Eastside Stitchers Celebrate the Holidays

Hello!

Tonight, the Eastside Stitchers met at Crossroads Mall to stitch and celebrate the holidays with a gift exchange.  The plan for the exchange was to keep it relatively inexpensive with a skein of yarn (could be from your stash), something made by you, and then what ever else you thought might fit your person but kept totally under $20.

There were some lovely knit items, a Loch Ness Monster Amigurumi, some sewed project bags, homemade cookies and candy.  We had a definite green/teal yarn exchange going for a while.  It is amazing how many of us love the same rich jewel colors.  I did not receive green yarn, but instead an absolutely gorgeous skein of Happy Feet Sock yarn (my favorite yarn weight) in color 4, which is a vibrant tonal red.  I can't wait to cast on.  As the group reporter, I got a very cute notebook.  I always keep a notebook with me, every where, all the time.  I am a very scatter brained person, so I need to have a place to write down both my brilliant ideas, and notes on what is happening.  If I had to rely on my memory, I would be in big trouble.  I love my new notebook.

But, enough about me.  In addition to eating skeinherder's cookies and squeeing about our new yarn, what were we all knitting?

Colleen had a skein of mohair and was knitting a simple garter stitch scarf, that did not look "simple" in this lovely yarn.

GwenS was using some of her Shepherd's Wool from the 2012 Puget Sound LYS Tour last May in a hat for her Brother-in-Law.  The pattern is Dustland Hat by Stephen West.

Vanesapolo was making a second Owls Sweater.  This one for a friend.  She is using Cascade 128 Tweed in a brown clorway.   This is the sleeve.

Wajio was swatching for a pair of socks with her possom yarn she got in New Zealand.  This yarn is amazingly soft.

Chockelet brought her 2012 Advent Calendar Scarf.  She is almost caught up.

And a new pair of mitts she is making from the Ella Rae Book.

Hvrdmnky has made some good progress on her Pagona shall by Stephen West.  She is almost through the purple, and well into the blue color in the yarn.

Anerenbe started the first of a pair of Worsted Weight Socks in some left over acrylic from her stash.  I have said this before, but she is a crazy fast knitter!

Redbird1 was knitting an Arwen scarf by Tabitha's Heart in Grace Silk & Wool.  This scarf is way too nice to give away.

Skeinherder was knitting another Purled Christmas Tree, this one in Noro "chirimen"  She brought 2 others as table decorations.

Tara had a few projects that she was finishing, but sadly, I did not get any photos.  Allifer ran in at the end of the evening.  Math Guy (she is a tutor) needs to come much earlier on Wednesdays so she can actually Knit/hook at stitch night for once.



We have such a nice group, but if you are on the Eastside (or visiting) and looking for a group, give us a try.  We are all eager for new members.

Peace.

Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet with some gorgeous new yarn!

Been Missing My Eastside Stitchers

Hello!

Yay!  I finally got to actually see my Eastside Stitchers Buddies.  Tonight was a regular meet up of the Eastside Stitchers at Crossroads Mall in Bellevue, WA.  We had so many people that we needed two of the large round tables.   Still, there is room for more if you are interested in joining us.

Who was there and what were they knitting?

MsWiz was back.  I hadn't seen her since the beginning of summer, and it was great to have her join us again.  She is always so much fun.  She brought presents:

A dog sweater for Chockelet, and some baby Alpaca fiber.

She was knitting Sheepish by Alana Dakos in Plymouth Baby Yarn.

Welcome back, MsWiz!

Skeinherder was wearing her beautiful Windward shawl, even though the ends are uneven...

She was knitting a Spa Day Facecloth in a cotton yarn by Knit One Crochet Too.

Vanesapolo had on a beautiful delicate lacy Storm Cloud Shawlette by Hanna Breetz, 

and she was knitting a Cross-Stitch Scarf by Margaret Halas.

Anerenbe brought her finished Phenomenon Mittens to Show and Tell. These were on the needles for three years, but were well worth the wait.

Anerenbe, who is the fastest knitter I know, started a new hat tonight, the Chunky Chullo by Ses Springett. 

And here is what her hat looked like at the end of the evening:

See what I mean about being fast?

Redbird1 was knitting a Milanese Loop by tante ehm in Cascade Venezia yarn.  The stitch pattern is beautiful, but Redbird1 is not having fun with the yarn, it is very splitty.

Colleen was making a scarf in some fun novelty yarn that she had dug out of her stash.

GwenS brought the beautiful Spectra by Stephen West.

Tara1682 was just about finished with the 2nd of a pair of beautiful fingerless gloves, the October Leaves Fingerless Mitts by Abbie Tilden.  These have a really cool design on the thumb gusset.

Hrvdmnky was trying to start a new Pogona Shawl by Stephen West  in this beautiful yarn named for Geilis Duncan who is a character in the Outlander Books by Diana Gabaldon.

After a few beginning stitches, she decided it was making too loose a fabric, and she needed to frog back and start over with smaller needles.  The small amount Hrvdmnky had already knit didn't go to waste, though.  She was able to find a good use for it.

Chockelet came a bit late, but brought her Summer Lace Scarf.  Sorry I can't find a link for the pattern, but Chockelet got it and the yarn at Mrs. Hudson's Yarn and Teas in Bellingham when we were up there on our mini yarn shop crawl.   The yarn is Swan's Island, and the scarf is lovely.

So much fun and laughter.  I believe there was a bit of talk about the upcoming College Football National Championship Game that will be played on January 7 between the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.. and some school from the south east.  Hmmm O yes, I believe it is the Crimson Tide of Alabama.  Redbird1 and I are alums of these fine schools, and so are working on a good bet for the game.  Nothing too humiliating I hope, as Alabama is favored to win.

Time for bed.
Peace.

f1bercat
shaping the planet with 2 full tables of stitching friends.