Sunday, August 26, 2007

Trying to Catch up....but going backwards

This yarn came in the other day: It is the Tofutsis from SWTC. It is one of the yarns for the sock club at yarnmarket. They are supposed to be special limited edition colors and there will be a pattern for each color. It is absolutely gorgeous, and since I love this yarn, it's going to be nice to get a skein in every 2 months. Should give me plenty of time to keep up with the pattern. I am "chomping" at the bit right now to start this sock, but have to wait. Have 2 pairs going and I don't want to get stressed out!












This is the sweater I am working on for me. I started it last week, but I'm a little concerned as I only have 7 skeins and only have this much done with one skein. I am going to go ahead and continue knitting and see what I use up on one side. That should give me an idea on whether I will have enough to finish. I stopped by the LYS and they don't have any more in this color. She can order it, but then I might have a dye-lot problem. Wish me luck!

This is one of the 2 pairs of socks I am working on. It is the new Opal in the Tiger color. It is very pretty and so far working up pretty nice. I have actually finished this sock and working on the 2nd since I took this picture. I did the heel in short-row double wrapped and I like that very much.






And this is the other sock I am working on. It is being done in yellow Wildfoot on size 2 needles. Can't say I like the pattern too much as it has plenty of k2tog and yarns overs, so my fingers are sore. Taking this pair very slow and giving my fingers a break after every 10 rows! :)
Now, I just have to start on all the swaps I am doing. Let's see, I have a knitted felted bag to do, a dishcloth but have to wait for the tag box to come in to start, a pair of monkey socks, ummm.....going to have to review my list I think. I'm in 5 swaps and that's only 3. But I have all requirements printed off, so I just have to clean out my knitting bag, and I'm sure the other 2 will show up!
Happy knitting All!



Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Finished baby sweater set!


Finished the baby set. It includes the sweater, hat, socks/booties and a knit burp cloth. The cloth has a stork on it! It is way too cute! Now, I just have to wait to find out if the baby is a boy or girl so I can add details, like pink or blue buttons!






This is a comparison of the 2 sweaters together. The little one is the first one I knit, but I think it is way too small, so I did the next one 2 sizes up from it. All of this is done in Dreambaby DK which is so soft and so nice to knit with. I hope the baby is happy and nice and warm.






I also did a dishcloth this week in Red White and Blue. Of course it is in the DW pattern as I love the way it works. The yarn is one I have never seen before as my LYS just got it in. It's more expensive than SnC or PnC as it is $2.75 a skein and only makes the one cloth. I did it on size 7 needles. The yarn is called: SRK coolspun cotton and only has 73 yards to the skein. I'm going to see how it lasts and holds up over time. I'm hoping the colors won't run as PnC has a tendency to do in the bright colors.



And I finally finished a pair of socks for hubby this weekend. I've only been working on them for oh about 2 months now. The baby through me for a loop and I was working on getting some stuff done ahead of time. Hubby has already worn them so sorry about the bad picture. He loves getting new socks and takes them to wear the next day before I have time to take pics, wash and block! LOL Gotta love him!

I'm also working on a new sweater for me and I am still working on the surprise baby blanket. I'm about 2/3 done with the blanket, so I'm hoping to have pictures soon. Well, at least in process as again for the final work, I have to know if baby is boy or girl. I think I am driving daughter nuts about that!

Happy knitting all!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Fall Felted Bag Exchange

How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom? I have crocheted for over 20 years. I have only been knitting for less than 2 years. I started in January 2006. I learned to knit at my LYS.

What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting? My first felted object was a purse for my daughter. I wanted something to match her red wool coat she wanted last Christmas.

What are your favorite colors? Any you hate? Pretty much love all colors but neon.

What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Any and all.

Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!) Most probably plain. I'm not a bling type person.

What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting? What I would call a regular handbag, overthe shoulder type. I always carry a separate bag for knitting, except I do carry a sock in my purse. LOL

What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? Sweaters, socks, dishcloths.

What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum) Actually I use them all, depending on what I am working on.

What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make? I have the pattern and the yarn for the felted clogs, but haven't started them yet.

What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with? I haven't work with Noro yarn yet.

What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden? I do not spin, but I do sew and garden, and read.

Besides yarn, do you collect anything? Piebirds.

What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to? Chocolate and more chocolate

Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!) 2 grown at boy 25, girl 23, 1 dog and one grandkid on the way!

What kind of project best personifies you and why? I am doing the Sample Stitch Kimono, this keeps me interested in a long-term project. As I tend to hop or push getting something done before I lose interest.

What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer! I love the change of colors on the trees and the cooler temperatures.

Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery. I would quit work, and volunteer at a shelter or something along those lines, buy a maybach and buy a house near or on the beach.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Monkey Sock 3 - Questionnaire

Monkey Sock Swap THREE Questionnaire

The basics:Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? Definitely intermediate

The measurements:
Shoe Size: 8.5
Foot circumference: 8.5
Foot length: 9

Yarn Preferences:What colors do you love? Reds and blues

Do you prefer solids or variegated? varigated

Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn? Wool or cotton

What colors would you never wear? neon

What are your favorite brands of yarn? Lang Jawoll, Crystal palace, Regia

Are there any new brands you would like to try? Can’t think of any, but always, hand-dyed is GREAT!

Cookie A. Patterns: Which of her patterns have you already knit? Just the Monkey Socks

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own? All of them.

Other pertinent information:Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US? Either

Do you have any allergies? Work/dust! LOL

Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? I have an inside dog, black cocker spaniel, and yes I smoke, but NEVER in the house!

Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name? No I am not

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

SP11 Questionnaire - Secret Pal 11

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Favorite yarn for knitting would be Rowan. Favorite Sock yarn would be Lang Jawoll (either cotton or wool). Fibers I do not like? I guess like everyone else would be acrylic! LOL

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Straights are stored in a large tin, circulars are stored in their packages (Addies or HiyaHiya) and I also have the set of Denise's circulars

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting since January of 2006. My level is intermediate or beginning advanced! LOL. I have a strong craft, needlework and crocheting background, so I picked up knitting pretty easily.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No, but I will say I do not have any Stephanie books, elizabeth zimmerman or *itching Nation books. Actually, I only have 3 knitting books that I use for reference. LOL

5. What's your favorite scent? Vanilla

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Anything Chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I knit, sew, embroider (by hand and machine), cross stitch, ummmm....and No I do not spin or weave and really have no interest. I love watching people do it, but it's not something I have ever been interested in.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Music: favorites would be REO speedwagon, MEATLOAF and Prince

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Reds, blues are my favs. Neon is not me.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married for almost 29 years, have 2 grown children, and 1 runt black cocker spaniel.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Any and all. And if anyone sees a patterns for the scarf/hat all in one I would love one of those. Not sure what it is called, but it's like a scarf but has a "back" to it so you can wear it on your head? LOL

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? SOCKS and dishclothes! But right now, baby stuff.

13. What are you knitting right now? Baby blanket, sweater, booties, etc. Expecting my first grandchild!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, my LYS winds everything into cakes for me!

17. How old is your oldest UFO? My first sweater from Jan. of 07. I can't follow the right side directions and put it up. Haven't looked at it in that long either. The whole sweater is done, back, sleeves, and left side.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Most probably 4th of July. Love the whole red/white/blue thing.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Piebirds

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I do not have any books, besides 3 reference books and I do not have any magazine subscriptions. Boring I know! LOL

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Need to get up the "gumption" to try enterlac.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes I am. Love socks and actually got "stuck on them" from Oct to April. LOL I wear a women's 8-1/2 shoe, with 8-1/2 circumference and a 9" overall length. Pretty much normal.

23. When is your birthday? In May and yes I am a true Gemini! :)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? No I am not. Still not really sure what it is although I have read the site! LOL

What a great weekend

Hubby and I took the RV to the casinos over the weekend. This was our first trip with it as it is about 60 minutes from home and we wanted to make sure we could hook it up, we had everything we needed and if we ran into problems we were close enough to home to get help! LOL. We had a great time and everything went smoothly....except.....we need a check list BEFORE we take off. Left the house and turned the corner, the door swung open and the stairs were still down.....We had to stop to fix that. Other than that small problem, it went really smoothly.





Going to be in the Monkey Swap 3, so I'm pretty excited about that. Maybe this time, I can remember to check that ALL needles are the same size!





Also doing the Secret Pal 11, which I have never done any of them before, so I am "racking" my brains on doing it well!





And the Dish Rag Tag, which I think will be pretty fun. Dish cloths only take about 1-2 hours to do, so the purpose is to get your box in, knit a dishcloth and get the box mailed right back out either that day or the next day! There can be no cheating, so hopefully, everyone waits to knit their cloth with a skein from the box....then rebox in the SAME box, mail and get it done!





On the knitting front:






This is the cloth I did for my Swap Partner for this quarter's swap. Hopefully, she doesn't check my blog until after she has received the box. Hope she likes it. I loved the color and it is S&C beach ball blue.








I also did an extra one just in case I need to be an angel. I didn't have enough of the varigated yarn but I had a little blue left from another cloth and they matched in color, so I think it came out pretty. I asked hubby if he thought it looked like I ran out of yarn and he said he thought that was the design of it.....so I guess it worked! LOL



Other than that, I am still working on the "secret" baby blanket and hopefully soon I can post pictures, but it probably won't be for a couple of months, as I have to wait to find out if I am getting a granddaughter or grandson. So far I am pleased with how the color scheme is coming out and have the blanks ready to fill in with pink or blue. Are you wondering what I am working on? Is the suspense getting to you? LOL

Happy Knitting!