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!

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.