Checking projects off my list

Well, I am sticking to my guns and trying to finish off some projects. I haven't started on anything new (except for my dishcloth KAL's) and don't plan on doing that until after the first of the year.

I finished my Multiplicity Scarf. This was a fun knit. It knit up quickly using size 13 needles and the yarn did the work. I only had to use two skeins. It got quite long and I think I will give this to my husband as a Christmas present.

I also completed the November Mid-Month KAL. It's called Tina's knit Angel Dishcloth. This was also a quick knit. I used Peaches and Creme yarn in Cream with a size 7 needle. I would change how I attached the head to the body, but except for that I thought it was really nice.

Another quick project I completed was the Big Softie Cowl. I finished it and found a mistake so I threw it away since it was so hard to tear out after sewing the ends in. I discovered that I was using a size 13 needle and it was suppose to be a 15. So, there was a reason to start over. I finished this today. The yarn is very soft. I guess that is why it's called Big Softie yarn.

I am almost finished with the last pair of socks that I am knitting for the year. The yarn is Punta merisock in color HP68. I am using size 1.5 needles. I should be able to finish it off this week.

I'm still finding yarn to buy. From the Loopy Ewe I got the following:

From left to right: Madelinetosh - Tosh sock in the Cedar colorway, Mackintosh Iona fingering in the Taurus colorway, Sweet Georgia Tough Love sock in Lakeshore Drive and Rainforest.

Also, Monkeypal in the colorway Violets Revenge and Madelinetosh worsted yarn to make the Mara shawl in the Oxblood colorway.

Last but not least from the Loopy Ewe is Madelinetosh tosh sock in Lichen 2 colorway.

The Knitter's Edge had Sidar Big Softie on sale, so I got several skeins to make scarves, a hat and cowls in Black, Red, White, and Purple. This yarn knits up fast.

Well off to start finishing another project. I think I will try and finish off my prayer shawl this week in addition to my punta sock. I am on a roll and don't want to stop. Three projects finished and 19 more to go.

Ready for Christmas

I finished my Jingle Sock! One project down and 21 to go. I really liked this yarn and the colorway. Yarn is Zen String fingering weight and color is Jingle. I used size 1 needles. I am now ready for Christmas.

I did start the November mid-month KAL for my dishcloth group. I believe it's going to be a dress. I am using Peaches and Creme yarn in the cream colorway with a size 7 needle. I wanted to take a picture while still knitting it because I am breaking in my size 7 zephyr acrylic needles from knitpicks. There are many conflicting opinions on these needles. I have heard that they are sticky, but I'm not finding that to be the case. They feel great on the hand and I can knit pretty fast on them. So, I may just buy a complete set.

I also wanted to show a picture of the Multnomah shawl that I have started. I saw a mistake, so I ripped it out and I'm now back to where I was originally. I really like the pattern and love the yarn. I am using String Theory Caper Sock in the Oban colorway with size 3 needles. The yarn has some cashmere in it and it is so soft.

I had planned on ordering more of this yarn, but I was excited to find that my local yarn shop - The Knitter's Edge - is now carrying it. How ironic! The week before, I was just commenting to a woman who works in the shop that they need to get some sock yarn with cashmere in it. I even pulled out this shawl that I was working on and showed her how great it was. Coincidently, they had it on order. I landed out buying three skeins of it since I couldn't decide which color to buy. I got Peridot, Nerrivik and Black Cherry. Then I found out that Pagewood Farms Alyeska yarn, that also has cashmere in it, is on order too. I love the Knitter's Edge.

Well, off to work on my Multiplicity scarf. I hope to finish it this week.

Twenty-two Works in Progress????

I am shocked. I finally decided to make a list of projects that I have started and haven't finished. Can you believe that I have 22! I am beginning to think that I need some serious help, like a person from AA. I start projects but don't finish them. So, here they are in a list:

1. Big Softie Cowl

2. Jingle Sock

3. Multnomah Shawl

4. Multiplicity Scarf

5. Punta Sock

6. Girasole

7. Leaf lace scarf

8. Central Park Hoodie

9. Silky Tie Wrap

10. Orange Sweater

11. Shrug

12. Candle Flame Shawl

13. Habu scarf

14. Ripple Afghan

15. Black Fetching gloves

16. Prayer Shawl

17. Knit one below scarf

18. Thrumbed mitten

19. Mystery Stole 3

20. STR scarf

21. Square a long afghan

22. Berrocco snowflake

There, I have them all listed. So, what am I going to do about it? Well, except for starting 3 more dishcloths in my Monthly dishcloth group, I am NOT (I repeat - I am NOT) going to start any more projects through the end of 2009. I am going to try and finish off some of these projects before the end of the year. I know that I won't finish all of them, but at least I should shorten the list.

This week, my goal is the Jingle sock and the Multiplicity scarf. Let's see how well I do. Every week until the end of the year, I am going to attempt to finish off or restart to finish something on this list.

Do you have a lot of works in process?

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Yes, I know, it's still too early for Christmas. But, I found some cool sock yarn that is great for Christmas so I just have to sing when I talk about it. I got the sock yarn from Zen String. The top picture is Bambewe in a peppermint colorway. It's suppose to stripe like a candy cane. The bottom picture is Lotus Toes in the jingle colorway (now you understand why I was singing).

I also got a sport weight yarn called Verde in the Jingle colorway.

So, I'm getting in the Christmas spirit and already started on one sock using the Lotus Toes with a size 1 needle and a basic sock pattern. I have already finished one sock.

While I am still working on several projects, I did get the November dishcloth KAL finished. It's called Tree. I used Peaches and Creme in Hunter with a size 7 needle.

Now can you see why I am singing Jingle Bells? Between the sock and the dishcloth I am getting in the Christmas spirit.

But, Halloween isn't that far gone, so I was lucky to get a skein of Goth Socks in the colorway Fright Night from Rainy Days and Wooly Dogs. It's 100% superwash yarn and should stripe really nicely. This is tough yarn to get. You have to be real quick.

I also got some yarn club shipments. From the Unique Sheep's Rubber Ducky Club, I got Pima Petite in Pumpkin Patch. It also came with a cool sheep soap and a pumpkin pie stitch marker.

From the Loopy Ewe, I got my last sock club shipment for the year. The yarn is Numma Numma in The Usual. The colorway is Red Bartlett Pear. It's 100% superwash yarn. I also got a yarn bobbin and kitchener tag from Karatstix as well as a sock pattern. I love her things and have also purchased some of it. She will make it to order, but you may have to wait awhile. It's worth it though.

Well, off to knit the second Jingle sock. "Jingle all the wayyyyyyy"......

Fall Back

Don't you just love when you finish a project that has taken awhile to complete? I finally finished the Croc Socks by Monica and I am so happy how they came out. I used a size 1 needle with Sundara Sock yarn in basil over buttercup. I just love the pattern and I'm so proud that I completed this pair.

A close up of the pattern:

I changed the pattern from a short row heel to a heel flap:

This pair completed my goal of 12 socks in a year. Considering that I finished my first pair in July, I am so excited. To reward myself, I started on my Multnomah shawl. Pictures will come on the next blog post.

I also had to reward myself with more yarn:

From Sunshine Yarns, I got her Classic Sock yarn in New Moon Alice and Bitterroot:

I must really like the Bitterroot because after I got the yarn, I realized I already had a skein. Don't you just hate that?

I also ordered more yarn from the Loopy Ewe. I couldn't resist buying Dragonfly Fibers Djinni yarn. This is the same yarn base that the Sanguine Gryphon uses for her Bugga yarn. From left to right, the colors are: Blackberry Bramble, Dragonfly, Texas Bluebonnet, and Riptide.

I also got Fleece Artist Nyoni yarn in Amethyst (this has silk in it) and Madelinetosh Tosh sock in Terrarium.

Tomorrow morning we can sleep late. Daylight savings time ends here. Don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour. I hate when it gets dark early. Can't wait for March when the clock spring forward.

Trick or Treat?

Well, only two more crazy weeks to go and then it should calm down except for the holidays coming up. At least I'm not planning on knitting anything for gifts so that should make my knitting less stressful. It's hard to believe that Christmas is 2 months away.

I have been trying to finish up some socks. I did complete the Artisan Acres Lambkin socks in Turquoise Mine. I used a basic sock pattern with size 2 needles. I really love this yarn and I'm glad that I have more of it.

I finished one croc sock and started on the second one. I would really like to finish it this week, but I'm not sure that I will be able to make it. But, I will be happy if I get close. I do feel as if I really accomplished something with this sock. The pattern looks really hard, but it's really not hard to do.

I also finished the October Mid-Month KAL for my dishcloth group. It was a house or log cabin. It's cute. I used size 7 needles with chocolate Peaches and Creme yarn.

I got a couple of shipments from the Loopy Ewe. One was the Dream in Color Knitosophy yarn in Butterfly and Fiberfile Squooshy Sock in Inlet. Both are 100% superwash yarn.

Then I purchased FiberOptic yarn in Bordeaux batik, Autumn leaves, and Sapphire batik. This is 80% superwash and 20% nylon.

This week is Trick or Treat week. Wonder what Tricks or Treats I will get?

Busy Week but still knitting

What a week. Between working, teaching, taking a class, and getting ready for a wedding. It has been hectic.

The wedding of my niece turned out great. We were concerned about the weather. It snowed at my house on Friday. They were calling for rain on Saturday, but it really only spritzed a little and the clouds did part for awhile and we saw blue skies. The ceremony went off without a hitch and the reception was great.

This week will be another busy week, but I am finding time to knit. I started another Artisan Acre Fiber Art Lambkin sock in the Turquoise Mine colorway. I am using size 2 needles. I really like the color. It has shades of browns and blues with a touch of turquoise.

I did work on my croc sock today and I am determined to finish the first sock this week.

More sock yarn found it's way into my stash. Some of it is from Sock clubs. From Intentions Yarn club, I got a skein of Simplicity in shades of brown. It's 100% superwash sock.

From the Color Coop club, a skein of Miss Babs Seacell Handpainted superwash sock in Early Autumn came for this month's shipment.

I also bought more Sundara Sock yarn. This was the October offering. I purchased two skeins, one in Graphite and one in Sour Apple.

I subscribed to Rowan Magazine again and they sent me 6 skeins of Rowan Pure 4 ply wool in spice with patterns to make a shawl.

Off to knit more on my Artisan Acre sock. I am at the toe and would like to finish this one sock by tomorrow.

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.