Do You have Flat Feet?

No, it's not what you think. I'm not talking about your feet. I'm talking about the new yarn called Flat Feet. It's sock yarn by Conjoined Creations and I am not affiliated with the company or anyone who owns it or works for it.

Flat Feet Sock yarn is 80% Superwash merino and 20% Nylon. The yarn doesn't come in skeins. It's woven(or knitted) into a flat and then handpainted. In order to knit from it, you unravel the yarn from the flat. In the picture below, you can see the flat and how its painted.

To unravel the yarn, you just start to pull on the provisional thread at one end.

It's like when you make a mistake in knitting and have to "frog". You just unravel it and start to knit again. Here is a sock I started with this unique yarn.

The curliness of the yarn does not make it harder to knit. The yarn is a great quality and it's not splitty. I do like how it is striping. They recommend size 3 needles, but I am using size 2's. They also recommend blocking the yarn to remove crimp, but I don't see much crimping. I plan on waiting until I am finished with these socks to determine whether I will block them. The colors are vibrant.

I purchased the yarn at my local yarn shop, Kraemer's Yarn Shop and it sold out quickly. They plan on getting more in and I will problably buy another colorway. As a side note, all flats are not handpainted the same way, so you could possibly knit 2 different pairs of socks (pairs not individual socks in the same pair) in the same colorway and have them look different.

The Joy of Knitting

Ah, the joy of not working regularly. It's just heaven, but still a little hectic. I have been catching up on appointments (hair color, dentist, and Maggie's visit to the vet for her shots). But, I have found time to knit and getting back to my Friday knitting group is just wonderful. Now, I have to start organizing the house. I have put this off for a year and now it's time to get some of that work done.

The weather has been wonderful this past week. It has been warm and I have been able to sit out on our screened in porch. It's very peaceful and gives me time to read and knit. What more can you ask for.

I have finished some items. I completed my Fannie's Fingerweight socks. I just love this yarn and how it striped. I will definately be knitting socks from more of this yarn.

I finished the Monthly Dishcloth mid month cloth. It's called Dots within Stripes and I used Peaches and Cream yarn in Persimmon and Tea Rose (size 7 needles). This was a fun dishcloth to knit and I love how it turned out. That is what great about knitting dishcloths. They are quick and easy and get you to try new patterns. I also loved the colors of the yarn. Peaches and Cream is great and much better than Sugar and Cream.

I finally completed the fourth comfortghan square for this year. I have to get moving on these since I committed to 24. The pattern on this one is the same as before. Double Broken Rib Square pattern by Mary Dixon. Yarn is Red Heart TLC Essentials and I used a size 7 needle.

I am still working on my Monkey sock in between everything else, but I am slowing finishing the first sock. I just have to get past the heel on this one and then I think I will begin to knit faster. It's like I'm scared to continue since this is my first patterned sock.

I have started on another sock using the Flat Feet yarn I purchased. I will be posting step by step pictures later this week to show how the yarn works. I have cast on for a sock, but want to get past the ribbing before I post the pictures.

I really need to get back to finishing up some projects that I have started, but I'm also thinking about doing a log cabin blanket or lapghan. I really should finish up my ripple afghan before starting this. Two of my knitter friends from Kraemer's are working on the log cabin pattern and they are really nice. They are using a pattern from Webs where you knit squares and then put them together rather than knitting one big log cabin square.

Decisions, Decisions what a joy to have to decide what to knit and have time for it.

Tax Time is Almost Over

Yippee! I cannot wait and then I will be back to my Friday knitting classes at Kraemer Yarns. Although it's almost over, I did volunteer to work off season. So, I have to work this Thursday and the next two Monday's. I will be off for 8 weeks and may land out working one day a week, but I definately want to teach. That I am looking forward to doing.

Most of all, I am looking forward to relaxing, knitting and reading and spending time with my Maggie May. She how great she looks! I think she has been studying while I have been working. Ways to get even for leaving her alone in her crate while I went off to work. Oh, Oh, I am in big trouble. Maybe I need to take her to pet training classes. That may also be in the cards for my time off.

I was able to finish off a dishcloth from my Monthly dishcloth group. It's called The Meadow by Lindy. I used Peaches and Cream yarn in Gold with size 7 needles. This was a cute cloth to knit up.

Check this yarn out! I got it at Kraemer's on Saturday. It's called Flat Feet yarn. Instead of having the yarn in a ball, you pull on the thread as you knit. First you knit from one end and then the other. The colors are very vibrant. I think I will start on my next sock with this yarn. I can't wait to see how it knits up. They are going to get more in stock.

I also caved in and ordered yarn from the Loopy Ewe. I got three different kinds and love them all.

From left to right: The Sanguine Gryphon Eidos sock yarn in Pythagorus colorway, Bella Moden in colors Black Beauty and Chocolat and Creatively Dyed Yarns in colors Royal Envy and Hot Salsa. The Creatively Dyed Yarn is 80% merino, 10% Cashmire, and 10% Nylon.

I am just hopeless with sock yarn.

What the Heck?

I got Sheepaints yarn from the Loopy Ewe. The yarn is really nice, but look at the difference in the striping between the two socks I knit.

How can this be? How can two socks look so different in the striping. I always try to start at the same place and I can see if I made a mistake with that, but how could the stripes be so different in width? I like how the bottom sock turned out better than the top sock. I am debating about knitting a third sock. I think I will have enough yarn to do another, but will have to weigh the skein first. But is it worth doing that?

I have one more colorway in this brand of yarn and I'm debating about selling it on Ravelry or just knitting it up. I won't buy anymore of this yarn, that's for sure.

I did start another sock using Fannie's Fingering weight yarn from Farmhouse Yarns. I really like the yarn. It has nylon in it and it's really soft. I also like the striping on the sock. I have three other colorways in this yarn and will definately use them. I used size 2 needles. The colorway is Fall Flowers.

I couldn't resist buying more yarn from the Loopy Ewe, so here is my last purchase.

From left to right, Tempted Yarns in color Kiss This, Rio de la Plata in a teal black color, Colinette Jitterbug in Raphael, and of course Fannies Fingerweight in Rhythum and Blues 2.

Well, I only have 9 more days until the end of tax season. I cannot wait. My taxes are completed and mailed in. I did owe, but I'm looking forward to the Stimulus Payment that I should receive in June. I will use it to pay our school taxes. Have you filed your taxes yet?

Spring? - Not yet

Well, we had a small taste of spring on Wednesday, but today it's back to winter. It's cold and rainy. Yuck! I guess that means I need to knit to feel warm and snuggly.

I have been knitting, but not as much as I should be. I did finish the March Mid-Month KAL for my dishcloth group. It's an illusion dishcloth! I have always wanted to knit an illusion pattern and I finally got the opportunity. It's a rabbit for Easter.

I have been knitting away on my socks. I finally have one sock finished using the Sheepaints yarn and I have cast on for the second sock.

This is a bamboo yarn. I kind of like the colorway, but not thrilled with the stripping. I guess this really isn't one of my favorites. I have another colorway in this yarn and think that I will try size 1.5 needles next time. I already know that the next sock I am knitting after this. It will be Fanny's Fingerweight Sock yarn. It really is calling to me.

I am also knitting away on my monkey sock and I'm really enjoying the pattern.

I think the yarn makes a big difference. I liked this yarn so much that I bought a skein in the Visual Purple colorway. I will definately use this for another patterned sock.

I started on the Habu scarf. I love the scarf, but I really have to take my time knitting this since the yarn is so fine. It's easy to knit below the stitch or to only pick up one strand of yarn.

I got my STR club yarn for March. It's called Lucky and I do like the color, but it is a heavier weight yarn. Maybe I will try the pattern sent with this yarn.

I also ordered more Plucky Knitter yarn and I joined her sock club for three months. We'll see how that goes. This is her first try at a sock club. The yarn I got is a Merino Cash Nylon yarn in Ida Red and 100% Merino Superwash in Margie.

Because of all the socks that I am knitting, I had to buy a Knitzi. What is a Knitzi? See the picture below:

You put your needles in this tube, so you don't lose your stitches.

Spring is Around the Corner - I Hope

I started my monkey sock and I am really liking the pattern and I love the Dream in Color Smooshy yarn. I am using the Happy Forest color and size 2 needles. Since this is the first sock I am knitting where there is a pattern in the design, I wanted to try a solid color and Smooshy filled the bill. It is sooo soft. The color is such a Spring color and has me dreaming of warmer weather.

I am still working on my Sheepaints sock, but other things have been getting in the way.

I fell in love with a scarf that one of my knitter friends was making in our knitting class. She was using two types of Haibu yarn. One was cork cotton and the other was tobe moire. After searching the internet, I landed out ordering it direct from Haibu in NYC. The cool thing is that instead of receiving balls of yarn, they sent cones. Also, since the one yarn had more yardage on it, I would have been left with extra yarn. Since they put it on a cone, they only sold me what I needed. Can't wait to start this. You knit both yarns together on size 10 needles until the yarn runs out. I am planning to cast on this week.

I did finish up a third and final Awareness Ribbon dishcloth this week.

And, I finished up the Reverse Ballband dishcloth. The original ballband pattern is revised by Elizabeth Warner to make it reversable and to make the edging neater looking. This was my first ball band dishcloth and I didn't have any trouble knitting it up. In fact, I really enjoyed it and plan to make more of these.

Right side:

Wrong side:

I have been reading too. Remember, I have a goal to reach by the end of the year. So far this year I have read the following books:

Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovitch

G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton

H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton

I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton

J is for Judgement by Sue Grafton

I have enjoyed all of these books, but I need to get a move on and read more. Oh, for warmer weather and not working. I dream of sunny days and relaxing days spent on my back porch reading and knitting. Only 29 days left until tax season is over and Thursday is the first day of Spring. It's getting hard to control my excitement!

Easter Socks are Finished

I finally finished my Easter socks! I'm so excited and I really love how they turned out. Next will be the monkey sock pattern in Dream in Color.

I also finished up some dishcloths I was knitting:

The February Mid-Month KAL called Finders Keepers by Sue Schaeffer from Harvest Moons Designs. I used Peaches and Cream in mauve and verde green with size 6 needles. This was a great cloth to knit and has given me the confidence to try the ball band dishcloth that is in the Mason Dixon knitting book.

The March KAL called Empty Tomb by Lindy. I used Peaches and Cream in Camel with size 6 needles.

The second Awareness Ribbon cloth by Donna Burgess. I used Sugar and Cream in Rose Pink and size 6 needles.

I find that when I have 40 stitches or more for a dishcloth that size 6 needles are better to use.

I am finishing the final Awareness Ribbon dishcloth, have gotten past the heel on my first Sheepaints sock, started on the sleeve for my sweater. I'm on a knitting roll!

New Yarn

Yes, I did it. I went and bought more sock yarn. I just couldn't resist.

From Twisted:

Arial in Batty and Karma colorway. Batty reminds me of Plucky Knitter's palatial color.

From the Loopy Ewe:

On top: Paca Peds Gator colorway, From left to right from Fannies Fingering Weight Yarn: Autumn, Fall Flowers, and Brambles.

All are wonderful colorways and I can't wait to cast on socks for these yarns.

And, of course an updated picture of my Maggie May (Isn't she precious?)

Feeling of Accomplishment

It's a wonderful feeling when you are finishing a project or getting close to finishing. It's also wonderful feeling good about what you are knitting verus dreading working on a project. For the most part I am enjoying the projects I am working on. I do have a few that I have put to the side for now, but know that I will eventually finish them.

I am close to finishing the Meilenweit Sock. I need to pick up stitches at the heel and then finishing will go quickly. Just in time for Easter since I am calling these my Easter socks.

I started another sock by Sheepaints. It's their bamboolaine line in Grapes. I am using size 2 needles on this sock as well and I like how it's striping. It's different than other socks I have knit since the stripes are wider.

I believe that for my next sock, I will try the monkey sock pattern using Dream in Color Smooshy. Can't wait to start these.

I have also finished one Awareness Ribbon Dishcloth. One down and two to go. I enjoyed knitting this pattern. I liked the size 6 needles for this cloth.

And, I finished the squidge cloth in Peaches and Cream. This was a fun cloth to knit.

I am just about finished with the front of my sweater. I should be able to complete that before the end of this week and then I can start on the sleeves. Yippee! I will be glad to finally finish this project. I have a black shrug that I haven't worked on for quite awhile. I only have a row or two to finish, so I will work on this next after my sweater is done.

Ah, the wonderful feeling of accomplishment when projects are finished or just about finished!

Knitting Friends

Finally got to go to knitting class on Saturday. Boy was I glad to be back. Here are some pictures of my fellow knitters.

Ann Marie and Sharon

Kathy, Rose and Pat our wonderful teacher

Lois and Maria

Gail and Donna

I am glad to be back. I missed being there and missed all my knitting friends.

Sock Yarn - a Discovery

Sock yarn is amazing. Before I knew even how to knit socks, I would browse through blogs and see the finished socks of different bloggers. The patterns and colors amazed me and had me chomping at the bit to learn how to do this. When I saw a patterned sock (simple stockinette) and I loved the colors and pattern, I would determinedly look through the blog notes to find what sock yarn and what color it was. (As a side note, I really wish bloggers would not be so mysterious and let us know the yarn brand and color they used. I hate when they keep it a secret). I am a pretty good detective and most of the time, I can find the yarn. I then proceeded to buy it, even though I didn't knit socks. The best part is that it is usually only one (or two) skeins, which isn't always much of an investment.



Eventually, I did learn how to knit socks. I have found that it's a wonderful process knit up this yarn and any new sock yarn I have discovered. But what is even more enlightening is finding yarn that I really enjoy knitting (separate from the color). The way some yarns feel as you knit makes a whole lot of difference on how you stick with a project. So far, I have loved to knit with Socks that Rock, Colinette Jitterbug, Wollmeise, Plucky Knitter, and now Lana Grossa's Meilenweit Multieffekt. Each yarn has it's own feel and texture and when I find that I enjoy knitting with it, I knit faster and want to knit it rather than leaving it as a work in progress. I often think of Miss Violet of Lime and Violet who will squeal, when she finds a sock yarn she wants and is able to buy it. I feel that excitement now when I find a sock yarn I love to knit with.



I love the pattern that comes out of these yarns. As I knit, I want to knit faster to see what comes next in the pattern. It really is a joy to have this excitement come over you to keep knitting so you can finish to see the final result.



I love knitting on size 2 bamboo double pointed needles. Size 1 needles are okay, but my fingers feel cramped. Plus, you have to knit longer to get the size sock you want. After using size 1 needles, Size 2 needles make it feel as if you are flying when you knit. (Bloggers, please also give us the size needles you used to make your sock. Size does matter. In some cases, to avoid pooling, you need to change needle sizes).

So, here are my Meilenweit Multieffekt socks in color 3124 that I am knitting on size 2 bamboo needles. I just love knitting with this yarn and I love the pattern. I call them my Easter socks.

Also, on the needles are two dishcloths. I am knitting the Squidge Cloth by Knit-Nutt. I am using size 6 knitpicks needles with Peaches and Cream in Sea Mist.

I am also knitting the Awareness Ribbon Cloth by Donna Burgess using Sugar and Cream in Rose Pink with size 6 needles.

Still knitting my sweater and I am close to finishing the front. Hopefully, the weather will allow me to go to class on Saturday as I might be able to complete it by then.

Finishing is Rewarding

I feel good. I actually finished something this week. In fact, I finished two items. I completed the February KAL from the Monthly Dishcloth Yahoo Group. I used Sugar and Cream in rose pink on size 7 needles. I really liked this pattern.

I also completed my Plucky Knitter socks in Palatial. I love, love this yarn and the color. I think I would like to even knit a second pair using size 1.5 needles. I have more Plucky Knitter yarn and will definately have to cast on another pair of socks using her yarn.

This week, I need to work on my sweater. I am so excited because I get to go to my knitting class on Saturday. I haven't been there for three weeks, so I am anxious to get back. It gives me something to look forward too.

It's Tax Time

I had a busy week last week. This week will also be busy, but at least I have off the weekend and next week gets better. I did get to work on my sweater a little bit and cast on for the second Plucky Knitter sock.

I started on the February dishcloth KAL yesterday. I checked out the Elmore Pisgah web site and they have the yarn on special for all of the KALs for the year. I am really tempted to order since the majority of the colors are solids and I need solid colors. So, I may be breaking my stash building with this purchase. I will hold off until later this week to decide. Peaches and Creame is much nicer than Sugar and Cream.

I did get more Plucky Knitter yarn. Both are 100% merino fingering yarn. I got colors Toille and Josie. Can't wait to try another pair of socks with this.

I do miss my knitting class on Friday's and Saturday's. Sometimes I wonder what I got myself into by going back to work for tax season. But, I just need to hang in there. Next Saturday, I will be able to go back to class. I really like staying home and not working.