~Thanks so much for all your nice compliments on the Bloomin’ Feet socks. A few people asked about the sock label so I thought I should link back to the post I wrote about how to make a sock label. Go here and read. Simple but a very nice touch on a pair of gift socks.
~We are having our Civil War Living History in memory of East Bridgewater native Frank Harlow this Saturday. I’d appreciate any thoughts for sunny weather as we have had pouring rain at this event the last two years. And, if anyone is going to be in the neighborhood and would like to come and see what we do, just let me know and I’ll send you directions and information.
~I shouldn’t even tell you this but I won another contest. I got a fabulous box of prezzies from Kirsten last week. There was candy and roving dyed by Kirsten as well as Koigu and Misti Alpaca yarn. Thanks for the terrific prize package, Kirsten!
~I like that when I see the national weather map on the morning news I can picture so many of you and know what type of weather you’re having. I worry about tornadoes, storms and wildfire, and rejoice when you’re having sunny, pleasant weather. It’s a great way to feel connected to our knitting community.
~As Lolly mentioned the other day, it seems like “going green” is becoming trendy. That can only be a good thing, I believe. I urge you to find one thing that you can do to make a difference in your carbon footprint. Change your light bulbs from incandescent ones to compact fluorescent ones, wrap your hot water heater with an insulating blanket, turn down your thermostat, use reusable grocery sacks, recycle more – there are lots of very simple things you can do. Something new that I found last week is www.greendimes.com and they will work to eliminate your junk mail AND plant a tree in your name every month. It’s only 10 ¢ a day and for a great cause.
~My current sock in progress. The pattern is Mad Weave from Sock Madness Round Four. I may be out of the competition but I’m still knitting the patterns and this one is very cool. The yarn is from A Piece of Vermont and I love the way it looks with the pattern – which I changed around a bit because I can now that I’m not knitting these competitively. And yet, I’m bored as hell with it and I don’t know why. But you know me, I’ll be plodding along and they’ll be finished soon. I’ll love them again when fall rolls around and there’s a brand new pair of wool socks in my drawer.
Have you read The Thirteenth Tale yet? You need to read this book. It’s got all the elements of a great gothic novel and the author sucks you right in with the first chapter. This book had me reading last weekend instead of knitting and you know how unusual that is these days. Really, read this book. You won’t be sorry.
~This profusion of daffodils is by my back door. They make me glad every time I walk by them. Why not order your fall bulbs now while you’re inspired by their beauty everywhere? You’ll receive them automatically when it’s time to plant them in the fall and next spring you’ll be glad, too.
Karen Said,
Your Mad Weave socks are lovely.
Your daffodils are beauties. Thanks for mentioning the bulbs. My daffodils are sparse this year and I’ll never remember that in the fall. I should order more now.
PumpkinMama Said,
Love the latest sock pattern – sorry it feel boring to you, maybe you need to challenge another one who’s been eliminated to a race?
Carol Said,
Your Mad Weave sock is divine and so are the fiber gifts! I’m a mad woman when it comes to recycling and no waste here! I want to leave something nice for the kids:)
Kelly Said,
What a great prize! Love the sock. I haven’t started on that pattern yet, I’ve gotten a little sidetracked.
Hope you have nice weather this weekend!
Donna Said,
I was just thinking about you Carole when I looked at the weather forcast for Saturday. Looks like a chance of rain, but not a washout, which sounds better than it has been for you the last few years!!
Great go green plug! Hubby just changed the bulbs this week to the incandescents (spiral kind) and built a compost bin. Little changes add up.
By the way – can you give me the info on the event for Saturday? My daughter’s show doesn’t start till later in the afternoon so we might be able to take a ride out there and see you guys for the re-enactment! Thanks!
Norma Said,
YIPPEE and THREE CHEERS for the book recommendation. I just ordered a used copy of the audio CD.
margene Said,
I bought the book from Audible some time ago. I guess I had better read it! Your daffy’s are gorgeous and such a great photo, too. I swear, the chances of winning a contest go waaaay down if you’ve entered!
Marcy Said,
Ok. I´ve got it figured out about you winning all these prizes. You´re bribing the givers, aren´t you? You must be. It’s just not right or natural that one person (however cute) should be winning every single prize in the knitting/spinning blogiverse. So fess up why doncha?
Kim Said,
The mad weave sock pattern is gorgeous!
Nice people win prizes….yin=yang
Very nice pressies too!
Anne Said,
Another contest win?!? I’m starting to wonder now…..
I love Jessie’s color sense. She does very good work! The yarn and sock look great together.
Carla Said,
Love the socks! I also loved that book!
hillary Said,
Such good things. The pressies are so fun and the Mad Weave looks great. I really love your daffodils. I’d have some too except that something keeps eating my bulbs.
Rachel Said,
I love your new socks in progress! The yarn is gorgeous.
I ordered The Thirteenth Tale last week, and now I can’t wait until it arrives so I can start reading!
Macoco Said,
Beautiful socks!
I finished the Thirteenth Tale a few weeks ago and really enjoyed the book. Very entertaining!
jessie Said,
Great sock pattern!
You have got me curious about the Thirteenth Tale now. I may order an audio copy if I can find one. (Then I can “read” and knit, wash dishes, wind yarn, dust. I never find time to just read!)
Chris Said,
Those socks are really cool! *goes to add 13th Tale to reading list, while sending sunny weekend thoughts Carole’s way*
SpiderWomanKnits Said,
I can completely relate to your current socks-in-progress. I am working on a pair that has an interesting pattern but I just couldn’t get into them. The first one is done and like you I will finish them but it’s a strange feeling when you get First Sock Syndrome
sandy Said,
Once again I need to tell you how much I love reading your blog. I will look for the book at the library and like you if I like it there will be no knitting. Have a wonderful day. sandy
sandy Said,
Once again I need to tell you how much I love reading your blog. I will look for the book at the library and like you if I like it there will be no knitting. Have a wonderful day. sandy
Amy Said,
I loved Thirteenth Tale. Made me want to go back to the Brontes.
Hey…since you were a participant in Sock Madness, could you nudge the proprietors into finding a way to make that Mad Weave pattern available? I’d happily pay for it, but I haven’t been able to get anyone to respond to my inquiry.
sandy Said,
Once again I need to tell you how much I love reading your blog. I will look for the book at the library and like you if I like it there will be no knitting. Have a wonderful day. sandy
Robin in VA Said,
What a package! Fantastic post! Thanks!!
Jessica Said,
The new sock pattern looks really interesting but I can see how it might become boring to knit. Hope you get great weather this weekend!
Helen Said,
Thanks for the Greendimes site! I’ll be signing up later!
Lucia Said,
“Why not order your fall bulbs now”??? You should maybe have gone into advertising instead of library science. Seriously, they are beautiful daffies.
We’ve already done most of those greenish things you mention… I also dry laundry outdoors whenever possible (which is more often than you might think), and Grant and I usually carpool to work.
Teyani Said,
that sock is lovely! I hopped over to Sock Madness, and didn’t see the pattern (maybe I’m having a senior moment here) We all get bored mid-way now and then, but finish them – It’s a lot like ordering fall bulbs now.. you’ll be glad – good idea btw.
Beth S. Said,
Thirteenth Tale, huh? I’ll check it out. One should always pay attention to a librarian when she recommends a book.
I like your Sock Madness sock! And isn’t it nice to be able to knit it at your own pace?
Karen Said,
I really hope you’re buying lottery tickets with your luck lately.
nova Said,
I really like the socks, I also like that you are knitting the pattern though you are no longer in the competition. I read The 13th Tale over the last 3 evenings (and didn’t get any knitting done at all). I loved the book, it was very well written and for those of use in libraries and archives, well, it’s a no brainer…
amanda Said,
I like the Mad Weave socks — I need to get me some of that Piece of Vermont yarn. Her colors are subtle yet divine.
And I think you might be one of the luckiest bloggers ever. Enjoy your prezzies!
Kathy Said,
Reserving the book right now, thanks! That’s a good looking sock, even if it’s boring.
Chris Said,
That’s quite a web presence for the book. The sample reading is quite compelling, with simple yet hypnotic language, like disembodied hands gently encircling your soul in a trance while drawing the body into a mystical world. Guess I’m gonna have to read it.
Cheryl Said,
I love the Thirteenth Tale!! It’s one of those books that’s stuck with me too, I find myself thinking about it all the time.
You’ve had a good luck streak with winning things lately. Maybe you could pick me up a mass millions ticket? ha!
sprite Said,
I read The Thirteenth Tale at the beginning of the year and it remains my favorite of 2007 so far. JK Rowling and Jasper Fforde are really going to have to wow me to bump this one down the list.
JessaLu Said,
Love the color of the prize roving!
That sock pattern is way cool…
I wish your event wasn’t overlapping CT S&W – I’ll miss you guys on Saturday
(
Deb Said,
Oh – I like the weather map suggestion. Our daffys aren’t up yet but I suspect this weekend will pop them up. Congrats on the prizes and thanks for sharing them – if only virtually!
Vicki Said,
LOVE those daffodils — and your great suggestions about ordering NOW.
Carrie Said,
Nice socks! I’m using Jessie’s yarn for mine too and I love it!
Kirsten Said,
You’re welcome, Carole!
That Mad Weave sock is gorgeous!
Lynette Said,
We’ve started promoting using wool as a sustainable, renewable natural fiber source at our web store. It is a much better choice for socks than acryllic. But of course you and all of us, your readers, know that since we all knit and wear wool socks!
Laura Said,
Gorgeous Daffodils Carole! LOVE that sock pattern – the yarn colorway is so perfect for it! Here’s hoping for good weather so you can enjoy the CW weekend.
Judy Said,
You sure are full of lots of good things today! Love the pattern you are knitting. Great green advice, hope everyone at least tries something out. I am listening to the Thirteenth Tale. Fun! My fingers are crossed for good weekend weather.
Martha Said,
I thought your reenactment was this weekend. Will you be there both Sat and Sun? I might make it one day, prob. Sun though.
Just read 13th Tale myself, couldn’t put it down!
Cookie Said,
Thank you for the link to the sock labels! I googled yesterday and didn’t find anything. I was planning on questioning you today, but now I don’t have to.
Love socks and beautiful daffs! I love Brecks/Spring Hill. Sadly, so do the ground dwellers. o.0
Kendra Said,
Thanks for mentioning GreenDimes- we are happy to have you telling folks about our service! Check out the site from time to time and find out what new/cool things we are working on to make a difference in our world.
Thanks again for the post, we really appreciate it.
-Kendra
http://www.GreenDimes.com
Rachel Said,
Oh wow, I just adore that colorway for your current pair of socks. The pattern looks lovely, too — I’m sorry it’s boring you. I feel that way about some sock patterns too, and I’m not very good at predicting which ones will keep me engaged until then end and which ones will have me going stir crazy by the first ankle.
Leslie Said,
My daffodils have been gone for weeks now…I miss them! Hope you’re bringing some inside to enjoy while you can.
Becky Said,
I love the way the Mad Weave stitch looks. It reminds me of the stitch in My So Called Scarf.
The Thirteenth Tale is waiting on my I-pod. It’s next in line. Good to know that it is a good read!
Susan Said,
I hope you have beautiful, sunny weather. Nothing worse than a wet crinoline!
Love the socks. They are beautiful!
Debi Said,
Love the socks, the yarn and the sunny, dancing daffodils
Ann Said,
You are just the prize winningest girl I ever met. Except for Margene…
~Kristie Said,
You must enter a contest a day! Congrats on your recent win.
LOVE the socks. You picked the perfect yarn for that pattern.
I’m sending you some California sun. I have plenty here and am more than happy to share
Kathleen Said,
I loved our reusable shopping baskets in the UK. We bought them directly from the market and they fit on “shelves” in the shopping cart. You unloaded them at the cashier and reloaded them and put them in your–well we called it trunk–boot. They were sturdy plastic. Loved them!!
Lolly Said,
Oooh, glad you enjoyed Thirteenth Tale too. I blogged about that one a few weeks ago
So good!
Thanks so much for the green post too! I have to check out greendimes. Great cause!
anne Said,
nice socks, nice daffs, nice prizes! wow! i liked your tip about winding a center-pull ball from the other post too . . . i always use a tensioned lazy kate, but it’s good to kow in case i’m ever away from home without it.
Beck Said,
Carole, I love the socks. The yarn you chose goes great with the pattern. Was this pattern hard to knit?