SKP Sock 2 complete

I finished my second pair of socks for SKP: the Berlin socks. The original pattern sent out had a few translation errors (the pattern was originally in German), but once that was all straightened out, it was a fun lace pattern to knit.

Here are the details:

Pattern: Berlin-Pattern/Wollkistchens by Kristin Benecken (and if you are up for some German translations, here are some more great patterns by Kristen: http://www.von-stroh-zu-gold.de/muster/

Yarn: Seacoast Handpainted Yarns; Merino/Tencel
Color: Bubble Gum (and that is the perfect name to describe it!)
Gauge: 7.25 st/inch, unblocked
Needles: US#2.5/3.0mm

Comments: I think I need to attempt Kristen's Bremen-Muster and Hannover-Socken patterns in the near future...

SKP Sock 2: Berlin Sock

And.....they're off!

SKP Pattern 2 has been released. Here is my yarn:

And here is my first sock in progress.

It will be a busy weekend! As of this moment, 12 (total competitive participants around 228) people have already completed BOTH socks...

Hogwart Socks

They're finished. The design and charts needed to be modified more than once but the end result was okay. The pattern still needs a little tweeking, so I'll work on that.

Here are my "shadow knit" Hogwart socks, in Ravenclaw colors.

And when you tilt them:

The Hogwart's "H" is on the sock on the left and the Ravenclaw "R" is encased in a shield on the right sock.

Here are the details:
Pattern: Hogwart House Socks; my own design, not yet published; 2 needle; toe up pattern with short row heel; 8 inch cuff
Yarn: elann.com Sock It to Me 4 Ply; 1 ball 46460 Steel Blue, 1 ball 41759 Platinum
Color: 46460 Steel Blue, 41759 Platinum
Gauge: 8 st/inch
Needles: US#2.5/3.0mm

My comments:
This was not only my first design in shadow knitting, but also my first time shadow knitting anything. It was fun and I learned some design tips as I went along. Once I get the right colors, I look forward to designing a pair of socks for each of the houses.

Firestarter Socks complete!

Yeah, they're done and I am really happy with them. I made these as a Christmas gift (trying to be ready for the holidays this year), but I really wish they were for me! I don't enjoy knitting a second pair of the same sock pattern, so I guess I'll make myself a different pair of socks in the same yarn sometime soon.

So here are the details:
Pattern: "Firestarter" by Yarnissima; toe up with a fun, unique gusset
Yarn: Nova Socks (100% merino superwash wool), 1 ball
Color: Jester
Gauge: 7 st/inch
Needles: US#2.5/3.0mm

My comments:
1. Changed the provisional cast on to Magic Cast-On.
2. Pattern recommended gauge of 8 st/inch; I have 7 st/inch
3. I continued with St St up the front of the shin and ribbing in the back. I did ribbing all the way around for the last inch--probably should have ribbed 1 more inch.

I am really excited to start my next Yarnissima pattern: "La digitessa". Unfortunately, they probably won't be cast on until June because I have 2 other pairs of socks in the queue for April and May.

One down, one to go

Firestarter progress report:

It may not be a pretty picture right now, but trust me, it looks great on. I am saving the full blocked image for the completed project. I love this pattern! I just wish I was knitting these for me...

Bird Foot sock, I mean, bag

I eliminated 2 UFOs this week as part of my 2008 resolutions:

1. I ripped out a hat project that ran out of hand spun yarn (since I did not have any more roving or yarn). I didn't even bother to take a picture of it.

2. I finished my "Bird Foot"! This was a SOTM sock kit from Red Bird Knits. I love the design and will make the socks in the future, but my gauge was way too tight on this start (I started back in 2006). It was too pretty to rip out, so...

And I found some fun fabric for the lining:

It's just the right size for my keys, phone, and Shuffle.

Here are the details:
Pattern: "Bird Foot" by Red Bird Knits (a sock pattern)
Yarn: Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Color 4-ply

Color: Varigated Orange (#4728) and black

Required Gauge: 8.5 st/inch; My gauge: 10.5 st/inch
Recommended Needles: US 0 or 1 / 2 or 2.5 mm (I used 2 circ US1/2.5mm, should have used US2)
Comments: Beautiful pattern. I followed the Chart 1 to rnd 65 and then grafted the stitches to close the bottom of the bag. I made a 4-st Icord 42 inches long (107 cm). Then I added a quick fabric liner so my keys wouldn't get stuck in the stranding. I am very happy with the outcome and will make the actual socks later.

I love clearing projects off my needles!

Firestarter Socks and Twined Knitting KAL

Check out this cool sock pattern:

Firestarter Socks

As soon as I saw these, I knew they would be the next socks on my needles. And I have the perfect color yarn (great for February V-Day and "Fire"): Nova Sock in "Jester"

I am knitting these at a gauge of 7 st/inch, not the recommended 8 st/inch, but my foot is small so it should be fine. I used the "Magic Cast-On" for toe up socks instead of the pattern recommended provisional cast on and I have made a couple of other small modifications, but I'll discuss all of those when these are finished. It is a fun pattern and is knitting up surprisingly quick. I love the gusset--can't wait to knit other socks from Yarnissima!


My second project for this month is a Twined Knitting KAL. At long last, there is finally a twined knitting group at Yahoo Groups and Ravelry (same group). This is exciting because there are not a lot of patterns out there for twined (or two-end) knitting. I hope to one day design a sweater in two-end knitting--maybe that will be a goal for 2009!

Anyway, this Twined Knitting group has started a KAL and you know I couldn't say no to that! We will be making a pair of 2-color wrist warmers designed by Hilly. This will be my first attempt at 2 color twined knitting and wrist warmers are a very manageable way to learn. I am going to use this yarn from Black Water Abbey:

and hope to cast on by the end of the week.

January Socks...Autumn Sail socks

I finished my socks for January! Okay, to be fair, these were really my socks for NOVEMBER and I just finished them in this last week of January, but at least I am knitting again. It feels good. And I checked one thing off my list for my 2008 resolution.

I am calling them "Autumn Sail" socks because I used the 'Sailor's Rib' pattern from A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker and the colors remind me of sailing in the fall here in Maine.

So here are the details:
Pattern: "Autumn Sail" (my own); cuff down, magic loop, standard flap heel and toe
Yarn: Nova Socks (100% merino superwash wool), 1 ball
Color: Hercules
Gauge: 7 st/inch
Needles: US#2.5/3.0mm

I know I've said it before, but I really do love this yarn. Light weight and warm! I'm using this same yarn for my February socks. More on those later.

WIP Wednesday

Okay, time for my weekly project update. I haven't done much knitting this week, but I am charging up for a marathon week of knitting while I drive to visit my family for Thanksgiving. Here's where things stand:

My "Lady of the Lake" jacket is coming along nicely. I have the back finished and I am just starting the first half of the front. Very easy and enjoyable knitting.

The "Autumn Sail" socks are also coming along. As you can see I am just to the toe of the first sock, but this is perfect road-trip knitting (remember the 10 hour car trip this Saturday?).

And my last "must-be-complete-by-the-end-of-the-month" project, my Ravelry mittens, well...here:

I need to do my swatch before Saturday, but at least I got my yarn ready. Socks and mittens, good for traveling!

WIP: November Socks and Lady of the Lake Jacket

Before I 'show and tell' my knitting WIPs, I need to 'show and tell' my youngest human wip:

Carter, my little guy, turns 7 today.

It will be impossible for my knitting to compare to the above WIP, but here's what I'm working on. I have 3 projects to finish in the month of November:

1. November SAM (Sock-a-month). I didn't start my October sock until the last week of the month, so I am happy this pair is under way so early. I am loving this yarn and the pattern is a lot of fun.


2. My Ravelry Mitten Exchange mittens. I haven't started these yet, but the yarn is finally in and I know what I'm making. Hopefully I'll cast on this weekend.

3. NaKniSweMo Sweater: Lady of the Lake. I haven't spent much time on this, but here is the result of 1 night of knitting:


And to make sure we close on a happy note, one more shot of young Carter from this morning at school:

Happy birthday Bubba!

Just in time

I just finished these last night. Here are my October socks!

Whew.

The Details:
Pattern: My own; cuff down, 2 circular needles-"Maddy's socks"
Yarn: Friends Folly Marled Sock Yarn (50% mohair 50% wool), 2 balls
Color: purple
Gauge: 6 st/inch (unblocked)
Needles: US#4/3.5mm

I thought I was being clever this month and I knit a cute little pair of booties to fulfill my October sock obligation. But then it occurred to me that perhaps I should read the rules to make sure they qualify. I knew I remembered something about babies...Anyway, the rule is: it counts as a sock if it has a turned heel--my booties didn't count! Oh well, they're really cute and are a great way to use up extra sock yarn.
The Details:
Pattern: Saartjes bootees
Yarn:Nova Socks (100% merino superwash wool), 1 ball
Color: sorbetto
Needles: US#4/3.5mm
Notes: I made the newborn size. For the button loop, I did a 2-stitch I-cord.

You haven't heard much from me in October, but you will be sick of me by the end of November. Tomorrow starts NaBloPoMo (blog everyday for a month challenge). I hope I have enough fun ideas to make it fun. See you tomorrow...

September Socks

Here are my September socks for the "Sock a Month" KAL 4.

The details:
Pattern: My own; cuff down, magic loop
Yarn: Austermann Step (75% superwash wool 25% nylon), 1 ball
Color: ? olive greens
Gauge: 7.5 st/inch
Needles: US#2/3.0mm

This is the yarn with the aloe vera and jojoba oil added. The oils are supposed to last through a ton of washings. It was nice to knit and very comfy to wear, but I wouldn't say I can actually tell there are any oils added. So hopefully I am getting the wonderful benefits of the oils without that greasy feeling!

August Socks--Bamboozle

Okay, so I have finished my socks for August. To be fair though, I started these last fall. It's my first pair of "Toe-Up" socks with a flap heel and I really enjoyed them (even if it took me almost a year). Toe -up is perfect if you want to use all of your yarn up--just knit the cuff until you run out of yarn! I'm going to try a toe-up pair with a fancier cuff, but don't expect those until at least October.

So here are the details:
Pattern: "Bamboozle" by Red Bird Knits/Robyn Gallimore
Yarn: Regia Bamboo Color (45% bamboo 40% wool 15% nylon; machine washable)
Color: 1067
Gauge: 9 st/inch
Needles: US#1/2.5mm

I really liked the bamboo yarn. I will probably try to make a pair of anklets out of this yarn for next summer, after I see how these hold up.

KALs

Today I have joined another knit-along (KAL): Sock-a Month Knitalong (SAM). MS3 is/was my first KAL. I have had so much fun with it, I have been hunting for more KALs that I might enjoy. Since I am a busy Mom of 3 (plus the 2 dogs, 1 cat, 4 rabbits, 2 beehives and a husband), my time away from the house is limited. I make time to knit every day, but do not have the time to leave my house for a knitting circle. I have found that MS3, with it's 6,000+ knitters worldwide, provides some of the comradery found in actual 'physical' knitting circles. And it certainly provides the motivation to keep moving along with a project.

So, with only 2 clues left in MS3, I've joined SAM. It's easy: finish a pair of socks a month from August through December. It dosen't matter when you started the socks, only that they are finished (both socks) within the given month. Since my WIPs (works-in-progress) include these

finishing a pair of socks a month will be a good thing for me to do! Think of all the needles I'll free up...

And when I finish those socks, I can allow myself to dig into:

If you're looking for a KAL, here's a good place to start:

http://knitalongs.xaviermusketeer.com/
And if you hear of any others, please share in the comments.