Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Ten on Tuesday - 10 Favorite Mail-Order Catalogs

I used to love flipping through the pages of catalogs, earmarking this-or-that "must have" item that would turn my home and/or yard into a Home Beautiful spread. Fast forward a hundred years (or so it seems) and most of my catalogs get pitched into the trash before the cover is turned. There are a few that still make the cut, and here they are ...

1. WEBS - I confess to drooling over the yarn.

2. Patternworks - see above.

3. Duluth Trading Company - this is my stand-by catalog for buying hubby presents. Everything is superb quality, and they get things to you quickly!

4. Herrington - another stand-by. The items may be on the expensive side, but if you're looking for a gift for that person who is very hard to buy for, this is your catalog!

5. Lakeside Collection - they always have a great selection of reasonably priced items from all categories. Clothing, toys, home decorations, etc. Lots to choose from!

6. Catalog Favorites - love looking through this one! From t-shirts and sweatshirts to jewelry, this catalog never disappoints with selection.

7. Improvements - so many great items for the lawn & garden!

8. Breck's - I love to look at all the gorgeous flowers that I'm not able to nurture and grow ;)

9. L.L. Bean - ahhh, the old stand-by! I don't order from them often, but I'm always tempted. The girls received dresses from Bean for Christmas last year & they are the best wearing dresses E.V.E.R.

10. Knit-Picks - not sure why this one wasn't up top with WEBS and Patternworks?! Maybe I felt the need to surround my others in yarn? Hehe, yeah, that's it!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Confession of envy ...

Ok, so I am admitting that I've had a serious case of envy toward a good friend for quite a while. I'm not envious of her job (although she has a kick-*ss job) and I'm not envious of her husband or family (while both are quite awesome). I've had clog envy!

My friend Carole has a couple pairs of Dansko clogs. Every time she wears them I get a little bit greener. Last time I think I may have drooled on one, just a little bit.

I've been saving my money to buy a pair of my own. I got $100 from a bank meeting that I attended at the beginning of this month and told my hubby that once I had enough, I was buying my clogs. Imagine my surprise when, on Mother's Day, I got a coupon for my clogs!! Yippee!

I immediately scoured the internet for the best deal and ordered them. Each time I'd receive an update from the website, I'd jump for joy! 'Your order has been processed' ... OMG, my clogs are ordered!! 'Your order has been shipped' ... OMG, they're on their way!! I checked the tracking information daily (ok, sometimes more than once) and was entirely frustrated that it took so long for them to travel from Oregon to Massachusetts.

Yesterday morning I checked the tracking info and saw "OUT FOR DELIVERY!" I squealed so loudly that the dog thought I was in trouble. I haunted the windows all day, waiting for that distinctive brown truck to roll down the street. Imagine my dismay when it came time to leave for league bowling and my clogs hadn't arrived. I was one sad, shoeless woman. I think the UPS man was waiting to see our car leave before he delivered my package!!

The package did arrive, and I ripped the box open upon arrival at home last night. Ahhhhh, true clog love!! Of course I'm wearing them today, but I refuse to go outside in them since it's yucky out. Here they are, in all their cloggy glory :)
I think I've satisfied my clog envy. At least for now.

Saturday, May 07, 2011

Short and Sweet Socks

Most sock patterns are too long for my liking. I like socks that are just above my ankle. I came up with a pattern for myself, and thought I'd share it for anyone else who likes short socks :)



I use fingering or sock yarn and US2 needles. Directions are for magic loop, but could easily be adjusted for dpn's or 2 circs.

Using long-tail cast on, CO 64 stitches, placing marker after32 stitches to make it easier to separate the stitches on the needles. K2P2 rib for 10 rows. Do next 20 or 25 rows (depending on how short you like your socks) in stockinette stitch.

Turn Heel:
Turn work so you are working on wrong side ... S1, P16, P2tog, P1
Row 1: S1, K3, SSK, K1
Row 2: S1, P4, P2tog, P1
 Continue working in this manner by K or P to the stitch before the gap and either SSK, K1 or P2tog, P1 - you will have 18 stitches left when you are finished.
Rearrange stitches so that the beginning of the round starts in the middle of the heel.

Pick up and knit 18 stitches along the side of the heel flap. (My friend Carole taught me to knit into the back loop on each of these stitches to give a pretty twist to the stitch.) Place marker. Knit across the top of the sock, place marker, and then pick up and knit 18 stitches on the other side of the heel flap. Knit the last 9 stitches of the heel flap.

Gusset Decreases:
Row 1: Knit the 9 stitches of the heel flap, knit to the last 3 gusset stitches, K2tog, K1. Knit across instep stitches, K1, SSK, knit the rest of the gusset stitches and the last 9 stitches of the heel.
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat these 2 rows until you are left with 64 stitches. Knit next 40 - 50 rows in stockinette (depending on the length of your foot - you should be approx. 2 inches from finished length).

Toe Decreases:
Rearrange stitches so beginning of round starts at the edge of the foot.
Row 1: 1st needle: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1
2nd needle: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat these 2 rows until you are left with 36 stitches, then repeat just row 1 (decrease round) until there are 20 stitches left.
Kitchener toes together.