I had a great time down in Virginia Beach this past weekend. There was a book-signing/party Friday night at KnitWits that was a blast. I met a lot of fun knitters and thoroughly enjoyed myself. My friend Rusty did a nice photo-filled blog post about it here.
Rusty and her husband Larry had just returned from a trip to Canada and Rusty brought me some prezzies:
To the left is sock yarn, from Belfast Mini Mill on Prince Edward Island. It’s a beautiful heathered green-blue. The bright turquoise is laceweight from Tanis Fiber Arts. And the Dala horse is . . . just because. 
I also got a cap from Larry’s ship:
The classes on Saturday were wonderful. The knitters were fun and enthusiastic about learning the techniques. In fact, we now have a group on Ravelry dedicated to the wonder that is a toe-up toe, called “Toe Cuppage.” And a challenge has been issued there . . .
For my travel knitting I cast on a sock.
Can you guess the yarn and colorway?
My purchase of the weekend — I discovered that KnitWits carries Lawre’s Laine bags. And they had a style I hadn’t seen before — a pouch:
I love how it has a stitch counter attached to the drawstring! It’s big enough to easily carry a sock or two or a smaller lace project.
I returned home yesterday afternoon to this:
A very happy little kitty!
I’m gonna be on the look out for the Lawre’s Laine bag too. I like that.
southparknitter´s last blog ..CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
The yarn looks like Wollmeise “Johannisbeere + Brennessel”. – What a lovely sock.
I’m in agreement with Carmen: Wollmeise Johannisbeer und Brennessel. Lovely, lovely…
has to be wollmeise J&B
ambermoggie´s last blog ..It is a time
I love the bag. It makes me think of a bird with a long narrow beak!
I’m glad you had a lovely weekend at Virginia Beach and I look forward to the release of Toe-Up Socks for Everyone ; ) . Your yarn is Wollmeise Johanisbeer & Brennessel, which I finally have in my stash. I like how your pattern creates stripes of color. My current hand-dyed sock yarn is giving me blobs of color. Your sock makes me want to break open my yarn.
Roseann´s last blog ..Handgefaerbte Socks
Thanks for coming down to Virginia Beach, Wendy! The class was so much fun and I’ve already cast-on for a toe-up sock! (And yes, I have achieved cuppage.) I accept your dare and am uploading a pic of cuppage as I write this.
Laura´s last blog ..Your eyes do not deceive …
Love the idea of putting the row counter on the drawstring. How clever is that!
Fun-love your dare on Ravelry! The sock looks perfect for an October knit; the little bag is a beauty!
Cindy in FL´s last blog ..Gifts From Afar
Love the bag too. Going to check these out. I was going to say it looked like an elephant!
Great class Wendy, and I can honestly say, that I am planning my next pair of socks will be toe up, complete with toe cuppage!! I was the first to know the colorway of your travel sock, but alas, it is not yet in my stash. One day it will be (maybe when I move to Germany).
Glad you are home safe and sound, and hope to meet again some time.
Cheryl´s last blog ..It is Done and Re-Begun
The yarn is Wollmeise in Johannisbeere and Brennessel. Light. I have dark and medium.
Dont you love when they miss you lots…all the attention you get really calms you after a long trip…ditto to all the above mentions of the yarn ….love it!!!
OMG! I go to that yarn store all the time as I live in Norfolk! Of course, I was out of town this weekend and wouldn’t have been able to see you. Hope you come back soon!
Rose´s last blog ..Home Sick
I had a wonderful time in the morning class on Saturday – and I have achieved “toe cuppage” on my next set of socks…pink for October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thanks for coming down and spending time with the Knit Wits. I already told Sharon I hope to see you there again with your next book. Happy knitting!
Well I didn’t know the colorway but I figured it was Wollemeise
It’s goo to know you had a great time and that cuppage was achieved.
Leslie´s last blog ..Mr. T!
Oh, I used to have that colorway! I traded it away for fear of it turning out too Xmas-ey, but it’s lovely. (I agree with everyone else, definitely Wollmeise J&B, though I couldn’t have told you the intensity.)
Vicki´s last blog ..FO: Swallowtail Shawl
Was Larry on the ship when the Somali pirates hijacked it? Wow. Looks like you have a great time in Norfolk.
Wollemeise purchased from Claudia in Bavaria — Johannisbeere and Brennessel taken from Rusty’s blog, of course.
Hey Wendy!
Now you did it. I’ll really have to figure out how to blog and take pictures. May I answer Sharon?
No, Larry was home for just 8 days, the time it took him to turn over to Richard Phillips on March 30th then have the ship hijacked with Capt. Phillips. Larry had to go back April 11th (left on the 10th) while Phillips was still in the lifeboat. He was then Capt. up until Aug and he’s now off on vacation for a while, but he’s one of the skippers of that ship. I have some photos in the archive on my blog. Loopy Ewe is also in the lifeboat on an earlier blog entry. I also sent some others of Loopy and Larry to theloopyewe.com for what Loopy did for vacation this summer. Larry told Wendy that he wants her to be the aurthor of his life story and for her to include simple patterns in there for the next time one finds himself held by pirates in a lifeboat.
And yes Wendy, you’ll be coming back soon!
Rusty´s last blog ..What WendyKnits Does when She’s not Blogging
hmm, probably wrong on the yarn guess, but I came across something that looks similar called Limbo Mexicali or maybe that is backwards..and I just can’t bring myself to dive back in the tote…it’s at the bottom.
Love the Dala Horse.
loks like a good weekend! lots of nice friends and fiber
turtle´s last blog ..a fav holiday pic (or two)….
Oooh, Tanis Fiber Arts yarn. I love her sock yarn, I have started a modest collection. This week I plan to add to it, I’ll be on the look out for the lace weight as well. The pouch is lovely, the stitch counter is a clever idea indeed.
It was great to meet you. And it was a wonderful, fun class. I am starting my first toe up sock tomorrow. Been practicing my toe cuppage today. Houston, we have cuppage.
I hope you will come back again, when your next book comes out. I have already pre-ordered. Beautiful yarn
Oh I know what the secret yarn is, cause you let us fondle it.
Suzann´s last blog ..Like a Hobbit
I’m wondering if it is Wollmeise, from the sock club, looks just like Saami to me
claire´s last blog ..Happy 1st day of Fall
How clever to attach a stitch counter to the strap of the bag. I’m always losing mine.
Ida´s last blog ..The Cabbage Patch Doll of Yarn?
My guess on the yarn is wollmeise, but I am not clear on the color. Lovely, by the way. Your cuppage is the best. N
My guess on the yarn is wollmeise, but I am not clear on the color. Lovely, by the way. Your cuppage is the best. N
Not sure of the yarn. However, I am in love with that bag. I want one!!! Off to search…..
Yummy yarn! You have good friends! And if you ever have the opportunity to visit the Belfast Mini-Mill in person, I highly recommend it. I grew up on beautiful Prince Edward Island and had one of those “HEY, what’s that? Turn HERE!!” moments while visiting my mom last summer. Brilliant tour, lots of fibery goodness, and I made friends with a chicken. It was the best day ever.
Anyone else see a little creature in the bag photo shot? Grommets as eyes…. Maybe it’s just me, but as I scrolled down I thought it was going to be some kind of little stuffed owl.
Sarah-potterknitter´s last blog ..Fall in the Air
Wollmeise J&B, of course! Love that little pouch. Welcome home!
Michele In Maine´s last blog ..Double Dot Dare You Periwinkle Mini Bag
That yarn looks like that Johannesbeer and something colorway by Wollmeise. I have one of those in my stash. It’s my favorite.
When I first saw that bag I thought it looked like some strange little creature with a funny nose and flappy ears
Always enjoy your blogposts and seeing what you have otn. The yarn is Wollmeise in Johannisbeer und Brennessel colorway, one that I still can’t get my hands on and really really want! Gorgeous
Love the Dala horse too!
LOVE, love,love the idea of a stitch counter on the bag’s drawstring. I’m going to have to adapt my tom bihn tall stuffed yarn sack accordingly. Just brilliant!
such a clever idea – using a row counter on the handle!!!! So simple – so obvious – so brilliant!
danielle´s last blog ..Saturday Shopping
Hi,
your new knitting bag looked like a toy elephant on the first glance, love it.