It's sock fest at my house

I've been busily knitting along on my dad's socks. It's a great pattern and very well written. Azure on Knitty.com. I think I see a pair for myself in the near future. (I also realized that the yarn is not Toasty Sock yarn as I had said earlier, it's Dream in Color by Smooshy.) I always have a little anxiety about making the first sock too long and then not having enough yarn for the second sock. I left the tail loose on the first sock just in case I wanted to go back and add more later. You can tell in the first picture how short they are.




Nell at Knitch came to my rescue, as I was expressing this anxiety, and said to me "Why don't you weigh it." So we put the first finished sock on the scale and discovered I had enough to make the first sock almost a third longer! Of course, I'll have to buy myself a scale to weigh the yarn in the first place and divide it into two balls from now on. I also modified the pattern a little, by accident, I knit the stitches on both sides of the center cable instead of purling them. I'm happy with the way it looks, the pattern is a little more subtle and probably will be a better fit for my dad. I could have taken better pictures, but I took them on my break at work and was a little rushed. I didn't even get the sock on straight! Does my ankle look fat?!? I think I'm verging on cankles.

I've gotten my ideas for a sock pattern for the Needle Nook Toasty Sock yarn contest down on paper so far, but I still need to test knit to see if the cables will work out. I can't go into too much detail, lest the grande suprise will be ruined.

the Mountain

We're baaack...

The retreat was very peaceful and relaxing, and great meals in between the knitting. We had a great time and I got a lot of knitting done. A few things finished and a few more started. I haven't taken any pictures of the knitting yet, but here is one from this morning at sunrise from the lodge.



The weather was gorgeous for most of the weekend. We had some rain yesterday, but the rest of the weekend was clear and cold. Great weather for wearing handknits. We even got to sit out on the deck and knit for a while on Saturday! It was warm enough in the sun and we were out there for a couple of hours. It was wonderful!





The Yarn Doctor wearing his newest fashion item. A Manos wrap to keep away the winter chill.




More later...

Scarf Attack

I've got two scarves in the works and will probably finish them both at the mountain next weekend. The Uncle Argyle Scarf is doubleknit so it goes slowly.




I've enjoyed the surprise of when the colors change and the combinations. I bet this would look good with Noro too. Hmmm...

The other scarf is the "My So Called Scarf" from the knit-along with the MenWhoKnit group. I'm enjoying the Manos a lot. It's very soft and easy to knit with. The pattern is easy to learn and once you have it down it's a great no brainer knit.





I bought a skein of Toasty sock yarn last night at the guild meeting to participate in a sock contest being held by Needle Nook. The color is called "Caviar and Creme Fraiche". The contest is to design an original sock pattern and the winners will get more Toasty sock yarn and a copy of all the patterns submitted. To win more yarn would be great, but getting the patterns at the end is a great prize in itself. I actually woke up in the middle of the night last night and was lying there thinking of pattern ideas for about an hour. I think I may have had a little too much caffeine yesterday.



I'm planning to start a pair of socks for my dad at the mountain using Toasty sock yarn too. I bought a brown colorway, but I don't remember the name. I know she has one called "Nutella", but I'm not sure that's the one I got. I love the names she gives them (all food names).

7 more days till we head to the mountain!! tick... tick... tick...

counting the days

The knitting retreat is fast approaching and I'm going to be very ready to get out of town and away from work for a week! I even made some new flannel pajamas to wear. My old pair have been patched so many times and the fabric is so thin, as soon as I fix one tear another one appears. It's so hard to give up a pair of super soft, comfortable flannel pj's. I think ten years of use is a good run. I made the new pair with flannel that has a light blue background with bucking bronco's and cowboys all over it. My own little childhood flashback. I still have to make cookies and purchase my knitting water for sipping by the fireplace. I discovered a new brand of gin last year that I plan to get again. Hendrick's gin. It makes a great gin and tonic with cucumber, if that's your thang.

I now have 5 projects to take along to work on. I've started a new scarf (My So Called Scarf) that is a herringbone pattern. I'm using Manos De Urugay in a dark varigated colorway. I have a pair of socks to start for my dad also. The Uncle Argyle Scarf is moving along slowly. I'm a little over half way done now. It really has gotten a lot easier as I go. It was a little rough getting use to the two strands at the same time, but it has actually become something I enjoy working on (in small increments). I think if I make another, I will go up a needle size or two. The fabric on this scarf is a little stiff and not very supple. I like my scarves to be soft and smooshy.

more later with pics...

Of course... now that I've put a plug on my blog for Fabulon, they are asking for money. I wasn't trying to promote them for the money, I just thought it was a fun blog and wanted to share the experience. Still fun to read even though they won't be posting as often. How dare they hold out on us until we pay the ransom. Give us a little taste and then hold out until we need another fix... not really, I'm just bummed out that I found out about it so late in the game. I'll probably be sending them some money anyway by way of purchasing something from the boutique. I'm a sucker for the kitschy stuff. I hope it works out for them and we get the chance to enjoy the blog for many years to come. There's never a shortage of fabulous, fun and tacky stuff out there! Best of luck guys!

I'm still plugging away on the Uncle Argyle Scarf from Son of Stitch N Bitch. There are still a few of us in the knit along that didn't wienie out on the challenge. You know who you are. ;) I've also started a sweater this week using Rowan Scottish Tweed DK in grey. I'm using a pattern from the Fall 2004 Interweave Knits, Rhapsody in Tweed by Kathy Zimmerman. I'm going to alter the sleeves and make it a saddle shoulder. Thanks Steve for the idea! Maybe I'll have two sweaters done before SAFF this year in order to have one to wear each day. My own little mission possible. I joined the Mission Possible group and then decided afterward when trying to come up with a list that I just don't need to load myself down with any addition pressure to get something done.. I have enough stress and pressure in my life to deal with right now. I just want the knitting to be a safe and comfortable haven to relax and unwind without any addition pressure to get it finished. I really like the concept of it though. Great way to motivate yourself to get out those U.F.O.'s or stash that has been hibernating a little too long. Maybe I'll join in for Mission Possible 2009.

The Mountain retreat for the Atlanta Knitting Guild is just two weeks away and I'm ready for a week away from work. I plan to have at least three projects to take along to work on while there. We were hoping to have 5 guys at the retreat this year, but unfortunately the newest recruit wasn't able to make it, so it will be the same four guys in the testosterone cabin this year. Semper Fiber!

A fun new blog to read

It has nothing to do with Knitting, but thanks to another blog I read Blithering Knitiot I have now discovered Fabulon. Not for the delicate palette... but lot's of fun. Thanks David!

Snow again

We've had snow again today for the second time in a week. We are projected to get 1-2 inches before it's over. By tonight we are supposed to be down to about 19 degrees which will turn everything to ice. We went out for a walk and took some pictures. Here is one I took in our own backyard of the camellia bush that is now totally confused. It's been blooming for a couple of weeks already.



I've been working on my mom's Christmas gift this week and have the knitting done. She chose the pattern as her gift. Now I just need to line the inside. The pattern is Square Cake from Knitty.com. It's made with Tilly Thomas Disco Lights in the color Ruby Wine. It's 90% silk and 10% sequins.