Perky Knits and Stitches

Awesome!!!!!

2012-01-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I was a little afraid to spin this fiber. I have never spun BFL/Seacell blend. I love the streaks of seacell that didn't take the color.

I started spinning this today. I am spinning it kind of fine to navajo ply it for a hat or a scarf. I think it would make a very happy Hitchhiker scarf or an amazing Sockhead hat.

Ten On Tuesday 1.17.12

2012-01-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

Today's Topic: 10 Things To Do Inside When It's Too Cold To Go Outside.

1. Knit

2. Read a Book

3. Watch Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

4. Bake cookies

5. Clean house (not really but it sounds good).

6. Put a puzzle together

7. Watch TV or a good movie

8. Take a hot bubble bath

9. Spin beautiful yarn

10. Take a nap all snuggled up under a blanket.

A Start

2012-01-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

I have started on my 12 lbs of Crazy project. I have really been "bitten" by the spinning bug lately. This is the first yarn I finished this year, approximately 322 yards of heavy fingering two ply. It was dyed by Wild Ivy and it is BFL.

My second yarn for this year is the December SAL from AllSpunUp. It is approximately 332 yards of merino/tencel heavy fingering weight. The colorway was Water Lilies.

Both of the yarns turned out really well and I am excited to knit something with them. I just need to find the "perfect" project for them both.

10 on Tuesday 2.0

2012-01-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

The topic today is 10 Things You Want to Do This Year

1. Take better care of myself.

2. Continue to read my Bible everyday and develop my relationship with God.

3. Spin more. I signed up for the 12 Pounds in 2012. I am calling it my 12 Lbs of Crazy project. (The above yarn is what I am currently spinning.

4. Make two sweaters for me. This includes the one I started in 2010.

5. More organized.

6. Knit 12 pairs of socks, six of them from my stash.

7. Listen more.

8. Worry less. Quit worrying about things I have absolutely no control over.

9. Read 75 books this year.

10. Find more happiness in everyday. We tend to focus so much on the bad and not enjoy the good.

New Year=New Yarn

2012-01-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

Well it is a new year, and I have new handspun yarn. This is some Wild Ivy Designs. She doesn't always give them names so I make them up as I go. I called this one Easter Basket.

This is the Polwarth from The Knitgirllls SAL/KAL. I don't know the yardage on this one either but I am going to put it back on my niddy noddy to find out. I had a little over 400 before I soaked it, but Polwarth seems to bloom so I will check it again before I decide what to knit with it.

My Last Finished Object of 2011

2011-12-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-23T07:34:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T13:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-27T16:10:00.000-08:00

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!!!!!!

2011-11-20T11:38:00.000-08:00

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.....

2011-11-08T19:12:00.000-08:00

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!!!!

2011-10-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-10-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

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???

2011-08-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-04T07:46:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

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??

2011-07-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2011-06-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-06-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Still A Success To Me

2011-06-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

I didn't make the two miles like I had planned but I think it was a success to me nonetheless. I was able to finish the Kick Sack yesterday.

I was also able to finish my Electron Socks yesterday also. These two projects added 655 yards to my total. I ended up with 1021 yards knit in May, which is around .58 miles of yarn knit.

I got closer on the spun yarn. I ended up with a total of 1356 yards spun including this Black BFL from Gale's Art. I am planning on using this for another Forest Canopy Shawl I think.

652 + 340 = 992

2011-05-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

I am still plugging away on my mile of handspun. This is 340 yards of shetland that I plan on using in a shawl of some sort. This brings my spinning total up to 992 yard out of 1760.

I am in the process of plying this up so I will have another finished yarn to share soon.

Make that 652

2011-05-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

Yards of handspun total so far this month. This is Two Windows Dye Company out of Hutchinson, KS. It is 414 yards of superwash fingering weight.

I have already started a project out of this yarn. I am making a Kicking Bag for the principal at my oldest daughter's school. She is having a baby boy in August.

One of these Days I Will Learn......

2011-05-23T14:02:00.001-07:00

NEVER to make knitting plans. I had this great plan to knit a mile of yarn and spin a mile of yarn. My spinning might make it but I think the knitting is a no go. Maybe I should just shoot for a mile total.

I finished my Forest Canopy Shawl on May 11, 2011 and finally got around to blocking it yesterday. I love love love this pattern. I am already spinning yarn to make another one.

Forest Canopy Shawl

Needles Size 8 Knit Picks Options Circulars

Started April 30, 2011

Finished May 11, 2011

Yarn AllSpunUp SAL fiber for October/November 85/15 BFL/Silk in the Rustic colorway

366 Yards

238 Down / 1522 To Go in the Spinning Mile

2011-05-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

I started with this Blue Faced Leicester from Gale's Art. It was called Orange Juice Overload.

It became 238 yards of a heavy fingering. I navajo-plied it to keep it stripy. I am thinking of using it for a pair of socks or fingerless mitts.

The Miles of May

2011-05-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have come up with an idea. I am not so sure that it is a good one but hopefully it will help me get finished with some spinning and knitting projects. I am planning to spin a mile of yarn. Unfortunately, it won't include this bobbin since I finished most of this yesterday.

I have four pairs of socks on the needles right now. I need to get them finished. The green and black pair I am considering ripping out. I have also have decided to finish a mile of knitting projects.

So my plan is to knit and spin a mile of projects. As of right now, I have spun .54 miles of yarn this year. As of right now I have knit 1.32 miles of yarn. Hopefully by the end of the month my goal will be accomplished.

Demeter Shawl

2011-04-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

Singles

Yarn

Demeter Shawl.

Bath.

Blocking

Pretty pictures

Gratuitous shot #1

(Gratuitous shot #2)

Specifics

Demeter Shawl by Laura Linneman

Yarn handspun 394 yards of a heavy fingering

Needles 4.5 mm (size 7) KnitPicks Options circular

Started April 21,2011

Finished April 28, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today Ten on Tuesday is 10 things you like about your family!

1. I am so thankful that we are a family together.

2. I am still deeply in love with my husband.

3. I have three great kids.

4. They make me laugh and bring me joy daily.

5. My little boy gives magic hugs. They always make me feel better when I am in a bad mood.

6. That my family gets along most of the time.

7. We are all pretty close together except for a sister and a brother that live on the east coast now.

8. They have my back. I know I can depend on them for anything.

9. Since three of them are married I get an extra brother and two extra sisters. One of my sisters in law is one of my closest friends.

10. I had a great mom. She has been gone for almost ten years and I still miss her but I know she is watching over me now.

Three out of Four Ain't Bad

2011-04-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

I didn't quite finish my goal of finishing those four projects by today. I am okay with that though. I did get three of them finished. The sweater still needs buttons and the shawl still needs to be blocked but the knitting is done.

One is Done

2011-04-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

I finished one of the four Take em Out projects.

Pattern: Simple Skyp Socks
Started: March 6, 2011
Finished: April 4, 2011
Needles: 2.5 mm Kollage Square DPN's
Yarn: Hill Country Yarn in Bluebonnet

I am really excited since this yarn is from my stash.

Takin' Em Out by Tax Time!!!! (Knitting Edition)

2011-04-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

I realized today, that I didn't finish one single project in March. So I have declared the next fifteen days as "Take 'Em Out by Tax Time." I am going to get these four projects done by April 15th. All but one of them is over half way done so I think it is a goal I can accomplish.

Simple Skyp Socks, first sock is done and the second one I just finished decreasing the gusset.

Coffee Bean sweater, just needs the ribbing on the bottom and the two sleeves.

Nypon Shawl, one more repeat of chart A, 6 rows of chart B and then just 16 rows of Chart C.

Mockery Socks, these might be the ones that do me in but I am going to give it my best shot. I am on the heel flap of the first one.

I will have my spinning goals in the next post.

Ten on Tuesday--Library Edition

2011-03-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

First I have been knitting just not very fast so hopefully I will have a good knitting post up soon.

Ten Reason to use the Public Library

1. It is cheap. (unless you have late fees)

2. I don't have to store all the books that I read from there.

3. E-Books I can get books for my e reader through the state library.

4. Inter library loan. If they don't have it. They can get it.

5. Story time. NaNa at our library is awesome.

6. Mini classes for kids. The girls are taking sewing right now.

7. Movies to check out.

8. Don't have buyers remorse if you read a book that sucks and think you wasted your money.

9. Librarians are super neat people.

10. Free bookmarks!!!!!! My youngest daughter has a collection.

Ten On Tuesday

2011-03-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

This week's topic is ten things you love about spring. Thanks Carole.

1. Getting rid of the heavy coat.

2. Sleeping with window open.

3. The sound of the woodpecker waking me up.

4. Spring break. A week of not carting kids to school and making lunches.

5. March Madness. I love watching college basketball on the weekends. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!!!

6. Going to the park with the kids and watching them play.

7. Knitting outside on the porch.

8. Trees budding out.

9. Green grass.

10. Thunderstorms.

Socks!!!

2011-03-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

Simple Skyp socks out of Hill Country Yarns in Bluebonnet. I have the first one finished now and I have started the second one. I am just past the ribbing on the cuff and a few rows into the pattern.

Mockery Socks out of Fleece Artist 2/6 Merino. I haven't worked on these much since I took the picture a couple of days ago so they look about the same.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today's Ten on Tuesday is your favorite kinds of pie!!

1. Pineapple Pie, it is something that brings back wonderful memories of my childhood helping my grandmother make them. Before we baked them we always sprinkled them with sugar!

2. Pecan Pie, one of my absolute favorites. I loved how the pecans get all sugary.

3. Pumpkin Pie, I like to make this all year long. It reminds me of fall. I think I have everything I need to make one today.

4. Chocolate Cream Pie, how can you not like pie that has chocolate in it????

5. Coconut Cream Pie, especially if the coconut on top is toasted just a little bit.

6. Apple Pie, with lots of cinnamon and sugar with butter makes the house smell so good.

7. Peach Pie is a favorite that I always forget about.

8. Oatmeal Creme Pie, I know it is not "pie" but I love them.

9. Chicken Pot Pie, but without peas. Peas are yucky.

10. Ice cream Pie, I love any pie that involves ice cream.

On the Wheel

2011-03-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

I thought I would show what is currently getting attention on my wheel. This is the AllSpunUp Spin a long fiber for February/March. It is a 50/30/20 alpaca/merino/silk blend that practically spins itself. I have enjoyed this blend and the color is amazing. I am trying to decide if I should leave it a single or make it a 2 ply.

This is the first bobbin of the fleece that I am working on. I love the oatmeal color. I still have a lot of it left to do.

This is some BFL that I got at the Wicked Stitch. Jennifer dyed this and I so enjoyed spinning it. It just needs to be plied at this point. I let it rest while I started the alpaca/merino/silk. I will probably ply this after I finish the first bobbin of the other.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

Ten Things I Like About March

1. My husband's birthday, without him I would be very lonely. I am so thankful that he is my husband.

2. My youngest daughter, Punkinbug, has a birthday this month also. She is a joy to have around and smart as a whip.

3. Spring Break, a whole week that I don't have to make the "school run".

4. The grass starts to peek out of the ground. Those little pieces of green give me hope that winter is almost over.

5. March Madness, I love watching some unknown team bring down a big name. There is always a Cinderella team that comes out of nowhere.

6. Melting snow.

7. Taking the kids to the park.

8. Warmer weather

9. Knowing that I won't see -5 degrees for at least 8 months

10. 31 days in the month gives me more time to knit.

Handspun Makes Me Happy

2011-02-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

This blue and green yarn is going to be some mittens for the Little Buddy next fall. He picked out this fiber and said he wanted a hat and a pair of mittens. I navajo plied it and I got around 94 yards from half of the braid. I will spin the other half and should be able to get a hat and pair of mittens from it.

I love love love UrbanGypz superwash merino roving. It is a dream to spin. I got around 326 yards of a three ply out of the Mr. Blinky braid that I had. I am not sure what this is going to be yet. I had originally thought socks but it is so very pretty it might be a cowl or a small shawlette.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk Sock

2011-02-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

I finished my Rock Chalk Jayhawk socks this week.

Pattern Stansfield 14 from More Sensational Knitted Socks
Started January 13, 2011
Finished February 22, 2011
Needles Size 0 Addi Turbo Circulars
Yarn Lorna's Laces in Lorikeet

I think they turned out great and they should since this is one of my favorite yarns to use for socks. I always know that I am going to get a great sock when I use this yarn. I think this is at least my fourth pair out of this yarn and they are always some of my favorites to wear.

This is my fourth pair of finished socks this year. So I am doing pretty good for my goal of 12 finished pairs by the end of the year.

I Might Be Crazy

2011-02-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

I bought some washed fleece to spin for a sweater. Yes, I can't believe I did it either. This is what is left to flick before I can card it up.

This is what has already been flicked. I have a very long way to go. I am hoping when it is all done I will be able to make just a cardigan that I can use for everyday wear.

How to Warm up Winter

2011-02-13T15:54:00.000-08:00

You want to know the secret for making winter take a break???
1. Get a hole in your mittens and put off making yourself a pair until one morning when it is super cold you decide to cast on a new pair.
2. Cast on the pair of mittens and work on them on and off for two days.
3. The mittens are simple so not much stress involved.
4. Finish the mittens and plan to wear them next day.
5. The weather in now around 52 degrees. NO need for mittens at this point.

Happy Frood Mittens
Started February 10, 2011
Finished February 12, 2011
Needles Size 5 and 7 DPN's
Yarn Hand Spun yarn Fiber from High Prairie Fiber in Happy Frood

I am hoping that the nice weather hangs around since I cast on another pair.

Random Sunday

2011-02-06T15:15:00.000-08:00

I had some yarn that I spun from some free stuff I received with a fiber order. I decided it would make a good Storm Cloud Shawlette. I know it looks like spaghetti now but I think it will make a great little scarf when I am done.

I live in the land of Kansas State Wildcats. I have a niece that attends the University of Kansas. I am also a big Jayhawk basketball fan. These are my Rock Chalk Jayhawk socks. I am working on the leg of the second sock. I am making myself a goal to finish these by Valentine's Day.

I have been doing quite a bit of spinning. The yarn I finished yesterday will be shown to you at a later date since it is part of a swap I am doing with my friend Mistress Stash Enhancer. This is some UrbanGypz super wash merino. It is the same base that I made my socks in from the last post. It is called Mr. Blinky, I do have to admit that the first two bobbins have been spun for a couple of weeks. I am about one third of the way into the last bobbin before I will ply it into a three ply for another pair of the world's squooshiest socks. I can't wait until I am done. This may be the only thing that prevents me from not making my goal for the Rock Chalk Jayhawk Socks.

Happy Socks

2011-02-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

This fiber

became this yarn and this yarn

became these socks that make me VERY HAPPY!!!!

My Mara Models

2011-01-31T16:24:00.000-08:00

Having two daughters I am very lucky to have models to show off my knits. I hate to have my picture taken so the only time you see me is when I am showing off new socks.

Pattern: Mara Shawl

Yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted in Samantha Katya Pink

Needles: KnitPicks Options Size 7
Started: December 6, 2010
Finished: January 31, 2011

Last Handspun for 2010

2011-01-24T17:52:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to giving my last handspun yarn a bath. I finished this in the middle of December but it just hung out on a bobbin for about three weeks.

All Spun Up Spin a Long Fiber for October/November of 2010
366 yards of approximately fingering weight
85/15 BFL/Silk blend in the color Rustic

The Soap Opera of the Needles

2011-01-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Vanilla Sock w/Hemmed Cuff
Yarn: 2 Windows Dye Company Sock 2
Started: December 19, 2010
Finished: January 19, 2011
Needles Size 0 Hiya Hiya DPN's

This pair of socks ended up being worked on with three different sets of needles. I started out trying the 9 inch circular. I really hated them. I knit for about ten rows and I couldn't take it anymore so I switched to KnitPicks Harmony DPN's. They were working fine until I broke one. I know that you get six in a package but I broke one a long time ago so I only had four and I prefer using five needles when using DPN's. After I broke that needle I switched to the Hiya Hiya's.

Keeping the Toys Warm

2011-01-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

Punkinbug has been knitting again. She finished her scarf for Froggy today. She likes to sit and knit with me. She calls it "Knitting Club".

She started a scarf for Little Buddy's Ironman figurine today. I think the toys in this house are going to stay pretty warm.

A Project Started and a Project "Found"

2011-01-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

I must be one of those people that can't just have one pair of socks on the needles. I finished the Cassandra Socks and just had one pair of Vanilla Socks on the needles but I had to cast these on. I am using the Stansfield #14 pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Lorikeet colorway. They remind me of the KU Jayhawk so I am calling them my Rock Chalk Jayhawk Socks.

This year, I decided that I was going to finish up some UFO's that had been laying around. This is one of those UFO's. It is the Mini Mochi Fair Isle hat. I started this hat back in June or July and my goal is to have it done before the end of April. As I am sitting here typing this I thought I would love to finish this by Valentine's day but then I remember all the other projects I have on the needles and the wheel. I think I need more hands and feet.

TOO BIG

2011-01-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

One of my knitting resolutions this year is to knit the Fiddlehead Mittens. I started them last week and today I decided to try to finish up the outer portion of the first one. I thought they might be a little large because I have small hands but I kept knitting thinking that when I got the liner in they would be perfect. Nope. It didn't work out that way. I started the decreases on the top and realized that the mitten was going to be about two inches too long. I have decided to rip them out and try them again on a size smaller needle. I think they are really pretty though.

Another UFO Bites the Dust

2011-01-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

I decided at the beginning of the year (hard to believe it was just last week), that I would finish up some projects that had been hanging around too long. This pair took me two and a half months for some reason.

I was able to match them perfectly and to be honest I didn't really try it just worked out that way.

Cassandra Socks
Pattern 3/1 Rib over 72 stitches
Yarn Opal Rainforest in Cassandra
Started October 13, 2010
Finished January 7, 2011
Needles Size 0 Kollage Square DPN's

I had planned not to cast on any new projects until I had some of these UFO's finished but I failed at that one. I did cast on a new project that I will post about next time.

First Finished Object of 2011

2011-01-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

I have finished my first project of 2011. I finished this on Sunday before we went looking for a new computer. We ended up with a new computer yesterday.

So the first finished object of 2011 is Habitat. I knit this as a shop sample for the Wicked Stitch. I used her own Cauldron Dyed yarn. This yarn is so squishy. I just love it. I am thinking of picking up a hank of it to start one for me.

Habitat Hat by Jared Flood

Started November 27, 2010

Finished January 2, 2010

Yarn Wicked Stitch Cauldron Dyed in Green

Needles Size 8 and 9 Knit Picks Options

New Year!!!

2011-01-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

I am making some resolutions this year.

1. Knit four sweaters. That includes finishing the one I already have started.

2. Knit a pair of Fiddlehead mittens. I think I would like to knit them out of hand spun.

3. Knit 12 pairs of socks. That includes the two pairs I have on the needles right now.

4. Finish some of my UFO's. I have too many and I would like to see some of them finished.

5. Lose fifteen pounds by the end of the year. I think that is doable. I actually used my Wii Fit this evening and I always forget how much fun it is.

Have a great day and click those sticks.

Final Finished Objects of 2010

2010-12-31T16:55:00.000-08:00

I didn't finish the 10 in 2010. I finished 8 and I am pretty happy with that. This is the last one that I finished. It is the Holden Shawl made from Wisdom Poems Sock. I really enjoyed knitting this one and I think it turned out pretty good.

This is the last pair of socks that I finished this year. The pattern is Blueberry Waffle socks. These socks took me three months to knit for some reason. I kind of lost my sock knitting mojo this year. I think it is coming back though.

This is one of the last yarns that I spun this year. This is some Louet 70/30 merino silk blend. I have already started another shawl out of it. I hope to get going gangbusters on it soon.

This is the other yarn that I finished up in December. This is about 615 yards of a single out of Ocean also by Louet. I really enjoyed spinning a single. I was always a little afraid of it before but I have conquered that fear. I plan of using this to make a Clapotis maybe.

My blogging Mojo also kind of bit the dust a little this year. I really enjoy seeing what I have done so I plan on continuing next year.

I am ready to begin the new adventure of 2011.

Cables Galore

2010-11-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

I seem to be on a cable kick right now. I started the Habitat hat yesterday. I am using Wicked Stitch Cauldron Dyed from the Wicked Stitch. This yarn has a lot of sproing I think.

I have been working on my Twist sweater a little here and there. I have finished the decreases for the arms. I just need to finish the back and start on the two fronts. I would really like to finish this sweater before it gets hot so I have a few months.

Maine Comes to Kansas

2010-11-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

I was in the mood for a "quick knit". I think these fit the bill pretty well. I started them on November 21,2010 and finished them the next day. These were made out of the Sea Dreams Handspun 2.0. These will be going to live with my sister in law, Denise.

The first pair was such a fun and quick knit I made another. These are going to live with the babysitter that watched the kids on Saturday last week while I took a Spinning Self Striping Yarns class. I started these on Sunday and finished on Monday.

Winding and Rewinding

2010-11-17T12:41:00.000-08:00

I am having a mild case of startitis so I wound some yarn today. I have been cleaning the house getting ready for Thanksgiving so I took a little break. This yarn is for a pair of Maine Morning Mitts. It is some handspun I spun up a few weeks ago.

This yarn is so I can keep working on my sweater. This color is actually a turquoise. The weather is kind of cold rainy/snowy mix so not so good for taking pictures.

These two yarns I actually rewound. They were both failed sock attempts from this summer. I am feeling a strong urge just to knit vanilla socks. I am hoping that these two failed attempts at other patterns will make it to a couple of completed pairs.

#8

2010-11-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

I am still trying to finish my 10 shawls in 2010. I have finished 7 of the ten. I am not sure I am going to finish. This will be #8 when it is done. It is the Holden Shawl. I am using Wisdom Yarns Poem Sock and a size 6 Knit Picks Harmony Needle.

I Promised a FO

2010-11-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

I promised a finished project yesterday so here it is. This is the scarf that I spun from Barley and Daisy's fleece. It is just a fifteen stitch garter stitch scarf. I plan on giving it to my sister. The size is 3 inches by about 6 feet.

I was able to get a very cute model to show it off. He works for yogurt and candy corn.

Sock Knitting Black Hole

2010-11-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

If you can't find me it is because I have entered the "knitter's black hole". I keep knitting and knitting on this sock and it just doesn't seem to get any closer to being done. I am always four more repeats from starting the toe decreases. Hopefully I will find the exit soon.

I do have a finished object but as Ferb would say "Wait for it".

New Handspun

2010-11-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

Sea Dreams Handspun 2.0 spun from a Gale's Art Corriedale Sibling. This is a light worsted to a worsted weight yarn. I plan to use it to make some fingerless mitts for my sister in law.

Garden Party spun from another Gale's Art Corriedale Sibling. This a heavy fingering to sport weight yarn that I plan to use to knit a pair of socks.

Ishbel

2010-10-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

Is finished!!!!! I finally finished binding off the stitches yesterday and I blocked it today. I have to say I LOVE THIS PATTERN. I so need to make one for myself.

This one is going to live at my LYS, The Wicked Stitch. It was knit out of Jennifer's hand dyed sock yarn.

Pattern: Ishbel

Yarn : The Wicked Stitch Cauldron Dyed Sock Yarn

Started: September 25, 2010

Finished: October 25, 2010

Needles: Hiya Hiya Circular Size 7

This makes number seven for my 10 shawls in 2010. I am hoping to knock out three more small ones before the end of the year, even if I don't 7 is pretty good for me.

Socktoberfest

2010-10-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

I must have taken Socktoberfest to heart this year. I am in the middle of knitting two pairs of socks. This pair is out of Rio De La Plata. I have no idea what the color is but I am liking it so far. I am using the Blueberry Waffle pattern.

I also started another pair this last Thursday. These are just a basic 3/1 rib vanilla sock. I am using the Opal Rainforest Cassandra colorway. I am using size 0 square DPN's.

Hermione's Everyday Socks

2010-10-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

I finished my Hermione Everyday Socks this morning. I think they turned out pretty well. The color is so happy and cheerful which will be a good thing this winter when I get tired of brown grass all over the place.

Pattern: Hermione Everyday Socks
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug in Fuschia
Needles 2.5mm Kollage Square DPN's
Started September 5, 2010
Finished October 7, 2010

New Experience

2010-10-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

Being a spinner, I find myself on occasion thinking I want a fleece. At the LYS, the owner has some already cleaned fleece that she sells by the ounce. I brought it home and took a brush to flick the locks open. This is what I had after I finished flicking it. I took it back to the LYS and ran it through the drum carder.

I spun the two batts and then plyed them together. This is my finished yarn. I have around 210 yards of a light worsted to worsted weight. I think the finished yarn is awesome. I am not sure that I will ever get a raw fleece since I am really not that into dealing with cleaning it but it sure was a fun thing to try.

New Projects

2010-09-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

When you are a knitter, when you finish a project you start another or maybe even two. I started two. This is the beginning of an Ishbel. I am really enjoying knitting it and it is going quickly. I think almost anything would seem to go quickly after the end of the Pi Shawl though.
When this is finished it will be #7 in my 10 in 2010.

I also finally got over my sweater fear and decided to cast on Twist. This is potato chip knitting due to the fact that I want to keep going so I can turn just one more cable. I am setting a goal of having it finished by Halloween but time will tell if that really happens or not.

Ta Da!!!!

2010-09-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

I finished the 100th Camping Anniversary Pi Shawl last week. It sure seemed like it took forever to bind off those 895 stitches at the end.

Details
Pattern 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl (Camping)
Yarn Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Port
Needles Size 6
Started August 10,2010
Finished September 22, 2010

The blocked shawl is approximately 52 inches across. I love how blocking a shawl makes it look incredible. I am tempted to knit another Pi Shawl but I have a couple of other projects to finish first.

Wow!! September is Almost Half Over!

2010-09-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

I have been busy with all sorts of projects.I finished the hat for my friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had everyone in the family give it hugs before I send it off. I hope she will like it and I hope she kicks cancer's hiney.

I finished a sock yesterday while watching the Kansas City Chiefs play. It was a really late game so I only watched the first quarter. It is the Hermione Everyday Sock in Colinette Jitterbug in the Fushia colorway. It was a pretty quick knit for me.

The progress on the Port blob continues. I am on the third of four repeats of the last chart before starting the border. The rows at this point have 576 stitches so they take awhile. I am excited about finishing this shawl and casting on another Pi Shawl because I am really enjoying knitting this one.

For some reason, I thought I needed to crochet something this morning. I dug out some kitchen cotton and crocheted this dishcloth up. I am not sure what the pattern is, it was something one of the ladies at knitting was told me about last week. The dishcloth only took me about 90 minutes.

Is That a Pair of Finished Socks????

2010-08-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

I finally finished one of the three pairs of socks that I cast on back in June.

Horcrux Socks
Yarn Colinette Jitterbug in Mardi Gras
Needles Knit Picks Options size 1.5
Started June 19, 2010
Finished August 19, 2010

This is my active sock project that was started at the same time as the finished pair. I am sitting on the deck and working on it this morning while Little Buddy is outside playing. The yarn is Fleece Artist Cosmic Dawn. I am using the Stansfield 196 pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks.

A Mess

2010-08-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

That is what this shawl looks like right now. I am on the 576 stitch rounds now. I am done with the first of four repeats and then I just have the border. I am really liking this project and I am already thinking about knitting a Girasole or a Shipwreck (ravelry links).

I also started this hat. I am calling this project on my Ravelry page Hat I Wish I Didn't Have to Knit. I am knitting a Shedir for my friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer last week. She has to have four months of chemotherapy and then surgery. She could use lots of extra prayers right now. I am knitting this out of Rowan Cashsoft. I want to make her one more hat before I mail these off if anyone has another great pattern I would love to know.

Anniversary Pi Shawl

2010-08-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week was EZ's 100th birthday. My friend AmandaCathleen (Ravelry ID) decided she was going to knit one of the Anniversary Shawls. I decided to join in so we are doing a little KAL between the two of us. I can't remember which one she chose to do but I am doing the Camping version. I frogged the Shetland Tea Shawl that I started over a year and a half ago and I am using that yarn. It is Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Port which I think is no longer available. I am using a size 5 needle. I started this on her birthday but had to rip it out the next morning after I made some mistake that I couldn't seem to fix. I have to admit I am not found of casting on circular shawls but I love how you just get to knit knit knit and not a lot of purling. If I finish this without too much trouble and it I may try to knit one or both of the others.

Trucks and Trees

2010-08-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

Just don't mix.

The night after the moving truck came and got all of our belongings we had a storm. The tree fought the storm and the storm won. I am sad that the tree fell. This is the tree where we raked up leaves every fall and the kids played in them. The tree that kept the swing set shaded and the one that we sat under and watched the kids play.

I didn't realize just how big that tree was. The top of the tree reached all the way over to the other side of our breezeway.

The men in our neighborhood were amazing. There were about six guys with chainsaws helping to get it moved so we could get out of the garage so we could leave for our move. It only took them about 45 minutes to get it all cleared away. I think the neighbors that we had are going to be one of the things I will miss the most about Minnesota.

The truck is totaled and I am thankful that no one was hurt when it fell.

Now Posting from Wamego, KS

2010-08-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a couple of weeks it has been. We have moved from Minnesota back to Kansas due to the husband being relocated. I will save all that excitement for a later post.

On a knitting front (since technically this is a knitting blog), I do have a little to show.

First, I have an LYS that is not 40 minutes away!!!!! It is right here in the town that we moved and it carries spinning fiber. I am so excited.

This is the bump of Merino/Silk blend that I picked up when I went to check out the store after a day of unpacking boxes.

This is my current spinning project. I am still working on the Chocolate Cherry Frabjous Fibers BFL I have about three more feet of roving to spin. I am going to do a two ply and hopefully make a Clapotis with it for winter.

Since most of the boxes are unpacked, I have found a little bit of knitting time. I had started this before we moved but I made a mistake so I ripped it and started it over a couple of days ago. It is the Traveling Woman and I am using some of my handspun that I had in my stash. I am going to increase the repeats to 13 instead of 11 since I still have 81 grams of yarn. I will probably do two repeats of chart A and one of chart B like the pattern calls for unless I have still have quite a bit of yarn after the first two repeats of chart A.

Shetland Triangle

2010-07-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

I love how blocking a shawl makes it look so awesome.
I finished the Shetland Triangle earlier this week. This is #4 for the 10 in 2010 Shawl KAL.

I used some handspun Tussah silk. I think it looks really shiny.

Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn Clark
Started: June 29, 2010
Finished: July 5, 2010
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Size 6
Yarn: Handspun Castle Fibers Tussah Silk Batts 270 yards.

A New Project and a Tiny Bit of Spinning

2010-06-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Since I finished the Seas Shawl, I needed to start the fourth shawl for my 10 in 2010. I am knitting the Shetland Triangle. I have a few yards short of 300 so it won't be very big, but it will qualify for one of the smaller shawls. I am knitting in out of my handspun Tussah Silk that I recently spun.

I haven't been doing much spinning this month. I had grand plans to get through a couple of bumps of my stash but alas that didn't happen. I am currently spinning up some BFL from Frabjous Fibers. It is the Chocolate Cherry colorway. I was a little disappointed when I went to weigh it and it was quite a bit under the 8 ounces that it said it was supposed to be. I am hoping to knit a Clapotis from it. I am even considering just knitting it as a single.

Is that an FO????

2010-06-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

I have finished my third shawl of my 10 in 2010 shawl Knitalong.

Pattern Sea Shawl

Yarn Handspun Sea Dream from Gale's Art

Needle Size 7 Knit Picks Options

Started April 23, 2010

Finished June 25, 2010

I had one of my favorite models try it on to show off the stitch pattern. I think it turned out pretty good. I think my model would take it if I let her.

Summer of Socks???

2010-06-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

I seem to be on a bit of a sock knitting binge lately. My last three finished projects have been socks. This is a pair of plain vanilla socks made from Nashua Best Foot Forward in the Berry Cobbler color way. I used size 0 Hiya Hiya DPN's. Started June 1, 2010 Finished June 16, 2010.

This is the pair I cast on last night, the marker is where I started this morning. This is Colinette Jitterbug in Mardi Gras. The blue isn't quite right it have more purple and greens mixed in with it. I am using two Knit Picks Options circulars in size 1.5 and the pattern is Stansfield 196 from More Sensational Knitted Socks. I was afraid that the pattern would get lost in the funky yarn but I can see it pretty good so I will continue on.

I am thinking this handspun will be my next pair. It is Gale's Art BFL swirl in the Grace limited edition colorway. I really enjoyed spinning this and I am excited to see how it knits up.

Does the Title of the Blog Say "Stitches"?

2010-06-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

It has been a very very long time since I have been motivated to do any cross stitching. Before I became obsessed with knitting, I was obsessed with counted cross stitch. I was reading a friends blog where she was posting her current cross stitch project so I went and dug one out of my stash.

I started working on this last night. I remember why I haven't stitched in a while. It takes a long time to get a finished object. I am still wanting to work on it so I guess that is a good thing. This is about two hours worth of work. I did have to rip out the the star once because I miss counted. I am planning to post a cross stitch update periodically so I can see the progress I am making.

I have spinning and knitting to show off in the upcoming posts. So fret not that I am turning this into a cross stitching blog.

Silky Goodness with a Side of Sock and Shawl

2010-05-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have been spinning some Tussah silk from Castle Fibers that I got at my LYS. I have found that I really like spinning it. I will admit that it intimidated me a little but it was not as difficult as I thought. I have two ounces and I can't wait to see how many yards I will get from it. This is about a half an ounce.

I started this sock this week and I am just not sure if I like it or not. I think I will knit a little further and decide then.

I have been working on the Seas Shawl. I won't be able to finish it before the end of the month to get it in the drawing for the 10 Shawls in 2010. So far it looks pretty good.

Coriolis.....

2010-05-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

or why I think Cat Bordhi is a genius? Those were the choices for the title of this post. Once again, I have knit a pair of socks using the New Pathways for Sock Knitters. I knit these socks toe up using the Coriolis master pattern. I also discovered that I enjoy toe up socks when you have the "toe" that you really like. I used the Pontoon toe and it was very easy for me to accomplish. I also was able to do a "heel flap" heel.
Some of the pluses for doing toe ups for me was not having to sew the toe together at the end (which I really don't mind but I don't always like the points on the ends of my toes), no picking up the gusset stitches (I pretty much always mess this up and have to do it over at least once), and that it was easier to try it on as I was working on them. I think I will be knitting more toe up socks and trying other pathways in the book. I would like to try knitting a pair for someone else using their numbers.

Summer Melons Coriolis Socks
Started May 11, 2010
Finished May 17, 2010
Needles KnitPicks Options DPN's size 3's
Yarn 220 yards of 3 ply handspun from a Gale's Art Corridale Sibling in the Summer Melons colorway.

Little Buddy Saves Socky Saturday

2010-05-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

There has been very little sock knitting around here this year. It hasn't been for lack of trying just a lot of "when knitting attacks". I have finally finished my first pair of socks of the year. I finished these last Sunday during my very quiet Mother's Day (since DH had to work).

Pattern: Charade
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Handpainted Sock Yarn
Needles: Harmony DPN's size 0
Started: April 4, 2010
Finished: May 9, 2010

Here is my current sock project. I started these on May 11, 2010. I finished the bind off on the first sock this morning and I am almost up to the increases for the gusset on the second one. It is amazing how fast socks work up on 46 stitches. I might actually finish a pair in less than a week.

When I was outside taking the picture for my current sock project my needle fell under the porch. I didn't really like the idea of having to wiggle under there to get the needle out.

Luckily, I have a Little Buddy who was more than happy to wiggle under there to get it for me. Thank Little Buddy, Mommy really appreciates it.

Aaaahhhh Handspun

2010-05-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to old episodes of Stitch It from when Meghan went to SOAR in 2008. She was kind enough to pass on the knowledge that she learned in class to her listeners.

I learned how important predrafting was by listening to the episodes. By predrafting I was able to spin the singles much more consistently.

I think this is one of the most "balanced" yarns I have spun to date. There are very few spots of thick and thin in this hank. I have 220 yards of a sport to heavy fingering weight here. I think I might have enough for a pair of socks since I can get a pair of socks out of one hank of sport weight usually.

I needed a new shawl project for 10 Shawls in 2010, so I cast on the Seas Shawl out of my Sea Dream handspun. Hoping to finish before the end of the month.

A Red Phase???

2010-05-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

I started the Sock Knitters Anonymous May June Mystery Sock yesterday. This pattern was designed by Cookie A. I really like her designs even though I have only knit Monkeys so far. I am using some Happy Feet yarn from my stash. I have the first sock cuff done. I am not sure if I will wait and cast on the second sock after the clues are all out or go ahead and knit the second sock up to the end of the first clue.

I have a tendency (if I really like the teacher) to knit something for them before the end of the year. So far I have knit for all of them up to this point. I had a hard time thinking of something to knit for Punkin's teacher. She has very narrow feet and I thought socks might not fit very well unless I could try them on her. She isn't really a "scarf" or "shawl" kind of person either. My neighbor who lives across the street from the school thought mitten might be good. These are the Pop Top Mitts that I knit for her. They will go live with her tomorrow.

The Transformation of Purple Spaghetti

2010-04-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

Doesn't that title sound like some wonderful piece of literature that every high school student (Teen) should read before they go off to college???

After many a moon of working with the incredibly long piece of purple spaghetti, I have bid goodbye to it. It was a wonderful relationship and I shawl miss it dearly. (Pardon the really bad pun)

The purple spaghetti became a beautiful five course meal. I am so glad that it reached it's full potential.

North Roe Shawl
Started January 4, 2010
Finished April 19, 2010
Needles US 6 Knitpicks Harmony circular
655 yards of Cascade Alpaca Lace in Thistle

Have I Created a Monster????

2010-04-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Punkinbug decided on Sunday that she wanted to learn to knit. I let her knit a little on a scarf that I was knitting for my sister. The next morning she wanted me to dig out the yarn and needles that I bought for her a while back. Yesterday while the agent was showing our house, the hubby took the kids to dinner. Punkinbug took her knitting.

In the previous post, I showed my experiment spinning.
This is the end of my experiment. It is around 266 yards of merino/bamboo/silk. I think it turned out AWESOME. I am so excited to find something to knit with it. I think maybe a cowl or a skinny scarf of some sort.

Silly, Spinning, Serious

2010-04-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

I have had this laundry basket since the hubby and I got married. It was given to us at our wedding shower filled with cleaning and paper products for our home.

It is now time to tell the laundry basket goodbye. All three handles are broke so I am going to finally throw it away. I wonder how many loads of laundry this basket has seen in the almost 14 years that the hubby and I have been married. I am not sure how many times it was used for a boat but I know it was a lot.

I have been doing some spinning lately. This is my most recent finished hank of yarn. It is approximately 170 yards of light worsted to worsted weight that was Navajo plied. I am not completely in love with it so I am not sure exactly what I am going to do with it.

I started a new experiment the other day and this is the beginning of it. I will show you how it turns out later.

Do you know what this means??? It means we are moving. After six plus years here in Minnesota we are moving back to our home state of Kansas. Hubby is being relocated by his company back to his home town. The nice thing is that we will be near family again. The bad thing is that we will be leaving our friends and school. I really love our school. It is right down the street from our house. I was able to watch the Punkin walk to school by herself on the last day of kindergarten almost three years ago from my front porch and see her go into the building. We have a couple more months before we leave but it will come more quickly than I anticipate.

Socks and Spinning

2010-03-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

My sock knitting mojo had taken a serious dive, but I seem to have found it possibly. I haven't finished a pair of adult socks since October of last year.

I started this pair of Charade Socks last week and so far they seem to be working out so far.

I had started a pair of Gentleman socks with this yarn but they were way to small so I frogged them yesterday and started a pair of Anniversary Socks with the yarn. I am enjoying knitting this pattern so far. I hope they will continue to work out.

At least my spinning is still going okay. I haven't had a lot of time to spin lately but when I do get a chance it turns out pretty good. This yarn is called Aquarius and it is a three ply. I have over 200 yards of a DK to light worsted weight. I am still trying to figure out what to knit with it.

Did you say Crochet???

2010-03-17T17:59:00.000-07:00

Why, yes I did. I can't believe that I got an urge that I couldn't ignore to pick a crochet hook. I have not crocheted in years. I was inspired by Trek when she did her posts about her five dishcloths. By the way Trek, I loved the color you used. She used a different pattern than I did but I am trying that pattern now.

Started and Finished March 15, 2010
Yarn is Peaches and Creme but I can't remember the color way
Hook size H

I think I like the crocheted dishcloths better than the knitted ones since they are more solid so I have a feeling I will be crocheting more than I have in the the last fifteen or so years.

March is for Mitts

2010-03-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

I seem to be on a Mitts kick lately. I knit a pair for the Punkinbug's teacher. She liked them a lot and I was glad that she did. I knit these out of Patons Classic in Retro.

I have started a pair for Punkin's teacher now. This pair is out of Malabrigo in Geranio I think. These are so soft I was tempted to keep them for myself but I have now knit past the point of my fingers so to the teacher they shall go.

Knitting has been interrupted a little lately due to a third grade project that I have been helping my Punkin with. I will try to post pictures of the completed project soon.

I Have Jinxed Yarn

2010-03-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

I am not one that believes in superstitions or things being jinxed. I am really starting to believe that this yarn is jinxed. Everything I have tried to knit with it just isn't working. The socks looked okay but I kept having ladders and odd shaped stitches and when I got to the foot I didn't feel that they were going to be "good" socks. So I ripped them out yesterday.

So today, I started a Multnomah shawl, but I am not liking how it is turning out. My stitches are all wonky and uneven so it is kind of bothering me. I am pondering ripping this out and trying to find something else to knit with this yarn. The yarn may just need to go in "timeout" for a very long time.

Knitting Olympics

2010-02-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

The Olympics are ending today, both athletic and knitting. I am happy to say that my project is DONE. I really enjoyed knitting the Citron and am actually considering another at some point but just not right now. Malabrigo lace is like knitting with butter. It is so soft and smooth. I want to knit lots of projects with it now.

Details:
Pattern- Citron from Knitty
Needle- size 6 KnitPicks Options
Yarn-Malabrigo Lace in Azul Bolita
Started- February 12, 2010
Finished- February 26, 2010
Adjustments to pattern: I left off the last two rows of the ruffle because I was afraid I was going to run out of yarn.

I also realized today that when it came to blogging this month, I seriously failed. It is amazing how a month can go by so quickly. I will admit that this month has been eventful to say the least. Tomorrow begins a new month so maybe it will go better.