Stagnant Projects

Of course I started a new pair of socks as soon as I finished the Purple Splendor Wildfoote ones...Trekking XXL color #163.

The stitch pattern is 'Crosshatch Lace' from C. Schurch's More Sensational Knitted Socks.

In hindsight, not the best yarn and stitch pattern combo to compliment both to their best, but I like my variegated socks to have some kind of texture and I liked the look of this pattern.



I now realize that I have oodles of variegated and self striping sock yarn in my stash and not enough plain colors. (insert magical sound) I predict a shopping splurge with KnitPicks in my future. (exit magical sound)

You can see to the right that my Mystery Stole 3 and my Knitty Branching Out scarf are both stagnant. I'm to the beginning of Clue 4 on MS3, but just haven't been able to put the necessary brain power into working on it. The scarf is just irritating to me, but I'd like to finish it and give it to my mother-in-law for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, I need to think about what I'd like to make for my mom as well. Maybe I'll pick a different lacy scarf -- any suggestions? I'd like the pattern to be fairly simple so that I can get it done quickly.

Well, I better get in to the shower and cleaned up so that when my friend Mardi gets here I am ready to head out to kiss on some alpacas.

Socks: Done

DCP02055
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

1. Yarn used: Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn
2. Needles - size and type: 1 40" US 1 (foot) & US 2 (cuff) Addi Turbo
3. Method: Toe Up, Two at a Time, Magic Loop with gusset heel
4. Size: Women's Small
5. Recipient: Me!
6. Date completed: September 20, 2007

The pattern is my standard sock pattern but I used a mock cable stitch.

Turned the heels on my socks!

I got the heels on my Purple Splendor Wildfoote socks on Thursday night. For me this is the most exciting part of sock knitting.

This morning I printed out information on The Red Scarf Project. I'm going to ask the two other women in my office who knit if they would like to make scarves for the project with me.

Tomorrow I have the first part of my Beginning Knitting Workshop with 6 students. :)

Toe Up Socks - Brown Sheep Wildfoote

Toe Up Socks - Brown Sheep Wildfoote
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Photo of the most recent socks on the needles.

I love Brown Sheep's Wildfoote yarn.

Why I should not hang out at the yarn shop

Alpaca with a Twist Highlander
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

..sigh...

I am so easily influenced by others.

When I walked into the shop on Saturday a few people were knitting on their neck down raglan sweaters -- and before I knew what was happening I tossed my sweet little in-progress toe up socks to the floor and had 10 skeins of 'Highlander' by Alpaca with a Twist piled in front of me as I mused on how to center a cable on the sleeves of a neck down raglan...

I did however break tradition and did NOT purchase this yarn in the lovely green that was also available.

Cast on yet another pair of socks....

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at YarnArts hanging out. I cast on and ripped out "Branching" from Knitty.com at least three times. I was having a disagreement with both the pattern and the yarn - apparently they were not meant for each other. Instead I sat socializing and teaching a friend how to knit and started her on a garter stitch scarf.

Last night I spent hours pouring through books, patterns and Ravelry before I grabbed two skeins of Brown Sheep Wildfoote (in SY17 Purple Splendor) and cast on a pair of toe up socks. I haven't yet decided on what foot/cuff patterning I'll use if any. That is one thing that I love about toe up socks, I can make it up as I go. Once I get the toes to a good size I can fiddle with the number of stitches to work out a lace or ribbing pattern.

This afternoon I'm heading to a friend's house to sit on her deck and knit. :) Life is good.

Secret Pal 11

Secret Pal 11
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

What a wonderful package to be presented with last night when I got home from work!

It was a "garden" themed package with pressed flower cards, tea bags, a little floral address book, flower stickers, a knitted/felted Gerbera daisy kit and some really cool seeds for my garden!

Thank you SP11. I *love* everything. My husband thought the Gerbera Daisy kit was the best, he brought it up in conversation again this morning at breakfast. :)

Monkey Socks

Monkey Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

One down, one to go. I'm not crazy about the plain stockinette heel and over all the socks are a little too loose on the heel...but I'd rather make one more that is a little loose in the heel that think about ripping this one out...

Almar Farms - Fleur

Almar Farms - Fleur
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

This is what a baby alpaca who is only 24 hours looks like.

Monkey Socks

Monkey Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Started the monkey socks for a THIRD freaking time...I think it's going well thus far. I went up a needle size to a US2 and things are looking better.

However, I have a confession....I've only ever made one pair of socks cuff down with a gusset heel. I'm a little afraid of picking up the stitches.

Monkey Socks are pissing me off.....

First cast on was frogged when about 6 rows into the ribbing I got distracted and for whatever reason I started knitting in the wrong direction....

Cast on a second time and I'm into repeat two of the lace....and the sock looks too small and doesn't fit right over my heel and leg. And the yarn (Silky Sock) is twisting onto itself off the ball like crazy and it's annoying me.

Going to cast on tomorrow with a larger needle.

If something goes wrong after that, I'm ditching this pattern.

Sockotta Socks

Sockotta Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Made for me
Toe Up Two at a Time/Magic Loop
Stockinette foot with ribbed cuff
Sockotta yarn using Addi US 1 40"
"Crazy Heels and Toes" toe up gusset heels

My visit with the alpacas today....

DCP02028
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I stopped by my friend's farm, Almar Farm Alpacas, today to see the little girl that was born yesterday afternoon! That little fluff of white is Fleur and she was so sweet. The black alpaca is Gina, the white one on the right is Yolanda and she is the mom to Fleur. The white one in the background is pregnant and due in the next week or so.

I got to hold Fleur but those photos are on my friend's camera.

I also picked up a skein of yarn from their prize herdsire "Sir Prize" for my secret pal package.

What in the hell is wrong with me?

Every time I log into Ravelry I add another project to my queue. I am now up to 77.

(laugh)

Sockotta Socks

Sockotta Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Yesterday I finally finished the gussets and turned the heels on these socks. I've had little time to knit lately and have been so anxious to finish these socks so that I can start a pair of Monkey socks. Since I'm on the "non-thinking" cuffs, I can get these finished in no time. I'm at the perfect spot in the project for working on them on the train on the way into work. Again, I love this Sockotta yarn!

Had a nice small beginner Toe-Up Sock class yesterday at YarnArts and everyone seemed to have a good time. I love teaching classes there and today I have part 1 of a Beginner's Knit Workshop.

Mystery Stole 3 will most likely get some attention this evening. Last week there was a tragic accident that involved a mistake that turned into a disaster when I tried to correct it. I wound up ripping out the first 15 rows of Clue 3.

Well, it's off to the shower and the farmer's market for me.

SP 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love alpaca and other natural fibers. I don't any "fun fur" or 100% acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My addi's are in the baggies that they came in. Exciting 'eh?

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting around 2 years and I taught myself for the most part. I would consider myself intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, but I'm not sure how to link it from here.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love earthy scents like patchouli, cedar, sage etc...

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not too much, though I am swayed by dark chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I spin terribly, but have been practicing! I love to craft stuff like beaded jewelry, stamping, fun papers etc...

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love almost anything except Speed Metal and Hard Core Rap. I adore 80's New Wave and the Grateful Dead (what an interesting mix!)

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Love most colors, don't like orange though.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married with dogs and cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks and lace.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Mystery Stole 3 and some socks

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Straight or circular depends on the project, same with the material.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Gasp! I don't have any currently!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Vintage Fiestawarer

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I subscribe to Interweave Knits and any of the Barbara Walker books of stitch patterns are on my wish list.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Not that I can think of right now.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

US woman's size 5.5

23. When is your birthday?

November

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

PixieM

Blocking....

DCP02019
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Whew, that was a ton of work but it appears that it was all worth it. Mystery Stole 2 is now officially completed and I can dedicate more time to Mystery Stole 3.

I had a small disaster last night on MS3 when I realized I was off by two stitches I tinked back two rows -- and promptly dropped 3 to 4 more stitches down a few more rows. I held my breath as I very carefully carried them back up to the needles. Yes, I can see were the accident occured, but there aren't any holes or glaring mistakes, so everything is good to go moving forward.

P.S. The blocking is being done on 12 foam sheets that I got in the craft department of Walmart last night. I was hoping to get some of the thicker snap together thick foam puzzle pieces but couldn't find them in the toy department and trying to find help in Walmart is a losing battle. These sheets will work for now, but they are really too thin.

WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ding, dong the witch is dead! Erhm, I mean, I finally finished 'Scheherazade' -- Mystery Stole 2. This week I will be *carefully, very carefully* and lightly blocking it before I share a finished photos. Knitting time will now be devoted to Mystery Stole 3.

Spent a nice afternoon knitting with old friends and made some new ones! Old friends so kindly whipped out a bottle of wine when I finished Scheherazade, which prevented me from getting any work done on MS3. Instead I did mindless knitting on the Sockotta socks.

Last night was the Stitch and Pitch game and we had a blast. I didn't knit and I didn't watch the ballgame, instead I did what I do best -- drink beer and socialize. :)

Sockotta Socks

Sockotta Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Still slogging away at the second bit of edging on MS2. If I'd just sit down and work on it, I know it would be knocked out in about 2-3 hours. But I'm bored with it.

Started a new pair of socks last week at work, then set those aside as well. However, these socks are going to the Stitch 'n Pitch game at Coors Field today. I need to remember to take my notes with me so that I know when to start the gussets for the heels.

1 edging down, 1 to go....

Mystery Stole 2
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Whew....after a rough start yesterday that resulted in me ripping out two entire edging repeats of 28 rows each, I started and finish the first edging section today!!

Woot!

Just one more edge to complete and then I can block this baby.