I'm Having a Knit-Fit!

Socks Done!

2008-02-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

Maybe this ravelry is good for me... Because this is the 2nd FO in 2 days!

I finally finished my Mad Colour Weave Socks. The ones that I started last October. Finished today! They are gorgeous! I am very pleased with how they look. Here I am modelling them holding them against the large (melting) snow pile in my back yard.

Yesterday I finished my Pinwheel Sweater. I will post a picture of it modelled by my daughter, as soon as I am able to get that photo!

Now, onto other WIPs. I am actually excited about getting things done... Spring must be in the air!

I just joined Ravelry!

2008-02-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

Well... That was fun! I have been planning to do it for a long time. It is pretty exciting. I uploaded some of my current projects and some of my handspun. I think that I will try to do a few each day. Since I have so many WIPs, I am sure that I will have a lot to keep me busy just posting projects!

On the topic of WIPs, here is my most recent start (and coincidentally, it is probably one of the most completed projects that I have on the go right now). It is Elann's Pinwheel Sweater in the child size, for my new little daughter. I am making it out of odds and ends of stash. I think it looks kind of neat...

Devil Hat that didn't quite make it

2008-02-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

When I saw this lovely Devil Hat I knew I had to make one for my friend's upcoming birthday. Unfortunately, it turned out really small. Here it is, pictured on my much-too-big head. So, I revised my plans and decided that it would become a child's helmut. Sans horns, since I don't think kids need more of an excuse to be little devils then they already are!

Here is my single ply merino. It came to about 300m from the 4oz. I still have another 4oz left, but I haven't decided if I should do the same thing with it or something else.

Spinning Merino

2008-01-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

I threw my new merino roving on the wheel today. Oh my gosh, it is so soft!!! I know, I know, where have I been, of course Merino wool is soft. But I still need to say it again: It is SOOOO soft! I just love how it feels. And the colour is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

So, as far as the spinning itself goes: my hand hurts. I was planning to make a bit of a thicker slightly thick and thin yarn. Turns out that is easy to do with this roving. If I had wanted a more consistent yarn, then I may have had trouble. This roving has such a short staple length that it isn’t exactly easy to make it consistent. But I think that it is turning out perfect. Exactly as I wanted it!

Here is a seed stitch scarf that I am making out of the very first yarn I ever spun. I love how it turned out. My husband asked why I would take inconsistent yarn and then knit it up in a seed stitch pattern which only accentuates its inconsistencies. But I think that the texture is fabulous! I will be a happy camper wearing this one.

NiddyNoddling Along

2008-01-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

Yup, I made myself a niddy noddy! Out of some PVC pipe. Seems like all the spinners on the net are doing it! I had to join in for the ride. It works well and is sturdy. My main complaint would be that it seems really static-y. Oh well, probably rubbing a bounce sheet on it would help.

I am really happy with how my 2ply turned out this time. I am sure that it comes out more and more even every time I spin.

One of these days I may even get up the courage to try navajo plying. It is really intimidating for me, but at the same time, I think that it would look fabulous with my new roving which I blogged about last time.

Fiberlicious

2008-01-21T22:18:00.000-08:00

Last week I received a whole bunch of new fiber from my favourite Etsy store: the Arts at Eagles Find. Here is 16 oz - Yes 16oz! - of blended wool roving called Rock Springs Run. I have spun up this stuff of hers before and really like the way it behaves. Don't ask what I was doing with the roving... just chalk it up to artsy photo op. :)

I also got 8 oz of merino wool in the Campfire colourway, which I love (but don't have a photo of), and 12 oz of undyed mohair. I haven't tried spinning mohair yet, so I am curious to see how that works out.

I have been spinning up some of the fiber I got in my last shipment. Here is some of the Caribbean blues wool that I am doing up into a chunkyish 2 ply. I still don't have a whole lot of control, but it is definately getting better everytime I sit down at the wheel.

I have decided that I need a niddynoddy, so that is my next project!

Not much to tell

2008-01-05T19:56:00.000-08:00

I don't have anything new to post, but I did want to put up a photo of the Christmas scarf that I made for my Daddy-O.

This is the Pythagorean Scarf pattern by Smariky Knits. It was fun to make with BriggsLittle Heritage wool, although the yarn is way to scratchy for a scarf and the varigation does nothing for the cool relief pattern. But my dad still loved it, and wore it every day that he was here visiting me for Christmas.

I started a new scarf for my hubby out of a forest green BriggsLittle wool, with my own pattern that shows off the relief pattern really well. I love textured patterns, and I like the way this one is turning out.

Stuff for the kids

2007-12-29T08:51:00.000-08:00

It has been a loooonnnngggg time since I have posted. It isn't that I haven't been knitting... I have been knitting quite a lot, actually. The problem is what I have been knitting has sort of prevented me from posting. You see, we are waiting for two little children to join our family, and so I have been preoccupied with knitting stuff for them. However, I haven't wanted to post any of the stuff on here in case everything doesn't work out. I guess that I just don't want to jinx anything... you know? Anyway, I am being brave here and will post what I have been working on for the past month or so.

First, the hats!

Here is a beautiful princess anne elise inspired hat that I knit from my own handspun roving that I got from the arts at eagle's find's etsy store. I love the way it turned out, and I hope my new little girl toddler will love it too! :)

Also, I have to show off one of the singles that went into this 2 ply since I am pretty happy with how it looks. I feel like I am sort of getting the hang of this spinning thing.

Ok, now here is the second hat which I also made from my own handspun (from my 2nd try ever at the spinning wheel). This one is for my baby boy. I think that it is wonderful, and hopefully he will too! :) I tried numerous different patterns with this wool, and in the end just made up my own. It is just a basic rectangle sewn up the side with some tassles on the top so that he can have danglies just like his big sister.

Now, the sweaters!

The first one is still in the working stage. It is Angela Hahn's Sherwood, available at knitty. This is a gorgeous pattern! Although it looks complicated, it is very well written and easy to follow when you take a deep breath. I am making it out of a very soft acryllic. I don't care... I liked the colour and it is nice to work with.

The girl's sweater is a sweater-dress, from the pattern "Patrice" in Berroco's free pattern section. It is so cute, and knit up super fast on 4.5mm needles. I still have to make the i-cord for around the waist.

Finally, the blankies!
These little blankets are made out of unknown content (read: acryllic, most certainly) tactile yarns. They are so cozy and cuddly. The green one will be for my son and the multicoloured one for my daughter. They are crocheted with big needles to make them fly into existance at nearly the speed of light.

Now, all I need is the kids home with me...

3 Ply

2007-11-15T15:10:00.001-08:00

Ok, my plan had been to make a thick yarn, not quite as thick as my second yarn attempt. But apparently beginner spinners do not get to choose what they spin... The Spinning Wheel decides what they get to spin.

So, I ended up with really thin yarn. I thought at first, oh, this is cool, I can spin thin yarn. And I kept on that way for awhile. Until I realized, I don't want thin yarn, I want a big chunky hat. So, I pulled the thin stuff that I made off the wheel and decided that I would make it into three ply yarn. (Keep in mind, I only have 1 bobbin, so here I am winding it into 3 separate tiny balls... if someone has a better idea, please help me out!). It worked out ok for a first try. It is sort of even, and kind of chunky.
But it wasn't the look that I was going for. So, I sat back down at the wheel to spin some thick yarn, and awhile later I realized that I was making thin yarn again.

So, I guess will have a little less chunky of a hat...

Yay Roving!!!

2007-11-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

I got a wonderful package this morning! 28 oz of roving!!! Yay! Guess I know what I will be doing today.

I also went and bought a bunch of wool yesterday, so I think that I am fibered out for awhile. I have ten thousand works in progress and a huge stash. I have to believe myself when I say that I have enough on the go for awhile. So, off to knitting, and spinning, and crocheting I go.

Cold and crisp

2007-11-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Perfect weather for acknowledging some active WIPs.

In exciting news, I cast on for the second Mad Colour Weave sock yesterday. I think that is a good sign. I really really love this yarn, and when I started playing with it again yesterday I believed for a moment that I could finish this second sock.

Second project is a Christmas scarf for dad, made out of Briggs Little Heritage wool. The varigation does nothing for the pretty cool pattern "Pythagor" by S.M.Kahn. But it was the wool that I had on hand, and I needed a project for it, so this is what it became.

Next project is a crocheted toddler blanket out of some super tactile yarn. I have no idea what kind of yarn it is, but it sure is soft and will make a great warm cover.

Ok, my legwarmers from last post have remained stunted. It must be because they have camoflaged themselves in my 70s style velour thrift store chair.

Finally, I koolaid dyed some of my new sock yarn! It was really fun and turned out well, I think. I told myself that I could only look at it: sitting prettily on my desk, but could not play with it until I was done with at least one of the other socks I have on the go.

Then, oops, today I accidentally cast on for some Jaywalkers.
It happens.

One finished (baby) sweater

2007-10-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

I have a finished item, which is of some surprize since I seem to have many items that I start, but not so many that I finish. This is a little baby sweater that I actually started months ago, and then hesitated to finish once I reached the button hole bands. I thought that I didn't have enough yarn to finish, so I tried numerous contrasting yarns until yesterday when I said to myself, maybe I should just see if I have enough of the original yarn. Well, low and belold, I had just enough, with a couple of inches to spare! So, now I just have to find little buttons. And a baby to give it to.

I also started a new project yesterday (surprize). My first attempt at fair isle. So far so good. I am making these cool leg warmers from Melanie Falick's "Handknit Holidays" (cause I am sure that my wardrobe despirately needs a pair!!!).

Well Well Well...

2007-10-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

After a long (although not very difficult) day, I came home to find a wonderful new Etsy purchase waiting for me, this time from Stick Chick Designs. Of course, knitting and spinning isn't enough... now I need to learn to DYE!
So, first some gorgeous laceweight Tussah silk. This is way more gorgeous in real life than I was expecting. I don't know why... I should have known that laceweight silk would be wonderfully wonderful. But anyway, my conclusion with this beautiful stuff is that I better not ruin it with dye. I think that I will make a version of the Luna Moth Shawl from Elann with it.
My second purchase is sock yarn, and lots of it! This merino wool will definately be dyed by me. Some of it with natural dyes (socks for my mom, she likes more muted colours). Others with maybe some koolaid dye, for some bright colours. Also maybe some real fabric dyes... we'll see! Oh the possibilities.

In other news, here is how spinning down my huge pile of buffalo wool is going. I am starting to think that this may not have been the most economical thing to do with this stuff. But I am having fun spinning, and am learning how to spin better. Which is great because I just went and bought a whole bunch more fleece :).

So many projects, so little time

2007-10-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

First things first, my 100% silk scarf is done, blocked, and ready to wear. The pattern is Isobel from Cider Moon. This lovely yarn was from the Sanguine Gryphon's etsy shop. It was so nice to work with. And it just feels luxurious to be knitting away on silk. (PS, I also made the dress, years ago, and never wear it because I don't go anywhere where I could wear a little dress. Same reason that I most likely won't wear this scarf. But it was still great to knit it!)

My next lacey project will also be from Gryphon yarn. Remember the laceweight that I bought in the spring. Well, it is now rolled up and ready to be made into this!

Next, I finished one of the mad colour weave socks. As much as I love this yarn and pattern so much, I still have trouble finishing things, so I am taking things slow and trying to not stress myself into never finishing the project at all. The way I figure it, if I just knit away on whatever I feel like at any given moment, eventually most of the projects will get done, right? (maybe)

Finally, in exciting news, I went out and bought a ball winder! I know, I know, first the silk, then the ball winder... I am becoming a spoiled knitter! But what I told myself was that it doesn't look like yarn is going to disappear from my life, so I may accessorize. No more old toilet paper rolls for me! :)

From This...

2007-10-17T10:01:00.001-07:00

Well, now that I am a spin-lover, and have no fiber to spin, I am looking around for anything that I can practice with. So, without any ado, I am turning This:

Into This!

I found quite a bit of buffalo wool at the thrift store a few years ago, and haven't had the inspiration to make anything out of it. My husband really wants a sweater from it, but wasn't totally in love with the way the colours looked together. And so, here is my plan... I will spin all these various colours together to make a more even tone and a somewhat thinner yarn. I think that it will look better, and the yarn will go farther (I think... thats my plan anyway.... maybe I just want to spin :) ).

I also had a bunch of light grey and white stuff like this, which I am spinning into thin little yarns. It will go so much further, and still look really cool.

Mad Colour Weave Socks

2007-10-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

Here are the new socks that I started yesterday.

Isn't it a fabulous pattern! It is Knit Tenacity's Mad Color Weave pattern, and I gotta say it is so much fun to knit! The yarn is Tricot Treat's 100% pure merino superwash wool in the WinterWine colourway. I love the way the colours work with this pattern. I think that they are going to be beautiful.

On an unrelated note, check out these hand knit socks that I bought at a local second hand store for 25cents! Yes, 25cents! How unfair is that! I am sure that they have never even been worn. All the work that went into these poor little socks. Well, I will appreciate them.

To Ply or not to Ply

2007-10-09T19:28:00.001-07:00

So, yesterday I ended up spinning up all of the rest of the roving I had: 4oz of Primaries Plus from Eagle's Find Etsy store. This time was quite a bit thicker than my first attempt. I spun it into two separate balls and then rewound them onto toilet paper rolls.

Then I just sort of winged it, and busily started plying the two singles together. I had no really idea what I was doing, but the two singles twisted together when I spun them counterclockwise, which I believe is exactly what they were supposed to do! It all went so fast. Suddenly, I was done. And, to my pleasent surprize, they weren't overtwisted this time. Here is me rolling up a skein on my arm.

And voila, the completed skeins. I am super pumped about this! Unfortunately, there is so little yarn there, I'm not really sure what to make with it. Probably a kid's hat or something. Whatever it becomes, it sure will be pretty (in my humble opinion).

What a beautiful single!

2007-10-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here is a photo of my sort-of-straighten-out over-twisted single from my very first attempt at spinning. All in all I am pretty happy with it! I love spinning. I am sure that I will eventually figure out some of the kinks (no pun intended).

So, I have started another skein. This one I plan to make into 2 ply. Here is a pic of the first half on the wheel.

Since I only have one bobbin, I figured that I would ply off a centre pull ball. Since I don't have a ball roller, I rolled it onto a toilet paper roll. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

My first yarn

2007-10-06T16:17:00.001-07:00

Ok, so, I finished my first bobbin of yarn the same day as I posted last. Did I mention that I taught myself to spin from you tube videos and this wonderful website: http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/. Anyway, the spinning part went well, or so I thought, and then I removed my bobbin from the spinning wheel (still not sure if that is the right way to go about it, but anyway), and wound it around a chair back (no niddy noddy, unfortunately).

Oh, yes, that is a knitting needle through the bobbin to facilitate rolling it onto the chair... - I am an improviser.

Anyway, I took it off the chair back and it totally curled in onto itself! I was totally devastated... I didn't think that the spinning had gone badly, and I had no idea what went wrong. The websites and youtube videos weren't that helpful to me at this point. But anyway, somewhere I read to wet the wool and hang it with a weight suspended from it, so that is where I am now. Hopefully it will straighten out the overtwisting. I will try plying next time and maybe that will help.

New Project! This is totally different (for me)!

2007-10-04T10:55:00.001-07:00

Check it out! My wonderful husband bought me a beautiful spinning wheel at an antique fair last weekend. We actually know nothing about spinning wheels, so I don't know if it is a good one or not, but it had obvious been used to spin wool in the past. Anyway, yesterday I sat down to give it a shot, using the Columbia and Dorset roving that I bought from Eagle's Find Etsy shop last summer (back when I had intending to try my hand at drop spinning). Turns out I love spinning! I have been having trouble tearing myself away from the wheel. Here are a couple of photos of my accomplishments thus far.

Surprize, orange and pink yarn!

Matching Scarf

2007-09-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, Today's project (and I guess yesterdays too), is this lovely matching Noro scarf to my Noro hat from the previous post. It is colour 209 of Kureyon, which, in this ball, is primarily pink, although in my hat the colours varied more uniformly. Ahhh, the joy of Noro! :) Stay tuned though, because I see some blue, green, and gold coming soon on the ball.

Looky what I made!

2007-09-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

After a couple months long hiatus from blogging, I have now reestablished myself in a town that has highspeed internet, and coincidentally found the immediate urge to create a hat! This is probably not that coincidental, since it is the fall urge which draws us back to towns with schools (and high speed internet) and towards the need to have warm things for winter (at least in Northern Canada this happens). Anyway, this is what has happened for me. I also bought super bulky wool to make my hubby some thick thick winter socks. Ahgh, I can't believe that summer has left me so quickly. Oh well, I guess winter lends itself better to knitting anyway.

So, here is my hat: Noro, of course! Sooooo wonderfully fun to work with. I absolutely love the colours. Can't get enough. Must make matching scarf.

June Socks Done!!!

2007-07-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here we are almost 1/2 way through July (YES, Half way through July... Where did it go!?), and I am finally finished my June socks! These beautiful Pomatomus socks took a long time to finish, but were they ever worth the work! They are gorgeous. I love the Tricot Treat yarn that I used... the colourway turned out beautifully.

In all Boring-O-Ness

2007-07-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I have no photos for this spread...
I have some totally awesome almost-finished Pomatomus socks done up out of my hand dyed yarn that I just got off esty. But there is no way they will be done for the June Socktopia. Oh well.
I am proud of my monkey that I finished for the Monkey Sock Swap, and I am Oh So Happy about the Monkey package that I received from my secret partner.
But honestly, I haven't been up to all that much other knittish stuff. Well, that's not exactly true, but I am too much on a dial up connection for the summer to keep y'all up to date.
Love you anyways... :)

Monkeys Done and in their New Home

2007-06-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say that I finished the Monkey Socks for the Monkey Sock Swap last week and sent them off to my secret partner in the States, and they arrived this week (Yay Postal Services! That was quick!). The swap was tons of fun and so was knitting these little creatures.

Now I have started my new June socks... photos to come soon....

Well... I am pretty thrilled!

2007-06-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Excitement upon excitement, I found yet another package at my door today! This online buying stuff is really so much fun! Today I received two skeins of sock yarn that I had ordered from Tricot Treat's Etsy Store.

The first is some lovely Merino wool in Spanish Sunset. It is bright and beautiful, and has many more shades in real life than it does in photos. My feet will be soooo happy wearing this!

The second skein is superwash Merino in Winter Wine. I absolutely love the colours. It is delicious to look at and so soft. I bet it will feel wonderful to knit with!

Look what was at my door when I woke up this morning!

2007-05-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

I am soooo excited! Look what I found on my doorstep this morning.

It must have been delivered first thing this morning sometime. What a wonderful surprize! It is from The Sanguine Gryphon's Etsy shop. I am really happy with it.

There is one skein of 100% silk in the colourway "foxtrot". It is really pretty and I am so excited to make... something... with it. Don't really know what yet, but I am sure that it will be great. This yarn I bought mainly as a treat for myself, since I didn't have a plan for it yet. Yumyum!

Then, what I was really excited to get was this skein of laceweight 100% alpaca. It is sooooo fine: 620 yards in 2oz. I cannot wait to get started on some lace work (right after this post!). It is a gorgeous colour, and I am totally happy just looking at it. Yay!

Orange Zigzag Sock Pattern

2007-05-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

I've had some requests for the pattern for my Orange Zigzag sock, so here goes...

Cuff

Loosely CO 60 sts. Divide evenly between 3 needles and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work 10 rounds in 1x1 Rib.

Leg

Round 1: K2, P2 around.
Rounds 2 & 3: repeat.
Round 4: P1, K2, (P2, K2) around to last stitch, P1.
Rounds 5 & 6: repeat.
Round 7: P2, K2 around.
Rounds 8 & 9: repeat.
Round 10: P1, K2, (P2, K2) around to last stitch, P1. Rounds 11 & 12: repeat.
Round 13: K2, P2 around.
Rounds 14 & 15: repeat.
Round 16: K1, P2, (K2, P2) around to last stitch, K1. Rounds 17 & 18: repeat.
Repeat these 18 rounds until leg is desired length.

Heel

Work first 31 sts of next round in pattern onto one needle; these sts will be left on hold on this needle, to be worked later for the top of the foot. K rem 29 sts onto one needle; the heel flap will be worked back and forth on these sts.
Next Row [WS]: Sl 1, [p1, sl 1] to end.Next Row [RS]: K all sts.Repeat these 2 rows 20 times more.
Next Row [WS]: Sl 1, p15, p2tog, p1. Turn work.Next Row [RS]: Sl 1, k4, ssk, k1. Turn work.Next Row [WS]: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1. Turn work.Next Row [RS]: Sl 1, k6, ssk, k1. Turn work.Next Row [WS]: Sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1. Turn work.Next Row [RS]: Sl 1, k8, ssk, k1. Turn work.Next Row [WS]: Sl 1, p9, p2tog, p1. Turn work.Next Row [RS]: Sl 1, k10, ssk, k1. Turn work.Next Row [WS]: Sl 1, p11, p2tog, p1. Turn work.Next Row [RS]: Sl 1, k12, ssk, k1. Turn work.Next Row [WS]: Sl 1, p13, p2tog, p1. Turn work.Next Row [RS]: Sl 1, k14, ssk, k1. 17 sts rem.

Gusset

Slip last 8 sts of previous row onto one needle; continuing with this needle, pick up and k 22 sts (1 st in each slipped st) along edge of heel flap and 1 st between heel flap and held sts, k first st of held sts. 32 sts. This needle will be designated Needle 1.
Using next needle, work held sts in patt, to last st. 29 sts. This needle will be designated Needle 2.
Using next needle, k last st of held sts, pick up and k 1 st between held sts and top of heel flap, pick up and k 22 sts along edge of heel flap, k first 9 sts of heel flap. 33 sts. This needle will be designated Needle 3. There are 94 sts in total.
Next Round: K8, [k tbl] to last 2 sts on Needle 1, k2tog; work all sts on Needle 2 in patt as set; ssk, [k tbl] to last 9 sts of Needle 3, k9. 2 sts decreased.
Next Round: K all sts on Needle 1; work all sts on Needle 2 in patt; k all sts on Needle 3.
Next Round: K to last 2 sts on Needle 1, k2tog; work all sts on Needle 2 in patt; ssk, k to end of Needle 3.
Repeat these last 2 rounds 14 times more. 14 sts rem on Needle 1, 29 sts on Needle 2, 15 sts rem on Needle 3; 58 sts in total.
InstepCont in patt, working sts on Needle 1 and Needle 3 in stockinette st and sts on Needle 2 in patt as set, until foot measures approx. 1.5 inches less than desired length.

Toe

Next Round: K all sts.
Next Round: K to last 3 sts on Needle 1, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts on Needle 2, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to end of Needle 3. 4 sts decreased.
Repeat these 2 rounds 7[8] times more. 6 sts on Needle 1, 13 sts on Needle 2, 7 sts on Needle 3.
Using Needle 3, k to last st of Needle 1. 13 sts each on Needle 2 and Needle 3.
Break yarn, leaving 12-inch tail.Graft sts on Needle 2 to sts on Needle 3.

It's been awhile

2007-05-26T08:19:00.001-07:00

Seems like I haven't posted in awhile. It's not that I haven't been knitting... it's just that I have been knitting anything really blog-worthy, I guess.

My orange sweater is coming along really nicely. The body and hood are all done and grafted together, and now all I have to do is work on the sleeves. The sweater is totally too small, but I think that it will work in an "i'mtootightinallthewrongplaces" kind of way.

My first monkey sock for the sock swap has been done for a little while, but I just haven't seemed to be able to start the second one. Here is a photo of the finished first one.

Probably the most exciting thing that I have started lately is this hat. You will notice that there is nothing really to it yet, and that is because I keep frogging it back to the beginning, trying to find the perfect style. But the yarn is nice in a really sensory stimulating kind of way.

Twinkle Knits

2007-05-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my Twinkle's Big City Knits top. I realize that I am not as petite (in any sense of the word) as the models in the book, and I admit that this book made me feel wierd considering that I was at the largest demograph that the book represented, however I think that in the end the top turned out really nice. I knitted it out of Ecofil recycled cotton x yarn with 8mm circular needles. The pattern was so fun and kept my interest from beginning to end.

In other exciting news... I made my first Etsy yarn purchase! I have been wandering around that site for awhile now, but I finally took the plunge! I am oh so excited to get my yarn, and will definately post some pics upon its arrival.

Something cool

2007-05-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a sweater that I have been working on for awhile that I just picked up again. I am knitting it from a Vogue Knitting pattern (can't remember the issue, but I got a photo of it). I am loving the orange yarn. Just hope it fits.

In other current projects, here is my progress on the little monkeys! I am just loving the pattern. I am actually slowing down my progress so that I stay interested and loving it for as long as possible. What fun! :)

A couple of finishes

2007-05-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Well, in exciting news I finished a tank top after a year and a half in the making. Admittedly, I haven't actually worked on it for about the last year and 5 months... all I had left to do was graft the straps together. You would almost think that I don't LIKE finishing projects! :). Anyway, here it is...

Also, my stripy socks are done too. These were so much fun because they were such a huge gauge that they knit up really fast. They were a great distraction, and used up a lot of tiny yarn ends that I had kicking around.

Finally, I have started on my MONKEY SOCKS for the monkey sock swap! I absolutely love the pattern! It is so perfect... exactly the challenge that I like in a project. I am even loving the tiny needles. I think that this sock swap is going to be sooo much fun!

Exam Knitting

2007-04-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

So, you would think that what with a week of exams that have just finished, I wouldn't have got much knitting done. But, they really encourage stress reduction these days, so I found myself doing a lot of knit-for-five-minutes-study-for-two kinda thing. I really think it paid off, :) (more fun than just studying, anyway). So, heres a little project that I started between exam#1 and exam#2:

Now I really will take a little blogging break though, as I am heading off on a little post-exam road trip.... A few socks on needles in my hands, of course.

Monkey Sock Swap

2007-04-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to have joined a new online sock swap group - Monkey Socks!!! So, for this new venture, I am now posting my answers for the Sock Swap Questionnaire:

How long have you been knitting?

Probably off and on for 20 years (wow, that sounds like a long time, cause I'm soooo young still :) ).

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?

Intermediate.

Shoe Size:

8 or 8 1/2

Foot circumference:
9 inches

Foot length:

9 1/2 inches

What colours do you love?

My colour choices vary with the seasons (or the way the wind blows, or on which side of the bed I got up on) ... today I would have to say that I love bright colours, especially deep reds, blues, pinks. But really I love all colours... except maybe neutrals, today.

Do you prefer solids or variegated?

I'm big on variegated these days.

Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn?

Generally wool.

What colors would you never wear?

I can't say there is any colour that I would NEVER wear... Some colours I would wear less often than others though, like maybe purple, or beige, or white.

Knitting Gadgets Favorite needles. Plastic, metal, bamboo or wood?

Metal, especially colourful metal.

Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like?
I like those pretty little unique stitch markers... they're all so different!

Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US?
Well, I guess I am one of the International ones, since I am in Canada. Can't say I have a preference about where my Monkey Pal lives.

You have any allergies?

Nope.

April Sock Done

2007-04-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

Here is my April sock for my Socktopia KAL. It is under the theme: Orange Ya Glad I Didn't Say Bananee. Gave me a chance to use up some (hideous 70s style & colour) yarn that has been sitting in my stash forever. It was actually really fun to make these, although I felt somewhat blinded at times. I am also pretty proud to say that I invented my own pattern for these too... that is a big deal for me since usually I am a strict pattern-following-kinda-girl.

Some Adorably Finished Projects

2007-04-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some projects that I have recently finished. I love making baby outfits, mainly because they are tiny (so I can easily finish them), and also cause they are cute. And maybe the moms actually appreciate homemade stuff... (that one I'm not as sure of). So, here are some gifts for a few of this world's newest additions.

The two little crocheted kimonos are for some brand new twins. I realize that if they are both wearing their new little sweaters they will clash a little, but oh well.

The little crocheted hoodie with the girly funfur trim is actually too small for its intended recipient, so I am going to have to wait for a new baby to give it to. But it is cute, eh?

And finally, the one I am most proud of (cause it actually took some time and effort to construct, and turned out darn good, in my humble opinion) is the pastel knitted sweater for made for the as-of-yet unborn baby of a good friend of mine. Just needs some buttons and its good to go.

Ahhh, baby things.

Blogging Away

2007-04-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, Knitting blogs are everywhere! I love reading them, and have decided that I have enough stuff on the go to entertain the masses with my own tantilizing knitting stories too! I am one of those knitters who LOVES starting projects, but am really bad at finishing them. I literally have probably over 50 projects on the go. Maybe more. There are so many tucked away in rooms of my house that I don't even go into for fear of seeing all my stash and feeling guilty about buying more and/or starting yet another project. I will eventually try to catalogue all my WIPs for y'all (oh, who am I kidding, i'm doing it for me! To bring stuff to the light of day that I haven't seen in months, maybe years! Let's call it spring cleaning).

Ok, a quick writeup of my knitterly interests:

- I love working with larger needles, cause then I can knit a larger amount before I invariably loose interest in the project

- I love the tactile stimulation of digging my fingers into balls of yarn

- (ok this one may make some people hate me) I sometimes delve into crochetting because it is a fast and fun diversion for me

- I join sock knit alongs to give me the motivation to finish 2 socks in a pair instead of just one

- My friend across the street is getting her dog's fur spun up so she can make a scarf out of it (I know that one has nothing to do with me but it is neat)

- Looking around the computer room, I see no less than 5 projects in various stages of completion sitting around (and, I also see 3 little FINISHED baby sweaters and FINISHED 1 baby hat - See, I can finish things, but they have to be mini!)

K, that's enough for now. I will leave you with some pics of the WIPs I have in this room

I just noticed something wierd about my colour choices... seems as though I have a bit of an orange and pink thing going on! Crazy!! :)