Aug 18 2008
Back from Vacation
My family and I went on vacation last week and it was a great time to spend together, visit some “Up North” LYS, and get busy knitting.
We visited the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, including Mackinac Island and Traverse City area. We also went to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula, but didn’t find any yarn stores there.
In preparation for vacation I finally finished (sort of) my daughter’s Ayla backpack. I’m not really happy with the way the liner was sewn in and oops it is a bit too small around, so I may redo it eventually. But Yay! it is finished. Just in time for her to start school in 2 weeks. I used an Amy Butler print fabric as the liner and I think it matches the colors of the bag so well.
We filled the backpack full of new toys to help pass the time on the road. We spent way too much time driving and packing and unpacking. I think next year we will find a home base that we can stay at for a week and just do short day trips from there. Preferebly somewhere on a lake. We have several to choose from in Michigan, so hopefully won’t be too hard to find 
On the trip I used up more of the Zenstring Secret Garden yarn to make my daughter a pair of socks. I didn’t follow any particular pattern and just borrowed some structure ideas from a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern. The 4 row repeat pattern was completely my own. I cast on 32 stitches for my daughter’s tiny ankles and feet.
At one time the hottest Ravelry project around, I also cast on a Clapotis while on vacation. I’m using an Araucania Nature Wool Multy, alternating skeins every other row. This is going to be a great wrap for the fall and winter for sure. I’m guessing it will not be my last Clapotis and I am hoping to do a lighter weight one for summer.
Check out the super pretty stitch markers I got from Entrelac just for this project.
And finally I got restarted on the first sock I ever tried to knit. Last summer I was the highest bidder on a Sock Yarn knitting bag in the Fluff Factory Auctions. Generally twice a year a bunch of WAHMs donate their time and their goods for a great cause. I received a Ham’s Jam knitting tote and needle roll, several skeins of sock yarn (including some Zenstring), sock needles, and a pattern. The pattern was Perambulate. I do not recommend this pattern for someone just starting out knitting socks.
My biggest problem was I did not do a gauge swatch and it turned out tiny. Plus I got hung up on the heel because I didn’t follow the chart and read the instructions wrong. So I put it away. Now that I have a few more socks under my belt, I decided to stop letting it laugh at me in my knitting closet and start it up again.
I did a gauge swatch, moved up two needle sizes, and made some good progress on my trip. It took me about a week to do the cuff and leg last year and it only took me a short evening and a long car ride to do the same.
My friend Rae also made me a messenger style bag in a craft swap and it was the perfect size to store all my yarn and projects in. The print is awesome, she really picked out something that I love. She is starting to do custom sewing, so if you need a bag or a Waldorf doll let me know and I will get you her contact info.
We also visited about four LYS and bought some yarn. I will give each a review in an upcoming post. Oh and the August Woolgirl Sock Club came, so I need to post a spoiler for that tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed the pics 
So much to catch up on.
The backpack is WAY cute and Ayla also matches her backpack =) Yeah that 1st sock of yours is a little different, isn’t it? hmmmm gonna have to try to figure that one out. lol Neat bag for you, too.