I actually finished this scarf quite some time ago – on May 24 say my Ravelry records -  but only recently found a model whose neck was worthy of this cotton/bamboo blend. Special thanks to Maria for wearing the scarf in what turned out to be a chilly summer day in Concord, California – it only got up to 82 degrees!

I started the Twin-Leaf Scarf from Vogue Knitting a few months ago but finished it quickly. It was hard to put down! This scarf is versatile and surprisingly easy. No kidding. Try it. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I’m almost finished with  my fourth week of the seven week summer session at CSUEB and everything’s moving swiftly. Mountains of homework and reading still to be done. I’ll be back to knitting and the dog days of summer soon.

Yes folks. I’m having a little sale. I’ll be at the Oakland Art Murmur this Friday, July 2, with a table of my hand knitted goodness. If you recall, it was almost one year ago that I checked out the OAM for the first time. My exact location will be on 23rd Street at Telegraph (next to Rock Paper Scissors) in beautiful downtown Oakland. I’m selling some hats, some scarves, some sweaters and even some socks. So if you have nothing better on Friday night, stop by and say “hello”. Hope to see you there!

Well it’s not the surprise you might think it is but I’m excited to be knitting for a baby again. My brother and his longtime partner, Maggie, are expecting a baby in September. The shower is August 1 and hopefully neither one of them is reading this blog.

Mums the word, k?

BTW: You might recognize the wool which has been surprisingly hard to come by lately. Does anyone know where to get Jitterbug these days?

Ever since I took Nancy on the East Bay LYS tour back in April and we visited Article Pract, I have been dying to make a scarf that I saw on display there. The narrow Sailing Sea Scarf was made from Tilli Tomas Demi Plié and, as it turns out, the pattern comes with purchase – a mini, business-sized pattern.

Now I ask you, how cool is that? I wish that all patterns were as portable.

As soon as I free up my size 2 needle, I will cast on.

The other cool thing about Article Pract is visiting Bakesale Betty’s which is only steps away. I finally had a chance to sample their strawberry shortcake *and* apricot pie. Wow! Best pie I’ve ever tasted, hands down. But as you know, with dessert comes pounds so I’m off to work on my bike again. I’m trying to ride off another ten pounds. It’s a beautiful day for it anyway. Have a good one!

Nuff said.

You may remember that I started the Pyroclastic socks about a few weeks ago. In the first version, on the far left, I cast on 66 stitches on a size ZERO needle. This *is* Malabrigo after all and because it’s so soft and stretchy, it needs a very tight knit. Well when I tried it on over my big leg, it felt a little small – barely clearing my foot – so I cast on again, this time with 77 stitches but still on the size ZERO needle. That’s the swatch in the middle. That one felt much too big.

Finally I cast on again, with 66 stitches but on a size ONE needle. That one felt just right.

For the foot of the current version I switched back to the size ZERO needle and I’m starting to regret that decision. I like my socks tight but I’m starting to re-consider that preference. Nevertheless, progress on the sock has been swift. The pattern, which features some interesting shaping and unique stitch patterns, is quite lovely.

It’s also the type of sock challenge that I really enjoy. I’m pleased so far although I’m not sure this sock will be for me. We shall see.

About a week ago I was sitting in Peets (even though I have since given up coffee) when I happened across this little article in the San Francisco Chronicle.

As luck would have it, my friend, Marie and I just happened to be driving down MLK on Sunday when I spotted the “T” cozy and immediately ordered Marie to stop the car so I could take a closer look.

Graffiti knitting has been much discussed lately and spotted in other parts of the East Bay such as Kensington. I wonder if the luscious warm weather we’ve been enjoying lately has brought the renegade knitters out of doors.

Well I, for one, absolutely love it and I hope they leave it as is, as a warm sweater for that poor, cold T. The sculptor says it’s ok but the city of Berkeley wants it removed. Doesn’t anyone have a sense of humor anymore?

Marie insisted on taking my picture so you also get a bonus (and rare) shot of yours truly. Keep on knitting and don’t forget World Wide Knit in Public Day. It’s coming up!

As I mentioned in the previous post, K2Tog recently moved to a new space on 1325 Solano Avenue and yesterday, I got a chance to visit. Room after room filled with yarn…

…even a whole room dedicated to sock, lace and fingering weight. My favorites.

They now carry Cotton Classic in virtually every color CC offers. I can now return to my hibernating Mitered Square blanket and perhaps finish it some time this millenium.

Every where you look, every nook and cranny is filled with yarn.

There’s even a new baby section right as you enter the shop.

But as always, the lovely and talented lace knitter, Kimberly, is ready to assist you. Here she is wearing an unnamed design knit in Frog Tree Cotton.

Beautiful new shop, same great service…you simply must check it out when you get a chance.

There’s been no lag time between socks these days and progress on my most recent pair has been swift. A friend recently reminded me about Knitty.com and it was there that I found a sock pattern worthy of the super soft, yummy yellow Malabrigo sock I purchased at K2Tog a few months ago.

BTW: K2Tog is moving and opening in their new digs on June 1. The new location is near their old location on Solano, just a few blocks up the street, so be sure and check them out if you’re in the neighborhood.

Because this sock pattern was designed by Marlowe Crawford and it’s a tribute to Northern California, it seems fitting that I would continue my exploration of the Northern California coast this holiday weekend by visiting Bodega Head just north of Bodega Bay. See for yourself.

It was an utterly spectacular day on the California coast. Simply magnificent.

And the rock formations are certainly quite pyroclastic, aren’t they?

Even though I only live about 20 miles from San Francisco, I rarely visit the city and it can seem like another world. A far off land. Especially when it’s the annual Bay to Breakers which I accidentally encountered last Sunday on one of my rare trips to the city. As I waited for Nancy in front of the Orpheum Theater on Market Street, throngs of “runners” dressed in their best costumes passed by for my enjoyment. Only in SF…

Nancy and I met to attend a Ravelry meet-up at the Women’s Building in the Mission District. The room was filled with busy knitters from all over the Bay Area and although it wasn’t what I was expecting – Jess and Casey and Mary-Heather weren’t in attendance – I ended up winning a $25 gift certificate to Bluebird Yarns in Sausalito. Thank you! I’m excited to discover yet another LYS in the Bay Area – this one in Marin County.

Speaking of LYS…I finally had the chance to visit the world-renowned ImagiKnits and Wow! is it something. (BTW: The hat that Nancy’s wearing is the Hilde Slouchy Hat. Pretty cool, huh?)

The fibers are divided into two giant rooms according to animal and plant content, and from thick to thin clockwise – at least I *think* that’s what the proprietress said.

It was all so overwhelming and little too much information for my aging brain to absorb. I did take some mental notes and I now know where to come for a superb selection of hempathy and Euroflax linen. Oh and this gorgeous stuff whose name escapes me…

Here’s a Traveling Woman Shawl that a knitter made as part of the KAL for the Ravelry meet-up. I am considering one myself. She admitted it was her own handspun when asked.

Well at the end of this busy day (which included breakfast with Pat and snake hunting with Tod), my dogs were really barking.

BTW: I have volunteered to teach knitting and crochet at the Maker Faire on Sunday May 23rd from 2-6pm so stop if you get a chance. Hope to see you there!