Californyha nyha nyha nyha

South Park watchers will get the title.

For my birthday this year we decided instead of a big party to get away, just the two of us. It was a wonderful birthday and started out on the right foot when the rental car agent upgraded our midsize to this bright convertable.

The main event of the trip was seeing Blue October in concert. They trail not far behind NIN as my 2nd favorite band and seeing them live is always a treat.


Our hotel was awesome, so many cool little details that made it stand apart from the standard chain.


The view from our room was wonderful as well.


Thursday we went to the beach in Santa Monica and hit a wonderful yarn store, Compatto as well. I bought a couple of gorgeous hand-dyed sock yarn made especially for that store.


On the last day we went to In N' Out and then I spent the afternoon on the hotel's rooftop pool while A worked. It was pure heaven to sit viewing the Hollywood Hills while knitting, drinking the hotel's signature martini the stillo. Just when I thought that life couldn't get better a massage therapist came by and offered me a free foot massage. Ahhh this is the life.

Now if I could live in this house I think A might be able to convince me to move to LA. The more we go the more I am able to invision ourselves living there. Perhaps once Maddie has gone off to college it will be a good time...time will tell.

And I did manage to accomplish a bit of knitting, this is the sweater I am making for little A out of Berrocco Comfort. So far he thinks it is pretty cool. It is knitting up fast and I should have it done pretty quickly.

It's been a long summer

And even though I've been less than 100% I have managed to get some things done. The great news is I fulfilled my New Year's resolution and have completed the Minimalist. I love, love, love how it turned out. I did full length sleeves instead of 3/4, I made it a bit longer and I did a i-cord frog closure.The best feeling is the compliments I have received from non-knitters on it. The frog closure I did with my little hand i-cord maker and then used the pattern from Knitting Over the Edge by Nicky Epstein. The button I received in a swap and I think it works perfectly. I wish summer would be over soon so I could wear it every day. I was actually pleased when it was chilly this week.
Yesterday I finished my Crosshatch Lace socks using my handspun Sherwood yarn. It is a a 60/30/10 Merino/Bamboo/Nylon blend. I had 315 yards and used size 1 needles and ended up with quite a large amount left over. Definitely enough for child's socks.

Now that these projects are finally complete I've moved on to knitting this sweater. The pattern is in a Tahki booklet for Nova yarn. I am using Debbie Bliss eco-cotton. I can't say I'm particularly fond of this yarn it is 10 plies of 2plies and is splitty as can be.

I am however quite please with how it is knitting up. I love the soft blue color. I hope I get it done in time to wear while it is still warm.

This is the fiber I am using to make batts to spin. I had made some for a swap and loved how they turned out so much I decided to card about 27 ounces to do a sweater. The fibers included a mohair wool blend, sw merino, tussah silk, Wensleydale locks and a merino/tencel blend.

I have run them through the carder twice and am pretty pleased with how they turned out. I am eager to see how they spin up.

And lastly this is the yarn I have spun this summer. I bought it at the Alpaca Festival this spring. It is a 80/20 llama/silk blend.

I think I will use it to make the branching out scarf, I have about 540 yards of it to work with. It is fingering weight.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and is getting lots of fiber arts time in. Right now I am sitting on my patio and enjoying the beautiful day.