I Can Still Knit Socks!

It has been ages since I have finished a pair of socks. But, I have great motivation ... I don't want the eldest to wear mine. So, I have to knit some for her. I not only finished this pair, but I cast on for a second pair for her. She is going to be so excited when she wakes up in the morning and finds them finished. I am disappointed with this yarn though. It is the Cascade Sassy Stripes. See the big white areas near the toes... no dye... what's up with that? And on the second sock there are smudges of gray in the yellow. Well at least it was on clearance, and it did not cost much to make these. And Kaitlin really doesn't mind, in fact she seems to like that they are off a bit. She says now she finally has her Doby socks ... whatever, I think I will still drop Cascade a little email. You can't see the knotted cable down the side, but it is there. 68 stitches and size 1 DPNs 10 st /inch. Hopefully knit at that tight gauge she won't blow the heels out too soon.

I have been working on the Lopi sweater today. I really want to get that done by the end of next week. That is my goal anyway. It is looking really nice, I may have to make a cardigan too, with the mild winters we have been having here, I could probably get by with just that for most of the winter. I hate to wear coats.

Well, I am having some major dental work in the morning. I need to talk myself into the fact that all will be ok, so I can get some sleep tonight. So, goodnight knitting friends.

She Got Her Parcel

I received an email from my Hot Socks Swap partner, Helen, today. This is the partner I sent to, she is in Australia, and it has been a pleasure corresponding with her via email. Anyway, she has received her parcel of goodies, so now I can post a picture of what I sent. This swap was not necessarily a secret, I just didn't want to ruin the surprise by posting pictures prior to her getting the parcel. I searched the online Australian yarn shops to see if there were yarns that we have here that maybe are not so readily available there. I decided on Mountain Colors Bearfoot. She had mentioned knitting with Lorna's already, (that is one of my favorites), so that was out, Koigu is lovely and one of my favorites too, but not so available where I am, and so I decided on the Bearfoot, which I love. I also sent her a ball of Opal. And of course the coffee, that is the "hot" part of the swap, and some wonderful chocolate mints ( they are very , very good). Helen, I hope you enjoy all of it and I look forward to seeing the socks you knit up. This was a very fun swap. Can't wait for the next one.

I finished another hat. The girls are fighting over this one too. They are too funny. And of course, once Kaitlin gets it on her head there is no way Lauren can get it, Kaitlin is about a foot taller than her. It is my own pattern. Knit in Cascade 220 Superwash. Since I didn't have a head to model it on, it is on two bowls. I could wait until the girls are home from school, but that would just start the arguing all over again. And I have a headache, so bowls it is.

The yarn shop got a little sampling of Colinette's new yarn "JitterBug" They just send a little tiny ball of the new items and let you knit a swatch. Cathi let me have it. There was just enough to make one little baby sock. I love this yarn. I love the feel , I love the colors, it was wonderful to work with. It gets my thumbs up. I hope she orders it. And of course, Kailtin says this is hers. She wants me to make it into a keychain for her. She is such a possessive one, that eldest child of mine.

And when we were at the trade show in the summer, I got a sample of Classic Elites "Princess" This is some nice yarn. It has beautiful stitch definition, it has a nice feel, and is an joy to work with. I sound like an advertisement for the yarn companies, but I have no affiliation. I just really love these two yarns. I am turning this ball into a pair of mittens. My own pattern. Unfortunately, when I was at the yarn shop on Saturday, I left my empty needle there, so I couldn't finish these this weekend. And as I am sitting here looking at the picture, I see a mistake, so I will be doing a little frogging.

Well, I hope blogger will cooperate and let me post this. It has been a battle with them this weekend. Happy knitting all. I hope it is as beautiful where you are as it is here in South Central Indiana today. It is gorgeous.

A Blustery Day

Today reminded me of the Winnie the Pooh story "A Blustery Day". The leaves were flying and the wind was whipping through the trees. Made me want to knit some winter gear. So, while I was at the yarn shop teaching a class today, I bought some King Cole Luxury Mohair in the Vienna color and a ball of Fortissima Socka in dark brown, and made a pair of mittens. I love these mittens. They are so soft, and warm, and comfy. I will have toasty, warm hands this winter. I think I will make a pair of slippers with this yarn combination too.

The class I was teaching today, was my own Cable Scarf pattern. It is so neat to see others enjoying and knitting a pattern you have created. And, I am so happy they only found one error and that was just a typo, not a pattern error. I think I may have to knit up another one too, maybe in some Alpaca this time.

Don't forget to change your clocks!

Woo Hoo, It is Done

I am so happy to finally have this thing done. I have misplaced the card that had the name on it, so I am hoping my short term memory hasn't failed me. Thank goodness her name isn't any longer or I would have needed to give her a nick name. It was a tight fit. I really can't get a good picture of it in this light, and I will be taking it to the yarn shop bright and early in the morning so it can be delivered to its rightful owner, so this is the only one that there will be. Now, I will worry about whether or not she is happy with it. Just having it finished is a relief.

I can work on some fun stuff now. I really want to get some socks finished before the end of the month for Socktoberfest and Sock a Month. I haven't finished a pair of socks in quite a while. And I need to finish the sweaters for CIC before the end on November. And then there are the hats for the giving tree at school. That ought to keep me out of trouble for a while.

The end is in site.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I really wanted to finish this stocking tonight, but I kept falling asleep. It is very late, or very early, depending on how you see things, and I won't be finishing this tonight. But it will get done within the next 24 hours.... I hope. This acrylic, coupled with the tight gauge, is killing my arthritic hands and wrists. I am ready to knit with some good wool, or alpaca, or any other natural fiber.


Benjamin had his first band concert of the year tonight. They sounded really good. He is having a hard time with band, or should I say with the band director. I am really hoping we can work through this. I know my son is not perfect, and 12 is a hard age, anyway I think it is, but I really think this guy needs to be teaching at a college level. He has no patience with the kids and so many of them quit after one year with him. It is such a shame. Benjamin loved the first year of band, and actually looked forward to it... a different director, of course.

Now, on to some fun stuff. I love a contest, any kind. It doesn't matter to me if I win or not, I just love them, always have. Javajem-knits is celebrating her 100th post. She has asked a few questions that need to be answered for the contest.

1. Since it is my 100th blog contest – If you have a blog – how many entries have you made?
I think this will be 55, I hope that is right.

2.What is the first thing you notice about a person when you meet them for the first time
The first thing is their eyes, and if they look at you when they talk to you.

3.What are you currently reading? And what is your favorite book of all time?
I am reading "Marker" by Robin Cook. Favorite book: hhhmmm, so many to choose from. I would have to say "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Jane Eyre" is a very close second.

4. What is furthest you have ever traveled from home?
I was born in Germany, I have lived in Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and in Indiana, ( I was an Army brat) So I guess it depends on which home. As a married adult, it would be Florida. But I really want to go to Australia and New Zealand, Ireland, and Europe.

5. I am sure everyone has some knitted project that they just can’t seem to get around to starting. I know I have several. What is it something you would like to knit “One day”?(I would also like to add a challenge to these questions. Everyone who actually finishes their personal “One day” project before SP9 is over (January 31st 2007) will be entered to win a skein of some yummy yarn!. So let “one day” be today! I will post again when SP9 is almost over and ask to see pictures) 6.
My "one day" project is the "Must Have Sweater" I love that sweater, I don't know why I haven't knit it.

6.And finally – since it is October - what are you going to be for Halloween
I usually sit on the front porch and knit socks as I pass out candy, the little ones are always intrigued by it. Sooo, I am going as the neighborhood knitter.

What are you waiting for , go enter the contest, I am going to bed.

What happened to Fall?

The high today so far is 36 degrees, I think we skipped Fall and went straight into Winter. A big change from yesterday. I need to get busy and finish some sweaters for the little people, and the not so little people, in the house. Those sweaters sure were a lot quicker to knit 5 years ago. I am making pretty good progress on Ben's sweater. I have moved onto the sleeves, he is happy. I have one just like this started for little sister Lauren too. Hers is pink Lorna's Laces. I will take a picture of that later. He is anxiously waiting for me to finish this. I am getting close. The pattern is Knitting Pure and Simple and the yarn is Encore worsted. That is what I had in the stash in boy colors and he is happy with it. It is not Lorna's but it will work.


And I made a little felted bag for one of my secret pals. Her favorite colors are pink, burgundy and emerald green. Of course the eldest thinks it is hideous, but I am happy with it. I just did random stripes. It needs a shave, I was going to line it but I am still deciding on that.




And the ever dreaded stocking, I have not touched in weeks, but need to finish it. I am working on nothing but that today. DH is even asking me when I plan on finishing it. I didn't think he paid any attention to what I am knitting, but he knows it is no stocking in my hands. She, ( the angel) is much bigger than I thought. I hope to have the leg finished tonight, then it will go much faster. I just want it finished. I will stick to fair isle, someone else can do the intarsia from now on.
Happy knitting all, and stay warm

A Little Frou Frou...

...goes a long way. I am tired of the little frou frou scarves. I think I am done with them for the season. Give me a warm, functional scarf any time. One with cables and made from Merino or Alpaca or Cashmere. These are made with a variety of novelty, from left to right it is Crystal Palace Waikiki and Little Flowers held together. The purple is Bobble, Squiggle, and Fortissima sock yarn. The green one is Choo Choo and Bobble, and the last is Choo Choo and Squiggle. I am glad they are finished



And last night, I started a pair of socks for the eldest. She wore a pair of mine yesterday, I don't think I care for that too very much. I am going to make her a few more pair for Christmas. The yarn shop had this Cascade on clearance , so I bought what was left. I need to get knitting, I can't have her wearing my socks. She is way too hard on socks to be wearing mine out.
Well, I am off to take the kiddies to the allergist for shots. Have a great day.

Blocked

The shawl is blocked. It is much prettier in person, but I can't get a really good picture of it. My son is holding it, but his arm span is not wide enough to hold the entire shawl. He has been home sick from school the last few days, so he got to help me block it. He liked sticking the pins in it and not getting in trouble for it. I am making a ton of scarves for the shop, mostly frou frou stuff that everyone likes to make for Christmas. I will post them all together when I am finished with them. Off to knit more.

Coffee and Koigu ...

What more could a girl ask for. I received my Hot Socks Swap package yesterday. It is absolutely lovely. Thank you, Anita. I love Koigu, it is one of my very favorites, but not readily available in this area. And I love, love , love, the color! I made a pair of socks in this colorway for my daughter about 3 years ago and had a really hard time letting her have them. And the coffee smells wonderful. I can't wait to grind some beans and make a pot. It has just a hint of chocolate aroma to it, my favorite. I usually get a white chocolate , mocha latte or cappuccino from Starbucks, so I am sure I am going to love this blend. And the log cabin quilted coasters are lovely. Thank you very much:)

And just off the needles 2 scarves and a simple shawl. The shawl still needs to be blocked, but that will have to wait until later this evening. It is knit in Diakeito Diagallery. Not very impressive right now but it looks pretty stretched out so I am sure it will look loads better blocked



And the scarves are just really quick knits. The long skinny one is Artful Yarns "Broadway," knit on the bias and the other is knit length wise with Artful Yarns "Broadway," "Heavenly" and Crystal Palace "Choo Choo" ribbon. Scarf season is quick approaching, so I am sure I will be making a lot more.

Well I guess I better get off of here and go sweep and mop the kitchen floor...ugh. I hate house cleaning.

She wants one just like it.....

But in a different color. My oldest daughter loves the shape of my latest bag and the size is just perfect, but....." what is with the old lady colors, Mom?" I hear that a lot from her, but she is 15, so anyone over 25 is ancient, and apparently, I only pick out "old lady" colors. I guess I will have to make her one in a different color and she wants a flap. Christmas is right around the corner, maybe she will get one then.

Like I said in the previous post, the yarn is Farmhouse Yarns, Roxanne's Mohair, and the color is Black Cherry. I am not sure why it is Black Cherry, it reminds me more of the changing leave we are seeing right now, here in Indiana. Since I am going to be hanging this up in the LYS, I need to type up the pattern.

We got our cold front. I am so happy, I love cool, brisk, fall days. I can wear my handknit socks in this weather.

Well I need to scoot, I have a knitting lesson to give.

If only I could stay focused.

This is what I am supposed to be working on. I was asked to make a Christmas stocking for someone, I don't know her. I was asked by a friend, so what the heck I say I will do it. The lady says it is for her new daughter -in-law, she doesn't care which one I make, but she really needs to have one for her, since all the other children have one. Well the carte blanche stops with me choosing the pattern and colors. She wants .. "UGH" acrylic yarn. Apparently all the other stockings were made in Red Heart and in that manner she would like them to all be the same. I really don't like Red Heart yarn, I know I learned to knit on Red Heart, but that was all that was available in our area at the time. I can't wait to be done with it, but I knit on something else every chance I get. Why? oh Why? am I prolonging the agony. Do I think it will get better in time? That somehow, miraculously the yarn is going to feel better in my hand if I just wait a little longer? I think I need to lock myself in an empty room with just the yarn and the pattern and not allow myself to come out until it is finished. As you can see, I am not very far along yet.

Anyway, I needed a little break from the Red Heart, so I went to the LYS. No, really I NEEDED to go. I had to buy some yarn for the Hot Socks Swap. I have my partner, she is in Australia, I have emailed her, and heard back from her. This is not a long drawn out exchange , as some are. We got our swap partner's name this week and everything is to be sent out by the 21st of this month. So you see, I really did NEED to go to the LYS. And I got her some lovely yarn, but I won't post a picture of it until after she receives it. But I also got some new yarn to the shop, Farmhouse yarn. I bought the Roxanne's Mohair in the Black Cherry color. This is not a soft yarn to work with and my hands turned orange, red while I was knitting, it even turned the clothing I was wearing red/ pink. I hope it comes out. I only bought one ball of it, 200 yds medium wt yarn. I decided to make a purse, just a vague idea of what I wanted it to look like and just started knitting. Well, other than the discolored hands and clothes I was pleased. In the machine it went, that was some dark looking water. Surprisingly enough, the rinse water was clear. The bag is incredibly soft after washing and felted to just the perfect size. I will have to give it a good shave. I don't know why I buy mohair blends, I don't like fuzzy bags, someday I will learn. I can't get a good picture of it tonight and it is3AM so I better go to bed. I will take a picture of it in the light of day.
Good night all

Trick or Treat

I finished my Halloween bag. It is my own design, knit in Cascade 220. I wish I had bound off a little tighter, it flares a bit at the top, but I can live with that. The orange tips on the candy corn kind of got lost in the felting process, which is a little disappointing. Overall though, I would have to say I am happy with it.

I have been working on Benjamin's sweater today. He tried it on and it fits, yeah!! Pictures of that later. I have to get the baby blanket done, I really should be working on that instead.

Well, I am off to knit something.

Ballband Bag recipe

I have had many request for the directions for the bag in the last post. I had to sit down and take a look at the bag again to see what I did. I usually sit down and just start knitting and see what comes off the needles, but I have been getting a little better about making little notes as I go lately. It is a simple slip stitch pattern, and I am sure there are tons of them out there, so I am not in any way laying claim to the technique, but the pattern for the bag in mine, please don't try to sell it yada yada yada... you guys know the rules.

Materials
1 ball Cascade 220 ( I used black) (A)
1 ball Diakeito Rococo ( I used color 104) (B)
10 1/2 circ. needle 16"
Pre felted my bag was about 9" wide and 14" tall, post felting it is 8" square


CO 39 stitches with (A) and knit 13 rows in garter stitch, place a marker(pm) and pick
up 6 st along the short side, pm, pick 39 st on cast on edge, pm, pick up 6 st along side, place beginning of round marker.
Knit 4 rounds
begin pattern:
Rnds 1&2 Knit
Rounds 3-6 with (B) *K4, SL1, (K5, SL1) to 4 stitches before first marker, K4, SL marker SL1 , K4, SL1, sl marker* repeat from * to *
Rnds 7 & 8 Knit with (A)
Rnds 9 - 12 with (B) *K1, Sl1, (K5, Sl1) to 1 st before marker, K1, sl marker SL1, K4, SL1, sl marker* repeat from * to *
repeat these 12 rounds for desired length ( I did 6 pattern repeats)
Knit 6 rounds in (A)
end with an attatched I cord bind off, marking center on one long side for an i cord button loop and marking the 6 side st for a 6 st I cord strap to pick up after bind off is finished. ( I am applying purchased straps to mine.
The button loop is a 3 st I cord 4 " long , pick up 3 st along the center on the inside of the bag and knit 4" I cord and graft to the inside of the bag.
Felt , shape let it dry and enjoy your bag

Ballband Bag anyone

I loved knitting the ballband dishcloth, in fact I made several of them and plan to make even more. I got to thinking that a bag based on the ballband dish cloth would be really neat. And I love all this new Diakeito the LYS has now, and they have some with great fall colors ... so I made myself a new bag. I still need to give it a little shave when it is completely dry and purchase a button and some straps when I go to the LYS next. I have to say, I love it! I started another bag this morning, but I haven't gotten very far, I kept falling asleep, that is what I get for staying up until 2:30 knitting and felting. When I get past the bottom, I will take a picture of it.

Making a little Progress

I have knit another cable rib hat, I wrote
down what I did as I went this time , so I will share that in the next day or two. Same yarn, Diakeito Rococo, different color. This one is very bright, I thought the daughter would maybe like this one better and perhaps let her brother have the first one, but I don't know if she will be agreeable. I couldn't get the true colors, the blue in the picture is actually more purple in real life. And a picture of the crown. Seems like the first one was a bit smoother looking so I may have to do a little frogging and see if I can improve the look of this one.

And all that Opal sock yarn I bought the other day, here it is . I started a sock for Benjamin in the Black. I believe it is a Crocodile, but I am not positive. He likes it and the first one is finished. Darn, if his feet aren't growing, and it takes longer to make a pair of socks for him. I hope he inherits his shoe size from his dad's side of the family and not mine. When I make socks for my brother it takes forever to knit that size 13 sock.


And I have been working on the entrelac scarf, I need to pick up another ball of the Rococo tonight while I am there for a mitten class. I think one more ball ought to finish it. I really love this yarn. Well blogger wants to load that one sideways too. I had a better picture of the hat but it kept loading upside down so I gave up on it. This is the only one I took of this scarf, so it will just have to be sideways.

Well, I should go finish something ... a pair of mittens or socks or a baby blanket... something. Hopefully I will have finished projects to show next time.

Hot Socks Swap

I joined the Hot Socks Swap. We are to answer some questions, so here are my questions and answers:

1)What do you prefer - solid, variegated or self striping?
I like all sock yarns, but , variegated ones are my favorite
2)Favourite colours?
I love blues and greens and purples, and rich jewel tones
3)Are you a beginner, intermediate or experienced sock knitter?
I would say experienced
4)Tea, Coffee, or hot chocolate - what's your favourite? If coffee, what do you use to make it?
I like all three of them but I am addicted to Starbucks. I brew my coffee I have a coffee maker, no esspresso machine ... yet.
5)Do you have a fibre preference? (i.e. Are you a yarn snob like me?)
I like natural fibers, no acrylic for my feet, so yes, I am a yarn snob.

Sock Yarn on Sale this Week Only

My LYS is celebrating its first anniversary, and all the sock yarn is on sale... whoo hoo. I did contain myself to just enough for 2 pair of socks though. It was a hard choice, but I narrowed it down to these two. Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Black Watch and Gold Hill, aren't they lovely. She has a hard time keeping this stuff in stock, and the shelf was almost empty. I am so lucky to have gotten this, being the week is almost over.

I am knitting a modular baby blanket for an upcoming class. The pattern is from Knitting at KNoon, and the yarn is Lorna's Shepherd Worsted and Cascade 220 Super Wash. It is a really quick knit and hopefully I will have it done by the weekend. I just pray that ADD won't rear its ugly head, and I won't lose interest in it before it is finished. My son wasn't too happy when I started this. I started a hooded pullover for him, and it has been put on hold. I will post a picture of that when I have a little more done on it. He wanted to know how long it takes to make each square and then he calculated the time until I would be able to resume knitting on his sweater. Poor thing, I have not met his estimated finishing time. He must really want a new sweater.


And, for myself, I have started these. But I don't dare be caught knitting on these when Benjamin is home. Ribbed Lace socks from the Sensational Knitted Socks book. I am knitting them in Lorna's in the Somerset colorway. I do love the Lorna's Laces. And just this afternoon, I went back to the yarn shop and got 3 balls of Opal and another ball of Diakeito Rococo. I am going to make another cable hat and I will write down the pattern this time. I think it was Rose that was asking for it, so when it is done I will pass it along to you.

More later, it is almost time to go pick the eldest up from the football game. They have an early morning tomorrow and a very long day. They are going to Louisville in the morning and will have a long day of competition. They are in the BOA ( Bands of America) and have competition almost every weekend. They are leaving at 6:30 AM and won't return until 1:30 AM, ridiculously long hours if you ask me, but they sound really good, all their hard work really shows. She will be a bear to get up Sunday morning for church.

Help Wanted

Can anyone help me? I want my side bar back where it belongs. I have NO idea how to do it. In the preview mode, it is where it is supposed to be, but after I republish it is at the bottom of the page. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it?
Thanks in advance for any help.

Warning... Picture Heavy Post

I have some knitting to show. I have been knitting like crazy. I have been having some serious computer issues, and have not had much access to a computer lately. That just means more knitting time… I spend a lot of time on the computer, surfing and IM’ing, but not in the last week or so. I think I am almost over the withdrawals. Hopefully, everything will be back in working order soon.



The LYS got the Diakeito yarns in. I love this yarn. I made a cabled hat for the eldest. My own pattern. The new Rococo yarn is self striping with no color repeats in the ball and is unbelievably soft. So with what I had left over, which was only about a third of the ball, I started a scarf. Of course, I needed to visit the LYS for more I can’t just have a 6” scarf. Simple entrelac, no pattern.




I am doing a cabled scarf class at the LYS, so I designed this scarf pattern for the class. I knit it in Lorna’s Worsted in the Sage color. There sure was a huge difference between the color of the two balls, I wish I had knit from both balls at the same time, but I am not frogging it. I do love this yarn. I need to get the pattern typed up..


And I am working on some mittens. This first pair is from the Knit Mittens book. I am knitting these in Diakeito Diaepoca. Have I mentioned I love the Diakeito yarns. size 5 dpn’s in yellow and sage…because that is what I had in my stash. I love color work, and this is a fun pattern.


The other pair is also knit in Diaepoca, in a purple / pink color. This my own design. I will have warm hands this winter.


And I have been working on some sweaters for CIC. I am using left over wool, so some of them may not end up being the most beautiful colors, but they will be warm. The pattern is from Knitting Pure and Simple. The brown sweater is knit in Cascade 220 and Paintbox and the other in Araucania Nature Wool. Hopefully I will get a few more of these knit in the next week or two. I didn’t knit many socks for them this summer so I need to get busy with the sweaters. I feel so sorry for those poor little children in those cold orphanages.

Well, I am exhausted after this. It takes forever to load pictures with dial up, but, it is better than nothing at all. I think I will go relax and knit for a bit.