Nifty

So here are the finished socks. I completed the second one Monday night and wore them on Tuesday. They are soft and warm and comfy. I am waiting for a new set of needles to arrive so I can start my second set next week.

Also on Tuesday we saw The Black Crowes at the State. It was a great show! They are not supporting an album right now (although a new one is due out next spring/summer) so they could do what they wanted. I find the best concerts are when no album is being supported or when the album is a greatest hits, so they can do more from the back catalog. They jammed quite bit, which was very cool. Rich (lead guitar) had broken his ankle the day before and so was playing from a chair, but if it affected the concert, it was only to make it shorter. Last time we saw them they played for almost three hours, but this show was right at two hours, and the encore was only one song. We also got cool shirts. Usually I make sure to take enough cash for a shirt, but this time I didn't plan on getting one as I got one last time. But when I saw them, I decided a second one was a good idea. I can't really describe it, it reminds me of an old west style "Dr. Jonas Smith's all natural remedy for everything" kind of ad. Pretty nifty stuff.

Look, a sock!

So here is my very first hand knit sock. Yippee! I finished it last Sunday, and am just over halfway done with the second. I have already ordered (and received) yarn for the next pair from The Loopy Ewe. It is Dream in Color smooshy sock yarn in Happy Forest. I am pretty excited, but I would like to make some forward progress on my shawl and make a tote bag or two to sell at the craft fair that my friend at work is going to and offered to sell stuff for me at. And I need to start and finish a baby blanket before Christmas so I can take it to KC with us. Although that is going to be entirely garter stitch on large needles with chunky yarn, so it really shouldn't take all that long to do.
Yesterday I finished the LYS shop hop, and it was fun. It is nice to know what the other stores carry and where they are, just in case I want a change of pace from Amazing Threads. It was built as a kind of treasure hunt, so each of the seven stores were giving out goodies. I got several useful things, but I am most excited about the bent tip tapestry needles. (they have a name, I just don't remember it right now) They are great for weaving in ends; the bent tip makes going under the backs of stitches much easier. I also won a door prize from Amazing Threads. It is a neat little bag with a chain stitch flower design. I am not sure what I will use it for, but is is pretty. Since I visited all 7 shops and got all the stamps, I am entered to win the grand prize/one of seven first prizes. They are all knitting/fiber arts tool kits, which sounds cool. While on the middle leg (I did it in three parts: two stores Friday, three Saturday with Mom and the last two Saturday after I dropped her off) I met Jill, who also frequents Amazing Threads, is in the sock of the month club there, seems super knowledgeable, and is nice to boot! So, a pretty good day. Today I am following up by working on my sock. I'll let you know when it is finished. And if I actually remember to do it (and can figure out how to light them more evenly) I'll post my new yarn acquisitions and shawl progress in photo form!