Fiesta Patchwork

I cast on for the Fiesta Socks by Lucy Neatby on Saturday using yarn from Blackberry Ridge which is 100% wool, fingering weight, in Cream & Tropical Fish. I am starting out knitting just one sock at a time since the pattern seems a bit complicated. The cuffs are knit sideways, in rows, grafted closed, and then stitches are picked up along the edge to start the leg which is knit in the round. Once I get to the leg, I may cast on for the other sock and then probably knit them at the same time. We'll see how it goes. The picture below reflects the cuff, about two thirds complete.



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I also cast on for a scarf on Saturday and finished it today. I call it my patchwork scarf because it is made out of left over sock yarn. This particular scarf uses 17 different sock yarns and is for my MIL. She loved the one I had made for myself, so I decided to make one for her. I had made one for my sister & mother about a year ago.

The Stats:
Cast on: 11.18.06
Cast off: 11.21.06
Yarn: various left over sock yarn (17)
Needle: Clover bamboo, size 6, 24"
Pattern: Multi-Directional Scarf by Karen Baumer

Wallaby #7 is Complete

The Wallaby for Gina's baby is finished. I cast off Friday night. Details are here.

Arms & shoulders

The sleeves have been added and the shoulders shaped...
--onward to the neck & hood--

Soft is King

WOW!!! I'm wearing these and boy, are they soft. They didn't feel this soft on the needles. I think these are the softest socks I've knit so far - KnitPicks Memories. The other two yarns that are right up there in softness, I think, are Lorna's Laces here, here & here and Koigu.

On the Wallaby front, I am progressing quite nicely. This is a quick & enjoyable knit (especially when knitting the smallest size!). I really enjoy the whole process, watching the sweater take shape. I think it's an extremely clever pattern. It looks a whole lot more complicated than it really is.

Pouch set-up

Getting ready to add the sleeves

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THE DETAILS SO FAR
Pattern: The Wonderful Wallaby
Source: Cottage Creations
Time: Cast On - 11.12.06
Size: Wanda Wallaby (children's size 2)
Yarn: Lion Brand Jiffy, San Diego (#319)
Sleeves: Magic Loop (2 sleeves on 1 circular) {ribbing-size 6 US (4.25mm) (K1,P1) (12 rnds); sleeves-size 8 US (5.0mm) (42 rnds); Susan Bates Silverado, 32"}
Body Cuff: (K1,P1 rib) (size 6, 32"), 12 rounds
Body: 24 rounds (time to start pouch)
Pouch: P/U 46 sts using size F crochet hook & transfer sts to Susan Bates cirs, size 8 (5.0mm), 32"; 20 rows for initial decreases; 12 more rows for staggered decreases
Remainder of Body: fuse pouch and knit 10 more rnds & then set-up for sleeves
Extra Note: For a colleague of mine at work. It's a girl!!

Pouch time

Wallaby progress: 12 rounds of K1,P1 ribbing on size 6 (4.25mm), 24" Clover bamboo circular needles followed by 24 rounds of stockinette stitch for the the body using size 8 (5.0mm), 24" Clover bamboo circular needles. Time to add the pouch...

Another Lacevember Contest Question

The question posed was: What are your ideal lace making conditions?

1) I need to be sitting comfortably on the couch - either legs stretched out to the coffee table or my legs curled up underneath me, which ever feels the most comfy at the time.

2) PLENTY OF LIGHT

3) Having my pattern close by (like glued to my eyeballs).

4) My row counter to keep CAREFUL track of the rows.

5) A pencil/marker to mark off the chart (if being used).

6) Stitch markers!!!!!!!!!

7) Peace & quite so I can concentrate. I can have the TV or music on, but if someone wants to talk to me, beware!! - at least until I get to the end of my row. Shhhhh - I'm counting!!!!

8) And the best & most important thing of all - my cat, cuddled up next to me pleasantly purring away.

...not another Wallaby...

A colleague of mine at work is having a baby (a little girl) in about 6 or 7 weeks. So, I thought it was about time I made another Wallaby. I started with the sleeves first - knit using the magic loop method - 2 sleeves on one needle. I'm using Lion Brand Jiffy in the San Diego colorway. This is Wallaby #7!!!!!





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THE DETAILS
Pattern: The Wonderful Wallaby
Source: Cottage Creations
Time: Cast On - 11.12.06
Size: Wanda Wallaby (children's size 2)
Yarn: Lion Brand Jiffy, San Diego (#319)
Sleeves: Magic Loop (2 sleeves on 1 circular) {ribbing-size 6 US (4.25mm) (K1,P1) (12 rnds); sleeves-size 8 US (5.0mm) (42 rnds); Susan Bates Silverado, 32"}
Extra Note: For a colleague of mine at work. It's a girl!!

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My next project will be Fiesta Socks by Lucy Neatby. The yarn is from Blackberry Ridge and is 100% wool, fingering weight, in Cream & Tropical Fish.



I guess this means that my Arrowheads sweater & Icarus shawl are still on hold...

Icarus Shawl @ 32 rows

Fail Safe Socks are Complete

My Fail Safe socks are now complete. The pattern was a lot of fun and it doesn't get lost in the variegated yarn. Here's a picture of the socks just before I started the toes. I knit 7 1/2 repeats of the pattern for the instep (60 rounds).



Here are the completed socks. (Visit my gallery to see full details on all of my completed projects).






The Stats:
Cast on: 11.05.06 (64 sts)
Cast off: 11.12.06
Yarn: KnitPicks Memories, Paper Dolls
Needle: 2S1C; size US1 (2.5mm); Additurbos, 40"
Pattern: Elongated Corded Rib
Source: Sensational Knitted Socks, Charlene Schurch
Method: Magic Loop
Cuff: 15 rnds; (k2,p2 rib)
Leg: 5 repeats of the Elongated Corded Rib patttern (48 rounds)
Instep: 7 1/2 repeats of the Elongated Corded Rib patttern (60 rounds)
Toe: Round Toe

The heels - they are done (& so is the gusset)

I finished the heels last night. I used my old stand by pattern - Eye of Partridge, for 32 rows. The patterning of EOP really makes the heel stand out. Turning the heel is my absolute favorite part of the sock to knit. I just love the way it quickly takes shape.

In the following couple of pictures, I was messing with the flash so these are kind of dark.

No flash

With flash

This morning before work (**meaning: this morning at 5am**) I completed the gusset. Although I use the Magic Loop method for knitting 2 socks on 1 circular (2S1C), when it comes time to picking up the gusset stitches I always have to grab a second needle. I haven't figured out yet how to do this on just one needle. So, without further ado, here's a couple pics of my socks, each on its own separate needle. This is the ONLY time you will see this happen. (Oh, and by the way - I did use the flash this time).

Finally - here are my socks, back on just ONE needle!!!! Now it's time for the gusset decreases. I am going to keep the elongated corded rib pattern in tact on the instep.


Stay tuned for more updates....

Lacevember Contest

The Lacevember KAL has a contest going on right now - answering the multitude of questions below. So, grab a cup of coffee and read on...

The knitting questions, or the usual suspects:
••How long have you been knitting?
I started knitting probably when I was about 9 years old. I knitted off and on through the years but did not get serious (addicted) until about 4 1/2 years ago.

••How did you learn to knit?
I really don't remember exactly. My mother must have showed me the basics when I was a kid although I have no specific memory of that. I began learning more advanced techniques on my own when I became addicted 4 1/2 years ago.

••Favorite thing about knitting?
EVERYTHING! Actually, the thing I enjoy the most is the process of just knitting. I find it very relaxing and rewarding. I also love the challenge when I am attempting a new techinque or complicated pattern.

••How long have you been knitting lace?
I think I started my first lace project 3 years ago. It was the Field of Flowers Shawl and it took over a year to complete, although I did put it down for many months during that time.

••Favorite thing about knitting lace.
The challenge. The complexity. The beauty. When it's all complete, I look back on it and say "WOW - I really did that??"

The yarn questions, or flash your stash:
••Favorite lace yarn?
Nothing in particular. I have not purchased a whole lot of lace yarn. I typically buy from Knitpicks because they are very reasonably priced.

••variegated or solids for shawls?
For the most part, solids. I think the solid brings out the lace better than the variegated.

••Favorite lace color?
Any color, depending on the project and my mood.

Technique, or show us your skillz:
••Circs or straights?
CIRCS!!!

••Favorite lace knitting trick?
Count, count, count

••Lifelines? If so with what?
It's not my favorite thing to do, but if I am working on something extremely complicated and large, I'll use a lifeline - dental floss. Mainly, though, I don't like to use a lifelong simply because I do not have the patience to weave it through all the stitches. And - knitting the first row/round after the lifeline is a bit difficult for me. I tend to pickup the lifeline as well so it takes a lot longer to knit because I have to get the lifeline out of the way.

••Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet?
I like to use the blocking wires to get the edges as straight as possible.


Pattern, or can you follow directions:
••shawls or lacey items?
Shawls, although any lacey item will do just fine.

••triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls?
I prefer triangle shawls but will knit any kind.

••Charts or printed instructions?
I guess a combination - I'm definitely the type that needs printed instructions, but I can use charts. I just like to convert them to written instructions.

••Favorite lace you've knit?
I don't have just one favorite. Typically my favorite generally tends to be the project I am currently working on but if I realy had to pick just one, it would be Frost Flowers & Leaves from the book, A Gathering of Lace.

••Favorite lace you want to knit?
I'd love to knit the Mediterranean Lace Shawl also from A Gathering of Lace.


Just Fun, yup that's right, just for fun:
••Favorite jelly belly flavor?
Marshmallow

••Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red.....
He had red hair? He was a Viking?

••Coke, classic or with lime?
No brainer - Diet coke with lime.

••Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves?
Well, I don't mean to offend anybody, but I'm not into holiday carols.

••What is the definition of irony?
Something that's ironic, of course!! Actually, I think it's when something happens that is the opposite of what it should have been.

••How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
113,452

••Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door?
Would you rather your cat puked on your son's head?

••What is your superhero power?
I'm a cat person.

••If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be?
Off-white

••What's for dinner tonight?
Pasta, garlic bread & salad

••What is clogging my children's bathtub drain?
HAIR!!

Fail Safe Progress

Here are some progress pictures of the Fail Safe Socks. As always, Cleo likes to be a part of my knitting. The first 2 pictures are after 2 repeats of the pattern.






These next 2 pictures are after 5 repeats. That's long enough. The next step will obviously be the heel.





I certainly like the way the colors are patterning this go round. With the 56 stitch cast on, it was pretty ugly. The green almost looked like a dingy grey because of the way it was coming up against the other colors. With the 64 stitch cast on, more of the "pastel-i-ness" is showing through.

UPDATED Stats:
Cast on: 11.05.06 (64 sts)
Yarn: KnitPicks Memories, Paper Dolls
Needle: 2S1C; size US1 (2.5mm); Additurbos, 40"
Pattern: Elongated Corded Rib
Source: Sensational Knitted Socks, Charlene Schurch
Method: Magic Loop
Cuff: 15 rnds; (k2,p2 rib)
Leg: 5 repeats of the Elongated Corded Rib patttern

KAL:

I officially joined the Sensational Knitted Socks KAL yesterday.

I also joined Lacevember - . This is a lace KAL only active during the month of November. Hopefully, it will give me the push I need to make some progress on my Icarus shawl.

Post #100!!!!

Wow - this is my 100th post.

My fail safe socks were not quite safe enough. I did not like how the colors were pooling with the 56 stitch cast on so I ripped out the socks. I had finished the legs (5 repeats of the pattern) and was about to start the heel but then decided to frog the whole thing and begin again with a 64 stitch cast on. I'm only about 4 rnds into the cuff ribbing but I like how the color patterning is coming out much better already. Unfortunately, I didn't think about taking a picture before I frogged the 56 stitch cast on, so I won't have any comparison pictures. I really enjoyed knitting the socks so I don't mind at all starting all over again. Once I make some more progress on this second go round I'll post some pics.

I think I am finally out of my knitting rut. I'm not sure when I'll start back on "Arrowheads" & the Icarus shawl, though. I'm having too much fun knitting socks again.

When all else fails...KNIT SOCKS!!!

Well, I've been in a knitting rut for over a month now. But, there's nothing like knitting a pair of socks to jump start the knitting bug. So - WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS - KNIT SOCKS!

I thereby present my Fail Safe Socks:





The stats so far:
Cast on: 10.30.06 (56 sts)
Yarn: KnitPicks Memories, Paper Dolls
Needle: 2S1C; size US1 (2.5mm); Additurbos, 40"
Pattern: Elongated Corded Rib
Source: Sensational Knitted Socks, Charlene Schurch
Cuff: 15 rnds complete (k2,p2 rib)

KAL: