Ta-da
I finished my socks on Friday after a little emergency. I ran out of the Opal yarn I was using and couldn't figure out why I couldn't get a pair of socks out of one 100 gm ball of yarn, when everyone else seems to be able to do it! Well, I neglected to read the label and was using the wrong size needles. My friend at the LYS rescued me again with some yarn from her stash to use on the toes. I'm very happy with the results - the color I used for the toes matches the blue in the white stripe that looks kinda like fair isle.

Pattern : Basic sock pattern, ribbing is k2p2

yarn - Opal (sorry, I couldn't read the color number on the label)

started 2/7/06, finished 2/24/06

I like the yarn, don't you just love self-patterning yarn? It makes it look like you worked really hard on your project (and no loose ends to weave in!!).

My next challenge is to see if I can finsish the second red sock before 2/28/06 at midnight!!

Onward sock-ho!!!

Too late for the Olympics

I think I am one of the few knitters that did not join the Knitting Olympics. I didn't feel that I had enough time to complete any really challenging projects during the time span that was allotted, but a friend told me that maybe my challenge could have been just to complete a pair of socks. Even though I have made socks before, could I complete a pair in that time span? So, even though I am not on an official team, I have made it a personal goal to try to complete the pair of socks I am working on before the end of the Olympics. I have finished one sock in a week, so we will see how it goes. I have enjoyed working with the Opal self-patterning yarn.

I received the Stampato yarn that I ordered already. I was told it would take 2 weeks, but Beehive Wool in Victoria, Canada mailed it right away and I received in just over a week. Maybe I'll get 2 pairs of socks knitted for the KAL this month!!

I also wanted to share my first fair isle project that I did in Nov. 2005. I took a class to learn how to work with the different colored yarns and how to read a knitting chart - it sure is different from reading a cross-stitch chart! I am still learning how to take picture of my knitting, so please bear with me as I play with my camera, lighting and backgrounds. The hat came out longer than I expected, but I might be able to fix that some if I ever get around to blocking it.


You can see the design a little better in the close-up. Unfortunately you can also tell that I need more practice in getting my stitches to look more like a perfect V. Oh well, practice (causes more frustration) makes perfect.

Seeing Red

I know we all have those days when everything you attempt to do just doesn't turn out quite right. Well, I had one of those weeks. I thought I would start a new pair of socks, and went to my LYS to pick up some yarn. They only had 2- 50 gm balls of the yarn I liked with red in it. I should have known that wouldn't be enough. This is how far I got with one ball. The picture doesn't quite do it justice, but I really like the yarn. It is basically red with hints of yellow, blue, green, and navy blue. The owner of the LYS didn't think they would be getting any more of this yarn, and I spent a bit of time searching for a site on the web that sold this brand (King brand, Stampato Extra, 100% Australian Merino) but didn't have any luck. I just noticed this morning that the label has a phone # for the distributor in the USA and Canada, so I will try that and hopefully hit paydirt. This yarn is very soft and great to work with, and the sock feels thick and wonderful. Wish me luck on finding enough to finish the pair of socks. (Update: I called the number on the label and they gave me the name of a distributer in Canada that has the yarn and the same lot number. I should be receiving some yarn to finish the socks in a few weeks!!!! Yeah!!!Persistence pays off.)

Meanwhile, I guess I'll use the Opal fingerweight yarn from my stash to make a pair of socks. I think I'll keep it pretty basic for this month since I have alot going on at work.

I recently had a birthday, and my friends and family seem to know exactly what to get me. I received several gift certificates to my LYS and was able to purchase yarn for the Bookworm Tunic in the Better Homes and Gardens book Hip Knits. The yarn I chose for this is a red tweed worsted weight by Galway Colornep, and is a wool, polyester blend. Stay tuned to wee how this sweater turns out.

I also received several other books. America Knits has some very interesting stories of designers across the US. I especially liked the Latvian mittens designed by Lizbeth Upitis, and of course, the La Plata socks by Nancy Bush.
Wish me luck with the sock knitting this week!