Mixed Up Socks

I finished these socks about a week ago. When I originally knit the first sock I loved how it turned out but I had problems with the pattern. I'm thinking that the error was on my part, but I can't be sure. Instead of knitting the second sock with the same pattern, I chose a second pattern from Cookie A's book Sock Innovation. I loved how the second sock turned out and I plan on making a matched pair of socks using that pattern.

Here's are the socks, Wainda on the left and Angee on the right:

I doubt anyone will realize that they are two different patterns unless they are staring at my feet. :)

I'm hard at work on some new projects. I've been busy working on my new Nutkin socks in a cool reddish-purpley color. I've turned the heel on the first sock, so as soon as I finish it I'll get a picture up. I've also been working on the Garden Plot Dress for my little girl. She chose the same colors as in the picture. I've only done a few rows on it so far but it's coming out nicely. I got some nifty bobbins to help me keep all my yarn straight for this one. I'm also working on a beaded scarf. I like how it looks but knitting it is so tedious! It's one of those 'why did I start this project?' projects. It will get done...one day. :)

Staggered Squares Blanket - Done!

I finished the Staggered Squares Blanket last night and I love how it turned out. The yarn is so soft and squishy and the pattern gives it enough texture that little fingers will enjoy touching it. The 16 row pattern was very easy to remember after a few repeats - I got to the point where I didn't have to look at my pattern anymore. It lays flat and has nice straight edges, all without any blocking - my favorite kind of pattern! It will be delivered to the mommy-to-be on Monday. I hope she likes it.

Here are some pictures of the finished blanket:
First, the whole blanket:

 And a close up of the pattern:

Now that the blanket is done I can finish up my mismatched socks tonight. Just have the toe decreases and grafting to do on the second sock. I love finishing up projects because it means I can start new ones. :)

Goodbye, Nutkin Socks...

Alas, I have worn out another pair of handknitted socks. Yes, I do this quite a bit because I wear my socks a lot and seem to be hard on them. This pair was in the Nutkin pattern and was made with Ellen's Half-Pint Farm yarn in Purple Mountain Majesty. Here's what they looked like. I finished them up 2 years ago, so I'm glad they lasted as long as they did. I know next to nothing when it comes to darning, so they will join the other socks I've worn out in the Big Sock Drawer in the Sky. As soon as I finish the baby afghan I'm making (it should be done tonight!) and the other pair of socks I'm making, I'm going to start on a new pair of Nutkins. I already have my yarn picked out - and it's stash yarn. I'm trying to be good and knit from my stash. :)

Saturday Morning Hoodie - Finished!

I finally got the buttons sewn on to my Saturday Morning Hoodie. I decided not to do the button loops at this point. My stitches are loose enough that I can slide the buttons through the ribbing stitches to fasten the sweater. I may end up adding the button loops but at this point I like it how it is. I've worn it a few times now and no one's run screaming from me, so I guess it looks okay. :)

I did take a picture of it, although it's a horrible picture. I need to find a good model to show it off for me.

Learn to Knit Socks KAL

Have you ever looked at someone's beautiful handmade socks and wanted to make a pair of your own but thought it was too hard? Think that no more! Wendy at Knitters Brewing Co. is starting a Learn to Knit Socks KAL tomorrow - but don't worry, it's not too late to join! Just go here and tell Wendy 'you're in'. Then tomorrow download the pattern and get started. And what's really cool about Knitter's Brewing Company KALs is that you can win prizes for participating! Use your own yarn and you get entered to win a skein of KBC yarn; use KBC yarn (there's a kit you can order with a cool stitch marker in it) and you can win a skein of yarn and a project bag. You can find details for how to enter the prize drawing on both Ravelry and the Knitter's Brewing Co. website.

Wendy is a sweetie who always includes a personalized note in your order as well as a discount coupon for your next order. And her yarn is really nice! She and Kelie (who designed the Learn to Knit Socks pattern) do a podcast. So far they've done 5 episodes and I've enjoyed listening to them.You can find their podcast on iTunes and also directly on their blog, Yarn on Tap. I hope you check them out!

Project Updates

I've been busy lately and haven't had much time to sit down and update my projects. Life is crazy with a 6 year old and a 2 year old! So, without further ado...

Saturday Morning Hoodie - I pretty much finished this. I just need to make the button loops and sew the buttons on when they arrive in a few days. I ordered some cool ones from Knit Picks that should be here in a few days. I like how the sweater turned out, although I probably would go up a size if I was making this again.

Staggered Squares Blanket -This is coming along nicely. I haven't found any more knots in the yarn (and yes, I probably just jinxed myself again). The yarn did pool strangely at first but now it seems to be more random but there's not much I can do about that. The pattern is very easy to remember and the blanket is coming out nicely. I think the mommy I'm giving it to will really like it.

I've got a few more projects going on now that the sweater is just about finished. I'm working on a beaded scarf. It's tedious to work on it - beads, purling through the back loop, bleh. I did order myself some nice sharp needles to help with the purling through the back loop. We'll see how much they help. Maybe one day I'll fnish it. I'm going to try to work on it 30 minutes a week so I can get it done one day. :)

I'm also working on a pair of mis-matched socks. I made the first sock with yarn that is beautiful shades of teal, aqua, and blue. I like how the sock turned out, but it was a total pain to knit - either there was something wrong with the Cookie A pattern or I did something wrong (that's most likely what it was) but I had to do some creative knitting to get the pattern to work out right. I decided that one sock in that pattern was enough. I'm making the mate with the same yarn, just using a different Cookie A pattern - Angee. Hopefully this second sock will go better than the first!

Well, I think that's all for today. Tomorrow - you want to learn to knit socks from the toe up? Come back tomorrow and find out who can teach you!

Combat Knitters

This morning as I was browsing through the Washington Post, I came across this article about women stationed at a NATO hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan who have banned together to form a group called Combat Knitters. They are brave women serving our country overseas who find time to knit whenever they can, and pass their skills along to those who wish to learn. Take a minute or two and read the article about them here Combat Knitters Article and there's another story about them here Fibre Space. They also have a group on Ravelry. I couldn't find an address for where to send donations to the Combat Knitters directly, but I'm guessing the nice people at Fibre Space would be happy to help anyone interested in donating yarn and needles to the Combat Knitters.

To the Combat Knitters, and people serving in the military both here and overseas, THANK YOU!