First Pair of Socks

Finally, I have a pair!

Pattern: Garter Rib, Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Trekking XXL, Color 109

Needles: Size 2 20 inch Addi Turbos

Started: 9/24/06

Finished: 1/30/07

So yes, I started these socks in honor of Socktoberfest, and then obviously drug them out a little longer. But, I'm completely excited that I can finally put them on as a pair. Can't wait to wear them to SNB on Saturday. Heck, I think I might even have to wear them right away tomorrow. Of course, I'm already looking through my books to see which socks to start next!

Winter Wear

Pattern: Kim's Hat, Woman Size, Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Worsted Merino Wool, part of 1 skein

(I used most of the rest of the skein for a baby size hat of the same pattern)

Needles: Addi Turbo Size 9 16 inch circular, Brittany Birch Size 9 DPNs

Started: 1/13/07

Finished: 1/14/07

Pattern: Misty Garden (3), Scarf Style

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 3 skeins

Needles: Knit Picks Size 3 24 inch circular

Started: 1/4/07

Finished: 1/22/07

(Why is Blogger doing this crazy double-space thing?!!!)

I gave the scarf to my sister, and kept the hat for myself. I'm now making a matching scarf, using the woven stitch. It's looking very pretty, especially with the Malabrigo, but I am hating working with Size 11 needles. It feels so awkward!

I'm also just about done with my second sock. Hopefully that will be an FO I can post in the next day or two.

I finally went to a Stitch N' Bitch group yesterday at the Hartford Coffee Company. It was a lot of fun, and totally awesome to meet and talk with other knitters/crafters. Plus, I worked very hard on both the sock and the Turtleneck Shrug. I actually finished the first sleeve and have started on the second. Amazing what 3 hours of knitting will accomplish!

Yummy Yarn

I love this yarn. It's Malabrigo Merino Worsted, the Marron Oscuro colorway. I bought it from Knitorious to knit a hat. I ended up knitting two hats: one for myself and one for my niece Maria. I'll post FO pics soon. In the meantime, I still have a little of this gorgeously soft fiber left, and am thinking about adding more to my stash. Wouldn't a woven knit scarf from Knit Scarves be great in Malabrigo? Or how about Grumperina's Shifting Sands? Hmm, how about a trip back to Knitorious to check out more of their great selection? While I'm there, I can get a few last minute things for my secret pal. I'm supposed to reveal myself by the end of the month!

Can She Do Lace?

Remember this? This is my Mountain Colors Mountain Goat in Lost Trail. I have two skeins, 230 yds each. These were originally bought for a pair of socks. However, I have discovered something new, something that goes along with one of my 2007 goals: the Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl. I've been wanting to do a lace shawl for a while, and actually have yarn bought for both Ene's Scarf in Scarf Style and the Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style. However, charts scare me. Seriously. But, thanks to Cristina of string*Theory, I am now prepared. I ordered the shawl pattern tonight; it was a quick and easy download. I am quite pleased with myself, as I just sold some of my yarn stash on eBay, and had some money sitting in my Pay Pal account just waiting for such a purchasing occasion!

I am dying to start this project, although I am working on yet another Misty Garden (yes, #3,) for my sister in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino which I really want to finish and give to her fairly quickly. I'm hoping to lift her depressed mood she's been in for a little while. She and I both get that way in the winter - not enough sun, I'm sure. But nothing a little handknit scarf won't fix, right?

I bought the materials needed for the DIY light box with a gift card from Target that I received from our oncologist at work. Of course, I have yet to set it all up and take any pics. You know how I am; I procrastinate until I feel the timing is perfect. I need to stop that. Maybe this will be a project for the weekend.

2007 Crafting Goals

1. Update my blog with Adobe Photoshop. I have already purchased and downloaded the program. Now I'd like to at least add a custom made banner to my site.
2. Knit the Hourglass Sweater from LMKG. Andean Silk in Cranberry is being shipped from Knit Picks. It will be my first adult size sweater.
3. Finish knitting my first pair of socks. This means finishing the second sock. And then hopefully knitting more pairs of socks.
4. Join a Stitch 'N Bitch group. I'm planning on checking out two of them this weekend; one's on Saturday and one's on Sunday. I am really psyched about this goal.
5. Learn to sew. I have the machine. And I have a number of books I've bought for this very reason. I even have some fabric already.
6. Learn to crochet, at least a little. I of course purchased Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker, since I learned to knit from the original Stitch 'N Bitch.
7. Learn to knit from a chart. There are quite a few lace shawls I am interested in making, but the charts scare me a little.
8. Learn to cable knit. I plan to make Fetching, as soon as I attain this goal.
9. Bead more jewelry from stash. I don't make jewelry nearly as often as I'd like.
10. Knit from stash as much as possible. I really have a lot of yarn planned for a lot of specific projects. I need to save the money and knit the stash!

Christmas - A Little Late

I also made these earrings today for my case managers at work. Yes, they are Christmas gifts, slightly late, but finished nonetheless!

My Very Own IPod Cozy

Behold the beloved new IPod Nano. I bought this plastic case with a clip on the back so I could wear it while walking, doing housework, etc. However, it doesn't transport well in my purse like this. The wires from the earphones get tangled up in everything.



So, enter the new IPod Cozy,
designed by me (and some
inspiration by this and this!)













Note the earphone pocket on the back (done by picking up stitches) and the cutout for the earphone cord. I am so completely proud of this! It is my first fairly original design, using the ideas from multiple patterns.

Specifics:

Pattern: My Very Own IPod Cozy

Yarn: SWTC Karaoke (maybe half of 1 skein)

Needles: Susan Bates Aluminum US Size 7

Started: 1/3/07

Finished: 1/4/07

I LOVE these fairly small projects that I can complete in a matter of a few days. Makes me feel like I am really accomplishing something!

Misty Garden Scarf

T's friend M recently requested a scarf in a soft yarn. I just happened to have some Angora in my stash, and knit up my own version of Misty Garden, from the book Scarf Style. I love the simplicity of the Feather and Fan stitch. It was a quick and easy knit, and yet looks so beautiful. I will be mailing the scarf today!

Pattern: Misty Garden, from Scarf Style

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Angora in Turquoise, 60% Angora, 20% Wool, 91 yds, 3 skeins

Needles: US Size 9 24 inch Addi Turbo

Started: 12/27/06

Finished: 1/3/07

Finished Measurements: 45 inches long, 7 1/4 inches wide