Tuesday, November 13, 2007

FO: Noro Sock...and a ThanksGIVEaway!

First we have a finished stockinette Noro sock. It's sad. It's rone-ry. But there's another one at the store that it can play nicely with when I take it in on Sunday. I've named her Rainbow Brite. 'Cause she's like, seriously bright.

Rainbow Brite Noro Sample Sock
Yarn: Half skein of Noro Sock Yarn sample
Needles: US 0 Inox circulars

I didn't really "conquer" the short-row heel and toe, but I did make progress. They ain't gonna lick me anytime soon.

Also, I put in an order at Blue Moon Fiber Arts to buy some sock yarn. I know, I don't need more sock yarn and I haven't even started knitting the one STR that I own, but I. Don't. Care. I got all excited about the Raven series but didn't really feel that I wanted to knit socks that were that dark. I'll wait until I find a perfect lace pattern and buy some Lightweight Raven for a shawl instead of socks. Although, this is making me feel mighty tempted to go ahead and order some anyway.

So, I ordered four skeins:

Clockwise from the top: Saratoga, Cluckers, Rooster Rock. I love these colors. The Saratoga has a blend of butter yellow, lavender, brown, sky blue, and orange-y rust. The Rooster Rock (which I'm sure everyone has seen) is brick, slate, brown, fuchsia, and beige. The Cluckers is sage, coral red, ochre, tan, and a grayish-purple. The Blarney Stone is...

Wait, what's that you say? There is no Blarney Stone in the photo? Well, it seems we have a problem here. Blue Moon sent me an extra Cluckers instead of a Blarney Stone!

At first, this made me terribly sad. I love the Cluckers, but I really wanted four different colors. I have specific plans for the Cluckers and Rooster Rock and don't know what I'd do with another Cluckers. I e-mailed Blue Moon and asked if I could exchange the skein because of the error. They are just the nicest people ever and I got an email today saying that they would ship me the Blarney Stone and I can do whatever with the extra Cluckers. How nice is that?

It seems that free knit blessings are just falling into my lap right now, since a non-knitting friend of mine also got me an issue of the Interweave Holiday Gifts after I'd purchased one for myself.

I've been so lucky this year when it comes to knitting. I started blogging and joined Ravelry around the same time and people have left such nice comments and introduced me to their blogs, all of which really make my days a little bit happier. I'll be honest and say that I'm just coming out of a few not-so-good years personally and this season, I finally have my head on straight, I know who I am and what I want to do with my life (at least right now), my family is all healthy and whole, and my friends are just some of the best. I am an incredibly lucky and blessed person this season. I know from reading some of the blogs out there that other people are going through some hard times and we all need a pick-me-up once in a while. And it's easy to get lost in the horrors of rampant consumerism during the holiday season and forget the whole point of just sitting back, taking stock of our blessings, and just being truly grateful for the good things in our lives. So in honor of giving thanks, this is my ThanksGIVEaway. Excuse the cheesy portmanteau.

Leave a comment sharing what you're thankful for this month. It can be funny, cheesy, tragic, simple, complicated. You can be thankful for the moon. You can be thankful for cheese. You can be thankful for indoor plumbing or Johnny Depp. The cut-off will be 11:59 pm., EST, on Friday, Nov. 16. At midnight on Friday night, I'll pick two random comments. The first will get the STR lightweight in Cluckers and the second will get my extra copy of Holiday Gifts along with two skeins of Louet Gems in Crab Apple to make either the Sweetheart or Veronik socks featured in the mag:

The things I'm grateful for right now: Socks, Law & Order re-runs, the power of email, brand-new giant towels, and my mom's health.

10 comments:

Frank the Reindeer said...

Wow! I really should hit up Blue Moon for some fibers! Those are gorgeous colorways!

What am I grateful for? Ahh I love Law & Order reruns. They are definitely my antidrug. And my favorite knitting background sound.

Also, I'm really grateful for the most wonderful beau ever. He defies the norm of people I usually date, but he is so perfect. We just clicked. Sunday is his 20th birthday too and I just want to show him how grateful I am for him and his love.

Anonymous said...

Oooh - reading your blog inspired me to go to the Blue Moon site and drool. I really want to knit that shawl that Anne is designing for their yarn.

I am very thankful that I am able to participate in this on line knitting community. I spend a lot of time working from my home office, alone, on top of being a single parent, and this community allows me to 'meet' people and share a common interest. Very thankful.
-Punkin at needle-to-needle.blogspot.com

Jersey Shore Deb said...

I'm thankful for my family--my two kids, who give me the strength to carry on while caring for my elderly parents. But I'm thankful for my parents too, who are hanging in there during some difficult health problems. And I'm extremely thankful for my wonderful husband, who never asks much of me and loves me unconditionally. Last but not least, I'm thankful for knitting, which keeps me relaxed and sane!

fluffbuff said...

Your post caught me right after a workout and right now I am thankful for my trainer (hey Jennifer!) who kicks my butt and keeps me in shape. Woohoo for girls! :)
OK, too many exclamation points; it's the post workout endorfins.

Anonymous said...

Great post & love the Noro sock. This season, I am grateful for change. Autumn has been a very dynamic time for me in the past few years, and right now I am thankful for my changed lifestyle, my new job, and my ever-evolving ideas for the future.

May said...

I'm thankful for my family and my lovely hubby who always cooks turkey so I never have to. :)

Anonymous said...

Love the sock! I'm excited for the Noro Sock yarn to come out! The colors you chose from BMFA are great. I've been coveting Saratoga for a while now and hesitating about Ravens. The knispot shawl is wonderful and might just put me over the edge!
I'm thankful for Ravelry, which is how I found your blog! I'm grateful for yarn and fiber, which makes me the happiest in the world. And I'm grateful for my husband and kids, my wonderful, wonderful family!
Thanks for the great pics and such a great blog, too!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo for getting pretty yarn to enjoy! As always, I am so thankful for my life. It's just the way I want it with my hubby, kids, home, etc. I wouldn't ask for any other!

Kathleen said...

I am thankful that last Wednesday my Boss said the magic words

"TODAY IS YOUR LAST DAY"

Lots of free time now for knitting!

Cindy said...

Law and order re-runs and Noro sock yarn are definitely 2 things to be thankful for - Mine is walking to work listening to a good song and just getting lost in the moment!