Progress

Just for the record, I don’t ever plan on buying this wool again. Ever. Really. It is so freaking over-plied that I have to let it unwind every two rows or so. Very very annoying. Sort of like being good-looking but dumb. Anyways, I am on the home stretch and I do have to say that these have gone by fairly quickly. I knit at a concert on Friday night (with lots of odd comments and stares, but who gives a shit, right? Right.) and got quite a bit done on sock #2. Once these are finished I will have to finish up the Twisted Tweed Socks (I know, it’s taken me a while…) and then I can rest up for the SUMMER OF SOCKS! Maybe I’ll knit a hat just to break things up before June.

Speaking of the Summer of Socks, here’s a photo of the yarns I hope to use up during the contest:

From Left to Right we have: Panda Cotton/Bamboo in a lovely purple; STR in Sugarplums; STR in January One; Cherry Tree Hill in a purple; Cherry Tree Hill in a green; Blue-Tan-Cream yarn whose name I forget but I can’t wait to use it; STR in Flower Power; STR in Walk on the Wild Tides; Apple Laine Apple Pie in some sort of sunny yellow; and yarn from Tregelly’s which is now maybe not selling yarn? I don’t know, but it’s good yarn and I’ll be sad if they don’t have their little store anymore.

I suppose that’s it. I sat on my new-to-me couch last night and thought how exciting it would be to have that many pairs of socks for ME (ok…I’m sure some would go to other people…). Maybe it’s the pollen or something, but I’m in a good mood these days so I guess it doesn’t take much.

Preparing for Summer

In between the joys of moving to an efficiency apartment, re-stocking my food supplies, and getting reacquainted with my bike, I have finally gotten excited about some knittin’ plans! Yes! I have signed up for the Summer of Socks 2008 and I am psyched! I am sifting through my stash and trying to match yarns with patterns (as well as finish up a few stragglers before June…). It is hysterical trying to find the patterns I want to use…I have a bunch on actual PAPER in my yarn chest, a small list on Ravelry, a few saved on my work computer, and then a list on my del.icio.us which means….it takes foreva.

Here is my pattern list so far:

• Ironwork Socks - Yes! I am so ready for these socks! I have been practicing the continential method, various, uh, variations on the combined method, AND I printed out the handy-dandy chart from Grumperina’s website. WATCH OUT TWISTED STITCHES! I AM READY!
• Drunken Bees - I am totally using the lovely tan-cream-blue yarn that my favorite Alabama Lady gave to me in the Tea Swap!
• Aquaphobia Socks - I think I will use my Socks that Rock Flower Power yarn for this one.
• Charades- I think I have some Lunasea Socks that Rock which would look rad in this pattern.
  
• Firestarters - Firebird (another Socks that Rock)? Or maybe the lovely Sugar Plum STR?
  
• Mad Color Weave Socks - Walk on the Wild Tide STR (finally, I need to put that yarn to good use!).
  
• Arch-Shaped Socks - I have to experiment for this pair. Perhaps some lovely local wool/alpaca stuff that I have, unless that would be too drapey.
  
• Toireach Kilt Hose - um…shoot….do I have to buy yarn to make these? Maybe use some of my Weybridge yarn??
  
• Leyburn Socks - I have some fantastic purple Cherry Tree Hill yarn for this!

Quite a list, huh? Socks that Rock come up often but I don’t necessarily see myself buying more of their yarn in the near future. I am trying to keep to my ‘buy local yarn’ rule and I want to experiment with some new stuff that I see around sooooo STR, you need to be put on the needles and then on my feet!

Nine pairs of socks between June 21st and September 21st? Unlikely to actually happen, but I’m looking forward to this. Anyone else?

Tiny Post

Peeps, get this - I am finally cohabitating with my yarn chest again! (if we can call “cohabitating” sitting on the yucky carpet with melted iron prints and being surrounded by boxes)

It’s just grand. I may post a photo of the wall ‘o mirrors (I am not making this up) in the “living room” but that might be getting too personal. Anyway, it’s mine, all mine!

Finally, I Finished Something and It’s Only April

Here we go with the photos.

The Finished Marigold Socks!

Pattern: Marigold Socks by Flint Knits in the extra-small size for my size 8.5 feet

Yarn: Apple Laine, Apple Pie in Earthly Delights

Needles: US Size 1, double pointed

Notes: I love these. I love them a thousand times over and over again. The yarn is perfect for this pattern, the pattern is perfect for my feet, and aside from the fact that I knit them a bit too long, these are perfect socks. I love the purl ridge, I love that the yarn-overs allow for a bit of stretch, I love that the pattern was easy to remember, blah blah blah. Great pattern. Go knit it.

In other exciting news, I thought I’d update you on some of my yarn purchases from last month as they are sooo pretty and all local! Hurray!

The O-Wool Balance which I’m test driving to see if it would make a good sweater/cardigan. (”test driving” means probably making socks)

Some Laughing Tree Farm yarn which is half wool half mohair (it’s also pink. i don’t know what’s up with that.). I’ve never tried this but a friend of mine lives in the town that its from so I’ll give it a whirl.

And finally , the love of my life, Weybridge by A Piece of Vermont. The emerald green makes me want to weep with fiber-art love and appreciation. Jessie, you kill me.

I love all of these yarns, but I am saving the Weybridge for Something Special. First I will have to think up the Something Special and then I can get started.

Until then, here’s what I’m working on (along with the Twisted Tweed Sock):

My thought process on this went something like:

I need a mindless knit.

How about a boring 3×3 ribbed sock?

Yes…but I don’t want to use up any of my lovely special yarn.

…all of my yarn is special. Shit.

Buy new yarn!

No!

Specifically for a boring project! Only for the boring project! With stripes!

Damnit. You win. The Noro Socks it is. As punishment. If new yarn is purchased that isn’t local, there has to be a limited amount of enjoyment experienced. Color is fine. Softness? No.

With a thought process like this, you can imagine how difficult it is for me to decide on a new living situation. We all have our issues.

Happy Weekend, people.

Fits and Starts

Hellooooooooooooooo! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

I’ve been up, down, and all around for the past month, and things are really pulling together nicely. I’m working out (hello arm muscles, it’s nice to use you again), finding an apartment, visiting friends, remembering how to be a normal person, and I’m knitting. Word. I finished the Marigold Socks and will post photos and a proper write-up by the end of the week. In fact, they are on my feet as I type (…and they are slightly too big…damnit toe-up knitting!!). I re-knit the stupid button band on my Figgy Plum sweater and will sew the buttons on to see if it works. I started new socks and am working on the second Twisted Tweed sock. THINGS ARE COMING TOGETHER! It feels good, people.

I’ve been reading your blogs and am impressed and inspired as usual. I’ll post some comments soonish. I did want to ask if anyone has made socks out of the Weybridge yarn (my favorite yarn ever). I love this yarn and I was thinking knee socks would rock my world but wanted to check in to see if anyone had any experience knitting socks out of it. I suppose I could look on Ravelry but if there are any New England knitters who knit with the lovely Weybridge, give me a shout, ok?

Also….when did WordPress get fancy? Have I been gone that long? I feel like I have to re-learn how to blog, damnit.

It’s nice to be back.