Comic Con Haul 2011

You question how the contents of the picture possibly could have come from the Comic Con? Well, when we were buying tickets, I gave my Saturday spot to a friend who joined our crew for the day (long story of how their stupid server would only allow you to buy 4 tickets; if you care, then you already know the sorted details). The "con" is an animal unto itself; I was glad to have the day away to go on my own San Diego Yarn Store Crawl.

Wanna hear what all I got? (Clockwise, using the blue yarn at the top as 12 am):

1. Baah! La Jolla Original Handpaint, A Nancy's Notions Doo Dad box, a crossstich bookmark (for Alexander); purchased from the Needlecraft Cottage

2. Scarves, a fun cardigan, and potential small project bag; purchased from the Pink Zone (on the way to the next store)

3. The Wonderful Wallaby pattern by Carol Anderson; purchased from Knitting in La Jolla

4. Alchemy Yarns Silken Straw; purchased from Common Threads

5. LLH Safari, yarn ball point protectors, and Jacquard fabric paints (payment/thank you to my mom for babysitting); purchased from The Black Sheep (GREAT parking and enjoyed the Comic con connection moment)

6. (more) Baah! La Jolla Original Handpaint, Knit Picks Straight US 8 (felt ok buying these from an LYS), and Barb's Koigu Ruffle, a Churchmouse Classics pattern (for which I am likely to use the red Baah!); purchased at Yarning for You

7. Oink Pigment Fingering "Sunny with a Chance of Peaches" and bright coral/orange Lacey Lamb; purchased at Two Sisters and Ewe

8. some gorgeous frosted pink beads (to be used with the Silken Straw in another Isobel) and really cool silver pinky ring with a plait running around the band; purhcased at The Bouncing Bead (next door to Two Sisters and Ewe)

This day was a fantastic day with 3 mini cupcakes and iced coffee for lunch (@ Cups after store 3 and before my 1 hr parking expired). All the stores had their strengths. It is always interesting visiting other stores than your home store; I am seeking an analogy and the best that I can come up with is like your first visit to a new potential friend's home and seeing if you could really hang out. If I had to choose a favorite, it popped up at the end of the day when I visited Yarning for Ewe. I knew that it was going to be a good experience when I saw the sign in the window reading, "P.M.A., Positive Motivational Attitude practiced here." (I am pretty sure that I remembered that correctly.) We had an "it's a small world" moment when they connected me to a beloved customer that is moving to our neck of the woods that I have already had the pleasure of meeting. I felt the same way that I hope she felt when she first visited Anacapa, like I could sit down and be fast friends with all of the lovely knitters at the table (and, if Bella had been nap-able, then I would have). They had Bella modeling adorable baby hat samples and she was in hog heaven with all the cheers and attention. Such a great day; yarn people are the best people.

A close second is Two Sisters and Ewe where Annie let me squeeze in just near closing. If I had been there earlier in the day, then you would also be seeing a sweater size pile of The Fibre Co. Canopy Worsted which they have on sale for 4o% off.

Best part of Comic Con so far!

Time to Take Stock

I have been doing a decent job of keeping my project count from going into overdrive since I started a 52 projects in 52 weeks series at the store blog (even since Bella was born). But it can still have a way of growing unkempt rather swiftly. It was time to clean out and organize the knitting bag - there are 7 projects showing and an 8th project hiding. Pulled them out, tidied them and reassessed which one I needed to work on next, what can snooze for a while, etc.

Red Vines and More - igami

We (being son Alexander and the lady who delivers him to social appointments) seem to have a lot of summer birthdays. I have been having fun decorating these presents with origami creatures. The present that I just wrapped was adorn with three jumping frogs. Since they are best done with an oblong sheet, there were trimmings. The trimmings became tiny froglets that are straight up adorable.

It has been a good time revisiting this hobby that I enjoy from time to time. I searched out a website that has simple animated videos and a wide variety of instructions - the origami club.

I was happy to see that it was also a fun activity choice during the TV-free hours of the afternoon. We loaded up on red vines and both made animals to amuse Dante.

P.S. The crane from this post was remembered via this tutorial.

P.P.S. The froglets on the top picture are playing leap frog.

R2D2 - Build it aldready

One of Dante's best acts is his "I'm a Robot." So, R2D2 is a big hero in his book. Elisa shared this pattern with me a little while ago and I finally got the juice to whip up a couple.
The pattern is very cute but doesn't give a gauge. After knitting a short fat one with an H hook (went to the XL), I figured out that the unstated gauge is 3 sts/in. Switched to a I hook. I am making two in tandem. As I attached the appliques to the first, I realized that I reversed the placement of the blue and white sts in the final three rows. I left it on Dante's as he was hovering quite closely while I worked away and asking, "Mom, will you build an R2D2 helmet for me? Will you build it?" I fixed those rows on the one that I am making as a gift.

I wasn't sure if my older son would be into wearing one, but he has requested one. There are droids in red so he will get a version in that hue.