Getting Ready for Round 2

Sock Madness 2

O.k. made it to round 2, it starts on April 1, hopefully not an April fools joke. Our clues this time is the test knit was made with STR. So what yarn do I choice. I have STR, Count Cluckula, Cracked Canyon, Panzanite, Fire on the Mountain, Rocktober, Rooster Rock, or Pirate's Booty.

I also thought about using Keegan Lane yarn, Mint Chocolate Chip, Perfect Proposal, Sugar Plum Faeries, or dkKnits Mary Poppins Bag of Tricks or Blue Ridge Yarns Kaleidoscope, Evening Jewel or Miss Babs Raspberry Cane.

I also dug through the stash and pulled out, Sock Pixie, Madame Mole, Comtesse Caderousse, Marie Antoinette, or Penette, also found tvyarn Survivor.

These are my choices I don't know what to pick out. I know that we have another round that calls for STR so once again these are my picks. So much yarn and all I can pick is one.

New Gadgets

I found some real neat gadgets that I though I would share. The first one is from http://www.5elementknitr.etsy.com/ Stitch Savers. This is a little key chain hook for when you drop a stitch on the go. It is perfect to fit in my small notion case that goes right in my sock bag. You can personalize it with your name and what size hook you want. A great find and has saved me already.

I also came across http://www.karatstix.etsy.com/ She handcrafts these cute items out of bamboo, colors them and finishes them with polyurethane. I bought a 1" WIP gauge, with three small sheep and a 1" gauge measure with a spring theme. She also sent a small sheep tile that was a great final touch. I will use all these items in the days to come.

On the Home Front

I have quit working in the Oboe Cafe two days a week just is not helping me to pay my bill let alone for my yarn habit. So I have become a rooms inspector or I'm trying. This week I started to work as a maid, I have found a new found respect for maids in hotels they have a very HARD job making beds cleaning bathroom and just cleaning up after the human race, my god we are slobs. But from this day forward I will never forget to tip my maid much better. I will be doing this 4 days a week and then working in banquets when they need me. So hopefully I can get ahead and buy more yarn.

That's all for now have a great weekend and keep those sticks aclickn. Bye

My Zombies are DONE

They are done and I'm glad I made the size 8.5 for a friend my yarn was Dream in Color, Gothic Rose and I used Knit Picks Harmony needles size 1.25. I really enjoyed this pattern and will make again just not as fast I want to enjoy it next time. I like the drop stitch part. You now how that is a no no but this time it was all good.
Be back later, so keep those sticks a clickn. Bye.

Sock Madness 2

Sock Madness 2

Here is the yarn that I hope to use for the first round of sock madness 2 the clues for this yarn was semi-solid, scary and think "Thriller". After going through the stash I came up with Dream in Color Smooshy Gothic Rose. So I hope this color works.

I've practiced my Japanese short row heel, toe up and hopefully I am ready for this. I will find out tomorrow between the hours of 9 am -12 pm and then I will be knitting nonstop I want to get them done fast. I have to work Friday and look for a new job so I plan on working through the night to get them done. Only the first 40 go through to the next round. I want to make it.

Well till the socks are done. Have a great week and keep those sticks a clickn. Bye.

Sock Knitter Pentathon 2008

My Jacobean are done. YEA!!!!!! The best part of these socks is that I learned new things and that is what I should be doing all the time but you now how you seem to stick to the tried at true method and not expanding your horizons. I have wanted, to learn these procedure but just kept putting them off. Toe-up I got it down, I did a figure eight on one toe and a magic cast on on the other. I know that's bad but I wanted to learn and to try. I will work toe-up again. I also learned how to do a short row heel I tried once before but I didn't get the concept. But when you have to learn for a real you can do it. I also learn to use 2 circular needles I couldn't do magic loop because I didn't have the right size needle. So next time I will learn. The part I liked was I didn't have to look for my missing needle all the time. Don't get me wrong I still love dpn's but you need to learn different aspects. I don't like my yarn choice I should have picked out a darker color the pattern doesn't pop out at you. A little darker color might have been a better choice. But I'm not going to do them over.

I working on my Roza's Socks again frogged back to restart the heel. For Sock Madness 2 we have to do a Japanese Heel so I thought I would get in some practice. It not that bad a little bit different with all the pins, you can see how to here: http://nonaknits.typepad.com/nonaknits/2005/04/yarn_over_short.html. I just followed the directions, I have a few small holes but I know it will get better. Have to get this one sock done so I can get to the other sock so I can practice one more time. I don't know when that pattern will come to to play. We start on the 13th.

Got to go, keep read me, and please keep those sticks a click'n. Bye

Knitting as Fast as I Can

Sock Knitters Pentathlon

I've been knitting semi fast I've had problems with this pattern and had to learn new things. At least I have 2 months to complete. First I had to learn toe-up a new challenge, short row heel, and then magic loop, that what the pattern was written for. Well I did toe-up, short row heel but I didn't do the magic loop, didn't have the right size, I did two circs instead. The short row heel I'm still not really happy with, I have holes and I don't like that. So I have to keep working on it till I get it right. I have to admit I liked using 2 circs you don't drop your needles which I am always doing. Toe-up wasn't that bad. Over all it is a great learning experience. All these items I have wanted to learn and do but just didn't think I could, now I know I can do anything if I just try. But I can't wait to return to my dpns.

Around the 13th of March Sock Madness begins which I have decided to do. This time I don't have 2 months to complete the sock but a much shorter time frame if I want to continue in the game. We are put into divisions which there is 4 groups, Maryland Merino Madness, Baylor Ball Bands, UConn Cast On and Tennessee Twisted Knitters, my group, there is 57 people in my group so there must be that many in each group. I will be learning new things again they have given a few hints, Japanese short row heel, you need a bunch of safety pins I hope they give good directions or a good site to learn from. Once again toe-up, charts, cables and lacy bits so it should be fun. They have showed some hints at the patterns but just a small hint so you can't tell what it is. Can't wait though.

Woolgirl Charlie Brown's Easter

I received my Charlie Brown Easter Kit and LOVE it. I can't believe the work Jen ,Woolgirl, puts into these kits. Not only do you get yarn and a pattern but all the goodies she finds to go with these kits. The yarn, once again came from tvyarns, Jana, who's yarn, I love her colors are so alive, this yarn reminds me of Easter eggs. A great Easter pattern, a mini sock pattern, stitch marker from sunnelite, a drawstring sock bag in Easter colors and has Snoopy on it and the best part CANDY. Hopefully I will get this pattern done before Easter of next year. No time this year. I signed up for the next kit "Joe Cool" love that Snoopy.

Penny Rose Sock Club

I am also in Penny Rose sock club we received our first shipment this week. We each received an individually dyed skein of yarn that goes with a theme Cape Cod, my skein is called Woods Hole, it is made up of greens and blues, the pattern is called "Seaside Socks" Ruth says it has waves, walks and jetties and is a lot of fun to knit. I'll get to it sometime this summer. We also got a stitch marker from Perfect Day Yarns, some tea, which I love, and CANDY, which I don't get. A great first sock club package, can't wait to see what the rest of her packages look like. GREAT job Ruth and thank you.

I bought some yarn to use in the up coming completions you can see them on my flickr pages if you want.

Here's a picture of Chris's Honda Civic. He's done such a good job. Its almost done. A lot of money but he has a show car and something to be very proud of. It is a green in color but when light hits it just right the color turns a brown I have to admit its different but he likes it .

I hope you all enjoy reading my escapades with yarn. So keep those sticks a click'n till later. Bye

I Can't Believe Febuary's Almost Over

Where has this month gone? Even with one extra day its gone to fast. With March almost here,I will be starting some serious knitting.

SKP2008 (Sock Knitters Pentathlon 2008) we will receive a new pattern every other month knitting 5 pairs of sock in 5 different styles. We have two months to get them done, the winner will be ranked by how fast they finish each pattern. The best part is you get to keep the socks you make. At the end there will be prizes awarded. So I knit as fast as I can.

Also starting is Sock Madness 2 in March sometime in the middle of the month. So I have sometime to get the first sock done before I start this one. In sock madness we knit in brackets like in a round robin elimination. There is 7-8 different sock to be knitted all in different yarns and different styles I hope that I can do this. My plan is to use yarn from my stash and I am not allowed to buy any yarn to compete in both of these contests. And once again knit as fast as I can.

On the knitting side I've finished my test knitting. I was knitting a pattern for proofing the pattern was well written I had no problems with it, it just wasn't one of my favorite patterns. But I glad I did it. The pictures don't to the sock any justice it does look better in person.

I also finished Micheal's 12th Man Sock, I had to frog a toe and make it a little longer. But it's done and it fits now.

So I started something simple that I can work on while I'm waiting to knit other item and in between items. I'm knitting Roza's Sock, I have knit this pattern several time and have enjoyed it each time.

I am using yarn I had i my stash Opal Rain forest Fish. I didn't know how it would look but its turning out well. I am going to do a short row heel.

I'll type more later on another day Tony's home from work and wants food, like its the only thing I have to do fed him.

So keep those sticks a workin on those socks. Bye for now

Knitting Update and Life

Las Vegas

We're back from Las Vegas and trying to return to normal. Vegas was fun and the best part it was warm. The sun was shining and it was warm. It felt so good. The only draw back was I found out I'm very allergic to cigarette smoke and you can't get away from in there it every where. So when I got home, I sound like I have a cold, my sinuses are all plugged up my voice is squeaking, I have the worst sore throat and a cough. But I'm now feeling better, just have a slight cough.

Socks

I have finished my Chocolatiers Nutkins, yarn by Hazel Knits, I LOVE this yarn. It knits so smoothly. I found that I haven't had any problems with it, it doesn't split like other yarn when you drop a stitch and try to pick it up. The color was fun to knit I really enjoyed to knit in browns which isn't one of my favorite colors but I do love chocolate. It reminds me of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and chocolate with a touch of caramel some of my favorite flavors for chocolate. I have been working on a pair of socks for Micheal he picked out the yarn from Hazel Knits "Home Team" the colorway is of the Seahawks our football team. I've got one done and am working on the second one I have done other project in between.

I did a test knitting for Woolgirl, I just had to make one sock and the best part was I got to use Hazel Knits yarn once again. This time the colorway was her "Chuckanut Drive". The pattern was simple and knit up very nicely I enjoyed it. Jen wanted to see how the pattern would look in this yarn.

Right now I'm test knitting a pattern for Carin Boelman, her pattern is a test knit on the pattern, her pattern is called "Little Mermaid", I am using Pagewood Farm Hand Dyed Sock Yarn in Ireland colorway. The yarn is Merino/Bamboo/Nylon (70/20/10) the colors are a mix of greens I thought that it might look good since mermaids bodies are green? I don't know how I feel about the pattern its not one I would knit for myself. But it is fun to test knit for others.

Woolgirl Sock Club

February's Sock Club was the best. I can't say enough Jen out did herself once again. WOW is all I thought. The yarn is by Zen Yarn Garden, an exclusive semi-solid colorway for woolgirl "Blush".The color is perfect for Valentines Day. We also got 2 patterns Blush A twisty heart cable pattern designed by Alina Egerman and Love in the First Degree, for those that don't like cables. An adorable stitch marker, a stitch marker tin, filled with Cupid mix M&M's. We also received a cute heart project bag, they are so spacious, waterproof, and have straps to carry it on my back. Why did I have it when we went to Vegas my socks could have traveled all over with me.

Home Front

Tony started his new job this week. So far he likes it come home a little overwhelmed but over all he is enjoying it. He is running the catering department, he gets to book all the parties but that is what he loves to do.

I'm working 3 days a week but need to go out and look for a new job. I just don't know what I want to do. I think I want out of the restaurants and try something different. I just don't know what.

Micheal is now engaged to his girlfriend, Abby. They are going to have a long engagement, she has to finish high school and she wants to be a dental tec. When she is done with school they will be getting married. Lets hope they have a LONG engagement and no kids before that. He's working a Northwood Casino and hates it, he works graveyard so he's out looking for a new job.

Christopher is studying hard at school, he is working on his Honda Civic its about to be painted.Here's a picture of what it kinda looks like, now it has the door on it and it looks much better now. Everyday it looks better.

Sock Yarn

I've bought some more yarn from "SockPixie" you have to see her yarns they are gorgeous.

Her color are unbelievable. I wasn't going to buy but I couldn't help myself. The first one is called "The Bolt" and "Penette" these two yarns were taken from a group of paintings she has some wonderful colorways. Check her blog out sockpixie.blogspot.com you can buy from her site.

Have a great weekend and I'll try to be better at blogging. So keep those sticks clicking and those sock coming off the needles.