February is for FO's

I have a couple of FO's to post about! February was a pretty productive month for me. I decided that I would tackle my UFOs in the order of percentage already completed. This enabled me to finish more projects...which I then promptly cast on a few new ones!

Firstly, I finished and blocked the Swallowtail shawl. I think it turned out lovely -- I hope Aunt Dorothy likes it!


I finished the Lorna's Laces socks for my sister...you know, the ones that have been 95% complete for about 6 months...






Also completed are my Dreidel Jaywalkers.










For the hubby I have one sock done! I also ordered him some yummy Socks that Rock in the Obsidian color...so next up, more socks for him.












What did I start? Well, I just love the Whiskey yarns from Reynolds...so I started a fair-isle sweater from their new Contemporary Collection.

I also started a new pair of socks for me with SWTC Tofutsies yarn. Let me tell you, I LOVE this yarn. It is very light, a good summer sock yarn. Something about it makes it just wonderful.

Pictures, pictures, Pictures!!!

To make up for the severe lack of posting recently, I have a huge amount of pictures today. So lets see, what have I been up to? First, update on Sapporo: I have about 3-3.5 inches of the body completed...and I haven't worked on it for over a week. Miles and miles of plain stockinette to go before the interesting patterning starts.

In rebellion against doing miles and miles of plain stockinette, I have started a few scarves. I don't know why, but I had the unquellible urge to knit some scarves. Here we have a bias scarf in Rowan Tapestry, and a Ruffles from Scarf style in Sarah's Yarns' dk cashmere. My comments on the yarns? I don't really care for Tapestry. It is very pretty, but it is a bit more hairy than I thought it would be. The soy in it gives it a sort of silky feel, but the wool content is VERY hairy. I don't have any other words to describe it, its not scratchy or halo-y, its just ... the scarf feel reminds me of a hairy man leg...eww

Speaking of man legs -- I got some new yarns, one DH has approved for his first sock request (the middle one). The one he liked is various blues, and its wool with bamboo. Other sock yarns I received (because you can't just order one!) More Trekking, and TOFUtsies!

Going back to Sarah's Yarns, I had also purchased two cones of Jagger Zephyr for some lace knitting. The first project: Swallowtail shawl from fall 2006 Interweave Knits. I love this pattern, especially after some clever nupp strategies. My method for nupps: Using a size 0 dpn, transfer the five stitches from the left needle, to the dpn. Now purl into all five. This way is a bit tedious because of the transfer, but it is MUCH easier than trying to purl all five from the original needle. Even with the size 0, it is still hard for me to get much of the right needle through all five loops. This shawl is destined to be gifted to Aunt Dorothy -- the one person I know adores my handknits.

I finished one Pomatomus sock! Here it is in all its Pucks Mischief Beauty. The Rockin' Sock Club is almost ready to start so I better get working on this mate! The second Dreidel Jaywalker is almost completed as well.












To carry it all, I splurged on a Namaste messenger bag! This thing is huge, it stores all my needles, notions and several projects. Notice in the picture my CrippenWorks dpn case. Mom gave this to me for Christmas, but I forgot to post about it.

New Blogger!

Finally I was able to transfer my blog to the new Blogger! I love it so far. The biggest change is with the template, I will have to learn about how they are doing that so I can convert to the new way without loosing my buttons and images etc.

It has been quite a while since I posted last. I have been so busy; work, contract work, and illness have kept me away from the fun stuff on the computer. But the good news is, I have gotten a new antibiotic and hopefully this is the last time I will be sick this winter.

Another change for the new year: No more Verizon! I am sooooo happy to be back with Cingular/AT&T. It has been nothing but headaches with Verizon: bad customer service, bad phones, bad prices. The first night of the phone number port there was some weirdness happening, but the very kind customer service people of Cingular were most helpful, and got everything straightened out. The customer service really is the most important part of providing any type of service.

As for knitting, I have started on my Sapporo 2007 sweater! It is turning out really nicely. Knit on size 2's it will take quite a bit of time, but it will be well worth it. Also on the needles is a pair of Pomotamus socks and the second Jaywalker sock. I have turned the heel on the Jaywalker and am on the foot of the Pomotamus.

Weekend Sock

This weekend, DH took the PS3 back to the store. But then...bought a new one...but found this deal where you can trade in your old ps2 and get $100+ dollars back toward the purchase of the ps3! So that is what we did. It was a good deal, but I still don't see him getting to into it, especially now that school is starting up again.

In knitting news, I completed the seal rock socks that rock for my sister-in-law. Those are waiting to be gifted. I wanted to finish up a few more projects, but got too excited about socks. In one day, I finished an entire jaywalker! The color way is Dreidel from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, of course. I decided to go top down, and try out a picot edging (all of the cool kids are doing it). But I think with the way the jaywalker zigzags, it probably isn't the best choice. It is pretty thick and the turning makes the edge want to roll over. Other than that small problem, I just love the way the yarn worked up. The striping is perfect and there was no pooling at all.

Here you can see Mr. Sharky thinks they are yummy! I have already cast on for the second and should definitely have the pair completed in a few days.




I found a group doing Dale of Norway projects starting the 20th of January. And so, I have decided to give that a go. My choice is Sapporo, which is the 2007 Norwegian Ski Team sweater. I received my booklet and zipper and just have to decide on what colors I want to make it. It is worked in Daletta, which I have never used before. I want to carry Dale of Norway at the store, so I also consider this project research.

Socks Socks Socks

Here are my finished Jaywalkers!








In addition to finally finishing that second one, I have started the second of the Seal Rock socks. The first of the pair are already on the cuff, and awaiting simultaneous knitting till the end of the yarn.









The other object I am working on: a vest from RYC Classic booklet. The entire booklet is using wool/silk, but I had all this Debbie Bliss Cash Cotton, so I thought I would try it out. It is going really fast for a 2x2 rib.

Rain!

Getting to work today was quite the experience. First, the neighborhood was flooded. Next, when stopping for gas I had to wade across the parking lot to get to the store. At this point I consider turning back, and calling in to let work know that I would be working from home today. However, I decide to give it a go. On the highway it wasn't bad, but because it was raining, people feel the need to drive half the speed limit. It took me over an hour to get to work (usually it only takes me 45 mins) . I pull into work, sit down in my chair and realize that my feet are cold and wet and still soggy from my gas station adventure -- sigh, its going to be a long day.

Now for the good news! Last night my ball winder and swift arrived!!!!! I immediately began spinning all my Cascade 220 into neat center pull cakes. Later I will post a picture. I wound three right away, took a short break for dinner making, then continued to wind the other 12. These will soon be turned into five tri-fold bowls.

I also turned the toe on my second jaywalker sock, only to realize that the provisional cast on side was purl side out, and so, I had worked it inside out! Tonight I will have to rip out the toe on that one, and start...AGAIN. Wow with the jaywalkers, just wow. I am actually hoping that the color pools in the same way...It would be a shame if this one didn't pool and really didn't match the other one. Has anyone else had trouble with the Socks that Rock pooling on a jaywalker? Becky's look great! I am so jealous :(

Stitches East

I am so glad I attended! I didn't buy much, but it was a wonderful trip. The rides down and back were non-stop laughing, and the market was nothing short of overwhelming. I got to buy my black sheep tape measure.









Also I acquired some lovely size 3 Brittany needles.










On my way down I tried to work on my second mobius basket, but silly me, I did the last part first, and so had to start over again after arriving home. Here is the picture of my first, and second baskets...the second one still needs a trip into the washing machine.










This weekend was simply wonderful for finishing objects! I finished my first jaywalker sock, and also my sixth ball band washcloth.

Negative Progress?

Unfortunately my progress bars cannot display a negative status. Here is a picture of my jaywalkers...


In other sock news, I have completed the gusset increases for my Lornas Laces socks! So now I am ready to turn the heel. Maybe I will be able to complete them this weekend.


Also on the needles (or rather hook) is a bunch of granny squares for an afghan. Its really icky acrylic, but my Mom doesn't mind! Here is Mr. Sharky modeling for you.

Too big?

So, I think my I have to rip my jaywalkers again. I took another look at the pattern, and after the toe, I am supposed to make it even bigger! So...Yeah, definately ripping...might even have to go down to a size 0 needle. I wanted to use the 1's because the yarn is a bit heavier than the usual sock yarn I have knitted with. But I guess it just makes my guage way too big. A good thing did come of this -- I learned how to do short row toes :)

Here is a picture of my treasures from The Mannings. Gotta love the clearance sale! I still don't have a project for it yet, but probably something small and lovely in these fall colors, I am thinking a scarf! It is Debbie Bliss wool/cotton blend and really has a nice clean look to it. I am still searching for small patterns since I didn't get enough for a big project.

Bonus picture...My hubby knitting! Isn't he cute? :)

Updates to come

I started the jaywalkers! I used Queen Kahuna's awesome invisible provisional cast on with a shortrow toe...however, after completing the two toes, they seem to be really just too big. So...I may have to start over again. Its really a shame becaues this is the second try with this pair.

The first time, I was trying to use one end from the inner pull ball, and one end from the outside of the ball...I thought it would be OK, maybe a bit more confusing than usual, but I was sure that I could handle it. Well, apparently I could not... I ended up with a HUGE messy knot. Not only that, but somehow the yarn got tangled between the two cables between the socks...it was pretty much impossible for me to fix until I finished both toes. SO! I ripped them out and promptly seperated the ball into two individual center pull balls.

Later I will post up pictures IF I decide that I dont need to rip them out. By Thursday's Stitch and Bitch I will definately have them started, hopefully into the pattern.

I also will put up pictures of my purchases from my trip to The Mannings!