Happy Socktoberfest! Wednesday, Oct 10 2007

Lest you think my recent bout of startitis is causing me to abandon my previous project, let me assure you I am still working on the sleeves for Tubey.

All 5’3″ inches of them. (Thank God I’m short, that’s all I’m saying.)

But, I hit a snag. While I love all my projects–Cherie Amour, Tubey, Sizzle, the long-abandoned Rogue–none of them are very portable.

Especially since I just bought a new purse as part of the slightly disturbing girlification that has occurred since I moved here.

It’s a very cute purse,but there’s not whole lot of room in there. What I needed was something small. Something portable. Something that didn’t require a lot of complicated measuring or counting or switching of yarns.

What I needed was a commuter sock.

I cast on for this sock using Knitpicks Memories in Rocky Mountain Dusk (I think–it was stashed and they don’t seem to carry it any more). It’s a basic, plain sock that requires very little thinking on my part.

I used the Yarn Harlot‘s sock recipe from Knitting Rules as a guide and cast on 70 sts on US3s, and knit about an inch in 3×2 rib for the cuff, and now it’s just plain knitting for the leg. It couldn’t be simpler, which is just what I need on my commute.

Plus, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Socktoberfest!

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How Long Does It Take? Tuesday, Sep 18 2007

As fall continues, and we approach mid-September (Already? How did that happen?) I was excited to see Lolly announce Socktoberfest 2007! I’m ridiculously excited. I took part in Socktoberfest last year, but I was so busy with school that it quickly fell by the wayside.

I’m already thinking about things I could knit. I NEED to finish my father’s socks (they were, um, last year’s Christmas gift) but I seem to have lost one of my needles. They’re Knitpicks US1, but I can’t remember which Knitpicks US1, so I can’t just order another set.

Plus, I still have the yummy fall shades of Knitpicks Gloss that I bought last October, and I’m thinking either Widdershins or Monkey would look great.

I’m still plugging away on Sizzle. The fact that people are now apparently reading this blog (or at least clicking over to it once or twice) is really motivating me to knit so that I have something to write about.

As you can see, not a ton of progress, but today was a long day. I ran into coworker R as we were leaving work, and I was knitting on MUNI while I talked to him, and he asked me how long it would take to knit this top, if I just started and didn’ t stop at all.

After I finished contemplating the concept with a mixture of awe (Knitting? Without stopping? Really?) and horror (Cotton? Without stopping? Are you serious?) I realized, I’m not really sure. How do you figure how fast you knit?

It’s really hard for me to guess, because as we all know, I am NOT project monogamous. I tried, once, to count up all my unfinished objects, but once I was amidst the sea of half-knitted projects I found myself so demoralized that I shoved the whole lot of them in a box under the bed.

Perhaps I’ll try sticking to a project for a while and seeing what happens.

Hey, stop laughing. It could happen.

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Socktoberfest Goodies Tuesday, Oct 10 2006

In honor of Socktoberfest, I decided to do some stash enhancement. I got some Gloss from Knitpicks, in Serengeti, Pumpkin, and Cocoa.

It’s amazingly soft and delicious to work with. I also decided to check out the Knitpicks DPNs. I like them. They’re very sharp, which is nice. Even if I do end up with sore thumbs and fingers.

I cast on for the Snowflake Socks from Magknits with the Serengeti.

My first attempt:

On US3 needles. It was looking a bit too loose, though, and the lace wasn’t stretching enough, so I frogged it and cast on again using US2s.

I also cast on for some basic socks for my Dad’s Christmas present. I’m using Lana Grossa in a grey stripe colorway. On US1s. It’s very very tiny and fine.

It’s also kind of boring–gloomy colors, plain pattern. But my Dad wouldn’t wear bright colors or fussy socks, so there ya go.

Off to knit while watching the Sunglasses of Justice (CSI: Miami).

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Cables and Socks! Monday, Oct 9 2006

It’s fall, so it’s time for all sorts of yummy knitting.

Cables!

For the Fall Cables KAL, I started Boogie. I didn’t have any bulky yarn in my stash, and I’m trying very hard to be good, so I’m using 2 strands of Lion Brand Wool-Ease held together, on US 10.5 needles.

Here’s the front so far:

It’s a really quick knit. I finished the back (I have no pictures, it’s plain stockinette and gray, very boring) in 2 days. Two days with a lot of knitting, but still!

I doubt it will take me much longer to finish, which is good–sweater vests will probably remain in style just long enough for the fashion world to blink, and I want a chance to wear mine before they go geeky again.

Socks!

It’s also Socktoberfest, so I’m knitting away on my socks. I finished the 2nd half of my plain vanilla sock class socks.

They’re not very fall looking–but they will look great on Valentine’s Day:

They were knit using Moda Dea Sassy Stripes in the Crush colorway, on US3 needles. I didn’t follow a pattern really, just the basic sock formula. And since I don’t pay any attention to what part of the colorway I start on, they’re fraternal twins.

I think it adds character.

There is much more knitting goodness to come.

Happy knitting!

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Socktoberfest Questions! Thursday, Oct 5 2006

I was planning on posting lots of pictures, including my sock in progress and the yummy roast chicken I made for dinner last night, but my palm (with camera!) won’t hotsync all of a sudden, so…not so much.

I really need to break down and buy a digital camera at some point.

So instead of pictures I give you–Lolly’s Socktoberfest Questions!

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I started making socks on a whim about a year ago. I’d always wanted to make them, but my Nanna, who taught me to knit, insisted they were too hard. I started with Fuzzy Feet, then finally took the plunge and made a single sock from an online pattern. Mostly, I just looked stuff up online and occassionally asked someone at my LYS for help.

What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?

My first complete pair were gifts, for my aunt. I gave her 2 pairs, and I assume they’ve held up ok.

What would you have done differently?

I would have made the first pair for me! Honestly, though, I would have picked a different yarn. I made the first pair out of Lion Brand Microspun, to be slipper socks in horrendously bright colors (they were christened the Jimmy Buffett Socks) which splits a lot. I would have chosen a better yarn.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

I haven’t tried that many different yarns. I like Knitpicks sock yarn, and I made a really cool pair of fuzzy warm sleep/slipper socks for my Mom out of Moda Dea Dream.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

DPNS all the way! I can’t imagine crocheting socks (crochet often confuses me) and I hate Magic Loop. As for 2 circs….I can’t imagine the odds of me finding 2 circs in the same size with nothing on them. Probably about the same as Isreal and Palestine all of a sudden deciding this feud is awful silly and, hey, let’s forget about the whole thing and have some tea instead.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I’ve always done a heel flap. If I ever run across a pattern with a short-row heel, I’ll let you know what I think.

How many pairs have you made?

Let’s see…2 for my aunt, 1 for my Mom, 1 pair for myself, and I’m halfway done with another pair. And I have very lofty goals for Socktoberfest!

Happy Knitting!

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Fall Knitting Friday, Sep 29 2006

I love fall knitting. It makes me think of cozy sweaters, warm blankets, and soft socks. All in beautiful autumn colors.

There are alos some great things going on for fall:

Socktoberfest kicks off on Sunday! Who doesn’t love socks? Go to Lolly Knitting Around to sign up and join the Socktoberfest fun!

Also starting soon is Fall Cable Knit Along. It seems that knitted items and cables are very hot this season, and what a better excuse to knit them?

I’ve got lots of ideas for both of these–I just ordered some knitpicks yarn to make Glampyre’s cabled cardigan. I love it! And I’ve got the aran sweater I started, plus I’m thinking maybe a cute cabled sweater vest?

Oh, and let’s not forget socks. So many sock patterns they deserve their own post! Stay tuned!

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