Wip Wednesday: Socks for the Man

Last year I started a pair of socks for my husband.  I felt it was time to knit him a pair because I know he will appreciate them and he does keep me in fiber and fiber tools.



 I started them at the end of September to be exact. The good news is I have turned the heel.



I have many reasons why they aren't done yet.  None of them are good reasons so I will spare you the details.  I predict they will be done by the end of the month.

Crazy Blanket

I started My Crazy Blanket in October 2009. I'm only using yarn leftovers or yarn I have dyed myself and the bits of handspun that's the right weight. I'm trying not worry about colors and and any particular sequence. This is very hard for my symmetry and color coding tendency. I'm not all that patient either.



My first go around was a fail as some of the yarns were too bulky so it came out kinds of wavy. I was trying to go with the flow but just couldn't manage it. So I started over.



Phew, much better.



This is where I was in December of 2009. Oddly enough just as it start warming up I've been motivated to work on it some. I picked it up again at the ned of april I have completed a few more blocks.



Even though long term projects are hard for me, I'm considering a similar blanket with sock weight yarn. See what I mean. Crazy!

Mad spinning

Since I finally managed to knit and crochet down most of the yarn stash. Someday I need to show you all what I have been making. What I feel most proud about is all the spinning have been doing. I've been spinning so much that my legs are sore. Really it's true.



Doesn't it look lovely. I started a shawl with some of it last night while sipping a beer with some fiber friends. I needed that beer!



It will be the 3 corner shawl from The Intentional Spinner.

WIP Wednesday

Another pair of mittens. I'm using the Basic House Mitten pattern from Charmed Knits and some cascade quatro in purple. Can you tell I like purple?




A granny ghan, I'm getting there. I was here just a few weeks ago


and now I'm here

I only have a few more rows to do and weave in some ends. Most of it was made using stash but then I bought more to finish. Now what to do with the yarn left over?

Autumn Romance pullover.


Is actually a UFO, as in unfinished object, since I have worked on it for months. It's time to get on it. The spring weather will be perfect to wear it.

Since I am almost done with this cardigan I have the time.


This is the same pattern as my heathered purple cardigan. I made the neck a bit higher. I'm not going to add buttons but make a button clasp like the ones in Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan. I'm a bit disappointed with this as it's a bit too small. I'm planning to block it a bit more so hopefully it will grow a bit and dear daughter can wear it for more a than a few months.

This afghan is done all except for the the ends that need weaving in. It will be for another niece expecting a baby this month. She's in the Navy so the colors are appropriate, yes?


A doily that hasn't been touched for months.

I got a question about the thread spool. I found it a kitchen supply store and it's a stainless steel meat pounder. It works great as a thread spool.

WIP Wednesday

I need to get centered here. I have too many projects on the hooks and needles. At that same time I'm itching to start some new projects. It has to do with current project angst or it could also be finished project remorse, when I finished my daughters mittens. When I finish a project I feel elated and sad at the same time. I could go and work on my wips but there is something so much more exciting about starting something new.

I digress and need not digress as I have much to do.

So here's the list:

Crochet:

• I started some fingerless gloves for myself last night using some Paton's SWS leftovers in my stash.
• A thread book mark I can't find the pattern to finish so I may just need to wing it.
• A thread skull motif that my son could sew to a bag or shirt or something. Only the ends need to be woven in. I hate weaving in ends.
• A thread ornament just the last round needs doing.
• The Delightful Doily in Simply Delightful by Patricia Kristoffersen. I started few weeks ago just because. It's a bit fussy though because I'm using #20 thread and a size 9 hook and I'm not used to working that small.
• A granny babyghan for one of my nieces who is pregnant.
• Another Suzanne Sweater from Cool Crochet by Melissa Leapman for dear daughter. I'm almost to the shaping on the fronts and back then plan to start on the sleeves.
• Autumn Lace Pullover for me.
• A pair of socks I frogged the cuff so I cna re-do it and it will fit better.
• A totoro hat, I need to redo the ears they are to skinny.
  

Knit:

• I just frogged the toes of my second pair of knit socks that was too short so I can make them longer and wear them.
• The Big Sack Sweater from the Stitch-N-Bitch Hand Book. I'm to the shaping of the shoulders of the back and want to cast for the front, there will be cables involved.

What do I want to do instead?

• Start on another baby blanket so I can test a baby blanket I designed. I want make a bib to match so I would work on that too.
• Go buy some lace yarn and start my first lace knit project.
• Dye the yarn I spun and make something with it.
• My son would like that I start him a hoodie and I'd like that too.
• Spin some more yarn. I did dome some this weekend. So maybe that's another wip.
• I've seen some really cute holiday patterns for ornaments and decorations that I've wanted to do too. I haven't made any crocheted snowflakes this winter, very sad.

This is just my fiber lists of to do. This doesn't count what's left to do for the holidays and the laundry that needs doing and the dishes that need washing. If you are curious you can see what I got done on my list yesterday, the things I finished are in bold.

Today there are errands and and errands to do. I better get to work. Nah, I think I'll have a cup of tea first.

Quinn Cable Bag - Progress

shows one pattern repeat

I finished one pattern repeat a few days ago and another last night. I'm using Vanna's new yarn because I really liked the color, the price was right, and I wanted to see how it would work up. It's working fine but wonder if I should have used wool so it could be blocked.

So I can keep track of my place in the pattern, I color coded the odd rows orange and the even rows green. I cut and taped the chart symbols to just below the pattern so I could refer to them. I placed the pattern in a plastic sleeve so I can use my orange and green! dry erase markers to mark of each row as I knit them.

So far so good. Oh yeah, you can find the pattern right here.

New stuff and not so new stuff

Last week I spoiled myself with lots of knitting tools and accessories.



I don't know when I will get to the lovely cables sweaters in this book but some day. This book was worth it on eye candy alone. I picked it up at Half Price books for a pretty good deal. The designs are outstanding but the sizes in the books are outdated. So to make a sweater that will fit me and not look like a tent I will make the smalls! I bought the doily booklet with a %40 off coupon at Hobby Lobby.

I tried casting on for the doily but kept losing the needles form the work and the wrap kept disappearing so I plan to use the magic loop method for this and see how it goes.

Along with the doily book I got all of the goodies below, they were all on sale %50 off. I love getting a deal. Now, I have enough double pointed needles to make anything I want. I also purchased: needle point protectors that's those little things that look like socks. The little things that look like sweaters hold your needles together when you aren't working on a project. I also picked up a row counter and cable needles.



I knit this book mark a while back ago using #2 needles and #10 thread. I found the pattern for it here. I think it's pattern #2.



The last few days I have not picked up my needles or my hooks. Yesterday, I gave finger knitting a try. Check out this you tube video here of a little girl finger knitting it's a great tutorial for the process. I didn't take pictures yet but I made a few boas using some left over fun fur type yarn I had around. They could be a great way to get in touch with you inner diva.

Then after reading yet another post about Hairpin Lace I finally picked up my hairpin lace tool and loaded up this video tutorial here and started. It took a few false starts but I got the knack of it and like how it looks. I really want to make the Seafoam Skirt here. You will need to scroll down to see it.




I plan to make a scarf with this. As long as I have enough left over I will also make a hat to go with it that will have a band or two of hairpin lace.

I may not have been posting but I have been busy...

This week I've been doing lots of cleaning. I'm trying to get better at keep things clean AGAIN. I love the results but I have never been good at keeping up with it but here's to keeping up with it this time!

I've been de-cluttering like crazy. I have loads of stuff to take to the thrift store and I have been brutal in that I'm even throwing things away that have no use, things that I'd be embarrassed to give them away. I'm de-stashing yarn and fabric. I've decided I'm a yarn geek not a sewing geek although I can sew and do sometimes, it's more on an as needed basis than a love. I now admit to being a yarn snob. I won't refuse some acrylic if it's colors I love because acrylics do have benefits. I love yarns that drape and feel lovely to touch.

Now that I have made some room, I made myself a spinning corner in the living room.


Just above the chair you can see some recycled sweaters bags I finished a few weeks ago. They are a bit warm for the summer, but I will love using them this fall and winter to hold works in progress.



A current crocheting project in some absolutely divine yarn, Frog Tree Alpaca. It will be a spiral shawl.



Neither of these gets across the color very well but does show what it looks like in different lighting.

too many wips ...

too many works in progress (wips) that is.

I say I have too many wips and I just might because I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. But truly I like having several projects to work on because they each have their place. If I'm bred with one I pick up another. I'm know to start another project, usually small ones in between all this too. Did you see all the dish cloths I made? I've been working on those more than these lately.

Like my crocheted sweater has some patterning to it and needs some attention so it good for quite time at home. This is the Suzanne Hoodie from Cool Crochet by Melissa Leapman. I making out of a heathered purple yarn wool yarn by Cascade. The pic really doesn't do the yarn color justice.


The Harry Potter scarf is great for car knitting (I'm not the one driving, I promise!) I like taking to homeschool group too. I got lots done on this visiting the in laws.


The socks in progress I'm doing a basic knit on the foot so they are also good out for an about project. I keep these in my purse for emergency knitting ie. the kids are taking forever at the library or at the grocery store. I got some done on these this weekend too.


I have the ripple gahn but it's unlikely I will do much on it until it gets cool again.



I also have some thread grannies and yarn grannies I'm doing. I see these as long term use up the stash projects. The ripple ghan is like that too.

This doll spiral blanket I really need to finish. I know my daughter will love it because she picked out the colors. I have a hard time working on it because it just doesn't excite me at all. I will persevere.



I crocheting this lovely Chrysanthemum Shawl from Amazing Crocheted Lace. I'm not far from finished. I'm using Soy Silk yarn from Southwest Trading Co. It is divine. Been working on this today.


The exchange bag from Happy Hooker. It's made from nylon yarn from omega. I'm not really a bag/purse person but I love the looks of this so I had to make it.


See this afghan, blockas are from 200 crochet block by Jan Eaton, I *still* have not woven in all the ends.

my first pair of knit socks

I used baby weight yarn from my stash and #3 dpns (double pointed knitting needles.) I followed this tutorial here. I made loads of mistakes but they fit!

Most of my mistakes were due to not reading the tutorial carefully. When doing the gusset I didn't alternate knit rounds with the shaping rounds and I forgot to do it with one sock on the toe shaping. Grafting the toes was tricky but I got the hang if about halfway through the second sock.

A sneak peak of my progress on the Harry Potter Scarf:

Shhh don't tell my crochet friends...

I'm knitting!



This is the first 10 rows or so of a Gryfindor scarf, from the Prisoners of Azkaban. I'm making it for dh. You can find the info to make it here. He's helped me get started on it this weekend. My dear husband is the first knitter in our little family. My dd does okay but hasn;t the patience to get going. I've tried and tried several time to get the hang of knitting and felt like all thumbs so I kept turning back to my hooks and books. This weekend my mind and body were in sync and I can do it. Not very well but I can do it.

I'm giddy can you tell?

Funks and Fiber Fun

I'm in a funk not much of a fiber funk as I have been busy along that front.

I've been working on this lapghan from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks. I used el cheap Read Heart Super Saver 'cause in my house easy washing is necessary and an I/5.5mm hook. The book recommends dk weight yarn and i want to make one in dk some day. It would be more delicate.



I've been working on it for a month or so. I've had the darndest time figuring out how to join it. I have sewn and crochet and unsewn and ripped out may ways and finally settle on what you see here. I still not entirely pleased with the result but it is growing on me.



Joining squares challenges my desire for perfection and they don't sew up neatly like quilt blocks. So I'm learning to appreciate that.

I've made up a few more thread grannies as well.


There is something so therapeutic in this basic square. I need therapeutic lately. I am in a funk. I 'm trying find my way out of it. The sunshine is sure helping but still I am not inspired in parts of my life I want to be inspired. I'm inspired to the point of overwhelm fiberwise. I want to learn how to spin and knit! I have a crochet pattern library that is insane. Where will ever find the time???

I love it all. At the same time I am in a rut, my kids are calling for me and I'm not answering like I think I should. They aren't being ignored but I'm not all there either. I need to find some some kind of balance but that's not the right word. Well, now I have said it I hope that makes it real and reminds myself to get working all parts of my life not just the fiber part.

Crochet Along Fun

I'm really inspired by the amazing hookin' on a few virtual crochet alongs : a ripple one and a granny one. So I'm going to play too.

Here what I've got so far for my ripple just a swatch:


I'm using a pattern from Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet, ww yarn and an I/5.5mm hook. I plan to use my stash and get out of my color comfort zone too.

My first motif for the Granny Along:



I'm making my traditional grannies out of #10 thread from my stash. I'm working on a stained glass motif. I still don't know what I will make with them yet it could be a shawl, a bag or even a table cloth.

All things cute

I've been crocheting lots. I'm quite obsessed. I'm working on bookmarks, snowflakes and squares for two different afghans.


Can you tell I like purple?

I took a break yesterday from afghans and other things to make a few ornaments. I'll be ready for the holidays this year, I will! Here is the cuteness. I just love these little and not so little buggers.


Made with #10 thread and a #6 steel hook





Made with worsted weight yarn and an F hook.

I used a free pattern you can find here, designed by same designer of the Amineko amigurumi I shared earlier. It's a Japanese pattern which I used babble fish to translate.

Socks - a little further along

Socks - a little further along
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

My socks are movin' along a bit more. I have the next task to complete for the crochet along. I just need to decide how I want to go about it. I found when I did the grafton fibers toe-up sock pattern when I got to the heal I need it to be a bit more roomy.

So do I make a longer chain than suggested or do I add a few more rows then make the chain?

more socks - the beginning

more socks - the beginning
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I'm working on a Sock CAL for CGOA members. I got this far then after doing part of the next task I decided to frog back to the beginning. I just didn't like how roomy the socks were at the toes. I was worried they would be even roomier if I kept going.

The pattern suggested I end with a certain number of stitches which didn't make sense to me if I want the pattern to fit my feet.

The gauge required was 13sc/2inch which is about 6.5 sc/inch. I measured my foot just under the toes and got about 8.5inch around. So that got me about 55sc needed to fit my foot. I decided if I ended with 54 sc I would get a snug fit and the sock will stretch.

54sc is just about what I ended up with when I did the grafton fibers toe up sock. I also changed how I did the increases. I did increases w/o a sc in between them which I think makes a tighter fit.

I hope I'm right.

Socks - just one so far

I was wanting something new to try and decided to make my first pair of crocheted socks.

I used a Toe Up Sock pattern that I found here
I used an E hook and Sockotta yarn. I don't have color code any more sorry!

The pattern was fairly easy to follow. A few tips that weren't shared in the pattern:

Do not join rounds (work in a spiral) if you join rounds you get a ridge that could feel uncomfortable. ( I did join rounds when I did the cuff part because I was doing some dc)

When I started the heal I joined the yarn in the heal opening in the second stitch from one "corners" (with the right side facing me.) I don't think it matters which one. Then did a decrease on that side then a decrease on the other side. I hope that makes sense. I might try and get a simple drawing up so it will be clearer. I plan on making another pair socks that does the same kind of heal so I can take pics of that. There are more pics of making the socks on my flickr pages just click on the flickr badge in the side bar and look in my crochet folder.

The beginning:


When you get to the heel/cuff part she suggests you divide in half the number of sc stitches you have to get number of the chains you make. I did that and thought it was too tight. I did a few more chains. So I recommend you try the sock on at that point to see how easy you think it will be to get on and off.



I think this pattern is really easy to do and works up quick but if your are new to crochet it might be a little confusing until you play with it a bit. I like how I can make the basic sock part with single crochet then do some fun stitch experimenting for the cuff. My sock fits nicely. It will fit even better after it's been washed (I hope!)

A close-up of the sock cuff. I use fpdc and a cluster dc. If I do this pattern again I might switch it around and do the cluster stitch first then do the post stitch. The fpdc stitch kind of mimics knit ribbing.




The finished sock