The Flash!

So here it is, (a little early - I'm not going to be near a computer tomorrow!) in all it's (kind of small) glory. Not as big as most, bigger than some, but it's mine.....(I'm glad we did this before MD S&W!

Berroco Softwist Bulky and Rowan Cork

Newly dyed wool/angora thrift store yarn

K1C2 Angora Soft for Mariah

Frogged Thrift Bulky Brown Wool

Patons Classic,DB Merino and other wool leftovers

2 lbs each of Naturelle 8/8 in Charcoal (for Bomber) and Milk

Kimmet Croft Softie and Rowan Linen Print

I think that's all - I have a a few more frogged thrift store finds, and still have to find something to do with them.....any suggestions? The Linen print has been causing me issues too. Not sure what the heck to do with that either!

Of Stash, Socks and Such

This week has gone by so fast I almost forgot about Flash Your Stash! I guess I better get out the camera when I get home tonight. I did a bunch of reduction of the stash recently. A bunch of great people have been snatching up the yarn on my swap page. More funding for MD!

I did get word that the sock yarn I ordered from the co-op back in February is finally here! I got a 1 pound cone, so I think it is about 1200 yards. Hopefully 3 pairs of socks worth! I'm excited to try some more dying.

The heel is in sight of the toe up socks. I decided not to rip out my second toe attempt and instead give these socks to my dad. They fit me pretty perfectly, and since we have just about the same size feet and his fuzzy feet were a complete disaster, they will be going to him.

In reading Stephanie's post today about list making and how it takes some of the fun out of picking your next project, I thought, "hmmm - that sounds very familiar".

I'm an avid list maker as well, and have the many Excel spreadsheets to prove it. I really identified with how she felt, as I've started feeling a bit of the same lately when I stare at my stash, and then my lists (on the spreadsheets, of course) to try to find a match for my next project. It almost feels like some kind of recipe gone bad. I am missing an ingredient and am floundering around trying to find something, anything, that will work instead. In the guilt to try and use up the stash before I buy anything else, and the long list of projects I have come across and really liked at the time, I often end up maybe doing a few swatches, but rarely finding anything that truly works and makes the "recipe" a success. Most (probably 85%) of the time I buy yarn for a specific project. I am not a waster, or a keeper, so I hate having yarn sitting around without a purpose. The problem arises when I buy yarn for a specific purpose, then it doesn't work. That, to me, is utter frustration. I seem to either get gauge right away, or I never, ever get it no matter how hard or how many needles I try. I think that may be contributing to my recent mutiny of sweaters and clothing items in favor of more "easy fit" things like socks and handwarmers. I'm hoping it's just a funk, but just to light a new fire under my knitting (not literally - burning wool smells horrible!) I may try (yes, try) to follow Stephanie in your quest for freedom from lists - even just on one project. Wish me luck as I attempt to pry the lists out of my hands.....

Short Row Short Circut

I went on a pattern search to make another pair of socks for hubby before he wears out the first pair (he wears them every chance he can get!). I have 3 balls (384 yd) of Patons Country Garden (DK weight). Being a bit bored and looking for something new, I decided to dive in and try Wendy's Toe Up Sock Pattern. That way, I figured, I could just knit a ball and a half for each sock until I ran out at the cuff. Hub doesn't like tall socks anyway, so I figured it was the best plan of attack. Eagerly, I did my provisional cast on and started knitting. I got through the wraps once, started to knit the wraps, then panicked. Did I do the provisional cast on right? It seemed eerily similar to the Tubular cast on I am now so enamored with. Making sure I wanted to do it right, and knowing that I wouldn't have live stitches when I ripped out the crochet chain from a Tubular cast on, I frogged the entire thing. I looked again at the my cast on bible (The Knitters Book Of Finishing Techniques) I had one of those huge DUH! moments. (Literally - I smacked myself on the forehead as I actually said it out loud!). The Tubular and Provisional cast on are the same up until the point in the Tubular that you knit into the first row to form the tube part and keep it from being live stitches when you unravel the chain. The provisional just omits this step! Frustrated, but glad I had checked, I once again set up my crochet chain and started knitting and wrapping. Again, I got to the point where I have wrapped all my stitches and the instructions say:

Row 1: Knit across the 14 live stitches across to the first unworked, wrapped stitch. To work this stitch, pick up the wrap and knit it together with the stitch. (I did this)

Wrap the next stitch (so that it now has two wraps) and turn. (I did this)

Row 2: Slip the first (double-wrapped) stitch and purl across to the first unworked, wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrap and purl it together with the stitch. Wrap the next stitch and turn. (I did this)

On subsequent rows you will pick up both wraps and knit or purl them together with the stitch.

This is where the problems started - picking up two wraps and knitting it with the stitch - how do you put 2 wraps on the left needle to knit them? I had such a time even trying! I got the wraps on the needle, but coulnd't for the life of me knit them with the stitch! Is there a trick to this? For one wrap, I just pick up the wrap with the left needle from front to back to front and just knit it w/the stitch. The double wraps I am having such a problem with!

Also, do I continue double wrapping all the stitches, or just these first 2? (it says "subsequent rows" which leads me to believe I do, but I want to make sure.

I have done socks before, but not short row toes/heels (my last few attempts have been a disaster). Until now, I have avoided doing short row heels and toes because I have never been able to successfully do them. Help!

PS - If you noticed the progress bars I decided on my next project!
PPS - I am still working on my March Project Spectrum project. Red Velvet cupcakes. I made a batch the other night and they turned out less than desirable. I have another version I'll try tonight.

Puppy and FO pictures!

As promised, some adorable puppy pictures

I also finished the wristwarmers! (The bottom is a more accurate color)

They fit perfect and are very cozy. I think I'll get a ton of use out of them!

So, as of this moment I have NOTHING on the needles! A scary thought. I kind of felt lost after I finished the wristwarmers - nothing concrete planned, no gift or time sensitive projects on the horizon. In a fit of desperation, I went through my stash and did some swatching to see what I could come up with to do next. I'd like to do the Country Socks from Folk Socks (photo courtesy Purly) for my hubby, but I only have one color of superwash right now that would work for it. I swatched for Mariah with the light blue angora soft and got gauge. I also swatched for the Bomber pattern with the light grey Naturelle 8/8 I got in trade a while back. Got gauge with that too! So, I'm not sure which I'd like to start. The Bomber is simple (relatively) and I've seen a few cute ones floating around the web. Mariah is, well, Mariah - I've been wanting to do it since I first saw it on Knitty. Any votes one way or the other? I do have that bag of Cork that I plan to use for one of the cabled Rebecca patterns, but it seems too much like winter knitting to start right now. I'll save it for fall. The sad thing is, I really would like to start a pair of socks! I have no sock yarn in the stash execpt for the superwash. I may have to hunt down another pattern to use it for that I can start. Having no projects is hard work!

And they call it, gusset love

These quick little projects are really fun. I was puppy free, so I had time last night to work on the cabled armwarmers I'm making out of the purple superwash I dyed a few weeks back. I am past the thumb gusset, and should eaily finish tonight. Hopefully, I can finish the second one tonight also! (My hand is stretching out the bottom)

I really looooove how the gusset turned out. I used an increase I hadn't tried before - the "KRL" (knit right loop). It gave me a perfect increase with no holes! The gusset is really nice. For some reason, I just am so pleased with it I can't stop looking at it!

I also dyed the rest of the off white thrift store yarn. I really like how the colors came out - very sherberty and bright. I used a few different oranges (both Kool Aid and the Klass brand mixed) and some bright pink (Watermelon I think?) I watered down.

(sherbert for comparison)

I still have to figure out what I'm going to make with both this and the brownandblue yarn - any suggestions? I have about 425 yds of each. Maybe a hat and mitts, or another set of armwarmers! Some pattern stash diving is in order this weekend (I have to re-organize them anyway, so it's a good excuse!)

I'm sure I will have lots of puppy pictures to post next week - I'm being invaded over the weekend!

Hats off!

My sister's snowflake hat was done over the weekend, but I wanted to post some pictures.....

and, because it's a Fair Isle project you have to show the inside!
Not too bad, I think! Some of my longer floats were a little loose, but I guess that's better than too tight. I made the hat a little long because she wanted it to be able to cover her ears.

The brownandblue yarn got wound into balls....

(the color is a little washed out - it is a bit richer in person)

Purty! I got some orange and red/pink to do some more dying. I found my local WalMart actually had the hispanic version of Kool Aid, and that had that weird Tamarind or something flavor that makes brown! They also had a bunch of good oranges - one that looked like cantaloupe, mango and a nice bright orange. I'm hoping to maybe do some tonight if I get home from our agility lesson early enough. Our first USDAA trial of the season is in April in New York!

Tucker got approved for his AKC ILP registration last week, so now we can enter all the AKC trials as well! This is going to be one busy summer!

Red Red Red (maybe pink?)

Being that there is about two weeks left in Project Spectrum, I guess I should get on the ball with something red or pink. I plan on doing a little more dying with some more off white yarn, this time orange and pink. But, I'm also craving something sweet - cupcakes to be exact. I'm thinking, what is more perfect for Project Spectrum - Red Velvet Cupcakes! So, I'm off internet hunting for a good recipe for them. Anyone know of one? (in print or on the web)

I also got my second Clover plastic circular yesterday to try to use with some sock/glove knitting - it's a size 3, so it should be good for the bigger socks and gloves.....isn't it cute!

It's only 8.25" long! It should be a trip to knit with, if my hands can handle it!

The Snowflake hat is 100% done! Hoping to get modeled pictures tonight if my sister cooperates!

Fun Fair Isle!

I sat down on Friday night and finally got to the fair isle part of the Snowflake hat. I have no idea why I was so nervous to start - what is the worst that could happen??? By the time I went to bed, I had this:
The first row or two has some wonky stitches, but considering it is my first fair isle, and my first time knitting with two hands, I was pretty proud! It was so much easier than I thought. Watching the pattern appear after every row was so neat! I can see how it is addictive! I had to remember to keep the floats loose, but the hard part was at the joins of the cord - I wasn't sure just how loose or tight to keep the floats. It got better as I went along, and by the end of Grey's Anatomy last night this was done:
Not bad! It was so much fun! I really feel like I could (dare I say) easily tackle the Norwegan Stockings, or another project similar. I don't think I'd every do a whole fair isle sweater, but one with it around the yoke or something may be in the future. As far as knitting in the round, I wasn't sure how to make the pattern so that there was no "jog" when it was joined at the end of a round. I guess keeping a solid/background color as the first stitch all the way down? I'm sure there is a trick to it, I just have to do some research to find out how. It isn't too glaring on the hat, but I'd like to know for the future! As I went along, it got easier, and the stitches got more even.

Next, I think I am going to make some gauntlets for me next. Not sure which. I was thinking about these or these. Something with simple cables using the purple superwash hand dyed yarn. I've been using gloves at daycare to do the outside work, and it's a pain to have to take them on and off to open the kennels, snap on leashes, etc. These, I think, would make a useful addition!

So much for the first day of spring! There was a light dusting of snow on the ground when I woke up this morning!

Wiltons and Kool Aid

I finally got my hands on some brown Wiltons, so I dyed up some of that chunky off white Gap thrift store sweater yarn I had. I'm a huge "brownand" fan (brown and pink, brown and blue, etc) so I had some blue Kool Aid, so decided to go the brown and blue route for this batch.

After squirting on the color

Resting after a Nuke

Drying in the sun

More pictures after they are wound into balls! I love how the color came out - the brown could have maybe been a little richer, but I think it will be great for mittens and a scarf!

The WIP list shrinks....

I finished the Voodoo wrist warmers on Monday. They were a very simple K2P2 rib, but that was it - I lost interest about halfway through the first one. I picked them up again over the weekend and just willed myself to finish them. It went quick and I learned how to do a 1 row buttonhole! (goal of one new skill per project - check!) I cast on for the second not wanting the drive to finsh to wane too much. A few Tivo'd eposodes of Amazing Race later, it was also done. They were gifted to a woman at work's daughter. Now, I just have to make a pair for myself!

So, the WIP's are decreasing yet again. I did cast on and do the ribbing for the snowflake hat. I don't have a circular needle short enough, so I'm using DPN's. I'm kind of worried to use them with the Fair Isle - but, for now they'll have to do. I guess it will be good practice if nothing else. The DPN's tend to make my left hand sore though. I may do some lookin' for a short circular to ease the pain. (Duh - (smacking head) Magic loop strikes again! Why don't I ever think of it!) Anyway, I'm done with the ribbing, and a few rows of stockinette, so I'm ready to start the Fair Isle pattern (insert deep breath here). Tonight my foray into stranded knitting begins! (wish me luck!)

A great reason for not much knitting going on....

How cute is she? I puppy-sat for Haley this weekend, and let me tell you, it is hard knitting while trying to occupy a 7 1/2 week old puppy! She is one of the latest litter by my friend Terri's boy Razz. She is so full of herself, and has got quite the little attitude already! She is going to make one great agility and show dog!

I did manage to get one wristwarmer done and am about 2" into the second one. I also ripped out the hood of Outback and just did a ribbed neckline. Pics to come after a blocking. I got more of the purple yarn dyed. It came out very pretty.

It was soooooooo beautiful out on Saturday - temps in the 50's and dare I say 60's - I ended up falling asleep out on the deck in the sun while the yarn dried. The plant box hanger makes a great yarn drier too!

I also put a bunch of stuff over on the sale/swap page - check it out!

It is kind of scary how excited I am!

The 2006 vendor list for MD S&W is up! Let the planning begin!

Project Spectrum

March is all things Red/Pink for Project Spectrum. Margene over at ZenNeedle had a great idea of snapping photos of things around the house. Since both hubby and I love color, I didn't have to go far....(I never realized how many red things were around!)

red, big, sqooshy, comfy couch (aka my knitting spot and doggie nap spot)


red room and red chair


Lucky Charms (hubby's favorite)

Some bright colors for a very gray day outside.

I did some Kool Aid dying last night while I watched TiVo'd Amazing Race. I took some bright purple yarn that I got in trade (superwash wool, DK weight) and wanted to tone it down. It was even too bright for me! I added a packet of Tropical Punch and Cherry Kool Aid, popped it into the microwave and viola! (left is before, right is after!)










The flash washed it out a bit, but it's a beautiful, rich plum color with some dashes of the bright purple. Really pretty!

I did some work on the wristwarmers last night. The K2P2 ribbing gets boring, but I'm hoping it will go quick....

A night of completion!

I got both pairs finished!

Thuja:

modeled by my hubby

Tucker giving his nose of approval

And the Lux Sockees:

modeled by me (excuse the pathetic winter white legs!)

I am so relieved that they are done. It was really nice to be able to put that "100%" in the progress bars! So, the rest of the week is swatching the Snowflake hat, and finishing up the handwarmers. Not too bad.....

Kitchner City - a great place to visit.....

I finished the 2nd Thuja for my hubby last night along with one of the sockees! I should be able to finish the second sockee (only needs a toe) tonight, which means only one thing - I have four toes to Kitchner! I actually kind of like doing it, I love how it comes out, but I'm wondering how a three needle bind off would work also. I have heard of some people using it for sock toes, but I would think it would still leave a little ridge that would be annoying. If all goes well, and I don't get home too late, I may be able to finish up tonight!

The Voodoo wrist warmers also need some attention. I have neglected them in the past weeks, and it's almost getting too warm for their intended recipient to wear them! A few nights and I should be able to complete them.

I hope to have modeled sock pictures for tomorrow!

Two toes forward, (feels like) a bazillion back!

My hubby's Thuja socks are coming along well. The first is done, and the second is about halfway down the foot. I hope to finish them tonight. They were quick and easy, and I may make the pattern again in the future. The twisted German cast on was a bit stretchier, and worked better for him. A few more CO stitches next time may be in order.

The sockees have become the bain of my existence! I measured, had my sister try them on, and (I think her feet grew) they still don't fit! I ripped (again!) back the toes, added about 1/4" and started the toes again. This better be the last time!

The Fair Isle handwarmers are on hold. I went to the yarn store this weekend, and they had one, yes only one, color of solid sock yarn. A light beige - ick. I tried some baby yarn (they had superwash wool in the right gauge) but they only had pastel colors. I was so frustrated! So, in an effort not to buy new yarn (I am really trying to be good and not buy anything until Maryland! I looked through what I had (nothing at a small enough gauge to work for the handwarmers) and figured a hat may be the best option. I could do some mittens, but for my first project I decided to concentrate on something of simple construction, so I could worry about the fair isle and not the "other stuff". My sister has needed a hat for a while. We picked out yarn (Debbie Bliss Merino Aran in a winter white, and leftover Pleasure from my hourglass, a neat snowflake fair isle pattern from Flying Geese & Partridge Feet by Robin Hansen (out of print) and a basic hat pattern where I could just insert the pattern in the body of the hat. I need to do a gauge swatch and then I can get started. So, the project has changed, but the objective is the same - LEARN FAIR ISLE!

The knitters breakfast was ok. The one we went to at the Framingham store last time was, in our opinion, a lot better. We went to Warwick, RI this time as they had a Berroco trunk show, and my friend just looooves Berroco. The format was a lot different, and we just didn't feel like we saw as much. We were all dissapointed. Next time we will head back to Framingham. The store was a lot smaller, but we liked the way the did an actual "show" of the vendor, and had the door prizes intersperced in the presentation. We did, however, come away with a great door prize! (my sister wins every time!)
How great is that! Actually, she won a pile of pattern books (realtively new) from Noro and another designer. The woman after us won the sock book. I commented that I really like that book, and she asked me if we wanted to trade! I guess she didn't knit socks at all, so it worked out for everyone in the end! I am so excited! A pair of Child's First Socks is in my future once I get some more sock yarn! There are quite a few neat looking patterns in there. I'm sure I could keep myself busy for some time!

So, the knitting agenda for this week is to finish the sockees, finish Thuja, swatch for the Snowflake hat and maybe (big maybe) pick out a next sweater to do if I feel like it.

I have to work some extra days at doggie daycare, so I don't have as much knitting time, but I bet if I try I can finish up all three socks in one night. I'd like to get my sister the hat before it's too warm to wear it at least once!

I'm trying to figure out a project for the March version of Project Spectrum. I know it doesn't have to be knitting related, which is nice, so I was thinking of maybe some baking (Red velvet cupcakes?)or dying. I have some really bright purple yarn that I'd like to tone down. Some cherry Kool Aid may help. It's only the beginning of the month, so I have some time to see what falls into place!

Fair Isle, here I come!

I found what I'd like to do for the Norwegian KAL - these wrist warmers! (in much more "vibrant" colors, of course!)

Edit: Here is a picture. I'm thinking of a nice pink MC with rich brown CC for Project Spectrum red/pink March!

Flying Fingers

I can't believe how fast these socks are going! I finished one Thuja and am halfway down the cuff for the second! I can't wait to finish and give them to the hubby. He says he's quite excited about wearing them. The tubular cast on I did was a bit snug to get over his heel, so I did a twisted German cast on for sock #2 and hopefully it will be a bit stretchier. Experiment gone bad.

(Sorry for the crappy background and photo - what was I thinking???)

MJ over at YummyYarn convinced me to join the Norwegian Knit Along. I have really been wanting to try some Fair Isle in preperation for eventually doing the Norwegian Stockings from Folk Socks. I'd like to do a smaller project just to get the hang of it first. So, I'll be searching the web and a few books I have to find a headband or mitten pattern to start with. I'm excited! I love learning new techniques!
My sister has been doing some funky crochet projects recently - check out her bugs!

My favorite is the spider....

They have pipe cleaners in the legs so you can move them all around! How cute!

We're off to the Knitter's Breakfast tomorrow at Fabric Place. I plan on buying some yarn for my Norwegian KAL project (red or pink for Project Spectrum!), and seeing the new yarns coming out for Spring!

Ouch! I've been bitten!

Sock Bug attacks! After finishing the sockee, for some reason I was not really into starting Tricot quite yet. I was wanting something smaller, quicker on the needles. Not necessarily fiddly knitting, but something a little smaller. Ah Ha! Socks! And, and as luck (and the knitting gods) would have it, I found some yarn and a pattern that would work. The Sockotta was the last of my sock yarn stash, but I did get a skein of Wool Ease sportweight in trade in some nice muted woodsy/autumn tones. I have yet to knit anything for my hubby yet - he doesn't wear sweaters - so I thought socks would be nice. And, after seeing a few completed pairs around the blogging world, and knowing that the varigation in the yarn would not be a problem for the pattern, I cast on for Thuja!

In watching the Bachelor finale (yes...I did watch) and Scrubs last night, I have this much done!

Not bad! The sportweight yarn makes it go nice and quick, and the pattern is easy easy!!

In my recent affliction, I also requested these from our library:

We have such a great library. The physical library is pretty small (though they are doing a HUGE renovation and expansion soon!) but we have quite a few shelves of knitting books. Turns out the library director (who is in charge of buying all the books) is a knitter! Even if we don't physically have the book at our library, we have a great network, so I hop on line, request it, and it's delivered to my library in a matter of days! I always get comments when I go in to pick up my books - I guess the staff (all older women who knit) thumb through everything I request (which tends to be a lot!) and see if they'd like anything for our library. I'm glad I can be such a resource!

I'm heading to the Knitters Breakfast at Fabric Place this Saturday. It was a lot of fun last year, got some great door prizes, and met some nice people. I may even get some sock yarn......