Year End Re-Cap, Part I

Since I was so lousy at actually posting the last few months, hence re-cap, in parts. This is mainly "what I did in my spare time" project wise. For those who need to know, you know?

In August, I finished up pair #12 in my attempt to reduce the sock stash. Ha! That's a battle I have little hope of winning.



Basic sock pattern in Joann's Sensations Soles & More. I've worn these several times already and like how they are holding up. No pilling or felting.

#13 was a kit that I got years ago when I signed up for a sock club sponsored by a shop here in the Bay Area.



Pedicure socks in Interlacements Tiny Toes. As my sister-in-law commented, they think of everything. I concur. I made these simply for the fact I was tired of moving them from one project pile to another. I might try to wear these with my sandals, since I don't get professional pedicures.

Pair #14 was a joy to do. The yarn is from my favorite podcaster, Miss Violet of LimeNViolet.



The cables are a little hard to see, but it's a beautiful pattern by Kat and the pattern can be found here. The pattern is called Lacy Mock Cable Socks. The yarn is Lime & Violet Sasquatch Superwash in the colorway John the Sword Swallower (Miss Violet's hubby).

#15 comes from two of my favorites - Gigi Silva (aka MommaMonkey, Monkey Toes) and Georgia Schlegel of Yarn Pirate fame. Gigi passed away a few years ago and her wonderful talent is missed.



The pattern is Eleanor and the yarn colorway is Rain Shadow. I found out that Georgia is expecting her second child and taking a hiatus from the Booty Club. No monthly sock goodness for me for a while. However, her timing is excellent. My Yarn Pirate stash is slowly disappearing. I love her base yarns!

And that's it for socks. Worth noting, I only finished two pairs for Socktober. Need to do better next year. I have two other pairs on the needles, but they'll be done in 2010.

Part II forthcoming.......

Waves and Piers in Trekking XXL

This pattern is from Little Box of Socks by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrot. Easy pattern to remember and a quick knit.

Dancing Bamboo Socks in Trekking XXL

These socks are from the excellent book Pints & Purls: Portable Projects for the Social Knitter. I received this book from my mother-in-law for my birthday and about half the patterns are on my "must-knit" list.

The yarn is Trekking XXL, which is one of the most durabe sock yarns I have every used. Loved this project!

Wendelin Socks

I'll be honest - the main reason I decided to knit this pattern is the name was similar to a nickname my friend Chris had given me in high school. The pattern is by Rosemary Waits and the pattern can be found here.



For those of you that have been following me for a while, you know that I don't like toe up sock construction. The heels, for the most, don't suit me and cause the sock to wander around. I reversed it, constructed the ribbing to match the pattern, and added a heel flap. Tada - a sock that suits me!

The yarn is from my favorite dyer, Yarn Pirate, in the colorway I Want Candy. I wasn't crazy about this colorway because I'm not a "pink" girl, but if I had my druthers, all my socks would be purple. Yarn clubs are the only reason I have variety in my stash.

Phineas

My friend Kelley owns Ceallach Dyes. She uses a sustainable dying process for her yarns, and I would encourage you to take a look at her site and learn more about the process. I had the pleasure of helping her in her booth at Maker Faire this year, which was a blast. I brought this project with me to show off her sock yarn.



The colorway is Irises. I wanted to use a simple pattern, so it wouldn't compete with the yarn. The pattern is from Rosemary Waits and can be found here. I knit these on Size 0 needles, so they took for-ev-er! (or two weeks)

Quill Lace Socks

Another knitty.com pattern, and my favorite sock yarn.



The yarn is Yarn Pirate (surprise!) in the colorway Smoke Rings. I knit these in four days. The pattern looks like it would be difficult, but it was easy-peasy! Pity the weather is getting warmer - at least too warm for socks.

Weekend Adventures

We went to Boise for the weekend to attend my Sister-in-Law's wedding. As I posted on Facebook, it was a whirlwind 72 hours, 1200 mile road trip with an awesome celebration. I will post a picture of the happy couple later.

As we typically do now, Kevin drives and I knit/supervise the iPod/prepare and administer refreshments. This trip was dominated by one knitted item - my Faceted Rib Sock. I finished the first one several weeks ago and then got busy stitching. I was still on the leg of the second sock when we left home Thursday night. I worked on it on our way to Winnemucca.

Friday morning we headed out and passed through Oregon (posted speed limit 55 miles per hour in the middle of frakkin' nowhere and if you're in Nevada or Idaho, it's 70 or 65 respectively on the same damn freeway. Bastards. 2000 meandering sheep my ass.) We had rain almost the whole way, and I can say that this particular stretch of road is only slightly more interesting than I-40. In other words, other than changes to topography, this is a long stretch of ab-so-lute-ly n-o-t-h-i-n-g.

I knit on my sock.

We got to Boise, and we descended on the court house en masse. There were at least 20 people there to watch Kelli and Adam tie the knot. The judge even noted that this may have been his biggest audience. Afterwards, Kev and I went had some lunch at Goodwood BBQ with his mom and step-dad. Those were some of the best beef ribs I have had since the last time my Dad made them (in other words - forever).

We headed back over to Kelli and Adam's and made origami cranes for the BBQ reception decorations for Saturday. I discovered that paper folding is not my forte, so I strung them on fishing line. Then the ladies settled in and chatted while some of the guys were watching Iron Man. Adam was making cookies. Kevin and Larry went to see if they could find an old friend. I had the opportunity to knit on my sock.

The next day we were kind of lazy and got a late start. We had brunch at the Cracker Barrel. I haven't been to one of those in over 20 years. It was as good as I remember. I picked up small gifts for the girls at the office and 45 minutes later we were back with Sharon and Larry so they could get a bite to eat. Kevin and I had some dessert.

Headed back over to the Kelli and Adam's. We spent a lovely afternoon getting to know family and friends. The food was great! The rain held off for most of the afternoon, thankfully. We didn't stay too late, since we had to be on the road early the next morning. I'm so glad we decided to go. Spending time with family is priceless.

Sunday morning we're on the road by 6:30. The weather isn't too bad. We're in Winnemucca by 10:30 and had a bite to eat. By 3:00 pm, we're passing through Reno. We stop at Boomtown - and I'm done with the sock! Finished the toe while Kevin was pumping gas.

See...........



Not a great shot, but you get the idea. I've never knitted on one project while traveling through 4 states. That was kind of neat.

Anyway - road construction slowed us down and we lost about an hour. When we drove through Thursday night, we didn't see much snow on the ground. Not so by Sunday. The storm that went through dumped quite bit.



Again, not great, but I took it from the car and there's little contrast due to the clouds. But you get the point. It was strange to see all that fresh powder and no one on the slopes. The resorts closed last week or the week before.

We were back in Concord by 6:00 pm and had dinner out before heading home. What a weekend.

Here is a shot of the pair of Faceted Rib Socks by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott, from the Little Box of Socks. Yarn by Yarn Pirate in the colorway Patina.



This one certainly fulfills the moniker of traveling sock!

Lucky Leafling

Yeah - I've been on a sock knitting jag again.





There is something to be said for being in the Socks that Rock Club from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. You have the opportunity to knit socks that you normally wouldn't. This is from last year, the colorway is Lucky in Mediumweight, the pattern is called Leafling by JC Briar. The heel design is a la Cat Bordhi. I have not tried doing one of her sock architectures, and this gave me the opportunity.

The socks are thick, and I had to rip out the 2nd sock back to the leg because I managed to add an extra pattern repeat, so the sock was huge! Yes, it's true, even I make mistakes.

I am curious to see how they work for me. Kevin is concerned that the bulk in the heel may be uncomfortable for me, and I am concerned that they will bunch. The socks fit tight enough, but I'm just uncertain. I'll keep you posted.

Sweet Lime Salida's

There is this group called Sock Knitters Pentathalon, and it started up again in February. They come out with a new pattern every two months, and you're challenged to get them completed before the next pattern comes out. I've liked the patterns in the past, and this one is no exception.





The pattern is by Janneke Maat. The yarn is Yarn Pirate Bamboo/Merino/Nylon in the colorway Sweet Lime. I totally love them - and the rose color matches the sweater I'm working on. Woohoo!

Duckies and Bee Stitch

Finished another pair of socks. Surprise! This pattern is from Samantha Hayes and is called Duckies. The yarn, from one of my favorite dyers, is Yarn Pirate BFL DK in the colorway Hope. They feel wonderful.

The other thing I finished was another washcloth, because there is little else to do with dishcloth cotton, and I have a gazillion balls of it.



The pattern is by Rhonda White and the yarn is Sugar N' Cream Patio Pinks.

December Knitting

It was a busy month. Since funds were in short supply, I decided to do some Christmas knitting.

I made these for three of my nieces....

Sweetheart Bag for Audrey



I found this pattern and thought this would make a cute bag for two of my nieces. I made a larger one for Audrey, which in the picture looks a little wonky, but came out quite nice. The pattern is by JanKnit Designs and can be found for free on her blog.

Sweetheart Bag for Leah



Leah's, knit to pattern spec, came out quite cute as well. Both were knit using Cascade 220.

Fingerless Lace Mitts for Kaitlin



When I was in Idaho, I went to the local yarn store with my MIL Sharon and SIL Kelli. I asked Kelli what colors the girls liked, and found a skein of Brown Sheep Wildfoote that Kaitlin might like. Searching through Ravelry, I found this pattern by Monica Jines. Luckily, I had purchased this pattern previously, and they came out great. When I have time, I want to do a pair for me!

Stella for Mom



The pattern is from Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders - one of my favorite series so far. I found some Bernat yarn in my stash in a color I knew Mom would like. It only took a couple days to knit up, the pattern repeat was an easy one to remember. She loved it!

Other things I knitted in the last month.....

Chemo Cap in Sky



This is a picture of one I did a couple of years ago, but they look the same. This pattern is from Knit Picks, and it is another in an ongoing charity project I have been working on. I completed this on our way home from Idaho.

Funky Little Sack



I thought the name fit. It came out much better than I thought. I didn't use a pattern, instead I'm calling this free form knitting. The beads were purchased at Joann's, as was the yarn which is Bernat Felting Natural Wool.

Half of Starry Starry Night



My MIL mentioned that she liked these socks. I had knit a pair earlier this summer for someone else. Best of intentions and all that, I finished one in time for Christmas with an IOU for the other after the holidays. I wanted to get the gifts for the girls done, so that took priority. Mom's scarf was started on the trip down to LA, and finished while I was there. Hopefully, I will cast on #2 tomorrow.

Well, that's it for my projects for this year. I hope all of your had a happy holiday with your family and friends. Mom was very happy to have us home for the holidays and we were able to spend some time with friends, which happens far too infrequently.

My best wishes to your and yours for the coming New Year. May it bring hope and prosperity to us all.

When you forget your slippers - knit socks

I was going to bring slippers with me to Idaho, but I forgot. So, I knit a pair of house socks in, like, two days.



I am not ashamed to admit that I use Red Heart. For things like this, it's wonderful. I can throw them in the wash and not have to think twice. Worn over a pair of knitted wool socks, the feet are toasty warm. And in the long run, they are cheaper than slippers.

Blue & Grey Basic Sock

What is better for mindless travel knitting than a basic sock? These are made with Regia and I knit them on US 0's - they are the densest socks I have ever knit! They took forever - for me. Now to figure out what I can wear them with.

Oh So Beautiful Socks

These were designed by Judy Sumner and I knit them with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the colorway Gold Hill.

Freedom Socks

To commemorate this particular political season, I made these:



The yarn is ONline Linie 3 Supersocke 100, colorway is 836. This is the basic stockinette sock. No muss, no fuss. If I hadn't already voted, I would have worn these to the polling booth.

Red Stripe

Socktober Pair No. 8!!!



Made it with a day to spare! The joy in knitting a basic sock, is that after a while you don't have to think about what you're doing. You just knit. No cable needles. No rows to count. Just knit, or purl. These were knit using Zwerger Garn Opal Prisma, in a 2x2 rib carried onto the instep and knit on size 1US needles.

Conwy

Socktober Pair No. 7!!!



The yarn is from White Willow. She referred to the colors as Violet, Olive and Silver. She has a shop on Etsy, which is one of my favorites. The pattern is from one of my favorite designer's, Nancy Bush. This is from the Knitting on the Road book, which is one I go back to often. I think this is my third or fourth completed pair from it.

What I love about Nancy's designs, is that they fit my feet quite well. I always get gauge, and typically use the recommended needle size. The finished product is always amazing. If you haven't had the opportunity to knit a Nancy Bush design, I would highly recommend it. The instructions are very well written, and you learn quite a bit when using one of her books.

STR RPM

Socktober Pair No. 6!



At Stitches West this year, I bought a skein of mill ends Socks That Rock. It saved me a few bucks, so why not. It's a medium weight, which I hadn't tried before. The pattern RPM, from knitty.com, called for this specific yarn, so I had to do it.

I knit these in 3 days. The pattern is easy to remember. I will no doubt do these again someday, since it was a piece of cake to do.

Tirzah's Delight

Socktober Pair No. 5!!!



Pattern is Tirzah's Delight by Heatherly Walker. It came with my shipment of Chewy Spaghetti yarn in the colorway Hazy. I love these socks! I've already worn them too, and they felt great. The pattern was quick and the sock yarn was a heavy fingering weight. I knit them on US2 needles.

Socktober Slippin' Strippin' Socks

These are the Slippin' Strippin', highly irritatin', never knittin' socks with lace weight again socks. The pattern is by Tina Lorin and this was part of Sock Madness 2. I like the pattern and I like the look, but the fabric is so thin in places. I used Jojoland Harmony and Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk.

I started these back in April as we were leaving for our Pacific Northwest Cruise. I actually started them on the way to San Francisco, with the grand plan of having them done by the time we got back. Nope.

Another thing I didn't like - all the ends I had to weave in. Every 10 rows, one yarn changed. Ugh.

Hey - they are done. That's something to be happy about. I probably won't wear these much. I just don't see them holding up well.