Greyhounds and Knitting

FO: Opal New Years Day Socks

2007-11-01T21:07:00.001-07:00

Opal New Years Day Socks
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Yarn: Opal Hagebutte / Rosehip
Pattern: Dipsy Doodle's New Years Day Socks
Needles: Addi Circs size 1
Mods: Short Row "Sherman" heel

I've had this yarn in my stash forever. I don't think I would have ever used it because it looks so muddled. Thanks to Ravelry where you can look up what other people did with a particular yarn, I saw some monkeys that looked pretty good so I decided to try this pattern. I like it alot. It looks good and is a fast easily memorized knit.

I started these:

The Pattern is from More Sensational Knitted Socks and is called Crosshatch Lace. The yarn is Black Bunny Merino/Tencel. It's very soft and pretty. I am really interested to see how it will wear.

GreyhoundKnitter now on Ravelry!

2007-10-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

I'm on Ravlery so if you are too check me out. I'm GreyhoundKnitter. Ravlery has been talked about so much on all the knitting blogs and lists and with the waiting lists making it seems so exclusive I thought it would be a lot of hype. This is not the case. I'm so impressed with this site. By waiting and adding more users slowly they have managed to iron out what must have been lots of bugs. I have had no problems, it is well organized and easy to use. I love to know what other knitters did with a particular yarn or pattern and this makes it so much easier than googling and going though all the blogs.

Finished Miss May socks

2007-10-03T13:31:00.001-07:00

Yarn: Wollmeise Miss May
Needles: addi size 1
pattern: Two at once. Stitch pattern used from Knitty's Coupling. I used the Sherman Heel and a picot bind off.

I was using the left over yarn from a friend's completed pair and it looked like a lot left so I wanted to see if I could get a pair of short socks out of it. I did, and I really like them. They have really long ankle ribbing because I thought I had less than I did but it just kept going so I kept knitting. All the way up to the picot bind off and I still had a bit left! I love the color and these are very comfortable socks.

I think this is my favorite yarn. Wollmeise has an on-line store which I probably shouldn't even mention because the more people who buy it the less for me! Megan and I tried to make an order the evening the store went online and already many of the colors were gone. We still got some good ones though so watch for those in the future!

Started Wollmeise Leftovers Socks

2007-09-15T21:39:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Coupling from Knitty
Yarn: Wollmeise
Needles: addi turbo size 1

This is the left over yarn from a pair of socks my friend Megan (who is responsible for me knowing how to knit as well as my sock yarn addiction) made. We swapped the leftovers from our completed wollmeise so it's like a bonus pair of socks! I chose this pattern because it is lace intensive and should use less yarn. Obviously toe up/two at once so I can go as far as I can with the yarn. It seems like I'm not going though too much but it takes so long to get anywhere with two at once. I keep knitting them because I'm compelled to see how far this leftover yarn will go.

I can't seem to get a pic that shows the stitch patern well.

Tiffany and Yardley

2007-09-15T17:09:00.001-07:00

Pretty sisters, Tiffany (front) and Yardley (back). Tiffany lives in California and was up for a lure trial. She did really well. Yardley finished her Field Championship!

Finished: wollmeise charade socks

2007-09-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Charade
Yarn: wollmeise
Color: Raku-Regenbogen
Needles: Addi 2.5 mm turbos (I went down to 2 mm in the ankle for a couple inches)
mods: carried pattern down heel

These may be my favorite socks! Really pleased with yarn and pattern. It is a really easy to memorize pattern and will add interest to variegated or striped yarns. I'm sure I will knit it again. They really say Fall to me, look tweedy.

Monarch "Fake Argyle" Finished

2007-08-30T19:06:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Fake Argyle
Yarn: Monarch (can't remember what color!)
Needles: Inox 2.5 mm 1st sock and knitpicks 2.5 for 2nd

I love the bright color of these! I'm glad to be done but it was so hot I didn't feel like putting them on to take the pictures. Anyway, this yarn is very nice to work with. I have some really pretty in the shades of teal I have been waiting to use for the right pattern.

About the pattern, I basically took the stitch pattern and applied it to my own favorite cast on, heel, etc. which is what the author advices. She also asks that anyone using this pattern not use it to try to take over the world. Damn! My diabolical plans must be put on hold. I really wanted to do something other than ribbing for the top and we all know my toe up picots don't stand up - not that picot was what i would have gone with anyway, but just sayin'. It just seems like there should be some better options for sock tops.

Here I tried a kind of chevron idea that I adapted from something on a Nancy Bush sock pattern. Alas, I finally just decided to go with ribbing for the tops after spending way to much time trying to make something look good.

Love the knitpics circs. Great tip and join. Ordered some in size zero and the More Sensational Knitted Socks book which I'm really looking forward to getting.

A last look at these, noting the beauty of the Sherman Heel, oh and my first time doing the EZ Sewn Bind Off and it worked great! I'd been intimidated by the "sewn" part.

Now to cast on the 2nd of the Wollmeise Charade Socks.

Fennec

2007-08-24T18:03:00.001-07:00

Fennec

Not a greyhound OR knitting! It's our 10 month old whippet!

Charade sock in Wollmeise

2007-08-21T17:39:00.001-07:00

Charade sock in Wollmeise
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Pattern: Charade
Yarn: Wollmiese, Raku-regenborgen
Needles: Addi size 1s (mostly!)
mods: I carried the pattern into the heel flap.

1 sock done!

I love this sock pattern and color. I'm really pleased with how they fit and look. It is a fun and easy stitch pattern to memorize.

Big Sock Knitting Update

2007-08-15T18:03:00.001-07:00

"Fake Argyle" Sock

Pattern: Fake Argyle
Yarn: Monarch (not sure about the color)
Needles: Inox 2.5 mm

Note the beauty of the Sherman Heel!

This has been one of my more successful sock starts. Lately I have had a really hard time deciding what sock pattern I want to knit with what yarn.

I've really wanted to knit with the new Wollmeise but I haven't been able to pick out what pattern to use. After several starts in different patterns, I feel pretty good about this start of a Charade Sock (pdf).

The pattern shows off the colors pretty well. Looks very fall! I started with addi turbo 2.5 mm and went to 2 mm after a couple inches.

I also started an Embossed Leaves Sock:

The yarn is STR and I think the color is called Falcon's Eye. I love the sage green and cream but wasn't quite expecting it to stripe this strongly. I used addi 2 mm because I like a fitted sock but I think I'd go up to 2.5 mm. The leaf pattern is really engaging so I don't think I'll mind ripping back.

And finally, I didn't get a modeled shot of my Black Bunny Fibers Knitty's Falling Leaves Socks so here you go:

I love these socks!

Finished STR Waterlillies

2007-08-05T20:32:00.001-07:00

Finished STR Waterlillies

I never really did get the picot cast offs to stand up! The swelling on left ankle was down enough to fit the sock on over it. I liked knitting these socks. I used the knitty magic cast on, the sherman heel, and knitty's picot cast off. I couldn't even tell you the stitch count because I was trying them on as I went and kind of adjusting. I think they will stay up just fine. I should keep some plain ones on the needles, I knit these in both the Harry Potter and the Simpsons movies.

I guess this makes a whopping two socks completed for the Summer of Socks KAL!

Wollmiese Sock Yarn

2007-07-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Wollmiese Sock Yarn
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

colors: Türkis & Karneol (top)
and Raku Regenbogan (bottom).
My picture does not do this yarn any kind of justice so just search Flickr for Wollmiese and you will see many beautiful pictures of this yarn.
I have been searching for a pattern that will go with the T&K yarn. Because it has such a strong stripe to it I'm not sure what I want to do. Not my photo but this is the color. I could do some simple ribbing I guess but kind of want do do something more. Suggestions?
Maybe I'll do the "RR" pair first because I feel like with the multi-color I'm more open to doing something more lacey.

Falling Leaves: Black Bunny Sock yarn

2007-07-30T17:58:00.001-07:00

Falling Leaves: Black Bunny Sock yarn
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Knitty's Falling Leaves
Addi size 0 needles
Yarn: Black Bunny Fiber
changes: Sherman Heel

Sorry about the not so great photo. I sprained my ankle and so I can't even put on the left sock to model.

I really liked this yarn. It was actually one that was just beautiful in the skein, maybe more so than knit up. This is my second pair with this pattern and I'm sure it won't be my last. I'll try to post another picture of a sock on a foot.

Revised: STR Picot Top Sock

2007-07-18T18:55:00.001-07:00

STR Picot Top Sock
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Here is the revised Picot top with a few rows of moss stitch to keep it from rolling. It is much better and I think it looks nice too. Thanks for the ideas from the members of Socknitters List!

problems with picot edge

2007-07-17T20:29:00.001-07:00

STR toe up with attempted picot bind off, unfortuanatly it folds down. I wanted to have just a plain stockinette sock with a picot edge. I found some instructions for a picot bind off from Knitty. I really don't want to put ribbing on the top to stop the fold because I think it won't look very good. I did recieve a suggestion for moss stitch at the top which I think I'm going to try.

Regia Jaywalkers

2007-06-09T14:11:00.001-07:00

Regia Jaywalkers

The '70s called and they want their socks back!

Yarn: regia (not sure what color)
Pattern: Jawalker
Needles: 2 Inox 2.5 mm circs
Modification: Sherman Heel

I got this yarn as a gift from Cindi when she went to Germany. I used these socks as car knitting or knitting where I needed to be able to pick them up and put them down in the middle of a row where needed. In otherwords, easy knitting! They fit perfectly, have been through the wash, have softened up, and I think will wear well. The Inox needles are okay, the point is really sharp but the join isn't as smooth as the addi turbos. I think the join is an issue for a tight knitter but not as much for a looser one. I don't find them unusuable or anything.

My 3rd completed pair of Jaywalkers!

And what I really like about these socks?
They are almost a perfect match!

Tofutsies tidal wave socks finished!

2007-05-21T16:26:00.001-07:00

tofutsies tidal wave socks

pattern: Tidal Wave (pdh)
yarn: Tofutsies
Color: 723 Put Your Foot Down
needles: addi turbo 2.0 mm
Changes: used a short row (sherman) heel

I probably should have gone with the pattern on these and done a heel flap/turned heel but I've been on a sherman heel kick and decided to put it on these. They fit fine but the short row heel pulls down the ankle so they ended up a little shorter then they would have been. This may be just fine really though since these are summer socks and don't really need to be very tall.

Now, a word about the yarn. In short, I love it. It is light weight, creates a cushy tight fabric, and has a pretty sheen to it. I've only worn and washed once but seems to be wearing fine. No breaks or knots in the skein. I also had plenty left. Maybe enough for some baby socks or hat. You can see from the photo on the right that I got different striping on the feet. I think I had a few stitches more that I picked up after the heel on the sock on the left.

I will definitely be getting more tofutsies.

STR Sock Candy Dragon Socks Finished

2007-05-21T16:00:00.001-07:00

STR Sock Candy

Dragon pattern
yarn: Socks That Rock Sock Candy (cotton)
color: Hurricane
needles: addi turbo 2.5 mm

These socks took me a long time to finish. I kept setting them aside. I've been looking for a yarn that would be cooler to wear, something lighter than wool. I'm not sure that these really fit the bill. Although they are nearly all cotton (there is something like 4% elastic) they make a thick sock. My feet were quite toasty in them! The cotton is nice to knit with and they seem to keep their shape well. It will be interesting to see how they wear.

The other interesting thing I learned in these is that there is a heel option so much better for short rows then the "wrapped" heel (shown on the left). On the right is the Sherman Heel, look no holes!!! This is quite easy to do and looks much better then the wrapped variant.

trekking xxl socks

2007-04-28T18:34:00.001-07:00

These were a really fast knit. They were my first pair of trekking socks and won't be my last. At under $14 they are soft and colorful. I used color 100. I used the stitch pattern from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks "Gentleman's Sock" but that's all I used from the pattern. The needles I used were addi turbo circs size 0 (2mm). I used a short row heel variant from a pattern for Easy Sock (similar to the Sherman Heel). What is great is that there are no holes as compared to the short rows done with the wrap type short rows. I found it through the great resource Lauri B's Toes and Heels. The only thing I would have done differently is make the cuff longer, it seemed plenty long enough but with the shorter heel pulling down the cuff, it was shorter than I planned. If it bothers me a lot I could undo the cast on and add on a repeat.

Happy 2nd Birthday Yardzilla

2007-04-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my greyhound Yardley (ZD Fidelis Wild Blue Yardley). It is so hard to believe that she is 2 years old already. It seems like just yesterday she was just a pup. I couldn't be prouder or more pleased with how she has 'grown up" (she still has plenty of puppy in her). She is shown here looking pretty in the new collar from her Aunt Megan of Vals Pajamas (where you too can get pretty collars!). I tried so hard to get some good shots of her today but she just wouldn't cooperate. Every time I bent to take pictures she would come toward me wagging her tail "whacha doing?" sabotaging every shot. That's my girl.

STR Monkey Completed

2007-04-05T20:40:00.001-07:00

STR Monkey knit socks
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Yarn: STR Prove it All Night (light weight)
Needles: Addi circs size 0 (2mm)
Pattern: Monkey Socks from knitty.com

No idea how long it took me to complete these, I worked on these kind of on and off. I liked the pattern, it was easy to memorize. The only change I made was I used a smaller needle than was called for in the pattern and the fit is great. I've had this yarn in my statch waiting for the right pattern and I'm glad I did, just in time for spring! LOL.

New Yarns!

2007-02-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Handspun yarn! My favorite barber pole! This was spun by my friend Megan using Crown Mountain yarn. I love it but I'm thinking it is a little too soft and fragile and of course it is very special so I'm trying to think of something equally special to do with it. Ideas?

Cindi picked out this Sock Candy yarn for me at the Medrona Fiber Arts Fair. I've been really anxious to try this cotton yarn from the makers of my beloved STR.
I haven't decided what sock pattern to use. Ideas? Anyone use this yet? Tips?

I love the colors. Really bright and saturated.

Oh, and Zephyr wouldn't move so I could take the pictures. So the dog leg is to show scale! :)

Started STR Monkey Socks

2007-02-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Monkey
Needles: two Addi Circs size 0 (2mm)
Yarn: STR Prove it All Night

It is a pretty easy pattern and I love the color of this yarn.

Collinette Jitterbug Socks Finished!

2007-02-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

I saw this yarn in a LYS and fell in love with the color.

Later I realized that the amount of yarn 267 meters (292 yards) was less than what would come in two skeins of koigu (350 yards).

So with some concern as to the amount of yarn I decided to do a toe up and a lace pattern in order to maximize the amount of yarn.

This is pretty much my favorite formula for toe up socks:

I used the easy and great looking Knitty Magic Cast On

Then I select a stitch pattern. For these I used Child's First Sock stitch pattern from the Nancy Bush Knitting Vintage Socks. I used just the stitch pattern which is meant to be toe up but didn't really have a strong direction to it and it worked fine as a toe up.

For the gusset and heel I use the Generic Pattern for Your Putting me On Socks. From there I just went up the cuff till I had no more yarn.

Needles: I used Addi circs size 0 (2mm) for the toes and heels. This seemed a soft yarn even though it is tightly twisted. I wanted to do the whole sock with the size 0 but given my concern about the amount of yarn I went up to Addi size 1s for the foot and cuff. This stitch pattern is really stretchy so these socks aren't as tight fitting as I normally like but they are so soft and the color is pretty and overall nice to knit with this yarn. It will be interesting to see how they wear. The yarn went pretty far. If I get some of this yarn again I'll try a plain pair of toe ups and see how far it goes.

Lots of Finished Scarfs

2006-12-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

I have been very busy doing Holiday gift knitting even though I haven't been blogging. We had a huge wind storm in Western Washington two weeks ago that knocked out power too many people. I was lucky and just lost cable for a week.

This is the "Falling Water Lace" Scarf. I did this in some really pretty and soft cashmere. I can't find the label right now to identify the yarn. This was a fun and easy yarn pattern to knit

Noro silk garden multidirectional scarf. I started this for a christmas gift for '05 and finished it and am keeping it for my self.

This is a simple one skein scarf made from Rowan Tapastry, a soy and wool mix. I love the yarn and the colors. The stitch pattern is one row and is same front and back from Yarn Harlot. It's simple but I love it.

This scarf was done with Nashua Wooly Stripes in Ocean. I used three skiens and went every other row from two differently balls and with the third I used the two different ends. It made a kind of neat graduated stripe effect. It's a nice soft self striping wool. I used the same Yarn Harlot one row stitch pattern as above.

And yet another! I really like the look and feel of this and it's just a Michael's yarn "Rumor". Yes, yet another Yarn Harlot one row scarf!

And last but not least, my Herringbone Rib Scarf! I started this quite a while ago but due to my sock obsession let it sit. It needs blocking, I'll get a better picture after. I don't know if I"ll be able to give this one away. It's very soft. The yarn is Manos and the color reminds me of crushed roses.

Lorna's Laces Gauntlets

2006-12-29T15:38:00.000-08:00

Lorna's Laces Gauntlets
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

I finally finished these! I used the RPM stitch pattern from the knitty socks of that name. I made the arms extra long because I hate when the sleeves of my coat ride up when I'm caring something and my arms get cold! I was inspired by Val's gauntlets that she made. No real pattern just kind of winged them.

Sock yarn comparison

2006-12-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

Sock yarn comparison
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Tried to take this picture to show that Colinette Jitterbug - despite the label on the yarn recommending a needle size 3.25 mm is really in the same ball park as other standard sock yarns.
I don't have a very good camera but I took this picture to try to comparison between (from top to bottom) STR, Colinette Jitterbug, LL's Shepard Sock, and Trekking XXL. This is how I would also put them in order from heaviest to finest but there isn't a lot of difference between the STR and Jitterbug and the LL's is just a bit lighter. I do find the Trekking the finest for sure. The STR and Jitterbug are the tightest spun.

Kool-Aid Dyed Sock Yarn

2006-10-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

Kool-Aid Dyed Sock Yarn

Another entry for celebrating Socktober Fest, my first attempt at dying yarn! It isn't going to give STR a run for their money but I really like it and it was so much fun to do. It's really hard to get a true color photo, the greens just don't want to show up. The rest is fairly accurate, but the greens are light pistachio to a light olive.

Check out more photos of my sock yarn by clicking on the Flickr photo box on the right side of this blog.

Lorna's Laces Purple Iris Cable Socks

2006-10-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

Finished! These are the socks started in the sock exchange between Megan and myself like a year ago. They kind of sat because I got kind of disclosing with LLs due to the poor wear of a pair I had made. I do love the colors and this is a great pattern. In honor of Socktober Fest I finished the foot of the 1st sock Megan started and tried to duplicate it for my second. They aren't exact (I knit much more tightly) but close enough.

Finished STR Feather & Fan

2006-10-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the finished STR Chapman Springs in Feather and Fan. I am really pleased with these socks. I combined a few different patterns to make them. I used my favorite toe up cast on: Knitty's Magic Cast On, the gusset and heel from the Generic Pattern for Your Putting Me On Socks and Wendy Knit's Feather & Fan Cuff (pdf) and I did them two at once on two circular addi's in size 0 except for the heel turn which I did one at a time. I really loved all these elements and would highly recomend them. The only thing I don't like about these is the cast off is really loose, I over did that a little not wanting to make them too tight. When they are first on they are fine but as they are worn a bit the tops are kind of floppy. The F&F cuffs are plenty tight and stay up so it's not too much of an issue. I haven't decided yet if it bugs me enough to pick out the cast off and redo it.

I would definitely knit this again it is a great way to use hand dyed yarn like Socks That Rock.

Feather & Fan STR Chapman Springs

2006-09-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

I was going to wait till these were done but wanted to show them off. I might finish them tonight so in the next day or two I'll post the specs.

Check out my "No More Wire Hangers" Sock Blocker! I wanted to show off the F&F stitch pattern but didn't have a sock blockers so this is improvised with a bent up wire hanger

Socktoberfest 2006

2006-09-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

My first Socktober Fest! How exciting!

kind of seems like every month is Socktober Fest for me though!

Kind of like at the hospital where I work it is National Handwashing Week "Celebrate Handwashing" I kind of feel like every week is hand washing week. Are we suppose to give people gifts of soap?

start of a mystery sock

2006-09-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

I started this mystery sock (pictured on my wrist) but have decided to frog it in favor of some solid sock yarn. The pretty claudia's hand paint is in shades of grass green but it obscures the lace pattern. You can see the picot edging which was a first for me! I'm going to have to order some solid yarn from Knitpicks.

One Baudeliare Finished

2006-09-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the finished 1st Baudelaire, I finished it a bit ago but missing camera and some computer problems have conspired to keep me from bloging (or visiting some of the blogs I usually do or replying to some of the comments and emails I've had). Anyway, although you can't see the leaf pattern up the front or back that well, you can see the heel that I'm so taken with. If anyone knows what "type" of heel this is or where else this heel might be in a pattern please let me know. I'd love to use it for other socks but I don't know if I'd be able to convert the large number of stitches this pattern uses (ends up with 88 for the cuff from a foot of 64 vs. the sock I'm doing now is a cuff of 72 from a foot of 64) I'd love to know.
I've cast on for the second sock last night.

Mystery Sock KAL

2006-08-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

I joined anotherKnitalong!

The purpose of this one is this KAL is to find a pattern on the internet that has no picture and knit it. The reason is because most people don't want to knit a pattern with out at least getting some idea what it would look like first. So there are all of these poor sad patterns languishing in obscurity that might be quite nice. I used the Wayback Machine to find a pattern that is no longer being hosted anywhere so I will truly bring it back from the dead (mysterious maniacal laughter inserted here). The pattern is called simply Lacey Sock. It will be a challenge to me because it has a picot edge which involves a provisional cast on which I always thinks sounds to complicated to bother with. The yarn I'm thinking of using is some pretty Claudia's Handpaint in grassy greens. I haven't started yet so this is still subject to change but as soon as I have something with a few repeats I'll post a picture

Bonus Falling Leaves

2006-08-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Falling Leaves

Here are some beautiful Falling Leaves knit for my by my friend Valorie. I think she may have felt obligated in some way to give these to me as I gave her so many not so subtle hints about how beautiful this koigu colorway was. Sure she said they came out too big for her but I think she must have really wanted me to have them. :)

The colors in this koigu are incredible. The purples range from light to bright and there are shades of brown and charcoal. I love the color so much I have an automatic search on ebay in case some comes up.

Falling Leaves: Finally a Completed Pair

2006-08-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Falling Leaves

Started: June 22nd

Finished: Aug. 5th

Pattern: Falling Leaves

Yarn: Koigu

Needles: Addi 2mm (2 circs)

I ended up really enjoying making these socks. I initially had started them with different yarn on size 2.5 mm needles and they were just too big. These fit really well. I ran out of batteries on my camera so didn't get a picture of them on but you can see them the one on in the previous post. I also really enjoyed using the koigu and everyone says they look better in person!

Started Baudelaire Sock

2006-08-11T19:35:00.000-07:00

Started: August 6th
Pattern: Baudelaire
Needles: Addi 2.5 mm (circs)
Yarn: Koigu

When I saw these socks on knitty I was so impressed. I think they are really elegant looking. Since I tend not to knit much with solid yarns (do I ever?) I picked out some of the prettiest and most subtle yarn in my stash. It is the most beautiful shades of blue, light purple, and a khaki green. I figured that the colors would be subtle enough that the lace pattern would still show up. I'm not so sure that it is working for me, not sure the pattern stands out as much with this yarn. I will say that the lace stitch looks way more intimidating than it is! It is actually easily memorized.

unfortunately things could not go perfectly smooth. I've only done a couple of toe up socks and haven't quite gotten the hang of when to start the heel. I went a bit too far up the foot and now the socks are too long. The heel was a new one for me and a fair bit of knitting (lots of purl rows) and actually came out really well so I decided rather than rip that all back I'd undo the toe. It took a bit but was able to pick out the magic cast on.

So with any luck I can decrease the toe and make it shorter.

Check out for more pictures of this pattern.

One Koigu Falling Leaves Done

2006-07-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

After a shaky start one Falling Leaves sock is completed! I'm really pleased with the tight fit and the yarn. I've got to do several new techniques, the Magic Cast On, Short Row Heel, and the Rusian Purl Bind Off (not sure if there is a link to that, it was posted on the Townsend Knitalong). Looking forward to starting the second sock (when have you heard me say that!).

STR Hard Rock

2006-07-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

This is what I've been working on. I wanted to do a Jaywalker like sock while avoiding some of the fit issues. I didn't want to have to switch needle sizes and just to be able to use the circs. So I tried a few different sock patterns and came up with this configuration. The sock is knit toe up with the Ma gic Cast On from Knitty. This cast on is great, looks just like it was kitchnered.

This is my second short row heel ever. I kept getting a few holes (bottom picture). So I did rip back and used Nothin' But Knit: Hole Free Short Rows and really worked hard on pulling the wraps tight and I got the (blurry pictured) hole free heel.

The only problem I'm having is the problem I thought I'd avoid, the socks are tight across the top of my foot near the ankle. I'm not sure why, the circumference of the sock is 60 stitches and I thought the added YOs would make up for the tighter then stocking stitch chevron pattern.

Can I just add too that this yarn is softer then butter? For some reason it seems like softer than normal STR or it could just feel that way because the other sock I'm working on is koigu.

New Knitty

2006-07-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

WooHoo! The new issue of knitty is out and it is very sock intensive. Yea! One of my favorite Bloggers, Aija, has a pattern called RPM in there. In her pattern she even quotes The Smiths who were one of my all time favorite bands during the teen angst years - just for the record they were broken up by the time I was listening to them. I still like them and with little encouragement I can still belt out the words to most any of their songs. Anyway, check out sock prØn. if you enjoy looking at great pictures of socks and sock yarn. Oh yeah, and she does have a contest going right now but I'm not encouraging anyone to enter because I have my eye on the Tiny Toes! Ha. :)

Yardley

2006-07-04T00:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted many greyhound photos lately so I'm rectifying that with these most recent. This is Yardley at her first ASFA trial. Here she is before running off for 1st place. Unfortunately she lost the run off to Val's Charis but we were very proud of her for running so well and were happy to see Charis win as she deserved it. There were 7 greyhounds entered. So both girls did great for their first trial.
Yardley has to have her morning coffee to give her that extra energy to run. Just kidding. Yardley never needs extra energy. The picture of her at the table in Phil and Cindi's trailer at the trial is pretty funny though. Really she loves to run and needs no encouragement or caffeine.
Next weekend she is entered in Canadian Kennel Club Lure Coursing and a Show! This should be interesting as she isn't really show trained! We better get to work on that. Will update on how she does.

Falling Leaves No longer Failing Leaves!

2006-07-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

I really don't mean to be one of those people who ask for advice and then don't take it. I really was going to frog these socks when I thought they were going to be too big again. Then I showed them to a couple people who thought they looked a lot better in person then the photos (I know I'm not one of those bloggers who take great pictures. I have a cheapy digital camera. So rallied by this positive feed back and the fact that I'm really loving the yarn (again, much better in person) I pressed on. Lo and behold as I knitted more of the sock things started tightening up which makes sense as your foot gets wider the further away from the toes you go up. Now I know making statements like that might get me a reputation as some sort of sock knitting guru but please, these revelations just sometimes happen. :)

So all is finally well in the land of the Falling Leaves? Not quite. I did my first short row heel. Not bad, minimal holes and those double purl wraps are a bitch to pick up! But I guess I must have done too many of my first short rows (leaving only six of them). So I have a bit of extra sock in a little fold off the heel. When I had first done the heal and tried it on it seemed like it would stretch around and the extra bit wouldn't be a bother but as I went further I see it is going to keep puckering out there at the heel and I think that might annoy me. My plan is to go ahead and start the second sock and then probably redo the heel on this one.

Finished STR Algae Hedera

2006-06-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

Pattern: Knitty Hedera

Needles: Addi size 1 circs (2 socks/2 circ method)

Started: May 10, 2006

Finished: June 19, 2006

I had a hard time getting some good pictures of these socks.

This is an occasion where sock blockers would have really come in handy.

They were knit to a slightly smaller size to accomidate the feet of the person to whom I will gift these socks (but I shoved them on my feet to get a picture!).

Something I leaned from knitting these is that I knit really tight. Cindi is knitting the same pattern, same size needle, same brand of needle and her socks are way bigger. I should have gotten a picture of them together. Hers are so pretty in the STR Mist. I'm sure she will put a picture up when they are done.

Falling Leaves Again

2006-06-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

I was recently given the gift of some koigu from my friend Cindi. I haven't used this yarn for socks yet so I was excited to try it right away. I had also recently bought a set of addi circs in size 0 so I thought I'd give the knitty pattern Falling Leaves another try using these smaller needles (my last attempt at a pair was not working out as they were coming out too big). Well, these are a bit better fitting but still more loose than I would like. I like a lace pattern to have a bit of stretch to it so it will stand out and this really has none. I included a picture of the bottom of the sock to show how pretty the colors are just plain so I'm seriously considering ripping back down to where the toe has more like 64 stitches and going forth in plain knitting from there with maybe a simple rib for the cuff. Opinions?

Finished Christmas Scarf for Mom!

2006-06-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

It's only 6 months late! Sad but true, this was the scarf I was knitting for my mom for Christmas. I made her take this picture with it on for the blog. She wasn't really going out in it with the unmatching shirt (she wanted me to make sure no one thought that!). The scarf was done with three yarns: Noro Silk Garden (color #8), some blue green mohair, and some blue green ladder ribbon. The needles were some jumbo size 15s. All the non knitters were so impressed by this scarf. My sister wants one. They were way more impressed by this EASY knitting then some of the more complicated things I did like socks or the other scarf I had. So now I better get working on one for my sister and maybe I will finish by winter! I did also give her the STR Jewl of the Nile socks.

Algae STR Hedera Socks: Progress Report

2006-06-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

I've been reminded to post a picture of the STR Algae Hedera Socks. I can't say these are exactly flying off the needles. The pattern is easy enough but I'm not in love it or with the yarn color so have been a little half hearted in my knitting I guess.

Now that I'm doing the decreases on the foot things seem to be going a bit faster.

I'm flying to Michigan for my sister's wedding so I'll either finish these before I leave or on the plane. I'm already thinking ahead to my next pair of socks! There is a new pattern I want to try: Mag Knits Tropicana. Maybe not quite that bright!

R.I.P. Falling Leaves

2006-05-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

Okay so way overly dramatic! The problem with two socks on two circs is that before you get to the point where you have the problem you have done quite a bit of knitting, well double anyway, as you would have with a single sock to get to the same point. I was feeling kind of bad about scrapping all my work when it became clear that the Falling Leaves were going to be too big. After reading the advice I think I the key would be to go down to a Addi 0 which I need to get anyway and then I could probably save the socks but it's probably really not worth it considering I've already decreased on the foot and would now have to increase back up to the proper number. Probably have wavy bottoms! For me it's much easier to frog something after I've put some distance between me and the project. I've started Hedera and they seem to be going well. I'm using the STR colorway 'Algae'. Pictures as soon as I've got something to show for all my knitting! Thanks to all for the thoughts on the Falling Leaves! Sock Knitters Rule! :)

Started Falling Leaves in STR Waterlillies

2006-05-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

Advice/Thoughts Needed!

Started: May 4, 2006

Pattern: Knitty's Falling Leaves

Yarn: Socks That Rock Waterlillies (light weight)

Needles: Addi size 1 (two circulars)

First let me say I wasn't looking forward to toe up socks. The idea of using "waste yarn" to cast on and then grafting together sounds like a big pain in the ass. Recently someone on one of the sock lists I'm on pointed out Judy Becker's Magic Cast On for Toe Up Socks from the most recent issue of Knitty. This is absolutely brilliant! If this hasn't been "discovered" before this women should get some kind of Nobel Prize for knitting! It is so easy and it looks just like the toe has been kitchnered closed.

So the sock is going fine except I think it is going to be really big. The sock is based on a lace pattern that is a 12 stitch repeat. So if it is based on 72 stitches rather than the 64 I would usually cast on. In order to make it fit better I've decreased some stitches on the sole. This might work out well enough for the instep and sole but I'm not sure how it will effect turning the short row heal and I will definitely have to increase to go back up to the 72 stitches around the ankle to do the lace pattern around the whole cuff.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm not really looking forward to frogging and giving up this pattern especially since I've done the work for getting to this point with two socks.

Belated Seattle Knitting Expo Report

2006-05-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

I wasn't able to post my purchases after the Seattle Knitting & Fiber Expo because I was planning to gift one of the skeins of Socks That Rock to Cindi for her birthday.

This one on the left is the one I got Cindi, a new STR color called Mist. I really liked it so it was hard to give it to her! I'm an STR collector(adict?), what can I say?

This one on the right is another STR yarn called Chapman Springs.

Above is the lovely STR named, Algae. Who knew Algae was so pretty?

And because I figured I should at least try one yarn other than my beloved STR, I got some of this Monarch Super Sport. The cool thing about this yarn is that it is 8 oz/650 yards. That's enough for two pairs of socks if you are careful. So you and a friend could each get some and split the skeins!

That's all I bought although I saw other nice yarn. When I first saw the STR booth I filled my arms with colors I would want! I narrowed it down to just these few. I tried hard to exercise restraint!

Finished Fleece Artist Pomatomus Sock

2006-05-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Fleece Artist Sock Yarn

Needles: CP 1.5 double points

Started: 2/16/06

Finished: 5/4/06

It was with great relief that I finished these socks yesterday. I really enjoyed knitting them so I can't really explain why I took such a long break between them (to knit other socks!). The yarn color was absolutely beautiful but I thought ever so slightly splitty. I'm also noticing there is slight fuzzing on the first sock just from being carried around, tried on, etc. So it will be interesting to see how they wear (probably won't be wearing them much - it was actually hot today!). I really did like the pattern. The first time I did the foot I really messed up the pattern and had to frog but it was easy the second time if I actually looked at the pattern. The cuff really doesn't need much attention to the pattern and in once it is figured out can be knit in front of the t.v. (where I do most of my knitting!). I would most likely do this again if I could figure out how to do it two at a time on two circulars - my new preferred method. Although it is really tempting to cast it on and keep one going as a side knitting project. I saw someone's blog had some in STR Lagoon that looked really nice. Anyway, I'll end this with yet another close up of the cuff because it's just so pretty! I'll post some other pics if I can get some decent ones of them on my feet.

Pomatomus Knitalong

2006-04-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

I jointed the Pomatomus Knitalong!

Here are the most recent picture of my Hippo Socks. Not too much more to go!

The Return of the Hippo Socks and Future Sock Planning

2006-04-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

After a delay caused by a serious case of Second Sock syndrome the Pomatomus Sock (or as Cindi called it "The hippopotamus Sock") is back! I really enjoy knitting this pattern so I'm not sure why it took me so long to get back to it. Soon to be turning heal and on to the instep where I will actually have to pay attention to the pattern!

Looking ahead to finishing these fine socks, I've got most of my sock yarn stash sitting out in my living room so I can stare at it and determine which of these fine yarns will be next on the needles and which pattern I should use with which one. The considerations are:
1) needles should be Addi size 1 circs
2) socks should be able to be knit 2 at a time
I think those are the only considerations. When I started listing them I thought there would be more!

From Left to right Top Row the Yarn is: STR Waterlilies, STR Hard Rock, and STR Falcon's Eye
Bottom Row is: Blue Brown Merino (from ebay seller kbrece), STR Lagoon, and STR prove It All Night

So far here are my thoughts:
pove It All Night: Conway from Nancy Bush's Knitting On the Road
Falcon's Eve: Hedera or Cascading Leaves from Townsend Sock Knitalong but I really think I need Addi 0s for these as I tried these with the 1s once before and they would have been way too big
STR Waterlilies: Falling Leaves I've been wanting to try a toe up sock
Hard Rock: Something Jaywalkerish but not Jaywalker. I want something a bit more stretchy so I don't have to worry so much about fit. I'm thinking about the Chevron Pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks.
The other Pattern I'm thinking of is the Fancy Silk Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush and the Diagnal Rib Socks but I haven't decided which yarn I would use for these.

Any suggestions on patterns/yarn combinations appreciated!

Finished 1st Pair of 2 Socks on 2 Circs STR Jewel of the Nile

2006-04-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Started: March 29th
Finished: April 17th
Yarn: STR jewel of the Nile
Needles: addi 1s, 24 inch
Pattern: K3, P1 Rib

Overall I was really pleased with the 2 circs. I would definitely knit this way again. No more Second Sock syndrome!

Speaking of which, my poor 2nd Hippo Sock is languishing on the needles. I tried to work on it again yesterday evening but I couldn't get into it which is weird because the first one flew and I still think it is my most beautiful sock ever but I dirgress! Today is about these Jewel of the Nile socks. Pattern was simple but it's really great for showing off the yarn. Really had fun with the bright colors. I really want some STR in the shades of blue that are in these. There is this bit of ice blue surrounded by a deep blue and the turquoise that I would love in a colorway. I should be seeing some STR at the Seattle Knitting Expo at the end of the month so we will see what they have! In other knitting news, 3 of my work friends are expecting babies! I need to learn how to turn my sock yarn left overs into booties!

2 socks on 2 circs update

2006-04-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at two socks on two circular needles is progressing well. I had some trouble at first just getting use to the new technique but now feel pretty comfortable. I didn't like having so many heal stitches (for both socks) on the one needle while the lesser amounts were on the other but once I got through enough decrease rows things evened up more and became better. I put up a bunch of photos of these unfinished socks because they are perfect twins, the bit of pooling is even identical and also because the color is so much fun I can't wait to wear them! I took the picture of the backs outside to get a more accurate representation of the colors. Click on photos for a larger size view if you wish!

Chevron Scarf

2006-04-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

I started the Chevron Scarf Pattern from Last Minute Gifts. I figured I should let some of this gorgeous sock yarn see more of the light of day and bask in more admiration than it gets just hanging out on my feet! I'm using Claudia's Handpaint in greens that remind me of a grassy field and Koigu in the most delicate light blues and purples. I think it works together. Please believe these pictures don't do these justice. It's raining today (yuck but I was working anyway) so all I could do are indoor pics but Val wanted to see.

Speaking of Val, I think she is taking her yarn obsession to a whole new level. Check out her blog!

I've done the heal flaps on my first 2 socks/2 circs attempt and have been avoiding a bit the heal turn and gusset pick up but I'll get on that and hopefully have those progressed enough for a picture in the next day.

Jewel of the Nile on two Circs

2006-04-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

Started: March 29th
Yarn: STR jewel of the Nile
Needles: addi 1s
Pattern: K3, P1 Rib

I wanted to try two socks on two circular needles and I haven't quite decided if I like working this way yet. As I knit the yarn from the balls twists and I have to stop every so often to get it untwisted. Not sure if this is faster than just doing one at a time. Maybe there is something that I could be doing differently to prevent this. I did weave in my ends in as soon as I was able to get rid of those from further confusing things! I've knit on to the wrong needle more than a few times and have had to fix things too. I can't even think of what happens when it comes time to turn heals and pick up gussets! :) Will find out that part when I come to it I guess! Anyway as to the pattern I went back and forth with what do do with the yarn and decided on something simple will show off the colors best and will allow me to worry about learning the two circ technique. Really pretty yarn. I'm glad I went with simple for it.

Finished STR Carbon Baby Cable Rib

2006-03-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Socks That Rock Lightweight Carbon

Needles: Addi Turbo size 1

Started: March 5th

Finished: March 27th

I included the little ball of what was left. This is one pair that could benefit from sock blockers for the photos as the ribbing really pulls them together.

Not quite matching pooling on the gusset. I really enjoyed this colorway and it was so nice I almost wished I had done them in a plain stockinette. I am really pleased with them and I think they were my fastest finish pair to date! The turbos made the difference! :)

New Sock Yarn!

2006-03-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

I've decided that it's okay to "collect" Socks That Rock Yarn (and probably sock yarn in general). I just love the colors and feel compelled to have more! I know I will knit all of them eventually!

This is STR Hard Rock.
I became enamored of it when Cara of the Enormous Jaywalker Knitalong fame
did a pair of jaywalkers in this yarn.
I like the way the shades from light to dark pink contrast with the grays and blacks to form stripes. I do plan to make Jaywalkers with this.

Below is STR Waterlilies. I saw a picture of this on the email group Townsend Sock Knitalong. In the picture the orange wasn't very visible and I thought it was so beautiful. I'm not a big fan of orange so when discovered to have more than I thought I wasn't supper pleased but I still really like this yarn. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with it, I think something simple.

This is STR Lagoon. Megan ordered this but she was not too in love with this so I talked her out of it. She said she wouldn't have bought it if she would have seen it in person. Hope she really didn't want it and wasn't just being nice because I really do love it! It was nice to see Megan's adaptation of Jaywalker into a poncho!

Carbon STR Progress

2006-03-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

Progress on the STR Carbon Baby Cable Rib Socks. Wish I had made more progress on my trip to Georgia but one leg of the journey was a red eye and everyone else had their light off so I didn't want to be the lone disturber of sleep! Can't wait to finish these and wear them and to get started with some more sock yarn. Have two new STR colors with Megan that I have to pick up from her. Can't wait to see them!

Happy Birthday Zephyr Patrick!

2006-03-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

Zephyr will be 7 years old on Saturday March 18th. He has been with me since he was an 8 week old pup and we have been from Edmonton Canada to Roswell NM together and points in between! He has given us 12 amazing pups (well Dixie had something to do with that too!). I will miss his 7th birthday going on a trip to Georga with Cindi but he will take a fun trip to the desert with Jason and Phil and the rest of the hounds. See Zephyr's pedigree and more pictures if you are interested here. I'm so proud of my boy! May we see many more years to come!

Future Project: Lace Cropped Cardigan

2006-03-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

This is a free pattern from Elann. I think it is really cool, I like the sleeves a lot. The yarn is really reasonable too!

Greyhound Family Photos

2006-03-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

I was thinking today about how my pups are almost one year old, there birthday is next month so I'm sure I'll post some specal birthday pictures then but since I haven't taken pictures of my Carbon sock recently here are some pictures of the pups and parents. Dad is Zephyr who is my dog and the white one is the mom who is Dixie and owned by the co-breeder in CA, Steve. Dixie was such a good mom to her 12 pups and Zephyr was an amazing dad, he loves and still loves to play with them. It was so cute to see him play so gently with all 12 running around his feet. You can see in the picture with a bunch of the pups nursing that Zeph has one between his legs going after a ball.

Branching Out

2006-03-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

I started the Branching Out Scarf last night. I'm using Koigu Crepe and size 7 needles. The yarn is so beautiful and soft and the colors are like water. I'm not sure how it looks though. This is just two repeats and my friend Val wanted to see how it looks so far. She has really liked this pattern as I know a lot of people have. The lace pattern doesn't seem hard but maybe it takes more repeats to make out the pattern better. Since finishing the 1st 'Hippo' sock I haven't been able to focus on anything. I want to knit but I just haven't really gotten into something whole heartedly or felt inspired. I wish I could get on with the 2nd 'Hippo' as the 1st is so beautiful I want to wear it!

Details for the Broadripple adaptation

2006-03-05T23:12:00.000-08:00

Annette asked for what I did for the broadripple socks. I had to change the numbers in the repeats to make the numbers even for two circular needles. I'm posting it here so that when I come back to work on the pattern again I won't have lost or forgotten what I did and have to recreate the details which would be a pain in the ass since I even made a graph paper chart to figure it out!
Yarn: STR Jewel of the Nile
Needles: addi size 1 circulars
Cast on: 64 stitches
The stitch is the same for the Garter Ripple and the Ripple Stitch.
K2, YO, K4, SSK, K2 tog, K4, YO, K2
I only did a small sample but did slip it on and it was plenty big.

Carbon STR Baby Cable Rib

2006-03-05T21:52:00.000-08:00

I came into some Socks that Rock Carbon yesterday which put on hold my decision about continuing on with the Jewel of the Nile socks. I figured this was a sock "no brainer" so to speak. I was doing a quick search to see how people had used this color way and how they knit up and came across this blog: SockP0rn. I hope she ascribes to the "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" school of thought because she was doing socks in Carbon in the Baby Cable Rib and I liked them so much I decided to try it. It is easy to memorize and doesn't obscure the yarn. I'm using the STR lightweight with size 1 addi turbo circulars.

STR Jewel of the Nile dilemma

2006-03-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

So I needed a break from the hippopotamus socks. I like to do alternating socks, finish one, do a different yarn/pattern and then return to the first. Keeps away the dreaded Second Sock syndrome. I thought and thought about a pattern for this and I knew I would want to do a Jaywalker for some yarn I have on order, some Hard Rock STR. It made my favorite Jawalkers from the knitalong. Click to see Cara's. I still want something that will show off the yarn and it is a really bright yarn. I'd had Knitty's Broadripple in mind because it would be good for the bright yarn and it is written for circs which I have yet to do a sock with. Unfortunately it was written for a size three needle. So too big for the STR. A nice person sent me the pattern adapted for fingering yarn. Now I'm in business. Wrong! It is on odd number so not good for the circs! So ai pull out some graph paper and adapt it for an even number. Not to bad. But now, I'm just not feeling it. Just isn't doing it for me! Please let me know what you think. To rip or not to rip, the age old question! Whether it is nobler in mind to suffer the so so pattern or take action and pull out the stitches. Sorry about that. I'm in a hurry. Cindi is on her way to pick me up to take me to some yarn stores (and I with no money!) and I'm still in my PJs. So don't forget to let me know what you think and if you have a better suggestion for this yarn. The color transitions are amazing!

1 Pomatomus Done!

2006-03-02T06:05:00.000-08:00

I'm really happy I finished one and cast on right away for the second. I hope I have enough yarn. It looked like a huge amount when I started...
I'll try to get a day light picture soon.

Back on Track

2006-02-27T19:15:00.000-08:00

So after figuring out where I went wrong which was basically continuing on the foot as if it were pretty much the same as the ankle and not really paying attention I am back on track with the sock monster. Hope to have this one finished tomorrow. I've been working on my Herringbone Scarf as I've got some beautiful new KOIGU crepe yarn (thanks Cindi!) and I'm excited to try something like Knitty's Branching Out.

Revenge of the SockNess Monster

2006-02-24T19:15:00.000-08:00

Things were going swimmingly with the sock-ness monster all the way though the first three repeats. People admired the color, the pattern, my cleverness at doing such a marvelous pattern, etc. Did the heel flap, turned the hell, gussets, then started the second chart on the foot. Ack. You knew things were going to good to be true! Just having lots of trouble getting things right on foot for some reason. Things not matching up. So My thought is to rip it back and give it one more time or to make some sort of twisted rib pattern down the foot. Would match the ribbing on the top of the sock. Sigh.

Pomatomus aka The Sock Monster

2006-02-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

Pattern:
Knitty Pomatomus
Yarn: Fleece Artist Sock Yarn
needles: CP 1.5
Started: 2/16/06

Impressions:
This yarn is beautiful. The shades of pink from a purple to a light pink wih brown combined for a very rich color. It appears a bit lighter and brighter in this picture in the sun than it does in real life. The yarn is very nice to work with. It is odd to have the sock on three needles instead of four as I'm use to.
The pattern so far, and I dare not get too cocky, has been easier than I thought. It looks really intimidating but the rows go in a logical progression, just moving the position of the YO and the K2TOG TBL. Now the foot pattern looks much harder so we shall see! So far I'm very happy with how this sock is going.

FruitLoop Jawalkers Completed!

2006-02-15T16:46:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Jaywalker! Need I say more?
Started: 1/10/06
Finished: 2/14/06
Yarn: Opal that I got from an ebay seller I think from the Netherlands.
Needles: CP size 1
Pattern Modifications: I started these with the larger cast on but realized they would be too big so I decreased down to the smaller size and I like the way the cuff is actually tapered.

I'm really pleased with how these came out. I wore them already today. I think they should wear well. I called them 'Fruitloop' because the colors reminded me of the cereal. I didn't think to much of the color when I first saw it but I think it's pretty cool knitted up.

The End: Jaywalker 2006

2006-02-14T22:41:00.000-08:00

I didn't win the drawing for the STR but I feel great because

AND I finished the FruitLoop Jayalkers by my goal of Feb. 14th the last day of the knitalong!

I love these socks and I will have pictures up tomorrow. For anyone who is counting that was two completed pairs of Jayalkers. This ends my first ever knitalong but I will be Jaywalking much more to come!

Thanks Cara for the fun and inspiration.

2006-02-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

How cool is this? I watched Cindi and Phil's greyhounds Newell and Oliver when they took a short cruise to Mexico and they brought me this bag! Perfect size for carrying sock knitting around.

And just because it was sunny today and I had the camera out, I just had to show off my new STR.

And my pretty new robin's egg blue Alpaca!

And here is something really great,
to help with the dreaded Second sock syndrome. My friend megan and I each knitted one sock and then gave it to the other. So we each got to knit a different pattern and with a different color. This is the one she did for me in a ribbed cuff out of LL' Iris.

Like the blog says, greyhounds and knitting

2006-02-13T20:28:00.000-08:00

Family Photo Zephyr and his kids (from left to right): Xanthus, Yardley, Zephyr, Bailey

Taken yesterday when we all went on a hike. Pups are 10 months now!

Progress on the FruitLoop Jaywalkers. I can't wait to finish these!

Yarnapoloosa

2006-02-11T21:46:00.000-08:00

I went to Tacoma for the Madrona Fiber Arts to see the vendors and especially to see the famous Socks that Rock Yarn that is "on tour". I have never felt more like a groupie. I felt giddy surrounded by all that beautiful yarn. Unfortunately they were short on the lightest weight which is the one I use but I got to see lots of colors in person that I'd only seen on the web site and many that were not on the sites. So beautiful in person. Toni of the Fold and Tina of Blue Moon Fiber are both very sweet and patient with all the indecision and fawning over their yarn. I showed them my Jaywalkers and asked them to guess the color way and Terry got it right away. I wish I had thought to take a picture of them with all their yarn. I nearly forgot there were other booths there! Still, did check out everything and there was some great stuff. I got some beautiful blue alpaca that I keep rubbing against my cheek, it is so soft. I'll put up pics on my day off Monday. From STR I got Prove it All Night and Jewel of the Nile. I don't know what it is about this stuff, it is so addicting. I have more yarn then I can knit in the next 6 months but I can't help but wanting more. Especially when the colors are so tempting like the STR. The STR is coming back to Seattle next month and I asked Terry bring Garnet Dream and County Clare. I can think of at least 10 others that I'd like to have too.
Sadly, crunch time with the FruitLoop Jaywalkers hasn't been very productive. Not much knitting on those in the last couple eves. after work.

A quick update

2006-02-08T22:13:00.000-08:00

Haven't updated in awhile the WIP. Here are the Fuitloop Jaywalkers. I'm trying to complete this 2nd pair before the end of the Knitalong. I'm not sure if doing two pairs will give me two chances to win the STR but it will feel good to get two pairs done. I'm doing the heel flap of the 2nd sock. I broke a needle in my haste to get the picture which was a bummer but I figure I can always use more size 1s.

This scarf is in Manos and I'm really like doing the pattern. I think it will shape up a bit better when it is blocked. I'm testing the pattern for Lifes A Stitch.

I finally bought a pair of circulars to do the socks on two circs method. I got this perdoit and Periwinkle STR yarn when it was on a sale from Toni at the Fold. To be honest it isn't my favorite color. It is a bright yellow, a yellow green, light blue, and a bright purple. I still love the feel of the yarn and I tried the Cascading Leaves pattern (this one and Jayalker are two that I'm familiar with so I thought it would be best to try something I already knew from knitting with dpns) with it but just trying on this little bit showed that it was going to be huge and it's on addi 1s so I may end up doing another Jaywalker after all.

Works In Progress

2006-01-18T21:13:00.000-08:00

So my friend Megan (check out her newly completed Jaywalkers) pointed out that I don't need to change the name of my blog, I just need to put more greyhounds on it! I still would like a better name but she has a point about the lack of greyhounds. Anyway, here are the Terror Twins. Yardley and Xanthus. They are works in progress because they are 8 months old and still pups.

Here is my second Jaywalker (or is it 3rd since I have one complete pair and 3 WIP Jaywalkers on the needles right now?). I think of this one as my Fruit Loops Jaywalker. I didn't like it at first but it has really grown on me. I have some more progress on this one as the picture is from yesterday. I bought the reinforcing thread so I can go back to the heels of the LL Black Purl Jayalkers as soon as this one is done.

When will it end? My cold and the Jaywalker Madness

2006-01-12T21:47:00.000-08:00

The past five days I've had such a bad cold, achy, hot and cold, congestion, coughing, all of it. There was a day I was home from work and couldn't even knit! Some station was playing 24/7 Bond movies and I would go in and out of consciousness but it never mattered in terms of watching the movie because they are all the same! Anyway I did manage to get my LL's Black Purl Jaywalkers to match up - more or less. But I didn't want to go further with out reinforcing thread. After my last pair hasn't worn so well, I feel like they need it.

So I started another Jaywalker. I can't really figure out any logic to the size of needle and weight of yarn. I'm using CP ones on these. I had to use 2s for the cuffs of the STR which is the heaviest, 1.5s on the Lorna's Laces which is the lightest and tiny ones on the opal which is almost as heavy as the STR! Who knows. Anyway, I didn't think I liked the yarn the way it was looking so bright and busy but now I do. Socks are just about the only thing I would wear that is bright and busy so what the hell. I do love knitting this sock, it has become routine. When I go to the LYS to get my reinforcing thread I'm going to get two addi circs to try socks. Some new STR yarn should be in my power shortly and I can't wait to see it, I haven't even seen a picture of the color yet so it should be exciting (dull life maybe but only other yarn addicts would understand!).

Jaywalking Again!

2006-01-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist another Jaywalker for the Januaryone knitalong, this time in Lorna's Laces shepherd Sock Black Pearl. I really love this color way and I don't think the picture does it justice. All the silvery shades of grey and the lavender to dark almost black purple. However, this is knitting up differently than the STR. For one thing it is much silkier and thinner so I knit it starting with 1.5s and switched to 2s for the cuff like I did for STR. I didn't need to do that as this has more give to it so I'm going to go back and reknit all with 1.5s because the change in needles size has made the pooling kind of weird and the size 2s would be too big for this yarn.

Jaywalker Has Crossed the Road to Completion

2006-01-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

Not enough yarn so a little bit that was left from the first sock is brought into use.

Just enough left to Kitchener closed

Hurray, two finished socks! See how little yarn is left! I have size 9 kind of narrow feet and only did five inch cuffs. This is too close for comfort for me so I am very glad Socks That Rock have increased their yardage to 360.

Socks on feet! Will do this pattern again. Just wish I could do them with one size needle all the way through because I could try the two circ method. I just don't see how I could do the cuffs and get them over my feet using the 1.5s and I wouldn't like the feet done with 2s. Oh well, socks are great anyway. I'm going to look for a different pattern like maybe Broadripple to try two circs. I really want to try the new knitty socks called Pomatomus these are amazing looking. I think the new longer STR yarn would be great in some shades of blue for these.

Nail Biting

2006-01-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

Will there be enough....

Just a teeny tiny little ball left to finish the toe decreases and close up the toe.

So what have I been working on?

2005-12-30T17:08:00.000-08:00

I've made a couple of these trangle scarfs for gifts. The pattern is easy and a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. If interested in mulidirectional knitting and to get this patern just subscribe to the yahoo goup.

Here is a picture of the poor sad neglected jaywalker. In the last couple days I have managed to do the heel flap and turn the heel. I've missed knitting my sock! My goal is to finish the sock in one week hopefully in time to make the next knitalong update. Sounds doable I think! I'm anxious to start the next pair in either the opal handpaint or some Lorna's Laces Black Pearl. I really want to try the two ciruclar method but I'm not sure how I would do it since what I'm doing with dp's is changing from size 1.5 to 2 and then back to 1.5 for the foot in order to get the right size.

New Yarn & Jaywalker Progress Photos

2005-12-14T20:05:00.000-08:00

Opal Haindpaint ordered from an ebay seller in the Netherlands

An opal prototype yarn also from ebay

As promised here is the picture of the finished Jaywalker and the started 2nd sock. I would have liked to have done more with them but I've really been trying to work on my christmas knitting. I do enjoy this pattern and I'm pleased with the fit of my first sock. I'm doing the first inch of the cuff in 1.5 needles and then going up to size 2s for the rest of the cuff then I'm going back to 1.5 for the rest of the foot. It think that will solve the problem of the sock being really hard to put on but still be tight enough to have a good fit. It really does loosen up after wearing. I think one of the new yarns will be my next Jayalkers. I really like the way Opal yarn wears but I did not want any more of the fake fair isle types that are available over here. Can't wait to give them a try. Restraint, restraint, restraint!

Jaywalker sock one finished

2005-12-07T22:44:00.000-08:00

can't post a picture but wanted to update that I did finish one sock Tuesday. I really thought I would run out of yarn. Cast on for the second yesterday and have done a little bit the yesterday evening and tonight. Anyway dispite a few problems I'm pleased with my first sock and eager to finish the second.

back to basics

2005-12-02T17:12:00.000-08:00

So I've conceded that I MIGHT not finish the lace scarf before chrismas so I think instead for my mom I'm making the most pricey stockinette scarf ever. It is on size 15 needles and I'm using NORO silk garden, some mohair, and some ladder ribbon yarn. All stuff I hadn't been able to figure out what to do with and it actually looks good. I've never even made a scarf before. It is hard to give myself permission to make something easy. The first thing I knitted was a hat in the round with double points and everything and so I never did really basic beginning knitter stuff. Anyway, it is so much faster to knit then socks it is weird. I finished the portion in the picture just watching tv for a couple hours last night

In Progress - scarf and sock

2005-11-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of a scarf I started with some pretty cashmere yarn. It is using the fishtail lace pattern. I want to make this for a Christmas gift for my mum who has wanted me to knit her a scarf. I think she wants some sort of novelty yarn scarf and I've bought a few to try but I guess I'm just not a novelty scarf knitting type because I just can't figure out how to make it look good. I can't see her wearing some of the eyelash stuff that will turn out looking like some kind of feather boa or anything!

Here is my progress to date on my Jaywalker sock. I didn't work on it too much over the Thanksgiving holiday. It is very tight to pull over my foot, but once on around the ankle it does fit. I don't like that I have to pull so hard to get it on. It feels like I'm really stressing the stitches to pull so hard. I'm going to finish the sock and see what happens. I still really like the pattern and the yarn.

Jaywalker moves along

2005-11-22T16:13:00.000-08:00

This picture gives a much better representation of the colors. I just started to work the heal flap and I confess to be worried that the sock will be too tight. It is tight going over my foot but fits my ankle fine. Of course this trying on is wtih the needles in so it will be easier with out. I might try to add a couple of purl stitches between the bottom of the foot and the pattern repeats on the top just to see if it will add some more give. Also I think I will go up a half needle size.

Jaywalker Socks

2005-11-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of a stock I started for a knit-a-long. The sock is called Jaywalker. The yarn is Socks That Rock colorway Seal Rock and the needles I'm using are Crystal Palace US size 1.5 /2.5mm. I'm really enjoying this pattern. The picture makes the socks look more blue then they really are. Maybe I can get a better picture of the progress outside tomorrow.

Xanthus

2005-11-21T17:11:00.000-08:00

For some reason this picture cracks me up. This is my puppy Xanthus. I made him put on the Harry Potter glasses I got when the Half Blood Prince came out. I'm not sure why I saved them. Xanthus is a very mellow guy for a pup who just turned 7 months.