Seeing Double, At Last!

After doing little else aside from knitting Thermal over the weekend I am thrilled to announce I've got two sleeves now! The next step is to knit the button band and pick up a bajillion (maybe a slight overestimate) stitches to knit the collar, then I'll just have to sew on the sleeves and weave in the ends.

Friday I received my first Pure Knits Yarntini Sock Club Kit and from the moment I opened it I knew the best word to describe it is "Yowza!" Included in the kit is Yarntini Sock Yarn in Pure Breeze Stripe, a coordinating Misocrafty bag, Lucy Neatby's Cool Socks, Warm Feet, some cute stitchmarkers, a sample of soak wash, and a little lip gloss! I absolutely love the color of the yarn and the bag is so cute. I'm so happy with this sock club and I am excited that there will be two more kits in my future. Yea!

Looking Forward

As I draw closer to the completion of Thermal, which has occupied my time for weeks and weeks, I am busy planning my next projects. (That's Thermal's 2nd sleeve in progress to the right). I mentioned last time that I'm thinking of knitting Wicked in Cotton Ease. Well, I'm also looking at Rusted Root as well as the Summertime Tank from Interweave Knits online. I've ordered some Hemp For Knitting allhemp6 for the Tank.

Why am I ordering more yarn? I don't need to be ordering any more yarn. We are moving in 2 1/2 months and I feel like my yarn stash will need it's own truck! Therefore, until we move I'm not buying any more yarn. At all. Including sock yarn. I'm in 5(!) sock yarn clubs so that should keep me happy, right? My knitting group is planning a field trip to a yarn store in Wisconsin. I'm not going to buy anything when we go. Nope. I just don't need anymore. I have so many fantastic projects planned that will use yarn that's currently in the stash that I feel at peace with this decision. Also, with the impending homeownership, I need to save some money for house stuff like a washer and dryer, curtains, etc. Oh, and a puppy. :)

Speaking of sock clubs...I got my April Petals Collection kit yesterday and I'm ecstatic! The color is Dahlia and it is an absolutely stunning yarn (and very difficult to photograph). The pattern looks good, but it's sized pretty small so I'll have to tinker with it a bit if I end up using it. I may do a different pattern though, but for now I'm just going to leave this skein near my knitting area and pet it every day. I love this yarn!

The sleeve that would not end...

I really feel like I'm in some fairy tale in which I knit on my Thermal sleeve during the day. Put it down at night and then pixies come and unravel what progress I've made. I swear I never thought I would spend so much time on a sweater! I have faith I'll love it though. Everyone's finished one's have been awesome. So, I'm on the final sleeve. Then I just attach the sleeves, pick up the neckline and knit for a couple inches. Then I'm done! In time for summer! :)

I'm starting to sense I may finish this sweater sometime in the next week or so (clearly I didn't make my April deadline). What next? I'm thinking Wicked. I need a nice quick knit and I just love that top. I even have the yarn ready to go...Cotton Ease! Kim knit one with it and it turned out great. I'm such a copy cat. :)

***Knitting Group is Tonight! We meet at the new Starbucks in Wilmette (corner of Lake & Laramie, just to the west of I-94 on Lake Ave.). We start at around 6:30 and go until 8ish. Any yarn enthusiast is welcome!***

Yarntastic Day!

So I mentioned on Friday that a bit of sock yarn had entered my home lately. I splurged a bit since it was my birthday. Yeah, that's the perfect excuse. :) Prepare to drool!

(Pick Up Sticks Club and Rockin' Sock Club are the last photos so as to not spoil the surprise for other members).
Duet Skinny from A Swell Yarn Shop in Sailor Girl. Absolutely love this color combination! This is the new thinner sock weight Duet.

Cascade Fixation in Denim (2608) and Chocolate (7382). Adrienne knit a pair of socks with Fixation and brought it to knitting Group. They were so fabulous I want to knit some for myself!

Meilenweit Cotton Fantasy #812 (Blue and Tan) and #803 (Pinks and Browns). This just looked like great cotton sock yarn. It's 45% cotton, 42% wool, and 13% polyamide.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Undertoe (Mediumweight).
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Socktopus (Mediumweight). Absolutely love this color and the name!

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Foo Foo (Mediumweight).

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Footzey-Foo (Mediumweight)


2007 Rockin' Sock Club April kit color, Walking on the Wild Tide, using the new base yarn, Silkie - a silk and wool blend. Absolutely stunning color!

And last, but not least the Pick Up Sticks April Sock Club Kit with Zen Yarn Garden in Spring Garden. The perfect spring colors. :)

So, which is your favorite? ;)

Return from the left coast

Oregon was fantastic (our flight was cancelled Wed. due to Chicago weather so we only got back late last night). We had a wonderful time with my Grammy and the weather was gorgeous. The big news is that we found and bought a house! It's a lovely home in a fantastic neighborhood very close to where Matt will be working. We will close in July - it's going to be hard to wait!

We got back to our two angry cats (they hate it when we travel) and a giant pile of mail rather late last night, but I did have time to see that some more yarn magically appeared in my house while we were gone. :) This picture is just a peak. Any guesses as to what yarn it is? I'll do a full post on Monday with the Rockin' Sock Club kit (Yowza!), the Pick Up Sticks Sock Club kit (Lovely!), and the other various non-club yarn. Tomorrow's my birthday and I plan on spending the whole day knitting! :)

Singular Sleeve, Shattered Dreams

I think we all knew this was going to happen. Somehow I was not able to magically knit two sleeves, a collar, and block Thermal in two nights. Weird how reality steps in sometimes. I did however decide to take the sleeve (and future sleeve a.k.a yarn) with us on our trip.

Tomorrow we are off to visit my grammie and do a little house-hunting in Oregon. We haven't gotten to see Grammie for two years! As happy as I will be to hang out with her, I'm almost as excited about looking at houses. I hope we find something, but if not, we know we may need to go back one more time in a couple months. It'll be fun, no matter what.

As I will be away from my computer there will be no blogging until next week. Let's say Friday, April 27th. Maybe I'll have a finished Thermal to show off then. :)

***Knitting Group is Tonight! We meet at the new Starbucks in Wilmette (corner of Lake & Laramie, just to the west of I-94 on Lake Ave.). We start at around 6:30 and go until 8ish. Any yarn enthusiast is welcome!***

The Return of My Knitting Mojo

Just a few days ago you may remember I lamented the loss of my knitting passion. Well, I'm glad to report I think it's back. After a wonderful trip to The Fold on Saturday with (most of) my Knitting Group I felt ready to knit and never look back. Unfortunately I couldn't start knitting right away Saturday night as we had dinner plans with Matt's little brother, but the dinner was fantastic, so I survived. :) Yesterday I knit most of the day and night. I am now nearly finished with the first Thermal sleeve. Clearly I won't be done by Thursday when we leave for Oregon, but I do have faith that this top will be done by the end of April. Hooray!



As for my purchases from the Fold, you may be surprised at what restraint I showed while being faced with a full selection of Socks that Rock and thousands of other yarns. With future packing for our impending move looming in my brain I decided to not go crazy and just pick out a few things. On the left is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Seduction in Ms. LaRock (tencel/wool sock yarn). In the middle, two skeins of Gypsy Girl Creations sock yarn in Cattails. And finally, two balls of Heirloom Breeze yarn. These came with a pattern for the cutest baby hat (for undisclosed future baby in the immediate family). I also found some cute buttons for Thermal.

The yarn shopping was wonderful however it was not the highlight of the day. What I loved best was the laughing and chatting and smiling. I have never had very many female friends and now I know what I've been missing. Our field trip was a blast! I had such a terrific time and I can't wait for our next outing to Madison in May.

Bait and switch

I know. I know. You all want to see the exciting progress on the Thermal sleeve. Well, wouldn't you rather see the gorgeous new sock yarn I got yesterday? It's Zen Yarn Garden In-Sync from The Sweet Sheep. It is so soft and beautiful. The colors are (left) Spring Bloom and (right) Speckle. I love these sock yarns that come with a coordinating bit for the toe and heel. So neat!
Tomorrow is my Knitting Group's field trip to The Fold in Marengo, Illinois. It's an awesome yarn store with sheep and Socks that Rock! :) Should be a fun day (even though it's cutting into my Thermal knitting time...hehehe).

So it goes

My favorite author, Kurt Vonnegut, passed away yesterday. Thankfully his books will live on forever.

Poser Knitter

I'm becoming a poser knitter. I love to look at (and buy) yarn online. I peruse patterns and knitting blogs as well. However, when I get home at night, I don't touch my needles. The last few weeks I haven't been as driven to knit and I'm not sure what it is that's changed. When I have knit a little during the past days I enjoy it and think to myself, "Hey, I should knit more." I'm not even sure I would call it a slump since I like the projects I've got on the needles. Hmmmmm...maybe I'm still missing my knitting buddy, Kilby the cat...Time to train Laska the Siamese to be my knitting companion. :)

So, here is the laughable amount of knitting I have done on the first Thermal sleeve. I haven't even gotten far enough that it looks like a sleeve and not a sock. Geez! If I really really really focus I may still get this finished by the middle of next week when we go to Oregon, but I really am not sure about that happening. Good thing we've fallen behind on all the shows we record so I've got plenty to keep me going. Online someone finished her Thermal and it looks super. I hope it looks as good on me.

One way to spark the knitting fire is to hear that someone in your immediate family is having a baby! I won't give really any details as it is still early on in the pregnancy and I'm a cautious girl when it comes to that, but I did buy the yarn for a baby blanket and sweater.

I like it so much I'm thinking about keeping it for my not-even-created future baby. It's Berroco Nostalgia and it's a cotton/acrylic/nylon blend. I had picked it out online about a month ago, but was going to wait to purchase it. Then I got the email announcing the Webs annual sale and I saw it was listed. How could I resist? It's really terrific yarn. I'm not sure you can tell from the picture, but the yarn on the right is actually a toned ombre that uses the same color as the yarn on the left. I think I'll do the blanket in the solid and the sweater in the ombre. The yarn feels good and it has this really neat shiny thread running through it. I look forward to knitting it soon.

***Knitting Group is Tonight! We meet at the new Starbucks in Wilmette (corner of Lake & Laramie, just to the west of I-94 on Lake Ave.). We start at around 6:30 and go until 8ish. Any yarn enthusiast is welcome!***

March Pick Up Sticks Club Kit

Hopefully I've waited long enough to not spoil this for any fellow sock club members. I received my kit Tuesday and I just can't wait any longer to share it. March's kit from the Pick Up Sticks Sock Club is the super fantastic Yarn Pirate! The color is ozone and the pattern is the perfect modern, but simple stitch pattern to go with it. Yea! I've been petting this yarn a lot. The colors and texture are just lovely. This kit may trump all plans for what sock I was going to knit next. Maybe I can finish up the Desert Flower socks this weekend though I hardly ever get any knitting time when we are away visiting family and that's what we'll be doing starting tomorrow.

I have a little bit of yarn on its way to me. Pictures soon. Some of it is even not sock yarn. Can you believe it? :)

Sleeve Ahoy!

On Friday I declared I would only knit Thermal this weekend. And that's exactly what I did, however, I did not actually pick up the needles to knit until yesterday. Friday night I was so brain dead from the week that I couldn't face the itty bitty needles and then Saturday we were out and about all day. We saw Blades of Glory which, in my opinion, might even be better than Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. If you love Will Ferrell you'll love the movie. If you don't like him (!) you probably won't like the movie. But how can you not like Will Ferrell? :)

As you can see from the picture, Thermal is finally getting some attention! I finished up the body and just got a start on the first sleeve. As usual, I'm not getting a good photo of the color. I'm using Knit Picks Gloss in Dusk which is a dusty blue. Now that I've got a sleeve on the needles it really seems like I might have a chance at finishing this top in time for our trip to Oregon in a couple weeks. Wish me luck!

Here we go...

The new pattern and needle size are working so much better! I am using size 2.0 (US 0) needles with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Desert Flower and the spindle pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks. I should be casting on for the second one in no time. (In the picture, if you look very closely about halfway down on the right side you'll see a little bit of red. That's where my peasant heel will be going).

Janet in Houston asked me what gauge I get with Inox US 0 (2.0mm) and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. Short answer is 9 stitches per inch. Long answer, which my knitting Group is all too familiar with, is that everyone knits differently and you have to swatch it to find out. I'm never sure how much information people want or need when it comes to sock sizing, but I'll give you the general overview of how I size my socks.

First, I figure my gauge (stitches per inch). Sometimes I swatch to find this, but I've also been keeping a list of socks yarns I've knit with in the past and what gauge I got on certain needles - no need to swatch! The most important thing to remember here is that you can't let a pattern or someone else dictate what needle size to use. Those are just suggestions. You have to be happy with the fabric. For example, Lorna's does not look good to me on US 1's. It just doesn't. I get around 8 stitches per inch on US 1's and that just doesn't look as good to me as 9 stitches per inch which I get with US 0's. Someone else might like it, or they might get 9 stitches per inch on US 1's. We all knit differently. That's what keeps things interesting. :)

Secondly, I measure around the widest part of my foot. This is pretty self-explanatory. Just measure snugly around the wide part right above your toes.

Thirdly, multiply your gauge and your foot circumference to figure out what number to cast on (or what number to increase to if you are doing toe-up). For example, in my case with Lorna's on 0's, that would be:

9 stitches per inch x 9 inches around my foot = 81.

Finally, sometimes it's good to be negative. Ok, that's dorky, but it is true. In some stitch patterns you want some negative ease. Negative ease, the way I think about it, is when the fabric hugs the foot rather than fitting perfectly around the foot. If I knit a plain stockinette sock, I usually knit with about 10% negative ease. So, if my gauge x circumference number was 81, I would probably cast on 72.

81 x 10% = 8
81 - 8 = 73, but I like even numbers, so 72.

With ribbing patterns I usually just find a good number somewhere between the gauge x circumference number and the negative ease number. Whatever works well with the pattern repeat. It makes life much easier (and balanced) if you make sure your pattern repeat divides evenly into your total stitch count.

Ok, so that was the long answer! Hope I wasn't too pedantic and I didn't confuse or bore anyone. That was just a glimpse into my knitting thought process. :)

Thermal is being neglected. I think I'll make this weekend Thermal-only knitting. I'd like to finish it before our Oregon visit in mid-April. That may be overly ambitious if I'm continually distracted with sock knitting...

A Pattern for Every Sock

Monday night I happily began knitting the crosshatch lace pattern from the new More Sensational Knitted Socks (see photo to the right). For some reason I decided to knit the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock on US 1's. I have no idea why. I know I should only ever knit Lorna's on US 0's, but for some reason I didn't this time. After about 5 inches or so I realized the following:

1) I didn't like the bigger needle size;
2) I didn't like the pattern with the yarn color (Desert Flower);
3) The yarn was pooling in a crazy way; and
4) The sock was going to be a tad too big.

So, last night I started over. Since I had to start from scratch I'm not too far yet, but I can tell already that this pattern and needle size (US 0/2.0mm) is going to work much better. I'm using the spindle pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks. It's not showing up too well in the photo, but it looks great in person. I'll try to get a better picture once the first sock is finished (and if sunlight ever comes back to the Chicago area). I'm still getting some intense striping, but that's just how Lorna's sock yarn rolls. :)

Since I've refrained from any new yarn purchases for a couple weeks now I have no new yarn to show you. I do however have my awesome new knitting bag that I ordered this past winter in anticipation of spring. My new Offhand Designs Zelda Grand in Posey. I just love the bright cheery color. The handles are a really dark grape purple and the lining is bright pink. It's the perfect size for toting a couple sock projects to Group night. Speaking of Group...

***Knitting Group is Tonight! We meet at the new Starbucks in Wilmette (corner of Lake & Laramie, just to the west of I-94 on Lake Ave.). We start at around 6:30 and go until 8ish. Any yarn enthusiast is welcome!***

My Fashionable Socks

Project Socks
Pattern: My own - Toe up instructions from Knitty, peasant heel
Yarn: Yarntini fingering weight in Self-Striping Make it Work! and a shot of color Carry On!
Needles: Inox 2.0mm (US 0)
Start Date: March 14, 2007
End Date: March 25, 2007
Comments: These socks are fierce! Ok, maybe I'm watching a little too much America's Next Top Model...But I do love these socks. The awesome stripes are all thanks to the Yarntini yarn and I just had to throw in my new favorite toe and heel. The yardage was stupendous on this yarn. Even with a longer cuff, I have a ton left over of both the striped and the solid. Yea! No running out of yarn!

Right after casting off the Project Runway socks I worked on Thermal for a couple hours. I'm nearing completion of the back. If I would just stop knitting socks for a minute I'm sure I'd have it done much sooner, but I got a new sock book in the mail this weekend so I had to put Thermal down and cast on for a new pair. :)

Here is the much anticipated More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. I love love love her first book and this one does not disappoint. The two big differences that I've found so far are that there are many more toe and heel styles and the stitch gallery has gone from being scattered throughout the book to being collected in the back. I think it's an improvement. I've already picked out the first pattern I'm going to do. I only got through the toe last night so more details Wednesday. (The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Desert Flower).

Matchy Matchy

Most of the socks I knit I really don't worry about making them identical. The only time I do is when the yarn is self-striping. Then it's part of the fun to see how close I can get. Looks good so far! (Yarn: Yarntini in Make it Work! (striping) and Carry on! (shot of solid); Pattern: None really, using magic cast-on from knitty.com and peasant heel).

And for those sock knitters looking for a challenge have you seen the 52 Pair Plunge Knitalong? The knitalong starts April 1, 2007 and ends April 1, 2008 and the challenge is to knit 52 pairs in one year. Anyone signing up? Adrienne? Claire? :)

***Knitting Group is Tonight! We meet at the new Starbucks in Wilmette (corner of Lake & Laramie, just to the west of I-94 on Lake Ave.). We start at around 6:30 and go until 8ish. Any yarn enthusiast is welcome!***

Rich Tapestry

Tapestry Scarf

Pattern: The scarf pattern the Yarn Harlot had on her blog
Yarn: Rowan Tapestry in Pot Pourri
Needles: KnitPicks options, size 5
Start Date: November 21, 2006
End Date: March 17, 2007
Comments: This scarf was born of the desire to do something with the (at the time) new Rowan Tapestry yarn. This yarn has soft color shift similar to Noro Kureyon and is a blend of wool and soy. The yarn has an overall interesting texture that is difficult to describe. Probably the best way would be that it feels fibrous. Once knit, this scarf has fantastic drape and sheen. I cast on 42 in order to produce a nice wide scarf and I believe I knit 4 balls, but I have to double check on that. Maybe it was only three...I've been knitting on this scarf off and on for so long I can't remember. The only drawback to the yarn is that it is a tad splitty. Granted, I was using my very sharp Knit Picks Options needles, but even with a blunter point I think this yarn would still be a little aggravating. Overall, I really enjoyed using this yarn and the pattern was super simple. The warm, but light fabric the Tapestry creates, the excellent colors, and the lovely drape more than make up for the splittiness. This scarf also receives the award for longest time to knit a scarf ever. (I think I can hear my knitting Group cheering! They've been watching me knit this thing forever).

I also finished the first Yarntini Project Runway sock! (Blurry picture due to Monday morning camera ineptitude). This sock was so much fun to knit. I love the color combination and the solid toe, heel, and cuff. I used the magic cast on from Knitty and a peasant heel. Now that the tapestry scarf is done I think I'll bring the second Project Runway sock to knit at Group this week. It's perfect easy knitting.

Thermal did receive some attention, but the progress isn't really interesting enough to take a picture. I'm working on the back section right now. It's moving along faster than before, but that really just means I went from the speed of a glacier to the speed of a snail. :)

I'm feeling better regarding Kilby. I spent the weekend cuddling with the other two cats, Laska and Nemo, and that picked up my spirits quite a bit. I do continually remember little things about her, but it's getting easier to think about them. Thanks again for all the kind words.

Life moves on

Thank you to everyone for your kind words about Kilby's passing. Knowing so many people are sending good thoughts our way really does help. I took the day off work today and I've spent time just thinking about how much she meant to me and Matt. I will never have another kitty like her, but that's what made her so special.

Over the last few days I have gotten a bit of knitting done. Nothing like the calming nature of knitting.

Conifer Socks
Pattern: Conifer by Meghan Jackson from the Pick Up Sticks Sock Club
Yarn: Apple Laine Apple Pie in English Garden
Needles: Inox size 2.5mm (US 1)
Start Date: February 20, 2007
End Date: March 14, 2007
Comments: Once I figured out I should actually read the pattern, these socks knit very nicely. The pattern designer, Meghan Jackson, has outstanding attention to detail. Not only is the top of leg done in a unique stitch pattern, the leg is in a different stitch and then she carries the ribbing pattern through the heel and the toe. Pretty cool.

The Apple Laine yarn is one I don't think I would have necessarily ordered on my own so I was curious when I received it through the Pick Up Sticks Sock Club. Turns out I absolutely loved working with it. It's a wool/silk/mohair/nylon blend with a beautiful fuzz and sheen. The colors are deeply saturated and I had absolutely no pooling. I think there is a very very slight difference in the intensity of the color if you compare the two socks, but nothing too noticeable.

Wednesday night I started my next pair of socks. These are being knit in Yarntini's Project Runway colors, "Carry On!" and "Make it Work!" in fingering weight. I'm knitting toe-up to maximize the yardage and that way I can do my new favorite heel - the peasant heel (you can just see the waste yarn below the top black line). I thought I would do a 2x2 ribbing on the foot and leg, but after looking at it again last night I ripped back to the toe and started the foot over again with just plain stockinette. Much better. For the curious, I'm getting 8 stitches per inch on 0's (2.0mm).

This weekend I'm hoping to spend some good quality time with Thermal. All the socks this week have been distracting me, but I still have hopes of someday finishing Thermal and wearing it. :) Speaking of distractions, here are the new Duet Sock yarns I got earlier this week. The colors are Evening Elegance and Razzleberry. I really just can't get enough of this yarn. Maybe she'll start a sock club...I wouldn't be able to resist a Duet sock club...Are you reading this, Angela? :)

Kilby

April 16, 1999 - March 15, 2007

My heart is breaking.
We just put Kilby to sleep. Her whole system was failing. I loved her so much.

Worry Wart

Even the arrival of a couple colors of Duet Yarns isn't cheering me up (pictures later). Kilby (my diabetic cat) hasn't been feeling well since Monday. After she spent the day with the vet yesterday we still don't know what is wrong. So far we know it has nothing to do with her diabetes, urinary tract, kidneys, or liver. She's now on an antibiotic, but she is still not eating or drinking.

Knitting Group is tonight, but there is a good chance I'll skip so that I can hang out with Kilby. Who knows. Maybe the antibiotics will kick in by the time I get home from work.

Knitting content will resume Friday. I promise.