Friday, February 17, 2012

Socks Again, I'm Happy To Say :)

Since the finishing of the sets of Cat Hats and Mitts, I have been sick as a dog. What a great reason to cast on a new project! I have been fussing about what yarn to use for the socks I have decided to make from the Sock Knitter's Anonymous group that I *barely* belong to. I choose not to participate in the forums for purely personal reasons. I have lots to share in chats such as these, however, I have worked very hard to keep my internet wasting browsing time to a minimum. This means on and off Ravelry and other *OMG I've been here for two hours!* websites. As for the wonderful contests that go along with being part of that group... Well let's just say I don't knit fast enough and/or don't want to try to knit fast enough to guarantee that my projects will be done in time and posted for the deadline that goes with the contests. The group however is marvellous! The ideas for each month's theme are very inspiring. This is where I was inspired to do the January Mystery Sock pattern, called Bláthnat (free pattern on ravelry)
 I really do enjoy Mystery Patterns. Usually the clues occur at a regular interval, in this case once a week. Each week you get a part of the pattern, the clue, that builds on the last part you received. There (usually) are no pictures, so if you need to see a picture to knit it, this is not for you. And you don't know ahead of time what it will look like, and sometimes not even what it will be when it's done! This one however is a sock. The designer usually will give you a list of supplies needed to complete the project and sometimes also a hint or two. In this case, the Irish designer suggested to use a solid or semi solid yarn so as not to obscure the stitch pattern! BINGO! It's LACE! What better do I need while I am sick, to keep me down and mending, but a juicy bit of lace to knit! I finally decided on a solid green yarn from my yarn stash for this Irish design and went to town knitting like crazy while being cozy in the big black chair, and covered in my Husby's afghan. (Crocheted a number of years ago for him by me) My companions, a wastepaper basket and several boxes of Kleenex, were quiet and respectful of the fact that I do indeed need to count stitches every once in a while. It snowed some on and off during the week and a half I was flu-ey as well as miserable with my cold and I could watch it through the big window from where I sat. I spent as much time as I could enjoying the peace and quiet, the soothing rhythmic click of the knitting needles, and the flow of sock yarn through my fingers, as my socks started to take shape. I'm not quite finished them yet, almost at the toe of one, and working down the foot of the other, but soon they will be done. What a great way to convalesce if not in being able to dabble in the hobby you love.

Monday, February 06, 2012

Finished Something!

Black Tabby Cat Set
welsh sheep wool/black alpaca/silk


So I have a couple knit fo's (finished objects). I haven't been able to say that in quite a while! I am excited to knit again. I haven't been able to say that in quite a while either! This bout with a bad cold, had kept me very house bound and I have been taking advantage of that by knitting as much as I can. I started a triple dose of kitty earflap hat and mitts sets that have now been completed. My learning and growing experiment in blending my fibres, spinning the yarn, and knitting the projects, to my specs was very rewarding. All recipient's as well as the creator, myself, were very satisfied with the finish products. Finished are Daughter's Black Cat set, Other Daughter's Hello Kitty set, and Son's GF's Grey Tabby Cat set.

 I don't have all the pictures yet but I do have permission from Other Daughter to post the one of her wearing her Hello Kitty set. :)
Other Daughter modelling her Hello Kitty Set
wool/white alpaca/silk

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Another Busy Weekend

The weekends are the best time of all. For example, at this exact moment in time, my two wonderful, well mostly wonderful, grandchildren are here beside me, one older boy, and one a bit younger girl, is giving and complaining about getting the worst thing there is in the world for a child. COOTIES! Specifically BOY COOTIES! and giggling madly. You do know they fight at home and yes they fight here too. They are brother and sister, and what else are brother and sisters to do with themselves if not fight? I am enjoying the noise now from the other room as I wind down for the evening. Dinner and dishes are done and soon it will be pajama time. I am so looking forward to that! My  pajamas I mean! Oh and the kids too of course LOL. I was up early again, no sleeping in for me today. I had the most wonderful, enjoyable, and educational morning that I've had in a long time. Spinning class called Wrap It Up with Jillian Moreno ( of Knittyspin fame) We learned several different ways to work with cores and wraps, using several different cores and several differently prepared fibres for the wraps. I have several mini skeins of Corespun yarn that if very HORRIBLY made! BUT! I learned so much and just need more practice. I plan to practice soon and try to get it where I am producing some fun and exciting corespun yarns before too long. At least I hope so. I have spent way to long away from my wheel. After the class, I needed to pay for my class. There was a huge line up at the cash register of other knitters and spinners needing to  do the same as me. I wasn't in much of a mood to be patient in a long line up however, so I was forced *shudder* to browse and shop the yarn store! I am very pleased to say, I came away like a happy bunny with one one but two of the hugely coveted and desperately craved varieties of ORANGE sock yarn. Doesn't everyone NEED to have bright orange handknit socks? I know I do! 


Here we have Trekking XXL colourway 487





Here we have Spud and Chloe Fine Sock in colourway 7802. 



OOOOOOOO...... AHHHHH..... ORANGE! 

You know orange is the new green right... ???