Adventures in Sock Knitting: March 2006

Friday, March 31, 2006

Flash Your Stash

I has come to my attention (mostly from all the pictures posted yesterday) that my stash is not that big. Oh well.

First off, the sock yarn: I call this picture "Socks and Shoes"

Except the socks have some assembly required. There has been one skein addition to the sock stash since the picture was taken, a gift from my Mystery Pal. :)

There's some Lorna's Laces, Opal, Trekking, Koigu, Wildfoote, Bearfoot, and various others. I'm not naming all of them!

And now on to non-sock stash:

See, when I say I like blue yarn I'm not kidding!

Some highlights include the No No Kitty yarn in the bottom left corner, some cashmere blend for a sweater in the lower righthand corner, and the stuff in the bag is Nature Cotton. You can also probably spot some Manos and Noro.

And last but not least:

The rest of the stash!

The cones are Peace Fleece, there's some light blue tweed for a sweater, Handpainted Yarn Bulky in the lower left corner, the purple and blue varigated in the bottom row is Shepherd Worsted from my Holiday SP, and the purple yarn in the bag I won during the Knittyboard WIP-along. That's going to be a sweater too.

And that's it, the end of the stash. I have quite a bit of donated acrylic for charity knitting, but I don't count that as "stash" because I didn't buy it and it's not for me!

WIP it out, the final episode

OK, here goes!

First up are the living room WIPs. These are the projects that get worked on mostly while I'm watching movies. Or other Netflix.

At the top we have Tubey, and bottom from left to right: a secret project (my most recently started WIP), a tank top I started to avoid having to photograph that yarn for FYS. I mean, if it's part of a WIP it's not stash, right?

Speaking of, why is everyone posting Flash Your Stash pictures today? Is anyone else as confused about this as I am, it's tomorrow!

OK, on with the WIPs. Next we have socks and a bag:

From top left: Elfine's Socks, Conwy Socks (my oldest WIP, and the only one started before the new year!), Mata Hari socks
Bottom: Spork (a felted messenger bag)

Last but not least, the animal WIPs:

Left is a pig I'm making with some random pink acrylic. Right is the bunny, which is waiting on something pink and fuzzy for the inner ear.

And I'll be posting for Flash Your Stash tomorrow!

Monday, March 27, 2006

Socks finished and bunny in progress!

I finished these lovely purple socks tonight. Sockapaloooza pal, you only have to wait a little over a month. ;)

Details:

Pattern: my own design
Yarn: Knitpicks Palette in purple
Started: 3/8/06
Finished: 3/27/06

I also have a bunny that's almost finished. I just need to knit the insides of the ears, and then seam and stuff.

It even kinda looks like a bunny!

My SP package is here!!!

So, there was a little snafu with the first package, which is hopefully still making it's leisurely way here... or back to my SP... or anywhere but being lost forever because that would just be too sad.

But Package #2 has arrived!

I saw all those tissue wrapped things and I just had to take a picture.

And after much unwrapping, the contents:

From top left:

An awesome (handmade?) bracelet with black plastc rings, blue beaded rings holding them together, and a little silver star charm. I'm wearing it now! A ball of Cashsoft DK to make Mrs. Beeton, and blue plaid PJ pants! My SP read that I like to knit in my PJs and got me these cute pants. :)

Next Row:

Buffy mints. Yes, you read that right. I can eat these little mints, and then when I'm done I'll have a Buffy tin to hold... stitch markers or something. :D The little pink fish is a pin made by a local artist, and my SP suggested we name her Starieyed. I agree. :)

And last but not least...

Boston Baked Beans (tee hee) and Violet "mints". Are they really mint, or violet flavored? I have no clue. She said that I probably wouldn't like them, but I'm going to give it a shot. And if they're gross I'll just offer them to my friends and make *them* eat them!

Saturday, March 25, 2006

WIP it out!

I just saw this cute little thing over on Elspeth's blog. I'm going to do it too - on Friday. :)

I haven't been posting much because I haven't finished anything since those socks. What have I been doing? Well, working on WIPs and starting new stuff too. I won't tell you everything on the needles at the moment because you'll get to see it all on Friday. But suffice it to say that I've been working on one slightly-abandoned WIP and started two more. Two are close to completion, though. :)

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Knitting with beads, and a new design

Tonight the PhD knitting girls had a workshop called Knitting with Beads. In the workshop we taught "bead knitting", "beaded knitting", and "slip stitch beading".

I also came up with my very own design.

My designed piece (left) is called Beaded Square Cat Toy. Jessica's design (right) is called Square Beaded Cat Toy.

I might publish the pattern soon, I'm thinking about it.

Monday, March 20, 2006

F is for...

Finally!

Now children, gather round for a story.

Once upon a time I really wanted a Mind the Gap shirt. I knew someone who was going to London, so I asked him to get me one. And he did... but it was too small. So small, that even were I to become anorexic and lose 50 pounds, it would still be fitted because the shirt was smaller than my ribcage. It was a BIG disappointment. Or, rather, a small disappointment. ;)

Over the summer one of my coworkers went to London, and I asked him to bring me back a shirt, but unfortunately he didn't have time to pick one up.

Well, just a couple of weeks ago I learned that Tania was going to London, and asked her to pick me up a Mind the Gap shirt. And she did, and today it arrived in the mail. Nine months after the original request I finally have my shirt. It's really a short sleeve "junior" fit, but since it's freezing today I'm wearing a long sleeve black shirt under it. :)

Rockin!

I got my first Socks That Rock sock club package today. See Soapfibergal's blog for pictures, cuz I'm too lazy to take them myself. ;)

However, Catherine requested a better picture of the keychain, so here goes.

It's just a little skein of yarn with a label that says "Emergency Sock Yarn, Don't leave home without it!"

Saturday, March 18, 2006

The knitters go out!

This afternoon a bunch of knittyboarders gathered in the lobby of the hotel to meet. Enallagma9, Bryghtrose, Kirsti, me, polarg, and Joanna - bitterknitter (taking the picture). The "Magnificent 7".

We met and went from there to Newbury Yarns to look around and drool over yarn. After hitting Windsor Button, grabbing some food, and losing a few along the way to other commitments, Kirsti, polarg, bryghtrose, and I headed back to the hotel for some knitting and chatting. We soon realized we were all knitting socks.

Add those to the three handknit pairs we were wearing between the four of us and you get a lot of socks!

I also had to share the Jaffa Cakes.

Fun was had by all. Maybe too much fun, when we realized it was 10pm and we should probably go home. ;)

Friday, March 17, 2006

St. Patrick's Day is really a holiday about knitting

You heard it here first!

First off, I finished my Dublin Bay socks. (Did you notice that? Dublin Bay!)

The recipient (like most of the known world) has larger feet than I do, so they're a little big for the sock blockers.

Next I headed over to Catherine's to dye yarn. We got some Kool Aid in green and blue.

Mad Scientwists... hee hee. Here's some of my yarn dyeing.

Alexis came over with her very fab scarf, which totally belongs on this blog.

Stars? check Blue? check I think I need to make one of my own.

And last, but not least, I started my 2nd ever pair of toe-up socks. I like this toe much better. The pattern is Elfine's Socks. :)

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Knitters from afar and fun with the camera

Early early (12:01am) Tuesday morning I read on Kirsti's blog that she'd be coming to Boston and looking for people to knit with. So I did my knitterly duty and left her a comment inviting her to come to my Tuesday knitting group, also attended by Jenn. And she came! Another example of the craziness of knitters - after arriving at the airport she dropped her stuff off at the hotel, found the subway station, and joined us for coffee and knitting. :)

Afterwards we grabbed some dinner and took this picture as proof that we all do really exist.

See how I'm short?

So today I went to knit with the girls in my PhD program and decided this was the perfect time to sample the Jaffa Cakes. The whole event was photographed so you can all share the moment with me.

Ready...

Where's the chocolate?

Set...

GO!

I have trouble with giggling when people are taking a picture of me eating. ;)

The verdict?

Wait, this blog is supposed to be about knitting?

Oh yeah... well here are some socks for you.

Monday, March 13, 2006

E is for Eat

I have had a really hard time thinking of a picture for E. I wanted to do Entropy, and still will as a bonus entry if I can figure out how to photograph entropy before the 15th. So, since I didn't use C for Cats, I decided to show Pantalaimon and Kirjava enjoying one of their favorite activities - eating.

In addition to fulfilling the letter E this post proves that I actually have two cats that look alike, and it's not like when I was a kid and used to try to convince people that I was twins by putting my hair in a ponytail and taking it down.

Ten Reasons I Like Jenn

I got this from Jen's blog and decided to take the tag and write about Jenn! Yes, those are different people.

Call it a meme - find one blogger in your life you especially appreciate and post your own list. Tag, you're it.

10. Because from the very day I met her I just liked her!
9. In the short time I've known her, she's been a great friend - even offering to bring me anything I needed when I was sick!
8. She makes killer strawberry jam. :)
7. We share a deep love of socks! see here
6. She knit my Zebra Socks!
5. She tells me when the hot guys are gay, and I can't tell.
4. When I need the wisdom of a big sister, I can ask Jenn because I am the big sister in my family.
3. She convinced me to buy blue Danskos that are so cute!
2. Sometimes she says really snarky things, and I think it's hilarious. :)
1. Because she's just generally a nice, kind, and generous person. The world needs more people like Jenn.

As for knitting... socks for Jenn.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

The Secret Sweater is done!

Yay, I finished! Well, the knitting is finished. I still need to block and seam it but that won't happen until after this weekend, since I have potential students coming to stay with me.

Anyway, no pictures of the sweater, but I do have a couple of other pictures for you tonight. :)

First off, some goodies from Shona:

The famous Jaffa Cakes, which I've never tried but will now have the chance to! She also sent Fruit Pastilles, which apparently are also very good, and a keychain for Edinburgh.

This is perfect for two reasons - one because I haven't been having the best week. Second because my keychain broke tonight! Yes, my big green tape measure that allows me to locate my keys from many feet away finally bit the dust. Well, first the tab fell off the tape measure part, but I had my uncle melt it back on. Then it was getting weak again so I taped it. Now the part connecting it to the ring has broken and I think it's time that it becomes just another tape measure.

And now for the second picture, the very little progress I've made on my Sockapalooza socks:

Yep, purple ruffley cuffs. That's all. It was a lot of stitches to cast on, okay!

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

GRRR... but my sweater is going very well!

I had a rather crummy day. Not in a knitting related way.

But on the subway ride home tonight I worked some more on the sleeves for the secret sweater and I'm very very close to being done. Maybe tomorrow.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Hats, and my feet impersonate a zebra

On Tuesday I tried on Rachel's hat at knitting group. It was too small for her because it was originally intended for her cousin, but it fit me perfectly. Thus began the project of knitting a very quick Manos hat for Rachel from my stash yarn, and trading her for the Noro hat. I completed it last night and here we are (tired and cold - but that's another story) in our hats.

I knit the teal Manos one, and she knit the Noro hat.

Today I saw Jenn, and she gave me my zebra socks! The deal is, she doesn't like knitting with Koigu, so I'm knitting some Koigu socks for her, and she knit my Opal Zebra socks. Of course she was much more speedy than I am... I haven't even started hers yet. :(

Don't worry, the socks actually fit very well and are not baggy at the back of the ankle. It only looks that way in the picture because I have my feet flexed in the "Hey look, I have ballerina arches!" position.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

They named a yarn after me!

Yes, I'm sure it was really named after me too.

And this is something I just threw together when I thought about trying some lace:

OK, I'm lying. My classmate Rachelle is crocheting a tablecloth and it was just so beautiful that I had to post a picture.

Sock Yarn

A quest to use sock yarns:

Yarns I've had:
* means I really liked it

4-ply Soft
A Piece of Vermont*
Alpafina
Artsygal*
Artyarns Supermerino*
Austermann Step
BMFA Sock Candy*
Black Bunny Fibers*
Brown Sheep Naturespun Sport
Chinese Mystery sock yarn
Claudia's Handpaints
Conjoined Creations Flat Feet
Crystal Palace Maizy
CTH Supersock
Dicentra Designs
Dorchester Farms
Fabel
Fearless Fibers
Fixation*
Gloss (KP)
handspun
Inspinknity*
Interlacements Beibi Seda
Interlacements Tiny Toes
Interlacements Toasty Toes
Jarbo Raggi
JKnits*
Jojoland Melody
Koigu*
Kona Superwash
KP Essential
KP Merino
KP Palette
Limbo
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock*
Macek Designs
Madelinetosh
Magic Stripes
Mega Boots Stretch
Microspun
Nature's Palette
Noro Kureyon Sock
Opal
Panda Cotton
Paton's Kroy*
Peru DK
Peruvian Quechua
Regia Bamboo*
Regia Cotton
Regia Strato*
Ruby Sapphire
Sockotta
Socks That Rock*
Star (Classic Elite)
Stitch Jones
Sunshine Yarns*
Three Fates Cauldron Sock*
TOFUtsies
Trekking*
Wick
Wildfoote*
Wollmeise*
Wool Ease
Yarn Pirate*

In Progress:

Perchance to Knit
Regia
Vesper
Yarns in the stash:

All Things Heather
Ancient Threads
Apple Laine
Araucania Ranco
Artyarns Ultramerino
Autumn House Farm
Baby Ull
Ball and Skein
Baywood Yarns
Bearfoot (Mountain Colors)
Briar Rose Fibers
Brooklyn Handspun
Cavyshops Handpaint
C*eye*ber Fiber
Cervinia Calzetteria
CTH Superglitz
Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks
Chewy Spaghetti
Classic Elite Alpaca Sox
Colinette Cadenza
Colinette Jitterbug
Country Classic Yarn for Sox
Crash Into Ewe
Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop
Curious Yarns
Done Roving
Dream in Color
Duet (A Swell Yarn Shop)
Dye Dreams
Ellen's Half Pint Farm
End of the World Farm
Fashion Trend Sportivo
The Fiber Denn
Fleece Artist
The Flock Bransonas
Fortissima
French Hill Farm
Froehlich Blauband
Fyberspates
geeyouknit!
Gjestal Silja
Great Adirondack Soxie
Greenwood Fiberworks
Jaeger Matchmaker
Jarbo Mini Raggi
Jawoll
Jawoll Cotton
Just Our Yarn
Knit Purl Natural Collection
Kona Superwash
KP Dancing
KP Essential Tweed
Lime & Violet
Lisa Souza
Louet Gems Pearl
Luxe
Mama Llama
Merlin the Cat
Meilenweit Cotton
Meilenweit Trend
Mind's Eye Merino/Tencel
Mirasol Hacho
Misty Mountain Farm
The Natural Dye Studio
Neighborhood Fiber Company
Over the Rainbow Twinkletoes
Peterle
Pigeon Roof Studios
Pine Woods
Posh Yarn Lucia
Prism Saki
Pucker Brush Farm
Regia Surf
Reynolds Swizzle
Reynolds Soft Sea Wool
Rio De La Plata
Royale Hare
Roz Houseknecht
Schaefer Anne
Scout's Swag
Sheep Shop Wensleydale
Shelridge Farm
ShibuiKnits
Sockenwolle Unipo
Spirit Trail Fiberworks
Spunky Eclectic
Steinbach Wolle Sockenwolle
Sundara Yarn
Sweetgeorgia
Tess Designer Yarns
Twisted
The Unique Sheep
Universal Ditto
Valley Yarns Franklin
vanCalcar Acres
White Oak Studio tvyarn
Wisdom Yarns Marathon
Wool in the Woods
The Woolen Rabbit
Yarn Botanika Radiance
Yarntini
Ysolda Yarn
Zen Yarn Garden

To check out:

Pippikneesocks
Sophie's Toes
The Spinning Bunny Yarns BFL

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Adventures in Sock Knitting