New Needles

Have you seen the new 9" circular sock needles by Hiya Hiya?

When I first saw them, I thought huh? don't think I'd like them. But then I was asked to test them...they're great!!

I cast on 64sts with Brown Sheep Wildfoote and started the ribbing on a US size 1. I thought it would be difficult with such a small circular needle circumference but n-o-o-o, it actually works well. So well that I asked for one in a US size 2 so I can try them with a pair of fingerless gloves! (I have to wait because they had to be ordered.)

They are great if you have trouble with ladders between your dpns.

And since I don't have enough WIPs (not!) I wound this yarn (which I haven't tried yet) for a pair of fingerless gloves. The Ravelry Fingerless Glove Fanatics group September kal is Della Mitts.

Watch for an updated pictures.

Progressing Along...

...even with startitis, knitting progress is being made.

This month's Fingerless Glove Fanatics kal is "purple." You choose what pattern you want to knit but the yarn has to be purple or a variegated purple or striped with purple or handpainted with purple (you get the idea).

Nathair Mitts by Dianna Morgan (Knitasaur)

I'm using Debbie Bliss Alpaca (80%) Silk (20%) Aran (worsted weight) in Purple on US 8 dpns.

A lovely cable pattern. I have the thumb to do on this right mitt and then I'll start the left one.

I am finding it hard to think about giving these away but I am suppose to be working on Christmas presents. I love this cable pattern and will definitely have to make myself a pair!


The FGF: the Sock Group is having a Green kal. Knit any pattern in green.

I am knitting a basic sock with a K2, P2 cuff, a three inch leg, and to change it up a bit, I've knitted an Eye of Partridge heel flap.

I'm using Plymouth Yarn Rockin' Sox in Green/Teal/Purple on US 1 1/2 dpns.

This sock is my traveling sock. And, since we are traveling this weekend, I hope to finish it and start the mate.





Here is another berrystitch bag. This one is definitely a gift and I need to get it done soon.


The back was done on the Bond Knitting Machine. The front is the Knitting Needle Knitting Bag

I am using Brown Sheep LanoLoft in Turquoise on US 10 1/2 straight needles. I'll pick up the stitches for the back and add a few rows before sewing the side and bottom seams.






And definitely NOT last (but the last one I'll mention today) is a sCrapBag. It is part of a kal with SuKnitWitty.
I am using (what else) scraps!! Well, since I don't have many scraps, um... they're mostly um... from SuKnitWitty. She is kind and generous to share some scraps with me.

They are (so far) Red Heart worsted weight yarn.

The back was done on the Bond Knitting Machine (did I tell you I LUV that machine?!) (I am going to get one of my own... soon... so I hear)

I then picked up the stitches and proceeded with the hand knitting of some delicious ribs.


So that is all I'll mention for today, don't want to give away all my WIPs (hehe) Some are worked on a few rows at a time and some are sitting patiently for their turn.

"When life throws you scraps, make a scrap bag!" (you can always use it to carry a new project)

WIP Wednesday

Today a WIP update:

Sockdown! Feb. I did finish one sock and started the other. (Good thing I have until the end of Mar to finish it in order to qualify for a prize)















Sockdown! Mar. This month's challenge is to use the technique of lace, or a pattern by Cat Bordhi, or the Mystery Sock. (I'm all for the Mystery Sock but have to wait until I have a free set of needles.)

I had started the sock Blackrose by Suzi Anvin using a superwash merino/bamboo blend by Gaia's Colours. The colorway is Dionysus (sort of a dark purple). I am loving this yarn; it is soooo soft and feels wonderful on the hand. The color does look dark which is perfect for the pattern Blackrose!















The Blueberry Tea Mitts are coming along fine. I love cables and this is a wonderful pattern by Paula McKeever. The yarn is Knit Picks Gloss Dusk (blue of course!!).















One of the Mar Fingerless Glove Fanatics (fgf) kal is Swan Maiden Mitts by Holly Terrell. I am using Malabrigo Kettled Dyed Violeta Africana (leftovers from a previous sock I did) fingering weight on size 1 dpn. I was afraid it was working up too small but I think it will come out alright. The ribbing part is suppose to be tighter right?















The Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman.
I have not made one before and our Quilt/Yarn/Cross-Stitch shop offered a class. I thought it was a great opportunity to learn how this "surprise" worked. I was hoping it would be a little smaller (like for a newborn) but at least I'll learn the technique and can make a smaller one. I'm using Lambs Pride Superwash in Mint Cream and Lemon Ice on size 7 needles.














***on a side note***
Today's horoscope:
"You could be doing a lot of serious thinking today, and it ought to be a good time to work on any projects that require intense focus and concentration."
Like lace, right?!

Socks, fingerless glove, and baseball... oh and yarn too!

The BFF Socks, pattern by Cookie A, are finished! Yep finished. And they are finished in time to qualify for Sockdown! Sep.

I love the fall colors and the tiny cables. Too bad they are a bit big for me. I made the medium size (8) but used bigger needles to get the correct gauge. So they will be a gift.

I did not cast on for the Sockdown! Oct even though I had the yarn and pattern picked out. It seems I have a few other projects that needed attention. I am excited about Sockdown! Nov and plan to cast on for the Mystery Sock. I have never done a mystery kal. We were told we'd need a main color and two very contrasting colors. So I picked:

OR:

Bad news: the second choice doesn't contrast enough. Good news: I can use the lime green or multi-green/blue in the first choice with the solid mauve or multi-mauve in the second choice. Yes, using a lime green is way outside my comfort zone but hey, it should be fun to see how they turn out.

Another FO is the "Under the Rose" fingerless glove. Yes, it is only one, so I do have to work on the second one but one is finished and I like it very much. I think my mom will like them too! I hope to get the second one finished before being seduced by more yarn for another project! I already hear a hank calling to be wound into a cake for another scarf.

BASEBALL UPDATE:
As you've heard by now, the Tampa Bay Rays are down 3-1 in the World Series. I sure thought they'd be whipping butt! I still cling to the hope that they will come back and stomp the Phillies. I'll be watching game 5 tonight after my monthly Knit & Crochet meeting at the Wool n' Cotton Shop.

Sep KAL Fingerless gloves update

I finished the right glove of the Argyle Mitts:

I am very happy with the way it turned out. Now I just hope I remember to do the correct thumb for the left one! This is the first time I've done a right and left glove. Usually they're the same so "no problem."

And here is the Porphyria fingerless glove:

It turned out nice but the K3tog,yo,k3tog is a bear to do. But it does make a nice pattern. My MIL will like them (her favorite color is red) and they will keep her hands and wrists warm in the OH winter.

So I now have one of each done. I did cast on and start the ribbing of the left Argyle Mitt but I hear some new yarn calling..