WIP - Gluttony Socks

We went on a trip to the mountains this weekend .. intending on taking a leisurely drive to see the blooming dogwood trees. Sadly, the dogwoods in the mountains aren't yet blooming. Best we saw was some cherry trees.


I did bring my sock with me, however, and managed to get quite a bit of work done on it. There was a bit of a dicey moment when I dropped two stitches, but I was able to catch them and work them back up, all without a crochet hook, cos I was silly enough to travel without one.




The trip was lovely indeed. We got to stop at two not-so-local yarn shops in the area. The first was Yarn to Dye For in Hendersonville, NC. There we got to meet the proprietor, a lovely woman by the name of Donna, as well as her husband and another lady whose name I've sadly forgotten, but I believe she helps out at the shop. In addition to many lovely yarns .. including quiviut, which is incredibly light I must say (no I didn't buy any, but I got to feel some. Lovely stuff!) .. Donna says that her passion is painting silks, and we got to see some of her creations. Absolutely stunning, I have to say. She teaches at the John C. Campbell school, and I'm highly considering asking my mother for a weekend class there so I can take Donna's silk painting class. It sounds like an amazing art.

Our second stop was in Brevard, NC, a lovely shop called Charlotte's Fibers. We even met Charlotte, and I have to say, I very much enjoyed my experience there. I even found that they carry Unique Sheep yarns, so I have a place I can go that's not a far drive where I can fondle the yarn before buying it. I actually did pick up some yarn there .. some Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in Cherry Blossom, and some Tofutsies in a colorway I've forgotten.

As we usually do, we asked in Charlotte's Fibers for a restaurant recommendation. We try to ask the locals where to go, rather than picking something touristy, or worse yet, going to a chain we could go to at home. Charlotte suggested to us a place called The Square Root, and if you are ever in Brevard NC, you should stop in. It's located in an alley, and kinda easy to miss, but it's a delightful little place and something you shouldn't ever miss. We opted to each get a different sandwich and share, and we weren't disappointed. They have a fried green tomato sandwhich that was a hit with hunny and Brandon, but wasn't to my taste .. not being a fan of the fried green tomatoes. They make a mean apple and brie grilled cheese, however. And their london broil sandwich, which was my choice, is divine. They also have sweet potato chips which are about the yummiest thing ever, and fried zucchini fries, which were notably yummy-licious.






This is a white squirrel. He's not, as you can tell, an albino. Apparently, there is a story about how the white squirrels came to be in Brevard NC. Something about a circus train back a long time ago. Now, they run wild. One of our main goals was to see a white squirrel, and unlike the unsuccessful trip clear through Maine to see a moose for Jason, we actually did get to see the white squirrel. Isn't he .. erm .. she cute?
So. That was my weekend. How was yours?

Ravelraiser!

Got $10 to spare? I'm sure I do, somewhere. It's only half a pair of socks, y'know.

Fricknits has started a fundraiser to help Jess and Casey of Ravelry fame purchase a new server and assist with the upkeep of such an amazing resource for all of us in the fiber community.

What do you have to do? Just go to this thread, and click the 'Donate to Ravelry' button at the top. It's a good idea to put 'Ravelraiser' in the comments section, too!

Quote of the Day.

"Restored steam locomotives left unattended in the wee small hours of a fine spring night are a good place to kiss someone."

That just sounds.. nice, Juno.

There is progress, I swear!

So I'm a very, very bad blogger. But I'm not a very, very bad knitter! (At least I hope I'm not!)

I took the plunge recently and started my very first sock. Well, -technically- it's my second, because I finished the mini sock for the mini sock-blocker keychain. But as far as socks that would fit a human of any size, it's my first sock. And though I've been a mite concerned about the stitch numbers, it's looking good now, so I'm pretty sure I've done alright thus far.


I absolutely love this pattern. Just some slipped stitches and pur rows to give it substance. No complicated lace or anything. This gives me confidence that I actually can knit socks.



See how lovely the pattern is! I just adore it. I made the cuff a wee bit smaller than the pattern called for, because I'm not a fan of cuffs. We'll see how that works out in the end, I suppose.


I knit a heel flap! And I (successfully?) turned a heel!


I picked up (probably a few too many) stitches for the gusset, and have remembered to knit the even rows as well as the decrease ones!

I suspect I'll be done with this sock this weekend, and will immediately cast on the second one, lest I get caught in the 'one sock' trap I hear so much about.

As with everything now, project details on Ravelry.

Quote of the Day

Homespun is like boot camp for knitters ..

From a post in the the Coast to Coast AM listeners Ravelry group.

FO - Sock Blocker Keychain

Details on Ravelry

I figure if I can knit a sock this tiny, it's time for me to try a real one.

Project Spectrum 2008: Fire

Early Easter

Because Brandon is going home today, we decided we could have easter a little bit early. So lastnight we gave eachother our easter baskets. Jason got me some DPNs, size 0, Some absolutely gorgeous bamboo/merino yarn, and a book: 2-at-a-Time Socks. (And some candy too .. yay candy!) I'm so excited about it! Just about every sock pattern in it I can see myself knitting and wearing .. I just have to figure out the technique!




Our other gift to us was a home theater system, something that'll grow with us, that's not just a 'set' with a receiver and speakers, but that we can add to and change pieces of. You can read the fun of my annoyance with setting up av equipment in my boring blog

FO - Heartstrings' Beaded Smoke Ring

I finished this a long time ago .. not long after we got back from Spain in August. But I never took pictures. So .. here 'tis.




Details on Ravelry

Blog-quote of the day.

".. I’d rather have my exposed liver julienned by a flock of psychotic, inbred geese than try to shake off another fistful of Styrofoam peanuts, while I scream ineffectually down the darkened hallways of my own private Hell."

That quote is from The Worsted Witch's blog. Yes, it's an older post, but I'm playing catch-up.

FO Alert!

I actually finished something .. and something for myself!


Don't mind the priority mail box beneath it. I'm not about to ship them off anywhere. I just have been mailing things like a fiend today, and didn't think to move it before I snapped the photos.



Details on Ravelry

Spring Knitty

It's been out a few days, and I've finally managed to decide which patterns I'd really like to knit. Not that I don't already have a huge queue for Knitty patterns but .. isn't that why we all love Knitty?

Jaden
Nob Hill
Yosimite
Honeycomb
Salto
Laminaria
Brighton
Spirogyra
Marjorie
Posey - Just because I think they're an interesting construction.

Fetchings

Still working on my Fetchings .. Revelry is actually taking away from my knitting time .. but that's just because I'm going through all the groups I joined and trying to decide which I really like, and which .. well .. I probably won't keep up with.

Hello Again

I've been neglecting blog-landia, and the reason is a bit embarrassing. I let myself get a bit too addicted to WoW. A bit too engrossed in the need to gather as much gold as possible. But I've had an epiphany, and have discovered I don't -need- to be on the game every day. And with that discovery, I've found time to actually knit again.

I've also become more active on Ravelry. I even started my own group, in preparation for my friend Larissa's book release this summer. Her fantasy novel _Shorn_ is being released in June, and we're all -very- excited. I've been adding my stash to my Ravelry the last couple of days, which has been a lesson in obsession for me. I found yarn I had forgotten I had. And that, my dears, is most certainly a crime.

Elann.com Wishlist

Sonata Print - Sea Shell & Rose Garden
Sonata Solids - Pecan & Burgundy Rose
Seta Lana

Winter Knitty

Ice Queen
Quant
Tudora
Chevrolace Socks
Azure Socks
Jeanie
Modern Lace Henley

Previous Knitty Issues

This post is backdated just because it's meant to be a way for me to keep track of all the Knitty patterns I eventually would like to try. I will eventually go through Ravelry and add them to my queue

Fall 2007

Muir
Henry
Roam
Cherie Amor
Neiman
Mr Greenjeans
Foliage
Totally Autumn
Back to Basics Socks
Diamond Waffle Socks
Oblique
Juno Regina

Summer 2007

Tangerine Twist
'Vog On Socks
Sweetpea Socks
Unmentionables

Spring 2007

Carolyn
Isabella
Dashing
Queen of Cups Socks
Vanilla Spice
Victoriana

Winter 2006

Calorimetry
Legwarmer Socks
Emerald
Venezia
Brown Bag
Thermal

Fall 2006

Ivy
Lizard Ridge
Cable Net Socks
Intolerable Cruelty

Summer 2006

Fetching
Widdershins Sock
Universal Sock

Winter 2005

Pomatomus Socks
Starsky
Mrs Beeton
Thula Socks

Fall 2005

Pumpkins

Spring 2005

Soleil
Branching Out

Winter 2004

Tempting
Wine Cozy

Fall 2004

Cozy
Clapotis
Leaves
Leo

Summer 2004

Hush-hush

Spring 2004

Honeymoon Cami
Frill

Fall 2003

Sonnet

SAFF 2007 Pictures

SAFF 2007

This year we went with the intention of only doing shopping; there were no classes we really -had- to take, and because of work and such, we couldn't stay but for one day. So Jason, Brandon and I headed out early Saturday morning, cash in pockets with the decisions made that we would only spend what cash we had.

It was, as it had been last year, quite overwhelming. My first stop, of course, was Brooks Farm Yarns, where I purchased a couple of hanks of simply gorgeous 100% mohair. I eyed some of their other stuff, but wasn't really there for wool, and I'm still working on my sweater so didn't need to buy yarn for another.

I then headed up to another of the vendors I liked last year, Yarnsmiths, and found that they had branched out into sock yarns .. specifically specialty ones. I picked up three different types, two of which had a good bit of Cashmere in them, one of which that was mostly silk and some nylon, which should make some lovely socks. Then I stopped at the booth of the woman who we took a couple classes with last year, Melanie Koenig, and I picked up a couple of pairs of birch DPNs and also, after being convinced that I should try out the Denise interchangeables - which she had me do then and there, handing me some yarn and letting me walk off with them - I purchased the pink Denise set. Later on at other booths I found the larger cables for the pink Denise's, so now I'm all set with those, and also got some Lantern Moon ebony DPNs, and the Knit Cards set I've been eyeing for a while... just to have them.

The only other yarn I got was some angora, which I'm going to, along with the angora I bought last year from the same people, make some hand-warmers out of; and some alpaca, one skein from a pinto and it's been spun and plied so that it'll stripe perfectly, and a couple of skeins of some beautiful cream-colored Suri alpaca, from New Era Fiber, I'm probably going to make into a lace shawl.

The really -big- purchase of the day though was Jason's. He went ahead and purchased himself a Kromsky rigid heddle harp loom. It's a big purchase, but it's a beautiful loom, a lot nicer than the Ashfords, aesthetically, and since he already has a Kromsky wheel, it was only fitting. I'm a little frustrated, because the stand was the wrong size, so we'll have to send it back and get a replacement. But I'm sure that won't be a problem. It looks like it came from the manufacturer that way, so we may have to go to them directly .. dunno though. He also got enough gorgeous alpaca to make me a pretty beautiful shawl, once he feels confident with the loom and stuff, so I'm pretty excited about that.

My answers below...

Here's what the formatting means:

Bold = have already tried this
Italicized = Plan to try this
Unemphasized = Have no desire to try this

• Afghan
• I-cord
• Garter stitch
• Knitting with metal wire - I have the cutest pattern for candle holders .. just need time to try it!
• Shawl - *looks at her stash* So much yarn for shawls, so little time.
• Stockinette stitch
• Socks: top-down - I will. Next year, if not before then, I will cast on my first sock.
• Socks: toe-up - I will do this too.
• Knitting with camel yarn - And quiviut too!
• Mittens: Cuff-up
• Mittens: Tip-down - Someday, yes, though I don't even usually wear mittens.
• Hat - Monkey hats count, dammit!
• Knitting with silk - This gets both because I've knitted with silk blends, but not pure silk. Yet!
• Moebius band knitting - I do plan to try this, though it's all kinds of intimidating.
• Participating in a KAL - This gets both because I have both participated ( dishcloths ) and plan to do more. They're kinda fun!
• Sweater - Still working on. But I started, so I can count it!
• Drop stitch patterns
• Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn - Need to find something to do with it, but I will .. and hopefully, mine won't melt!
• Slip stitch patterns - Looooove mosaic knitting!
• Knitting with banana fiber yarn - Jason got me some too .. can't wait!
• Domino knitting - Do huh? Though, I did find links. Looks like it's similar to mitered squares, but it's a little more complex. I smell a book I might want.
http://www.amazon.com/Domino-Knitting-Technique-Vivian-Hoxbro/dp/193149911X http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/domino_knitting.asp

• Twisted stitch patterns
• Knitting with bamboo yarn - Got the yarn, just need to knit the poncho before the little girl is too big!
• Two end knitting - Not to my … hey .. yes! I did this with my first Ball Band Dishcloth!
• Charity knitting
• Knitting with soy yarn - Yes please! And corn too!
• Cardigan
• Toy/doll clothing - Monkey Hats!
• Knitting with circular needles - Totally .. like all the time.
• Baby items - Only because I have a few actual friends that have them.
• Knitting with your own handspun - I won't say I plan this because I do not think I have the patience for spinning. But one never knows.
• Slippers - Someday. Probably felted, even.
• Graffiti knitting - I love the idea. I so want to, just to have done it.
• Continental knitting - I have totally tried. But my hands don't like it.
• Designing knitted garments - One day. I will design my own.
• Cable stitch patterns - Looooove cables.
• Lace patterns - Usually love lace. I need a better system for keeping track of where I am though.
• Publishing a knitting book - I have an idea in mind. Just need to see if I can implement it. Oh yeah, and learn to design my own patterns.
• Scarf - This gets both because I have done them, and plan to do many more. Nyah.
• Teaching a child to knit - Not unless I teach Savannah.
• American/English knitting - Wha?
• Knitting to make money - Yes please!
• Buttonholes
• Knitting with Alpaca - This gets both because I've knitted with blends, but not pure alpaca. Have some though!
• Knitting with Angora - I totally added this because it should be there! And I plan to, definitely!
• Fair Isle knitting - Someday. Probably in socks or mittens!
• Norwegian knitting - Isn't this Fair Isle?
• Dying with plant colors - This sounds -soooo- fun!
• Knitting items for a wedding - My sister and niece have to get married -someday-.
• Household items
• Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
• Olympic knitting
• Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
• Knitting with dpns
• Holiday-related knitting
• Teaching a male how to knit - Nyah. Even if Brandon has a girl card, I taught Jason!
• Bobbles - I'm sure they have a use.
• Knitting for a living - This would be a dream come true for me right now.
• Knitting with cotton - All the time. I always have at least one dishcloth on some needles somewhere.
• Knitting smocking - Eeew. Oh .. but wait .. pillows. This is a maybe.
• Dying yarn - Cannot wait to try this.
• Steeks - Scarey, but I'll try it. One day.
• Knitting art - I agree with B .. knitting is art!
• Fulling/felting - Love felting.
• Knitting with wool - Love wool.
• Textured knitting
• Kitchener BO - For socks, this is almost a necessary.
• Purses/bags - Of course!
• Knitting with beads - Several projects, in fact!
• Swatching - A necessary evil.
• Long Tail CO
• Entrelac - Scarey, but I so want to.
• Knitting and purling backwards - If this is twisting stitches? Yes. If not .. umm .. wha?
• Machine knitting - Like Brandon, it's cheating, but cheating I can get behind in some instances.
• Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegating yarn - Variegated yes. Self-striping eventually. Probably not self-patterning though.
• Stuffed toys - Bunnies!
• Knitting with cashmere - Mmm. Yes please. Even a blend will do me fine.
• Darning - Once I've made my own socks, definitely.
• Jewelry - I made a bracelet! Just need a clasp.
• Knitting with synthetic yarn - I learned on it!
• Writing a pattern - Goes along with the knitting a book. I want to .. but will I ever get that good?
• Gloves - Eventually, yes!
• Intarsia - Scarey, but I wanna do it!
• Knitting with linen - Talk about dishtowels!
• Knitting for preemies - Only in the case of charity knitting, but sure.
• Tubular CO - I'll try it, if nothing else.
• Freeform knitting - If this means that silly scrumbling thing, no thank you.
• Short rows - In socks, no doubt, if nowhere else.
• Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers - I even found the perfect fingerless mitt pattern. And these are different than fingerless gloves, B. Fingerless gloves have half-fingers.
• Pillows - Because one day, I'll have furniture that needs pillows.
• Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine - Knitty.com rules!
• Rug
• Knitting on a loom - Weaving, yes. Using a knitting loom? No.
• Thrummed knitting - Another thing I had to look up, but it has potential.
http://fiberfreak.blogspot.com/2006/01/thrum-de-dum.html
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2004/09/15/mitten_what_mitten.html
• Knitting a gift - So many.
• Knitting for pets - Isis needs cat toys, after all!
• Shrug/bolero/poncho - I have at least a poncho in the works. And I need a shrug!
• Knitting with dog/cat hair - Interesting idea, but I don't have a dog/cat that I could get enough hair from in my lifetime.
• Hair accessories - I will try again with the knitted scrunchy.
• Knitting in public - All the time!