Knit ALL The Things!

This weekend was full of bad decisions. Instead of being content with my current projects, I decided to cast on two new projects, and look up patterns for a few more. I have a very long To-Do List now.  It also brought a stop at Michaels, which means I have some new sock yarn.  Which means I need to look up a few more patterns to put them to good use!

The yarn inspiration basket, including my most recent fiber acquisitions.  The newest are the Patons Kroy FX balls, which are both self-striping bright colors.  All of these are sitting on the coffee table while I contemplate what they are going to be!

Let's dive into the new projects.  I was planning on postponing the Husband's socks until my current pair was done.  But I got impatient, so I cast on for the Matt Socks anyways.  I'm doing a basic 1x1 ribbing for the cuff, then 3x1 ribbing for the rest of the sock, with 72 stitches around.  That will make them nice and stretchy for guaranteed fit.  I'm using the Lyle pattern I found on Ravelry, and using some of my stashed Knit Picks Felici sock yarn.  I have one ball caked (spun into a center-pull ball, for all you newbie or non knitters), and I'm waiting for the other full ball and partial ball to be returned to me.  When I dug them out of my stash, I discovered that they were hopelessly tangled.  I was having some serious patience and frustration issues with it, so rather than battle it myself, I am using one of the Ravelry groups dedicated to untangling yarn messes.  For the cost of shipping it to an interested person and a small gift card as a reward for them, I get my yarn straightened out without any effort on my part!  I am so excited.  And since I have far too much sock yarn, I also included a fun surprise for my detangler match as an extra freebie.

Here's the yarn disaster.  My attempts at fixing it were futile.  It's now on a cross-country vacation while someone that actually enjoys predicaments like this fixes it.

I'm starting a pair of toasty mittens, as well.  I picked up a couple balls of Patons Colorwul in the Ocean colorway on the dangerous Michaels trip this weekend, and decided they needed to be an item right away.  I'm using the Chunky Mittens pattern, which was the top mitten result on the Ravelry search.  It's a busy yarn, so a simple pattern is perfect.  I'm also using a slightly fiddly method to make them, so a simple pattern has less detail to worry about.  I'm using the magic loop two-at-a-time method to do these so I can make them on circular US10 needles and make both at once.  The first few rows are a bit of a pain to get set up, but overall, I do like this method.  I used it to make the sweater sleeves on my Owls Sweater.  I'm partway through the cuff now!  For two-at-a-time items, I've found that putting each ball/cake of yarn into a Ziploc bag helps keep things organized, keeps ends from tangling, and makes the project easier to transport.

My hands need to be toasty all winter!

Moving on to ongoing projects... My Stripey Ankle Socks are extremely close to completion!  I'm following the Simple Short Sock pattern as well as pulling some tidbits from the ever-popular Sock Recipe.  I'm using a lone skein of stashed Knit Picks Felici self-striping yarn.  I'm working on the toe of the second sock, and I anticipate that it will be done sometime tonight.  I'm always thrilled to have a new pair of socks to add to my wardrobe.  And I'm happy I found a suitable project for the yarn.  It's a discontinued line, so this variety of self-striping yarn is quickly becoming one of a kind.  Once I use up the few colorways I have of it at home, that's it! 

Sock one done, the second in progress, and tinkering with my tablet while working on it while sipping on a weekend treat coffee.  Multitasking!

A foot-modeled view of the first completed sock.  Don't mind the invading cat ears.

Nothing new on the Harry Potter Sweater front, besides a couple measly rows of slow progress.  Soon enough I'll catch Sweater Fever and want to work on it more, but for now I'm in the midst of a Sock Craze and want to just run with it!

My basket of sweater goodness, patiently waiting for me to poke at it some more.

 That's all of my knitting news for now!  As a send-off, here's a couple pictures of the beasts, demonstrating their mad skills in coziness.

Linus showing off his toes while trying to wake up from a nap.  Key word:  trying.  He definitely failed, and passed back out for another two hours before moving again.

Apollo, doing a great job at taking over the bed.  These two cats can easily take up over half of a king size bed on their own.  It's truly impressive.