June Post way late.

I've had these pictures ready to go for weeks now, but have no motivation to do the words or any linking. But really, can I just post the pics? mmmnn, think not. So, I'll do some words and trust that if anyone is really interested they can look the projects up on my Ravelry page, k?

First, 2nd and 3rd pics are crochet or knit baby cocoons for a photographer friend of mine. No pattern, I was just making it up as I went along

2 washcloths from the Monthly Dishcloth KAL on yahoo groups

This was a great easy no brainer project- a stockingnet stitch blanket out of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. It was made to replace a little boy's lovie blanket that was loved to shreds. I really hope this one gets the same treatment. There is nothing better than a well loved knit
Finally I did Mom-mom a pair of anklets for her birthday in the beginning of June

Now I need to tell you about the Awesome Sweater I knit for Nelkin Designs- but I'll do that later ;)

Monthly post....

Jeez, if I ever get my act together, I'd be dangerous.... seems I'm on a monthly posting schedule no matter what my intentions are, bah. So here is a pic of Gunnar for no other reason than its cute
And then there was the Monthly dishcloth KAL for April 1:
A pair of Monster socks for the boy done in the Regia Sock Monster color 1805.
He is not amused....
A sample knit for Nelkin Designs, the Winterlude Shawl
The Monthly Dishcloth Mid month KAL

and that's it for now

Packages from afar

Back in February I received the best package from Canada. Specifically from Charity ! She sent a fun Pokemon game for the boy, fiber, candy, yarn, a lamb (Meekins she is living with my ladybug wheel right now) and some totally nifty sew items like a tissue pack holder and key fob.Can you see the yarn? Kidsilk haze! yummie! And the fiber? You can't see the color of the ball, but its just beautiful PLUS the white package is SILK- squeeeee. Dye or spin as is? gonna be a tough call. There was 2 small boxes of candy too, a HUGE chocolate covered cherry in each. I shared one with The Mayor and hid the other (so well that I can't find it now). So good. I googled , but it looks like they are only made in Canada. There are a few on line retailers though, so I may have to get more.


I forgot to put these socks in last weeks post. A pair of "Purse Socks". You know, the socks you carry around with you and work on while waiting? They are Austermann Step in color 0027

My basic sock recipe on us 1's. Fun color and I made no effort to match. I think they are more fun this way.

I'm working on a sample knit for Nelkin Designs Its a great knit and I'm sure it will be very popular. The new purse socks are for The Mayor. They take no time at all! I'm already done the first and of course its the beginning of the month so there is a new dishcloth design to knit as well.

The new laptops are working out OK. Windows 7 is very different and I'm trying figure out how to do stuff without locking it up every day, but no go so far. Not sure if its the OS or the user ;) But I did get all my iTunes music and podcasts onto the new so that's the most important thing.

I think I'm going to look for that other chocolate covered cherry now....

Merry Christmas, Hunney!

While I can knit a pair of socks in 4 days, these took me 5 months. whoops.In my defense, they were travel socks so I mostly knit them while waiting for the boy at karate (45 mins 2-3x a week ) and even then other projects trumped the Trekking socks. Oh well, they are done at last and only a little late to be a stocking stuffer.

pattern:Charade
yarn: Trekking xxl, color 70
size: US men's 9

fun pattern and easy to memorize (only 2 rows!) I'll prolly knit them again.

(yes I made him stand on the bench for the pics. He did not complain- much)

Handknit socks in 4 days

I almost boogered it up this year. Oma's birthday comes the same time every year so you would think I'd have it down by now but no. Wednesday I realized her day was Sunday- 4 days away, crap. I'd already purchased the yarn specifically for her it was just a matter of getting it done. I knit her socks for Christmas and her birthday because 1. she loves them so much and tells me. 2. she had chemo a few years ago and hand knit socks are good for the problem feet.

My gauge changed a little as I knit last night at the Wings game (indoor lacrosse), but I steam blocked them and it was good.

Gifted this morning and modeled for pics as long as I didn't get her whole self in pj's ;)

Whew.

Now to get my plan together for the Jr. Great Books group starting this week and I'll feel like I'm finally digging out of the hole.

Actual knitting content

In between the Nano movies, I AM knitting, see:Bines in Schaefer Heather, Sage colorway. Good pattern, great socks! I wish these were for me but alas, they were a project for Schaefer yarn. I managed to knit Oma Blu's Christmas socks in plenty of time! I used the Easy Worsted Weight Sock pattern and Encore Worsted for a pair of comfy house socks. I only used ONE skein! there was about 1 yard to spare. She has a women's size 9 or 10 foot in case you were wondering. (that's my size 6 foot modeling) I also got the chance to knit the Anne Slanting Lace Scarf as a sample knit for Schaefer. Knit on us7's (bamboo this time) it was an easy knit until.... I blocked and found a dropped stitch!! NooooooThe drop was close enough to the end of the scarf that I could rip and fix in an afternoon. I took pictures after I ripped and got it back on the needles to take advantage of the good light
The colorway is Sophia Smith, lots of pinks and blues. It will make an awesome spring scarf
I took these pictures on Friday before it snowed. There is NO WAY I could take any outdoor pics now! We got about 24" of snow. The boy and the dogs are loving it. I would enjoy it but have a stupid stinkin' cold most likely from pre-school. The kids like to give the gift that keeps on giving ;)

Hoping to post again soon but if not have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wednesday catch up

I need to catch up on some FO's !
First up my Mara Shawl- done in Cascade 220 superwash. It blocked out to 68" x 28" which turns out to be a great cuddle size for meUnfortunately, while blocking I found a thread that had been split and was hanging by a hair. I fixed it but it seemed that no matter what I did, it looked botched in that spot. Oh well, I love it anyway and its for me so its ok.

Next I finally finished his Steelers Socks. These were a carry around project for a while that just kept getting set aside. I finished the up just in time for Father's Day.This is the Slipped Rib pattern that I've used before. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Sport I did another weaving project too! I went the next size up on the loom and used some Schaefer Miss Priss in Greenjeans colorway

The finished and lightly fulled shawl is 50" by 22". More like shawlette size. It will be good for under a coat in the winter. After I show it off, it will go in the gift tote.This took about a week to do, and that was with me only weaving a row or 2 here and there.Next time I'll leave extra yarn to finish off the edges more- maybe a crocheted border or fringe.

I started another pair of socks with my Impulse of Delight yarn (socks of fraternal happiness, rainbow!!!) and have already upsized the loom again and started weaving some Lamb's Pride worsted in the "aqua waves" color. Depending on how it looks, I make make another small blanket. hhm, maybe.

Has anyone started their Christmas knitting?

Sockopath

Its been all socks, all the time here at Chez Wack-a-Doo.
I've finished 2, yes, Two, pairs of Bee & Thistle socks (check out Impulse of Delight for info Rav link here)

I loved testing this pattern for Ruth. First, she writes a great coherent pattern. Second she dyes freakin awesome yarn.
I knit these on US1's, learned to do the Philosopher's Wool 2 handed Fair Isle and had so much yarn left over that I got a 2nd pair done. In fact I have a nice walnut size ball of EACH yarn still left. FWIW, I have a women's size 6 foot and prefer a shorter cuff but still, I bet you could easily get knee socks out of one of her skeins of yarn.
Then I finally finished up my Rivendell socks... they were treat knitting, hence the reason they took so long. Guess I wasn't that good! This is a fun pattern. Well written and fun charts. By the time you get the leg done, the chart part is over and you sail down the foot.
The yarn is Impulse of Delight "Forest Floor" and again I have enough left over for smallish project. I love this yarn with the heat of a thousand suns. If I were stuck on an island and could only have one yarn, this would be it. The colors are interesting, the yarn handles well and the yardage is supreme. I really really hope she does this colorway again.
Finally, 1/2 of a Pro Natura sock (picture taken with the help of Sammy & Cody who are taking his vacation here at Chez Wack-a-Doo) This is leftover birthday yarn and by doing coordinating heels and toes, I'm able to get another pair. (I'm feeling thrifty)
I'm on US1's and the pattern is a made up rib with mock cable. I *heart* mock cables. I expect these to be done soon, then I start Christmas knitting. (Christmas? this is just crazy. Where did the summer go?)

News and Info

The 3's are still coming- 2 items arrived in the mail DOA and the tractor (fixed and under warranty) broke again. I was not amused.

BUT

I fixed the toilet ($4) AND was able to fix the dryer for only $7 !!!! yeah me. (big thanks to Trish who suggested the fixing would be less complicated, she was right of course) Just rolling with the punches :)

Remember my friend Knit Boss? She's branching out and making jewlery. Such beautiful and artistic bracelets, you'll go crazy! Plus necklaces and earrings- Ohhh the earrings, wait till you see. She makes sets, so things are all matchy-matchy

I really love these...And this...Want to see more?? Go here: Laura's Jewlery Box on Etsy.

Knitting update should happen soon... I've finished Bee & Thistle (actually 2 pairs) and am back to work on Rivendell, plus the 2nd pair of Pro Natura Socks is in my go bag. Its all socks, all the time here.

Have a great weekend and stay cool! (fingers crossed I can get the tractor back and actually mow this weekend)

Bee & Thistle

I'm in Love. Seriously.

Lookit this sock kit: Bee & Thistle by Ruth at Knitting on Impluse
So.Much.Fun. (this is the heel flap)
Here is the Thistle pattern. Again, the camera is giving me fits, but you get the idea.

Ruth dyes her own yarn and has come up with this awesome kit. I love her yarn - recently knit the Shifting Hues scarf and Rivendell socks in her "Forest Floor" and when she first posted these socks I went a little crazy.

Actually I think I nagged her. Just a bit. She was very nice about it:)

The kit came Saturday and I cast on right away. I even took it to Longwood Gardens for Fountains and Fireworks. The sock had a good time, even though it was eleventy million degrees outside.

I believe Ruth will make the kit available sometime soon, I'll post when she does. Or go snag some of her other beautiful yarns, she even has lace weight.

Speaking of Rivendell-

one done, the other is on hold till Bee & Thistle are complete.

Gonna be hot again today. Hopefully the boys will want to stay inside to play and I can work on the socks.

Oh Look, it must be Tuesday!

Time for the Tuesday check in, yeah me!
First up, another hat for the 300 hat project. This is some Manos that I rescued from a doomed project. I'm happy with how it turned out and have more of the same wool for at least one more hat. Finally some proof my spinning.... 4 oz BFL Spunky Eclectic "Time of the Month- Rage, Chocolate and Tears" I was able to spin even and much more thickly for a bulky (5-7 wpi) at 98 yards. I'm pretty darn pleased with the plying on this yarn (chronic underplyer)
Last week, the Mayor had swim lessons (again) at a new place and thank goodness I was KIP'ing because I met BeanGirl (link to her Rav profile)! It was great having a knitter to chat with while the kids were swimming. Anyway, she made a hat for the project... how cute is this? She is such an awesome knitter, its gonna be fun getting to know her
Here is a progress shot of my Rivendell socks... sorry for the bad pic, the camera seems to be having fits lately. The yarn is SO.NICE. its from Ruth at Knitting on Impulse in "Forest Floor"
I'm just loving the colors and the pattern is great- I'll get a better pic soon

Last up today is more proof of spinning: 4 oz of Columbia/Romney handdyed that I picked up at Woolbearers. I just set the twist, but it looks to be bulky and pretty even. Once its all dry I'll figure the yardage. This was a nice quick spin on the wheel and the purple/green reminds me of the Muppets.

What is up with this camera? Everything is blurry lately. Or is it me?