One

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for June 22, 2010:

Squares Needed: 736

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 727

Remaining Squares Needed:9

"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do" ~ Three Dog Night

Yes, I only added ONE square in the past seven day. When I think about it I do actually feel it's kind of sad - on a few levels - to think I only got ONE square done. The worst part was that I had to force myself to even make that one square. I even stopped once while making it and considered leaving it on the needles for another time.

So why only one? I've had other priorities knitting wise - and life wise. Hard to believe I would put other things in life before knitting I know, but truth be told knitting is not my life; it's just a hobby that I've chosen to write (obsessively) about.


So, there you have. This week blankie has experienced why ONE is the loneliest number. Hopefully that won't be the case during this coming week.

Until later . . .

The Dark Side Has Cookies!

What would Tuesday be without a blankie update . . .

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for September 1, 2009:

Squares Needed: 736

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 82

Squares Ready to be Added: 0

Remaining Squares Needed: LOTS! In real numbers 654

It's been a slow week for blankie. However, I have been working a lot on the second one which I don't talk about as often. I don't need to have it finished for another 3 years or so. It's up to something like 65 squares. Not bad considering I hardly work on it right now.

During the past couple of weeks, when others here about this project I've gotten some interesting responses. Usually others can't believe that I've decided to take on such a great under taking. Then when I tell them I'm making two. . . Normally I wouldn't attempted to make two of these time consuming blankets. The second one is for my mom so I do it with much pleasure. When I was first starting blankie, mom saw me working on it and commented on beautiful it was. Then she said she'd like one. Even telling me she'd pay me to make it. First things first - I would never charge my mother. . . Come on! It's my mom. After I explained the depth of the project and that it's a copy righted pattern so I couldn't charge her even if I wanted too she told me she would understand if I choose not to make her one. After mulling it over for a few hours I decided to make it for her next milestone birthday. Nothing could ever come close to the gift I got her for her last milestone birthday so I figured this would be the next best thing.

All my postings about mini-skein swaps and pictures has one of my Rav friends considering starting this marathon project as well. My words of encouragement . . "Come to the dark side . . . We've got cookies!"

Until later . . .

The Ziploc Bag

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for August 25, 2009:

Squares Needed: 736

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 80

Squares Ready to be Added: 1

Remaining Squares Needed: LOTS! In real numbers 655

So, so, so close to breaking 100 squares!

Blankie has found refuge in a Ziploc bag due to its ever growing size. When KP saw this the other day she smiled. She had been promoting the idea of some time now. Realistically speaking, blankie will probably have to soon relocate for the same reason. So, I've been trying to figure out where the next home for SB will be. Time will tell I guess.

My worst fears about this project have come true - I have an ever growing thirst for sock yarn scraps. I believe I recently mentioned how the sock yarn in my stash has been teasing me. All that great yarn just waiting to added to blankie, but can't because I haven't made a pair of socks from them yet. My latest and greatest thought is that I could totally take the 10 - 12 yards needed for one square without compromising any future pair of socks - right!? In all seriousness, I do need to figure out other sources of yarn for this venture. I have a good momentum going and I don't want to slow things down.

A lot of people ask me when I'm going to weave in the ends of the squares. Yeah, I don't like weaving in ends - on any project I do. So, I've come up with a way to avoid that!

Last thought for today on this particular project. . . I'm hoping to have enough width on it by the time the really cold weather comes around so I can use to it cover up my legs a bit. Maybe just enough for a foot/ankle warmer. That's realistic, isn't it!?

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 . . .

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 . . .

My Dealer Hooked Me Up

Last night I acquired more yarn for my SYB.

When I went over to my dealer's place it wasn't my intention to score yarn. Actually, my motives were just the opposite - I was going over there to giving them yarn. Yarn with bling to be exact. However, by the time I left I had scored a few things of mini-skeins myself. Given the disorganization of my sock blankie containment system (aka - my knitting bag) I'm not exactly sure how many mini-skeins I left with. I'm thinkin' it's something like two or three. Big or small it was a yarn hit and I wasn't complaining!

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 . . .

It Smells Like Rain

When I stepped outside this morning it smelled like rain. I can't explain what exactly rain smells like so I won't even try to describe it, but it just smelled like rain. There is rain forecasted, but I'm hopeful that it won't actually rain. It's been nice having the past few days rain free. Then again, it's been nice having a real Spring this year verses jumping straight into Summer. I will say this, if it does rain I will be prepared this time. : )

My sock yarn blankie is coming along quiet nicely. Until I get this thing finished (which I anticipate will be awhile), I've decided to make Tuesdays my Sock Yarn Blankie update day.


The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for June 16, 2009:

Squares Needed: 716

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 12

Squares Ready to be Added: 4

Remaining Squares Needed: 700

This project has become such a focus of mine that I look at all the sock yarn I have in my stash and debate if I should just cut off the yarn I need now and knit the squares or wait until I actually knit the socks. In theory, waiting until I actually knit the socks could be a good motivating force to get more sock knitting done.

Though I'm definitely going to have to buy some mini-skeins and mill ends specifically for this project, incorporating yarn from actual projects I've made is kind of cool. It's like a historical record of my socking making progress. My hope is that I can keep all my actual projects in one specific area of the blanket verses having them all through the blanket. . . Well, maybe not. . . Hmmm. . . . I don't know now. Both approaches can be cool in their own way.

The blankie is not all I've been up to lately with my yarn. Out of the blue I decided to learn how to crochet. I've been wanting to do this for months now, but haven't taken the time to do so. I think I have at least three people who told me they'd teach me how. However, I learned on my own. Well, not completely on my own. I did watch a video on YouTube several times to get the hang of what I was doing. Learning from books is just not my thing. As much as I enjoy crocheting I don't know how much I will do. Aside from the fact that crocheting uses more yarn than knitting, it's also worse for your wrist. Yeah, I don't need to deal with more wrist problems. I'd had my fare share of those and am more than happy to avoid having anymore.

That's all - for now at least.

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. . .