Happy (insert holiday of choice)!!!

Here ya go! A photo of purl lace socks...ribbing on size 0 addis, and the body done on size 1. This photo is the closest to the actual color. Knit with Wildfoote in "Kansas Sky".





I left this sock inside out cause I don't want to give away the whole view yet. Yep, it's Jaywalker sock 1 done with unnamed Magic Stripes yarn. I absolutely love this pattern, and I can see why so many knitters round the net are doing multiple pairs...Count me in, too! And I am making them the length the pattern calls for-a first for me. I usually like a 4" high leg. Here's a name I'm dabbling with-for the color-Key Lime West.


Well it's back to the retail grind for me...hope to catch up before the New Year!

It's Christmastime again!

This was always my favorite Christmas movie...shame I haven't caught it this year...Those "puppets" they used were like magic to me. Ah...fond childhood memories.

In other news...the purl lace socks of doom are done! I plan to wear them with some mary janes to work. I'll post a pic later. Also, since I'm on a sock knitting spree, what better time than to cast on for another pair? Yes, it's the famous Jaywalker sock in a little seen nor named Lion Brand magic stripes yarn. Frankly, say whay you will, but I really love the sturdiness of magic stripes yarn. Why oh why can't Lion Brand make this in solid colors? Maybe if they receive enough requests from sock knitters, they'll do it. BTW, I haven't seen any of this yarn around the local retailers for months, so I'm glad I bought all the colors over this year. If anyone out there knows, what's a comparable yarn? So far, I've tried Wildfoote-hated it-Bernat sox-colors too washed out-and Regia-not impressed. I've got some Lorna's Laces, but no pattern in mind. Would love some comments on this one.

Anyway, have a very happy holiday and knit on!!!

Lonely Hearts Club-NO More!

First off, a FO! Yea! These are the Bernat Sox finally finished.....on my birthday (Dec 11). A day late, but done nonetheless. Sorry for the darkness of the photos, but it is cold, wet, and dreary...and I didn't feel like an outdoor photo shoot. Anyway, my experience with the Bernat Sox yarn was ok. I used size 0 needles instead of the recommended size 2 (I think) and it gave me a tighter fitting sock which I like. I believe it was on Sockbug's blog where she used the term "muddy" for the coloration on the socks, and I'm in total agreement with her. I had searched high and low in FL for this yarn, and almost used an etailer to buy droves of this yarn...so glad I didn't. It was an experience, and certainly something to learn.

Now, the dratted purl lace socks made from the ever unpopular (with me) Wildfoote. If you remember, I started these socks on too large a needle, and went down to a 0 for the cuff, and size 1 for the rest of the sock. I gotta say, these are some of the ugliest socks I have ever made...when they are laying flat...they actually come alive when you have them on. The yarn is splitty, and drives me crazy, but I am determined to finish them. Now, in the photo...you may have to click to enlarge it...I made a HUGE error. I was going along just fine until I started the heel flap-problem number 1- then the gusset decreases-major problem number 2. I decided to live with the heel, but look at that ungodly decreasing!! For what ever reason, I read ssk as sl 1, k1, psso. Don't ask me how that happened... all I can say is that on sock 2, it won't happen. Do you suppose I can pass this off as a new design element?

Surfing around, I found out a lot of knitbloggers are Saggittarius. Wouldn't that be a cute idea for a webring? I also found some cute buttons for proclaiming you're a "thrower" and an "english knitter". I'm hoping to figure out how to add this feature to my side bar.

Oh yes, and in closing....several months ago I read on "A Mingled Yarn"'s blog that she was told she was knitting "wrong". At the time, I couldn't figure out what the "wrongness" was. Guess what! I know now. When I was at knitting group on Wed night, I found out that I, too, am doing the knit stitch "wrong". I pass the yarn over the needle instead of under to make the loop. For next group, Allison-a prolific knitter- and I have agreed to bring swatches of st st to see if truly there is a difference. Imagine...I have a homework assignment for knitting group!

Old Projects Revisited

As you know, I am still working on the socks made from Bernat Sox yarn. This week has been so busy, and I was hoping to have them done by today. No such luck. When my knitting frustration sets in, I usually start a new project and/or shop for yarn. Since I bought yarn last weekend, I decided to look at one of my old projects.

Here is last week's yarn purchase. I've been dying to try Lion Suede, so what better time to buy it than when it's on sale. I'm thinking a bolero. Then, I've been thinking a lot about those ballet wraps.-minimal shaping, no fancy stitches, and I sure could use one in blue to go with jeans. Voila! That's the pattern I'm going to use from the latest VK, and I'm going to try some of this Bernat boucle. What the heck! Throw caution to the wind.

Now, about the old project....I got some Wildfoote for $2.00 a skein, and this was the only color choice--Kansas Sky. I fell in love with the name of this yarn, and immediately cast on to make Purl Lace Socks from the book Socks Socks Socks. Once I started the lace portion, I knew something had gone astray. The size 2 needles made this horrible big sloppy sock. R-r-r-rip! I am going to attempt them again. Do ya think O's will be small enough? If not, I may have to treat myself to some Addis in OOs. I tried to find them in KC, but the shops were sold out.
Have I mentioned that Bon Jovi had to schedule another concert because the first one was sold out in 48 hours? Wish I could afford to go to both, or at least win the contest to go onstage with them! That would be killer!

Anthropologie Made Me Do it!

After lusting for all the clothing that Anthropologie has, I decided I'd do it myself. So, this is what secret project #1 was all about. They call this little number "openwork dolman cardigan".

Front view Back view My own pattern: Inspired by Anthropologie

The top was done making 2 squares and flame stitch courtesy of Rhoda Ochser Goldberg's The Knitting Dictionary. I used 6 balls of Coats & Clark's TLC "Cara Mia" and knit on #8 bamboos. This was started on 10-31-05 and I finished it on 12-1-05. It is super soft and kind of warm, which will be great for the meat locker (work). I gotta tell ya, it's not that sloppy looking in person, but hubbo didn't feel like snapping the pics. I also did my first attached(applied) I-cord, but I was disappointed. I thought it would prevent the front edges from rolling. Guess it will have to be blocked or maybe steamed. I just did a quickie crochet flower for the closure and used a stick pin I've had since I was but a wee teenager. I am happy with the results even though I did have to use a ball of a different dyelot. We'll see what the folks at work have to say.

Am I ready for secret project #2? Honestly, No! It's going to require some mathmatical calculations, etc...and I'm still undecided if it will be a shrug or bolero. So, what to do? Pick up a pair of socks that have been languishing in the stash... I finished #1, and have already cast on for #2. I am energized again for sock knitting! You forget what it's like to accomplish something so quickly when you are working on a larger project.

These socks are being made with Bernat Sox-Hot Tamale and Aqua Hot. When this yarn came out, I was in a veritable frenzy trying to find it. One day this lone skein of Aqua Hot was at Joann's and I added it to the stash. If you recall, I went to KC in August, and Bernat Sox was on the list to find. I found a small amount of it at several different Hobby Lobbys...and there was one lone skein of Hot Tamale. So, I guess these 2 loners were meant to be together!

Oh yeah...and I stashed again. More on that later.