Stash enhancement and Stitch 'n' Pitch

Thanks to the generosity of the parents of the student I work with, I was able to purchase some yarn for specific projects. Usually I just buy whatever tickles my fancy, but this time I was on a mission - a project-specific stash enhancement expedition:

Here's some fabulous Hemp for Knitting Allhemp #6 in the Brick colorway. This is going to be Orangina. The yarn is kind of stiff right now, but I hear that washing it makes it much softer, and that it has wonderful drape. Even if it's still kind of rough, I'll be wearing a tank under the Orangina, so I ain't worried none.

Here we have some lurvely Koigu KPPPM for the ever popular Chevron Scarf. This project is a bandwagon, and I am happy to jump on, simply for the fact that it allows me to buy Koigu. What the hell else can I afford to make? The Babette? Mwah hahahahahaha. I think not.

My neighbor Regina is muy generosa (yeah, I made that up, deal with it) and for watching her cats she gave a whole freakin' box of yarn!! Yay!! I'll be rippling til the cows come home with this Rainbow Classic. It's soft and fuzzy and perfect for an afghan.

Haven't decided what this TLC Amore is going to be yet; perhaps a layette? I'll think of something. I love this yarn too, so soft.

This Red Heart Kids is going to be a baby sweater, hat, and afghan for a pregnant friend of mine. The colors are perfect because she's not finding out if it's a boy or girl, so this will work either way. And hello, can you say machine washable and dryable?

Now this - this is something special. I love Twinkle's Big City Knits, but I don't like the price of her yarns. This here is Misti Alpaca Chunky, and can I just tell you how lofty and soft and dreamy this yarn is? Oh my God, I love it. I can't wait to make the Best Friend Cardigan with this stuff. The pattern also calls for size 19 needles, and guess what? I got some bamboo Clover 19s in my Stitch 'n' Pitch goodie bag last night! Woo hoo! I was meant to make this sweater.

This is Tahki Cotton Classic, and I'll be making the Lotus Blossom Tank from last summer's Interweave Knits. I have a brown velvet blazer that will look great over the tank, so if I don't finish it by the end of the summer (which I won't, given the projects I have on deck already), I can still wear it come fall.

I am in the home stretch with the Crochet Crop Cardigan. Another few rows on the bottom, a few rows on each sleeve, and then it's just a matter of a few finishing touches such as snaps and buttons. Can't wait to post pictures!

Last night was Stitch 'n' Pitch in Philadelphia! It was really a lot of fun, despite heavy traffic and 95 degree weather. That's WT in the pictures above (tank top and cap), and Liz all the way on the right with her cool pink tote bag.

My knitting buddies from MontCo Sit 'n' Knit! From left to right, we have Aileen, Liz, Debbie (hiding behind Liz), MJ in the red top, and Robin in the sunglasses! These people are friggin' awesome.
Here we have Maria in the sunglasses and purple shirt, and her friend Carol from work. Thanks for coming out Carol!

Here's me looking like I haven't slept in 3 weeks with my darling husband WT. Who's such a good sport? WT is!

Here's the Phillie Phanatic looking at a Phillies' butt. The Phillie Phanatic never ceases to amuse me.
Here is the one gajillionth reproduction of the Liberty Bell. It swings back and forth and lights up when the Phillies hit a homer. It was lighting up a lot last night!

Ah, the chokingingly beautiful haze that signifies the arrival of summer in the tri-state area. Gotta love it. Actually, it was nice last night, because if there hadn't been any haze, the sun would have been shining directly into our eyeballs, and that just would have been really unpleasant.
Yay for the Phillies! Yay for knitting!

Whoever came up with the idea to combine baseball and knitting deserves a pat on the back. A good time was had by all, even though not much knitting was done due to the ungodly temperatures. I cooled down with my $6.50 beer and my $4.50 ice cream, and we sang and talked and laughed and took pictures, and dammit, we had a rockin' good time.

If only the Schuylkill and 95 weren't under construction and it hadn't taken more than an hour to get home...