Great Knitting Week

February is going so fast.  I can’t believe that it’s almost half over. I have been doing a lot of knitting this week.  That is a good thing.

I finished the February Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called Betsy the Bass by Janet Nogle.  I used size 7 needles with Peaches and Crème yarn in the Delft Blue colorway.

I also finished another Darrell Waltrip cloth.  The pattern is by Rhonda White.  I used size 6 needles with Sugar and Cream yarn in Beach Ball Blue.

I have been working on my String Theory Continuum Basic sock in the Galactic Ghoul colorway with size 1 needles.  One sock is complete.  This yarn is soft and plush.  I just love it.

And, I have been working faithfully on the Leaf Lace Scarf using size 3 needles with Ella Rae lace merino yarn.  I’m so excited that I am just about finished with this scarf since I started it in May of 2009.

I also bought some new yarn.  I got Berroco’s Flicker yarn in color 3307 (grey).  I will be casting on tomorrow for the Eternity Scarf using this yarn.  It’s so soft and pretty with the flicks of sliver in it.

I couldn’t resist buying another skein of Twisted Limone sock yarn in the Liquorice Lime colorway.  This picture looks like yellow and black, but it’s really lime and black.

Looks like we will be having some warmer weather in the next few days.  By warm I mean it will be in the 40’s.  I hope a lot of our snow and ice melts before we get another storm.  Maybe the Groundhog was right and spring is around the corner.

Snow and Ice

Well, we are in the middle of two storms.  Today we had snow mixed with freezing rain and now there is a lull in the weather, but late tonight or early tomorrow morning, we will be getting an ice storm.  Needless to say, I have been knitting away.  Perfect weather for it.  I just hope that we don’t lose power.

I finally finished the Moebius scarf that I was working on.  I was using Araucania Panguipulli in color 5.  I used size 10 needles.  I really enjoyed this knit and learned a lot about moebius.  I will definitely try knitting something again using this method. This is really nice and warm around the neck.

I also completed the Basic Sock I was working on using Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in the pullman colorway.  I used a size 1 needle for this sock.

I did start another basic sock using String Theroy Colorworks Continuum sock in Galactic Ghoul.  I really love this yarn.  It is nice and soft.

I was really glad that I got into the CookieA sock club.  I wasn’t going to try, but it’s CookieA and I’m sure the patterns will be great as well as the yarn.  I’m also participating in the Loopy Ewe club, which is a three month club.  I will try the three month club and decide if I want to stay in after that.  I am debating about the String Theory sock club.  She is going to open up memberships in February.  I have time to make up my mind about that one.

I am still working on the Mushishi (Plymouth Yarns) cowl in color 09.  This yarn is really fun to knit. I am using size 9 needles.

Still frogging some old WIP’s that I didn’t see me finishing, but I did start up on the Leaf Lace Scarf that I started several years ago.  I have an incentive, since one of my Yahoo Dishcloth groups is having a scarf KAL.  You can knit any scarf, so I am knitting this for the month of February and hopefully will finish it.  I will post pictures of this on my next blog post.

Stay warm and safe. Only 46 more days until spring and hopefully the Groundhog won’t see his shadow tomorrow. 

Yarn

Yes, I’m still buying.  I can’t resist.  But, I am being more selective.

First up is Noro Silk Garden Sock in color S269.  It’s a cream colorway to use in combination with another skein to make a Silk Kerchief.  I am going to use my new size 3 Signature cable needles to knit this.  I just need to finish another project and then I’m casting on.

Second is Sanguine Gryphon’s Codex. I got Flash Harry(green) and Enid Coleslaw (purple) to make the Moody Kerchief.  I may be able to make 2 Kerchiefs out of this.

Third is Madelinetosh merino light in tern.  This is a grey colorway and is it ever nice.  I am going to use this to make the Twisted Rib Neckwarmer.

Fourth is Malabrigo worsted in the colorway Pearl Ten.  I am going to use this to make a slouchy hat.  I have a couple of patterns to choose from and I’m not sure which one I will pick yet.

I thought this was a grey color, but it appears to have some brown in it.

Fifth is Twisted Limone Zingy 100.  I got a shaded solid in a green colorway called Cucumber coblis.

And, I also got Tangy in the colorway Fruit Salad. This will have wide stripes.

Last, but not least, I got a monster to knit.  It’s a kit from Danger craft called Iris the Gourmet Monster.  She also has a book that might be available now and I plan on getting that too.  The yarn is from Lorna’s Laces.

Now all I need is the time to knit all of these patterns.  Although, we have been having a lot of snow lately, so that might help me.Only 51 days until spring.

Finishing and Frogging

Well, I am working on projects.  Many projects, but I am finishing some.  In fact, I’m not letting myself start on another project until I finish something (other than dishcloths).  So that’s a great incentive isn’t it.

I did start to frog some projects that I didn’t think I would finish.  I ripped out the baby sweater.  I wasn’t keen on how it was turning out, so I knit a dishtowel and dishcloth.  The pattern is Annie’s kitchen set by Sue Schaeffer.  I used Katia Tobago in color 53.  I used a size 8 needle for the dishtowel and size 6 needle for the dishcloth.

I also ripped out a fetching glove.  I didn’t like the needles I was using and I ripped out a lace shawl (candle flame shawl) I really just had completed the border.  With all the lace shawl patterns out there, I decided that I could find another pattern that I liked better.  Last but not least, I ripped out the silky tie wrap.  I just didn’t like how it was turning out.  I will use the yarn for something else.  I think that is all I will rip out for now.

I finished the January Mid Month KAL from my Monthly Dishcloth group.  The pattern is called Freedom by Sue Schaeffer.  I used Peaches and Crème in a light blue and baby green with size 7 needles.

This would be a good time to mention that I am sad that Elmore Pisgah (maker of Peaches and Crème yarn) sold the company to Spinrite (maker of Sugar and Cream).  I really loved this cotton yarn for dishcloth better than Sugar and Cream.  Fortunately, I have a lot of it in my stash and should be okay for years to come.

One sock is finished in my Lornas Laces basic sock using the Pullman colorway with size 1 needles. I liked how the striping was turning out.

I’m so excited.  Signature Needles came out with their updated circular needles.  I liked the cable on this needle, so I got a size 3, 24 inch needle with 5 inch metal needle.  Can’t wait to try this.  I have a project in mind, but need to finish some things before starting.  I also got a size 4 cable needle as well as some Double Point tubes from them.

Just had to show you a picture of Maggie sleeping.  I caught her sleeping on her football.  She so likes her toys, especially her balls and many times has to go and run to get one to sleep with so that she knows where it is before she goes to sleep. Isn’t she cute?

Wool Girl Sock Club–December 2010

Well, I got my last Wool Girl Sock club shipment.

This was a nice club, but I decided to cut back in 2010 and not sign up in 2011.

The package included 1 skein of Miss Babs Yummy fingering weight sock yarn in the color Love Letters, a Love Letters sock pattern by IrishGirlie Knits, an Ardor shawlette pattern by Jenny Raymond, a vintage heart sachet, a stitch marker, a set of Love Letter photo greeting cards, a mini Oscar Wilde diary, and a gift tag.

Knitting Like Crazy

Maybe it’s the weather.  It’s been cold here and we have had several small snow storms.  That must be what is getting me in the mood to knit and cast on for different projects.

I finished a Darrell Waltrip dishcloth by Rhonda K. White.  I used a size 6 needle with Peaches and Crème in Victorian Christmas.  I enjoyed how this turned out.

Then I completed the January KAL dishcloth called Happy 2011 by Alli Barrett.  I used a size 6 needle with Peaches and Crème in baby blue.

I also finished my Christmas socks.  I used a  size 1 needle with Frolicking Feet yarn in the color way called Christmas Cactus.

I started another sock using Lorna’s Laces Shepherd sock in the pullman color way with size 1 needles.  This is the first time I am using Lorna’s Laces yarn.  I love how it feels and how it stripes.

Then one of my friends was knitting a cowl using Plymouth Yarn Mushishi.  It' looked so nice that I bought the yarn and cast on for the cowl.  It’s a simple pattern of purling 3 rows and knitting 3 rows.  I am using a size 9 needle.

I found two other patterns that I want to start knitting.  They are both small shawls.  I will be casting on soon.  I just need to get more needles.  Yikes!

2010 ended with yarn buying binge

I want to stop adding yarn to my stash and I really am going to try hard this year to knit from my stash.  But, before I do that, I had to buy some yarn before the year 2010 ended.

I couldn’t resist the new colors of Sanguine Gryphon’s skinny bugga.  From top to bottom: I got Two butterflies went out at noon,The very quiet cricket, Sandworm, and Shelob.

Then, I was lucky….very, very lucky to catch Loopy Ewe putting up Wollmeise Twin sock yarn.  I got two skeins.  The colors are Granatapfel and Gazpacho.

I was checking out the Yarn Harlot’s blog and saw socks made out of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in the pullman colorway.  I just had to have it. I have cast on for a sock already.

I couldn’t resist Dream in Color’s Smooshy December Dream club yarn in the color candy floss.  Actually, I loved the pattern and that hooked me to get the yarn.

Last, but not least, one of my knitting friends was knitting a cowl using Plymouth Yarns Mushishi yarn in the color 9 (red).  It looks so pretty and it’s so soft, I couldn’t resist it either.

So, that was my last buying binge for awhile.  It’s knit from stash time and I certainly have a lot of it.  I could open my own yarn store.  I won’t say that I won’t buy any yarn because if I can be lucky enough to get more Wollmeise, I wouldn’t turn that down and Numma Numma should be back to dying yarns again soon and I certainly can’t resist that.  I didn’t sign up for any sock clubs.  I will sign up for the Loopy Ewe club, but if I don’t get in, I won’t be real disappointed.  2011 seems to be about moderation in many ways.

New Year, New Resolutions

I need to revisit the resolutions that I made for 2010 and see how well I did.

GOALS for 2010

1. Organize closets and cabinets – Definitely start to purge items by having a yard sale. I definitely did a lot of organizing. I went through the whole house and finished the basement and garage, the first floor is finished except for the kitchen, the second floor is complete, but I still need to do the attic. I did not have a yard sale, but have things ready for one.

2. Update my blog once a week. – I did not necessarily post once a week, but I did make up for it in other weeks. I had 56 blog posts for the year.

3. I will not buy any new yarn from January through April and buy sparingly the rest of the year. – Well, that didn’t happen.

4. Knit 12 pairs of socks – I only did 8 pairs of socks. I got slowed down because of work.

5. Finish some UFO’s – At least 9 items – That didn’t happen either.

6. Knit a clapotis – Didn’t happen

7. Lose weight and exercise – I did join a fitness center, but gained any weight back I lost this past year.

8. Read 65 books – I read 76 books

9. Clean off old computers and recycle them as well as some old printers. – I did do that, but need to do some more.

GOALS for 2011

1. Finish organizing closets and cabinets and purge items

2. Update blog at least once a week

3. Knit 12 pairs of socks

4. Finish some UFO’s

5. Join Weight Watchers

6. Read 65 books

7. Stash bust

8. Recycle old electronics

Maybe I can meet these goals. It should help that I’m not working.

What I knit in 2010

26 Dishcloths

2 Cowls

8 pairs of socks

1 Chemo hat

2 Hotpads

4 scarves

1 baby afghan

2 baby hats

1 prayer shawl

UFO’s

Multnomah Shawl

Girasole

Leaf Lace Scarf

Central Park Hoodie

Silky Tie Wrap

Candle Flame Shawl

Habu Scarf

Ripple Afghan

Black Fetching Gloves

Knit One Below Scarf

Thrumbed Mitten

Mystery Stole 3

Square a long afghan

Snowflake Cloth

Orange Sweater

Shrug

Socks that Rock Scarf

Baby Sweater

Prayer Shawl

Ripple Baby Afghan

Mobieus Scarf

Caera Cowl

Great American Afghan Squares

Christmas Sock

My goodness, 24 unfinished projects and I have 3 more projects that I plan on casting on within the next few days. I have to get knitting!

Happy New Year - 2011

50 Pairs of Socks

I have finished my 50th pair of socks.  When I started on this journey of knitting socks, I was determined to master it.  It has been an ongoing process and I learn new things all the time.

Some things I have learned:

1.  I hate ribbing of K1, P1.  I still use it for socks but do prefer K2, P2 or K1 through the back loop and P1.

2.  I have learned that when picking up stitches for the foot of the sock that it is better to k1 through the back loop.

3.  I have learned how to avoid holes when picking up stitches for the foot.

 

4.  I also have found a toe decrease that I like better than others.  It is a personal preference. I found this recipe from a sock pattern I was knitting.  The pattern was Croc socks by Monica Jines.

5.  I learned how to feel comfortable doing the kitchener stitch.  (Using a cheat sheet really helps)

6.  I’ve learned how to do a toe up sock.

7.  I’ve learned how to do a patterned sock.

8.  I’ve learned how to follow a chart.

9.  I’ve learned how to use double pointed needles.

10.  I’ve learned how to knit two socks on two needles.

11.  I’ve learned that I prefer to knit one sock at a time on two needles.

12. I’ve learned that I love sock yarn and that you can use it for other projects other than socks.

13.  I’ve learned that handpainted sock yarn is nicer to stripe than hand dyed sock yarn.

14.  I’ve learned that I love Sanguine Gryphon’s bugga and skinny bugga sock yarn, Wollmeise sock yarn, Numma Numma sock yarn, Sundara sock yarn, Socks that Rock Sock yarn,  Trekking sock yarn and Online yarn sock, and all the other sock yarn out there as you can tell from my stash.  But, I especially love sock yarn with cashmere in it.

15. I’ve learned that using size 1 needles with 64 stitches really does make a nicer sock.  It fits nicer and makes for a denser fabric. When I first began knitting socks, I would have fought tooth and nail using such a small needle.  Size 2’s were my needle of choice.

16.  I’ve learned that even though you are using a pattern designed by someone else, you can change it to suit yourself.

17.  Last but not least, I’ve learned that I love knitting socks!

Looking back, I have learned quite a bit from knitting socks.

I have finished the Embossed Leaves socks (pair number 50) by Mona Schmidt.  I used size 1.5 needles with Sanguine Gryphon’s skinny bugga in leaf insect.

So, try knitting socks if you never have and if you have tried and feel frustrated, don’t give up.  Once you do feel comfortable knitting socks, you will feel a great sense of achievement!

Ready or Not–Christmas is almost here

Well, either you are ready or you are not.  I’m just about there.  All my presents are wrapped, food is bought, and I think that except for a few odds and ends, I can actually relax tomorrow.  Maybe I will even get time to knit.

Tomorrow night, my family will be visiting for Christmas.  We usually order out for pizza and I have some snacks ready plus cookies of course.  Christmas Day, my father-in-law will be up for dinner.  Then it’s all over for another year.

I did finish the one Christmas gift I was making.  I made a prayer shawl for my Mother-in-law, who is in a nursing home.  I used Marble Chunky in color MC15 with size 13 needles.  I really liked this yarn and I’m now working on a shawl for me.

I also finished the last dishcloth of the year in my Monthly Dishcloth group.  I used size 7 needles with Peaches and Crème yarn in Powder puff.  The pattern is called Snowy drops by Andi Worthy.

After all the hustle and bustle of this week, I will be glad for next week when I can relax and knit.  I don’t even care if it snows next week.  I’m ready for a blizzard.

Getting There

I am knitting.  Yep, I am knitting quite a few different projects and I am getting somewhat close to finishing a few of them.

I am finally on the second Embossed Leaves sock.  I should be close to starting the heel flap soon.

I am also getting close to the toe decreasing on the Frolicking Feet basic sock in Christmas Cactus.  I don’t think I will have these finished for Christmas, but maybe for New Years I will.

I did start another shawl using Marble Chunky in color MC16 and size 13 needles.  I love the color.  This one is for me.

I also started a Ripple Baby Afghan to put on the back of our new Lazy Boy chair.  I am using size 8 needles in Fantasy Naturale color 8013.  Only 16 more repeats to go.

This didn’t stop me from buying more yarn.  I got Skinny Bugga from the Sanguine Gryphon in Arge Moth.

And, I also got Gia Fingering yarn from the Sanguine Gryphon in the color Pororoca. 

Plus, I got Little Traveller sock yarn in color balleyboley forest to use on one of the three Advent Calendar scarf patterns that are available this year.

The Sanguine Gryphon’s winter colors are coming out and I’m afraid that I will have no will power and will probably buy more of her yarn.  I just love it.

From the Loopy Ewe, I got Madelinetosh Pashmina in briar purple and Cascade Epiphany in color 1310.  I just had to try these two yarns.  They will be either for a cowl or small shawl.

Lucky that I keep casting on new projects isn’t it?

December and snow

Well, we haven’t had any snow accumulation yet, but we have had snow flurries.  It’s so pretty to see the snow when it’s flurries.  However, Sunday we could have some snow on the ground.  But, that’s okay.  I have no where to go and I can curl up and read a book or knit.  I’m just about ready for Christmas.  I only have a few small items to get and just have to wrap a couple of things.  So, bring on the snow!

I finally finished one of the Embossed Leaves socks.  I am using Sanguine Gryphon’s Skinny Bugga in leaf insect with a size one and one-half needle.  I altered the pattern a little (cuff and toe), but I like how it’s turning out.

I also finished the December KAL from my monthly dishcloth group.  The pattern is Knitted Tree by Frugalhaus.  I used Peaches and Crème in Christmas Green with a size 7 needle.  This was fun to knit.

I also started a basic sock using Frolicking Feet in Christmas Cactus.  I'm using a size one needle.  Not sure if I will finish this in time for Christmas.

I was fascinated by another knitter’s project of the Ribbed Mobeius Scarf, so I went on YouTube to see how to do the cast on and I am loving this pattern.  It’s very easy once you get the yarn cast on.  I am using Araucania Panguipulli in color 5 with a size 10 needle.

I did have to buy more yarn.  I got more Marble Chunky in the color MC16 (a gold colorway).

And, I got Fantasy Naturale in color 8013 to make a small afghan to put on the back of our new Lazyboy chair.

I’m a happy camper. I’m enjoying my time at home, doing what I want to do when I want to do it, surrounded by yarn and knitting with my friends at the Knitter’s Edge. What more could I want?

Finished one goal for 2010

Yippee,  I did meet my goal of reading at least 65 books this year.  I know that I won’t meet all of my goals, but at least I accomplished this one.  I have read the following books lately:

Skein of the Crime by Maggie Sefton

A Wish for Christmas by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer – this series is a great read.

Growing up Laughing by Marlo Thomas – I loved Danny Thomas.  This was about growing up and also some insight about different comedians.

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovitch – another great book

They call me Baba Booey by Gary Dell’abate and Chad Millman – He works with Howard Stern, but this was about his life and his mother who had mental problems.

Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts – the 4th book in the Bride series.  This really wasn’t as good as the others.

The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg – A great read for Christmas.

Dune Road by Jane Green – I love her books and this didn’t disappoint.

Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs – the third book in the series and it was really good.

 

I still have time to read a couple more books in the month of December.