A finished sock..

that I'm actually happy with! After much battling with another yarn and other patterns I decided to go it alone. I grabbed some lovely Art yarns superwash from the stash and decided to make up my own pattern. Is it revolutionary? No. Is it fabulous much like Cookie's? Nope. Is it simple and lovely all the same? Absolutely.

I won't give specifics yet since these are not for me. Sadly this is the best picture I could get. VERY hard to even see the pattern up top and the color is washed out in a bizzare way. Off the foot....well it leaves much to be desired. :) I hope the giftee likes it (them). Her foot is slightly larger than mine and I hope it fits her as well as it did me. I'm worried it might be a tad snug. I've had so many issues fit wise that I really hope that's not the case. Must not think about it!

Still icky?

It was the husband's birthday and as a gift he got a digital camera/recorder. To "test" it out I naturally snapped pictures of knitting. I can't stand these shoddy cell phone pictures. Notice, I said pictures. Yes multiple. Will you see them all? No. I managed to get one good one and it happens to be of the one I was wanting to show anyway. I do have some sock pictures....one finished and one finished but frogged and being redone in a different form. The finished one has been done for sometime and is ok. I like the fit but it's basically a tube sock. It doesn't feel like a real sock to me for that reason. Silly I know. It was done toe up and I am still having issues with my bind off on them. I only have one of two done. The other sock is a mystery sock. The only details I am going to share are this: it is done toe up, my own dorky ass pattern, I originally did a heel on it but have frogged it and am going to make it a tube style one. The fit and everything will be far better for it I think.

I finally restarted the ugly newborn PP's. I had frogged the night I blogged but never started it again. I was depressed about it. I'm just not sure about this yarn. If I remember right it's Punk Rock Girl and while it's cute it's not my kind of cute. I have seen other versions of this colorwayand mine seems VERY faded and dull. It's dissapointing.

I admit, it's a TON better with the black trim. In person the black doesn't look as odd as it does here. I asked the man here if it still looked dirty and he said no so there may be hope. I'm just not in love with it though. I think they will become actual longies and hopefully they will grow on me. If not, oh well. I'm just happy they aren't a larger size and take longer to knit. Two or three days of tv knitting is nothing. Oddly enough, my gauge on both yarns is the same. usually my body yarn is thicker so it's just a tad off. This however is the same even though the black is Cascade 220 (I think....seems all my solid yarn is these days) and the other is not.

I need to get going on covers. I have about 12 weeks left and have one pair done. That's it. Well one and a half is you count the above pair. Remember my "goal"? I do. 4 pairs of PP (either shorties or longies....probably 2 of each) and 4 wraps. I have one pair of PP. What does that leave me with? A lot of knitting.

Some yarn

STATS:
2 ply
Spun on a drop spindle
Roving was part of a kit (as was the spindle...not my standard Schacht) bought from here!

Overall, not sure I like it. There was a bit of a mess in the middle which resulted in some hacking. The ball, therefore, is much smaller. Not as in love with it after that happened as I was before hand. I also have quite a bit left over from one single. Not sure how that happened since they were thesame amounts of roving. I'm thinking I spun thinner on one and therefore made it longer. Who knows?! Thinking about the entire process of it just makes me mad. It did not go as smoothly as it should have. I have had nothing but issues with this set since the beginning. The purple was wiry hairy as I spun it, the blue (or the greenish looking one in the link above..it was blue with green undertones) dyed my hands and made them itch. The white was gifted to a Waldofer with the intent of being something doll related. I have been avoiding this last ball for sometime because of those first two I worked up. I should have kept it in the closet. There are so many new spinners on Mothering lately though that I felt inspired and was itchin' to get some spinning done (and you know...it was another way to avoid some other projects that needed done). I should have spun my merino instead.

If I canmanage to get over the desire to toss the ball in the washer on hot I think this will become a hat for the new babe. Maybe....if I have enough. I hacked out quite a bit.

When it's ugly...

frog it.

I started a pair of newborn Picky Pants (yes another pair) and decided to use up my Punk Rock colorway. In the ball it's not so bad but knit up I'm not sure. I wanted it to be a darker purple (and certain WAHM's have made it darker....this was donated so I only know the colorway....not the yarn or who did it or anything else) and had forgotten it's not. I used this for another project (the one it was donated for) but didn't use a lot of it as the recipient wanted something more gender neutral. Apparently the time between then and now was enough to make me forget how not in love with this I am.

I decided to use it anyway and once again wanted that contrasting cuffs and waist. Since this wasn't a dark enough purple I had to use a different color (not that I have a solid purple anyway).. I didn't realize there was any pink in it but that wouldn't have mattered. The amount in the yarn is so minute if I had chosen a solid pink it would look silly. To me at least. So I went for the next color....white/cream.

Bad picture quality but it gets the point across. It's ugly. It's pastel. And as the husband says, "Looks dirty already". That right there is about 3 days worth of knitting. Newborn size. They should be done but I am so not thrilled with it that I have avoided it. I think I can manage, if I force myself, 10 rounds a day but that's pushin' it. Today I managed 1.5.

The wee one has switched up her bedtime and is going to be earlier lately so now I am left with knitting time at night and an ugly, uninspiring project. When she woke up, I went in to nurse her and I got to thinking about the other yarn combos I have been wanting to use and it dawned on me. I have black. I have black! The ugly item has been frogged and the waist is about to be restarted in black. I think it'll give me that pop I wanted colorwise. I obviously can't rely on the main yarn to do it.

I seem to be on a purple kick. Socks, newborn PP, small PP, the ugly pair (I swear once the black is used I will not refer to it as the ugly pair).....when I grabbed my black out of the closet I took a quick inventory so I could hypothetically plan future projects and realized I have 2 skeins of Art Yarns superwash in purple, my Regia has purple, my sock bag swap yarn has purple. The funny thing? I am having an ongoing love affair with RED. How is it I have so much purple? Good thing I am in love with it all.

The apron was a hit apparently. We ended up leaving early due to a chocolate/jealousy induced fit but I was told it was well received. I tried it on my little gal the night before the party and it fit great. I can't wait to see it on the actual person it was for. :)

Insomnia, a working husband, and a sleeping child: spin, knit a sock, or restart the ugly pair..what to do, what to do?

Child's apron

I've decided to go ahead and share it. I am tempted to submit it to Knitty or something but since it's my "first" I don't think I will. :)

Toddler waist apron
*This pattern is worked flat*

Body:
Cast on 40 stitches.
Work in garter stitch for 4 rows or until you have a waistband width you like.

*The rest of the pattern is done in stck.*

Row 1 and all odd numbered rows- slip first AND last stitch on every purl row.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows- kfb on first AND last stitch on every even row.

Continue in pattern until you have increased to 80 total stitches. You will want to end with a purl row.

Work in stockinette slipping first AND last stitch on every purl row until an inch before desired length.

Starting with a knit row begin ruffle as follows:
Row 1: *k1, kfb* repeat from *
Row 2: purl remembering to slip first AND last stitch
Row 3: knit
Row 4: *p2, pfb* repeat from *
Row 5: knit
Row 6: purl
Row 7: *k3, kfb* repeat from *
Row 8: purl

Bind off in desired method.

Weave in ends.

Ties
Pick up five (5) stitches at edge of waistband. NOTE: If you made a wider waistband you may need to pick up more stitches. I found it made a stronger connection to pick up one stitch below the wasitband to help anchor it.
Knit every row until desired length (I have 57 garter ridges on each tie).
Bind off in desired method.

Repeat on other side of waistband for the second tie.
Remeber to count your rows so that the ties are of equal length.
Weave in ends. I use the cast on tail on each tie and go back to reinforce my connection.

Wash in warm/cold and block.

So there you have it! I'm pretty sure I got it all but if there are questions feel free to ask. This is the first time and I jsut wrote all that down from memory. I kind of failed to write notes as I went. :)

A little knit apron

I finished it up this afternoon! I couldn't sleep last night so after I got the wee one in bed (at a very late midnight) I stayed up and finished the body. Then this afternoon I weaved in ends and finished up the ties. It's currently blocking and looks so darn cute!

Pictures kind of suck but that's what you get. :)

Specs:

size 8 needles

Sugar/Peaches and Cream (can't remember and the tag is gone)

Pattern is my own.

Super easy and quick to knit. Took maybe 6-8 hours total? It was spread out very randomly so I can't be sure. I'm thinking of making a couple more for various little gals. It doesn't use a ton of yarn. I just wound up a ball of my cone. I stopped winding when the base was completely covered. I didn't use the whole ball so it takes very little yarn.

I'm itchin' to knit some covers but am trying to hold bback until I finish the second sock. I need to work on the hubby's birthday socks too. They aren't going to be done in time for his actual birthday though. Unless a miracle happens and my fingers start knitting in my sleep.

Gah.

I do not normally have an issue with gauge. In fact even when I don't check my gauge I am pretty dead on.

I just recently finished up a sock. The only thing I changed was the amount of my cast on. The pattern called for 48 for a woman's sock. I did 64 and worked it toe up. Same size needles and I still managed to get gauge. I followed the pattern exctly except for the toe (since I did it toe up using my standard magic cast on) and I did less ribbing on the cuff. The body (the actual portion with the pattern) should have been 13 inches with a grand total of 18 inches cuff to toe. Since I altered those I focused mainly on the body portion. It's quite a bit shorter. I'm not sure how as I worked the 7.5 pattern repeats WITH correct gauge. Why is it shorter? It doesn't effect the fit of the sock much since it still fits but good grief why the hell is it shorter! It has made me not want to start the second one. I will jsut to get them finished but if it ends up the same way or is closer to the real length I'm going to rethink using this pattern. Maybe it's my dinky yarn.

I am undecided about a pattern. I am making something for a birthday party and am just winging it pattern wise. I thought I was being super unique but after seeing an FO on another blog (an FO on something totally unrelated!) I think I may not be so much so. :) If that's the case then my problem is solved. However, if the pattern is unique I am debating sharing it right off the bat or submitting it some online source. It's nothing super splendid but it might be neat to have it published you know? I guess I'lll finish it up, contact the author of the pattern that seems similar to double check I'm not inadvertantly copying, and then decide from there.

I haven't really been progressing on anything. The wee one has a birthday coming up and instead of knitting her something I sat down and made her some dollhouse furniture. I cannot tell you how stressful that kind of crafting is for me. Knitting is by far more relaxing and ideal for my person. :)

The list redone

* finish Wyvern socks- This is no longer Wyvern and is an entirely new pattern altogether. finish last 2.5 ronds and then start second sock.
* start on play food for the wee one's upcoming birthday..after all a kitchen themed birthday needs food.- Again no longer. Not kitchen themed but instead a lovely little dollhouse. Am tempted to knit something but honestly, that may be a bit much. :)
* start the husbands birthday socks- Swatched but not an entire 4 inch piece nor with any pattern in mind.
* possibly start the husbands birthday beanie/hat- Maybe not. :)
* swatch for Bonsai Tunic- Swatched and thrown to the back of my closet due to anger issues.
* swatch for afgahn and plan basic construction and figure out numbers- Also in back of said closet.
* work on newborn wool stash- Work on GIRL newborn stash.
* work on small wool stash- Can continue without worrying about using gn colors for future users. :)

The Magic Cast On

I was just reading tthrough my blogs and finished up a post about socks over at Vera's Crafty Blog. She took a workshop in them and like most other blogs I have read about learning socks toe up she was taught how to do it with a provisional crochet cast. Later on in the toe you zip it out and pick up the stitches. It's not too difficult.

I decided to take a break from my own sock though and come share the wonders of the one I prefer for EVERYTHING. I have posted more than one comment on blogs regarding this and decided that since I do it so often maybe I should blog about it. I doubt I have a high readership but it can't hurt right?

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html

The Magic Cast On. The Easy Way. The Simple Way. Ok, enough. I posted awhile back (on MDC) when I was getting into the flow of things regarding toe up socks looking for a nice and easy cast on. I despise using provisional cast on (hence the reason Katja never got finished) and I didn't want to do short rows. I have tried many ways and used many pictoral guides. Nothing was working and I just got frustrated.

Someone pointed me to that article and I have not looked back since. You can use it with circs or DPN's so it doesn't matter how you do your socks! I used it just recently for some knit toys. It's universal in that regard. I was worried about getting a pointy toe. Every pattern I have ever read has you decrease down to nothing (like 12) and the end result is way too pointy in my opinion. One of the pluses of doing socks toe up is you can sie as you go. For me I have found the perfect toe. AND I received help on getting the formula down for getting a non pointy toe. Basically cast on 24 stitches total (12 each needle) and increase every round per directions until you reach 48. Increase every other round per directions until you reach 60. Voila! 24 seems to be a good starting number (for me at least).

So there you have it. My self proclaimed love affair with a fabulous cast on. Why don't more knitters speak of this!? I'm not sure many know about it. Tis a shame.

That said, my sock is coming along pretty quick. I am on the third repeat out of 6. I'm not sure about it though. I love it so far. Simple, easy to memorize, nice pattern. It's making for some floppiness on my needles though. I imagine ost of that is due to my insanely used yarn at this point though. I am beyond the portion that has been overworked and am now simply into the portion that has been worked. :) I have no pictures for a couple reasons. 1. the recipient has no idea about this sock so it must remain a secret. Well she does but at the same time she doesn't. 2. I can't find the charger cable for my damn camera and the cell phone sucks in regards to picture quality. This is something that needs to be captured in it's simple fanciness.

Last month was my birthday and the ONLY yarn I got was from Dawn. Wanna know what I got? Regia SILK sock yarn. SILK! She keeps asking for it back in a passive agressive way ;) since it is so fabulous but I have plans for this stuff. I cannot wait to knit ME some socks. SILK socks for ME. Oh yeah.

I went to the bookstore the other day to get the Favorite Socks: 25 patterns from Interweave and wouldn't you know it? It wasn't even there yet! It was on it's way but not there. I have been lusting after this book since i picked it up. I saw it mentioned a few other places but wasn't captivated. This is one of those books that need to be seen in person. To be fondled and lovingly read. I had to leave with a sock book though. I had to. :) The only other one that I have been avoiding (!!!) and even contemplating getting was there. I say avoiding for a couple reasons. the first being I am extremely shallow at times. The picture of the author was not a selling point for me. I know but it's true! The second (and honestly the main reason) reason was because the patterns seemed to be very old and I couldn't get beyond that. I didn't want something that was going to be hideous. A good portion of yarn/knitting related books seem to pick outdated and horrible colors to show off patterns and stitches. I expected this book to be very much the same way. I bucked up though and got it. What book? Knitting Vintage Socks: New Twists on Classic Patterns by Nancy Bush. I am so happy with it! My Regia Silk is destined for one of the patterns in it. I have yet to decide on one since many of the patterns would be flattering to the yarn. Grumperina seems to make many socks from this book and I have to admit that helped with my decision.

Pictures to come!

PSA: Yarn looses body

In case you are curious...if you frog Wildfoote yarn twice and reknit it for the third time it's loose. There is no body to it....just a limp, lifeless form.

Don't be too sad though! After you get a good portion into it parts that have not been as worked spring back in.

Knitting deadline ADD

I am going to finally admit it. I have knitting ADD. Look at all my "to knit" lists and very few are ever totally completed. I just am too scattered. No biggie, things get done. Things on a deadline though.....I can't think of anything off the top of my head that was done on time. I am restarting yet another project that should be done already. I'm not only restarting it but I am changing the pattern even!

I swatched for the Bonsai Tunic. I had started a swatch on 6's for an entirely different project a night or two before I swatched for the Bonsai. I was hopeful since this yarn on 6's was close to what I needed for the Bonsai. I grabbed a different color in the same yarn (just plain ol Sugar and Cream cotton) and the right sized needles and went about doing a true swatch. The other S&C swatch was my first genuine one so I was hopeful this yarn would work for this pattern. Not even close! I have too many stitches and way too many rows. If I were brave I would say screw it and do it anyway since the stitch count isn't too off. I know better though. 2 stitches off in a 4 inch sqaure is going to add some bulk. 2-4 rows too many and this garment is going to be huge. Why not alter it? Simple. I suck at math and do not feel comfy refiguring numbers. I was already going to be altering the front of the pattern to allow for a belly but that was as far as I wanted to go altering wise. I want to use Tatamy Tweed (by Kraemer Yarns) but think it is still wrong on gauge. I don't want to change needle sizes. I just want to find a yarn that works and go from there. Plus I'm not sure any LYS around me have Tatamy Tweed. So the Bonsai will wait. At least until I find a suitable yarn or don't give a shit and do it anyway. That one is likely to happen first. :)

I also swatched for the damn boucle afgahn. Boucle, dear readers, is the devil. I have used some finicky yarns but this.....this is like self imposed constipation topped with gas that makes you run for the bathroom "just in case". Dead serious. I really don't want a huge afgahn of just garter ridges but at the rate this is going I may have to. My patterns aren't that lacy but it still isn't working! I hate boucle....but I want these colors!

A list...

because we all one. :)

* finish Wyvern socks
* start on play food for the wee one's upcoming birthday..after all a kitchen themed birthday needs food.
* start the husbands birthday socks
* possibly start the hsbands birthday beanie/hat
* swatch for Bonsai Tunic
* swatch for afgahn and plan basic construction and figure out numbers
* work on newborn wool stash
* work on small wool stash

I think that's it....maybe....for now. :)

Monkey socks

Yeah. I have a pair. In the most fabulous Fleece Artist yarn. Oh the softness that is in these socks is to die for! I have already washed them a couple times. Mainly because I've worn them a lot but also because of one gross incident of toddler throw up.

The picture is kind of hard to see detail but it's a bag, some chocolate (which was KILLER!), yarn, little mesh baggies things that smell heavenly, gummy worms, and the socks. The socks are a tad big on me even after a few washings and dryer cycles. I don't care though. Which is odd for me since I am a tad neurotic but the fabulousness of these outweighs any fit issues.

I still haven't sent off thise persons socks. I know. Take away my needles until I do it but she knows and I sent her a message last night. Boy do I have a package in mind for her! I can't tell what will be in it until she gets it but oh boy! I would be thrilled to get something like this. :)

Another pair finished up!

Stats:
Size small
Cascade 220 and Manos
1x1 ribbing
Crochet drawstring
Backside increases only
Ruffle cuff

These took me about two days start to finish. I actually weaved in my ends. Truely. No shortcuts. Every single freaking end. I can't wait for the wee one to wake up so I can try them on her. I did use the remaining yarn from the newborn pair to make these. So it is entirely possible to get a size small and a size newborn from one skein of Manos and one skein of Cascade 220. I was worried I wouldn't have enough Manos hence the long waist band and body portion in the Cascade. When I split for the legs I unraveled the rest of the Manos and crocheted my drawstring. I ended up making it super long on accident but it worked itself out in the end. After I got the drawstring done I folded the remaining yarn in half and cut. I got the exact same amount of purple on both legs!! I was worried I might have one or two rows less on one side in the purple which would irritate me to no end. :) In the end one leg is shorter but only in the cuff portion. I finished these up after midnight last night and miscounted when to bind off. Not a big deal since you can't really tell (and if you can, be quiet!). Once I got done with the first leg done I realized I hadn't taken into account the yarn needed to seam the crotch. I reweaved in the drawstring and shortened that length since it was way too long. I used the excess of that to seam them up. Everything worked out shockingly well. I admit I was not sure these would work out and that I would need to frog back and rethink the general set up. Luckily I didn't.

Wake up child!!!

REAL knitting content WITH pictures

Hard to believe I know but it's true.

I finished up a sock the other day and felt motivated to do something else. I decided I'd start on a pair of newborn shorts for the new babe. It helped that Hyena Cart had some gorgeous stuff listed...lots of motivation. So I cast on. The total time was about a day. That's the joy of newborn knitting I tell ya'. I have plans to do four wraps and four pairs of shorts. They are so far going to be all newborn but I may end up doing a couple smalls as well. The neat thing is I have enough yarn left over to make a pair for the weeone already here. :) I had no tapestry needle yesterday when I was finnishing though so I used my interchangables needle locking key. I have to say this is my best crotch so far! :)

Specs:

Solid yarn is Cascade 220 and the purple is Manos.

1x1 ribbing with a crocheted drawstring

Backside increases only

Garter ridge cuffing with I cord bind off (super stretchy and FABULOUS)

Not sure why it spaced everything like that. I tried to get it to stop but it didn't work. Anyway, I love love love these shorts. I am actually excited to do some more. Not all my yarn is here as we are still in transition so I only have what I packed. I do have another set of yarn but I am thinking it may be too girly. It's a chocolate brown and a redish swirly color. I bought it because it made me think of chocolate covered raspberries when I set the two next to each other. The red is pretty dar but still bordering on pink. I'm still pondering it. I have no problem putting a boy in pink. :) Ahh the drawbacks of not finding out the gender.

Pokey pokey

:) I won't repeat myself. I'm sure all blog readers are tired of hearing me say I'm slowly knitting. So I won't say it. Even though it's true. ;)

Tonight we (the family) all went to the bookstore and naturally I went to the knittinng books. I ALMOST came out with the Interweave socks book. Almost because the husband "needed" a book that all by itself was 30 bucks. Not a big deal but mine was 23 and we still wanted to go get dinner. I let him get his since I do have plenty of knitting books....and there were only three or four patterns I would actually knit. :) Beautiful socks though and I WILL get that book.

We were driving around today and by accident stumbled upon Knit Cafe (the store!). We had plans already so we couldn't stop but I may have to visit there and the bookstore and be truely blissed out. The husband owes me. Oddly enough we accidentally found another knitting store the other day just by driving around. It never even dawned on me to actually look for them. Silly me.

I finished up a sock yesterday but can't find my damn tapestry needle. I am almost tempted to do the star looking bind off but it's on the heel and I can't bring myself to do it. I have 24 stitches total just waiting to be done and two ends waiting to be woven and I can't do them!! I'm heartbroken over here. Especially since I want to use the needles and can't find my stitch holder either. TIP: If you want to find knitting goodies a toddler is not compatible to your knitting bag.

I started a headband type thing the other night. When Panta was all the rage over at MDC I was tempted but never felt I could pull it off. Since getting a stylish new haircut and being in a rather warm and sunny climate I have felt the need to be trnedy in this sense. I am picky though and instead of picking a pattern I went through a few and decided to make my own. I haven't gotten very far in it since I was desiging as I was knitting but I think the final draft is all good and done and now I need to frog backa bit and restart. I'm actually looking forward to it...a quick and simple knit done in some basic cotton. I want something with lace though and while it's been factored in I'm still a newbie to lace and not sure how to work it. There is a lace pattern in the Interweave book that I LOVE. I want to make a lot of things with it and am thinking I will figure it out and incorprate it into this. It would look nice (FYI it's the ankle socks done in green with an orange strip and double strand yarn...I would marry whoever has the book and would share that lace repeat with me!).

Still no pictures. We have decided the monster that is our car has eaten the camera cord and we will need to buy a new one. It's for the best. If we really went looking for it I would either 1. show up missing and never update the blog again or 2. become a widow. Dead serious...maybe if you are lucky I'll take a picture of our trunk (I offer this tidbit of goodness since it's the most clean) and let you see how horrifying it is. Maybe. If I can stand the embarrassment....and if the husband doesn't forbid the public showing. :)

Slowly...oh so slowly

Still here. Next week I am on my way to California for.....wait for it....a month. Yeah. So much for going home. :)

I was soooo close to being done sock wise for my Knitty sock swap. I finished it up and compared the two works of art lovingly. And you know what? Remember all that fretting about how I wasn't sure because of my partner's heel measurement but I went ahead and finished the first sock anyway? It bit me in the butt. It was too small. How do I know? Besides the irritating fit issues I was having, when I made the other one I did the right size. And there is no way the first sock was going to fit. Grumble. I am slowly redoing the first sock. I am getting my knit-ivation back and have gotten through the first half of the foot. I need 6 pattern repeats before the heel and I am on number 3. I have been knitting on the toilet (oh the possibilities!) while the wee one takes a bath. She gets to play until she wants washed and I get to knit. It works out great. I'm hoping to get this finished and in the mail before next Wednesday.

Other than that there is no knitting. No washrags out of the cotton I bought, no baby things out of the wool I packed...nothin'. Maybe finishing these up will spur me.

I'm alive!

I'm here. There was a change in plans and I am still visiting family. The husband ha some business to attend to and so off he drove to California where he gets to frolick in the sun with a stupid friend. Yes. I am slightly jealous at all he ahs told me today.

That said, there has been NO knitting going on. Attaching hair to the doll head has driven me up the wall. In an attempt to make the hair look fuller I chose two colors of brown (brown was requested) and knotted the ends together and just started pulling them on through. Good god it's never ending! I'm debating whether I should take some out...the plus side is the knotted end on the inside of the head allows for some extra stuffing which will make the head more stable. However, the doll is not large by any means. There is way too much hair here to be poportinate. I've put her head away and have banished her and her clothes and her body bits from my mind. I've done so well I haven't worked on it for about...oh...ummm.....two weeks maybe? I know.

I did get some cotton from a little store here in town. I have been itching to do some leafy type washrags and finally can. Has it been touched? Nope. I am suffering from a severe case of knitting blahs. No motivation. No desire. Not even a hint of a thought of knitting. I have thought about it the last couple nights..so much so that I hand wound a ball of yarn last night before bed. It was spurred by the fact that my knitty socks are on their way!!! Yay!!!! I cannot wait to get them and slip them onto my feet. Ahh the joy it will bring to me. :) Maybe it will inspire me. I am feeling the itch to get something going..not sure how long it will last. I have anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes to do something. After that it's off to dinner with the in laws. Maybe I'll cancel!

On vacation

Do not fret my pet, I am here and alive. I am simply on vacation so blogging will be rare for the next two weeks.

I finished the first Wyvern sock a day or so before we left (we've been here at "home" for 4 days about). I ended up needing to frog back on my bind off since it was still too tight. I had worn it to bed (no worries, I had clean feet!) in an attempt to stretch that part out but it didn't work. So I frogged back to the first round of cuff ribbing and increased four stitches hoping that would do the trick. That paired with the crochet bind off (single) helped but it's still too tight. I can fit it on my foot but her heel is about an inch larger. It needs to be stretchy. Not sure what else I can do without changing the shape/fit horribly through there so as of now it sits in the bottom of my bag. I do have pictures but will not be posting them here until both have been knit and sent and I know she has received them. I know, it's harsh but I have to maintain a surprise here.

I have been working on a doll (you know the one from Christmas? Yup, uh huh.) and am just about done. All I really packed for our trip was sock yarn so after that is all finished up it's on to socks. Well and some soakers. I did pack yarn for that.

New yarn and needles!

Woo hoo!



I got a ton of good knitting mail lately. First I had posted over on the MDC TP for some metal DPN's. I had started the lace portion of the sock (I can talk about it since I have changed what pattern I am using) and messed up. I tried to frog back but my needles were insanely small and delicate as was my yarn. I had to frog the ENTIRE thing. No biggie though. I found some needles and paid more than the mama wanted for them. In return she sent me some yarn that despite my better judegement screams to be my mom's and a book (It's My Party and I'll Knit If I Want To..hilarious!).



Then in the same day! I got my sock swap from the Townsend group. I got some gorgeous yarn, a gorgeous bag, a great pattern (which I am using right now), some HEAVENLY chocolates that has prompted the wee one to almost say chocolate...sounds more like choco, and a great big mug for hot drinks.



A few days ago I got a package from a friend and in it was a small ball of yarn in some nice brown tones. Not sure what kind it is. I also got my Dashin Dachs sock yarn.



I know...slightly bad picture but I blame the weird lighting. :) From top left to right and then bottom left to right we have: Esmerelda Derby (included in my needles), unknown from friend, sock swap yarn (not sure what brand it is..I have two of them), and the Dashing Dachs.

And the BEST mail of all came yesterday and you know what it was? My magic ball swap!!! I ended up with the exact same yarn I got in my first swap which is hilarious I think. Same colorway and everything. Good thing I love it. ;)

I switched the pattern for my sock swap pal. I LOVE it. And since she may be reading this I will only post links. That way if she doesn't want to see she doesn't have to. Also if she wants to not read about it she should stop now! I did try it on for the pictures but have no fear! my feet are clean. :) They are slightly blurry...again, funky lighting.

Top

Bottom

The top is slightly hard to see the detail but it kind of looks like scales. I have seen another pattern like this (Wyvern is what I am using) but I can't remember where. The bottom is ribbed. Yeah. And I love that. I think I will do mine like that from now on. It creates a fit that is so much better and personalized than any I have tried so far! There is no worry about a lack of snugness and even if you beat the hell out of this by the end of the day you will still have a nice fit. Brilliant I say, just brilliant.