it won't kill you, really. now do it.
2007- 7 pairs so far! 
05/16/2007
on the needles, off the needles jiggity jig
on the needles...
(click on all pictures in post to in large them)
this isn't like me! I have 3 projects going at the same time (don't forget the mini van sock! Which has progressed to the heel gusset. yay me!) wildflower socks which are very Project Spectrum this month
which I'm not sure if I'm going to frog or not... I casted on the smaller size (56 sts) its a little hard to get over my heel, but once its on it fits very well. To frog, or not to frog?
also on the needles is knit and tonics something red. I've had the pattern forever and the yarn for even longer. It's absolutely beautiful. Here is a close up, this picture is pretty close to the actual color. As ya'll know, red is *very* hard to capture!
I'm using Louet Sales Gems Merlin Camelot in color 60-2895-1. I'm calling it Red Rose. Much more romantic, no? Its 70% Merino and 30% linen. I bought this yarn 2 years, maybe 3 years, ago at Webs on sale. This is so sad, that I have to admit it. I just got the name of the yarn... Merlin Merino/Linen Mer Lin. Holy Crap I am slow!
...off the needles
Little socks for Allysa
(see my beautiful marigold that Bryce gave to me for Mother's Day? I love it!)
I had enough yarn left over from my secret knitting, Kailey's socks, Corra's socks, another pair of socks for Allysa and my socks to knit a pair of socks for Allysa!
Stats:
Pattern- Waffle Rib II from Sensational knitted socks
Yarn- Socks that Rock medium weight in boysenberry and rhodenite
Needles- Inox US 2 dpns
Started- April ?, 2007
Finished- May 7, 2007
Notes- I cased on 44 sts. Leg measures 3", foot measures 6 1/2" She wears a child's size 10. When Allysa put on her new socks she proclaimed "now I can walk!"
I'm hoping to go to the Waynesburgh Co. Sheep and Wool this weekend, I will be schlepping Allysa and Kailey with me. (unless I can find a sitter for Allysa) Let me know if your going too!
09:25 Posted in Finished Object , Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! , something red | Permalink | Comments (4) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
05/11/2007
have you...
... knit something that you where in completely in love with? Real love. True love, because true love has things that bother you (like not putting the toilet seat down!) but you can live with because you *really* *really* love them/it.
(click on all pictures in this post to biggen them)
I'm in love with these socks. The process sucked me in and I feel deeply in love with the diamonds and how they quickly appeared. While I was knitting the second sock I kept trying it on, and take a few moments to enjoy the pattern, the fit, the color. I was in love. (aww!)
But like I said earlier, even true love has its flaws. It wasn't until I finished the first sock, wove in all my ends I realized I made a mistake and I'd be dammed if I was going to rip all the way back to it. damnit. Can you find the mistake? I decided, or justified, my mistake. Telling myself that everything has its flaws. And these socks, even with the mistake are still beautiful.
I know before I said I don't like the feel of a stockinette heel. With the pattern being incredibly awe inspiring, I followed the pattern. I still hate the stockinette heel. And hopefully won't fall for its sweet talk again.
Stats:
Pattern- Gentleman's sock with lozenge pattern from Knitting Vintage socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn- Socks that Rock medium weight in boysenberry
Needles- Knit Picks US1 dpns (which are really a US 1.5 but I've ranted about this before)
and Susan Bates US 1's dpns
Started- April 14, 2007
Finished- May 6, 2007
Notes- I CO 60 sts. And worked 3 repeats of the cuff ribbing instead of 4. As this pattern was written for a man's leg, and I was modifying it to fit my (much) shorter leg. I worked 4 lozenge pattern repeats using the KP 1's and then worked 1.5 pattern repeat in the SB 1's. Which made the socks a little snugger around the ankle. I switched back to the KP 1's for the heel and foot. I decreased the toe to 24 stitched and then grafted. I love STR almost solids. These socks have my love. Even with there imperfections ; )
Bear wasn't all to amused with my socks photography shoot, see?
PS Kailey is doing better on her meds. She still has some reflux and has been spitting up and coughing more. The Dr took her off one of her meds today. So far it seems to have made her worse. So far, she hasn't had any apnea episodes! yay! The monitors main cable did go bad last Saturday. So the company sent someone to replace it that day. Why is it always a weekend that something happens? *L* Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I can't tell you how much I appreciate them.
PPS This post is just about the socks and just the socks. But Mike, I would be ever so happy if you would put the toilet seat down. You are out numbered in this house. 4 girls to you 2 boys!
21:10 Posted in Finished Object , knitting vintage socks , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (13) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english), socks
04/20/2007
Nice...
There was a guy I dated in high school that would always say "nice." Towards the end of our relationship it was like nails on a chalkboard. Kinda like the girl JD on scrubs dated that would never laugh she would say "that's funny." It was very irritating. When the ex bf would say nice he would either mean ohh that's cool or nice in a condescending way. Nice was a word with many different meanings for him. Today I bring you: Nice...
(clicky on all pics to embiggen)
Nice... blue sky with no clouds. Warm sunny day here in Western PA.
Nice... the sock that lives in the mini van has finally grown more than 1" (I'm using Vesper sock in Astro on size 0's)
Nice... I managed to cut my pinky finger on my right hand while shaving my legs. (really, who else does this?)
Nice... 1 almost finished Gentleman's sock with Lozenge Patten from Knitting Vintage Socks. (started April 14)
Nice... my legs are so pasty white they are reflective
Nice... I have a new love for almost solid sock yarn, even though my camera has a hard time capturing the beauty of STR boysenberry see?
Nice... I've finally updated my blog ; )
17:00 Posted in Knitting , Saturday Sky , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (15) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
04/13/2007
is it? are they? no, they couldn't be!
A few days ago I finished a pair of socks that I can't quite show off just yet. But as soon as I was done I casted on a pair of infant socks for Kailey. I though heelless socks would be a good idea for her, so she wouldn't be able to grow out of them anytime (real) soon. I grabbed my Knitting Vintage socks book and casted on 36 stitches, 2 1/2 pattern repeats latter I casted off these bad boys:
(click on all pictures in this post to embiggen' them)
Stats:
Pattern- based on the Heelless sleeping socks in Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn- Socks that Rock in boysenberry
Needles- Inox US 2 dpns set
Gauge- umm... I really should just remove this...
Started- April 8, 2007
Finished- April 9, 2007
Notes- Even though they will fit her for a long time, they cant' stand up to her wild kicking for very long! I also think they look a little stupid with out a heel.
Now tell me something....
do these socks really look like baby socks? or something else? Like maybe *cough*weewillywarmers*cough*?
17:19 Posted in Finished Object , Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (15) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
03/20/2007
Don't label me sista!
Something about being labeled as something, or labeling someone else bothers me. Mostly because we are more than just one thing. Let me explain. The other day while dropping Allysa off at the sitters, I was asked by the sitter to show off my Charlotte's Web shawl that I've been wearing under my jacket. My sitter wanted The lady to see it (she's the sweet Grandmothery type) said "oh, your a knitter! I hate people like you!" She was joking and laughing. (She explained that she had tried to learn how to knit. But couldn't) Recently Lynda wrote about her encounter with a yarn shop owner. The owner labeled her as just a sock knitter? This hit a cord with me.
Mostly because lately, I've been just a sock knitter
its all about the easy, as my SIL would say. All about the easy. Easy is what my brain seems to be able to handle right now while Kailey is still in the newborn stage. Easy has become too easy, I've grown bored with socks and want something different. I'm now craving a sweater. Because don't we all want to knit a sweater on the first day of Spring?
Mr. Mailman delivered my knit picks order and the 2 knitting pure & simple patterns I ordered from One fine yarn. Now that I have the neck down v neck shaped cardi in my hands, I don't know what yarn to use. It calls for a dk or light worsted yarn. I so very want to knit a sweater right now, but my biggest problem well, is my boobs. (such interesting google hits I'll get from that sentence. I'm sure) I'm nursing Kailey, my boobs are huge. Soon my boobs will return to their normal size. (non existent) So what to knit, what to knit? I want to knit something that will still fit next year! I've been scouring the net for dk or worsted weight that knits 5sts/inch on size 6 needles that isn't horribly expensive. Is that too much to ask?
So, am I just a sock knitter?
(New Seacoast Panda from yarn4socks.com gilded Lilly is mine, ashes and roses & sorbet are Mom's. btw yarn4socks is having a 20% all yarns containing green till the 22!)
yes, I'm a sock knitter.
I'm a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter. A friend.
I am crafter, a knitter, a quilter. A needle artist, a paper crafter, a photographer.
I am cook, a repair-woman, a home owner. A volunteer, a jewelry artist, a decorator.
I am me, among many things. But most importantly I am loved.
13:04 Posted in family , Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (22) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
03/12/2007
Two of a kind
Friday my little guy was in a play called Three of a kind. Had to be *the* cutest little play eva! When the curtain rose there where tears in my eyes. If the play wasn't so funny I probably would have bawled. B played one of the three wise men, he had to memorize 6 lines. Smart little guy memorized all of his lines! (Seriously when he came home a month before the play telling me he had a speaking part and had to memorize lines, my head started to hurt. Kid forgets to flush the toilet for crying out loud, and you want him to memorize 6 lines, what?)
(B's the cute lil guy in orange.)
Also on Friday I finished my barely mentioned on the blog socks. They are two of a kind ; )
They are a perfect match right down to the little pink stripe going around my top of my foot. Clicky on the pick and see.
Have you ever some across something that you liked so much that you didn't want to share? You wanted it all to yourself, and didn't want to tell a single soul. Because your worried that if you do tell, ya'll have to share. Well... that's how I feel about this sock yarn, and the store I bought it from. I mean, come on look how cool it striped:
The colors just blend into each other, keeping me intrigued watching them change row after row. I wanted to keep the dyer and the store a secret. I didn't want to tell... but I don't keep secrets very well. Oh no I don't. I have to tell you where I bought this yarn, because the service is great, and they have great sales. I have to tell you what kind of yarn this is, because you have to knit with it. It's just too neat not too.
Two of a kind socks
Stats:
Pattern: casted on 56sts, knit 15 rows K2, P2. Then K6, P2. Short row heel, classic toe.
Yarn: Twisted colorway Octarine purchased from yarn4socks.com
Needles: Knitpicks circs US 1
Time: 2 weeks 3 days
Notes: Ya wanna know what else is neat about these socks? The colorway's name Ocartine, Oct meaning 8 (pretty sure about that) 56 divided by 8 equals 7. And the stitch pattern I used is a 8 stitch repeat. Ain't that neat. I guess math can be cool ; )
PS. Guess who found her thumb?
22:59 Posted in family , Finished Object , Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (17) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english), knitting_(english)
02/20/2007
It's all about me
Really, It's all about me. But I think we all know that already. KIDDING! A few posts ago I was whining that I was sick of knitting for others, and wanted to knit something for me. It felt like everything that came off my needles was for someone else, other than myself. And really, I can be pretty damned selfish. I'm not going to lie. So after B's crazy socks where done, I casted these baby's right on! Right on baby! Right on!
This is my sock Sunday night, as of yesterday afternoon I turned the heel and was moving down the foot. Damn it feels good to knit for me me me!!
Speaking of me me me, d,knit tagged me for the 6 weird things about me a few *ahem*months*cough* ago, even though I've been tagged for it before. I thought I would give it another go. My first answers sucked a bit the first time, and these are a bit odd
1. When loading my dishwasher the silverware *has* to be facing down. (the part that goes in your mouth goes down) I used to have to have the dishwasher loaded just right way, but I've relaxed a bit.
2. I have to wear shoes. I don't like to walk around barefoot or just in socks.
3. Not so weird, but I talk in my sleep. I've been known to have full conversations on the phone while sleeping too.
4. I have to drink water from a glass, not a plastic cup. Bottled water is ok though.
5. Can not eat soup out of a square dish or bowl.
6. My parents told the maternity nurse when I was born that they where going to name me "Lead bottom moose belly"
Sorry I can't remember the rules to this meme, so If ya haven't done it yet, and want to. Go for it. Let me know so I can read your answers! What? Yes, It is all about me me me, here's one more meme! Mary (kinda) tagged me for 5 things you haven't mentioned on your blog meme (I think that's what its called) This post I remembered to save on bloglines so I could go back to it (ya me!) Here we go
First, the Rules:
Someone Tags you, you post 5 things about yourself that you haven't already mentioned on your blog, you tag 5 more bloggers.
1. I once had a job at a local farm near where I grew up in Massachusetts washing eggs for 1 cent/egg.
2. I once *had* to bake blueberry muffins from scratch in the middle of the winter, my Dad was nice enough to buy me real blueberries. I mistakenly added 3 tablespoons of baking powder when I should have added 3 teaspoons of baking soda. Opps! Dad will never forget that one, those muffins where bad!
3. Mike is 15 years older than me.
4. I used to wonder if I would ever have kids, if I even wanted them. Now that I have them (4 of em!) I would never change a thing.
5. I used to write poetry in high school (come on who didn't!) and had once of my poems published.
I'm coping out of tagging, who ever wants to do it, go for it! Let me know if ya do it! Since it's all about me me me, I'm going to finish off my turtle chex mix, which btw is so.freaking.good, and knit my sock. Me me me!!! ; )
12:40 Posted in discractions , Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (13) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
02/19/2007
3-day weekend
We had a 3 day weekend this weekend, after the kids having 3 days off last week thanks to the snow storm (which by the way, why wasn't it called a Nor'ester?) it was like we had a vacation from school. I'm looking forward to tomorrow which will hopefully bring back some bit of normalcy to our house. I say some, because Bryce has a cold and he's being dragged to the Dr tomorrow. Kailey has her 1 month appointment and I'm hoping to have him checked out too. He's supposed to have his adenoids removed this coming Monday. The kids where able to spend some time outside in the snow this weekend. They enjoyed themselves immensely and its a good thing Mema keeps us stocked with mittens!
Here's B's crazy socks after a day of wear, He loves how the socks don't match! When I asked B how much he liked his new socks he replied with
"This much!!!" ahhh, this is why I love to knit him socks. Do you know what is so crazy about these socks? I have a walnut sized ball of lapis left over. Crazzzy! The needles didn't even get a chance to cool before I wound up a hank of brand spanken new sock yarn! More on that tomorrow, Here's a pic of Kailey holding my needles
gotta start 'em while they're young!
PS Does anyone know where you can purchase downloadable Knitting Pure and Simple patterns? I'm dying to have the top down V-shaped Cardigan and don't want to wait a week for it to be mailed to me.
21:44 Posted in family , Finished Object , Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (14) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
02/07/2007
oh, damn
When I had started knitting my toe up socks, Bryce looked at the yarn I was using STR medium weight Lapis) and asked for a pair of socks in that color for himself. I told him yes, If I had enough left over. After I finished my socks last week, I looked at the left overs and thought "well, maybe there will be enough yarn to knit him a pair of socks if I make a small enough cuff."
Repeat with me:
oh, damn!!! damn damn damn. I ran out where I would start for the toe decreases. Damn. I have some left over tiger's eye that I'll use for the toe. He's going to get a wild pair of socks I tell ya!
At least I got to use my new stitch markers Amanda J gave me when I turned the heel.
Aren't they pretty? I love my neighbor! Thank you!
We had another oh, damn. Yesterday. Bryce had an appointment with an Ear nose and throat Dr. since Bryce has been dealing with a stuffy nose for a loooong time now. We've tried allergy meds, everything. Dr. recommended that Bryce have his adenoids out. So out they will come on the 26 of this month. Bryce is actually excited to have them out, he says that he is tired of being so stuffy. Poor kid. The Dr said that his tonsils are enlarged too, but the adenoids are probably causing the problem. So instead of putting him though a painful recovery from having his tonsils removed too, we're just having the adenoids removed. Well, he'll have some funky socks to wear!
***added I forgot to mention Allysa also burnt her hand while she was at the sitters yesterday. She was trying to get a toy from underneath the stove. Why was she even near the stove while it was on? I can't get an answer. The burn doesn't bother Allysa at all, band aids on the other hand, make her cry and scream. Just another oh, damn for the day.
09:50 Posted in family , Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (9) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
11/16/2006
My little man...
...requested socks. The quest was on to find a yarn that wouldn't be deemed "too itchy" or "too scratchy" I had to find one that was just right.
(clicky on all pics in this post to embiggen)
I searched the internets for a sock yarn that wouldn't upset his eczema and send us down that lovely road. Minutes turned into hours, which turned into weeks and eventually led into months. As it is hard to find sock yarn in the requested little boy colors "llellow and green". Finally while at Rhinebeck with Mom I found the elusive color. Socks Candy by Blue Moon Fiber arts in Kiwi. Perfect little Brycie colors.
Stats:
Pattern: basic sock recipe 44 stitches cast on to fit 7" foot circumference. 1" K2,P2 ribbing. Garter rib on the cuff (row 1 K2, P2 row 2 knit) for 3". standard flap heel and toe.
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts sock candy in Kiwi 96% cotton, 4% elite about 150 yards used.
Needles: 5 US2 Inox dpns
gauge: 7sts/inch
Time: 4 days, on and off.
He watched me carefully while I knit his socks, tried them on after each step of the pattern, when I casted of the second sock and kitchnered the toe he said "thank you mommie". I think I could have cried.
My little man, you make me so proud. I had my parent teacher conference this morning and your teacher she sung your praises. She said what a joy you are to have in class. Even though you play rough with other boys at times, you get your work done and you listen. Your growing up so fast, I love you. Even though you do make me want to pull my hair out with some of the odd kid noises you make, even when I have to ask you 30 mazillian times not to run in the house, even when you gross me out by asking for ketchup on everyfreakingthing, I love you because you are my little man.
16:57 Posted in Finished Object , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (23) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
11/13/2006
Toesies
Saturday started off as any normal Saturday. Got breakfast, we all stayed in our PJ's for most of the morning and chilled out for a bit before it was time for me to leave for my toe up sock class. That was until I went to get ready and the damned power went out! I was chatting on the phone with my friend down the street when the power slooooowly dimmed out. Odd very odd. I finished getting Allysa ready, called the electric company and the babysitter to let her know what was up. The power did come back on for a few seconds, it was strange. The lights came back on and where very dim for a few seconds than went back out. I was trying not to think of the possibilities of what could be going on when I heard the big bang downtown after the lights went out the second time. At this time I had to rush to get to the sitters, who wasn't ready when I got there! Finally I got to the class which was being held at Stitch your Art out in State Collage, almost 45 minutes late. I still feel bad about being so damned late!
The class was SO much fun! I got to meet two lovely ladies and our teacher Cynthia where great. Cynthia gave us her pattern booklet for her toe up socks and walked us though the toe. This part was easy for me, I'm pretty comfortable working with double pointed needles. The heel is going to kick my arse. I can't quite wrap my brain around how to knit a heel backwards.
Check it out teach! I made myself a pair of Mickey Mouse ears!
click to embiggen
Don't they look like mickey mouse ears to you? here are my toesies late Saturday night, thank goodness the power was back on when I came home. Neighbor buddy said it came back on around 2.
clicky
For my class socks I'm using medium weight STR in Lapis that I've had in my stash for a bit. Ok Its been balled up since April (?) so its been marinating for a bit. The class rocked,I can't wait to go back and learn how to knit the heel. I've already got half my homework done already, if I was only this good at getting my homework done in school right mom!
16:55 Posted in Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (19) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
11/04/2006
Second Sock Syndrome Socks
Wowsa. What a week. I'm so glad it's over! I should have fun a few errands today, but opted to stay at home, play with Allysa and knit all day. I'm still in my PJ's *grin* I love Saturdays!! Mike went back to work yesterday morning. The trailer finally freaking got here on Wednesday afternoon. After they where all done trying to back it down the driveway (very scary let me tell you. As our driveway is very close to the house and the other side is a hill) it was 7pm. Urgh, lets just say this whole trailer thing has become a big mess. Mike's back at work, and its taking up half the damn driveway. Seriously, the dealership fucked this up big time. More later, and everything unfolds. ugh.
Enough whinning, how about some knitting? Yes! Somewhere in these past two weeks of Dentist appointments, Doctor appointments, mad cleaning, loads of shopping and laundry I've been knitting. Last Saturday I finished my Second Sock Syndrome sock, it was also my last sock of Socktober. I was Adelle's swapie (Is that right? She sent to me. Goodness, my mind is mush.) She sent me a fab package back in August, I casted on my sock a week before Rhinebeck (maybe on Sun the 14) with hopes that I would get it done before Rhinebeck so I could wear my SSS socks to the festival and show them to Adelle during lunch.
ha. I'm a funny one I tell ya! It took me 4 times to get the 1st row of the lace pattern right. Not that there was anything wrong with the pattern. More like a problem with my brain's ability to comprehend directions (Mike, if your reading this. Shut up. Mom you too!! : P ) You see, at the end of the 1st row for the first 3 times, I had 4 extra stitches. I couldn't figure out why. While I resisted the urge to fling the sock across the room I re-read the chart. DUH moment! Its a SSSK not a SSK, THREE SSS not two, yet THREE!!! DUH!! After that the sock just sailed. Till I got to the heel.
![Photobucket - <a href=](http://www.blogspirit.com/admin/blog/%3Ca%20href="http://photobucket.com/"%20target="_blank"%3E%3Cimg%20src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/Mistress_stash_enhancer/Swap%20Pals/Picture283.jpg"%20border="0"%20alt="Photobucket%20-%20Video%20and%20Image%20Hosting"%3E%3C/a%3E)
This is *the* coolest heel. I have no idea if I did it right, But trust me it is *the* coolest heel! It took me a bit to figure it out, but damn. It was worth it! Really cool. I love the lace pattern used in these socks! It works extremely well with the yarn
Here's the stat's:
*urgh my comptuer is being such an ass right now. I have no idea if the pictures in this post are ok or not. uuuurggghhhhhhh
19:45 Posted in Finished Object , socks, socks, socks!! , socktoberfest '06 | Permalink | Comments (14) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english), socks
10/18/2006
Tiger's eye
These socks aren't my colors, it was the color ways name that drew me in. Ya see, I have always had this "thing" for rocks. My parents are still finding rocks I picked up outside as a child and hid their house. One Christmas one of my Aunt's gave me a rock tumbler. I was thrilled! Constantly looking for new rocks to put in there, just to see how they would turn out.
In middle school my favorite book was Judy Bloom's book tiger eye's. How Davey (the main character) over came the death of her father, found her self while she explored the canyons and how she learned to love again after the great loss of her father. I've always loved the tiger's eye stone. When you turn it the gold just appears.
Check out those stripes! Some how they match, how cool is that? Enough babble really, Here's the stat's:
Notes: I'm not to keen on the medium weight STR. Its to bulky for me. These socks are nice and comfy, a little baggy around the ankle, which I'm thinking up ways on how to fix that, any suggestions? I'm surprised I didn't get more pooling around the gusset area because of the flap heel. These really aren't my colors, but I'm loven the stripage.
Honestly I can't think of anything more about these socks! I'm on the phone with Mike and he is (still) talking about the 5th wheel rv he wants to buy. I swear to all that is Holy. If he doesn't shut up about it soon, I'm not packing any socks for him next month. Geesh!
23:30 Posted in Finished Object , socks, socks, socks!! , socktoberfest '06 | Permalink | Comments (13) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(english)
10/14/2006
my sock history in a nutshell
I'm a little, ok more than just a little, behind in posting my sock history. My camera and I have been having "issues". I say turn on, it says nope. Then there are the re-chargable batteries, that the camera is eating like candy corn. *gr* Here is my story of how I walked down the road of sock knitting
When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
There is a bit of controversy on this one... I have two posts that mention my fall into sock knitting. Honestly I can't tell you which sock I started first the one in this post or when my mom gave me a copy of The knitter's handy book of patterns by Ann Budd, some Moda dea sock yarn, and let me borrow 2 12" addi turbo's size US2. Mom, do you see what you've done? ; )
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
ohhhh, boy. This is where I open the closet door and (a few) skeletons fall out. This isn't exactly my first "pair" per say. Mom knit the first sock, and didn't like how it turned out (yeah right) so she gifted it to me, along with the rest of the sock yarn to complete the next sock. (she had a PLAN you see, a PLAN!) If you click on the pic to embiggen it, you'll see how the sock on the right that mom knit has no ribbing on the foot. While my sock, on the left, has ribbing down to the end of the toe. They have held up just fine. Why? cause I never ever where them. They make my feet sweat (your welcome!) and are not even a little bit warm. And that's why neither sock has a "real matchy" mate.
Above is what you could call my first real "pair" and I wrote about here. I used Plymouth sockotta in color 5616, and size 3 dpns. You could say they have worn very well, cause they also haven't been worn that much! I didn't know all that much about gauge back then, I followed the directions in the book for the pattern I liked. Even though I used a lighter weight yarn it didn't occur to me to use a smaller needle! doh!
What would you have done differently?
With the mod dea sock knit tighter, maybe moved a few stitches back and forth where the 2 circs met up to prevent the gapping ladders, stopped knitting the ribbing when I reached the toe decreases, and used different yarn.
The sockotta sock paid more attention to gauge. Much closer attention to gauge. Stupid gauge.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Honestly? I *heart* Vesper. My Neapolitan socks are my absolute fav. I really enjoy knitting with Schaefer's Ann, Claudia's hand painted, Socks that rock and Lorna's Laces.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
5 DPNs all the way babeee! I've knit with 2 circs before and it just killed my hands when I got to the heel flap and the gusset. 4 dpns doesn't work for me either, the way I have to hold hold the needles to knit cramps my hands. I really like how complicated and dangerous knitting with 5 dpns look. Although crocheting is lovely, and can create some beautiful pieces, It doesn't create a fabric that is right for sock making.
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Flap, Flap, Flap! (*snicker* Mike and I say that to each other all the time. "Flap, flap, flap I'm feeling the love here!") Flap heels fit my heel better than short row. I love the look and feel of a traditional heel (k1, sl1 to end, purl next row)
How many pairs have you made?
14 pairs of adult socks, 1 pair of baby socks, 1 sock for my SSS pal Stacey and 2 pairs of itty bitty teeny socks. I've gifted a few pairs to my Dad, a teacher at Bryce's pre-school and my daughter Corra.
Here is a pic of most of my finished socks, there will be many more to come as I've found that sock knitting is portable, fun and creates a very useful finished product! Someday I hope to have a drawer full of hand knit socks!
16:50 Posted in socks, socks, socks!! , socktoberfest '06 | Permalink | Comments (14) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting (ENLGISH), socks
10/12/2006
that UPS man...
he's a sneaky one, really he is... He is almost as good at hiding my packages as the mail man. At least the DHL guy just tries to run me over, just like I try to run him over (fun game, really. He flies up my driveway, I fly down my driveway. Good thing one of us was paying attention. Surprise! It was me!) sooo.. guess what!
(clicky on all pics to embiggen in this post)
My shoes came and they are too small (!?!). Even better, there isn't another one to be found in any of the other stores in the district. Think that's going to stop me? noooo... David at my local Sears, apparently felt bad for me when he called me back to say there aren't any anywhere. He told me that he is one of the lucky to unload the truck tomorrow. He promised to call tomorrow if there are any size 8's on said truck. (he better or I'll bring all, count em' 3 kids, with me to the mall and they'll be high on sugar buddy!) If there isn't, I'm ordering a pair online. If that doesn't work. Damnit I'm calling every freaking store in New England, I want these bloody shoes. damnit. triple damnit even.
Lookie see my first socks of Socktoberfest! Whoohoot! I know they look cute in the shoes, but check em' without:
Kid update: Corra's feeling much, much better. I think it might have been the house call by Dr. Allysa.
Bryce is now sick, and Allysa is a bit sniffly. First cold of the season. At least it was this week, and not next week!
Notice I changed the blog around a bit? Moved the buttons a bit, changed the look of my blogroll. If you want to see the blogs I read click on the sheep to see them. Many thanks to MandyJ who resized the pic for me, and is back to blogging! Yay!
23:16 Posted in Finished Object , socks, socks, socks!! , socktoberfest '06 | Permalink | Comments (14) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(ENGLISH)
10/10/2006
mmmm, manos
Sometimes I forget why I hate going to the mall, or why I even hate shopping to begin with. Then after spending 5 minutes in the mall, including the walk in, I remember why I dislike the mall with such a passion its unreal. It might have had something to do with it being a Saturday and there was a Halloween Fashion show going on. Which a million people where attending. A million people who where walking so slow I could stop, wait, then walk my super walk speed for half a store front. I went to the mall on a mission, I wanted the shoes the girl from Sear's said should be in by Friday night. Guess what? They weren't there. surprised? I shouldn't be. *gr* The girl who did help me however, told me I could order the shoe's from a different store, not have to pay shipping and they could be at my house in a week or less. Of course, I wanted new shoes on Saturday and why didn't the girl on Tuesday tell me this?!? I wanted to walk out of the mall with my pretty new shoes! Not a single store had shoes that would show off my hand knit socks. I ordered the shoes from Sear's and picked up some chocolate from Gardner's. The candy store always has something I want! Saturday night I poured my frustration into finishing up my so called scarf, I might have also ate all the truffles I bought too.... take a look its so soft and luscious
(click to embiggen)
The Spec's
Pattern: My so called scarf from Sheep in the City
Yarn: 2 hanks of Manos in color way 109. One hank came from Jill Deal yarn shop in Milford PA and the other from Handworks in Smicksburgh PA.
Needles: size 11 Lantern Moon straights.
Time: about 3 nights of knitting.
Thoughts: Love this scarf! mmmmm Manos!! Great fall colors in this color way, the pattern was easy to memorize and I love how it broke up the colors. The Lantern moon needles where a luxurious splurge that was extremely worth every penny. The needles are so soft and smooth. I loved knitting with them!
After I finished my scarf, my needles where nakid and I needed something else to knit. Everybody together now:
awwwwww
click to embiggen
aren't they the cutest? I call them my baby Neapolitan socks. Here are the spec's
Pattern: loosely based on better than baby booties. I used the heel that they called for, but that's it.
Yarn: left over Vesper Neapolitan and a little bit of Vesper astro cause I ran out of yarn, and it used the same pink.
Needles: 4 size 0 metal dpns. (ouch!)
Time: 8 hours. Would have been a lot less if I didn't develop the inability to count to 44 and not recognize the problem till 6 rows of ribbing was knit on sock 2. *urgh*
Thoughts: awww! I have no idea if these will fit our little baby or not, but they are sooo cute! awwww!! For her next pair of socks, I'm using a size 1 needle. I don't know if it was trying to knit with yarn on a size 0 needle that was made to be knit with a size 1 needle (did that make sense?) But where the needle rested on my middle finger, owwww!!! It was a great way to use up some left over sock yarn, even if I had to dip into another skein. They are the cutest little socks!
Right now on my needles I have started a pair of vanilla socks using STR medium weight in Tiger's eye. More on that later, kids want to eat, and Corra has a sinus infection and is on antibiotics, Bryce and Allysa both have a cold. Really, what fun. That's ok though, cuddle time = knittin time! ; )
17:23 Posted in Finished Object , socks, socks, socks!! , socktoberfest '06 | Permalink | Comments (22) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting(ENGLISH)
08/14/2006
Knitting from Florida
You would think, with all the time in the car, time spent sitting on the beach, in the house during the kids nap time, I would have a completed shawl to show you, or a pair of socks. Weeell..... I did kinda finish a pair of socks. But they aren't the same size or even in the same yarn. On the way down, I finished a sock for Allysa using some leftover Cascade Fixation.
I measured her foot, I knew I had 6sts/inch using fixation and size 3 needles. I casted on 36 stitches and pretty much just winged it. Little brat thought it was evil, and would try it on when it was on the needles, but when I was finished she wanted to have nothing to do with it. I don't know how I was able to capture these pictures, she only kept the sock on for 2 minutes.
Somewhere in North Carolina I casted on my traveler's sock pattern by Gypsy knits that I bought after Bryce's allergy test last month.
12:46 Posted in Knitting , socks, socks, socks!! , travel | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email this | Tags: knitting, knitting (ENGLISH)
06/09/2006
Fancy Silk sock meets L5 the clown car
I don't know what it was about this project, it just dragged. Most of this week the kids and I have been playing outside in the lovely sunshine, cleaning up the yard, getting all the outside toys cleaned up for a summer of fun, cleaning, cleaning and then some more cleaning. The strangest thing keep happening this week, I would watch tv and I wasn't knitting, while the kids where playing outside, I was just watch them play and not knit. I didn't feel like knitting. This totally freaked me out. Last night I (finally) finished the toe decreases on my Fancy Silk Socks using Koigu KPPPM. This morning after I dropped the Van off for her new brakes and oil change, we came home with L5 the clown car* and the kids destroyed worked on some arts and crafts I kitchenered up the toe.
With out further ado, I give you my finished Fancy Silk Socks and L5 the loverly Clown Car:
Pattern: Fancy Silk Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks. April/May sock for the Knitting Vintage Socks a long
Yarn: 2 hanks Koigu KPPPM color P52267. This colorway reminds me of yummy watermelons.
Needles: size 1 metal dpns, 5 of 'em.
Time: Started: May 25 Finished: June 9. 2 weeks these where on the needles! Poor neglected sock!
My though's: I love the lace cuff! The lace panel is very pretty, and the little s1k2psso every so many rows, so cute! I'm thinking about modifying the pattern and just using the lace cuff and the lace panel for a pair of socks in the future. (Leaving out the little bumpy things) Now that the socks are finished, I need to give them a nice bath in hopes that the koigu will relax a bit and to get the lace cuff to lay down a bit more. (I casted on too tight it seems!) I'm so happy that I joined the Knitting Vintage Socks a-long, I don't think I would have attempted to even try any of the patterns in this book, (other than the ribbed ones in the front) with out having a knit a-long. When I looked at the directions for most of the socks, they seemed so hard, used tiny needles (000 should be left to tiny socks, not men's size 11 shoe socks) and the measurements wouldn't fit my foot with out modifying the pattern. Next time I need to remember, just one row at a time and remember its just yarn, you can rip-it!
L5 returned happly to the dealorship after our photo shot with the fancy silk socks. L5 is awaiting our visit next week when the recall of whatever will be fixed. Yippie.
*I have to say, I think its fantastic the dealership we bought the van from has loaner cars for when your vehicle is in the shop. What I think sucks, is that they are teeny tiny neons (no offence to people who like neons!!) and it almost impossible to fit 1 car seat and 2 booster seats in a neon. When all of us get out, it feels like we are all spilling out of the car, like the clowns in a clown car. Allysa (who is 2) called it "baby car" when we walked out to it this morning!
15:30 Posted in Finished Object , Project Spectrum , socks, socks, socks!! | Permalink | Comments (11) | Email this | Tags: knitting
05/24/2006
The Sock speaks Up
One of the reason why I like keeping a knitting blog, is so I can go back through my archives and see when I started a project so I have a good idea how long it took me to make. Somehow these socks fell through the cracks. I think I started these socks on Friday or Saturday. But to be completely honest, I have.no.idea. Really, For all I remember I could have started them on on Thursday. I'm sorry, I'm really wiped out from today my mind is all over the place and I'm just feeling kind blah. So please excuse me if this post well.. sucks. Here is the start of my Lace Silk socks from Vintage knitting socks. Look they're green! Project Spectrum green! And ya know what else? They are the current sock to the Vintage knitting socks along, yay!
This is the first sock I've knit with a lace cuff. Isn't it perdy?
Close up of the lace pattern on the leg. LOOOOOOVE IT!
I wasn't to sure about the little knit two together, thats done every 9 rows (the little bumpy things in the middle) Looking at the picture in the book I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it in or not. It forms a little flower, I love it!!
Monday, The poor sock was horribly neglected while I cleaned and pitched. Tuesday I put the turning of the heel off till soccer practice. I don't know why I do this, I dislike turning the heel, and I don't. This afternoon while watching the kids playing outside, and enjoying this lovely sky
Here are some of the reasons why I'm so wiped out today, MandaJ and I went shopping today we stopped at Joann's I bought some Sugar and Cream (one of each of these colors hot pink, summer splash, and playtime to be exact) to make a few ball band warshcloths, and a new knitting book since I had a 40% off coupon thanks to MandaJ, Reader's Digest Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches. (hehehe Manda and I didn't know the coupons wheren't good till the 27, the girl rang up my order first and when she went to ring up Manda's she said the coupon wasn't good yet. hmmm.. why did mine work then? She let Manda use her coupon too : ) See this is why we go shopping together!) and this:
I said no Potions, and to.stay.outta.the.PUDDLE!! Geesh! Kids! *sigh* I'm going to go and knit my poor neglected sock.
22:38 Posted in socks, socks, socks!! , Stash Enhancement | Permalink | Comments (8) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)
05/14/2006
In the interest of full disclosure
Hardy Har Har. I already have a dumb blonde tee. (MandyJ knit up a super cute hedgehog, and needs help choosing a name for him, go help her out! I'll wait) ya back? ok good.
The Specs:
Pattern: Hedera from the Spring Knitty