Finishing Projects and Starting New Ones

I have been trying to finish off some projects and start new ones. I finally got the Pagewood Farms Alyeska sock completed. Color is Turquoise with a size 2 needle. I love the color of this sock and the yarn is so soft.

Today, I completed the Sunshine Yarn Twist sock in the Wildflowers colorway using a Basic sock pattern with size 1 needles. I wasn't sure that I liked this yarn, but they feel really warm on the foot.

I also completed the Monthy Dishcloth KAL. The pattern is called A Dish Monkey Cloth by Lindsay Sasseville. I used Peaches and Creme Yarn in Camel with a size 6 needle. It's a cute pattern that was a fun knit.

I purchased some Multiplicity Yarn by Plymouth to make a Rib Scarf. The yarn is thick and thin and looks really cool knit into a scarf.

I started the scarf using size 13 needles. It's quick to knit and fun to watch how it will turn out.

Since I finished two pairs of socks, I had to start another. I am using Punta merisock yarn in color HP68 with a basic sock pattern. The yarn is nice and soft.

I started back on my croc sock and got past the heel decreases. Now on to the foot. Maybe next time I will have a picture of a completed sock - I hope.

I have to show you the new tote bag I bought. It's a Laurel Burch bag and I really love it. It's lightweight and I can fit a lot of projects in this bag. I am not a cat fan, but just loved this one.

Well, off to knit some more. Maybe I will cast on for another sock?

No Gusset Holes

I found this video on You Tube and I'm in love. Finally, finally, finally a method that works for me. This is so great. Thanks KatAutumn!

Reaching a Goal

It's great to set goals, but it's even better when you reach a goal. Especially when you reach a goal before a deadline. One of my goals this year was to read 65 books. I was quite nervous because I got off to a slow start. But, I did catch up! I just love to read.

I have read the following books:

Living Dead in Dallas and Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

These are the Sookie Stackhouse books which are very entertaining.

Brides for Brothers, Daddy's Little Helper, Because of the Baby, Denim and Diamonds, The Wyoming Kid, and 92 Pacific Boulevard by Debbie Macomber

Her books are great.

Mercury in Retrograde by Paula Froelich

Fireside by Susan Wiggs

Miss Julia Hits the Road by Ann B. Ross

Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani

Return to Sullivans Island by Dorthea Benton Frank

Making Waves by Cassandra King

Commencement by J. Courtney Smith

Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert

and

Cape Light by Thomas Kinkade

I enjoyed all of these books and just because I reached my goal doesn't mean that I will stop reading. It will be interesting to see how many books I can read until the end of the year. Want to take a guess?

It's Socktoberfest!

....and I have been knitting socks! I finished one sock using Sunshine Yarns Twist yarn in the wildflowers colorway using a size 1 needle. I like how this came out. I already cast on the second sock and got past the ribbing (I hate ribbing so I get it done as fast as possible). I used a basic sock pattern.

Then I cast on a sock using Pagewood Farms Alyeska Yarn. It has cashmere in it and boy is it nice and soft. It feels so warm and it's gotten damp here in the East. I can't wait to finish these to keep my feet nice and warm. I am using a basic sock pattern with size 2 needles. I got one sock finished today and need to cast on for the second sock.

I finally got back to my Croc Socks and I am at the heel decreases. This is Sundara yarn (basil over buttercup) using a size 1 needle. Can't wait to finish these, but it should go fast now since the pattern is only on one needle.

I also finished up the Mid Month September Dishcloth Knit a long. I used Peaches and creme cotton yarn in shaded pastels with a size 6 needle. This was a different pattern to knit.

Of course I had to buy more sock yarn since I am on a roll knitting socks. I got more Artisan Acre Fiber Arts yarn. I just love this yarn. In the Lambkins fingering yarn, I got Magic Mountain and Turquoise mine colorways.

I also loved the colorways Pink filaree and Green Apple Martini. She didn't have the colors in the Lambkins, but did dye up some in the Cash Mer fingering weight. Well, I love the cashmere blends because they are so soft. So, I that didn't stop me from buying those two skeins.

And, I loved the Pagewood Farm Alyeska (cashmere blend) yarn so much, that I bought two more colorways in that yarn. I got Maple Leaf and Fabulous Fall. Great autumn colorways.

Today, I went to the Knitter's Edge in Bethlehem and they got in Punta Merisock Handpainted yarn. Well, I couldn't leave there without buying two skeins. I got HP 92 (a red black colorway) and HP 68 (a green brown colorway).

I guess I better get to knitting socks.

Fall Socks are finished

I finished another pair of socks. The Artisan Acres Lambkin socks in Corn Maiden are complete. Just in time for fall. I used size 2 needles. I really, really liked this yarn and the colorway. I liked it so much that I ordered two more skeins of it. Can't wait until it gets here.

I am still working on the Sunshine yarn socks in Wildflowers. I am ready to pick up stitches for the heel. Will have to post a picture in the next blog update. This yarn is thin and it's wierd switching from the Artisan Acre socks to this pair because of the weight difference in the yarn.

I couldn't resist buying more sock yarn. I got some from The Knitter's Edge: Trekking in colors 175 and 187 and Oneline Supersock (6 ply) in the Wellness II color 1199.

I also got Claudia Handpaints in Scouts Honor and more Prism Saki in Peacock.

I love the Knitter's Edge in Bethlehem. I have great knitting friends there and the owners and people who work there are great. We all enable one another, but we also support each other.

From the Loopy Ewe, I got Lorna's Laces in Zombie BBQ and Nightmare's night out plus String Theroy Caper Sock in Oban. More great yarns and colorways to knit up into socks.

I think my New Year's resolution will be no sock yarn for 2010 so I start using up some of my stash. What do you think?

Socks, Socks, Socks - I'm Obsessed

It's been a hectic week, but I have been able to get some sock knitting completed. I finished one Artisan Acres Lambkin sock. This is a fingering weight yarn. I'm using size 2 needles with double points. I'm liking this yarn and how the pattern is working up. It's a great fall color.

I just had to start another sock though using circular needles, so I am working on Sunshine Twist yarn in the color Wildflowers using size 1 needles. It's fun watching how the pattern is working up with this yarn.

Of course I had to keep my stash filled up with sock yarn, so I got a shipment from the Loopy Ewe. From left to right is Dragonfly fibers in Beach Grass and Tangled Up in blue, Mackintosh Iona Fingering Weight yarn in Misty Highlands and Handmaiden Casbah in Hemlock. It looks as if I really like blue and green colors with this shipment.

Then I got my last shipment of Sundara Year of Sock. From left to right is Green Tea, Spiced and Mahogany over Marmalade. I really like Sundara yarn. It's one of my favorites.

I need more time to knit

Didn't do too much knitting this week. I was putting our living room back together after having new windows installed.

I did work on the Artisan Acres socks. I completed the Mid Month KAL for my dishcloth group. I don't know the true name of this dishcloth, but I'm calling it the ABC dishcloth. I used Peaches and Creme in red with size 6 needles.

I did work on two other dishcloths previously, but did not blog about them because they were for a dishcloth exchange. I finished another Fishy Tawashi using Peaches and Creme in teal and white with a size 9 needle. I really like this pattern. It is so fun to knit up.

The other cloth I made was the Windmill cloth using Peaches and Creme in peppermint with size 6 needles. I love this circular cloth.

I did purchase some new yarn. I got Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed in color 36001 to make a scarf. I love how this yarn looks. It is 85% wool and 15% angora.

I also was able to get a skein of Numma Numma Toasty in the colorway Elvis. I really need to get more of this yarn. This is 100% superwash merino.

The Knitter's Edge had their pool filled with Baby Alpaca Grande at a great price, so I couldn't resist buying 2 skeins to make a scarf. Maybe I will get another skein to knit a hat to match?

I'm planning out what yarn I will use next for a sock, but I am also looking to use some sock yarn to knit a shawl. There are so many neat looking shawls out there, but I really need to finish some other projects first. I need more time to knit but next Saturday we are having a yard sale and I need to get ready. Maybe I can knit at the yard sale?

Some days you just get lucky

It's September and I keep knitting socks. I finished the Tidal Wave socks and I am so happy with them. I love the yarn (Prism Saki) and the color (Aruba). I used size 1 needles and knitted them on circular needles (one at a time). I am glad I have another skein of this yarn and will definately buy more if I find another colorway that I like.

I also started a basic sock pattern using Artisan Acre Fiber Arts Lambkin fingering weight yarn in the color Corn Maiden. Great color for fall. I am using size 2 needles for these socks.

I received some yarn club shipments: From the Unique Sheep's Rubber Ducky club, I received a skein of pima petite cotton in the sangria colorway. I also got a bar of soap in sangria and some lip balm.

Then from the Loopy Ewe, I got my September sock club shipment. The yarn is Wollmeise (how exciting) in the colorway called Guide to Galaxy. I also got a great sock pattern, a project bag and a note pad.

This was an exciting week for me with the Loopy Ewe as I got to purchase 4 skeins of Wollmeise in a sneak up by pure luck. I must have checked the web site right after Sheri put the yarn up for sale. I am doing a happy dance since it's been quite awhile since I was able to purchase any Wollmeise. The four skeins are on their way, but I won't receive them until next week. I am letting one of my knitting friends purchase one of the four skeins from me since she couldn't get any to buy.

Some days you just get lucky.

Looking forward to Fall

Well, I'm taking a break from the Girasole and have been knitting the Tidal Wave sock. The pattern is only in the leg, so it isn't too bad to knit up. I am using Prism Saki yarn in the Aruba colorway. I really love this yarn. It is soft. I am using size one circular needles. I am enjoying knitting these on two circular needles. I have one sock finished and started the second sock today.

I have also been working on some dishcloths. One is from the Monthly dishcloth KAL. The pattern is by Debbie Tilly. I used Peaches and Creme yarn in tea rose with size 6 needles.

I also finished another dishcloth from Rachael's Yahoo Group. I used Sugar and Cream yarn in the rose pink colorway with size 6 needles. The pattern is called Grandpa by Danielle Cote. This was a fun knit.

I was lucky to get a pattern pocket from Green Mountain Bags. I really like the fabric.

I can't believe that August is almost finished. Our schools started up with classes on Wednesday and the weather has gotten a little cooler. I am really looking forward to fall.

I am Losing Control

I am losing control. I just can't stop buying sock yarn. There are just too many nice skeins of yarn to buy. Thank God I didn't go to Sock Summit or they probably would have had to admit me to the psych ward.

I purchased quite a bit from my local yarn shop (The Knitter's Edge). I got Prism Merino Mia in the tumbleweed colorway. This is 100% merino yarn. It is so soft. Then I purchased Araucania Itata Multi. This is 70% superwash, 15% silk, and 15% bamboo. Then I found Online supersocke 100 sportive in two colorways. I love OnLine yarn.

Of course, before I bought the OnLine yarn at the Knitter's Edge, I found some to buy on the Internet. It is Online Supersocke 100 Circle. The colorways are so nice I couldn't resist.

Ravelry had a contest to vote for sock yarn for Sock Summit. Artisan Acre Fiber Arts Lambskins was one of the winners and I fell in love with these colors: Corn Maiden and Lightening Bug. I know that I will buy more of her yarn. The yarn is very nice. I can't wait to knit up a sock using this yarn.

I have finished another sock. My Sweet Georgia socks in Saltwater are finally finished. I used size 2 needles with a basic sock pattern. This yarn was real nice to work with.

I completed the body of the Girasole and started the edging. I took a break from it this week, but really need to get back to it. Can't wait until this is finished. I do want to do another one, but maybe a shawl using Wollmeise lace.

Good Reads

Time to update the books I have read. Even though I am knitting quite a bit, I am finding time to read.

I started to read the Sookie Stackhouse books. These are the books that the show True Blood came from. I read Dead Until Dark and really liked it. I am currently reading the second book in the series called Living Dead in Dallas.

I have also read:

Miss Julia Takes Over by Ann B. Ross

Miss Julia Throws a Wedding - I just love the Miss Julia books

The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani - This is set in Roseta, PA which is close to where I live and they still have the Big Time festival in that town.

Also, by Adriana Trigiani is Very Valentine about a family that makes shoes.

T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton

Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

Finger Lickin Fifteen by Janet Evanovitch - I just love her books.

Queen of the Broken Hearts by Cassandra King

Father's Day by Debbie Macomber

The Courtship of Carol Somers by Debbie Macomber

The Matchmakers by Debbie Macomber

They were all good reads. I've read 48 books so far this year. I have 17 more to go to reach my goal of 65 by the end of the year. I think I will make it.

Getting closer to finishing the Girasole

I'm getting closer to finishing the Girasole. I have reached Chart G. It's an eight row chart, but you have to repeat it twice. I should have 1/4 of it completed tonight. I'm going to try real hard to finish this chart so when I go to knitting on Friday, I can start the edging. This has really been a great project. I will take a break from it once it's complete and then plan on starting another one.

I have been getting more yarn. I'm hopeless I guess. I couldn't resist ordering the Loopy Ewe Third Anniversary Kit. It included a nice mug, Lornas Laces Shepherd sock in the color loopy's knitting nook, a metal measuring tape and a sock pattern. I love her kits.

I also got two other skeins of yarn from the Loopy Ewe. Earlthy Hues Seedling sock yarn - a 100% superwash yarn that is 420 yards. The colorway is O Holy Night and Spirit Trail Fiberworks Helen sock yarn - 100 % superwash yarn that is 437 yards in the colorway called summer breeze.

Last, but not least, I got my July Color Coop sock club yarn from the Unique Sheep. The yarn is Tactile Fiber Arts (a superwash merino sock yarn).

Well, back to the Girasole.

Growing as a Knitter

I have been dilegently working on my knitting projects. I had a slight problem getting back to crocheting my ripple afghan. I forgot how the pattern went. But, after ripping it out, I am now on track. I figure I need to do 7 or 8 repeats of the colors and I am finishing up the second repeat.

I completed one sock using Sweet Georgia yarn in the saltwater colorway. I am using size 2 double points. I really like the feel of this yarn and I love the color. I will be casting on for the second sock in the next day or two.

I started a patterned sock in July, but stopped when I was having hand problems and now I am back to knitting it. The pattern is Croc socks by Monica Jines. It is a detailed pattern and I am afraid to make a mistake, so I blew up the instructions. That way my eyes won't wander to another row. I have finished 2 repeats in the leg. The pattern calls for 4 repeats before starting the heel. It looks really nice. It looks like it is cabled, but it is just knitting and purling. I am using Sundara's sock yarn in basil over buttercup with size 1 needles. I am glad I'm using the circular needles with this one. I almost had a major problem today when I pulled one of the needles part way out of a row, but I was able to recover. Thank goodness! I love the knitpicks needles. As you can see I am using one nickel plated needle and one harmony needle. It makes it easier to know what needle I am using. Now knitpicks has acrylic needles. I know I will probably at least try a set of tips.

I have also been working on dishcloths for my KAL group. The July Mid Month cloth was called Fishy Tawashi. This is more like a scrubby. I really liked this knit and will definately do more. I used Peaches and Creme in white and sunshine with a size 9 needle. It was a quick knit. You can find the pattern for sale on the Knitting Knonsense web site. Isn't it cute?

I also completed the August KAL called Thank You Rose. I used apple green Peaches and Creme with a size 6 needle.

I am still working on the Girasole. I am on the last repeat of chart E and then on to chart F. Maybe I can knit some tonight. I would like to get chart E finished this week. I am also close to finishing one sleeve of the CPH. I am getting closer to putting it together. That part will be really interesting since I have never done that before. I am certainly learning new stitches and knitting techniques this year. I guess I am growing as a knitter.