Maybe you should feel my forehead….

In other words…I knit/washed/blocked a swatch AND I cleaned.    Oh, I forgot….I cleaned my stove off and cooked too.  I know I am sick…..
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Rambling first pictures and links to free, great sock patterns toward the end.
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Recovering from surgery meant time off.  Time off is a very Good Thing.  In addition to having time to sleep, not wake up to an alarm clock, do the things you want to do, time also allows you to get some things done you might not normally do – like clean up your fiber room, clean out a corner of the room, clean off the top of a cabinet – you know….stuff you don’t Want to do, but would like to Have done. 
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While I can safely say that I did NOT take a picture of my fiber room, Before or After.  I just couldn’t bring myself to document the total chaos that my room Was in.  For those of you that are thinking that you may need to feel my forehead or want to know where the real Leah really is, I offer that the Fiber Room is 75% straightened up-not 100%.  I guess I need to leave some still to do.  Not sure why, I get to a saturation point and have to save some for later.  There were three motivating factors: 
1.  I had to play Twister and do unplanned pirouettes to get across the room

2.  I couldn’t find a pattern that I knew I wanted to make

3.  I am missing one of my sock blockers
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I can now safely walk across the floor without playing Twister or creating a new crazy looking dance move.   I found my pattern, which, by the way, was NOT in The Room.  Alas, I still have not found my Blocker.  Hmmm, where is That thing???
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Another really cool thing that I did in some of my Free Time is I met Susan of Susan’s Spinning Bunny.  You may remember the Hibiscus 50% merino/50% tencel that I recently spun….well, that beauty was dyed by Susan and SmokeyBlue, her spinning bunny.   In talking with Susan, I learned a little about her and am truly inspired by her, not only for fiber reasons, but because of the kind things she does for animals.  SmokeyBlue was a very interesting character and you can learn more about him and how she cared for and loved him a little over two years after he broke his spine.  In addition to SmokeyBlue, Basel is a much loved family member who had two broken legs when she met him.  She nursed him back to health and, in her words, he now levitates in the back seat when they take a ride.  Such selflessness, love and dedication are an inspiration to me.   It also lets me know I am not the only one out there that does what they can to help one in need.  There are so many ways you can help, even if you cannot adopt.  Donating time, supplies, money, or driving on a transport are a few ways to help a little friend in need.
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Enough with the mushy stuff….in addition to Susan’s awesome empathy for animals, she has an amazing eye for color.  I contacted her last week to purchase some of the A-m-a-z-i-n-g new color Butterfly Bush in the merino/tencel blend.  At that time, I read her blog and realized she was making the Antique Lace vest by Ilga Leja that I just purchased and was contemplating what yarn to use.  Susan is making hers from her Hibiscus merino/tencel yarn which is fingering weight.  The pattern calls for a DK weight yarn.  Hmm, I figured why not, it gives me a chance to work with some of her yarn…so I ordered it in the Blueberry color.  The yarn came last week and it really is nice.  In talking with Susan via email, she said she swatched AND washed/blocked her swatch before beginning the project.  I read the pattern and the designer stressed how important it is to knit a swatch and wash and block it.  Harumphfffff!   Mee?  Swatch???   I replied that I usually swatch by knitting the sleeve.  Susan rather smartly replied that I am ahead of the game (remember, it’s a vest, LOL).  So, now, those that know me can come feel my forehead.  I swatched.  Yep, me.  Hmm, I lived to take pictures.
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Pattern and yarn

 Swatch
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The amazing thing is that I got gauge.  That is, thanks to Susan, since I knew she dropped a needle size and I did the same thing….she saved me from knitting TWO swatches.  Something tells me that there is no way in H-E-double-hockey-sticks that I would’ve knitted two swatches, so it is a Good Thing I got gauge the first go round.  It is very pretty too. 
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Question is, do you think the pattern shows up with the varietgated yarn?  I need some input here.  I also went to Ravelry and looked to see what some other people used for yarn and they are all beautiful.
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Now that  I have that outta the way, I need to go find some stitch markers.  I better find em the first go round because I don’t want to clean that Room anymore tonight!
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(Warning:  Links to seriously beautiful sock patterns coming up.  Nice thing is…they are all free, shared by some amazing designers!)  Before I get to knitting on that vest, I have a pair of socks…almost.  I am halfway down the foot on the Second sock.  Regia Silk….Primavera Sock pattern.  I love it!
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I have been wanting to make some Monkey Socks for some time now and I also have Nutkin on the list “to do.”  So much to knit, so little time. 
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Brr, it is cold out here.  75 degrees one day and 35 or 40 the next.  Go figure!  We are even supposed to get Frost tonight.  Ugh and poor flowers!
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I am going to stare at my yarn room and enjoy all the colors.  G’day!

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