Done!

I finished the Maizy socks tonight! Woo-hoo! I am happy with how they turned out.

With that, I think I am also done with Summer of Socks 2008. I am ready to move on to some non-sock projects, and I doubt I could finish another pair by September 1st anyway. I signed up for this KAL back in May and thought I'd look back at my blog post of when I outlined some goals for myself here.

My goal was to knit 8 pairs, and I knew this was pretty ambitious. That was also under the assumption that I would knit a few pairs using worsted weight yarn. I ended up completing 5 pairs, only one of which was worsted weight. Two of the pairs were on US 1 needles and really slowed me down, especially the Brigits!! But, I am happy with all 5 pairs I completed, so that is good!

I did not end up knitting with the Tofutsies yarn, so that is still in my stash (in two colors!)

I did not attempt the Mosaic pattern, although I do plan on doing that one of these days!

I DID knit a textured pattern with the Periwinkle Panda Cotton (the Brigits) and I started SOS08 off with that which was pretty ambitious. If it wasn't for SOS08, I may not have stuck to it and finished that pair, so I'm glad I did!

I did not learn to knit toe-up socks, but I did learn the Magic Loop method! Yay - new technique! And, I plan on signing up for a toe-up class in November.

I certainly increased my sock yarn stash, so I'll be able to knit lots of socks over the upcoming years!!

Overall, I had fun participating in SOS08 and it was great to see all the socks that everyone knit posted on Ravelry. Gave me more inspiration of patterns I want to try!

Next project... knit the 2nd fingerless mitt!!

Maizy progress

I just posted my latest update on the Olympic Sox blog here. Everyone is making great progress on their socks! Here's a close-up pic of the first Maizy sock:
I got a lot done yesterday - the heel, gusset decreases and start of the 1X1 ribbing. I haven't made a lot of progress today, just a few more rounds of the ribbing. But, I will sit down to watch the Olympics soon and I hope to make some progress tonight!

I also knit the thumb of the first fingerless mitt last night while watching Michael Phelps break the world record in his first swimming event. So, the first fingerless mitt is complete, but I forgot to take a picture of it. Next blog update!

Projects for my parents

Since I was waiting for the Olympic opening ceremonies to start my next pair of socks, I cast on another project on Thursday night. I am making a pair of Men's Fingerless Mitts for my Dad. I knit the wrist ribbing and started up the hand Thursday night, and finished the hand section on Friday night just as the Olympic ceremonies were beginning. All I have to knit is the thumb (and a second mitt!) The pattern is "men's fingerless mitts" - Designs by KN.
As the TV coverage began on the Olympic opening ceremonies in the Eastern time zone, I cast on the "Walking in the Maize" socks that I am knitting for my mom (and SOS08... and OlympicSox2008). The colorway is Ballad Blues and it's really pretty! It's also interesting, because even though the colorway is called "blues" and the yarn looks blue as a whole, as I'm knitting it, it really looks like a mint green, with hints of a light lavender and a darker lavender. Nonetheless, it's very pretty and nice to work with.
You can read my post about these socks on the OlympicSox2008 blog here. And to see what everyone else is knitting for OlympicSox, you can check out all the blog posts here.

finished Magic Loop socks!

I finished the Magic Loop socks at class tonight! Last night, I had finished the foot and started on the toe. These were a really fun knit and I will definitely use the Magic Loop method again. But, I'm not giving up my dpns!!! I think both methods have their advantages and disadvantages and I'm glad to have learned another option for my sock knitting.

In other news, I won a prize on the Socks and More blog! This is a blog about projects using Crystal Palace yarns (of which Panda Cotton is one of my favorites!!). I had entered my Brigit socks and the Fall Herbs socks in the "May, June, July contest". This is my first time winning a prize from a blog. I'm so excited!

I have also decided to participate in OlympicSox2008 which is being organized by the same person who hosts the Socks and More blog. We will knit socks during the Olympics and enter them in different events such as Marathon for the longest sock, Gymnastics for cabled socks, or Water sports (blue socks). So, if you like to knit socks, check it out! There's many more events than the ones I listed. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I just wish I had more time to knit!!

I also wanted to mention that there are some new online knitting magazines that launched recently and they're both very nice.

Knotions has a free pattern for Sampler Socks using Sockina Cotton yarn that I really want to try and quite a few other nice patterns as well.

The other is Twist Collective which I heard about on Ravelry. This is set up more like an actual magazine format where you flip through the pages on your screen. It's a very nice layout and has some really interesting articles and patterns. Most of these patterns are not free though, but they seem to be reasonably priced (around $7.00). I haven't bought any yet because I have more than enough patterns on hand right now to last me for quite awhile.

Since I'll be participating in OlympicSox2008, I will wait until Friday to cast on my next pair of socks. I could use a little break anyway, since I've been constantly knitting socks since 6/21/08 (with only 4 pairs to show for it; those Brigits really slowed me down!) I'm hoping to make a good run and knit a few pairs during these remaining weeks of SOS08 and OlympicSox2008. I now have double motivation!!

Socks, yarn... what else???

Above is my Magic Loop sock progress before going to class tonight. Maybe I can finish knitting the leg during class. I should at least make good progress. I am still loving the Panda Wool yarn!

I received another order from The Loopy Ewe today! With my next order, I will officially become a Loopy Groupie!! Although I think I already am, in spirit... I just love shopping there!

Here's what arrived:
Jasmine Knitter's Hand Soap from the Blue Ridge Soap Shed - I have this in Green Tea and have really enjoyed using it. The Jasmine smells really good, so I can't wait to try it! One bar seems to last for quite awhile too.

The yarn I got is Sockina Cotton (I've used this before and loved watching the fun stripes appear as I knit), On Your Toes Bamboo (no wool, really soft, haven't tried this yarn yet - it's new at The Loopy Ewe), and Summer Sock (I just love the blue color of this yarn). Sorry, I'm too lazy put all the links in right now. You can also see my little yarn samples of Claudia's Hand-Painted Yarns in fingering and sport weight. I love how The Loopy Ewe puts these in with each order so you can see what different yarns are like. Great idea!!

Shelby had to try sneaking into my photo shoot:
I think when he sees me with the camera, he assumes he's supposed to pose for pictures...

really quick update

First Magic Loop sock is finished!

Second Magic Loop sock is cast on with about an inch of progress.

Sorry... no pics yet, but hopefully tomorrow!

Magic Loop progress

I'm almost ready to start the toe section of my first Magic Loop sock! Even though you have to slide the stitches back on to the end of the needles after knitting each half-round (which at first seemed to take longer than knitting on dpns), I still seem to be making good progress on these. I thought the magic loop process would be slower, but it doesn't really seem to be slowing me down. I actually tend to keep knitting for a longer time than I do when using dpns. Maybe it's just because it's still a new technique to me, and therefore still seems fun and interesting. Who knows!

I'm guessing I may be able to finish knitting this sock tonight.

Here's a close-up of the heel section:
This yarn is so pretty and really nice to work with! I think I will definitely knit with Panda Wool again sometime.

Grey socks finished!

The second sock was knit even faster than the first! I knit the 2nd sock in just two evenings - wow! I'm happy with how they turned out and I think my Dad will like them.

I made him these socks last Christmas from the same type of yarn (Lion Brand Wool-Ease) and he seemed to like them:
Ugh, what an awful picture! Maybe if you click on it and make it bigger it will look a little better. Anyway, I think the ribbing on the grey socks will help them stay up better. He just wears them to sleep in anyway, but I think he said the brown ones got a little slouchy. So hopefully my modifications on the grey socks will be an improvement.

I still haven't worked on the Magic Loop socks since class on Wednesday because I was finishing the grey socks, but my plan is to work on the pretty pink Panda Wool today. It's supposed to get hot and humid outside today, so I think I will stay in and knit. Sounds like a plan!

Perhaps I'll have some progress to show on the Magic Loop socks tomorrow!

various updates

I finished one of the grey Wool-Ease socks for my Dad. This was such a fast knit, just 3 evenings to complete!
Here's a close-up so you can see the detail a little better - it's K2,P2 ribbing down the whole leg and top of the foot:
Magic Loop class tonight was a lot of fun. I knit the heel flap, turned the heel and picked up stitches in preparation to begin the first round of the foot:
This technique is so cool! But I'm so glad I'm learning this in a class. I can't imagine trying to teach myself because it's very bizarre the first time you're trying it. It's so nice to have a teacher right there to ask questions and show you exactly what to do. She wrote out really helpful instructions for the exact sock we're working on (since it's a little different from the pattern that was in our class booklet) and one of my classmates lent me the little black stitch markers since I didn't bring any to class. It's kind of nice not knitting by myself for a change!

Here's a close-up of the heel section:
And, I also bought some new sock yarn while I was at yarn-love:
The colors kind of got washed out in this picture. They are a bit brighter; it's a really pretty yarn. It's Cascade Yarns Fixation which is 98.3% cotton and 1.7% elastic. I haven't worked with it before but I have wanted to try it. Since I only have Panda Cotton and Maizy in my stash, I thought it would be fun to try something different during Summer of Socks.

So, I'm off to knit some more tonight! Either cast on the 2nd grey sock or start the gusset decreases on the Magic Loop...

Easy socks

After finishing the Brigits, I just had to cast on a quick pair of worsted weight socks using the basic sock recipe from Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

I'm using Oxford Grey Lion Brand Wool-Ease that I had left over from another project and US 7 dpns:
I'm going to do K2, P2 ribbing down the whole leg and perhaps on the top of the foot. These socks will be a birthday gift for my Dad. I made a couple pairs for him last winter using this same yarn in a different colorway and he liked them. I think he just wears them to bed and not with shoes; they're probably too thick. He may be able to wear them with slippers around the house too.

Anyway, they will be a fast knit for SOS08 and I'm sure he'll be happy with a new pair. If I have enough yarn, I also plan to knit him a pair of matching fingerless gloves to wear in the house in the winter because his hands get cold. I'm not sure if he'll wear them, but it's worth a try and I found a good pattern to use. But, that will be AFTER Summer of Socks!

Determination

Well, I started knitting the Brigit socks this morning and looked at how much I had to finish (by comparing to my first sock) and realized I didn't really have that much more to go! So, I made up my mind that I was going to finish these socks TODAY. I had to knit about 10 more rounds of the foot and then knit the toe section. But, I did it! The Brigit socks are DONE! Woo-hoo!!
Pattern: Brigit
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton
Colorway: Periwinkle
Needles: US 1 bamboo (aka long toothpicks) ;-)


Now, I need to decide what pair to start next. I may do a quick worsted weight pair that I was planning on because I really need a break from the tiny needles!! I'll decide tomorrow... unless I decide to cast on later today...

Magic Loopy

Loopy wanted to model the Magic Loop technique. It's pretty cool! As you can see, I am just about done with the leg. I think it's about 6" long now. I usually don't make very long sock legs, but it seems that I have plenty of yarn with the Panda Wool, so I may be able to make these 7" legs.

I'm really enjoying the Magic Loop techinque! Here's a close-up of the Panda Wool:
If you click on it to make the picture bigger, you may be able to see the variations in the yarn. There's a lighter shade of pink and a darker shade twisted together. It's so pretty!

I didn't take a picture of the Brigit sock, but I did finish the gusset decreases last night, so now it's just round and round on the foot until I get to the toe section. I hope to make progress on that this weekend because I won't start the heel of the Magic Loop sock until my next class!

Of course, I could always cast on ANOTHER pair of socks so that I can prolong the Brigit socks even longer! It's just those tiny stitches and the bamboo needles... too delicate for me! But I will persevere!!

first Magic Loop class!

I had my first Magic Loop class at yarn-love tonight! It was so much fun. I really enjoyed learning this new technique and after a couple rounds it was really pretty easy! I haven't decided that I like it better than dpns but it is certainly another option.

This is the yarn I decided to buy for my Magic Loop class:


It's Crystal Palace Panda Wool in Magenta. This yarn is 51% bamboo, 39% wool and 10% nylon. It is very nice to work with and is less splitty than Maizy or Panda Cotton probably due to the wool content. The color is really pretty. The pictures don't do it justice. There's some subtle variations that I really like.

Oh - we are making a full-size pair of socks, so it will count for Summer of Socks - yay!

Here is the progress I made after my first class:
That is 60 stitches cast on US 2 addi Turbo Lace 40" circular needles. I'm doing K2,P2 ribbing. I'm debating whether want I want to do ribbing for the whole length of the sock (which I like the look of) or just a couple inches ribbing at the top and then switch to stockinette (which will probably be quicker to knit). I guess I'll just see if I get tired of the ribbing or decide to keep going!

There were two other people in the class with me and the instructor was very nice and helpful. I was happy with the progress I made. Our goal is to try to finish the leg of the sock this week so that we can start the heel next Wednesday. I think I can manage that!

SOS08 update!

Why is Loopy so excited?


Because I finally finished my first pair of socks for Summer of Socks!! Hooray!

The Fall Herbs socks are off the needles!!

Pattern: slipped stitch rib from Sensational Knitted Socks book
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton
Colorway: Fall Herbs
Needles used: US 3 dpns

I'm really happy with how they turned out! They were actually a pretty quick knit, but since I was knitting the Brigits at the same time, it took me longer.

I did start the foot decreases on the Brigit today so hopefully another completed pair will soon follow by the end of this week.

turned the heels!

I finally turned the heels on the 2nd sock of each pair. These still feel like the never-ending socks even though I do like both patterns and the yarn. I'm just ready to move on to a new pattern!

Here's a close-up pic of the Brigit cables:
Short post today!

another mosaic and a sock update

I had so much fun making that mosaic the other day that I decided to make one out of pictures I had taken. I probably should have planned it better, but I just randomly picked 9 pictures from photos I have taken of my various projects and yarn.


Hi Loopy, do you have some finished socks to show everyone???

Loopy is modeling the first socks, but the matching socks are still in progress...
Loopy is wondering "Will these socks ever be done???" So am I...

I am making progress and plan on knitting more tonight. The start of my Magic Loop class was postponed for a week, so that will start next week now. I still would like to finish these 2 pairs by the weekend so that I can cast on a new pair for SOS08!

Quick Saturday update

I am still making progress on the 2nd Brigit sock. I finished the leg this morning and started on the heel flap. The cables were definitely easier the second time through.

Sorry no pictures now, but hopefully tomorrow!

I may cast on the 2nd Fall Herbs sock today to take a break again from the tiny stitches on bamboo needles. I'd really like to finish both pairs before next weekend!

10,162 stitches

I finally finished the first Brigit sock last night! Hooray!
I just had to know how many stitches this sock was because it felt like it took me FOREVER to knit it. So, I did some quick math and calculated 10,162 stitches. Wow! It's not an exact stitch count, but it's close. Now, I need to knit approximately 10,162 more stitches to have a completed pair of socks to enter in SOS08! I can do this!

I also finished my first Fall Herbs sock:
This is a fun, quick knit to give me a break from the Brigit sock. Although I am looking forward to trying the Brigit cables again with the knowledge I learned from the first sock. Hopefully it will go quicker!

Some close-ups of the Fall Herbs sock... pretty...
I received my confirmation for Knitters' Day Out this week (otherwise known as KDO because we knitters love to abbreviate whenever possible)!! I got into my first choice classes. This will be my first time attending KDO. I will be taking "Introduction to Fair Isle Knitting" on Saturday morning and "Knitting with Beads" on Saturday afternoon. I'm really looking forward to this; it should be a lot of fun! My non-knitting friend is going with me and taking a "Beginning Knitting" class during both Saturday sessions. We will probably also go up Friday night to check out the knitter's market. This isn't until September, so it seems like a long way off now. Although with the way this year is flying by, it will be here before I know it! I need to make sure I knit my caps (a donation to Caps for Kids is part of the registration fee) and do my prep work for the Fair Isle class.

But, I will actually be taking my first ever knitting class starting next week! Up until now, I have been pretty much self-taught, but I have signed up for a Magic Loop sock class at yarn-love. It's a four-week class and I'm really looking forward to it. I hope I like the Magic Loop technique. Up until now I've been a die-hard dpn sock knitter. But, I'm interested in trying this new technique. That's one thing I love about knitting: there's always something new to try and learn!!

That reminds me of one of my favorite quotes that I recently saw on the Modern Yarn website:

"Be afraid of skydiving. Be afraid of wild boar. Be fearless with knitting." - Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

2nd Saturday of SOS08

Well, it's the 2nd Saturday of Summer of Socks and I spent most of the day knitting again. Lucky me!

I keep working on the Brigit sock, but don't seem to be making a lot of progress. It is becoming the never-ending sock! But, I still like the yarn and the pattern and when I finally finish this pair, I think I will like wearing the socks. Here's what it looks like as of tonight:
The Fall Herbs socks are going much faster. It's funny when I switch to these after working on the Brigit socks, the needles seem huge!! It's amazing the difference between US 1 and US3! As you can see, I've made almost as much progress on the first Fall Herbs sock as the Brigit sock:
I have also been thinking about whether I prefer metal or bamboo needles since I have been switching back and forth. I'd say there are advantages and disadvantages to each.

The bamboo needles cost more and seem more fragile, although I haven't broken one yet, thank goodness! One thing that I like about the bamboo needles is how they seem to warm in your hands as you use them. They are also probably lighter than the metal needles, although my metal sock needles aren't particularly heavy or anything.

I only have one set of bamboo needles. The rest of my sock dpns are metal (aluminum, I believe). The main advantage to metal needles, in my opinion, is price and durability. I bought most of my sets at the craft store with 40% off coupons and I don't have to worry about breaking the needles when I throw my projects back into the knitting bag. And, believe me, this crosses my mind EVERY time I'm carefully placing my Brigit sock on the bamboo needles back into the bag!!

I guess the other main difference between bamboo and metal is how the yarn slides along the needles. But, with these two projects I don't notice a major difference in this area. The stitches stay on when I want them to, and when I'm knitting the stitches slide along the needles just fine on both the metal and bamboo needles.

I wonder if I'll actually finish a pair to enter in the first bi-weekly SOS08 contest. I believe the deadline is 10pm on 7/4/08. Instead, I may be entering a couple pairs in the 2nd bi-weekly contest and will hopefully have a 3rd or 4th pair cast on by then.

SOS08 - cast on 2nd pair

No, I didn't finish my first pair, but I decided to cast on a 2nd pair last night for a little variety. The Brigit socks are getting a bit tedious. So, I thought I'd cast on some Panda Cotton in the "Fall Herbs" colorway on nice "big" US 3 needles and an easy "don't have to think" pattern. I chose the Slipped-Stitch Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks. This is the same pattern I used on my first Panda Cotton socks in the blue "Faded Jeans" colorway.

Here is what I knit last night with Fall Herbs:
The colors seem to be pooling a bit into diagonal stripes, but the slipped stitches in the body of the sock should help to break that up a bit. Also, the striping is much more noticeable in the picture than in person. I love the variety of colors in this yarn. There's different shades of green, a dark blue/teal color which I love, a dark purple/cranberry sort of color and a brown/rust kind of color. These socks should be an easy knit.

I have made some progress on the Brigit socks since my last blog post. I decided to continue the ribbing pattern on the top of the foot, but without all the cable twists. Just to give it a little interest as opposed to plain stockinette:
I still have a few more decrease rounds and then it will just be working the length of the foot. Oh yeah, and then there's a whole other sock to knit... Well, it is the Summer of Socks!!!

I did decide to assemble the cable purse on Monday night. It just needs a button to close the flap and the fabric lining:
I like the way it turned out. I will post another picture when it is completely finished.

Well, I need to update my projects on Ravelry and then off to knit some more!