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!

Knitting: Really, just thinking about it

So the entire past week, I have NOT knit a stitch.

I know I said I was going to, but I truly have not. I think I last played with some stitches last Saturday! No kidding. While I have desired to knit a bit, I was not really feeling inspired or motivated to do so. Soooo... I didn't.

Anyway, it's okay, I've been keeping my mind occupied with knitting and designing and knitting some more. I have a whole list of things to make, mainly socks and the desire for some sweaters/tops. I tend to be a warm person, so making sweaters for me is typically not something I have done/completed. I need short sleeves and lightweight. I work in an office that is rarely cool, so I'm constantly overheating, especially in the summer. I'm not one of those people that need a cover up... EVER!

So, Cath has made a few of the Bombshell pattern, and it's a great looking sweater that really shows off your curves in a pleasing way. I've wanted to make this pattern ever since I saw the book. However, something has always stopped me. Well, it's breathing down my neck now and I really want to cast on. Problem is, I'm unsure what yarn to use. It is something that will require a swatch and I will be good and proper and actually do one. But first I have to pick a yarn.

Ok... so my other thought is SOCKS... socks, socks, socks. I want to make all kinds of socks. I want to be able to wear multiple pairs this fall when the weather gets cool again. I want to have a variety to choose from. It's mid April, how many socks can I make by October? And not just socks, but how many PAIRS of socks. Oh darn 2nd sock syndrome! However to get me there, getting some good stuff from Blue Moon. I ordered an array/plethora of colors as well as the Sheep to Shoe kits, so I can practice spinning some sock yarn.

Ok, so again, I should probably get to knitting instead of blogging.

In music news, I won tickets to see Blue October tomorrow evening. I'm pretty excited as I've not been to a show in awhile, so that should be fun.... more news on that to come.

Knitting: It's an itis

Why oh why can't I finish anything?

I've been on this organization kick recently and it occurs to me that I should reclaim lots of yarn from old projects never finished. I'm still on the fence here on this and not sure. In the meantime, I want to finish a darn sweater/tee/shirt type of object that I can wear NOW before it gets too incredibly hot (cool office - fyi). But I don't know what exactly.

Keep in mind I have several ideas and thoughts here. But then I think about the current stuff I am working on and am kicking myself because they aren't done.

Progress Report:
1. Tappen Zee - Huge booboo made by me not paying attention, need to tink 3 rows.... time out.

2. Secret Garden Socks - going well actually, but requires concentration, patience and some twisty hand movements.

3. Every Way Wrap - Got a little boring and is just hanging out. Too warm to wear now anyway, so on hold for a bit.

4. BOM #3 - The bobble catastrophe, man I hate this block, but I'm half done and it will be easy peasy to finish just not in the mood.

5. Cascadia Sock - RSC #1 for the year, have done quite a bit on this, but fear it is too huge. Contemplating if I really want to finish the pattern or reclaim the gorgeous yarn for something else. I LOVE the colorway.

So there ya go... as usual I have plenty to work on but yet want to start more, more, more.... Good grief, someone reel me in!

Ok, I think I'll go tink those rows or maybe take a walk in the secret garden, hmm....

Knitting: Staying on top of 'things'

I'm starting with this photo because, A. I love spider plants and B. this one is looking great! Cath gave me a few little starter spiderettes way back last year sometime. I potted them and recently a month or 2 back added a few more from my mom's plant (the darker green). So now with the 2 of them together, this plant is just flourishing and I love it. It's a little bit of happy on my work desk!

This past weekend, much time was spent knitting and much time was spent organizing.

After work on Friday, I did some errands, went home and had a nice nap. Got around and headed west to Hilliard to meet up with Cath for dinner at Joey Changs. While my meal was okay, I didn't love it. I branched out and tried something different and while it wasn't BAD really, it just wasn't what I really expected and therefore didn't like as much. It was edible, but on the blah side. I think I would try the place again and get something that I typically get at other places to give it a true test. Cath had the Pad Thai which she enjoyed.

After dinner, we headed back to her place to do some knitting. I got quite a bit done, until I ran into a snafu with one project, so I picked up another... and then, well I cast on for a new sock because I needed something that didn't require paying attention. She also assisted me with measurement taking and now I feel quite able to try my hand at just casting on any ol' sweater and making mods so that it will fit ME. More to come on that, I do have a project in mind... but other things need to be done first. I'm talking to you Vivian!

And you to Every Way Wrap.

Anyway, we also watched some True Blood (season 1 - Cath is catching up) and the latest episode of Merlin (on syfy - LOVE it).

Saturday morning we had breakfast at First Watch. I had a great meal, eggs and a waffle - yum all the way around. Cath had some amazing french toast and fruit, it was very pretty.

Next I met up with Audra and we did some knitting and chatting. We moved on from coffee shop knitting to lunch at Baja Sol (Lennox area). While I did not enjoy my meal, cheese enchiladas... very bland and lots of spice, like pepper, but no actual flavor (weird I know). But the chips were good and I made my own salsa concoction. I will go back and try the tacos, they sounded good and I probably should have ordered them, but I love cheese enchiladas, so I had to try. Obvious mistake.

We did quite a bit of chatting on FB, old friends, crazy friends and family and everything else. We also discuss that we are both in a similar state with our CLUTTER. We want to get rid of things and organized, so we discussed starting a plan, some sort of tracking worksheet to map out what we need to do. We want to share with each other and hopefully motivate each other to finish our projects. Hopefully we can come up with something. Maybe we need to have an incentive, like one person buys/gives the other person something like a reward. Who knows, sometimes friendly competition spurns motivation? It could work.

Then I went home. I had the urge to WORK on things. I had boxes in hand and I cleared the book shelf in the computer room. Brian helped and carried the boxes to the basement. I threw some stuff away. Then I got the sneezies and was pooped anyway, so I took some allergy meds and relaxed with some knitting.

Sunday, I woke up much too early. Met up with Cath downtown because I forgot my shoes and she was in the area. Then I popped out to Easton. Brian had an appt at the Apple store, his phone was coming apart at the seams... and drum roll please... THEY FREAKING REPLACED IT!!!! I have had so many problems with Apple Care over the past 2 years, I cannot even tell you. So much so that we had to BUY him a replacement phone awhile back because they wouldn't honor anything... so now they replace the phone. Well, I'm glad and was shocked and glad. Then he went and bought a HOPEFULLY better case so his phone will last longer. It has little covers for all the "open" spots. We are hoping this will prevent so much dirt and dust from getting in.

While he was doing that, I popped into the container store. OMG, I could be in there for days figuring out ways to organize things and spend money!!! I did buy a few little basket type things to help organize my pantry. So often, I don't know what I have because things get shoved to the back. This basket has a handle sort of like a pitcher, so you can just pull it out. Handy, I think. We'll have to see if practical or not. Next I travelled over to the trash can area. I knew they were expensive going in, so I had an open mind.

Brian caught up to me, so I showed him the cans. There was one I really liked that was on sale. There was another I liked even more, but it was $50 more and NOT on sale! Anyway, we walked out with hopefully a new DOGGIE PROOF, slightly pretty trash can. This one will sit flush against the wall, it has a removable liner and an air vent is stainless steel and has a foot pedal with a slow close mechanism and a little switch you can flip to keep the lid open. Basically everything I wanted in a trash can. If it was a little bit taller, I'd be even happier, but that's all. Oh cheaper would have been nice as well, but it's done. And I shouldn't have to buy another one in a very long time!

When we got back home, I started in on my room. I had to make space for the bookshelf to come in. While doing this, I realize the yarn tower, might have a better location on another wall. I measured it's depth and the depth of the space I wanted to put it. It was perfect and I even had a couple of inches to spare! So I slowly moved that over to the other wall. And re-orged some of the yarn while I was at it. Then I got the bookcase in, went through magazines and put them in order. Pulled out pattern sheets and pamphlets and put them somewhere else. Started stacking the knitting books on the shelf. And then I had other areas to clean up and get laundry started. SO I did not finish the bookshelf, but most of the books are on it although they will need to be sorted into the appropriate areas. But it's a start and because of this switch, I have much more usable floor space in my room, therefore making that area look very clean! YAY!

Since I started the post with a pic, I'll end with one 2. This is a not so great iphone shot of the yarn tower. FYI, each section contains 7 wire baskets. And they are probably 2 feet deep from front to back, so in a nut shell... a LOT of yarn here. There is some roving, too. Oh and guess what.... this isn't the entire stash! Oh yes folks, I have a lot of purging to do... be ready for a sale sometime in the near future!

Knitting: Oh bobbles...

Or BOM #3.

Yeah, bobbles... do I need to say more?

Any knitter pals that know me, probably know that I hate bobbles. Sure on some items they are cute and so forth and even a decorative edge... but seriously, I hate them. I find them annoying to make, time consuming and yarn hogs, so there.

But I was duped into them again by the mystery afghan project. There are a total of 24 bobbles on this block. Michelle says it's considered an Irish Bobble, so because it's Irish I like it a little more... but I still hate bobbles.

Anyway, this bobble is actually an easier style to knit although for my unfinished unblocked block, the bobbles are looking a little craptastic to say the list. They are sort of triangular, squarish circular things. Yes all that geometry in one little stitch.

For this style of bobble, you are increasing 5 stitches into one, turning, knitting, turning purling, turning then decreasing by k2togs, turning and purling 3 together. Bobble done. It's definitely easier than the PSSO bobble I've made in the past.

Anyway, I'm doing the block as designed, just because.

I've also decided I want this afghan to be bigger than it's supposed finished size. The blocks are 12x12, which would make a 36x48 inch smallish afghan. I've decided I want this for my bedroom to be a pretty cover. I have a king size bed... that is one huge afghan. So at any rate, I'm definitely planning on increasing... maybe 20 squares? Still TBD, guess it depends on how fast I get these done or if I get burnt out. In the mean time, I still love block #2 and block #3 will be pretty as well - even with the bobbles.

I have yet to go back and make #1, we are still at odds.

Knitting: Rockin' Socks that Rock!

I am REALLY in love with my latest sock project. The pattern is Secret Garden by Janel Laidman came with the latest shipment for the Rockin Sock Club. She has some really unique and interesting patterns and this one does not disappoint. And the yarn is so fantastic. Of course I'm talking about Socks that Rock, it's the mediumweight version of yarn and the colorway is Wild Irishgirlie. It took me a little bit to like it, but it helps that the texture and feel of this yarn is so amazing. Especially after being knit up. I definitely understand why Brandy has such an admiration for this yarn. I will definitely be buying more and this may eventually become my GOTO yarn.

Of course I do love so many different sock yarns... so much to choose from, must knit faster. That's my motto!

Anyway for your viewing pleasure, here's a little photo of what is going on...

I just LOVE IT!