The SSR Socks

Here they are!

FO - Slipped Stitch Rib Socks

My latest FO... I finished these on the drive accross Wisconsin from the Twin Cities to Door County. The patterns is really easy and found in Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. The yarn is Essential Dusk from KnitPicks. Its a nice fingering weight yarn. Knitpicks calls it "A soft, affordable, washable treat for your feet." I guess I would have to agree...its definitely a great price too. I only used a skein and a half for these. My gauge was 8st/in. I'm hoping DF likes these...they're his first pair of hand-knit socks.

Temptation in Sturgeon Bay, WI

The woman at the visitor center in Sturgeon Bay said to look for the little yellow house, that it had a front porch (well, they all have front porches). Jefferson Street in Sturgeon Bay is lined with buildings that were once single family homes and are now cute little shops and galleries. For those of you in the Twin Cities, think "Grand Avenue" but on a smaller scale. Temptations is the yarn shop on Jefferson Avenue. The day I stopped in they were having a carnival on Jefferson Street and it was about 100 degrees. I looked through her sale yarns on the front porch and picked up the Aran Knit (from Sunbeam) yarn that you see above on the left. I have to say I wasn't exactly in the mood to buy wool for a sweater that particular day but it was marked down to $4 a skein from $6.75 and so I bought all she had left. Inside the shop was about 30 degrees cooler...ahhhhhh....and even DF didn't mind being in there. The entire place, with all its nooks and crannies, were filled with awesome yarns and tons of needles and other tools and gadgets. I found my way back into a corner that might have been a back porch or pantry at one time and there were the sock yarns. And not just a few...She had all kinds of sock yarn. She had all kinds of every kind of yarn. I left with yarn for 3 more pair of socks. The ONLine Supersocke (orange/yellow) is a cotton blend and so I plan to make some cute little sport socks out of that. The Bluegreen might become Pomatomus ...and the purple/lime .... no idea yet but I love lime and purple together! What can I say....I was "tempted". Go check out the shop if you're ever up that way.

And if you're into Rubber Stamping or if you're over 50 and into Red and Purple ...check out Oscar's shop across the street and up about a half-block. You can't miss it...its PURPLE...and she (yep, Oscar is a woman) has a neon Red Hat up on the gable out front. If youvisit in the summer you will also see her beautiful purple perennial garden out front also. But for red hatters its a must-visit anytime. She had TONS and TONS of beautiful and funky hats, as well as shirts and ornaments and jewelry. All that and rubberstamps too!

Extreme Closeup - My first "lace"

Here's a closeup of the Caliope Shell. Besides the cotton yarn, Shine, that I used to make this, I also got the pattern from Knitpicks. I'd like to make another one of these next spring for myself, maybe in Chartreuse or Lime ....or maybe Purple.

Knitpicks has always been surprisingly quick with my shipments, BTW! Its almost like Jimmy Johns (sandwiches) ...so fast you'll freak!

Knitpicks' Caliope Shell

Here's the Caliope Shell in Cherry Shine in the blocking stages. I made this for my SIL-to-Be, Cathy this spring (finished in April). It was my first attempt at anything that resembled lace and it was a blast to knit. I know I took picutres of it it was sewn together and the neck and armholes were finished. But of course, now I can't find it so this will have to do...use your imagination. It was gorgeous when finished. Cathy says it fits...wonder if I'll ever see her in it to know for sure...