Update: Opposites Attract

Two things today, really:

1. I've maintained this blog for a couple years, with entries here and there as I finished projects. There was no real focus or routine, just me, my knitting, and my thoughts. I had ONE follower. She is the greatest of friends and another avid knitter, but I needed some positive reinforcement from someone who doesn't know me. Yesterday I linked my blog entry to a Knit Along (with Jinny) and received a gift. The gift of knowing I belong somewhere. My blog had over 100 pageviews yesterday and I could not be more grateful, not just for everyone's comments, but sharing part of YOUR day with ME. I am so very thankful. Thank You all. It MADE. MY. DAY.

2. I thought I would throw out an update on my Opposites Attract Socks.

I finished the first sock in the Isolde colorway. Toe up patterns are not my favorite, but wanted to use every possible inch of this delicious yarn. Once I reached the last pattern repeat of the Scylla pattern, I began to panic. After each row I weighed the ball, carefully measuring what I would need to maximize the skein. I still shorted myself. By the time I bound off the cuff, I realized I had enough to do another half-repeat before starting the cuff. Rats.

 

The color is a little "off" in these photos. The yellow is a little brighter than this. Holy cow am I sick of winter...

 

I'm not jazzed about the single purl stitch that frames the pattern on the top of the foot, or the huge hole at the top of the gusset.

 

Just keep knitting...

 

 

I DO love the stitch pattern. I have a love for variegated yarns and patterns like this keep your eye moving instead of focussing on pools of color here & there.

 

I will definitely make these socks again, with a few pattern changes...maybe with my own hand dyed yarn. I have a few new color combinations in mind.

Later! Thanks for visiting!

M

 

 

 

Heather be thy name

I picked up a few skeins of sock yarn about a month ago, on clearance, at Michaels. A place where I rareley every buy yarn.

I think I have turned into a yarn snob as I only buy yarn, needle, books, patterns at a couple LYS.

I quickly knit up this Pattons Kroy Socks into some fingerless mittens to wear at work. They are tight-tight-tight so that I can still key at my regular speed.

The speed at which I can knit socks or mittens on circular needles has taken over my knitting (ChiaGoo Red stainless steel are my new faves). I purchased 3-4 sets of 40" circs to knit socks on, but going back to a set of bamboo needles and this rougher wool yarn was certainly a bit of a throw-back pleasure.

The stripe lineup is not perfect, but if you know me, you know that doesn't matter. The product is home made and that's how I like it.

Joining Ginny today.

 

Later!

 

M

 

 

Opposites Attract

Its Saturday morning and I find myself home alone. What is a girl supposed to do? Why start a new pair of socks, duh!

My great friend Dee sent me a set of Opposites Attract yarns from Barking Dog Yarns in the Isolde & Teague colorway. Love. Love. Love.

I knit the toe in bed last night while watching Art Journal videos on YouTube.

I started the "yellower" skein in the Scylla Socks pattern by Fiona Lucas. I'm half way through the first repeat and I absolutely love them!

Mountain Mittens

This is another skein, or two, that I found at the WI craft market...

These two skins of Mountain Colors worsted weight yarns were SCREAMING mittens as I walked the aisles of the store. 

I knit the smallest size of Susan B Anderson's Waiting for Winter Mittens for myself. Nice & tight, no room for cold air in these puppies. I wear them almost every day.

I've started a med-lg pair for my daughter in a different colorway to match her winter gear. I hope she loves them as much as I do mine. 

That's all I have for now. Three posts in one day...yikes. I'm off to watch the Broncos game and knit!

Later, 

M

My Very Own

I bought this skein of Schoeppel Wool Sock at the WI Craft Market while visiting my daughter and extened family for Thanksgiving.

This was my first attempt at just making socks that fit my feet.

I knit them on size 1 circular needles, one at a time. 64 sts, 32 st heel flap, started the toe with 1 1/2 inches to go. Then, when it was time to make the 2nd sock, I was able to fly right through it.

They are in the snick soaking as I type! I can't wait to wear them.

Later!

M

Sweet Socks

I finished these Sweet Socks, by Jenn Nevitt in Cascade Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn (Ice Caves colorway) this morning before football started. 

This pattern is a perfect mix of simple socks with a little bit of interest. Meaning I can knit them at a wrestling match without paying too much attention to what my hands are doing.

I knit them on 60 stitches instead of the 64 specified in the pattern. I like my socks a little tighter. It took a little bit of adjustment to center the flat panel and cable on the front side of the sock, but with a few minutes and a notebook, I figured it out.

I love them and will most likely wear them before I block them!

Later!

M

Sneak Peek

I'm almost finished with another Aubrey item! 

Knitting for this little lady is SO FUN! The projects are small and work up very quickly. 

I originally bought this sock yarn for a shawlette KAL before Thanksgiving. As knitting sometimes goes, about ten rows into the shawlette, I could tell I would hate it and never wear it.

A few weeks later I saw the pattern for this adorable little sweater, and knew I had the perfect jewel toned yarn to set off Aubrey's olive skin tone. 

The yarn is a little more green-blue to the naked eye. Totally adorable. I made it in the 3-6 month size so she should be able to wear it late winter through spring.

Later!

M