Socks!

Ta-da! My very first pair of socks. I must say I feel very accomplished. This is definitely the one knitted project I am most proud of. I didn't really have any problems with the pattern, it was very straightforward. Of course, I had knit that one practice sock that took forever. The first sock of this pair was finished in under a week and the second one took twice as long at least. Yikes! I really want to knit them two at a time from now on. They are pretty short because I was worried I would run out of yarn and of course I have lots leftover. I'm not sure of any ways to lengthen an item from the cast-on edge. Any ideas? Hopefully my kitchener stitch will improve, but I'm pretty pleased with the results. I will tell you, you need to knit socks, or get someone to do it for you. They feel so fabulous and massagey. Now I know what everyone was talking about.





Project: Baby Cable Socks
Source: Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: All Things Heather Sportweight in Cornflower
Needles: US 3 DPNs
Started: 1/21/07
Finished: 2/13/07
Comments: I love them! While I was knitting them, thinking that I would have a pair of hand-knitted socks at the end was an unbelievable feeling!

No New Yarn?

I'm not exactly going on a Yarn Diet, but I'm going to try to not buy any more yarn for awhile. I've already got loads and projects in mind for a lot of it. It kinda seems like yarn has been magnetically drawn to me lately. While mom was overseas picking out yarn for me, me & my boy hit two LYS in a span for a couple of hours! In addition I recently cashed in on a generous giftcard from my brother & SIL, thanks guys! Then this past weekend Greg presented me with some more yarn for Valentine's. I obviously have enough yarn for now, but by the time my birthday rolls around in a couple of months I could probably squeeze in a little more. So I present my recent lust-worthy acquisitions...




My most beloved Kureyon in various colors. I have an impulse to buy this whenever it flashes its multi-colored, hay-strewn eyes my way. I'm loosely thinking of starting a Lizard Ridge throw. I finally got my grubby little hands on my very own mmmMalabrigo in Emerald & Cuarzo, which I'm already using for mittens. Socks were swirling around my head when I spotted the new Tofutsies yarn from SWTC. It's the one with Chitin, a byproduct of the shellfish industry. I figure it's okay to use 'cause it's kinda like recycling.




For my giftcard I chose some Mountain Colors 4/8s Wool in Wildflower. They'll probably be used in the next socks I make. The magenta Colinette Parisienne will make some very luxurious sleeves for my arms.























This is the yarn from Greg. It's Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Pea Soup Mix for the Brea Bag. Thanks dear!

That's not a lot of yarn, right? Not compared to a lot of blogs. It's enough for me though, for now...

Purse & Scarf

I have finished my very first pair of socks!! I will be posting them shortly, but until then here are a couple of other recent FOs.



Project: Mosaic Bag
Source: Spun Mag
Yarn: Noro Kureyon in #139, 3 skeins
Needles: US 4 & 5
Started: 10/12/06
Finished: 1/15/07
Comments: This colorwork gives the appearance of Fair Isle, but it's much easier. The knitting went pretty slowly on this. On such small needles a very tight fabric is created. The strap took forever because I made it twice as long as the pattern called for. Then there's the obvious procrastination with sewing the damn thing up! I still need to try & block the curling on the front. I really like the way the colors turned out, I think the back is purple & green, but overall I'm a bit disappointed.



Project: Yo, Drop It Scarf
Source: Stitch 'n Bitch Nation
Yarn: Colinette Giotto in Florentina
Needles: US 11
Started: 10/24/06
Finished: 10/26/06
Comments: I used my leftover Giotto from the Waterlily Tank. Easy peasy pattern.

Knitting Gifts

Okay this is the very last time I mention Christmas for at least 6 months! I thought I'd share the haul donated by my generous family. Books include Folk Hats, The Harmony Guide Vol. 5 for cable inspiration & my mom bought me a couple of beret patterns I'm interested in and included a lot more patterns she found on the net. I also received a "Learn to Spin" kit from www.skeintilyclad.com I've been wanting for awhile, not that I really need another addiction. Not pictured: the Knit Picks Options interchangeable needle set. I love my bamboo, but I thought it was time to branch out, plus I need that metal to work with any more cotton. I'm hoping to learn Magic Loop on them this year.



My mom just returned from England & brought me a bag from John Lewis brimming with English yarns! I received the same treatment last year, however I wasn't the best in updating the blog...um, anyway I can't wait to whip something up with all these lovelies!



Top Row: Rowan Felted Tweed in a Dark Raspberry & Burnt Orange
Middle Row: Rowan Kid Classic in Dark Violet & Rowan 4 Ply Soft in Bubblegum Pink
Bottom Row: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Dk (!) in Goldenrod & RYC Cashsoft DK in springy Light Apple Green

Pretty nice for not having to leave the house, huh? Thanks mom!

Last Presents for A Bit

This the the Zissou Hat I made for Greg for Christmas. It's based on the one Bill Murray wore in the movie Life Aquatic. It was supposed to stick up more on top and did on me, but I think it looks pretty good. Greg still hasn't decided if he wants me to add a Team Zissou patch to the band.



Project: Zissou Hat
Source: Craftster with modifications
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted in Red Baron, approx. 1/2 skein
Needles: US 8 16" circ
Started: 12/4/06
Finished: 12/5/06
Comments: This was a pretty easy knit. I just knit a few extra inches at the top to form the tip. I thought my decreases looked a little strange, but it looks fine when it's on.

These are more baby knits, this time for my cousin's new girl.



Project: Baby Genius Burp Cloth & Baby Bib O' Love
Source: Mason Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Cloth: Sugar 'N Cream in Hot Green & Patio Pinks, Bib: SnC in Over the Rainbow
Needles: US 6
Started: 1/5/07 & 1/16/07
Finished: 1/16/07 & 1/18/07
Comments: I love the way the colors turned out on the Burp Cloth.