Come-a-long Update

This is a recap!

I cannot say that I have fully participated in this endeavour like it was meant to be. I didn't have a list of projects formalized (or otherwise) to do for the year. I didn't even do regular updates until about 2 months ago. 

I still do feel like I've accomplished a lot though, or at least for me. There have been some hits and some misses, some projects I have adored and others I have wanted to just rip back and say forget it.

So instead of doing a proper finishing update with all the bells and whistles, declaring that I have accomplished my list, I am going to share the projects that I have completed from July 2012 until now (please ignore the dates because my mind was clearly at a different place and time).

1) Wanida Socks by Cookie A.

2) Juniper Mitts

3) Lissajous Stockings by Cookie A.

4) Newton by Cookie A.

5) Pirouette by Cookie A.

6) Tulip by Cookie A.

7) Ernie by Cookie A.

I'm sort of learning to not make everything for myself. I made the Wanida socks for my Aunt. I gave away the Juniper Mitts (first attempt at fingerless gloves) to a woman who visited a food bank I volunteered at who's hands were cold. The Ernie socks were given to my Aunt who should feel very privileged that our feet are the same size.

Despite what I have learned for this year, I've decided I don't want to give away my socks. So I'm pretty much pledging that any further socks that are knit by me will be for me and me alone, with the exception of 1 outstanding pair that I have yet to finish and baby socks. Call me selfish but I want to build my sock stash.

I have accomplished quite a bit for this year and my goal for the next year is much bigger. 

No WIP list for this week.  More to come on that next week.

Oh what a night!

I'm still making progress on my Spock socks. I'm working on the gusset and should be finished that portion quite soon. I haven't taken a picture since it doesn't look much different from the last one shown a couple of entries back. I'm sure I can finish it by the end of the week. I'll switch between the Tiberius and the Blankie otherwise this week.

I am operating on very little sleep right now. I am currently sitting in the basement, watching one of most favourite superhero movies, Thor. Once I see my fill, I'll be off to bed. Goodnight!

Not much for today

I did some cleaning. Went to choir practice (my church is singing at the conference in Omaha). Came back to my bff's house. Had a rousing discussion with her family and ate a good meal.

I did a lot of fanfic reading for the Star Trek (2009)-verse. Apparently I'm a big Spuhura fan (Spock and Uhura pairing), especially after watching the first episode of the original Star Trek series.

This scene sealed it for me. I now want to go back and actually watch the show to see if I find any additional hint to a relationship. New summer catch up show :D

Turned the heel! You know what that means

I made it to the heel flap last night on the Spock socks and now that I've put my work down for the night, I'm working my way down the gusset. Happy progress is being made :)

Once I finish this sock, I think the first sock of the Tiberius will be my next thing to work on. I still hope to finish the one anklet while I'm in Omaha. It's not like I have far to go; just a few more rows before the toe decreases start. It's kinda hard to measure the sock on my foot whilst driving.

So this was my day...

I managed to make to my job interview interview and it went well. I won't know anything until they actually hire the managers who will do the actual hiring. I still have hope.

I got everything packed and ready to go for the trip to Omaha. I still haven't knit anything for the past couple days but I plan to rectify that problem tonight and knit while listening to a podcast for about an hour before going to bed.

Off to knit!

Come at me people!

I just noticed something about myself while sitting in the car with my best friend: sometimes people just want to vent. They don't want your opinion. They don't want your advice. They just want to get stuff off their chest.

I've learned over the years that I am good at that. My best friend is now a little bit less stressed and by talking it out, she has a better idea as to what she's going to do.

How will this get done?

Guess who has a job interview and has no idea how she's going to get there? ME! It's at a retail store that is actually like to work at and not far from where is go to school. I just have to find the funds to make the trip there. Therein lies the problem. I hate asking people for money but I guess I will have to.

Come a-Long Blog Update

This week was another Spock Sock week. I didn't even make it to the heel flap. I have about an inch to go before that part starts. I can't wait!

In a weak moment, this week I believe, despite the fact I have many WIPs, I casted on for the Tiberius socks. I haven't made it past the cuff yet so I have a long way to go.

I haven't touched any other knitting related projects this week, which I guess is fine for now and will be placed on the next Year of Projects.

I am going on a trip in just over a week from now. We have a church conference in Omaha, Nebraska coming up. This is one of the few states I have never been in. And since this is a road trip with about 13 hours of driving each way, I need to pack a knitting bag. I've managed to narrow it down to the Spock Socks, the Anklets and the Shapely Boyfriend. I think that will be enough on the knitting front. 

I'm also loading up my iPhone with podcasts and such to keep my ears entertained. I got the History of England, How Did This Get Made?, and the Sticks & Strings podcasts. Anyone have any additional suggestions?

Projects Completed for 2013:

Newton Socks | Ernie Socks | Pirouette Socks | Tulip Socks

WIPs:

Dark Isle Socks | Stitch Surfer | Hermione's Whatever-whatevers | Shapely Boyfriend Cardigan | Blankie | Bex | Anklet #1 | Baby Socks | ...fascinating (the Spock Socks) | Tiberius Socks

Hair dreams

Last night I was going through pictures on Facebook when I saw an old acquaintance share a picture of a natural style (natural as in hair that has not been processed or relaxed).

Let me just say that I love this style and would love to be able to do this to my hair but alas, my hair is not long enough.

It's getting there. I'll definitely put up a picture when it gets much closer.

Off to knit for a bit longer before going to bed.

Shoddy memory

I went to the Thursday Knitting Circle last night. One of the ladies from the Tuesday Knitting Circle came and as we began chatting, I realized I forgot to bring something important.

Thursday is the day I see T. I wanted to get help with the stitch pattern for part of the 7 to Annika. It would help if I brought the trial stitch pattern, both written and knitted, right? The written copy never left my book shelf and the knitted one never left the teapot. I don't even know if I'll see T next week. I don't know which city I will be in. Hopefully, I'll be able to figure it out on my own.

I ended up working on the Spock Socks the entire time. It's still slow work but I think that it's mostly due to not always wanting to knit and having too many projects to work on. 

It's starting to bother me. I'm not worried about the single socks. It's the partially done single socks I don't like. I want to finish the Anklet soon and I don't have that far to go either. I want to finish the baby socks. For both, it's just a few more rows until the toe. I have no idea why I can't just pick them up and finish. It's so close I can taste it.

I got an unexpected trip coming up that will have a lot of driving to get to the destination. I'm not exactly sure what I'll take with me but the baby socks have got to be done. There is no point on travelling with them. I'll think I'll take anklet socks. It's a lot of stockinette which can be done without paying too much attention. I just have to make sure I can get enough of the "chopped up" blue yarn required for the cuff, heel and toe.

I saw another simple anklet pattern that's a toe up. I'll bring supplies to it. They'll definitely be mismatched

Another project I'd like to travel with is the Shapely Boyfriend Cardigan for the same reason as the anklet. It's mostly plain stockinette. Put on some music or a podcast or even finish up an audiobook and gets a crackin'. Maybe by the time I get back from this trip, I'll have quite a bit of work to show for my Year of Projects: Year 3 Update.

So as of now, the projects to carry:

- Anklet #1

- Spock Socks

- Summer Anklet (Anklet #2)

- Shapely Boyfriend

This sounds like a good idea

As mentioned before, I am an avid Sims 2 player. My step-aunt (…?) informed me about the Sims 4 that is coming out next year. 

Colour me surprised since I have been out of the Sims world for about a year. If I can't play, then I don't want to keep up with the news and become even more forlorn.

Yes, I pretty much skipped over the Sims 3. It's just not my cup of tea. All I was hoping for is that the next generation would be more like Sims 2 and less like the console versions of the game. Besides, I didn't like the idea of my sims living their life without me. I am supposed to be their master and know what is going on with them at all times; no surprise children who are toddlers coming around because I have been dealing with another family.

I am definitely going to catch myself back up. Got to start checking out the Sims forums.

The Walk Home

The design ideas are still going around in my head.

While walking home after Tuesday's Knitting Circle looking at everything on the side of the road and occasionally pulling out my phone and taking pictures. I took this picture:

And thought of Star Trek, yet again, Voyageur, to be specific and then Kes puttering away in the hydroponics bay. So now if I do a primarily leaf like design  I think I should call it The Hydroponics Bay.

Future inspiration for either dyeing yarn or design patterns below:

1 - are those daisies?

2 - what kinda plant is this?

3 - city weeds

4 - pretty weeds

With the whole design ideas fluttering around in my mind, I casted on to try out an idea. I pulled out the smallest 1US needles I had (16" circular Hiya Hiya), casted on 70 sts and started on the ribbing. I pulled out my copy of Cookie A's Sock Innovation and took her suggestion of sketching out the pattern. I have a very loose idea for it so I pulled out some graph paper and started with some basic knits and purls. We'll see where this thing goes.

That was one attempt with just knits and purls but I'm not really liking it. I'm trying again with yarn overs and decreases. I also sketched out one with cables. As I said before, we'll see how this thing goes.

So I sat and I knit.

Yesterday felt like it was disorienting.  The service to my cell phone got cut off (but I was expecting that any day now).  I forgot the cell phone in my room while running out to go and join my mother for her doctor's appointment and other various errands (even without service, I can still use the iPhone as an iPod).

I did manage to grab my Spock Socks before I left for the day.  So while my mother drove to pick up her cousin, I knit.  When we reached to the doctor's office and waited for the doctor to call her in, I complained about her not feeding me and I knit.  After awhile, I no longer wanted to knit.

I pulled out my notebook and started sketching out my idea of a Sulu based sock.  I am not sure if I mentioned it here or on Ravelry about it.  I wrote down some notes on it and started on another (attempt at a) design that I think I would call From Seven to Annika, based on Seven of Nine from Star Trek Voyageur.  I am really liking it to.  Execution might be a little fuzzy right now though.  I also came up with a rough sketch for another pair of socks that I would call Janeway.  There is not a single Star Trek logo in sight for any of these and with the exception of Janeway, no colourwork either.

I'm debating whether or not I'd dye the yarn for From Seven to Annika but that would only be required if the pattern and the testing is successful.  Let's see how far this will actually go.  I hope that by the end of this year, I can have at least one of these as a potential pattern, perhaps with test knitters as well.

The WANT List

Signature Needles
 I do love knitting with wooden DPNs however this would be a dream set of needles to own in both 2.25mm and 2.5mm, my usual size needles for sock knitting.  I have been hearing nothing but good things for the people who have been able to get them.  I want to be one of those people.

Signature Needles Set
Yes, I do have these twice for a specific reason; I am anticipating the love.  I'd definitely add in another set of 2.25 and 2.5mm sized needles, 2 sets of 3US, a 4 and a 5US.  That should be able to tide me over.

Jessalu Knitting Bag
I have a non-secret love for containers...any kind of containers.  So a useful knitting can only be beneficial, right? Throw in artful and useful bags, I'm in container heaven.

With my love of Star Trek, why in the world wouldn't I want this?  She even ranges to Downton Abbey and Dr. Who.  I think I'll need quite a few of these; for the multiple sock projects I'll be travelling with and the massive amounts of Signature Needles I'll own.

Proper Ball Winder
 The ball winder I had was good when I got it.  I paid $20 bucks for it and I got my money's worth.  The table mount broke on me earlier on this year.  While I have been using the grip handle it also came with in the mean time, I much prefer the table mount.  I have to look into a better quality one, meant to last for more than a year,.

A desk and an extra bookcase
 Seems simple enough, right? I just don't have the space for these things in my current accommodations and furniture set up. I have a lot of extra crap in my book shelf that is taking up valuable real estate.  A lot of this can be taken care of with a good clearing but I didn't intend for the Expedite Bookcase to have any other books other than knitting related books.  My other bookcase, that I am convinced is older than my 30+ years has had 2 busted shelves for as long as I can remember.  I am not really willing to invest time and materials in a low quality bookcase that has seen better days.  I really just want a simple bookcase that I can place all my novels in and other various books.

A desk would be useful to put a computer and to write on.  I don't own one of those, other than my lap; not very comfortable.

Indigodragonfly MCN Sock Yarn
I went to the Purple Purl in Toronto specifically to purchase one skein of Indigodragonfly Sock Yarn.  The reason?  I love the names of the yarn.  I left with my first Purple Purl purchase of a skein of Indigodragonfly MCN Sock Yarn in Groverkill.  It's still sitting my my stash and is primarily for petting purposes right now.  I finally did manage to knit with a skein when I received the same sock yarn from the Cookie Sock Club 2013 in the colourway E Pluribus Nom Nom Nom.  It feels even better to wear the socks.  Now? Every colourway in MCN wanted in my stash.

Tanis Fiber Arts Yarn
I love the idea of locally made products.  I'll even go as far to say all over Canada, since that is the country where I was born and raised.  I do have a strong preference for it.  When I started knitting again a couple of years back, I was introduced to the Canadian Indie Dyer, Tanis Fiber Arts (let's just be clear, I have never had the privilege of meeting the actual Tanis).  Let me just say that it feels lovely.  I would love for this to be an on hand stash, meaning anytime I felt the whim to cast on something new, I would have many various skeins already in my possession to do so.   I had a skein sitting in my stash from the Purple Purl for almost a 6 months, and then bought 2 more skeins and let it sit there for another 6 months before I finally started using it.  I just want to be able to do the yarn justice with a proper sock.  So it's getting it's chance on the Spock Socks (aka: ...fascinating).

Wollmeise Twin
I don't know about buying it directly from the shop since it updates at times when I'd prefer to sleep, however a lot of people do destashes on Ravelry.  I'd love to have a multi coloured stash of Wollmeise Twin Sock Yarn just waiting for me to knit socks with.

Wooden Yarn Bowl
 I have been seeing yarn bowls all over Ravelry and I would love to have one, in a knitting corner, with a comfy chair, end table and table lamp for when the sun sets and I need good lighting.  As you can clearly tell, I have my knitting nook all planned in my head.  It could definitely also double as an art piece on the Expedite Shelving system.

Jars
 I love interesting containers. Even a vase would do. The jars would just be for display purposes that I can pluck a ball of sock yarn leftovers from at any moment. Perfect for display on the Expedite Shelving system.

A Card Catalogue Cabinet.
 After seeing someone stashing their sock yarn inside a card catalogue cabinet, I decided I need one of these things.  And then I saw the price for them and thought "pipe dream". I did another search and saw a DIY project to make a Card Catalogue Cabinet.  I definitely want to make one of these instead of buying one.
How To Build A Card Catalog at Not Just A Housewife Blog.

Come-a-Long Blog Update

While I didn't do as much knitting as I would like to have done this week, I did do quite a bit.

I started and restarted a new set of socks, Spock Socks, which was mentioned on the last update.  They're coming along nicely but not as quickly as I had hoped.  I just didn't feel as much of an urge to knit and if I forced it, it just wouldn't be fun and it would go the way of the Ernie Socks which were given away.  I have no intention of giving away these socks.

After looking through the Cookie Sock Club group of Ravelry, I saw some other participants doing the Tiberius.  I am really wanting to cast on for those. Someone suggested just doing them both at the same time.  Both the Spock Socks and the Tiberius Socks use the same sized needles.  While I do have a set of circular needles in the size required, I have been preferring DPNs a lot.  I managed to find a set of metal needles I didn't even remember I had.  I'm going to try out the Tiberius on that and see if it will work for me.  If not, I've got the circulars as a back up and I hope to have some pictures to show for it next week, other than the needles and the yarn.

The end of the Come-a-Long Blog year is coming up and when July hits, another year will start again, under the name Year of Projects (because that name is much easier to remember for me).  Also, I have joined another year long set of projects called The 26 Pair Plunge.  It's a sock knitting challenge.  It's really 52 but they give an option for 26 so I'm taking that instead, especially since I've never even managed to do 12 pairs in a year, much less 52.  Both the Year of Projects and 26 Pair Plunge can work very well together.

The list as of yet for the 26 Pair Plunge is as follows:

• August, October and December Sock Club Socks 2013 (6) 
• February, April and June Sock Club Socks 2014 (6)
• WIP socks that are half way done [Dark Isle, Stitch Surfer, Bex, Baby Socks] (4)
• Anklet Sock Stash (7)
• Tree of Life or Firebird by Janel Laidman (1)
• Socks that strike my fancy (2)

I still have to decide what additional projects other my current WIPs to add to the list for the Year of Projects but I expect the list to be up by the July 7th post.

Despite the fact that I no longer have my old Paintshop Pro, I came up with a couple of banners; one for the Year of Projects and one for 26 Pair Plunge:

Projects Completed for 2013:

Newton Socks | Ernie Socks | Pirouette Socks | Tulip Socks

WIPs:

Dark Isle Socks | Stitch Surfer | Hermione's Whatever-whatevers | Shapely Boyfriend Cardigan | Blankie | Bex | Anklet #1 | Baby Socks | ...fascinating (the Spock Socks)

Hopeful for the future

Things are starting to look up, or at least it feels like it is.  I've managed to do a few interviews.  I visited the college campus I want to get and everything educational wise is hinging on my highschool transcript which I actually know where it is.  I got a place I can stay while I'm in school.

So that covers education, employment and living arrangements.  Once those are taken care of, maybe I won't feel so stressed all of the time  When things are more finalized, I'll guess I'll post more about it but there's not much else to say.

With July comes new challenges

This time of year seems to be the new year for year-long knitting challenges. Starting July 1st, I will be participating in 2 of them: Year of Projects and 26 Pairs of Socks. Luckily for me they can work together and can include my WIPs as well.

26 pairs of socks

- remaining 6 pairs from the sock club (6)

- the WIP one foot socks that I have to finish (4)

- anklets (7)

- 2014 Sock Club (6)

- something from The Enchanted Sole (1)

- another 2 pairs from somewhere else (2)

That takes care of the socks.

Sweater/Cardigan

- Shapely Boyfriend

Mittens/Gloves

- Hermione's Fingerless Gloves

Hat

- Hermione Loves Ron

Other

- Blankie

The Blankie is probably the only one that is not expected to be finished by this time 2014.

P!nk Inspiration

Today is kind of odd. I didn't really feel like knitting. I only wrote a couple of pages. 

I've spent most of the day reading and listening to "Just Give Me A Reason" by P!nk and Nate Ruess.

I love this song far too much and it spawned an idea for JulNo as mentioned yesterday. Today while walking home (not really my home but it's starting to feel like it is), my mind fleshed out the idea more. I still don't think it will be the JulNo story due to he low likelihood that it will make it to 50k and impatience. I started writing it out by hand but I may just open up the netbook and move it over.

So I now head on over to continue writing.

To JulNo or not to JulNo

I got an email this morning reminding me that JulNo was coming up...I will admit it didn't even come to my mind at all but as the day progressed, I was starting to think that if I was going to do JulNo, what was I going to write about?

Going Back About Thirty Years

I woke up to a dream that I had gone about 30 years into the past. I was aware of it however the whole scifi idea of not letting anyone else know kept me from informing anyone. I don't know where this one was going but in my dream, I told Michael Jackson that Thriller was going to be a big hit.

One of those people

Breanna Sutton in the midst of 'in love' people while being single.

60 years too late

A scifi/fantasy story that I had started a couple of years back. This would be a rewrite from scratch with the same characters and an improved plot point. Main Character - Ryan Bellamy

Year One

One school year of a group of friends at a boarding school running from grade 7 to grade 12. I am very much leaning towards this one. It could easily go well past 50k. The problem would be the cohesiveness of the story. When I say there are a lot of characters, there are a lot.

Backpedal

After I wrote this one out, I realized that this could easily be incorporated into Year One, so it will be.

Just Give Me a Reason

This would be a songfic that would take place many years after Year One. Some of the characters would be crossing over. As much as I LOVE this one, I don't think that it would work as a 50k story.

The next question after all of this is whether or not to do this by hand or online. I got my netbook but it's noticeable slow. My computer is just not convenient right now. Maybe a notebook or a note pad and try to update the typed document once a week or so. Not looking forward to the hand cramps.

Come-a-long Update

The Tulips have finally been finished. It was my only...no one of the only - projects I worked on in the past week. They are slouchy in the leg because I should have gone for a smaller size but I don't care.  They'll be like my Monkey socks which are great for wearing around the house.  What makes me prouder is that I dyed the yarn all by myself (and I have no notes as to how I did it in the first place so I can't repeat the process).  

I made a joke about all I would have to do to make me feel more accomplished was to raise the sheet and spin the yarn from it's wool.  Someone thought I actually spun the the yarn.  I am definitely not at that point yet.

The other project I was working on was the Anklet.  And I don't have enough yarn to make it to the toe.  Therefore I am going to have to go to the ball that the cuff and heel came from, take off mini balls of yarn (because whoever donated the ball to the library knitting circle and then to me seemed to cut randomly into the ball and I can make little balls around 2g a pop) and do part of the foot as well.  I don't think I'm looking forward to repeating that for the second foot.

Once the Tulips were done, I immediately casted on for a new pair of socks for the Sock Club.  I am doing the Spock Socks, in a science officer blue (because that is the only colour that make sense).

I'm still trying to decide between to balls of yarn for a Command yellow for the other pair for the month called the Tiberius (obviously in reference to Capt. James. T. Kirk).  

This on is a Knitpicks Stroll Tonal in Golden Glow.

This one will require more work as in an overdye. This one is from Tanis Fiber Arts, Blue Label in Buttercup.

Suggestions?

Projects Completed for 2013:

Newton Socks | Ernie Socks | Pirouette Socks | Tulip Socks

WIPs:

 Dark Isle Socks | Stitch Surfer | Hermione's Whatever-whatevers | Shapely Boyfriend Cardigan | Blankie | Bex | Anklet #1 | Baby Socks | ...fascinating (the Spock Socks)

This is why you should really read the pattern before casting on

I decided to start the Spock socks late yesterday. I am loving the Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label that I'm using in Cobalt (blue=science officer). I made excellent progress too. I finished the setup row and did 4 rows of the leg. It looks so pretty.

I pack up the socks so I can go to bed. As I was shuffling through the pattern, I happened to catch a sentence in the setup that I missed before.

I was supposed to do ribbing for 1". Smacked my head against a soft surface, put everything away and went to my bed.

So I will be undoing all the progress that I made and restarting; this time WITH the 1" of ribbing.

Later on in the day...
I ripped it all back and casted on again with the appropriate ribbing this time.  Now I'm half way through the setup chart.  I don't think it's going to make me feel like I'm making progress until I make it back into the leg chart.

I mentioned it on Ravelry, in the Cookie Sock Club group earlier on this morning and someone made me feel just that little bit better.  At least I noticed it early on as opposed to when I was much farther on the leg.  Also noticed a lot of other clubbers are doing the colours for their socks to match the uniform as well.  I have already decided against using the Blood Orange coloured yarn (as pretty as it is) because in the original series, the red shirts were always the first to go.  I think I'll save the yarn for a non-Star Trek related sock  If it was the Picard sock or something, it would be a totally different story.

On a more personal yarn note so to speak, maybe it's because I feel like I'm going through some kind of withdrawl, especially in the form of funds, I believe I am going to have to sell some of my yarn in my stash.  Perhaps I can get enough to get a set of needles I wanted or to pay off for another one that I ordered that may or may not be arriving around August or September.  Tonight I'm going to be going through what I have that I am willing to part with, that's still in a decent condition and try to price it before putting it up on the Ravelry ISO/Sale boards

Who should take command?

I finally got the patterns for the Cookie Sock Club 2013. I was grinning when I saw the names: Spock and Tiberius. I wish I had the proper colours to match the uniform. I did go looking on the Sweet Georgia Yarn site to see what they had and I found it: Saffron for the Command Gold and Oceanside for Science Officer Blue. However with times bein as they are, I have to make do with what I have in my stash.

I'm actually re-thinking the idea of using this month's yarn in a blood orange and instead using two skeins of Tanis in Sunshine (because I don't actually have any kind of gold colour in my stash) for the Tiberius socks and Cobalt for the Vulcan socks. Maybe I can also tinge the Sunshine to get it to be a bit more gold...ideas... I just have never over dyed someone else's yarn before. Must do some research.

However, before I do all of this, I have to finish the toes on the Tulip socks. I need my 1.5US DPNs.

So close!

I worked ridiculously hard to finish the Tulip sock by tonight and I wasn't able to finish it. 

I ended up going to a baby shower today. Left the house around 1pm and didn't get back home just before midnight. I got some knitting in before I left this morning. I did some more while at the baby shower and did even more while relaxing at a friends house, watching the NBA finals. I managed to make it to a couple of rows into the toe. I know I made ALOT of progress within 24 hours.

Progress from Saturday night to Sunday night

I'll definitely have it done tomorrow. I do have a doctor's appointment and that means waiting room knitting.

With the amount of time I spent out of my house today, I couldn't even prep a Come-a-long Update so hopefully I'll be able to do it tomorrow.

I'm ready

I've got my room temperature water, a podcast series to listen to, my Pirouette socks on my feet and my Tulip socks read to get knitted.

The plan is to make a big dent if not finish it tonight. ETA: I only have 1.5 more pattern repeats before the toe left. The Tulips are looking very finishable for tomorrow.

So cousin B1 was right. There was no yarn waiting for me when I got home. I can't pick out a replacement yarn until I see the patterns on Monday but a skein of Tanis will be used.

Quick Update

Today, I've been putting in the hours on the Tulip Socks. I finished the heels and am working on the gusset. I don't know if I'll have them done by Sunday night but I hope so. No picture tonight though.

I texted B1 to see if I got my yarn for the sock club yet. She says it's not there. If its not there, I won't be able to start the next sock until Monday evening or Tuesday...if it arrives by then. And if not, then I guess I'm casting on with a different sock yarn.

Is that really a colour name?

I'm pretty much in Hamilton until the weekend and while I do like being here, I'm kind of sad...or I will be sad later on this evening or tomorrow evening. 

The yarn for the Cookie Sock Club 2013 has been posted in the group by those who have received it. It's Sweet Georgia CashLuxe in a Terracotty colour (colour description by another member. I have used Sweet Georgia, another Canadian Dyer before in Tough Love but I have never even has the chance to touch the CashLuxe yet. I am looking forward to it.

I haven't decided what other yarn I'm going to use for the other pair of socks but I have been saying that I'll use some of my Tanis Fibre Arts yarn, and them I pet it, put it back on the shelf and pull out another skein. Well, no more I say! I WILL use a skein of my Tanis Fibre Arts yarn within the next 2 months!

All I have to do is be patient to see what the sock patterns are on Monday...and finish the Tulip Socks!

Superhero movies Rick

Yesterday I was treated to go see Iron Man 3. I have been wanting to see it since I heard it was in production. I enjoyed it tremendously.

They previewed the upcoming Thor 2 movie. I saw the original Thor movie at least 3 times and I'm expecting to see the next one about the same amount of times. Excuse me as I drool.

And then there's the Man of Steel movie. I think I want to see it because of all the hype. I like TV Superman but I've never really cared about the movies and I hope to movie will change that.

Anklet commentary

I wanted to keep an on going commentary on the anklet sock construction.

Anklet #1:

Needle: 1.5US Kollage Square, circular which I believe equates to a 2.5mm

Yarn #1: some old sock weight Superwash wool that doesn't say that it's Superwash; although the label does say it's machine washable

Yarn #2: Fleece Artist BFL sock yarn in Daffodil from T's left over stash - 19g

Basic Pattern (adjusted from Anklet a Day by Jessica Marks)

Cast on 64 stitches with unknown "Superwash" yarn

[k2, p2] to end of round

Repeat rib for 6 rows

Change to main colour (Fleece Artist BFL yarn) and knit 2 rounds with main colour

Heel Flap (standard heel flap)

Change to contrast colour

Row 1: [Sl1, k1] until 1 stitch remains, knit

Row 2: Sl1, purl to end

Repeat for 2.25" (19 times for me) ending after row 2

Turn Heel

Sl1, Knit 18, k2t, k1, turn

Sl1, purl 7, p2t, p1

Sl1, knit until 1 before gap, k2t, k1, turn

Sl1, purl until 1 st before gap, p2t, p1, turn

Repeat last 2 rows until all stitches have been worked, ending after working purl row

GUSSET

Knit 9, place marker for beginning of row

Knit remaining rows

Pick up slipped stitches, place marker to mark right side of foot. Change to main colour

Knit to the left side of the top of the foot, place marker to mark left side of foot

Pick up slipped stitches, knit to end of row

Row 1: knit until 3 sts before right marker, k2t, k, sm, knit to left marker, sm, k1, ssk, knit to end

Row 2: knit to end

Repeat last 2 rounds until 36 sts remain for foot.

FOOT

Knit all rounds until 2" before length of foot

TOE

Knit to right side of foot. New beginning of round. Change yarn to contrast colour

Round 1: Knit to end

Round 2: [ssk, knit to 2 sts before end of the top of the foot, k2t], twice

Repeat until desired length, end after a decrease round

Graft toe

SOCK 1 complete

Repeat the same thing for sock 2 but with a different main colour

Noted changes that I want to try:

- knit on a 1US, on a 72 cast on. I think I'd like it to be a tighter stockinette

- change turn heel from Sl1, Knit 18, k2t, k1, turn to Sl1, Knit 17, k2t, k1, turn

- either increase cuff to 10 rounds or after 6 rounds, knit for 4-6 rounds

- make sure for the main colour to have at least 20g of yarn

I think that's it for now however other than the turn heel change these will not come into effect until the next pair. I just need to finish the first sock first...and hopefully I'll have enough to make it to just before the toe.

TV and a simple sock

I finally decided to catch up on Vampire Diaries. I missed this show and I want to watch the Originals spin-off. Catching up on a TV show and knitting work very well together.

I continued to work on Anklet #1; a nice simple stockinette pattern. As I pulled at the yarn before continuing another round, I am starting to wonder if I have enough yarn to knit with before I reach the start of the toe. Oh well, you learn as you go.

Come-a-long Update

I think I have startitis.

I didn't finish anything this week other than A baby sock which I thought I lost while in Niagara Falls this week but it was later found in the bottom of my purse.  This tells me I really need  to clean out my purse more often.

However, I did start an anklet sock which I think is coming along nicely. I really like the colour combination. I've decided to go mismatch-y for this pair since I don't have enough of the main colour for a pair. I'll keep the contrast colour the same and choose a somewhat similar colour for the main colour on the second foot.  I did find out which yarn and colourway I got for the this anklet.  It's a Fleece Artist BFL in the colourway Daffodil.  I don't know if they still make it.  I would love to get a full skein of it.

I've already found the colours for my next set of anklets but it is going to be matched.  I still need to find a contrast colour to go along with it.  I'm still unsure if I like the one I picked out. Heck! I'm not sure that I even have enough to do the contrast colours. I want to find a good solid colour.

So I still have to start the heel flap for my Tulip Socks. My mind has been on other sock related things since Monday and other life occurrences.

The other WIPs are still WIPs and haven't even had a single stitch added. I should also be getting the next pattern for the sock club in about a week. So at the very least, the Tulips need to be done.

I have been thinking about what kind of sock projects I want to do for 2014-2015 year and I have been thinking about going through the Enchanted Sole book...because I don't have enough to do. This would mean I would spend the next year or so, building up a stash in either undyed yarn to dye it myself OR whatever yarn strikes my fancy and my wallet.

Projects Completed for 2013:

Newton Socks | Ernie Socks | Pirouette Socks

WIPs:

Tulip Socks | Dark Isle Socks | Stitch Surfer | Hermione's Whatever-whatevers | Shapely Boyfriend Cardigan | Blankie | Bex | Anklet #1 | Baby Socks

Happy 84th Birthday Grandpa Part 2

Tonight was the night of the party. I sweep. I mop. I scrubbed the bathroom. I cut vegetables. I went to lie down. I was tired before people even arrived to the house.

Grandpa enjoyed himself. He had some of his grand kids around him. His godson even came from Hamilton to spend the evening with him. My cousin Trix even came by public transportation from one end of the city to the other just to see him too. Believe me when I say that it was a long time on the bus system.

And also, Happy 10th Birthday to B2, my little cuz whose friends all think I'm her mom!

I love her Afro puffs!

Happy 84th Birthday Grandpa

Today is my grandfather's birthday. He turned 84 years old. For his birthday he wanted his family to go to his church today.

Grandpa with his youngest sister Liddy.

Let me just say his church is not like my church. Our services are not as long as his so suffice it to say, by 2:30 in the afternoon, my little cousin B2 was ready to go. She did last until it was time to go...about 5:30ish.

The hope (not the plan) was to come home after church and knit for a bit. Didn't work out as hopes for. Surprise birthday party for Grandpa is happening tomorrow. It's a good thing he doesn't know how to surf the Internet or else is be letting the cat out of the bag. Food preparation takes time and that's what I've been doing. Tomorrow is cleaning...sweeping, bathrooms and most hated of all, moping.