I Found Time to Work

Here is one of the mitts that I am currently working on.  I am using Palette by Knit Picks and I chose to use a pink and a light brown for this mitt.  I finished it but, I only have one taken care of.  I would have done the second one but, the fires from down the road did me in.  I had to take off much needed time and get myself back to normal, which is taking way longer than I thought it might. 

Do not ask me the colors of the yarn, I have no idea at this point.  I am having a hard time concentrating right now.  My sleep schedule is really off and I find myself going to bed at 4 am and waking up at weird hours in the night.  I can't get comfy.  Now, my poor hubby has gotten the crud from me.  Poor guy. 

I will get back to work on the mitts tomorrow.  I have so much to do and KRHF is looming on the horizon.  Anyone know where I can get two more sets of arms and hands that know how to knit? 

Finally! Pictures!

This the first mitt of the week.  I chose to use verdant heather and turmeric as my color choices for this mitt. 

The pattern is my Charity Selbu knit mitt.  I revamped the palm of htis pattern.  The back of the hand is still a Selbu rose.  It is very striking. 

I used a k1, p1 ribbing for 1 inch on the cuff and then proceeded to make the cuff markings with the snowflake.  Always a favorite motif for me.  Very simple and yet very elegant. 

The thumb is just plain old stockinette since I wanted to show off more of the background color this time around.  Usually, I knit the palm pattern onto the thumb. 

This was knit on US 2 Addi turbo needles. 

Only 98 more skeins to go. 

Breaking out the Needles and the Yarn

I have been working on a fingerless mitt for my festival but, I am going to start knitting some charity knit mitts for teenage girls in Alabama who will not have a Christmas present if 200 mitts do not make their way down there.  The girls are aged 13 to 18 and have need of fingerless mitts.  The mitts can be in any yarn you have and it is one of those special gifts that will make you feel all wonderful inside.  Everyone deserves a Christmas present. 

I was designing yesterday and I was working on the thumb of my mitt.  I just have a few more inches on the thumb and then I can bind off and start the second one. 

When I find my camera, I will take pictures and share my pretties.  I am using my 100 skeins of yarn for these projects.  My Christmas gift is going to give to others who need it.  I think that is pretty special. 

Knitting Away

I am in the middle of knitting for myself and others.  I have spent loads of time spinning on my wheel.  I am perfecting the art of very thin yarn and then I have plans to ply it with another thin yarn creating a fingering weight yarn.  It is very exciting. 

I am currently knitting myself some light weight arm warmers...think sock cuff with increasing every so ofter and you have arm warmers.  If you can knit in the round, you can make arm warmers, if you can increase, you get the idea...you can do this.  Be that fearless knitter you always wanted to be. 

Knit on! 

Ripped!

I was knitting on a sock called Ankle Arches and then I realized something wasn't quite right.  The pattern clearly states that the heel turn is a Dutch heel well, the author of this particular pattern didn't put it in the pattern.  I was knitting along without the heel turn and realized something was horribly wrong.  My sock was not looking anything like the picture.  So, I ripped that sucker off of my needles.  I think the color of the yarn was throwing me, too.  It was a pretty coral but, it just annoyed the hell out of me. 

So, I picked up my suri alpaca/merino blend yarn, End of Summer and started to knit on a scarf out of the Lace of Estonia book and I am working on Raha if you happen to have the book and it is looking really awesome.  I can't wait to see more of this pattern emerge, I might even knit it again in another hand painted yarn. 

I am knitting it on US 5's even though the pattern calls for US 4's.  This is just me and the only needle I could find last night.  I was knitting on it until about midnight and then put it down to read on my Kindle for a bit before bed. 

Reaching for the Needles

After taking a much needed break from knitting, I found myself picking up my needles today and starting to work on writing a sock pattern.  I am using my yarn, Midnight Magic, it is a merino/silk sock yarn that I painted with the rest of the Spring palette and can be found in the shop. I decided to go ahead and use this particular yarn since it fascinated me.  I am working on the heel right now and I am hoping to work on the flap tomorrow after all my chores are done. 

The start of a sock

I am knitting this sock on US 3 circs.  I can't find my Addi turbos right now so, I am forced to work with the Knit Picks version of needles.  They work and they aren't those suckers that you have to screw the cables onto.  I positively refuse to buy those things...never fails, they come apart in the middle of a very difficult section of row and screw the whole project up.  Invest in Addi clicks...they work much better. 

I also have another yarn that fascinates me sitting on my kitchen table.  I can't wait to tear open the ball band and have at it.  It is called Garden Party and the exact same yarn in lace is in my shop.  Click the first shop link above and you will find your way to my shop.  Check it out. 

Why did I decide to start a sock?  I have taken a few weeks off to start this sock.  I have several other items sitting on needles but, I have no desire to knit them.  I always turn to socks when I am feeling particularly depressed.  Sock knitting brings me out of my depression.  I have no idea why this is so, it just does. 

I had to try the sock on and see how pretty it looks...it is going to be beautiful when it is done.  I will take pics when I finish it.  I might even take some when I am in progress just to show it off some more. 

The merino/silk sock yarn I am using is my favorite go to sock yarn.  I love it very much, it slides quite nicely on the needles and it holds up to carpet.  Although, it won't hold up to hot water and a washing machine.  My sister felted her merino/silk Sheaves of Grass socks that I knit up for her.  Grrr!  All that hard work, down the drain.  She did give them to her daughter and now I put on all of my washing instructions...no hot water or washing machine. 

Digging Through my Stash

Yesterday I was in a panic because my sister called and wanted her alpaca yarn painted.  She left it here with me so, I could take care of it.  That was months ago.  So, I started to shop around on the internet to see if I could find some just in case it wasn't in the place I left it.  Things have a way of disappearing on me when I need them around here.  I was digging through my plastic bins and there it was.  The sad part of this story is that Lavish Fibres is going out of business.  For those of you who do not know about them...they sell pure alpaca yarns for seriously cheap.  Now that they are going out of business...it means we will be paying big bucks for this amazing yarn.  sigh! 

In my frenzy to find the yarn I was searching for, I came across yarns I didn't even know that I had.  I can make more hats with my yarns.  I am also doing charity knitting as I can.  There are a lot of people who need help.  I find that it is very satisfying to make something for someone who desperately needs it.  There are several wonderful groups on Ravelry.  Should you need to find them, I have my group...Charity Knitting that has two of them on there.  They list what they need on the group pages.  Please feel free to check them out. 

There are some truly wonderful people out there hoping others will join them in their endeavors.  If you are bored with your current situation and you need something else in your life...try helping someone else, it will give you that spark you have been missing. 

Charity Knitting

I started a new group on Ravelry for charity knitting.  It is something I felt needed to be done.  I will do charity knitting since it is such a great cause.  I have donated items in the past to the American Indians of North Dakota.  They were in need of hats and I sent them a bunch. 

I knitted a pair of Selbu style mitts for Mitts of Steal group and I decided to go ahead and get the word out about the charity knitting group.  I am getting more and more members.  I started this group after a horrible time with my old knitting group.  I found out how really selfish they are and closed the group down.  I am no longer speaking to anyone from this group because they are completely toxic and believe all the lies that one chick is spouting.  Well, they will find out soon enough when she turns on them.   Not my problem anymore. 

So far the group has attracted a lot of other women who knit for charities and several charities who need help.  I am hoping the group will attract the right type of person who has the time and the energy to help others in need out. 

At some point in time we all need help and this group is there to help out anyone who needs it. 

If you feel you have the talent or a need to share your gift of crochet, weaving, sewing or knitting...please stop by and say hello.  All are welcome.  We need the help. 

Sock Yarn Junkie

I am staring at my shop tote that has all of my yarns I just painted this week and I am in love with them.  I have a yarn passion so strong I don't want to share my beauties.  My fingers are just itching to reach in, pull several of them out and wind them into a ball.  I have to mentally slap my hand to stop myself from doing just this. 

Tempest is one of my favorites, and it was a tempest to wind into a ball.  Hence, it's name. 

Garden party is another one that tempts me unbearably.  For some reason green yarns are so beautiful to me.  I think because there are many shades and variations of greens. 

Pictures do not do these yarns justice, they are gorgeous in real life.  The lace weight version of Garden Party is beautiful beyond words.  I love how each different fiber takes the colors.  Truly a unique process. 

As a knitter who loves sock yarns and loves to paint them, I will say that if you want beautiful yarn and you want it to be a nicer variety...look no further, I paint nice quality yarns.  The merino/silk sock yarn is one of my favorites.  It knits up beautifully and never lets this knitter down.  I have experimented with other yarns in the past and I keep coming back to this one. 

From now on, I will be sticking to each yarn that I truly love and not go haring off like a crazed woman in a shoe sale.  I have been to some killer shoe sales and have seen things that would make a sane person cringe.  Unbelieveable is what this should say! 

I Knit Socks

Right now, I am working on socks and several other items.  This yarn is called Swinger and it is one of my own hand painted merino/silk sock yarns.  I am knitting this with US 3 needles.  The cast on is 52 stitches so, there is some pooling of color. 

I chose to do a heel with a bit of texture to make it interesting.  I am using a garter stitch edge for the heel flap, it works out very nicely.  I thought of doing an eye of partridge heel flap but, I wanted something completely different with this sock. 
 
The colors seem strange but, they actually do work nicely together and the sock looks fabulous on the foot.  Well as far as I have gotten on it, it looks great. 

This pair of socks will be for sale once they are finished.  :)   

The Start of Something Wonderful

I am using two skeins of my 100 yarns.  I am knitting a pair of charity mitts for my friend.  She is starting a non-profit for kidney dialysis patients.  My mitts are for a man, I chose pea pod and regal both are Palette yarns from Knit Picks.  My main color is pea pod.  My contrast is the regal. 

Pictures will follow as I get more of the mitts knit.  I am currently on the cuff.  I am using US 2 Addi turbos to knit these.  :) 

Stash Dig

Today I did a stash dig to find yarn to work with.  I am trying to challenge myself by using up this yarn.  I finished the Drowning in Brown goes Another Round.  I also started Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow.  See bottom two pics for this hat.  Both hats will fit a youth. I have to block DIBGAR.  I will deal with that tonight.  It can live on the foam head while it dries. 

Solace Socks for Ethan

        I have finished one of Ethan's socks.  I took two pictures of the sock so, both sides can be seen.  I am on the foot of the second socks and headed for the toe.  I hope to have these finished by tomorrow morning so, I can start on Eli's socks.  I will then make the tags for the socks so, they can be mailed out to my niece. 

The yarn is Solace and it is one of my hand painted merino/silk sock yarns.  I love the base yarn since it is very quick on the knitting needles and it holds up.  I have had more compliments on this yarn than any other.  I think that is why I will be doing merino/silk sock yarn as one of my staple yarns in the shop.  It dyes beautifully and shows off the dyes to perfection. 

A New Shawl on the Needles

I started a new shawl yesterday and so far, easy knitting.  It is almost mindless knitting.  The yarn I am using is one of my hand painted merino/silk sock yarns.  It is called Sugary Confection.  It reminds me of chocolate and a gooey centered truffle.  Yummy! 

The pattern is Multnomah by Kate Flagg and it is from Ravelry.  If you are on there, check it out, it is a nice pattern to work on.  It takes sock yarn so, if you haven't graduated to using lace weight yarn, sock yarn is easier to work with. 

I am on repeat 21 of the 35 repeats.  So far it isn't too big, I am hoping it will get bigger.  The bottom portion of the shawl is feather and fan, it looks to be the old shale pattern.  I love working feather and fan since it is truly unique. 

I am using size US4 needles for this project although the pattern does suggest US 3's.  I think the US 3's would have been too small for this yarn. 

The Shawl is Finished

Here is the shawl.  I haven't blocked it yet in these pictures.  I am blocking it right now and hopefully, it will be dry in a day or two.  I am so glad this project is taken care of.  Will I knit another one of these?  Not in this pattern but, in a different one, yes.  I need time to recover from this pattern for a while.  The worst part of this pattern...the picot bind off.  I had to deal with 309 stitches and then you add all of the cast on's I had to do.  Holy Smokes!  I already have another shawl picked out and I am about to look for the next yarn.  :) 

Almost to the Finish Line

I am almost finished with this shawl.  I can't wait to see the end of it.  Put it in the sink, get it all nice and wet and then block it.  It is pretty.  Pictures of the completed shawl will follow when it is blocked.  Now to find my blocking pins.  I have no idea where I put them. It has been a long time since I have blocked any shawls so, this is giong to be fun. 

I can't believe how well the yarn is doing for this pattern.  My yarn ball is getting smaller and smaller over here.  I am glad that I did choose this yarn, it is nice.  I wish I had more of it.  I think this will be the first of many shawls using my hand painted yarns.  I really want to write a shawl pattern for one of my unique skeins. 

Other plans are in the works over here for something unique and original for the shop.  More on that later....

Holden Shawlette, Stick to the Chart

I started the lace portion of this shawlette and I was using the directions...should have known to skip these and just work the chart.  Did I do this?  No.  I had to rip the row back twice and the third time, I decided to go with the chart.  I should have done this in the first place and saved myself from ripping.  I hate to rip but, it is a necessary part of knitting.  The chart is now my friend.  So, I will be sticking to it. 

I even grabbed my usual post it notes for charting.  Save your money, do not buy those magnetic strips with the ribbon on them...pain in the butt.  I have found that the post it note is absolutely the best thing for charts.  I do colorwork charts with them all of the time.  They are my go to item for charts. 

The yarn is holding out nicely.  I thought I was going to have to get another skein, nope, I am going to make it.  I looked to see how many times I have to do the chart and I will have enough yarn for it all. 

I am now on row 6 of the first round of the chart.  I have to say, the lace part is so much more exciting than the increasing section of this pattern.  I was bored out of my skull and put it down for a day.  I needed to get away or I was going to walk away from it. 

So, here I am now, working on it again.  I have no idea how long this is going to take me but, hopefully I will get a major portion of it taken care of this weekend. 

Hand Painted Effervescence

I am using a sock yarn that I had painted about a year ago for a friend's shop.  I have the yarn and I decided to go ahead and use it for something other than socks since it is a fine fingering weight.  I do not like to knit socks with fine fingering weight.  It is a quirk I have.  The yarn is shades of green and I painted it at a time when it was so hot here that I needed some relief from the heat and chose to paint a cool mixture of greens. 

My yarn reminds me of a cold mountain lake with tiny bubbles popping up at the surface.  Just so refreshing.  It is very refreshing to knit with.  I am sitting here in long sleeves and in pants to keep myself warm and I am using this cool yarn.  I am making the Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes. 

I originally chose a different yarn but, I misplaced it.  So, I grabbed the effervescence and decided to make this shawlette with it.  I am in the socks squared group and we are doing a KAL with this pattern for the month instead of our usual pair of socks.  I am thankful for this break in socks since I just finished Gary's worsted mallard socks.  He loves them, by the way.  He was wearing them today and tonight.  He specified he would like another pair in another color when I have time.  Not right now.  I have a line of people who want socks. 

This shawlette is being knit with my Addi turbo clicks in US 6.  I love how well this yarn is showing off the stitches and the pattern so far.  Okay, so it is straight stockinette with a garter stitch edge but, still, it shows off the stitches quite nicely.  I have even poked a hole in my poor finger from knitting so much.  Last night was shoulder aches from knitting too much.  I took a small break from knitting tonight but, I will go on to work on it some more.  I need to get the 44 repeats done so, I can start the lace portion of this project and I even have another shawlette planned for later with yarn picked out for it.  :) 

I did notice that shawlettes seem to be very popular right now.  I think it is because so many women want something beautiful to drape around their necks and knitting a scarf can be very boring.  We knitters do love a challenge. 

Peruvian Highland Wool

I had some Peruvian Highland wool that I had purchased for cheap from Elann.  I decided to use this yarn to make my hubby a pair of socks.  He has a huge size 12 foot and the thought of restarting a pair of socks with sock yarn was seriously disheartening.  Then I realized I had read that socks could be knit out of worsted weight yarn.  I plugged in my gauge of 4.75 sts and 5.94 rows into my sock wizard and put in the needle size of US 6.  I got my cast on number and started to do the ribbing for the sock.  I started the sock on January 4, 2011 and finished the first one today. 

My hubby loves his first sock.  The yarn did a really great job for my sock.  It was super quick.  I chose the color Mallard.  It is a heathered wool.  As you can see the heel is a simple stockinette heel and I thought it turned out quite well.  Notice the heathering of the wool.  The stitches on this particular yarn show up quite nicely.  I even mentioned this to my hubby. 

The gusset of this sock was relatively short as well.  I think the worsted weight yarn is completely wonderful and makes beautiful socks.  Now, I want to see how well it holds up to carpet and the usual wear and tear that sock yarn holds up to.  That is my last test and if it does stand up as well or better than I will continue knitting socks out of worsted weight yarn for huge feet.