Finished kniitting in 2010

Finished kniitting in 2010
Originally uploaded by nextvangogh

I was fairly productive in 2010 with knitting. I started many projects and for a change, I actually finished some! A few of these are blocks which will be going into an afghan. I'm most proud of the socks though. I do love each pair and they have all worn really well. I have a few more items that need to be uploaded still, but for now, this is my year of productivity. Hopefully 2011 will bring more items to the table.

Knitting: Still at it after all these years

I've been quiet on the blog lately. Don't mean to be, just that free time lately has been MOSTLY knitting or sleeping. Due to some family issues and work issues, stress has been a big part of my life the last few weeks.

What really keeps me mostly sane is the knitting and the sleeping. Some evenings, I was far to exhausted to even hold the needles, after dinner and a bit of TV, I would typically be on the phone or headed towards bed. Luckily, my Dad who has been quite ill is on the road to partial recovery. So that part of my stress has dwindled. Work stress on the other hand is still present, but is lessening. And it's mostly just stress while at work, I don't have to take it home with me, yay.

One thing that I do notice though, is that when I take these little breaks, a few days off knitting, it REALLY makes me appreciate it more and then I can't wait to pick up the needles and I go with gusto!

So noted in a recent project, which I'm nearing the end of and very happy about! It's the Haruni shawl which I actually started last May. It starts small and GROWS!!! So back in May, I did several inches in ONE night! I was so pleased with myself and thought I'd be done in no time. Then... Oh look, shiny.... I wandered off the path and this sat around, until about a 1 1/2 weeks ago and I picked it up and started working on it again. I made wonderful progress and am now nearly finished! I have 14 rows to finish, which is approximately 5.5 hours. And then the cast off, which will take some additional time, but I'm thinking, I can certainly get to this this weekend as long as I don't get distracted and cast on for that sweater I've been wanting to make with the new yarn I just got in the mail!

Whitknits.com was having a great malabrigo sale, Malabrigo Stockpile to be exact, so I ordered a bagful of the Chunky weight in PAGODA, it's reddish/burgundy color with a hint of orange tones. It's an interesting color for sure and I think it will work out swell. But I REALLY have to finish that shawl!

Here is a not so great photo of it.


the yarn is noro with lovely pink and purple stripes. I can't wait to finish and block!!!

Knitting: And the socks have it!

I feel a little bad about not blogging lately. I do enjoy it, but often don't take the time for it. I do well for a short time and then fall back ino lazy habits. I've also been bad about reading the blogs of my friends. I'm several weeks behind, so for that I apologize and if you see random comments from me on a post that is weeks old, you know why. :)

Blogging helps keep me up to date. While most of the blogs I read are people I know IRL, it's always an added bonus (to me) to read all those thoughts about their lives or their knitting (they are ALL knitting people); what they thought while knitting, and their finished projects. I like it all! And most of them, I've seen in person, so seeing the object up close from start to finish is fun as well.

Blogging for me, helps me to remember. I know what I was doing when and how I felt about a particulr yarn or place or thing. If it's not kntting or yarn related, it's probably music, movies or travel. So always good to keep writing those memories. I hope to never succumb to those debilitating memory loss diseases, but you never know what age will bring.

Enough rambling. I've been casting on socks left and right these days, although not the lefts and rights that actually go together. Are you surprised, really?!

Here it is... I went to Mystery Sock last Monday 9/27. I purchased the reccommended yarn ahead of time, one I hadn't used before. It's dyed by the Neighborhood Fiber Co and I forget the name of the colorway, it starts with an "A". Anyway, it's green, another shock? Probably not. So the pattern, it has cables and sort of a lace/rib motif going on. Very easy repeat to remember and therefore get through fairly quickly. It was knit from the toe-up with a cuff down option if you please and a short row heel. I have yet to cast on for #2, but do plan on later this week, read on to see why. So the pair will be finished and not left in single sockdom (promise)!



I had a bit of free time a week or so ago, right before Mystery Sock and I didn't have but ONE sock OTN. Well it was a sock I don't like very much and I didn't want to knit it, so I cast on another sock. It's in this lovely blue/purple colorway called Purple Haze. I decided to make a pattern from Wendyknits fame from the book, Toe-Up Socks for Every Body. I can't recall the name at this second, but I did make it through the toe and through part of the first repeat. About this time, I was feeling angsty, not about the sock, but about intense knitting (this was a Saturday). So by Sunday, I decided to go easy and start a new toe up sock, plain, plain stockinette. However, the yarn is Regia Hand Dyed Effects, which does this really fantastic color gradient thing. I didn't want to muddy with a pattern and wanted something easy. This foots the bill (pun not totally intended).

I don't have photos of either of these yet, but in my in-betweens, I've been working on the Regia sock. I'm through the heel and working on the leg. It's coming along nicely. Bring in today, I have Block of the Month, and I am behind. I only have 3 completed blocks so far and 2 half blocks done. I should have a total of 8 (whoops!). And the 2 I have OTN, I cannot find the pattern for... doubble whoops!

I'm also missing a pattern because I missed the class in August and they were out of the pattern when I needed to buy it. I'll pick that up tonight. But I did cast on and do the edging for today's block, so I am ready to go.

Oh and then on 10/01 I decided to participate in the SKA challenge after taking a few months off. I decided on an underappreciated pattern and had to cast on right away to claim it. I'm knitting the Rose Cottage pattern on Rav in the Knit Picks Tonal color Spring Blooms (I think). It's pink. I like it so far, but have only done a partial of the first repeat. It's a charted pattern that isn't difficult, but does require attention.



Then on Saturday 10/2, I received my next to last shipment of the Socks that Rock club shipment. The yarn is a deep green that makes me think of Pine trees and funnily enough is called 'Pining 4 Ewe'. It definitely makes me think of winter and christmas. The 2 patterns for the month are a new twist of EZ's Moccasin sock by Meg Swansen and Buggin Out by Stephen H. (hizKnits). I met him for a brief moment at SS09 and he's a nice guy. While I like the Buggin Out pattern, I think will knit the Mocc Sock first. But not sure if I will use Pining for it or not. Anyway, it's something on the backburner because I have SEVERAL others in line.

Knitting: And the socks go on....

I've been a wild sock knitter of late. I've been challenging myself and setting little personal goals. For instance, a few weeks ago, I was knitting a pattern called Vorticity. It was published in one of this summer's issues of the Knitter (UK Mag). It was written by Alice Yu (friend of Cookie A) and I liked the LOOK of it. I had a few issues knitting it, but overall, I like my slightly modified finished product.


(my apologies if you've seen this and are bored already)

When that finished, I had already picked out my next project. It was going to be the Charybdis pattern (it's free on Rav). This idea was spawned in one of the socks that rock groups. The challenge for the month was to knit one of 2 patterns, Charybdis and another one, in some STR. Well, somehow, only the pattern stuck in my head and not the STR tie in, so there I go off and running with this GORGEOUS skein of Bugga in Blue Dragon Emperor, only to realize that part way through, I should have used an STR yarn. Oh well, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these socks. They are super soft and I adore the color. I also made them the absolute perfect size for my feet and my preference which is a shorter leg, than most folks knit. Anyway, the pattern was super fun and fast and the personal challenge for me, was to make a pair of socks in a week. And I DID IT! Matter of fact, it was 6 days start to finish.

I set this challenge because Iron Knitter 2 was going to be starting on 9/1. I want to be ready to knit as quick as I could. I accomplished it and here's the proof.



With those socks finished, I had a WHOLE weekend to get going on a new project. I opted NOT to cast on new socks because I didn't want to burn out before IK2 and I didn't want to use up any needles that I might need. So I went with the next best thing, started a Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend who is due in December and I'm using some Socks that Rock! The colorway is Stormy Weather, which I loved in the skein, but not so much in the cake or the sweater. I mean, it's ok, but I don't Love it. True to socks that rock fashion, though, it is super squishy and fantastic to work with. I really love the twist in this yarn.

(no photo at this time)

Well, enter 9/1. The IK2 clue was released around 4PM and my team and I took our hands at solving it. I could only play for about an hour because I was meeting Brandy for a movie (Vampires Suck - in case you are curious). By the time I had returned that evening, my team did solve the clue and the pattern was released to us. Though it was late, I just couldn't go to bed without at least casting on the toe. So I did that and made it up to the required 64 stitches. The rest of the week and throughout the weekend, I knitted them up. Everyone has really liked the finished project and I must say, they are quite warm. It's really interesting that though I used the same yarn as Charbydis, these definitely seem more of a tight knit and a bit rougher (although still insanely soft). The charybdis seem so much more loose and soft and flowy. It's weird. But whatever, they are a nice grey sock and though I'm a bit bored by them, they are ok. Don't know that I would have ever chosen a pattern like this, but they are done now and I will wear them with pride and happy thoughts. Oh yeah, and it took me 4 days to finish this first round and I posted #15 of 54 people, so quite happy with me for that.



Now I have a break before the next round of IK2. I think it starts on/around 9/17. I'm looking forward to it. It includes an additional color, I'm thinking something stripey, but I have no proof. I'll need to stash dive and find some good stuff. In the mean time, I'm back on the BSJ project, it's coming along nicely and once I get back into the groove of it, I should have it completed in no time. All this quick knitting has really helped me increase my stitch time. I hope I can continue the pace as I have so much yarn to get used up! And gifts to make.

I'm also a bit behind on the 52 Pair Plunge, so I'm considering getting out all those single socks and making mates to make up for some "lost" pairs. So much knitting, so little time!

Knitting: Another finished pair

I'm quite proud. I finished another pair of socks. The feeling of a finished project is always a great thing and feels pretty good (most of the time) however there is something about socks that is more unique to me. And makes me feel infinitely better. Not only did I make them... but I made TWO items. See I think that is where I get snagged a lot of times. I'm the type of person that doesn't like to repeat a pattern. Once I've made it, it's likely that I will not make it again. Enter the sock... you HAVE to make 2. Unless you are a person with one foot or leg and don't need another... that's acceptable as well. I however have 2 feet and wish them both to be dressed accordingly and matchedly (not a word?!?)

So when I actually finish 2 of the same sock and have a complete pair, I'm overjoyed and want to shout it from the rooftops. This pair I had mixed feelings on early on. I enjoyed knitting the pattern for awhile. But then I got irritated. I really hated the finished toe on the first sock, so before completing the kitchener, I let it marinate. Then I started the 2nd sock and after completing about 2 inches, I went back to the first sock and ripped out about 4 inches! Again... this is something very new to me. In my previous knitting life, I would typically fudge something and make it work. No way was I going to unravel all those lovely little stitches... I would do what I could to MAKE IT WORK.

So maybe call it improving or growing up or whatnot, but now, I actually pause and think about knitting consequences. For instance, if I just "deal" with this toe and leave it... will I like it? Will I wear these socks, or better yet, will I actually make a 2nd sock. With those thoughts in mind, I decided the best thing to do would be rip. If I ripped and remade it, I knew it would fit better and feel better and ulitimately I would have a nice pair of socks.

So I finished the NEW toe on Friday and immediately went back to Sock #2. I would have finished it Saturday night, too except I was too exhausted and for fear of making errors, I put it down and went to bed. But I picked it back up on Sunday and got that foot and toe done and kitchenered both toes by 11AM!

Then I had a photo shoot. Have some others on my camera that need downloaded as well.



I then wound up some yarn for the next project I had planned, Charybdis. The pattern is named after a greek sea monster. It's basically a simple pattern that starts from the Toe and spirals up the leg.

I decided something nice and soft was in order and that I REALLY should use some of my ridiculous stash and also use something I've not knit with before... so bugga it is! Something I've heard a lot about, but have never knit with. Although it's very similar to one of my fave yarns, Casbah by Handmaiden. The color is Blue Emperor Dragonfly and reminds me very much of water and whirlpools, like Charybdis.

Here's the toe.



The goal for this one is to be finished with the pair by 8/29. Better get knitting!

And 20 years later...

I think last week was one of the longest of my life. I may be exaggerating a bit, but with all the anxiety and trepidation of the weekend to come, it seemed the days just drug on by.

Of course I jam packed each day with doing OTHER things... instead of doing what I should be doing, like washing and packing. But I didn't do any of it. I did get my hair cut and a pedicure, a must for sandals, ya know.... then I made plans with Brandy and had a fantastic night out, which led me to taking off Friday. I didn't get to sleep in like I wanted to because I forgot to disable the alarm. Then I packed, showered, ran errands. I bought 3 pair of sandals at Target and a cute stylish dress for $7!! I had planned to wear it on Saturday, but wore a different outfit instead.

If you've talked to me over the last couple of weeks or so, I may have mentioned some anxiety about this class reunion thing. Well... I guess I was being silly because I had such a fun time. It was so amazing to see so many people from the class. I didn't talk to everyone, but did get to chat with most for a bit. And it brought a little regret back, like why did we all lose touch? We could have easily talked over the last 20 years, but we didn't. Well, some people have remained to stay close and there are many that still live in our hometown.

Friday we hit Kelly's Island and I can't talk about all the hilarity that ensued. There were strawberry shots, Brandy Alex Milkshakes, dancing, singing... puking in the lake (not me), writing on those that passed out and just general hanging on the boats. As soon as we made it down to the boats (2 friends were docked), Scot and I were greeted by a bunch of our old friends. I swear, those 20 years, just dissipated and it felt like we were back there, back when, like no time happened between then and now. All lines were erased and we laughed and hugged and it was so much fun. I don't know why I was so worried. Heck in 10 minutes, I swear, my stomach was in pain from laughing so hard. I could barely stand up because I was just bent over with laughter. Awesome!


(the boaters that arrived early: Cory, Brent, Kristen, Tina, Tracy, Jodi, Erica, Lisa, Amy and Tonya

We made the 12:30 am (last ferry) back to Marblehead with a bunch of the gang. And then off to the hotel, where I was so tired and exhausted and still excited that I couldn't even sleep. We took Scot's mom to lunch and went to Big Lots. Then lounged around until the "official" reunion, which started at 6. That was a nice time also, we saw more people that didn't make the Friday outing and some that came Friday didn't come on Saturday.

We parted ways around 9:30 and headed back to Columbus. I sincerely hope that 20 years doesn't go by again before I see some of these people. It made me realize how much I missed those friendships. So glad we have the internet now though, it will make it so much easier.

Not the greatest photo of us, but one of the best ganked from Tracy's facebook page.
Here we are, the Clyde High School Class of 1990.



The names are a bit zig-zagged and for the ladies, maiden last names.
Tracy Archer, Lisa Lamb, Me, Lavonda Boyd, Roni Dorobek, Jenny Andrews, Tina Biller, Amy Zilch, Jason Whaley, Joe Kiser, Travis Stuart, Kristy Miller, Beth Kreh, Lisa Durdel, Donny White, Shelly Perkins, Amy Harmon, Dave Cook, Cory Distel, Toby Ball, Scot Holmes, Jay Eisenhower, Angie Summers, Chad Keegan, Eric Level, John Farster, Troy Keegan, Tracy Miller, Kendra Sherman, Heather Miller, Rusty Jesse, Michelle Gonzalez, Brett Wott, Kendra & Dee Burdett (hidden), Tonya Combs, and Angie Tusing

All there is to do in a weekend...

Sometimes it seems like a whirl!

After work on Friday I headed over to Scot's to take a tasty dip in the pool! It was perfect weather, for lying in a chair in the sun and cooling off in the water. It was the perfect temp, cool, but not cold. No SHOCK at getting in the water, just refreshing. We also made plans for Saturday.

Up and at 'em early on Saturday, headed back to Scot's. We left there and stopped by Target to get more sunscreen and a hat for me and off to the fair we went. It was a lot of fun. We walked around and looked at the crafts building. I saw some hand knit stuff that I wasn't overly impressed with, thinking, I REALLY need to get my shit together and enter next year! I also saw some hand spun yarns. Some really impressive lace weights!

Then we checked out the quilts... oh my, all kinds of gorgeous. Most of them were VERY impressive. I would love to meet them women that made them. Awesome!

We looked around at other stands and such along the way. We went to see the Sheeps and Cows and Horses. Watched some of the judging, it was nice to rest the feet a bit. We ate fair food, I had ribs and cheese on a stick. We bought French Waffles and Kennel Corn on our way out. All in all a fun day.... how we spent 4 hours there, I'll never know, but it was good all the same.

And there were babies!!


There were also some goat babies that were super cute, but I couldn't get a good pic.

After the fair, I went home and showered the sweat and grime off, it was wonderful to do!

Then I knit, and knit and knit... So by Sunday, I was able to finish this sock.



I'm not crazy about how it looks when it's off my foot (very pointy) and it's a little snug on the toes, it should be about 4 rounds longer. I'm contemplating ripping back and re-doing, but still unsure.

We also headed back to Scot's on Sunday to swim again. What a great day for it again, it was such a beautiful weekend!

And in the meantime I still haven't knit anymore on my BSJ for the new niece that came as schedule last Friday 8/6. Her name is McKenzie (not sure on the spelling) and here she is with her big sister, Addison. Can't wait to see them!

Knitting: Baby style and sock fail...

I'll start with the fail, best to get it over with. I was chugging away on Vortex... and it was looking really great. I did all those increases for the gusset and stuff (it's toe-up) and then I started the back and forth of the standard slip stitch heel and then... wait for it....

Tried it on... holy slipper sock batman. Seriously! It fit fine up until then. The regular part of the foot fit well, a tad on the loose side, but not too bad overall. The increases for the gusset area seemed on target.... and the little heel cup was exactly in the right spot, from toe to heel, this looked great!

Then I started on that flap and NOW it's this blob of a slipper sock, way too loose and crazy looking. Well not crazy looking, it looks like a sock, but just for someone with 15 inch wide feet. I'm in a quandary now, should I rip it back and try and SAVE the sock, do I forge on and just have really biggish socks that will slip and slide around. The lazy part of me wants the latter. I just want to keep going and finish and be done with it... but in my heart, I really know that isn't the right thing. Here is what I wonder... If maybe perhaps, I started the gusset increases too soon because I have a medium-ish arch, not super tall, that maybe there are just too many stitches there. I also wondered if I shouldn't just rip back and do a different heel... and even if I do that, I will be taking out a LOT of knitting. For instance, this particular heel started at about 3 inches from the toe. The pattern said start the decreaes 4 1/2 inches from the total length. And I was thinking... that is really far, but I decided to trust the pattern. I do still trust the pattern, I just can't figure out how it was a perfect fit, to NOT being perfect at all. It's very weird.

So... took a break from that catastrophe and started the Baby Surprise Jacket with the Picnic colorway of Felici from Knit Picks. I had originally wanted this yarn for myself for socks, but it's a little TOO pastel for me, so it's great for a baby sweater which will hopefully get done quickly and given to the new addition to our family. Step-Sister Erin is scheduled for a c-sect on Fri 8/6. She's having a girl but I don't know what name they've picked yet. Since I'll be up in the area the following weekend, I'm hoping to have this sweater done. Thing is, it's one of those projects that SEEMS easy and mindless and it is mostly... but the counting... oh the counting. It's garter stitch, hence the easy part. But you really have to keep track of things like counting and such because you almost always have to do double decreases and then you have to do multiple increases. Anyway... I started it on Saturday and did some yesterday, but lo and behold it doesn't look like I have that much done at all. I'm using a US5 and am now thinking I should have used a 6 or 7. Ah well, it's all good.

And after this one, I have to make 2 more for a friend's twins and if I'm really feeling the BSJ love maybe even a 3rd for someone else. We'll see.

Knitting: Forging ahead

So, I've been plunging ahead on my knitting projects. Last week, I managed to FINISH a couple of things even!

First up the Travelling Woman shawlette. Had I known how much yarn this project actually took, I would have made it larger and with more repeats. I now have a decent sized ball left, still to be weighed, but I might eke out a pair of anklets, kid socks, or just save for future color work projects.

I don't have much notes on this project, except that it's quite a simple and easy lace piece. It was quick to knit and I didn't have too many problems, except a dropped stitch towards the end. All in all, not too bad.



Next I finished the first sock of the SKA Mystery Sock challenge for July. I was going to immediately cast on the 2nd sock, but I needed a little break.



So for the "break" I started another sock with some reclaimed yarn. The pattern is VORTEX by Chrissy Gardner. It's a heavily cabled pattern that I am really enjoying. The yarn was originally being used in the Dude Abides, however this colorway had a bit of green that matched too well with the MC green and the colorwork didn't POP as nicely as I wanted. I had a fair amount of that foot done, too, so it was hard to pull out, but.... I did it. I am happy with my choice and made a lot of progress on it this weekend (though the photo doesn't show how much more I really knit).



I'm considering casting on the 2nd sock as soon as I finish the gusset increases. I'm thinking, doing them side by side might help me to finish quicker? Or else REALLY tire of the cable pattern, we'll see.

And on Sunday while working on the Vortex, I had a couple of rough spots, so after like the 3rd one, I decided it was going in time out. I had my other yarn with me of course, so I cast on the 2nd sock for the Ska Mystery sock. I'm more than half way through the toe increases and hope to start the colorwork part of the pattern this evening.

Progress all around and... I've been really turned on by some Janel Laidman patterns. I bought her 2nd book a couple of months ago on a trip to Bargain Yarns. It's called the Enchanted Sole. The patterns are all pretty intricate... but wow oh wow are they cool. Also on the horizon is a pattern from the latest issue of Knitscene. It was some very pretty all over cable work that would be quite pretty on some of my solid yarns. BUT first... the projects at hand.

August is an "off" month for the Ska Challenges, so I'll have a bit of a break. I should be getting the Blue Moon Sock club installment within the next couple of weeks so that might be a new project for me AND I have some baby projects that need started as well as Christmas knitting. I'm starting early people, I need to space this stuff out, there never seems to be enough time!

Miranda Sue - July 1998/July 15th, 2010

She was Miranda, Miranda Sue, Mir-mir, Mirmaid, princess, my sweet girl. I don't quite remember how we found each other. I mean I remember some of it. I was back home visiting my family and my room-mate Josh was just about to move out. He had a cat, which is why I didn't while we lived together. So since he was going, I decided to bring one home. I checked the local ads while there and found some kittens out in the country. I think these people had just found the mom and let her have the babies in their garage. By the time I had seen the ad, the kittens weren't quite babies anymore. They were bigger, say teens. She was about 4 months old, I think and just infested with fleas. Ugh! It was quite sad. And again, I don't know how we picked each other, but we did. We were a good match. I brought her home and cleaned her up.

After I returned to Columbus, I made her first vet appointments and got her checked out. That was 12 years ago. A few months ago I started to notice some lumps on her abdomen. My first thought was fatty tumors that pets can get. But they started to grow and she started to slow. I knew it was worse and I put off the doctor visit for too long probably. Just didn't want to face the inevitable I guess. But last weekend, she just didn't seem quite great. She was still very aware and would talk to you and listen, she didn't seem in pain, but I decided we needed to see the doctor. I took her on Tuesday and they did an aspiration. The tests results became available while I was there tonight. It was definitely carcinoma. The doctor told me on Tuesday it would probable affect her lungs and breathing. She was breathing heavy while there, but I thought it was just the stress. It wasn't.

So on Wednesday, we cuddled a lot. I cried a lot and she just looked at me like, "Mom, you're crazy!" We had an appointment today to get an x-ray of her lungs. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized, I just needed to let her go and not prolong her fight for breath and my emotions.

I came home, took the photo above. Made some ink paw prints and off to the doctor we went. I tried to hold it together and she just sat quiet and patient. The doctor came in and I was unhinged. Dr. Martin is very sweet and kind and totally understood. We talked about her condition. She said we could try steroids for the breathing, but they may not work. Again, I think it would just prolong the agony.

I was able to spend a few more minutes with her and hold her paw while she went to sleep. I feel so incredibly bad, and I know it will pass but my heart is broken for her. And I still can't believe she's gone. Kind of poetic that I found her in July and let her go in July.

These are old photos from her younger days and the last few are from tonight at the office.

Knitting: A new shawl in the works

I'm amongst a myriad of projects right now. As per my usual, I have several things going on at once. Usually this is quite haphazard, I just cast on something new because to be working on one thing is mind-numbing and oh look shiny....

Not this time though. While I have this multiple thing going on, it's done in a very constructive way. It has an almost linear feel to it.

Tour De Fleece - on going spinning challenge. I've spun nearly every day except maybe 2. One for sure (yesterday) which was a rest day, but I think over the weekend, there may have been a day I didn't spin, can't recall now. Anyway, no matter, I'm still committed to it and shall spin some more this evening.



I bought 3 bags of this roving in May at the Wooster Fiber Fest. Each bag contains a pound. I think this will be enough for a sweater. My first thought is to dye it blue, I don't know why, but that is really calling out to me. In fact, Kristin from GK2 had to place an emergency yarn order from KP, so I tagged on and ordered some dye. They have an indigo kit which I almost got, but then opted to just get a few of the different blues.

The next 2 projects, sort of go together. They are both for the July SKA challenge of fair isle socks. One is the mystery sock by Chrissy Gardiner and the 2nd is also by Chrissy from her Toe-up Sock book. As only one clue is sent weekly, I can't continuously work on sock #1. And because it's color work and I opted to use a striping Noro, I can't do 2AAT socks. I could cast on the toe of the 2nd sock since that is in the MC, but that would just waste a needle until I'm ready for it. Although it would mean I was ahead when it came time to do the 2nd sock of the pair. So sock #2 is slow going. I think I'm stalling out because my 2 yarns are pretty close and I'm not getting the great contrast like I wanted. I've made it through the first repeat and am very close to the heel and am on the fence about continuing on, or ripping back to the beginning of the color chart and switching yarns. I will wear these socks regardless of how the pattern looks because I love the colors of both yarns and who cares if it looks like hodge podge, I know they will be soft and comfortable and that is really all the matters, so I will probably forge on. However, they are a slow knit for me for some reason.

And lastly... this past Sunday I decided to get involved in yet another challenge... a shawl one. It's for the Hazel Knuts group on Rav. Using a hazelknits yarn, make a triangular shaped shawl and you have the months of July/August to do so. I received my sock yarn for the club in June and one of the colors was really not jumping at me to be socks. In fact I wasn't in LOVE with the color as I normally would be with GREEN.

I was considering doing the Knitty Annis shawl, but after glancing over the pattern, it just didn't call to me. Yet something did... the Travelling Woman.. it kept calling and yelling at me to make it. I first saw this shawl a few weeks back while taking a class. A girl named Kate was making it for Karida from Neighborhood dyeworks (I think). She needed it for a display for Knitters Connection. The color she used was absolutly STUNNING... this rich electric, turquoisey, mystic blue type of color. It was pure magic. Then a couple of the gals from GK2 knit it as well. I looked at the pattern and it seemed very straightforward and almost easy. I needed that.

I picked up that LEAF colorway and cast on for the shawl. I worked on it all day Sunday and I can't believe how much I was able to accomplish. I made it through the whole main beginning part, I don't know how many rows of stockinette. Then I was in to chart A and finished I think about 5 or 6 rows. So in a nutshell... continuing on with this shawl, I could be finished in the next week or so. It sure is fun to knit, but I'm not going to kill myself to get it done. I do have that spinning to do, too.

And the next sock clue gets released on Thursday. So see, a linear type of flow, working here and there....

LEAF was meant to be a shawl because now... I LOVE this color green!

The beginning:


Slightly blurry halfway home:

Knitting: The Long Holiday Weekend

Typically July 4th is celebrated with my family. I am 38 and for my life I just realized I really screwed up a big tradition. I've only missed like 2, maybe 3 Firework displays in my hometown.

One when I was 15, and my gram took Joy and I to DC, so we watched the wonderful display on the commons with the monuments all over. It was pituresque and amazing. Though I did miss the whole fam and the annual cookout.

Then last year, B and I headed to Boston over the week of the 4th. I thought it would be fantastic being in Boston for the celebration of our Independence. Since it was kinda born there and all. Anyway, it had it's ups and downs and again, I missed my small hometown and my family a bit.

Enter this year... I really didn't want to go. WILD horses could not have drug me there, seriously. I just wanted to stay home! And overall, I'm glad I did. I did miss some family visiting from Chicago. I did miss the small town fireworks (that are still awesome as hell!). But mostly, I'm not bothered by it. I needed the downtime and to rest and relax and to knit. And I DID!

I'm onto socks again after a break in June. I entered the Sock Knitters' Anon. mystery sock challenge. It's designed by Chrissy Gardiner (who I like a lot) and is stranded color work, which I LOVE! So clue one came out on the 1st, but I had so much going on I didn't cast on until the 2nd. Then I had a booboo and frogged and cast on again twice on the 3rd! Finally try #3 was a go. So clue #1 was finished easily enough. I'm using SOXX APPEAL for the tan color and Noro Kureyon for the "colored" bits. So far, am in love with this sock. The designer is using 4 contrast colors with the main color, but I opted to raid the stash (I'm very proud of that) and use a colorful striping yarn instead of multiple balls. So I DID NOT BUY NEW YARN!!!!



Then on the 2nd, Tour De Fleece - a spinning challenge - started and I forgot. But I remembered in time for day 2 and I started spinning up a storm. I purchased some fantastic Pencil Roving at Knitter's Connection a few weeks ago.

Here are the stages: Bag, to predrafted ball, to bobbin to skein


When I was done with that, I had some Lincoln in natural that I purchased in May at the Great Lakes Fiber Fest in Wooster and that was spun up on 2 bobbins, but not plied. So I plied it.



Then on Monday, I finished up spinning the Blue Fiber Optic onto 2 bobbins, it still needs to be plied. I broke into my Sock Summit stash and got out Wine and Roses by Miss Babs and made some predraft balls. I split the hank into 2 equal parts (2oz each) and set to work on the first 2 oz. I'm almost complete with that, didn't get the bobbin photo yet and then I finished up plying the lincoln into a smaller skein than the first (pic above).



I am really enjoying this spinning thing. It's quite a bit different and feels really "organic" for lack of a better word. I mean creating something from proverbially nothing is a great feeling. Kind of like taking wood or clay and making beautiful things. It's art. And I guess it's really cool to say, THIS thing, right here came from an animal somewhere in the world, it was cleaned and combed and possibly dyed and now it's this... yarn a functional item that will be made more functional once it is knit up into something.

It's all so astounding to me and makes me feel awesome. I MADE THIS. So in the end, I will have a project that I not only knit into "something" but actually MADE the yarn to do it. THAT makes me happy.

Oh and in the meantime, I cast on another sock project to tide me over between the weekly mystery clues. It is also Color stranded work and is also by Chrissy Gardiner. It's called The Dude Abides and I'm making it out of these yarns below. Didn't take a photo yet, but I currently have the toe and first repeat almost done. I'm using some Cherry Tree Hill Solid sock in Green and Prism Merino Mia in a variagated Blue/green colorway.

Fiber: Indlugence

I keep imposing a yarn diet on myself, but like any other "diet" it just goes out the window when there's these great festivals or markets around.

Back in May I attended the Great Lakes Fiber Fest up in Wooster. It was a great time and not nearly as hot as it was last year. Don't get me wrong, it was quite warm, but last year, it was nearly unbearable. We had a nice time, I bought some great roving and... yarn. I hadn't planned to buy yarn, but the lady that I bought Handmaiden Casbah from last year was there again with the Casbah, so I indulged... times 3! I LOVE that yarn and this past winter made fantastic gloves with it.



So this year, armed with the new Casbah... I shall make another pair of gloves, maybe socks and maybe a shawl, or more gloves....



Somewhere in the May time frame I also decided to order some Bugga, too. I've been hearing about this yarn FOREVER but never tried. Way back in the Sock Summit days, you couldn't even get into the booth! And when you did, it was all gone! Seriously people grabbed armfuls of it, not even paying attention to color, I think, just taking whatever they could get their hands on. Anyway, I was like meh?! What did I know....

Well it's all over the ravelry sock boards all the time, so I'm like, ok.. what is the fuss. Turns out, it's quite similar to my Casbah love. It has some cashmere in it blended with Merino and nylon for a nice sock yarn. It comes in 2 sizes, Skinny Bugga and Bugga. I opted for bugga as I'm tending to the thicker sock yarns these days. I bought three colors, a silvery-grey (gorgeous), dark green and a blue-green (suprise?!).



Although I basically have taken the month of June off from knitting socks, I'm ready to jump back into socks. Still have to pick a pattern and yarn though. I did order the 2nd book from Wendy Johnson, Toe Up Socks for Every Body. That should be in this week, so I might wait. Also... I received sock club shipments this month from Blue Moon (May's came late) and then Hazelknits came. I can't even describe the delicious blue color of hazelknits. It's like a blue/purpley/periwinkle monochrome variagated color. It's so wow! I was in love... and funny thing, the other skein was green (my fave color) and I couldn't even be bothered with it, that's how gorgeous this blue is! Seriously!

And to cap off the last of they buying... knitter's connection was here in Columbus this weekend past. I hadn't planned to buy yarn, just more roving and a spindle. I was successfull, I bought a little simple Shacht spindle. I hit up the Fiber Optic booth before I even BOUGHT the spindle. I picked up all this great pencil roving! OH my!!! I picked up several colors, one for my sister for christmas (I don't think she reads this blog), got one for Liz for her birthday and then I saw her on Saturday, so I gave it to her then. I know she'll make something great with it as she does such an amazing job on everything she makes.

And I kept stopping by the Briar Rose booth. I wasn't going to buy anything... but they have this really cute vest/tank pattern that I've been wanting... and well, I found a really pretty color of yarn to make it with... so... I did it. Bought the pattern and the yarn and on Sunday I cast on! So far, I just love it. I finally remember the repeat and it's easy peasy. I plan to try it on in another few rounds, just to make sure it's going to work. I think it will. I "tried" it on after the first 2 rows and I think it'll be ok, but I just want to be sure. I made need to do some extra short rows in the boobage area, but we'll see when I get there. In the meantime, here it is.

Also, please note the yarn is actually prettier than it appears in this photo. It's hard to get the plum/purple color to show up right and then next to the Olive green. Very difficult.

Knitting: BOM #3/4/5

So we all know, I can be a bit of a lazy daisy! I haven't blocked about my blocks of the months, nor have I been very good at finishing them! It's true.

So back here I posted about BOM #3 - Bobbles. I won't go into my intense dislike of bobbles again here, but suffice it to say, BOM #3 is yet unfinished. Part of the reason is I have misplaced the pattern, so it's just hanging out in a bag on a spare LONG needele.

Moving on... BOM #4 or the May block. I missed the class because of another something on the same day (not sure). And so I picked up the pattern a week or 2 later, or maybe that same week, who knows. And... I didn't start knitting it until 2 days before the next class (June 7th). Silly me, I know. I did get about halfway through it on that first day. It's a quick and easy knit. Easy pattern repeat, etc. I still have yet to photo it though.

So then BOM #5 - June rolls around. And while this one is a fairly easy 8 row repeat to remember. I swear it's taking me forever. I've been working it here and there for the last week, but I'm still not done! I think I have 1-2 repeats to go and then the border and then done! I do like the look of this one, it reminds me of a leaf or fern or wheat pattern sort of. It might end up being one of the blocks I do a duplicate of. So I better get my act together. I am almost to the half way point and when finished with #5, I will only have 3 completed blocks. Eek!

I'm not going to stress about it though... my mind has been in other areas as of late, aka SPINNING. I'm out of bobbins though and I def need a couple more, so I hope to purchase those on Friday. I could mail order them, but I found a place locally that carries them, so I'm opting to support my local area. Problem is they have sucky hours - only open until 4:30 M-F. Lucky for me I am off at 11 on Fridays.

And just yesterday I happened to look at some very pretty yarn I purchased from a wonderful lady at the Wool Gathering (yellow springs) last fall. This gorgeous yarn is intended for a weaving project that I've yet to begin and so... the weaving bug bit me and I'm really desiring to get another project going on the loom! I thought this would be a great time to do it, because I have more room on my deck than in my cluttered house. So I could take my parts outside and do the warp there. And then I'm thinking how much nicer it would be to have a warping board, so maybe I'll wait and ask B to build it for me.

But wait, there's more! I took a mini break from my sock knitting. I needed a break from charts and intense things and now I'm feeling ready to jump back in. I still have 2 pair to finish up. I had wanted to this past weekend, but got distracted. So perhaps this coming weekend those will be on the plate. As soon as that darn block #5 is finished, I will sit down and untangle the sock mess. Yes, due to carelessness on my part, I have 2 different sock projects that have merged and become one goofy mess.

I love to knit!

Knitting: For the love of garter stitch

I've been meaning to blog several things over the last few weeks, but I've failed miserably due to extremem laziness or interests in other areas.

But let me start with the garter stitch fascination. First and foremost, I don't know that I've ever really done a garter stitch project. I mean, maybe I have in their somewhere before (who knows), but when I learned to knit, it was a hat and then I made a bunch of hats. I think they were stockinette though, so I learned to knit and purl at the same time. I know there are many out there that only learned the KNIT stitch first.

Anyway, a friend is due with twins in December. I thought I'd get started early since she will find out the sex of the babies, but it's still too soon. I want to make little sweaters, am planning on BSJs or Kimonos or something along those lines. But to hold me over until knowing if boys or girls are coming, I've opted for the EASY Mason-Dixon Baby Bib o'Love. This was a great small, quick fun project. I've made 2 already and have plans to do a few more.

These are straight up garter stitch for 40ish stitches and roughly 6-7 inches. Piece of cake. I still need to get some buttons for them, but for mindless, simple knitting - which has a time and place these are the perfect project. So not only my desire to make baby things, but a few upheavels and stressful things in my life warranted garter stitch.

This need led me into discloths as well. Sitting in a hospital room for a few days worrying about family will bring on a strong desire for garter stitch and sweet cotton in bright and cheery colors. It was great to be able to just grab a ball and some needles and knit away in the slightly uncomfortable hospital chairs. I've finished up 4 or was it 5 dishcloths so far?! These are the easy knit on the bias, cloths that nearly everyone makes at least one point in their knitting lives. Again, easy and mindless and just what I needed for those stressful days.

I do want to mention also that while I didn't care for the tightness of cotton and how unslippery it is on the needle, I felt extreme pleasure from the softness of it. I'm just knitting away thinking how soft and springy this garter stitch is. Felt nice to knit with and my fingers weren't sore or dry from a lot of the wools I use.

This garter stitch/cotton extravaganze has been a nice change from all the intensely patterned socks I've been making. Sometimes its nice to just sit and knit and not have to worry about a pattern. I'm continuing the cotton parade with a market bag (slow going but good so far) and I'll keep making discloths and a few more bibs. I went on a little cotton spree over the weekend, so I have new colors to use as well!

I've been lax in the photo dept as well, but here is a sample of ONE!
And the colors are my fave!

Music: It's in my head, man!

I've been wanting to do a music post for awhile. I've been lazy and such and haven't done it... so this will probably come out all rambly and crazy and meandering.

I'm starting with today. For sometime now, I had switched over to the Brew 105.7 for the daily commute. CD101 had been less than stellar and a few of the DJs really get on my nerves. The music had been annoying, etc... I could go on. So I've been consistently listening to the brew without a switchover EVER. Well in the past month or 2, I've been switching back to CD101 every now and again. See... the Brew, all of a sudden, got COMMERCIAL crazy. They would play 1 song for every 10 commercials (or so it seemed to me). I couldn't take it. I started station hopping, like a jack rabbit. Very unhappy with the radio. Now, I do enjoy a good radio, typically you get variety that can only be had with a random mix CD/playlist.

Anyway... on to my point... CD101. Every morning around 6:30 AM, they do 3 at 6:30 from a particular artist. Sometimes, they link a random bit of history with a band or song and that's how they pick, sometimes that band will be in concert or it's a band member's birthday, etc. Today, I missed the REASON for what they played, but I couldn't have been happier, I flipped over and was in the 2nd verse of Take the Skinheads bowling by Camper Van Beethoven. Now if you know me at all, you may know this is one of my most favorite songs in the world! I'm not kidding. It is my instant HAPPY song... as soon as I hear even just a little bit of it a note or 2, there is a HUGE smile on my face. It just cracks me up. So I'm bopping along, singing the song, driving to work, with a smile on. Next they played Pictures of Matchstick Men (hadn't heard in forever) and finally 51-7 (I had forgotten how good that song was).

After listening to Camper, they went into Evenflow by Pearl Jam. By this time I was on the highway and I'm rockin out only to realize that I AM SPEEDING! Like RIDICULOUS (85) and I laughed because most often when I listen to PJ, I speed... is there some twisted subliminal message in there somewhere? But I do love some classic PJ and so when I arrived at work (and I did slow down), I knew I had a LOT to do today, so much going on and meetings... well, music makes me tune in and get the shit done. So Pearl Jam it is, I loaded up the media player and just finished listening to 10 (Pearl Jam's first full length release). Wow... what a great album! It was released back in August of 1991. And while it was on the heels of the grunge movement, I think it is really timeless. And some may say it was the forefront of grunge, but I will debate until I die it wasn't and well, that's a whole other post, some day.

I was in college and I remember, not liking them at first. If I recall, I think, Alive was their first release from it and well, it was, eh, ok, then I got tired of the overplay. Enter Evenflow which still didn't flip me over, then Jeremy and the Jeremy video talk about overplay... I was nearly DONE with Pearl Jam, but then....

A friend of mine from college, Mike (aka Chewey), was in a band and he played the bass and one night at a bar they played Evenflow... I was converted. Something about that night and about Mike and his bandmates turned me over, I was hooked, hard. I started liking Pearl Jam so much so that when VS was released in October of 1993, I REMEMBER ditching classes on a Tuesday, with Mike, Nancy, Heather and Andy, driving up to Franklin Park Mall in Toledo to go buy the CD as soon as it was released! We had a blast by the way, it was completely ridiculous and raucous and so much fun!

Somewhere in the Spring of 94 (I think), I went to my FIRST (of many) Pearl Jam concerts with my best pal, Heather. Her grandma actually bought us the tickets as soon as they went on sale because we were in class. Anyway, we looked forward to it for months. They were playing in Cleveland, we had no idea where we were going and I don't remember much about the trip there or home... but I remember the show (most of it, vividly). We were in the nose bleeds on the stage left side. We were so high it was nauseating... but it didn't matter, we were there! So the stage was black, there were speakers and equipment everywhere. Everything was draped in black sheeting and atop the surfaces were candles, tons and tons of candles, varying heights and sizes, hundreds of them. I didn't see how it happened or who lit them up, but they were finally lit and from this far away place, I began to hear this low gutteral moan and a few tinkling notes and I LOST MY SHIT! They were opening with my very favorite song in the world, RELEASE. I swear I nearly hyperventilated and passed out. I was euphoric, in heaven, I felt like Eddie was singing RIGHT TO ME. Like he said, "Kristie, this song is for YOU!"

And that was it. I melted, died, fainted into oblivion (not really). It was the most amazing moment and everytime I hear that song, I still remember that moment like it was just last night, I remember the feeling and I get chills, everytime, I still get chills. So over the years following I had my ups and downs with Eddie and crew. But I've always remained a fan. I've travelled the furthest for them over any band I've liked, Albuquerque, NM. That was a trip of whimsy.

My friend Christy and I decided it would be cool to see PJ in another city. We looked at Seattle first, of course, because it was their birth city and why not, Seattle is really effing cool, right?! Well of course everything but the last row was sold out... then, why not CA, I've never been, lets go there... nope, nosebleeds and sold out too. So we looked up Alb... wth? They had amazing seats left. So we got them, then plane tix, then hotel and then requested vacation time, literally, in that order.

The show was at Mesa Del Sol ampitheatre which lies just outside the town in like the desert. It's an amazing place. You drive up a big hill (mountain) and park, then walk, winding down and it's like the pavillion is carved out of the rocks. There is no ceiling, just a stage in the middle of the desert. So, there we were, at stage right up close to the stage. We were the last couple of seats of like the 4th or 5th row but because we were on the curve, there were no seats in front of us, so it's almost like we were right next to the stage. Again, an amazing show and amazing moments. Vibing with Pearl Jam in the desert, open air and a sky filled with stars - magical.

So that all came flooding back today and here is where I start going backwards.

Over the weekend, I managed to catch two really great programs. One was a 2 hr documentary on Johnny Cash, I think it was called Johnny Cash's America (but I can't be certain). I missed the first 15 minutes but was glued to the rest of the program. I've loved JC for a really long time, so it was really amazing to see how all these different people felt about him. People from the music industry as well as family, friends and fans. I never really understood the massive effect of his influence on people, considering back in the day, he was billed as a Country star. But what is interesting to me, is I've never felt that he was that label. His roots were in gospel and blues (my opinion). I don't love all of his songs, but I do love his voice. I love the lack of him having a big backing band with experience. It lends to his sound and makes his music distinctive. So yeah, he was a big influence on a lot of people and that's pretty profound. He definitely left his mark and I'm sad all over again that he is gone.

After that show ended, another show I hadn't heard of started, Private Sessions. Not sure how long this has been airing, but I'll have to keep tabs and watch again. This week, they featured Melissa Etheridge. And while I feel, the host is a major dingbat, fangirl airhead... Melissa and her music are pretty darn awesome. She played about 5 or 6 songs during the hour and they had their little chat. I wished the interview would have been a little meatier. I would like to know more about her inspiration, how she writes, why she left college to pursue music, etc. Just KNOW more about her. Anyway, it was good show and makes me want to buy her new album, Fearless Love.

Back in concert mode. I attended a couple of concerts a few weeks back. The first, Blue October. I won tickets to this show, which is a good thing because I wouldn't have gone, otherwise. I'm a fan of them, but not sure that I'd pay to go, not knowing what you are going to get, ya know. So I really got hooked on BluOct back when She's My Ride hit the radio. I thought this song was amazing, it's dark and angsty and rocking all at the same time. I think it's a great song. So much so that I downloaded the album and fell in love with a few other tunes... then I downloaded their first album and realized that I had heard them before, Calling You and Hate Me which is on the same Album as She's My Ride, but that song came out like third. I was a little late to the game that time. Anyway, the more I heard Blue October, the more I realized this singer, Justin is really messed up. He's admittedly attempted suicide, is on anti-depressents and such and from a very young age due to being bi-polar. I feel bad for him, but I truly LOVE his vocals. He is one of those tortured artist soles that luckily hasn't lost the battle and I hope he continues to be ok. He has a lot to bring to the music scene and he's really good.

So the concert rocked pretty hard. There was a really mixed, diverse crowd, young and old. I was down in the pit at the LC, enthralled. They played many of the songs I liked and Brian seemed to enjoy the music, too. It was a fun night and I'm so glad I was able to experience the show, if they come around again, I will try and win tix again, but if I don't, I would definitely PAY for the show.

While at the window for the Blue Oct show, I bought my ticket for a show going down a few days later, Angels and Airwaves. I LOVE Tom Delonge and A&A music. I was always a fan of Blink 182 (who wasn't) and I especially like the unique sound of Tom's voice and vocals. It's different and I like it. Plus as great as Blink was at being punk and crazy... A&A is definitely more attuned to my taste as it's more soulful and earnest and angsty all at the same time. Anthemic, really. Anyway, I won tix for them a few years back and it was another one of those pivotal, amazing experiences in my life. I can't even describe right now as I don't have the right words, but MOVING is on that list. I went in, only knowing a song or 2 (and also not know the blink tie-in at the time) and I fell hard. I don't even remember what songs were played in what order, only that I stood there, mesmerized by the experience. Trance-like really. I was in awe and in love and just shredded. So I was now a fan.

They toured again, but I waited too long and the show sold out. I was mad at myself and I was NOT going to miss them this time around. And maybe because of the build up or the lust and need to see them again, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. It wasn't the music I was disappointed in, but over all the show. First of all, the entire crowd was YOUNG... and I don't mean just like college kids... I mean HIGH SCHOOL and MIDDLE SCHOOL! I was shocked! I mean, I'm definitely glad that there are people out there listening to them, who cares how old they are, but I was really dumbfounded at the youth in the group.

For a bit, I felt like the oldest person there, but then I spotted a few folks that were older than me, but I was definitely old by comparison. Anyway, a group of these kids kind of ruined my experience. It was just chaotic, there was pushing, shoving, elbowing, these annoying children running around trying to squish in here and there and just not being still or even paying attention to the music or the band. It was incredibly rude. So I'm in the midst of trying to listen and enjoy while dodging body parts, feet, arms, legs... it was chaos! Finally I left the pit and stood in the back so I could actually SEE and hear the show.

They only played like 2 of my favorite songs, so I was a bit disappointed by that. Overall it was probably a better show than I am remembering it to be, but I'm still left feeling a little bummed. Although, Tom was his usual silly self and chatted with the crowd now and again. He's always funny and witty. I will pay to go see them again in hopes that it's even better. One thing I do distinctly remember though is the sound quality was excellent. It was loud like a rock show, but not grating or grinding or awful. It was clear and pleasant and LOUD!

Knitting: Still on the sock wagon

Sadly, not much in pictures to post today, but I'm trying to blog more consistently. I'm still on the sock wagon and enjoying it immensely. I committed myself to 3 challenges this month. One is half done - Slip Jig.



An uber largish photo because I'm so proud.

With that one done, I moved on to get underway with the Cookie A mystery sock again. The first c/o was not big enough 60 stitches. And the 80 does fit, but looks GIGANTIC! Anyway, I'm nearly finished with Clue #2 on one sock. Should be done tonight and then will start Clue #1 for the #2 sock. Once both clues are completed for both socks my plan is to jump back over to Kristi and finish the leg chart. I'm on like row 31 of 38 (I think).

The Cookie A Mystery is being made with the LAPIS colorway from Socks that Rock and is simply gorgeous! Probably not the best yarn for this pattern, but I don't care because the yarn is pretty! And for the first time, I've had blue fingers (from the dye) with this yarn. I haven't had dye issues before as some have, no worries, it washes out, I just thought it was funny.

And somewhere in there, I need to start the 2nd slip jig, but I know it can wait a bit as it moves pretty quickly.

I'm really liking switching between these projects, they are all varying levels of ease. None of the patterns are difficult, but due to intensive chart reading, Kristi is the most time consuming. My eyes are glued on that chart every stitch of the way. The pattern is great though and looks wonderful once knit. I wish I would have jumped up a needle size or made a few increases for fit though. Lesson learned and now have a new plan for future (AKA Bex - if I ever get around to making her).

I don't know that I'll have all of these completed by the end of May, but the challenge end date is actually the end of June. I am hoping to be done with at least 2 pair though so I can start fresh for June with a new challenge. I'm not looking ahead though, I'm just concentrating on the NOW.

Kniting: Sometimes it just goes on... and on

SO I've been touched with this rabid case of castonitis.

I was working on Absinthe - snafu!

I started Kristi and the Cookie A mystery - little snafu

I then started Slip Jig (lovely).

And in the mean time, I've been designing a little anklet sock. It's cute.

I really want to start the bombshell, now that I have lovely yarn in which to make it, but I'm holding up some restraint here. Nevermind that I am behind on my Mystery Blocks. Still need to finish #3 and now I have #4 to do as well and be ready for #5 come June 7th?

Anyway, Absinthe was moving along at a nice clip and then I realized I had stitches out of place or was short or something. So I sort of tinked? Basically I unded 2 or 3 rows on the top needle, but not the bottom (sole stitches) and lo' and behold I can't figure out where the H I am! Shouldn't be that hard, right... I can read knitting like a book, but this does not make any sense. So it looks like I might have been OFF for sometime, but that doesn't make any sense because if I truly had been OFF, as it were, I wouldn't have continued on for so many rows. I'm tried of looking at this and might be calling it quits for now. Have also considered handing off to one of the knitting buddies to look at and assist. Volunteers????

Moving on.... Kristi, well, she's a lovely gal... I mean sock. :) Giong along nicely but the heavy cable intense pattern has me paying VERY serious attention which causes for a slow down in actualy progress. It's taking me several minutes to complete a round. So I'm on row 33 of the 38 repeat. You are supposed to then repeat rows 1-25 on the leg, but I think I am opting out of that because if I make it longer, it really won't fit me at all. It's quite stretched as it is. Had I known about the snug fit before getting this far, I would have added a few extra stitches to the 2-stitch columns of twisted stitches. But alas, it's much to late for that... and I am NOT starting over.

Then there's that darn Mystery..... It proves to be a great mystery... after all it's Cookie A! I started with my gorgeous Lapis Socks that Rock yarn. Did the 60 stitch cast on. I went UP a needle size and thought that would accommodate for my THICK ankles. No go! It's still pretty stretched when I try it on. So, I'm considering going up to the other size, which is an 80 stitch cast on, but before doing so, I want to see the 2nd clue so I know HOW this sock progresses. I love the yarn and I'm sure I'll love the pattern, but I just can't knit it blindly. I want socks that I can wear, I do NOT want to gift them. Call me selfish... yes I am!

Lastly Slip Jig is being knit with Boobie 1 Socks that Rock. It's a pretty great project even though I'm not crazy about the garter stitch cuff. It's moving along well and I hope to be very much progressed this weekend. Dare I say be to the heel or further?! I hope!

Knitting: Socks, socks, socks!

So as most know I've been a sock knitting fiend lately! I don't know what bug bit me, but it's helping me finish some stuff!

Firstly I finished my Secret Garden socks. They are warm and squishy and fun to wear. I just wish the cuff was a tad tighter (but I'm not ripping it out).

Up 2nd was the Wanida pattern by Cookie A. It is in her Sock Innovation book. At the first several glances of this book, I really didn't care for this pattern at all! The pictures don't do it any justice at all. However, there were a bunch of people in the Sock Knitter's Anonymous group that were making this and it looked awesome. And it was SO fun to knit! I LOVED it.

I used my new Cabana Hazel knits from the April sock club shipment (so glad it came early in the month). I still have the other skein, Surf and I'm trying to think of something spectacular for that. Normally I'm not really a brown person either, but there was something about Cabana that I loved. And once it was knitted up, I fell that much harder.

Here are my happy toes...


The picture is a little tweaked, so those brighter areas really aren't that bright. It's really quite a deep brown.

And just hanging out:


So with Wanida finished, I had 2 days left in April. Enough time to YES, cast on for another April SKA challenge. I went to the stash and found all my bright greens. I've been wanting to make Absinthe from knitty since first glance. Now was the time. I selected the color Creme de Menthe from Yarn Love. I bought this yarn while visiting Yarn Cravin' up in Perrysburg sometime last year. Anyway, I had a great start to this and was going well and had a snafu. :( I'm not sure if I will continue on with this or not. It's on hold.



In the meantime, I started the SKA May Challenges. Kristi from Cookie A. It's being knit up in my reclaimed Bird of Paradise by Pagewood Farms. It was reclaimed from a mystery sock that I didn't finish last year. It's moving along nicely, however a bit slow.



And the other May challenge is a Mystery Sock by Cookie A. I started, but have to start over. Am using Socks that Rock lightweight in Lapis. I LOVE this colorway, tho the photo below does not do it justice.

Knitting: Accomplishment all the way around

This was a fantastic weekend to knit! On Friday, I had the day off and it was lovely. I sat out on the deck for a few hours while the dogs lolled around in the grass. I had my Iphone playing some Itunes and knitted away on Secret Garden. I finished the 2nd sock and then had a pair. And LOTS of smiles! Was so happy. The pattern was a lot of fun to knit. For the entire second sock I barely had to look at the pattern. It was such a memorable one and really easy to read your knitting, etc. The second sock is a far better knit than the first. I spread the first sock out over weeks, picking up/putting down, etc. But this 2nd one, I finished in under a week, so it's a much tighter, more consistently knit sock. I love these socks, they are so comfortable. I can't wait to make another pair with Socks that Rock. I knit these socks for a challenge. I've been in the ravelry group Sock Knitter's Anonymous for over a year I think, but I've never finished a challenge. I've tried a few times, but have always failed. So this was for March and you have to cast on in March and finish by end of following month. I DID IT! With a few days to spare!

So, I opted to enter the April challenge as well. Earlier Friday morning before finishing the sock, I cast on for the April challenge, which was to knit a sock from an online magazine, or a Cookie A design. My first thought was to knit Pomatomus. I picked my new hazelknits Cabana yarn and thought it would look amazing. But, for some reason I just wasn't into the pattern, so I ended up with Azure (from Knitty). It's a great pattern and I had several great yarns in my stash. I picked one and started. So I did my cast on, a toe up using Judy's Magic and I began the toe. Paused to finish Secret Garden and went back to the Toe Friday night. I did quite a bit of the pattern and still hadn't knit very much in inches. I kind of panicked a little. The yarn I was using was finer than I normally knit and it was 100% merino. I had some concerns about durability because of the lack of nylon as well as if I'd actually be able to finish 2 socks in time.

Then Saturday comes along and I changed my mind yet again! Many people in the SKA group had made Wanida by Cookie A from the Sock Innovation book. Now I must admit, looking at that pattern in the book, I never really cared for it. Not sure if it was the yarn chosen or the photos, but these folks on SKA... wow! Their socks were amazing and it was great fun seeing all the different yarns used. So I jumped on the bandwagon, took my hazelknits and started Wanida. Holy knitting frenzy, 6 hours later and very late Saturday evening, I had knit the sock all the way through the heel turn and was decreasing for the gussets! I couldn't believe how far I had gotten. This sock has been so much fun to knit though. I'm not entirely sure why, but it just is. THe pattern, while easy to remember and follow, still has me looking at the chart... but it's so easily read if you get lost, you can just look at your stitches and know where you are.

When I started the sock, I had hoped to get through the cuff and a bit through the leg... but now as Sunday evening closes in, I actually only have like one inch left to knit. Had I not gotten this cold and slept so much today and knitted more earlier, I probably could have finished. OH well, it will definitely be done tomorrow, perhaps during my work lunch hour. I'm so excited about these socks. I'm hoping to continue this sock momentum and hopefully not come crashing down.

Couple of things on the horizon, Cookie A is designing the Mystery Sock Challenge for the SKA Group's MAY challenge, so I plan on knitting that. And I might even try my hand at knitting another sock during the same time (we'll see, let's not get over zealous). The 2nd thing is there is a designer contest to come up with a sock pattern for free or sale and it was to be posted by 5/21... so I have some ideas rolling around in my head for that.

I have put my sweaters on hold for the moment, Tappen Zee and the BSJ. Need to ride this sock wave out until it's over.

Here's the last pic I took a few hours ago. Tomorrow I'll post the finished sock.

Knitting: A reprieve

So while I talked about knitting all week last week, I never really did any.

Yes it's true, I took a little break my last stitch was on Saturday and my next stitch was the following Friday (I think). I mostly worked on my Sock Club socks, Secret Garden. In fact, I finished the first sock. Now my plan was to get through the heel, cast on the Sock #2 and catch it up to the next and finish the legs at the same time. But something happened... "just one more row" and before you know it, boom the leg! Crazy!



Anyway, I still have a desire to do sock #2 so I will cast that on. I should have done so yesterday, but thought it would be smart to take a week break and work on a gift.

DUMB MOVE! It occurred to me whilst I was trying to fall asleep last night that the Secret Garden socks are part of the Ravelry SKA March contest, which has to be finished before April's month end. That means roughly 12 days to start and finish socks #2. I honestly think this is still possible for me. I just have to start it!

Up next... Decided my in between would be a Baby Surprise Jacket for my new niece or nephew to come (my prediction is it will be another niece). I really wanted to make something girlie... but just what if it's a boy. So as I hadn't like what I previously cast on with my Hazel Knits : Its a Wrap colorway, I decided perfecto! I've been wanting to make a BSJ out of sock yarn as the last one I did was a DK/Light worsted weight yarn. Anyway, Brandy started one with STR and Kim is going to make one as well, so I jumped on that bandwagon. It's definitely much slower progress! Sheesh! I'm using sock yarn and US 3 needles.... and it seems like forever. It's okay though, it's mostly mindless and just goes row after row. That being said, I feel like I've knit forever and only have a bit over an inch done. eek!



It's all good, have a few months before baby is here.... but I really need to get that sock done. Tonight I will be casting that on! No TV until it's done!

ETA: Since I didn't post this the day it was written (Monday). I did actually cast on sock #2 last night as planned and worked the whole toe and into the foot about an inch! About another 4 and it's heel time! Hopefully tonight will progress as nicely!