Friday, July 25, 2008

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Well, major screw up. I don't know what I was thinking...but I did know that it was taking FOREVER to decrease this gusset!

No wonder, I went way too far...3 each side too far, that's 6 total stitches! What to do....I just did M1 on the heel for 6 stitches..and hopefully all will be well :)
don't tell Sister!

UPDATE:

IMG_0292

Here they are! Finished in less than a week! I hope they will fit someone at Sister's house :)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Oh boy 2 socks + 2 gussets

That was not for the faint of heart!

I loved that I got to turn both heels one after the other; I hated the picking up of stitches that weird way and I kept losing the spot where the sock is to be seperated (instep vs gusset).
I have no idea if I picked up the same number of stitches on each side. The instructions did not call for any markers, so I have tons of them! Need the one to mark beginning of round, then I have them to show the instep vs gusset, now I think I need them to show me when to stop decreasing!
Please tell me it gets easier! Good thing this is just a simple knit foot!

Monday, July 21, 2008

2-at-a-time socks


Well, I did it! I taught myself how to knit 2-at-a-time on Magic Loop. I had purchased the book and the needles last month, but they just sat there...waiting for some magic fairy to teach themselves how to knit! So yesterday, I sat down and was determined to figure it out. I know, I could have gone to the class at my LYS ($45), but it wasn't in the budget.

So off I went....the cast on went ok, I didn't quite get the instructions on Left vs. Right, so maybe I had the needles wrong, but by looking at the photos, I was able to figure it out. The first row of ribbing was very iffy...I thought for sure I had twisted the stitches, but no, everything worked out fine. Just trying to figure out how long to make the leg. These are going to be for one of Sister's children. I cast on 48 stitches and I'm just doing simple knit-k2tog-yo variation, so they look a little pretty (either a boy or a girl sock).

Don't know if I will make all my socks with this method, it is a little tiring having to fix the loop, switch the yarn etc...but it will be very nice to have a complete pair of socks when I'm finished!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Finished July socks

IMG_0277

Here are my finished socks from stash for July. Spring Forward, Lorna's Laces Pine. This yarn has been in the stash for almost a year! But the good news: my friend LaurieC sent me 2 more skeins for my birthday this year, so I can make a different pair of socks in the same color!!! YEA my favorite color ever :)

Also, I was able to finish the Flirty Tank, these socks and 3 books this past week. It's been a busy week on the couch for me! I had to give equal time to all the projects so no one felt left out.

Friday, July 18, 2008

ack! vacation soon!

Yes, the family vacation is fast approaching. I have settled on the following knitting projects:

BareNakedLacy Socks by Nancy Degener and Broadripple Socks by Rob Matyska.
Also taking an extra skein of Cascade Fixation to make anklets, if those get finished.

Also will take the last 3 books from the Outlander series.

And the ipod filled with Stuck in the 80's and Stash and Burn podcasts.

That should cover me for the 10 hour ride there, a week in the wilderness; plus the hour drive it takes to get anywhere, and the 10 hour ride home.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Finished the Tank!


The Flirty Tank is finished! I just need to block it, then I can wear it! Amazing, something other than socks! I am so proud of myself!




Other good news, the 3rd book is in at the library :), but alas, we are going to the Tiger's game today for son #2's birthday, so I'll have to pick it up tomorrow.

When will that 2nd sock be finished for July? It is a mystery, all of the books I've put on hold in the last month all came in at the same time!!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Progress!!


Yes, I have finally made it into the home stretch with the Flirty Tank! It only took 1 call to mother, 2 calls to the LYS and finally me saying, "what the (*&%, I'll just wing it and hope it works!"

Well, it looks like it did! Here is the one of the front straps, only 3 more to do, then the finishing work. I'm hoping to have it finished in time to wear to Stitch N Pitch.

See what you can accomplish when the library does not have the 3rd book in stock??

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Finished the 2nd

Ok, nothing is being accomplished. I finished "Outlander" Monday night. Started "Dragonfly In Amber" yesterday at noon...thank God for daycamp, hockey and bowling for kids...and crockpots for lazy mom's who sit on the couch and read until the book is finished :)

Now, how long until the library gets the 3rd book?? :)

Monday, July 07, 2008

Fabulous 4th

Yes, we had a great Fourth of July weekend. Parties, parties, parties; and golf for the boys, and bookreading for me.

My girlfriend told me to read "Outlander". Couldn't get it from the library so I went to the local big bookstore and bought it, only $7.99. and I have not been able to put it down! Started reading at noon (at the pool, ALONE) came home, read more, went to B-I-L house so boys could swim after golf, read the entire time there, came home and read until bedtime!

I am 3/4 of the way through (800 some pages) I've just put the 2nd of 6 in the series on hold, will pick that up later today.

Needless to say, no knitting :)

ACKKK WARNING WARNING!!!
Do not, I repeat, Do not read anything on the web about the Outlander books! I just happened to skim an article and I've ruined some surprises :( But I'll still read them :)

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Sock Yarn from Germany

Mother is back from her travels! She loved the socks, so in return, she brought me some yarn from Germany:

Regia - I will attempt to make the pretty patterns that are supposed to happen when you knit, to guage, with this yarn. They look BEAUTIFUL on the wrapper.










ONline - same with this one. But I have so much trouble getting the 2 socks to match....











That is why, for July, I am knitting a SOLID GREEN sock! Nothing to match, just knit and knit :) These are the Spring Forward socks from the new Knitty.