Now with 50% More Knitting and 15% Less Frogging

I feel like an advertisement for a new product. The New and Improved Perky Knits, more knitting and less frogging. I know I have just jinxed myself but lately I haven't had to frog much, which tends to lead to a much more pleasant knitting experience.




I was in the mood for a little mindless knitting this afternoon and I have a friend that is having a birthday later this week so I thought I would make her some dishcloths for a little gift. This is the first one, it is a the Pinwheel Dishcloth from 1870 Pearl. It is a pretty fun knit that goes fast. You have to love a project that goes fast right????




I am still working on the Jaywalkers. I am about ready to turn the heel so I hope to have them done soon.





And the reason I want to have them off the needles so bad???? This. This is the Autumn sock club package from the Loopy Ewe. I received it last week and I am in love. I would love to be able to wear them to take the kids to school on the first day. I have a few weeks maybe it will happen.

May all of your knitting PERK up your spirits.

Always Behind

I can't believe it has been three weeks since I last posted. It seemed all I did for about a week was frog stuff. I have been reading alot too. I am probably the only person in the world that wasn't all over the Harry Potter book when it came out. I have only read the first two. I read those a few years ago so I started over at the beginning and now I am on the second book. It will be a while before I get to the last one I think.





I have been knitting on a pair of Jaywalkers, (yes I know I am behind everyone on those too). I am making this pair for my sister in law. I am using the Socks that Rock lightweight in Chapman Springs. This yarn is holding up well considering how many times I have started over.






I have finished the first one and I am almost to the heel flap on the second. This yarn is great for this pattern. It really shows off the yarn without a pattern getting lost in it.

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I have also made salsa. I love making salas but I wish my recipe made more at one time. I never seem to have enough tomatoes at one time to make more than a few pints at a time, but the husband claims it is the best salsa he has ever had so I will trudge on and make more throughout the summer and fall.




Some really pretty yarn came to live with me. It is a hank of Seacoast Merino/Tencel in the Autumn colorway and a hank of Dream in Color in the In Vino Veritas colorway. Now which one to knit first????

Happy knitting.

The Adventure is Over!!!

Well, our Horcrux sock adventure is over. I completed the last sock last night. They are a little small but I like my socks to be snug but I probably should have added a few more rounds. I like them though. They were the first pair I started for Summer of Socks 2007. They were started June 21, 2007 and finished July 19, 2007. I used Fleece Artist Tiger yarn. It was a little splitty but not too incredibly bad




Of course I had to start another pair. I have decided I do better with two pairs on the needles at a time. If I don't want to work on one I work on the other. I started the Victorian Lace Six Sox today. I am way behind but at least I got this pair started before the two months were over this time. This pair has also confirmed for me that I don't like bamboo needles. I knit too tightly and the tips just are sharp enough. I am off to work on my socks.

Happy Knitting

The Adventure reaches a Standstill!!!!

I am so excited that I have finally finished the hubby's socks. He says that it took me forever. I had seriously started to believe that this yarn might be cursed. It took several froggings and I even frogged one after the heel turn because I didn't like them. Thanks again Linda for the advice. Here they are in all there glory. They were started June 28, 2007 and finished July 17, 2007. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill in the Slate Colorway.









I have restarted the socks again for my sister in law. I frogged them when I frogged the hubby's sock. I cast them on again last night and I have the ribbing done. I will be working on them later this afternoon some more.











Last but not least, the Horcrux sock adventure is almost over. The little sock hasn't been doing anything exciting because I have been working the hubby's sock. I hope that it goes on a couple more adventures before they are finished. They will go on lots when they are on my feet.

Happy Knitting!!!

The Adventure Continues!!!!

The adventure continues as Horcrux 2 is drying onions in the dehydrator. The breezeway reeks of onion right now but it is really neat to cook all winter with the dried onions from the garden.






Our little socky decided that it wanted to pull weeds but the absent minded knitter thought that wasn't such a good idea. After all Horcrux 2 is a hand knit sock and doesn't belong in the dirt. She did let sock get its picture taken with all the weeds that we finally got out of the garden. Note to absent minded knitter remind husband to weed while she is gone!!!!!!




Horcrux 2 wanted to show you all the onions, so socky posed with one for everyone's enjoyment. The absent minded knitter planted 138 onion sets this year.




And last but not least, by any means, is the non weeding husbands sock. I was starting to think that this project was DOOMED!!!! I had the hardest time with this pair. I had decided that I hated this yarn too, but alas I have changed my mind. It is in Cherry Tree Hill in Slate that I purchased from the Loopy Ewe. The second one was cast on this morning. I am hoping to finish before the anniversary later this week.

On This Episode of the Horcrux Adventure

Well, it seemed like this little Horcrux sock in the works was going on reasonably well. Last night, our little addition to the sock world watched Princess Stinkerbug and the Punkin light some fireworks that were reasonably safe for children.








Then the little sock did a bit of grilling because you have to grill on the 4th right???






Got a good nights sleep. The little sock just loved the Sleep Number Bed and pillow. I think it was set on 45.






Went on a trip to the Tractor Supply, hubby forgot something and the batteries were dead in the camera because the absent minded knitter left the camera on all afternoon.




And then tragedy struck, the absent minded knitter threw in an extra yarn over on the first round of the pattern. The absent minded knitter tends to knit a little tight and therefore it is difficult for her to get ribbing back on the needles if she rips part of it out. So the little sock had surgery.



Stayed tuned for the next episode of Horcrux Adventure. Will the little sock get back on the needles???? Will its twin end up a lonely sock a la Sheri??? Will the absent minded knitter ever work on that baby blanket???? Who knows????

Happy Knitting

An Adventure Begins!!!!

First, I want to say Happy 4th of July. Second, I want to show you what has been happening in the way of knitting around here. I haven't been knitting a large amount but I have been reading some. After many false starts and a moment when I had to ask my knitting guru Linda if I was crazy for frogging a sock that was two thirds done, I think I have gotten Brett's sock to a point where I am happy with it and won't be frogging again. I am even starting to like the yarn.






Hi, I am the second Horcrux sock in the pair. My knitter thought that the other one was getting lonely so she cast on for me this morning. She is into the pattern, barely, but she has been busy taking me on an adventure that she will share with you over the next few days. It is the Horcrux Adventure so please stay tuned.

I am making a little progress on the baby blanket. It is going to need some serious attention in the very near future.

Happy Knitting

A Sock Finished, A Sock Frogged

I finished the first Horcrux sock today. I am very happy with the change that I made and it is a good fit. It is a bit snug so if I was ever to knit them again I might go with the 70 stitches but it is fine for me this time. I am also pleased with how the Kitchner stitch on the toe turned out. I also finished it in six days which is a new record for me. Woo Hoo!!!!!




I had to frog my hubby's sock. It was just too tight. The sock stood up all by itself without a foot in it. Needless to say, it has drowned but is now resurfacing at the top of the pond since I cast it on again and have knitted five rows on the ribbing. I think I will be much happier with it and my hands won't hurt as I knit it either.

I have also done one repeat on the baby blanket so only nine to go before Friday. I haven't worked on the Mad Color Weave sock. I am pondering ripping it out since it has some mistakes and has the same kind of heel that I changed on the Horcrux sock. I will ponder it a little further before I decide.

Happy Knitting

What A Way to Start a Monday Morning

No noise, knitting and coffee just seem to go together, as long as you don't spill coffee on whatever it is you are knitting. I was able to work on my Horcrux sock some more this morning. I know that it looks like I ripped some out and had to make a change that is better for me. I am so proud of myself for realizing that I didn't like the heel in the pattern and then changing it to suit me. I am usually a little freakish when it comes to following patterns. I guess I expect the Knitting Police to show up and come get me. It is kind of a liberating feeling when you realize that you can change it.

I am also amending my things to get accomplished by Friday by adding ten repeats to the baby blanket I am working on.

Happy Knitting

Sock Stash Enhancement and Progress

When I went on my trip, I was on a mission to find three sock yarns that I wanted to try. I found two of the three. I found Mountain Colors Bearfoot and some Colinette Jitterbug. The one on the left and the third one over are the Mountain Colors and the Jitterbug is between them. The other hank of sock yarn is some beautiful J Knits, in the Alaska colorway, a gift from my friend Linda.




I have found myself in a position where I feel the need to finish up some socks that I have on the needles. I have three pairs going and that is a little too much for me. They are all three in the post heel turn stage so it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to try to complete all three socks this week. So by Friday of this next week I hope to have three completed socks to show everyone. I will still have to make the mates for all three pairs though. The first one here is the Mad Color Weave sock for my wonderful sister in law.






The second sock I have here is the pair for my wonderful husband. I actually worked on it a little today so I am making some more progress.




The third sock I have here is my first sock in the Summer of Socks. I have completed decreasing the gusset and now I am just working on the foot. I hope to finish this one this weekend. The fastest I have ever made a single sock is a week. I think I can beat it with this one.




Since I haven't shared a picture of Marshmallow Thief lately, I thought I would throw one in. He is growing so fast. He is almost 17 months old. It just doesn't seem possible.

Happy Knitting

Summer of Socks Begins!!!!

I am one of the many participants of Summer of Socks this year. I am really excited about it because I am excited to see how many pairs of socks I can start and finish in a season. I cast on the first pair today. I am knitting the Horcrux Socks. I am using some Fleece Artist in Tiger. I am really enjoying the pattern and I am already about a quarter of the way through the leg. I hope to turn the heel today but I am not making any promises.





I have also started Teacher blanket #2. This blanket is for Princess Stinkerbug's teacher. She is due sometime next month. I am using a pattern called Cables and Crowns. The yarn is some Caron Simply Soft Brite in Lemonade. It is going rather well, not nearly as frustrating as the last one I did.



I will get to taking pictures of my vacation yarn acquistions soon I hope. I bought some really beautiful yarn. I have to show it off.

Happy Knitting

Call Me Toolbelt Diva!!!!!

Watch out Toolbelt Diva here comes Robin. I made my own yarn swift today. I am so excited. I found a pattern at this blog. I have built things before but this is so neat and I loved using it for the first time.

Here is the first hank of yarn that I wound up with it. It is some Lorna's Laces in Shadow. I got it from Sheri at the Loopy Ewe.


Here is the sock that I am working on now. It is in Socks That Rock Chapman Springs. I love this yarn. It is incredible. The picture isn't very good since the light was not great but I will post another picture soon.

Next time I will share the adventures that I had on my vacation. I didn't take pictures but I did acquire some yarn. Surprised???? Probably not huh???

Happy Knitting

It is Finished!!!!!

I finished the baby blanket last night. I wove in the ends this morning. It took a journey down to the school where the expectant mother was working diligently to get her room finished up for the end of the year. It is now in her hands. I think she really appreciated it. I deleted the whole picture of it that I took for some stupid reason so this is just the close up of the stitches. I need to make one more blanket but I have decided that I won't start it until I get back from visiting family in Kansas.


I just cast on a pair of socks in STR Chapman Springs. This yarn is AWESOME!!!!!! I am loving knitting with it. I will see what kind of progress I make on them this evening and if there is enough I will post a picture before I leave tomorrow morning. If now I will see you all when I get back.


Happy Knitting!!!

Must Keep Knitting!!!!!

I have not had much time to blog lately. I have been working frantically, yes frantically, on a baby blanket for my oldest daughter's teacher. She is expecting in the middle of September but her time with my daughter will be over in just two days. I am hoping to get it done by Tuesday so we can take it to her on her last "Teacher" school day. This is the blanket that I am making for her.

So back to knitting I go. I also started reading The Knitting Circle this afternoon. So far I don't want to put it down. I have to though because I am not coordinated enough to read and knit at the same time.

I will post a picture when it is finished.

Happy Knitting

I Have Been Tagged

Tabitha tagged me so here goes.

7 Random Facts about me

1. None of my children are born in the same state.

2. I met my husband in a grocery store.

3. We enjoy going to zoos on vacation.

4. I do the majority of the lawn mowing during the summer.

5. I love reruns of JAG. I am purchasing the seasons on DVD as they come out.

6. I am one of six kids.

7. My best girl friend is my sister in law. My brother did really well.

I am a stick in the mud so I am not going to pass this on but if you want to do go for it and consider yourself tagged.

Happy knitting.

Hubby's Socks are Finally Working

I have been trying to make my wonderful husband a pair of socks for about two weeks now. I keep having to rip them out and I was almost to the point where his socks were going into the "Knit Later" pile. I think I have finally gotten the start that is going to finish this pair. They are being knitted in Cherry Tree Hill in Slate. I will admit that I am not in love with this yarn. I find it very frustrating to knit with but I will probably buy more of it since some of the colors that they have are calling my name.




I also got some yarn recently from Yarn4Socks. It is some Zen Yarn Garden in Fuzzy Navel. I thought it looked like a good summery colorway.







I know Marshmallow Thief has been getting a lot of blog time lately and will probably continue to do so since he is in such a neat stage right now. I don't want anyone to think that I have forgotten about the Pumpkin and Princess StinkerBug. This is a picture of Princess StinkerBug in all of her "dress up" glory. She is such a fun little girl to have around the house. She even likes to do the dishes.
I wonder how long that will last.

It is kind of a chilly day here in Minnesota, so I think I will knit. Happy knitting all.

Okay So I Am Slow

I realize that I finished these socks over a week ago but here is a picture finally.
I guess I am should quit taking pictures of the Marshmallow Thief. Not going to happen.



I had to frog hubby's socks. Stupid sock did not fit a normal man size foot. That is what you get for wanting boring Vanilla Socks. NO ribbing caused me to Rippit Rippit. Since that happened I have been working on my Naga Socks and a baby blanket. I will finish these socks because my husband is wonderful and deserves a pair of handmade socks.



And yes little Marshmallow Thief, the bowl is empty. Where do you put all that food?????


Have a great weekend and Happy Knitting!!!!

Beware!!!! Thief on the Loose!!!! Danger and Havoc!!!!

I must warn you. There is a thief on the loose. He is considered dangerous until marshmallows are offered. He is charming and shy but can easily cause havoc in knitting baskets. As this poor dark picture can attest to.



Our marshmallow thief has learned to walk. Wow. He is so excited by what he can do. The only bad thing is he is into everything. He can't seem to stay out of anything which is starting to drive me a little crazy.


On the knitting front, as little as it is, my purple socks picture turned out blurry so I will try to get a picture tomorrow and post it.


Happy knitting!!!!

From Stealing the Mouse to Marshmallows

I think our Mouse Thief has started a life of crime. He has moved up the criminal ladder to marshmallows. I found the Mouse Thief in the kitchen with his hand in the bag of minature marshmallows. He really likes them. Oh I hope that motorcycles aren't next.


I also got my Socks That Rock yarn in the mail the other day but this is the first chance I have had to post it. The colors are Chapman Springs for a pair of socks for my wonderful sister in law and the other color is Knitty Rocks and that pair will be for ME!!!! There was no way that she was getting a pair with that yarn and I wasn't.



Happy Knitting!!!

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