I've Been Lucky Lately

Posted 7/27/07.

Yes indeedy! I won a contest over at affiknitty and Laura sent me this lovely yarn... I can't wait to knit with it (but I want to get some of the other things OTN's off first).

And I also won the "Bingo" contest at Woven ~ n ~ Spun. Kimberly is sending me some pretty stitch markers and a bracelet row counter that she and her kids made. How cool is that!?! I will post a picture as soon as I receive them!

And I finished my LL Vera "Georgetown's". Monica wrote a wonderful pattern and knit hers in LL Georgetown, so that's how we refer to it. I love being her test knitter (and proofreader). I have some very nice socks out of this arrangement (he he he).

And Monica was so happy to finally get the email that said the pressie she ordered for me was finally sent. She knew I was having trouble with the short regular Addi Turbo needle I'm using for my MS3, so she got me a longer Addi Lace needle (it is taking it's sweet ole time getting here, so no pic of that yet). It came in today's mail (Picture added at 2:40 7/27/07) YIPEE!!!!!

Well after being without the internet for most of the week, I'm so happy I can be surfing (and posting) again. I will post more pictures when the items arrive. That's it for now. Have a good weekend!

Trying (desperately) To Keep Up

I have finally finished my first pair of socks for SOS2007 (and July socks for SAM3 and the 9th pair for 52 PP). Maybe more will come off the needles more quickly now. Here they are (they don't match perfectly, but they're pretty darn close). They weren't done in time for the 4th (it was too hot anyway), but I'll have them for next year (and it will be too hot then too). My standard plain socks (68 stitches on US1 dpn's, 6" leg, 9" foot).

And as if I didn't belong to enough groups already, I joined yet another one...Sockamania. There is a new pattern each month for the participants to knit. This months is called "Serpentine". It is written for toe up (but you know how I feel about toe up...I don't do them) so of course I am taking liberty to knit them cuff down. Here is a picture of the start... I'm knitting them in Sheldridge Farms - Crocus colorway.

And the main reason I have so many 1/2 pairs up in my header is this...The Mystery Stole 3. I finished with clue #2 this morning so I will be able to work on clue #3 that was posted yesterday. I really think I need to get a longer circular needle for this (my LYS is out of stock right now, imagine that).

Well, that's it for now I think. Have a great weekend! I'm off to knit some more, and tackle a new mound of laundry.

How I'm Spending My Summer Vacation

Ok, so I'm not really on summer vacation but this is how I have been enjoying myself. This is clue #1 in the Mystery Stole 3 KAL. I decided to knit it in the Knit Picks Gossamer - Sunrise. It is turning out very loverly. It started to pool a little but has fixed itself now that more stitches are on it. I wish I could stretch it out to its fullest, but my cable is too short and I don't want to lose any stitches. Clue #2 has been released and I have started on it.

So, while I was making lace, not much sock knitting was getting done. This will be remedied soon. I did happen to finish a couple first socks though. The Fleece Artist (that is pictured in the last post, not quite done) and the LL Tahoe in a pattern designed by Monica. Sorry I can't show you the design on the leg (she's hoping to get the pattern published).

So, I'm off to a slow start for SOS 2007, and I'm falling way behind in the 52 Pair Plunge. And next month starts the DishRag Tag...I'm so glad I decided to skip round 2 of the Hogwart's Sock Swap (I would be totally frazzled).

Well, I'm off to work on lace (or maybe socks)... oh, and the mound of laundry that needs to be done too. Joy! More later. Have a great weekend!

Summer Of Socks - Week 1

With the start up of Summer of Socks back on the 21st, I put 2 OTN's right away. The first is knit in Fleece Artist Seashore in this pattern. It knits up very quickly and I had it memorized in no time at all. I'm going to get this first sock done this week too.





The second pair I started is in Lorna's Laces Sock - Vera. I'm using a pattern my sister Monica designed. You can't see the design very well in this colorway, but it is very pretty, not too complicated (but very interesting to knit), and easy to memorize too.



And on Sunday I added another sock to the mix. It is my normal plain sock (68 stitches on US1 dpn's) in Trekking color #33. I thought since the 4th is next week I should do something patriotic (and I do have the yarn...). And do you see that? in the picture? about 4" in on the leg and again just after the heel and on the foot? It's the beginning of the repeat I started the sock with!!! Trekking with a pattern repeat (I know they have some, but this is my first skein that does)!!! Be still my OCD (have to have stripes matching socks) heart!!! When things like this happen, life is good. See how little is takes to please me? I've started the second (woo hoo) and didn't have to waste a lot of yarn to get to the starting point.




And being the joiner (glutton for punishment) that I am, I signed up for the Mystery Stole 3. Here is my test swatch (in Knit Picks Gossamer - Sunrise). I have another lace yarn (Knit Picks Shadow-Sunset, not as many hanks as the one in the picture though) that I might use instead. It's more solid. Melanie used 780yds for hers...I have 880yds of the solid (I have 1760yds of the variegated). I wonder if I should press my luck. I haven't had much luck lately, so maybe I shouldn't. So here is a picture of my choices. Which do you think I should use? Both would be pretty. Oh, and it starts tomorrow with the first clue.

Well, I think I've covered everything for now. Have a great weekend! More later.

PS: Go on over to Ali's, she's having a contest that involves a prize of yarn!

This Is How We Deal...

...with the end of a horrible day.

Funnel Cake anyone!?! Cuz this is real comfort food. Mandy (dear daughter) was performing all the action shots. She is becoming a good little cook (she has perfected several ways to cook an egg and now funnel cakes).

There are a couple of shots of the 2 socks I've started for Summer of Socks 2007 in my Flikr. I'm trying to spread my time equally between the two, so the socks I had started previously are on the back burner for a bit.

Ok, you can go back to drooling on your monitors now (they were mighty tasty)! More later!

Preparations

I'm preparing this post early in the hopes I won't forget anything. I've been trying to finish up some of my SIP's so I can start new ones after Thursday and have them count for Summer Of Socks 2007. I finished my son's birthday socks on Tuesday. He's going to love these once it cools down again. Trekking XXL 188, 64 stitches, US1 dpn's. So, what am I preparing for?....




First...Summer of Socks 2007. It begins 5am on the 21st (tomorrow). I have wound my yarn, the pattern has been chosen, and the needles are waiting for the cast-on. I think I've made a good match...but only time will tell. This is Fleece Artist in the Seashore colorway. The pattern I'm going to use can be found here.





The second thing to prepare for is the Dish Rag Tag. It doesn't start until August 1st, but I thought I'd get my dishcloth mojo going. I hope I won't peak to early. It took me about 5 tries to get this started. I can join socks in the round all day long with no trouble but trying to join those 8 stitches in the center caused me a lot of grief. I'm using this pattern.

Well, that's all I can think of right now. If you happen to be getting some rain, send it our way. We need it. Have a great rest of the week and weekend. More later!

Back To Socks

I finished the Regia Cotton Surf socks tonight. These will be gifted later this year (am I good or what?...getting something done months in advance). So, they are my standard 68 stitches on US1 dpn's and they match perfectly! (yet again).

I have also got a pair of ankle socks going for my son (he will be 22 on July 3rd). His favorite color is black so of course the yarn I'm using is black. Trekking 188 shades of black/grey. I like this yarn a lot. I've knit the 2 x 2 cuffs 1-1/2" long, the foot from heel to tip of toe is 10". These fit right in with Project Spectrum. I should have this pair done soon.

Speaking of Project Spectrum... I've resurrected my Edelweiss socks. The second sock is finally cast on but I'm making slow progress on it (I seem to have too many choices to work on right now).

And now I have more empty needles, so of course I want to cast on a new pair!

Have a great weekend! More later

Yikes!!! More Hats

I know I promised there would be socks next, BUT, I knit 2 more hats this weekend for the Loopy Ewe challenge. This brings my total to 8 hats I will be sending in for charity. I really think I'm done with the hats this time. Both hats are knit in Caron Simply Soft Brights with 80 stitches. The yellow/turquoise hat was knit on US6 (it reminds me of the Swedish flag) and the purple/pink on US7.

In sock news (I will have pictures later this week)...I'm almost finished with my son's first ankle sock for his July 3rd birthday and the second blue stripe sock (Regia Cotton Surf) is almost to the heel flap. I'm hoping to have at least one of the pair done by the end of the week. That's all the news I have right now. Have a great week.

More Money Will Be Changing Hands

I knit the pink Squiggle hat I was commissioned to do. It is knit the same as the green one in the previous post (except color of course). Gotta love something so quick and easy to knit (and get paid for it too). Well, I need to get ready for work and get out of here. There will be socks next time. I've been busy with those too. Have a great weekend!

This One I Got Paid For

My co-worker asked me to knit a Squiggle hat for her to give to her cousin for her new baby boy. This is what I came up with: Caron Simply Soft in Limelight with Squiggle. Another cousin of hers had a little girl a couple of weeks ago and she would like another one but in pink this time. So I will start working on that one soon. She is amazed how fast I got it done, and she loves it. I really need to get back to the socks now, they have been dreadfully neglected. Have a great weekend!

These Hats Are Really Fast...

...to knit. I've just finished another one. Caron Simply Soft in Watermelon and Limelight. I started it at work yesterday and after dinner this is what I worked on. That is the center back, my jogless jog looks pretty good. This one is 86 stitches on US7, it fits on my 22" head but is short (doesn't cover my ears). That makes 6 hats for the Loopy Ewe challenge, I may be done. My hands really don't like the big needles, I'm ready for some size 1's for a while.

Time for bed, Goodnight!

2 More Hats Off The Needles

Edited on 5/29/07: Ok, make that 3. I finished another hat this morning. I've knit this one in Caron Simply Soft Mango with some Squiggle thrown in with it. This hat is so cute! My co-worker has asked me to knit one for her cousin's new baby boy. I'm thinking lime green with a different Squiggle I have.

I knit another of the Vine Lace Baby Hats in Caron Sport-Thunder Blue. I think I've mastered this pattern and will move on. I knit it exactly like the green one in the previous post.

I also knit this Cable Rib Hat in Wool Ease-Red Sprinkles. Mandy agreed to model it. Relaxed it measures 18" but it stretches out nicely. It's supposed to fit a 2-6 year old but it also fits a 17 year old.

More knitting as it comes off the needles!

Baby Hats! & Socks Too

I'm knitting some baby hats for the Loopy Ewe challenge. I've had some false starts but these 2 have turned out quite nice. Both are knit in the Vine Lace Baby Hat pattern. The pink/yellow hat is knit in Knit Picks Sock Garden-Stargazer Lily and the green hat is Caron Sport that I've had for forever.

The pink hat is being modeled by one of Mandy's Bitty Babies (they have 13" heads). The green one is over a container that shows off the lace details. Both are knit with the 81 stitches; the pink hat was knit on size 3 and the green on size 5 needles. I'm going to knit another one in a bright blue next (the yarn is Caron Sport also and the color is called "Thunder Blue). I love this pattern!

And in sock news (since I have so many empty needles), I started a plain jane sock in one of the Regia Cotton Surf yarns in my stash. The standard 68 stitches on size US1's. I'm almost ready for a heel flap.

So, that's all the knitting news for now. Have a great holiday weekend, I hope you get to knit some.

Rasa Tagged Me

But I reserve the right to NOT tag anyone else. So, here are 7 random things about little ole me...

1.I love old musicals...my favorite is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
2. I'm an Army brat...Dad retired when I finished 4th grade
3. I hate to move...We moved a lot during the Army years Kentucky, Germany, back to Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Colorado, then after retirement, Indiana, Ohio, back to Indiana, and then when I got married back to Ohio.
4. If I could, I would sit and knit all day long.
5. My BFF is my sister Monica
6. I'm the middle child of 7
7. I hate to go on Ferris Wheels and Roller Coasters (Space Mountain just about did me in)

Well, there you have it... if you would like to play, consider yourself tagged. Next post will be knitting, I promise.

Oh, Oh, Oh It's Magic

The Opal Magic 1051 socks are finished! I finished them too late last night to take a picture and post, but the sun is up so here they are.

Stats:

Opal Magic 1051

68 stitches

2 x 2 rib cuff

3 x 1 rib leg and instep

US1 dpn's

Another magical thing about them is that they match perfectly...again.

So, I have another set of empty needles that need to be filled. I better get busy! Have a great week! More later.

Did I get the song stuck in your brain?

Taking Stock

Added on 5/18/07, 8:45pm

The orange Trekking socks are done (finished at work this afternoon). Stats: Crosshatch Lace pattern from More SKS, 72 stitches on leg on size US0 dpn's, 68 stitches on foot on size US1 dpn's. Oh so pretty and they fit great. Here they are just hanging out in the azalea (and a few thistle).

Deb offered up a challenge yesterday after reading Carole's blog. Kind of a "flash your sock yarn stash" thing. How many pair of socks would you be able to knit from your current stash. I too, am no match for Carole's 80 pair, but I did beat out Deb. As of last night, I could knit42 pair of socks. 2 balls didn't make it into that shot...my ball of STR and Bearfoot. This count does not include the 6 pair I have OTN. I just did some calculating and it seems I have just enough to finish the 52 Pair Plunge (that doesn't mean that I won't be buying more when the budget allows, ;) if you know what I mean). So conduct your own "spring sock yarn inventory" and let us know "what condition your condition is in".

In sock knitting news...the orange Trekking socks are nearing completion (just a few more inches) and the second Opal Magic (turquiose) sock has been started and the leg is almost done. I will post pics of those upon completion. Have a great Thursday. More later!

Busy Doing Nothing

That's how I feel. I did finish Monica's socks for her birthday... she has received them (and the rest of her presents too, she has blogged about it). She loves them and they fit "perfect" she says.

I started a new pair in Opal Magic. I started with a 2 x 2 rib and when I got tired of that I switched to a 3 x 1 rib for the leg and foot. I like it, the colors make me happy. This will be my Socktopia "Yikes Stripes" socks for May.

I'm still working on the test knit for Monica's sock pattern. I'm knitting them in Lorna's Laces Tahoe colorway (that Mandy gave me for my birthday last year). It's very pretty, I'm sorry all I can show you is the heel.

I'm on the second sock of the orange Trekking Crosshatch Lace pair. I had set this aside to finish Monica's socks (and start some new socks too), but I will let them out of their box and put some more inches on them (and hopefully finish) too.

I restarted the Panda Cotton (that I recently won) using Adrienne's pattern. It's a fun pattern to knit and easily memorized. This yarn is so soft but so splitty. I will knit on and not let that defeat me.

Well, that's all I have for now. I hope to have more finished next time... I think I might do a little sewing and/or machine embroidery. I have some things I need to get done for upcoming birthdays. Have a great Friday and weekend!

With Time To Spare

Added on 5/5/07 at 9:18pm: Monica's birthday socks are done...I will post a picture on my flikr page when she has received them. I'll probably mail her package on Tuesday or Wednesday (her birthday is on Sunday...Mother's Day!!)



I finished my April Socktopia Socks and another pair for the 52 Pair Plunge. Here are the Opal Prisma 1190 knit in the Pennant pattern from More SKS, 66 stitches on size US1 dpn's. Now to finish the orange Trekking and Monica's birthday socks.

I Had To...

do this to enter a contest. I love entering contests (esp. when sock yarn is involved). I was surfing the net this afternoon at work (business is very slow and Monica has a migraine so we couldn't IM) and came across a new blog (to me) where Carrie is having a contest. You have to start (she didn't say you had to finish it, but I probably will anyway) a springy looking dishcloth. After I fed my family, I pulled out my bin of cotton yarns and found the most springy looking ball I had. This is what I've done so far. I'm using a pattern that is in the 2006 Knitting Pattern A Day Calender. It's starting to pool now with the increase of stitches and I'm almost to the required 43 stitches you have to reach before starting the decreases. That's all I have for now...more later.

Added on at 10:05

No one is more surprised than me... but I finished something that wasn't a sock (see, I can knit other things). I wove in the ends as Grey's was ending. I wonder if I get extra credit for finishing it? Just kidding! I love when triangles become squares!

Back to the socks, I still need to finish one for Socktopia before Tuesday!

Sometimes Two Halves...

Edited on April 23 This just in: A few weeks ago I posted a comment over at Adrienne's blog to enter a contest she was having, and she picked my name out of a jar to win this prize that came today:

2 skeins of the new Panda Cotton. I chose the Seascape colorway over the Rosewater. Isn't it beautiful? I will be knitting the pattern she designed for this yarn, but I think with only 60 stitches (I've already tried it with 66 and it was too big. see how I am. it doesn't even get in the door right and I'm playing with it). It's very soft, but does split very easily. I won't let that deter me. Thank you Adrienne! I love the yarn and I'm going to love knitting your pattern too!

... don't make a whole. As with these two socks. I finished the first of the Trekking "Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana" Socktopia sock. Can I say, I love this sock? It fits great, I like the lace pattern (Crosshatch Lace MSKS), and the varying shades of orange are making me happy. Who knew I was wild about orange? Not me!


The second sock of this non-pair pair is also for Socktopia...it is for two themes: "Sunshine On My Shoulders" and "Bumble Bees and Butterflies" (more bumble bees than butterflies). I'm using one of the pennant designs from "More Sensational Knitted Socks" (MSKS from now on). I'm knitting this pair in Opal Prisma 1190. So, now I will knit another non-pair pair just like this one (both have been cast on).

I'm almost finished with Monica's first birthday sock (it will be finished today...sometime...later).

Have a great weekend! More later