Socktacular Saturday (Sunday Edition): Summer Ambition Update

I can't believe I've left the whole month of June go by without a "Socktacular Saturday" post. It's not that I haven't thought about it - one thing or another has prevented me from writing them. So, here's hoping for a better July!

This month I've only made two pairs of socks. Well, almost two pairs - but I'll get to that.

First off, I made my first pair of Cookie A. socks. They were the BFF socks. I made them out of Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock yarn in the colorway of Rainbow and call them my Rainbow Brite socks.



Don't you just LOVE 'EM!? I do!!! Oh, and check out the cables . . .




This sock was the first time I did any sort of real cable on a sock. Yeah, I've done left- and right- twist stitches on socks before, but in my humble opinion those are more for outlining than they are cables. This was a bit more difficult to knit while I was sitting in traffic because adding a cable needle into the mix while driving just scared me.

During the course of making this sock I had to learn to get creative with what I used for a cable needle at times. Making this sock also backed-up my sock knitting process a bit as well. At one point I left the project bag tehy were in, along with the socks, a local coffee shop a knit group I attend meets at. Due to scheduling conflicts I could not get my bag, and socks, back until the next meeting. That caused me to lose a week.

In theory, I was going to use my time to start on the second pair of socks - Twinkleberry by Beth LaPensee. My original inspiration for making this sock was this post by Peaches 'N Purls.

I originally found her project because she used the same yarn brand and type I was planning on using - Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine. Yes!!! I'm finally making Alpaca socks. I've been warned against it since Alpaca is VERY warm, but figured since it's a lace pattern. Or, as I describe it - socks with air conditioning. Thus far, I have one and 1/4 completed. I had to frog the first sock two a few times. I figure if I do nothing but work on these socks I can finish by Wednesday night. Which means they would officially be June socks.



Ok, this picture doesn't do the pattern justice, but for now it will have to do!


So, one month down and two pairs of socks completed. Maybe, hopefully, July will be a fruitful month for sock knitting.

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday (Double Dose): Skills

There are a few new sock knitting skills I need to learn.

First and foremost, mending holes. Apparently I love the Harry Potter socks enough to wear them all the time and this in turn as created one or two holes. On this particular pair I've just mended them in a half-ass way. You can totally tell that there are issues with them. Once when I was telling someone about this they said this type of stitching brings "character" to the sock. Ok, I can go with that logic. However, I'd like to limit that mindset as much as possible.

Where does that leave me? Well, that means I need to learn how to darn a sock. One of my friends once showed me how to do it, but honestly I am intimidated by the process. Remember, you're talking to the same person who can't remember the Kitchener stitch repetition - even if it was a matter of life or death.

When the time comes I will tackle this challenge, until that point I guess my socks will just have a lot of character.

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday (Double Dose): Pattern Prep

I was going to post this last week . . . but it didn't happen, so here you go.
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I started a prototype of BFF's birthday sock. It's been a several months since I really thought about them so I figured it was better to workout the details before starting the actual pair. I believe this will save me a lot of frustration in the long run.

All seems to be going well and I believe it won't be long before I get started on the actual pair. Unlike the two other sock patterns I have created, I will have pen and paper by my side to write down what I'm doing step by step. tomorrow Once I have the pattern down for good I will start her sock.

Doing all this has also got me thinking about the pedicure socks I made for mom. The pattern has been requested by several individuals. I would like to give it to them but the most I have written down are some notes here and there. This has me However, that doesn't mean I have forgotten about writing up the pattern for the pedicure sock I made for my mom. That is definitely a prototype. There are several "enhancements" the final version. They next pair of pedicure socks are for yours truly so have been surveying my stash carefully trying to decide what color I wish to make them in. Of course, once they are done I'll need to take them out to the salon for a christening - when weather conditions warrant socks.

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: Down To The Gusset

And, I'm back!

To sock knitting that is. Like I mentioned recently, the Ravelympic re-energized my spirit to complete other projects outside of the sock blankie world. The result of this found new energy is being channeled towards the Husband Socks.

The Husband Socks were put in time-out awhile back because as I embarked on decreasing the toe I realized I had flubbed-up (twice) on the instep. I wanted to consider my options to rectify this situation. If the socks were for me there would have been a greater chance that I wouldn't have even thought even once about correcting this mistake. However, they aren't for me so I needed to correct the mistake.

Since last Sunday was dedicated to catching up on hibernating projects I took the Husband Socks out of time-out. After weighing my options I made a brave choice - I decide to frog the sock back to the row after my mistake. This literally meant frogging the toe and a majority of the instep. What made this choice even more crazy was that I did it without any lifelines or picking up stitch on a needle to prevent dropping unintended stitches. Yep, I just ripped-back my work; exposing live stitches to the possibility of raveling even more as I tried putting them back on the needles. Mind you, this was all done with extreme caution.

Three years ago, when I first started really knitting each time I dropped a stitch I would have a heart attack over it. There were many times I would fall asleep with my knitting on my lap and when I woke up I'd have a ton of dropped stitches. So, to get to a point that I didn't mind ripping back without some sort of safety net was a huge leap forward. A bit scary to do for the first time, but in the end I knew I could do it.

After putting the stitches on the needles AND making sure I had all the stitches needed, I proceeded to work on sock. As I posted earlier this week, I finished sock one and was starting on sock two. As of today, and this post, I am finished working the gusset decrease and ready to work the instep. The reality of the situation is that realistically I could finish the Husband Socks by tomorrow evening or Monday. This is a reality I like - a lot!

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: Warm and Comfy

I made comment to the fact that I like knitted sock so much because of the hand-washing factor. Yes, not all have to be hand-washed, but that is my preference.

The whole conversation started because the blackhole that seems to exit in my home has been sucking up everything imaginable. In response, the person I was talking to mentioned that their home has a blackhole as well that likes pens, receipts and socks. (As we all know what I said next because as I've mentioned time and time and time again store bought socks get eaten-up by either my washing machine or dryer somehow.) So, this is when my whole, "if I make socks then I won't lose them" theory comes in.

Where this is all going is that the next comment made was that the idea of knitted socks sounds "warm and cozy." You know what folks? They are! My feet have never been as warm and comfortable as they have been since I started making socks. Each pair has their own feel to them. For instant, my Britney socks are like walking in clouds. The touch of the silk and wool mixed together is heavenly! The Banana Hannah socks are great for summer. You know, for a "cool" summer night. Harry Potter socks are my go to during really cold winter days and nights. And the sock club socks are so comfortable for just about any time.

Not everyone finds knitted socks warm and comfy. Some actually find wool to be itchy and uncomfortable. I'm just not one of those people and am glad that is the case. Though store bought socks do serve a purpose (I would never workout in knitted socks) once you've word a pair of knitted socks and fell in love with them, you can totally tell the difference.

And on that note, my feet are sockless at the moment and getting a bit chilly. I believe I need to go a pair of socks to put on.

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: Getting Back to Socks

The Ravelympics is almost over. Somehow, I've managed to not only add approximately 40 - 50 more squares to blankie, but also finish two scarves. This has got me thinking. It's gotten me thinking about how I'm going to finish at least three pairs of socks in the next couple of weeks - ok, maybe more realistically next two/three months.

One thing I've found to be key in getting me to my goal in the Ravelympics is portioning my knitting time. Yes, I would love to just work on blankie, but that means I wouldn't have a finished object until October/November. The truth is that I miss making socks. That is one thing I realized from the whole Sock Wars experience.

So, the plan of attack is that after tomorrow's opening ceremony I will refocus on the Husband Socks. I will also touch BFF's socks as well. After that, I want to make a pair of the pedicure socks that I made for my for me. This time, I'm writing down what I did so I can write-up the pattern. Amongst all those things maybe I'll even start my February Lady Sweater as well. Is that too ambitious? I guess I will find out!

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: Sock Club

I tried posting this earlier today, but it was screwing up my blog. So I'm going to try this again...

***WARNING***
Spoiler pictures are posted in this blog entry. Proceed if you don't mind seeing sock club shipment pictures.

I didn't join Socks That Rock Rockin' Sock Club this year. As much as I wanted to, I decided I wanted to go a different direction this year. And, maximize my dollar if possible. So, I joined the Hazel Knits club instead. Definitely getting a better deal money wise, but also a change in colorway approach.

If you look in my stash you will see I have a lot of veregiated colorways. This lead me to consider looking for a sock club this year where I would get more semi-solids. The final result - I joined the first four months of the Hazel Knits sock club.

Yesterday, the first shipment came:

Mango Smoothie (Left) and Impulse (Right)

Also included

Yarn and Chocolate . . . Can't think of a better way to start the weekend!

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: On The Needles

This one is going to be short and sweet...

I have a sock on the needles. I'm at the toe decrease and have determined that I screwed up royally - going all the way back to the gusset decreases. Given that these are mens socks that a lot of back tracking. I'm debating what I'm going to do. So much so that I haven't touched them since I discovered the mistake.

With that in mind, I have to say I'm glad the Ravelympics are here. It's time for me to work on my project for the next 17 days.

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: How Far?

How much time and effort would you be willing to devote to obtaining a sock pattern?

This week, I found out what my limits (or lack there of) are. I was on Rav cruising through sock patterns when I saw one that looked really cool and funky. There was one little problem. It was a pattern that was exclusive to a Yahoo Group for German knitters. Yep, that's right - German knitters.

Now, the closest I've gotten to Germany is purchase German yarns such as Woolmeise and Opal. Oh, and also coveting the ever beautiful Crazy Zauberball yarn. (It kind of reminds me of Noro, but A LOT softer.)

So here I am, drooling over a German yarn and what seems like an unobtainable pattern. What to do . . . what to do . . . After careful consideration, I decided to take action. I joined the Yahoo Group. Nope. I don't speak or read German though I'm starting feel as though I should learn. Nor, do I know anyone who does. (Or, at least anyone I am comfortable calling up and asking to translate.) However, that didn't stop me.

After accessing the group, I started my hunt. The fact that everything was in German just made the experience THAT much more interesting. It actually took me a few trips back to the site, but I eventually prevailed!

Just when it looked liked there were no obstacles in the way, I realized the pattern was in German. Duh! The next quest had begun. Now I needed someone to translate the pattern. I had tried a few online translators, but they didn't work that great. As it turns out a two of my friends knew people who knew and could translate German. They were happy to ask them to do so on my behalf. Yeah, I saw the text of that e-mail . . . "Hi, I have this friend who knits and she found this pattern that, but in German and she asked me if you could translate it for her. It's for a pair of socks." In the meantime, I started looking at the other patterns this group had online and noticed they all had English version. Could it be that I was a special kind of dazed and didn't see the English version for my prize pattern. So, I back tracked and alas, victory! Not only did I have a copy of the pattern I wanted, I had a copy in English!

No need to learn German! I was home free!! WooHoo!!!

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: Dead Froggie Walking

As I alluded to earlier this week, last weekend I had no time to blog. Why? Because I dedicate last weekend to making Death Socks for my sock wars target, Darth Purl.

OMG! What a process.

My plan of attack was to spend every waking moment knitting until my weapon was done. However, I knew I'd have to take breaks otherwise my spirit, and wrists, would be broken. So, my social calendar last weekend was carefully constructed such that I spent a majority of the time knitting yet still had a "life." Originally the plan was to go out Friday evening, even though the pattern was suppose to be released at 7PM CST, and start on my weapon early Saturday morning. Breaks would pop-up during the day and that evening I would allow myself another chance to be social. As much as I wanted to just sit and knit I knew it wasn't healthy on many levels to do so. Sunday would be the day to finish up.

What really happened . . .

Friday night's plans got rescheduled so I was able to start that evening. I didn't get far, but I started. Saturday I was up at the crack-ass of dawn to work said death socks. Later on in the morning a fellow warrior came over. We figured it would be nice to have some company during this marathon knitting experience. Realizing we couldn't be cooped up inside all day we eventually ventured out for food and a glimpse of the world that was taking place around us. Saturday night I went to a 40th b-day party. Thankfully there were other knitters there so I could be social AND knit. YAY! Once I got home Saturday evening, and wrote my blog post, I hunkered-down for, yes, more death sock knitting. I did this until early on into the morning. Alas, eventually had to sleep. Since my Friday plans had been rescheduled for Sunday I wasted no time working on the socks. I think at this point sock number one had been completed and I was casting on sock number two. Honestly, this is where I hit a wall with this endeavor. However, I persevered. The day basically consisted of knitting and watching the Jersey Shore marathon. (Man, I feel dirty for admitting I watched this show.) Sunday evening was spent once again relaxing and socializing. By the end of the "official" weekend I was almost halfway.

Remember that wall, it got a lot taller at that point.

Last but not least Monday was spent finishing up the death socks. Oh, what a fantastic moment that was! Afterward, I started snooping around the Sock Wars group on Rav and seeing what my assassin was up to and also what my target's situation was. That's when I learned of the "bigfoot" socks my target was in the process of making. Since I realized I was the next one to receive them and my friend had already dubbed her target as "bigfoot" I decided to start calling them "the Jolly Green Giant" socks. Honestly, I had mixed emotions about working on these big socks. Signs of the carpal tunnel I had in the later half of 2008 started showing up again and mentally I was just beat. However, the competitor in me wanted to be the one to kill the giant. Alas, my assassin has made it clear that my death socks are on their way. So, it looks like she is the one who will have take on this big kill.

This whole process has been a lot of fun. And, believe it or not, I have learned a lot about myself in the process. The top three:

• It is possible to function on Dark Chocolate Chex Mix and OJ.

• Playing hard rock while doing Yoga can be relaxing.

• Limitation exist and it's important to know what yours are.


On that note, I wish the remaining warriors standing the best of luck!

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: Sock Wars (Cliff Notes Style)

"It not personal; It's SOCK WARS."

That this the declaration my Facebook status makes this evening. Promptly, BFF respodned that she still wasn't sure what it was all about even though she had seen a post on it from another blog. So, this is my attempt to describe Sock Wars. However, it will be in Cliff Note fashion.


• The Structure:

Each participant has a target and is a target.

• The Objective:

To kill your target with a pair of knitted socks before you are killed by a pair of knitted socks.

• The weapon:

A pair of knitted socks. The patterned used has to be from the official list of Sock Wars patterns.

• When is your target considered "dead"?

When they receive their socks

• If you kill your target what happens to their target and their targets socks?

Once you have killed your target they send you the socks they were working on along with their targets information. This person then becomes your target and you must complete the unfinished pair of socks and get them to your target before your death socks arrive.

• What are the warriors strategies to win Sock Wars?

For some knitting until their hands fall off. For others, all night knitting. Giving up all social engagements until their weapons are complete. The lengths are unimaginable!

• What is the final prize?

Well, besides bragging rights, there is also a fibrous incentive as well!


Any Questions????


Until later . . .

And The Beat Goes On. . . And On . . . And On . . .And On

It's Tuesday - really, it is. That means it's time to officially take count of the progress on the Sock Yarn Blankie.

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for August 4, 2009:

Squares Needed: 736

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 53 (9 more square than last week.)

Squares Ready to be Added: 3

Remaining Squares Needed: LOTS! In real numbers 680

I've been so into this project that I have been flirting with the idea of taking the necessary yardage from yarn hanks that I probably won't even use for actual projects for sometime and knitting up their squares. I know I will eventually incorporate the yarn into the blanket, but being the impatient person I am I want it NOW! Every time I go into my stash it's a big tease. I know they have a purpose beyond the blankie project, but I can't help myself from thinking that the few yards I need for one square shouldn't make THAT much of a difference. Then I snap back to reality and realize that it "could" make a big different and the safe thing to do is wait.

I owe a lot the progress of this blankie to a few of my friends who have graciously provided me with scrap sock yarn and my recent experimentation with dying. However, I came to the realization recently that I need to start shamelessly asking kind strangers for sock yarn scraps as well. Oh, and also start participating in swaps. It only took me what, two/three months to get to this point!? So, I took the plunge and joined a swap. It helps that that the hostess of this swap live right around the corner from me. This means I cut out shipping costs - Hey! I'm not cheap; just thrifty. I also asked for scrap sock yarn on this month's RAK. We'll see what happens!

It's that time of year... Yep! Dish Rag Tag time that is. To get the skinny on DRT click on the URL I have placed above. To sign up, click here, or the link on YarnMiracle's blog. It's a lot of fun! I have to say, I'm glad I have no carpal tunnel concerns this year. Last year was interesting going into the race with a strained wrist, but not letting that stop me from participating in DRT - and continuing to knit. As my carpal tunnel concerns progressed House Mouse threatened to take away my knitting supplies so I could rest my wrist. "What if I where to take your knitting stuff and hide it from you for three weeks?" I could not believe HM even asked that. My reply: 1) That would never happen because I would never let you leave my place with any of my knitting things; and 2) If you did somehow get out of my place with my knitting stuff I would find it and take it back so it wasn't even worth the energy to think about doing it. I know overall my well-being was the primary concern,but even suggesting a few weeks without knitting... OMG!

Progress on my July sock club socks has stalled. Mainly because I'm frustrated with the pattern and after an hour of working on them this past weekend I had to just walk away. When I am in a better place in regards to this pattern I will resume working on them. What scares me is that this is just the first one. Then again, the second sock of any pattern is always easier for me because I have the pattern down by that point.

I think that is all the rambling I'll subject y'all to today.

Until later . . .

Finished Sweet Sixteen Socks

It's not the best photo, but I wanted to get a picture of the finished Sweet Sixteen socks. I'll be interested to see what the birthday girl's mom has to say about them when I show them to her.

. . . Oh, and I'll be interested to see if the b-day girl likes them too.

It's Also A Head Cover

Blankie had a great growth spurt than last week. It finally surpassed 40 - woohoo! Amongst the new yarns that grace this project, I was special enough to get two unique colorway made by two special artists. The names of the colorways are "Fire" and "Sam Lost A Tooth." I LOVE both of them. I can't wait to see what other colors are created by these talented individuals.

As I had anticipated, I'm starting to collect stories behind the squares. When I showed my mom the blankie this weekend she started point out which were her socks. I've been trying to keep things in patches if multiple colorways are connected in so way. For instance, mom's socks, yarn used on my socks, yarn given to me by specific friends, etc. I fully anticipate to have 736 squares worth of stories once this project is completed.

With that in mind. . . .

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for July 28, 2009:

Squares Needed: 736

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 44 (5 more square than last week.)

Squares Ready to be Added: 1

Remaining Squares Needed: LOTS! In real numbers 691


I've decided the sock yarn blankie as progressed from a sock yarn laptop cover to a sock yarn head cover. I anticipate it will soon grow to be a sock yarn ottoman cover. It's almost as long as my ottoman and it's half the width. I'm participating in my first swap so in the next couple of weeks it will for sure grow greatly!

Until later . . .

Oh The Joys Of Knitting

It's Tuesday which means it's time to give an update on my SYB. There is one little problem... I've been so focused on the January socks that I haven't worked on either of the blankies very much. Last night was the first time I made any alterations to it since early last week. However, there have been slight alterations so there is a change in my report.


The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for June 23, 2009:

Squares Needed: 716

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 14

Squares Ready to be Added: 3

Remaining Squares Needed: 699

Yesterday, I finished my January socks - Woo-Freakin-Hoo! Though I guess they aren't technically done since I haven't grafted the toe. However, that didn't stop me from breaking the yarn and making a square for my blankie. (It's all about priorities.)

This morning, as I was getting ready to leave I took a peek in my ottoman for the March socks. I may have to start those next. Or, maybe I'll cast on a pair of fingerless gloves since it was around this time last year I first attempted them. I would think at this point I would be able to understand the pattern better and actually do it this time. Hmmmm. . . Then again, if I knit the March socks then I'll have more squares for my blankie. Oh, and another pair of socks! Decisions! Decisions!

Until later . . .

WWKiP Day

This time it wasn't snow and cold that we made our way through. . . It was steady rain. For me personally, the fact that all of my umbrellas were staying nice and dry in my office didn't even prevent me from venturing out. I was/we were still determined to meet up at the lo-cal we had agreed upon for this year's World Wide Knit in Public (WWKiP) day.

Originally, our intention was to drive up to a fiber festival somewhere outside of Madison, WI. However, between the predicted rain and the 3+ hour drive we changed our minds. Regardless, we were still participating in WWKiP day.

Despite the crappy weather, we had a lot of fun. I arrived at our meeting point early so I found a comfortable place to sit and worked on my project until the others arrived. Then we made our way over for some much needed caffeine and then to our intended destination.

As you can see, we took over the place. . .



Overall, it was a fun day. However, when I think about what it's called I laugh. For me every day is knit in public day. I've knit in bars, restaurants, movie theaters, cars . . . Well, you get the point. I don't need a day to specifically knit in public. Then I read this history of the event off the WWKiP web site.

After reading the history it now this makes a bit more sense to me. What I found most entertaining about the whole day was when non-knitters would pass by the room full of knitters and take a picture of us. As if we were part of the attractions at our location. Hey, maybe we were.

Regardless, I had a blast and met a lot of really nice people. A few of which admired my Sock Yarn Blankets (Yes, I meant blankets as in two not one) and offered to send me yarn for it if I gave them my mailing address. Wow! How nice! I happily gave them my information.

I hope all the knitters out there reading this had a fantastic WWKiP as well!
Until later. . .

Twelve Hours Later and I'm Just Taking A Shower

Apparently the sound of my phone vibrating has a greater effect on my ability to wake up in the wee hours of the morning versus the piercing noise of my alarm.

The plan was to get up around 3:15/3:30AM and get to my first stop by 4:45AM at the latest. This allowed me ample time to sneak in a few extra minutes of post alarm sleep, get showered and all put together. However, in reality what woke me up was a phone call from my friend at 4:30AM asking where I was. OH SHIT!!! That's when I decided that no one at our intended destination would mind that I wasn't even showered. And if they did - well, that was their problem.

So what got me up at that crazy-ass hour? A sale that was taking place from 6 - 7AM. I insisted that we get there early because I wanted to get a good space in line. My friend thought I was silly to think there would be a line. Guess what . . . there was a line by the time we got there after 5AM. It wasn't a long one, but it started to grow not too long after we had acquired our respective caffeine beverages. Of course I had to take a picture of those that had come before us . . .



As the 6AM hour drew near, more came to join the fun. About 10 minutes to 6AM the owner of the shop came out and gave us shopping bags and a pink post-it note. The coveted pink post-it was our ticket to the greatest discount possible should we checkout past the 7AM hour. I was so loopy from my minimal sleep that I had one of my friends that joined us take this picture:



We were trying to decide how much said post-it would be worth if we tried selling on the second-hand market to those just joining the fun after 7AM, but finally agreed it wouldn't be a profitable venture.

As for the sale - It was MADNESS. It was the second time in my lifetime I've ever felt so claustrophobic I was ready to pass out. (The first time being the NYC subway on a Saturday evening.) Unfortunately, I had specific items to be purchased and I was sure the store owner would not be too keen on me leaving without paying for my items.

The rest of the day was spent taking care of some necessary business and having fun (you can't forget to do that).

So, here it is . . . twelve hours later and I am finally ready to face the world. Or, at least those other than my friends who accept me openly - shower or no shower.

Until later . . .

I'm All Fraggled . . . And LOVING it!

Overall this past week was good. It did however provide two days that had their craptastic moments. Luckily, they were short-lived and as fate would have it the knitting G-ds provided a dose of yarn happiness at just the right time.

It all started Wednesday when I received an e-mail letting me know that my May sock club shipment had been sent and the tracking information was in the body of the message. Yay! Perfect timing, the first craptastic event of the week had just taken place and I was not digging what was going on. However, receiving the e-mail put me in better spirits.

Then, fast forward to Friday morning. More craptaism and I was once again not digging things. Seeing that I had received the e-mail on Wednesday about the May shipment and knowing they send the package priority mail I checked the USPS site to see if I could expect delivery this weekend. Much to my surprise (and delight), the package had been delivered. WOOHOO! I wasn't planning on going back to my place right after work, but knowing that I had a package waiting for me I made a quick trip home to pick it up. (You never leave yarn waiting, especially when part of your day was craptastic.)

No sooner did I have the package in my hand did I rip it open. What I found was beyond what I thought I would find. Not only did the knitting G-ds provide me yarn on a day that would have otherwise been remembered for its crappiness, they provided me with yarn that had me thinking, "You had me at hello." It was as if the dyer made this colorway JUST for me.

This is what I found when I opened my package:

Pepe La Plume

That was just the start of the goodness. . .

After gushing over the colorway I opened the pattern information:






SQUEAL!!!!!!

It was Fraggle-freaking-Rock themed! I HEART Fraggle Rock so much. Oh, and did you notice the Disney font used? (Another favorite of mine.) This was PERFECTION! Any money I had spent on this club just paid for itself 1000 times over.

All the craptastic events of the past week had been brushed away. The week had officially ended on a fantastic note. It was time to go out and have fun! (And that's just what I did.)

Until later . . .

It's All About Knitting

I never thought the day would come, but I have officially broke my monogamy when it comes to knitting. I am no longer a one project at a time knitter. Now, I realize this isn't the end of the world and it's not like I'm cheating on a spouse or significant other, but still I feel wrong for being unfaithful. Hell, even flirting with the idea made me uncomfortable; however, as I was working on my January sock club shipment I felt the need to start my Banana Hannah socks. So I wound the Opal yarn with my wannabe shift (aka - my rocking chair) and ball winder.

Oh, and if anyone reading this happens to know German please contact me. Opal apparently assumed only Germans buy their yarns because that is where it's manufactured. All the care instruction, etc. are in German. I figure it will be status quo care - hand wash - but it would still nice to be able to read the inside label.


As mentioned a day or two ago, I cast on my January socks a few days ago. Woo-freakin-Hoo! The pattern is the "Queen of Beads" written by Sivia Harding and in the colorway of My Blue Heaven - which might I say is a amazingly beautiful color. It's a mix of dark blue, green, teal and black. Each Notorious Knitter was given different color beads and mine were of a greenish-blue cast. I love 'em!

First things first, threading the beads. As I posted a few days ago, threading beads onto yarn is an interesting experience. Especially when the weight of the yarn is thicker than it was intended to be. I choose to use a dental floss threader. From what I've heard you can also purchase a special bead threader as well, but they aren't readily available at your local drug store. Once all the beads were on, 150 in my case, the next thing to tackle was the cast on. This pattern uses a tubular cast-on, something I had never done before. A tubular cast-on gives a more polished edge your project. I would have to agree that it does make a nicer looking edge, but it seemed to take up a lot of time that could be spent actually knitting the sock. After fumbling through my first tubular cast-on, I finally got rockin' and cracked through that part of the sock.





However, the elasticity of the cuff seems a lot looser than other socks I've knit. I'm thinking the cast on has something to do with it. However, it may also be the brand of yarn it is. I've never used Socks That Rock before so I don't know for sure how it knits up.

So, I got past the cuff and actually started to knit the leg repetition. Once I got the hang of left and right twist stitches I began to crank through the series. This picture was taken before I even began the leg repetition:



All I know is that now that I have gotten over my initial intimidation of knitting socks with beads and an intricate pattern. Overall, I can't put it down. They are turning out so nice and I've only worked the leg!

Well, that's all for now. Until later . . .