Syrian Shawl Progress

I finally started working on the Syrian shawl again after months of it sitting in my knitting bag.

Once I finish it, I want to make one in a solid color. I have a lot of lace weight yarn in the stash so it shouldn't be too difficult, plus I'll get in some much needed stash busting.

I have so many sock patterns that I want to do at the moment it is insane. After I finish the ones I have in progress I need to decide whether I want to start on the Anastasia sock pattern or the Pomatomus sock pattern next. And then there are the knee highs that I want to make out of the Harry Potter Yarn.

Attic Findings

When my family was bringing all the Christmas stuff down from the attic this year we reaffirmed the fact that we are all pack rats.

We found old acrylic yarn from the 1970's, that had belonged to my mother. It is nice to know that the quality of Caron yarn has improved significantly.
We also found old French books from both my father and mother's college years. I'm not sure my the pictures in my father's book were all from English speaking films though. The connection between The Sound of Music and French grammar is lost on me.

Winder, Swift and Needles oh my

Well Christmas was very knitting friendly this year. I received a ball winder, and umbrella swift and the KnitPicks options needles.

The ball winder was fairly simple to figure out. The swift I had a little trouble with at first. My desk is not the greatest surface to clamp it on and makes it tilt slightly. However it does work. I'll have to try some other place in the house.

The needles I think I love already. I received the sock set of the Options nickel plated. Which is ideal for all the socks I work on when I need and extra set of a certain size. I also received the interchangeable metal circular set. I've checked the joins since I have a friend who has experienced some problems with her cable joins. They look okay so far, but usage will tell.

Cozy Finished

I've finally finished this project that I hated so much. If it weren't for the Syrian lace shawl that I'm still working on, I wouldn't be making any shawl/wrap patterns again for a long time.

As it is I haven't worked on the Syrian lace shawl in the longest time.

Sweater progress, lace shawl

Working the yoke is monotonous. All those stitches. I thought it was a lot of stitches when I was working the body. I know I'm decreasing, but each round I work seems just as long as the previous one.

I see all these sweater patterns that I really like, but I'm not sure I'm willing to do another sweater any time soon.

I've been neglecting the lace shawl. It is not in jail, but it is resting while I finish the sweater.

I would work on the sweater during my lunch break, but for obvious reasons that is impractical. Any project taken to work needs to be small. Like socks or my current purse project Fetching.

Hourglass Sweater and Yarn Diet

Well I finished the second sleeve and have now attached the sleeves and am working on the yoke. I think I may very well reach the current goal of finishing by the end of this month. But I have already passed so many target completion dates for this sweater, I don't want to get my hopes up. At least it is looking like a sweater now, instead of three tubes of stitches.

I do think that I will be massively breaking the yarn diet this weekend. But it depends on a few things.

Shoulder Shawl and Sock Club

The shoulder shawl in Syrian lace pattern got the bulk of my knitting attention today. I would love to have it finished this month. But I would also like to finish the sweater this month.

I managed to avoid going to the yarn shop again today. Although I did get my first WoolGirl sock club shipment yesterday. However I don't think that can be considered breaking the yarn diet since that was already paid for and was a planned out purchase. it was not a late night sneaky shopping attack. Or somehow managing to drive to the yarn shop situation. The one good thing ( in terms of the yarn diet) is that none of the yarn shops in the area are technically on the way when I run errands. I've even avoided putting things in my shopping carts at all my favorite online stores. Even though I have been very tempted.

Lace Shawl, socks, sweater

I have been working on the lace shawl and sweater steadily this past week. I made a mistake on the shawl and had to do some unknitting to fix it. But everything seems to be fine now.

The sleeve is going very slowly. It is going to take awhile. This may very well be the longest time I have taken to complete a project. I started the thing around March I think.

I started the heel flap on the Miss Babs socks. They are looking quite lovely. I should take pictures. I always say that though.

I was very strong today. I managed to talk myself out of going to the yarn store. I do have quite a bit of stash at the moment and should knit it down a bit. Although I do have trouble sticking to the Yarn Diet. I may very well buy yarn tomorrow or next weekend. It is so very tempting.

Miss Babs and Lace Shawl

I'm nearly finished with the leg of the first sock out of the Miss Babs yarn. I like the way the yarn is knitting up, but I like the pooling of hand dyed yarn on socks.


I worked a few rows of the Syrian lace shawl. I have some issues with the pattern though. I really just don't see how it is going to be big enough. I feel like I'm missing something, but so far it is not listed in any of the errata I have found for the book. We'll see, I guess. I would be very surprised if I managed to finish this thing before the end of the year.

I haven't touched the sweater since Sunday. Maybe I'll do a few rows of the sleeve tonight.

Miss Babs socks, Orange Socks, Blocking and Sweater

I finished the Orange socks last night. Now they just have to have the end woven in and be blocked. The Jitterbug socks have been blocked. The yarn dye ran a little more than I anticipated. I'm glad I washed them by hand instead of in the machine.

I started the Miss Babs socks in Chocolate Roses colorway. I'm only on the cuff but they are very pretty so far. I'm just doing a basic top down pattern.

The sweater also received a little attention and I got further along on the sleeves.

Monkeys Finished, Second Orange Sock

I finished the second Monkey last night, and then cast on for the second orange sock. After I finish the Orange socks, I'm going to cast on with the Miss Babs yarn.

I'm thinking of casting on the Regia Bamboo for another pair of Jaywalker socks. Those needles are currently free.

I haven't worked on the Sweater since last weekend. I need to finish the thing.

I'm also going to block some socks this weekend. Even though I haven't finished the sock blockers. All the socks I have made are going to start piling up in the finished but unfinished storage tote.

Monkey and Sweater

I cast on the second Monkey yesterday. I'm on the fourth lace pattern repeat of the leg. I expect to finish it by the end of the week.

I suppose then I'll start the second orange sock so I can finish the pair and give them away. I'd much rather start the Miss Babs socks though. But I want to be done with the orange ones.

There has also been progress on the sweater. I divided for the yoke and started the sleeves. I'm hoping to finish by the end of the month, if I'm lucky before then.

Knitting by Candlelight Part II

My power went out for a few hours last night. This time the power company cannot put the blame on a storm.

I finished the first Monkey sock. I'll cast on the second today. I'm thinking of making another pair of Jaywalkers, this time out of Regia Bamboo.

I've done some work on the sweater. I'm going to divide for the yoke and start the sleeves today. I wanted to make the sleeves at the same time, but I did not realize that they were in the round at first. I suppose I can use two circulars. I'm pretty sure I have another size 6 circular needle not in use.

I really need to order the Knitpicks circular set. I love my Denise needles but some yarns work better on metal. I think I may order it in the next month or so.

Monkey

I cast on Monkey on Monday, so far I've done 3 of the lace pattern repeats. It is moving along nicely I think the first will get finished this weekend.

Last night I wound Miss Babs in Chocolate Roses. I'm not sure which pattern I'm going to use it for yet. Probably a basic sock.

I really should work on the sweater and get it done with already. But I just have not felt like working on it. I know I should since if enough of the yarn is left over I'm going to use it to make a shawl for my aunt.

Knitting by Candlelight

I finished my Jaywalker socks on Sunday. Quite a bit of the second sock was worked by candlelight and flashlight. Why? Because I did not have power from Thursday up until today. Not an easy time. I have a lot of respect for people who have had gone longer than than 5-6 days.

I am disgusted with the power company. They dragged their feet like crazy. They acted like like my town was somehow not accessible by land. What made it so frustrating was being 5 minutes from home and everyone having power. And then watching as everyone seems to be getting power but my house.

First Jaywalker

I finished the first Jaywalker last night. It was late so I didn't bother casting on anything else.
I'll probably cast on the second today at lunch.

I might make the Monkey socks wait until after I've finished the Jaywalkers. Not sure yet though. Before the end of the day I may cast it on.

Jaywalker, Orange Socks, and Monkey

I think I'll end up finishing the first Jaywalker sock tonight. Either that or I will be very close.

The first orange sockotta sock was finished last night. I'm not sure when I'll be able to cast on the other. I'm just really hating how orange they are. I'm glad the yarn was on sale when I bought it.

I may or may not cast on Monkey tonight. If I finish the first Jaywalker than I'll cast it on.

Jaywalker Progress, Monkey Yarn, and Booga Bag

I'm nearly finished with the leg on the first Jaywalker. It is knitting up fairly quickly. I should be finished with it in a few days.

I've wound the yarn for the Monkey socks. I'm going to use the Fleece Artist yarn in the Marine Colorway. I thought about using one of the Miss Babs yarns that I bought, but decided against it.

I'm still working on the strap of the booga bag. The I-Cord is taking me forever. It doesn't help that my I-cords never look right.

Jaywalkers, KnitPicks, Yarn Diet

I started the jaywalkers last night. I finished the toe up socks and then cast the jaywalkers.
I'm using KnitPicks Memories in Spring Prairie, which has been discontinued. I'm using Chiaogoo bamboo needles in US size 1 (2.25mm). They are the smallest diameter needles I've ever used. I was a little nervous about having bamboo needles so small. Only time will tell. They did feel a bit like using twigs at first. Amazing how much smaller they feel compared to the 2.5mm needles, although my 2.5mm are KnitPicks Options.

I have quite a bit of Memories in the stash. I have made two pairs of basic cuff down socks with it, as well as my Clapotis. I haven't worn either of the pairs yet so I'm not sure how well the yarn wears. I have heard that if your feet sweat that the yarn felts a bit. I guess I find out once I wear them. I still need to block them. KnitPicks tends to discontinue their sock yarn frequently. They just added a couple new lines though.

I'm coveting the merino/cashmere sock yarn from The Knittery in the Vineyard colorway. Stupid yarn diet. But I must be honest with myself, I should not buy more yarn right now. My storage is barely closing. I can't believe I went from the one little container to three large ones in less than a year. I really need to go through the stash and organize it a bit better though.

Part of the problem is that there are projects that I decided to wait on because it is summer. I didn't want to be making a wool sweater during the heat wave we had. Although I suppose I could finish up the bamboo sweater. I haven't touched it since July. Although I have kept it in my bag for each SNBWB meeting. Maybe one of these days I'll actually pick it up again.

Ravelry, yarn diet, and Jaywalkers

I'm still waiting for my Ravelry invite. The number of people behind me has really grown. It is almost as large as the number in front of me. I wish I had put myself on the waiting list earlier.

WoolGirl has some really nice yarns that just went up, but since I just I had an order from them. I guess I should wait. I suppose I need to knit the stash down a bit before I buy more yarn.

I think the Jaywalkers are going to be the next socks I cast on. It was between Jaywalker and Monkey. Jaywalker won partially since those needles are already free, and because I have wanted to see how the yarn I am going to use will knit up.

Booga Bag

I'm o the straps for the booga bag, so I'll definitely finish knitting it this weekend. Then I just have to felt it. I found some old jeans that I can use to help it along. hopefully it will go better than my other attempt at felting.

I still haven't given up on the graduated cylinder bag. If it doesn't shrink more I guess I'll just have to take up yoga.

Sock Blockers and sock progress

Well last weekend I started my sock blockers. I'm having a difficult time making the cardboard part the right size. Each time I test it out a sock it is too small. So I need to get that part right before I even think about cutting the place mat. If all else fails I'll just buy some.

I'm currently working on a pair of toe up sock for my sister, which are nearly done. I hate the yarn so I'm glad they will be off the needles soon. I'm working on the Sockotta socks. The yarn itself is fine but I'm not sure if I care for the colorway. Each color has orange going through it and the stripes are so wide it looks like a roll of Smarties.

Queen Of Cups and Future Projects

I'm about a third done with the leg of on the 2nd sock of my 2nd pair of Queen Of Cups socks. I took a break after making the first one and made the jitterbug socks.

I'm trying to decide which socks to start next. I should finish one of my other projects. The Booga bag is nearly done. I'll probably finish that this weekend so I can get it off the needles and felt it.

I'm torn on whether to start basic socks, starting the Jaywalkers, or starting the Monkey socks. I'm tempted to just do a basic sock with the Sockotta so I can see how it knits up for me. I may even do it in a toe up. Not sure.

Jitterbug Socks Finished and sock blockers

I finished the Jitterbug socks last night. The pair took slightly over a week. I'm glad I followed the pattern on the label since there is only a tiny ball left. The only thing that would prevent me from buying the yarn again is the scant yardage. Eventually I'll have to post a picture. Once they are blocked.

I bought the materials to make sock blockers weeks ago and still have not gotten around to make them. I've been busily knitting socks all summer and haven't blocked any (except ones I gave as gifts) because I want to use the sock blockers.

New socks

I started a new pair of socks last night out of Collinette Jitterbug in Florentina. The yarn itself is soft and a wonderful color. I like the way it is knitting up. However I would end up with a hank that had three breaks in it. These socks are going to be short since Jitterbug has less yardage than I'm used to.

I'm hoping the three breaks was just my hank because if I like the socks I'm going to probably buy the yarn again.

One project off the needles

On Friday I finished one of the 6 WIPs I had. I still need to weave in ends and block, but at least it is off the needles.

I'm making some headway with the socks. I'm nearly finished with my father's socks. And I'm on the gusset of the Queen of Cups sock.

I have touched the sweater, the Carpathia lace gloves, or the shoulder shawl in Syrian lace from Victorian Lace Today in well over a week. I'll get to them eventually.

Dye

I'm finally updating about the kool-aid dyeing. It went fairly well. Here are the result from the first skein.

I dyed another one a week later, but I still have to take pictures. I used black cherry, pink lemonade, and tropical punch. I chose the hot pour method that was described in a Knitty article. It just seemed the easiest. Using a crock pot also reduced any potential messes.

Lace Gloves and Dye

I've been swatching for the Carpathia gloves from Knitty. My gauge is about an inch larger, so I'm going to make the gloves a size smaller than I originally planned. I'm using the same colors suggested in the pattern since I like that combination.


I'm going to try dyeing yarn today with Kool-Aid. I'll have to post pictures of the results.

Socks, sweaters, and shawls

I have been working on just about everything but the socks that I'm making my mom. I am about halfway through the second sock and I just am not motivated to finish it.

However I have been knitting a pair of socks for myself. The sweater is getting further along, more is done now than all the other times. I frogged it at least twice so this is progress. I'm trying to avoid frogging it again.

The baby loop shawl is nearly done. I want to start my lace shawl, I've already knitted the swatch for it. But before I cast on for anything else I need to finish something that is on the needles.

For some reason I'm very into making shawls now. There are several that I want to make. Especially laces. But I need to do the easy lace before I get started on the more difficult ones.

Lace

I recently bought Victorian Lace Today. The patterns are gorgeous and very classic looking. I haven't tried lace before and it does look complicated.


My first lace project is likely going to be the Carpathia gloves from knitty though as the lace pattern looks a bit simpler. I've also wanted to make those for months but didn't have the yarn.

Sock yarn stash

My sock yarn stash has grown significantly this month. Pictures to follow. Although now I am going to have to go back on the yarn diet because my stash storage is now full. And I really don't currently have room to add another storage container.

Sweater

Well I frogged the sweater I was working on. Then I cast on again the other night. I'll have to see how far I get without frogging this time.

The first time I had to frog because the stitches looked uneven and crappy.

I really don't have many projects on the needles right now. I have the babyloop shawl and the baby socks that I'm sort of making.

I need to take more pictures of my knitting. I'm planning to block Clapotis sometime this month and then I'll post pictures of it.

Felted bag

I finally felted the bag I finished over six months ago. It is currently drying. I took some before pictures and will take some after pictures too. I don't think it will need to felt again.

I'll post the pictures eventually.

I still need to clock clapotis. I also finished fetching , but may need to unravel a few rows and redo part of one since one is slightly longer than the other.

Clapotis

I finally finished knitting Clapotis. I'll post a picture later. Well it is mostly finished anyway. I still need to weave in the ends and block it.

But the knitting portion is done. It took much longer than I initially anticipated. Altough I would have likely finished a week ago if I hadn't made the mistake on it and had to rip some out.

Four projects on the needles

Currently I have 4 WIPs on the needles . Fetching (wristwarmers), a hat, Clapotis, and a cat toy. I had finished the hat but it was too big, so I frogged it and cast it on smaller needles, it is about half way done now.

I haven't worked on Fetching in weeks, I haven't finished even the first one yet. Maybe I'll finish it in the next week or so.

I really need to weave the ends in on my one scarf and on the mittens. The mittens in particular since it is so cold this week.

And eventually I need to attach the straps to my bag so I can felt it.

Once a project is off the needles I just can't seem to work up the energy to finish it.