It's a great day!

"And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?"

Extra credit if you now have a song in your head. At least I put a good one there!

Wow, it's been a long while since I've managed to make time to post something here. So sit back and prepare to be bored, enlightened, entertained kill some time while I catch you up on some stuff!

Aside from the usual transcription, I've spent this month working on new patterns. They're all done now and I sent the files to the printer today, so I have a little bit of a respite before I madly stuff copies into sheet protectors.

I gave you a bit of a sneak peak in my last post (you remember that far back, don't you?), but I wasn't quite ready to share the full story yet. Now that the patterns are ordered and the printer is working overtime to get them done for me by Monday, and they'll be for sale at Sock Summit next week (WOOT! Sorry, that happens when I mention Sock Summit), I'll give you some more info and pics.

First up, the Come Sail Away sock. The front of this sock has a stitch pattern that reminds me of spinnaker sails, while the back has a wavy rib pattern, like the wake behind the racing boats. The stitch pattern works well with hand-dyed or self-striping yarn, as you can see in the pictures.

On the left, it's shown in Chance Sock from Serendipitous Ewe in the Water Lily colorway. (Booth #502 at Sock Summit)

On the right, it's shown in Mighty Sock from Abstract Fiber in the Blueberry colorway. (Booth #909 at Sock Summit)

Then there's the Slip 'n' Slide sock, shown on the left in Lucky Sock from Serendipitous Ewe in the White Birch colorway, and on the right in SuperSock from Abstract Fiber in the Mt. Hood Rose colorway.

This one is a super fast knit with the "slide" pattern of chevrons cascading down the front and the back. Ribbing on the side helps ensure a snug fit.

These two new sock patterns will be available at Sock Summit in Booth 502 (Serendipitous Ewe) and Booth 909 (Abstract Fiber). The samples will be on hand, too.

But wait! There's more!!!!

These patterns will also be available at the Abundant Yarn booth (#506 & 508), along with all these (some of which are available at Abstract Fiber and Serendipitous Ewe, too) . . .


This one is making it's debut at Sock Summit! The Columbia Scarf is designed in Imperial Stock Ranch pencil roving. A very light, lofty scarf with reversible ribbing and pretty lattice lace. This would be lovely in any bulky weight yarn, or in any yarn you like, really -- just adjust needle size to suit your yarn and make a narrower version. I love the meandering rib in the middle of this pattern, which reminds me of the Columbia River meandering through the gorge.



And yes, you read it right. My patterns will be available in three booths at the Sock Summit! I'm not sure it's really sunk in yet, but it's true.

If you can't make it to the party, Some of these patterns are already available here (on the left) and I'm sure all will be available later in August at the Abstract Fiber, Serendipitous Ewe, and Abundant Yarn Web sites.

Oh, did you see??? Mayor Sam Adams (yes, we know that's also the name of a good beer) has decreed officially that August 6-9, 2009 is "Sock Knitting Week" in Portland! First the City of Roses, next. . . the WORLD! Or at least the World Record. :)

Let's see, what else. . .

Oh, yeah, I decided I didn't have enough knitwear suitable for warm weather, so I started a little sweater. Thankfully, we should have warm weather for Sock Summit instead of the heatwave we've had the last few days. Temps in the Portland reached as high as 106F (that's about 41C), which is roasting for us. Should only be around 80F (26.6C) next week, though, which at this point sounds heavenly. But I digress.

Here's the Krista top (Ravelry link) from Joan McGowan-Michael of White Lies Designs. It's almost finished, just one more side seam and the sleeves (one is set in with pins here). This was a very quick knit and fun, too. I made it in Plymouth Jeanne, a cotton/acrylic blend and I'm looking forward to wearing it next week.

All of this by itself would make for a very good day -- or series of days -- but then the capper came along. A friend posted a Facebook entry about a work-at-home job. I asked for more info and the next thing you know, I was hired! I start training the Monday after Sock Summit. It seems like a perfect fit and it will be a guaranteed income with a regular schedule. These two things together are a big boon for me!

So, let's end as we began, shall we?

"Well I might go get me a new tattoo
Or take my old Harley for a three day cruise
Might even grow me a Fu Man Chu...
Oh Aww!"

Okay, so I don't have a Harley and my PT Cruiser isn't running at the moment and the Prius isn't much of a muscle car (LOL!) and I really don't want a Fu Man Chu, but I will be getting a new tattoo on Sunday. Stay tuned for pictures!

"And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?"

Thanks for the great lyrics, Travis Tritt!

Hope you all have a great day, every day, because life's too short not to live with JOY!