Sock it to Me

I've been on a bit of a sock kick.  I just finished one pair, cast on another, and have yet another pair in the queue.  And I have possible other sock ideas floating around, but I'm trying to ignore them for now, so that I don't end up with a To-Do list a mile long.  Between my love of sock yarn and my awesome aunt feeding my yarn addiction, I have quite a lot of sock options right now.

As I just mentioned, I finished my pair of Mixed-But-Matched Socks in the absolutely fabulous Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer sparkly yarn.  I used the colors Kestrel and Peacock.  So I suppose I could also call them my Bird Socks.  This yarn is quite affordable at only $5.89 for a 50 gram ball.  Two balls will give even the biggest of feet a pair of socks, and I've even got some left over.  I'm accumulating all my left-over bits to eventually turn into a completely mismatching pair of scraps socks.  Or some toddler socks for my niece.  Or likely both.  There's a lot of scraps.  I'm also super happy the cabling pattern turned out well.  I couldn't find a cables layout that I loved in any patterns, so I used Stephanie Pearl McPhee's basic Sock Recipe, pulled a 4-plait cable and an eyelet chain from some stitch dictionaries, and created the layout myself.  The cable had an 8-row repeat, and the eyelets a 4-row repeat, so it was quite easy to keep track with the help of my row counter clicker.  Seriously, those things are a lifesaver for me, since I instantly lose track of counting knitting rows.  Plus, they're sold at Joann Fabrics, so save up those 50% off coupons, pick up a few, and never lose track on your projects again. 

They're finally done!  I restarted them 3 different times before finally settling on a pattern.  Feels good to have them off the needles at last.  And apparently this yarn smells/tastes delicious to Linus.  He will not leave them alone!

The instant I finished up the Sparkle Socks, I had to get started on another pair.  I'm now working on a pair of ankle socks, aka instant gratification socks.  They feel like they are just flying by!  I'm roughly following the Super Simple Short Sock pattern, but also pulling from the Sock Recipe.  I just started them a couple days ago and already have the cuff, heel flap, and heel turn done with minimal knitting time.  I'll be picking up stitches for the gusset and starting the foot tonight.  It's so exciting to see them taking form so quick!  I'm using some of my precious Knit Picks Felici self striping yarn.  This line has been discontinued, so the varieties I have left are very special!  This is in the Sugared Violets colorway.  I only had one lone ball of this one, so I have enough yarn to make a full pair of ankle socks or a lone full size sock which would then have a mismatched pair.  I don't have any handmade ankle socks, so I figured I'd try something new.  I appreciate self striping yarn because it keeps projects interesting with little effort.  I don't have to do anything fancy and still get to see color changes every few rows. 

Just a couple days of minimal efforts, and I'm already on the gusset decreases.  I would have been further, but I had a train mishap.  Ended up driving into Chicago for a weekend adventure instead of train-ing, which meant I lost precious project time.  Grr.  Still knitting up quickly though!

I've got another Knit Picks Felici pair of socks in my Knitting Queue, as well.  The husband has been insisting for weeks that "I never make him anything and that he desperately needs fancy socks for work."  So as soon as the anklets are done, I'll be starting a Matt pair.  I have some Blue/Green/Brown Felici self striping yarn stashed to use.  It was used to make a pair of tot socks, but even after that there's still more than enough for a manly sized pair.  I'm still cruising around for the perfect pattern.  I want to add a cable or some other simple design element to make them more interesting to work on.

The tot socks for my niece.  They'll soon have a long distance matching pair here for Matt!

My Ginny's Owls Cardigan from the Harry Potter Knits Magazine is taking a brief hiatus.  I'm still slowly chugging through the 4 inches of ribbed waistband.  The sock fever kinda took over a bit, and I can only knit so many rows in one day.  I'm a quick knitter, but I don't have superhuman speed needle maneuvers... yet.  About all I've done with it is pull it out of the project bag to admire it and maybe do a row at a time, or grab the pile of super soft Swish DK yarn and pet it a bit while simultaneously guarding it from Linus since he likes to grab and steal full balls of yarn.  He doesn't play with them, just grabs, runs away with it jiggling between his front legs, and then hides it from me.

Delicious, soft, squishy basket of sweater-y goodness!

I have a project patiently waiting in my To-Do list that I've been eyeing.  I need to learn how to do the provisional cast-on before I can start it.  I've tried it before and struggled with it, so I need some practice before starting this item.  For any non-or-beginner knitters, this technique allows you to cast on without a distinct edge.  The stitches that are cast on will be live, meaning they can then be picked up and knit again, or grafted to another edge.  The project is a cowl / infinity scarf, called Precious.  I stumbled across it on Ravelry, and thought it would be a perfect way to use up some of the yarn my aunt gifted me to feed my stash addiction.  I'll be using the Berroco Sox Metallic yarn in the Appletini colorway.  It's self-striping, but the stripes are spread out enough it should work even on a wider item like a cowl.  I need the provisional cast on so I can start on one edge, work the item flat, and then graft the last edge and the starting edge together. 

I'm all about the sparkly stuff lately.  Sparkle socks, and soon a sparkling leafy cowl / infinity scarf!

That's about it for projects, so I'll move on to miscellaneous other knitting matters.  I just received my most recent order from Knit Picks.  I got a couple sets of Knit Picks Nickel Plated Interchangeables to test out a few weeks ago, and I am a huge fan of them.  They work worlds better than the Boye Interchangeables I've been using since I first started knitting.  They stay screwed together better, the needles feel better in my hands, the screwed end doesn't flare when tightened, and the cords are more flexible.  My only complaint is that Knit Picks doesn't offer shorter cords (the shortest they have is 24"), but the Knitter's Pride brand cords are compatible and currently 40% off on Amazon.  I picked up one of each in the three shortest lengths at only $3 a piece with free shipping!  I'll now own Knit Picks circs in all sizes US 4-11.  They do offer 13-17, which I will get eventually as well.  I'll also find a fancy carrying case at some point, but for now the $1 pink pencil case will work wonderfully.

Full set of new circular tips and cables, a lifetime supply of pins, connector screws, and end caps, and all contained in a beautiful $1 pencil case!  Keeps the packaging safe from a certain feline that like to lick and chew on plastic tape and packages.

Lastly, I wanted to quickly mention my favorite knitting listening material.  There's so many neat podcasts out there for all things knitting.  I have three current favorites.  I listen to the Knitmore Girls every week.  It's a mother daughter pair that spend around an hour each week discussing current knitting, spinning, and sewing projects, knitting events, book/yarn/equipment reviews, and more.  Their show is definitely my favorite podcast.  I look forward to it every week.  Never Not Knitting is another great one that comes out about once a month.  This show includes a knitting story at the end, usually provided by listeners or guest speakers.  The videocast I watch most often is The Fat Squirrel Speaks.  It comes out weekly, and Amy the host is hilarious.  Yes, she discusses knitting and yarn related things, but she also goes of on tangents about why 10 pounds of apples in her freezer are definitely necessary and may or may not have used a project bag as a hat in the last episode.  It's well worth a peek!

Project Overload

I have three main knitting projects going right now.  Plus a few that are in hibernation right now...  But three items that I am actively knitting on.  And I'm equally in love with all three, so it is very difficult to choose which item to work on.  It has caused some indecisive knitting issues, including bringing all three projects in to work because I couldn't decide which one should keep me occupied at lunch.  And it is how I ended up doing almost nothing this weekend besides sit and knit.  Dishes, vacuuming, tidying, and laundry were all neglected.  It was a busy Monday night playing catch-up on the apartment.  It was finally at the breaking point where desks and tables were starting to eat items.  But I did make some serious progress on my re-watching of Torchwood, made the cats very happy with some blankets and wool yarn naptime, and made some decent progress on the Works-In-Progress.

All three of these project bags rode to work with me, because pre-caffeine decision making made it impossible to decide which one was getting lunchtime attention.

The Mix and Match Socks I've been working on are a little over halfway done.  The first sock is completed, in all of its sparkly glory, and I started the mixed and matched second sock this weekend.  I'm making the colors opposite on each sock.  I only had one ball of each color, not enough to make them 100% matching.  And I love funky socks.  And they're extra special, because I pulled the cable stitches from elsewhere and arranged them myself.

Sparkly mixed up socks.  So fun!  Plus some cables and things to keep them interesting to work on.

I'm a decent way through the alpaca/merino/bamboo blend cowl too.  I'm trying to power through it this week so I can have one less thing on the needles.  It's incredibly soft!  It will be marvelous on my neck for the cold winter that is rapidly approaching.  I'm still unsure of how I feel about the yarn itself.  I love the softness, but this is my first time working with thick and thin yarn, where the thickness of the strand varies throughout.  It creates a neat look, but I am not a huge fan of working and knitting with it.  I probably won't be buying more of it in the future, and won't make anything larger than a hat or cowl with the other thick and thin skein that I already have.

I feel so-so about the yarn, but I do love how the cowl is turning out.  Just a little bit further!

Now, onto my newest and most recent large project.  The Ginny's Sweater from the Harry Potter Knits Magazine!  I got the yarn in, started knitting the ribbed waistband, and have already started some finishing items selection.  More on the finishing in a bit.  I love the affordability of Knit Picks yarns for larger projects, which is why I chose Swish DK.  As much as I'd love to use fancy, more unique yarns for big projects, it's simply not in my budget.  The Swish DK is machine washable and dryable, very durable, quite soft, and is only $4.70 per 123 yard ball.  Since I'm estimating needing 8-9 of those balls, every dollar saved counts.

The yarn color is tricky to capture on my phone's camera.  The top panel is the most true to actual color.

On to my sweater finishing excitement.  I found a new technique to try!  I'm going to be doing a grosgrain ribbon button band, and will also be using backing buttons for a more sophisticated, secure way to attach the buttons.  The ribbon, sewn into the inside of the button band, makes it more sturdy, and the backing buttons put less stress on the knitted fabric.  The Knitmore Girls Podcast ladies made a couple of excellent tutorials for sewing on the ribbon and the button attachment.  I watched them once already, and it goes through every single step needed.  I'm a bit sewing challenged, but this technique looks quite approachable.  I already picked up a couple of ribbon and button possibilities to contemplate.

Possible front buttons on the top, possible ribbon choices on the bottom, and the simple backing buttons.

It makes me so excited to have such interesting projects to work on.  The only tricky part is deciding which one to work on at any given time!  If only I had more arms... It's not like the beasts can do anything to help me.

The felines Apollo and Linus "helping" around the house.

Trip Knits

The Washington vacation was a marvelous success!  It was great to see family and explore the Pacific Northwest.  We saw Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Hurricane Ridge, the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, and so much more.  As well as lots of stops at brew pubs.  I even fit in a local yarn store stop while we were in Victoria, BC.  The weather was just chilly enough that I was able to wear knitted socks every day, and could even justify wearing the two sweaters I brought, as well as some brief use of a knitted hat, scarf, and fingerless mitts (it was a chilly ferry ride to Vancouver Island, and there was a cold wind on Mt. Rainier).  It was an excellent getaway.  In addition, I was also relatively productive with knitting projects, and I learned the basics of crocheting as well!

Knitwear in action!  The Pacific Northwest has the perfect "knitted goods all year round" climate!

I'll start with my newly discovered crochet talents.  My aunt has both knitted and crocheted for years, so she busted out her old book of basic stitches and some radically bright Red Heart yarn, and spent an evening going over the basics with me.  My first couple attempts ended badly, since my cast on chains were so tight that they were unusable.  After getting the hang of that though, it went fairly smoothly.  I can now single, half double, and double crochet.  I can count my stitches, spot mistakes, and confidently rip them out and try again.  I've got lots of dishcloth cotton yarn waiting to get used up, so I'll try a few crochet dishcloths soon.  I also have my kool-aid dyed yarn that I haven't found any inspiring knitting patterns to go with it, so maybe I'll browse through the beginner level crochet patterns and find a good match.

I made... a thing!  It doesn't amount to anything, but I did get plenty of practice on all the beginner stitches I need to know.

Next up is the Hitchhiker Shawl.  I finished this up very early in the trip.  I was done with it by the time we landed at Sea-Tac!  Arriving extra early to the airport plus being unable to fall asleep on the plane meant I had a surplus of knitting time.  It's a very small shawl, and wears more like a scarf.  I love it!  The bright colors make me happy, and I got the yarn in my college town (Go Illini!) so it has some sentimental value as well.  The pattern is extremely simple, so it's a great scarf/shawl item for beginners, as well as for mindless knitting for experts. 

Of course the feline sidekick had to supervise photography.  Anytime I'm home, it's like I have a little, hyperactive shadow.

I spent much of the trip working on a pair of socks.  It took half the week just to settle on a pattern.  I chose patterns, started a sock, didn't like it, and ripped it out three times before finally deciding I would try designing my own pattern.  My Mixed Up Socks use Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Sock Recipe for the basics, and along the front I've added cables from online stitch dictionaries.  I've got the info for the cables on the Rav Project Page for anyone interested.  Now that I've actually got it going, I really like them.  The yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer, and is ever so soft with a bit of sparkle added in.  I'm making them mixed up but still matching.  This sock's match will be opposite colors for each section.  I just finished up the heel, and am working on the gusset decreases now.  I can't wait to have a new pair of toe warmers in my collection!

I always love a good pair of cabled socks!

My other trip project was the Bright Light Market Bag that I am gifting to my mother-in-law for her upcoming birthday.  I got everything but the last few inches of the strap done while out of town.  Last night I finally powered through the last of the strap and the finishing while re-watching some Torchwood. I am so pleased with how the pooling came out!  Time to sift through and see what other colors of cotton yarn I have, because I have a few more of these to get done by the end of the year for gifts.

Done and ready for the MIL's birthday at the end of the month!

The trip also gave me justification to get a splurge purchase.  I usually aim for more affordable yarns, but since I was on vacation I went for whatever skein I fell in love with, regardless of cost.  Here's the beauty I found at the Beehive Wool Shop in Victoria, BC.  I'm still undecided what it will be.  I just couldn't pass up that color combo. 

Ancient Arts Fibres 100% Bluefaced Leicester Wool.  In gorgeous, fun colors.  Cannot wait to use, but I'm putting off winding it because I LOVE how it looks right now!

I'll have more about this project once I have the materials in hand, but I am starting a new sweater soon!  I have been browsing patterns for the past week, and finally decided that I need Ginny's Sweater from the Harry Potter Knits Magazine.  I'll be using Knit Picks Swish DK in the Marine Heather color.  I should have the materials within a week or so.  I can't wait to have a lovely warm project to work on, just in time for autumn! 

Model pics from the magazine linked above, and the color of Swish DK I'll be using.  Already in love with this project!  Can you tell I have a bit of an owls obsession?  :-)

Thanks for reading!  If there's anything you'd like to hear about, let me know!