First bag chosen

I picked a bag for the Brown Paper Bag Sock Challenge. I was crossing my fingers for something not too challenging...didn't happen. 

I pulled out my beloved skein of MissBabs Cosmic Hand Painted in the colourway Inkwell and hunted down to the bottom of the bag to see what pattern I had chosen.  It's the Victorian Birdcage by Cat Bhordi.  I have been admiring this pattern since I bought the e-book Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel.  I didn't realize that the pattern is for a DK weight yarn but lucky for me, Ms. Bhordi has thought of everything and showed a conversion from DK to fingering weight yarn so I can continue to plan to make these socks.  I still have to cake the yarn and figure out what needles to use but at least I already have an empty bag to put everything in and be ready to start on January 1st.

Am I ready? Just about.

Last night (or maybe it was the night before) I mentioned the paperbag sock challenge which is really supposed to be called the Brown Bag Sock Challenge.  I actually got 11 bags together in lovely red paper bags.  There's supposed to be a 12th but we'll see what happens.  I would like to get one more skein of self stripping and if I do, I'll probably do the other pattern I had on my list for self stripping yarn.

Inside each bag is at least 100g of sock yarn from my stash and the name of a pattern from my queue.  I don't fully know what goes with what since I put a label on the top of each bag describing if the yarn was self stripping, varigated, tonal varigated or solid.  For each pattern on my list, I noted what kind of yarn would be most suited.  Without looking in the bags, I attached a pattern that matched the label, rolled up the bag so it would hide the label and taped it shut.

Around January 1st 2015, I'm going to grab a bag, pull out the pattern and get the needle size recommended and get started on a new pair of socks.  I hope I don't get the one with Smokestack by Tanis yet.  I didn't realize until I had sealed up the bags and then went on Ravelry, I don't actually own the pattern.  Makes it kind of difficult

I so want to participate

I have been watching a new podcast for just over a month called "The Canadian Knitter Podcast".  I have been loving it.  The last episode (episode 6: "He's so ugly, He's cute"), Sarah the podcaster mentioned a Paperbag Sock challenge for 2015. 

The basic "rules" of the Paperbag Sock challenge is to create your own sock club:

1. Pick 12 skeins/balls of yarn
2. Pick 12 sock patterns
3. Pair the yarn and the patterns
4. Stick them in a paper bag
5. Pick a bag at random for the month
6. Knit the pattern with the yarn thats in the bag

Sounds simple enough right? I have attempted to do something similar many time and I think the most I've managed is about 7 or 8 for the year. I'm still narrowing down the patterns that I have 18 of so far and I have to increase the amount of yarn since I only seem to have 10 available skeins.  I have a few undyed skeins that I'll have to dye.  The plan is to match up the existing skeins with patterns and then dye the undyed skeins to "match" the patterns.

I make no promises for 2015 but I will try to make it.  Now I'm off to buy some paper bags

Thank you Crave.tv

Who knew that by having TMN/HBO on my cable package, that I automatically get Crave,tv?  And guess what the first thing I sat down to watch? Star Trek: Enterprise.  This is actually a good time to work on my Plain Ol' Strippey Socks.

It finally came! (and this was supposed to be posted on Dec 3)

New Arrivals
My new skein of Must Stash Yarn has finally arrived at my house. The Perfect Sock base in the colourway of Darkside of the Moon.  I'm pretty sure I will be making another set of vanilla toe-up socks.  It's so pretty and lovely but I can't really say much more until I actually start knitting with it.  I will resist the temptation until at the very least, I finish the vanilla socks I am currently knitting.

I ordered another bag from Stitched by JessaLu.  It's a Dr. Who Christmas special bag.  It's on its way now...or more specifically it's on its way to the country and I'm refreshing my Canada Post App every hour.

On-going projects
Plain Ol' Strippy Socks (aka: Burberry-esque socks): I am at the heel for the first sock and on my way to the heel for the second.  I'm doing an afterthought heel so once I reach to the heel for the second sock, I'll put in the waste yarn for both and move onto the legs.

Test Pattern - Stockai Cniotala: I started a text knit for a new to me designer and let me tell you, it's a lot of cables.  It will look amazing when it's done I'm sure but I already suffered a set back with my original choice of yarn.  It's a skein of Cascade Yarn Heritage in a Teal-ish colour way I got from the Romni Wools Boxing Day Sale.  I am in love with the colour but the yarn constantly yarn barfs on me.  Instead of battling the barf, I went to my stash and pulled out a skein of something else and started again however with the amount of concentration it takes to do this project it just wasn't viable this week with school, work and bus travel.  Next week, I have more time to myself and I'll put some good work towards it.

Plans for 300 yards of leftovers
I'm looking at my Kai-Mei's that I knit from Wollmeise Twin.  I love this colour.  It's a WD of Allegria.  I have enough for a pair of anklets and maybe a bit more.  I'm thinking of using some black yarn for the toe, heel and cuff and working on it toe up so I can do make them without running out of yarn.  I still want to have enough make a plushie with it.  Maybe I should make a plushe first and make the socks out of the left overs.

So THERE you are!

I've been checking my Canada Post app every 5 minutes trying to figure out where my order from Must Stash Yarns is.  I keep getting the same message stating "International item mailed in originating country".  Great at least I know it's in the mail but what the heck is taking it so long?  I was right about to send a message to find out if the shipper could perhaps help me locate it when I decided to check USPS with the same tracking number.  My yarn is in LA...after it went through Portland...isn't that further away from Canada?  A quick ride from Portland can land you in BC.  Sure it's on the other side of the country but at least it's in the country.

I dunno, may this means it'll be on a plane and head straight for Toronto and I can get it sometime this week so I can start gushing on how beautiful my yarn is!

On a somewhat happier note, I have decided to knit a pair of plain stockinette socks for myself with Turtle Purl Yarns sock yarn in the colourway Trenchcoat - I'll still be calling in Burberry in my head.  I wound it up in a ball using a method commonly called "The Everlasting Gobstopper" introduced to me by Susan B. Anderson.  It really does remind me of a big ball of candy from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I found 2 sets of circulars in a size 0 and went to work, knitting the socks 2 in conjunction (not 2 at a time since I'm doing them on 2 sets of circulars).  I've made wonderful progress and I love the fact that they match exactly however Hiya Hiya Sharps are really that sharp since I now have a wound in my index finger.  I need to hurry up and get a calous so I can get back to my knitting.  But I could also take this as a sign to work on something else until the finger is not so sensitive.

Sigh...I have expensive taste

I discovered (or was made aware of) this blog called The Latest Wrinkle after meeting the blogger who had come into my store for an event.  I love clothes but I usually don't have the funds to dress the way I wish I could.

So enter the lastest entry from The Latest Wrinkle regarding the TIBI skirt and the 3 ways you can wear it and I fall in love with the TIBI skirt.  Of course I have to go see where this skirt is available.and unfortunately, I cannot afford it but I am now on the look out for a midi skirt in the same type of style.

Feeling good? Definitely!

I have been having a great few weeks.  I'm almost finished my first term in college and I'm really enjoying it so far.  I learned that I don't have final exams as universities do.  We get a final test for the stuff we haven't been tested on yet.  So much less stressful.  In the beginning of December, I can start picking my classes for term 2 and before term 2 starts, I can work my butt off for the holiday season at my workplace and hopefully amass enough money to take care of some stuff (ahem...stash enhancement).

Yesterday I got an email telling me a skein I ordered from Must Stash Yarns is on it's way to my house.  I swear I squeed.  I can't wait until I get a skein of Dark Side of the Moon.  I think I'm going to make a pair of plain vanilla sock or perhaps another pair of Socks on a Plane...which reminds me that I have weave in ends for my last pair of Socks on a Plane.

Despite all this happiness for new sock yarn, I am actually starting to feel the need for new socks and the quickest way to do so is to finish the many pairs that I have that are part way done.  Finish-itis is finally starting to hit and about time too.

ARGH!

I am struggling with my knitting.  I have finally found something that I cannot do or at least I am not understanding the YouTube videos or the written directions.  Let's just say it:

I CANNOT BRIOCHE!!!

And darn you Stephen West for putting me in a false sense of security with Clue #1 for the 2014 MKAL.  I am trying and it looks like crap and nothing like what it's supposed to (and I'm basing that off of other knitters who have already finished Clue #2).  I'm just about ready to throw it aside and say forget it, especially since I forgot to put in a life line.  I don't know where to go with it.

In the mean time, I'm going to work on my Bonnie Wee Mouse by Susan Claudino.  I've already decided I'm knitting her a skirt and colourblocking in a shirt.  I hope it all works out the way I have in my head.

Is it Friday yet?

I am excited that it's almost the 31st of October.  Why?  Not anything due to Hallowe'en other than the cheap price of candy afterwards BUT it's the first clue of the Westknit's MKAL 2014.  I got up this morning and decided it was finally time to start winding my skeins for the project.  I made it through 1 skein.  My hand got tired and started to cramp but in my defence it was a 150g skein of Wollemeise of Twin in the Natural colourway.  After I finished that, I said "Forget it, I'll do the next one after work tonight."  Yup, I can do it while I watch the next episode of "Arrow".

Once I finish winding the skeins, I'll try to be pre-emptive and do a small swatch to see how well the colours go together.  I still have to finish the test knit but I have reached the gusset so I think I'm making good progress.  It doesn't need to be finished until November 7th but I want it done and out of the way so that I can work on the MKAL shawl with nothing else "due".

Now I've sat around here long enough waiting for a group project and I've got no more time to wait.  I'm off to the backroom of my workplace with no internet access to play my games and perhaps do some homework so I'll have free time tomorrow.  Till next time :)

It's Stephen's fault...

I was minding my own business on Ravelry when I stumbled onto the Westknits Group on Ravelry and saw the mention of the 2014 Mystery Knit Along.  I am so intrigued since I have like the shawls I had seen that were done for the previous years (with the exception of one).  I got the stash to do it and I believe I can be finished with the other things in my knitting that have due dates. The problem is really making the final decision after I select the colour combination of yarn.  Once that's done, I think I'll join. 

The MKAL starts October 31st.

And a few hours later...
I'm narrowing down my skein options but I'm still working colour 3 and 4.  It's down to 4 skeins.  I probably won't get everything together until about a week before the first clue.  In the mean time, I'll finish off the test knits and maybe a shawl so I have a bag big enough to put the the MKAL in.

As I was cleaning up my group pages on Ravelry, I noticed that I think I have enough knitting bags to have a project a day for a week.  I'm half wanting to throw them all on the bed so I can roll around on them like it's a pile of money.

I just felt like doing an update

...instead of getting ready for a wedding that I will be attending this afternoon but there's still plentry of time for that.

Life has been so busy for me.  I've got school which is kind of hard to get back into the mentality of attending.  I'm doing pretty well generally but I'm still having a hard time in my english class.

I've joined a bible quiz team at my church studying I Kings (22 chapters, lots of architechtural detail and important people who in my mind are not exactly the most important of people since they rarely get mentioned again in the book but Beniah the hitman makes it feel like Game of Thrones).

I just finished knitting for a Susan Claudino swap and it was sent off on Friday.  I hope my partner likes what I made her.  By this experience, I actually want to join other swaps but I think if I do, I'll keep them few and far between so I still have time for other things. 

I'm in the middle of test knitting a sock for Econnerd, which I am loving by the way.  I think I want to reknit it though because I have made so may mistakes of forgotten cables that it's really noticeable to me.  This is the first time I've wanted to redo a pattern just because of it.  I think I'll finish up the sock but leave enough so I can unravel it and do it again with the same yarn which I am loving by the way (Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label in Julep).

And last night, I voluteered for another test pattern for HopeVickman. I immediately went through my left overs stash and started going though my blues and I couldn't find anything just right that I would have enough yarn of for the 6 colours requested in the pattern.  I then remembered two of my first forrays into dyeing yarn and yanked my burgandy-ish and orange yarn out of my stash and paired it with Knitpicks Stroll in Golden Glow and some of the left over I have from MissBabs Cosmic in Inkwell.  The look I was going for was a rising and setting sun.  I can't wait to do the pom-pom.  It's all packed up in my JessauLu bag.  I won't be able to get started on it until next week but I am looking forward to it.

Things are looking good

I don't know why but today just felt like a good day.  I woke up upset with myself for not being able to do my Critical Analysis but that fear kind of got relieved when I was able to set up a meeting with my teacher to get extra help.  While waiting for my math class, and the mark for m math test, I got a good portion of my computer class work down which I completed about an hour ago.  I showed up for a cancelled math class, found out the tests hadn't been marked yet.  I am anxious to find out my grade.

I had lunch at Nori Sushi not far from my house and it was delicious.  Went walking through the mall which was a long way to get to the post office to find out how much it would cost to sent the Susan Claudio Ravelry Group gift swap.  It's a reasonable cost so I'm looking forward to sending it off.  I put in quite a bit of work on a test pattern for Econnerd.  It is a beautiful pattern and when it goes up on Ravelry, I suggest everyone give it a look.

I got home and finished up all of my computer work which has never been done since this semester started.  I was able to see my mark for my Marketing class online (80% baby! Combined with my not failing my Intro to Business test, I am elated).  I came to my room to watch the series premier of The Flash on PVR and then I got an email from the Must Stash Yarn Shop letting me know that I could pre-order a skein of Dark Side of the Moon.  I only mildly paid attention to the skein when Stacy showed it on the MustStash Podcast.  I started to drool when Stacy sent everyone to go look at Yarn Harlot's Blog to see it knitted up.  I'm surprised my keyboard didn't short circuit from the drool.  I did not delay when I got the e-mail and pre-ordered my skein.

So let's sum up the good stuff for this week:

1. Finished my gift for the swap (and it's adorable)
2. Set up a meeting with my teacher to get help
3. Finished my computer homework
4. Good lunch at Nori Sushi
5. Decent price for shipping swap gift
6. Mock-asins I like are on sale and I have a pair on hold for me until Friday
7. Test knitting "Helix Cable Socks" by Econnerd which I am loving
8. Great mark for my Marketing test
9. Decent mark for my Intro to Business
10. Series premier of The Flash which was excellent
11. I was able to pre-order a skein of Dark Side of the Moon! (YES!)

Critical Analysis' suck

I have never felt so inadaquate in regards to English.  I have always assumed that I was somewhat decent when it came to writing but this Communications class is kicking me in the butt.  I cannot write a Critical Analysis and up until now, I don't really understand the purpose of them in the business world.  If I were doing journalism, I could see its purpose (and I'm happy I'm not taking that as it is).  I'm looking at the article I'm supposed to be doing the critical analysis on and I'm barely seeing the stuff that I'm supposed to be seeing.  A checklist would be very helpful to go over for what is supposed to be in...and I'm going to try to make one for myself instead of stressing myself out on what goes in a critical analysis

Disappeared

With all enthusiasm, I said "Yes!" to participating in the Year of Projects 4 for another year.  Somehow or another, I have not managed to follow through.  It's not that I haven't been knitting, because I have been.  I started and finished a pair of Socks on a Plane.  I started and finished a Wild Thing Plushie and started a mini version that would have been finished if I had the safety eyes for it.

I have just not felt the urge to blog...or more specifically, I have been lazy about it.  I've also been stressing myself out over school and it hasn't even started yet.  How am I going to be during exams?

Anyways, I hope to do a proper update to show what I have done and maybe I will in September once I start school...I got to do something with my 1-3 hour breaks between some classes.

Year of Projects: I have no real idea what week it is

It should be either week 51 or 52. But apparently I can't really keep track of the weeks since I have more than 10 entries for 40-49...anywho, back to the knitting.

I really didn't knit much this week. Last week I had planned to finish the sleeve of the Shapely Boyfriend cardigan...I worked on it a bit on Tuesday during knitting circle. But I spent most of the time showing somone how to knit socks (she's starting with the Monkey socks by Cookie A.) I decided in going to do a KAL with her but since she's only doing the cuff before we meet again, I decided I needed something else.

ENTER LONG CAR RIDE...I decided that the Socks on a Plane would be perfect for the long drive. I casted on the toe with the Turkish cast on, finished the toe and started the foot pattern, based on an cable pattern I found online. I was trying to figure out why it wasn't looking like the picture I remembered. Turns out the symbols on the chart are not made in the common way. I know how to read it now so I unravelled the entire thing and started again. I'm still only at the toe.

Long way to go...

Year of Projects: Week 49

This has been a pretty good knitting week. Last week I picked up my Shapely Boyfriend cardigan and decided to put some work in. I am very pleased with the progress I've made. I finished the ribbing at the bottom, started and finished a sleeve and started on the second. 

(Apparently I can't do a "selfie" if my life depended on it. I had to take it off, lay it out and THEN take a pic)

I think by next week, I'll have started the collar and button band...I guess I have to get buttons for the button band.

I guess I'll go back to the Stitch Surfer sock when I'm done...which technically supposed to be done at the end of June, as per the KAL but I haven't even finished the 1st sock, much less the 2nd.

Year of Projects: Week 48

I actually started to frog another project; not any sock projects but the Annisette Cardi from almost 2 years ago. I still have no idea what I'm going to do with the yarn. It's KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in the colourway Hyacinth. Lovely colour but not it doesn't feel soft at all to me.

I mostly worked on my Stitch Surfer socks. I tried the Fish Lips Kiss Heel...guess what?

I really like it! It actually looks quite pretty and it's pretty easy to do once you do it.

And it's World Cup time. I have always wanted to watch the series from beginning to end. I was looking for a World Cup project to work on; perhaps a shawl of some sort. I knew which one I was going to work on too. I went looking for my 4US circular needles. I knew I had one in a project but I was certain that I had one in the package. Much to my dismay, it was actually from my interchangeable set. I put them back to where they were supposed to be. Instead of starting a shawl, I picked up my Shapely Boyfriend cardigan. 

I think it's about time I work on finishing it. I only have a few more rows of ribbing in the bottom. Next it's the sleeves and button flaps.

Year of Projects: Week 47

It seems like I have rediscovered my Instagram in the past week.  Before I check my Facebook, I'm checking Instagram.  Forget my Tumlr that I apparently have and my Twitter account that has pretty much been dormant for I don't even know how long.  It is amazing to find other knitters (and crocheters even though I don't crochet)  and see what they're making.  #operationsockdrawer has been a great inspiration to me as well, since I do remember saying something about have a drawer full of hand knit socks last year (behind the scenes truth: I was trying to find a way to link the hashtag but apparently the ability to find the link is evading me).  If you have the opportunity and you have a love of hand knit socks, check it out on Instagram.

AND if you want to follow me: @rome_raven.  Now back to the actual essence of this update.

Last week, I showed my Rick socks with the inadvertant boo-boo (now called an unexpected enhancement).  By Sunday night, I finished the first sock.  At some point during the day, I noticed another "unexpected enhancement".  Where I was supposed to be doing an k2t, I was doing an ssk.  It actually reminds me of the beach right after the tide has receded and I like it. By Monday morning, I started the second sock.  Everything was going well until a 2US DPN needle broke on me.  

I couldn't even fathom where I have another set but apparently I do since it came in my KnitPicks DPN set.  I am not a fan of working with only 4 DPNs so packed everything up into a small pouch, threw it into the back of my bookcase with the other WIPs in progress and decided I'm not going to even look at it until I get a replacement set.

With all of that, I started another pair of socks.  This time, I got the inspiration from a "new to me" videopodcast called "Must Stash".  For half of May and all of June, they're doing a KAL of the Stitch Surfer socks.  I know I have done these before but as Diane from "Knitabulls" said they are addictive.  And besides, my last pair didn't fit after I washed them, much to my dismay.

Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll in the colourway Dusk and Knitpicks Stroll Multi in the colourway City Lights (which is apparently no longer available)
Needles: 1US circular from Hiya Hiya (which I am currently loving)

I'm going to try the Fish Lips Kiss heel on this pair and see if I can do it and if I'll like it.

On a last note, I realized that today (as in this Sunday) is National Knit in Public...guess what I'm going to be doing?  Working...not knitting :(  But if anyone in the Toronto area can make it, there is a meetup in High Park.  Maybe next year I'll be able to go.

Year of Projects: Week 46

I don't know if I'd consider this a "booboo" or an "unexpected enhancement". After I frogged the Slide socks last week, I had planned to cast on again with a different yarn. Somehow or another I managed to cast on for a totally different pair of socks called Rick by Cookie A. that I had a history with.

quick summary: I started knitting them a long time ago and was doing well until I was halfway down the foot an saw the foot was twisting. I couldn't figure out how to fix it so I frogged the entire thing. Over a year later, I was flipping through the book and discovered there was a separate foot chart...duh!)

So this time, I did well. I got the foot chart photocopied and went to work. I worked down be leg and by Saturday night, I did the heel flap and the turn heel. I made sure I had he foot chart in front of me and I went to work. It was looking great! I could really see the design coming together and I thought that zig looked cool...until I looked at the pictures of he sock and doubled checked which foot I was doing...there was no zig or even a zag, just a slanted look. Suffice it to say, I did the leg for the right leg, and the foot for the left foot.

I just hope I remember to to mess up the other foot too!

I found my future knitting circle.

From last Friday...

I feel like I've had an amazing day. Last night, I realized that I wasn't working yesterday and I had choir practice at 6 in Hamilton. Thought to myself, I've wanted to go to that knitting circle at the Hamilton Central Library, why not head over early and go and I am so happy that I did.

 Isn't that a cool looking library?

I made it to the library and dreaded to 4 floor climb. I found the elevators and a lady with a pushcart made a mad dash to follow me into the elevator. I asked her if she was heading to the knitting circle, since she didn't request a floor. She introduced herself as Janice and directed me to where the circle meets.  I pulled up a seat, pulled out my knitting and went to work.

This circle is much bigger than the other 2 that I'm a part of. There were about 15 people there besides Janice and myself plus an additional 2 babies (which I will not count because they didn't knit or crochet but they sure were cute).

The leader of the group, named Marie-Ange, gave me an introduction to the group and mentioned her reasons for starting it and keeping it going through out the summer.  I was very impressed.  She also invited me to the Facebook group.  I met with another set of knitters, a mother/daughter combo, who was also named Janice and Heather.  We ended up staying an hour past the ending of the knitting circle just talking.

I love the fact that I have already found a knitting circle in the city that I want to live in, without living there yet.  I'm going to try to attend more often when  I'm off a Friday and I have practice as well.

Year of Projects: Week 45

Hi everyone :) I'm not exactly sure if you'd call my week knitting productive but last week was definitely a good week.

I cast on my next pair of "travelling" socks; you know, something easy that doesn't require much concentration that you'll only knit at times such as bus rides. I am abysmal at knitting socks that way. I just knit what I feel like knitting when I have the time to knit and this time, it's the Slide socks by Cookie A. from her sock club in 2011, I think.  I wasn't apart of it then but the pattern intrigued me.

Yarn: Sweet Georgia CashLuxe

Colourway: Blood Orange

I don't know if I like the way this is turning out and I'm contemplating ripping it all put and doing it with a different yarn. The cashmere feels fabulous but I don't know what is up with my tension around he increases and decreases used to create the diagonal pattern. I may just redo everything with my Zen Yarns in the colourway Flamenco (another lovely reddish colour) that is merino and nylon only. Yeah...just decided all that while writing this update.

The Tree of Life socks are still sitting in their project bag, with no decernable change other than perhaps a find layer of dust.

On a more personal note, I got accepted into college (yay me!) for September. I just waiting to see how be financing goes. If well, for the next 3 years, minimum, I'll be a student...fun times...

The Highs and Lows of the Day

Today has been a day of highs and lows...and it's only 1:30 in the afternoon.

I got up this morning, after an hour of hitting the snooze button on my phone, got dressed and ate a couple of frozen waffles.  I am not a fan of frozen waffles but since we don't currently own a waffle machine and I have no money to get fresh waffles, I had to make do.  I got on the bus and headed off to work.  I got to work, feeling good, watched tv in the backroom until my shift started.  I tried to punch in but the message popped onto the punch clock stating "Not scheduled".  I blink in confusion and double checked on the schedule for the week.  I came in for the shift that was for tomorrow.  Good thing I had a bus pass.  I got my vacation request sheets signed and headed home, to the dismay of my supervisor who wanted me to stay (unfortunately, it's not up to her if I do or not).

I went home, kind of upset but at least happy that I submitted the vacation request sheets.  I walked up to my house and saw a huge envelope sticking out of the mailbox with the logo for the school I had applied to.  There was also a smaller envelope from the same school.  I was already pretty sure that the smaller envelope was a rejection for a different program but I did take the advice of the school coucillor and applied for a program that could lead into what I really wanted to go to.  The big envelope contained the acceptance letter for the different program.  So hopefully in September, I'll be going to school, around the corner from my house.  And then we'll see about transitioning to what I really want to study.

Year of Projects: Week 47

I HAVE AN FO!!

These are almost my most quickly done socks. That last sentence doesn't sound grammatically correct but it took just over 2 weeks and the Newtons socks from last year took 10 days.

The pattern is from Cookie A. and it's called Kai-Mei. The yarn is from Wollmeise. It's twin in a WD colour I can't remember but it sure is pretty.

I haven't fully decided what socks I'm going to do next but I'm leaning to the Selkie socks by Janel Laidman in the MissBabs Cosmic in the colourway Inkwell from the Cookie A. sock club from last year.

Year of Projects: Week 46

I am actually very pleasantly surprised with my week this week. I just finished 1 sock of the pair I had cast on last week.

They are the Kai-Mei socks by Cookie A. I really like them even though I had to suffer through the 6.5" of 3x3 ribbing for the leg. The panel on the foot more than made up for it challenge-wise. I hope to start the next sock very soon, like later in today, before the 2nd sock syndrome has a chance to kick in.

That's it for this week.

Year of Projects: Week 45

I have apparently reached the point of my knitting life that it no longer bothers me to frog a project and start again.  Remember that free form project I had started last week? I was working on the gusset before I tried it on. Let's just say 72sts on a 1US needle where most of the pattern is stockinette is WAY too big.

So it was either keep it and have it too big after the cuff or rip it out and start again. I ended up opening up a sock knitting book, trying to figure out how to free form a pattern and coming up with the gauge. I ended up starting a pair of socks that I have wanted since I first saw them in the Sock Innovation book by Cookie A. Right now, it's a lot of ribbing...and more ribbing til 6.5". I think this will be an excellent time to catch up on tv watching.

I worked a bit on the Tree of Life socks and this time, I got the colour order right and I am loving them.

Yesterday (Saturday) was the 1st year anniversary of one of my LYS's, Handknit Yarn Studio. I did a quick setup to celebrate with this today after lunch and I took a couple of my cousins with me. I made sure to pick up a button they had made for the occasion and I added it to my knittin bag.

I have GOT to do this again

I have been craving Toffee Bit cookies since I has them at T's baby shower. I finally managed to get the ingredients a couple of days ago and made them yesterday.

They were so good and my family finished them off last night. I still have some dough left over to make 6-12 more cookies. But it's not enough! I need to make more! So the plan is to make 2 more batches this week; for the house and possibly for church.

Year of Projects: Week 44

Guess what? I can use this again:

 ...although I doubt I'll come anywhere near this total.  I finished my Mint Twist socks on Sunday afternoon. I washed them on Tuesday and wore them to work by Wednesday. I barely gave them a chance to let the sit in the drawer.

I still want to make changes for the lower foot part of the pattern but I ADORE the Manos del Uraguay yarn to the point I will always be willing to add it to my stash.

I had to frog my Tree of Life socks this week. They did not fit. They did fit when half of the chart was finished but when the chart was finished, it couldn't make it past my heel. I had 2 options: try to turn them into gloves or frog it. 

After 15 minutes of admiring my work, I frogged it and I was surprised at how little yarn of each colour I had actually used. Two days later, I picked up the needles and started again on a larger sized needle.

I got my Standard Grab Bag for Rohrspatz & Wollmeise on Wednesday. Just getting the package makes it feel like it's your birthday. All I knew was that it would be 2 skeins of Twin (80% Merino/20% Polyamid) and one would be relatively solid.

I got home really late after work on Wednesday and saw the package on the table. Picking it up, I went to my room to go see what was in it. To extend the anticipation, I got changed for bed before I opened the package. I took out the little pack of gummy bears that's always sent (they are the best gummy bears I have ever had) and the went to look at the yarn.

 

They're both WD skeins, meaning that they didn't meet the exact colour that Wollmeise was trying to attain. The top one was intended to be Allergria and the bottom was supposed to be Sabrina. I think they both look awesome and are a wonderful addition to my stash.

Somehow on Thursday, I admired the new yarn do much, that I actually caked the Allegria WD and decided to free form a basic sock since the colourwork of the Tree of Life socks really isn't that basic.

I finished the 2x2 rib cuff and I am loving the colour pooling. Half the sock is hot pink and red and the other half is a yellowish orange. Absolutely cool.

Therapeutic

It was easier than I thought. Last update I had the revelation that my Tree of Life socks simply didn't fit. Instead of trying to change into mittens, I decided to bite the bullet and frog the entire think. 

It took a couple of days but I am starting it again with some adjustments. I'm doing the cuff in a 2US and the rest in a 2.5US. I hope it works better this time.

I got my grab bag order from Wollmeise. And now I want to do it again. I had no clue what the skeins would look like until I opened the package. 

The top skein is Allegria WD and the bottom is Sabrina WD. The normal Allegria has pink in it and this skein has very little if any. I think the Sabrina I supposed to be bluer. I'm starting to see a bit of green in it. I still don't know what I'm going to make with them but I was thinking of trying the Rick's again in either Sabrina WD or my skein of Elsa. One of them is still going to be saved for a pair of knee highs.

Rethinking a pattern

I still can't get the tension right for detailed colour work. I tried on the Tree of Life socks yesterday. It was a tight for but I got it on. Today, I tried it on again since I'm almost finished the leg chart. I couldn't even get it past my heel. So I can either attempt to turn it into a glove or rip back to the cuff, change it to a 2US needle and start again.

It does look nice on my arm though. Maybe I should make arm cuff of some sort.

An intermittent entry...not necessary but wanted to

I've finished another pair of socks (the Mint Twist socks from back in December) and did a load of sock wash this afternoon.  I looked at my Stitch Surfer socks and I want to knit another pair.  Not necessarily immediately but in the near future.

I'm still in the middle of knitting the Tree of Life socks, almost at the heel.  I'm also waiting in anticipation of my Wollmeise order, which according to Canada Post will be arriving on Thursday (YAY!).

I was telling my mother about the changes I wanted to make to my room so I can get a desk in there.  She then informs me that there's a dresser in the heating room of our house that someone ended up not needing when the moved.  When I went to go look at it, it's a Malm 4-drawer dresser.  I'm not sure of the colour but any of the colours it's made in can work with the colours for my room.  I now just have to get a desk, a few Expedit/Kallax drawers and a laptop.  I'll see if I can get it assembled either this week or next week and start shopping around for the other requirements for my room.

I almost forgot! I got this sweater a few months back that is now falling apart.  There's still a lot of yarn that's perfectly good.  I'm going to try to reclaim it.  It's 100% cotton according to the label.  I've washed it, which apparently you should do before unravelling cotton (don't wash before unravelling if it's wool - thank you Ashley with this blog entry.  It also looks to be a lace weight.  I'll update another time reporting how this unravelling project goes.

Year of Projects: Week 42 & 43

It is right but it still doesn't look like what it's supposed to be. Welcome to the first picture of my Tree of Life socks. I love the colour combination. I love the knitting process. I even love my mistake of forgetting to what was colour A and what was coulour B thus turning sock 1 into an inversion of itself. It still looks beautiful! You just can't make out that it's a tree, over there on the right hand side of the sock. I know I have to wait until I finish the leg, or make it to about 2/3 of the way up the chart before it really makes it's appearance.

I spent most of this week however, working on my Mint Twist socks and as I'm typing this up, I am working on the toe. 

I am anxious to have them done so I can wear them.

I finally got my bag from Sew for Ewe and it's very much loved by me.

Everyone who sees it tells me "Cool lunch bag!" Not a lunch bag but a unique knitting bag.

This week I'm waiting for an order from Wollmeise which I believe will be my last order for awhile despite my wonderful stash growth.

Year of Projects: Week 41

It was really not much of a knitting week this week. I worked hard on the second sock for the Mint Twist and I'm about 15 rows from the heel flap.

I have sort of planned ahead for my next sock project. 

The new Manos del Uraguay from last week and the Springtree Road will be the colours I am using for the Tree of Life socks; the same socks I have been talking about doing since I first saw the pattern. I'm hoping to cast on tomorrow for an important event.

And I'm spending it with me, myself and my knitting. I am looking forward to my quiet time :) with intermittent breaks to do laundry.

PS: I saw "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" for my birthday with my brother and his girlfriend and I enjoyed it tremendously.

Trying something new...

It's not often I am on a computer anymore unless it's to update my blog for my Year of Projects.  So today, after checking out the blog of a commenter, I managed to click my way to a blog about reading Madame Bovary.  Since I have never read it, or know anything about it other than it's originally written in the French language and it's a classic, I decided "Why not?".  It's 470 pages which is doable for me.

I downloaded the book via iBooks on my phone.  Before I even got a chance to open the file to check it out, I went to the library for my Knitter Circle and checked out the paperback version as well.  I think I'd prefer to have something tangible in my hands for my first try.

I have until April 10th to finish the first part so I will get started after I finish watching the newest episode of "19 Kids and Counting" (I love that show).

Year of Projects: Week 40

It has been an excellent knitting related week. I randomly decided to pick up my Mint Twist socks from December and finished the first sock.

The stockinette foot was dead boring to do. I made it through it. I still want to make these socks again however, I found another sock that is pretty plain and toe up called Lothlorien by Janel Laidman. I love the design on the toe and I think it could go well with the Mint Twist. I even counted out the stockinette rows I did for the first sock and it can fit before the toe begins.

Onto other knitting related news: I had ordered another skein from Wollmeise in Twin in the "colourway" of Natur. It just arrived this past Wednesday...and I was having a nap when the mailman came. It took 2 days to get to the post office to get it back. It is lovely and I'm not going to dye it. I'm planning on using it for a colourwork sock or knee highs.

After working with the Manos del Uraguay yarn for the Mint Twist, I had to get another skein. I tried for closer LYS's to where I live but none of them seemed to carry it so I ended up in my other LYS in Hamilton, Handknit Yarn Studios. I didn't really have any colour in mind other than not yellow or red or blue. Believe me, I have quite a bit of that. So this skein (A8720) has pale blue, pale yellow, soft gold and a hint of a light green instead :)

And as a bonus, I got this artistic looking shot on the concrete stoop at the side of my church while waiting for someone to open the door.

Last thing! I bought a new knitting bag. This time I ordered it from Sew for Ewe on Friday and I love the design on it. It's a medium sized wedge bag with Star Wars comics all over it! I'll save the picture of it when I get it, instead of copying it from the shop.