What's On The Needles

I finished another snuggle over the weekend, but Kevin reminded me that I owed him something.

He doesn't sleep well in the mornings on the weekends because the sun is up. He's a little light sensitive. I, on the other hand, can sleep anywhere, anytime, bright sun or pitch black. It's a gift I inherited from my father. Anyway, he wants an eye mask, a sleeping mask.

I started with prototype G1 last weekend. I'm using short rows to structure for the nose. Most eye masks have a notch for the nose, but I wanted to try something different. I am going to make them in a DK weight and Fingering weight. And since money is a little tight right now, I am going to try my hand at designing. So, in essence, I am creating my first published pattern. I already have an idea for socks that I have been wanting to make and a scarf. We'll see how my career goes as a designer.

Wish me luck!

What's On The Needles

I started a new bag. I'm calling it the Jewel Bag.



Lamb's Pride and Trendsetter Yarns Pepita.



Not too bad, so far. I hope it will felt nicely. I'm using US 6 needles. The design is basic, but I plan on adding embellishments and a leather handles.

I probably won't be blogging finished items this week, since the 4th of July is Friday.

What's On The Needles

This week there was another Detonator sock, but I finished that last night and sent it off today. I only had to finish a foot and toe this time. Can I say that I'm tried of the pattern and want to die? Sock Wars III certainly has been a long experience for me this time.

I finished Berlin Muster yesterday, the second pattern for SKP2008. I started it on the 17th and they went very fast.

I cast on a new pair of socks yesterday, that I am calling Blue Marble.



The yarn is OnLine Supersocke 100 Walking Color 845. I'm using a Basic Rib leg and plain stockinette foot, I think. I'll let you know what I decide.

That's all for now. See you back here with finished stuff on Friday!

What's On The Needles

Only one this week:



This is the Berlin Muster pattern from SKP2008 KAL. I am using Schachenmayr Nomotta Regia Tweed 4-ply in Burgundy with gold flecks. They look very nice and the socks are coming along quickly. I started them yesterday and you can see how far I have gotten.

I wonder if I will have them done by Friday?

What Was On My Needles Wednesday

Detonator #3 - yes I have another victim in my sites. I started these on Monday. The participant who sent them to me recieved them basically not started. A rib cuff doens't count. I ripped it out and started over. I took the picture Monday night after I got a few rows done. I love the colors in this skein. I wish I had it! I think it's interesting that I'm still under the radar. I haven't heard anything since the first weekend when SWIII started. We'll see how long I last.

What's On The Needles

I finished up a few things already this week, which I'll show on Friday. I cast on another chemo cap today. I need to work on my Mystic Light shawl, which I will have an opportunity to work on tomorrow since we're going to be on the road.

Studying for my State exam has taken up a lot of time.

What's On The Needles

It's become a week about hats. I've been working on Chemo hats, and I broke out an old kit for a chenille hat that I thought would be a quick project. On my goodness, it just killed my hands. They ached all through the night on Sunday. But it's done, along with two more chemo hats. I also finished knitting Kevin's sweater, but I need to block and fit that, so I doubt I will have that ready by Friday.

I was rather surprised when I realized that I finished two big sweater projects in the last month. Not bad for me! I'm busting through some stash!

What's On The Needles

No pictures today. Sorry. I am close to finishing my Einstein Coat, and should have it done tonight. Pictures should follow on Friday. I think I may have enough to do a hat as well. That would be nice. I took a quick fitting last night, and discovered that the sleeves would be too short if I followed the pattern. I am adding 2" to be on the safe side. This thing is going to be really bulky, but I don't know how warm it will be. The yarn is chenille, cotton and rayon. It seems to be very roomy, so I can always layer!

Sock Wars starts on Friday. Have no idea what yarn I am going to use. The suggested yarn is Tofutsies, but I'm not crazy about that yarn. The pattern is also calling for 32 stitches to 4" on US 2's. That seems awfully big. They are trying to cover a large group of people, and I have a feeling these socks will be similar to my last swap socks - bed socks. Too big to wear with shoes, but great for keeping my feet warm at night!

What Was On My Needles Wednesday

Last night I got home too late and I was too tired to even try to blog. Some days are like that. Back to semi normal blogging.

This week, on the needles are...



Mariner's Socks! These are the colors of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Team, and I bought the yarn in Seattle at So Much Yarn! (No, I don't follow baseball, but I liked the colors) It's a basic 2x2 rib pattern. I couldn't get too creative, I was vacation. However, I did pack my dpn's just so I could start a pair of socks if I came across something nice! As you can see, I have come a fair distance since a week ago, when I cast them on.



These are the Sock Madness Round 3 socks. You can see how far I got. The lace weight wasn't the issue, really, it was the fact that we were going on a cruise that screwed me up. When I checked the stat list on Monday, and 7 of the alloted 12 were done, I gave up trying to be knitting Wonder Woman. Maybe next year. I do like the way they are turning out though. I'm using Jojoland Harmony and Jaggerspun Zephyr.



Actually, since I took this picture Tuesday night, I have since turned the heel on sock number 1! The yarn is from J. Knits and the colorway is Los Angeles. The pattern was much easier than it looked and I am reversing the pattern. It was supposed to be toe up, but I hate how they fit. I can't stand a short row heel either. I am also doing this using the Magic Loop method - one long circular. It really slows me down. But the pattern isn't conducive to dpn's.



My stash acquisition from Victoria at the Beehive Wool Shop. I have to go back there someday! So much stuff to fondle. Anyway, I purchased some Fleece Artist and some Handmaiden. Husband heard the total and I am surprised that he said nothing. Of course, when we were in Seattle, for the first time in my life I heard "$40 for a skein of yarn and a magazine? Seriously?" Let's just say this bag was 2 1/2 times the Seattle purchase.

I didn't get as much knitting time in last week as I had hoped, but it was better than nothing. Since I am posting this on Thursday - I know there is no way that I will have anything done for tomorrow. Next week, just wait!

What's On My Needles Wednesday

I've been a busy bee this week. Let's start with the longer term project.



This is part one of the Mystic Light Shawl KAL. It's a great pattern and I actually got part 1 finished in a couple days. Part 2 comes out today. The yarn in Dream In Color Smooshy in the colrowar Dusky Aurora. I discovered that when I wound these skeins into center pull cakes, that even though they claim to be the same dyelot, there is a difference in color. When I start part two, I will have to alternate every two rows to accommodate the color variation. Why not use another yarn? Because I'm stubborn, I don't want to rip back part 1 and buying more yarn at this point is out of the question. I purchased this as Stitches West, and don't have much recourse to remedy this easily.



Sock Madness Round 2 - Reversai. I am using Socks That Rock Lenore, a sock club shipment from last year. First, OMG this yarns bleeds. May fingers are black! Second, this pattern has a great design, but I hate a rounded toe and, even though I got gauge, these are huge! I'm going to have to do something different for sock 2, with the understanding that I will be ripping this one back once I have completed this round.



A plain ribbed sock is such a nice respite from intricate patterns. I'm using Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn, and this better soften in the wash. It is so scratchy, but the colors are amazing. I've cast on #2, and had to rip it back to try to match the stripes. I feel like being a genius again! At least these fit.

What's On The Needles

This week, it is yet another sock...



Noro Kureyon Sock in a basic rib. I wonder if I will be able to match up these "stripes". A bit more of a challenge.

I finished two pairs of socks over the weekend. Woohoo!

I am participating in the Mystic Light KAL and the first piece of the pattern was released today. Very cool. I'm looking forward to starting that one.

See you back here on Friday!

What's On The Needles

Nothing new, I'm afraid. I finished a stole over the weekend and Sock Madness 2's Round One Zombie socks last night. You'll have to wait for Friday, unless you're on Ravelry. Hehe.

I'll flash one of the skeins of Interlacements Arizona that I used for the stole to tie you over until Friday.



The sweater for my husband is coming along.



Your eyes do not decieve you - oceans of stockinette! I had a yarn shop owner comment on the evenness of my stitches. I am a knitting machine! I'm using Rowan Yorkshire 4-ply Tweed, I guess it's close to a DK weight. The differences between fingering to DK to Sport can be a bit of a challenge for me. I'm using US6, and it's making for a very light, drappy fabric. I thought it would make a nice layering sweater. A man on the train commented on the color the other morning. Olive, or Army green was a such "man's color". He said it was one of his favorite's. There are speaks of light blue, which I think adds some interest. I will make sure that it is properly modeled by the intended user once it has been completed. I have one and a half sleeves to go.

For not having much to report, I certainly said more than I intended!

What's On The Needles

Last year, I discovered the English magazine Simply Knitting. I have been amazed by how many patterns I find that I want to try. In one of the issues last Fall, there was a pattern for a simple stockinette rolled hem sweater that I thought would be perfect for my husband. Something he could just throw on, light but warm. I wanted to try a larger project with Rowan 4-ply Tweed, and with some minor adjustments, I was on my way.

I finished the front tonight.



I know, I know. It looks like a couple of greenish rectangles at this point, but it won't be long before DH is modeling it for the world. I started a sleeve last night. I'm finding that this is a really good commute project. See, I can knit something other than socks.

And speaking of socks.....

I am test knitting a pair of socks. That's all I'm willing to say. Here is the sole of the sock:



Can't tell really anything from that. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in the colorway Green Mountain Madness. I love CTH. It is so soft and squishy. The socks feel wonderful to wear too.

That's it - check back Friday. I finished something!

What's On The Needles

This is the new thing I can show you. I joined the Sock Knitters Pentathlon. This is a group that will be knitting 5 specific patterns leading up to the Summer Olympics. The yarn is from J. Knits in the colorway Los Angeles - the place I was born. The first Summer Olympics that I felt connected to was the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. So this colorway seems somehow fitting.

I'm still working on the socks I'm calling Ribby Goodness. I am also test knitting a pair of socks, which I can't really speak of or obviously show off. I am using Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome, which is awesome. I think I may have enough left over for a pair of fingerless gloves.

Nagini remains unfinished, as do a number of other projects. I think that there will be nothing ready for Friday. Oh well. One week with no FO's won't kill me.

What's On The Needles

This week, Nagini is still on the needles. One sock is done.

Here is something else that I've been working on:

This is going to be a kid's hat with yarn I purchased at Joann's. It's called Sensations Bellezza Collection Dolcetto, a wool blend. I'm using size 10.5US dpn's for this one.



I just got this yarn last weekend from the Yarn Barn at Stitches West. It's Fortissma Socka Mexiko Color, colorway #24. I am doing a ribbed sock, so I am calling them Ribby Goodness.

The preemie blanket is still in the needles. I also cast on for a sock I am test knitting, so not too much I can say on that one, other than it is really cool. Sweaters have been untouched. I'm just wondering if I will have anything else done by Friday. We shall see.

What's on the Needles

Here is the progress report - first off, Nagini:



I wanted to cast on a pair of Gigi Silva socks, and this was one of three patterns that she released for the last Harry Potter Book. I am hoping I don't run out of yarn. She warned that they used a lot of yarn due to the cables. I weighed 50 grams remaining when I was done with the first sock. It would really suck to get that close and run out. I could do the toes in a another yarn, though. The yarn is from Mackintosh Yarns in the colorway Voldemort.



I got the idea to make a preemie blanket, and here it is in progress. I am using Patons Cotton Club and doing this in Moss Stitch.




Nagini, since it employs cables, is not a good commuting socks, so I started these. A basic stockinette sock using Cosmic Fibers Gryffindor Second Year colorway. These are becoming a quick knit.

Check back on Friday to see what, if anything, I get done. Friday also is the first day of Stitches West!

On My Needles.....

No pictures today of work on the needles - ran out of time. You get to see yarn, though.

I've been working on a sweater for my husband. It's called Big Easy and it's nothing but stockinette. I don't have a picture of the piece, but here is the yarn.



I love Rowan Yorkshire Tweed 4ply. It's almost fingering weight, and it takes forever to knit up to a decent sized sweater, but it is sooo pretty.

I started a preemie blanket. Had to frog the thing and start all over. I'm doing that in a Patons cotton blend that is machine washable.

I've been working on afghan squares - got three more done. Their siblings look like this....



Black - can't see any detail in the shots. Oh well.

I started my Nagini socks. I'm using MacKintosh Yarns Voldemort.



I have finished stuff to show off on Friday, so check back then.

What's On My Needles Wednesday

Ok - I still have the socks from last week, which will probably be included in the FO Friday post this week.

I did a bunch of baby hats over the weekend.

Then there is this....



It's a big person hat. I'm using TLC's Wiggles, and the only way I am satisfied with the appearance is if it's in plain stockinette. The yarn is ok to work with (for acrylic - yes, I'm a yarn snob). The "wiggles" will need to be coached when the hat is done. Many are going to the inside, which defeats the purpose of using the yarn. I have ripped it back twice. I tried a couple of different stitch patterns, and it just looked wrong. Oh well.

That's all for today. Check back on Friday for my finished Child's First Sock #2 - in Yarn Pirate!

Wednesday's Knitting

So what am I up to this week? Another pair of Child's First Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks.



Isn't it pretty? The yarn is from the Yarn Pirate Sock Club and is called Kalamata. Brown's and purple's and green's. I love it! The way the colorway is spiraling around the sock is great, the feel of the yarn is amazing. Buy her yarn! You won't regret it. I have three other skeins and I want to use them all now!

I knit a pair of these for a swap pal. Next week for my Friday Finish, I will put up a photo of the box and goodies I sent her. Personally, I would love to get a box like this myself.

What's On My Needles Wednesday

This week, it's one big Clapotis. I made a pretty good run at it last week, and by Saturday realized that I would not have enough yarn to finish. Frogged the whole thing and started over. I've made some adjustments to the pattern, and am tracking the usage very carefully.

I don't know why I am so obsessed with this. The yarn is from stash I found in storage that I know was purchased before my move to No Cal in 1991. I think I started something else with this, frogged it and put it in a bag. I am making some great progress, obviously.

This has been pretty much all I have worked on this week. I started another hat, worked on some swap socks (NOT a commuter project) and put a couple of rows on my chevron scarf.

I guess that's it for this week. Maybe I'll have this done by Friday. Maybe.