Marigold's Finished

These popped up in my sock garden a few weeks ago. Aren't they fun?!

This pattern is easily one of my favorites. Clearly written, you can fly through these in a few days. The repeat is easily memorized, so I didn't have to carry the pattern with me (a big plus in my teenager/pre-schooler filled world). It was not necessary, nor did I want to make any modifications to this pattern. Sizing was dead on for me and once we get some fall/sock weather these will be on my feet!

I see another pair or two of Marigold's in my future. Next time, I think I will use a slightly more solid color way instead of one with so many different colors. My thought being the ever changing colors are obscuring a lovely pattern, which I would prefer to see more of.

So here are the details for anyone who cares about what I do.

Pattern: Marigold Socks by Pamela Wynne of Flint Knits fame
Yarn: Hill Country's Sweetfeet in Shasta Daisy.
Needles: Addi Lace US2 Circular
Started: June 10, 2007
Finished: July 11, 2007

So there we are . . . pair 10 of the 52 Pair Plunge!

On-Your-Toes Socks Finished

Pattern: On-Your-Toes Socks by Ann Budd from IK Summer '07 issue
Yarn: Tofutsies - Partie colorway
Needles: US 2 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: June 22, 2007
Finished: July 17, 2007
Notes: Note about photo, socks are really the same length. The light was funny that morning and that pose was the best that could be done. I had some serious trouble with the Middle-eastern wrap method of casting on. But found a super tutorial with detailed photos at the hello yarn blog. This made the whole thing much simpler to understand. Truth be told, I really like this method of casting on. No crochet hook or waste yarn to work with/carry around/muck up my knitting bag. Side note, the waste yarn always gets tangled around another WIP, no matter what I do. So to completely leave it out of the travel knitting bag is a welcome relief. Back to business, I also like the shape of the toe this cast on creates. It seems to me to be less pointy and more round in shape. I mentioned here that the toes seem very roomy. They are and it's ok with me. Once I got farther into the sock, things seem to hit my normal sizing and changing needles was not necessary. Summary, this is definitely a cast on method I will continue to use.

The yarn was more fun to work with that I expected. Since I gifted them the minute they came off my needles, I don't know how it is washing up. But while knitting it seems firm to work with, but created a nice soft fabric. In the simple ribbed pattern the colors looked great, with the yellow and grey making a nice pop of color in all the purples and pinks.

So all in all, I am happy with these and can count them in the 52 Pair Plunge.

What have I done for her lately?

Not enough, I can tell you that.

Hello, there! JJ here. For those of you who read Trixie's blog, you can frequently find me commenting on her posts. I am Trixie's younger sister (though she would be quick to tell you that most people cannot actually distinguish which of us is the eldest) and I have the distinct pleasure of being her "guest blogger". I really don't know what I did to earn this right, but here I am and I have lots to say.

My primary charge is to let you all know that Trixie is alive and well and will be back blogging with all of you very shortly. As you probably read in her last post, she took a trip to Arizona for a family member's surgery. I will let her divulge what she wishes regarding said surgery; but for now, suffice to say that it went well and the recipient is recooperating peacefully at home. I went to Arizona as well with my 11 month old in tow. Having an 11 month old while trying to care for a loved one in the Intensive Care Unit where babies are not allowed proved to be quite a challenge, but Trixie stepped up. Without her help, I would have done just as well to stay home. Thanks, Trixie.

My secondary duty is to show you the socks that Trixie made for me. (Please forgive the picture placement...I was lucky to figure out how to get the picture there at all!) I dropped as many hints on this blog as possible that I wanted those socks! I saw the Mountain Laurel yarn, seen in "Solid Gold Sweet Feet", and knew that I just had to have them. So what happened? Trixie stepped up. I don't know the pattern or needles she used and I don't know how long they took her, but I do know I. Love. Them! I vowed to wear them in Arizona despite the heat and I did just that! I had those socks on every day and boy, are they comfy!

Those are the things that Trixie asked me to share. And having done that, I can now share an observation of my own.

There are times in life that call you to be all that you are capable of being. This past week was one of those times for Trixie and me. It was a week where the things you do show who you really are and what your character is made of. I can tell you that my behavior left something to be desired, but ...you guessed it...Trixie stepped up.

Now, I am the sort of person who likes to help others. I'll open a door for a frustrated delivery man who can't get the door open. I pick trash up off the streets. I hold elevator doors. I will listen to the venting of my beloved sister. I enjoy giving gifts. But this past week, I was too involved in my own emotions and let them take control of me. But not Trixie. She did all of those things and many more despite going through hard emotions herself. She made volatile situations more calm. She showed who she really is and she can be proud. I know I am proud of her. She made me feel beter, she made me see things in a new perspective. She made me ...look bad! Just kidding. She demonstrated grace and an inner fortitude that I can only admire at this point. So, what have I done for her lately? I posted a blog when she didn't have access to a computer, and I hope that' s enough to tell her how very much I love her.

Cast On - Smashed On

Ok. So I'm giving the IK Summer 07 Middle-East-wrap method of casting on a try. For my first attempt, not too bad. I say first attempt because I am not totally happy with my work. Bumps, a hole and the M1 left and right are reversed - I think?! Anywho, I am starting over.

First, I am going to bed . . . it's 12:52 am (hence the crappy flash photo). Finally . . . I feel sleepy. It's said that lack of sleep can cause one to make careless errors. So what's my excuse when I am well rested?!

PS - so far, I love the yarn!

Sweet dreams.

Jr. Whitby

Pattern: Whitby from Knitting on The Road by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Louet Gems Sport Weight 100% Merino Wool in Pewter
Needles: US 2 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: June 6, 2007
Finished: June 21, 2007
Notes: I knit them toe-up because it was left over yarn from the adult Whitby's I did earlier. To get the size right, I had to slightly modify the cable and cuff.

Note ~ These are modeled by recipient, who had to be bribed with computer time to hold still for photos. When asked if he liked them I got a mumbled "yea, uh-huh." Well . . . "mumble, mumble, mumble!?"

Bikini Bottom - Complete

Pattern: Generic Toe-up Recipe with short row heel
Yarn: Cider Moon's Glacier in Bikini Bottom
Needles: US 2 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: April 30, 2007
Finished: May 9, 2007
Notes: I need to give more attention to my short rows. Instead of nice tight wraps, I end up with something more like eyelets. Any tips? I'll take 'em.

Sorry, blogger/my computer was being funny about posting pictures, so only half the post was originally published. Here is the rest . . .

Last night there was a beautiful storm. Thunder booming, lighting crashing and loss of power! Why do I sleep so well during the storms, but if Boo-boo rolls over (in his bed, in his room) I jump awake? But I am getting off the subject. Now the air smells so clean and good that I took a short walk. Here is a photo of some peonies I saw along the way. These are my neighbors and are almost ready to bloom. Ants just love the buds right now. Isn't it funny that ants and peonies need one another, yet I don't need ants in my kitchen?

Baby Buds

Pair number five . . .



Pattern: Baby Buds by Trixie's Stix
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential Solid in Petunia and some (hush - don't say a word) white dk acrylic from inherited stash.
Needles: US 1 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: April 19, 2007
Finished: April 29, 2007
Notes: Easy, quick and cute!

I'll post the pattern if you’re interested.

Life seems to get in the way of knitting these days. Geesh, you would think that by this time life would know better! What with trying to take care of mom's house, watch RM finish a 1/2 marathon, decide which school to send Boo-boo to for kindergarten, get ready for garage sale, drive to Grand Rapids for soccer games and track meets, neglect house work, and finish my lawn maintenance you would think I could squeeze in a little time for, oh I don't know . . . a shower/change of clothes and some knitting. Uh, yea.

Whitby

Sock number four . . .



Pattern: Whitby from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Louet Gems Sport Weight 100% Merino Wool in Pewter
Needles: US 2 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: April 20, 2007
Finished: April 25, 2007
Notes: I knit the leg 1/2" longer than recommended.

Now that I used the correct weight yarn, I love these socks. I need to mention that this yarn is yummy and I will knit with it again. Though, maybe a brighter color would be fun.

Note about pattern . . . it's lovely! Very easy to commit to memory, so no need to tote around a book or pattern notes. The socks are comfy to wear, with no irritation (you know the rubbing and such) from the cables. I will say that the diamond pattern does, in my lowly opinion, make my ankles lean toward the larger side. Overall a super pattern.

Please note that sexy, pasty, tree trunk of a leg was not meant to show, but the sock decided to cooperate, so we sacrificed showing of ugly leg for sake of fair sock photo.

Electric Wiggle Sock Debut

See the yarn sheepishly peeking out from behind the candle? It doesn't want you to know that it has been knit up as sock a, sock b and sock c. A little awkward for it, to say the least. The yarn wants to be socks and does not want to fight with me anymore. It yearns to stop splitting, knitting at odd tensions, and jumping off needles at random moments (you know, like when laying untouched inside a knitting bag). Due to this change of heart, the yarn is pleased to announce that it will be cooperating from here on out. Having let me knit one complete sock, that I am calling the Electric Wiggle, we are now ready to begin the second. No longer will it fight me every step of the way. I have a feeling that knitting the second sock should be a breeze.

The yarn is content.

I will be content.

The Striped Betweener

Sock number three . . .


Pattern: The Striped Betweener by Jaye Quadrozzi
Yarn: Sublime Extra Fine 100% Merino Wool in Red Current (shade 17), Dusted Grey (shade 18), and Girlie (shade 9)
Needles: US 4 Bamboo DPN
Started: April 16, 2007
Finished: April 21, 2007
Notes: Jogless stripes might be a misnomer in my knitting world. Yet, for my first attempt I am satisfied. I received great tips from blogging friends and will use them the next go around.

Swatching For Stripes

Now comes some swatching for a striped pair of socks.

I have selected a yarn called Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool in red current (shade 17), Dusted Grey (shade 18), and Girlie (shade 9). It is a DK weight yarn that is so soft and cushy, I just can't get enough. It was first mentioned here. This is my first foray into stripes and I am skittish about how they will turn out. I have swatched on straight needles and dpn's in the round to get the feeling of the color changes before I begin. Probably a little over-kill, but I was a Girl Scout back in the day.

After a few swatches, I found that I prefer the drape of this fabric when knitted on US 4 dpn's. The ball band calls for a needle size of US6. If I was knitting a sweater, I would likely stick with that. But I am knitting socks, so a tighter gauge is better in my book.

Send me knitting good wishes on the stripes.

Stash Show and Tell

A few bloggers on the KAL have flashed their stash for us to view. Some of these stashes are massive, with huge dollars wrapped up in sock yarn alone. There are so many gorgeous colors of yarn that just beg to be knit with. Since the 52 Pair Plunge is weighing on my mind, I commenced my own stash dive. This is my effort to get all the sock yarns ready. Um, well . . . I'll let the picture speak for itself.



One hank of Yarn Pirate's Sweetheart color way in a 50/50 Merino/Tencel blend. I purchased it around February, 2007 from The Loopy Ewe, where else.

My intuition told me I am a little under prepared.

So began my calculations to see how much all these socks will set me back. I figure, my median sock yarn price multiplied by the number of socks necessary to complete KAL equals the estimated total cost of all sock yarn needed to complete said KAL (this is where I started the quick, wheezing/breathing of what is known as hyperventilation).

Gulp.

No wonder my horoscope said money would be tight near the end of this month.

Picot-Edged Baby Socks

Sock number two. . .



Pattern: Picot-Edged Baby Socks by Pattie Pierce
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette 100% Peruvian Wool in Red
Needles: US 1 Addi Turbo Circular (knit on Magic Loop Method)
Gauge: 7 sts to 1" in stockinette
Started: April 10, 2007
Finished: April 11, 2007
Notes: Very quick knit. The pattern calls for a ribbon through the eyelets, yet I prefer the socks without it. So, I win. No ribbon. A word about the yarn, it knits up fairly soft. I am not jumping up and down, but am satisfied with it. If you use this yarn, know that it splits, often.

Baby Knitting Comin' My Way

Great news! I get to knit for a baby. She is due August, 2007 so summer and winter knits for a little girl are in my future. Cute little booties, hats and sweaters in soft hues of pink are just the ticket. Hmmmmmm, so good. I enjoy knitting for babies because the projects usually (don't ask about the argyle sweater) finish up quickly. An added bonus for me is the pieces weigh almost nothing, making baby goodies perfect for summer knitting.

Now this bundle of joy does not belong to me (huge sigh of relief on my part). Close friends of ours are bringing this baby into our world. Not that RM and I are opposed to more kids; we just need more room to have them. Our house is small, to say the least. If the Department of Housing and Urban Development saw the size of our bedrooms, they would frown. Let's just say tiny and minimal is what we live with. It's an old cottage; drafty, creaky and small, but on a lake. So we deal. But I'm getting off the subject.

Back to baby knitting. . . I am thinking about this from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits for the little gal. After a quick visit to the library, I picked up Itty-bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson (where do I start . . . all are wonderful) and Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falic and Kristin Nicholas (love the felted diaper bag). There are hundreds of patterns out there and in no time flat my mind gets boggled at the choices. So, if you know of a great baby pattern, please let me know as I'd love to check it out.

Notes - Sorry about the flash in the photo. We are getting snow right now and the light is terrible. The knitting is going to be a pair of baby socks for the 52 Pair Plunge, more details later.

Pewter Socks

So RM spent part of spring break doing our taxes (read crabby and not at all fun to be around). This meant very limited computer access until he was done. I am sorry that I have not responded to comments or posted for almost a week.

I spent part of spring break showing up at the neighbors with a bottle of wine asking, "Can I come over while RM does taxes, if I share a glass with you?" Because I have the best neighbors, they happily invited me in. Or was it the free wine?!

But I also got the first pair of socks done for the 52 Pair Plunge. I call them Pewter Socks.

***added - this picture looked better before I . . . oh, hell it just stinks. So, please click on it to get a bigger view for detail. Sorry. ***

I love Shirley Paden’s Pewter Coat that was in IK Winter 2006. The cable designs are interesting. She includes some cables that have purling and yo’s in them. These were challenging and new for me. Plus I simple adore knitting through the back loop. Each stitch seems to pop off the knitting, so I use kbl in ribbing quite often.

Though the Pewter Coat is lovely, I knew that it was something I just would not have the time to knit. Still, I longed to try the cable designs. Each pattern repeat is over 32 stitches, if doubled that makes 64 (yep, math wiz right here folks). Coincidently, that is just the number of stitches I like to use when knitting toe-up socks. So, I thought I would give socks a go with Shirley’s pattern.

Here's the down low:

Pattern: A toe-up, with a lot of help (OK all of the chart) from Pewter Coat in the IK, Winter 2006. I loved this sweater, but knew I would never knit it. So, I used the pattern to create these socks. I can not take any credit for this great design. It all goes to Shirley Paden, who is the designer of the coat, and I feel, these socks. I just took the chart and added a toe, heel and cuff.
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss in Burgundy (70% Merino Wool, 20% Silk)
Needles: US 1 Addi Turbo Circular (knit on Magic Loop Method)
Gauge: 32 St over 4" in stockinette
Started: April 1, 2007
Finished: April 6, 2007
Notes: . I have noticed several designs that start the pattern of the sock immediately after completing the toe. In this case (because of the cables) I felt it best to knit six rounds before beginning to knit the pattern. After that, I just kept going until the yarn ran out. Also, I don't like socks that start the pattern too soon after the heel is turned (rubs in my shoes). So I did not begin the chart until I had six rows of stockinette complete. I knit the cuff with a kbl (knit through the back loop) in the ribbing. In my humble opinion, this seems to make the ribbing "pop" a little more.

If Shirley reads this, I hope she realizes that she designed a great versatile pattern

One pair done, 51 more to go.

52 Pair Plunge

I sent the e-mail off to join the 52 Pair Plunge. Yep, 52 pairs of socks in 52 weeks. Yep. A lot of socks. Yep.

So here is my plan:

1. 5 pair each for RM, Soccerchica and Boo-boo (15 pair)
2. 6 pair for Holiday gifts
3. 4 pair as baby shower gifts
4. 5 pair for me
5. Charity knitting - The Haven could use some, I am sure.
6. Goodness knows what I'll do with the rest.

A pair a week sounds easy, until I really looked at the patterns I wanted to knit (read: All Cookie A's designs), what I already have on my needles (technically not a lot) and all the other things I may want to knit (Fiery bolero, the big frill, etc.). It may be that I have "plunged" into too big of a project. When you think about the sheer number of stitches it takes to knit 52 pairs of socks. Yeeeeek.

Still, I have enthusiasm for this project. Socks are fun for me in the summer because they are easy to tote around. Plus if I am doing baby and kids socks the count should add up quickly. Not even a mention or thought about the skeins (and skeins) of yummy sock yarn I will be using has crossed my mind. The colors, the fibers, the . . . money?! Oh well, we only live once. So here I go!

BTW ~ if anyone could help with saving the buttons (52 Pair Plunge and the Debbie Bliss KAL) to my side bar, I would really appreciate the help.



Update - Yea it works! Thanks eKNITabeth!