Swap Sock Progress

It was a real luxury to knit for an extended period of time today. I know there was plenty of work to do around the house - let's face it - there always is and always will be - BUT today I was determined to make sock progress, especially since I know that Sue has finished my socks - aackkk! And here is said progress :-) I tried a new heel flap with a garter stitch edge, which creates a super easy edge from which to pick up gusset stitches. I like the look of it too, I think. I will try to get a good close up picture to post tomorrow. It's been a while since I knit something other than a "vanilla" sock so this has been lots of fun.

UFO Update

Well I got rid of one UFO, but not by finishing it. It really is okay to stop making something that is just....not.....working. Life is too short to knit something that makes you grumble. It could be the yarn, it could be the pattern, it could be the needles, who knows? Doesn't matter. Rip it out! So bye-bye Magic Loop Socks, I hardly knew ye..... In this case I think it's a combination of yarn and needles. KnitPicks Dancing needs to be knit at a denser gauge than I was using. This yarn has now been sent back to the stash farm, where it will no doubt have fun visiting old friends and meeting all the rookies in the bin. And one day it will pipe up and say "this is what I want to be." Why are you shaking your head - of course yarn talks to you! You can't hear that?

In it's place is something I started a few days ago and I'm totally loving it. A new thing for me - top down raglan baby cardigan. At one of our social knitting events (which we've made a regular thing now at my friend Nancy's house) Dee (Nancy's MIL) was knitting a really cute baby sweater and I had to have the pattern of course. Turns out it's a pattern she's been using since the 50's, something she typed up back in the day and has been churning out sweaters ever since. At our next meeting (last Friday) she had the complete sweater (wish I had taken a picture!) and I had pattern in hand. After a few questions for clarificiation and with the FO as a visual aid I was ready to go. It really is quite simple. Here's my progress:

I also need to report that I've decided to totally re-do Nathan's fingergless gloves. The second glove was coming out decidedly smaller than the first, and while I could attribute some of it to the first being stretched a bit from being tried on, it was really bugging me. Especially since I know the first is a bit tight on him (no matter how much he says "they're perfect"). So I will go up a needles size on both cuff and body. I may need to buy another ball of yarn but that is not against the "Knit From My Stash in 2007" rules. Whew.

Happy New Year everyone - I'm going to go knit!!

Sock Swap

Today I cast on the socks I'm making for Sue, my sock swap partner. She is almost done with mine so I must catch up!! This picture doesn't show the colors well - this will make some really fun striped socks. It's OnLine Supersocke 100 and the color is Summer. I thought it would be fun for Sue to have Summer on her feet during the cold Winter...:-) Hope she likes it!

And here it is, in a gauge swatch - I was planning to do the swatch through one complete set of color changes but there are ALOT! And I'd really just like to start the socks! Click on the picture to get a better view of the colors.

Caps To The Capital

Our knitting ministry at church, "Strands of Love," recently shipped off 137 baby hats in support of Save The Children and Warm Up America's national project, Caps To The Capital. Save The Children is collecting caps from all over the country and they will be shipped out around the world to places where infant mortality is high. Just keeping a newborn's head warm significantly increases his or her chances for survival. For more information about the program and the Save The Children organization, go here: www.savethechildren.org. The main force behind this project (for our group) was Connie, who brought it to our attention and crocheted the majority of the hats. She is an amazing woman and I am blessed to know her...:-) You'll hear more about Strands of Love in future posts - I may even give it it's own blog!

UFO Countdown

Socks were born at 9:14 am today. They will have their first Eucalan bath soon. I'm a bit disappointed that the toe tip color doesn't match, after I took the time to figure out the right spot to join yarn (I needed more than one ball for each). But now I suppose the wearer can name one 'Left' and one 'Right' and know the difference. The glass is always full...:-)

UFO #1 down. How many more to go?

Knit From My Stash 2007

In the past few weeks I've taken a hard look at my stash. Egads. Enough for eternity, it seems. I went so far as to take pictures of it all so I could keep track of it. It took up 60+ pics on my digital. I found things I forgot I had. Merry Christmas to me! Here are a few of my favorites.

Pic #1 is Cleckheaton Country Silk in sage. It wants to be a vest.

Pic #2 is Brooks Farm Harmony (mohair and silk) in earth tones (H30). It's not sure what it wants to be, but there should be enough for a shawl. There's Buster doing a good job of holding down the bed and guarding my yarn.

Pic #3 is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Watercolor. I can't wait to make these. But there is much ahead in the queue, alas.

Pic #4 is Rowan Tapestry which is having an identity crisis. It was purchased with the intent to be a moebius scarf. Since I haven't successfully mastered the moebius cast-on yet....we'll just see about that.

SO....the challenge is to knit from my stash in 2007 according to the rules posted here: http://wendyknits.net/stash2007.htm. I am determined to do it because

1) I have no more room for yarn in my house.

2) I have no money in my wallet for yarn.

3) I have some absolutely gorgeous yarn that would really make some people happy if it was in wearable form.

4) I really do want to enjoy the experience of knitting with this absolutely gorgeous yarn.

UFO's (unfinished objects) are of course, part of the stash. So let's start there.

1) Debie's Christmas socks: I am 10 rows from toe decrease on second sock - should finish today.

2) Nathan's fingerless gloves: ribbing started on second glove.

3) Heart blocks baby blanket: for a baby due in April.

4) Magic Loop socks: still haven't finished these from the class I took in October. I've decided I'm not crazy about the yarn - glad it was cheap.

5) The ever-present Aran project: Not sure how many years it will take to finish this sweater, but I thoroughly enjoy knitting it, whenever I can find a block of (undistracted) time.

SO, off I go! Happy New Year!!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Okay, Christmas may arrive - the tree is up! No lights on the house yet...not sure if that will happen. The one person in the family who likes to go up on the roof is recovering from shoulder surgery so.....we'll see. Christmas shopping is 95% done which is an amazing feat. Now comes the fun part - wrapping everything while I watch Christmas movies, saving "A Christmas Carol" (the one with George C. Scott, which I think is the best) for Christmas Eve.

Christmas knitting: aaackkkk!!! Will I get done? I'm thinking yes, if I don't get distracted with things like laundry, cleaning the toilet and feeding all creatures great and small. Progress on sock #2 (see previous post): about 3 inches done - should go pretty fast from here on out though, since I won't be making the heel three times - ha!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Halfway to Christmas

I'm sooo happy to have finally finished the first sock of this pair. I did the heel flap and heel turn THREE times. Not because I screwed up, but because I was going to run out of yarn (I realized after heel turn #1). Okay I guess that's some version of screwing up. So I ripped back and knit flap and turn again, with a contrasting yarn....kind of liking it.....but in the meantime I had put a call out to socknitters everywhere (via socknitters.com forum), and an angel sent me more of this discontinued yarn (KnitPicks Landscapes in New England Foliage). My first preference was to not have contrasting heels and toes, so when the yarn arrived (and I confirmed that it was a beautiful perfect match) I ripped back heel #2 and thus began heel #3. Whew! When I got to the point of toe shaping, I gave the giftee the opportunity to see her sock in progress and try it on to make sure it was going to fit. She happily took me up on the offer and I am pleased to report that it's a perfect fit and she loves the yarn. It's also reassuring to know that my calculations do work! So without further ado, here is sock #1, which will now wait patiently for it's mate. Must get cracking, only 10 knitting days til Christmas!

Some sock specs: KnitPicks Landscapes in New England Foliage; standard heel flap & gusset; round toe shaping. This was the first time trying this toe shaping method and I love it. I think it's more attractive than the square-ish looking toe you get with the "k2tog/ssk decreasing at the sides" method, and there's the added mega bonus of no kitchener-ing!!! Plus, I think it looks really cool with the self-striping yarn - you end up with
a bullseye at the top...:-) Here's a close-up of the toe, just for kicks...:-)

Critters of the 2-legged and 4-legged Variety

A gratuitous picture of my son Nathan and the pup, Tatty....also affectionately known as Tattabrat, among other things. She does love her couch time.

No knitting pics today - I'm working on Christmas presents, so don't want to spoil the surprise...:-)

For the Boys

About a month ago I received a request from Sara, who is putting together Christmas boxes for two units serving overseas (her husband's unit of Navy Seabee's in Afghanistan and her brother's Army unit in Iraq). She wanted to include some scarves for her husband's unit since it is getting pretty cold there now. So...I put the group to work! That group being Strands of Love, the knitting ministry at my church. In just a few short weeks we made 18 scarves! I even had some friends at work wanting to help, and I can't thank everyone enough for coming through. So thank you to: Debie, Linda, Torey, Joan, Carol, Carol's mom, Janet, Bobbie, Sandy, Connie, Pam, Emi, Nancy, and Dee. I delivered the scarves to Sara today and she is so very grateful! Please keep the soldiers in your prayers, that they be kept safe and most importantly, that they come home soon!

Long Time No See

I'd just rather be knitting, folks. Keeping the blog updated is too much like work. But at the same time, I like having progress pics here and seeing finished objects.

Here is the latest baby blanket I finished, for a co-worker's new baby. A combination of pink/white variegated with a strand of plain white, and it came out looking like cotton candy. Too bad the picture is a bit washed out. I designed the blanket - which isn't hard - I mean, it's just a big swatch!

Work in progress #1: toe-up, two-at-a-time socks using the Magic Loop method (one long circular needle). I learned all three things at once - nice to know I can still learn new things because I am an old dog. These are for me and so they are on the way back burner.

Work in progress #2: Nathan's fingerless gloves, made from a beautiful heather grey Cashsoft DK. I finished a good portion of this first glove waiting in the hospital during his shoulder surgery. Gloves really do not take that long. What takes long is starting the second glove....

I have another WIP that I can't post because it's a Christmas present....sshhhh.....

Ruffles Have Ridges

Finally...two pictures at once! These hats were made from a free pattern I got at a LYS. Really quick and really cute. The pink one will be donated and the multi-colored one is for Miss Molly's precious head. It matches a sweater I made a couple of months ago and have yet to seam up. Bad auntie. My excuse is that it's not winter so I have plenty of time. I've started a third one, it's a pink cotton-candy looking yarn. That one will also be donated. That's it for now. I do have other things to take pictures of but that will have to wait. Miss Tatty needs a walk before the fireworks really start!

A Basket of Fruit

Finally. Look, it's a picture.

This is my first attempt at knitting fruit. Hopefully you recognize it as a strawberry. We are making fruit and vegetable baby hats for a Breastfeeding Week event. One of the organizers is a knitter and she had the idea to hand out baby hats with a "nutrition" theme. So I'm going to attempt a blueberry and a pumpkin after this. Wish me luck! These are not good to knit while you're hungry.

More Frustration

Somebody give me a drink. I've spent the last 45 minutes trying to upload more pictures and every time blogger freezes up on me. I've tried a couple of different ways, even tried different pictures, to no avail. I need a break.

This is one reason I don't update my blog very often.....aarrggghhh!!!!!!!

Catching Up!

Happy 4th of July! For the first time in probably 20 years I am not out there watching fireworks. It's been a really quiet, relaxing, yet productive 4 days around here and I'm quite content to stay put. I finally got around to taking pictures of recent FO's and my main WIP - the Aran Project. The fact that the Giants are in a rain delay in Denver doesn't have anything to do with having a little time now to do this...:-) I am soooo happy with the way this is coming out - this is a real treat to knit and I love the yarn (Plymouth Galway Heather). If you look real close (click on the pic to get a larger view) you can see how I treated myself to some cloisonne beaded stitch markers. Such decadence.

Another reason to stay home tonight is the pup. She's been a little on edge with the fireworks we've heard already so best to stay home and keep her company...:-)

Chastised...

I went to my TKGA (knitting guild) meeting tonight and was chastised by Madame President. Yes, sweet Marie let me know she was not happy that I have not been blogging. It's nice to know that at least one person checks in here once in a while...:-) I promised her that I would update very soon, with pictures of all my WIP (there's quite a bit of that actually). I need to get the camera out and document some progress. It's good to see progress. So tomorrow night (she says) the camera will get dusted off and fulfill it's purpose (she says). If only so Marie won't yell at me next time I see her (even though she is a gentle yell-er).

The Aran Project is coming along nicely; I've started a loud "blocks of hearts" baby afghan; decided to pull the green shawl off the needles as I was obviously doing something wrong (drat and double drat!); whipped up an adorable pink ruffled hat; finished the brown socks, and thought about starting a dozen other things.

Film at 11.

The Aran Project

Sounds like some secret government plan....but it's just a sweater. Yeah, just a sweater that'll take me a few years to finish. I've made a good start though - I have about two-thirds of one repeat done on the back, although this picture is from last week when I had just started. I'll update it again after I've got the full pattern repeat to show off. I'm LOVING it. Sometimes I pull it out and just look at it. My goal is to be wearing it next winter. No problem!

Another Finished Object!

Tada! One finished entrelac scarf, already given to it's very appreciative recipient...:-) I love the way it came out and I see more entrelac in my future - it was a whole lot of fun to knit. The bigger news tonight might be that I finally got this picture posted....blogger and I are at odds about pictures more often than not. Frustrating!

Picture Perfect?

Okay, let's see if blogger is working tonight and will let me upload some pics. I know it's alot to ask....

Well, lookee there, it's a picture! Woohoo! This is my first attempt at Fair Isle. The only bit that I used a pattern for is the first row of white. The rest I just made up as I went along. I'm patting myself on the back about the fact that what came off my needles is something actually wearable.

And here's an update on my brown stripey socks: almost done!









I'm also almost done with the entrelac scarf - hopefully I will be blocking it this weekend. I'm "almost done" with alot of things, come to think of it.....time to start finishing some things. That's an odd juxtaposition just how does one start to finish?

Okay, Break's Over....

I am back from taking a self-imposed break from blogging. It was threatening to take over my life. I've decided that daily updates are....too much work....and I do have a life....:-)

Knitting update! I took an entrelac class at Commuknity (my new favorite shop) last week and look! The yarn is Noro Kureyon. This started out as a small purse (the class project) but I wanted to get to the yellows and oranges so I just kept going....it has morphed into a scarf. This is a present for someone....ssshhhh! I can't wait to block it.

Note: I've been trying to publish this post since last night (Apr 8th). Blogger seems to "not like" the fact that I want to put more than one picture in this post. So....I will foil Mr. Blogger and publish this one as is, and do another post with my other pictures. So THERE.