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.

Knit from your Stash 2007 and my knitting goals

1. No more sock yarn purchases. Exceptions: yarn for Sweet Pea #1’s socks that I’ve promised him and if I wish to knit socks as a gift and don’t have appropriate color

2. I will knit each boy at least one pair of socks. If they take care of these, then I will knit them at least another pair.

3. I will knit each boy and Popeye a skull cap. Popeye’s head is getting cold at night, so he needs a cap. The hats I knit last year for the boys are fine, but they have decided they look like girls, so they want “boy” hats now.

4. I will knit two shawls. The yarn is just waiting for me to start knitting.

5. If I take a class at my local yarn store, then I will be allowed to purchase the yarn for that project, so I can be supportive of my local retailer.

6. I want to knit a sweater for myself and if that goes well, then I will allow myself the yarn for ONE other sweater. I MAY even knit a sweater for the Sweet Peas…..or maybe Popeye…the boys grow so fast and time is limited. At least dh will stay relatively the same size. Yarn purchases for this will be allowed since it is a “gift”.

7. I am allowed to buy yarn to knit items for gifts. I will first check my stash to see if there is anything that will work before buying.

8. I have much cotton yarn for dishcloths that I plan to knit with at least once per month.

9. I can buy yarn on out of town trips to not-so-local yarn stores. We don’t go out of town but a few times per year, so this won’t be excessive.

10. I will finish the UFOs that I have started (baby blanket for friend, Sideways socks for myself). I usually stay pretty monogamous to my projects, but I got bored with the blanket and procrastinated on the socks because they are difficult.)

It's raining yarn!

All of my current procurements are coming in at once!

First there was an order from Elann.



Both of these yarns will be shawls sometime in the new year. The cranberry/brownish yarn is Peruvian Baby Silk in Oxblood. The purple one is Peruvian Baby Cashmere in Mulled Grape.

Then there came a package from Angelika's Yarn Store



This is all Lorna's Laces and the colors are (left to right) Cranberry, Black Pearl, Pewter and Brick.

Lo, and behold, there came THE package. THIS is the surprise I had been waiting for from the Sundara Petals Collection.




Isn't that just like a perfect gift? All fancy with tissue paper, clear bags, and patterns on NICE heavyweight cardstock.



The flower is a Lenten Rose, also known by the Latin name for the genus, Helleborus, and is sometimes called Christmas Rose. They bloom in the depths of winter.

After my trip this weekend, of which I've previous shared my yarn purchases, I was greeted with this package. I will blame Baseball Knitter for this purchase since she linked me to a website with a nice sale going on. ;)




(Left to right) Lorna's Laces Pioneer, Chinablue, Mineshaft
J.Knits Hand-dyed Tampa and West Virginia

I think sock yarn shopping has now officially come to a halt (with one exception for Sweet Pea #1's sock yarn). I will ONLY buy more sock yarn in 2007 if I intend to make a pair of socks as a gift and I don't have a colorway I think that person will like.

I had intended to purchase the yarn for the sweater I want to knit this year before 2007, but I will give myself permission to buy that yarn when I get ready for the sweater. I'm afraid I may change my mind on the color when that time gets here. For now, I'm writing my knitting project list and will post it soon.

A Quaint Little Shop

I went out of town this weekend to visit my brother and his family. While Brother had my boys off snow sledding (they had a BALL), my sister-in-law and I went to one of her local yarn shops. Please take a minute to look around that website. I forgot to take my camera with me on our adventure and I really regretted it, BUT what you see on the website is what I saw today! I am in LOVE with this cute little store. The owner and her associate were very helpful and so nice!

Wanna see what I bought? You KNOW I couldn't go without buying something.....



This, my friends, starting on the top left going clockwise, is Fetz Dazzle for a shrug, 2 skeins of Koigu KPPPM for socks and yarn bras. Yep, you read that right...yarn bras....to "support" your yarn and keep it from falling apart as you use it.



More yarn and pictures coming soon.....

Purrrrrr.....

Can you hear this little cat as it walks up my legs?



The cat foot print socks are finally complete! I'm so proud though that it only took me about a month to do both socks while learning two new techniques!

Here is a closer shot (sorry it's dark) of the little footprints.



Specs: I used Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock in the Lucy colorway. I used two circular needles in size 1 from Knitpicks. These have a short row toe and heel using the method from Misocrafty's blog. I got the cat feet pattern from Wendy's Knits.

Next pair of socks are being swatched now. Can't wait to get started on them. New pix to come once I have more than a toe completed.

Binge.....and purge

*Disclaimer: This post is not making fun of the serious condition in which some people suffer.

I am following in the shoes of many in the blog-o-sphere. I will be going on a "yarn diet" this year and knitting from my stash. I have not solidified my rules as of yet, but I have a few in mind as you'll find out as you keep reading.

I have been binging on yarn the past few days and there is more on order. As of last count, I have enough sock yarn to make eighteen pair of socks. I have enough on order for 4 more pair. Sock yarn is my latest obsession. I will admit though that there is some yarn in my current stash which I will try to sell or end up giving away. I really don't care for some of it. It is not pleasant to knit with.

I have other yarn in my stash that is for a shawl and I have another order coming for two other shawls. I gave a feeble attempt to the first shawl, but I hope to practice on a slightly less difficult shawl when my order comes in, so that I will be able to tackle the harder pattern.

I will be knitting my boys at least one pair of socks this year. I will choose Lion Brand for these until I see how they treat those socks. I already have yarn for a pair for J#2, but I will purchase the skein needed for J#1's socks.

Other than that one purchase, I intend on not purchasing any more yarn after Jan 1. If I take a class at my local yarn store, then I will be allowed to purchase the yarn for that. I am even going to try to limit my sock yarn purchases, although I will allow myself to "fall off the wagon" twice. In the past, I have bought sock yarn just "willy nilly" with no thought as to the colors I normally wear. I have taken that into consideration during this latest yarn binge.

I mentioned joining the Sundara yarn club so I will have yarn for 3 other pair of socks to come in too. I can't wait to receive that package. My first surprise yarn and pattern should arrive next week.

I want to knit a sweater in 2007, so I will be placing an order for the yarn for that some time this next week. A nice friend is sending me samples of the yarn I'm thinking of using for the sweater. If this sweater goes well, then I will allow myself the yarn for ONE other sweater.

I am allowed to buy yarn to knit items for gifts. I will first check my stash to see if there is anything that will work before buying. I have much cotton yarn for dishcloths that I plan to knit with at least once per month. I joined a dishcloth knit-a-long where I received part of a pattern each day for 10 days. It was fun not knowing how it was going to turn out.

Pictures of my latest purchases



Are you curious? I like how this yarn was packaged.

(Sorry for such a blurry pic) Can you tell where I ordered this?



The Loopy Ewe

Here is what was inside:



From left to right: Fleece Artist 100% Merino in Ebony, Claudia Handpainted Merino in Ink, Cherry Tree Hill Merino in Northern Lights

This is what I bought today at my LYS.



These are all Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarns. Listed from top to bottom: Aslan, Tuscany, Denim

Another shot of the Aslan...I love the subtle shades in this yarn. It screams soft and lacy to me, so that is what it shall be...Stay tuned for future pictures of this yarn.



One last exception to the rules will be if I am gifted any yarn or gift certificates for yarn.

One of my goals for 2007 is to finish any UFOs (Un Finished Objects). I know that that isn't how it goes for most knitters, but it really bothers me knowing I have these unfinished projects. They hang over me and linger in the back of my mind calling to me! Luckily, I only have two or three of these. These may be my spring projects since I don't wear many socks during the summer here, so I can finish the UFOs, then get back to working on socks for the Fall.

Do you have any knitting goals for the new year?

Heels! I have heels!

Here is a picture of my first short row heels. (Sorry it is sort of blurry.) I think I sort of like doing these this way. Zoomom said she is going to play around with a toe-up heel flap. Once I try that, I'll decide which heel I like best. I'd like to try Eye of Partridge heel sometime too.

By popular demand....a WIP

I think I like doing two socks at once. It really doesn't feel like it is taking me much longer than doing one at a time. I guess if I put them together, I'd have one finished sock, but I think I REALLY will like having a pair when I'm done. I'm catch that Second Sock Syndrome pretty easily!

I have another couple of inches to get done before ZooMom and I start working on the short row heel. I better get cracking since we will do that this afternoon!

Alert the media!

Socks are FINISHED! And I'll be wearing them tomorrow. Can't wait to show them off.

Also here is the first toe to my first pair of toe-up socks. This is what Zoomom and I have been wroking on. We are doing a short row toe....I like it ok, but it sure it tedious. I think I'll try a different cast on for the toe next time....just to see if I like it any better.

We're Crazy!

Zoomom and I started our new sock knitting project Tues night. This is going to be FUN! I'm using the tan, brown and blue Socks That Rock down below. We're going to get together again tomorrow and work more on the toe. We are doing toe up, short row heels, two socks on two circulars with patterns. Gluttons for punishment, we are! Oh, but it is so much FUN!!! I'll post pictures of the sock in progress soon.

The other sock which was started for my friend, but shall remain mine is close to completion. I'll post a picture of that pair in a few days.

Wish us luck!

New yarn acquisition and project on the horizon

Yesterday I exchanged a skein of Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton and a skein of Cascade Fixation for this.



"This" would be Lorna's Laces Safari (on the left) and Lorna's Laces Jeans (on the right). I will admit though that the cost of the cotton and the fixation only bought me ONE skein of Lorna's, but I couldn't resist. Now to find a pattern to go with them.

The new sock project I will be starting on Tuesday with Zoomom will be using this yarn...Socks That Rock in the Lucy colorway.

Ribbit, Ribbit

That is what is happening on sock #2. No, I'm not making the deadline for my friend's birthday. And even though I THOUGHT I followed the directions, it will be too long for her foot. BUT....it fits mine. ;) So, I'll be working backwards for another row or so and then maybe some forward progress.

The Second Sock....SYNDROME

Has hit! I haven't talked about the second sock because it is about halfway finished. But I'm having a hard time picking it up. I want to finish by Wed and I think I can manage that. I have all day today while dh is working, the new Pride and Prejudice movie, and a nice comfy bed. I'll also have about 2 hours on Tuesday morning if I need it.

Thanks for asking about it!

One is done

The first sock for my friend's birthday is complete!



I'm very happy with the toe and then again I'm NOT happy with the toe. I'm not sure how to keep it from being sort of pointy where the first and last stitches are located at the beginning and end of the grafting. I am happy that my Kitchener stitch looks great though!