Why I like to knit socks....

I'm entering the contest that Christine is organizing at her Pointy Sticks site. She wants to know what we think about knitting socks and anything related to that.

Why I love to knit socks: I love to knit socks because they are a small enough project that it doesn't take me a long, long time to completed. I also like socks because they can sometimes be almost as complex as some sweater designs I've seen. They are small and portable which makes them great to throw into my purse.

What sock yarn or patterns I love: I like many sock patterns from Knitty. I'm working on a pair of Monkey socks now. And there are the Diamante socks which I'd like to get to this year as well. I really love the patterns in Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks book.

I've been knitting with different sock yarns lately to add to my favorites. My favorite sock yarn is Lorna's Laces. The Monkey socks are being knit with Claudia Hand Painted Yarn and it is very nice too! Ranks up there closely to the Lorna's Laces. I have some other yarns which I've purchased to try out soon.

My favorite sock method is doing two socks on two circulars. I'd like to work it down to only Magic Loop one of these days, but for now, I enjoy two circulars much more than doing one sock in bamboo dpns. I have knit top down only on the dpns, so the Monkey socks will be the first pair top down on two circulars. I've knit one pair toe up on two circs and they were pretty fun. I won't discount that method of short row toes and short row heels....I'm just not sure I'd pick that method to do all the time.

I'll post some pictures of the Monkey socks soon as well as other WIP.

Okay...Panic Attack eased

I was in a panic. After thinking about it and emailing Basebal Knitter, I realized that I am doing Project Spectrum without realizing it. How's that for working out?

The new sock on the needles contains grey. The colors for Project Spectrum for February and March are blue, white and grey. So, new socks contain grey (and black) and the new cat bed that will soon be cast on is blue (with some green). I'm doing it and not even realizing it!

Pictures to come soon. :)

I need to stop and think....

I get all excited with all these PLANS, but then I start to feel enslaved. Enslavement in the name of Project Spectrum. I quit. :) I want to knit what color I want, when I want. I'm pretty organized and thought Project Spectrum would bring some organization to my knitting, but I've decided my new rule about knitting is THERE ARE NO RULES.

Gosh, I feel better!

Now on to knit things that make me happy.

I frogged a dishcloth today. It felt good! I was trying a cable...my first ever cable. It went nicely. I was about half way finished with the dishcloth and had the hang of the cable. Knitting the cloth was making me feel like I was burdened. So I frogged it. I was only doing it to learn the technique. I feel pretty good about it and now I won't be afraid of cables....at least not simple cables.

Like Zoomom, I'm putting the French Silk Socks from Vintage Sock Knitting aside. I was putting of knitting on them because I was not having fun. Now, I'm looking toward a new sock for the time being. I'll probably come back to the French socks next time....we'll see. I see to be ADDING to the UFOs instead of diminishing them...Oh, well, I have a year!

A way to achieve finishing those UFOs

I ran across this link from Pixie Purls podcast. I think it is a great way to help me work on those UFOs (Unfinished Objects). To be fair I only have a baby blanket, a pair of socks, and a hat to finish up....I think.

UFO Resurrection Challenge 2007
Because I clearly do not have enough to do...

A while back, I mentioned that I was going to try to pull out and work on or frog a UFO per month in 2007. People seemed interested, so I thought I'd officially open sign-ups.

The Rules
1. Each month in 2007, find a UFO (unfinished object). This makes a total of twelve (12) for the year. You do not need to have a list of all twelve at the beginning of the year - you can go month by month if you'd like. (I plan to.)
2. You have two options for that UFO:
a. Work on it. You don't have to finish it that month, if it's something big, but it must be added into your rotation of "active" projects. A token row or two does not count. ;-)
b. Frog it. If you don't want to work on it anymore, rip it out and move on.
3. Post on your blog each month (or comment if you don't have a blog) about the project you're resurrecting.
4. Everyone who finishes will be entered into a prize drawing. And even if you don't win anything, you'll have twelve fewer languishing projects making you feel guilty!

Dishcloth of the month

(Sorry it is kind of dark.)

These are nice projects to take around in my new knitting bag.

Look! Look! Look!

I'm so excited!







I've transferred my purse stuff over and now I'll just have to throw my knitting in there when I start to leave to go somewhere!

First completed project of 2007

I finished Popeye's cap tonight. I started it last night and got about half way finished, then had time to finish it up tonight.


I love this swirly design in the crown where I decreased.



The model was asleep so I had to pose.



Stats for the project include:

Pattern is Knit 'Shortie'.

Yarn is from my stash....Cascade 220 in Charcoal Gray.

Modifications: I made it a little longer by adding in about 3 extra rows before the decreases. I also did one extra row of decreases at the end leaving 4 stitches befoer I brought tail yarn through and sewed in the end. I did not change to the size 8 dpns, but knit it in size 7 circular until it was hard to knit, then changed to size 6 dpns.

I'll be using the same pattern for the caps for the boys. It will be longer on them, which is what they want.