Somewhat of a Sock Break

I have not touched a sock in almost a week (unheard of for me), but I have been knitting. When I was organizing my stash last month I came across some yarn I had long forgotten about. I bought this yarn at Distinctive Knits a couple years ago when it was on clearance. I thought I would make a sweater for my son with this yarn, but he was not too thrilled with the little nups of color, so it was put into hibernation. When I came across it again, the youngest said she liked it. Last week I gathered up all the yarn I could find ( I must have used 2 balls of it for something else because I could only find 8 of the 10) and took some measurements, knit a swatch and cast on. She was all too happy to try it on several times for a custom fit. I started knitting Thursday 7/17/08 and wove in the ends last night 7/22/08. You would have thought I was knitting on a deadline. I was somewhat obsessed with getting this finished. I can't explain it, as I am usually bored out of my mind with stockinette stitch. I threw it into the wash for a good soak with some Eucalan and blocked it. It washed up so soft, no complaints about itchiness with this one. I had wanted to put a hood on it, but the unaccounted for 2 balls nixed that idea. Instead I applied an attached I-cord around the bottom, neckline and wrists. I will take it along to JoAnn's later and see if we can find a zipper. The yarn is Cleckheaton Snowflake.

I do have socks on the needles and a finished pair to share. I finished the STR in light weight Lover's Leap. I used my Hearts- A- Plenty pattern for this yarn. I am really happy with the way these turned out and I loved knitting with this yarn. I have only knit with the medium weight, and this was lovely to work with.

And on the needles, "Miriam" in Pagewood Farm Chugiak 2 ply, in the River Rock color. These socks met an early demise. I had put them in my knitting bag, sans ziplock bag, and it lost 2 of the needles. Instead of trying to retrieve all those lost yo's I just frogged them and began again. Just as well, this way I can count them for SoS 08. This yarn is wonderful to work with also. It has a beautiful tight twist, and knits up into a very nice fabric.

And also on the needles "Diamonds in Lace" knit in Lime and Violet Sasquatch sock yarn in the Spooky Pooky color. I have the second one started of this pair. I hope to get atleast one pair finished this week ... we will see. The eldest really would like me to work on her sweater.

I believe that is it for this week. We have had quite a few storms blow through the last few days and the one that came through last night brought some cooler temperatures. It has been hot and humid here, and today is lovely.

Have a wonderful week!!!!!!

It's a Sock Parade!!!!

Warning, many pictures to come!!! I have been a sock knitting fool.... I know ... how is that any different from any other time. I realize now that I cannot compete with many of the sock knitters in SoS 08. Some have knit 12 pair since the beginning of the KAL, which started June 21. Why do my kids think they need to go all these places, and have meals provided, a clean living space and clean clothes? Don't they know there is a sock knitting competition going on?

I have finished a mere 4 pair. The first finished were the ONLine Beach socks, just plain stockinette stitch and a short row heel. This yarn was on sale at a wonderful price to just try it out. I don't know if I will buy more of it though. There were several breaks in this yarn, I think 4 in the second sock. That alone is enough to make me not want to buy more. I love the colors though.

Second off the needles were the Koigu socks . I have named these Pretty in Pink. The color # is KPPPM147. I won this yarn in a sock knit off a couple years ago. I can't wait until it is cool enough to wear these. I want to make another pair, but with yarn that has more yardage. 350 yards just isn't enough for a nice length leg for me, since the foot has to be so long.

The 3rd pair, were knit in the Online Supersocke 100 in the Afrika color, also bought on sale at SSYC. This yarn feels pretty much like Opal. Again a few breaks in the yarn, so I didn't even try to get them to match. I used my Tiger Socks pattern for these. That is a Ravelry link, you can also get it on the Free pattern pages at The Loopy Ewe or on the side bar of my blog if you are interested in it.

Then last night I finished these. I don't know what the color is, but the yarn is Mountain Colors Bearfoot and has been cast on so many times for different socks, I have lost the label. It is predominately reds, with blues and greens. I used the Broadripple pattern, (Hi Rob!!), for the leg with added stitches to make a 64 stitch sock. I knit the foot in stockinette stitch. I bought this yarn from ThreadBear when they were still here in town. Someday I will get to the shop in Michigan.

I have one sock finished in the HipKnits Ophelia sock yarn in the Splash color. I was not aware (I didn't read the directions carefully), of the 2 inch leg rule for the SoS, so I was quite relieved when the cuff of these measured in just at 2 inches at the tallest part of the scallops. I hope that will be sufficient. I am going to give it a try anyway. The driving daughter really likes these, so she just may get them when they are finished.

I have one pair on the needles, but I haven't taken a picture of them yet. I am knitting them in Lime and Violet Sasquatch in the Spooky Pooky color. I have the first one finished and the second one is cast on.

And for a little break from sock knitting, I cast on a pair of fingerless mitts. I am knitting these in Cascade Indulgence on size 2 dpns. I am trying to figure out how I want to finish these, and once I do they will be a pair. The driving daughter was a bit put out to model these, so I better take her to get her haircut to make it up to her. I hope you all have a great week, with a lot of knitting time.