Tea and Me

Can someone tell me what is it about knitters and tea? I know that for me, the two seem to have coincided. About the same time I started getting obsessive about knitting was about the same time I developed my love for tea. I even had to get a tea kettle which puzzled my husband completely. I just enjoy the romance of the process. There's not a lot of romance to microwaving a mug of water, but putting the kettle on and setting out my cup...just thinking about it relaxes me. I like adagio teas which a lot of knitters seem to have on their blogs, but I do want to try more whole leaf tea.
I also haven't mentioned yet that I homeschool my kids, so I need my tea! I sometimes drink coffee, but I find that if I drink two whole mugs (about 32oz.) I get really jittery and uncomfortable. But tea! I can drink tea all day long without the caffeine bugging me. So if anyone out there has any good suggestions for some different tasty tea, please let me know!

Oh, and I almost forgot! More pics from the Mother's Day haul:

Lorna's laces in Embers, Motherlode, and Vera.

A Little Late for Mother's Day Pics

I thought it would be okay to post a few pics of my most amazing Mother's Day present from my wonderful husband. These Koigu skeins were just a small portion of the bounty I received! I couldn't believe it when he showed me all of it laid out.

The funny part is when I went shopping in Lawrence at the Yarn Barn, I couldn't buy any Koigu because I couldn't remember all the different colors I had just received!
I am looking forward to finding the right patterns for these yarns. So I do have plenty to knit this summer, because I'm sure it won't be long until it's cool enough to wear wool socks again.

I'm also pretty excited because I have signed up for a spinning class and a dyeing class this summer. When I told a girlfriend of mine about the spinning class, she asked, "With bikes, right?". I don't think she understood when I told her it was about yarn. I can't decide if I'm more excited about learning something new, or meeting other people who are into fiber as well. There doesn't seem to be a big knitting community here. From what I can tell, quilting is the bigger hobby in these parts. We do have one small LYS, but there's not much in the way of sock yarn. Of course, we also have Hobby Lobby and Michael's, but there's not a lot of natural fibers there. SOOO, I hope that explains the trip to Lawrence! I have ventured to Salina as well and there is a fabulous yarn store, Yarns, I think. But with all the new yarn, I don't think I'll feel the urge for a little while at least!

As promised, here is my May shipment, Fairgrounds. I just love how Springy these colors are! I also have a progress pic on my Cedar Creek socks. I had to rip back twice, because I was being delusional. The first time, I was doing the sock cuff down and I didn't like how the picot edge was turning out. The second time I was almost done with the first sock when I realized the truth that the sock was just too tight. I didn't want to admit it because I had loved how the striping was turning out. Oh well, now I know just because I love how something looks, that alone won't make it fit!

As for the Fairgrounds pattern, Rock and Weave, I'm just not sure yet. I love how the linen stitch looks, but I am not one for buttons on my socks. I figure since I'm still working on my Cedar Creeks, I'll just wait to see how they are turning out on the KAL.

I do find myself wanting to knit something I can wear as soon as it's done. Wool socks in the summer? Mmm, no. I'll probably start on some cotton socks soon. I wish I could see what Blue Moon's Sock Candy looks like. I know I have heard that you can call or email Blue Moon with a request, but I would like to see some of the colorways that are available in Sock Candy. Oh, and I have fallen in love with those Noni bags. I have yet to see them in person, but they look so cute in the pictures!

Have you seen some of the new summer patterns at Knitpicks? I just got my catalog yesterday and I saw some summer tops that looked doable. And they have Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers for $15.72! So, I'm thinking of what else I can get to qualify for free shipping. We'll see what hits me when I finish my cedar creeks. Yes, I am one of those people who can't have too many projects going at once. Makes me jumpy.

Yes, I know. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of knitting blogs out there already. But, if you're like me, you are always looking for new ones and looking for more yarn porn! So I figured I shouldn't just keep peeking at everyone else's without contributing something myself. So here is my first attempt at posting a picture as well. Cross your fingers and hope it works!


Yay! Yes, I am a big sheep and a member of the Socks That Rock Club. This was my first package. The color is Rainforest Jasper. I do have the next color but I haven't taken a picture yet, so...probably tomorrow.