The real cost of second sock syndrome....

"Help, my foot is cold, help Daddy's toes are cold (please graft me)!"... Here is my one and only "Pirate Sock" (aka Skull Sock of Fury). Amazing how long it took me to do that cuff. Amazing how difficult it is to get the cuff over my, my older daughter's, my younger daughter's (yes, anyone's) heel. One of these days, I am going to find, and make myself take, a class on two color knitting. Clearly, I need some help with it. But as you can see from the pirate close up below, they are kind of cute (I think). After that experience, what else could I do but cast on for a super easy Thuja (I think I should start paying the guy who designed them, aka Bobby Ziegler, royalties, I knit the pattern so much) variation, at a nice tight gauge on nice small needles, with nice self-patterning yarn, for my hubby's brother's very easy to fit feet (yes, they will be a Christmas present, or maybe a birthday present, and yes, I have actually made progress on the second one of that pair). The second pirate will have to wait for the weekend, when I should have some more concentrated knitting time (or at least the chance to concentrate!) And on another note (sompletely), I won (me, I actually won something) some very nifty "Spunky Eclectic" yarn in a pink and gray colorway from the very friendly blogger at Yarnbeans. Yippee (really!). But I better do the other pirate before I start that project! But it wouldn't hurt, would it, to look for patterns! And on one more note--the camera was in my car. Someday, maybe, I will tell the story of the bottomless pit that is my car!

They might be pirates....

Then again, well, they might be frogs, or frogged, that is. It's been awhile since I posted--mainly because my digital camera has vanished (not stolen or anything, just placed by some well-intentioned soul in my household into someplace that made sense at the time, no doubt, but of course, which cannot now be remembered! Any day now, I will open up a bag or box or drawer, and there that camera will be, looking for all the world like it belongs there! But in the meantime, I have finished the cuff of one of the pirate socks, actually called "Skull Socks of Fury" in black for the main color with a very fuschia pirate (can't you just picture it....). I'm concerned though about the sizing. But I must admit that I am so woefuly slow at chart and color knitting that I don't think I will have the heart to rip the one out (of course, when I finish the next might be a while). I'm also working on another pair of what will probably be Christmas (what IS going on here!) gift socks, in some self-striping/jacquard kroy sock for my brother in law, who is wonderful to be so impressed by such things. Now, to go in search of the camera once more...if only I call it the way I do my cell phone!

All the children of the world...

Have you heard about this Save the Children "Caps to the Capitol" knitted caps project? It was apparently in a feature on Good Morning America, but I actually read about it on a knitting blog (though of course I can't find the page I thought I bookmarked about it....) The idea apprently came about after " Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers 2006 report highlighted simple, low-cost practices that could save newborn lives — like warming their heads with a knit or crochet cap — Save the Children received numerous calls and e-mails from Americans around the country wanting to organize their friends and family to knit and crochet caps for newborns in developing countries." They have patterns posted that they want you to follow, since they're sized for the heads of children in developing countries. The idea is about advocacy as well as hats--we are to send completed hats to Save the Children to deliver to the White House in January as a witness that people in America care enough about babies in the developing world to spend the time making caps for them. (Apparently, a warmed head is very important for survival!). There are lots of details in their action kit at the link here, do take a look. Since I do everything in three's, I've made the three pictured here, all with leftovers, (and you can see I still need to finish the striped one!). It takes almost no time, is very easy, and will mean a lot to lots of people. How cool (or warm), is all I can say! 

A spring in my (well, someone's) step!

It may be end of summer here, but I am very happily finished with these springy socks--made with the previously mentioned "Wonky Lace" pattern (all my lace is wonky, actually, but that's another story!). I made these so they would fit one of my younger sisters who is allergic to wool (yes, she really is, I have tested it several times, thinking she was imagining it.....). But since the Fixation is so stretchy, they actually fit me pretty well...(yes, I am the big foot of my family, luckily, I am also the knitter of my family). So we'll see. It would be just too surprising and weird to have two potential (notice I said potential, I hardly ever manage to hold onto gifts that long) done in August! I want to give a big thank to Trek for this pattern, and the many free patterns she has on her site. They are very clearly written and all quite adorable! My next sock project is going to be a pair of Pirate Socks, which I found on the Hello Yarn site....after I finish these little Save the Children Hats--more on those tomorrow!

There's no place like home....

We're home, we're home, we're home! And many loads of laundry later and bags mostly unpacked, I am back to my computer and blogging! I wound up having the s l o w e s t of dialup connections on vacation, so I got online just a few times to check email, but didn't have the patience for much else (I am so spoiled with my high speed connection at home!). But we had a great vacation--a very long one for us, and very laid back, restful, and casual. And yes, I managed to get to a yarn store: look at all this pretty yarn (I have to admit I have no plans for the Kid Merino, I just couldn't resist the color!) The beautiful Himalayas wool (from the Queensland Collection), which I had never seen before, is for a felted tote for my mom, who is quite a bag lady, for Christmas. The Sirdar Spree will be a hat, probably for next summer at this rate, and the Dune, probably a scarf--it was buy one get one free, what could I say?


And yes, I did some knitting, too: these are my socks in progress I brought with me, which are destined for my middle sister's petite feet. It was great to finish them, they were knit at such a small gauge! I had one real learning experience with these--I somehow (don't ask me how) knit a pearl row during the gusset decreases. And I somehow didn't notice it until I was a few rows along (yes, I am a bit concentration challenged at times). I thought I would have to for back whole rounds, but thanks to my handy dandy Knitting Answer Book, I was able to drop each stitch back as I came to it, and pull it back through in pattern with a crochet hook. Admittedly, this might have taken as much time as it would have to frog and reknit, but I didn't risk losing any stitches, and I learned a new trick that I've been needing to know! The other socks, which I didn't quite finish, but am now to the toe on, are Trek's Wonky Lace Socks. This is a great pattern, easy enough for a normal person to follow no doubt, but for the concentration-challenged like myself, writing out each pattern row line by line on an index card helped tremendously. The only trouble I've had with these socks is the "stickiness" of the Cascade Fixation on these Bryspun needles I'm using. I've had a lot of trouble with the K2togs, etc., too, because I can't get the points through. But they're what I started with, so I'll persevere. My new discipline with socks during vacation was to count rows even when I didn't have too, instead of trying to rely on eye-balling or even measuring. So on this pair, the cuffs are 56 rows to the heel, and the feet are 65 rows from the start of the gusset to the start of the toe decreases, etc. I am hopeful that this will get me socks the same size!My only other knitting was a drop stitch scarf, which I made with some "Lang Lotus" (which I think is discontinued) that I had from somewhere. It's a wool, nylon blend, but has a very unique texture--almost papery. It's apparently a very hip fall color, or so I was told by someone who saw me knitting it at the hair salon--so I'm all set.
Now,here are a few of the obligatory vacation shots:
A view of the ocean at sunrise from our balcony (the early bird gets more knitting time!)

A walk through the nature preserve, (hand in hand, aren't they cute!)

And swimming at low tide (no waves, so happy mom, but not-so-happy kids on boogie boards, wanting to catch a wave!).

I would spend all my time at the ocean if I could. Even if the beach is crowded, you can look out in to the ocean and see so far and see no one....

And we're off!

Almost! At least the knitting is ready, and there are many, many bins of things lined up in the hall (this is the problem with travelling by car--not enough incentive to pack light!). As knitting goes, I settled on bringing some Noro for a felted bag my teenager wants (not that I'll be able to felt at the beach!), needles and back up yarn (in case I can't get to that wonderful yarn store in time) for the Wonky Lace Socks, some remnants for the kids to knit with, some more leftovers and crochet hooks for me to practice, practice, practice my crochet flowers (they need it!), some nubby yarn and big needles for a possible scarf project (you never know!) my socks in progress (one DONE, one just begun) and a copy of Knit Simple, some patterns, and some back up needles, just in case! And, I of course reserve the right to totally divert from all plans once I hit the yarn store! I only wish I didn't have to drive--kills so much knitting time! But we have two weeks in the sun, two car loads of kids and gear....and an overflowing knitting bag.... what could be better?! I hope to be able to blog while I'm gone, but may have to hunt for a connection. If you want, subscribe to my blog with bloglines (see the button at right), and you can be notified with updates. Safe travels, and happy knitting, all!
One addition already: look at this cool link about knitting white squares to contribute to an art project at Sky Between Branches.

To knit, perchance to swim....

I am getting ready to get ready for vacation--I am thinking about knitting projects to take with me! I have my current socks n progress (one down, one to go), I have a crazy urge to knit another hat or two (maybe child size this time so my girls can wear them) and I came across this great pattern from Trek for "Wonky Lace Socks". I like the name, and the pattern looks like so much fun, and it uses Cascade Fixation, which is a great thing to knit at the beach. And I have some Fixation in my stash, but I don't love the color, so this will give me a great excuse (like I need one) to visit this really cool yarn and used book store we found on the island last summer. I can't wait! Now I guess I have to start thinking about packing other things, like clothes, and sunblock and all that--but there's time!

Two, two, two wee sockies...

Okay, here's the thing. I have exactly one person in my life who are expecting babies. Now I'd like to say they're best friends, and that they'd love nothing more than to be showered (get it?) with lots of hand knit gifts....But honestly, she's a person I'm friendly enough with, but you know, not best. So since I've already given her those wee hats, I fear I might be seen as sort of stalking her if I show up with these baby socks too, but I'm just amazed at how much fun it is to knit these little things (and, okay, quick too; a gauge of 10st/inch goes a lot faster when you only have 40 stitches on the needle and the feet are just 4" long)! I think I will chance sending these along to my friend, just because they're done and all....maybe with a card that promises I am not a knitting stalker! (And by the way, this is the now discontinued [of course, I like it] Knitpicks Dancing, on u.s.0/2.0mm magic loop, and is an adaptation of a couple different patterns I've seen, with a repeating but traveling purl stitch).

Another day, another sock begun

No, I have not finished my red socks of the previous post. I am almost through the foot of the first.....but I have started another sock--a different sock of course--and this one is a baby sock. I just couldn't resist! I'm just started -- another 2.0 mm/us 0 experience, but with only 40 stitches cast on this time, in the last of my Knitpicks Dancing....since I want them to be teeny tiny. They will be cute. The somewhat troubling thing is what this kind of fickleness with my sock projects says about me--but I guess I will get back to my knitting, and think about that tomorrow!

Socks, socks, must knit socks.....

My little hat making break made me a little crazy I think, even after my last sock debacle! I cast on for these day before yesterday, and I think I'm knitting too hard (or too excitedly, if you can do that) because I'm bending my needles! Oh, but it's fun to see those tiny stitches again--they always look so neat and tidy (something in my life should be neat and tidy, right). This wool is Regia, a really pretty kind of mottled red (one of my very favorite colors) that I got on sale somewhere (ah, the memory fade amidst the haze of wool) I'm using size 0/2.25 mm needles, and getting about 9 stitches to the inch in the stockinette portion of the sock. This is an adapatation of the Posh Yarn "Slip up socks" pattern I used for my earlier Fingerless mitts, this time using a 72 stitch cast on to accomodate my bigger feet and the gauge I'm knitting at. The cool thing about this pattern is it is so easy and it looks so much like cables--love it. Now, to knit some more, and, perchance, to sleep (at some point!) Amended: found the ballband (whew!) The yarn is "Regia 4 Fach Haltbar/4 fadig Color" The color number is 5571.

And baby needs three?

Here are the promised baby hats, made from the pattern in Last Minute Knitted Gifts, with the yarn the pattern actually called for(imagine that), Mission Falls 1824 cotton. I think they came out really well; I have to say the yarn is a bit more rustic looking knit up than I expected, but I am hoping that will be part of the charm! The colors might be a bit wacky too, but I figure you don't see all that many babies with purple hats! The baby shower is not until tomorrow morning, so I am feeling way ahead of myself (for me)! I still need to come up with some pretty packaging; that will be tonight's project. And I started another sock this week (red ones!) , will post that picture soon!

You CAN be too distracted...

Okay, it's been awhile, but I have finally managed to really mess up a pair of really simple socks. I think this is because I knitted these in a combination of places, and never more than a few rows at a time....at the pool, at swim meets, while watching much too engrossing movies, I'm not sure....And I was clearly not careful enough....for although the first sock made me think nothing could go wrong, when I finished the second sock, I discovered that it was, well, a completely different size....both in the length of the cuff and the length of the foot (what was I thinking, well, I was clearly not thinking!). I also discovered that this yarn, (Elann Esprit), at least in this 4/2 seed rib I decided to use, is not as forgiving or adaptable as the Cascade Fixation (cotton/elastic blend, pretty much a sport weight), I like so much! And as the Yarn Harlot warned, this is not going to come out in the blocking! . Phew. I wasn't going to post these at all, but "in the interest of full disclosure" (as we say), here they are. Luckily, my daughter doesn't seem to mind the sizing problem and has been happily scuffing around the house in them. Alas, I had planned them to be for me (yes, this yarn DOES stretch a lot, but not that much!) Now, to finish my shower gifts (all little hats, which don't have to match)!

Oh say can you crochet....

Well, as you can see, not really, or just barely (can I crochet, that is!) I was inspired to post this attempt at a small bit of crochet by reading Craftybernie, who talks about her own struggles to get past wobbly single crochet to actual shapes (Coming Up Blank: While I was feeling rotten....). Believe it or not, I have "known" the basics of crochet for years (meaning, "how to"), but I have never been able to make it look right! This is the closest I have come--a wobbly version of a crochet flower circle "pattern" I found in the winter issue of Knitscene. I know, I could have chosen an easier yarn (what can I say, it was there.....). It is clear to me this will take much more practice...and maybe a better set of crochet hooks (I always think equipment will rescue me!) . I am determined to keep trying, slowly, and soon!

Oh Baby, Baby...

Baby knitting--I haven't done a lot of it. But a friend is having a baby, and I got invited to what looks to be a very lovely shower, so I have gone through tons of patterns searching for something special to knit. Alas, I have spent so long searching patterns that I am now within two weeks of the shower date!(I won't even tell you how much this happens to me!) But after all that searching, I came up with these "Children's Cotton Hats" in Last Minute Knitted Gifts, one of my favorite (and most used) knitting books (which could have something to do with my general tendency to procrastinate....but it is a good book, really). I decided to make her three hats; one pale yellow, one very pale green, and one almost purple. (Don't know if she's having a boy or girl). I had to order the Mission Falls 1824 Cotton, so I went ahead and made up a prototype today in some Lily "Sugar n Cream" that I dug out of my always cooperative stash. The gauge of the yarn is different, but I wanted to get a feel for how the hat looked in person. I like it a lot, and think it will be very funky and hip knitted up in the Mission Falls. Now, while I wait for the yarn, I can work on some very cool packaging.......hmmm..........will have to look for some ideas on that!

A knitter in Paris

Okay, I have to admit something. This started out as a dishcloth. I'm not really a dishcloth knitter, but I found this very pretty double flower pattern by Yvonne Hussey. I had some Lion Kitchen Cotton in and old corner of my stash (yes my stash is big enough to have corners!) so I pulled it out and started knitting. It's a very cool pattern, knit in the round from the center out. The further along I got, the more I thought it would look really cool as a hat for my daughter. So I knit the whole pattern, just as written, decreased down to 80 stitches and did 10 rows of K1P1 rib. And it is a pretty cool beret (actually it looks more like what I've heard called a "snood" on my daughter; this may be destined for her older sister)! Which just goes to show, you never know what you might end up with when you just try something new!

Fingerless mitts it is!

Well, the fingerless mitts were clear winners with this yarn, and here's the first one (Now to do another, my daughter already exacted a promise to let her borrow them). The funny thing that happened in all this was that once I decided to go with the fingerless mitt option, I realized I had no socks on the needles. It made me crazy, really! So I cast on for a pair with some lavendar Cascade Fixation (a taste of summer, to go with the peach!) Can you say obsession? 

To sock or not to sock....

What is it? I started knitting today with my Dye-o-rama yarn from Girl on the Rocks. It is just gorgeous! I started knitting with a pair of socks in mind (of course) with this cool free pattern I found through Knitters Review Forums, and called "Slip Up Socks" on the Posh Yarn site. But now that I have about 5" of "cuff" done; (the shorter closeup of the stitches, on my hand, was taken earlier today) I am thinking how cool this yarn/stitch pattern combination would look as fingerless mitts or gloves....and would probably fit me better too (though I do have some slim-ankled buds who would, no doubt love to be gifted with a pair of these socks). Hmmmmm what to do? Okay, it's about 90 degrees in my neck of the woods right now, but decision time is only about 2 inches away (do I start a heel or a thumb gusset?) Which would get more wear? Which would be cooler (so to speak)? Which would show off this amazing yarn best? If you have a vote, leave a comment! Either way, I am loving this yarn, and especially amazed that it was made "just for me"! This swap pal stuff is great (now that I've had two whole experiences of it, that is!). What think you?

Other Brother-in-Law socks

Green Bay Packers socks, I am calling them. They are the biggest socks (meaning longest in the foot) I have yet made. These are for my sweet Wisconson brother in law (yes, a big Packers fan, with a size 11 foot--I'm lucky to be related to a lot of small-footed men, not that I'd call them that to their faces!). I knit these in a new way; I used 10" circular needles for the cuff and foot, adding dpns at the heel and toe shaping. The yarn is Knit Picks Parade (which I have, of course, grown to love now that they are discontinuing it!) The 10" circular is called a "Stretchy Circular" ; I heard about them on the Socknitters Yahoo Group, and decided to give them a try. The cord is a very firm elastic, and they do flex and stretch. They only come in 2.75 mm (us 2) at this time, so that's what I used for these socks. They made for fast knitting, I must say, but I think my hands are not used to such short needles. But I did get a nice firm fabric, and have yet another pair of socks to add to my as yet unassembled Thuja gallery! My Brother in Law will be here in a week or so for a visit, and to help my husband build a Climbing Wall (yes, a rock climbing wall, yes, in our back yard, yes, we are crazy in this house about more than yarn!)
PS: My daughter is now telling me that these should be BRAZIL World Cup socks. I guess it all depends on your perspective!

Saving graces

Here are my finished "Sock Savior" Socks for Sockapaloooza! They are blocked and ready to pack and send in the morning, I am so happy! I like how the colors turned out, and love this pattern, ("Fluted Banister" from Six Sox Knit a Long). It was fun to do this "extra" pair, and now to packing and shipping! I've got birthday party invitations all ready to mail tomorrow (S is "finally 7," as she puts it), so I will have lots of fun at the mailing store. Next project--finish my brother-in-laws socks (yet another Thuja variation, and find a pattern for the luscious dye-o-rama yarn I received (thanks again, Girl on the rocks!)

Popsicle Party

Phew! I have finished dying some yarn that I like! It took two totally separate "paintings" to get the color I wanted, and a looooong steam bath on the stove top to set the colors, but I like how it turned out--bright and fresh, and hopefully yummy to my dye o rama swap pal--hence the name, "Popsicle Party!" It is now packed up with care instructions and a set of clover bamboo dpns, ready to go in the morning mail, yeah! And there are only a few kool-aid stains on the grout in my kitchen. :)