Oh, what a busy month! & December Socks

I finished Christmas shopping /wrapping early and that should have given me some "free" time, right? The month was full of busy-ness -- all good, but I'm still waiting for free time. I've been contemplating this and have decided that:

• I shouldn't be so selfish to expect ME time
• Spending time with people is more important than a clean house, etc. etc.
• I need to prioritize and schedule (really good at this at work, and not at all good at this away from it)

On the other hand, knitting IS 'me' time and I have been knitting all month - while visiting, waiting (in waiting rooms, in the car waiting for my DD to get off work), etc. I finish a pair of socks:

Pattern: Celtic Spirit from Sock Club by Charlene Schurch & Beth Parrott
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Sapphire Heather
Needles: Size 1 [US] /2.25mm; two circs
Knit for: DD1

Click on the photo for a closer view of the pattern.

2010 November Socks

This pair was finished early this month, but I forgot to get a photo of them before Sport and family moved out of town. But, when I visited last week the socks were sent back home with me - they'd shrunk in the laundry.

A cool soak with fabric softener and a blocking session - and Yay! They fit Sport again. He visited yesterday, and I tried to send the socks home with him. But he wanted to keep them at my house, because "Mama doesn't know how to wash them."

SO...since I had several pairs in need of a wash, we had a lesson in hand washing and air drying socks :-) Sport asked for the steps to be written down "with everything in words." Later, he happily took the socks and his detailed washing instructions home with him.

Pattern: Garter Rib version of Mix-and-Match Socks from Chrissy Gardiner's Toe-Up!

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX

Needles: US 1.5

Knit for: 7 year old Sport

OTN Update

1. A Christmas project - I hope to finish soon.

2. February Lady Sweater - I dig this out occasionally and I've worked to below the sleeve division. Woo Hoo! My goal is to finish it by... February 28, 2011. That might be possible :-)

3. Socks for DD1 - Using a top down pattern from Sock Club. Just finished row 9 at the top of the cuff.

Photos eventually.

Oh - argh - I forgot to get a photo of Sport's socks to post here & at SAM10. Now that they've moved I can't just walk next door with my camera anymore. [sniffle] I'll try to remember to take my camera along this weekend.

Way to go, Prince Charles!

Thanks to my non-knitting DD1 who passed along this article from the NY Times.

OFF the needles: I finished Sport's socks a few days ago and I'm hoping to get a photo of them on his feet this weekend.

Other news: Don't think I said that the grandsons (& their parents) moved last Saturday. Too far to visit everyday, but close enough to see them every weekend or two. I'm missing them a lot already. But... the plan is that each of them will spend a weekend with me once a month. This weekend is Sport's turn and Buster's will be in two weeks.

It's that time of the year

Halloween costumes for the grandsons:

Buster


















Sport



















And for the grand dogs, too! (Sorry, I can't tell the triplets apart...)

October 2010 socks & other updates

September was an incredibly busy month - so was August, July, June…. I tried to get this pair of socks finished by September 30^th, but - Hey, I’ve got an early submission for October :-)

Pattern: “Mix-and-Match Rib Sock Recipe” in Chrissy Gardiner’s Toe-Up!, using the Cable Rib version

Yarn: left over Paton's Kroy Socks FX in Clover Colors (see this post)

Needles: two circs, Size 2 US

Knit for: 5 year old Buster. They're about a 1/2 inch too long, but I'm thinking by March his feet will have grown that much.

Other Updates:

I’ve been knitting. Buster had asked for a scarf back in April, I think. I promised I’d have it done before it was cold. It’s cold and it’s done. Also made him a hat and a pair of mittens. I took him to Hobby Lobby and let him select from any of the “I Love This Yarn” varieties. [I know, I know… but, for a very busy mama with very active boys Easy Care was the most important.] Buster did a great job of picking out navy blue on his own. His winter coat is gray with navy trim. I used a waffle stitch pattern on his scarf.

Sport of course got to pick out his yarn. He selected a dark olive green. Also made a hat, scarf & mitts for him. I used a Mistake Rib pattern on his scarf.

On the Needles Update:

Finally CO for the February Lady Sweater! I bought the yarn on April 4, 2009. I love the color - Cascade 220 in #7811 Purple Jewel Heather. As I said in the post, I intended to get something burgundy (more reddish) and came home with Purple!! I’m knitting with an old 29” circ needle (my grandmother's) that has a very stiff cable (even after soaking in very hot water.) So, I’m going to go submit an order for several new circ needles - etc. (Probably not yarn, tho. My yarn totes are full already. Gotta get knitting!)

An August Birthday

Sport's 7th birthday was in August. We had a big family cookout at a state park for him. He's now in 2nd grade. Amazing that it's been seven years since I moved back here. I've probably said it before in one of these posts, but I'll say it again -- I miss the mountains and the mild weather of the Front Range. But, I'm glad I gave that up to live close to family. Sniff.

And not to leave out the little brother: Buster (now 5) started kindergarten and is happy to now be in a big kids' school.

PS - Happy BD to The Mama, too!

A political statement

I try to stay fairly neutral about politics and I'm a life-long independent voter, but DD2 (also known as The Mama) wore this T shirt to Sport's birthday picnic :-)

Click on photo for a larger version.

2010 August Socks

Busy month! Only had time for a quick pair that are destined for parts unknown and currently residing my my "charity" knitting bag. Yarn - leftover worsted weight Knit Pick's Tidepool Heather and some "natural" and something else. Probably Lion Wool or Patons's. Ball bands long gone.

A June Birthday

Buster turned 5 in June. He's getting tall and certainly not a "baby" anymore. If his eyes look a bit red, he was having an allergy day.












Big brother, Sport, reads the cards to Buster.

Did I say "tomorrow"?

I meant "in a few weeks."

I just looked at my blog and realized that I didn't post any photos from Buster's 5th bd. I will... one of these days. But, for now, here's a pair of socks I knit at the end of July for afghans 4 Afghans. Sent them off w/ a few w.w. pair I had saved up.

For now, I'm taking a break from a larger project and working on another pair to save for the next time a4A collects socks. Photo... one of these days.

Weather report: High temps and high humidity, flood warnings. What a summer!

End of the month update

Yes, I've been knitting. I even have some photos, but they are still on the camera. Maybe tomorrow I can post details. But, yes, I'm still here, still knitting and when not knitting, just plain busy. Heading out of town in a few minutes with a van full of kinfolk. :-}

July 2010 Socks

Finished this pair this morning and mailed them off to Colorado already. I remembered to include the ball band in the parcel, but forgot to make note of the color #.

Pattern: My own. Top down. CO 68 sts. with a ribbed leg (and upper foot) that includes a 4 st. cable down the center of both front & back. I adjusted the socks on the blockers to show the cable. (Enlarge to see)

Yarn: OPAL Cotton. #2092, I think. It's white and shades of denim.

Needles: 1[US] 2.25mm; two circs

Knit for: My DS in Colorado

June socks

Yay!

Pattern: Based on Yarnissima's Brainless (a Ravelry link). The legs are st st with just the cables up the side (set off by P2 on each side of the cable)

Yarn: Paton's Kroy Socks FX in Clover Colors

Needles: 1[US] 2.25mm; two circs

Knit for: My little (tall) Pud in SC

One skein had a hunk of bright orange that the other didn't have. Sure was fun watching the colors change.

These will be warm. You'll have to wear them while camping in the "mountains" :-)

FO and Weather

That would refer to Finished Objects - socks. They are drying on the sock blockers. Photo later.

Meanwhile, here's a photo my DD1 took yesterday with her Droid when she & her nephews (Sport & Buster) picked me up after work.

Buster said, referring to that roll cloud, "It looks like 3D!"

And the winner is...

I don't know yet. But, I'll be checking SAM9 later tonight (after hockey - Go BHawks!)

I fell in love with this colorway, but only bought one ball to send off to SAM9.

And the more I looked at it after getting it home, the less I wanted to part with it.

Kinda of a Frodo/Ring thing. Sorta.

Memorial Day

I grew up in a family that didn't do "cemetary-ing" on Memorial Day weekend. It might have started with my Great-Gran who said, "If you don't bring me flowers while I'm alive, don't bother when I'm dead." But, DD3 asked to go to one of the cemeteries in town where a whole room full of relatives are buried. So, we'll go later today.

It's been a busy week: out-of-state visitors, along with the requisite eating out; DD1's birthday & BD cookout; the first high school graduation of the youngest generation of the family (and he's off to the Army within the week!); a little knitting; etc.

DD3 stayed overnight and we (DD1, too) watched Operation Petticoat (Tony Curtis, Cary Grant.) I'd forgotten how funny it was. As the young folk say: I lmao :-)

No yarny photos - I'm doing another toe up pair [i know!] and I'm about half finished with them [2 socks on 2 circs.] My visiting sister from CO asked me to knit her a pair of socks, too. That's good, because I counted how many pair I've done for myself and I'm up to 15. I probably don't need anymore for a while.

Buster graduated from 4 yr old preschool. Here's a photo:

2010 May Socks

I received this yarn from a friend in England (Thanks D!) The balls felt so warm and soft & I knew I wanted to do a pair of socks with it, but wasn't sure the yardage would be enough.

So... Toe-Up! by Chrissy Gardiner to the rescue. I used the Non-shaped round toe and the Hybrid heel. The socks fit perfectly! I'm so tickled!!

Also wanted an easy pattern, so I just did a 4 stitch x 6 row cable up the center of the instep & leg. And to make sure I didn't run out of wool, I did the toes & the top of the leg ribbing in I Love This Wool in Winter White ( I think.)

Pattern: Mine with toe & heel help from Toe-Up!
Yarn: Rowan Tapestry in a purplish color (SH179) & I Love This Wool in Winter White
Needles: Size 3 [US] - two circs
Knit for: Me :-)

It's April and I have a New Pair of Socks!

...Or, how I learned to be friends with a wrapped stitch, toe-up pattern.

Pattern: "Gull Wing" which starts on pg 76 of Toe-Up! by Chrissy Gardiner
Yarn: Knit Picks Memories in Cape Cod
Needles: two size 1 [2.25] circs
Knit for: Me

The pattern says to use "your favorite toe up method." What do you do when you don't like toe up methods? I read over Chrissy's book and decided that she did a good job with directions & photos.

I didn't have to frog the toes. Not once! I followed the heel directions in the pattern. Evidently this is a "hybrid heel." I like it MUCH better than the normal wrapped stitch heel.

Yay! I'm so pleased that I'm casting on for my next pair yet this evening. I'll use worksheets included in the book to do the toe and a hybrid heel in a worsted weight. Details later. Not looking forward to winter, but I'll enjoy the warm socks when it gets here. :-)

My other blog

Have I mentioned this before? It's an international community effort: Midwest Meets Midlands. We've only had a few projects so far, but more are in the works...or recipe books.

I'm knitting, too. And yikes, I'm missing hockey - Go Pens! (Tomorrow it will be: Go B'Hawks!)

More on knitting later (socks, need you ask?)

Truckers Do It, too!

From the online Wall Street Journal What a great article!

2010 March Socks!

Finished these last evening :-) Specs:

Pattern: a varied rib over 72 st.
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Blue Violet Multi
Needles: Size 1 [US]/2.25mm
Knit for: DD3

And then I started a practice pair (child sized) of socks, using Chrissy Gardiner's "Toe-Up!" and the Syncopated Rib Boot Socks pattern. I think I have enough leftover Louet Gems worsted to make a small pair. Like I said Practice.

Yes, I've completed several pair of toe-up socks, but not happy with the wrapped method of toes and especially not happy with wrapped heels. Chrissy says a different heel is needed for high arched feet.

Earlier March Socks

I mailed these socks to my sister in SC on Tuesday and she received them today. :-)

Pattern: Paton's Spiral Tube Sock pattern
Yarn: Paton's Stretch Sock yarn in Plum (click on "free patterns" tab)
Needles: 2 [US] / 2.75mm - two circs



ETA photo sister took w/ socks on feet via her cell phone:

March Madness Socks!

I knit like crazy last night while watching the NCAA basketball tournament games. I'll admit that I'm not much of a basketball fan, but each March I follow the Big Event.

Since I know nothing at all about the teams, I fill my brackets out after the winners are announced. Saves a lot of erasing or scratching out :-)

I finished a pair of socks last weekend, but can't use them for SAM9. So will blog about them later. DD3 had a birthday this week, but the timing is only coincidental.

Pattern: a varied rib over 72 st.
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Blue Violet Multi
Needles: Size 1 [US]/2.25mm
Knit for: DD3

Oscar Knitting

I'm getting all set for an evening of Oscar watching and my plans are to knit -- SOCKS!

I know! Who woulda guessed? I've been working on a pair for my sister (mentioned at the bottom of this post.) I'm on the 2nd sock and just over 1/2 done with it. I'm sure there aren't many more stitches than in a "normal" sock, but these tube socks seem like they go on forever!

So, to change the pace, I've started a pair for DD3. They'll be top down, ribbed leg & instep, heel flap & gusset. These will be my March SAM9 socks. More about them later. Need to fix a cuppa Yorkshire Tea and then I'll get knitting.

Happy Oscar Watching to all :-)

2010 February Socks

My grandson called them "Weird." I call them warm. Got rid of a lot of little bits & bobs leftover from other sock projects. :-)

Curling and Purling

- and knitting, too.

I finished the Dove Moebius, but I'm very disappointed with it. How difficult are Ks and Ps and YOs? Well, actually my problem was with tension. I got gauge OK at the beginning, but while watching the various events, I lost focus on the tension. Many inches along I thought about frogging, but talked myself out of it figuring I could block it right.

Not going to bother blocking. (How do you block a moebius scarf anyway?) I'm going to to something I've never ever done before with a FO. I'm going to rip the whole thing out. (She takes a deep breath here.)

This project was going to be a Christmas '10 present, so I have time to figure out what I want to do. Reknit Dove or use a different pattern.

And then I looked at the Yarn Harlot's sweater. Makes my little, simple, but flawed scarf look mightily pathetic.

False starts

In the Olympic Games, too many false starts can get you disqualified. However, in the knitting Olympics, too many false starts just gets you closer to the Closing Ceremonies and less time to complete the project.

Argh. Friday evening, I cast on for the Dove moebius. I thought I had put a twist in it, but an inch of width later, I realized there wasn't a twist. Frogged. Cast on 159 sts again. Got 3 inches into the width and checked gauge again. Cor! Need a larger circ. AND... at this rate the yardage will give out before I cross the finished line, even with a larger needle. Frogged.

Cast on 159 sts AGAIN, this time on a size 9 circ. This looks better. But, I placed an order with Knit Picks for another skein of Andean Silk in Cream. Also ordered a book, Chrissy Gardiner's Toe Up!, because I'm still trying to conquer toe up socks.

Pre-Olympics FO

I was a test knitter for Kala over at Vegan Craftastic. Her Slippity Do Da Cowl is a quick & easy knit. Here's a photo of the finished project.

Yarn: Vanna's Choice in Purple Print and Dusty Purple.
Needle: Size 10 (6mm) 16" circular

No! NOT socks - Knitting Olympics Updated AGAIN

Changed my mind - no socks. I remembered another project I could do instead: the Dove Moebius Scarf & Hat. A free pattern at tahkistacycharles. Using Knit Picks; Andean Silk in cream.



I tried to post to Stephanie's web page about the change, but it's not showing up. Oh, well. She won't send the knitting police after me :-)

I just took a photo of the balls of yarn.

I owe, I owe, so off to work I go....

2010 Knitting Olympics

Change of plans. Not doing the Feb. Lady Sweater during the Olympics. Not since signing up for Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's 2010 Knitting Olympics. Rules state that the project has to be CO during the opening ceremony (was going to do that anyway.) Rules also state that the project must be finished before the end of the 2010 Olympics. That eliminates the sweater!!

So, I'll be doing socks for me :-) Yarn: OPAL Cotton 2008 in #2092, & using a "generic" pattern -- actually Stephanie's Step-by-Step Cheat Sheet for Socks (pg 144 of Knitting Rules.)

The socks will (and I emphasize WILL) be finished by February 28 - so they will also be my February SAM9 entry.

WooHoo!

I woke up early this a.m. with a sinus headache. The weather is changing - and not for the better. My first thought was, "Dang, I don't feel bad enough to call in sick at work." So, I got up, took some Rx and fixed a pot of strong coffee. Then I sat down at the computer to check emails & blogs. The first blog I checked was SAM9 and right at the top of the page I saw in Big Letters:

JAKKIMITCH

My first reaction was the same as I get when I look in the rear view mirror and see a squad car - Now What Did I Do?

It's all good, though! What I did was finish a pair of socks in January and post to the SAM9 blog. Yay! I won sock yarn & a circ. And I was just thinking last week that I need a pair of bright green socks. Double Yay!

OTN Update: One sock [refer to previous post] finished for my sister, 1" of second sock completed - that means 18" more till the toe decreases. :-| Photo eventually.

As Requested

My grandson, Buster, told me that he wanted mittens "outa the same yarn as my socks." Yeah, those Fern Rose Jacquards in the previous post. So, I bought a second ball of yarn, used double strands, and was able to match the color repeats fairly well. I didn't get a photo of Buster's mittens before he started wearing them. The mama says he loves the mitts and wears them all the time. He wore them over here a few days ago, but didn't want me to photograph them on his hands. So here they are - needing a good wash and a few fuzzy bits trimmed.

Sport said he wanted me to knit him a pair of mittens, too, but, he wanted to pick out different yarn. Surprisingly, he selected HL's I Love This Yarn in Boo Ombre. I used US 3 needles to get a tight fabric. This photo was taken before I gave them to him. He wore them to school last week :-)

Pattern: Panda Man's Paw Warmers as a guide.

OTN: another request (!) My sister in SC (recipient of a previous pair of socks) asked me to knit her a pair of tube socks. She sent yarn (actually enough for two pair) and pattern. Paton's Stretch Sock yarn in Plum & Paton's Spiral Tube Sock pattern (click on the "Free Patterns" tab.) She's tall, so I'm using the larger size -- knit 19" and then dec for toe. I've got 9" on the first sock done. Easy pattern, but 19"?? Hope the ball of yarn lasts!!

Grandsons' Socks

I knit these during November-December '09. I took the grandsons, separately, to HL and let them pick out the yarn for their socks.

6 yr old Sport selected Walk Away Sock Yarn in Pettitoes - a black, grey, white variegated yarn. 70% superwash wool, 23% polyamide, and 7% PBT [what's that?] This colorway fits him to a T.

I tried to steer 4 yr old Buster to several variations of blues, but he insisted on Patons' Kroy Socks in Fern Rose Jacquard. Funny thing...THIS colorway screams "Buster"! As I mentioned in an earlier post -- busy, bright, fun :-)

If you enlarge the photos, you'll see lots of nubs - they've been washed a lot.

First FO of 2010!

DD2 asked for socks - and picked out the yarn from the online photo at Knit Picks.

Pattern: generic rib - K6, P2

Yarn: Knit Picks' Stroll Multi in Pansy

Needles: size 1 [US] / 2.25 mm circulars

Knit for: DD2

She's happy with them. :-)

Also introducing Sock Blockers - a Christmas gift from my niece!!

Gotta hurry & get this posted. My ISP has been unreliable the past few weeks. Never know when it's going off line. Bummer.

Knitting keeps me out of trouble, too!

I like to knit (OK and crochet sometimes) to unwind after a hectic day. The big plus is that I've got something positive to show for all the time I spend on it.

While catching up with the Scotland news at the Beeb online, I found this. What a great project!