The Toe Up Socks Complete!

Here's a picture of my finally completed toe-up socks.
You can read about their progress in several posts below.




On to swatching for my next pair of Socks that Rock Socks! It's nice to have a few days off from work to get these things done!

The Toe Up Socks Complete!

Here's a picture of my finally completed toe-up socks.
You can read about their progress in several posts below.




On to swatching for my next pair of Socks that Rock Socks! It's nice to have a few days off from work to get these things done!

Happy Holidays!

As my family completed its celebration of Hanukkah, and settled down for some relaxing down time while others were celebrating Christmas, I made some good progress on my current projects.

First, I finished the Red Scarf for The Red Scarf Project. I will now send it, along with a Wavy Scarf from Knitty that I'd made previously, in to the Project in early January. This is one of my only charity knitting offerings and I'm very pleased with the way both scarves came out, not to mention the cause for which they were made. This definitely put me in the holiday spirit!


Today, on an hour-long car trip to enjoy some R&R with friends and neighbors, I finished the toe-up stockinette socks I've been working on for my daughter, in the beautiful Fearless Fibers sock yarn. The second sock was a lot easier than the first, but I think I will go back to cuff-down from here on in. Speaking of socks, I got the first skein from Sundara's Petals Collection yesterday. It's a gorgeous skein in shades of grey, called Lenten Rose. I will probably use another pattern other than the very lacy one that came with the yarn, but the skein is exquisite, and Sundara's packaging is beautiful and shows a great sense of style. I am looking forward to being part of this sock club. I have resisted, however, joining a third sock yarn club, that of Sunshine Yarns, although her yarns look absolutely scrumptious. I am really trying to work through my stash, and my sock yarn stash is definitely growing!

Next up on the sock needles: I'll be swatching and casting on for Titania's Revenge, with Socks that Rock's gorgeous Titania colorway. This yarn came back in the summer, so you can see how far behind I am!

I am also making progress on my Pink Suede Jacket. This is one of those projects--since the jacket (other than the sleeves) is knit all in one piece--where I am not sure if and how it will fit when it's done. Right now, the focus is on finishing it so I can move on to some of the other projects that await.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

As my family completed its celebration of Hanukkah, and settled down for some relaxing down time while others were celebrating Christmas, I made some good progress on my current projects.

First, I finished the Red Scarf for The Red Scarf Project. I will now send it, along with a Wavy Scarf from Knitty that I'd made previously, in to the Project in early January. This is one of my only charity knitting offerings and I'm very pleased with the way both scarves came out, not to mention the cause for which they were made. This definitely put me in the holiday spirit!


Today, on an hour-long car trip to enjoy some R&R with friends and neighbors, I finished the toe-up stockinette socks I've been working on for my daughter, in the beautiful Fearless Fibers sock yarn. The second sock was a lot easier than the first, but I think I will go back to cuff-down from here on in. Speaking of socks, I got the first skein from Sundara's Petals Collection yesterday. It's a gorgeous skein in shades of grey, called Lenten Rose. I will probably use another pattern other than the very lacy one that came with the yarn, but the skein is exquisite, and Sundara's packaging is beautiful and shows a great sense of style. I am looking forward to being part of this sock club. I have resisted, however, joining a third sock yarn club, that of Sunshine Yarns, although her yarns look absolutely scrumptious. I am really trying to work through my stash, and my sock yarn stash is definitely growing!

Next up on the sock needles: I'll be swatching and casting on for Titania's Revenge, with Socks that Rock's gorgeous Titania colorway. This yarn came back in the summer, so you can see how far behind I am!

I am also making progress on my Pink Suede Jacket. This is one of those projects--since the jacket (other than the sleeves) is knit all in one piece--where I am not sure if and how it will fit when it's done. Right now, the focus is on finishing it so I can move on to some of the other projects that await.

Happy Holidays!

Knit From Your Stash 2007: Count Me In!

I've been reading on Wendy's blog about "Knit from Your Stash 2007." This is a great New Year's Resolution for me--I'm going to do it! It should be pretty easy, given the stash I built up at Stitches East in November, and given the exemption for sock yarn, I'm in great shape!



Incidentally, today's package from the Socks that Rock Club is absolutely beautiful! I love the little graduation certificate we each received for completing the 2006 Sock Club, although having made just two pair from STR yarn so far, I'm considered a "Hopeful Sock Knitter!" I feel OK about that, given that I've made several other pairs of socks using other yarn. One of the new STR patterns even involves knitting with beads, which is something I had just mentioned I want to try.

There are definitely enought projects to keep me "Knitting from My Stash."

Knit From Your Stash 2007: Count Me In!

I've been reading on Wendy's blog about "Knit from Your Stash 2007." This is a great New Year's Resolution for me--I'm going to do it! It should be pretty easy, given the stash I built up at Stitches East in November, and given the exemption for sock yarn, I'm in great shape!



Incidentally, today's package from the Socks that Rock Club is absolutely beautiful! I love the little graduation certificate we each received for completing the 2006 Sock Club, although having made just two pair from STR yarn so far, I'm considered a "Hopeful Sock Knitter!" I feel OK about that, given that I've made several other pairs of socks using other yarn. One of the new STR patterns even involves knitting with beads, which is something I had just mentioned I want to try.

There are definitely enought projects to keep me "Knitting from My Stash."

Slow Progress

I feel like I have made some progress on my projects this week--I finished the first of my toe-up socks, and even added a cute little picot edge (althought it was curling under like crazy, until I think I steamed the curl out of it for good!)I'm pretty happy with it, what do you think:

I have now completed the "Easy Toe" with the provisional cast-on for the second sock and it went much easier than with the first one--so I guess I really am learning something from these socks. It also looks like I'll have quite a bit of sock yarn left, so I may make the FIngerless Garter Mitts from "One Skein," using the beads as they suggest. Just another thing to add to my "To Knit" list--although I did buy a beading needle today in anticipation!
Speaking of projects to come, I hear that the next skein in the "Rockin Sock Club" is on its way--even though it will be months before I get to it, I'm excited to see it!
One more observation for this week--I've been trying to work more on my Red Scarf, as December is halfway over and it will be January, the due date for the scarf, before I know it.
Here's what a piece of it looks like; I currently have about 30 inches done.

The Ann Budd "Ribbed Scarf with a Twist" pattern is rhythmic and relaxing, but it has taken me a while to memorize even this simple pattern, because this has been such a start and stop project. So I've observed that working on a project more frequently (which really means not having several things going at once) allows you to memorize the pattern and make the knitting more relaxing. Which is something we all need, right?
Happy Hanukkah, everyone!

Slow Progress

I feel like I have made some progress on my projects this week--I finished the first of my toe-up socks, and even added a cute little picot edge (althought it was curling under like crazy, until I think I steamed the curl out of it for good!)I'm pretty happy with it, what do you think:

I have now completed the "Easy Toe" with the provisional cast-on for the second sock and it went much easier than with the first one--so I guess I really am learning something from these socks. It also looks like I'll have quite a bit of sock yarn left, so I may make the FIngerless Garter Mitts from "One Skein," using the beads as they suggest. Just another thing to add to my "To Knit" list--although I did buy a beading needle today in anticipation!
Speaking of projects to come, I hear that the next skein in the "Rockin Sock Club" is on its way--even though it will be months before I get to it, I'm excited to see it!
One more observation for this week--I've been trying to work more on my Red Scarf, as December is halfway over and it will be January, the due date for the scarf, before I know it.
Here's what a piece of it looks like; I currently have about 30 inches done.

The Ann Budd "Ribbed Scarf with a Twist" pattern is rhythmic and relaxing, but it has taken me a while to memorize even this simple pattern, because this has been such a start and stop project. So I've observed that working on a project more frequently (which really means not having several things going at once) allows you to memorize the pattern and make the knitting more relaxing. Which is something we all need, right?
Happy Hanukkah, everyone!

A Learning Opportunity

I've spent quite a bit of time on my toe-up socks this week. I won't exactly call them Widdershins anymore, because I've deviated from the pattern, using other toe-up sock "recipes" to guide me. I decided to use the simple Short-Row Heel method from Sensational Knitted Socks. Charlene Schurch's directions continue to be among the clearest around (in my opinion), and the fact that she has you use markers to help with the Short-Rowing was a great aid to me. I have now turned the heel and am ready to start up the leg:



I'll have to measure the sock on my daughter once I knit enough for her to try on.
I knit the heel with size 0 needles (I'm doing the body of the sock on 1's), and I think the 0 might have given a tighter, less open, feel. I might consider switching to 0's for Sock #2...although that might be a bit weird.
So far, I must say my experimenting with toe-up socks has led me to the conclusion that I prefer top-down! But I always wanted to try this method, so I'm glad I did. Lots of new learning here.
I am already in love with "Monkey," Cookie A.'s new socks on the brand-new edition of Knitty.com. I love her patterns, but may just love this one best. Can't wait to make it!
I have completely neglected my Pink Suede Jacket. I may go back to it a bit this weekend, as I'm itching to start some of my new projects (Yarn bought at Stiches East, etc.) but I won't start something new until this jacket is DONE!

A Learning Opportunity

I've spent quite a bit of time on my toe-up socks this week. I won't exactly call them Widdershins anymore, because I've deviated from the pattern, using other toe-up sock "recipes" to guide me. I decided to use the simple Short-Row Heel method from Sensational Knitted Socks. Charlene Schurch's directions continue to be among the clearest around (in my opinion), and the fact that she has you use markers to help with the Short-Rowing was a great aid to me. I have now turned the heel and am ready to start up the leg:



I'll have to measure the sock on my daughter once I knit enough for her to try on.
I knit the heel with size 0 needles (I'm doing the body of the sock on 1's), and I think the 0 might have given a tighter, less open, feel. I might consider switching to 0's for Sock #2...although that might be a bit weird.
So far, I must say my experimenting with toe-up socks has led me to the conclusion that I prefer top-down! But I always wanted to try this method, so I'm glad I did. Lots of new learning here.
I am already in love with "Monkey," Cookie A.'s new socks on the brand-new edition of Knitty.com. I love her patterns, but may just love this one best. Can't wait to make it!
I have completely neglected my Pink Suede Jacket. I may go back to it a bit this weekend, as I'm itching to start some of my new projects (Yarn bought at Stiches East, etc.) but I won't start something new until this jacket is DONE!

Tenacious S! (Socks, That Is)

I finished my Embossed corded Rib Socks, made out of the Socks that Rock Peaseblossom. I do like how they turned out, although there is a lot of pooling...I guess it's to be expected. They fit well and that STR yarn is COMFY!


My darling daughter, who just turned 14 yesterday (Happy Birthday, Honey!) has asked me to knit her socks for the first time. Yay! We ordered a lovely skein of Fearless Fibers sock yarn in the pretty blue "Sky and Clouds" Colorway.

The request was for a simple pair of socks, just stockinette. As there wouldn't be much challenge there, I decided to try knitting the socks from the toe up--something I haven't done yet in the 5 pair of socks I've completed. I had the Knitty Widdershins pattern and thought I'd give it a try.

WELL...last night I tried "Judy's Magic Cast On," which is what is recommended in the pattern. Couldn't do it. Then I went to Sensational Knitted Socks and tried almost all of the toe-up cast-ons suggested there. No go. My needles kept slipping, the stitches were twisting...you name it. This morning, I tried again, and found a great site on Knitty where Wendy offers several variations on the toe-up cast-on. While I was shying away from the ones that used a provisional cast on--since I'd not done that yet either--she noted that the one using this method was very easy. So I gave it a shot--and it finally worked! I even unzipped that provisional cast-on like a dream--what a thrill!!


I am now almost done with the toe and while it was definitely awkward at the beginning, it is now getting much easier and I think knitting the socks toe-up will make it much easier to achieve a perfect fit for my girl! I'm proud of myself for persevering; now when I see patterns written toe-up, I won't skip over them, thinking I can't do it. We'll see how the rest of the sock goes...

I am also plodding along on my Red Scarf Project Scarf (which I'm enjoying) and hope to finish it on time. My Pink Suede Jacket is getting less fun--I think I am coming to the conclusion that I much prefer knitting with wool or cotton than some type of synthetic. But I will finish it, in time.

Tenacious S! (Socks, That Is)

I finished my Embossed corded Rib Socks, made out of the Socks that Rock Peaseblossom. I do like how they turned out, although there is a lot of pooling...I guess it's to be expected. They fit well and that STR yarn is COMFY!


My darling daughter, who just turned 14 yesterday (Happy Birthday, Honey!) has asked me to knit her socks for the first time. Yay! We ordered a lovely skein of Fearless Fibers sock yarn in the pretty blue "Sky and Clouds" Colorway.

The request was for a simple pair of socks, just stockinette. As there wouldn't be much challenge there, I decided to try knitting the socks from the toe up--something I haven't done yet in the 5 pair of socks I've completed. I had the Knitty Widdershins pattern and thought I'd give it a try.

WELL...last night I tried "Judy's Magic Cast On," which is what is recommended in the pattern. Couldn't do it. Then I went to Sensational Knitted Socks and tried almost all of the toe-up cast-ons suggested there. No go. My needles kept slipping, the stitches were twisting...you name it. This morning, I tried again, and found a great site on Knitty where Wendy offers several variations on the toe-up cast-on. While I was shying away from the ones that used a provisional cast on--since I'd not done that yet either--she noted that the one using this method was very easy. So I gave it a shot--and it finally worked! I even unzipped that provisional cast-on like a dream--what a thrill!!


I am now almost done with the toe and while it was definitely awkward at the beginning, it is now getting much easier and I think knitting the socks toe-up will make it much easier to achieve a perfect fit for my girl! I'm proud of myself for persevering; now when I see patterns written toe-up, I won't skip over them, thinking I can't do it. We'll see how the rest of the sock goes...

I am also plodding along on my Red Scarf Project Scarf (which I'm enjoying) and hope to finish it on time. My Pink Suede Jacket is getting less fun--I think I am coming to the conclusion that I much prefer knitting with wool or cotton than some type of synthetic. But I will finish it, in time.