Beads in Knitting

I can’t believe it, but I love using beads in knitting.  But, I do have to say that it depends on where you get your beads.  I am using beads in my Advent Calendar Scarf.  They are okay, but the holes are not consistent and the beads look small.  I got those beads from Artbeads.

Then I got more beads to use for my Quaker Ridge Shawl.  The beads go across the bottom of the shawl and I am using a beaded bindoff.  I got these beads from Earthfaire.  Boy are they great!  The beads are larger, but the same size as the Artbeads, and the holes are consistently the same.  It’s taking me awhile to bind off.  I am about 60% finished, but it looks great!  The beads pop out on the yarn.  I am definitely buying more beads from Earthfaire!

I started another sock using Lollipop yarn in the color It’s Five O’clock somewhere.  I am using a size 1 needle.  The pattern is called Socks on a Plane.  This is a toe up sock, but I am doing it top down.  I am using a size 1 needle with 64 stitches instead of the suggested needle and stitch number.  I am using the chart for the pattern as is for the toe up sock.  The pattern starts at the cuff and goes down to the toe.  I am loving how this is coming out.

A long time ago, I bought a kit from Suss Designs to knit a fringed scarf.  I liked it, so I bought more yarn to make other colors.  Well, it landed out in my stash and sat there.  I thought about it the other day and decided to wind up a skein and kit the pattern.  It’s mindless knitting since it’s all garter stitch and the width of the scarf is narrow.  What makes me happy is that I am using my stash.  I am knitting this with a size 7 needle and using Suss Yarns Bomull cotton yarn.  The fringe is suppose to be leather and I know I bought some, but can’t find it.  I may have thrown it away, but will keep looking.

Summer is finally here

The weather has been great!  It’s not been too hot and we haven’t had too much humidity.  It’s perfect.  Perfect for knitting on the back porch.

I finished the Sunshine Socks by CookieA.  I used Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in Dragon Millipede with a size 1.5 needle.  I love how they turned out. The pattern was easy to follow.

I also finished the Spring Fever Socks using Lollipop yarn with a size 1 needle and a basic sock pattern.  The colors are perfect!

So, I had to start another sock and it had to be another CookieA sock called Dizzy.  I am using Alisha goes Around Richness Fingering yarn in the Genevieve color with a size 1 needle.  I really love this yarn.  It is so nice to knit with.

I loved the yarn so much that I had to buy more.  Fortunately, the Loopy Ewe had two colors left in My violets and parted.  Alisha is still dyeing, but only taking her yarn to shows, so nothing has been posted on her web site for awhile.  I do have two other types of yarn from her that I need to use.

Since I ordered from the Loopy Ewe, I got my merino club gift.  It’s a pattern with yarn for a mug holder, a pair of scissors, and a needle gauge.  So cute!

I’m getting close to the end of the Garter Ridge Shawlette.  I am working on the ruffle.  I finally got beads for the edging from EarthFaire.  The beads look really nice!  Can’t wait to finish this shawl.

Too Much Stash

Yes, I have too much stash.  Surprise, Surprise.  I decided that I needed to go through my stash and clean it out.  I did that this past week and got rid of three plastic totes of yarn.  Most of this yarn is junk yarn, but some of it is really good.  I know it will go to a good home.  I plan on donating it. 

Going through my stash also showed me what I have in my stash that is great yarn.  I need to use it.  So, while I can’t say that I won’t buy any more yarn.  I do plan on going to my stash first to search for yarn that I can use in a specific project.  I was also able to organize my yarn.  I tried to put the same brand of yarns together and I also have a tote full of sweater quantity of yarn.  My future goal is go through my stash once a year and get rid of some of it via donation, selling or using it.  If I can get rid of one tote a year, I will be in good shape.

On that note, I am moving along on the following projects:  I am half way finished with my Spring Fever sock.  This is lollipop yarn in the Spring Fever color using a size 1 needle with a basic sock pattern.

I love the colors of this yarn.

I also got to the heel turn of my second Sunshine sock by CookieA.  I am enjoying this knit.  I am using Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in Dragon Millipede with a size 1.5 needle.  I am enjoying this pattern.  I should finish it up this week.

I have already planned out what my next sock will be.  I will be knitting the Dizzy pattern by CookieA.  The yarn is wound and ready to go once I finish the Sunshine Sock.

I also finished day 6 of the 2011 Advent Calendar Scarf.  I am using Madelinetosh Merino Lite in the Rainwater color with a size 2 needle.

The only thing I purchased this past week was a shawl/sweater clip by Tix Trinkets on etsy.  I love it.

HOT, HOT, HOT

Yes, it’s Hot!  But, not too hot to knit in the air conditioning.

I finished one of my Sunshine Socks.  I am using Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in Dragon Millipede with a size 1.5 needle.  This is a CookieA pattern and I am loving it.

Day 5 of the 2011 Calendar Scarf is completed.  I am using Madelintosh Merino Light in the Rainwater color with a size 2 needle. 19 more days to go.

I started another Basic sock pattern using Lollipop yarn in the Spring Fever color with a size 1 needle.  Love the colors in the striping.

And yes, I did get yarn this week.  I caught a Loopy Ewe update of Wollmeise DK.  I have heard great reviews of this yarn, so I got 5 skeins in the Grunfink color. I hope to use it for a sweater.

I also got 3 skeins of Madelinetosh Pashmina in the Dr Zhivago’s Sky color.  This is possibly for a sweater.

I also bought a skein of Plymouth De Aire in the color New England Nights (404) to make a quick very small shawl or you could call it a cowl.

The Loopy Ewe has a new system of earning rewards.  In addition to earning dollar credits, you get a small gift in your order when you reach certain levels.  I reached the Cotton Club level and got a measuring tape, Soak samples, bookmark pattern with enough yarn to make the bookmark.  It’s really cute!

I also bought a Yarn Daisy.  I saw this on the knitpicks web site.  This helps you wind yarn into a ball.  While I thought they would be smaller, I bought a set anyway.  It comes in a package of 3.  I got these at Hobby Lobby.