A Mini Giveaway

I thought it would be fun to do a "mini" giveaway this weekend. This is one of the mini key ring purse samples that I'd done and maybe (just maybe) one of you would like a chance at winning it. So, let's do it this way: just leave a comment on this post either today or tomorrow and we'll close this little giveaway on Sunday (Dec. 12, 2010) at midnight. Monday morning I'll announce the name that was randomly drawn and notify them by email. Don't you love giveaways! I sure do!

Good luck and I'll look forward to reading your comments. Have a great weekend and I'll be back on Monday with the good news.

Til then..................

Tax Day

Yesterday was a no knitting day because I had to ride down to Bakersfield with my husband. We prefer to pay our property taxes in person and have that little receipt in hand. It isn't that I don't trust the postal service, but it always seems like the really important items get lost in the mail - like last month's house payment! San Diego (for the house payment) is just too far to deliver it in person, but Bakersfield is a 50 minute drive down the mountain.

If I begin to rant about this town that I always refer to as the "pit", it's for good reason. I lived there for 35 very long years and probably sang the words, "I gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing I ever do" each and every day. Oh, my poor husband! And yesterday just confirmed all those feelings. The amount of traffic is totally ridiculous, the crime rate is downright scary and the poor air quality is like in the top 10 for the nation. Other than that, I'm sure it's a fine place to live!

On on our way out of town I commented that I could never work for Bakersfield's Chamber of Commerce. My husband added that I'd be fired within an hour!

Needless to say, my spirits lifted as we headed east and up the mountain.





As you first start the climb up, the hillsides are filled with many varieties of oak trees and dotted with small ranches. The scenery begins to relax you and you can feel your blood pressure returning to sustainable levels.

Today will be a knitting day for sure. I've got to get back to Mitchell's green monster that he wants me to knit and a pair of socks need to be cranked out on Doris. So, I better get to it before this day gets away from me.

Have you remembered to leave a comment on the post, "December Sock Giveway?"

Til next time.................

Trees, Cards and Coffee Socks...........

Last night I sat by the tree and finished addressing our Christmas cards while listening to Karen Carpenter. What a beautiful voice she had. Early this morning I dropped them down the shoot at the post office and crossed that off my list of things to do!



"Doris" popped out another "coffee sock". I used Red Hearts's Heart & Sole sock yarn. I think the colors are nice and rich, don't you? I should be cranking out socks, scarves or something, but it's been so nice just to relax lately.

The weather's been absolutely delightful up here and we have no rain in sight for the next week. In fact, this weekend we're supposed to be near 60 degrees. Totally unheard of for this time of year in the California mountains.

I hope that all of you are finding some relaxing time also. It's good for the soul.

Til next time................

New Pattern Up and Running...........

Yes, this is a shameless plug for our newest pattern on Ravelry. Even tho "Doris" (our antique sock machine) cranked out some great "Coffee Socks," I wanted to write a pattern for you handknitters, too. It's a super easy pattern and mighty quick - perfect for those last minute Christmas gifts. I even made one for my husband!

I guess this next storm is doing its best to roll in, or I should say blow in. We had 3 extreme gusts hit the house and out to the pump house we ran to once again, turn off the wind turbine. Apparently, this storm is coming in from the south and that always means trouble up here on the mountain. It'll either usher in lots of rain or blow the storm apart. Kinda too warm right now for snow, but maybe by nightfall we'll get some way up high.

Before I forget - have you left a comment on the post "December Sock Giveaway?" If not, don't miss out on a chance to win a pair of women's hand cranked socks.

And speaking of socks, think I'll go put on a good movie and try to finish that pair that I've been handknitting. Pictures to follow as soon as they're done.

Have a great weekend.

It's Called a What?

It's called a "coffee sock." There's a perfectly good explanation why I decided to name it that. First off, you start it just as you would for a sock. You begin with the ribbing for the "cuff" and then you proceed to stockinette for the "leg." The only difference? With a coffee sock, you never make it to the heel because there is no heel! You just bind off and let the top edge roll.

This green "sock" was made on Doris. She just loves experimenting with new ideas and can whip these little socks out in no time.






So then I decided that I should create a handknitting pattern for this and created this blue version with Plymouth Yarn Company's "Happy Feet" fingering weight yarn. I had my hubby go to his favorite coffee house this morning and order a "Venti" so that I could see if my pattern will fit that size cup. Yesterday I had him buy a "Tall" and the coffee sock fit it perfectly. I figure if it can fit these two sizes, it will surely fit the "Grande" size in between!

My goal is to get the pattern up on Ravelry by Monday morning. In the meantime, I'll keep crankin' more to put in our Etsy store.

That's about all that's going on around here today. We're expecting rain for the weekend with snow higher up, but we still filled up on diesel and wood pellets.

Have a great weekend and be sure to leave a comment on the post "December Giveaway" for a chance to win a pair of women's hand cranked socks!

Til next time..........

December Sock Give-A-Way

We all seem to be enjoying this monthly sock give-a-way, so let's do it again for December, shall we? Ok, so here's how it works (if you're new to our blog). Just leave a comment on this post during the month of December. And on Jan. 1, 2011 I will randomly draw one name who will win a women's pair of socks. (hand cranked on our antique sock machine named Doris) I get to pick the socks that will be won, but the winner will select the size. (S, M or L) Even if you've already won a pair, you still can enter each month. So, good luck to everyone and I look forward to your comments.



Yesterday I was busy adding some items to our Etsy store. This is one of my favorite scarves.



I finally finished this pair of socks and did a sewn off bind off for the cuff. This is a great technique, but you really have to do it loosely. Not sloppy loosely, but evenly loosely. Don't you hate when pattens use the term "loosely." I use it too, in my patterns, especially with the cast on instructions. I guess once you've made a gazillion socks, you totally "get" what the term means!

The same applies to "bind off loosely." Sometimes it'll say "evenly." Pretty much the same idea. Have you ever bound off a neck edge only to find out you can't get your head through the opening? I hate when that happens!



This scarf was also made on Doris with nothing but leftovers. Who would've thought all these colors could go together so well.

This morning I want to experiment with a new design and I'm hoping "Doris" will help me out. If all goes well, I'll show you a picture tomorrow. Cross your fingers!

Thanks so much for all your kind and wonderful comments. I enjoy this sock give-a-way just as much as all of you. So, keep those comments coming and I'll add reminders with each post.

Have a wonderful day.

We Have An Announcement......................

Today's the day that you've all been waiting for. You remember, right? Our November Sock Giveaway! I wish so much that I could give all of you a pair each month, but it just can't be. But, look at all the fun we all have waiting to see who wins. And so, I'm thrilled to announce that Lynn from No. Carolina won November's contest. Congratulations Lynn! I sent you a message via Ravelry just a few minutes ago.



I'd hoped to finish up these socks last night, but by time I gave my hubby a haircut and Mac (our Boston Terrier) his weekly bath, I ran out of steam. I love the 3 x 1 ribbing because it gives the socks such a nice snug fit. Unfortunately, on these antique sock machines, this type of rib won't lock at the top. So, it has to be finished off by hand. No problem tho, just takes a few extra minutes. Today I'll do that and close the toes and remove all the waste yarn. If you're wondering what yarn it is - it's Plymouth Yarn Company's "Zino." And it's a fabulous wool!



For once, we're early with our tree up and decorated. I think they always look so cheerful from outside at night with the front blinds open. My husband has an hour's drive home each night and half of that is driving up the mountain. So, this is kind of my way of that burning candle in the window for him. When he comes up our dirt road, he can spot our tree shining brightly just for him!

See you tomorrow when we give all the details of our next giveway. Have a wonderful day today. And thank you too, for all your wonderful comments - I love reading them.