Petunia rambles on and on….

I’m wearing new socks.

This is a crappy over-exposed cell phone picture taken quickly before sitting with my ankle up on my other knee cuts the circulation off in my foot – this getting old stuff is rough. But I’ve had the socks on for a few hours and they feel good!

Here’s a proper picture:

This one’s had the color corrected a bit, and it now looks more like the colors in the actual sock – at least it does right here on MY monitor!!

It is Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport Multi in colorway Watercolor, done 2 at a time via Magic Loop, size US 2 needles.

No pattern, just 2×2 rib about 2/3 of the way around, stockinette for the bottom of the foot. Did the heel when it looked like I should. Done toe-up, I stopped when I ran out of yarn.

Comfortable.To knit and to wear.
* -  and that stands for “Finished Object” (included for non-knitters)

I had to work on Saturday, which left me with one day off and a whole lot of chores to do. I knew it, and I wasn’t looking forward to doing any of them. And I’ve got yarn. I mean, I’ve got YARN!!!

On Ravelry, I’d heard about a new LYS opening up in Rehoboth Beach, about an hour’s drive south of here – so much for the ideal of a LocalYS !! I’ve read things on the blog too, and had to investigate.

Kitschy Stitch is located at 75 Lake Avenue, which angles off Rehoboth Avenue to the left as you’re heading towards the ocean, just after the circle. The shop is located in a little cottage, with a lovely front porch, and a sign letting you know you’re in the right spot.

Allison has a terrific shop, and I think it’s going to get even better. New stock is coming in all the time and she’s got an eye for what will catch the customers’ fancy. One of the things I particularly liked is the way she’s got everything labeled.  Near each bin is a card with the yarn’s name, weight of the skein, yardage, stitches per inch/needle size, and price.  Instead of rolling and turning skeins to find the info, and then squinting at the fine print, the necessary info is all plainly written out, large enough for even me to see.

See the little cards clipped there? They’re great! And on that back shelf, second row down, third from the left, is Katia Bombay, and the pink/white ones in the upper right have been driving me crazy, even crazier than the colorway to the left, with pink beige/brown and white. I didn’t buy any of it. Thought “tank top” when I saw it, and been thinking “tank top” ever since. I need to research a pattern, find what yardage I’d need, and drive back there!! Beautiful goodies everywhere you look.

I loved the cloth-lined baskets everywhere, filled with wonderful colors. Although there was plenty of stock displayed, Allison assured me that she had more skeins in a storage area. Instead of putting out 40 of one color, she chose to put out several of many more colors. If anyone wants a sweater’s worth, she can run upstairs (downstairs?) and get all that’s needed. Ask if you need more than you see displayed.

Lots of goodies, bamboo and Addi circular needles, DPN’s even in the wee 4″ size, square needles. straights, books and patterns.

Doesn’t it all look so nice and bright? It was a sunny day, and with all the windows, the shop is perfect for really seeing the colors!

Although I swore at myself all during my drive down that I needed more yarn like I need another hole drilled into my head, and really didn’t need the expense of a purchase right now either, my stern will melts when I am near bright colors.  (Did anybody watch the cartoon/movie “The Secret of NIMH” with their kids? Do you remember the crow that was always hopping and dancing and bouncing around, acquiring things and yelling “Sparkly, Sparkly!! Well, uh, that’s how I get in a yarn store. Colors! Colors!!)

Noro Sock, color 279 I believe.

I’ve never worked with these self-patterning yarns before, but I have to try them at least once. The colorway got to me, or the wool fumes, or the feel of it. Or something.

And this, because I’ve always loved blue and yellow together. So fresh and clean looking colors.  I also bought 2 skeins of Cascade 220 in a light blue, lighter than shows on the Araucania. I’ve got the Basics, Basics, Basics course, need to get started working on it, and need a color that I’ll enjoy working with.  Allison had a beautiful teal shade, but TKGA specifically requests that the colors used be light, to aid them in grading the work. I figured a smart move would be to follow the directions.

So – the verdict? A great little shop, great potential, friendly and helpful Allison. I mentioned to her about KnitMap, which I’ve used several times to lead me directly into temptation, and she was not familiar with it. But by Monday morning, her shop was listed, in plenty of time for the touristas that will start pouring into the Delaware Beaches area as the weather warms. I hope this shop does well! I’ll be back.

I may have to go all the way back for that pink-and-white Bombay by Katia! (Damned old fool that I am for not buying it while I was there!)

I found these in my camera that last time I downloaded pictures. They were taken last week, when the sun peaked out, scared the shit out of itself and went away again. Lucky for me, I was outdoors and had a camera during the 45-second flash of sunlight that we got.

Actually, this one was taken in my back yard, and the tree itself, the rest of the year, is between non-descript and ugly, but this time of year, covered in these delicate white blossoms, it’s breath-takingly beautiful. Gloom diminishes the effect, and rain beats the petals down in a few short days.

Saw this as I was driving by – whatever they are, they’re common in this area. These were on the old Colonial Green in Dover. The intensity of the color stopped me, and with 2 million chores to do, I parked and spent time taking pictures of the tree and the area. This time of year, we need the COLOR!!!

Here’s where I was, standing under that beautifully blooming tree, looking across the Green at the Old State House in Dover, as the chores piled up and I enjoyed the sunshine. Most of the trees are still bare, but not for very much longer. They can sense that we just can’t wait.

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I had been thinking of taking a ride down to Rehoboth this weekend – there’s a new knitting store down there, opened up about a month ago. I damn sure don’t need any more knitting/yarn stuff, but still….. I can always go into the Outlet stores on the highway, or just enjoy what’s supposed to be good weather coming in. May need to rethink the Great Plan, though. Pop took his old truck in for servicing. She is an old girl and has given him many years of faithful service, but she needed 4 tires, a front-end alignment and an oil change. She gulped down about $600 in one swallow. With all the medical bills I’m accumulating, maybe I’d better stay out of this new shop for 6 months or so!!!!