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.  :)