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!

Socktober - aka When I Lost My Mind

I don't know what happened this month, but I guess I wanted to be an over achiever. My sock knitting mojo was in high gear. I rocked the socks. Ok, enough of that. You get it.

So, last post there were 3 pair - Sock Wars (Scar), Broken Rib and the Heelless. Not bad even for a month's worth of knitting. And let's not forget the mini's! Let's add a few more....



Ribbed Ankle Socks made from the leftover yarn from Scar. I had less than 18" of yarn left when I kitchnered the toe on sock two. I thought I would have to unravel my gauge swatch! Meilenweit 6fach Special #8842, knit on size 3US needles, with an improvised pattern.



I call them Ladyslipper Socks. Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool in the colorway Ladyslipper, knit on 5US needles. The pattern was again improvised.

The next two wouldn't have happened without that wonderful sock tome Sensational Knitted Socks.



Moss Stitch Socks in Lorna's Laces Swirl DK in the colorway Lakeview. Knit on 3US needles. I have had this is my stash for almost 3 years. I loved this colorway, but just didn't know what to do with it. I like to wear cuddly socks at night, and these ended up being perfect. With only two skeins, the possible projects really only lent themselves to scarves, socks, and mitts/gloves. I only use one of these with any regularity. Take a guess?!



Twin Rib Socks in Lorna's Laces Swirl DK, colorway Purple Club. Also knit on size 3US needles. Hey, I figured I was on a role, and the other pair had worked out so well, why not.

And I finished two more Chemo Hats.




I used Knit Picks Sport Shine in the colors Willow and Hydrangea, size 3US needles. I think I've done 22 of these now.

I'm just a busy bee. Buzz. Buzz.

I started a new job and it's totally cool and I'm loving all of it accept the commute. And my body really hates 6 am. Really hates it. I'm sitting here at 9:47 PDT, and could go to bed now and be perfectly happy. I would be asleep before my head hit the pillow. It sucks! I get my best work done between the hours of 10 pm and 3 am. It so sucks getting old. Seriously.

Anyway, I decided to embark on a new adventure the same week I was negotiating the particulars of my new job. I decided to start a Knit-a-long, because I am addicted to sock yarn and need all the support I can get.

If you are a sock knitter, or like many of us, collect sock yarn, join us as we reclaim our storage space an dignity. Check out the Sock Stash Elimination Campaign. Be a soldier in the war against insurmountable stash! Ok, it's a little hokey, but it's all in good fun.

Until next time - Carpe Lamun!

I Placed 3rd!

...on the LimeNViolet Sock Marathon. The lady who came in first knitted over 7 miles of sock yarn in 6 months. More power to her. Number 2 had 6.3 miles. I had 6.1. But still, "solslett" was mentioned on LNV! I think that may have been a 1st!

I am proud of my 3rd place finish.

Walking On The Wild Tide - Cricket

Walking The Wild Tide - Cricket
Originally uploaded by solslett.

These are my April Rockin' Sock Club Socks. They started out as the designated Grasshopper socks, however, my brain had gas that day.

The pattern calls for a yarn over, purl 2 together pattern. Easy - no problem. Not for me when I started. I registered knit 2 through the back loop. Why? I don't know. Like I said - brain gas. I was at the gusset increase when it dawned on me, and this was after ripping it out 3 times (yes, the farting was a long, drawn out process), before I realized "oh, yeah, that would be easier". Did I stop? No. I'm stubborn that way. Besides, the ridges that were created were kind of cool. I also stopped the lace pattern at three inches and did a 1/1 rib for 1 1/2".

I call them Cricket. I like them.

Yes, I have cast on the real Grasshopper's in another STR colorway and am properly executing the pattern.

I like to prove every once in while that I am a true blond.

Stats......
Yarn: Silkie Socks That Rock
Color: Walking on the Wild Tide
Pattern: Cricket (aka highly modified Grasshopper)
Yardage: 360 yds
Needle: 2.5mm

Meilenweit Mega Boots Stretch Crew Socks

Last night I just wanted to get these done. Staying up way too late (again), I was able to accomplish just that. My blog entry from yesterday was a little whiny, but, to be truthful, I hate endless ribbing. I would rather do endless stockinette - because I won't have to look at it! With ribbing, I need to make sure I'm in the right spot.

I am becoming very conscious of the fact that my knitting results are very different then this time last year. Sock knitting has improved my overall knitting, making it more consistent and even. I am much more satisfied with fit and shape of the items I am producing. Just something as simple as the changing the type of cast on I use for the type of product has evolved.

Up until 3 years ago, I always used a Norwegian cast on, because that's all I knew. It's very stretchy and great for socks. It is similar to the long tail cast on, but there is an extra twist. It can be seen in Simple Socks Plain and Fancy by Priscilla A. Gibson -Roberts, a great technique book. I'm back to using the Norwegian cast on almost exclusively when knitting socks, as the log tail cast on isn't forgiving enough, and a knitted cast on is a big mistake for me.

Anyway - here are the particulars: Lana Grossa Meilienweit Mega Boots Stretch in the color #707 stitched on 2.5mm needles using Crew Sock pattern in the Meilienweit Pattern Booklet 3 as reference. Pattern modifications were as follows: 64 stitches cast on and 2x2 ribbing continued down the leg onto the foot. Pattern called for a round toe bind off and I prefer standard decreased toe since they aren't that pointy.

Yikes! Stripes!

This was knit specifically with Socktopia in mind. The theme was "Yikes, stripes" and these fit the bill. I got them to match up fairly well. Initially, I had started these with a basket weave pattern. In fact, I finished one sock - grafted toe and all! Ripped it out. These still knit up very quickly. I cast on the "second" sock and put it in my travel bag, as we were heading to So Cal to visit Mom last weekend for Mother's Day. So, that sock was finished on the ride down. I literally did the last decreases less than 1/2 an hour from her house. Started on 5/9/07, finished 5/11/07. I wish they all could go so quickly. I'd be through my stash in no time.

Trekking XXL #78

These are the socks I started while attending Norway Day on May 5th. I finished them on May 8th. This was a great pattern. The author is Miriam Felton and I found it at www.mimknits.com.

I love the colors of this yarn. I bought it at The Mannings booth at Stitches West in February.

I think this is the 15th pair of socks that I have finished this year!

Opal in Garter Rib

I don't remember exactly when I bought this yarn, but it's been a long time. Well, long enough. Maybe 3 years? In any case, I have been wanting to knit a pair of socks using the book Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. Not only was I very successful- these fit like a dream - but they were quick. I started these on 4/29/07 and finished them on 5/3/07.

My husband was going to have an out patient procedure on the 30th, so I was able to work on these while listening to my iPod in the waiting area. Lime N Violet, Brenda Dayne and the boys at Mice Cast kept me company for part of the time. I am sure there were some people that thought I was a little nutty since I couldn't help but laugh out loud a few times.

I finished the first sock in less than 24 hours. The second sock took an additional 3 days! I used Opal, in the color Mosiak. I wish they had pooled differently, but you can't have everything.

Child's French Sock

I started these on 4/17/07 and finished them on 4/29/07. I knitted another pair of socks between the first and the second sock of this pair. The pattern source is Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush - I love this book! The yarn is a "vacation purchase". I purchased this in Idaho falls at the Yarn Connection when we were visiting the In-Laws last Thanksgiving. I also bought yarn for a hat and scarf to match, though those skeins are from two different companies. I don't usually do pink, but the ensemble is going to be quite nice. This yarn is Wildfoote in the color Sonatina. The pattern was easy to remember, and the instructions were thorough and easy to follow. I wear a size 7 shoe, and there was very little yarn left over.

I've Become a Joiner....

I knew that at some point, I would join a stitchalong or a knitalong. I've never been much for joining groups - something about the commitment and participation business just didn't appeal to me. I did participate in a stitching group for a while, but we would meet on weekends, and sometimes I had to drive over an hour to get to the meeting place, and I enjoy being a quasi hermit on the weekends.

In 2004, I met three ladies that belonged to a local chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America found here. I became the Chapter President last summer. Once the website has been rebuilt (by me - gulp) I will link to it. We're a fun group of women, with some amazing abilities.

I've had a problem with my right hand since the beginning of the year, and unfortunately there isn't anything that can be done about it for now. Due to some persistent numbness, it is difficult for me to work with a fine needle, which is what I've worked with for years. So I knit. And last night, at our monthly meeting, I knit socks. I found out that one of our new members is a sock knitter too, even teaches sock knitting techniques. Being bi-craftual is a wonderful thing.

But this year, I've become a joiner. In January, I became part of the Lime N Violet Sock Marathon. You can see what we've been up to here. In January, I joined Socktopia, blogged here, with pictures here. In March, I joined the Nancy Bush Group. This month I joined Stashalong, and Crafting for a Cause. Eek!

So much for not being a joiner. I guess the biggest thing I joined is the blogging community. So far so good.

See you soon!