see mi knit

The offset cable zip up cardi (I need a name for it...) is slowly progressing.

I'm about to start the armhole shaping for the sleeves.  But I gotta tell you, it's hard plowing through endless ribbing when all that's calling for me is this:

It's some Jitterbug sock yarn I picked up in Boston in Plum.  I've already cast on for the Gentlemen's Fancy Socks with the Lozenge Pattern because I've been fixated by Kris' for a while now and I think she's spot on with going with a red colorway.  I'm almost done with the cuff and the color is just delicious!

I can't wait to finish these because I want to use another little gem that was waiting for me in Boston:

Weeeeeeeeee BUNNY SOCK BLOCKERS!!!!  I got them from these delightful eBay merchants and I'm pretty sure I got them custom made because when Kris asked them if they had bunnies they said "Sure we do, give us a mo'" and then they came back with SKETCHES for approval.  I picked the design you see above and I'm super delighted because as far as I know, I'm the only gal with bunny blockers... for now...  ;)

Oh and the baby sock jag, do just two pairs count as a jag?

But I'll have to you know that one of those socks in the back (Fairgrounds, STR) had 5 false starts before I decided to do basic socks, so really this picture represents at least 5 pairs! (The other socks are leftover STR in Garnet Dream)

Lace knitting has resumed!

This is my first shawl and I'm using Artfibers Chai, which I got during the Stitches West trip. I forgot to take a pick of the skeins so no stash flash.  But I've got three skeins of them to make a slightly larger than normal Flower Basket Shawl, to be a Christmas gift for an aunt.

Kris recommended it as a beginner lace shawl project and I must say it's a good choice.  The pattern consists of just three type of stitches (two of which is a k2tog and a ssk) and they repeat across a row in a manner that makes sense.  I'm on the 4th pattern repeat and I think I'm actually starting to "see" where the stitches are supposed to go so I can pinpoint where a mistake occured.

Correcting said mistake is still heartwrenching as each row becomes longer and longer and man, LIFELINES ARE LIFESAVERS.

I'm still steadily working on the slip stitch rib socks. I really want to complete them before the first STR sock kit comes in (two weeks left!!!).  As I'm working on them, I'm reminded of upcoming summer delectables:

Therefore, I dub these socks:  Berry Delicious!

Olympics Update

I RAN OUT OF BLUE YARN.
The contingency plan is to create the hood in the opposite colors (green with blue trim). I think it'll work out ok even though it will look like a Frankenstein dragon made up of other dragons and mashed together with Dr. Frankenstein biting her fingernails in the corner.

Bliss Update

Socks are done!  I'm waiting for a sunny day to take the pictures since they were supposed to remind me of blue skies.  It's the least I can do for them.  Poor socks. So unloved. Why so unloved? Because for the last hour on those socks I was just itching to get started on these lurvely skeins from Stitches:

Claudia's Handpainted in Sante Fe. Yum.

These are going to be very plainly made so as to really let the colors take the stage.  I've selected the Slipped Stitch Rib socks from Sensational Knitted Socks.  Fab book by the way, I've spotted several that I want to make.

Needle Search Update

I've settled on some Susan Bates Silvalume US1s.  I switched to those halfway through Bliss.  I know, switching between wood and metal needles halfway through a project could be frowned upon, possibly creating all sorts of gauge wonkiness, but like I said, Bliss was so unloved I didn't mind using it as a guinea pig.  In the end, the socks fit and look fine and I have favorite dpn's.  I adore the metal dpn's!  I'm going to eventually acquire some Inox's because the Susan Bates are 7", which feel a tad too long for me and the Inox's come in 6"s.  Thanks for the tip, Cynthia!

Hourglass Update

There are knitters out there that you just want to worship the ground they walk on.  They are so meticulous, so neat, so creative, that you really wish reading their blog had some sort of osmosis power to give you some of their SKILLZ.  (You know, how like in college you'd take a nap with your head on your Chem book hoping all that information would somehow magically ingrain itself in your brain but really all you ended up with was some drool on your notes?)

Anyway, I am not one of those knitters.  After ripping back the yoke on Hourglass about 7 times (NO JOKE) I finally get this brilliant stroke of genius to refer back to the pattern and it looks like I've conveniently forgotten to decrease in the back of the sweater while also decreasing the front.

So what type of knitter am I? I'm the type that makes you feel good about yourself as a knitter because hey, at least you know how to read.

It is now a battle of the wills. This. Sweater. Will. Get. Done.

Saving graces:  Alpaca is delicious on Addi Turbos.  Cute stitch markers (from Stitches) are little lights at the end of at tunnel row of stockinette.

And finally:
1) Stay tuned for super secret project! It will be fun times.
2) Come join us for Marathon Olympics Knitting on Saturday.

Got back from snowboarding last night. I got some pretty good progress going on my various projects.

Here are the sleeves so far for Hourglass:

They are going surprisingly slow on two circulars. I think the yarn is too slippery and the "rows" are a tad too short to really  get into a rhythm before I have to fiddle with the needles again.  But since I'm shortening it to be 3/4 length sleeves it won't be for long.

I also made some Spring is Coming progress.  I put the first sock on waste yarn and I'm almost done with the cuff of the second.  I was debating keeping the yarn live on the first sock but fiddling with yarn coming out of both ends of the skein just didn't sound very appealing.

Fiddling is not tolerated in this knitterly habitat.

And today I got the yarn for the Baby Dragon sweater!  I'm using the blue for the body and the green for the spikes and spots.

Can't wait to start on it!  But I am keeping a firm reign on WIPs and I want to finish the sleeves on Hourglass first.

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.

Woo hoo, it's TWO completed projects!

First is the mini-Clapotis:

Yes, I know, it's another gratuitous boob shot. But it's a freakin scarf, how else would I wear it?

Check out the gorgeous detail:

It was really FUN to knit.  Those dropped stitches sure add some thrill.  I am also now a Lorna's Laces convert.

And next is Harlequin Cap number 2 (aka Another freakin sock yarn beanie)

Next up I'm working on some wine cozies using some cheapie stash yarn (nothing wrong with a little Simply Soft but damn, it's taking up room and Stitches West is coming up).  Those are knitting up super fast and they're going to be Christmas gifts.

Then I'm going to start Jaywalker when Kris' yarn comes in.  Still contemplating joining the actually KAL... it's like if someone told me to do something, that's a sure fire way to make sure I won't.

But lookee at the beyooootiful Socks that Rock skeins that I got from Kris!

First off, the socks are finished!

I have to say, I am definately hooked on two socks on two circulars.  It's the only way to go.

And lo and behold, Hudson is blocking:

What is up with this newfound productivity?  I may have been inspired by the new recruits.  Last night I held my second "Knitting for Knewbies" night and I think I've suckered in about 3 other people.  I've got them excited about a scarf, a baby kimono, and a baby beanie.  I'll definately take mugshots at our next event.

While Hudson is blocking, I am stranded without a project.  However, let me share with you an insane notion in my head:

I want to make Clapotis.

Yes, it's like a year after the craze, but I've always wanted to make it.  But let me blow you away even further with this announcement:

I want to make it using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn.

The color is motherload and I got it from Kris from a contest I won (too lazy to find that post)

There are some major implications to this decision:
1) Totally wrong gauge, so it will most likely not be large enough for a shawl.  Who cares, I don't see myself wearing a shawl anytime soon.
2) I may need to get another skein to make it long enough to be a cool scarf.
3) No idea what needle to use. I just may throw myself into the void and try it out on some 5s.
4) Yup, I am ca-ca-ca-raaaazy.

Yay!  New yarn arrived today from yarn.com!  I was getting worried because I ordered it over a week ago, but I noticed the box today on the porch.  The deliver person had thoughtfully hid it behind a chair. :P

What we have here is some Noro Big Kureyon in #19 for Hudson, and Debbie Bliss Soho in color #03 for a scarf I'm hoping to widen to make into a wrap of sorts.  I only have four skeins so I'll need to swatch and see if I even have enough to make a wrap.

So current project list is as such (not in any particular order):
1) Hudson
2) Soho wrap
3) Japanese fern sock
4) Mary Ella

The days are getting awfully warm so I'm a little skeptical about working on a wool hoodie.  Oh but the yarn is so beyoootiful.  And I got a new set of Addi Turbos just for Hudson. hee!  But I guess that means I can take my time with it to be ready for the fall.

My co-worker was in Finland for a month, and knowing my affinity for knitting, she was very sweet to bring me back two skeins of yarn.  I'm not sure what kind of yarn they might have especially in Finland, but what does she bring (because she said it was "very popular" there right now)?  Fun fur!  heeeee!

Upon closer inspection, it's not quite fur, it's more like Fun Feathers.  Very very soft, and while it's not something I can see myself wearing, I think I'm going to pair it up with some Simply Soft and make a scarf and then give back to my co-worker as a way of saying "Thanks for thinking of me!"

I also have a progress picture on my harlequin beanie. It looks really weird though because I've started on the second color and it's supposed to have a cuff so it looks really long... Anyway, I like how the two colors are looking together. Come to think of it, I have a puffy vest in the same colors so if I decide to keep it for myself, I can be obnoxiously matching. :)  But in actuality this will probably be a gift because I've sized it for an adult male (although, I do have a rather large head).

Yay!

First off we've got some bead kits for Mary Ella.

I also got some chenille skeins for a flower washcloth knit-a-long with Kris and Marisa.  I ordered them from Numei.  I'm planning to give them away as Christmas presents.

Last but not least, I ran out of yarn for my Misty Garden scarf, so I had to order some more Polar Morn.  And so while I was at it I ordered one more each of Sunset and Dusky Rose.  And while I was at THAT, I threw in two skeins of Stormy Sky.

It is, as Kris likes to say, very slubby. I'm curious to see how it knits up as a scarf.