non-video post

I was going to do a video post for simplicity’s sake, but it was too difficult. Go figure.

Charade socks are coming along– I’m past the heel turn by now, and have finished the gussets. Yesterday at work I separated them from one another and I am working them one at a time. Not that this is particularly logical, given that the repeat is so short row-wise, but they seem to go faster. Also one sock was less unwieldy than two yesterday when I was knitting AT WORK because it was SO SLOW, so there.

Sock yarn blanket has 1.5 new squares: the green one, and the teal one. I love this blanket. That is all.

Last, I’m about 12 or 13 rows from the bind-off of this shawl, but it’s SO BIG by now that each row takes me 45 minutes. Plus nupps. It’s lovely, though, and the only thing I’m worried about is the liiiiiiittle tiny ball of yarn that exists now. Hopefully it can carry me through.

Bayerische socks are abandoned, because they’re hard! There’s no convenient time or place to work on them. Bah. Qiviut cowl is coming along, slowly but surely. It’s about 3/4 of the way done.

Today, I’m working at the LYS, and may have convinced one of the ladies from real!work to come in and learn how to knit. Hooray!

Pi Day!

Was yesterday. But my mommy sent me a package that I have yet to receive that I expect will be full of pie. Oh boy!

So I’m back from Spring Break, which could probably be put down as the worst spring break I’ve ever had, but I’m not really going to go into it. It was shitty, and I know why, and I can’t wait for another opportunity to go home instead. South Carolina, however, was beautiful, I love the beach, and I think I have a tan, too.

Today, instead of working on a paper I need to have revised for tomorrow evening (I did a little editing, I swear), I’ve spent some of my time organizing a stash-based sock club for myself. Squee! I’m so outrageously excited about this. Here’s what I did:

1. Remove all stash from sexy clear hanging yarn-rack, and put it on the bed.
2. Admire yarn.
3. Label envelopes with each yarn’s name and colorway.
4. Choose patterns for each yarn.
5. Print/obtain each pattern and put it in each yarn’s envelope.
6. Seal the envelopes.
7. Put all the yarn back in the yarn-rack.
8. When ready for a new pair of socks, grab a yarn and its pattern!
9. Be surprised and delighted!
10. Knit awesome socks all year!

I had 11 sock yarns ready for a pattern. Or, maybe 10, because one of those yarns is supposed to be for the Playwright’s very boring and plain socks. I’m going to knit him Thuja socks instead of boring socks, out of Dream in Color Smooshy.

It’s a bit like cheating, but I’ve also got the next two pairs of socks I want to knit planned. Once I finish my Eleanors, I either want to knit a pair of Leyburn socks out of STR in “Chapman Springs,” or a pair of Herringbone Rib socks from Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn in Black Bunny Fibers in “The Deep.” It seems fitting to pair a Carol Sucolski yarn with a pattern from her book! So excited.

Some pictures! Works in progress!

The might-never-get-finished Alaska mittens that I’m sort of working on. Sort of.

The sock yarn blanket, which at 35 squares is now almost wide enough (one more), and is 21% complete. Woo hoo!

Eleanor socks, about to get toes. Knit out of Mind’s Eye Yarns Merino/Tencel, on US 2s.

The Bayerische challenge. Knit out of Cascade Heritage, on US 1s.

Yay socks!

Okay, seriously, I need to work on my paper.

Happy 2009!

My sister graduates from high school this year, you know. She’s so clever. She’s also finished her first pair of socks, without any help at all from me except that I told her she could start the heel anywhere she wanted to. Which she was pleased with. She didn’t even need help with kitchenering the toe, which gains her extra knitter points in my book.

But yes! I know it’s already 2 weeks into January, but there’s 50 more weeks of the year! So here’s what I’m up to right now.

Baudelaire socks for the SKA Sockdown! January theme of a pattern from an online magazine. I’m knitting them in Dream in Color Smooshy in “Lunar Zazzle” from Lovelyarns, and they’re very nice. I think the first one is a little too tall, so I may rip and reknit the cuff after I finish sock number 2, but I’m very content working on these. They knit up pretty quickly.

I seem to be in a mitten phase right now, even though I don’t much care about mittens. I finished a pair of charity mittens for the Lovelyarns school charity project, whereupon the knitters are trying to knit mittens for each of the 250some kids at a local elementary school.

I knit these in a day, January 7th to the 8th, and gave them back to Sue on the 8th. I used some unidentified blue and gray/black/blue yarn, using the jogless striping technique that made it look all streamlined and sexy. They’re very cute mittens, and I hope “M.S.” enjoys them.

In my hands at this moment is the mate to a mitten that my mom knit a long (unidentified) time ago. Her birthday is in a few days, and when I found this mitten I wanted it to have a mate! The mitten fits me almost perfectly, but it fits her better except for its length. So the plan is to knit the second mitten to length, and then pick up, snip, and reknit the second mitten top to match.

The problem with the first mitten is that it was knit flat and seamed from the top to the cuff, so I can’t just take out the top and rip back and knit it up again. I actually do have to cut it off and knit up again. I can’t decide yet whether I’m going to reknit mitten #1 flat or in the round. Knitting it flat would be in keeping with the rest of the mitten, but knitting it round would be easier. I’ll see once I get there what works better.

It’s such a pretty mitten! It’s soft too: the yarn is a wool/silk blend, Schachenmayr Nomota “Saskia”. Shiny and pretty!

The last thing in the works at the moment is mom’s sweater. Remember how we knit it too large?

Well I frogged it, measured my mum, and cast on for a smaller size. Here’s hoping my sister gets in on this too, and that it fits this time.

There are a few other things that are waiting for my attention again. The Swirly Mittens from the previous post are on hold. The fabulous champer from Ravelry is sending me a full skein of Silky Wool in the black I need. I’m so grateful! She rocks. The Monkey socks are waiting until I’ve freed up a US2 again. I was going to start the second one when I’d finished the first Baudelaire sock, but I finished B when I was in a place without the yarn for the Monkeys, so I just moved on with the Baudelaires. Once they’re done, though, the Monkeys are going to be back in action. And of course the long ignored but never forgotten Sock Yarn Blanket is waiting for me at school, for when I need both simple knitting and to get rid of remnants. It’ll always be there; no hurry.

I don’t have a lot of goals for 2009. I want to knit up my sock yarn stash, to the extreme. I don’t want to buy a lot of yarn for now, so I’m going to try to only knit from the stash unless disaster strikes and I absolutely have to buy yarn. =P No but really, I want to knit up some of those socks I have planned. The Playwright wants a pair, for example, and I have just the thing. Also I have a sweater I want to design and knit, and enough laceweight for two shawls. My objective is to stash dive!

Oh and Rowan thinks he’s a person.

I’m going to miss these boys so much!

New Year’s Eve, 2007

2008 is going to be a big year for me. I’ll get into college in 2008. I’ll graduate from high school in 2008. I’ll leave the nest in 2008. I’ll live in a dorm in 2008. I’ll vote in 2008.

It feels good so far.

I’m not big on resolutions. I’m not good at keeping them. I’m going to stick to my 101 in 1001 list, because that’s a big list of goals over a longer period. I’m going to start working out more regularly, especially when my senior project starts and I have the extra time in the day.

But right now, my immediate goals are knitting goals. I want to finish my current projects, done, kaput, before starting anything else ambitious. I’m counting three projects I’ve not yet cast-on in this list.

Priority One:

Molly’s mom’s fingerless mitts. They look finished, but I’m going to undo the bind off and knit them a lot longer. She bought these from me in late November, so I owe it to her to finish them pronto.

Priority Two:

Zodiac sleep sack for Maisie, promised to Kate at Christmas. I will knit this!

Elefante stuffed toy for Liam. Also promised at Christmas.

Priority Three:

The Rogue Cardi. I am in love with this sweater. I’m knitting the sleeves together, and I’m working on the body as well, because I have these grand bizarre plans in which I attach the sleeves right at the start of the sleeve cap and knit the shoulders all as one. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m approaching the critical time. The sleeves reach my elbows, and the body is approaching the armholes. I’m excited.

Priority Four:

Sockdown socks! The first pair, my Embossed Leaves (Ravelry link) socks are under way. The first sock is approaching the heel, and it is beautiful. I’m knitting it in Crash Into Ewe’s Real Silver sock yarn in the colorway “Topaz.” Sue gave it to me for my birthday. It is stunning. These have to be finished by the end of January to qualify.

The second pair is one I have not started yet, but will cast on in the beginning of January. I’m knitting the Thelonious sock from Cookie A. in Sundara Yarn Sport Merino. Prettyyyy. I have to finish them by the end of February to qualify.

Priority Five:

Seaflower Monkey socks. They’re almost 75% finished, and I’d like to get them done before it gets too warm to wear them. I started them in August.

Priority Six:
Qiviut Project. They were wrist warmers, but I decided the fabric needed to be fluffier and lacier. I’m thinking a cowl of sorts. With lace. Maybe feather and fan.

Priority Seven:

The Mystery Stole. I might rip it. I might keep knitting it. I really don’t know. Votes?

So there you are. That’s what I want to finish up.

Happy New Year! Much love to all.

I’m going to go move firewood.

Pay it Forward

I’d take a picture of the snow we got, but it’s dark by now, and that would be a boring picture. We got about 3 inches, and it stopped snowing (I think?) around 6:30. It might still be snowing, but it’s very hard to tell.

But the real reason we are here! It’s time to Pay it Forward! Like in that movie! Only no one gets shot, I promise.

I hereby pledge to send a handmade gift to the first three people who comment on this entry. No real promises about time frame, but it’ll be within the next 365 days. In return, you have to post the same offer on your blog, and prepare to send a gift to three other people.

What am I working on? I’m (re)knitting a pair of fingerless mitts for a friend’s mom, along with two new pairs for her, which will be Christmas gifts for her children (my friend and her brother). They are very cute, but I should make them a priority instead of getting so distracted by my sweater.

Speaking of which! I’m working, finally, on the body of my Rogue cardi! I’m double-knitting the pockets on, now, and it’s very cool (but rather involved). It makes me feel really smart to sit there in play rehearsal with my three balls of yarn and my two kangaroo-ish-DK pockets. I love that sweater. I have about three inches of the body done, and I love it.

I have some other stuff languishing right now, and soon I should maybe start those Christmas gifts for my cousins(!). Liam, I’m thinking, is getting a cute sweater, while Maisie (new!) is getting a Zodiac sleep-sack. I don’t know if they’ll be finished by Christmas, but I’m going to give them to them. Because those are two cute kids.

I love knitting.

Comment! Pay it forward!

Socktoberfest

I’m so unbelievably happy it’s October. I don’t know why. I should be terrified. I should be scared of the Holiday Craft Show, and of my college applications, and of the cold of winter sneaking in while I’m not looking. But for some reason, I went to sleep very happy last night (after buying the most expensive yarn I have ever bought), and woke up this morning feeling good and October-y. I think I love the fall. I love the color the sky gets, and I love how it’s cool in the mornings and at night, and I can sleep under warm blankets and take warm showers, and I love how it get comfortably warm in the afternoon so I can sit outside if I want to (or get to), or go for a walk, and still wear my t-shirts. I love how the trees look in transition, and I love school. It’s true! I love school! I don’t always want to get up and go in the morning, but I love school.

I even love physics.

And I think I’m set for Socktoberfest. My goal: finish J’s socks, finish dad’s socks, and get pairs for the Monkey and the Coupling socks. It’s not a huge goal. I’m not going to try to knit 9 pairs of socks in a month or anything, while I’m try to knit stuff for the craft show, but I think if I hate the Coupling socks still by November, I will sell them. For lots of money. And value my skilled handiwork. I’m going to do it.

I think I’m going to set aside my sleeve for the month. Maybe even until after college apps are done, unless I need it for comfort. No rules. I’m going to work on the craft show things, but I usually take two projects to school, and while I know my red scarf will not be done for October 15th, I’m okay with that. I’ll save it, and mail it next year. So I’ll work on my Woodins log, but also J’s socks. I need to do the increases for the heel, and they’re coming along, two at a time.

For the pairs I’m making– that is, the second socks– I’m going to do THEM two at once. At the same time. But different socks! It’s going to rock. I’m excited.

And then dad’s socks. I’m on the fence about the I Love Gansey pattern from the SixSox knitalong. I think I prefer Bayerische. I need to test-knit. Then I will pick. Then maybe I’ll even knit them two-at-once. I like doing them at the same time.

I’m feeling good about October. I’m happy!

I love starting things!

I have developed (for me) an astonishingly bad case of startitis. At this moment, regardless of hibernation or not, I have eight projects on the needles. Eight.

This is astounding.

I have finished knitting the Pomatomus socks (they don’t match, by about a quarter of a repeat). I now need to finish overdying them (not going well) so I can finally give them to my sister and maybe have them look decent.

I have also finished knitting (a long time ago) that felted notions bag that keeps hanging around. But I haven’t felted it. I didn’t feel like wasting the water. I don’t know.

But actually on my needles now are as follows:

0. Log cabin blanket. This one doesn’t count.

1. Qiviut wrist cuffs. I put these down because the yarn is very thin, and I’m knitting them on US 1s, and I just got tired. I’m nearly past the wrist ribbing part, and need to start increasing for the thumb gusset. I’m nearly to the interesting part! I should pick them up again before it gets real cold.

2. Mystery Stole 3. I’m through chart D, just started chart E. I like it, but I’ve been busy (sort of) in the last couple days, and lace knitting needs attention. I haven’t had much of an attention span lately.

3. Blue herring socks. Blah. I don’t know. I like the pattern, but I’m not sure I picked the right yarn. I’m working with the blue merino I got in Spain, as well as the brown camel, and the brown alpaca I also got in Spain. I wanted the alpaca to be in the foot part, so I know the camel in with the blue on the leg. The problem is the huge gauge difference between the camel and the alpaca. I had to change the heel to a flap heel to be able to decrease appropriately for the much larger and fluffier (but still sock weight) alpaca. It’s a bit of an engineering feat, knitting herringbone backwards. Anyway, they might pull together.

4. Coupling socks. I like the yarn, but I’m not sure if it’s right for the pattern. It stripes in single row stripes, and the pattern is lacy and textured. They don’t quite mix well, but if I put the sock on it stretches out okay to show the lace. I’m almost done the first sock, so I might as well finish the pair.

5. Monkey socks. I cast these on the other day for some reward knitting. I’ve hoarded the yarn for a few months (Dream in Color, yum) and wanted to make Monkey socks. They are beautiful. No reservations here.

6. Stockinette boyfriend socks. They’re supposed to be a surprise. If he reads the blog they won’t be. Well, he knows I’m knitting them, just not when. I’m trying to knit both at once, just because, but I’m still unsure about the pattern. It’s self striping yarn, so it has to be simple, but it’s cotton, so it has no stretch. And I kind of don’t want to do ribbing the whole way, but I might have to.

7. Baby hat. I cast this on because I was listening to a podcast (Damknit) in which Erin talked about knitting baby hats. I had some cotton/elastic in the stash, so I threw it on some size 5s and started knitting. So far so good. I wanted some instant gratification. Also, I might be able to give it to my aunt, who is due in November.

8. Yesterday evening, I cast on a scarf in Cascade 220, like I needed another project. I’ve started thinking about my Holiday Craft Show knitting, which I need to do so I can have stuff to sell. I will have some on display, not for sale, but I should have things for peoples to buy. Yes.

I’ve also been spinning.

My mom and my sister have ADD. It runs in the family.

Later I teach a sock class! With luck, it’ll be outside, because it’s beautiful today.

Week One (Socktoberfest)

Questions from Lolly’s blog:

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started making socks at the beginning of this year because I was introduced into the blogosphere and thought, “Socks! How wonderful!” I taught myself with some nice, soft acrylic, and some flashy, pink/brown/blue/purple yarn from Cloverhill. They’re funny. I call them my Candy socks, and I can’t wait until it gets cold enough that I can wear them.

What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?
They’re not too old, but they’re a little stretched out already, and a little fuzzed. They shrink back to size when I wash them, though.

What would you have done differently?
The ankle. I did a waffle-type pattern, and I should have just started ribbing. I’m not really a fan.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Koigu. I’m in love. Purr.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I knit the first pair on 2 circulars and then switched to DPNs, and the next three pairs on DPNs. I started the second sock of the third pair before I finished the first one, but I was afraid they’d end up being different lengths if I didn’t divide the yarn. They turned out perfectly.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Flap. It fits better. But the short row works for the sock I just made, which is cotton/elastic, and needs to be stretchy. It’s great. But I find I like the flap better, and I like picking up the stitches. ^_^

How many pairs have you made?
Four and a half, when I finish the sock I’m doing now (which is almost done). I’m finishing it for my class, and then I’ll have to make another one later in October. I’m also planning a sixth pair, but that’s the sneaky pair.

Socks!