BTW

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Set a goal

After I got the More Sensational Knitted Socks book all I could think about was making socks and it seemed every knitting blog I read was about socks. I made a couple of socks a few years back, one pair which worked up really well and I gave to my BFF (or PBF, as we have called each other way before BFF was popular!) and then I tried to make some for my SIL and nieces, but the sizing didn't work out well (unless we were going back to the 80's in a Delorian and wearing slouch socks) and my eyes were bigger then my size 3 needles when I thought I could knit knee high toe socks (what was I thinking? You know you have to make two of them right?). But with the aid of my new book I felt like I could make socks that fit, and I have left over sock yarn (from those knee highs I didn't make). I had already put it down in print that I would not start socks until I finished the 2 teacher gifts that I needed by the end of the month so I had to stick to it, right?

Surprise! I finished both teacher gifts and eagerly sat down with my book and sock yarn and toothpick size needles. I am not known for actually reading directions. I'm a skimmer so I fool myself into thinking that I know what I'm going to be doing and then read more carefully once I've started the knitting. I did read the part in the book where it said "read all instructions first, make a copy so you can mark it and make notes on it" but I ignored it. The part I did pay attention to was about size. I even made a swatch (OK, it was a very small swatch, but it worked). What I found out was that for the pattern I was going to do I needed to cast on 52 stitches for the right size for me. The pattern was written for casting on 48 stitches or 56 stitches but the book told me I could do it with 52 stitches. Obviously the book has more faith in me then I deserve. First mistake: I was supposed to do a K1,P1 rib and I did a K2,P2 rib. Yes, it's only 1 1/2 inches of knitting so it should be easy enough to pull out, but I was impatient to get the the pattern so I left it. Second mistake: pattern really doesn't show up well with this yarn, but it's more of a test for size then my favorite pair of socks. Third mistake: did I tell you that the pattern was not written for the number of stitches I cast on? Well the book said it was OK, but obviously that requires a little extra reading of the book and math to figure out things for the heal flap and toe bind off and I think you know enough of me by now to know that isn't going to happen. Figured out the heal flap and knit the body of the foot with only one little part of the pattern that isn't quite right (why did I think that I was always supposed to start the pattern with a purl when it didn't always end with a purl so that the edges are different? Oh, well, it's the shoe!). By the time I got to the decrease for the toe I was just following the written pattern for 56 stitches. The Kitchener's stitch at the toe was different then the one I've done before (or how I remember it), but the point is... I made a sock! And it fits! I've been walking around the house with one sock on (glass half full). It is far from perfect but I'm really happy with the way it came out and it feels really nice to wear. I've decided that for the second sock I'm going to make it by casting on 48 stitches and following the pattern exactly (except for the rib, which will be K2,P2 rib like the other one since that part is not in the shoe). Lolo has already asked for a pair for herself. My biggest fan!

Knitters And Books All Around

Knitters
I was knitting at the hairdresser today when the woman across from me struck up a conversation. Turns out she is a knitter too. I had my brown cable bag with me and she had made the same one, so we had a nice conversation about bags, cables and patterns. Just goes to show you, there are knitters everywhere.

And Books

My generous father gave me a gift card from Barnes and Noble for my birthday and I had a lovely morning browsing the knitting section. I came home with 2 books and I wanted to tell you about them, sort of like a review.

The first book is More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch (I would have gotten the first book, Sensational Knitted Socks, but they didn't have it). I made a couple of pairs of sock some years ago and only one pair was a good fit for the recipient. I can do the knitting, even with patterns and I get the heal and I'm pretty good at kitcheners, but the sizing is beyond me. I have thin ankles and I just can't get the socks to fit well. This book has awesome instructions that allow you to adjust the size, the toe shaping, the heal and if you want to knit toe up or top down. I am trying very hard not to cast on for socks since I have 2 projects due by the end of the month and I am going to get them done before I start something new (can you hear my stomp my foot with determination?).

The next book was in the bargin section. It's The Knitting Stitch Bible by Maria Parry-Jones. It's listed for $29.95 and I got it for $7.98! What a steal! This book covers everything from reading charts and ball bands to bobbles, lace and fair isle and more. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in designing their own patterns. You can get this book for a good price here.

What are you working on?

I'm feeling like I don't have enough WIP! Maybe it's that I just don't want to work on the ones that I have. I finished the brown cable bag and I'm happy with how it came out. I really like the fabric I picked for the lining. But what do I do with it now? I don't really need a bag and I can't think of anyone to give it to. Hmmm. I'm also working on a really cute cross stitch scarf. I love the yarn (Katia marathon print) and I love doing the cross stitch pattern, but what am I going to do with another scarf? This one is definitely for a child. Well, I do have 2 of those. As usual there were a couple of days that I plowed ahead with my office blanket but now that's just lying around on the floor. And I found out a teacher is going to have a baby (in October, remember how excited you were to tell everyone you were having a baby?), so I started the presto chango sweater for her. I have enjoyed making that and I'm almost done with the back and arms (knit in one piece, no sewing in sleeves!). I'm not sure why I didn't make the baby surprise jacket since thousands of Ravelers have made it. I guess I didn't find the right yarn for it.

So this is what I need. I need a more challenging project and a project that I can make for someone. Any suggestions?

I was looking back at my WIP post to see what I was working on and what I had finished. From that list I haven't gotten much done!

1. The scarf I was making for my husband I frogged. It was way too wide plus I had made a couple of mistakes. Since he isn't going to wear a scarf for a while I decided to shelf it until the fall.
2. I did finish the market bag, twice. Once that I hated and pulled out and then redid it.
3. I haven't done anything with the socks. I think I need a sock class, I can actually do all the shaping and knitting, it's just the sizing I'm not getting.
4. I finished the knitting of the cable bag and bought fabric for lining it, so that just needs some sewing and it will be done.
5. Did some work on the afghan for my office, sewed a couple of squares together and knit a couple more squares. I'm happy with how it's coming, but it is a big project and taking much longer then I thought it would.
6. I finished the washcloth that was on that list and made 2 more since then.
7. Made 3 scarves that were not on that list.
8. Started a new bag for a piano teacher which is knitted and felted and just needs embroidery and lining (again with the sewing!).
9. The only other thing on that list was a cable scarf. It's my carry along project and haven't been knitting in public much! I like the scarf enough and the pattern is nice (this is the second one I've made) but now it's too warm to wear it and I don't really have anyone in mind to give it to, so where's my motivation?

Only 5 WIP's. What should I start now?

HBD to Me!

What better way to spend my birthday then sitting on the back porch knitting (after getting a lovely massage, that is!).

I was in my LCS (local craft store) this week buying fabric to line a cable bag I'm working on with no plans to buy any yarn, but I had to walk around and just see what there was and I came across a yarn that was just so much fun and cheep that I had to get it. I'm sure it will make a great cross stitch scarf. It was not until I was a few rows into a swatch (I'm just as shocked as you), that I even looked at the label. It's called "Marathon Print Sportive Yarn." Well that's timely since I'm running a half marathon tomorrow!!





The other reason I was in the LCS was to look at the Derby hats. Living in the Northeast for most of my life I didn't know anything about the Derby hat. I have been lucky enough to go to the Derby for the last 3 years and have seen some of the most beautiful and yes, outrageous hats you can imagine. Last year I designed my own. I wanted it to have a ton of flowers and match my dress, and it did. Who know that many flowers would get heavy by the end of the day?

Off to take a nap. Need my rest before my family gives me a big cake, I mean before I run 13.1 miles tomorrow!!

Spring

Spring is getting in the way of my knitting! First there was spring break and then a visit from family, I had to power wash the patio and paint the front door, finish the book for book club and do some long runs since I'm running a half marathon this weekend. Good thing I don't do gardening! I did manage to knit a washcloth for my mother and knit a bag for another piano teacher, but I haven't gotten around to felting it, and I just finished another drop stitch scarf. Tomorrow, after I clean the house, I'm going to knit!

Before and After

I was so motivated after pulling out a dozen rows of the brown cable bag that I decided to do the same with this bag. It was so big and loose and the handles were so long that if I put any groceries in it I would be dragging it on the floor. This is the first time I have ever frogged a finished project (can you say "swatch?"
BEFORE



AFTER



I redid it with smaller needles and less stitches for the handle and it's much better, and yes, it's finished already. I didn't love the pattern, but I did love the yarn (Mission Falls Cotton) and I think I may try another cotton market bag, maybe in crochet.

I also finished the scarf for the other kindergarten teacher but it's too beautiful a day to sit inside blogging.

See ya next time!

Ahh

Is there anything more satisfying then finally doing something that you have been putting off and dreading? Last night my husband was out of town so I sat down on the couch with my cabled bag and Survivor and ripped out a dozen rows. The tricky part of it was that I was worried that I would miss picking up some cable stitches and that I wouldn't be able to figure out what row I was on when it was time to start knitting again. Guess what. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The wool didn't knot up, I didn't lose any stitches and it didn't take me that long to figure out what row pattern I was on. The best part is that I had forgotten how much I really like making this cable bag. It's fun to knit. So it's raining today and I'm going to sit inside and listen to podcasts and knit my brown cable bag. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Scarf

I haven't been blogging because I'm having some issues with my camera. Ok, it's not the camera, it's the photographer. I just can't get pictures as good as I would like. I'm not sure what the problem is, but one day (hopefully in 2008) my friend is going to come over and teach me a thing or two about taking pictures of knitting. I just can't get the lighting or background right. Anyone else having these problems? Anyway, I did take a couple of pictures of 2 of the scarves I made for Lolo and Pooh's teacher gifts. This first is a drop stitch scarf made in Ty-Dy (knit one crochet too). I didn't like it so much when I first started but now I love it and can't wait to make another one. I really like the Hand Maiden yarn used by Frazzled Knits in the pattern, but I didn't see that at my LYS.

The other scarf I made is Branching Out. I used Nashua Handknits Cilantro and it was very interesting to use. It's very elastic. I like the way it felt while I was knitting with it. The pattern is by Susan Lawrence and you can check out her blog at I'm knitting as fast as I can (see blogs I'm reading).

I'm working on one more scarf for a teacher that should be done by the end of the week, so be sure to check back for it!