Post Stitches

My goodies:
---------------
Pink alpaca/silk laceweight for Aunt gift
Blue alpaca/silk laceweight for mother-in-law gift
4 skeins of Karaoke for gift scarf - maybe one of my sisters or sister-in-law
4 skeins of socks that rock (one for a co-worker here that couldn't go)
2 cones of silk/stainless steel from Habu - I think I am going to make some necklaces for the shop with this
2 4oz hanks of fiber from Lisa Souza for the shop
6 oz of multi colored merino for the shop
1 goknit pouch

I think that is all. I was very good about not buying any more bags of yarn for sweaters - and not toooo much sock yarn. Actually If you look at what goes as gifts, and what was for the shop...I only bought some socks that rock...I was very good!!

Then of course I came home and ordered a couple of pairs of the new harmony needles from knit picks...as well as some more bobbins for my wheel...

I was somewhat disappointed in the amount of fiber available...it definately was more a yarn expedition, which is ok. I probably would have spent even more if there would have been lots of yummy fibers around! Too bad about not going next week for Rhinebeck...Ohhhhh I so want to go!!!

I think I am going to be really good now, and not buy anymore yarn until at least the first of the year. Think I can do it?

Languishing

Yes, the blog has suffered...and will probably continue to suffer during the summer months. Anyway, some quick updates in pictures!

Finished my pomatomus pair - bonus view with the sock blockers! The color on this picture turned out terribly. Really the color is much more purple.


I finished one arm warmer:


and I started: Hedera -- for the Sock Knitter's Anonymous August sock.

Flickr & Sock Blockers

Yes! I finally broke down and signed up for a Flickr account. I only have a few pictures up, but hope to transfer nearly all of my images there. I signed up for Ravelry too, but have yet to hear about getting started there. Really, the reason I signed up for the Flickr account was because I heard that it interfaced with Ravelry so well.

Anyway! Yesterday in the mail was a nice surprise...beautiful hand crafted sock blockers from Chappy. Hubby likes them too and knew what they were the moment he saw them. Tomorrow I will post some pictures with them with socks on them.

For spinning news: I am almost finished with the third bobbin of the Lapis Sheep 2 Shoe kit. Hopefully my extra bobbins and lazy kate arrive soon so that I can get on with the plying! This will be my first three ply, so I am extra anxious to see how it turns out.

I had bought the kit from The Fold at Maryland Sheep and Wool, and I wanted more! So, I contacted Toni and she was just great. We chatted a bit about what I was looking for, and she mailed me an order! So, I got another Sheep 2 Shoe kit in Little Bunny Foo Foo, 10 ounces of Extra Fine Merino in the Carbon colorway, and 8.5 ounces of the same in the Highway 30 colorway. The Extra Fine Merino is WONDERFUL. I have to check but I am pretty sure the micron count was something like 19 -- almost as soft as cashmere! I am so very excited to spin this!

As Promised!!!

Here are some yummy pictures of my Maryland Sheep and Wool loot!

Maryland Sheep & Wool

This year was my first visit to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. It truly was an unforgettable experience. There was so much going on, and so many people, I quickly became separated from my party. It was a beautiful day, we did not arrive until 10:30-11ish. As we approached the fairgrounds it became very clear that all the traffic was headed for the festival. I wished I had brought my camera so that I could have taken a picture of the sea of cars both parked and trying to park.

We started to wander around, and after the first couple of venders I couldnt find my friends anymore. I continued to walk around, making sure to get into every barn and every building. At The Fold's booth, I bought some lovely Socks that Rock Seduction in some almost solid colors. They were so pretty. I am glad I got to see them in person, on the web page it is hard to imagine how beautiful it is. I also picked up a Sheep 2 Shoe kit in Lapis.

After that, I continued to wander and ended up buying some good priced top and a top whorl spindle to practice spinning. At the same time, I found that Visually learn Handspinning book that many bloggers are talking about.

I was very good and self restrained -- I passed up awesome deals at the Tilli Thomas booth and the only Handmaiden Sea Silk that I had spotted that day. Also passed on where many many lovely, beautiful, deliciously dyed rovings and fleeces.

Toward the end, I met back up with my party to relax. They got in line to get some tee-shirts, and I decided to go back to The Fold...This was my downfall. I saw that they had put out some Sock Candy! So I grabbed up two each of two colorways (you need two for a pair, I bought 4 skiens). I also grabbed a skien of Twisted in the Fire on the Mountain color. This is destined to become a scarf, I will probably get another skien online of something almost solid to pair with it.

I will post up pictures of everything when I get home!

Indecision

Lots more colors up at Blue Moon Fiber Arts! Too many nice ones to choose from. I have that 10% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket...But then theres the anniversary sale going on over at Webs too! Gah! Too much yarn -- too little money :(

Socks...again

Yes, another posting about socks...but there's other stuff too I promise!!

First, I finished the Tapestry scarf. I am still meh about the yarn -- I like the silky feeling, but I still hate the hairy-ness. If it could only be silky without the hair. I will probably gift this, not sure yet to whom. Because after complaining about the hair, how can I push it off on some poor unsuspecting recipient?

In the spirit of recent-stitch-marker-making, I completed a set of fabulous green stars. And here is what my findings box looks like now.


I also made another set of binary stitch markers using purple and clear beads. This time I used up all four bead spots and went to 15. I have the materials to finish the first set, but have been, quite frankly, too lazy.

For the hubby, I frogged the Saffron Cables blanket...I just didn't like spending so much time per row. I love cables - I really do - I just don't love them in giant blanket form. Instead I have promised him a different blanket. One with manageable pieces. One that takes very little thought to work. Of course I decided it also needed more color...So I bought two more colors to compliment the green and TADA:


The Hubby Log Cabin is planned and started. Five center green squares are already completed, and now I just need to wait on mister mailman to bring me more yummy yarn.

What about the socks?!? Well, in anticipation of the first shipment for the Rockin' Sock Club -- I ordered yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts!


From left to right, Lemongrass, Rose Quartz, Lover's Leap, and Little Bunny Foo Foo. I LOVE them all!!!


Also in this order, two hanks for hubby in the very manly Obsidian. He has watched me fawn over Socks that Rock for many months now, and decided that he needed a pair. -- I also received the first shipment of the club, but I will leave that for a later post -- no spoilers here!

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.

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.

Happy New Year!

Lots of pictures for you this posting. I was away for the holidays, and came back with a sinus infection but lots of gifts. First, from the Lancaster Stitch 'N' Bitch: My secret santa was too kind! Becky got me a stitchonary, some tools, a cute ornament, a cookie cutter, and personalized hand dyed yarn!

How awesome is that!!! Its named after me, "Heather's Twilight".






From the family I got several knitting books and even some yarn! My family doesn't understand my obsession one bit, so the yarn and books were really hard for them to feel good about giving. Most notably, here are the skeins of Socks that Rock from my mom. Yummmmmm!! I can't wait to start knitting more socks!









Speaking of knitting. Over the break I was on a color mission. I am almost finished with one endpaper mitt, and about half way through one legwarmer. The mitts seem a bit small...but I think they will stretch...The leg warmer is turning out pretty nicely, very spring-like.









Not Christmas related, my husband was able to pick up one of these:









Not sure if we are going to keep it or not. There doesn't seem to be that much incentive at this point. Only one real game that he's interested in that isn't available for the 360, so maybe he will return it until there are more games. Who knows...

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.

Long time...

...no write! It really does seem like a long time since I have posted. Thanksgiving was OK, not much really going on. For work, I got off Thursday, but Friday I ended up working from home. Usually I am more productive at home, so this was not a problem. Hubby and I went to my sister's house for Turkey Day. She is the BEST cook! Dinner was simply awesome...a true feast.

As for knitting news -- some ups and downs. I finished the purple tri-fold bowl, but messed my next one up. I started out fine...made my moebius, thought it was going well...then I notice...it looks much smaller than the others...It ends up only about 2/3rds as large as the other rims...but just as thick! So...hubby suggested, I just make a smaller version...but I think it is not going to end up well. I finished, but am almost afraid to felt it. I could only pick up 10 instead of 22 stitches along the sides, so the base of the bowl itself is small. Then when working the increases, the bottom ended up kinda wonky because of the weird number of stitches. -Sigh-

The good news is...I am about to turn the heel on my second Jaywalker sock, and started another pair for my sister-in-law. The second pair I started at Tuesday's knit night, and am on the cuff area now! Almost finished. I think though, I am going to finish the Jaywalkers, then use that set of needles to do the second of the new pair...then at the end I can just work both cuffs till I run out of yarn...and hopefully they end up to be the same length too. These pair are plain stockinette until the leg where I am doing a 3x1 ribbing. Then the cuff I will switch to a 2x2 rib for better elasticity. The Queen Kahuna cast of worked so well on my Jaywalker, I can see me using that exclusively for all of my toe up socks.

Maybe one day I will write up the little formula I use to do socks now. With every sock I have learned new techniques, but I think I finally have it down to a science. Oh! I almost forgot -- in other good and bad news: the color pooling (Scorponia colorway from Socks That Rock) in the second Jaywalker is ending up exactly like the first one...of course this is both good and bad, but I think I have finally come to peace with it. The second pair of socks (Seal Rock colorway from Socks That Rock) have many more colors, shorter repeats, and no pooling!

In summary, I guess you could say it has been a very sock filled weekend! (The Lorna's socks are still -almost- completed. I just can't bring myself to finish them up!)

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 :(

I will not buy more yarn...

I will not buy more yarn, I will NOT buy more yarn...except for Christmas gifts. Ebay is much too easy to get addicted to, and my stash seems like it has suddenly grown overnight! I really have SOOOO much Christmas knitting to do, that I cant really justify buying any yarn for projects other than gifts. If I get done early, maybe I could treat myself to some of the yummy new color ways of Socks That Rock...oh my

...I will not buy more yarn...

Sock Yarn Reccomendations

As you know, I have been doing some research on sock yarns recently. Below I will list some information for your purusal.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts
pros:
- beautiful colorways
- superwash
- lots of yardage (1 hank = 1 pair)
- available in three different weights
- reasonably priced
- really soft
- pretty springy
- my favorite!
cons:
- not readily available other than main site

Schaefer Anne
pros:
- beautiful colorways
- superwash
- lots of yardage (1 hank = 1 pair)
- has some nylon content (good wearing)
- available here, check out other ebay stores for good prices
cons:
- has a vinegar smell

Lorna's Laces Shepard sock
pros:
- beautiful colorways
- superwash
- available here, here ,check out other ebay stores for good prices
- super soft
- good spring
cons:
- 2 hanks = 1 pair
- can be pricy (they do that stupid keystone pricing)

Cherry Tree Hill
pros:
- beautiful colorways
- superwash
- available here, here, see below listing of sites, plus check ebay
- good yardage (1 hank = 1 pair)
cons:
- I dont have much information on this yarn because my hank has not yet arrived

Other brands:
good sock yarn sites here, here, here, here, here

-Regia
-Opal
-Trekking XXL
-Austerman Step
-Mountain Colors Bearfoot
-many others

These other ones, I don't know...I really just fell so madly in love with the top 3...
There are other brands that carry sock yarn, but is not superwash...these are fine as long as you are fine with handwashing socks!

Also if you are doing the Jaywalker pattern, or other textured sock patterns, a self stripe sock yarn may not be desired...

Any of these will do, be sure to check the yardage...you want to get about 300+ yds per pair I think. Most brands you have to buy two skeins to make a pair.

Projects and new yarn

This is my current project. A pair of toe up socks on two circulars, done two at a time! They are being worked in my lucious new Lorna's Laces. I think they will be a gift for my sister's birthday.

I like doing them two at a time, but I made the mistake of getting two different length needles, a 16" and a 24". I thought that getting the two different sizes would help me keep them straight for the first pair. However, the 16" needles have a smaller needle part. So as I am working, the work falls off faster and its hard to grip. Next time I order from Knitpicks, I will grab another 24"...another excuse to buy more yarn!!

Speaking of more yarn...I got my "Socks that Rock" yarn from Blue Moon FiberArts. GORGEOUS!!! I LOVE this yarn!! The colors are just so beautiful and vibrant. Over the weekend I ended up rolling these into some nice center pull balls. The right-most one is for my sister-in law. I told her I would make her a pair of socks, and her birthday is coming up, so I suppose I can part with one of these hanks.

Finally, here is a picture of my finished sweater, blocking on the floor. I wore it this weekend a few times, but really I think it ended up just too short and too wide. The blocking didn't quite keep the ribbing from rolling, and the sleeves were very long.

At the in-laws this weekend, my aunt fell in love with it, and so I gave it to her. I figure I would rather have someone enjoy wearing it instead of me just throwing it into a drawer somewhere.