A week of catching up

I can't believe we are already to Thanksgiving!  I have spent a lot of time on airplanes over the past couple of weeks, and as a result, I had a chance to catch up on my recent projects.

Last week, I finished the second pair of little girl socks, meaning my week four project is officially done. This is my first try at the Japanese short row heel.  I attempted this because I can never manage to do a short row heel without getting at least one hole.  Even when I pick up extra stitches, and pull really tight, and this drives me crazy!  I found I did fare a little better with this method, though there is still a little hole on the last row.  All in all, I really like the wrap-free method, though I found I actually had to count to keep track of which row I was on. 



My mossy socks just before the sprint to finish sock #2



Next, I decided to return to the week three project, my moss-wall inspired socks.  Completed sock one Thursday while waiting to get a new tire after losing one to a blow-out on my way home from the airport.  The faux cable (made over 2 stitches by knitting tbl on second stitch) tended to slow me down quite a bit, so it took a while to get into the rhythm of this pattern.  I started sock 2 on Sat. and finished on Sunday. 

My favorite feature is that little bit of yarn sitting between the 2 socks in the picture.  I completed this pair with approximately 2 feet of yarn left.  I was actually able to use up the entire skein and without pre-planning or knitting toe-up--a true victory!



That meant I needed a new project to take home for my holiday travels.  I realized I had a second skein of Lang Jawoll that matched the one I used to make the Boy's socks, so now the socks for the Boy are socks for the Boy and his Dad. 

This was another basic pair done in a 2x2 rib with a heel flap and gusset, and simple toe shaping.  A nice easy knit to start the week.  Airline delays in Chicago allowed me to complete one Monday night and a second Wed night.

This means if I can knock out one more pair this weekend, I will be caught up for November. 

3 down, sort of...

Another busy week, and another week of less knitting than originally hoped for.  I did manage to squeeze out a pair of kid's socks from my Fotissima.  However, it only consumed a little less than half the skein and I had intended to do a second pair for my other niece.  So this is my first judgement call--does the project count, or the skein?

I have a long airplane ride coming up this week, so here's hoping I can knock out another pair, then I will only be behind by one project.  I sense I will be giving away a skein the end of this month.

In the meantime, I am starting to have quite a bit of forearm pain in my left arm.  I am hoping this is related to my new weight-lifting regime and not tendinitis from too much knitting, or I will never make it to the end of this project!

Second week in November

So last week's post just posted with a Nov. 8 date rather than the Oct 31 date intended.  In that week, I chose the STR rare gems in an unusual green and gold/orange colorway to start a new pair of socks.  The pattern is a modified 2-stitch cable adapted from a mitt pattern in the new One Skein Wonders Sock Yarn book.  However, a week later, I still only have the cuff of the first sock done.  So for the first time since I started this project, I am falling behind. 

It has been a pretty rough work week, and I am afraid work stress sent me running for the covers and left me not much in the mood for knitting.  Also, I am having some hand/forearm pain.  I seem to go straight to tendonitis lately any time I do any repetitive activity whether it be knitting, painting, or writing.  I have always been prone to inflammation, but it seems especially bad these past couple of years.

I actually started a new project last night even though the previous was not finished.  The new project will be sock for my two adorable nieces.  Just basic socks with a picot edged cuff made from a lovely pink self-striping yarn in the colorway Mexiko from Fortissima.  I need to make three-year-old and six-year-old socks, so hopefully this will get me back on track until I can catch up on last week's pair.  Otherwise, I might have to make good on my threat to give away a skein of sock yarn this month.

ABB

Last week's project is done ABB--that is all but buttons.  I have blocked (although I just did a wet block and did not pin it out fully) and woven in the ends, so as soon as I find some acceptable buttons, it is ready to go.

I am learning my camera just does not take good pictures indoors.  No matter how many lamps I drag in, everything looks like it is in shadows from anywhere in my house. 











Now, on to the important things--like choosing the next project...

My three yarn choices are these...



Socks that rock Rare Gems (top right) and raven (bottom right), and Spirit Trails Fibers cashmere and silk sock yarn in the Cape Cod colorway (left)

Any thoughts?

2 down, 50 to go

Finished with all but weaving in ends and blocking.  I like this sweater, but have enough yarn left over that I could have made it larger.  It seems like most of the sock yarn baby patterns I find are for newborn sizes, and I need some good 12-18month patterns.  Anyone have any?

The nature of procrastination

Do you ever think about why we put things off?  I have been ready to start my new project for 2 days now, but I keep sitting and looking at the yarn and not knitting.  Why?  Because I need to wind the skein.  And that involves getting out my ball winder and swift.  And attaching them to my counter.  Which of course means cleaning off my counter.  All in all, this is only about 20 minutes of work, but inertia takes over and there I sit.  Does anyone else have this problem?

So, with my very tight schedule in mind, I made myself get up and do it, and finally, a wound skein and ready to go! 

While I had everything out, I decided to do another one in anticipation of next week's project.  The colors do not come out well in the photo no matter how I adjust the lighting, but it is a handpainted skein from Creatively Dyed Yarns that I acquired last weekend at NYS&W because the beautiful greens reminded me of the moss-covered stone walls in England.

I think it will become some gloves for my friend who took me hiking in England.

Week 2 project

Just finished grafting the toe of the second sock and weaving in all the ends.  One down, 51 to go!

The boy's old socks with his new ones.  Maybe I went too big!

Now on to the week 2 project.

The yarn: Tess Designer Yarns, Super Sock and Baby, aqua and gray mix

The pattern:  Garter Yoke Baby Cardi

This yarn has been sitting around since May 2010 and the MD S&W festival.  Hoping one skein is enough!