New Month

New Challenges Projects

But first.... a report on Six Sock September
Sadly I did not meet the challenge.  I had too many other things going on.  But!  I did get 2 complete socks done and no, they are not from the same pair.

First sock done, Winter Fir (I guess I forgot to take a picture :sheepish grin:  I'll get one taken tomorrow)

Second sock done and mate is done through clue 3, SKA Sep/Oct Mystery Sock

Third sock, Weeping Angel (still lovin' this sock!!)

I also finished the test mittens and they were put in the mail last week.

And now for the new...

Yep, it is another pair of fingerless mitts!

There is a new mystery sock for the Solid Sock group.  I did print off Clue 1 but haven't decided if I'll start it yet.
I do have a few sock mates to work on. hehehe

AND tournament 6 of  Nerd Wars starts today! I did look at the challenges but haven't figured out yet what knitting to do for them.

Happy knitting y'all!

FO Friday

I have been a terrible blogger this week.  But on a happy note, I have finished socks to show!!

 and since I missed WIP Wednesday, I thought I'd throw in a WIP...

 I did work on the shawl this week but it looks the same so I didn't take another picture (maybe next week)

Green Monday

GREEN


....brought to you by our hostess, Jen at unglazed


Check out her sidebar for other participants in the mini meme COLOR and their GREEN.

I tried to get Ellie to sit in the little green chair but she wanted no part of it! I'll have to wait for the grandkids to visit. They like sitting in the little chairs. There is plenty of prickly cactus here. And for living in a dry area, there are plenty of trees!

What would a green day be without some knitting?!

Top left: Jasmine Mitts, Top Right: Della Mitts, Bottom left: Tea and Scandal socks, Bottom Right: Monkey Socks

Counted thread, picture stitched on 28ct linen with a little dragonfly charm in the middle. I used Weeks Overdyed for the leaves.

Hope you enjoyed this little bit of greenery. Don't forget to check out the other blogs for more of 'a bit o the green'

YELLOW Monday

YELLOW

... brought to you by our sponsor, Jen at Unglazed.

Check out her side bar for other participants in the Mini Meme COLOR and their YELLOWs.

Yellow is not my favorite color but I do have a limited amount of yellow yarn. I've learned to step outside the box with colors and knit bright yellow socks.

... and there is always time for tea with lemon (even on a hot day!)

And don't forget, school starts today (at least here it does). Don't forget to go...

... watch for excited children on their way to and from school. And have a happy, sunny, Yellow, Monday!!

WIP Wednesday

Yep... still working on the SKA March Mystery Sock


I'm done with the guesset decreases and now starting the foot.

I am still loving this pattern. I do need to start the second sock. I may have a chance to finish these by the end of April to be able to qualify for a prize... maybe...







You do know that tomorrow is April 1st and the start of the next SKA challenge ... I think I may do a Cookie A pattern from the Sock Innovation book... maybe.

Thocks on a Thursday

update....



... not much else going on

WIP Wednesday - March

SOCKS!
.....of course!! My favorite (or one of my favorite) things to knit....

Why yes, I do have three socks projects going on at the same time. They are all three different so I have a little variety and am never bored with the patterns.

First up is a test knit. I am test knitting this pattern for Bev Warner at My Little Room.

I am using Shelridge Farm (85% wool/15% nylon) in color Toasted Allspice and dpns US2. The yarn is from Simply Sock Yarn Co sock club.

I love cables and this pattern has cables! It is hard to see the pattern with the dark yarn but hopefully as I get more done, you'll be able to see it better.





Second is the SKA Sockdown! Mystery Sock. (I know, I know... but I couldn't resist!)

Clue 1 (which I am only half way done with it)

I am using Simply Sock Yarn Co., Seacoast Handpainted Yarns - Limited Edition - Lagoon (it was one of the sock club yarns) and Hiya Hiya 9" circular needle US 1/2.25m. I am using marker for the repeat sections.

A great pattern so far! It has twisted stitches, cables and yarn overs!



And the third sock... my pattern. I am working up a sock for the SA Knifty Knitters TKGA guild for their March meeting. We will be starting a knit along (kal).

I'm using Trekking Pro Natura (75% wool/25% bamboo) color 1506 (green) and dpns US 1/2.25m. Yarn purchased at lys Wool n Cotton Shop.

I have most of the pattern written but still have to tweak it some.




Enough of a break... I'm off to knit some more... on SOCKS!!

A mystery no more

Ta da!
... a finished sock!! and you can see the second sock has been started.

I was a bit worried that this sock would be too small for me but I tried it on and it fits! Yea! So on to knitting the second one.

Even though I like the pattern I'm not too crazy about the dutch heel turn. And of course, yellow is not my color. So the next pair will NOT be yellow... maybe blue...

September's WIP Wednesday

Here is the Sep09 Mystery Sock done through Clue2 (yes, it is only one sock done)

front & back
I love the pattern. Not so sure about the color yellow. But the socks are turning out nice and the yarn is wonderful!

And I'm lovin' the 9" circulars!!
I did the heel flap on dpns and then back to the circular after turning the heel. I did place markers for the instep stitches (a visual to remind me to decrease for the gusset rounds)

And lastly for today (but by no means the last wip I have, lol)
Della Mitts
probably not enough done to tell anything yet...
Yarn: Louet Gems
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony dpns US 2

Doin' the Happy Dance

Yep, I'm doing the 'Happy Dance'
I got the Green Monkey socks finished in time to qualify for a prize. Well, at least have my name in the hat for the random generator drawing. I haven't won anything yet but I'll keep trying!!



And here they are...
Green Monkey socks. Pattern by Cookie A. Yarn by Knit Picks.

One down and plenty more to go... now to work on the socks for Sockdown May! I've decided to skip Sockdown June! and knit a pair of "Green" socks (haven't decided on the pattern yet) for the FGF Sock Group June kal. I'll only have 4 socks in progress then. haha, like that is all I have going, hahahaha

Distracted...

I know, I know...
I should be working on
Monkey by Cookie A using Knit Picks Memories in color Cape Cod. (I don't think this yarn is available now) I am knitting these socks as part of FGF: The Sock Group Cookie A KAL. I need to have these finished by the end of May.

OR

Lauren by Monica Jines using Schaefer Yarn Heather color Grandpa's Overalls.

I'm knitting these for the Sock Knitters Anonymous Sockdown! May. At least I have until the end of June to get these done.

BUT

I was momentarily distracted by
the Berry Stitch Sachet!

I enjoyed knitting the berry stitch on my Blueberry Styx Bag, I had to make a little sachet using that stitch. Isn't it cute!! It measures about 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" and only took about 3 hrs to make.

I used Sandnes Yarn Mandarin Petit 100% cotton and size 4 straight needles. Yes, I did have to seam the sides. Now the challenge will be to work it up using dpns.

I see many more of these little bags in my future... they will make great Christmas gifts!
But for now... back to socks.

Finito

Ho finito il calzinos. I have finished the socks. I give you Blackrose by Suzi Anvin:

Yeah!!! I have finished in time to qualify for a prize. And I love the socks! I would definitely knit this pattern again. But... I won't right now.

I had planned on working on my Old Shale Scarf while visiting the grandkids next week. And I thought I'd start a sock for the FGF: The Sock Group. BUT, my friend has side tracked me with a bag project. I saw her's and off course I have to make one!!

So what little knitting time I squeeze in while visiting the grandkids, I'll be working on the bag.

WIP Wednesday

... and one totally finished Baby Surprise Jacket.

Just in case you thought I never "totally" finish anything besides socks. (haha)
I sewed the shoulder seams and added the cute frog buttons.


I have been working on the Sockdown! Mar socks, Blackrose. I am on the downward slope... finishing up the gusset and heading towards the foot. I think I'll finish in time to qualify for a prize! And if I get a few more projects done, I'll join in for Sockdown! May (cables/twisted stitches or the Mystery sock). I luv cables!!


I am about halfway through the Styx Old Shale Scarf. I still haven't decided if I want to continue or if I should place it on a holder and start the other side and then join them together. I do like to see the pattern traveling the same way on both sides. But it is so nice just to be able to knit this scarf and not worry if I left enough yarn for the other side. Just keep going until I run out of yarn.


Here is a close-up of the pattern:

The colors are much deeper than the picture shows (it must be the flash).

I have also been working on designing a small project. The designing and surfing the internet (read Ravelry) must be why the two other WIPs have not been worked on lately. So there is no new updated pictures of them.

Guess I'll work on a sock while I "ponder" the scarf's fate.

Back to normal...

almost?! (as normal as we can be)

We have been busy moving into our house and we finally feel like we've gotten a lot done and can take a break. The stuff is out of storage and sitting in our garage. All the stuff is out of the RV. We got the bed put together, we have a couch to sit on, and I went grocery shopping so we now have food to cook.

Yes, I do remember how to cook!! For our first meal, I made grilled cheese and tomato soup. (hey! what can I say, we like it) It was my first time cooking on a glass, flat top electric stove. It works well. I'll just have to remember how to cook on an electric stove because we've had a gas stove for many years.

And, I did get a little knitting done in between lining shelves and putting stuff away.

I finished the right sock for the Sockdown! Mar kal, Blackrose. And I started the left sock. I think I have a good chance of finishing these socks before the end of April.

I have so much going on I will probably will skip Sockdown! Apr. (but you never know...)

I almost forgot to start my scarf for the OT: FGF Insanity queue-a-long. We have until the end of Mar to start something from our ravelry queue. I have been trying to find the right pattern for this sumptuous yarn and may have found it ...

Old Shale Scarf by Tiennie. I am using a superwash merino and bamboo blend from Gaia's Colours. The yarn has a nice sheen to it and a lush feel; it is wonderful to knit with it. I am using the same yarn, different color, for my Blackrose socks.

About the Baby Surprise Jacket...

I have all the knitting done. Now I just have to sew the shoulder seams and add the buttons. The sweater is a little big for a newborn (Braiden, born Mar 27th) but I think I'll give it to him anyway. He can wear it next fall.

Now that I've made this surprise jacket, I may have to try one for an adult. BUT, that is way in the future. I have some other projects to get done first!

Finished Sockdown! Feb

Yeah!! I finally finished the Sockdown! Feb socks.

Even with all the other knitting projects wanting my attention, I managed to finish Kaibashira socks.

I am very pleased with these socks. The pattern was easy and actually did knit up fast. Of course the Knit Picks Gloss is yummy! I've used Gloss for fingerless gloves and they feel wonderful on my hands so I expect the socks to feel just as good on my feet.

Now on to finish Sockdown! Mar. (Notice I'm not mentioning the two fingerless glove projects I have going on)

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?!

Sockdown! February

Kaibashira Sock:

One of the designers for the February Sockdown challenge is Chrissy Gardner. She has many lovely designs (her Ravelry link is here) but I chose Kaibashira. I have never done anything like the scalloped edge before. And the sock does not have the traditional ribbing for the cuff.

So part of my challenge was casting on 187 stitches on the dpn size 2.5mm! I thought I had read the pattern wrong. What?! 187!! What kinda sock am I making here? I know I usually cast on 64. So I read further down and saw where I would end up with 66 sts. Oh... ok, that's better.

So I cast on (twice) (wrong yarn choice the first time) and then proceeded. What a neat idea! taking stitches off the left needle over top of the first stitch. That is how it decreased and made the scallop! It was a challenge to make sure the stitches didn't fall off the needle before I got to them : )

The yarn is Knit Picks Gloss, color Cosmos. The true yarn color is dark like the first picture. I wanted you to see the scallops close-up but I think the flash lightened the yarn color.

You do know that this sock is not my only project going on, don't you? It just wouldn't be right to knit one thing at a time!