Thursday, October 30, 2008

Startitis

I have to blame the Yarn Harlot for my problem the last month or so. I can't seem to quit casting on. I started a few new projects and I still want to cason more. AAACCCKKKKK!!!!!!! I didn't even know what Startitis was until I started reading her books and Blog. I was a good little knitter and hadn't even been to "real" yarn shop. That was almost a year ago (in Dec it will be a year since I was corrupted enlightened). I have a stash that fits into 2 totes (Yeah I'm still a rookie) and teach a sock a month class at UniquelyKnit in New London MN. I am actually even making my own DPNs. How cool is that?

I made these because I couldn't find small enough for the fingers on gloves. All I had on hand was 5" in size two and the closest yarn shop that has 4" DPNs on hand is an hour and a half away and I refuse to drive that far for a set of needles. The oil companies must really hate that. They are too short though. So I am making a set of three inch DPNs.

Future Knitter in the making? Yeah she is a bit young but the enthusiasm is there. A couple more years and she'll be good to go. She loves to watch me and the SIL knit but she is a bit "grabby" yet and needs to learn not to touch. I am looking forward to teaching her.

The lil turd is quite active and is the reason I don't have a lot of time to knit anymore. That will change when she gets a bit older. (I hope) She's really well behaved compared to some kids her age. She's a dream in stores. She's kinda funny. She'll wave at total strangers across the store but when they come up to say "HI" she'll put her head down and not even look at them. It's funny.

Here is the back of a sweater I started for my cousin's baby. I have one front about halfway done. I better get a move on before she out grows it before she can wear it. (like that's never happened to a knitter before) I started a hat forthe lil turd, but I'm afraid it's too small for her, so I'll haveto find somebody that it will fit.
I call it the water melon hat due to the color. The real name is "Toddler Hat". The pattern is available on Ravelry.
This is going to be a felted boot for the lil turd. I have the other one almost as far as this one. I'm at the ankle of the second liner. I just need to do the foot pads and stitch it up and felt. Go me

Here is the progress on my sock. Not very far though. Too many other projects going. But they are great as a "take along" project. Not pattern to lose. I just cast on 72 stitches and went from there. I'm using the Yarn Harlot's formula in "Knitting Rules" This is the first "Patternless Sock" I have done. So far it's working out.
Happy Knitting

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Two Months...........

How lame am I? It's been two months since my last blog post. Ack. I've been a bit busy and I need a kick in the ass once in a while. LOL Well I got one today. I went to Uniquely Knits today to teach my Sock a Month class and Deb got on my case told me I should update. Nobody showed up so I spent the day helping with inventory. I got to play with lots of yummy yarn. I have a couple new projects to yap about show you. I started this one last night. I just cast on and am going by what ever comes up. It's a sock knit with Trekking XXL.






I really like this yarn for some reason. It comes in a lot of different colors and is fairly in expensive. $14.95 per skein at Uniquely Knits.



Here is another sock. (Do you see a pattern here?) This one is for my baby sitter. She has really tiny feet and she baby sits once in a while so I can go to knit night on thursdays. (Yea me) I used Regia Tweed for the main color and Regia Avenue Color (it's a self striping yarn) for the fair isle pattern I charted myself. (Another yea me) I'll probably have this available on Ravelry when it's complete providing it works out knitting it up.



Here is my Bayerische sock I've been knitting on for the past couple of months. It's kind of complicated but after you knit a few pattern repeats it gets easier. It just takes me for ever to knit because I'm slow I pay real close attention to detail.



Here is a glove I started a month ago. I need to sit and figure out how to do the fingers because I did another pattern repeat and I have to actually do math. This is for my aunts birthday that was on Sept 28th. Yeah I'm lame I'm just really busy.

I knit up a sweater for my neice's baby and in my lame assed hurryto get it done I forgot to take pictures. I finished it at noon on the day of her baby shower. (More lameness on my part) I'm thinking I had better not queue up too many knitted gifts for Christmas or I'll be going without sleep all of December.

I have2 more baby sweaters to knit up before November. So wish me luck!!!!!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Sock Pattern


Grandpa Milt’s
Hunting Socks

Size: Men’s Large
Yarn: On Your Toes ™ DK boot Sock Yarn with Aloe Vera
Needles: Size 3 DPNS
Gauge: 6 stitches per Inch

Pattern notes: This pattern was written for 5 DPNS but can easily be knit with the magic loop.
CC: Contrasting Color
MC:main Color

Cast on 56 stitches with CC
Row 1-7: K2 p2 across
Row 8: p across
Row 9-15: K2 p2 across
Row 16: p across
Row 17: k across

Switch to MC

Continue to knit in the round until desired length of leg is achieved with MC

Switch to CC
Heel Flap- Needle 1 & 2 Knit across with CC so that 28 stitches are on one needle.

Purl back on needle one
Row 1: Sl1 K1 to end
Row 2: Sl1 Purl to end

Continue rows 1 & 2 until 28 rows are completed.

Heel Turn:
Row 1: Sl1, K 17, K2tog, K1
Row 2: Sl1, P9, P2tog, P1
Row 3: Sl1, K 10, K2tog, K1
Row 4: Sl1, P 11, P2tog, P1
Row 5: Sl1, K 12, K2tog, K1
Row 6: Sl1, P13, P2tog, P1
Row 7: Sl1, K14, K2tog, K1
Row 8: Sl1, P15, P2tog, P1

18 Stitches Left.

Gusset.

K across heel and pick up stitches Stitches on gusset with MC.
K across front of sock.
PU Stitches on gusset.
K half of the stitches on heel.
K Remaining stitches across heel and ktbl the stitches picked up for the gusset
K across front of sock
K tbl Stitches picked up for the gusset
K to end

Gusset Decrease:
Row 1: K to last 2 stitches, K2tog, K across front, ssk, K to end
Row 2: K across

Repeat these 2 rows until 56 stitches remain on needles 1 & 4

Foot:

K Stockinet Stitch until 2” short of desired length of foot is achieved.

Toe:
Start knitting with CC and knit 2 rows

Row 1: Needle 1, SSK, K to end. Needle 2, K to last 2 stitches, K2tog
Needle 3, SSK , K to end. Needle 4, K to last 2 stitches, K2tog

Row 2: K across

Continue these 2 rows 10 times total then knit row 1 until 12 stitches remain.
Graft using kitchener stitch.


Repeat pattern for second sock.


I finally posted my first sock pattern!!!!! Woo Hoo!

I enjoyed making these socks. They were a quick knit. I only knit one for a display at the LYS and printed the patterns up for give away. I am workin on a pattern for a fair isle usin 2 colors with Regia Tweed and Regia Avenue Color. It's working out really well. I'm hoping to have it done in a week or two.


When I called Deb at the yarn shop last week she told me that the Mountain Colors sales rep. was there. So I hauled ass went down to accost chat with him. Oh my hell. I ordered admired a lot of georgeous yarn. I had a blast. I also noticed they have some new colorways. I love that sock yarn. it's really soft and knits up nice. I have only knit up one pair but have a boat load ready to go. I just need to finish up my WIPs and I'll have some needles ready.




Monday, July 28, 2008

It's been awhile

Yeah I know, I'm a slacker blogger. That and I've been a bit busy........... I've been working with the horses a bit in the last few days. I can't seem to find a trimmer that dosen't want my first born
to trim 5 horses so I have been having to do it myself (with the hubby's help of course). So that's been fun.
I have more yarn to post (insert evil laugh) I also have a few projects to add. (Yea me)




This is Berroco self striping in purpls black and a bit of a tan or carmel color. It will knit up nicely I'm thinkin. This is Opal hand painted. My first skein of opal ever! I'm liking the colors for a fall scarf or socks.



These are 50 gm balls of Lamb's Pride Super Wash Sport weight I ordered from my LYS. THere was a mix up somewhere along the way because I thought I ordered 4 different colors /and this is what came. Oh well, more yarn is on the way then. damn the bad luck This was a gift from my "assasin" in Sock Wars III. I'm thinkin mittens for the lil turd (pictured above) or socks of course or both. (Maybe matching for her. LOL.) These are a yummy alpaca blend from Berocco. I also have another color on the way. Bergundy. I'm thinkin for a fairisle sock or gloves. I might have to add a skein of cream to complete the set. More Mountain Colors. These yummy skeins are in the Mountain Twilight colorway. One for me and one for a gift for my aunt who also loves purple. I think she'd prefer gloves to socks though.

This is another Mountain colors skein. Do you see a pattern here? Not sure for what yet.An last but not least these are for the hubby. (I can post 'em here because he is computer illiterate dosen't read the blog. Since I have 2 skeins I'm going to be knitting this 2 at a time on one circular needle. The pattern is The Classic Sock by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. Go and visit her, she rocks!!!!!!! (and buy the book, it rocks too!!!!)

This project is a sock for the LYS. It's a Mointain Colors pattern with (gasp) Happy Feet yarn in a verigated red color. It's coming out quite well. It would be better if I could finish the thing.

And this little number is the Bayerisch Sock by Eunny Jang. It's a bit of a brain fryer complicater at first, but once you get going it's not too bad. I haven't quite gotten past 2 chart patterns yet but I have to knit it when the either everybody is sleeping or when they are gone which is like pulling teeth dosen't happen very often. The really nice thing is that it is a free pattern if you follow the link. I just love it. The yarn I a using is my Lorna's Laces in a purple color. The correct name is Black Berry. I just love the color. I might have to go find more of it.

Well I have to go screw around outside do chores.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Dead Knitter Walkin...

I received an e mail over the weekend that my "death socks" are on their way. Oh well, I'm more than ready to be done with the Sock Wars III. I have made one kill and knit one complete sock so I've done my duty.

I was at the yarn shop on Sat. and bought a book. (yea me) Knitting Stitches by Mary Webb. I've owned it for less than a week and already have ideas for sweater designs. (Oh My). We'll see if they pan out. Hopefully I'll have a PDF download figured out for the blog. (read: I ain't holding my breath LOL)

No new projects or finished projects to report. I will post a picture of the current Sock Wars sock before I send it to my assasin for her to finish. It's summer so I'm trying to get all the "outside stuff" completed before I knit so the knitting has slowed down a bit. I've also been spending way too much time on Ravlery. There is way to much on that website. You outta try it.

Another "Knitting Under The Influance" to report. No major mistakes or goofy knitting happened. Me and the SIL were way to tired (we were both up at 6:30 am)to get too wasted squirrely. So we just had a few.

Me 3

SIL 1

She is so way behind, (read: I'm more of a drinker than she is I don't get out as often as she does).

The DD was invited to her Very First BDay party on wed. We'll see how that goes. My cousin has a daughter that turns one on Wed. and my DD is just 16 months old. It could be very interesting. I hope no blood is shed everything goes well.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Psycho Stalker Sales Reps

I went to the LYS tonight (which was a bone headed idea due to the weather) and I "rescued" the LYSO from a Psycho Stalker Sales Rep. Evidently the woman has been there before but is really annoying. She shows up without making an appointment selling crap stuff. Today she was selling buttons. And Deb just bought some to get her to go away. Well it didn't work. She sat out in front of the store FOR FORTY FIVE FREAKING MINUTES!!!!!! WTF? So I sat in there and waited until she left. I should say they. There was two of em. I was kinda thinking they were waiting for me to leave. To knock off some merino? To snag some sock yarn? To roll the acrylic? We will never know.......... (she kinda looked stoned......just sayin'.....)
My baby sitter wasn't feeling well so I had to leave after the above named persons left. But there was no way I left empty handed of course. I snagged some sock yarn. (imagine that) my sock yarn stash is getting well rounded. And as it is night I won't be able to post pics until I can take some pics during daylight hours. My camera dosen't do well in the artifical light.

I got my target's SIP via Fed-Ex today. Wooo Hooo! the only bad thing is I can't knit on it until after Sat Sock of the Month class at Uniquely Knits. Unless I can Knit like a banshee and get 2 socks knit by then. Well 2 socks finished. They are both started.....wel one is started and the other is almost finished. But hey, I have a one year old and am a member of Ravelry. Need I say more?


There is the picture if the boot sock. My Own Pattern! woo hoo Ok it's not that complicated of a pattern but I am pretty proud of it. It's too big for me but it's for display for the LYS. They are going to be the first pattern for the Sock a Month Club. I figured for the first one it should be easy for beginers. (If there are any) We'll see on Sat.

And That's what showed up when I was taking pictures. Evidently he wasn't getting the attention he was wanting. LOL. What is it about dogs? You can pet them and pet them and all they want... is more petting. Sheesh......I may need a beer.....

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Target is on it's way

There. They are done! They look pretty dangerous, don't they? Actually, they weren't too bad to knit. A lot of people had trouble with the pattern but the only problem I had was figuring out how to do the increase stitch. It was kind of a weird increase that I had never heard of before and I blew it. Thank goodness the Supreme Commander ruled that a M1 was good enough. Other wise I would have had to rip out a sock and a half and I would have been a bit pissy. I could have just sent them to my assasin as is but I wouldhave felt bad having to make her or him frogging the whole works and starting over. As it was it took me 13 days to finish these socks. It's a new record (for me anyway). Yeah I think I'm part turtle.

I started another pair of Monkey Socks by Cookie A.

I just love this pattern!!! It knits really fast and is a brease to memorize. I'm a bit further along than the picture shows but I've been too lazy busy to take a picture. I'm one pattern repeat from the toe decrease. It's available here. I got it (the link to Knitty.com) off of Ravelry. Ravelry can be found here. If you're not on Ravelry you're really missing out. It has lots of patterns, links, help, and just about everything a knitter or crocheter can want.

My SIL was supposed to come up last weekend but she didn't want to put up with my drunken arse got sick. The knitting under the influence has been post poned to this weekend. WOO HOO!!!!!!

A stop to the Yarn shop tomorrow. Not quite a Knit Night but Book Night. I decided to join because the LYSO said it was ok to bring knitting projects with. I also found the June's book for 50 cents at a rummage sale. I thought it was a sign. I have the book about 1/4th read. And it really good. We'll see how it goes. More sock yarn for the stash but of course no pictures (see previous lazy busy comment) I will get pictures before next time.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I'm not dead yet

Yea me. I'm still kicking in the Sock Wars III. I'm amazed as hell. I'm just about finished the gussett on the second sock so hopefully a day or two and I'll be done. My assassin was knocked out today so there will be some confusion as to when I get knocked out. (I hope) There is a PDF on my comp that tells me who is who's assasin and a link on the Sock Wars site tells you who is dead or alive but still.....1200 knitters in one giant killathon (heh). It's great!!!!!!
I'm working on a pattern to teach at Uniquely Knits on the first Sat of June. It's a boot sock battern for the On Your Toes yarn the LYSO got in. I was going to have a fancy pattern but I'm not having any luck with the pattern so that part is in a time out. I'll figure it out sometime this century. LOL The SIL will be up this weekend so maybe I'll have a Knitting Under the Influance post (maybe pictures too Heh) on Mon.
I would like to make a suggestion to all knitters out there. You should join Ravelry If you haven't already. That site is just awesome!!!!! There are so many KAL forums, help forums. They even have a Yarn Harlot Fan forum. I'm not just tooting a horn here who am I kidding of course I'm tooting a horn, just not mine the sight ROCKS!!!!! There are more patterns than you would be able to knit in a lifetime. I know, I have downloaded most of them.
I bought some more sock yarn last Sat (imagine that) From the Enabler. She totally ROCKS. (Ok now she's gonna get a swelled head cause she stopps by here once in a while LOL)
TTFN

Friday, May 16, 2008

I'm still alive and kickin"

I am still alive in the Sock Wars III competition. Yea me!!!! I'm kind of surprised really. There have been people "killed off" on Tuesday. There are some people with no lives really fast knitters out there.

Here are my "weapons". I started a pair of monkeys with the magic loop and thought I should compete with DPNS but I just couldn't finish the first sock with the DPNS. I like the magic loop too much. LOL I did have a problem with ladders on the ribbing on the second sock so I had to frog the ribbing on the second sock and re-knit with DPNS.

WATCH OUT ROCKETGIRL I'm getting closer!!!!!!!!

Another really cool thing is that I'm going to be instructing a sock knitting class at Uniquely Knits yarn shop. woo hoo Iam really excited!!!! I hope I don't fall flat on my face am sure I'll do a good job. I'll be teaching the basics of sock knitting so it won't be too difficult. Well back to my "weapons"


Monday, April 28, 2008

Oh Really???




You're The Sound and the Fury!

by William Faulkner

Strong-willed but deeply confused, you are trying to come to grips
with a major crisis in your life. You can see many different perspectives on the issue,
but you're mostly overwhelmed with despair at what you've lost. People often have a hard
time understanding you, but they have some vague sense that you must be brilliant
anyway. Ultimately, you signify nothing.



Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.



Well, I get the strong willed and deeply confused part, but not the crisis part. I also don't think I'm really in dispair. And of course everyone just KNOWS I'm brilliant, that's just a given. (snort) The only crisis I had lately was my mother coming to visit the sweater I am working on. And that's not exactly a crisis. I just couldn't figure out how to do the button holes so I just made the front the back so I could keep going and will do the front later when somebody who's smarter than I am knows how to do it can help. Which should be this thursday. Woo hoo!! I found a babysitter for thursday Knit Nights (you've been warned Deb) hehehe

I guess I'll have to read the book and find out.


Monday, April 21, 2008

Sock Wars III

Well I went ahead and joined Sock Wars III! I hope my slow ass gets past the first round. HEH I'm not betting any green on it.
I also went and bought my daughter some rabbits. Yeah they'll be good for a one year old LOL. I also agreed to "foster" a calf for a neighbor. He's a real cutie. A black angus and I named him Porter. As in "Porterhouse" not Porter Wagner. Yeah I know I have a sick sence of humor. But at least it's not another horse (that's what I keep telling my hubby) We now have 5 horses. Well, 3 horses and 2 ponies. I picked up one from a sale a couple weeks ago for $30. Yep thirty bucks!!! Nobody else bid on the poor little girl. She is only a year old so I brought her home. thought I was gonna have to find a new one for a minute The hubby just loved her. So we're getting to be quite the farmers here. All we need are a couple pigs and a few sheep. Nothing new on the needles. I figured I had better get some of the WIPs out of the way. The I could justify getting more yarn casting on something new. I haven't really made any headway on the WIPs either. What with all the rabbit shopping and calf hunting.....

Thursday, April 17, 2008

My First Knit Night

Well I survived my Very First Knit Night! (woo hoo Yea Me!!!!) Only three of us were there due to a retreat put on by the LYS. I wanted to go to the retreat but I couldn't swing it. Hopefully I can make the one in the fall. We got more yapping done that knitting, oh well, we had fun. I didn't buy any yarn because I didn't bring enough money my will power is really great. I did buy a novel though. I can't wait to read it.


I worked on my FIL's socks and got the heel turned. I been working on these socks since Dec. (Yeah hush I know!) They were started AFTER christmas though. I started them for the Jan KAL on Ravlery. But due to having a short attention span I cast on another sock and haven't finished it. I can't blame Second Sock Syndrome either, because I haven't finished the First one. (Heh)


I finished my Monkey socks by Cookie A. I loved knitting up these socks! I knit them in Mountain Colors Bearfoot that I got at my LYS.

They Seemed to knit up really fast until I got to the toe on the second one and I fuged up on the pattern. Some how I got a YO in the wrong spot so I put them in a time out for a couple days set them aside for a bit. I had to RIP my hair out back about 12 rows to fix it. No big deal(read:pain in the arse). At least it wasn't at the top of the cuff. No other new projects to report (read: can't decide what to cast on) just 2 socks for the daughter and her sweater. I did get some Lornas Laces in the mail today. I traded a fellow Ravelry user for it. They will look great when I find a pattern for them.

I also scored some yarn at Bonnie's that I had a pattern for.

The Colors aren't an exact match to the pattern because I can't remember crap anymore didn't have the pattern with me. But I think they will turn out fine. Just one color isn't right. I also have some Lornas Laces on the way in the Black Purl color. I can't wait till that gets here. That's all for now.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

More New Stuff

I got a lot of new crap stuff. I went Yarn Shopping with the SIL in the twin cities last week.

I got this gorgeous yarn at the Three Kitties yarn shop my SIL thumped me on the head then drug me kicking and screaming brought me to. All is good though. hehehe I spent way too much money (of course). I also got some needles and buttons for the sweater I started for my daughter that probably won't get done until after she graduates will be done soon.



I got that one at Uniquely Knits along with these





The last three are Alpaca Sox. I haven't knit them up yet though. I'm too lazy waitting for the right pattern. I also joined a couple KALs and haven't cast on yet lol. Well I did cast one on but had to frog it because I'm an idiot it was too small.




I got the Yarn Harlot's new book at the Yarnery. She's going to be in St Paul tomorrow but I won't be able to go. Too much going on and not enough $$ due to the moronic president gas prices.


Here is the sweater I started for the daughter. The front is almost done. I just have to do the ribbing and button holes.


I started this sock a while ago but it's going to be way to big because see previous idiot comment I can't do math very well. Well that's about it for now. I need to get to Ravelry and look for more patterns check my messages

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Cilantro????????











You Are Cilantro


The bad news is that there are some people who can't stand you.
The good news is that most people love you more than anything else in the world.
You are distinct, unusual, fresh, and very controversial. And you wouldn't have it any other way.


What Spice Are You?

Well that seems kinda lame. Oh well, I'm sure I can manage to get over it. Go ahead and take the quiz...I dare ya. HEHEHE I know there are quite a few people who can't stand me , but that's their problem becuse it's always mind over matter and "I don't mind cause you don't matter" heh. I guess I been reading Cookie Bitch A little too much and she's starting to wear off on me. Not that that's a bad thing mind you, I've always been a bit snarky (I just LOVE that word).


Anyhoo, I been yarn shopping twice this week and it's been a bit addicting. I need to sit my arse home and knit. I have no new FO's and a few new ones on the needles. I need to get my arse in gear and finish the ones I got going.


There was a big sale at Uniquely Knits and I spent a little bit of money, not too much. Deb, the enabler, dealer, pusher LYS owner was great. I ordered more sock yarn like I needed it that I really needed. I also bought a great book 2 at a time socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. I just need to get the needle and I'll be a sock knitting fool like I'm not already.







Monday, February 18, 2008

How Cute Is This??????









My aunt bought this for me. Isn't it just cute? She found it at a second hand shop in Alexandria. I also went to the yarn shop again, and got more yarn. I bought 3 skeins
This one is alpaca sox. I'm so gonna love knitting this up into socks!!!!
These are Happy feet sock yarn (are you seeing a pattern here?) My enabler, dealer, pusher, LYS owner Deb is great! I've been there quite a few times (imagine that). And every single time I leave with at least one skein of yarn. The SIL left with 8 once (HEH). (I shoulda got 10% off on that deal) (hi Deb hehehe)
And isn't he just cute. The hubby wen out to feed the horses this evening and comes back to show us this. The poor lil guy was a lil hungry and the hubby had left a 5 gallon bucket with some grain in there and Fred fell in He was set free about 4 minutes after the picture was taken. He was just hungry and after the grain. I might have to start putting cat food in the barn for him. Or not. I'm sure there is enough grain layin around from the horse slobberin and tipping feed pans for him to scrounge up.

And another sock on the needles. I just finished these: They are for the lil turd. They fit her, but just barely. So I started another pair for her with the yarn I got from my Sil. I cast on 4 more stitches so they should fit better and longer. I have a lot of the purple yarn left so it's not a problem to knit another pair of those. Yeah it's winter and I have a lot of time on my hands.......