Christmas Presents (Gifted and Not)

I knit Mandy a hat for Christmas (Creative Knitting Jan 2008 - Warm Stripings), she liked it so well she said I should knit her cousin one too. So here they are (one gifted, and one not, yet).

Mandy's is the pink, Kaitlin's is the blue. I knit them in Patons SWS yarn, they each took a little over one skein. Those size 8 needles and thicker yarn sure hurt my hands.

I finished my son's socks in time for Christmas too. Anklets in Cascade 220 Superwash - black, 44 stitches on US3 dpn's, 2 x 2 rib for 1-1/2", stockinette for 10" on the feet.

Mandy wanted me to show you two of the scarves she knit (the third she gifted without taking pictures, but there is enough yarn to knit another just like it, I will post a picture of it when she has it done). This pink/purple scarf she knit for a friend (doesn't it look great on Mandy?, she had a hard time giving it away)...the red one, she knit and donated to a homeless shelter (she knows how to do cables now, and she did a great job).

I'm trying to think if there is anything else...but I don't think so.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!!! More later!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you Peace, Love, and Joy on this Glorious Christmas Day.

This Is What Happens...

...When I don't blog for a month.
In the month since my last post, I have been doing some knitting...but mostly I've had the "winter blah's". I know winter doesn't officially start till Saturday...


So, the knitting (I know you're not here for whining), I finished my nephew's socks. Stats are as follows: Trekking XXL 800 (I won this yarn in SAM2), 64 stitches on US1 dpn's, 2 x 2 rib on the legs, the feet are knit plain (just like he likes them). After I had the finished the first sock, Monica discovered her son has "Fred Flintstone" feet, so after I finished the second sock I ripped out the toe of the first and made it more square (it looks very funny to me).


I started a new sock in a new pattern of Monica's (it's top secret, so I can't show a picture of it...but it's very pretty!).


I also knit a bookmark for my daughter for a stocking stuffer. I knit it with some of my leftover Lorna's Laces Child's Play. Here it is blocking. The pattern is in the 2007 Pattern-A-Day Calender (it's called "Cable Lace Bookmark" but there are no cables in it).



And here is the sock I started in the "Perchance to Knit" yarn I purchased during the "Sockret Pal Swap" last year. It's a very busy yarn so I'm knitting it plain, with my standard 68 stitches on US1 dpn's. This is the front of the sock...wild isn't it?

Yesterday, I also started a hat for Mandy...the pattern is in the January 2008 issue of Creative Knitting (it's called "Warm Stripings"). The hat is a little further along now than shown in the picture. I will be knitting it without the earflaps. I'm using Patons SWS yarn in the "Natural Pink" colorway. Mandy would like the matching "glove-mitts" but that won't happen in time for Christmas (hopefully the hat will be finished in time to gift it to her though).
Everything else I had started ("Diagonal Rib" socks, "Garter Rib" socks, scarf, stole, black/orange socks, etc., etc.) are laying dormant for now...hopefully I will get to those in the new year.
Oh, I have a job interview tomorrow. If you are so inclined, say a prayer for me or think good thoughts.
Second Oh, Mandy got accepted to her #2 college choice, Bowling Green State University (she is still waiting to hear from her #1 choice, Miami (of Ohio) University). She will be studying Elementary Education in the fall of next year.
That's it for now, hopefully it won't take me a whole month before the next post. More later!

I Don't Want To Go Back To Work

It has been a very nice 4 day weekend. And I have accomplished at least one thing...My Ariel Mitts are done! They are so pretty, and fit great...I'm wearing them as I type.







I also started a Christmas present. When these are done, they will be a pair of socks for a family member. This is Trekking 800 (I won this yarn in SAM2) knit in a 2x2 rib for the leg, the foot will be knit plain.

Mandy and I had a wonderful time at my sister's house on Thanksgiving. It was so good to see her and her family and the food was sooooo good! As if the 3 yarns she sent to me weren't enough...Monica had more birthday presents waiting for me.



Another hank of yarn (Gypsyknits in Steel Sock) and a binder with all of her patterns (so far). And my niece, Kaitlin gave me a Harry Potter bookmark and a Starbucks giftcard. We had a wonderful time knitting and talking and cooking and eating. Thanks Monica.

Well, I'm going to go knit some more on the Christmas present and maybe finish the Croc Sock (it's very close to the toe decreases)...let's see how much more I can get done before Monday comes...
More later.

Yesterday Was My Birthday

And I want to thank all of you who stopped by to wish me a happy one. It was a pretty good day. Monica sent me a package of some wonderful yarn...and my daughter gave me one of my most favoritest movies.

The yarn Monica gave my is from left to right: CTH Sockittome yarn in Quarry Hill, Pagewood Farm (a new to me and her yarn, it's very pretty) in Vineyard and Lorna's Sport in Devon (I will be knitting Monica's Ariel Mitts in this). And in the background you can see the dvd Mandy gave me...The Bishop's Wife!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'm off to wind some yarn, knit and watch my new movie. More later.

CONTEST ALERT: Jane is celebrating her 300th post, go tell her something weird about yourself and let her know I sent you.

Some Knittin Goin On

So, another week has come and gone...and I have been knitting. Working on old projects, starting new ones.

I finished the mitts I was knitting Mandy the same weekend I started them (I was just to lazy to blog about the them till now). They are a little stiff and scratchy so I will run them through a wash before Christmas. She would like another pair in her school colors, and I do have some yarn that will fit the bill....

I finished the Claudia Handpainted socks too. Monica didn't name them before submitting them to Cherry Tree Hill, but I am calling them Purled Arches. Even though the 2 hanks of yarn came from the same dye lot, they are very different (and I know this is typical of handpainted yarn). Monica gave me this yarn last year for my birthday, and her pattern looks wonderful in it (even if I can't take a decent picture).

I also started a few new things. First up are Croc Socks (this pattern will be available soon at The Loopy Ewe). This is one of Monica's latest designs...I'm knitting it in Lorna's Laces - Sand Ridge colorway. It is a fun pattern to knit up (I know I'm considered bias...she is my sister...but I have loved every single one of her patterns...my only frustration has been not always having the "perfect" yarn to knit them in, but that has nothing to do with the pattern or the designer).

Second... Kyla Mitts. This is such a pretty mitt. I chose not to make the bobbles, but go straight into the twisted rib cuff. The cables really drew in the cuff, I hope I will be able to get them onto my fluffy hands (otherwise Mandy will be getting another pair). Here is the first one almost to the hand. This is Pace Sock Yarn in a buttery yellow colorway.

Third... Another pair of socks, knit in some Perchance To Knit yarn.

Blogger is being a poophead and won't let me add the pictures of the Croc Socks and the Perchance To Knit start. There is a picture on my Flikr of the Croc Socks if you would like to see it and also in my Ravelry projects.

Well, that's all I have for now (stupid Blogger). More later!

Charades Anyone?

I finally finished the Charade socks today. They didn't lanquish as long as the Edelweiss Socks (almost a year)...I began them on 8/10/07, but then I got a bad case of startitis and started and finished up a whole bunch of other socks in between. So stats are: Lorna's Laces Child's Play colorway (this yarn striped so differently on the feet, it is amazing. I did join the second ball on the gusset of the second sock though, it is the one on the bottom) , 64 stitches on US1 dpn's. I chose to not carry the design down the foot.

I worked on Mandy's mitts today. Finished the first and started the second. I'm using Knit Picks Simple Stripes in the Sweet Tart colorway (this yarn has been discontinued). These will be stocking stuffers for her (I'm so good, already starting my Christmas knitting).

I got my invite to Ravelry on Friday, my user name is karenm. Boy is there a lot to do there, I haven't even scratched the surface yet.

Contest Alert:

And click on over to Cass's blog, she's having a contest. Tell her I sent you and I'll get extra credit.

Well, I'm going to set all my clocks back and go to bed. More later!

As Predicted...

...I finished the Victorian Swag Socks on Friday. They are so pretty, I can't wait to wear them. I knit them in Trekking 04 (this pattern is so pretty in a self-striping yarn).
So this pair brings my total for the year to 32 and it is the 5th pair completed in October. I might be able to finish another pair by Wednesday...

but I've started another pair in the Claudia, Monica gave me last year, in another of her patterns. This one she designed for Cherry Tree Hill's new Sockittome line of yarn. They bought the pattern, but Monica doesn't know when it will be available from them. So keep an eye out for it, it has been wonderful to knit (even if I can't get a good shot of the design and the correct color of the yarn).

Speaking of Monica's patterns, a new supply has been put up at The Loopy Ewe ( I know, shameless plug, but there you have it).

And here is the sock I started in the Trekking I won from Barbara...I'm knitting it in the Cedar Creek pattern from Blue Moon Fiber Arts (it looks exactly like the Diagonal Rib pattern at Interweave Knits though).

I can't remember if I showed this sock before... I'm knitting the Twin Rib pattern (from Sensational Knitted Socks) in the Los Angeles colorway of Wisdom Yarn I bought last summer. It's a kind of fuzzy yarn, but I think it will be a nice pair of socks.
I've been wearing a lot of my new socks recently as the weather has decided to catch up with the calendar. It is hard to choose each morning which pair to put on though...what a dilemma for a girl to have. Well, I think that is all for now. More later.

Monkeying Around

Woo Hoo!!! I had enough yarn. There wasn't much left of either the Trekking or the natural but in the end it was all good. Mandy says hers are prettier, but the only difference between them is, mine are 1" longer in the foot (and the 4 extra stitches for my fatter legs and feet).

So, stats for mine are: 68 stitches, US1 dpn's, Regia Red and Natural with Trekking 285.

Stats for Mandy's: 64 stitches, US1 dpn's, same yarn.

As you can see our feet love them and each other (George was unavailable for the photo shoot)!

I've finished the gusset decreases on the second Victorian Swag sock so I should be finishing those sometime tomorrow (that will make my 5th pair of socks I've finished this month...that may be a record for me). Well, that's it for now. More later.

30th Pair Of Socks

This is the 30th pair of socks I've completed this year. Not all have been for me...I've knit some for both my kids, my sister, and her daughters (they will have them soon). What we see here is Meilenweit Fantasy #4833, 68 stitches on US1 dpn's. With 1x1 cuffs and 3x1 legs and insteps. And did you notice? They match perfectly!

I also (finally) put thumbs on the Fetchings but I didn't take a picture of them. Mandy has decided she would rather have the new mitts I've started in some Knit Picks sock yarn so I will be giving the Fetchings to my co-worker tomorrow for her birthday.

I have also finished the first sock in the second pair of Sock Monkey socks. I still have quite a bit of the Trekking left (so I'm pretty confident that I will have enough to finish the pair).

Well that's all the knitting news for now. Have a great week. More later.

Just A Quicky

I finished my Sock Monkey Socks tonight. Mandy insisted that I take a picture of them with George (her sock monkey...she made him many years ago when I first taught her to sew). These went fast...I started them on 10/10 and finished the 10/16. Mandy would like a pair of her own and I'm pretty sure I have enough of the Trekking left to make them (I've started them anyway...we shall see).

Here is another image of them. I really like how they turned out and the yarn matches George so closely too. So, I'm off to knit some more and watch Boston Legal. More later.

Just More (Cool) Socks

Here is the new sock I started this week. It's a "Sock Monkey" sock. I'm using Rebecca's formula.

I'm using some of the leftover Regia yarn from the Edelweiss Socks, and Trekking Tweed 285. I have finished the gusset decreases and now I'm working my way toward the toe where I will change yarn to the cream again. I don't understand my need to knit these multi-color socks with so many ends to weave in, but they sure do look nice when they are done.





With all this starting new socks, some that I had started last month have been neglected. But I did manage to finish the first sock of the Victorian Swag pair (I'm knitting this pair in Trekking 04). I love what this pattern is doing to this self-striping yarn. The pattern sold out at The Loopy Ewe earlier this week, but Monica has had some more printed up and will be shipping them out very soon (if you missed getting it, you will soon have another chance). Click on Monica's name, she is having a contest. If you give her the perfect name for her latest mitts pattern she'll send you the pattern and the yarn to knit it with.

I have also finished the first Meilenweit sock that I showed 1 or 2 posts ago and have started its mate (I'll post a picture when the pair is complete).
Well not much is happening around the old homestead and it's getting pretty late. Have a great weekend! More later.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss

It took me almost a full year to get this pair of socks done, but done they are! When I saw this pair of socks in the Fall 2006 issue of Vogue Knitting, I knew I had to knit them. They are knit with Regia 4-fadig in black/red/natural. I worked on the second sock all week and finally they are a pair. It is supposed to be a lot cooler this week (after Tuesday), I can't wait to wear all my new socks. This is pair 28 for the year (that ties my count for last year) so the rest will be bonus.

Barbara, at Romancing the Yarn is giving away a skein of sock yarn every day this month, she calls it sockyarnapoolza. She drew my name on the 3rd and this is what she sent me: Trekking XXL 181. The flash is messing with the colors, this yarn is so pretty. And I've already put it on some needles, I'm knitting the Cedar Creek pattern from Blue Moon Fiber Arts (Socks that Rock). It is looking very nice indeed! I will post a picture as soon as I'm further on it. Have a great Sunday. More later!

Done, Almost Done, Started, And R.I.P.ped

I finished the Trekking 107 socks tonight. My usual Plain Jane socks; 68 stitches on US1 dpn's. Love them, can't wait to wear them. I like the
first sock (the one on top) better than the second...that's always the case with Trekking for me (I like one more than the other).








I've made a pair of Fetchings for Mandy (yeah, I know, I'm the last knitter on earth to knit these). I knit them in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (my Sockret Pal gave me 2 skeins of this so I will be knitting a pair for myself too). Mandy is being picky...she thinks they need the thumbs. Whatever....


And here is the latest pair to jump OTNs. Meilenweit Fantasy. 68 stitches, US1, 1x1 cuff, 3x1 leg and foot (when I get there). It's very happy yarn.



Jane is having a contest (yarn prizes are involved, so you know I'm going to play), show the first pair of socks you ever knit and the latest. Well my latest are at the top of the post, so now for my first...Opal Lollipop. My cast on has gotten so much better and looser (I don't knit tourniquets anymore).
And these two have gone to the frog pond. The orange sock wouldn't go over my heel...so "if" I restart them, they will have 77 stitches instead of 66. The other sock I started in Monica's Dancing Tulips pattern (her patterns will be available soon at The Loopy Ewe) in some Perchance to Knit yarn. Love the pattern, love the yarn... just not together. I will find the perfect match for each down the road.














That's it for now. More later!

SOS2007 Round Up...Wind Down?

Well, SOS2007 has come to an end and I don't think I did too badly. I started and finished 8 pair of socks since June 21st. I will have warm and colorful feet this winter.

I also have 2 singletons finished with their mates started and 4 others in various stages of progress (Monica, look at the picture big...that's your Swag design in the Trekking I started...isn't it pretty?). I think my startitis got the best of me. But it's all good, they will get done...eventually.

Well, I'm off to knit and/or sew (Mandy really wants me to finish her tote bag for Teacher's Academy). Have a good weekend! More later.

A Quick Knit

That's what this pair was... Monica's Hearts-A-Plenty. I started them on 9/12/07 and finished them tonight (9/17/07). Knit in Paton's Kroy-Fancy Free. Hopefully you'll be able to knit these yourself (look for Monica's patterns at The Loopy Ewe in the very near future...shameless plug!). Now I need to start another of her patterns (she is so very talented!).

9/19/07

Christy asked about my sock blockers...yes I did make them myself from wire hangers. There are instructions here. Have fun making them!!

Test-Knitter 101

First, you have to have a sister who can whip out patterns like nobodies business... just my luck, I have such a sister. Second, you must be prepared with needles and yarn...so far so good. Third, you must love to knit...that's a given, especially socks. Three for three. Monica's brain has been leaking a lot of patterns lately, and being the helpful, loving sister that I am, I have offered my services as test-knitter (and proof-reader). It's a win win situation. I get some lovely socks and Monica knows that her patterns are liked, understood, and knitable by someone other than herself (of course they are, silly girl!)

So, here are two of her new sock patterns that I've been test knitting. This is "Hearts-A-Plenty" (I thought of the name). I'm knitting them in Patons Kroy Sock yarn . I'm not going to knit the hearts down the foot (even though the pattern is written that way, and yes I should knit it exactly like the pattern is written...but I don't really like holes on my feet). I thought the yarn was going to be too busy for it, but it's turning out nice (well in person it looks great).

The second sock pattern I started doesn't have a name yet but I'm knitting it in CTH Potluck Blues/Purples. Monica knit hers in CTH Sockittome Spanish Moss. The yarn is a little dark for the design to show but I will keep knitting it.

I also started another plain sock in Trekking 107. I had coveted this colorway a long time before I was able to get it last year. It has been waiting patiently to be knit. I'm on the heel flap.

So, that's it for this weeks update. It's good to be a (test) knitter. Have a great weekend!

Short and Sweet

Just a short post to show off the latest finished pair of socks. This is STR Watermelon Tourmaline in their medium weight. I knit them plain with 60 stitches (wish I had used only 56, they are a little looser than my other socks) on US2 dpn's. I started these on 9/1 and finished them yesterday.

I've started 2 new pair of socks but I'm still trying to decide if I like the yarns with the patterns. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon (and then I'll have pictures).

I've joined The Secret of the Stole KAL (I'm crazy, I know, but there is still time to join), and I've knitted up the swatch for that. I'm using Knit Picks Shadow in the Sunset colorway (it's the yarn I didn't use for the MS3).

And I also started a scarf today (yes, still crazy). I'm using some unknown yarn that I bought about 3 or 4 years ago when Monica and I went to the kind of local Wool Gathering. Here are 2 repeats of the pattern. This is the Mead Scarf. It is a very easy and fun pattern to knit. I'm not sure if I will gift this or keep it for myself (the colors would look nice with my coat).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. More later!

I've Always Considered Myself Crafty

For a contest at Carols blog : no pictures...sorry

Mom taught me at an early age (7 or 8) to knit and to sew (she tried to teach me to crochet but for some reason I never caught on, well not till I checked out a tape from the library and sat with my yarn and hook, with the remote right beside me to pause and practice what had just been shown, I was around 31 then). There was a shop mom liked to frequent and I learned to do counted cross stitch, needlepoint and latch hook rugs (I haven't done a rug in a long while, but I have taught my daughter). In fact I've taught my daughter all the crafts (needlearts) that I do...with the exception of smocking (she doesn't have any interest in that). I learned to smock about 7 years ago, but haven't done much of that since I took up sock knitting (I have several doll dresses to finish). Currently in production is a tote bag for my daughter to use for Teacher's Academy (she wants to be a 2nd grade teacher and is shadowing in a 2nd grade class in our school district this year...she will get college credit for this...yipee), socks (always), some dishcloths, a sweater for my son (he wants to know if he will finally get it this Christmas...this will be the 3rd Christmas since I started it...I don't get what he's complaining about, but I should put the socks down for a while and finish it...REALLY), and some t-shirts that need to be emboidered (I have an embroidery/sewing machine). You can see samples of my work on my Flikr page...I've uploaded some old pictures of some dresses/outfits I smocked for my niece and a quilt I made my in-laws for their 50th Anniversary (I can't find a picture of the quilt) and doll dresses/outfits I've made for my daughter and nieces and stockings I've made for my family and family members and all sorts of things.
I'm almost finished with my first pair of socks for September, so I will feature those in the next post. More later!

Busy Week

I have finished my last pair of socks for August. These are my CTH Serengeti socks knit with my sister's pattern she designed for the new CTH Sockittome yarn. It is another great pattern (she is so talented, and I love being her test knitter!). I started them on 6/27 and finished them 8/31 (not the longest time it's taken me to finish a pair of socks). So this makes 6 pair for SOS2007, 15 pair for 52 PP, takes care of Project Spectrum (so did the previous 2 pair), and this is the 24th pair for the year (4 more and I tie last years record...I think I will be breaking it though).

And after completing my round of DishRag Tag, the dishcloth craze continued. I finally finished the Ballband dishcloth I started last year along with three new ones (now if I could just get someone other than myself to use them, I'd have it made).

I'm looking forward to my three day weekend (lots of knitting time). Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone and be safe. More later!

Mandy Has The Back To School Blues

Monday is the first day of school for my girl. She is a Senior! How did that happen? This will be a very busy year for her (us). I thought I was getting no sleep already...I don't know how I'm going to make it through this early morning stuff again.

The Trekking socks are done! Monica gave me this yarn last month (she was going to knit a pair of socks for me with it, but gave it to me to knit instead). I knit them plain with 68 stitches on size 1 dpn's.
I think I will work on the CTH Serengeti socks now and finish those up this month. And Mandy wants me to knit the second Lorna's sock because the first one fits her "perfectly".




And I liked the dishcloth I knit for Lois
so well, I knit one exactly like it for myself.
Still no progress on the MS3. I've decided to make it symmetrical so I will have to knit the other half and graft them together (that is, after I finish the first half). That's all the news that I have right now. Have a great week.
CONTEST ALERTS!!!
You have till Friday to enter a contest at Hollyarn for some very pretty alpaca...click here ...leave a comment and mention you saw it here. Cool!
Wow there are so many blog contests going on ... here is another one. GoldenPurl wants to know what dates are important to you...don't forget to mention you saw it here.