarn, 217yds!, a cute mug cozy, in my fave colors, neutrals, a Starbucks gift card, Giada’s Tuscan Spice from Crate & Barrel (I love this!), Giada’s little menu, and some hand cream (which I love cause I’m always washing my hands).
Thank you Shoegirl!

Another goodie came Saturday, it is “Autumn Haze” from Socks that Rock 2008. This is the final installment and I’m in love with it. My absolute #1 fave of the entire 2008 club. I need more of this colorway, so I can make something absolutly pretty with it.

Aren’t those colors beautiful!

Ok one more goodie for yah, today I received the latest Madeline Tosh Society shipment, “Tourmaline”, and is to die for! It’s 1000 yards of luscious silky soft Tuscan silk! This is definitely an early Christmas present for me.

Oh, before I leave yah, if you want to enter a fun contest, please check out the Nautical Knitter’s blog, she is giving away the cutest Snowman stitch markers!

I’ll post again before Turkey Day!

I’m pretty organized when it comes to this stuff, so I have a saved file with a list of my “Thanksgiving Menu”, with all needed ingredients to make the menu, and I like to go in and out as fastest as I can.

I print the list out each year, take my calculator and pen, and off I go. I write prices down as I shop and tally it up on my calculator. My goal this year, really out of necessity, is to get the most for my $$. I’m aiming to stay under $150.00, which is pretty damn low for me cause I usually spend a few hundred. I have between 10 -12 mouths to feed, all adults, with the exception of my kids and 1 baby. This means that everyone will eat larger portions and even get seconds.

Here’s what I’ll be making:
**Turkey** (probably a 24lb one or bigger)

**Mashed Potatoes**

And so much more! Homemade stuffing, Carrots steamed with fresh Rosemary, Fresh string beans and corn, and dinner rolls, gravy, and of course cranberry sauce. Yum-O! I can just taste the food now!

I got my Turkey items, now all that waits is the prepping, which is mandatory to have a relaxing Turkey day. Guess how much I spent? My bill tallied up to $96.00! Of course I have 4 items left to buy, but that’s gotta wait until Wednesday morning, and I know I’ll stay under $50.00 with the remaining 4, plus I got everything in under 1 hour! Believe me the store was packed, everyone was turkey shopping, and all lines had cartfulls with like 4 people waiting in each line. I got lucky because the line next to me opened and the guy in front of me let me go ahead of him cause his girlfriend was off getting a last minute item.

Now that my grocery shopping is done, onto some yarny goodness. I got my latest installment of the Seven Deadly Spins Club, and is greedy!

Yellow to me is an acquired taste but this purse looks so pretty and fashionable.

I also got the coolest little $100 dollar stitch marker, but no pictures cause my camera could’nt focus on it.

This package made me greedy for more yarn, and wouldn’t yah know, I also got me hands on some Pirate Booty!

Latest colorway is Herron. It reminds me of those cold rainy winter days that are gloomy. It has a nice shade of purple blended in that act like a mellow purple umbrella to add that sparkle to your day.

I think this colorway calls for a cowl! I’m starting to love cowls, there so addicting. I’ll have to choose from the huge array of cowls I covet.

Another fun project I’ve been secretly working on is a pattern for a Christmas Stocking. I’m putting the finishing touches on it, and I’ll share probably tomorrow. It’s a fun festive project!

Well I’d love to stay and blog more but I gotta get my booty nighty night for me trabajo tomorrow.
Catch you tomorrow!

I have updates on my Traveling Scarve’s groups.

First up, Group 37 Noro Knit & Crochet combo, I decided to just knit this time, as opposed to crocheting. The stitch pattern I went with is “Mock Cable” pattern. You can’t really tell that much from the pictures, but it looks like cables but is really a combo Knits & Purls. The color transitioning is just beautiful, but too bad the pattern doesn’t show up much.

This is going in the mail, either today or tomorrow at the latest. The scarf’s owner is “Trustcrazyideas” on Ravelry.

Here’s a full view of the scarf so far:

It’s coming out very pretty! My contribution is on the far right end.

Onto the Traveling Scarves Group 25 Significant Others, this piece is knitted, only knitting allowed in this group. I went with the “Broken Rib” stitch, which doesn’t pull like regular ribbing. I strung balls of Koigu together to get the right weight. The scarf’s owner is “Lizabee” and her SO obviously likes greens, one of my fave colors. I was going to wind one of my greenie yarns, but I remembered I had 2 balls of Koigu from a previous project and thought, why not string together? Worked out perfect! I love the various tones of green? Don’t you??? This too will go to the post no later than tomorrow!

Here’s a full view:

That’s my contribution on the end of the far right. I really love this scarf!

I still have 2 more separate scarf’s to make, and then I’ll be “scarf less” for a bit, at least until the next section comes.

For some updates, I’ve been searching around for some reasonably priced tweed yarn to buy for my Central Park Hoodie I want to make, and have been unsuccessful. Is it too much to ask for a reasonably priced luscious soft green or brown tweed yarn??? Is it? For now I’m still searching and its upsetting me because I really want to get this one started. Hopefully by next week I’ll have found what I need. Soon I’ll have some snapshots of a seedling CPH!

A goodie for you, I received my latest shipment from my Scout’s Swag Sock Club, I give you “De Young”:

Happy Wednesday!

I have some goodies to share with all you ghouls!

These freaky pumpkins were hand carved by little goblins last night, and YES, they made it finally to the Pumpkin Patch! My Mother was able to rush them to the Pumpkin Patch yesterday so we could enjoy a night of knives, cutting, stabbing, carving, and spilling the guts of the poor pumpkins.

Now ghoulies for my secret Halloween FO. I had been wanting to knit something special for Halloween, and like I always do, time got away from me and before I knew it, Halloween was just a week away. My original plan was to knit a black scarf with skulls in white yarn, but given that I only had a week to Halloween, I knew there was no way I was going to knit it by today. So I had to create my own pattern. I decided to make a cowl, a “Skull” cowl. I used black Malabrigo yarn with white “glow in the dark” yarn. I invested in 2 balls of the “glow in the dark” yarn about a month ago just for Halloween. I wanted the skulls to stand out as I’m Trick ‘O Treating tonight.

This is my evil creation, which will be available for free on Ravelry within the next few days, it is my 1st official “Rocky Moreno Design”.

I tried so many times to get a good shot, but the evils that be just didn’t give in.

Here is the Skull Cowl being blocked late last night

And look at this frightening “Skullella” woman with skulls around her neck. (This is pre-blocking, so it’s not as flat or straight as I wanted.)

Ahh! I yell when I see myself! I will frighten you with more pictures later tonight when we get all gored up.

I hope all you ghouls have a creepishly safe and fun night! Watch out for those goblins and vampires out there.

Skullella will return again tonight!

But wait, I have one more morsel to share with you ghouls, it is yes, “EYE CANDY”, the latest installment from the “Madelin Tosh Society”. 200 yards of luscious yarn. I was rushing this morning so I didn’t get the yarn specs 8(.

Good-bye my ghoulies! Have a Devilish time

Here’s the “Pink” candy

TGIF!

As I’ve posted prior, my job has not be one that I’ve enjoyed, in most aspects. Anyways, I found my own inner peace and ways to enjoy myself and feel like I’m making progress. All that I’ve preached to my kids about making your environment enjoyable is actually paying off. I can also attribute my enjoyment to a co-worker who works with me, she’s pretty cool, and we get along great. Were both very strong willed and both have a desire to make things work. I’m thankful she’s there, it’s definitely a nicer environment.

As for other things, my kids are just getting bigger and bigger. My daughter still wants to Trick’o Treat, she’s 15yrs., but we have no kids to Trick’o Treat with, so she’s kind of bummed. My son isn’t interested, but more so because he has braces and candy isn’t an option for him, plus he’s a total health freak, literally, counts calories, saturated fats, etc.

Last time this year, I was working at my job of 7 years, I was living in the Central Valley in a brand new 3000 sq. foot home on a 13,000 sq. foot lot, 3 bath, 5 bedrooms, 3 car garage, on a half court, next door to my cousin, who is like my brother, commuting to work daily from Newman to San Jose to Palo Alto. This was my life then, now I’m back in San Jose, commuting about 25 minutes to work, sometimes less, living in a house, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, decent lot, probably about 7000-8000 sq. foot, renting it, and working at a new company, that I’m trying to grow into. What a difference time makes, huh?

These weeks, so fast, it’s amazing. Halloween is just around the corner, and I can already feel Thanksgiving. This is my favorite time of the year, and sometimes I wish things would just slow down so I can really take in the season. I love the gloominess that comes, the misty mornings, the mornings you just want to have a nice warm cup of coffee or chai tea in bed, just relaxing and enjoying what nature has to offer. So, if your wondering what got me in this mood, it was, no joking around, the new Yarn Pirate colorway from the Booty Club I just received, “Smoke Rings”. This color is so pretty and just emanates this time of year, the gloomy mornings, and smells of mist in the air. The name itself is cool, I love the names that the dyers come up with. They’d probably admit that it’s actually very hard to come up with a name, and I believe them. What little dyeing I’ve done, and colors I’ve come out with, it’s just a very hard thing to do, come up with a name. I’m working on really getting my dyeing going, to try and have a small customer base who would be interested in my hand-dyed yarn, so I pay attention to the names alot.

Just check this out, so soft and cool:

Look at this dye job, Yarn Pirate has such an awesome talent! I just admire her work, it is a very skillful thing to be able to have a dye lot come out like this:

There’s no bleeding, the color changes blend so nicely:

**Drool!**

Real quick, but I leave yah.. hopefully drooling like me *-), I joined yet another Traveling Scarves group, #42 Tweeds! It’s as you guessed, all about Tweeds! I love Tweeds, and as I said in my prior post, I’ll be going with Tweed yarn for my Central Park Hoodie, and now I’ll have a scarf to match it. I don’t have any pics yet of my seedlet section, so keep on eye out.

Were almost to Friday folks Enjoy!