somewhere over the rainbow

Over the rainbow shawl, that is!



Pattern: Revontuli -huivi/Northern Lights
Yarn: Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn in color EQ (180 gram skein) on US8 needles



I started this to have a project on my train rides home for Thanksgiving, and it was a simple but pleasing lace pattern.



And here it is blocking.

in which a namesake meets his inspiration

No, not David Tennant. Sorry, guys.

I did spend the weekend playing fangirl at the New England Fan Experience. Since I went by myself I didn't do a lot of the more social stuff, like the dance and costume stuff, but I wandered around the dealers' room and went to several panels (Corin Nemec has freaky skinny legs and John de Lancie really likes sailing) and saw the back of Leonard Nimoy's head as he was herded past.

But the main reason for my going was the presence of Gareth David-Lloyd, who played Ianto Jones on Torchwood. And also known as the inspiration for my Knit Ianto doll. Both the Ianto doll and the Captain Jack doll came with me this weekend, and I got lots of very nice compliments about them.

I went to both of Gareth's panels, and even did the photo session, which was a little bit awkward, but he was very sweet. And at the autograph session yesterday afternoon, I introduced Gareth to Knit Ianto. Amazingly he did not act like I was crazy (he's seen worse from fans) but was quite lovely about it. And he called me "angel," which may have been where my brain froze.

And the two Iantos together:



And since the photo session picture came out well--I am so not photogenic--I'll even post that one.



I think I like fangirling.

putting on my top hat

I already had two other projects going this past week, yet something made me drop both of them to start a third. And, of course, that's the one I've finished.



Pattern: Keyhole Bow-Tie, from Knit Simple, Fall 2009
Yarn: Berroco Boho in red (~1.5 balls) on US 7 needles



I had my doubts as to how it would come out in this yarn, but I actually like it. The ribbon yarn gives it a shape it wouldn't otherwise have. And I like the colors. Now to see if I ever actually wear it!

Roll up, roll up for the mystery tour

It's the last day of October, and the last day of Socktoberfest, and thus fitting it's the day I post my Mystery Socktober Socks!



Pattern: Mystery Sock '09 by Through the Loops
Yarn: S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes Bamboo in Gray (1 full skein), plus a little leftover sock yarn, on US 1.5 needles



See that little bit of purple on the toe of the right foot? I ran out of yarn with four rows to go on the second sock! I knew that was a danger with the yarn I was using, which is why I only did three repeats on the leg instead of the called for five. But I came so close and had to finish it off with some leftover Socks that Rock.



It's a very nice pattern, though, and this knitalong was a fun thing to do over October.

Our annual Rhinebeck road trip

Another year's fun at Rhinebeck has come and gone, alas. Do we really have to wait until next October?

We left Boston very early Saturday morning to head out. The weather forecasts all week had taunted us with warnings of rain and snow. Instead we got a gorgeous, if cold, Saturday to wander around the fair.

The sights from the fairgrounds...









I made a friend:







Monet with her first skein of Socks that Rock:









I made another friend:







This yarn was even more eye-searing in person:



Monet in her new hat:



Our whole crew:



From the Ravelry party:



With Ysolda Teague in her "secret project"--dressed up as Bob!



The youngest member of our crew:



On the way home we did our normal stop in Lenox, where we were met with cold, heavy rain. By the time we left Lee, it had become heavy, golf ball sized snow, which accompanied us across the state back to Boston. The view from the car:



Definitely an out-of-the-ordinary end to our fun weekend!

walking on sunshine

Sunshine socks, that is!



Pattern: Sunshine, from Sock Innovation by Cookie A.
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy in Flamingo Pie on US1.5 needles



This is the first time I've done cabled socks. Constantly pulling out the cable needle was a bit annoying, but I'm pleased with how they came out. And I love the colors of the yarn.



And Kate's got me doing socks again right away--she convinced me to sign up for Mystery Socktoberfest!

pumpkin pretty

This weekend I went to the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch at MIT. I had gone for the first time a couple of years ago, but I missed it last year. But I made sure I knew when it was this year!













And my pumpkin collection, after yesterday's additions.