Surgery

Sorry I have not blogged in a few weeks. Had surgery and that has kept the needles out of my hands. No energy or desire at the time. I realize how much energy it takes to knit and I'm not feeling it now.

On to Van Dyke

We are on to Van Dyke socks now. I got some Araucania Ranco Solid yarn. It's pretty but not what I expected. I expected one solid color yarn, not various hues of the color I thought I chose. I have to call them and see if this runs this way. Even though my order said solid, i don't think this is a solid. But it feels good to me to be knitting again. Four days without any yarn is a no no no no no. Just have it on hand. Now I know, I need it.

Lacy Ribs

These were a bit fun. I used all my left over yarn, it all went together any how and made the Lacy Ribs. I was not really keen on the pattern so, they are okay. I knew I didn't really have a heart into it but just had to try it any with the KAL going on. I love my Nanners the best so far but the are a close second:)

Nanners

I forgot to post my lovely Nanners.I love this pattern for it was easy to do. Lot of row repeats but it's nice and tight. Socks I went up higher on the arch also because for me now, I'm starting them all up higher, I like the look. I also like the look of no pattern in the back of the leg.. Depends also on the pattern I suspect, but for these, they came out great. I'm hopping Mary will love to knit also. She saw mine and said she wants t knit now.

Happy Happy socks for me

I'm so happy to have learned how to knit socks. There are plenty, more, at least 10 more socks to be made in my future. It's a matter of yarn and finding patterns or combining patterns.What is great to know is that I have the slip stitch heel down but I want to do a short row to see how that feels and fits. I know I can find my match, just read the directions and it comes forth

Needles

I just wanted to say I love these Addi needles I purchased from ebay. They are smooth, easy gliding when I have to do k2tog's and they the cable is great. I'm happy and knitting better, slower with them. Yarn helps. My second pair of Happy Feet yarn and I love it. Just wish it came in more solids but I think when it's time to purchase more yarn, I will give Knit Picks sock Yarn a go. No on to Nanners:)

Waterfall done

Very nice pattern. Still, a bit big, I want them tighter to my leg.They stretch pretty much. Great walking sock. No problems.

Waterfall

These are my next work of art. I like the yarn and I love the pattern. I'm doing good with getting them going.

STATS:

1. JMC
2. size 2 circ
3. Happy Feet yarn in red
4. Size small
5. Cast on 10 for toe to start. Increased up to 28

Basic Black Slip Stitch Sock

This was really a good project. I got a bit tense at times just working the stockinette stitch, but I guess that's to be expected. I need to just enjoy instead of pushing so hard to get it right. But, I do need to get it right. So, with three tries on the heels, asking questions about the stitch count and seeing I was not understanding the directions, I got through it. And here they are. They are a bit too long in the toe. I don't think I stopped short enough. I think I stopped at 3" from heel and could be 3.5 to work better

Stats:
I think it was 8 stitches per inch. Hard to tell with black for sure.
12 rows per inch
Judy Magic Cast on. decreased to 28 stitches for rest of sock, can decrease more on next sock, still a bit loose.
Cuff was k1,p1 for 1 inch
Slip Stitch heel per Wendy's Slip Stitch Heel sock
Needles 2.75 wood Harmony from Knit Picks.

Oh My Oh my

These have to be the baddest socks I have ever seen. Check em out.

here by Maia Spins

i wish I could get a picture here on my site but this is the best i can do. You will drool over them.

What a Black Sock

Same pictures all over the place 5 x.

OKAY... A bit better but still nervous. Will be doing these socks to have a basic pair. Just knit and do the heels correct and measure correct for the heel to begin.

On to Black

I'm on to Black socks now. I just learned how to do Judy's Magic Cast on and I love it much better then Figure 8 Cast on. It's much neater and it just works better. So, that's my new cast on for toes. I'm doing the increase also, this time before the last stitch by picking up the bar inbetween the stitches and knitting that stitch and then, knit the last stitch. So far, I'm happy. Now to see what I get for a gauge later on to determine how many stitches I get per inch.

Peace is done

Peace to you 2

Well, it's coming fantastic. I have only one complaint, I don't like k 3 tog. Not at all. very slow going. The pattern repeats are better then my Monkey Sock. The heel, better then the last sock and I thought that was good. This is a total keeper, no flap, just short row heels no raps and so easy, no counting, no losing your spot. I love it. I'm making sure i remember this one by blogging about it. Great heel

Knitting Socks

Wow, Oh wow. I stepped on an ant hill. I just listened to a PodCast on knitting socks. My oh my. So much to learn. I don't know what a colorway is, a yarn without nylon is not good for socking. The different weights of sock yarn. Pooling and gauge, oh some say you have to know it, some say, it don't matter, just bluntly like that. i'm still on the fence because for somee reason, my socks fit me regardless of the gauge in the pattern. The Daily Om said, I don't have to be afraid to say, I don't know something. I don't know gauge. I know it's a calculation but I can't see how I get gauge, someone with a size 9 get the same gauge and the sock fit, why because they cast on more stitches?? I just don't get it.

I'm making another I guess not so good quality pair of socks but you know what??? I'm glad i'm using Sernity Sock Yarn. I'm glad I used Red Heart Heart and Sole.. I'm learning and I"m not wasting yarn or money. I'm learning terminology, I'm learning patterns, I'm learning how to do heels and I was not afraid to RIP OUT OR CUT OUT, because of the Yarn I was using. I have to stop comparing again to people who have been knitting for a few years. I am not the only one that has only started making socks this year so, . I'm just going to have to ask. I will ask about the yarn at the Yarn store though for my next pair of socks. Here is Jade, checking out the yarn already. lol, BTW: that's Eileen holding Jade from her LYS SheepSkate

Peace to you

I'm now ready to do my Peace Socks a la Wendy Johnson. So far I have cast on my 27 stitches, Magic loop, Deborah Norville yarn in Paprika, size 2 needle.

1. Cast on was different. There are no just knit rows in between the increase rows. Just keep increasing and then right into the pattern.

Sock Blocker

I found a web site to make your own sock blockers. Very easy and they work fabulously look here.

and here is my finished project. Came out pretty darn cool.

Yo yo yo Toasted Almonds

They are done, They are on time. They are great!!! I did it and even better.
1. Learned new heel thanks to Charisma and Priscilla Wilds heels
2. I did easy k3,p1 rib stitch
3. Cast on 10 for the toe with Silva's directions
4. Cast off binding, the best by Grumperina
5. Harmony needle size 2

Size 2 Harmony
Toasted Almond Heart and Sole
Cast on 10
Increase to 28
3x1 rib

Toasted Almonds

Coming up. Cast on today, toe up. Still not decided how it will go but,, it's on!!!

Toasted Almonds

Coming up. Cast on today, toe up. Still not decided how it will go but,, it's on!!!

It is done

All is well. This went so wonderfully well. I just can't say enough about this sock pattern. I am finished. I just have to weave in my tail and get the pictures up, but.. by now, you see the pictures:)
I had such a good time doing these, only one dread factor and that was the heel but once shown, I flew in it. !! love to do this again. The lace, awesome. Ready for my next one for sure. :)here is the link to how to take the socks off the needles with stretchy technique. for some reason the link won't work so here it is in html. http://letsknit2gether. Size 2 Harmony

Update

I took out 24 or so rows because I had gone to far again. I think this is the second time I figured, ah ah, something wrong here. Going and going and sock getting longer before coming to the heel. They said to stop at where ankle meets foot but you really should say at end of arch, more like it. So, here we go again. I think now I"m about who knows 2 days behind schedule. So now lets see if I can finish by Thursday, Let's try for it. Now that I've taken it out 2 x's i feel I know what I'm doing now as far as stitches and that is a more comfortable knit.

April 4

Well, it's almost a week, I may have to back up a bit more as I think the heel is right where it should be but I have more rows to go and to me,that will make it too big. so, I'm awaiting help.... !!!!!

Sit and Wait

It's called, I'm stuck. I don't know what to do. I want to do it right so...what are your options? You go forward and risk doing something incorrect and then have to go to the pond or you can ask your questions on a very well organized knitting forum and get the correct way of doing something so you won't have to go to the pond.

I say, sit and wait. You know what the pond is like and you don't like it there. They have all kinda bugs there that can get on your stitches and you don't want that. So, I say, sit and wait. It will come together before the day is through and that's what you want, the right thing to do.

Marthaknits

I have to brag on this lady today. Marthknits from Ravelry sent me this site..... Techknittingand it is a God Send for sure. I can now see what the stitches are doing and how they have to be done the way the pattern is written.I knew there was a reason but I did not understand it, even in doing the stitch. So thank you Marthaknits for stepping in right on time.

what can I say

These are beautiful. Like the stuff I admire.

Eye of Patridge heel

These socks are going to be so different. I have no clue what the end result will be but It will be awesome. I think sometimes maybe all socks should just go with the flow of how you feel. Any way, I'm looking at Eye of The Partridge heels and will put one in these new socks of mine. Check it out here

wow O wow

Yes, I cast on my first pair of toe up socks doing Magic Loop by my self. No one was here. No one walked me through the cast on and I followed directions great. This yarn feel so much better then acrylic. Even works faster as it has a bit of slippage to it. The needles, Knit Picks 2 are wonderful. They fell elegant. Not as bad as I had thought being so small. It feels great in between my fingers, doing increasing and the yarn is just gorgeous. Making a pattern of what??? I don't know. This is making this fun.This is working. I am following so far Silver's excellent directions.. Had I not done 2 circulars with Karen this may have not bad sense but it does. It totally does. The cable needs to be straighter a bit, in that it tangles but the method is good. I think I like it a lot. The 2 circs weren't bad, not at all if I had the right length, they would be better.

My First Socks

Here they are all ready to wear. Thank you Karen and everyone on School House Press for helping me achieve my goal of making socks. I learned a lot and I hope I don't forget it. That means,.... make more socks.used size 3 circular

Socks

Oh ya, we are coming down the home stretch now. I am on the ribbing of the ankle. It's a process that must be patient with. Switching to the rib as Karen suggested is good. I must have twisted my needles or yarn some where along the process as I was knitting on the inside of my socks. Then with the pattern this yarn produces, it was best to just do a k1,p1 so the flecking will show up. The cable for the project would not show so no sense in wasting good work not to be seen. Socks will be available March 27 at all Loominit stores. With my new knitting socks I think I'll have to change the name for my blog. :)

New Day

Well, each day something new happens. Today, I got my heels done. They were easy. I just don't undestand why pattern writers don't get how to really explain or, I just don't get the reading of it. I will pray about it and ask to understand the reading. I guess without a lesson it is difficult but not unobtainable. :)

Heels are no fun

At least these new ones I'm suppose to be learning. The lady has written them for someone else and certainly not me. I have to find my gauge thingy so I can see what may magical numbers are according to this book, New Pathways for SockKnitters Just relax. I have to relax and know that this will come in time. When the time comes, I will let you know:)

Here they are

They are coming. I am loving this. It works quickly, the yarn is nice and the needles are super slick, if not too slick but I don't like the bambo.When I get my refund, from returning my wonderloom, I'm getting some Knit Picks circular needles for sure!! So, here are my socks coming up the top of the foot pretty good.:)

Knitting it now

Today was my day to learn increase and turning. I did good once I understood where those needles go. The top to push, the whole thing to turn. It was fun and I thank this lady, Karen for helping me get through it all.

Getting it

It just takes a little video to get me going. I bought another set of circular needles today to try again on my sock. As you know or maybe not, I've gone to learning how to knit socks on 2 circular needles. it's not bad at all. Really fun. I was actually looking forward to coming home so I could knit. I bought a 26" length in the Bamboo and I still do not like the bamboo. I don't like the connection or the point. So.. off I go to AC.Moore on Tuesday, return them and then go to that funky Snow Goose and buy my Addi Turbo 24". I know they had both, it was almost that they were not going to have the 16" but they did. So, I'll go there only because it's closer and I will have to go to work.

Now I understand which needle to pull through. It's, wait a minute, how did I figure this out, the one with the yarn coming from it, push the needle to the front, so it comes in close to where the yarn is. That's how you know which needle to work on. someone on Ravelry said something about pulling and then the lady Cat Bordhi said to pull, that's how I knew I was not doing that yesterday and why only one side was growing. Well,now, I have to go to bed but I'd like to get 4" done. Not going to happen. The connection, nylon on the bamboo is horrible. I will purchase another set of who knows before I buy any bamboo needles. I'm making socks and socks will work on what I have.

Bethany's Booties Loom-A-Long

This was my first Loom-A-Long. Hope to do more. Now I know what to expect.
A Pattern from Bethany A Dailey of Gettin'It Pegged





It would be nice if these fit Jade but I doubt it. Will have to figure out how to make it fit her ankle. I know her ankle is not this small but I got it done.

Reading these patterns is the stumbling block. I can do the work but man, they are not clear on which direction to go. You start on one peg and then you add on and you don't know which peg was number 1.

So rules to follow.
1. Always mark your first peg
2. Always write down which cast on method you used.
3. Always write down which way you went when you cast on.
4. If something has rows, you better mark em down, use your counter.

Try to enjoy it, even when you get frustrated. :)
Made on Blue KK with 2 strand of Red Heart Super Saver and a Baby Pink.

Yarn was not great.. but it was good enough for practice.

New learning

All the patterns seem to leave things out.We are really taken that we know how the writer writes. I'll keep saying this. Maybe it's just learning. Just learning to understand what could happen. Then I guess you figure out what style the writer has. I know it does not make me want to make it or the writers pattern again but I'll try maybe again.

Any way, got that off my chest. Finished my Cross dishcloth. I like the size and the thickness and the fact I designed this. I actually counted out the pegs and decided how to make the cross. It will show up on the next one I make as I'll use a solid color so it shows up, better yet

Dishcloth

Done on Red loom.
2 Strands Sugar N Cream 100% Cotton
Isela's knit/purl quick stitch
Works very fast. Enjoyable.
This is a bit airy, not tight.
Used 17 Stitches.
Did Crochet cast on and it's a very nice, tight stitch, no hanging loose loops.

Will make another one, same one on a smaller loom to see if I can get it tighter, also can use more stitches to make it wider. Practice like this is, is enjoyable. Cause i can always use the item:)

Dishcloths

Someone told me to use less stitches and use my double yarn, cotton as I liked the thickness of two but not how large it came out on the same blue loom.Well, I did.I decreased the stitches to 14 and I think it's a perfect size. Will take a picture and post soon. I like my what i call tutyfruity dishcloth. :)

I had to send that EFG sock loom back. It was way to difficult to get into the corners. Just not something I would use long term. For that money it was not worth keeping. So, Praying that the next one I ordered will work as they for some reason won't say the size I need for my foot measure, will be taking a another chance. If it does not work, I sell it. And move on to something else in life to make me happy.

Frustration

Well, I'm going to put it out here on my page, give people directions like it's the first time coming to your house. You have to realize, they have not been in this region before, seen these streets or know the lights. You do it every day so it's easy.

When loom knitters give directions, they need to realize someone from a foreign country is reading them. They have to specific. But no, they want to cut corners and think you will know it. You can ask on a group. No good to ask on a group when there is no one there to help you???

No good to do a *designer* pattern when there is no one there to help you...

Can't ask questions about the designer pattern. NO, those are copyright protected. Ask the designer who is on vacation or busy making other patterns.

Oh, one more bit of info. .. all the information you may need is not going to all be in one place. And ya, you are suppose to know this. But now you do cause someone else pointed it out to you.

Ask about gauges, again. No answers cause know one knows.

E-Wrap stitch

I love it. I love it. I love this stitch because it works up fast and comes out right. I love that I can make the tension the same with the yarn aid. I love this yarn I'm working with as it's very soft and nice to my hands. This is really coming out nicely. Excited to see it done. (when it gets done) I'm making this Shrug

The looming is doing

I'm doing. I've done the second pair of fingerless gloves. They are pretty cute. Had a friend of mine model them and here they are.

Patons SWS Soy Wool Stripes


Worked up very well. Very soft and would do again.

Quick Wristees

I call them Wristees. They are fingerless gloves and very warm. This new pair I made is awesome warm. I made them out of Patons SWS and this is very soft. I like the feel. It feels better and better to work with a better grade of yarn. This is 70% Wool and 30% Soy. It feels like silk. I get done so fast. I have to find someway to convert a pattern I have to use a different weight yarn and still fit. Like, I'd like to make these with a cotton type yarn. Something to wear in the Summer. I'll ask on the boards but I really don't think anyone knows.

Excitment is abound

I am so very happy with my choices in yarn. This is a fun learning experience. I just bought some yarn to make more Wristers. This are cool little hand gloves with no fingers but a hole for your thumb. See:)

These were made with:
Vanna Choice
100% Acrylic
Mustard
Loom Knitting Primer Book

Here is some gorgeous new yarn I bought also today. Knowing to work with a better grade of yarn is so helpful. I bought this for the colors,of which you probably can't see too well here and that it's70% wool and soy. I better only wash in cold water then eh?

Any how, her's the yarn. It will be made by tonight, I hope:)

What a day

Went to this shop today, and it was a blast. I've never seen such gorgeous gorgeous yarns. It really was like being in some other country. I never knew there were such gorgeous yarns. I only knew of Red Heart. The people that I knew that knit did not go into special yarns. No wonder I did not like it, it was cheap and itchy. Now, oh my, my hands won't hurt and I'm looking forward to sock making. I at least will be able to make Jade socks if no one else wants them. We can share a skein:) I took a few pictures because I want to remember what it's like to be a store filled with such goodies.

What's the best road

When I make something, I have a problem expecting it to come out correctly. I guess this is how designs are made but I can't take it. I made this baby blanket, might as well call it a baby cover as it will not surround a baby for too long. It came out rather small to me. Maybe I guess I had bigger ideas of how large a blanket should be. Any how, here it is. Done and never to be done again. At least, not by me. I'll do something else but not having help is frustrating and not fair. I don't get the don't ask anyone but the designer for help. Hasn't someone else made it? If books have patterns how come you can ask about those but not those patterns you buy? I tell ya, makes no sense. So I'm blowing off my steam for all the hopes I had for this project being good for the Ingrid's baby.

What was used:
Vanna's Choice Baby in White and Coral
Red Knifty Knitter loom
Prayer each time I picked it up

Gloves in a Bottle

Just bought this today on Isela's recommendation. Good thing they had this at my job so I bought it. The Wal-mart or CVS did not carry it. I just bought a small bottle but I suspect it will last a long time. Isela has had her's for 2 years:) and she works it. I'm a bit said I won't have this blanket done by Sunday. Now I have to go to two showers of hers empty handed. I tried but maybe it was suppose to be given when no one is around. It is surely a lot of work and I'm not encouraged to do this again. I probably won't as no one I know that I care about enough will get this type of item.

Julie Anns Socks

These are sock slippers for my friend Julie Ann. She had foot surgery and I thought, these would be nice to cover her tootsies while she recuperates.

So much to say

I am enjoying this hobby, craft, work so much I could scream. The purl stitch takes a bit of patience. I don't know as I'll ever love this stitch. It is a stitch I just don't wan to do rows and rows of. Short rows are fine but to do an afghan, it won't happen. lol.
I am working on Ingrids Pinwheel baby blanket.

Here is the blanket in it's growing stages.

Today I get nothing done. I had to go to post office to return a DVD and Makeup from QVC. Then off to get some glam for this evening out to a Comedy show with Shawna for her birthday. I better have some fast hands in these next few days I don't' think I'm going to make it for the shower.

so much to say

I just ordered the sock loom. I know I will use it. Now to set the goal to not purchase anything but yarn in February.I have enough DVDs to exercise with and all I will need is yarn to make socks with. It's exercise, knit, work, sleep, pay bills. That's it for February!! stick to the goal. how, just each day, commit to myself to stay away from getting further in debt.

Getting it done

Last night I learned how to do the short row heel. I have to say, this is my second favorite make. I am making these socks and they are coming out perfect.

Pinwheel Dischloth

Done. and here it is.

This is my first of many to come. I enjoyed doing this pattern. I like the size and the Yarn which was Peaches and Cream. I had two different colors and that is how you can see the different sections. This was made in all one piece and closed with the Kitchener stitch of which I learned from Isela's video on the Pinwheel Pattern. Thank you Isela.

The Dishcloth

It's coming out fine. I love it. I love the variety in doing the short rows. They are fun. Not boring. I have one section done and 5 more to go. Not bad. I really do like this better then the orange yarn. I don't know what it is about it but it smells also. This is a fun piece of work because, it's short.

The Fish

Well, I'm still working on my fish. At least I have one side done. Now I'm picking up on doing my first dishcloth. The Pinwheel one that I love. So far it's pretty cool. I like the variety and that it's not a big project. I like doing things I can understand and get done. If it had not been for the video, I doubt this pattern can be understood on the short row. It is fun though. Looking forward to finishing tomorrow, maybe:) I will exercise on Wednesday, no matter what. Won't let anything get in the way.

Here is the fish. yea, done.