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: 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: 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: 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: BOM #2

Back in February, I started the Block of the Month afghan at Temptations. I may have talked about this before, but it's sort of a beginner's type of knitting class. There are a couple of experienced folks in the class including myself. I mostly signed up because I was hoping it would HELP me to finally finish a freaking afghan for our home. It's something I've always wanted to make, but like most things, I fizzle out on.

So I went in February, we started the first block. It kind of reminds me of the flying goose motif from quilting. The knits and purls make a nice V. However the pattern is a little on the boring side to knit. SO I'm about half way done. Here's my other hesitation... while I love CASCADE 220 in natural (cream) color, I'm not sure if it is right for this afghan. The stitches aren't quite POPPING like I want them too. Now Michelle made hers with this colorway that looks amazing. It's just off natural, cream but darker.

I missed class #2 because of the discovery sock class, so I picked up the pattern a couple of weeks ago. I opted to grab a skein of Brown Sheep Superwash to try and I got the same color Michelle used. I love it soooo much better. I started work on the block yesterday afternoon and am just slightly more than half way done! I really like this pattern too, it's so easy to remember. I had it down after the first repeat and it's REALLY easy to see what row you are on and count and all those necessary things.

Last night I held both of my half knit samples up to show B and get his opinion. He likes the darker version, too. So I'm going to frog #1 and when finished with #2, go back and do #1 in the new yarn. However, #3 will be next Monday, so I may just go ahead and wait until after #3. In any case, here is a photo of what is going on!

OH and the color is Oats 'n Cream (which I just love, makes me feel all homey and warm).


Oh and here's the old swatch in progress in the cascade 220

Knitting: Why yes, it IS another new project

I decided to take a BOM class in hopes of actually being on point to finish an afghan. It's hosted/taught by Michelle at Temptations. It's sort of a beginner type of class, kind of going over the basics, pattern reading, guague, etc. My main reason for taking the "class" is because I thought it might force me to actually work on a block once a month and in a year, I'll have a fantastic afghan.

I've learned over the past few years, I don't always have the sticktoitiveness to get things done. I've started several blocks through different KALs and guess what, none of them are finished. So I'm hoping this will be my fresh start. Anyway, the pattern is pretty simple, just comination knit and purls to make a nice texture pattern. Each block will have a seed stitch border and we are also doing a crochet cast on and a specific bind off for each block for consistancy.

I did a total of 2 repeats last night and have about 10 more to do, depending on measurments. Shouldn't take long and it's definitely a relaxing knit.



The picture isn't great because I have it squished on to DPN's, but I couldn't find my 10" US7 and that being said, I may opt to go down to a 6 anyway. We'll see. Need to find more of my needles at home, perhaps that is the project I will work on tonight.