Sock A Month4 KAL socks

I have finished my first socks for a Knit A Long! I found this group on Ravelry, and I had to join, and I am so happy to be a part of it. Just as I expected, it has spurred me on to finish up this pair of socks before the end of the month, and I have a good start on my pair for September. (The rules are that you have to finish the pair during the month you post, so I won't be cheating by starting September's pair in August.) The August socks are knit in Sockotta yarn, in color 5618 on a #1 Addi Turbo needle, Magic Loop method. The pattern is Garter Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. I liked the yarn better than I thought I might, but I do think I like working with a higher wool content for socks.

The pictures of the socks could be better. I can't figure out how to turn off the flash on my camera, and I cut the top off one of the socks. Oops. They ARE the same length, and I was very pleased to have them match right down to the toe. One of the unique features about the socks in the Sensational Knitted Socks Book (at least it was new to me) is that many of the patterns have a garter selvage edge on the heel flap. This makes for very neat picking up of stitches for the gusset. If you enlarge the second picture with the side angle I think you can see better what I mean.

I haven't finished the felted clogs yet! I got sidetracked by the August socks, and then by the September socks. Once August was done I was drawn in by the possibilities of September's socks, and I had a picked up a beautiful plum-colored skein of Trekking XXL that had been just calling out to me. I HAD to answer the call!! I am working it in a chevron pattern from the same book. I have never used Trekking, never done a chevron pattern, AND I am using 5" wood Brittany needles. The shortness of them took a bit to get used to, and after making several pairs of socks with the Magic Loop method, it was an adjustment going back to the double points, but I do think I like the dp's just as well, and for a more patterned sock, I think they are definitely a necessity for me.

I will have more finished objects this weekend, I'm sure of it.

Oh Blogger Where Art Thou?

I definitely need to learn to knit faster. There's so much to knit and so little time and, of course, that darned day job gets in the way! I have been knitting, but seems I have little to show for it. I do have pictures of some felted clogs I have started. I should finish them this weekend and have them felted by Monday I hope.

































I am still a "rookie" blogger, and so don't know how to get my photos to so they can be enlarged. I have asked Tina how to get this accomplished, so hopefully I will make some progress in that department and I will have better quality photos in the future.

I am also finishing up on my first pair of socks for the SAM4, I'm about down to the toe decreases on the second pair. I hope to finish those up tonight, and may cast on for September's pair yet this weekend. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to make. I have accumulated quite a stash of sock yarn, and how does one make the decision???

My cousin's daughter Allison (does that make her my 2nd cousin then?) was over last weekend and we had a knitting lesson. She will be a sixth grader this year. I must be a creepy teacher, as we weren't quite successful in getting her knitting, but we are going to keep trying. In the meantime, I bought a knitting loom, and she is going to make herself a scarf, and I am going to knit her a hat and some mittens as a belated birthday gift. She got a new winter coat that just happens to be in her (new) school colors, and we are pretty excited to be teaming up on this project. I will probably get with Allie later this weekend too and see if we can get her started on the loom. Photos to follow for sure!

Works in Progress

I stopped at the yarn store on Friday after work and picked up some Rowan Cashsoft 4 ply in a pretty plum color to make this . Here is the beginning, along with the cat, who wanted to see what all the fuss was about on the table.

I first used Rowan Cashsoft for Grumperina's Odessa Hat and fell in love with it. I would like to do more knitting incorporating beads someday too, if I find a pattern that I like. That was just plain fun!

Back in the spring I had decided to try some socks with cotton in them, and bought myself a skein of Sockotta. I am still working on the second sock in that pair. I am using the Garter Rib pattern from the Sensational Knitted Socks book by Charlene Schurch. I haven't knit many socks from this book yet, but I love how it is set up, and there are many socks in here on my "to do" list.

I am no longer crazy about self-striping yarn like this, but these are fun socks. There is a pattern in this book I would like to try that does a pretty chevron with the self-striping yarn similar to a chevron scarf I have seen floating around knitting blogs everywhere. I'm have a beautiful skein of Trekking XXL that I bought last week and I think I may try that next. I have never done a chevron sock, so it will be an adventure for me.

In other news - I got my invite to Ravelry last week!! WOW!! I can only repeat what I've heard from others - it IS amazing, and it IS a time-sucker. While poking around the site I found the Sock A Month KAL 4 and joined that. I have buying sock yarn at an alarming rate.

I've been wishing for an Adult Ed class in Blogging 101. I am figuring things out slow but sure, and started a Flickr account for my photos thinking maybe that would allow readers to enlarge my photos; however, I can't figure out how to get the photos from Flickr onto my blog. I have also not been able to figure out how to get buttons (for instance a Ravelry button) on my blog. Anyone able to help??

Knitting Pictures

Maple Seed Hat

http://ahknits.typepad.com/knititude/2006/06/maple_seed_hat.html

I made this hat using Mission Falls 100% Merino Superwash Wool on size 8 Addis. This was my first time using the Mission Falls superwash, and I handwashed it and was very happy with the way it washed. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the model is my great nephew, and his mama is holding him. He swims in the hat, but the color suits him and he loves the camera. I'm happy to have a model - he's happy to be in front of the camera - everybody's happy. ; )



These are socks that I actually made pre-blog, but this year, so I thought I'd post them anyway. They were for my daughter's 18th birthday. They are from Austermann Step and I think size 1 Knitpicks. I made them using the Magic Loop Method. I love the Austermann Step yarn, and this is my second pair of socks using this yarn. I wash and dry mine in the washer and dryer regularly and they hold up very nicely. The pattern is Helen's Favorite Socks from Fiber Trends, the Mock Cable version. Unfortunately the pictures don't show off the cables as nicely as I would have liked. Next time I'll have to get a photographer or a model to assist me. I will definitely make these socks again in a plain sock yarn. The LYS had them displayed in a plain burgundy, and the cables just popped out at you. They were beautiful! I like these very much and (I think) the colorway is awesome, but think the pattern would have been better served with a less colorful yarn.

Life Path Number

Funny - I found this on another blog - I can't remember where - and it suits me pretty well. I don't mind being alone, and people who know me would probably see a lot of truth in it for me. What IS your Life Path Number? Does it fit you?

Your Life Path Number is 7

Your purpose in life is to find truth and meaning You are very spiritual, and you are interested in the mysteries of life. You are quite analytical and a great thinker. You have many theories and insights. A life of solitude is perfect for you. You need time to think and do things your way. In love, you are quite charming. You attract many with your confidence and wit. While you enjoy being alone, sometimes you take it to an extreme. You can become too isolated, shutting out loved ones and friends. Express yourself a little bit more, and you'll be surprised where it takes you!

What Is Your Life Path Number?

So Where are the Pictures?

So whare are the aforementioned pictures you ask? I got tied up with company so no photos were posted. I did get one hat on my great nephew and got a few photo ops, but they aren't on the computer yet, so the blog will have to wait. Nephew is a baby and the hat is way big on him, but he was a willing a victim and is cute as a bug, so we went with it. Later with the pics. . .

Pictures of Knitting tomorrow

I will have pictures of a few socks and hats tomorrow. I've been mulling over how to get started here, and that seems to be the best way. I don't have a finished pair of socks, but two pair in the works, and I have a couple of hats that are finished, so I'll post them. I've been stalling I think, and perhaps it would be best to just jump in and get my feet wet.

On another note, it's a sad day in Minnesota today, with the I-35 bridge over the Mississippi River collapsing. At this point I'm not sure that I know of anyone personally involved in this tragedy, but it is close to home, and I do know people who live and work in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Amidst all the tragedy it was heartwarming to hear of people risking their own safety to try to help others further down on the bridge or the banks of the river. Warm thoughts and/or prayers for this community are in order. What an ordeal to experience!