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.