Saturday Socks and the Darkside

I finished these socks last weekend.  They are Charade Socks in Two Windows Dye Co.  Knitty Bitty sock.  
I used size 0 Hiya Hiya Sharps on a 40 inch circular.

These I finished before I started the previous pair. I just sort of made up a pattern for these and I used Lollipop self striping.  I used a size 1 Chiagoo 40 inch circular.

This is my current sock in progress.  I am using Araucania Huasco on a size 0 Hiya Hiya Sharp 40 inch needle.  The pattern is called Bowties are Cool.  I am not following it exactly I changed the heel flap since I am not a big fan of the garter stitch edges on the one the pattern called for.

I am going to admit that I used to think using Magic Loop was like going to dark side in Star Wars.  I was old school double point needles all the way.  I dabbled in two circulars some but I always preferred the double points, but one day I lost one of my needles somewhere so I decided to try Magic Loop.  I have gone to the dark side all the way.  All three of these pairs of socks were knitted Magic Loop.  

Spinning

I have been knitting quite a bit but haven't taken pictures of my projects but I have taken some of my recent spinning.  This is Wild Ivy BFL in Popsicles on Asphalt.  I made that name up for it.  It is around 280 yards of navajo plied fingering to sport weight.

This is the first bobbin of my Greek Mythology Persephone.  It is Polwarth/Silk and this one is called Despair.

This is Wild Ivy Merino in Spain.  I am still spinning this and I am planning to navajo ply it.

Three FO's on Friday

Hitchhiker

Forest Canopy Shawl

Nola Cloche

Project monogamy has been good for me.  I seem to finish the projects I start and I am always excited to start a new one.  I have a hard time deciding what to knit next as I want it to be a GOOD project since it will be the only one I am knitting at that time.  I have another one started that will be for the next post.

Crochet, Spinning, and Hitchhiking

I got on a crochet kick and crocheted seven new dishcloths.

I finished spinning the Eye of Jupiter corriedale.  I got about 172 yards.  It is a worsted weight that is very squishy.

I finally decided to knit a Hitchhiker.  I have been contemplating this for a very long time for some reason.  I have a feeling I will be buying patterns this year instead of yarn.  I really want to use up the yarn that I have. I do tend to pick free patterns but if I find one I really like I will make it from stash.  The stitch marker is where I started yesterday.

I moved the stitch marker to where I started today.  I am curious how far I can get today.

A Little Spinning

I am way behind on my spinning this year.  I have lots I want to spin but can't seem to get the motivation to spin more.  This is deep stash (yea Me), Woolen St. Mill Eye of Jupiter on corriedale.  It was in three separate pieces and I turned each one of them into 18 rolags.  I am spinning them supported long draw and I plan to navajo ply it.

Here is the bobbin shot.  I am thinking either a crazy hat or a pair of mitts of some sort.

This is my most recent finished yarn, 406 yards of superwash merino by Wild Ivy the color was Stolen Moments.  This was spun straight from the braid and navajo plied.  I am looking forward to knitting it soon.

Project Monogamy....Kinda

The sweater is in the penalty box because I have to reknit the sleeves because they were too long. 

 I knit and gave away this baby blanket for my great niece.  It is the Little Bubbles pattern.  I think it was well received.  I failed to take a picture of the completed blanket.  I knit on this exclusively until it was finished (at least at home that is where the kinda comes in).

I had actually started this shawl before the baby blanket but I decided to knit a blanket since my original plan didn't work out.  I picked this back up and this will be my at home project until it is finished.  I am using handspun Dark BFL in Gumball from Gale's Art.  

Spinning on a Saturday

I finished Frog and Carp and got around 409 yards of a two ply fingering weight.  I am not sure what this is going to become just yet.  I find that the longer I am spinning the less attached I get to my handspun.  Maybe it will be a gift for someone.

This is my current spinning project.  This is Wild Ivy Superwash Merino in Stolen Kisses.  I have plans to navajo ply this and make a kick sack for my great niece that is due in March.

A Mystery Knit A Long Revealed

I participated in the Stitchnerd's Mystery Cowl Knit a Long and this is the finished object.  I had almost forgotten that it was time to reveal them.  I used some yarn that I got at Hobby Lobby. It ended up being a gift for my son's teacher.  Punkinbug looks very stylish modeling for me.

Slogging Along

Project monogamy really makes for lousy blog posts.  I am really trying to finish this sweater that has been on the needles for over two years.  The only reason it has taken me this long is because sweaters SCARE me.  I am afraid of the sewing up and wondering how it is going to turn out.  I have a completed back, two completed fronts (except I still need to fix them where I messed up), and I almost have a completed sleeve. I have done one of the fronts and the sleeve just since New Year's Eve.  I am trying to finish this in time to wear to a baby shower in a couple of weeks.

I haven't been spinning too much so this is what I am working on now (mainly in between sessions with my sweater).  This is FatCatKnits in Frog and Carp superwash merino.  I am about halfway done with the plying.

Happiness and Heartbreak

A back and two front pieces equal happiness.

 Correctly doing the decreases on the back pieces also equal happiness

 Screwing up the decreases on the two front pieces equals heartbreak.

Still having to knit the two sleeves, button bands and collar also equals heartbreak.

A New Year of Goals

Well, a new year has come upon us so I have made myself some goals.

These are the ten things I want to do this year.

1. Take better care of myself and exercise more.  I did better last year and I want to continue.

2. Further develop my relationship with God.  I did read my Bible everyday last year and I hope to do that again this year.  (I already read for today).

3. Use yarn from my stash.

4. Knit more sweaters.  I am determined to finish the sweater I started in 2010.  I just have the two sleeves, part of the right front, button bands, and collar.

5. Project monogamy.  I will try not to have too many projects going so I can finish things in a timely manner.

6. Read 75 books.  I read 52 last year after I started keeping track in June.  I love Goodreads for keeping track.

7. Blog more.

8. Spin at least 26 braids with a main goal of 39.

9. Run a 5K without stopping to walk at all.

10. Find joy in everyday.  Remember what is really important and not to worry about things that don't really matter or that I can't control.

I hope you all have a great year.

One Last Post

My last finished project for 2012.  These are the Fletcher Mittens and I used FatCatKnits September Mythology Creation in Falkland.  I love these, I think they are awesome.  My husband said they were weird because if pointy tips but I am hoping to put them to good use since it has been snowing here all day.

This is the last project I started in 2012.  Just a basic sock with a little ribbing down the sides for interest.  I am using Lollipop yarns 80/20.

I hope you all have had a blessed holiday season and hope your 2013 is filled with lots of knitting and spinning.

Hats, Socks, and Mittens

 This is the last Simple Slouchy hat that I needed to get done.  I knit five of these hats since the beginning of October.

 These were my socks that were supposed to be for the self striping knitalong in September and October, I just finished them a couple of weeks ago.  Just took pictures this morning.

I have started a pair of Fletcher Mittens with some handspun from the FatCatKnits September Mythology.  This one was called Creation and the fiber is Falkland. The only thing I dislike about this pattern is all the ends to weave in but I think they are going to be really neat when they are finished.

Same Hat, Different Color Yarn

I love knitting this Simple Slouchy hat and since it is great mindless knitting I don't mind knitting it for other people.  This hat is for my boss's mother.  I am using Malabrigo worsted in Sealing Wax.  I love love love this yarn and it is so awesome to knit with.

Just a Minute on Monday

This fiber

turned into this yarn.

Frabjous Fiber BFL in Trapeze approximately 380 yards.  I might make a scarf version of the Clapotis with it.

A Hat with Braids

Thorpe
Universal Deluxe Chunky in Purple and Caron Simply Soft in Hot Pink
Needles Size 9
Started November 30, 2012
Finished December 2, 2012

I added a lazy daisy flower to the top and added three more strands of yarn for the braids.
Super quick knit, my girls are already asking for one for themselves.

Quickie Post #1

This is a hat that I knit for my boss. It is the Simple Slouchy hat and I used Malabrigo Worsted in the Polar Morn colorway.

The Wheel Keeps Turning

One of these days I will learn that spinning lace to fingering weight takes a long time.  I have come to terms with the fact that I probably won't finish the 12 pounds spun in 2012.  I think I am somewhere in the seven pounds spun so far.  This is UrbanGypz Merino/Silk in Nantucket, a skein of approximately 650 yards.,

This is Fat Cat Knits Falkland in Gaia.  It is the one of the colors from the September 2012 Mythology fiber club.  This skein is around 135 yards.

This is the fiber currently on the wheel.  It is BFL from Frabjous fiber and I have 8 oz of it. 

Isn't it a pretty bobbin?????

Two FO's, a HO, and a WIP

Since I haven't been blogging much I guess I was knitting quite a bit.

 Happy Half Moon shawl by Susan Ashcroft.  I used Knit Picks Shadow Lace and Woolgatherings Fancy Pants from May 2012.

 Remember the post about needing a hat.  I finished it in two days but forgot to blog about it.  It is the Simple Slouchy Hat and I used Malabrigo Worsted in Brisa.

 One of the great things about being a spinner is getting to knit with handspun.  These are the Midnight Dreary  pattern and I used some Wild Ivy BFL that I spun.  They are a little too big so I think they will go in the gift pile.

 This is my HO.  These are just a simple sock.  I am using Desert Vista Dyeworks in Electric Middle Schooler.

This is my WIP.  This is a TGV by Susan Ashcroft. I am using my Woolgatherings June Fiber Adventurer.  It is a superfine merino that is so soft.

Friday Finished Objects

I finished a couple of projects this week.  These are the I Want to Be a Rock Star Socks.  I used Rockstar from Blue Moon Fiber Arts in STR lightweight.  I lost one of the needles when finishing the second sock so I finished the second on using Magic Loop which I discover I kind of like.  I need at least a 40 inch needle for me to enjoy it though.

I also finished my Stripe Study shawl.  I love this.  It is light but cozy at the same time.  I used Cascade Heritage and Southwest Trading Company Tofutsies.  I love the Heritage but not overly fond of the Tofutsies, it splits really bad and is not spun evenly.  Thanks Linda for giving me enough of the Heritage to finish I really appreciate it.

I Overcame a Fear

I finally got brave enough to sew up my sweater vest.  The pieces have been finished for four months or so and I finally took the time to finish it.  I did a crochet slip stitch around the neck and armholes since I was running out of yarn.

Since I had conquered that fear, I dug out my Twist cardigan to work on again.  I have the back done and I am now working on the left front.  I will say that working with worsted yarn does go a lot faster than the fingering and lace that I usually work with.  I am hoping to finish this in time for Knit Night next month.

In Need of a Hat

It is a brisk 44 degrees here this morning, it is a good thing that I cast on for a Simple Slouchy Hat last night. I didn't get very far before going to bed maybe only three or four rows but I am motoring along today.  I am almost halfway done.  I love how fast using size 9 needles go.  Hopefully I will have a new hat before the weekend is over.