Z is for Zeeger & M is for Metro

I finished my Zeegers, which are a cross between a tiger and a zebra.



They are the Diagonal Lace Socks from Wendy's book, Socks from the Toe Up. I have finished two of her patterns from her book in just two weeks. I am now a die-hard toe-up fan. What has made it so enjoyable is Judy's Magic Cast On. This makes the toes so much easier. I am also using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off. YouTube videos of both of these techniques are below.

The first pair I made of Wendy's were the Riding on the Metro Socks.



Judy's Magic Cast On:


Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off:

Monkeys are swinging from the trees!

I finished my Monkey socks! And -- I finally got the kitchner stitch right. I was doing all the steps properly, I just wasn't carrying the working yarn to the front and under the needles. But, by George, I think I've got it!

Modifications to the pattern:
• 5 pattern repeats in the leg rather than 6
• Eye of partridge heel








Here's a good YouTube video of the kitchner stitch:




I also like this one.

Anyone got a banana?????

Introducing: SPUNKY MONKEY SPUMONI

I've finally begun Cookie A's Monkey socks from the 2006 Winter issue of Knitty. I have coveted this pattern since it first came out but had not gotten around to knitting it until now. I love, love, love the pattern. I also really love the yarn. I am using KnitPicks Felici in the Gelato colorway. It is sooooooo soft. I would categorize the yarn as a light fingering weight - very, very thin. The yarn is especially delightful to work with.



I also had made these with the yarn, another Cookie A pattern (Pomatomus), and fell in love with the yarn back then.

And joy of joys, the new Knitty, Fall 2009, just came out and there is yet another sock pattern, Clandestine, by Cookie A that is in my knitting future!

Rick Update

I Love Lucy (I Mean - Ricky!)

I just started the July sock for Cookie A's Sock Innovation KAL. It's Rick, one of my favorites from the book. But, because I cast on on the 26th, I doubt I will finish by the 31st. Oh, well, I'll just tag a long the side lines quietly. I'm using Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock, medium weight, Bella Coola.

Catching-Up on some Sunshine

Here's some pictures of my Sunshine socks from Cookie A's book Sock Innovation. It's for the June KAL.

Kai-Mei of the Sea (mermaid colorway)

I frogged my Lilac Kai-Mei's and cast on with a solid color -
Kai-Mei #2. It's in KnitPicks Essential in Mermaid.

The right sock is complete.

Decision Time

I think I am going to frog my Kai-Mei's and use a different yarn. I think the yarn is just too busy for the pattern.

Kai-Mei

I am working on Kai-Mei from Cookie A's book, Sock Innovation. I've joined the Sock Innovation KAL on ravelry. Each month, we vote on one pattern from the book and one pattern from any of Cookie's other patterns. For May, we chose Kai-Mei from the book, and Pomatomus. I had knit a pair of Pomatomus for my Mother back in March, so I am going to knit Kai-Mei for the KAL.

I'm using 100% merino wool, lace weight, from 100Purewool in the Sangria colorway. Because it's lace weight, I cast on 72 sts rather than the 66 sts that the pattern called for.

Needless to say, the socks look pretty tiny in the 3x3 rib. My son couldn't believe that it was an actual pair of socks, because they were so small.




Here they are slightly stretched. I have not tried them on yet to make sure of the fit, but I am pretty sure they will fit. I do have small feet, after all (US 5 1/2). This yarn is nice & springy, and soft to boot (excuse the pun)!

Roses for Glynis

These roses are from my garden & remind me of Glynis...












THE STATS
Pattern: Glynis, by Cookie A.
Source: Sock Innovation
Date: Cast On 04.07.09 // Cast Off 04.26.09
Yarn: KnitPicks Essential, 2 skeins; Confetti Multi
Needles: Size 1 US (2.25mm); KnitPicks
Note: Magic Loop; 2 socks at once

Glynis: 4 pattern repeats complete

I am working on Glynis, the first pattern in Cookie A's new book, Sock Innovation. I LOVE her patterns - they are absolutely ingenious. I just finished Pomatomus (my ravelry link), which was a birthday gift for my mom. I plan on making another pair for myself. Pomatomus is a free pattern on Knitty and can be found here.

Here's my progress on Glynis:







THE STATS
Pattern: Glynis, by Cookie A
Source: Sock Innovation
Date: Cast On 04.07.09
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential, Confetti Multi; 2 skeins
Needles: Size 1 US (2.25mm), KnitPicks Harmony circular needles
Method: Magic Loop

Catch-Up

I think I had better catch up on some of my projects. Complete details and additional pictures are on Ravelry.

Knotty or Knice socks by Chrissy Gardner
Knotty or Knice-Ravelry, October 2008







Career Check by Kathy Zimmerman
Career Check-Ravelry, December 2008






Simplicity by Janel Laidman, The Eclectic Sole
Simplicity-Ravelry, March 2009












Pomatomus by cookiea
Pomatomus-Ravelry, April 2009