see mi knit

Jaywalkers are finished!!

Another view:

I adore them.  They fit like... well like they were made for me, duh.  I found the yarn delightful to work with, especially on the Addi Turbos (I used US 0s).  That booth better stock up for Stitches West!

So, I keep seeing people using Trekking XXL for socks and everyone's creations look pretty cool and I kept thinking to myself, "Man, where can I get my hands on some just to see why everyone says they are so fab?"

Today I went into my stash to retrieve the yarn I had in mind for my next pair of socks and lo and behold:

I bought this months ago at Common Threads on a whim (color 2639 Greens).  Sometimes I amaze myself with my smartness.  But obviously I was not smart enough to bring it with me last night so that I could have wound it at Kris' place.

December goals:

1. Finish the hoody on Hudson and order a zipper  Sorta done, still need to order a zipper
2. One more wine cozy for Christmas gift list Not done. Just gave the three I made.
3. Begin Jaywalker socks (still debating joining the KAL) Done and done!  I will post pics later tonight.
   
4. Cast on for Hourglass Sweater (note to self: check corrections) (dare I join the KAL?) Done, debating the KAL though.
5. Make progress on Branching Out Snowflake scarf Done.
6. Extra credit - made another beanie for Christmas gift
7. Extra credit - made a scarf for Christmas gift
   

January goals:

1. Order Hudson a zipper.
2. Seam sleeves on Hudson.
3. Finish Hourglass sweater.
4. Start some new socks (probably Falling Leaves)
5. Cast on Dragon hoodie for expectant cousin.

Additionally, I am imposing a yarn fast until Stitches West which is a mere month and some odd weeks away!  I haven't bought any yarn in at least 3 months so I'm at the home stretch!

There are of course exceptions to this fast...  =P
I need to get the yarn for the dragon hoodie (goal number 6)  and I've taken a fancy to this colorway that the Harlot is working on for her Trekking XXL socks.  I THINK it's this one but I'm debating bothering her and asking.

Aaand I'm back at the house, which means, picture time!
I won't display the wrecks mentioned in the previous post, but I've got FOs to show:

First we got some wine cozies - to be presents (with wine) for some cousins and cousin-in-laws.

The pattern from knitty was super easy and it's a great stashbuster. I was going to make 4 but after the third one, I knew I was totally over it.

Then we got last minute random gift:

I knit it length-wise and loosely followed directions by The Harlot in this post.  I finished it in about four hours.  I hope my cousin likes it! (yeah I have a lot of cousins)

I've been meaning to post but I have this crutch about posting about my knitting:  I want pictures.  Therefore, when I have been kept busy enough to keep me away from my home computer and camera, I don't feel justified to post. Sigh, I know that's pish posh but oh well.

Anyway, in defiance of... myself... here is an update, with no pictures:

• Jawalker - Oh lament, I was almost done with the heel when I realized sockA has 7 more stitches than sockB. How is this possible?  I guess car knitting is something still to be mastered.  At any rate, I guess it's rippit time and luckily I lurve this yarn and pattern too much to be all that mad about it.
• Hudson - Oh shame, in a moment of introspection I realize that I need company for seaming.  Given that we haven't had a proper knit night (and won't until next week) I guess Hudson is just going to make me feel guilty for a bit longer.
• Snowflake scarf - Oh pity, in the skein the yarn was soft to the touch with a lovely subtle sheen.  On the needles it's still lovely but when I place it on the nape of my neck it is s-c-r-a-t-c-h-y.  What to do? Slog on and give it to an unfortunate recipient?  Slog on and suffer by wearing it myself (and making darn well sure everyone knows I knit it)?
• Hourglass sweater - Oh crap, I began SO enthusiastically (went through TWO SKEINS IN TWO DAYS) because I thought I was so clever in modifying the pattern to fit my gauge but last night I measured a 40" hem.  I put 40" of tape measurer around my hips. It's not pretty.  Another ripper which will have to wait until I can borrow Kris' ball winder.  Which is just as well because I forgot to check the corrections anyway (after I told myself to do this earlier this month!!)

I know it looks like it hasn't been a good couple of weeks for knitting (notice a lack of any "Oh goody") but I feel much more productive than I have in months!  I'm reveling in the knitting, honestly.  Sunday was a blast.  I'm definately planning to host another knitting for knewbies night in January.  I'm doing pretty well with my December goals (and then some!)  So yeah, I'm in a good place.

I had another knit night tonight.  The number of participants have significantly dwindled, but really due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, never for lack of interest.  I am positive things will pick up again after the holidays.

But look, we've got some finished projects!  Robin, my little protege, finished her scarf (you can see her studiously working on it here). She used a simple basketweave pattern out of my "99 knit stitches" book using some Simply Soft.  This was taken as soon as I taught her how to cast off:

Here's a closeup of the pattern:

Yayyy for Robin!  She started on a beanie (yup, knitting on the round with circulars!) but she using some cotton yarn and she might need some encouragement.  Cotton, it seems, is not so friendly on the needles although very soft on the skein.

Cindy also finished her project (a while ago but I finally took a picture). I'm very proud that she completed something rather complicated.  Not only did it require the use of stitch holders, but it's an actual garment that needed gauging and everything!

It's a baby kimono for an expectant friend (also shown working on it here).  Her next project is the yoga mat holder out of Stitch N Bitch.

Kathy seamed up a wine bottle cozy and started on a second baby bootie.  Alas, no pictures, I'll have to snap some at our next meeting.

I myself finished a beanie (Christmas present) and got about another half inch on the cuff of the Jaywalker socks. I'm tellin ya, those Socks that Rock are dangerous, I can't wait for Stitches West!!

Ahhh some notable Jaywalker progress...

Despite the poor quality picture (I stealthily took a pic of it with a cameraphone at work) your eyes do not deceive you: I have enough pooling to make any sock knitter's eye twitch.

But it's not too bad.

I have "decided" to become a Process Knitter for this project. I will enjoy the soft Socks that Rock yarn between my fingers.  I will revel in the slick Addi Turbos.  I will take pleasure in the simple yet nifty pattern emerging before my eyes.  I will bask in the glory of Two Socks on Two Circulars!

Tonight's knit night had to be cancelled due to poor kitty health (Send Marisa some good vibes for Spike), and Kris is up in Seattle kicking bowling arse.  The complete lack of moral support means that Hudson is going to languish (only need to seam the sleeves!!) while I shamelessly devote attention to the socks while I have a knit night for one this evening.

Yay the internet is back in the house.

Here's a pic of the snowflake scarf:

So far it's going well.  I'm taking my sweet time with it because it has no purpose in life (not really for me, but no intended recipient yet).

Last night I cast on for Jaywalker with Kris and after many many unsuccessful attempts at the tubular cast on, I tried her version of the tubular cast on (with a provisional cast on) with much better success.  Here's some before and after unzipping the provisional:

Before

After:

Well, I guess there isn't much difference except for the missing blue waste yarn.  But I think the difference between this cast on and a long-tail is apparent.  I like this cast on a lot. It feel... squashy. Hard to describe, but I really think it's perfect for socks.

I also made headway with Hudson seaming, just the sleeves left!

I was very iffy about joining a KAL.  You know if you tell some people not to do something, that makes them more determined to do it?  For me, the vice versa (also) applies. If I know I have to do something, that's a sure-fire way for procrastination to rear its ugly head.

Anyhoos, everyone over at the Jaywalker KAL looks like they're having so much fun, I decided to join it after all with Kris.

I started swatching last Tuesday at our weekly knit nite and already I'm bijigidy about it.  I'm using Socks That Rock in Garnet Dream and I started the pattern swatch on Addi 1s.  When I checked the guauge it was entirely too big. Almost twice the size! (ie getting about 6 stitches an inch when I should have gotten around 10).

Last night I swatched again using Kris' Addi 0s and the guauge came out much closer. However, reading the KAL updates about the socks fitting very snug (sometimes too small) for folks has me worried.  I'd love for the 1s to work since I'd like to do two socks on two circs and if I have to use 0s, it's yet another trip to the LYS.  I think this means yet another swatching attempt on the 1s tonight.