I'm here, I'm here

It's been a while, hasn't it? I've come to the conclusion that if I don't have any good progress pictures, there's no point in posting. Afterall, how interesting can two dozen pictures of my Charlotte's Web or the same sock I'd been knitting for a week be? Yeah, I thought so.

Nonetheless, things have been going on.

Today we went to the beach. We saw. That's about it. Every parking lot we passed on PCH, (that's Pacific Coast Highway), was full. It took forever to get there and forever to get back. We saw the ocean. We felt the breeze. But it just wasn't the same. I'm hoping in a few weeks when the kids are back in school we can take another trip and find a parking spot.

On the way we home, we took the mountain scenic route:

Those are the Malibu Mountains. Pretty huh?

On to the knitting. I hit the 50% sale at the LYS this week and scored two skeins of Tofutsies for $18! (That's 2 for the price of 1!) Can't really beat that, can you? Didn't get much else since they had a dwindling supply of Koigu. Not that I need more. I've slowly sold bits and pieces on eBay, just to make room.

Anywhoo, I started my Sock It To Me socks for my pal. And I know she's going to ♥ them because they are pink. I'm doing the garter stitch rib. That's knit one round, then do a k2, p2 round. Pretty simple. I don't think I need to do an intricate pattern for this yarn.

And...I finished my second Charlotte's Web.

This one is supposed to be for my neighbor who moved, but I haven't heard from them yet. If I don't hear back from them, I'll probably sell this because I'm not too keen on purple. It's pretty though. And it knit much quicker this time around now that I've done the pattern once already.

This one took three skeins of Koigu KPPPM. I had about 2 yards leftover, (lucky huh?). You know, I was thinking an all black one would be pretty, especially if added some beads to it. Though beading yarn isn't in the future anytime soon.

What is in my future though is Rhiannon by Cookie A. I'd been eyeing this pattern since she opened her shop. Yes, it's ambitious. Yes, it will cause headaches. Yes, I know I said no more cables. But they are pretty socks and I think a pair in dark brown would be very nice for this winter.

By the way, I have been working on the Vogue Cabled Tunic. Not too much. But in the past two days I've gotten about 12 cable rows done. And a few rows of Wicked. I still need 3" on the body for Wicked and I've yet to figure out it I'll be able to do the long sleeves like I first wanted.

Speaking of Vogue. I got my 25th Anniversary magazine last week. I'm quite disappointed. Out of all the patterns there are (maybe) three that I would consider doing. I don't know about everyone else, but the last couple issues have disappointed me greatly. So many of the patterns are not something that I'd, (the average knitter), would consider making, let alone wearing. Is it just me? I am anticipating the new issue of the IK. I have been quite happy with their new format and the fact the Eunny Jang is working with them, well it seems that IK has become the front runner in my favorite magazine.

And in the beading world, I've been working on more stitch markers and a new charm bracelet made with pearls and jump rings. Tell me what you think, I've already added it to my Etsy shop.

One Big Bag

Well, I didn't save my money. Shawn bought it for me:

What a great guy huh? Actually, he bought it for me because he went out and did a little retail therapy shopping for himself. Then he decided to do some retail therapy shopping for me. (Gotta ♥ that!) It's a Namaste Messenger Bag in Chocolate. The bag is made from cordorouy and is very soft.

I ♥ the inside lining. I love a brown and blue color combo!

When you open the top flap there are two smaller pockets for accessories. All the closures are those magnetic button type clasps. (That's good for someone who constantly breaks zippers...don't ask me how!)

And the inside is quite roomy. There are two large compartments seperated by a zippered compartment, (that's perfect for patterns or books). There are smaller zippered pouches in there as well. Along the bottom of the bag is a zipper that allows you to open up the bag and expand it a little.

It holds my two current WIP's: the Matinee Coat, (which as of last night, I finished the back and started the Left Front), and my Dalton Socks. Plus the pattern books and my note book. Oh and my accessories pouch. It could hold more. (Don't tempt me!)

The booties that my Favorite Color Swap Pal made for Scout:

Scout is really good about kicking them off of her. Any of the booties or socks that she has. She's especially good about kicking off the left one.

Yesterday Shawn and Scout were playing around on the couch. I didn't get too many good shots because every time I'd take a picture they'd move around and the picture would turn out blurry.

And today I got the new issue of Vogue. I am a bit disappointed though. Once again the plight of the big boobied girls needs to be addressed. *sigh* There were a number of projects that they VK+, meaning that they have larger sizes. I think that the fact that they are increasing the number of projects in larger sizes is a wonderful idea. (I had just read that the book "Big City Knits" by designer Twinkle has mainly off the wall sizes...one project is for a size 27" bust!?) But I really think that Vogue needs to add larger sizes for at least 75% of their patterns. All of the patterns that I liked and would be very tempted to knit were simply too small. 28" bust? I think not. Even 33"? Nope. And it's not that I couldn't figure out the measurements and design it so that it would fit me, but where would I find the time? I am certainly not a mathematician. I don't want to stress over numbers. I want the guesswork done for me. Isn't it enough to have to swatch and substitute yarn and needles for the pattern at hand. Must I do the rest of the work as well? If so, who needs Vogue?