Finished Objects, Finally!

It has been a very busy couple of months! My dad fell down a week after Thanksgiving and broke his pelvis in two places. So, we've been busy with the hospital and rehab up until a couple weeks ago. Since I've been home again, though, there has been some serious knitting happening here.

FINALLY!! A pair of complete Monkey Socks! Yippee! I PROMISE - this is the last time you're gonna have to see this yarn on my blog! Although I love it, seems it took about four false starts and trips to the frog pond before settling on the monkey socks.

And:

Ta - Daaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Lady Eleanor is done being knitted - now just needs to be blocked and fringed and will be considered "complete." I truly enjoyed knitting this shawl, once my mind got wrapped around it! Is a totally different way of knitting, but each color change was an adventure in artistry. The way the colors come together is just beautiful. And it still looks great draped over the back of my sofa! hehe

Now, not sure what I'll be knitting, although am pretty sure there are about 25 pairs of socks in my future. There is at least that much sock yarn in my stash, so it's time to start knitting on that, am sure!

Since there's nothing on my needles right now, it is doubtful things will stay that way for very long!

Hope You Had Happy Holidays!

It was a wonderful Christmas! I got some natural sock yarn and Jacquard Dyes!!

















Also some "Foggy Bottom" Sock Yarn!















Have been working mainly on the Lady Eleanor Shawl - Here's a picture of the progress! It is turning out really pretty!! Can't get over how the colors all fit together and create a harlequin effect.









Then - my dad gave my sister-in-law and I quilts that were made by his mother's mother - my Great Grandma Dustin. They were originally quilt tops that my mother had quilted by the ladies of the Ferguson Presbyterian Church for "the girls." Convinced my dad that she had meant my SIL and I as "the girls," so this year (with a bit of help from a Christmas elf), he was able to give them as gifts!

When She's Right . . . .

She's right!!! It basically matches my sofa!

This is the first few tiers of the Lady Eleanor shawl done in the Noro Silk Garden I bought recently. Just thought my niece would be pleased to see some progress!

Stash'nSock

Everybody keeps coming up with "cutsie" words (like "Socktoberfest"). I thought it'd be cool to make up one of my own! Hence, the name of this entry.

So - The first Monkey sock is done! This is my favorite ball of yarn. On the ball it looks amazing! It is oh-so-soft and completely yummy . . . but stripes and pools like crazy. This is probably about the 4th or 5th pattern I've tried and have given up fighting the Properties of the Yarn. It is what it is! Makes a lovely sock, anyway.


And then - there was the email from my niece. It said "Little Knits has one color of the Silk Garden on sale for $6.60 a skein. It's kind of muted blues that reminded me of your couch. You should go take a look... "

So now YOU can look, too! Here's a pic of the 11 skeins I got, taken on the infamous couch! Planning a Lady Eleanor shawl and can hardly wait to start!

This is a great shot of the end of a skein that shows the color variations.

What do you think?

Goodie Boxes!!!!

Can anybody tell me what's wrong with this scenario?? Knit one pair, buy enough yarn for three more pair - Repeat?

Ok - my name is Blu and I'm becoming a Yarn-a-holic. But with such pretty colors, can it be such a sin???

The skeins above are the new

Fleece Artist colors - Georgia O'Keefe (love her watercolors!), and Willa Cather - a 20th Century novelist. Then, the other is the neatest stuff!! From UrbanGypZ - colorway is Koi, Vey!

I have included a close-up of this - and you can see the candy cane effect of the different ply that was designed to super-saturate with dye giving a nice twist accent to the yarn. Totally cool!

Manly Socks! Complete!!

Finally - the Manly Natural Alpaca Socks are complete!!! Yippee!! With only about three yards left over from each skein, I managed to complete these oh-so-soft, yummy chocolate brown socks from 300 yards (2 skeins) of yarn spun from Lily's fur.

Lily:

Finished these just in the nick of time, too! More, brightly colored yarn is on it's way to my mailbox!

Tiny Dilemma

Yes - it's the Manly Alpaca Sock . . . in all it's half-done glory!! Note to self . . . when making men's socks, typically it will take more than 300 yards of yarn. Aargh! So - I'm half-way through the foot and you can see the tiny ball of yarn that's left . . .

Of course, there is another skein, so this sock will be finished. But the second sock . . . no way! I will check (plead, beg, and otherwise humiliate myself) at the Ferguson Farmer's Market next Saturday morning in an attempt to get just one more skein of Lily's fluff (the alpaca in question), but when I got this, her owner said it was the last until the next shearing.

Maybe she was dishonest . . . but I don't think so :(

How often CAN you shear an alpaca . . . in October . . . just before the Midwest winter sets in???

Sock It To Me September

Love, love LOVE this yarn! I've been admiring it for at least a year since I bought it. Don't even remember what it's called anymore (bad stash-er) . . . .

Hate, hate, HATE this yarn on this sock. Thought I'd found a winner when, with the third try, discovered a pattern that not only didn't pool, but didn't stripe. Was elated . . . . knitted this much, and left it sit on a table for a couple months. Have finally decided - time to visit the frog pond YET AGAIN. Rip-it! Can't stand it! The more I look at it, the less I like it. Did manage to take a while to learn to hate it, but now that is complete and it will go back to being a beautiful ball of yarn.

And this - this is my beautiful Alpaca yarn from the Ferguson Farmer's Market. It used to belong to an alpaca named Lily. Now, it is well on its way to becomming wonderful, MANLY socks. So soft, so sumptious. YUM.

It's a BRAND NEW SOCK

Finally finished with SSS - Second Sock Syndrome - and on to a brand new project, and a brand new sock! I love, love, LOVE this "Falling in Love" sock!

See? S0 far, it has three little lace hearts with cables on the left and right. Sock is a bit darker - flash seems to lighten up the color a bit, but overall, going to be a pretty sock.

Not thrilled with the striping, but not sure there's much to be done about it . . . .

AND - this is my first effort with a toe-up sock - which I started with a provisional cast-on . . . so it looks like a regular sock in that regard, but the trick will be the heel. Should be interesting!

To Coin a New Initialism - NOTH - Nothing On the Needles!

Strange, but true! I have overcome a serious bout of SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) and completed the two pair that have been hanging out there for months! Yippee!


Unfortunately, now that means I have to find something else to knit - and QUICK!

No More Lonely Socks

As you can see, the SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) is finally over! I have completed sock 2 of the Lombard Street Socks in the Aubergine Baby Silk - and the pair is O-So-Soft!!

Then, in the spirit of sweeping the decks clean, I cast on for the second RPM sock in the Koigu. I think sock 1 of this pair was completed in January.

Now, I must mention, I had every good intention of completing these. In my naivety, it seemed like a good plan at the time to start a second pair of socks, then alternate the second socks for each pair. Thought it might ease boredom, or something . . . Well, no such luck!! Just seemed to make it easier to keep knitting single socks. So, thought it should be nipped in the bud.

At least there's progress here. A lot of knitting was put on the back burner while my dad has been in the hospital and recuperating at home. Has been a very busy and tense time. But looks like I'm well on my way to getting the job done, at last!

Finally - a FO and Knitting Content Again!

I was a bad knitter - have been stuck in the knitting doldrums for a couple months now, trying unsuccessfully to finish a sock, so I bought three new skeins of Fleece Artist Merino. Got Peridot, Cornflower, and Spring Meadow. VERY pretty . . . I love these yarns with the subtle color changes. Am hoping they will knit up into some beautiful socks - yeah - like I'm gonna wake up some morning, and the knitting elves will have taken this and knit some lovely socks for me. Seems I'm gonna have to get off my cushions and start knitting in earnest - or at least in Merino yarn!

And now for something completely different - a finished object! After what seems like forever of slogging through hip-deep mud, I have managed to finish this lovely sock. Yes, it is another "loner" - a sock with no mate.

However, it has been a difficult road . . . can't even remember when this was started. I had good intentions. Once the RPM was finished, decided to move on to a different sock, come back, finish the second RPM, then the second baby silk.

You can guess the rest . . . I just want to start an entirely new pair of something - anything. Hopefully the self-discipline necessary to go back and pick up the pieces of the second socks will kick in and I'll finish. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled for brand new socks here!

Happy to Report

Hopefully soon, I'll be back to knitting. I'll have to! Just bought three more skeins of sock yarn - enough for three more pairs of socks! Still need to finish the baby cashmere and the RPM socks - still only one of each. Second-sock syndrome (SSS?) to the MAX!

Dad is making wonderful progress. After his fall, he was home only three days before the problems started. He developed pneumonia and was in the hospital for two weeks. After that, he went to a rehab facility (lots closer to home!) for 12 days, and then came home. I've been staying at my dad's for two weeks now, and am absolutely amazed at his progress. He's been using a walker all this time, and at first he was a bit wobbly. Lately his balance is improving a lot and he stands up without hanging on to things quite a bit. Seems a bit scary at times, but I'm getting used to it. He's extremely independent.

The rehab center sent out their squad of helpers - a nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and an aide who helps with his showers several times a week. It seems if we are not going to all the various doctors, we have the "visitors" here taking all our time. We did manage to get out yesterday, however, get his income taxes mailed, hair cut, bird food replenished, hearing aids fixed, and a quick stop at the pharmacy. Today, we had the visitors, and a couple contractors who installed new handrails on the basement stairs, a new ceiling fan, and grab bars in the shower. So, as you can imagine, our days are filled with lots of things that need doing.Hopefully, he will be off the walker in a few more days and I will begin staying home nights!

Wondering?

Bet you're wondering what's been going on - what I'm knitting now, and why the heck haven't I blogged in so long?

Well - my dad, who turns 89 the beginning of June, took a tumble down the basement stairs the end of February. Since I live only about 3 miles from his house, I've been very involved in helping get things done. We are all so thankful that his injuries have not been horrible. He broke his left shoulder blade and has a compression fracture of his L1 vertebrae. After he fell, the hospital sent him home. Unfortunately after only 2.5 days home, he kind of sat on the end of his bed, laid back, and then couldn't move. Paramedics came, took him to the hospital, where he stayed for the next two weeks with pneumonia and a bacterial infection. Then he went to rehab where he kind of looked out of place. But he got lots of physical therapy and did absolutely great. In only 12 days, he came home and I've been staying with him helping out while he regains his strength and mobility. Except for swelling in his feet and ankles, he seems to be doing great. Is getting around with a walker and I'm keeping a close eye on his comings and goings.

So, please pardon me for not blogging more often, but for the moment I'm very busy and not knitting much at all. Did manage to get the aubergine alpaca baby silk sock done to the toe decreases, and there it sits . . . . . but sooner or later, I'll be back home with nothing to occupy my time but the knitting. For now, tho, this is much more important!!!

The Baby Blanket - She is Finished!

After many mind-numbing hours of knitting, knitting, knitting, the baby blanket is done!! Yippee!!

I know - the Feather and Fan pattern was too boring for me - so I had to change it to this new "Hourglass" pattern. I need a new pattern! Anyway, the recipient of this newest creation is due April 17th, so officially it is done EARLY. Who ever heard of such a thing??

Now, we have a family birth due in early June (Father's Day), so I will probably have to start something else fairly quick!

February Knitting

Honest! I know, it's been too long since my last post, but there REALLY is knitting going on here!! See?

The first is a shot of a baby blank in progress - for a friend who's expecting soon. I was tired of making the feather and fan blankets, so decided to find something new and different. This is the "Hourglass" pattern from Lion Brand, but it is an 8-row repeat and fairly easy to remember. Admittedly, at first, I flubbed a couple times and ended up frogging a few rows, but once you get going, it is pretty simple. Plus, in this weather, it's nice to have something warm sitting on your lap!


Then, there's the SIP - sock in progess - Lombard Street out of the baby silk alpaca yarn. Absolutely beautiful, soft beyond imagination, and all, but for now, the baby blanket is on my "hot list" of things that simply MUST get done. So - the sock sits and waits. Of course, the RPM sock(s) I was working on has no mate, so that will be next . . . somehow I'm getting to where I just want to knit ONE SOCK. Is that so wrong??


Then there's the new yarn!! I must be planning more knitting! Actually, I have to - just to use the stash I've got now!

I got this wonderful hand-dyed yarn from Cabin Cove Mercantile. Dave Daniels there does a beautiful job on the yarn. It is soft, and the colors are very intense. He also included a nice, hand-written thank you card and a small bag of mountain lavender flowers. The sock yarn is 80% Merino Wool and 20% nylon. Beautiful!



And for my birthday (a week ago!) my niece sent me the newest stuff on the market - Tofutsies!! This small skein is enough for a pair of socks - can you believe it? it is 50% Superwash wool, 25% Soysilk, 22.5% cotten, and 2.5% Chitin, which turns out to be fiber made from shrimp and crab shells, and it is naturally antibacterial!



My son and his wife got methis beautiful Regia navy tweed. The picture doesn't do it justice! Also got me a gift certificate to my LYS (local yarn store), and some tiny #2 dpns. Was kind of a knitting birthday (until you consider the bread machine!). Was an awsome birthday!













Also got myself some bluejeans colored Austermann yarn, that is so soft! It has aloe vera and jojoba oil mixed in, so it has to be soft!

New Year - New Sock!

Here we have the newest completed sock - the RPM made out of the "cursed" Koigu, Tahitian Sunset. This was given to me by neice, Gwen, when she didn't find a pattern that worked for her after 8 or 9 tries. Also took me a while to find one that seemed to look good in this yarn, and when I checked with Gwen, we decided RPM worked ok.

Also, have just begun working on a beautiful Aubergene baby silk yarn - 80% alpaca, and 20% silk. Soft as a baby's behind . . . . I am working the Lombard Street pattern from Mag Knits, and think it is coming out really pretty. Not sure if you can tell from the picture, but there are 4 lace holes running alongside a cable. Looks pretty neat, huh?

Anyone Can Knit!

Saw this online and thought it was so cute!

Merry Christmas to All!

Here you have it - My completed Christmas knitting . . .



Ok, I know I cheated - just a bit! Here are the new "Man Socks" I made for one lucky recipient . . . . The first ones I've knit for a guy!

And the "Monet Socks" will be finding a new home, too.

Teddy had become such a fixture sitting on my sofa that I almost forgot to wrap the little guy! Only home my niece will enjoy him . . . .



I hope all your knitting projects are finished and wrapped, and that your cookies are baked, trees decorated, and cards sent . . . . because the holidays are here at last! May all your needles be full, your yarn cast on, your cables straight, your light good, and may all your projects be completed on time!

I wish you all happiness for a wonderful holiday, and a bright new year filled with the love of friends and family, projects that fill your hearts and hands, creativity to work miracles of warmth, and wondeful people to share your journey!

Success!!

Yes, looks like this is going to work!! Colors are not pooling, not looking like a barber pole. A bit of striping, but that's ok!

So, now we just knit up a couple socks! I feel good about this and am looking forward to seeing what my niece thinks of her yarn . . . will be checking for comments!