SIP!

Yes, Socks in progress! Gee, took me like 8 shots to get a good one, had to use my handy, dandy white background. Raining here, much needed rain, but the lighting.

Oh yeah, What do you think?


Yeah, I know the toe area looks wonky (heh, no wiseacre comments either :P!) But my pal obviously uses larger blockers ;) (Hiya Pal! :)(she'll be reading this I'm sure after the fact) Now, I guess I won't be using these after their bath.


My first garter edge heel flap. I'm kinda meh about it. It's hard to p/u gusset stitches though! Any hints on that?

Gotta go! Sock 2 is desperate to be finished!

FYI: The yarn is Wollmeise in the Versuchskaninchen Colorway

YPF-The Z Edition

Heh! It's not often I find things with a Z, so when I saw Scout's post about her visit with Amy and how they had a dye party and came up with this colorway, I knew I wanted a skein. Not only for the colors, but for the name! Zuluknitty!


Yeah, I can be a sucker for things with a Z! I mean come on, it's such a common first initial isn't it? ;)


Scout's Swag -60% Superwash Merino, 30% Bamboo, 10% Nylon
Zuluknitty Colorway




This yarn is very soft! Hoping it speaks to me about what it wants to be knit into!


This post explains about the Zulugrass bracelets. I would love one of these bracelets, I have none for sale near me and they don't sell online, if anyone can find one near you and wants to work out a swap or something, email me!


Thanks for stopping by! Off to knit!!!

It shoulda been......

A full sock by now!!!
Below you are viewing the full cuff of sock 1 or should I say reknit of sock 1 part trois. First cast on was 72 stitches and the black was on one side of the sock, purple/blue on the other. (US 1 circs) Plus when I tried it on (of course I had both socks cast on) it fell...now I know my pal has feet 2 sizes bigger than mine, but um...I knew it wasn't going to work. So Frogging part Uno! (hey, isn't that a cool game? ooops, back to the sock story!)

Due to size and pooling issues, I recast on (only 1) and 60 sts on the same US 1's. Knit the entire cuff. Tried it on, could barely get it past my heel...sigh...Frogging part deux! I didn't picture it, I was bummed, but it looked just like the one below, only smaller. (good thing it is only 1 sock though!) Nice striping though!

Onward to my new KP US 2/3.0mm circs, cast on 60 again and voila! What you see below. What a difference like .5mm makes in the sizing. The reducing of the stitches from 72 to 60 fixed the pooling, (thank you LittleMy!) but the needle change made it fit a tiny bit bigger than I'd make for me...so perfect for her.

Lower left is the second sock, once I knew it was safe I cast on......again. I call these pictures Cuffs 3 and 4



Wollmeise Sockenwolle in the Versuchskaninchen Colorway, pattern is Broad Spiral Ribbing Sock from More Sensational Knitted Socks. The yarn is very nice to knit with! Very soft. Now if I could stop it from tangling up while knitting (it gets twisty and sometimes into knots). How do you stop that? I mean, I have this happen on almost every sock yarn I've used so I know it's not the yarn...do I wind wrong??

So..now you see why I shoulda had a sock done!!! I'll get them done in time...I know I will...we now have until the 7th of August for mailing, but I'm hoping by Monday or Tuesday. No other knitting is allowed, internet here and there, I mean gotta take breaks, and the sewing machine is resting a much needed rest. I do have to work, but I'm not on call!!! :) (which is why the time setback! gah!)

Plus...I am dying to tell you who they are for, but I can't until she gets them! And for the few of you who do know, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Must....knit....faster

YPF-The Rhubarb Version

I love Rhubarb! It doesn't grow well down here in the South, but every once in a while, my grocery store has it somewhat fresh. I love to eat a stalk with sugar, or put it in a pie with some strawberries, but my favorite is making Jelly/jam with it for me and my FIL.


Fiesta Boomerang in Rhubarb Colorway
5 oz, 320 yds., Extra Fine Superwash Merino
Light worsted weight.


At first I thought socks?? But I've seen a few around and the fact that they would knit up fast is a plus!



Not sure what pattern I'll make, maybe a slipped stitch rib, plain ole' rib, any suggestions??


Happy Weekend Everyone!!
As for me, I'll be inside away from the heat, trying to breathe, sewing and knitting! :)

Sock-it-to-me-Thursday!

Hi!! No WIP it Wednesday this week. I mean...heck you've seen all my WIP's for weeks, and I was also busy trying to breath...darned weather...new inhaler, meds..urgh! Anyways....I present to you................. (picture heavy post here!)


Plain Vanilla socks using Fingering-weight Toe-up gusset Heel Sock Pattern from Wendy Knits. I'm sending you to the patterns page, as I don't think I'm supposed to link to pdf's (why is that, something with servers/bandwidth?? Not complaining, I just don't want to mess with somebody's site.)
Sunshine Yarns Gryffindor Colorway
Size US 1's Addi circs. 1 2-circs, 1 ML

I had a bit of problem with the yarn, most likely due to a lot of frogging of the first tried YO short row heel, and the fact that I started these socks in March while waiting at the airport to go to Seattle as cuff down. Many problems with the needles I was using (Inox gray's are a pain with that angled join area) so it got set aside for a bit. (like 2 months!) They didn't want to be cuff down at all!!

So I started as toe up and after first heel attempt, went to Wendy's heel pattern and it was perfect. I had previously cut 1 yellow repeat out for the heel, so onward to the heel. Yikes, I really needed to cut "both" yellow repeats. Remember when I said I'd leave that 1 yellow stripe....well I didn't!

I love this heel, a great option when I can't get the YO short row heel to work with the yarn, needles, or just me! Thank you Wendy!

See that nice heel!!

Sock 2 just breezed along, only had to cut the yarn 1 time to match the heel area! Unlike Sock 1, which had like 8 ends to weave in...gah! I'm learning still!




Now the toes...Remember I had to rip out like 3" of the toe of Sock 1...no wonder Sock 2 breezed by, I did all the screw ups on 1!


Ok, now before everyone says, don't point out your mistakes...I'm only doing this as it may help someone. The Sock on the left is the ripped toe that was toe-up. I did a regular toe once I ripped, (which was not fun!) and it is more rounded than Sock 2 on the right. Now normally, um..er..I can be pretty "particular" about stuff like this...but this time..nope! ;) These needed to get done!! Onward to Sockapalooza 4's...more on those later!

SAM4 is starting in August! Sign up now! I've been a member since 1 and it really challenges me sometimes to get at least 1 pair completed in a month! This time I volunteered to help out. Which I'm pretty glad as I'm learning how to do more blogging, computer, geeky stuff.

If you lasted this long thanks! Also, thanks to a few of you who calmed me down when I was about to cut these socks into itty, bitty pieces!

Catching up!

Bezzie tagged Kay, who tagged me to show our sock drawer. Hehehe, I'm only showing my handknit drawer cause the other one is a mess!



A few pairs are in the wash. A few have been gifted and/or "borrowed" by my daughter! Oh, and 1 pair in there I didn't knit!

So, who to tag! Pam, Anna, Kelly, and Shannon!!

YPF.....The Smooshy Edition

It's all Jen's fault. I know I saw this yarn and colorway on her blog (can't find the post though) and just drooled! Well, anyhow! Early one insomniac morning, I scored this skein at ^%&& , sorry I can't tell you, I promised Carrie I wouldn't enable her anymore! ;)


Dream in Color Smooshy Sock Yarn
Cocoa Kiss Colorway


This is unbelievablely so soft!


Talk about chocolately goodness!

That is all folks, sew much sewing and knitting to do. Yikes...I can do it!!

Momma Monkey was my Knitty Spring Fling pal and made me the bag on the left. She even named it after me, how cool!! When she launched her Etsy store I had no idea that there were more of them, let alone the name. So I "had" to get a partner for mine, this way when I do my socks simultaneously, I can just grab one bag.

So if you are looking for an awesome sock/project bag, check her out, she's having an update today.

WIP Wednesday

Well, we almost made it!! Daughter went to the movie today and due to circumstances beyond my control (ugh, work-oncall this past weekend, overtime..sigh), um reknitting the cuff on sock 1, 3 times, splittin' yarns, um...frogging 2" of toe... Need I say more?


I have to admit, the frogging of the toe of sock 1, was a PIA, but it really looks good, and the best part, it fits her well! So far Sock 2 is going well! I only had to frog once to start the heel gusset increases as I had knit too far. I guess I thought she had larger feet than I!

So now that I have a week, and this is at the official mindless, in the car, waiting everywhere knitting point. Casting on of Sockapalooza Socks commences tomorrow. Yeah, I know, I know, only 2 weeks..I can do it...I have Wollmeise ;)

The quiet is over....

Yep, the family is back, the cat is happy her mom is home and celebrated by her usual over eating and um..well let's be nice, uneating...she didn't do that with me all week! The dog is happy her smelly daddy is home too, I guess my clothes just don't have the "scent"!

Thanks for all the Birthday wishes! Here's a picture of my Maine loot!


Country Kitchen Doughnuts-my favorite!! I grew up with these and some always come home with me. There is an even better place that makes fresh ones, sadly they were closed all week for the 4th, so these will do til the next trip! Balsam fir candle and pillow! One of the scents I miss the most! Maple candy, yummy!!

FIL and SIL, thought I missed the skunks from Maine and needed something to remind me!

Here's the hat in full pose.

Looks great, huh, especially with my cloud PJ's!

I had DD try on her Gryffindor socks...um..can you say, too long! I'm about to frog the toe back to the needle, and reknit a standard toe. Oh well, I also have to redo the bind off for the 3rd time. The knit 2tog, put one back on the needle and repeat, too tight, BO in pattern, too tight, new bind off will be in pattern on size 3 needles, 2 needle sizes up, and better work. Luckily, she tried on Sock 2 and I'll be starting that heel on Monday.

Have I told you yet, I am sick of knitting these!! I....will....finish....by...Wed...!!! If it kills me, I want them off the needles and on her feet!! Gah!

See this, probably the only sock swatch you'll ever see me knit. Hmm..below the marker on the right, size US2, above the marker US1's...same stitch count. So, since I really think the 1's will be a firmer fabric, going to use the 1's. This yarn is amazing!! I knit the swatch out of what was left after I had to cut a massive knot while winding. Just the right amount.


So, if you don't see me for a while...you know what I'll be doing, finishing the G'socks, starting Sockapalooza socks and......sewing like crazy! Well, see ya Wednesday anyways! :)

7-7-07

An interesting day to say the least! Many will marry today, celebrate milestones, etc. As for me, I'll celebrate my 29th Birthday! (yeah, it's my story and I'm stickin' to it! ;)

So, hubby and kids are on their way home with my gifts from Maine...can you say doughnuts, and LL Bean, and who knows what else.

My gift to myself is..................check these out!!!


Chuck Taylors with Sheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ok, it's the kid in me, these may not excite others, but oh well!

They are mine and I love them....

ETA: I got my at my local mall at the adult Journeys store. I guess you can get yours online! Oh Gosh, I shouldn't have checked there, I see about 4 more pairs I'd love to have! Yikes!

Yarn Pr0n Friday

Colinette Jitterbug in Bright Charcoal









I just love all the colors here! I have a few skeins of this brand and have been warned to knit toe up. Some people have been having problems. Hoping I don't, but with any yarns, it does happen.

My week has been quiet, mostly been recovering, but I do sound better. :)

WIP Wednesday

Hi all! Still alive here! I've been catching up on some much needed rest the last day or so! Even got up late today!

As you can see, almost on the ribbing of Gryffindor Sock 1, the toe of sock 2 is at the upper right corner of the sock blocker! 1 ball of yarn left, and I have an angel in the wings with leftovers should I need it! (I should know by Friday for you to mail it!) Hoping to be done by the 11th or 12th when she goes to the movie, not sure though. Should go quick as I'm not having heel dilemmas and ripping out 10 times.....wish me luck!



I've swatched last week and cast on for my Ribby Shell! I got the yarn for this last year! Dale Svale in blue! I will finish this before the end of summer!!! Well, here in NC I can usually wear this until October!



Status on other WIP's the same...too much sewing being done, not quick enough for me gah!!! About to start extreme sock knitting today with a bit of ribby shell in for change!! Bye!

An FO!

Elann Esprit in Carribean Breeze
Pattern by Cristi
I did use the Eye of Partridge heel for a change, not too bad! I also used her star toe instructions. I like that toe a lot!

Despite being sick, finished them for our June SAM KAL.

The yarn is ok, a bit tinier then Fixation, but this one ball had 2 knots!! A bit of cuff problem, as the first one was 48 sts and a bit loose, but the rest of the sock fits well. Sock 2 got frogged as I went down to 38 stitches for the cuff and didn't increase for the rest of the sock. So I had to do a few increase rows to get it up to 48 sts as that really feels good on the feet part.

Oh well, back to bed!

ETA: Well now I can barely talk, sound all squeaky! Throat isn't sore anymore! :) The family is on their little adventure and I'm hoping to get a lot accomplished. Have a ton of sewing and knitting to do!! If you are by my house and hear some needle flying...have fun seeing which ones! ;)