Wrap that was a Pair of Socks

Wrap that was a Pair of Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

Presto! It's done. And in plenty of time. And with yarn left over.

SUCCESS!

Change in Project

When I first began knitting I made a shawl. It was horrible and there were dropped stitches everywhere and it looked like crap. So a few months later I ripped it apart and made what are now one of my favorite pair of socks from the yarn.

On Thursday night I started some socks. There were going along just fine and then last night at Sit 'n Knit I saw an entire row on the sole of both that was weird. I tried fixing it. I dropped all the stitches back. I ripped back and picked up the stitches. I realized I wasn't going to be happy with them.

This morning I ripped the socks out and started a wrap with the yarn. This is now the "Wrap That Was a Pair of Socks" project.

Socks in Two Days?

You bet your sweet cheeks! Yesterday morning I realized I had a knitted gifts I needed to have done, by, oh, Monday.....

I was going to make a wrap with bulky yarn and big ass needles then I realized I can spend less on the yarn and really am much better with socks than most off the cuff (HA!) projects. I picked this yarn up at lunch.

Last night at 7 PM, I plopped myself down under some good light, flicked on the TV to watch the ER special and series finale and the news through the weather forecast and knocked out a LOT of sock. I'm almost done with the gusset increase and am really confident that I'll get these done in just another few hours:

Loppem Coming Along!

I divided for the sleeves last night and am really hoping that the bottom edge curl will block out. I have never blocked superwash wool....nervous...nervous....

I'm trying to get this sweater done to take with me on a quick weekend trip to visit my parents in a few weeks. It won't be a problem if I'd stop being distracted by other things such as life and work and just work on it. But don't I say that about every project? (laugh)

I also picked out some yarn from my stash to make the Anastasia Socks (Ravelry Link). I have admired these socks for a long time and the pattern keeps resurfacing in front of me, so they are the next on the needle.

My lovely husband also asked when I would be starting the Aran sweater he wants. I told him I knew I didn't have enough yarn in my stash for this. His answer said in an incredulous tone, "what, we can't get yarn?" I love him.

a kilt AND a tiara!

a kilt AND a tiara!
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

This photo is for my friend Marsha -- enjoy!

Loppem Sweater

Loppem Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

Started this last weekend. Lovely husband just asked if this was for him...I don't think a cable front cap sleeved cardi is quite his "look".

Nothing to do with knitting...

Pixel - 03-26-09
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

Here's my nutty boxer boy playing in the snow with his big tennis ball.

Casting on for a new project

Since I am pretty much monogomus knitter, I'm excited to be wearing my Pomotomus socks this morning so I can cast on for the Loppem cardi tonight! I'm currently crusing through Ravelry checking for the errata and comments from others who have made this pattern. (Can you tell I've learned my lesson from past frustrations?)

Pomatomus Socks - Done

Pomatomus Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

WOO! They are done. This photo does NOT do this gorgeous patten any justice at all and I will have to get some natural light photos. These were taken at half six in the morning laying on a rumpled pillow case on top of Pixel's crate in the half dark den with only the can light on.

Very easy pattern, very well written (though I would expect no less from Cookie A.)

Pomatomus Sock Update

I'm on the home stretch and if I'd quit screwing around on the internet they'd already be done - I only have the toe on the second sock to finish up. I *will* finish these tonight. Stay tuned for photos!

We Call Them Pirates Hat

We Call Them Pirates Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

Finally sat down and finished this hat. It's not blocked yet.

Fortunately there was a dip in temperature today and we even got some snow, so my husband will be able to wear it tonight. It's a surprise for him and know he's just going to love it. If he doesn't, he'll be buried in it.

I *LOVE* this wool. It's Lana Grossa Cool Wool 2000 and the stitch definition is amazing. I like the "bounce" to it though the twist made using it for fair isle a little challenging at times.

Knitting away on my 2nd Pomatomus Sock!

The night I cast off for the first Pomatomus sock, I cast on for the second one and knocked out the ribbing. I took to work yesterday and worked on it for a bit during my lunch break and last night managed to work on some at Sit 'n Knit.

This afternoon the boxer puppy and I going over to our friend Mardi's house to visit and knit. Mardi was Pixel's foster mom when he first came into rescue and he lived there for 4 months so it's nice that she still gets to visit with him. He loves to play with her boxers and I'll so appreciate how tired he'll be this evening!

I also restarted the We Call Them Pirates hat. I don't have any photos up on my Ravelry page yet. Since this hat is a surprise for my husband, maybe I'll work on that project today at Mardi's and work on the sock while I'm at home tonight.

KCS4 Package

KCS4 Package
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

Just needs the mailing label printed out and dropped at the post office tomorrow!

woo-hoooooo!

oh for #0*% sake....

It just dawned on me that I have reversed the black and white on the pattern for the We Call Them Pirates hat....it's going to be a white hat with black skull and cross bones.....argh....i'm frogging it. I looked on Ravelry and didn't like the hat I saw with this combo.

But on a happier note, I have started filling a large box with the goodies for my Knitters Coffee Swap 4 pal!

Pomatomus Socks

Pomatomus Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie

Got the heel flap and turn done and then started on the gusset last night. I didn't get as far along as I wanted because I had our older boxer plastered to my side getting snuggles and our 7 month old boxer puppy running laps in the den and stopped every other lap for a quick hug and kiss.

sigh...the things we do to keep our dogs happy.... :)

Pomatmus...or however it's spelled....

I'm plugging away at sock #1 and am trying to not keep thinking about having to knit a second one -- this is totally the reason I like to knit two socks at one with the Magic Loop. Anyway, I'm just finishing up the heel flap and hopefully will get the heel turned, gussets (ugh) picked up and the foot started this evening. I'll try to share a photo in the morning.

Knitter's Coffee Swap 4

QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? We are primarily a whole bean family, but have been known to have ground in the house occasionally.

2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Loaded!

3. Regular or flavored? Both, though I don't do anything cinnamon flavored because I'm allergic to the fake cinnamon syrup used in candies and foods.

4. How do you drink your coffee? In a mug....LOL..

5. Favorite coffee ever? The cup I had sitting on the bed in the room where King Henry the VIII stayed in Glastonbury, England!

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I am not a coffee snob, I like to check out locally owned coffeeshops for their custom beans. I'm not a fan of Starbucks as I prefer to help out the little guys.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Biscottis, cookies, cakes, a good book...

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Nothing that I can think of.

9. Yarn/fiber you love? I like natural fibers.

10. Yarn/fiber you hate? I don't really knit with 100% acrylic or cotton.

11. What's on your needles? socks, socks and some gloves.

12. Favorite colors? Purple, green

13. Allergies? Fake cinnamon flavoring and citronella

14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? O love my husband and my boxer dogs. :)

My husband called me on Saturday in between appointments and asked if I would make a pair of pink baby booties for the wife of one of his customers who just had a little girl.

I used a partial ball of Belle from Universal yarns and the 'One Strand Bootie' pattern. The pattern is a bit vague in parts but once I made the first one the second one was a snap. These are such a quick knit for a quick gift!

Get Your Head OUT OF THE PICTURE

Get Your Head OUT OF THE PICTURE
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

This is what happens when I lay a knitted item on the floor to try to take a photo...

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Encore Socks for a Friend

Made for a Friend, woman's size 8
US 6 needles
Magic Loop Two at a Time, Toe Up
Encore Worsted Yarn
Finished on 02-04-2009

SUPER fast - I forgot how quickly socks made with worsted yarn go! I started the heel turn last night around 7 pm and cast off just after 10 pm.

I saw my husband eyeing them up, so I'm going to have to make him some house socks soon!

Soap Socks

Soap Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

On Friday nights my knitting group meets at the local Panera Bread. We are a loud group who can be a handful. Yet, the staff is awesome to us. The manager always stops by to see what we are doing and occasionally brings us brownies and bread on the house. Two of the other staff are also always so friendly, so my friend Kristina suggested we make each of them a little something.

She is making the cotton washcloths/dish rags and I made these little soap bags.

Super quick and easy knit, each of these took about an hour.

Dirk's Socks

Dirk's Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

My husband practically skipped out the door on his way to work today to show off his new socks. He loves hand knit socks, but the 100% wool socks make his feet sweat so these are JaWool Cotton blend, so we'll see how these work out for him.

He can't decide if he likes hand knit socks more because they fit his feet so well or because the rest of the guys in the shop are so jealous because he's got custom fit socks on. He thinks it's a tie.

On the agenda today to knock out some little lace cotton soap bags and then work on my Pomatomus socks.

Disaster Struck....

I ripped out the socks. The pattern in this yarn was not working outand I knew that once I got to the heel it was going to be too big even for my husband.

So, into the frog pond goes these socks!

Master Number Tibetan Socks

Master Number Tibetan Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Everything was going great, the toes were perfect for me, I love the yarn then....whoops....I realize that the foot is going to be WAY too long for me.

Crap.

All is not lost though, Dirk tried them on last night and they will fit him great. He loved the swirly part. :)

Dirk's Socks

Dirk's Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

They are FINALLY done and I didn't run out of yarn so I will be returning the two skeins that my friend Kristina so generously dug out of her stash for me in case there was a short sock emergency.

White Bella Mittens for Toni

White Bella Mittens for Toni
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

This is my second set of these mittens that I've made as gifts, the next pair is going to be MINE!

Super easy and quick pattern

First Finished Project in 2009

Fish Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I saw this hat on Knitty.com and thought it was hysterical! So, I grabbed up random small balls of yarn from previous projects to get started on it for my husband.

Fun and easy to knit!

Bella's Mitts

Pixel 12-2008
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here's the mitts being modeled. :)

Happy Holidays from the boxer boys!

The Boys 12-25-08
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Bella's Mittens - Twilight

Bella's Mittens - Twilight
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I saw Kristina's pair of these last Friday and fell in love with them. As usual, I did manage to not follow the pattern exactly but at least I made notes on the pattern so that (hopefully) the second mitt will match the first.

Feb Lady Sweater

Feb Lady Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I just realized that I didn't get a photo of this sweater finished! I *love* it, though if I made it again, I'd make a smaller size, decrease the sleeve circumference some and make the body longer.

However, this is going to be one of those sweater that I will reach for again and again!

Feb Lady Sweater

I cast off the second sleeve last night. All it needs now are buttons and a light blocking! Photos to come later tonight!

Feb Lady Sweater

Feb Lady Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Almost done!

Wow, it's been a while since I posted!

I'm down to one final sleeve on my Ultra Alpaca February Lady Sweater -- and I love how it is turning out!! I can't wait to wear it next weekend at my work holiday party.

I'm also plugging away on a plain vanilla stockinette socks for my husband. They are boring me to death, but the pleasure he gets from hand knitted socks makes it all worth it.

I haven't had as much time to knit lately because we have a "foster" puppy from Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue at our house.

And I when I say "foster" I mean that he's already wearing a tag with our name and address. We're also discussing a new name for him -- we've been calling him Pete.

He came with the name "Pixel" but Pixie and Pixel in the same house if tough. He's 18 weeks old and a bundle of boxer energy. Maxwell our 12 year old male boxer is being SUCH a sport about all this. He's corrected the little pooch a few times about jumping around like a spaz, but he's also showing him the ropes around the house -- like how not to crap on the floor, use the dog door, snuggle on the couch....you know all the important doggie duties in the house.

Lady February Sweater

Lady February Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I started this sweater in a gorgeous 100% alpaca from Lonesome Stone, but it was DK weight and I realized it was going to TAKE FOREVER.

So I re-cast on with Ultra Alpaca which is worsted weight and I'm pretty sure I'll have it done in time for my work holiday party on the 6th of December.

The pattern is the February Lady Sweater and it's very simple. (Ravelry Link). I have always enjoyed top down sweaters for the same reason that I like toe up socks -- I have try the project on as I go and adjust as needed.

Natural Dyeing with Alapaca

Natural Dyeing with Alapaca
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I took a class on using natural dyes today and it was so informative. My friend Cecilia was in the class as well, so that made it an even more enjoyable day.

The fiber we used was alpaca from Fiber Inspirations and it was spectacular in it's natural color and then colors made it so vibrant.

Additional photos are in my Flickr account

Sidewinder Socks

Sidewinder Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Take a good look at this sock because I'm ripping it out tonight.

The damn thing is too big for my in the foot even though I made the smallest size.....and it's too tight for my husband. Plus the grafting looks like shit.

The pattern was VERY interesting to to knit though I'm not sure give it another go right away.

Sidewinders

Sidewinders
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

almost done with sock #1, just need to complete the big ass graft....and I just know the stupid sock is going to be to big for me....

I'm going to go ahead and graft it and hope against all odds that it will possibly fit my husband. Last week he was very hopeful that these socks were being made for him. He may get his wish.

Look for an update tomorrow.

Neckwarmer

Neckwarmer
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Good use for left over sock yarn. Pattern from the One Skein book.

Koolhaas Hat

Koolhaas Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Done.

Once I got into the groove of this pattern, it was a piece of cake and went very quickly. As soon as my husband sees it I think I'll get a request to make one in grey.

My world is dimmer...

DCP01778
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Last week, we said goodbye to our sweet little fawn girl, Allie. She was always my ever so patient knitting model, bed warmer, snuggle-bunny and all round wonderful friend.

I am so grateful for the joy she brought into our home in the too short 7.5 years she was with us and I'll never sit on the couch and not miss the feel of her warm little body pressed up against me while I knitted.

Baudelaire Socks

Baudelaire Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Size: Womens shoe size 5.5
Needle size used and type: US 2, 3 & 4 (rather than add increases in the lace pattern, I went up in needle size.
Yarn: Hot pink wool yarn with no label that was gifted to me
Pattern: Cookie A's Baudelaire
Method: Two at a Time -Toe Up
Who the socks are for: Me

DM Fingerless Gloves

DM Fingerless Gloves
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Dirk is so thrilled with his new gloves and I'm thrilled they are finally finished. I can't believe they were so quick to finish and I just let them lay around for a year because I was too lazy to get them done.

If you are curious about the tattoos on his right forearm, they are some of my favorites.

I *love* antique keys so he had the key to my heart put there. It's green because it's my favorite color and the celtic-like scroll work at the top is because I'm Irish. (insert collective "awwwww")

The acorns below the key are similar to the acorns on my right foot...(insert another collective aww......).

I'll have to get a photo of the two large fighting roosters on his left bicep which he picked because I was born in the year of the rooster.

The fingerless gloves have been resurrected....

I started a pair of fingerless gloves for Dirk last November, finished one and then found something else more exciting to work on. He's asked me about a bazillion times about the gloves...

Anyway, I want to go up one needle size for the leg of my Baudelaire socks, so I went to get my no. 3 needle and couldn't find it anywhere. I was convinced someone must have stolen it. (laugh). Then, I remembered the fingerless gloves.....and that is exactly where I found the needle I needed. It goes against all my inner knitting rules to pull a needle out of one project to work on another and I wasn't going to shell out the bucks for a second Addi Turbo, so I am determined to finish the glove so that I can finish my sock.

On Tuesday night while watching the incredibly lame debate, I knocked out about 70% of the second glove. I have three fingers and the thumb to finish. I've got a Pampered Chef party tonight, but I'm planning to take them to knit night tomorrow night so I can have my needle for my socks!

Fiber Intervention

I need yarn like a hole in the head so when I saw the new Palatte samplers with *free* pattern from KnitPicks.com I had to get one ....and it makes no sense NOT to order at least $50.00 of stuff from KnitPicks otherwise you don't get *free* shipping.

So, I tell some friends I need an intervention....

And how do they help me? They take me to a yarn shop WITH A SALE this afternoon.

Nicole and Kristina, I love you both. My husband would hate you, but 1/2 the yarn I picked up today was to make things for him.

Place Sticker on Forehead and Smile....

Allie
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Allie on the couch

Allie on the couch
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

And this is what Allie was doing while Maxwell snoozed in the background.....

Baudelaire Socks

Baudelaire Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Got the heels turned on both socks and am working my way up the leg. This photo is a little blown out colorwise. Though I took better photos, I like this one because Maxwell is snoozing in the background.

Koolhaas Hat Stress

Everything was going well....then I realized I had a significant error about 5 to 6 rows back. And that was 5 to 6 rows back through teeny tiny 1 stitch cables in a variety of directions...

Kristina held my hand over the phone and encouraged me to set it aside and what ever I did not just rip out the whole project.

So, I had a beer, watched some television, sat in the garden, kissed my boxers and then took a fresh look at the hat and started slowly ripping and working my way back to the row that was wrong.

I got everything back where it's supposed to be but then couldn't figure how which row of the 8 stitch repeat I'd ripped back to. So I stuffed the whole project into it's little baggie and moved onto something else.

Maybe later today I'll give another go at it.

Koolhaas Hat

Koolhaas Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I'm on a hat kick right now....

I started and ripped out this hat about a bah-gillian times, but now that I'm in my groove with it and got some tips from my friend, Kristina, it's motoring right along.

I have some errands to run this afternoon, then I'm going to sit on the couch to watch some movies and try to knock this hat out.

Heart Hat

Heart Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I wish it were easier to take a photo of yourself wearing a cute hat and not have the photo make you look like a dork.

This heart hat is to match the heart scarf and it looks adorable when on a head and not laying on the floor to have it's photo taken!

Halley's Comet Hat

Halley's Comet Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Yes, I took a picture of the top of my own head. :)

I made the hat awhile back and wear it all the time. It made with Cascade 220 Quattro which is a wool/cotton blend yarn and I love how it works up.

This pattern was super easy and quick.

Baudelaire Socks

Baudelaire Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I thought I posted this photo already, but it went missing from the blog. I love Cookie A's patterns - they are complex enough to keep my interest without making me want to jab my eyes out with a knitting needle.

Baudelaire Socks

Baudelaire Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Just cruising along on this pattern....

Heart Scarf

Heart Scarf
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Completed this afternoon while watching a movie. Unlike the previous one I made, I did not make two halves and graft in the middle because I was just knitting and knitting and knitting and realized I'd gone to far on the first half.

Sock Meme

When did you learn to knit socks? Shortly after I learned to knit! Socks were the reason I wanted to learn to knit in the first place!

What's the first sock you ever knit? The basic socks from Cat Bordhi's Knitting on Two Circulars book.

Favorite sock pattern? I have my own generic structure that I put various stitch patterns into.

Favorite sock yarn? Wow -- there are WAY too many to choose from!

Favorite needle method? The standard for me is Toe-Up, Two at at Time. And I go 50-5o on short row versus gusset heels.

Favorite sock needles? Addi Turbo 47". My US 2 is usually my "go to" size.

Who do you knit socks for? Me and my husband. My father-in-law and my mother have each also received one pair.

How many pairs have you knitted to date? Quite a few, I'd have to count to be sure, but I'm guessing about 25 to 30?

What's on your sock knitting to-do list? My queue at Ravelry is ever growing...

What kind of socks do you like to knit -
Striped? Used to be a huge fan of self-striping yarn, but lately it's lost it's charm for me.
Colorwork? My third pair of socks were fair isle....I learned a ton!!!...and surprisingly they turned out pretty good! Look at them on Ravelry!
Plain stockinette? I don't think I ever have!
Cabled? Not yet, in the queue.
Lace? Yes.
Anklets? Yes, and footies, too.
Knee socks? Not yet.
Solid colors? My current choice in sock yarn.
Bright & crazy? Yes.
Faux-Fair Isle? Yes, I loved this sock yarn when I started socks.

Tag a few sock knitters here ~ Anyone who wants to play along and/or also has nothing to share.

Finished Result: Rinsed Hibiscus Dyed Merino

Rinsed Hibiscus Dyed Merino
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

It is now drying (in the shade) in the sunroom. I love the color and how it's darker in some spots, I prefer variations in color than one solid saturation, so while the yarn was soaking in the dye bath for the last two days I made sure that some was sticking up out of the dye a bit, while other parts were buried under the raw materials.

I kept the leftover dye bath and dropped some random wool into it this morning after I finished rinsing the Merino because I really liked how dark the Mission Falls 1824 Wool I used to tie this hand turned out!

Experimenting....

First I soaked 3,470 yards of 100% Merino in alum mordant
Then I made a dried hibiscus flower dye bath
Then I cooked the yarn in the dye bath, where it is still soaking.

Baudelaire Socks

Baudelaire
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

This pattern has been in my queue for quite a long time. This yarn was a gift from a friend and I had been waiting for just the right project, so I finally cast a pair of Baudelaire socks onto the needles the week.

On another note, in the kitchen I have over a pound of dried hibiscus flowers steeping in a giant pot on the stove to dye the 3,470 yards of laceweight Merino that I soaked in an alum mordant this morning. It's making the house smell divine and I'm really exciting to see how this experiment turns out!

Dark Navy Sock Yarn

I'm looking for a pattern that will show well on really dark sock yarn?

Heart Scarf #2

In the last two weeks I found out that a family friend, a 10 year survivor of breast cancer, found a lump in her remaining breast, underwent a biospy and is now scheduled for her second masectomy.

I wanted to give her something to remind her that she is my heart.

Dirk's Concert Socks

Dirk's Concert Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I finally finished these socks last night..... Using a US 1 for a men's size 10 EEE foot was certainly a drag!

I cranked through a lot of the cuff on Saturday night at the Rat Dog/Allman Brothers concert at Red Rocks. Even had some man come up and want to know all about the socks, how did I do two at a time, how do I know which is which, are they wool, could he feel them....etc.... Dirk was watching very closely as he was convinced the guy was going to take them from me.