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.

Tag...You're It!!

This is on it's way to my next team mate (well it will be this morning on my way to work anyway). It was short but sweet...pretty good turn around time (if I do say so myself). The pattern I used was so quick and easy (even with the lace) and it gave me a cloth that is 9-1/4 x 8-1/2 (hope you like it Lois). Ignore that dark spot on the tote, I had to squirt it with some water to get my positioning lines off (it's dry now).

And now for the sock update... The three I started in my bout of startitis have progressed (well two have anyway) and I added another one. I'm knitting the new one in Pace- Orange. It's a cable/lace pattern available when you join this yahoo group. I've knit the recommended number of repeats, but I will be doing at least a couple more (I don't like short socks). I'm on the second sock of the Trekking yarn (at the heel flap and they match) and I can cast on for the second sock of the Lorna's pair. Sadly, the other Trekking sock in the Spiral pattern has not been touched this week.
Jacquelyn is having a blogiversary contest, mention you saw it here and I get extra credit for it (thanks).

Well, that's it for now. Go Team Sweet Sixteen! Have a great weekend!

TAG....I'M IT!!!!

I received my teams DishRag Tag box today. This box has seen better days, let me tell ya. Laurie from Indiana knit me a lovely dishcloth (and I will do the same, I hope, for Lois), and sent me a card to keep track of my needles and a Dove chocolate bar (my favorite), and what I thought at first was a Reese's cup (another favorite) but is a lavender bath thingy. Ok, I'm off to knit a dishcloth for Lois!! I'll update on my socks next post! KNIT ON!!!

It's A Bad Case

One of the worst seen... STARTITIS! And it's all because of those empty needles laying in my needle case. Friday night after I finished the Cider Moon socks, I was looking at my yarn stash and thinking about two of the new patterns that had just been released for groups I belong to and well, I had to. It became an uncontrollable urge. I started 3 new socks (with one more waiting in the wings). Here they are: Lorna's Laces Child's Play in the Charade pattern (the link is in her sidebar), Trekking 161 knitting plain (Monica recently gave me this yarn, and it seems it is getting most of my attention right now), and Trekking ? in the Spiralling Socks pattern (one repeat done).

Waiting in the wings is some blue Opal 6-fach (that I had been knitting in a cable pattern from the Socksx3 book but ripped) to be knit in the new Six Sox pattern called "I Love Gansey Socks". I told you I had it BAD! The problem is I want to start more. I have a few more sets of empty needles and yarn that wants to be knit and patterns Monica has designed that I want to knit up(boy that was a run on). See how bad it is? If there is an intervention for this, please don't set it up. I will find a place to hide with all my yarn.

Here is a picture of the girls (daughter and niece) in their Harry Potter shirts. The Gryffindor Lion they copied from on-line, all the other designs (Snitch, Sorting Hat, and Wands) were done free hand by them. They are so talented and imaginative. They got a lot of compliments on them as we waited in line to get our books.

And this is what the front looks like.

Well, that's it for now. I'm thinking I'll be getting the box for my turn at the DishRag Tag by the end of the week, so socks will have to be delayed for some fast dish cloth knitting. Until then....

This, That, And Some Other Things

Well, I'm not done with the Cider Moon socks yet (but I am past the gusset decreases on the second sock, so it will be soon). Finished 8/10/07

And NO progress has been made on the MS3 since I transferred it to its new needle (I am such a slacker).

But as promised here are the "picture" dishcloths Mandy knit last week.
A red "M&M", a Transformer, and 2 Harry Potter. She is working on a Tweety Bird .

No picture of Tweety yet. And I need to post a picture of the t-shirts my daughter and niece made to wear for the Harry Potter 7 release. They are cool. Our daughters are so crafty, aren't they Monica?
Click on over to Cass's blog for some contest fun. Yarn and books could be yours (or mine).
And wish me luck...I have a job interview tomorrow at 11am. Have a great weekend! More later.

Knitting Weekend and My Prize Arrived

I was busy knitting this past weekend. I finished the first Serengeti sock (pictured in previous post) and started a new pair with my yarn I won from Laura. This is Cider Moon Glacier in the Istanbul colorway. 48 stitches on US4 dpn's (knitting it plain and it's knitting up fast). The recommended gauge is 5.5 stitches and 7 rows= 1", I'm getting 6 stitches and 8 rows to the inch. This yarn is so soft (I hope it won't pill).



And on Saturday the prize I won in Kimberly's Bingo game came. She made my some lovely stitch markers and a abacus bracelet (for row counting, thank goodness it came with instructions). Thanks Kimberly!
Mandy was knitting "picture" dishcloths all last week (4 in total with a 5th started).

I hope your weekend was enjoyable! Have a great week!

Finishing Socks Left and Right

Last week I was on vacation while my niece was visiting which left me a lot of knitting time.
I finished this pair that I had started in March. They are knit in Lorna's Laces Tahoe in a pattern that Monica designed. The design is very visible on the leg and instep so all I can show are the soles.

And on Tuesday I finished the socks in Fleece Artist
Seashore. I used the Periwinkle pattern over at straw.com. This is the 3rd pair finished for SOS2007. A comment on the yarn...I loved knitting with it, but if you look a the picture you will see that the socks look totally different. The yarn became less blue and more yellow/beige the further into the ball I got. I don't mind that this happened particularly, but I wish I would have known that was going to happen. Is this normal for this yarn?
I have also started another sock designed by Monica that I'm knitting in CTH Serengeti. No picture of that yet (but I'm almost done with the first leg). It is so pretty, I can't wait for you to see it! **picture added 8/6/07. I finished the first sock over the weekend and started the second.**
I transfered my shawl to my new needle (it is great knitting with the proper tools). I'm still plogging along on clue #3 (will I ever get done? I hope so!).
Well piffle, Blogger isn't letting me upload pictures (I'm at work so the dial-up could be the problem and not Blogger), but Flikr did. So if you would like to see the socks you can have a look there. **thank you Monica for loading the pictures for me**
That's it for now. Happy Knitting!