PROGRESS?

Well, I'm not sure it counts as progress, but here are the two skeins of Socks That Rock all wound and ready to go...the Chevron Scarf has been on the backburner, although in the forefront of my thoughts, mainly due to a little endeavor my friends like to call a "home show". I have a friend who makes really yummy candles and really pretty jewelry, as well as a friend who makes wonderful natural soaps. We had a lot of people asking to see the goods, so instead of waiting for some sort of festival or bazaar, we decided to take the goods to the people, in their own home. It kind of works like all those kitchen goods, children's clothing parties I am sure everyone has attended. So, there is felting going on at my house....lots and lots of felting...fall bags, holiday bags, bags and bags and bags...and sadly, no Chevron Scarf...soon, though, soon...

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

There it was, sitting there all unsuspecting...two skeins of Socks That Rock...my very first skeins. I bought them to make the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I can hardly wait to cast on! The colors are Terra Firma and Mesa...as you can see, Karma has already approved the yarn.

Oh, I got so excited about my yarn, that I almost forgot about the WIP...the Espresso Scarf. It is going fairly quickly and is a beautiful stitch pattern. The Cashmerino Aran is a lovely yarn to work with and I think it is going to make a very pretty scarf. I do think it would be even prettier in a lighter color so you could really see the stitch pattern.

Lil' Hat

A while back I came to the realization that baby socks were a much better gift idea than say blankets or sweaters. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I won't ever make sweaters or blankets, but given the time and monetary constraints, socks seem like a more practical idea. At first, I thought several pairs of socks would make a good gift...maybe even a pair for each day of the week....I then decided that what I needed was a hat/sock combo pack...thus the lil' hat. It is a pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Isn't it cute? The pattern calls for Mission Falls 1824 Cotton, but I decided to try some really yummy Manos del Uruguay Stria. Once again, I am not a fan of 100% cotton yarn...don't know what it is, but it is just a little fussy to work with. I did buy some Mission Falls Cotton as well, so maybe it will change my mind...

CAKE, ANYONE?

Upon request, here is a photo of the birthday cake. My sister came up with the idea and had it made - it was very yummy and I really hated to cut it (not really, but it sounds good)...On the knitting front, I am having fun getting the Ravelry site up, working on finishing some baby socks, and intend to make a few hats to go along with them as gifts. I am ready to move on to some bags and the Chevron Scarf ( I guess I should Knit-a-long since I joined the Knit-a-long). I may even finish the Campfire Socks (I wouldn't take that bet). Just stay tuned...

SOCKS ON A PLANE

Well, it's Labor Day, September 3rd, also my birthday...ahem...we won't be blogging about THAT! I spent the long weekend with family and yes, there was yarn involved...a birthday cake in the shape of a basket of yarn (complete w/ real needles!), yarn as gifts, and a trip to a LYS...there was knitting in public, and what I am calling "socks on a plane", a reference to this, which made me laugh out loud. I finished the colorful pair on the trip out, and made it through the gusset decreases of the purple pair on the return flight...there was a needle lost in the process - a size 0 dpn floating around somewhere on an AA Regional Jet...oh well, I did just fine w/ the 4 remaining needles...so, the sock saga continues. I am planning on gearing up on bags and maybe a scarf or two...the holidays will be here before you know it...

Little Feet

Alas, another FO. I thoroughly enjoyed knitting these little socks. It just seems too hot to knit the campfire socks...even the name is hot...BUT, I promised my sister a pair of booties as a baby gift. Instead, I decided on little socks. These are the infant size. I don't own Size 0 DPNs (probably for a good reason) so I did not make the newborn socks. These are knit in Artyarns Supermerino 4, I'm not certain, but I believe it is Color 122...very nice. I actually purchased two skeins of this yarn. Tragedy struck while attempting to wind it...looong story. Anyway, it is perfect for this project because at 191 yards a skein, an adult sock from one skein is dicey at best. The color is not as neutral as I had hoped for, but as quickly as these knit up, I will definitely make several more pairs.

By the way, I lied when I said I did not have anything else on the needles. I am working on the Clementine Shawlette in yummy Blue Sky Alpaca Silk...It is the second time around for me and this pattern so it is not quite as novel as the first time around. I did not get photos of the first one so I hope to finish this one for the record books!

Project: Bbay to Toddler Sized Socks by Miriam Felton

Yarn: Artyarns 100% Merino 4 fingering weight, Color 122

Needles: Size 1 DPNS

Modifications: None

AS PROMISED...

Here it is, Friday...I promised you pics of the recent FOs so, without further adieu, here they are...First the Sachiko Kimono Sweater by Erika Flory. How cute is this sweater? While I am not a fan of cotton yarn in general, I knit this in Lion Cotton Ease and found it to be just fine to work with. It is a 50/50 cotton acrylic blend so the hand and drape are very nice. Next, the Hedera socks. I love this pattern and I found it to be the perfect vehicle for solid yarn. I don't know about you, but I tend to get bored with solid sock yarns...So, as it stands, I only have one project on the needles, the Campfire socks...hard to believe. However, when I started knitting, I told myself that barring the occasional emergency (gifts or gotta knit now yarn), I would have no more than two projects going at one time. This was to self-police. One, to make sure I did not get bored, and two, so I would have incentive to finish something in order to start something new, and third to keep the house from being overrun by UFOs (unfinished objects). Now I getto decide on the next project. I am leaning toward felted bags - after all, I burned out the transmission on my wash machine and had to replace it...nothing like a little felting to break in a new machine!

Pattern: Sachiko Kimono Sweater (Infant size 6 mos.), by Erika Flory

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Lime

Needles: Size 7 straight

Pattern: Hedera, by Cookie A.

Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Denim

Needles: Sz 1 DPNs

Alterations: Picot trim cuff