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October 30, 2006
A Pair of Hearts
This weekend was surprisingly productive. Well, maybe not surprising because I didn't leave my house all weekend. Travis said it was scary that I was more of a home body than he was, and he has a point. But, it was nice to spend some time at home after the craziness of last weekend. You'll all be so relieved to know that I have finished the kimono sweater! That's the good news, the bad news is that I don't have pictures for you yet, but as soon as I hear back from Sundara, I'll let you know where we stand on that. I also made good progress on the wedding square for Cindy. I'm officially half done, but I should finish it this week.
It's called Heart Strings and it's from the 3rd Barbara Walker stitch book (the yellow one). It's a little smaller than the required 8 inches, but I have it on good authority that the yarn grows when washed, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on it working out to be the right size. Sure, I could have knit a swatch and blocked it, but it's cables, so swatches lie. I'm winging it and hoping for the best.
The other thing I started this weekend were the knee highs.
I wasn't sure how much of the toe should be the solid and I did too much the first time. I ended up going with 1.5 inches, which is basically the short-row toe, and then I switched to the striping yarn. That is one great thing about toe up socks - you can try them on as you go and see how things are working.
This week should be pretty quiet. We're going to visit my dad and stepmom Friday, so it will be a short week. I have a few things to do at work, but nothing outrageous. I've been thinking about painting my bedroom dark brown - like chocolate brown. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I'd do the walls dark and then use cream or off-white on the bed and maybe a print with brown and white/off-white on the windows and pillows.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:30 AM | Comments (27)October 27, 2006
Eye Candy Friday
A pretty glass ball I have hanging in my bedroom. The ball is a pretty reproduction of a glass fishing float. I love the random swirls of colors and how the glass changes from clear to pink and finally to red. Have a great weekend.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:00 AM | Comments (23)October 25, 2006
No Remote Blogging, But...
A finished pair of socks. Oklahoma was ok, not great, but ok. It was a really long trip - 12 hours in the truck each way, early mornings, late nights, and not a lot of luck on the team roping front. We left the hotel before 8 o'clock every morning and didn't get back to the room until about midnight. All I did was knit and watch team roping. Well, I guess I also fed horses, cleaned stalls, ate a lot of concession stand crap, and visited with Travis' brother and sister-in-law. The good news is that I finished the Spey Valley socks.
Project Details:
Pattern: Spey Valley from Knitting on the Road
Needles: Addi Natura 2.0mm 6" dpns
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Island Blue
Thoughts: This is a really good basic pattern. The design is, of course, clever and well-executed - it is a Nancy Bush pattern after all. I like the 3 ribbing patterns. The cuff is done in a purl 2, k2, p1, k2 rib that mimics the look of the leg and foot ribbing, but provides a bit more stretch to hold the sock up. The second ribbing is done in a diamond pattern and I think adds just a bit of interest to an otherwise basic sock. The leg and foot is made up of a 5x2 ribbing and provides nice stretch, but is a bit different than your basic 2x2 ribbing. The very best part of this sock is the round toe. I just love how it looks and fits. These socks are not for me, they're a gift for a friend, so I'm going to block them tonight so they're ready to send off next week.
I didn't start another project while I was gone. I have to tell you that I was little burned out after knitting for 10 hours a day for 3 days. I know, it's a shocking statement, but rather than start a new project on the way home yesterday I read a book. And now I'm feeling energized to start something new. I wound the yarn for the knee highs, but I am going to finish the Kimono Sweater and work on the squares I promised Cindy for her wedding. I'm thinking something with cables. I've been in the mood for cables lately. I have a lot of blog reading to catch up on, and hopefully I'll get that done in the next day or two. For those of you who are interested, the new computer rocks. I absolutley love it.
Posted by Stephanie at 2:25 PM | Comments (27)October 20, 2006
Practical Eye Candy
Ok, the brown box isn't very exciting, but look at what was inside.
And the most exciting of all:
Have a great weekend. My new eye candy is going to Oklahoma with me, so I'm going to try to blog and check e-mail while I'm gone.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:38 AM | Comments (23)October 19, 2006
One Down, One To Go
The first Spey Valley sock is finished except for the weaving of ends. I'm quite pleased with how stretchy it is and I just love the toe (maybe the round toe - I'll have to look that up to be sure).
I actually finished this sock before I started Fetching, and snuck Fetching in between the first and second sock - a little variety is a good thing. Travis and I are driving to Oklahoma City over the weekend (we're leaving Saturday and coming back late Tuesday) for a team roping. Travis is roping, I am not. I am knitting. So, I have a whole lot of driving time which equates to a whole lot of knitting time. Travis' team roping partner and his girlfriend (the partner's, not Travis' - obviously) are going with us, so chances are good I won't have to drive. I do believe I'll have time to finish the second Spey Valley sock, and I need to decide what to do next. If I don't get the Kimono Sweater seamed before I go, I'm taking it! I have had it with my procrastination on this project. It's a really cute sweater that I know I would wear a lot (I really wanted to wear it today, but I can't because it isn't freaking done yet), but what the hell is my problem? I don't even mind seaming. I've reached the point of being really annoyed with myself on this project, so I'm going to finish the Kimono Sweater before I start something else (and maybe even before I finish the second Spey Valley sock). I think the second travel knitting project should be socks - for a couple of reasons. First, I have a whole lot of sock yarn I'm anxious to knit and second, socks are so small and portable and I doubt I'll have a whole lot of room in the truck for a lot of yarn (like Butterfly would require - although now that I think about it maybe I should take Butterfly. Hmmm...). We will have the horse trailer with that very large front tack room. I could put a whole lot of yarn in there. Ok, realistically, I'll have 4 days of knitting time - most of which will be done around lots of people (and I suppose I'll be expected to participate in a conversation every now and then), so socks make the most sense. The ultimate question - if I'm taking sock yarn, should I take the yarn for the knee highs or for the Jaywalkers?
October 17, 2006
Oh So Fetching
I do so love a quick knit. Don't get me wrong, I love those big projects that give you that giddy feeling of accomplishment when you finish after months (or years) of work but, there's really nothing like a quick knit to make me smile. Fetching is done. What do you think?
Project Details:
Pattern: Fetching from Knitty Summer 2006
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Red (Colour 300610)
Needles: US #6 (4mm) Addi Natura DPNs
Thoughts: This pattern uses 1 ball of yarn (and Debbie Bliss yarn isn't known for its generous yardage) - 1 ball is 90 meters and I have less than 1 meter left. Perfect (although I was a tad bit concerned I was going to run out of yarn on the thumb). These are a lovely quick knit and the yarn is wonderfully soft. I'm sure it will pill like crazy, but I don't even mind because I can always knit another pair when these start looking a little worn. I worked the cables without a cable needle, which is a great way to knit them - so much quicker and a lot less hassle. I started these late Saturday night and finished last night after karate. I'd estimate total knitting time at around 6 hours - give or take a bit. I finished them just in time to wear them this morning because it's cold and snowing - perfect glove weather.
October 16, 2006
A Lovely Sunday
It was actually a lovely weekend. I worked at the yarn store on Saturday and did some reorganizing - I actually made a huge mess, but I did clean it up before the end of the day. Travis went to a party in Lander (where his parents live), but I couldn't go because I had to work. So, Saturday night I stayed up late and finished the first Spey Valley sock and started Fetching. Sunday morning Riley and I were bums and I sat at the table, drank my tea, read a book, and worked on Fetching (and I did some laundry too - so I guess I wasn't a total bum).
Before we left for flyball I got the first glove done and then last night I started the second one.
I love that these are turning out to be a quick knit and they'll be perfect for fall in Wyoming. I can't wait to finish these and show you.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:06 AM | Comments (16)October 13, 2006
Eye Candy Friday
In this month of Scktoberfest I think it's appropriate that Eye Candy Friday be dedicated to socks.
Lovely new sock yarn from Piece of Beauty. This is the Boat House colorway with a skein of the blue for heels, toes, and ribbing. I'm planning knee socks with this great striping yarn. The yarn itself is very soft merino superwash and I just love the color combination, plus I love that it came from Scotland! Have a great weekend.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:26 AM | Comments (18)October 9, 2006
Sock Progress
This weekend was productive, but not as productive as I'd hoped. I did make a nifty new needle organizer. It isn't quite done, and I still have the one to make for the dpns, but then I'll take pictures. I promise. This project is part of the continuing craft room organization project and I do believe it is shaping up quite nicely. More on that later.
In knitting news, I turned the heel of Spey Valley and finished the gusset.
I had to try it on last night because all that ribbing makes it look really tiny, but the good news is it fits just fine. What a relief. I always get so annoyed with I get to the point of just having the foot left and then discover it's too small (and that's happened to me a time or two). I think I might have to cast-on for some fingerless gloves this week. I have some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in my newly organized stash and those little gloves are going to be very useful this fall/winter. We'll see how thing shape up this week. I still have some sweater finishing to do (cough, cough) and I might be going to Ft. Collins tomorrow night to meet up with one of my favorite bloggers for dinner. I'll keep you posted.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:56 AM | Comments (9)October 6, 2006
Eye Candy Friday
I took this picture last weekend just as the sun was coming up (yeah, I know, that's way too early to be up on a Saturday, but Riley doesn't seem to agree).
A note about the title of the last post. The reference was to Toby Keith's I Wanna Talk About Me
We talk about your work how your boss is a jerk
We talk about your church and your head when it hurts
We talk about the troubles you've been having with your brother
About your daddy and your mother and your crazy ex - lover
We talk about your friends and the places that you've been
We talk about your skin and the dimples on your chin
The polish on your toes and the run in your hose
And God knows we're gonna talk about your clothes
You know talkin' 'bout you makes me smile
But every once in awhile
I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Old my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
How I like talking about you you you you usually, but occassionally
I wanna talk about me
I wanna talk about me
We talk about your dreams and we talk about your schemes
Your high school team and your moisturizer creme
We talk about your nanna up in Muncie, Indiana
We talk about your grandma down in Alabama
We talk about your guys of every shape and size
The ones that you despise and the ones you idolize
We talk about your heart, 'bout your brains and your smarts
And your medical charts and when you start
You know talkin' 'bout you makes me grin
But every now and then
I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Old my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you you you you usually, but occassionally
I wanna talk about me
I wanna talk about me
You you you you you you you you you you you
I wanna talk about me
I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Old my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you you you, usually, but occassionally
I wanna talk about me
I wanna talk about me
Old me
There were lots of guesses for Salt 'n' Pepa's Let's Talk About Sex and I can see why you might think that, but alas, I'm a country girl at heart so I think in country songs. Have a great weekend.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:33 AM | Comments (12)October 4, 2006
I Wanna Talk About Socks*
Socks, socks, socks, socks.
Lolly is hard at work making this installment of Socktoberfest another huge success. Yesterday she posted some questions about socks and since I'm a little lacking in the knitting progress department, I thought I'd do a little q&a.
When did you start making socks?
I started making socks in March of 2005. I looked at the information on Knitter's Review and my knitting books, bought some yarn and a set of dpns and figured it out.
What was your first pair? How have they held up over time?
My first pair of socks were made with Koigu and I used a Koigu pattern. The socks were too big for me, so I gave them to my sister (she has bigger feet than I do) and she says they're good.
What would you have done differently?
I would have used smaller needles - I think I used US 2's and I wasn't happy with the stitches and fit, but I really was happy with the socks in general.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
My favorite sock yarn is Sundara Sock Yarn - she has great colors and a really nice superwash sock yarn. Other favorites are Sunshine Yarns, Sweet Georgia, Lorna's Laces, and I have some Yarntini I can't wait to try and some Piece of Beauty striping for knee socks.
Do you like to crochet your socks? Or knit them on dpns, 2 circulars, or magic loop?
My crochet skills are limited to finishing the edge on my knitting, so I don't think I could crochet socks. I've tried all methods of knitting socks and I see a benefit to each method. That said, my favorite is 5 dpns - holding the stitches on 4 needles and using the 5th to knit. I like the tradition of knitting socks with dpns. My current needles of choice are the Addi Natura 6" dpns, but I recently purchased a set on 2.5mm Holz & Stein needles that are 7" and I can't wait to try them.
Which kind of heel do you prefer?
I like 'em all. I like short-rows (especially now that I finally figured out what I was doing wrong - thanks Joelene) for toe-up socks, but I prefer a heel flap on a top down sock. I don't know why, but nobody said I had to make sense.
How many pairs have you made?
Not as many as I wish I'd made. Let me see ... looks like 8 pairs, plus the ones in progress right now.
*Bonus points for those of you who can guess the song and artist I stole the title from (I obviously changed it just a bit - we don't want it to be too easy).
Posted by Stephanie at 1:48 PM | Comments (15)October 2, 2006
A New Sock
The Kimono Sweater has been blocked and is ready for seaming. I'll get that done this week. I had high hopes for doing it yesterday, but I ended up building fence all day yesterday with Travis and my in-laws. Since the kimono sweater is done as far as the knitting goes, I started a sock. I was going to start a pair of Jaywalkers with some Yarntini I have, but I ended up casting on for Spey Valley from Knitting on the Road. I thought the turquoise Lorna's Laces I had would be just perfect and it's a nice basic pattern with a new technique - a Vikkel Braid. I am just enamoured beyond belief with those 2 rows of horizontal stitching. I just love how that works.
Socktoberfest has officially started and I thought I'd have time this month to do 2 pairs of socks (maybe even 3!), so Jaywalkers will be coming your way shortly, along with a finished Kimono Sweater.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:11 AM | Comments (15)
