April 2007

April 21, 2007

Well the days are getting warmer and my knitting is slowing down a little.  I have put down the socks for a while and I'm working on a simple T-style pullover out of Berroco's Cotton Twist (Easy "T" Sweater pg. 14 in the book First Steps in Knitting by Mary Thomas).  I'm almost up to the underarm.  The pattern actually called for the sweater to be knit in panels (Front, Back, & 2 sleeves), but being the lazy knitter I am, I joined it in the round and I'm knitting like a fiend.  I don't know about most of you, but I certainly can knit faster than I can purl, and having to purl every other row on a single panel is not for me, so I try to convert most of my patterns to the round (learned that trick from mom).  The sleeves are also panels that I will convert into the round, when I get to them.  The photo really isn't that good since it's still on the needles.  I will be sure to post a finished photo when it's complete.  Note: the variegated yarn will be striped in the top of the sweater and in the sleeves. 

I really hope it turns out, as I have re-written most of the pattern to fit my overly voluptuous figure and my lazy knitting style!

April 7, 2007

Braided Rib Socks are almost finished.

Click here for the pattern.

April 6, 2007

What's on the agenda for this weekend?  Movies and knitting.  I'm still not feeling a 100%, and yesterday the hubby claimed he was coming down with the same crud.  So off to the movie rental store I went.  What will we be watching?

Casino Royale 007
Happy Feet
The Holiday
Eragon
The Good Shepherd
Blood Diamond
The Pursuit of Happyness

I will be sure to play movie critic and post my critiques as we watch them.

Casino Royale 007:  Boring!  Bond has turned into quite the killer in this one, shooting just about everyone in sight.  He can't even manage to keep his lovers alive!  It was so bad I fell asleep before it was half over, so my critique may not count for much, but I can say this - they sure don't make 007 movies like they used too, and no one will ever top Sean Connery!!  OOOOh La La.  - Oops I just aged myself there - (really I was just a kid when Connery was making 007 movies!)

Eragon:  Definite kids movie.  Although I wouldn't recommend it for the younger kids because of the mild violence.  If you want to see a good Dragon/Fantasy movie, rent Dragonheart instead.

Happy Feet:  This is one of those kid/adult movies where the kids appreciate the animation and cuteness and the adults appreciate the humor (it also has a pretty cool upbeat soundtrack).  Robin Williams is fantastic, but listen close because he talks fast and it's easy to miss what he's saying.  The movie also has an environmental message, which I did appreciate.  The only negative part would be for small children who may be afraid of the sea lion, it's pretty scary looking.

The Holiday:  great chick flick.

Blood Diamond & The Good Shepherd:  I didn't watch either one, but the hubby said they were both good - so I will qualify them as "guy flicks".

The Pursuit of Happyness:  one of the best movies I've ever seen.

April 5, 2007

Recently I've been on a quest to find the perfect "summer" sock yarn that has a nice blend of cotton/wool/nylon.  During my search I stumbled across Unicorn Books web site, which is jammed packed with some of the most beautiful colorful Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton blend sock yarns you'd ever want to see.  Originally I thought I wanted solid color sock yarns for stitch patterning, but after seeing all this beautiful color, I'm changing my mind (I can be a real color freak at times).  Click here to take a peek at what I'm talking about.  Once you're at the site, be sure to click on the thumbnail photos of the sample cards.  And if you're really into funky color, you won't want to miss Meilenweit's Cotton Fantasy yarns, they are bright, beautiful and have some fantastic striping and patterning.  This is the type of yarn that you will want to make a simple pair of ribbed socks and wear them around town with your favorite Berk's just to show them off.

April 4, 2007

Sock Wizard Software
I recently learned about a program called Sock Wizard from the gal who heads up our monthly sock group.  She said that she liked the program so I decided to give it a try, and it's pretty cool.  It's a simple, easy to use program where you plug in a few key factors (mainly your shoe size, swatch gauge & needle size) and it spits out a complete sock pattern that includes a diagram. 

The software offers you the following options when producing a pattern:

What's really nice is that you can export your pattern to Microsoft Word, or any word processing program that uses Rich Text Format (RTF), and add photos, make manual changes or type in pattern notes.  Click here for a pattern that I made with the Sock Wizard Software.

All in all I consider this a great purchase.  The only option that I would like to see incorporated, is the option to input your stitch pattern.  The program will tell you how many stitch pattern repeats you can use (e.g. 2 stitch pattern repeat, 10 stitch pattern repeat, etc.) but doesn't allow you to type in the actual pattern prior to exporting it to a word processing program.  Once you export it you can add your stitch pattern.

I purchased my program on-line through www.knittingsoftware.com but there are many other on-line sources.  Also check with your local knitty shop, chances are they probably carry it.

Happy Sock Knitting!
 

April 2, 2007

I'm feeling much better today, thank God!  I don't remember being that sick in a very long time.

I am still working on the braided rib sock that I posted below.  I had hoped to work on them more while I was sick, but ended up sleeping as much as I could, and when I was awake I was mostly coughing (I think I actually bruised my ribs - ouch).

Now I'm in the mood to start on a spring/summer cotton tunic or top.  I've been pouring through my patterns and magazines, but I still haven't found anything I really like.  I guess I will have to resort to using my own web site and see if I can come up with a "freebie" pattern that tickles my fancy.

Mom should be home from the hospital tomorrow or Wednesday and I will be at her house taking care of her for the next couple of weeks (great time to start on my summer top).  She came out of surgery just fine, but she has a long road to recovery ahead of her.  I'm hoping she can knit a little, but that may not be the case.  She did complete a few more socks before she had surgery, so look for those photos in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, I hope the upcoming Easter Holiday doesn't have everyone too busy, and that you are able to get in a little knitting time.  My Easter Holiday should be a quiet one (and I heard we were in for some snow).  That's probably why I've been sick.  We're in T-shirts and flip flops one day and winter coats the next!

Have A Safe & Happy Easter

March 2007

March 29, 2007

For the past 2 weeks I have been living in the "sick house".  All last week, while my son was wheezing, sneezing, coughing and whatever else - I was thinking to myself, "I'm not going to get this".  And for the entire week I lived with this disillusioned thought and by the end of last weekend I thought YES you're home free!  Then came Black Monday!  My son was just starting to feel good enough to leave the house, so Monday morning he took me into town to drop off my car for service.  I coughed the entire way there and back.  Since we were headed for record highs that day, I thought it may be my allergies kicking into overdrive - boy was I ever WRONG!   I have been sicker than I could have ever imagined this entire week.  What does this have to do with anything (or knitting) you ask?  Well, it's my excuse for not posting much to the blog this past week. 

However, in between coughing up a lung, and not being able to sleep at all, I did manage to finish up my Panda Wool Ankle Socks and start on a new pair with a braided rib stitch pattern.  I am making the braided rib socks out of Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton - Color 1010 Blues.  I am knitting them on a double set of size 1 circs. (double circ. method)  I cast on 72 stitches (36 on each set of circs) joined in the round and knit a 2 X 2 rib for an inch and a quarter.  Then I started in with my modified braid stitch pattern: 

Row 1: *S1, K1, YO, PSSO (pass slip stitch over both the K1 & YO stitches and drop it); P2* repeat from * to * across the row.

Row 2: K2, P2 repeat across row

I will repeat these two rows until I'm happy with the length, then start the heel flap.  I am thinking about carrying the braided rib pattern over the top of the instep like I did with my Mock Cable Pattern socks.  I really should have done this rib pattern with a solid color sock yarn because it would have shown up better, but I didn't, and it's sort of hard to see the braid stitch in the photo.

Anyhow, I will be spending this weekend working on this pair of socks and recuperating.  Hopefully by Monday I will have a photo of the finished pair and I will be feeling better.  Because next week (and all next month) I need to be well enough to take care of my number 1 knitting buddy - my mom.  If you read my blog, you have heard me mention from time to time that she has advanced RA and she is going in on Monday to have her shoulder replaced.  This will be her 7th (yes 7th - that's not a typo) replacement surgery.  She has had 3 knees, 2 hips & 1 shoulder replaced so far.  I tease her a lot about being the bionic woman, but she truly is the strongest person I know, especially on the inside.  Love you mom!

March 22, 2007

What's on the sticks this week?

A pair of ankle socks out of Crystal Palace's Panda Wool.  I mentioned below that I love this stuff and I will be making many more socks from this yarn this summer.  I ordered a couple more balls from Yarn Market (they seem to have the best deals around on most yarns).  I'm not using any specific pattern, although I do use the Lightweight Sock pattern out of the book Not Just Socks by Sandy Rosner as a basic reference.   I'm working these socks on two 24" #1 Addi Turbos (double circ method).  I have already made one booboo.  I should have made my heel flap about 4 rows longer - oh well.  You live and learn.  I still consider myself a "beginning" sock knitter.  I will post a photo when they are done.  By the way, investing in a nice pair of sock forms is worth every penny.  I purchased mine for $19.00 at a local knitting shop, but I'm sure you can find them at just about any on-line store that sells sock yarn. The sock forms make it much easier to take photos of your socks.

March 21st, 2007

Disappointed

I'm very disappointed with the South West Trading Company Tofutsies sock yarn that I bought last weekend.  The yarn is "pooling" and looks quite ugly if you ask me.  And it isn't cheap, it's $16.96 per 100 gram skein!  I have asked the yarn shop for help and a refund and/or exchange for the other 2 skeins I purchased.  The yarn shop is sending these photos to SWTC to see what they have to say.  I will keep everyone posted. 

Below is the email I received from the shop owner who spoke to SWTC's owner.  I'm very impressed, not only did this shop owner get back to me right away (same day), she is making sure that I am happy with my purchase.  This is the type of service that will keep me coming back!

 * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I spoke to the owner of SWTC and she said that this is a hand dyed yarn and that she has seen the pooling happen occasionally.  She said it is not suppose to stripe or do any other variation of patterning.  She said you can correct the pooling from happening by changing gauge a bit or by changing the number of stitches you have on the needle.  If this does not make you happy, please send all of the yarn back, along with the receipt and I will be happy to refund your money.   I am using size 2 circular needles on my socks and 56 sts., I am not seeing any pooling yet.

March 18th, 2007

Show & Tell

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, so mom and I decided to get out and do some sock yarn shopping.  We were specifically on the prowl for cotton/wool blend sock yarns.  Now that it's starting to warm up, working with 100% wool is a little warm on the hands.  I managed to do a little damage, although I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, I did get some beautiful sock yarns.  Ideally I wanted some solid color cotton/wool blends so I can continue with my recent stitch pattern fetish.

Top L to R:
South West Trading Company Tofutsies Brown/Yellow 736 - 100 gr skein
South West Trading Company Tofutsies Purple Green 722 - 100 gr skein
South West Trading Company Tofutsies Purple/Yellow 728 - 100 gr skein
(50% superwash wool, 25% Soysilk Fibers, 22.5% Cotton & 2.5% Chitin)
Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton Spirit Color 3010 - 100 gr skein
(45% cotton, 42% virgin wool, 13% polyamide)

Bottom L to R:
Panda Wool by Crystal Palace Yarns 0443 Basil/Curry - 50 gr skein
Panda Wool by Crystal Palace Yarns 9573 Ultramarine - 50 gr skein
(48% bamboo, 43% wool, 11% nylon)
Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton Terra 1010 Blues - 100 gr skein
(45% cotton, 42% wool, 13% polyamide)

I have started a rib stitch pair of socks out of the Panda Wool in the Ultramarine.  If you have never used this sock yarn before - get some.  You will be in for a real treat.  Even though there is not a stitch of cotton in it, it knits and feels like a cotton/silk blend and it has a sort of sheen to it - beautiful stuff.  Then there's the Tofutsies with "Chitin" which I've never heard of before.  Chitin is fiber from shrimp and crab shells and it's naturally antibacterial - WOW - what they won't make yarn out of these days - pretty cool stuff.

So all in all I managed to get some pretty nice yarns along with a few exotic fibers thrown in.  It was a good day!

P.S.  I also bought a pair of sock blockers so you won't have to look at pictures of my funky lookin' unblocked socks - LOL - how tacky of me!

March 13, 2007

Just finished up my mock cable socks - the pattern link is under photo of orange socks on the left.  These socks look so cool!  I would like to make a pair out of every solid color I can get my hands on, but I have decided to venture on to other stitch patterns for now.  Enjoy the pattern!

March 7, 2007

Begging forgiveness!  I'm not posting as much as I would like, nor have I been knitting a much as I would like.  Things have been a little busy in the office since the hubby has gotten back, and I've been tired at night so I haven't been doing much knitting.  I finished one of my Mock-Cable socks (below), I'm going to start the other one tonight.  These socks are taking longer than I had anticipated, but I should have expected that with the patterning in the sock.  By the way, the first one looks fantastic, and I will wear them with pride, even if they are orange! 

I did manage to get over to mom's yesterday and take a couple of pic's of her most recent accomplishments.  More socks!  We are both on a sock kick lately and she's been knitting like a fiend; so you are going to be seeing mostly socks for a while on the site.  I do have a few WIP's that I really should focus on and finish up, but that will be after someone invents an insecticide for the infamous "Sock Bug"!

March 6, 2007

I went to the post office box today to find a beautiful scarf pin from Leslie Wind.  And is it ever unique!  THANK YOU Leslie!!

I'm always on the lookout for something special to adorn my scarves with and Leslie has some very creative and beautiful designs.  My photo of the pin is not as good as the ones on Leslie's site.  Click on my photo to see a close up of the pin.  You will definitely want to visit Leslie's site to view her entire line of shawl and scarf pins.

March 1, 2007

Mock My Socks Off!

This is my first attempt at venturing out on my own without a particular sock pattern in mind.  I just finished up the heel flap and I'm getting ready to turn the heel.  The Mock-Cable pattern can be found in just about any stitch dictionary or stitch pattern book.  I made this sock out of a cotton blend (45% cotton, 42% wool & 13% Polymide or nylon) hoping that I would be able to wear it in the spring when the weather starts getting a little warmer.  Speaking of weather, we had snow early this morning 7 a.m., it changed to freezing rain around 9 a.m. and now thunder and lightening at 10 a.m.  I just saw a flash of lightening accompanied by one of the loudest thunder booms I've ever heard - it scared the beejeebies out of the dogs.  I never knew that it could thunder and lightening at 32 degrees - Welcome March! 

February 2007

February 26, 2007

I know, it's been a week since my last post, but for some reason I feel I have to have photos for every post, and my hubby took the digital camera with him on a 10 day business trip to Montana, so no photos of knitty stuff.  I have completed the blue striped socks that I blogged about below, and another pair of socks with a gold thread in them and I'm working on two pairs at the same time right now one of which has a beautiful mock-cable pattern.  Look for photos of all these after Wed. this week when I get the camera back.

Below is a photo that my hubby emailed to me today that he took of Electric Peak in Gardiner, MT.  It's the highest peak in Yellowstone National Park.  He was standing on a client's property (he's an architect) discussing the particulars of designing her home on the Yellowstone River and he took this photo.  How beautiful! 

We are planning on moving back to Montana hopefully within the next 6 months if not sooner.  We lived there from 1991 to 2001 and it was the best years of our lives!  What beautiful country, and talk about recreation, it's like living in vacation land.  I love to fly fish and the hikes in the mountains are spectacular, however you do have to respect the land and the large critters that live there, otherwise you may end up as dinner or at the very least testing your survival skills if you can't find your way out.  Getting lost in the Montana wilderness would make Survivor Island look like a Sunday picnic!

Montana has 300 days of sunshine a year.  My kind of place!

Click here to view just a few of my hubby's
beautiful "Western" home designs.

February 20, 2007

A big THANK YOU to the knitters who sent me links for freebie beaded sock patterns. There aren't that many out there that incorporate beads.  I am going to make the Sour Apple Socks first, they look simple enough for a beginner sock knitter like myself.  Then I think I will make an attempt at either incorporating beads into another freebie sock pattern, or maybe try to write my own pattern.  Being an avid beader, I have tons of beads and would love to knit them into something, and socks are so much fun to "jazz" up.

February 12, 2007

The Dynamic Doggy Duo taking their afternoon nipper.  They look so comfy!  These two are quite the pair.  They are all snuggled in, with what looks like a boneyard (not pictured) surrounding their cozy little abode.  These two cohorts in crime are so spoiled it's insane.  They have more toys and chew things than ten spoiled kids!  By the way neither one of them sleep in the crate when it's bed time.  They sleep on a temperature controlled king size bed!

February 12, 2007

Ok, I'm not so panicked, now that I know I can knock out a pair of plain socks in a matter of a couple of days.  I started this pair on Friday, and have only casually worked on them throughout the weekend.  I guess it was the patterning on the one below that took me so long.  I have decided to tear that one out and start over making it bigger so it fits me.  The pattern I'm using for the blue socks (pictured right) is the Lightweight Sock pattern on page 35 in the book "Not Just Socks" by Sandy Rosner.  The yarn is a self-striping yarn by Austermann called Step with Aloe Vera and Jojoba oil in the yarn.  It's soft and very nice to work with.  I have heard that the Aloe and Jojoba stay in the sock for at least 40 - 60 washings - I guess time (and washings) will tell.

February 7, 2007

PANICKED!  I feel like I'm drowning while trying to finish this pair of socks in time for our next "Sock Club" meeting the end of Feb (I'm still on the first sock!).  You know the feeling.  Like you are in a bad knitting dream and your hands are moving in  s   l   o   w     m   o   t   i   o   n   and you can't seem to speed things up (oh, maybe that's just me).  And the kicker of it is, is that I'm probably not going to be able to wear these anyhow because they are too small.  I tried them on and they barely fit over my fat cankles!  And I've put too much work into them to give them away, so I guess I will have to lose some more weight - 30 lbs just wasn't enough - yeah, I'm a fat Knitty Chick!

I'm afraid I'm going to have to abandon yet another project and start on a pair of simple/quickie socks in order to be able to sport them at the next meeting. 

I wished I could work on the stocks late at night like some of my other projects, but the pattern requires that I actually pay attention and I just can't do that when I'm tired.

February 6, 2007

Quickie Mobius Cowl Neck Scarf

Another one of those "couldn't sleep last night" projects.  This is an extremely quick project.  It took me about an hour to whip it up, and is it ever beautiful.  It's been extremely cold around here lately (-21 yesterday w/wind-chill - brrrrrr) and I wanted a warm decorative scarf that didn't have long tails that hung down and got in my way while I typed (still doing taxes - yuck), so I came up with this cowl neck mobius scarf.

Using a size 13 (31") set of circular needles and a double strand of Muench Yarns Fabu, I cast on 40 stitches using the mobius cast-on technique from Cat Bordhi's mobius scarf pattern. I placed a marker at the beginning of my row and knit in the round until my scarf measured 5" wide ending at my marker; then cast off loosely, and wove in my ends.  Note:  Gauge on the double strand of Fabu on the size 13's is about 3 stitches per inch.  The edges on this scarf curl making sort of a tube on each edge - which I thought was cool.  The 5" width feels comfortable on my neck, however you can make your's skinnier or wider if you like.  Even though the Fabu is pricy, around $13.95 for an 80 yard ball, I probably have enough yarn left over to make another scarf (maybe 4" wide).

I like this scarf so much that I'm going to make a half dozen or so more in different colors and maybe experiment with some different yarns.  If I make another one out of the Fabu, I am going to cast on 46 stitches making it an inch or two larger.  The one (pictured) with the 40 stitches is ok, but it will be a little snug if I choose to wear it over the top of a turtle neck. 

Decorative Scarf 1

This scarf is made from one strand of Trendsetters Essence yarn (color #603).  I cast on 8 stitches on size 10.5 needles and knit in a garter stitch until I was happy with the length.

Decorative Scarf 2

For this scarf I held 2 strands of Muench Yarns Fabu and one strand of a gold fingering weight yarn together.  I cast on 6 stitches on size 13 needles and knit in a garter stitch until I was happy with the length.
 

February 5, 2007

It's kudos like this that keep me (and this website) going.  There are times when I don't have enough time to knit, let alone keep up with posting to the site, but just knowing that there are people out there who appreciate the effort keeps me going!  Thank you DS for your wonderful email.

February, 4, 2007

It's my Birthday!  And what do I love as much as knitting gifties?  Sterling silver gifties!!!  My hubby bought me this beautiful Silpada Designs necklace and matching earrings - he is such a sweetheart!!

February 2, 2007

What's on the sticks for Super Bowl weekend?  Not a whole lot.  I have a few skinny decorative scarves in the works and a pair of basket weave pattern socks.  I love the sock pattern, but the variegated yarn I'm using doesn't show the pattern very well.  I am going to look for some solid color sock yarn, hopefully tomorrow if the weather isn't too nasty.  Right now it's blowing snow and extremely cold.  The kind of weather where you spend the weekend in your favorite pair of sweats and your warmest pair of slippers with your knitting projects all snuggled in around you!

January 2007

January 27, 2007

Since my guys went to a long bow seminar today, I had the opportunity to spend most of today at mom's knitting.  I took the "girls" with me, and with mom's 2 "girls" it was quite a house full.  In between the dogs bouncing off the walls and running outside to potty every 5 minutes, I did manage to make a little progress on my hubby's 2nd gauntlet.  I also took some photos of mom's completed socks - they turned out great.

Striped Sock (top photo): 1 skein Fortissimacolori Sockacolor Color 011, knit on 3.0mm 12" circulars, pattern was based on the Basic Dress Sock pattern out of the book titled Lana Grossa Meilenweit Sock Yarn Pattern Booklet 3.

Variegated Sock (bottom photo): 2 skeins Patton's Kroy Socks Color 54555 knit on 3.25mm 12" circulars, pattern was based on the Thicker Sock pattern out of the book titled Not Just Socks by Sandi Rosner.

Dogs: Top photo L to R Tana, German Shorthair (mine), Cassy & Lizzy both Jack Russell Terriers (mom's), bottom photo Muzzy, Jack Russell Terrier (mine).

January 26, 2007

Here are a few photos of the Noro Aurora Scarf I just finished.  This scarf has probably taken me the longest to make of any scarf that I've ever made.  Why?  It's probably because of the size 7 needles, and it's a lighter weight yarn (I'm used to BIG needles and bulky yarn).  It took a little over 2 balls to complete.  The pattern is simple; random numbers of garter stitch rows with a drop stitch row thrown in whenever I felt like it.  To see what I'm talking about, click on one of the photos to view the detailed version.

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

Knitty friends are the best!!  My friend Jinann had recently made a beautiful Baby Alpaca DK Lace Scarf for her mom, and I commented on how beautiful it was and wanted to know what pattern she used, and the next thing I know the pattern appeared in my mailbox!  I owe you Jinann!

January 22, 2007

Mom and I attended our first Sock Knitters Club meeting today at Vintage Yarns in Lambertville.  We had a great time and met some wonderful gals, including Paula our group instructor - boy she knows her socks! 

I was a little jealous being the "newbie" amongst all those veteran sock knitters.  I think I was the only one that didn't have on a beautiful pair of hand knit socks.  However, I plan on fitting right in at the February meeting by sporting a brand new pair of my own.

I've added a Free Sock Patterns page to the web site for the gals in our group and for all you other addicted sock junkies out there.  Happy Sock Surfing!

January 19, 2007

Well I managed to finish up the gauntlets just in time to have to wear them to bed last night!  I knew I smelled propane yesterday, but wasn't really sure until my hubby came in the house to confirm that we had a gas leak.  Rather than risk the house blowing up while we slept, we turned off the furnace on one of the coldest nights of the year (18 degrees and blowing snow).  It was a 2 dog, 2 gauntlet night!  Thank God I knit, because I think I had on every knitted item I've ever made.  It wasn't too bad though, the house only got down to 60 degrees by morning, which in some parts of the world is a "heat wave".  In the morning we decided to play Russian Roulette and turned the furnace back on to heat the house back up to 72 and then off again until the repair man came to fix the leak in the afternoon.  I swear, the next house is going to be "off the grid" people.  The power company will be buying power from us!

I'm not going to post yet another photo of the gauntlets, the finished one looks just like the first one below.  Besides, I'm in dire need of getting my nails done - boy do they look bad - so no photos.

WIP's:  remember the OOLaLa yarn I purchased at Knit's-N-Knacks in Jonesville?  Well I've started a simple garter/drop stitch scarf.  And when I say simple, I mean very simple.  I am knitting random numbers of garter rows then throwing in a row where I wrap the yarn once in between each knit stitch, then drop the wrap on the next knit row.  Even though it's simple, I think it's beautiful.  However, I am probably going to need another ball (or two) of yarn to make it as long as I want.  I like long scarves that I can throw around my neck a couple of times and still have the tails hang half way down the front of me.

What else is on the sticks?  Nothing else yet.  I searched yesterday for a sock pattern for our Sock Club on Monday.  I found a zillion of them, but to my dismay they all called for a size #1 needle, which I do not have.  The smallest I have is a #2.  Rather than trying to fudge the gauge (I'm tired), I just ordered a set of size 1 (12") circulars from Knit Witts.  They shipped out yesterday, I hope they are here by tomorrow so I can start a sock this weekend.  I have some super beautiful, super soft Mountain Colors "Bearfoot" yarn that's just begging to be made into a pair of socks.

January 18th, 2007

What do you do when you knit a pair of gauntlets, making-up and writing down the pattern as you go, and you notice that when they're all done you have one thumb longer than the other?! 

Cut the yarn, say a prayer and give it a YANK! 
Oh what a MESS!!

I can't flipping believe I did this!  I was so mad!!  Apparently when writing down the pattern for the first gauntlet, I decided that 6 rows of ribbing wasn't enough on the thumb and knit 2 additional rows without writing it down.  Then I proceeded to make the second gauntlet per my "written" instructions.

Oh, how I miss my felting!  If this was the same mistake in a felting project I would have felted it right in and no one would have been the wiser!

January 16th, 2007

The Ice Storm Cometh!  As much as I do not like ice storms (I would much rather have snow), it was very beautiful the next day when the sun came out.  Everything was covered in ice and glistened like diamonds, it was rather breathtaking.  I took a couple of photos, but you would have needed to see it in person to be able to really grasp the beauty.

One down and one to go.  I'm finished with the first gauntlet, and I'm half way through the 2nd one.  I can't wait to get them finished, because I have orders for 2 more pairs right after these, not to mention the socks that I need to get started for our Sock Group on Monday.  I'm not going to post the gauntlet pattern until I get it fixed.  I did the thumb connection wrong.  It turned out ok because I made it work, but it's not the way it should be.  The pattern is very simple, but you can make it fancier by maybe adding some cables or doing the entire hand section in a fancy stitch pattern.  The yarn is Interlacements Tiny Toes - Color 403.  They were made on size US #2 double points for the 4" cuff and then I switched to a 12" 3.0mm set of circulars for the body of the gauntlet.  I can knit much faster in the round on the circulars than the double points (even though they are very tiny).

January 14th, 2007

It's Sunday and I was supposed to be over at mom's knitting with her, but instead we had an ice storm and I'm sitting here knitting and surfing for sock patterns.  High speed internet is not offered in my area, and I'm stuck with having to surf the net at a measly 24 kbps when the rest of the world surfs in megabytes!!  Hence the Knit-n-Surf technique, I click on a link, then grab the project I'm working on and knock off a couple of rows before the page is completely pulled up.  It works!  I get the sock patterns I want and my project gains inches in the process.

I'm still working on the modified mock braid stitch scarf (below).  I should have that done soon along with one of my gauntlets, which only had a couple of rows of ribbing and the thumb to go.  I will start the other gauntlet tonight.  My knitting has been slowing down a little lately because of tax season, so my postings have been a little sparse lately. 

After yesterdays little meeting fiasco (no one showed up - but mom and I had a lot of fun), we have decided to join a sock group at one of the knitty shops.  It will be fun, we will meet with other sock knitters one Monday afternoon a month for the next 4 months and swap patterns, chat, and of course knit socks!  I wished someone would have warned me about this sock thing being so addicting.  I don't know what it is about them, but you just want to make a billion of them in a zillion different colors and patterns. It's like climbing Mt. Everest or something, you just have to conquer it.   "She who dies with the most knitted socks wins"!

January 7th, 2007

What a wonderful package from my Secret Knitty Pal! This yarn is definitely going to make a very nice "silky" mobius scarf.  Thank you SKP!!  I will post a photo and the pattern when it's finished.

Sunday, January 7th, 2007

I just joined The Knitting Guild of America (TKGA) and I'm going to make an attempt at the Master Hand Knitter program.  I don't claim to even be a good knitter, but I figured that the program would make me buckle down and be more conscious of my projects, my knitting techniques, learn new skills, etc.  My guess is that it will take me 3 years to complete the 3 level program. 

A lot of the times I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep for a couple of hours, so I pass the time by practicing different stitch patterns out of a book called "The Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns" published by Sterling Publishing Co., NY.  I also use patterns out of the 365 Knitting Stitches A Year perpetual calendar. 

The other night I came across a very easy and pretty mock braid pattern that I modified.  I like my modified version much better than the one in the book.  As you can see I started a scarf, but this stitch would be great for anything that you want to lie flat like table place mats, a table runner, etc.  It needs very little blocking if any at all, and it looks like rows of braids or a herringbone stitch when worked up.  My scarf is made on size 10 1/2 needles using a bulky self-striping Italian yarn called Di.Ve Teseo imported by Cascade Yarns.

Modified Mock Braid Stitch Pattern
(worked in an even number of stitches)

With needle size and material of your choosing, cast on an even number of stitches (as many as desired for your project).

Row 1 and all odd rows (right side): K1, *slip 1, K1, yarn over, pass the slip stitch over both the Knit stitch & yarn-over and drop it* repeat from * to * ending with one Knit stitch.

Row 2 and all even rows (wrong side): purl

Here is the "indoor" gauntlet I'm working on.  Like I said, I ripped it back at least 3 times this afternoon, and I will probably rip it back another time or two before it's all said and done.  If it were any other project, I would have given up on it by now and tried something else, but for some reason I feel driven to make this work!  I just love the yarn, and yes those are tiny #2  - 12" circulars (click on the photo to view the large version).  The yarn is Interlacements Tiny Toes - Color 403.

Here is a photo of my first pair of gauntlets and my first attempt at cabling (click on small photo to view larger version).  I'm sure glad I'm not submitting these to a TKGA committee for a critique!  There are quite a few mistakes in them.  I didn't count rows, I just held them up to each other as I knit to see if they were even (talk about knitting by the seat of your pants! - LOL).  The cabling is hard to see in the photo since they are out of Noro Kureyon which is thick and thin and bulky and not really conducive for cabling, but you know me, I love Noro, and will attempt to make anything out of it.  These are heavy and very warm and will be outdoor gauntlets only.  I am working on another pair out of some sock yarn that I can wear indoors.  I have already ripped them back 3 times today!  I'll get them right someday. I'm sort of writing my own pattern as I go along - that's why I've ripped them back so much.  Oh, for all you sock & glove knitters - if you hate knitting on double points, you may want to try some 12" circular Turbos.  I bought a pair of size 2's yesterday and they have made a world of difference in how fast I can knit.  I have also noticed that my stitches are very neat and uniform.  They did take a little getting used to because they're so small.  The only thing I will be using double points for from now on is closing up toes and working on fingers.

Saturday, January 6th, 2007

What's on the sticks this weekend?  2 pairs of gauntlets!  I found a freebie pattern on the net, so I decided to teach myself how to make gauntlets and do cabling all at the same time.  Both of which I've never done before.  Yes, that's right, I haven't done a lot of things - I was always too busy knitting and shrinking things - LOL LOL!  Look for a photo of my first completed pair tomorrow.  The second pair is going to take longer.  I'm making it out of some beautiful hand dyed sock yarn that I found at my local knitty shop - Clinton Woolen Mill.  I'm making them on a size 2 (also a first for me), and it seems to be taking forever!  I hope to have at least one of them done by tomorrow night, if I do, I will post a photo of just the one gauntlet.

OOLaLa!

I must be a packrat or something (and yes there really is such a thing as a packrat - they are very large rodents who love to gather up and stash away shiny things like tin foil, etc. - we had one living behind our hot tub).  Anyhow, I just couldn't resist stashing away a couple balls of the "shiny stuff" myself!  If you click on the photo and view the larger version you may be able to see a little of the glitz I'm talking about.  Both yarns have beautiful foil accents in them.  The blue/green is Aurora by Noro - color #3 and the purple/pink is Katia Chic Print - color #5802.  When I win the lottery I will buy enough to make a garment out of one of them!  But for now I had to settle on 2 balls each, so look for a couple of scarves in the near future.

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007

Here is the photo I promised of the sweaters my mom made for my nieces for Christmas.  She started them the first week in December and finished them the Friday before Christmas!  As if that isn't amazing enough, my mom has advanced rheumatoid arthritis and her hands are crippled, but she still manages to make those sticks fly!

Winter 2006
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Sunday, December 31st

Here's my New Year's Eve project - Fuzzy Ankle High Slipper Socks.  I wanted a pair of warm and cozy slipper-socks and I couldn't find a pattern that had everything I wanted, so I made one up. The pattern is in my size (women's size 10), but I'm sure that if you played with your needle size and yarn weight you could make them smaller.  I'm not a sock knitter, as a matter of fact this is only my 2nd pair of non-felted socks ever, so please forgive (and correct) any mistakes there may be in the pattern.

Friday, December 29th

I just couldn't wait to get this scarf done and my husband couldn't wait to get a photo.  So here I am modeling the scarf.  The photo on the right is a better photo of the scarf without my mug in the middle of it!  I bought the yarn yesterday at Knits-n-Knacks and it goes perfect with a beautiful wool jacket that my son and husband gave me last Christmas.  I used a pair of size 15 double points and with 2 strands of the Mohair Loop held together; cast on 8 stitches and knit every row until I was happy with the length. Finished dimensions are 4" wide X 80" long.  You can't see it on the label because it's on the back, but the color of the yarn is #10 Lot 108.

What's next?  Well I think I will attempt a pair of non-felted slipper socks (or bed socks) like the one's my friend Jinann made for her daughter.  I found the pattern at a local Knitty shop last week and I wanted to give them a try.  I hope to have them done this weekend.  As always I will post photos when they are finished.

Disappointing moment:  I had made an attempt at my very first pair of non-felted socks and absolutely did not like the way the toe turned out (hubby and son say it looks fine).  The sock portion turned out ok, but the toe came out pointed and not rounded.  I followed the pattern exactly, so I'm not really sure what the problem is (could be I'm knitting to tight??).  I may rip back the toe and make adjustments on the decreases so it looks a little better.  If it turns out, I will make the mate, and if it doesn't, then the sock gets recycled into something that I can throw in to the washer and shrink!! LOL Ahhh, felting I just love it - there is no way you can goof up something that is knit and felted!!  The sock pattern is the "Starter Stockinette" out of the book Knit Socks! by Betsy Lee McCarthy.  I used Cascade 220 wool.

Thursday, December 28th

My son and his fiancé were out-and-about yesterday and on their way home they passed by a store front in Jonesville, MI that said Knits-n-Knacks.  They said it looked like a "nice one", and that we should check it out.  My son didn't even get the last words out of his mouth, before I was on the phone with mom making arrangements to check it out.

When we first walked in it was hard to see all that was there, but once we started looking around there was yarn everywhere!  Tucked in antique open faced cupboards, in baskets, shelving displays, hanging displays, etc.  Every time we turned around there was another display or basket of beautiful yarn!  Needless to say, we were both like kids in a candy shop.  I'm sure the way we were yelling at each other across the store "did you see this", "did you see that" was probably a little disturbing, but we didn't care we were in Yarn Nirvana! 

I can't begin to list everything that they carry, so stop by their store
Knits-n-Knacks
Lola Snell, Owner
216 E. Chicago St.
Jonesville, MI 49250
(517) 849-7838
or check out their on-line store - they ship nationwide.

Oh!  And for all you Noro fans (like me), this is the place for you.  If I were to guess, this shop probably carries every line of yarn that Noro makes.  So if you think Kureyon and Silk Garden were it, then check out Aurora and others by Noro, they will blow your mind!

Tuesday, December 19th

When I first started knitting, like most beginners, garter stitch and stockinette stitch scarves were all I made, and I cranked them out by the dozens.  Now that I'm a little more experienced I like to dive into some of the fun stitch patterns like the Ripple Pattern below.  The picture does not do the pattern justice, it's much nicer in person.  This pattern is perfect for beginners, my only suggestion is that you completely finish the row you are working on before setting it down.  For this scarf I'm using Trendsetter Yarns Pandora Shadow color 1775.  It's soft and stunning and it self-stripes with different textures of yarns all in one ball.  However you can use any yarn you wish for the pattern below.

Ripple Stitch Pattern (multiple of 8 + 6)
On size 9 or 10 needles (or needle size of your choice) Cast on 22 stitches and work the following rows for your pattern.

Row 1: (right side) K6, *P2, K6; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2: K1, *P4, K4; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, P4, K1.
Row 3: P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 4: P1, *K4, P4; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, K4, P1.
Row 5: K2, *P2, K6; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, P2, K2.
Row 6: P6, *K2, P6; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 7: P1, *K4, P4; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, K4, P1.
Row 8: K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 9: K1, *P4, K4; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, P4, K1.
Row 10: P2, *K2, P6; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, K2, P2.
Repeat these 10 rows until your scarf reaches the desired length and cast off.

Monday, December 18th

Well I would consider this project a semi-flop (my hubby says they look great) I used Lion Brand Landscapes (color 273 Spring Desert) on the soles and trim, and Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride Bulky (color M-47 Tahiti Teal) on the tops.  I would not use the Lion Brand Landscapes again just because it didn't felt up quite as tight as the Lamb's Pride which made the bottoms bow a little.  The narrow sole version of this pattern is very narrow.  You have to have pretty skinny feet in order to wear these, otherwise, I would suggest making the wider sole version.  I'm going to attempt a new pair using 100% wool yarns and the wide sole version.  I would rate this pattern "intermediate".  There is a lot of counting and shaping involved and I would not recommend setting down your work in the middle of a row - it would be very easy to lose track of where you were within the row.

 
I just had to include a photo of my yarn stash keeper Emmy.  She was keeping watch over the yarn balls on this project to make sure they didn't go anywhere.

Sunday, December 17th

What's on the sticks today?  A pair of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs.  I'm making the new pattern with the narrower sole, and I'm experimenting again with yarns (Lion Brand Landscapes on the soles and BS Lamb's Pride Bulky on the tops).  They are either going to turn out very cool, or not turn out at all and cost me $$$.  I hope to have them felted and a photo on the site later today.  Check back to see if they are a success or a flop.

Saturday, December 16th

Well the binocular bag just didn't felt up right, the dimensions were off.  So it's back to the drawing board.  I think this time I will use Brown Sheep's Nature's Spun worsted weight instead of Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride like I did for this one.  Nature's Spun will give me a little softer more pliable fabric.  The Lambs pride felted into concrete and is way too stiff!  I also have to re-work my dimensions.  The bag was knit on size 10 1/2 needles.

My pre-felted bag was 4 1/2" taller, 4" wider & 2 inches deeper than the actual binocular dimensions. 

After felting the bag was a little to wide; a little to short and the depth was just about right.  My guess is that I will have to knit the next bag 12" tall X 6" wide X 4" deep.

Wednesday, December 13th

Ok enough goofing around with these hats, I have procrastinated long enough and now it's time I design my hubby's binocular pouch.  I have been putting it off because I wasn't sure how to go at it, but now I have a vision in my head and will try to get it done tonight.  I will be sure to post a photo and the pattern (which will be extremely easy) when I get it done.

I needed a form to block my hats and found this inexpensive styrofoam head at my local beauty supply store.  However, the circumference of the head was too small.  My head measures 21 3/4".  So I bought some of the cotton bands that they use in the beauty shop to put around your neck before putting on the cape.  I wrapped it around the head until it measured 21 3/4" then put an elastic headband (which I also found at the beauty supply store) around the cotton to hold it on.  Now all I have to do is knit and felt a hat to see if it really works!

All total I spent $15.76

Tuesday, December 12th

Secret Knitty Pal Swap

REMINDER to all the participants in the Secret Knitty Pal Swap:  Your packages are due to your Secret Knitty Pal on or before December 31st.  You can send anything you like as long as there is something in the package that relates to knitting.  The next Secret Knitty Pal Swap deadline is March 31st, 2007.

Monday, December 11th

What do you do when you can't sleep and have extra Noro laying around?  Crochet a hat!  I'm NOT a crotcheter by any means.  I improvised everywhere I could to try to make it look right and it still didn't come out the way I wanted it to.  Oh well, it looks too good to tear out and it's too small for me, so mom is getting a new hat!  I'm going to attempt another one only larger for my big head - LOL.

Also, I couldn't resist showing off mom's beautiful Noro sweater.  It's stunning!

Wednesday, December 6th

I have my son's possibles bag complete.  I was amazed at how much the bag shrank down.  It was huge before it went in the washer and shrank way more height wise than width wise - I wasn't expecting that much height shrinkage.  That just goes to show that different wools shrink down different.  Click on the photo for the pattern.

Currently I'm working on my poinsettia's (yes, I did sneak a few in before my husbands binocular bag).  I am off to the yarn shop to pick up some green wool for the leaves.  I didn't have anything in my stash, so Marge if you're reading this, pull me some green wool :)

The pattern calls for cascade 220 wool in red for the poinsettias and a size 9 needle, however, I'm making mine out of Galway Chunky in red on 10.5 and 11 needles.  The pattern has 3 sizes; mini, small and large.  I really like the way the large ones are turning out, however the small one lost it's points when I felted it, so I won't be doing many more of those unless I can figure out how to keep the points.  I don't have a photo yet, but I will be sure to post some toward the end of this week or this weekend.  My goal is to felt up enough of them to make a wreath or a door swag. 

If anyone is looking for a small quick "take along" project Carol Bristols Poinsettia Pattern would be a good one.

Monday, December 4th

Tip:  If you find that you are binding (casting) off your work too tightly, switch your bind off needle to one that is one size larger than what you used to knit your project with.  For instance in the photo below, I used a size 11 needle for this project and found that I was binding off too tight and the project was pulling at the bind off edge, so I switched to a size 13 double point as my bind off needle and the edge looks much better.  Note: This is a felted project, however, you still do not want to bind off too tight, unless your pattern calls for it.

Sunday, December 3rd

They are finally finished!  I'm sure everyone is getting tired of me blogging about these slipper-socks by now.  I am very pleased with the way they turned out.  I did not really want to do the striping on them, but I didn't have enough of the mallard green to complete the project, so in went the aubergine stripes.  They are extremely warm and he really likes them, so much so, he wears them every waking and non-waking moment he's in the house.  He even wore them to bed last night!  His next request is a felted protective case for his binoculars, but that will have to wait until I get my son's possibles bag done this week.  Then my son wants a pair of these slipper-socks.  I'm beginning to think I'm never going to get to the poinsettias!

Yesterday was our first official Knitty Chick Meetup Group.  Since there were only the 3 of us, we met at mom's house instead of the library.  We had a lot of fun knitting & talking and mom made us a fantastic South Beach lunch (here are the recipes: Turkey Salad - Cannellini Bean Salad - Creamy Cauliflower Soup).

Mom worked on a top-down sweater that she started for my niece this past week.  She has the body almost complete, with 3/4 of the sleeves left to go.  She should have it done next week.  I have 2 nieces who are sisters so she has to get another one done before Christmas.  She will be knitting like a fiend right up until the last minute.  Go mom go!

I worked on those darn cuffs for my hubby's slipper-socks.  I was working a k2 p2 ribbing on size 6 double points for 8" on each cuff.  It seemed to take forever!  I finally got them done and sewn on last night.

Aunt Judy worked on quite a few I-cord purse handles that she needed to finish up for some felted purse orders for Christmas gifts.  She also started a scarf.  Someone is getting a very beautiful blue scarf for Christmas!

The next Knitty Chick Meetup Group is scheduled for Saturday, January 13th from 12 - 4 p.m. at the Tecumseh District Library.  If you are in the area we would love to have you join us (all skill levels welcome)!  Click here for details.

Friday, December 1st

I just received my patterns from Carol Bristol Designs and I'm geeked!  I am going to make the felted poinsettia's first, they are beautiful and I think I can fit them in before Christmas.  Click here to go to Carol's web site to view and/or purchase her fantastic patterns (I have them all!).

Monday, November 27th

What's on the sticks this week?  Well, I've managed to start a pair of felted slipper socks for my hubby.  I'm almost finished with the first one.  I started them on 10.5 double points then switched to 16" circulars and I'm moving along much faster now.  To tell you the truth, I didn't think I could handle such small circulars, but I was surprised.  Mom also showed me a knitting technique using 2 sets of circulars for knitting in the round, it's a lot of fun and much easier than trying to handle 4 double point needles click here for a tutorial.  The slippers are out of 10 ply wool pak that I had in my yarn stash; colors are mallard and aubergine.  The stripes are random.  The bottom portion of the slipper is felted and there is a non-felted knit cuff that is sewn on afterward.  The pattern is the same freebie pattern that I made my Noro slipper socks out of below, only I am making his on larger needles and of course longer for his foot size.

I've also started a "possibles" bag for my son's muzzle loading items.  He was very specific on what he wanted, but I don't think I ordered enough yarn.  He picked out some beautiful merino wool that is the softest stuff I've ever knit with.  It was a little pricy, but it was the only wool that had the "camo" or "woodsy" type colors that he liked.  I will probably have to break down and order 2 or 3 more balls from www.YarnMarket.com just to be able to finish it up.  He wants it before this weekend, and I don't think that's going to happen.  Everything is in German on the label, but the color number is 580.

Fall 2006
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Week of November 20th

Besides the Noro Slipper socks, I did manage to get in a few more projects during the Thanksgiving holiday.  I recently purchased the Fiber Trends Family Classic Felt Slipper pattern AC-15 at my local knitty shop.  They had the small pair made up and they looked so cute, I couldn't resist.  So here are my two attempts.  I am strongly considering either needle felting on them or doing some fancy beading around the top edge.  I haven't decided yet.  If I do, I will certainly post photos here.

For the sole and trim on the teal pair I used Brown Sheep Nature's Spun color N78W Turquoise Wonder.  And for the main color I used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride color M-190 Jaded Dreams.

For the sole and trim on the Navy/Green pair I used Plymouth Yarns Galway color #127.  And for the main color I used Plymouth Yarns Galway color #10.

All yarns are worsted weight wool and the pattern calls for 2 strands held together throughout.

I followed the pattern directions exactly for the teal slippers women's size large.  After only one time through the wash cycle they came out a child's size medium.  So I altered the pattern a little to make the navy ones larger.  I made them slightly larger than what the man's large size called for, and knit them in the round instead of sewing them together like the pattern specified.  I like them much better, they are comfortable and roomy enough that I can wear socks with them (I wear a women's size 10 shoe).  And talk about warm!  If you are looking for something durable and warm, this is the pattern for you.  You can purchase the pattern at most knitting shops and on the internet from Purple Kitty Yarns $4.50 - Mielke's Fiber Arts $5.00 - Paradise Fibers $5.00 plus many more on-line shops.

Finally a photo of my finished Noro Slipper Socks KnitPicks Free Slipper Sock Pattern.  I love them!  They are soft and extremely warm.  Now my hubby wants a pair, so I have to figure out how to enlarge the pattern to fit his size 12 foot!

It's the day after Thanksgiving and while everyone else is waiting in line at 6 a.m. to get the latest gadget for a bargain, mom and I are hitting the knitty shops!  Mom has promised my nieces each a sweater with their favorite colors and if she's going to get them done before Christmas she needed to start them yesterday! 

I hope everyone else survived the great Stuffing Day!  We had a fantastic time at mom and dads eating, knitting (mom and I) and of course watching the Detroit Lion's get beat - the holiday wouldn't be a holiday without the Lion's getting tromped on.  I do have to say that I've never seen more loyal fans in my life than the Lion's fans!

Well, have to close for now.  I have to check to see which knitty shops are open and which ones are closed.