Not Really Knitting

• Went to Colorado for my brother’s wedding. Wonderful time, beautiful wedding.

Step-mom, nephew, brother, new sister-in-law, & dad

• Got home and went to the Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival in Canby, OR. Lots of adorable fiberful animals. Showed remarkable restraint and only bought one skein of Socks that Rock!

Matt with sheep

Socks that Rock Rare Gem (dark green with some purple)

• Very little knitting due to teething 6 month old baby.

Momentarily happy teething baby

• Finished 1/2 a pair (1 sock). Had hoped to finish 2 pairs in September. 😦

A Swell Yarn Shop Skinny Duet in Candy Corn.

• Soon we will be leaving for another trip (Hello, Illinois!).

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Summer of the Sock Curse

I seriously feel like the Summer of Socks has been cursed for me. Prior to this summer I’ve frogged maybe one or two socks. Since Summer of Socks 2008 began I have frogged two, soon to be three, socks. First, I made that stupid mistake when I placed the peasant heel in the wrong spot, then my Spring Forward socks were too tight, and now I just don’t love how my Ridges and Ribs socks are coming out. I absolutely adore the pattern and the yarn, but not together. This pattern really needs to be done in a lightweight sock yarn, not Socks that Rock Mediumweight (Torridon colorway). I knew that before I started, but I tried it anyway. Doh!

ridges ribs

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Second Down

Little Bunny Foo Foo Socks

Pattern: Toe Up Sock on Two Circular Needles by Kristin Bellehumeur (Silver)

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in Little Bunny Foo Foo

Needles: Two Knit Picks Options Harmony Wood Fixed Circulars size US 1.5 (2.5mm)

Start Date: July 12, 2008

End Date: July 17, 2008

Comments: Second sock for Summer of Socks 2008.

This yarn started its life as Spring Forward, but after completing one sock and realizing it would never stretch enough to comfortably go over my heel I knew I had to start over. I’ve been wanting to try socks on two circulars for a while (Lynae and Jen are both big proponents). I looked up online instructions and found the tutorial at Silver’s website. (She also does a two socks on two circulars toe-up tutorial that I think I’ll try soon). The instructions were so clear and easy to follow that I got the hang of it in no time at all. I flew through this pair of socks. I like the two circular method so much more than the magic loop one that I had been trying recently (and have since abandoned…).

Of course the yarn was also lovely to knit. I will never grow tired of Socks that Rock. Even when it decides to pool completely differently from sock to sock (how does that happen?). I was pleasantly surprised that I did not hate my Harmony circular needles. Having disliked the Harmony double points I was prepared for an unhappy time with the circulars (they were the only ones I had two of in a smaller size), but happily the points were much better. I’m not sure if I’ll ever buy more, but at least I know I can use these without irritation.

Next up? I’ll be maybe actually finishing my first sKnitches socks and casting on for Ridges and Ribs (as suggested by Liz) using Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Torridon. I think I may try knitting those top down on two circulars.

And here’s Cori (slightly blurry, but happy)!

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And now for something completely different

Spring Forward is gone. I made it past the guesset and had to come to terms with the fact that it was a pain and a half to fit over my heel. Oh well. I decided to try something different with the yarn. A new technique! I found Silver’s Sock Class on knitting toe-up socks on two circular needles and away I went. I decided to add a little 2×2 ribbing for interest. Nothing too exciting, but I like socks on two circs way more than magic loop. Much less fiddly. Still not sure it’s enough to abandon my beloved dpns, but it’s fun using a new method.

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First Down

Zombie Socks

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Pattern: Zombie Socks (links to Ravelry project page)

Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle in Poison Nr. 5 dunkel

Needles: US 0/2.0mm

Start Date: June 21, 2008

End Date: July 4, 200

Comments: This pair is my first completed pair for Summer of Socks 2008. I was knitting down to the wire to make the first two week cut off, but I got mine posted with an hour to spare.

The Zombie Socks pattern was fantastic. I did modify it by adding one extra repeat and I did not do a purl edged heel flap. The pattern involves dropping stitches which is always fun to do intentionally and the Wollmeise is just a dream to knit. The yarn has a stiffness while you knit it that just makes it so pleasant, even when knitting nearly black yarn in the evening. I’m glad I have a couple more skeins in ye olde yarn stash.

I would absolutely knit this pattern again and I have plans to before the Summer of Socks 2008 is over. But first I want to finish up my plain vanilla socks (that caused me so much trouble when I put the heel stitches in the wrong place) and for some reason I have the urge to knit burp cloths (Cori’s becoming an excellent spitter upper as she is starting to teethe). Oh, and I cast on another pair of socks, Spring Forward using Socks that Rock in Little Bunny Foo Foo.

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A surprise and a zombie

Saturday I went out to get the mail and was surprised to see a package from my friend Jen. I opened it up immediately and was thrilled to find a skein of Socks that Rock in the much coveted colorway, Dragon Dance! In addition, there was a lovely note from Jen, two ballband dishclothes (perfect for baby goo!), and a Hello Kitty thermometer. Wow! Thank you so much, Jen!

There has been knitting going on too. In spite of the 100 degree days we had this weekend I spent some time working with my wooly Zombie sock. I am happy to report I finished the first one and I still remember how to kitchener stitch (it had been a while…). 🙂 I absolutely love this sock! The yarn and pattern are just perfect. Now I know what all the fuss is about when it comes to Wollmeise. It isn’t just the fantastic colors, the yarn itself is a dream to knit with. Kind of like a more substantial Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock.

I am hoping to finish the pair of Zombies in time to make the first two week cut-off for the Summer of Socks 2008 drawing. Wish me luck!

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Summer of Socks 2008

Summer of Socks 2008 officially began this past Saturday. For those of you who don’t know, Summer of Socks (SOS) is a summer long knit-along for socks to celebrate summer while preparing for winter. The festivities include prizes for different sock events like most socks knitted or random drawings for completed socks in two week periods. I will not even be trying for most socks knitted, but I am going to try to complete at least one pair every two weeks to go in for those prize drawings. I spent Friday winding the yarn I plan on knitting for SOS (Pictured above. From the left, clockwise: Socks that Rock (STR) Torridon, Yarn Chef Minestrone In the Pond, STR Foo Foo, Lorna’s Laces Simply Socks, STR Little Bunny Foo Foo, sKnitches Rugby, Wollmeise Poison Nr. 5 dunkel).

I cast on for two different pairs on Saturday. My first pair is my concentration pair. These are the socks that take a little bit more focus. I chose the Zombie pattern and my Wollmeise Poison Nr. 5 dunkel. I hadn’t knit with Wollmeise before, but now I know what all the fuss is about. Wow! What a nice spin and stitch definition! I knew I had to pick a dark yarn for these socks (who ever heard of a light happy Zombie?) and I am so glad the yarn and pattern are working so well together. The only drawback to this pairing is that I cannot work on these at night. I do not have a lamp close by in the living room and my eyes just can’t cope with the little black stitches in low light.

The second pair of socks I cast on for on Saturday are a plain vanilla sock using another first time yarn, sKnitches Syncopation in the Rugby color. Another winner! This yarn has a nice texture and the colors are so much fun. I love doing simple toe-up socks with self-striping yarn. It’s perfect knitting for while watching TV or chatting at knitting group.

I started these socks using my new Knit Picks Harmony double point needles, but after a little while I had to switch out to the Knit Picks nickel plated double points. I really do not like the points on the Harmony needles. Bummer. I bought the whole set of sock needles as I had heard good things, but I don’t know if I’ll ever use them. I think they will end up on my destash page on Ravelry. Oh well.

Anyone else joining in the Summer of Socks?

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A New Mom Finds Time to Knit Lace!

Lace Ribbon Scarf

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Pattern: Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Bella Coola

Needles: Addi Lace size 3 (3.25 mm)

Start Date: May 19, 2008

End Date: June 1, 2008

Comments: I did it! I found time to knit a lace scarf while caring for my newborn baby. Yay! I was a bit skeptical when I signed up for the Lace Ribbon Scarf Knitalong (hosted by Allison of Simply Sock Yarn Co.). I wasn’t too sure that I would be able to find time and concentrate on a lace project. Thankfully, Cori began to sleep more during this period of time and my brain has started to function again. I had a great time knitting this pattern. I normally think of myself as a lazy knitter. I don’t like to have to do to much pattern as it takes focus and energy. This pattern is the perfect amount of commitment. I memorized it after the first repeat and then it just became a rhythm. (I highly recommend putting stitch markers between each repeat).

The finished scarf, blocked, is 70 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 16 pattern repeats. As I am right around 5’9″ and I like longer scarves, this scarf will be a gift for a shorter person in my life. I only had the one skein of Socks that Rock in Bella Coola so this was the maximum length I could get out of one skein of mediumweight. I had cast on 44 (one repeat less than the pattern indicates) to make a slightly more narrow scarf and to stretch the yardage I had. Overall, I am very happy with this project and I think I may actually make it again though I always say that, don’t I?

Gratuitous baby photo. 🙂

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With a little help…

*3rd Blogiversary Contest at the end of this post!*

Yesterday afternoon while Matt and I caught up on the last few episodes of Lost I came to the end of the skein. After casting on 44 and knitting 16 repeats my Lace Ribbon Scarf was as long as it was going to be – 58 inches. Well, that was before it took a bath today. It hasn’t dried yet, so no pretty modeled photos, but just from pinning it out I think it is going to be at least a foot longer. All through the magic of blocking (and help from my cat, Nemo, of course).

In other knitting news, I have joined a couple sock clubs, but I have also resisted buying lots of other various yarns so it all evens out, right? I made it into the first ever Vesper Sock Yarn Club as well as the Toes-n-Heels Club at Simply Socks Yarn. (Both clubs are now closed). I’m very excited to be in both clubs. Did anyone else join up?

Simply Socks Yarn is also having a little contest. Just go to this blog post and read all about it. The prize is self-striping sKnitches sock yarn! Plus, you can check out the exclusive Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock color that she just got to celebrate the store’s 3rd Anniversary.

YOWZA! I just realized today is my 3rd blogiversary! Wow, time flies! I am seriously shocked I’ve kept up with this blog that long. I know I’ve never kept any sort of other journal for longer than a few months. Well, to thank all of my readers, especially those that stuck through the random postings during my pregnancy, I think I should have a contest…Hmmm…let’s see…last year I asked everyone what his/her favorite book is, but this year I think I will instead ask for your favorite sock pattern (and if you don’t knit socks, tell me why!).

All you need to do is leave me a comment with the the name of your favorite sock pattern and where I can find it. If you aren’t a sock knitter, tell me why! You have until midnight pacific time on Sunday, June 8th to leave a comment. The winner will be selected randomly and will win 2 skeins of Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton in Blueberries and Grapes, perfect for summer sock knitting.

On Monday, June 9th, I will announce the winner!

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Yarntastic Day!

So I mentioned on Friday that a bit of sock yarn had entered my home lately. I splurged a bit since it was my birthday. Yeah, that’s the perfect excuse. 🙂 Prepare to drool!

(Pick Up Sticks Club and Rockin‘ Sock Club are the last photos so as to not spoil the surprise for other members).
Duet Skinny from A Swell Yarn Shop in Sailor Girl. Absolutely love this color combination! This is the new thinner sock weight Duet.

Cascade Fixation in Denim (2608) and Chocolate (7382). Adrienne knit a pair of socks with Fixation and brought it to knitting Group. They were so fabulous I want to knit some for myself!

Meilenweit Cotton Fantasy #812 (Blue and Tan) and #803 (Pinks and Browns). This just looked like great cotton sock yarn. It’s 45% cotton, 42% wool, and 13% polyamide.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Undertoe (Mediumweight).
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Socktopus (Mediumweight). Absolutely love this color and the name!

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Foo Foo (Mediumweight).

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Footzey-Foo (Mediumweight)

2007 Rockin‘ Sock Club April kit color, Walking on the Wild Tide, using the new base yarn, Silkie – a silk and wool blend. Absolutely stunning color!

And last, but not least the Pick Up Sticks April Sock Club Kit with Zen Yarn Garden in Spring Garden. The perfect spring colors. 🙂

So, which is your favorite? 😉

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