Carefree Holiday or Not KAL

Dr Laura is hosting Carefree Holiday or Not KAL. You can knit anything socks, scarves, hats, etc. To be entered in to the prize drawings, you must knit a minimum of 100 yards. If your knit item is 600 yards of yarn then you'll be entered 6x into the drawing. Here's the rules:

• 1. KAL starts on October 1, 2008 and ends November 30, 2008. All finished projects must be posted by Midnight, November 30th to qualify for the final drawing. Items started before October 1 do not qualify for the KAL.
• 2. You will receive one entry for every 100 yards used in your item. Please use a minimum of 100 yards. You may knit a set if items. (For example, a pair of baby socks uses 50 yds of yarn. You will need to knit 2 pairs to qualify for one entry.)
• 3. Must post photo of project in progress to blog.
• 4. Must post photo of finished project to blog. Please post how many yards of yarn needed for project. (need this info so you can be given the correct number of entries for your project.) If a set of items is required ( see rule #2), please show all items in ONE post for credit.
• 5. Limit of one prize per person. We want to spread the wealth. The winner of the sign-up drawing will be exempt from this rule and will be allowed to win one more prize.
• 6. Special Prize for projects knit with Crystal Palace Yarn. Winner will be decided by blog participants who will vote for their favorite project at the end of the KAL.
• 7. Winners will be selected by Susan of CPY, using a random number generator.
• 8. Have fun! This is a Carefree, Stress-free, Holiday or Not KAL. It doesn't even have to be gift knitting. We won't tell.
• Remember to post your name as listed in the sidebar so you can receive credit for your project.

My Holiday or Not knitting plans are:

1. Kinetic Scarf(from knitty.com) for my dad I'm thinking about using Plymouth Encore Blues

2. Irish Hiking Scarf for my lil brother Plymouth Encore Green

3. Harvest Socks(from the Socknitters files) for my older brother Dream in Color Smooshy November Muse

4. Monkey Socks for my SIL Either Dream in Color Smooshy Midnight Derby or Ruby River

5. Garter Rib Socks for Nephew #3 CTH Supersock Navy

6. Thuja Socks for Nephew #2 CTH Supersock Navy

7. Pink Socks for my Scrabble buddy's wife Dream in Color Smooshy Cool Fire

8. Deep Forest Socks for my uncle I'm thinking about Fearless Fibers Deepest Forest

9. Illumination Scarf for aunt #1 Lane Borgosesia Cashwool Ecru.... If you ever have Grace of Lovin Comfort Knits you have to have to buy her this yarn.... its a wool blend that soft like cashmere and shiny like silk but with out the cashmere/silk price

10. Illumination Scarf for aunt #2 Lane Borgosesia Cashwool Ecru

11. Maelstrom Socks for myself if I can find Dream in Color Butter Peeps I'll use it

Come on over and knit with us :)

Summer Knitting Goals 2008

Skeins Her Way is having a contest and is asking for summer goals. I tried make reasonable goals and include some of my WIPS....

1. Participate in the Summer of Socks

2. Knit myself a pair of socks: Muscari Socks from knitty.com

3. Get started knitting my Christmas sock gifts for my brother's family
a. My oldest nephew's socks(US size 14 feet)
b. My SIL socks

4. Finish the Adamas Shawl for my aunt...it's now a Christmas gift

5. Finish the Mystic Light Shawl for my SIL

6. Knit myself another pair of socks: Nancy Bush's Conwy Socks

FO: PICHOLINE SOCKS













I finished my Dad's Father's Day Gift, aka the Picholine Socks. My Dad is going thru a rough time right now healthwise so I wanted to make him a pair of socks that were extra special. The picholine is a type of olive. Olives symbolize peace, health and hope. The Picholine Socks are my way of giving him health and hope.

pattern: My own... a simple k3p3 ribbing
yarn: Fearless Fibers' superwash sock yarn in Contemplation colorway
needles: US1
gauge: 9spi
size: 12 wide
start: June 2
finish: June 13

One last thing:

The yarn I'm giving away in my blogiversary contest/drawing is Dream in Color Smooshy in Visual Purple colorway. I bought a skein of it for myself too.

Quickie Sock Update: Picholine Sock #1 Done

I'm done with my Dad's first sock. The contrasting yarn that looks like fringe is there to help me count how many rows I have. The top down sock design is very basic. The cuff is k1p1. The leg and foot pattern is k3p3. I wanted something that would be quick to knit. The yarn is Fearless Fibers superwash sock in the Contemplation colorway. Its olive green with gray and a few shades of blue thrown in. Well I need to get dressed for work now. I hope everyone who's off has a good weekend. Take care :-)

FO: ANURA SOCKS

YAY!!!! I've finished the Anura Socks. They're my last pair socks I committed to knitting in Pay It Forward. They are for Frogalot, a very giving and terrific person. I hope she likes them.








pattern: Lace Rib from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks
yarn: Fearless Fibers' Superwash Sock in the Spellbound colorway
needles: US 1 Addi turo circs(2)
gauge: 9 spi
size: US 7 1/2
modifications: I used a stockinette stitch heel flap
start: May 21, 2008
finish: June 2, 2008

FO: Pay It Forward




At last my PIF commitment is over. I'll be mailing the socks plus a sock blocker keychain next when I finish my Dad's Father's Day present aka Picholine Socks. I have 10 days to knit US size 12 wide mens socks. I'm rewatching BSG, Battlestar Galactica(reimaging series), as I do it.









Those of you who have been long time readers of my blog may have noticed the ticker below my header. I'm putting together a little something to thank my readers and celebrate my 1st blog anniversary. My blogiversary is June 25th. Check back in the coming weeks for more details.

Magic Looping

Here's my response to a call for help by a novice sock knitter on the Yahoo Socknitter Group. She wanted a generic sock pattern to her first pair of socks using magic loop. It helped me get my mind organized on how to do a toe down sock using magic loop. I want to use magic loop to make Nancy Bush's Conwy Socks (in Knitting on the Road) and Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern(in Knittin Vitage Socks). Of course I won't be able to knit socks until after I finish Frogalot's PIF socks and my Dad's Father's Day socks. Let me know what you think.

Magic Loop Generic Sock Pattern

Note: I used the following as references for the pattern and techniques:

1. www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques Amy’s videos on magic loop and heel/gusset of a sock.
2. www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips Amy’s video on Kitchener stitch
3. http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATsocks101.html Kathy Atherly’s Sock 101
4. Charlene Schurch’s Sensational Knitted Socks book

Cast on

The number of stitches you cast on depends on your gauge and foot circumference. Gauge = 8 sts per inch. Foot circ = 8 inches. So you cast on stitches are 8 x 8 = 64 stitches. Cast on 64 stitches(using a loose long tail cast on) and join the ends. Begin knitting using the magic loop technique. You should have 32 stitches along the 1^st half of the cable and 32 stitches along the 2^nd half of the cable. After knitting a couple of rounds of the cuff, place stitch marker to note the beginning of the round

Magic Loop

Using a circular needle that has a long, flexible cable(>= 40 inches), cast on the number of stitches you want to use to knit your sock. Example: 64 stitches. Move those stitches to the middle of the cable. Divide the stitches in half (32 + 32 = 64). Place a stitch marker between the 32 and 33 stitches. Pinch and pull the cable between those two stitches. Now you're ready to join the ends. Move the separated stitches back on the needles close the endpoints. Be careful to not to drop any stitches and twist the stitches. I join my ends by moving the first stitch to the opposite needle and moving the last stitch to the opposite needle. Now you're ready to knit the cuff.

Cuff

K2p2 for 12 rounds. Approximately 1 inch.

Leg

To make things easy we’ll do a stockinette stitch leg(all knit stitches)

Knit around until your sock measures (cuff plus leg) measures 6 or 7 inches total.

Heel Flap

Refer to Amy’s video(note the way I’m telling you to do the heel flap, heel turn and gusset are slightly different than Amy’s; no worries)

To make thing easier for you for your 1^st sock, rest the instep stitches in a stitch holder. You can keep the stitches on the cable but it may be confusing since this is your 1^st sock. It will be easier for you to pick up the instep stitches when decreasing the gusset if you use a plastic or metal stitch holder.

For simplicity sake, let’s consider the back of the sock that has the heel stitches the 32 stitches that you knit last; the part of the cable that has the last stitch you knit. The instep stitches(32) are the other side of the cable. You’ re making a stockinette heel with a German selvedge. The German selvedge is the slipped stitches at the edges of the row. With the instep stitches resting in a stitch holder, (1)turn your work, slip the 1^st stitch(the last one you knit) then purl to the end of the row. (2)Turn your work, slip the 1^st stitch then knit to the end of the row. Repeat 1 and 2 until you have 32 rows then turn your work. Remember you slipped the 1^st stitch(32 of them) of every row of the heel flap so when have to pick up and knit stitches along the selvedge you’ll only have 16 to do.

Heel Turn

You need to do this at one sitting. Its can be confusing if you put it down then pick it back up.

(1) Slip the 1^st stitch, purl 16 stitches then p2tog, purl 1 then turn your work(you’re creating a gap) look closely

(2) Slip the 1^st stitch, knit 3 stitches then ssk, knit 1 then turn your work(your creating a gap) look closely

(3) Slip the 1^st stitch, purl to the 1^st stitch before the gap, p2tog(the stitches before and after the gap), purl 1 then turn your work

(4) Slip the 1^st stitch knit to the 1^st stitch before the gap, ssk(the stitches before and after the gap), knit 1 then turn your work

Repeat 3 and 4 until all the stitches on needle have been worked. You should have 18 stitches left after knitting the heel flap

Gusset

The key to picking up and knitting the stitches along the selvedge(heel flap edges) is to count and identify them before you do it. Remember you made 32 rows for heel flap and slipped the 1^st stitch at the beginning of each row. That means you have 16 stitches to pick up. You’ll start magic looping again now. Ok, pick up and knit 16 stitches along the heel flap edge. There can be a hole at the top of the gusset so pick up and knit 2 stitches between the last heel flap edge stitch and the instep. Place a stitch marker. Knit the 1^st 16 stitches of the instep in pattern. You’re magic looping now so consider the 16 selvedge stitches, 2 extra stitches and 16 instep stitches along the first half of the cable. ( You’ll divide the heel turn stitches after you pick up the other side of the selvedge.) You’re magic looping now so we have to knit stitches on the 2^nd half of the cable. Look at and identify the stitches you’ll pickup before knitting them. Knit the other 16 stitches of the instep. Place a stitch marker. Pick up and knit 2 stitches between the instep and the first stitch of the heel flap edge. Pick up and knit 16 stitches along the heel flap edge the knit the first 9 stitches of the heel turn. You should how have 2 rows of stitches along the halves of the cable. Each row should have 43 stitches. Along the 1^st half of the cable, you should have 9 heel turn, 16 heel flap edge, 2 extra, and 16 instep stitches(9 + 16 + 2 + 16 = 43). Along the 2^nd half of the cable, you should have 16 instep, 2 extra, 16 heel flap edge, and 9 heel turn stitches(16 + 2 + 16 + 9 = 43). You’ll decrease each half to 32 stitches(64 total stitches).

Gusset Decrease

You need to pay close attention because the first couple rounds can be confusing. Along the 1^st half of the cable, knit to 2 stitches before the stitch marker, ssk, slip the stitch marker then knit 16 instep stitches in pattern. Along the 2^nd half of the cable, knit the 16 instep stitches, slip the stitch marker, k2tog then knit to the end of the row. You’ve closed the hole at the top of the gusset. Now its time to do the decreasing.

(1 a) Along the 1^st half of the cable, knit to 3 stitches before the stitch marker, k2tog, knit 1, slip the stitch marker then knit 16 instep stitches in pattern.

(1 b) Along the 2^nd half of the of the cable, knit the 16 instep stitches, slip the

stitch marker, k2tog then knit to the end of the row.

(2 a) knit to stitch marker, slip stitch marker, knit instep stitches in pattern

(2 b) knit instep stitches, slip stitch marker, and then knit to end of row

Repeat 1 and 2 until you have 32 stitches on each cable half. That’s 10 decreasing (1) rounds. It will help if you write down 1-10 and mark off each round. Looking at your ssk and k2tog stitches and their position will help if you don’t want to keep track on paper.

Foot

It’s easier to knit the foot if you keep the instep and sole stitches separate. Now after you’ve knit the last round of the gusset decrease, knit to the stitch marker. Remove the stitch marker. This marks the beginning of the instep stitches and the round. You’re doing magic loop here. Knit the instep stitches. Join both part of the instep here. Remove the stitch marker. This mark the beginning of the sole stitches. You should have the instep stitches on the 1^st half of the cable and the sole stitches on the 2^nd half the cable. Knit the foot to the desired length; heel to the base of the toe.

Toe Decreasing

Now we’re almost done. Standard toe decrease has you decreasing 2 stitches per cable half then knitting around then next round until ½ the total stitches remain. Then decreasing every round until ½ those stitches remain.

(1) Instep: knit 1, ssk, knit to 3 stitches before the end of 1^st half of cable, k2tog, knit 1. Sole: knit 1, ssk, knit to 3 stitches before the end o the 2^nd half of the cable, k2tog, knit1.

(2) Knit around the instep and sole.

Repeat 1 and 2 until 32 total stitches remain then repeat 1 until 16 total stitches remain. Now you’re ready for the Kitchener stitch.

Kitchener stitch

Use Amy’s video to see how to do it. I’ve officially run out of steam

FO: Great Barrier Reef Socks

pattern: Charlene Schurch's Double Lace Ribbing from More Sensational Knitted Socks
yarn: Fearless Fiber's superwash sock yarn in the Coral Pink colorway
needles: Addi turbo US1
gauge: 9 sts = 1 inch
modifications: stockinette stitch heel



I started these socks in March then stopped knitting them to make the Broad Spiral/Vortex Socks. After I frogged them, I restarted them in April so it took me about 3 weeks to knit. I'm pleased with how they turned out and I hope Lushorama likes them. Now I only have 2 more PIF pairs of socks to make.

Pattern Surfing: Marigold Socks by Pamela W. aka Flint Knits

When I saw this pattern, Marigold Socks, it made me want to do another pair of toe up socks. It's lovely! I'll even do a short row heel(which I'm not a fan of). I discovered the pattern while looking at pictures of the Child's First Sock on Ravelry. Flint Knit's has a gorgeous pair that she made using a purple semi-solid Koigu.

Knerd

I recently talked to a buddy of mine about hobbies and he called me a nerd because I knit. I smiled and responded by saying, "I'M PROUD TO BE A KNITTING NERD/GEEK AND WHEN I DIE I HOPE I HAVE A PAIR OF KNITTING NEEDLES IN MY HANDS BECAUSE I'LL HAVE DIED HAPPY!!!"Lol He just laughed and called me a nerd again. I feel blessed that I have something that gives me joy. I love that I can look at a pattern, be able to interpret it to fit my needs and create a pair of socks, a scarf or a hat. Has anyone called you a nerd/geek because your knitting?

FO: Waterfall Lace Rib Socks

I finished the Waterfall Lace Rib socks from Sensational Knitted Socks. I used a stockinette stitch heel. They're size 7 medium and very stretchy. These are the fastest pair of socks I've knit. It took me just 10 days to do it. I'm thinking about doing Sock Wars so I'm interested in how fast I can knit a pair. My next pair of socks from SKS are the Slipped Stitch Rib. I'm making those for my PIF/Deb.

New Podcast: Diva Knitting

I read about a new podcast, Diva Knitting, over on the knittinghelp.com forum. I've listened to the 3 episodes Cheryl has produced and it seems pretty good. She drumming up listeners by holding a contest. All you have to do is post a link on your blog or a knitting message to her podcast by February 26th. I try to support all things that Cheryls do. :-) Her pet project is Project Sanity. Project Sanity is a great way to organize your knitting for the year. You decide who your knitting for, what you want to knit them, the pattern, the yarn and the completion date. The completion date is what sold me on the idea. It'll help me keep my first New Year's resolution which is to knit and gift on time.
One of my friends crochets Christmas gifts throughout the year so she's not stressed durig the holidays. Before I listened to the podcast I mailed my older brother and SIL a questionnaire. I asked for their shoe size(for the smaller kids what my SIL thinks would be a good size to do), and color preference. Because I'll be making 7 pairs of socks, I'm getting my Christmas knitting organized in February. My oldest brother wears a size 13 wide shoe and his oldest son wears a 14 wide shoe. I figure I'll start in May,knit a pair of socks a month and I'll be done by December.

Pattern Surfing: Pearl's Diamond Socks by Emily and Tempest Socks by Emilee
Pearl's Diamond Socks is a pattern inspired by Emily's aunt who's battling leukemia. I heard about the pattern on Crimson Purl's blog. It's only $5 and the proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It's well written(that means I can follow it without being confused). Emily is also offering email support if you need it. The pattern is written for sport weight yarn.
Tempest Socks is a easy lace pattern written by Emilee. The lace is a repeating lightening bolt. She's famous for her Foliage Hat featured in the Fall 2007 knitty. She made a lace hat pattern knitted from the crown down easy and fun for me so I know I'll like knitting this one.
*Note: The Mirabella socks I was going to write about this week will be done at a later date. I wasn't able to get the Yummy Yarns website to come up. I kept getting an error.

Long Time No See

I'm still alive. I survived the bad cold I had after Christmas. I was really sick. In fact when I was running a fever my eyeballs felt hot. I felt so bad all I could do was sleep and play Ravelry games the limited amount of time I was awake. Over the past week, I started knitting again and I even have a few FOs.

Lace Ribbed Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks


These are my first toe up socks. I knit the for a buddy, C. I used Judy Becker's Magic cast on. I watched the Cat Bordhi video on youtube to learn the technique. I also conquered short row heels using Kathleen Taylor's no wrap short row heel technique. Yay!!!! I used EZ's sewn bind off for the first time also. I don't know if I'll make another pair of toe up socks, but at least I know I can do them successfully. The sock yarn I used is Madeline Tosh's Somewhat solid in vermillion. It's wonderful. If you can get your hands on some, buy it!

Foliage Hats



The Foliage hat pattern featured in the Fall 2007 knitty is so easy. I'd never made a hat from the crown down but it's easy and a quick knit. I made version 2 and modified the pattern by increasing the hat body from 3 repeats to 4 and the ribbed brim from 7 rows to 10. I used EZ sewn bind off. The purple one I made in December and promptly started wearing it. The red one(I'm sorry for the bad pic. It's been raining and darkly overcast here.) is for a friend, L.

Sock yarn buys



I bought 2 purpley skeins of sock yarn from Fearlessfibers. The one on the right is Imagine; it's a grapey purple with navy blue. The left one is Blue violet. I'm using it to the Bluebell Rib socks from SKS. The socks are for a swap I'm doing.

2klace

I joined the 2klace Ravelry group because I'm find that I enjoy knitting lace. I'm slow and I make mistakes,but I like the challenge. The rules of the group are fairly simple. Over 50% of my projects in 2008 have to be lace. Lace socks are included. YAY! I'm going to buy another US1 addi turbo lace so I can knit a doily for my stepmom's birthday present. The doily will be one of my first projects of 2008. I also want knit at least 2 more Hemlock Ring Blankets in 2008.


I haven't been able to successfully knit the Hemlock Ring Blanket this week without missing up. I've had to tink and tink til I finally ripped back to my lifeline. I figured out that the written instructions and the chart aren't the same and that's why my count was off. I put it down on Tuesday and haven't worked on it since. I'll pick it up again next week and I'm only going to use the written instructions. I work better under pressure any way. What have so far looks pretty....


What I've been working on instead is the Foliage Hat from knitty.com. I'm making it for myself. It's a lace hat that's surprisingly easy to knit. Of course it's purple.




I'm still working on the my 1st toe up sock. I've made it through the short row heel and now I'm knitting the leg. I've researched and asked questions about casting off. I was all set to use a crochet bind off, but instead I'm going to use EZ's sewn cast off with Denise's variation.


WWCS Topic of the Week
Our hostesses wanted us to get to know 2 other people in the swap that were not our upstream or downstream pals. I've had conversations this week with Angela about short row heels without holes. I talked to Heather about cables and patient sock knitting.

Knitting Content

Hemlock Ring Throw

The Cascsade Eco Wool yarn that I ordered from a Washington knitting shop was backordered so I ordered some from JimmyBeansWool. I want the throw to be finished and blocked by December 18th. I immediately casted on with a J/1o crochet hook. I magic looped the first 9 rounds then switched to 2 circs. I had to sleep on it to understand how to knit and purl 9 stitches into a double yarn over. Instead of using BrooklynTweed's pattern in which the blocked diameter of the throw is about 4 feet, I'm using the Hemolock Ring KAL pattern that's on yahoo. I want my throw's diameter to be about 5 feet.

Harmony Needles

I'm using US 10.5 Harmony interchangable needles. I bought 2 sets of the 10.5 needles, 40 inch and 47 inch cables to try out. I'm going to have 600 plus stitches on the circs and I didn't want them to be crowded. When I knit lace, I have to constantly count stitches. I didn't want to miscount stitches because they're crowded.

Secret Pal Socks

These are the Apple Harvest Socks I knitted for my downstream secret pal. I used White Willow Market's superwash socks in the SnapDragon colorway. I hope she likes them. I hope they fit too. I used the foot circumference times my sock yrn gauge to get the right number of cast on stitches. The Apple Harvest socks made me see that a heel flap can be knitted in k1p1 with a continuation of the leg pattern. I'm understanding more about sock designing. I particularly like this photo because the hot pink in the yarn looks hot pink instead of orange. I've learned from reading Adrienne's interview of BrooklynTweed that the best light for taking photos is natural light. You'll be seeing better pictures from me.

First Toe Up Socks
For my next sock project, I'm making the Lace Rib socks from SNS. The sock yarn is Madeleine Tosh's Superwash in the Vermillion colorway. The socks are for a pal's who's birthday was in November. (Yeah I late again.) I wanted to try something new and try again to do short row heels. I'm going to use Kathleen Taylor's NoWrap Short Row Heel.

I casted on using Judy Becker's Magic cast on for toe up socks that I read about at knitty.com. I'm a visual learner so I looked at the Cat Bordhi videos on youtube to see how to do the magic cast on and the left and right increases. I casted on 40 stitches, half the total number of stitches I need.

You Are Austin

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You're totally weird and very proud of it. Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way. Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

What American City Are You?

I'm "totally weird, artistic, freaky." LMAO

Sock It to Me Part Deux

The Questions.....

1. How long have you been knitting? Do you consider yourself beginner, intermediate, advanced? I've been knitting for a little over a year. I consider myself to be an advanced beginner because I can knit socks. I have so much more to learn.... sweaters, tops,cables, intarsia, steeking, lace knitting and knitted lace. I've decided in 2008 I'll learn more about lace knitting and knit my first top. I have the pattern for the Scarlet Woman tank top. I want to knit it plus a top I saw in Vogue Knitting Spring 2007.
2. How long have you been knitting socks? I've been knitting socks since January of this year. When I started knitting, my goal was to knit socks. I feel comfortable knitting basic socks. I want to try Jaywalkers, Loksins, lace sock patterns in SNS and MSNS, and Cookie A patterns.
   
3. What are your favorite fibers to work with? Wool and cotton. For socks I mostly use superwash merino wool because of the oops factor. If someone including myself accidently washes the socks, they won't be ruined.
   
4. What is your favorite color? purples, blues and reds
   
5. What are your current WIPs (works in progress)? A secret pair of socks for a swap, Forest Canopy Shawl(my 1st lace shawl), and My So Called Scarf for myself
   
6. Name your favorite yarns, (brand, fibers, colors, etc.). Sock yarn: Fearless Fibers, White Willow Market, Lisa Souza, Madeleine Tosh. I prefer superwash merino wool. I like multi-colored, solid and somewhat solid yarns. Other types of yarn.... I like merino wool. After Christmas..... I haven't done my Christmas shopping yet..... I'm going to try Sundara's yarn. I saw Brooklyntweed's Shetland Lace Triangle knit with her yarn and fell in love.
   
7. What are some yarns/fibers that you stay away from. I don't like Red Heart yarn. I don't like cotton or cotton blends sock yarn. Possum yarn.... yuck
   
8. What is your family situation? (Married, kids, pets?) I'm single with no kids and no pets at this time.
   
9. Name some of your hobbies. Other than knitting, reading, cooking. I crochet a little. I want to start sewing again but need to buy a sewing machine. I need to reschedule my soapmaking class. I haven't found the time to do it. I took a beginner jewelry making class back in March. Maybe I'll make some stitchmarkers on day.
   
10. Name some of your favorite movies? Shawshank Redemption, Secret Window, The Green Mile
    
11. Do you like to read? Yes, I love to read. Since I've been knitting, I haven't read all that much.
    
12. Do you collect anything? Seashells, butterflies, knitting patterns and cooking recipes. I have 40GB on my hard drive. I used about 15 GB of which approximately 8-10 GB is patterns and recipes. I have the most up to date version of Acrobat Adobe. Most of my patterns are stored in either Adobe or Word documents. I have my patterns also stored in flash drives as a backup. I think in 2008 I'll start collecting knitting books. I don't collect yarn or have a yarn stash because I'm practical. Most of the time, I need to have a pattern picked out before I'll buy yarn for it.
    
13. Do you own an iPod or mp3 player? I have both.
    
14. What are your favorite type of knitting needles? Addi turbos. I recently bought Harmony needles (size US 10.5 interchangables) to make the Hemlock Ring Throw. They're so pretty. I want so much to like using them. If all goes well, I'll use them for lace knitting.
    
15. What knitting notion could you not live without? My darning needles. They're in a magnetic case I got as a free gift in a British knitting magazine.
16. Who are some of your favorite designers? I like Cookie A, Jackie E-S, Goddess Knits, Evelyn Clark, Grumperina, Pieknits, Ann Budd, Cat Bordhi, Brooklyntweed and of course EZ.
    
17. Do you subscribe to any magazines? (Knitting or otherwise.) I subscribe to IK.
    
18. When is your birthday? April 29th
    
19. Do you have a "wishlist", (on Ravelry, Froogle, or Amazon)? I have a favorite list I'm working on on Ravelry.
    
20. Do you have a Ravelry ID? wildflower38
    
21. If you had a sheep, what would you name it? Zoe cuz she's a fluffy ewe.
    

Charade Socks,Twist and Shout Socks, Baglove

FO: Charade Socks....... I finished T's Charade socks. I'll be able to give them to her this weekend. Hopefully she's working. I only have one little worry which is that the socks may be a too tight on her legs. Because of the herringbone pattern, the socks are not stretchy. I followed the pattern exactly and didn't make any modifications. (I made a gauge swatch in stockinette. My gauge changed when I used the pattern. Also I didn't check to see if I needed to cast on more stitches. Beginner mistakes....) If they are too tight, I do have another skein of the Prince of Tides colorway so I can make her another pair. The combination of the colorway and the herringbone pattern created a beautiful pair of socks. I'm glad that I found the sock-along at Amber's website.



For my next sock project, I'm going to knitting I. a pair of Twist and Shout Socks in the Medicine Woman colorway. Brooke created a beautiful colorway that reminds me of mix berries.


Since I'm not using the sock yarn(Opal Handpainted) that the pattern calls for, I made a gauge swatch and I'm getting a gauge of 8 1/2 st per inch with the sock yarn. I didn't measure I.'s foot circumference so I'm using a chart in Sensational Knitted Socks. I should cast on about 71 stitches for socks to fit I. I'm going to cast on 66 stitches for the cuff and leg then increase to 72 stitches for the heel, foot and toe. I'm excited about this project because I've never made a short row heel before. I've always made socks that have heel flaps and gusset decreases. I'm studying 2 tutorials to help me with the short row heel, CosmicPluto Knits! and Misocrafty. If I like the short row heel I make, I'm going to try knitting the Ann Budd toe-up socks in Interweave Knits.(those socks will be for my niece)

Last Friday, I made a Baglove Night for my new camera. I'd never made an I-cord before. It's sooooo easy. I'm able to fit the camera, my license, keys, lipgloss and some money in the small bag. I'm good to go for poker night, football games, etc. If I can find the right colorway, I'm going to knit few of these for Christmas sockingstuffers.

Charade Socks II

As promised here's a better picture of the Prince of Tides colorway by Unwind Yarn Co.

I'm already done with the 1st sock. I casted on the 1st sock on July1st and knitted on it for just a couple of hours each day. I completed the 1 st sock on July 4th. I started the second sock on Sunday. The color of the yarn and pattern stitches combines to make a beautiful sock. I think T will be pleased with her socks.

The Never-ending Socks Story.....also known as My Dad's Father's Day Gift

I love my dad dearly and I thought that since I'm a knitter I would knit him a pair of socks for Father's Day. Well.....I thought I could just whip these out quick and I would be done by Father's Day(June 17, 2007)


I casted on the socks on May 24th. My initial plan for the cuff down socks was a 2x2 rib stitch pattern using CO 80 stitches, Lisa Souza's Mahogany Sock !and US 1 circular needles. I started out great and was already decreasing the gusset by Memorial Day. I was thinking though that I might frog the sock and change the stitch pattern if I made a mistake because I really wanted the socks to be special. Well...I did make a mistake. I dropped a stitch next to one of the decreases. I didn't catch the mistake until I was 4 rows above it. I started frogging and didn't stop until I had frogged all of the sock.

I casted on the socks again on May 30th. This time I used a pattern I found in Sensational Knitted Socks; the waffle rib stitch(rnds 1-3: k2p2, rnd 4: purl) and I CO using 88 stitches instead of the 80 because I was worried about them fitting properly. I thought it was a nice simple pattern for male socks and special enough for my dad. I worked my usual 3 day shifts and didn't work on the socks I was too busy. I felt exhausted after day 3. On Monday, I had a fever all day and I felt horrible. I barely knit on the sock that week because all I wanted to do was sleep. I finished the first sock the week of Father's Day and knew that I was going to have to do alot of knitting that week to have the second sock ready by Father's Day. I was optimistic.(I was really delusional. It took 3 weeks to knit the 1st sock... I was still sick). Anyway it took me a little over a week to knit the 2nd sock.

I started calling the pair of socks "the never-ending socks" as I was knitting them. My dad wears a size 12 wide shoe. I used almost 2 skeins of yarn to knit them. The "never-ending" had to do with the size 12. Here's a comparison picture: The blue sock is a size 7 medium and I will use 1 skein to have knit a pair. The brown is my dad's sock.

We have big, wide feet in my family. I wear a size 10 wide. I try to always think positive thoughts and have good feelings when I knit something because I share a piece of myself with the recipient. I know my dad appreciates them and will wear them for many years to come.

Charade Socks

I regularly read Amber's blog (myaimistrue.com) and she's started a Charade sock knit along. Last night, I casted on the Charade Socks by Sandra Parks. The grainy picture is of the Prince of Tides colorway by the Unwind Yarn Co(crafygirl83). No picture does this yarn justice. It's beautiful shades of blue with a touch of teal. (My digital camera grew legs and walked away. I'll be replacing it in a few days if it ever stops raining.) The four stitch herringbone ribbing pattern is "easy peasy." I have made Charade, starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, my nextflix. Hopefully I'll get the dvd in time to start the second sock.

I'm making the socks for my ex-classmate, T. Her birthday is today. I've been late all year knitting birthday presents for my friends and family and I kept it up. I'm thinking that my New Year's resolution for 2008 is it knit and present to giftee their gift on their birthday.