Socks, Socks and More Socks

My knitting has fallen a bit behind lately but it is gearing up to full swing again. I've had a birthday since I last posted. (I'm an April Fool's baby, literally.) Between the celebrations surrounding my birthday and taking up spinning, the aerobic kind not the yarny kind, my knitting time has been a little cramped. I've decided that 33 is not only the year for me to get financially fit but that I might as well throw physically fit onto the list as well.

Given all the hub-bub, my March socks are a bit late but I was finally able to finish them this weekend. Without further ado, here are my Embossed Leaves Socks.

Project Details

Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks by Mona Schmidt available in Interweave Knits, Winter 2005, and the Interweave Knits Favorite Socks book

Yarn: Miss Babs Superwash Sock in the Grasshopper colorway

Needles: Addi Lace size 1

Start Date: February 24, 2008

Completion Date: April 6, 2008

Project Notes: I loved this pattern. It was very fun to knit and very intuitive. I knit the pattern backwards as it was my first time knitting from a chart and I read it from left-to-right like I would a book. It threw the star toe a bit off but overall I am pleased with how the socks turned out. I would have finished these socks much more quickly if I hadn't put them aside for a little while. I would also highly recommend trying out Miss Babs Superwash Sock. It has an almost velvety texture to it and the Grasshopper colorway had just the right amount of semi-solidness to it. The only thing that worries me about the yarn is that it had a tendency to pill while knitting with it so I will have to wait to see how it wears. It might be better suited to scarves or other items than get less wear and tear than socks due to the pilling but only time and wear will tell.

Upon completion of the Embossed Leaves Socks, I got out my instructions for Judy's Magic Cast-on and am embarking upon my first toe-up socks. I am using Vancalcar Acres Flock Sock in the Something for Gryffindor colorway and will knit these in stockinette. I am also using Wendy's Basic Toe-Up Sock Pattern to complete these socks. I hope that they will go fairly quickly and put me back on schedule for my sock a month goal.

In keeping with the socks theme of this post, I grabbed a model shot of my Evening Stockings for a Young Lady since I had finally dug out my tripod to take better photos of my projects. These photos aren't very exciting as it's my first foray into using the tripod but I am hoping that a little practice will lead to better project pics.

Have a great Monday!

And another one bites the dust...

I was able to finish my February socks this weekend!
Project Specs
Pattern: Evening Stockings for a Young Lady from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Kraemer Sterling in the original white
Needles: Addi Lace size 1
Date Started: January 18, 2008
Date Completed: February 23, 2008
Modifications: Cast on 60 stitches to knit regular socks, instead of knee-highs. Shortened the ribbing and knit 9 pattern repeats before starting the heel. Knit a slipped stitch heel rather than the ribbed heel called for in the pattern.

I will be knitting the Embossed Leaves Socks from Interweave Knits using Miss Babs Superwash Sock in the Grasshopper colorway from my stash. I have successfully avoided buying any new yarn this month, although it was very hard due to some tempting sales that I, utilizing what little willpower I have, successfully avoided.
As I showed off my new color last week, here is the debut of my new cut! When all is said and done, I am a short-haired kind of gal. I try to grow it out but it really isn't me. It feels great to have a new short do!

Happy Monday!

Knitting in a Winter Wonderland

There's something about inclement weather that is so conducive to knitting. I left work a bit early and, after working for a while at home to make up for leaving early, the knitting was on. I popped Across the Universe into the dvd player and picked up the sticks.



First, I got to work on my Evening Stockings for a Young Lady. I had made it through one heel and the gusset on Saturday and had get the second sock caught up so that I could get them both back on the needle and enter the home stretch with them. I'm hoping to put these puppies to bed by the end of this weekend. Then, I will be diving into the sock yarn stash for a yarn for my March socks. I love what I am learning about shaping by knitting socks. I think doing a pair of socks a month this year will greatly improve the look of my other knitted garments as well. I did a slipped stitch heel on these socks instead of the ribbed one called for in the pattern.

Feeling like I needed a change of pace, I moved on to the heartbreakingly cute baby kimono. I have started the increases for the sleeves. I am also hoping to finish this by the end of the weekend. I think this is doable as it is tiny and all garter stitch.

In gift knitting, I finished two more dishcloths. These will go into my gift pile.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Snow Daze

Does anyone know what happened to the Interweave Knits KAL? I've noticed lately that the page isn't coming up and it has been removed from my blogger dashboard?

In knitting news, I'm plugging away on the Evening Stockings for a Young Lady. I have finished the first heel and gusset and am now working on the second sock. Once the heel and gusset are finished on that sock, I will put the second sock back on the needles and should be able to finish these fairly quickly. I'm hoping to have them completed by the end of next weekend. I'm starting to get more intuitive about knitting socks and modifying a pattern to suit my personal taste. I've made the legs much less high on these than I did on the previous socks I've made to be more in line with the type of socks that I prefer. None of the socks that I wear on a regular basis are as high as most sock patterns call for. The only time I wear higher socks is when I am wearing boots and I don't think I'll be wearing any of my handknit socks hidden under boots anytime soon.

I am also knitting away on the Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono. As this should be a fairly quick knit, I think it will be my February sweater because I haven't made much progress on the puffed sleeve cardi.

We've gotten a heck of alot of snow here in the 'burgh. It's supposed to turn into freezing rain later so I am probably going to head out of work early today.

OMG! It's finally the weekend!

I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend of knitting and chilling out.

I cast on for the Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono from Mason-Dixon Knitting last night. I am about an inch into it and think that this will be a quick fun knit. I am going to use some ducky buttons instead of ribbons for the closure. I am knitting this project for the February KAL in a KAL at Stashalong 2008.

My other weekend knitting plans include working on my Evening Stockings for a Young Lady. I have knit 3 more lace repeats and have probably 3 more to go before I start the heels on the Evening Stockings. think I am also going to frog the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan and recast on as I am not pleased with the existing cast on.

My Stashalong 2008 goals are as follows:

1. I will allow myself one free day a month. If I do not use my free day in the month, I will give myself 1 point. If I get 6 points, I can consider going to Stitches East. If I don't get at least 6 points, Stitches East is out.

2. I will not buy any sock yarn and only used stashed sock yarns for both this KAL and the Socks from Stash Club.

3. I will knit at least 5 sweaters from stash before I can purchase the yarn for a sweater that I do not have the yarn in my stash to knit.

Hopefully, my goals will help me stick with my debt free in 2008 plan as well.

Have a great weekend everyone!

And what did jsins do all weekend? She knit, knit, knit!

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I spent my weekend watching West Wing episodes on dvd and knitting like a knitting machine.

I have an FO from this weekend. Allow me to introduce the cutest little thing that I have ever knit, Saartje's Booties by Saartje de Bruijn.

Project Description

Pattern: Saartje's Booties by Saartje de Bruijn

Yarn: Joan of Arc by Yarn Love in the Fling Colorway (50/50 merino/tencel)

Needles: Size 2 addi turbo

Start/Finish Date: January 20, 2008

Notes: This is a quick knit that is super cute. It's a great way to use up leftover sock yarn. The yarn I used for these booties is the same yarn I used for my Dublin Bay socks. The only downside to this pattern is that for such a small knit, there are alot of ends to weave into not that much knit material.

I also made a bunch of progress on Wicked this weekend and am hoping to have it finished by next weekend. I'm a bit nervous because I am getting dangerously close to running out of yarn. I think that I should have enough but I didn't buy an extra skein like I usually do for this project. I have never needed the extra skein on any other Zephyr Style patterns so I thought I wouldn't need it on this one. The yarn is Cascade 220 Heathers in Ocean Heather. The color in the close-up of the pocket is the actual shade.

I also completed a lace repeat on the Evening Stockings for a Young Lady while I was watching Northanger Abbey on PBS last night. I am a bit worried about the fuzziness of the yarn. It seems like it will pill alot. I enjoyed Northanger Abbey but found it to be extremely abbreviated. The first hour was well done but I felt like everything was rushed in the last half an hour to reach the conclusion. I think it would have been much better if it had been a 2-hour movie rather than an hour and a half.

Have a great week!

TGIF - It's time to knit, knit, knit all weekend long!

Happy Friday folks!!!!!!! I am so ready for the weekend and some serious knitting, movie watching and chill out time. I cast on for the Evening Socks for a Young Lady from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush on Sunday evening. In the limited knitting time I've been able to squeeze in since then, I've finished the cuffs and completed 2 lace pattern repeats. I am knitting the modified version of the pattern to make regular socks rather than knee highs.
Here is a close-up of the lace pattern. I am using white Kraemer Sterling to knit these socks. I have to agree with Clara Parkes's review of the Kraemer Sterling. The silver strands are really cool and give a nice affect. The silk content adds a little sheen and it is an incredibly soft yarn. The nylon halo is a bit strange. If I didn't know any better, I would think that there was either mohair or angora in this yarn due to its fuzziness. The yarn is working really well with this pattern and I am excited to see how the finished socks turn out.
Here are some model shots of the Dublin Bay socks. It is incredibly hard to take pictures of your own feet! I am extremely happy with the way these socks fit. I wore them yesterday and they did not slouch.
My 2008 knitting goals are to complete 12 pairs of socks, 12 sweaters and at least 12 small projects (hats, accessories, baby stuff, toys, etc.) and to knit from stash until I have run out of yarn for one of the previously mentioned project goals. I haven't decided whether I will spend this weekend focusing on the Evening Stockings or on my Wicked. I've been on a bit of a sock kick starting out the year but, as the weather has returned to more seasonably accurate January temps, I could really use a new hand-knit sweater to debut.

In other knitting news, I purchased Son of a Stitch and Bitch by Deb Stoller and The Knitters Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes this week. In non-knitting purchases, I also ordered No Direction Home, Martin Scorsese's documentary on Bob Dylan that aired on PBS. If you are a Bob Dylan fan, this documentary is a must see. It has extensive interviews with Bob Dylan now as well as alot of performance footage. As a companion to Don't Look Back, it is amazing.

I also signed up for several new KALs that should hopefully keep me on target with my 2008 goals. They are as follows:
Socks from Stash Club (I definitely don't need to worry about running out of stashed sock yarns in the next 12 months.)
The Complete Jane Austen KAL (I have been looking forward to watching this series for months!!!! My Sunday evenings are pretty much booked for a while.)
Year Long Gift-A-Long (Knitting gifts all year to avoid panic attacks as the deadlines draw near, what a novel idea.)
Stashalong 2008 (Hopefully, this will keep me on the straight and narrow in regards to my knitting from stash goals.)

Hmm... why am I so dedicating myself to knitting from stash this year? Well, I am making a valient attempt to become debt free this year (with the exception of my student loans, those will be an ongoing process for the next 10 years or so.) I am also going to try to track my progress in becoming nearly debt free on the blog as well. I just haven't worked out the details of how to do that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!! See you next week!
jsins