I LOVE cables

Finally a pair of grass green socks just for me! I am ashamed to admit how many times I've checked Sensational Socks out from our library (intralibrary loan no less!) without knitting a single sock. The first few times, I just couldn't understand the appeal of it to so many knitters. Cannot say that I really know what tripped my switch but I'm a convert now. I'm waiting patiently for the other SS books to become available through the library so I can check them out. It bites to live in a town without a bookstore.

Vital Stats for these lusicious green socks:

Pattern: 3x3 Cable with Moss Stitch from aforementioned book
Yarn: KP Palette in Grass. A note about this yarn: it can be splitty and isn't super soft but I bought it as a filler to get the free shipping last order. Depending on how it washes up, I'd probably use it again for my own personal socks just because it comes is so many colors, wonderfully shaded from light to dark.
Needles: Bamboo DPN, US 2.
I used the 68 stitch version of the pattern without knitting a swatch first. Why? Because I know in order to use my US2s, I typically cast on 52-56 stitches and cables pull in enough to likely taken in the "slack". My gamble paid off. These are just the perfect amount of tight-loose to be comfy and not leave a tourniquet mark at the end of the day.

Hubster told me he thought these were going to be the ugliest socks I'd ever knit when I started the first one. When I finished it, he declared it a keeper. I believe I'll be ordering some girly pink for E a pair at Christmas since she likes the cable action as well. And she could identify them as cables!

In other news:
Spent yesterday cutting out and stitching together some adorable Holly Hobbie dolls for 3 of my very favorite little girls in the world. (Hi, G&R!). The evening tv watching slot made quick work of stuffing 6 arms, 3 bodies and 2 legs. I have to finish sewing the remaining legs together today, then I will hunt up fabric from the stash for outfits. Their heads are made from children's socks which I keep forgetting to buy when I'm out. And I need to find a suitable yarn for their hair. I am tickled E wants her own HH doll but still loves mine. Poor old gal has had "surgery" to reattach every limb and her head at least twice. I believe she even had a hair replacement sometime in the late 70s. Well loved.

ETA: I usually steer away from politics(namely the war for oil issue) here but this young solider's blog is one of my new favorite reads. Go check out Jake's Life.

HSP Arrived

The mailman brought boxes yesterday. Stuff J ordered from Amazon earlier this week and a box for me from Becca containing my HSP'07 sock. Wildfoote yarn, which I haven't tried before, M&Ms, notepad, barretts for the little one and the pattern from Knitpicks (twisted sock, I think).

I have fulfilled my HSP obligations. I blogged about the sock I knit (well, once), I packed and shipped the box on time, kept in contact with my swappee and blogged about the box I received. It was NOT hard to do by any stretch, even on our fixed income. All together, I spent probably less than 8 hours on the entire project which included sewing a tote bag, tissue holder, zippered sock bag and eyeglass case as well as knitting the sock. Which took 3 tries to find the perfect pattern. Christy hosts an awesome swap and is a terrific lady.

Nothing Happening

There has been nothing really blogworthy for a while now. I knit the sock for HSP, packed my box and shipped it. It was received but not blogged about. I forgot to take pictures of everything because as usual, the batteries are missing for the camera. I thought it was a nice box, filled with goodies I'd like to receive. I've still not received my HSP box and it is now a full 12 days since hurricance season started. Not a single peep from my person about it either which is what really pisses me off. 2 months was plenty of time to throw stuff together, communicate with me and all that. So, HSP "pal" if you are reading this...sure hope you get the message.


In other events: STR Lightweight in "Scottish Highlands" that
Cynthia sent me for the last Yarn Aboard. I think I used my standard 2x2 rib, 54 stitch pattern but didn't make notes as this was therapy knitting from heaven. Cyn, thanks again for the swell box you and Ed put together for me! I truly enjoyed every single thing you sent and have used all the yarn now. (a pair of Trekking XXL for my "sister" in WA, a pair of Clessidra from the KP Bare and these to-die-for STR socks). STR is one of my favorite yarns now but not one I will probably buy for myself due to budget issues.




Two pairs of children's socks for the parish sock drive in the fall. My photographer used adult sock blockers for her photos but these really are for a child, about a shoe size 2. Both are knit from leftovers...the striped are KP Simple Stripes and a forgotten-brand blue for the heels while the pinks are from LL in Desert Rose (I think that's the colorway)











Of course, what is a post without a kiddo in it? The lovely Miss E showing her pattern and fabric choices for her first "real" sewing project. She wanted a "pj skirt" (don't ask, I don't know) so we set out to do just that. The fabric she picked was a Robert Kaufman (I think) print with slippers all over it...100% cotton. We used the gathered skirt directions from Kwik Sew's Sewing for Children book and bound the hem edge with deep purple bias in place of a true hem. E sewed the side seams and I finished off the casing, elastic and hem. Not bad for a 7.5 yo. She will not model it for me because she does not want it splattered across my blog. Her words, not mine.






And finally, to make my blogless "sister", Lynn, just faint...a shot of the melted wires to our hot water tank. Last week, I smelled something weird in the laundry room but could not locate the source right off. Just as I was about to walk out the door into the dining room, I saw a tiny wisp of smoke rising from the tank. A quick trip to the breaker box to trip the breaker, a screw driver and some fresh air later revealed this: This folks, is why wire nuts are to be tightened securely! The nut was not tight enough to start with and the washing machine vibrations worked it loose until we had a problem. Luckily, my father was able to repair things so we now have a safe hot water tank again. Which is shut off nightly at the breaker for my peace of mind now.

Clessidra and Skirt

I finished these weeks ago. They lay in a heap on the floor near my knitting spot crying silently to be modeled and packed away lovingly until fall. The sobs were just too much for me. Forgive the icky indoor shots, we are having a bit of dreary, cold weather and rather than wait another few days and endure more sobbing from the socks, I begged one of the resident photogs to get busy already.







Vital Stats: Clessidra from Spring '07 Knitty. Knit on US 1 dpns using less than 2 full hanks of Bare. Actual knitting time was about 2.5 weeks,I think. While I have a love-hate relationship with Knitpicks most of the time, Bare is heavenly. I do believe underwear could be knit from it and be an enjoyable wear. It's just that soft to me. I have no idea why this shot looks so pixelated to me, I hope it's clearer to everyone else. (This is the Sexy Leg pose for someone who knows what I'm talking about. haha)






I am bit embarassed to blog about this latest FO. Not because I am unhappy with the actual finished project but because I'm unhappy with how I look. Anyone over 25 can relate to that, I'm sure. Ignore the knee socks...the photog thought we were shooting kilt shots appearently. Also ignore the green shirt...I was too lazy to change into the pale yellow shirt I have for this skirt. So there.



Vital Stats: 100% cotton print found on the $1/yard table at Stuff*mart, packaged bias tapes (2 packages: one single fold, one double fold). Pattern drafted by yours truly based on directions found in this great book, Sew What! Skirts that I borrowed from the library. I made the A-line wrap skirt (called Breezy Beach Wrap in the book) but left the actual ties off since this is a muslin of sorts and I am toying with the idea of using snaps to close this. The total time invested in this project, including drafting the pattern, boiled down to one evening after dinner. We eat dinner at 5, baths start at 7:30, so that's fairly quick. Total cost for this skirt is roughly $5.00. Intended wear: vacation '07. Will I make another one? Probably, from denim and a smidge longer. Do I recommend this book for everyone? Definitely. I am not a talented sketcher at all, nor have I ever been able to draft a pattern from directions before. This book is well-written although I had to read it, lay it down and let the info stew a bit before it completely made sense to me. (Hey, Christy and Amanda, I think you both would find this book useful. Especially since you have girls to experiment with!)

PICTURES!!

First up, for Christy's peace of mind, a shot of my first attempt at the HSP'07 sock. I was unhappy with the first 2, yes 2, attempts so I've switched patterns and am to the heel turn now. After frogging this one twice, I realized that all I had to do to make it fit properly was add 8 stitches but after the second one, I was too p.o'd to try that pattern again. Besides that, I think the pattern I choose ( Brainylady's Basic Cable Sock) might appeal to my partner more anyhow. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Burgundy and let me say that is some YUMMY yarn!

Now for some actual finished work, (no more teasers in this post, I promise!). A summer top for E. from Simplicity 4208, view B. 100% cotton print from Joann's with ric-rac trim at the bottom above the ruffle. She now has 3 tops from this pattern and loves them all. Very cute, easy and fun, especially now that I have a gathering foot for Athena.



Next up, summer pjs and/or a top. E won't wear shorts outside to play, only skirts but she likes to sleep in shorts. Weird, I know. The top is from McCalls 5419, view B. I modified the straps after she complained of the bows coming untied on a dress from this pattern. I simply measured the straps of the below dress and used that number to create a bias strap/binding. The shorts are from Kwik Sew's Sewing for Kids book. Both have bias binding in place of hems, the top even sports a size tag while the shorts have a bias loop in the back to help her remember which side goes where. Very easy trick to use in children's clothing. Short version: take a piece of bias tape or soft ribbon about 3-4 inches long. Loop in half, insert cut ends into casing OR back center seam, stitch and presto! No more pants on backwards. A Sharpie marker can be used to mark size and pattern number if desired (a ballpoint pen works but fades after a while in my experience)






Now the dress that nearly drove me to drinkin'. Simplicity 5641, view E minus the ruffles on straps and bodice. First of all, pattern envelope sizes, actual piece sizes and measurements do not add up. I have had this problem with several patterns this spring and well, it pisses me off royally. This dress does not fit E as I would like but she loves it so I'm letting it go at that. The zipper took 5 tries to get in correctly thanks largely to screwy directions and not having done a zipper in years. Again, 100% cotton print from Joann's, ric-rac braided for straps.



Blurry close-up of braided ric-rac straps. E wanted ric-rac on this dress so badly but I felt the print was busy enough so we compromised on the straps. She choose the colors from my box of ric-rac and I braided them together followed by a straight stitch down the center to keep them braided after washing. This is one of her outfits for vacation in July. She refuses to wear it before then for fear it will get stained before Gram sees her in it.


And finally, for Thicket Dweller, the Rugters tomatoes I started from seed. I've tried for years to do this with no success. Being a hard-head has advantages at times. I really don't know why it worked this time but these are about a month old now, in need of repotting for a short time before I plop them in the ground. ALL but 1 seed germinated, I've thinned them twice now. Can't wait to taste them come late July/early August.

Hurricane Sock Party Questionaire

1. Repeat after me "no hurricanes, no hurricanes, no hurricanes" . Okay we just had to get that one out of the way first. We needed to created a bit of "good weather karma"! Last year, I swear it was due to all the good knitting vibes that we didn't have any hurricanes hit Florida.

No hurricanes, no hurricanes, no hurricanes. No tornadoes or floods either!

2. If your pet(s) wrote a paragraph about you to describe you to us what would they say? (If you have no pets then just pretend you husband or best friend wrote it! This is a 3rd person writing exercise that is always fun.)

My dog is mute. He never barks unless mortal danger is inches away from his face. So you'll have to suffer with what my best friend would say.

Jill? You want to know about Jill? Well, there's a lot to learn about her. She loves being a mom. In fact, she's a great mom who almost always puts her daughters ahead of herself. When she's not busy teaching them (she homeschools, ya know!), she's either taking care of her husband who has health problems or helping her father with his construction company and farm. Her hands are never, EVER still. I've had to take clicky ink pens away from her in restuarants before because she drove me up the wall with her clickity-click-clickity. I imagine I'll have to watch out for possible stabbings with dpns now that I've shared that secret with the world.

Jill learned to knit when she was 6. She learned to sew not long after that. I'm sure if the doctor told her she needed more fiber, she'd look at him like he had 3 heads and a tail because the lady IS fiber. And paper. Jill loves to read and is constantly checking out (and rechecking) books on quilting, sewing and knitting. She can crochet but doesn't like it much. Awesome tomatoes and peppers come from her garden.

I really think each of you should have the chance to go fiber shopping with her. For years, we have haunted quilt shops together...it's our shared passion. Her eye for color is sometimes baffling to me while shopping but the finish project is always a WOW! We laugh alot and she comes up with the best inside jokes. Everyone should have a friend like Jill.



3. What is your favorite hurricane supplies snack?

Junk food! Fritos, chips, pretzels, slim jims. I don't like HOT stuff, just regular.



4. Do sock patterns normally fit you "as written" or do you usually modify them for size in any way? (other than foot length)
They fit.
4a. What are your foot measurements, not just shoe size? (Measure the length of your foot from heel to toe, then the ball of your foot. )

My shoe size is a 9.5 which in writing seems huge. I usually wear clogs more than other shoes but I also live in construction boots at various times. Foot measurements:
Ball of my foot is 8.5"
Length is 9.5"

5. What one city abroad would you visit and why if money was no object? (and terrorism was non-existant)

Paris because of it is Paris. Actually, I'd love to visit Europe and see all the art, historical sites and eat the foods.

6. Do you wear socks all year round or just during the winter? Do you prefer them tall or short or regular height?

Mostly year-round. If it gets really hot, I live in flip-flops but Hubster keeps the house very cold in summer so I sleep with socks on. Taller is better. I will not wear ankle socks.


7. The last time the power was out during hurricane season (or bad weather of any kind) did you knit by lantern or were you lucky enough to knit to the humm of a generator? Or did you knit at all?

Last power outage was in the middle of a beautiful day so I knit out on the swing while the girls read and played outside. Of course, it was SOCKS.

8. Make a wish for your favorite sock yarn that you've already used once. What would it be? ? Dont be shy about listing an exact colorway or two if you'd like.

A Lorna's Laces semi-solid. I haven't used the solids yet.

9. What is it about sock knitting that keeps you wanting to knit more and more socks?

Portability, speed and endless supply of interesting and challenging patterns.

10. Make a wish for a sock yarn that you are dying to try but haven't bought for yourself yet. (be specific,even colorway if you'd like)

Austermann Step-the green one

11. What size needles do you knit socks for YOURSELF with the most? Are they circular or bamboo needles? What brand?

Addi Turbo circs (US2), Knitpicks circs (US1) and Crystal Palace bamboo dpns in both sizes. I use and abuse them equally. It just depends which ones are empty when start-itis kicks in.


12. If you could only take 3 yarn related books and one previously knitted project that you love with you when you evacuated what would they be?

Knitting on the Road, Knitting Vintage Socks and Socks,Socks, Socks. Project would probably be Clessidra as they will be the newest FO in about 2 days.


13. What knitting notion do you wish you had that you just keep putting off getting for yourself?

Not really a notion but I keep putting off buying a good stitch dictionary, one with lots of great cables in it.

14. What is your favorite tv show?

Any variety of Law and Order.

15. Do you want a lacey sock or a "solid fabric" sock from your hurricane sister?
Either is fine.

16. It's midnight and the power has been off for two days, its hot, and you have a craving for something sweet! What would it be? (This is a FOOD related question ladies! LOL)

A good old Hershey's MILK chocolate bar. I do not enjoy dark chocolate all that much. Or maybe M&Ms because then my hands would be clean enough to still knit!


17. Tell us a story about any of your hurricane weather related experiences.

Being far inland, we sometimes get the rains from hurricanes which leads to flooding here. Our county tends to become a collection of islands at times. Non-native folks get stranded because it's just too hard to get out if you don't know all the back roads, horse trails and dog paths. Luckily, our home is generally no bothered by water and we are able to get to the important places like the library.

18. What was the one thing you wish you had remembered to get last year for hurricane supplies that you swore you wouldn't forget this year?

Batteries. We never seem to have enough batteries.


19. What color sock would you like to recieve from your sock sister? (if you don't have a pref just say so otherwise give us a hint!)
Anything EXCEPT blue. 85-90% of my sock drawer is blue. My real favorite color is green but I also have been coveting a pair of red socks, a purple pair and a yellow pair.

THANK YOU CHRISTY FOR HOSTING SUCH A GREAT SWAP!!

Reason #2 Why I Love My Children

This morning, Miss E presented me with this portrait. While I love how much detail she put into this picture (shoes that tie, striped shirt, curly hair), what I love the most is she drew me SKINNY and SMILING. View of a mother through her child's eyes, it's a touching thing.


Crafting news:
Clessidra is now waiting for the Knitpicks order to arrive. Placed Friday AM, we'll see how long it takes this order to travel the 2 hours from the warehouse to my house. Once the yarn arrives, Clessidra and Mariah will be dueling needles I suspect.

A pair of boring, stockinette kid's socks will finish up before dinner today. The intended recieptent is the parish sock drive in the fall. I used E's foot as a guide and just knit to use up the last of this simple stripe I had. Hopefully between socks and mittens, I'll be able to use up the odd ball remenants of fingering yarn AND the parish drives will benefit too.

This afternoon has been spent finish up 3 little tops for a friend's daughter. Pictures are forthcoming. I used stash fabrics, a favorite pattern from E's toddlerhood and bias binding. A rather fast project if I'd have sat down and done them at once instead of dwadling about.

Clessidra Progress

Talk about a fast knit! I had visions of these socks being months in the making. Boy, was I wrong! I'd say at max, it will take 3 weeks to finish the pair, if that. This one is now about an inch from the heel flap and I think I'll get that inch done this evening yet.
Cable running down the back of my leg. I LOVE IT!! R has asked for a pair in purple and I am leaning towards another pair for myself in green...or maybe red just so I can rub it in to Jan that I have a pair of red handknit socks.

So, how are YOUR Clessidras coming along??

MUST HAVE SOCKS

The socks I MUST HAVE BEFORE I DIE: Clessidra. Not many things in life I can honestly say I must have, taste, try, whatever before I die but baby, these socks are a must. Only two questions: color and yarn? I am leaning towards either natural or a green since I have been hording a skein of KP Bare that Cynthia sent as part of my YA box a while ago. My thinking is that it is natural, therefore no dye lot to muck things up big time should I need more yarn. Which after checking, I see I would need a second skein. Perfect! I needed something to round out my KP order for Mariah anyhow. And I could probably dye the finished socks rather than take my chances dying two skeins. Don't ask. I'm weird, we all know it.

Mariah came out of the corner last night and hummed along mightly until the yarn ran out. Now she's pouting because the fun has halted. Same picture, one non-flash and one with so the increase markers show up.
I really love this knit. Cables used to frighten the pants off me until I knit Blaze for my sister a couple years ago. Not only did I teach myself to cable but did the entire sweater (well, after 3 or 4 rounds) without a cable needle. If I only had such luck with colorwork. ::sigh:: Maybe some day.

Mariah, I am stuck.

Earlier this week, I cast on for Mariah. This is a Christmas '07 knit. R requested this hoodie earlier in the fall and I was not sure she would wear it enough to warrant the work I thought it would take. Silly me, once I remembered how to cable without a needle and color coded my chart, the fun began. That is 6 inches of cable-y goodness right there, folks, on US 6, 2 stitch markers and 2 row counters because I am all about the organization. (ROFLOL). Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Hush. I have some reservations about using this yarn for cabling but it is what I had on hand to swatch with and what R likes so WoA Hush it is. An order must be sent soon as what you see is what I have left.


Now I am confused. Really, really confused by something that should be clear as water to me. Am I overthinking it or just stupid today? The directions (see above link)say that at 6 inches, increases begin. That part I get. Every sleeve must get wider at some point. What stumps me is this working increased sts in pattern as set in Chart A. Umm, how does this work out? I am confused as to how to figure out how to work the increased stitches in set pattern. HELP!! I think until I can figure this out (or browbeat someone into blowing the fog away) I will use the other end of the skein to cast on for the second sleeve. At least that way, the odd ball skein will be used uniformly and hopefully, if the next batch isn't the same dye lot, this will at least fool the eye a bit. Ya know, look like I planned it?!




The much sought after Trekking 126 sock. Ebay auction went above my limit. Mia may have a lead on some. My fingers are crossed. I love this colorway, which is a huge shock since I normally do not like browns. This pair will be for me after all. Because I hate to swatch for socks, I just cast on and went to town. Turns out 72 stitches on US 1s fits me fine. Only thing I should have done differently was the heel. Silly me used just stockinette stitch for this one and I really should have used eye of partridge or the heel stitch to pull it in some. Oh well. I will wear them no matter what.

ISO TREKKING XXL 126

I am searching for a skein of Trekking XXL 126 (pink, brown and white). This week, I bought one from the destash blog and have decided that I really want to do a second pair of socks in this colorway. One pair will be mine and the other pair(s) will be Miss E's. So, knitters, if you have a skein you'd part with or know where to find it, please email me: sewjillquilts AT verizon DOT net. I need to keep the price below $15 if at all possible or am willing to make a tote bag with matching eyeglass case, tissue holder and zippered sock bag (approx 9"x10") as trade.

ETA: 03/05/07- Mia the goddess of the hour has secured some for me. Much bowing and kissing off the royal feet from a distance has begun. Thanks again, Mia. You rock. May the knitting goddesses smile upon you for many, many days to come.

2007's 1st FOs!

Vital Stats:

2s2c using Knitpicks classic circs, US 1 (Crappiest needles on the market!)

Regia? knit at 7.5spi

For: E, possibly. She initally told me these colors were hideous so I intended them for the parish sock drive next fall but she has since said she likes them. Time will tell.

Pattern: My own 56 st/2x2 rib, short row heel thanks to QK. I carried the ribbing down the heel to the turn point because I wanted to see if E likes that better.

Stripes do not match colorwise but they do line up. Like I care?

Started in 2005, finished one sock and forgot about it. Ended up frogging said sock after completion of second sock this week. Yup, an entire pair in what, 4 days or less?

Vital Stats:

Lichen Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush

US1 circs, done one sock at time

Changes to pattern: short row heel. rib carried down heel to turn

Fleece Artist yarn (Merino sock?)

7.5 spi?

Finished on New Year's Day!! (had started before appendix struck)

I like the yarn but not enough to seek it out on my own. I can't explain it. I love the pattern and will, at some point, knit another pair for myself, possibly from some solid Lorna's Laces. I could actually see this pattern as one of the ultimate gifting sock patterns.

One of my goals for 2007 is to use up the sock yarn stash before obtaining more. ALL of it. I'm pretty sure I have enough to knit 5 adult pairs, then there is the leftover stash which should yield about 5 or 6 pairs of children's socks easily. I may amend this goal to allow the purchase of single skeins of black, tan, blue, etc to use with the leftover balls. SINGLE Skeins.

So with the completion of 2 pairs, my knitting socks goal remaining for the year is 25 pairs. I have it on good authority that I am ahead of at least one person in the sock race by 1.5 pairs. While I am enjoying this lead, I know it won't last long. That's why I have 2 more pairs on the needles: one pair on US2 addi turbos with Lorna's Laces and the other with leftover knitpicks simple stripes on their crap-tastic circs.

Those knitpicks classic circs are pure junk. I've emailed them asking for replacements and have yet to hear back from them. No surprise since their customer service department seems to have a love/hate relationship with the public. One of my US1 needles is flaking chunks of silver/nickle and scratching my fingers with every stitch while the other came out of the package with a nick the cord undetectable until a project was CO (Lynn, that's cast on). To say I am disappointed is an understatement but I should have known: we get what we pay for. So it's time to save up for more addi turbos.

ETA: Email from Knitpicks today came with the promise of a replacement needle being mailed out already. Nice of them to do so but the time to reply was simply unacceptable to me. It is one thing to put off an email to a friend so you have time to share everything but from a business? Not so great. So I will use the new needle but continue to save for more addi turbos in a variety of sizes.