Productive Knitting Week

I did well this week with my knitting.  I finished the Haystack Socks.  I used a size 1 needle with the Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in the color Familiar Bluet.  I forgot how nice this yarn is.  The pattern was very easy.

I finally finished the Voodo you Love me Zombie doll.  I used a size 4 needle with Gnomeacres yarn in the Voodo you Love me color.  I got the heart button from her too.  Love the yarn and the pattern.

I finished one basic sock using Lollipop yarn in the Lavender Fields color.  I just love the colors and the striping.  I used a size 1 needle with this pattern.

I also finished day 2 of the 2011 Advent Calendar Scarf.  I am using a size 2 needle with Madelinetosh merino light in the rainwater color.  This is the first time I am using beads in a project.  I started using a crochet hook and then switched to my fleegle beader.  The fleegle beader is great!

I got my Seusstastic order from Dancing Dog Dyeworks.  The yarn is a sport weight.  I got a full skein of the Seusstastic color and a half skein of orange to go with it.

I also got Madelinetosh Sock in the Fireside color.  I am going to use this to make a scarf.

Still working on the mimi cowl with the mink yarn.  It is so soft. I plan to start another shawl this week and maybe another sock.

It was a nice relaxing week

I really enjoyed this week.  The weather wasn’t too bad and I was able to relax, knit and read.

I blocked the cinnamon toast shawl that I finished.  I love how this shawl turned out.

I started another sock.  I got the Lavender Fields striping yarn from Lollipop yarns and had to cast on for a sock.  I am using a size 1 needle with a basic sock pattern.  I think I will do a heel flap for this sock rather than an afterthought heel.  I love the colors.

I did order some yarn.  I got the Loopy Ewe Mother’s day kit.  Actually, I ordered it for the mug, but the yarn is nice.  It’s Julie Spins glimmer yarn in Tuscany.  I also got a notepad and stitch marker.  It is a nice package.

I started the 2011 calendar scarf.  My friends and I are doing one pattern per week.  This pattern calls for beads and it’s the first time I am knitting something using beads.  I am broadening my horizons by trying something different.  Pictures coming next time.

Casting On

I am on a roll.  I finished two more projects.  The Sunny Baby Blanket is complete.  I used Encore worsted yarn in the color 449 with a size 8 needle.  I omitted one repeat and it worked out great.

I also finished the Cinnamon Toast shawl.  I used Madelinetosh Pashmina in the color antique lace with a size 4 needle.  I loved knitting this shawl, but the ruffle seemed to take forever.  Here is a picture of it blocking:

So, since I cast off two projects.  I started more.  I cast on for the Mimi cowl using the mimi yarn by Lotus yarns in the color grey.  This yarn is a mink yarn and it is soooooo soft.  I love it.

I also cast on for the Haystacks socks using a size 1 needle.  The yarn is Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in Familiar Bluet.  I haven’t used Bugga in awhile and I forgot how nice this yarn is.  The Pattern is very easy and since these socks are on my Addi Sock Rockets, they are flying off the needles.

I finally am finished working for this tax season.  I still can’t believe it and keep pinching myself that I got through tax season.  It’s perfect timing too since we had several warm days this week.  Spring is finally here.

First Reading Update of 2013

So far, I have read the following books in 2013:

The Perfect Hope – Nora Roberts

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor – Lisa Kleypas

Rainshadow Road – Lisa Kleypas

Rechenka’s Eggs – Patricia Polacco

Judgement in Death – JD Robb

Dream Lake – Lisa Klyepas

Another Piece of My Heart – Jane Green

Betrayal in Death – JD Robb

Interlude in Death – JD Robb

The Dog Who Knew Too Much – Spencer Quinn

The Power Trip Prequel – Jackie Collins

Power Trip – Jackie Collins

Seduction in Death – JD Robb

Reunion in Death – JD Robb

Show No Fear – Perri O’Shaughnessy

Crystal Cove – Lisa Kleypas

82 Pairs of Socks

I have knitted 82 pairs of socks so far and I’m not stopping.  I love knitting socks.  They are so portable and I love wearing them.

I finished the Lollipop yarn Big Kitty socks.  I used a size 1 needle using Addi Sock Rocket needles.  I love the needles.  The points are the same as Addi lace, but the needles are slicker and I feel as if my stitches are flying off the needles.

I also finished the Skype socks using Gnomeacres sock yarn in the I lurve Ewe color with a size 0 needle.

I bought three skeins of yarn.  I got Gnomeacres Squishy Gnome (worsted weight) in Little Bunny Foo Foo.

I couldn’t resist Lollipop sock yarn in Lavender Fields and Spring Fever.

Still working on the Sunny Baby Blanket.  I am getting close to finishing it and I’m working on the ruffle of the Cinnamon Toast Shawl.

So, where is Spring?

We had snow this week, but it melted quickly and now we may have snow on Monday, but it just sounds as if it will be snow showers.  I am certainly sick of the cold and the snow and hope it starts to warm up soon.

I finally finished one sock using Gnomeacres sock yarn in the I Lurve Ewe color with a size 0 needle.  This is the Skype sock pattern. I don’t know why it took me so long to finish just one sock.  I guess I have to blame it on too many projects on the needles.  I cast on 64 stitches for this sock and it fits snuggly and feels so good.  I already cast on for the second sock.

I bought another skein of Lollipop yarn’s striping sock yarn in the Big Kitty color.  I liked the colors and how it striped, so I couldn’t resist it.

I cast on right away using a size 1 needle and a basic sock pattern.  One sock finished.  This flew on the needles.  The colors do appear lighter than they really are.

I also purchased 3 skeins of Madelinetosh merino light.  I am using this to knit an advent scarf.  Not that I don’t have something to use in stash, but my LYS got Madelinetosh yarn in and I couldn’t resist this color.  It is called Rainwater.  A pretty blue with grey tones.  I will be casting on the pattern in early April.  Two of my other knitting friends will also be knitting the pattern.  I have been partial to grey lately.

Spring Forward

Well, it’s finally here.  Daylight Savings Time starts tonight and for some reason it means the start of Spring for me.  I am ready for it.  Currently, the temperature is 51 degrees and it feels great.  We were suppose to have snow this past week, but hardly got anything.  I hope it stays that way.

I haven’t been doing too much knitting.  I don’t know why, I guess my mojo has slowed down.

I did work a bit on the Simple Skype socks using Gnome Acres yarn in the color I lurve Ewe with a size 0 needle.  I love how they are turning out and it’s a very simple pattern.

I have also been working on the Sunny Baby Blanket.  I need to get this finished by the end of April.  Baby is on her way.  I am using Encore worsted yarn in the color 449 (pink).

I really have been good on the yarn buying.  I had over a $50 credit for the Loopy Ewe, so I got several skeins of yarn there and only spent around $18 out of pocket.  From left to right, Malabrigo Worsted in the color Sealing Wax, Dream in Color Everlasting from the February Dream in Color Club, and Malabrigo sock in the color Piedras.

I also couldn’t resist buying a skein of Lotus Yarn’s mimi in a grey color.  The yarn is mink and I saw a sample cowl knitted up using it and it was so soft.  Had it buy it.

But, I did pass up buying Madelinetosh at my local yarn shop.  They got merino and sport yarn in and I decided to pass this time around.  I am on a roll!

I can finally take a breath

It’s not as busy at work and I’m now down to working one day a week.  I am so happy and will enjoy more time to do what I want to do.

I have been really trying to limit my spending (especially with yarn) and I’m doing pretty well this month.  I got my Dancing Dog Dyeworks yarn for Monster Mania Club.  This is the last shipment and was a club that I joined last year.  The yarn is Waltz Worsted weight in the color Jenna.

This month, so far, I bought Fibernymph Dyeworks stripped yarn in her inversibles striping yarn.  The colors are hot cherry pink and silver grey.  Each sock is a reverse of the other.  I had to try this since it was so different.

Today, I purchased Plymouth Encore worsted in the color 449 to make the Sunny Baby Blanket for my next door neighbor who is having a baby girl in May.

I already started on the blanket today, so I am using the yarn.

I am just about finished with my Zombie.  The pattern is Voodo you Love me and I am using Gnome Acres worsted weight yarn (Squishy Gnome) in the color I dream of Zombie with a size 4 needle.  Everything is knitted.  I just have to sew the arms and legs on and then add embellishments.  I think she is turning out very cute.

I finished my Vanilla Bean socks using Lollipop yarn in the Downton Abbey color.  I used a size 1 needle and an afterthought heel for this sock.  I love the pattern and the color of the yarn.  Lollipop yarn is great to knit with.

Since I finished these socks, I started on another pair using Gnomeacres sparkle gnome in the color  I Lurve Ewe.  I wanted to start these before Valentine’s Day, but it took me longer to finish the Downton Abbey socks.  I am using a size 0 needle.   The pattern is called Simple Skyp socks. I love the gnomeacres yarn.

I haven’t done much knitting on the Cinnamon Toast shawl, but I need to get back to that.  Guess I will have enough time this week to do that.  How wonderful is that. 

What a week

It was a busy week at work this week.  I had to work 4 days and it was hectic.  I was dreading the week, but knew that it would eventually be over.  Now I am back to working 2 days a week for only 3 more weeks (I hope).

I didn’t go to my knitting group this week.  I was tired, we had snow and I had too many errands to run.  So, I got my errands finished, ran into work for a couple of hours and then came home right before it started to snow.  We had about 6 inches of snow and at least it wasn’t the amount that they got in New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine.

Finished some projects in the last two weeks.  I completed another Butterscotch the Dog cloth.  I just loved this pattern.  Yarn is Peaches and Crème in Army Tan with a size 5 needle.

I also finished the second Manly Man scarf that I had started.  The yarn is Taria Tweed by Plymouth yarns in color 2770 (green) with a size 10 needle.  It’s a great yarn and so soft

Started the second Vanilla Bean sock using Lollipop yarn in the Downton Abbey color with a size 1 needle.

I also started a shawl called Cinnamon Toast.  I am using Madelinetosh Pashmina in the Antique Lace color with a size 4 needle.  I am loving knitting this shawl and I love the pattern.

I thought that the Voodoo you love me zombie toy was so cute that my friend and I each started one.  I am using Gnome Acres worsted weight yarn in the I Dream of Zombie color with a size 4 needle.

I still want to cast on a pair of fingerless mitts an another sock, but I think I need to work some more on my current projects before doing that.

I hope this week is calmer and I get more knitting time in.

What a hectic week

Between working, fitting in doctor appointments, cleaning and errands, I have been running a race.  I’m glad the week is over and need to get ready for this coming week.  I escaped having to deal with snow and ice and I am very glad for that.

I did finish the first Vanilla Bean sock that I was working on.  The yarn is Lollipop Yarn in the Downton Abbey color using a size 1 needle.  I still have to do the afterthought heel on this sock, but will wait until I have the second sock finished before starting that. I love the color of this sock as well as the pattern.

I am also getting sucked into watching Downton Abbey.  I am still on Season 1 and I’m loving it.

I also finished a dishcloth called Butterscotch the Dog.  I used Peaches and Crème yarn in army tan with a size 5 needle.  I love this pattern and will be giving this to a good friend.  I will make another for myself.

Yarn made it’s way into the house again.  I bought more Lollipop Yarn.  I just love the striping.  I got Cold Snap (with heel and toe) and Lust for Valentines Day.

I also bought more GnomeAcres yarn, but this time I got worsted weight yarn to make a Zombie using the pattern Voodoo you love me and for a future toy.  My friend and I will start these next week.  The colors are Bertie Botts and I Dream of Zombie.

I am still working on my scarf and started a shawl called Cinnamon Toast.  Pictures coming next week.

Not much knitting this week

I’ve been trying to do things around the house to get caught up before I get busy at work.  I think I have another week before it gets really crazy with tax returns.

I am still knitting on my Vanilla Bean sock and Manly Man scarf, but I frogged the min ulla scarf.  I just was not happy with the jogging.  Maybe, I’m not cut out doing two color stranded knitting. I may try again another time.

I am planning on starting a new shawl called Cinnamon Toast (using stash yarn) and still have to cast on for a pair of fingerless mitts.  I keep changing my mind on which pattern I plan to use.

On the dishcloth front, I still plan on staying in the Monthly Dishcloth group and see how it goes, but I did order some new dishcloth patterns and I’m planning on casting on this week for one of the new patterns.

I have been bad and ordered more yarn.  I got Madelinetosh in dk and pashmina from Happy Knits.  They have their own color that Madelinetosh makes for them called Happiness.  I want to use the dk for toys.

I also got some GnomeAcres sparkle sock in the color I Dream of Zombie and a regular fingering weight sock in Bertie Botts.

Working on finishing projects

I am working on several projects.  I am knitting a pair of self striping socks using Lollipop yarns in the Downton Abbey color with a size 1 needle.  I am using the Vanilla Bean pattern rather than knitting a plain stockinette sock with an afterthought heel.  I love the colors of this yarn and the pattern is so easy to do.

I also started another Manly Man scarf using Plymouth Yarns Taria Tweed yarn in the color 2770 (green).  I really like this yarn.  It’s so soft and warm.  I am using a size 10 needle.

I did complete the January 2013 Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called Lacy Scallops by Janet Nogle.  I used Peaches and Crème yarn in baby blue with a size 7 needle.

This pattern is from the Monthly Dishcloth group on Yahoo.  I need to vent a little about this group.  I have belonged to this group since it was founded in 2005 (that’s almost 8 years).  I have always enjoyed it except for the last couple of years.  The person who founded the group, turned it over to Janet.  I’m not sure if this was permanent or temporary.  There are over 8000 members and I realize that it is a large number of people to manage.  As a result, there are a lot of rules, which I have no problem with.  I know that this is a free group and takes a lot of work. 

My issue is that Janet publishes a dishcloth calendar, which I bought for 4 years.  The last couple of years, many of the patterns published in the group came from the calendar.  I am not happy with this because I paid for it.  So, this past year, I did not buy the calendar. My second issue is that the patterns are starting to repeat from years past.  There are so many free patterns out there that I don’t see the need for that. My third issue is that the above pattern was published with several errors.  Several people did question it and Janet, who designed the pattern, did not respond to the group with any corrections.  She did post the completed pattern in the group when the KAL was over and that is where I found the corrections.  I did post the corrections and someone else posted the pattern in the group with the corrections.  I am not happy.  I am deciding whether I want to stay in this group.  For now, I will, but will not be posting in the group.  End of vent.

I have finally pulled out the Min Ulla scarf that I started and ripped back.  This is a fair isle scarf and I have since taken a class to learn how to knit fair isle.  I also got out the Central Park Hoodie and plan to finish that project this year as well.  I want to finish this sweater because I would like to try a top down sweater. Wish me luck.

Getting some last minute yarn purchases in

I am trying not to buy much yarn this year so that I can stash bust, but I had to purchase the skeins below.

My local yarn shop got Madelinetosh in vintage and I had to purchase this yarn in grey garden and fig.  I want to use it to make mitts, hat and a cowl.

I love how the grey garden knits up, so I had to buy it in the dk weight too.

And of course in a fingering weight yarn.  So, I got the tosh sock in the same color.

Green is one of my favorite colors.

I had some Cakewalk Footsie yarn on order prior to Christmas and it came.  I got the colors edisto and chalkboard.

Then, I couldn’t resist some Numma Numma the usual in the House Red and Gumbo n Greens.

I can’t say that I won’t buy any yarn in 2013, but I will try to limit my purchases and shop from my stash.

Happy New Year

I can’t believe it’s 2013!  Wonder what this year will bring.  It’s time to look back at my Goals for 2012 and see what I accomplished.

 

GOALS FOR 2012

1. Read 65 Books – I read 72

2. Definitely Stash Bust – well, that didn’t really happen

3. Knit 12 pairs of socks – I knit 15 pairs

4. Lose Weight – I did lose a little weight, but could lose more.

5. Knit at least one toy – I knit 9 toys

6. Finish knitting a two color project (this is on the needles) – I didn’t finish this one, but I did start two hats and finished those after taking a class.

7. Finish my Central Park Hoodie – didn’t happen

GOALS FOR 2013

1. Read 65 books

2. Knit 12 pairs of socks

3. Finish the Central Park Hoodie and knit another sweater.

4. Stash bust – at least get rid of one storage tote of yarn either by using it or passing yarn along or selling it.

5. Finish the min ulla scarf (two color project)

6.  Look into weaving (a way of stash busting?)

FINISHED PROJECTS FOR 2012

I Finished 55 projects this year.  In 2011 I did 71 and  in 2010 I did 47.

22 Dishcloths

15 Socks

1 Mitten set

5 Shawls

2 Fair Isle Hats

9 Toys

2 Scarves

1 Blanket

1 Coaster

1 small sock

UFO’s

I only had 4 UFO’s at the end of 2012.  Last year I had 8.

Central Park Hoodie

Olivia Sweater

Min Ulla Scarf

Soft Waves Afghan