My Last Finished Object of 2011

Well this is it.  This will complete my finished objects for the year of 2011.  (I don't think I can whip anything else out before midnight tomorrow.)

Sockhead Hat
Started December 22, 2011
Finished December 28, 2011
Yarn Handspun Wild Ivy in Hooligans
Needles Size 3 Hiya Hiya 16 inch circular.

I really like this hat and I eventually I will make more.  I didn't have enough yarn to do the whole 14 inches so I started decreasing at about 9 inches total.

Finished!

I finished my Christmas knitting.  I really don't knit for Christmas but someone asked me to make a pair of socks for her mom for Christmas so I said I would.  Her family does "special" things for Christmas and she thought her mom would LOVE a pair of hand knitted socks.  I thought it was a really sweet thing to do for her mom.

Hermione Everyday Socks
Socks that Rock Lightweight in Rocktober
Needles 1.5 Knit Picks Circulars
Started November 15, 2011
Finished December 18, 2011

I really enjoy knitting with Socks that Rock it is one of my favorite yarns.

I started a couple of new projects yesterday.  I am making the Sockhead hat out of some handspun.  The roving was dyed by Wild Ivy Designs.  I also started a pair of Jeck socks.  I am using Socks that Rock in the River Rock colorway.

I Have New Handspun

I finished spinning part of the Polwarth/Silk in the Tapestry colorway.   I have about 250 of a light worsted to worsted weight.  It is amazing how much this "poofed" up.  I had 300 yards before I washed it and now I only have around 250 yards.  I love this fiber and I think that it is one of my new favorites.

I am spinning some Polwarth now. It is the Haunted Vineyard from the KnitGirllls spin a long/knit a long.  

Tiny Tea Leaves

Oh how I enjoyed knitting this sweater.  Which is a good thing since her older sister wants one like it but in pink.

It was such a fun knit.  The only problem I really had was when I was trying to do the sleeves magic loop and I didn't like it so I put it down for a while.  I hope I can remember just how much I dislike magic loop knitting. So I don't "try" it again.  It just leads to frustration for me.

I think she likes it.

Tiny Tea Leaves Cardigan
Yarn is Berroco Vintage
Needles Size 6 and 7
Started September 25, 2011
Finished December 4, 2011

Stranded

My first stranded knitting project that I have ever completed.  I used some Wildfoote sock yarn (that I wouldn't recommend) and some handspun.  The pattern is the Selbu Modern and I used size 1 and size 3 needles.  I really enjoyed making this hat and at some point I will probably make it again.

Almost

I made lots of progress but didn't quite get as far as I wanted.  I am just a couple of inches left of being done with the first sleeve on the sweater.  The striped socks I didn't really make a goal for but I did knit about an inch on them.  The other socks I am in the process of decreasing the gusset. 


I am making a new goal and I am giving myself until December 7th.  I will finish this sweater, finish one of these first socks and at least work on the other one.  I am also going to dig out my Twist cardigan and start putting that in the mix so I can wear it this winter.

The hat I will show off tomorrow.

A Promise Kept

I told you I had a finished object and some new yarn to share yesterday, so I am keeping my promise to show it off. I finished the Noro Biased Scarf made from handspun Woolgatherings BFL.  It will be gift for my nephew's wife when they come to Kansas to visit for Christmas.

I finished the Woolgatherings October Fiber from the fiber club.  I got around 625 yards of a heavy laceweight to light fingering.  I love it.  The fiber was Polwarth/Silk blend and I don't think I could recommend it enough.  It was an amazing fiber to spin.

Four Projects and Three Days

I have four projects that are currently being worked on at the moment.  I have three days until the end of the month and I am curious to see how far I can get on them in the next three days.

In the left hand corner at the top is a Selbu Modern that I started a couple of weeks ago.  I am only about ten rows from being done with the chart so I am hoping to finish it in the next three days.  The Tiny Tea Leaves sweater needs one button band, the sleeves and the buttons sewn on.  I would like to finish a sleeve.  I have two pairs of socks on the needles.  The pink and yellow ones were started in August right after we moved to our new house, when I hadn't knit for a week and I was getting kind of crabby so I cast on a vanilla pair of socks.  I still haven't finished the first one.  The second pair of socks is the Hermione Everyday socks, I am knitting these for someone to give to their mom at Christmas.   They need to be done in the next couple weeks.  I would like to at least get the heel turned and all the gusset stitches decreased before the end of the month.

I have an FO and new handspun to share next time.

12!!!!!!

I made one of my goals that I set this year.  I have knit 12 pairs of socks.  I probably won't finish my other goals but I completed one.  I will probably finish a couple of more pairs before the end of the year.

Details

Pattern: Petunia Dursley Double Eyelet Socks
Yarn: Handspun UrbanGypz in Mr. Blinky
Needles: 1.5 KnitPicks Options circulars
Started: October 14, 2011
Finished: November 15, 2011

I love love love this pattern.  It is very easy to remember and goes pretty fast.  The yarn was a joy to knit with and spin.  I think these will be one of my favorite pairs to wear.

If Only.....

I had more hands and time, I would be able to stitch, knit, and spin at the same time.  I guess I could use more hands for laundry and dishes.

My daughters took a cross stitch class at our local library and it inspired me to get some of my projects out and get working again.  This one I actually just picked up recently on sale to make for Little Buddy.

These next two are LONG term projects.  I love these designs because when you are finished the shading makes it look like a painting.  I would like to have one of them finished by January 1, 2013.  I am using aida 22 count for this one.

This one I started a few years ago and I decided to pick it up again.  I am using 28 count evenweave for this one and I am doing it "over 1".  I wanted to post pictures so I could see how far I have gotten periodically.

Going To SAFF!!!!

I don't get to go but the socks I knit for UrbanGypz get to go.  They were mailed off yesterday and are now making their way across the United States to get there in time for next weekend.

The blue, green, brown pair is the Harvest Dew Pattern done in UrbanGypz Merino,Cashmere,Nylon blend. I knit them on 1.5 US needles.  The color was is Aqua Mod.  This yarn is so super soft and squishy and I really enjoyed knitting with it.

The blue, orange, rust, yellow pair is the Petunia Dursley Double Eyelet socks knit in the Superwash Merino blend..  I also knit them on 1.5 US needles.   The color was So Ready for Autumn. I loved the colors and they made me happy when I was knitting them.

New Yarn and Progress

I finished spinning and plying half of the fiber from a couple of posts ago.  It is BFL dyed by my friend, Ivy.  She has been dabbling in dyeing and I think she does an amazing job.  I navajo plied this and I am thinking of either spinning some white or getting some white yarn to make a stranded hat of some sort.  I still have 50 grams of it left to spin but not sure how I am going to do the rest of it.  It is about 180 yards.

I am still plugging away on the socks.  The first one is complete and I am almost to the toe on the second one.  They need to be moving on so I can knit something else.  I am really wanting to cast on a shawl or a hat soon.

New!

I have some new handspun that I finally got finished last week. This was from Two Windows, she is a Kansas dyer. I think it turned out pretty good.  It is about 340 yards of a fingering weight and the wool is BFL which is probably my favorite to spin.

I also have a new project started.  My youngest daughter wanted a new sweater because she has outgrown the one I made for her a couple of years ago.  I am making her the Tiny Tea Leaves and I am using Berroco Vintage.

There Has Been Spinning

 Just not nearly enough! Is there really ever enough spinning though?

This fiber was dyed by one of my friends from the LYS.

She also dyed this one.  I need to get off my tush and get this one plied.  I am thinking of making a shawl of some sort with it.

Have a blessed day,
Robin

First Sock Syndrome

I know a lot of people that say that they have to start the second sock immediately after the first one so they are not struck by second sock syndrome.  I don't seem to have that problem.  I get the second one done pretty quick but I sure do have a problem getting the first one done for some reason.  It isn't because I don't like the project.  I think it is because I think I can crank out a pair of socks in a week or two and when that doesn't happen I seem to lose interest a little.  I guess I have a mental block when it comes to that or something.

I like both of these projects and I really want to finish them so hopefully I will have started both of the second socks by Friday.  I think I just need more time in my day.

Now Broadcasting from a New Location

Well, I didn't fall off the face of the earth but I did move.  This is the front of our new home. So far I am really liking it.  (So not enjoying the unpacking which I am still working on)

This is the back of the house.  Yes, that is a swimming pool in the back yard and the kids love it.  It will be time to close up the pool for the winter soon but I am sure we will get lots of use from it next year.  At the top of those stairs is the most awesome little sun room that I have turned into "my" space.

Along with moving and getting the kids in school (they went back three weeks ago), I got a job.  Little Buddy is in all day kindergarten so I got a part time job working at the lunchroom at the high school. I find that I really love working there but mornings are a little stressful for me getting them ready in time so I am not late for work.

I haven't had a whole lot of time for knitting.  This is all the knitting I have done in the last three weeks.  I even had a stretch of about a week without any knitting at all and it was making me very crabby.  I am just making a vanilla sock.

I have finally had a little time to do some spinning.  I am still working on this BFL,  I am excited to see how it will ply up.

Will I Make It???

I have been participating in The Knitgirllls 5K Stashdown this summer.  I am currently at 5012 yards and I need 5460 to finish.

This yarn got me to where I am now.  It is 412 yards of merino that I dyed with food coloring.  It didn't really turn out the way I wanted to I am debating if I want to try to dye it again or just leave it.

I am currently knitting this pair of socks out of UrbanGypz Superwash Merino.  I am halfway done with the leg on the second sock and when I finish them I will have used a little over 300 yards for the pair.

I started a Noro Bias Scarf last week at Knit Night.   I am about a third of the way done with the yarn so I have used about 130 yards of it.


I also have some spinning on my wheel that I might be able to finish as well.  I am thinking I will make it but I am not sure yet.

Spinning Causes Knitting

I spun this mixed BFL from Woolgatherings.

Here is a bobbin of the singles that I spun.

The finished yarn is a fingering weight and about 420 yards.  

I started a Noro Bias Lace Scarf with it last knit at KniCroSpin night at my LYS.  I am excited to see how it turns out.

Dragonfly Socks

I finished the Dragonfly socks over the weekend.

Pattern: Dragonfly Socks
Started: June 25, 2011
Finished: July 23, 2011
Needles: Size 0 DPN's
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock in Campfire
Yards Used: 340

So, I had to start a new pair.  These are Sunday Swing socks and I am using Two Windows Dye Company Knitty Bits 2 sock yarn.

15 Years

Dear Husband,

It has been fifteen years today since we got married.  I love you more than I did that day.  I loved you so much that day that I didn't think that it would be possible to love you even more.  We had a rough first year but we made it through and we are stronger with each passing year.

We have survived loss of loved ones, moving three times to different states, being away from family, and the addition of three wonderful children.  I can't imagine anyone else I would have wanted to share it with.  Thank you for choosing me to be your wife.  I hope you know just how much you mean to me and how much I love you.  I know that God gave me an amazing gift when He sent you to me.  I am looking forward to the next 15 years.

I love you,
Robin

Spin A Long

I finished my AllSpunUp spin a long fiber last week.  I ended up with 1230 yards of a laceweight.

Fiber 80/20 Merino Silk in the Down to Earth colorway.  I am hoping to make a circular shawl with it.

Where Did Those Two Weeks Go??

Isn't it amazing how time gets away from us.  I can't believe it has been two weeks since I posted last. 

I have finished a hat for a friend of mine who is going through chemo for breast cancer.  

I tried my first corespun yarn also.  I like the idea of this yarn but it is so much harder to do than it looks.  I am kind of picky about how my yarn looks and I never really know what to do with this after I am finished with it.  

I have been spinning a lot since it is Tour de Fleece.  I have yarn that is drying that I will show off in the next post.

Newest FO!!!!!

This is the newest finished object to come off my needles.  I knit this for the my LYS as a shop sample.  I think it is a fun and amazing scarf.  It didn't look too great on me but I so enjoyed knitting it. It really is hard to hate knitting anything that you get to knit with Malabrigo.

Just Enough Ruffles
Started June 17, 2011
Finished June 25, 2011
Needles Size 9 Knit Picks Options
Yarn Malabrigo Worsted in Rhodesian
Yards Used 304

A Little Bit of Spinning!

I finally finished the shetland I was spinning. I had planned to knit a Shetland Pi Shawl ( Ravelry Link), but I don't have quite enough yarn.  I ended up with about 986 yards of a light fingering weight yarn.  I think it will still make a beautiful shawl and I might still try to use the pattern I had originally planned on using.  I might be able to take a repeat out or something.

At one point I got a little tired of spinning the shetland so I started this.  I have eight ounces of this Merino/Silk in the Down to Earth colorway.  

This is the first bobbin.  This picture really doesn't do the yarn justice.  I am hoping it will look better when it is plied and in yarn form.

The Sock Post

I finished this pair of Mockery Socks out of Fleece Artist in the Cosmic Dawn colorway.

I am making good progress on this pair of Knit One Crochet Two 3/1 Rib socks.  I have a couple more inches before starting the toe of the second one.

I started these last Saturday while I was watching the kids play at the park.  I am almost done decreasing the gusset for the first sock.  These are just plain vanilla socks with a hemmed cuff, sometimes you just need some mindless knitting.