Wild Tide Take Me Away

Wild Tide

Sock one done on my plain Wild Tide socks. I didnt like the pattern that came with this in the sock club.

Two Grapey Socks

Good Grapey!

Two, Two Grapey Socks, aha ha haaaa! Doing a Bordhi reinforced heel tightens up the whole sock, and the lace seemed to make it a little tighter as well. However they are done, and drying now, soon to be sent to their future feet!

Lost Pattern

Lost Pattern

My mom sent me this picture of an afghan I did for her years ago.... If anyone recognizes it, let me know. Id really like to make it again!

One Grapey Purple Sock

One Grapey Purple Sock

one grapey purple sock done. The fit isnt the same as my Trekking sock (same pattern and same needles, but the yarn has different stretchiness). I like them all the same though. I think I should have decreased the number of stitches at the leg, added more repeats, and made the width a little tiny bit wider, and just a few more rows before the toe.

All in all I like em!

Grape Japanese Feathers

Grapey Japanese Feathers in progress

Its looking pretty good so far, I think... kinda hard to see the picture any better.

My own Japanese Feather Socks

Trekking XXL

So I thought Id write up my pattern notes. Ive adapted Walkers' Japanese Feather pattern, so I think its okay to post it, but the Bordhi heels you;ll have to buy the book yourself!

Japanese Feather Socks with Bordhi Cedar Heels

Using Trekking XXL or other fingering sock yarn

CO 60 sts loosely with 2mm needles, join
[k1, p1, k3, p1] for 10 rows
[k1, p1] for 4 rows
knit 1 row dec 5 sts [55 sts]
change to 2.25mm needle
Begin Japanese pattern from Walkers 2nd, p285 altered to in the round and Bordhi's cedar architecture

All odd rows, 2, 4, 16, and 18 [k10, p1]
Rows 6, 10 and 14 [k1, (yo, k1)x3, ssk x3, p1]
Rows 8 and 12 [k1, (k1, yo)x3, ssk x3, p1]
Rows 20, 24, and 28 [k2tg x3, (k1, yo)x3, p1]
Rows 22, and 26 [k2tg x3, (yo, k1)x3, p1]

Complete one full repeat rows 1-28
Complete rows 1-13 rows
For Rows 14, 17, 21, 26 and 28 add [m1p] before final p1 on each repeat to increase to 80 sts as follows:
Row 14 [k1, (yo, k1)x3, ssk x3, m1p, p1]
Row 17, 21 [k10, m1p, p1]
Row 26 [k2tg x3, (yo, k1)x3, m1p, p1]
Row 28 [k2tg x3, (k1, yo)x3, m1p, p1]

using Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters book to complete the heel decreases.
G=28 sts to mark off for centered over instep, and centered over sole
H=12 wing sts

As Im not fond of lace inside my socks (it rubs!) Complete 32 rows with p1 [k4, p1] over instep to toe, and st st on bottom of foot
Standard toe decreases to 10 sts, pull thru, tie off and hide tails

Hand Dyed Delicious

Concord Grape Sock Yarn

Hand dyed some sock yarn this weekend. This purply goodness makes me crave some of those dark purple concord grapes.

Japanese Feather Socks

Japanese Feather Socks

Found a sock started so I picked out a pattern and just went with it... I used Walker's (2nd) Japanese Feather pattern, and did a Bordhi heel, expanding between the feather pattern. They are really comfy. Now for the 2nd one....

Half N Half sweater begins

Half N Half sweater begins

What to do with really ugly Fleece Artist sock yarn? How about 6 skeins of the stuff? I still cant believe I bought this. So its gonna be a sweater, even if I have to dye it black after.

Ive crochetted the cuffs and one bottom edge panel. Hideous.

To Dye for Slippers

To Dye for Slippers

Ok these were white and black originally. Then to shrink them I put them in the washer, only I totally didnt notice one pair of jeans was new... then I had dirty white and black slippers.

Answer: Dye them. Eh Voila! They are a little on the bright side, but all in all not bad!

Cat Meets Monkey

Experimenting

Ive finished the first sock of "Cat Meets Monkey". Monkey pattern from cuff to ankle, Cat Bordhi's New Pathways heel/foot. Now for the second sock....

Dont Walk On Me

Ive been experimenting with an old pattern I made up. Its a crochetted sock. Only its just too uncomfortable to walk on crochet, no matter how fine the yarn. So the plan is to make the foot knit and the leg crochet. That should get the anti-crochet nuts up in ... pointy sticks.

Santa's Elves

Sky Sock for Elves

I got my copy of Cat Bordhi's "New Pathways for Sock Kniters" and tried out the tester sock "Little Sky sock". Im really impressed with her ingenuity. The increases run over the instep (top of the foot) while the decreases run along the side of the bottom of the heel. You can almost see them coming to a point at the side of the foot. Truly amazing! I added the little "Elf" curl so I could give this away at an ornament exchange next week.

Hey Hey We're the Monkey Socks

Monkey socks have begun!
I ripped up the previous incarnation and started the Monkey Socks. The lace pattern isnt that hard to follow, but Im not sure the lace is going to show up all that well. Plus they already seem a little loose. Perhaps they will shrink a little? They are 80% wool, 20% nylon, but the label says no dryer. Guess I will find out eventually.

Tip Toed

foot, showing missing toe
So Ive finished my One Toe Missing socks. Im not entirely sure about the proportions of toes/no toe, but they can always be pulled out and redone.
Leg

On Fire Socks

My first try at Magic Loop socks. They went up fast enough, although I had to take the gusset out of the first one 3 times. I will have to try this method again for a higher gauge sock. Overall Im pleased.

Sweetheart Come be frogged

Ok, so its just too big. A little bit big I can manage, but this? Its one of those "tuck your knees in your sweater" sweaters.

Here's what I figured out... Ok, so strrrrretch your swatch. If its really stretchy, then there's gonna be an issue with the sizing. Turns out this particular fabric stretches almost DOUBLE. Negative ease. There. I said it. Thats what I now have to learn to comprehend. My girlfriend says its body image, and my knitting "style".

So. Rip it. Rip it. Take it to the Frog and Rip it.

Ok, Im keeping the cable part on the front and back, and the sleeves (which are fine). Im just re-doing the body.

And I was so proud it was finished!

Slippery People

Felted clogs. They just boggle, don't they? I knit part of them at lunch... co-workers comments "Who are those for? A clown?" and yet, after they are shrunk to their proper size, the same co-worker says "Oh, I get it now! Cool!"

Let me call you Sweetheart

Another project off the back burner... its nearly impossible to take a picture of dark grey anything, not to mention my shaky hands! I have yet to finish 3" on the bottom front, and the entire back. I think it looks cute with the tie. I wanted lots of room at the bust so I forced extra stitches in at the edge of the cable. Im hoping the ripples can be blocked out, steam maybe?

Corners of my Mind

Finished my Noro sweater. Not exactly to pattern, but when EVER do I stick to the pattern?

I calculated the cost of this sweater at over 200$ CDN

It better not itch! LOL

The Gulls are Out Tonight

Finished the first of 2 socks "Gull Wing Socks" using my newly arrived Louet Fingering Sock yarn. Pattern is for Ladies size 7 (gauge 9st/1" and 10.5 rows/" on 2mm needles) as follows:

CO 56 (long tail)
9 rows of k2, p2 rib
1 row st st
Stop 3 sts short of the BOR (centers pattern at back of leg), place marker
Do 4 repeats of Part A, 4 of Part B, and another 4 repeats of Part A for the leg
********************************************
Gull wing pattern part A:
Rws 1 & 3: knit
Rw 2: k1, k2tog, Yo, K1, Yo, ssk, k8
Rw 4: K2tog, Yo, k3, Yo, ssk, k7

Gull wing pattern part B:
Rws 1 & 3: knit
Rw 2: k8, k2tog, Yo, K1, Yo, ssk, k1
Rw 4: K7, K2tog, Yo, k3, Yo, ssk
********************************************
Rearrange sts so that 29 sts are over instep and 27 for heel with pattern centered over front/back of leg.
(instep should be: k4, pattern, ky, pattern, k4)
(heel should be: k3, pattern, k7, pattern, k3)
M1 to increase heel to 28 sts
Row 1 (RS): *sl 1, k1*
Row 2 (WS): sl 1, p across
repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 32 rows

Turn heel:
Rw 1: (RS) K 15, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 2: (WS) Sl 1, p 3, p2tog, p1. Turn.
Rw 3: (RS) Sl 1, k 4, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 4: (WS) Sl 1, p 5, p2tog, p1. Turn. Rw 5: (RS) Sl 1, k 6, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 6: (WS) Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p1. Turn. Rw 7: (RS) Sl 1, k 8, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 8: (WS) Sl 1, p 9, p2tog, p1. Turn. Rw 9: (RS) Sl 1, k 10, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 10: (WS) Sl 1, p 11, p2tog, p1. Turn. Rw 11: (RS) Sl 1, k 12, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 12: (WS) Sl 1, p 13, p2tog, p1. Turn. 16 sts remain. Work 8 sts. BOR

Pick up 19 sts each side, working pattern on instep.
Rnd 1: (Dec Rnd)
Work to 3 sts from end of sts picked up, K2tog, k1.
Instep: Work pattern
K1, ssk, st st to end.
Rnd 2: Work even.
Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until there are 56 sts remaining.

Work foot in pattern on instep until 2" before desired length (appx 8" for a Ladies size 7)
and st st on bottom of foot (sole).

Toe:
(Sole) Work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(Instep) K1, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(Sole) K1, ssk, complete round.
Rnd 2: Work even.

When you have 16 sts left, either graft toe, or use a 3 needle bind off method to complete.
Weave in tails, complete second sock (which is always the hardest part!).

How much is that Doggie in the window?

Finished this little sweater for my wee doggie, Moo. Patons Decor, my own pattern.

I feel LUCKY... oh so LUCKY!!!

Me! Who never wins anything! I won this...

from Janice over at Willow Way Knitting.... Thank you SO much Janice. The yarn is so beautiful in the picture... I can hardly wait to have it in my hands! http://jarlady.blogspot.com/2007/08/winners-are.html

The Yarn Came From Kansas

Ravelry wait.....

You signed up on July 3, 2007
You are #12735 on the list.
3235 people are ahead of you in line.
14138 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

Santa's Coming to Town

127 days left til I have to have everything ready to mail out. I only have .... 14 more to do... from a total of 37. Pretty good, eh?

Don't Cry Mystery Socks

I tried the July Mystery pattern again, only this time with a worsted weight yarn (Paton's Aran)







and 3.5mm needles... and intentionally tried to not give the grip of death...

heres sock #1 done, and #2 is on the needles....

Im thinking of dip-dyeing these....

Cry Baby, Cry

Ive finished my Mystery pattern for July's Sockamaniac sockalong.... I used koigu, 2.25mm, toe-up, 2x2 rib over the instep, did one of those backward flap heels (wont do it again), then 4 repeats of the pattern 3 times, and 2x2 ribbing.

Lace on tiny needles HURTS.

Hurts so bad

Ive been knitting so much lately, my hands swell up and ache. I have 20 of 38 xmas gifts done, and 5 more started (incomplete) and only 144 days left. Well make that 134, I need time to ship stuff, too.

I joined Mystery Stole 3 AND sockamaniac_sockalong both of which are lace.

I need an ice pack, an aspirin, and a shot of tequilla. In that order.

Crap, I just want to knit.

Granny Does Your Dog Bite

I’ve been asked for my Granny Square Sweater Pattern.
There’s two sizes, small and medium. For the small make 54 squares (granny square pattern below) and for the medium make 66 squares. The extra squares for the medium are for a gusset that goes under the arm, attaching front to back and widening the sleeve.

I normally use a single crochet (back loop only) to join the blocks. It makes a small ridge, but makes a great place to hide any tails. I also try to join as many blocks across without breaking the yarn. If you crochet the blocks neatly you can choose to have the ridge on the outside, which makes a nice detail.

For the edges I would normally use either a matching yarn (to the joins) or a contrast yarn and do a single crochet around all open edges (hem, front, neck, cuffs). You can add picots to one side of the front to make button holes. You can also make a collar using rows of single crochet (back loop only) about 6” wide x 10” long.

I’ve also put a row of sc along the collar for added detail. For the flowers and leaves use modular crochet. For example a leaf: chain 20, turn, sc 7 (stem), hdc 2, dc 2, tc 3, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 3, turn, sc 1, hdc 3, dc 2, tc 2, dc 1, hdc 2, sc 2. Bury tails in stem, or use to attach to sweater.

If anyone makes this pattern up, I would love to see your finished sweater!

Pattern for one granny square:

Using a 4.5 mm hook and Patons Decor (or other similar weight yarn)

Row1: Ch 5, join w/sl st to 1st ch1
Ch 3, catching tail under stitches: 2 dc in loop
[Ch3, 3 dc in loop] 3x
Ch 3 Join to top of ch 3 w/sl st to complete row 1

Row2: [Ch 3, turn, 2dc, ch3, 3 dc, ch1] in ch3-space
[3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1 in next ch3-space] x3 Join to top of ch3 w/sl st to complete row 2

Row 3: [ch 3, turn, 2dc, ch1] in ch1-space
*[3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1, in next ch3-space][3dc, ch1 in next ch1-space]* x3
[3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1, in next ch3-space]Join to top of ch3 w/sl st to complete row 3

Row 4: [ch 3, turn, 2dc] in ch1-space
*[3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1 in next ch3-space] [3dc, ch1 in next ch1-space] [3dc, ch1 in next ch1-space] *3x
[3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1 in next ch3-space] [3dc, ch1 in next ch1-space]Join to top of ch3 w/sl st to complete row 4

And here's the sweater diagram....

Make the sections as follows:

Make two 3 x 3 for sleeves

Make one 4 x 4 for the back

Make two 2 x 5 for the fronts

If making the larger size:

Make two 1 x 6 for the underarm gusset

Piece across the shoulders, sleeves to sides, and under the arms. Press seams with a damp pressing cloth.

Attach any modular embellishments (leaves, animals, etc.)

Live and Let Dye Lot

Ya know how when youre making something, and you really didnt plan it all that well.... and you really need just one or maybe two balls to make a nice something into a fabulous something?

I lucked out. I found these two balls of Jo Sharp Aran DK Tweed in "boheme" at http://www.redbirdknits.ca/ - not only in my colour, but it was also the same dye lot. I know! I ran around screaming "Yes, Yes, YES!!" when I realized. I must have purchased this yarn 2 years ago. Its like some bloody kind of miracle! Oh yah, and they were on sale!

Hiding the Stash

Dressers can be converted to practical use....

The Yarnroom does not have to be "tidy"....

All bookshelves can now be for craft books

Stuff no longer must hide in closets

Multiple project baskets can live beside the bed

And finally, yarn is ART... it can hang on the wall

Waiting for the Ravelry

You signed up on July 3, 2007
You are #12735 on the list.
5010 people are ahead of you in line.
9854 people are behind you in line.

At least another month to wait for my Ravelry invite!!

Check your own position here... http://www.ravelry.com/antsy

Living in Stashville

I collect yarn. Without my stash I would be going crazy. CRAZY!

Too poor to buy new stash, that's me. If its a ball or two to finish a project then its okay (assuming one can find the same dye lot).

While I was still collecting, I had to make a database, you know to keep track of what I had (as you can see by the picture!) I have over 105 MILES (169 kilometres) of yarn to track. Some of the yarns out there dont tell you how much you have in length but in weight, which is somewhat useless, to my mind.