lostpurl

Moving

2008-10-09T21:24:00.003-04:00

For a long time I have wanted to combine my tatting website and my knitting blog. I have now got it mostly going. There will be more tweaks in future. The template is still a work in progress. But the content is all most all at the new site. So all new blog posts will now be here
suzann does it all
I wanted to add "badly" to the domain name, but I was out voted. My daughter thinks this domain name will attract a bunch of porm spam. How disappointed they will be :-}

Thanks to everyone who commented here and cheered me on as I tried to learn to knit. Thanks!

afghans For Afghans Socks

2008-09-22T11:07:00.002-04:00

I think this will be my last pair of socks for the current campaign. The yarn is Ella Rae Classic something. It runs like mad. Five washes before it ran clear. But the socks still seem nice and bright. Winging Worsted Weight Socks from Stitches of Violet. But I broke out of the box and did Fleegle's short row heel. I can't tell you how proud I am of this heel. First short row heel that didn't look like Swiss Cheese heel. It is dead easy. And that is saying a lot from someone who only likes to decreases.
Cast on 40 stitches. 1/3% of the 40 stitches for the ribbing. 2/3 of 40 stitches for the leg. Short row heel. 40 stitches for the foot and decrease away for the toe. Done and Done.

Dawn's gloves. The glove pattern from Ann Budd's Knitting Patterns. Very basic. Only one change. Instead of casting on two backward loops between the front and back of the finger. I kfb in the last stitch and kfb in the first stitch. I am doing this with two circs. I think it makes a neater join. A lot of cheek since I have never knitted a glove before. The yarn is Opal Lollipop purple something. The band is long gone. I am using 2.25 needles getting 10spi. Since I have so much yarn, I offered to match the fingers up yarn pattern wise. Dawn told me to get over it. She likes the weird effect. She has been looking at glove patterns at Ravelry. This would have been much easier if I had some sportsweight yarn. Which I don't, but I will soon. They fit so far and she likes them. What the heck else could a knitter ask for :-}

Thats My Girl

2008-09-17T20:37:00.002-04:00

Dawn has been asking me for fingerless mitts to wear when she is out photographing in the cold weather. She picked out the yarn from my stash. Fearless Fibers Hendricks. A beautiful merino in shades of purple. It is hand wash, probably not a clever choice for gloves of mitts. And it is fingering weight. The pattern calls for DK or Sportsweight. The pattern is Spirogyra from the Spring Knitty. If this patterns looks familiar it is very like the Tidal Wave sock pattern. What I had were hands that were larger then the pattern, and yarn that was finer then the pattern. Nothing like a bit of a challenge, right? I swatched a bit. Adding one repeat was still too small, adding two repeats made it too large. Instead I added a stitch to each repeat. This gave me 8 extra stitches around. Perfecto. It also made each repeat two rows longer. Also good for Dawn's larger hands. I cast on with the 3.25mm needles and did the ribbing with them. Then I switched to the 2.75mm for the rest of the mitt. This gave me a nicer fabric. The best part is they are done they fit and she loves them. I would like to give making gloves for her next. She always ends up having to buy mens gloves. And that is no fun at all. I think (hahaha) I can do fingers. We shall see.

Great News

2008-08-15T09:25:00.002-04:00

I pestered anyone who had the Elann Puzzle yarn in their stash at Ravelry. I have no shame. I pleaded charity knitting, I begged, I threw freezing children into their minds. A wonderful lady LisaknitsinGAanswered me. She was glad to get rid of the yarn and I was glad to buy it. I have the yarn at hand now. I am going to frog the front down to the ribbing. Then add the new yarn so the front and back match. For the sleeves I think I will stick to just the blue on blue sock yarn. And I will be so glad to sew that puppy up. I have till Oct. to get it done.
In the mean time I have been knitting socks for the RavOlympics. These are also for A4A Youth push. Patons Classic Merino in the brightest colors I could find. I am using
stitchesofviolet sock generator. Works like a charm. It is based on a percentage system. Sort of like EZ. I cast on 40 stitches. 1/3 of the cast on amount for the ribbing then the remaining 2/3 for the leg. One third for the heel flap and the remaining 2/3 for the foot. This system will also work on adult socks in fingering weight yarn. The only thing I would do different for an adult sock is to make sure to measure for the heel flap and adjust the rows knitted for that. I knitted the heel flap on the kids socks a bit longer. If it is too large the sock will bunch up around the ankle. But if the heel flap is too short, the sock will pull under the foot and be uncomfortable and wear out more quickly.
The green pair are knit plain. Eye of The Partridge heel stitch, with a garter stitch edge. The toe is a bastard version of round toe. It took me a day to do each sock. But I am a really slow knitter. People are knocking out a pair in a day.

The Hot Pink sock (It is s truly eye blinding pink) is Garter Rib with the same heel as the green pair. I should finish this tonight and cast on for the second one.

Thank you everyone for you suggestions on fixing the sweater yarn debacle. I really appreciate it :-)

oh crap

2008-08-07T11:14:00.001-04:00

I finished the back of the garter knit sweater. As I said before I was using two strands of sock yarn with the Elann highland wool. The carry along yarns are a rather violent mix of yellow, blue, green and red. I am about half way up the front and took a good look at it. The two balls of sock yarn I have left are blue, green, red and white. No yellow. If I had look more closely I would have seen they were different color numbers. But I didn't :(
As a result the front look much lighter and cooler then the back. I don't know what to do. I don't see much chance of finding anymore of the yarn with the yellow. I tried Elann and Ravelry, no luck. I could frog the back I guess. What do you think?

Done de Done, Done

2008-08-02T21:21:00.003-04:00

I finished the Patons Upside-Downer sweater. This is the first time it has been sunny enough for pictures. There are many things about it I don't like. Mostly to do with my lack of knitting skills. The pattern is dead easy. My increases do need work.

The next sweater is well on its way. This is Duo I didn't have yarn that would work to the gauge, 4spi. But then Bets came to the rescue. She told me to beef up the yarn I had with sock yarn. This was pure genius. Awhile ago when Elann has the Sock It To Me Puzzle yarn on sale, my DH gave me two bags of it. It has been sleeping in the back of the closet. I dug it out. Two strands of sock yarn and one of Elann HW equal 4 spi for me. Happy dance all around. I tried the sock yarn trick with some HW Chunky, but it was more like body armor then a sweater and it came out too red white and blue. When the HW was on bag sale I got a bag of a lovely violet. Added to that is a sock yarn with red, yellow and blue. It sounds awful. But is knitting up like confetti. The sweater is done is garter stitch, so is thick and comfy. I have no idea why the picture is blue, but trust me it is much more violet. The back is almost finished now.
I am knitting the largest size and added a stitch on each side for seaming up.
The directions call for 4spi on size 7 needles. I am thinking you would need to be a really loose knitter to get that gauge with those needles. I am picturing someone with thicker yarn trying to knit is with those size sevens. And wondering what is wrong with them.

Hello Out There

2008-07-19T09:56:00.003-04:00

It has been awhile, I know. Lets see I was a bit under the weather for awhile. The fires in the Great Dismal (which it isn't) Swamp kept filling the air with smoke and the smell of wood burning. Not helpful if you are trying to recover from anything chest related. Not of course that it happened just to bother me. The fires in the Swamp and in North Carolina have mostly died down. But they are peat fires so they will be smoldering for awhile. I don't live near the swamp, but people who do found brown bears in their back yards. Eagles and hawks and other critters escaping from the fires.
I knit a square for Benne's blanket. The only thing I knew I could finish a garter stitch log cabin square. My daughter sewed in the ends and posted it off for me. Wonder child that she is.
The colors are so faded in this picture. They are really dark. Chocolate brown, Spiced Wine and Harvest something, Elann Highland Wool.

The other project I was working on was a shawl for the new mothers at the Cure Hospital. Afghans for Afghans. I started it, but then I just couldn't work on it much. As it required more brain power then I had available. Elann Superwash Merino in Ruby. I frogged back to the Candle Flames and started the straight part again. It is now about half done. I have put it aside for now and will continue to work on it as I can. There is no way I could have met the deadline.

I saw that someone had done this with the Candle Flame shawl pattern at Ravelry. The body is simple Yo, K2tog. With the Candle flames at each end. I have one candle running up the edges on each side of the body. I reduced the size of the candles for the edging as the ones in the body looked to large for an edging.
I am now working of a top down raglan sweater for the Afghan for Afghans Youth project. This is a first for me. And you can see my raglan increases needed work. I considered frogging back to improve the increases. But I realized that I would miss another deadline if I kept frogging. When I die they are going to put Born To Frog in my tombstone :-}
The body color is a sort of denim blue, the cuffs are Elann Highland Wool in Ruby. I threw in some mosaic patterns in the body, more red and some golden color. I will repeat on the sleeves. The body in almost done. Then onto sleeveville.

My dishwasher broke, my mouse died and then the headset. I hope nothing else decides to throw itself on the sword.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-10T20:38:00.002-04:00

Happy Mothers Day To All the Moms out there

My daughter took this picture of Zola and her cub Gramby. Zola had two cubs which was a real surprise to the zoo keepers at the Norfolk Zoo. I love how the picture captures the cubs attachment to his mother. I take pictures that record a thing exists. My daughter takes pictures that record the soul of a thing.
If you would like to see more of her lion and animal pictures please visit her divantart gallery Dawn's Gallery
Mother's Day is a little sad for me, because all the Moms are gone. But I remember my own mother with love and more then a small bit of laughter.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Cause You Know You Want To

2008-03-19T22:01:00.003-04:00

It is time again for the Wee Tiny Sock swap. This is the most fun, the quickest and least expensive swap going. Make you tiny sock, stuff it in an envelope and mail it off. Soon one will be heading your way in return. So if you are slogging along with a big project, take a half hour out and have some fun!

Head over to Yarn Miracle for more information.

Thanks for the kind words on the socks. I got the call from Afghans for Afghans and they needed socks. I undid the round toe to make them a bit shorter and mailed them off. It must have been meant to be. Since they had been sitting in the bottom of my basket for almost a year.

Another pair of Socks

2008-03-03T21:48:00.002-05:00

I was not sure if I would have enough yarn to complete the socks. I had used some of it to make two pairs of baby socks for Afghans for Afghans. The first socks was stuck in the bottom of my basket. I really needed something mindless to work on, in between my nursing duties and waiting at the doctors. As I was knitting the first sock the yarn was coming out so tangled that I decided to rewind it into two balls. I weighted the yarn that I had and the part sock. Took a leap of faith and divided the yarn. When I finished the first sock I had 8 inches of yarn left. eek. I weighted the completed first sock and decided I would have enough to try and match the pattern on the second sock. Gulp, I cast on the second sock. I was about two rows off in the pattern. To match better the cuff is two rows shorter then the first sock. After that the patterns between the two socks matched up perfectly. In the picture they look a tad too long. They fit fine, except my photographer was in a hurry and didn't give me a chance to pull them up all the way.

And to the brat snapped this picture while I was trying to get the socks pulled all the up. I look like Thing from the Addams Family :-) I had just washed my hair, which is why it is all over the place. Usually it is neatly braided. She thinks it is hysterical. Sharper then a serpents tooth. See if I refrain from posting pictures of her in her diapers from now on :-P

Martin Luther King

2008-01-21T13:55:00.000-05:00

I think I mentioned before that sometime ago my brother and I were driving one evening to Chattanooga, Tennessee, from Atlanta. He was driving the car. And for some reason the drivers were very discourteous that night. They didn’t dim their lights; hardly any driver that passed by dimmed his lights. And I remember very vividly, my brother A. D. looked over and in a tone of anger said: "I know what I’m going to do. The next car that comes along here and refuses to dim the lights, I’m going to fail to dim mine and pour them on in all of their power." And I looked at him right quick and said: "Oh no, don’t do that. There’d be too much light on this highway, and it will end up in mutual destruction for all. Somebody got to have some sense on this highway."

Somebody must have sense enough to dim the lights, and that is the trouble, isn’t it? That as all of the civilizations of the world move up the highway of history, so many civilizations, having looked at other civilizations that refused to dim the lights, and they decided to refuse to dim theirs. And Toynbee tells that out of the twenty-two civilizations that have risen up, all but about seven have found themselves in the
junkheap of destruction. It is because civilizations fail to have sense enough to dim the lights. And if somebody doesn’t have sense enough to turn on the dim and beautiful and powerful lights of love in this world, the whole of our civilization will be plunged into the abyss of destruction. And we will all end up destroyed because nobody had any sense on the highway of history. Somewhere somebody must have
some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a descending spiral, ultimately ending in destruction for all and everybody. Somebody must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and the chain of evil in the universe. And you do that by love.

Martin Luther King
Loving Your Enemies
November 17 1957

Oh By Gosh By Jolly

2007-12-24T21:13:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

This isn't really Christmas Knitting. I don't pile that on my back. My daughter asked for one of these, and like potato chips we couldn't stop.
Calorimetry so simple that it confuses us. I did the first one the solid blue with the pattern cast on number 120. It is a bit long, but I like the width. My daughter fell for the Paton's SWS and she picked out two colors she liked. This is really a fast knit. And if your tolerance for ribbing is greater then mine, enjoyable. But after all the ribbing on the Cabled Hoodie and a bunch of these I am off ribbing for awhile. We got the buttons at the house of high class, Wal-Marts. The little headband does keep the ears warm and is fairly non invasive to hair dos. I have very long hair so it isn't a problem. But dd has short hair and she likes wearing them.The two SWS are made using 104 stitches, which seems to fit her larger head better.

Dawn got a high powered camera for Christmas. Her other camera was stolen while she was in Alaska. So she took the pictures

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas

Street Smart Cable Hoodie, sort of

2007-12-17T12:35:00.000-05:00

I love Elann Highland Wool, but I could not get 5 spi that didn't feel like lace. It always knits up like a dk for me. So I got some Paton's Classic Merino and started over. This is the what 5th sleeve. But since I had to start over, I considered the cable and bobble pattern that the original uses. I am just not a bobble person and the cable is sort of boring. I searched and found a loose sort of cable that had the similar drawing in as the original. The new one is 18 stitches the old one 15, so I had to redesign the stuff around the cable. I was careful to keep the edges the same. I have never done set in sleeves and had a strong feeling this was not the place to start playing around. YEAH finished one sleeve

I am sick of sleeves so I decided to cast on for the back. A few more changes. I was sick of reverse stockinette stitch so I swapped it out for seed stitch. Three cable columns instead of the original 4. And got this

I had to go up to a size 8 needle to get gauge. Then I stabbed myself badly with the Options needles. Had a tetanus shot and was off knitting for a few weeks. I then changed to my Denise needles and had to go up another size to a 9 to get gauge. oi
I know it isn't perfect and some of the stitches are a bit wobbly, tension is off. I don't care. I hope to finish this in my lifetime.

I guess it would help if you could see what it is supposed to look like

Cable Hoodie

2007-11-18T12:03:00.000-05:00

I decided I had better start with a sleeve and see how it goes. The first sleeve I cast on for was Extra Large. The cuff was so wide I could put both wrists in it. My wrist and hands are small 6 3/4 inches around. ( how I wish the rest of me still matched the wrists) Frogged the first one. And that hurt, all that damn ribbing for nothing, grrrr
I then cast on for the small wrist, knit the damn ribbing again. I have done two repeats of the pattern, but I am increasing for the size large. Unlike Bets and the rest of you sweater knitters I have never knit a sweater that has to fit someone in particular. Since the sleeves are set in, I know from sewing that the sleeve cap has got to match the body arm. Not wise to fudge in that area.
I left off the bobbles. I like doing bobbles, but not on something I am wearing. I have enough bobbles of my own, thank you very much. Without the bobbles the cable is a bit boring. So I think I will hunt up a loose cable pattern for BW. Something more interesting to knit. Just leave the pattern cables on the sleeves and maybe two on the back. Of course I may not get to the back until 2010. If they let me play with sharp things at the Old Ladies Home :-)
I love the Highland Wool (no itchy stuff) and I love the color. Not much to look at yet. That is with the cuff turned up. I think if I were doing it again, I would skip the turned up cuff. But I ain't doing that cuff again.

Cuff down

Afghans For Afghans baby socks

2007-11-07T11:19:00.000-05:00

Three more pairs of socks for the baby push. All are done with 2.25mm needle over 40 stitches. 2x2 rib for 2 or 3 inches. One pair only has ribbing for an inch. Cause we all know how much I love ribbing. And I am lazy.
From left to right, Elann sock yarn, The Opal Bets swapped with me. This is what was left after doing a pair of socks for me. This pair doesn't match. I was afraid I would run out of yarn. Last pair is some Opal Petticoat in pink. Both the Opal socks have garter stitch heels (which I do not recommend for adult socks) I thought this might make the socks easier to put on the babies and allow for a bit of wiggle room size wise.

The colors are brighter, but it is really cloudy outside.
I think I am socked out at the moment. Time for a break

Happy Halloween

2007-10-30T22:31:00.000-04:00

Nothing special goin on, except my daughter has discovered pumpkin carving. I think she did really well for a first attempt

When we lived in Chesapeake, we had neighbors who loved to terrify little kids. Their teen age son would lay on the lawn and jump up as the kids came up the dive way. Most of the younger children wouldn't go near the place. My eight year old daughter just climbed over the "dead bodies" and headed in for the goodies. She told me, you know it is fake blood. Ahh you can take the kid out of New York, but you can't take the New York out of the kid :-)
The first Halloween, I put some candy in her bag to get her started. As her father was at sea, I stayed home to dole out the goodies and she went with a neighbor. After a half hour they brought her home. She refused to go up to the door, because she thought she had to Give them candy. Once she got it into her head that SHE was the one who GOT the goodies, she never looked back

Earflap Hats again

2007-10-29T11:30:00.000-04:00

This one is Knitpicks Merino Style in an awful yellow. All I had handy for practice. I added the rows of reverse stockinette stitch. Did the ear flaps in the same pattern. It still looks shallow. This time I knitted the hat then picked up the stitches for the flaps and knit down to the icord.
The socks are Fearless Fibers Meadow. A rather violent green and yellow. 40 stitches around measures to about 4 1/2 inches. The length is 2 1/2 inches from cuff to heel. The foot measures about 3 inches with a round toe. I just did a simple 3 x 1 ribbing on the leg. Very stretchy. I am going to send the hat off to Afghans for Afghans and asked them what they think.

Fight For Kisses

2007-10-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

This you have to see

Fight For Kisses

Click on the link :-} Go Baby gooooooooooooo

Afghans For Afghans

2007-10-22T09:25:00.000-04:00

Rev em up. New call out for baby stuff. This is for the infant hospital in Kabul. Here is a link for more information
Afghans for Afghans

I searched Revelry for a infant hat with ear flaps. And found this one Ear Flap Hat Cute pattern. Let me say I have a worry factor about ear flaps going over the babies faces and I am not 100% sure of tie on hats. I worry about the babies being choked by accident. Born to worry, thats me. I have to assume they know what they want.
The only DK that I had handy was some Elann Superwash Merino in Ruby. Not a color I would offer up to a sick infant. But it was a test knit. The yarn is beautiful and soft. But not suitable for this project. I knit up the hat with much moaning about the SS stitch ear flaps curling around themselves and the needles. Finished off the hat and washed it. The merino just went flat. It spread out and died. I can see how this would be a wonderful shawl or scarf though.
Pattern mods
First flap had one garter stitch on each side. Totally useless to keep the damn thing from rolling about. Although it did flatten out when washed. Second flap I worked 3 garter stitches on each side. Still rolled a bit
Next hat, garter stitch ear flaps. I would also start the flaps with an ICord or crochet chain, then increase to form the flap.
You cast on, knit across one flap, cast on more stitches, knit across the next flap and so on. This leaves a very rough looking start up row. You could crochet around the hat to even things up a bit. Or just sew the flaps on when the hat is done. Or stop moaning and get knitting
Flap with garter edge

Hat according to pattern, no garter edge

Thank you all for your kind posts about Violet. And your support for me to stop being a junkie. I do appreciate it

Kindness

2007-10-17T08:33:00.000-04:00

I know in our society it is much easer to give then receive. We want to pay back, be even and not in debt to anyone. And while we want to give, we refuse to allow anyone to give to us. In some strange way it diminishes us as a people. When people are kind to us and generous, we allow them to be a giver. This takes a bit of humility on our part as we must relinquish our rights on the level playing field. In my life many people have been kind to me. Sometimes they may not have even realize they were doing so. I have learned to stifle the urge to shove something in their face so we are even. This has nothing to do with always being the person who gets their lunch paid for by others. We all know about those people.
My Mother In Law use to say I was the kindest person she knew. Poor woman, she had a rough life. Early on, maybe even before I was married I realized I had a lot more going on inside my head then she did. Violet (I am not going to keep typing MIL)had been forged in a horrid family life and a more then difficult marriage. She pinned all her hopes on being the good wife and good mother and having the cleanest home in Brooklyn. She had the kind of household schedule that could have run D-Day. None of these things rewarded her. Her family found her constant cleaning stupid and pointless. Her husband would rather sit in a bar get drunk and gamble away the weeks wages and her children grew quickly and expanded out of her world. They were there, but their hopes and dreams had nothing to do with surgically clean floors.
Everyone loved my Father In Law. At least those who didn't live with him did. Good ole Charlie. Life of the party give you the shirt off his back etc. No problem giving you the shirt off his back. He had more home and if there was no money for the rent, well Violet would have to deal with the landlord. And so she did. All the while trying to present the appearance of a "normal" home. It was overall a futile effort. But she never ever gave up trying. At one point my FIL was a bag man for some minor mafia dude. He put his hand in the bag and got caught. After which he went into hiding someplace in the wilds of Long Island. Bad enough. But he came home when he knew his family would be out and robbed the place of anything that could be sold. The children's insurance odd bits of stuff. A radio that had been a wedding gift. And poor Violet's last $2.00. When Violet came in with the children, they were both very young she found the place gutted. No food no money nothing and the rent due. She told me once over a cup of tea that she just sat on the floor and cried. Her husband was gone and she was truly dead broke with hungry children. Dear husband had eaten the last of the bread she had in the house. There was nothing for it, she took the kids to her own MIL who live in the next apartment building and begged for dinner. The next morning the children went to school with lunches from their grandma and Violet went looking for a job. She found a job in a dine store. And worked hard. Worked out a deal with the landlord and didn't get evicted. Her husband was gone for more then 6 months. He would return periodically to see what pickings there were. I told her once I would have changed the locks. She was shocked. A wife can't lock her husband out. What and idea. She also had to deal with the goons who showed up from time to time looking for their money and the missing husband. In the end her uncle paid them off. Uncle Ed was a brick. He was kind and he told her he would like to see her smile again. You can see in pictures how her face changed. The pictures of Violet and my husband when he was baby, she has a soft rounded smiling face. After her face became pinched and she became as thin as a stick. Rather like she was trying to be as small and compact as she could be. The husband returned after his debts were settled and things went back to as they were. He treated the bars like home and his home like it was a nothing. But Violet had had some earth shattering change. She was earning her own money. Not much but her own. Over the years she furnished the apartment bought food and did the things most women do with the help of a partner.
I met Violet when she was still working in the dime store. I didn't know her or my husband. I had a friend who had gotten and after school job there. Years later when I met her again, she remembered I use to walk Rosemary home from work. (what innocent occupations we use to have) I went to school with her daughter and was dating her son. The Golden Child :-} More then likely I was not the DIL she would have picked out. I was Catholic and from a mixed marriage. I went to college and got arrested. This is not what a mother hopes for. I know in many ways I annoyed the shit out of her. I was not domestic and to smart for my own good. I read books for gawds sake. I was clever (a very nasty attribute) And not above using my sense of humor and brains to inflict pain. A nasty bit of work all together. But immature and inexperienced girls will behave like pigs. They tend to think their sensuality allows them to get away with anything.
So what does this have to do with kindness. Years after I was married and living in Virginia my in laws use to trek down here a couple of times a year. This was always a job. My MIL would inspect my total lack of homemaking skills and my FIL would encourage rampant drinking. Fun times fun times. Then one visit I watch Violet cut shelf paper and lovingly wash and put away the glasses and cups. I realize she was in 7th heaven. We will not go into mid century women and shelf paper. But there is a serious paper yet to be written about that! After the kitchen she asked me if we could organize the linen closet. Her face glowed. All those towels folded just so and lined up. Sheets pillowcases put in properly. Right another good job done. It was like watching aliens going to work. I realized Violet was burning to tidy me up. But she was also afraid that I might get angry and send a zinger her way. It was like the heavens opening up. I could do something for her. Something no one else could do. My sister in law was too neat to need help. But I am a total slob. So I made a cup of tea and explained that with Dawn in a body cast I just didn't have time for all these "jobs" And I really really appreciated her help. Would she help me clean the pit up. We both knew this was a lie. The pit was a pit because I didn't give a shit. But still. Her heart swelled and she was filled with that beatific light that people who get to be kind have. We went and got more shelf paper new kitchen curtains and a few other things. And went to work. After that we never looked back. We shared cups of tea, crocheted together and discussed the perfidity of man. We both made afghans, lots of them. Out of genuine Red Heart. (She loved VA the yarn was cheaper then NYC)
It was a double barreled gift. She got to clean (which she loved) and then she got to go home and tell everyone just how badly I kept house. It was no skin off my nose and gave her pleasure. And of course I got a clean house.
Years went on and in time she was too ill to clean for me. When we went to NYC to visit I would tidy up for her. She loved it. And supervised. It drove my own Mother to distraction. And even her son was annoyed by it. But WE understood just where we stood. After my FIL died her life became sadly contracted. Illness and a firm refusal to leave the house made her life very very small. I called her a couple of times a week. She had by this time driven her daughter to madness and they were less and less inclined to spend time with her. The last time I saw her before she died she clasped my hands with those paper thin hands that I am starting to develop and asked that when she got sick I would take care of her. Because I never yelled at her.
Recently my friends at Elann chat have been more kind to me that they can imagine. And their kindness has touched me deeply and warmed me and filled me with a sort of glow.
Thank all of you.

On The Tube

2007-08-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

First off I can't stand Knitty Gritty for more then 10 minutes. Knitster girrls...barf barf barf.
Instead I am improving my mind watching What Not To Wear and Big Love. I have learned a few things along the way. I need more fitted clothes. The stuff I have swims on me. I lost a lot of weight and haven't gotten a lot of new things. Not even $5000.00 worth of new clothes (an obscene amount of money) is parting me from my Def Leppard tee shirt or my hair. Like most hair stylists, Nick only knows how to cut hair. He and the make up women give lectures to victims, umm clients about "holding onto long hair as a security blanket" Strangely both the show host Stacy and the make up lady have long hair. Strange doings. He cuts their hair and stuffs it full of as he says "products" (I aways think of Something About Mary) I have a naturally dirty mind. Before the show is over the hair style has flatten out. I am guessing that the clients are thinking, how long before this grows out long enough to put up? I loved the woman with hair down to her waist, who refused to let him cut it. Did he offer to put it up or braid it? Nope he walked off.
I am going to lay off this show for awhile cause I had a dream, that Stacy and Clinton took my Queen tee shirt and jeans away from me. Sent me off shopping in NYC in nothing but a cami and step ins. No shoes. They said they were too disgraceful to wear in public. God knows there is enough violence in NYC without me wandering around in my knickers!
I have learned from Big Love that I do not have the makings of a Sister-Wife. Bill Paxton has a great looking rump. (we have seen a lot of it)But it isn't good enough to put up with 2 other wives. Now three husbands might work out. They could be Brother-Husbands. Especially if you keep replacing them as the age :-P Nothing to do with sex of course. They could all roller skate around me, as the center of their world. And of course they would have to love each other and not get jealous. I could set them each up with their own Man Cave. Leave a schedule on the fridge telling them who's day it is. Yesssss this might have possibilities.
The series runs along the lines off all the past night time soaps. Good guys (none so far) bad guys, drama, sex, lies and stupidity. The same as Dallas with the extra of polygamy. Ladies in Utah, set these men straight

I am knitting. I love Grace's feet. Her feet are a bit wider then mine, so I can now knit patterns that I wanted to try but wouldn't work on my foot. Great feet Grace!

Wild and Crazy Sock Yarn

2007-08-15T08:35:00.000-04:00

I got a notice from Astrids a few weeks ago intruducing this new Regia yarn. I looks like marbled paper. Quite different from the usual stripes and blobs. Tempted very tempted. Except so often these self patterning yarns don't work out for me. I buy a lot of Opal from Astrid. The shipping is high but the prices are low. And she has a really large selection
Regia Galaxy comes in a lot of colors. Most a bit more tame then this. When I first saw this, I thought BETS!!! It seems to have most of the colors she likes.

The test pattern sort of sock, might make a scarf. If some idiot hadn't put a short row heel near the top :-}
Thanks Marie for nominating me for the Rockin Girl Blogger. I love the picot edge. You go girl. I hope the move is going smoothly.

Dobby's Sock

2007-08-13T10:56:00.000-04:00

Well not really, but it is what my daughter calls it. I had started a sock, didn't care for how it was turning out. I was prepared frog it. But then I thought, WAIT instead of doing flat swatches or a faux round swatch. I already part of a sock done and could practice stitch patterns or gauge swatches. This one has gotten a bit out of hand. I have another one that is a more reasonable in length. You can see the cuff and the bit below is actually the stitch pattern I use for my Sockapalooza partner's sock. There is a bit of leaf pattern in white. And some tries at working a lace pattern upside down. It didn't work. That turquoise yarn in the middle is the most beautiful color yarn. Fearless Fibers, Robin's Egg Blue. It makes me smile every time I look at it.
The thing is, if you start a sock and then hate it, don't frog. You can put the stitches on a life line or a spare needle. Next time you need to swatch or want to try a pattern you are good to go.

Socapalooza !!!

2007-08-07T21:31:00.000-04:00

My swap partnerHeather out did herself. I am so excited. No one has ever knitted me socks. And these are beautiful socks. They fit perfectly
First the package. Just beautiful. I was afraid I would stab the socks. Pretty pretty. See those sweet round tins. One has beautiful stitch markers the other has a matching row counting bracelet. Heather must have known about my post it tick off the row method ;-)Also a package of note cards, knitting related. Did you make them Heather?

Rip...sorry I have no control here. Inside were these beautiful socks. Heather has done a very complex pattern. She has carried the pattern down the back of the leg to the heel. The yarn is RED, I love it. Very very soft. And they fit perfectly. Heather I envy your extremely tidy gusset decreases.

The pattern down the back of the leg and heel

Thank you so much Heather, I will think of you every time I wear them. I would have modeled them, except the heat index today was 110 and hotter tomorrow. As soon as we have some normal weather I will get my daughter to take some pictures :-)

If Its Friday It Must Be Pizza Night

2007-08-03T10:39:00.000-04:00

Every Friday, unless the temperature is above 85 I make pizza for DH and DD. I can't eat pizza. The melted cheese hates me. So here we go
First the

after a few hours we have

then I do this

and this

then you get this

and they do this to it

So if you are in Virginia Beach and feeling hungry and it is Friday stop by. We usually have pasta on Weds night. The leftover sauce goes on the pizza along with any leftover meatballs or sausage.
Not food or knitting related. I looked out the window this morning and saw this.

These two are litter mates and are always together They are strays.

I finished my Sock pals socks and mailed them off. Instead of sending a lot of stuff in the box. I just added chocolates. I have arranged for different things to be sent to her over the next week or so. So her surprises will keep coming :-) I hope the socks fit and I hope she likes them.
Have a great weekend everyone!

I need a new oven, this one stinks of gas

Kiva

2007-07-30T22:15:00.000-04:00

I got money for my Birthday. I don't need more yarn or needles or books. In fact I don't need anything just now. I was wrong, I do need something, I need to share. So I am now a banker to a couple of hard working (they work harder then I ever have) people. It is like eating chips, you can't stop at just one. Every time I get another $25.00, I know just where to spend it. It has gotten to be a sort of game, how can I gather up $25.00 without making everyone in the house think I have gone nuts. again.
I use to have a bumper sticker that said If You Want Peace, Work For Justice. I am not allowed bumper stickers on this car.
Any how it isn't that I am so nice or anything like that. This is really great fun, and I am hoping that all of the people will be successful. One lady has already started paying back her loan... You go Shehergul

"I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going. The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Terane Zaliyeva in Azerbaijan. They still need another $1,100.00 to complete their loan request of $1,175.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this business off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Terane Zaliyeva too:

Kiva

It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Questions

2007-07-22T13:35:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the kind remarks ladies.

Joan I usually knit the cuff of my sock to match the length of my foot. More or less. My heel flap is 2 1/2 inches so I make the leg around 7 inches. It could be an inch more or less. I like my socks to end before the calf. Just where the calf starts developing.
You could have picked up the stitches just below the cast on row. Cut the cast on row and then reknit it. Believe me, I hate doing ribbing so I have done all the cheats to get around doing it over again :-) Including putting in a life line after the ribbing is done. Just in case I hate the stitch pattern or it doesn't work out. I can frog back to the life line and NOT have to do the hated ribbing again. I am so lazy.

Lisa I am so glad to know I am not the only person to ditch the pattern. I think the trouble is it is too easy and is just boring after awhile. I nearly didn't finish the Nancy Bush Evening Stockings for the same reason. I saw someone else say that they got bored with the pattern too. So I felt like less of a looser. I mean Nancy Bush boring! Bite you tongue Suzann, just who do you think you are

Grace Do you really want to knit socks? Cause anyone who can create all that lacy goodness can knit anything. I saw a lace pattern sock that I think has your name on it.

Danielle I will email your for your mailing address. I have to go to the post office. And I will send you the pattern. It is a lovely yarn, but not for me.

Benne The yarn does look like cantaloupes. I feel better, but still tired mostly. I am knitting so that is good. I don't mind thick socks, I have a pair of old clogs that they fit in. But not everyone feels like that. This yarn is as thick as the socks I sent you.

Bets I hope you are not in the rain area. I have been thinking of you. If only all that rain could be redirected to the west cost. And we could use some too.

Sorry no pictures. My camera needs a charge. My daughter will be home from Alaska tomorrow. She asked for a pasta dinner. So I am making the sauce right now. I missed her. Even thought I kind of got use to not having all the settings on my computer changed.
Anyone want some tomatoes or zucchini? I asked for ONE zucchini plant and got 5, we are not hip deep in them. And you can't give them away for love or money :-)I tried leaving them on the neighbors doorstep in the middle of the night. But they were always back on mine in the morning :P

A Tale Of Two Socks

2007-07-16T09:53:00.000-04:00

This bowl of porridge was too hot, this bowl of porridge was too cold. One pair of socks is a bit thick the other has a pattern that is driving me nuts. Both yarns are beautiful. I am probably less in love with the Merino Tencel blend. It isn't slick it feels like mercerized cotton, rather then wool. Cool and silky to the touch. But (there is always a but) I have had trouble getting gauge. And what possessed a woman who barely tolerates ribbing at the cuff to choose a pattern that is just tarted up ribbing? I knew when I finished the cuff I would never finish two socks in this pattern. Frogging is not really an option, as the yarn untwisted when frogged. Anyone want a half finished sock and pattern? I will gladly send it off to you. No kidding. Otherwise it will die in the back of my yarn closet. I am using a size 0 needle and still getting the occasional loose stitch. So it is tug at each and every stitch. But someone with better tension that me, would probably zoom right along.
The second sock which is suppose to be for my Sockapalooza exchange. I am worried about this because the yarn is a bit chubby. Even thought it is supposed to be fingering weight, I would guess it is closer to sports weight. I love the yarn, Merino, Cashmere an a bit of nylon. It just glides. But suppose my swap partner doesn't like thicker socks? I love them, but then they aren't for me. I have scoured my partners blog for hints. But nothing so far. I mean you aren't likely to see a blog post saying "I love thick socks" I would start another pair, but I am afraid I wouldn't have them done in time. I don't knit all that fast. I might have to hire Karin :-)
Both stitch patterns are from the new More Sensational Sock Patterns. I love how the pattern on the finished sock breaks up the hand dyed pooling. You can see the difference between the cuff and the foot part. On the cuff leg area the yarn looks like it is striping. On the foot part with is just ribbing you can see how the colors swirl around in thick bands. This is the Stansfield 196 pattern. You will find a very similar pattern in Barbara Walker's Second Treasury. Barbara recommends using this pattern on variegated yarns. And I can see why. If it wasn't for the thickness of the yarn, I would be very pleased with the socks.
A word about the new More Sensational Socks book. Lots of great stitch patterns. A good many of them from Barbara Walker. But they have been simplified and of course converted to pattens in the round. Also the pattern stitch pictures in the book, really don't show what the stitch pattern looks like worked up in fine yarn. They look very like they had been worked in thick yarn with tiny needles. It is a surprise to see how open and lace like they do look.
Because the yarn is so much thicker then fingering weight, I choose not to do any slip stitches on the heel flap. I used the pattern repeat without the yo. And edged it with seed stitch.

This is a better picture of the color and stitch pattern

The sock that I can't bear to finish. Give this poor lady a home. I have turned the heel and finished the gusset decreases. But whoever takes it might want to do that over to fit themselves. There is plenty of yarn

Everyday Was Father's Day

2007-06-16T21:04:00.000-04:00

When I was a very little girl, we lived in a 3 floor apartment building in Brooklyn New York. One night, very late my Dad woke me up. He helped me into my bathrobe and slippers. Shushed me and grabbed up my quilt. We went quietly out the door and up the stairs to the roof. He has already spread out newspapers on the tar roof. There was a thermos of hot chocolate. Dad pointed up to the sky and handed me his prized binoculars. A total eclipse of the moon. Wrapped up in my quilt leaning against my Dad and sipping hot chocolate we watched the moon vanish. In a low voice my Dad recited the 8th Psalm
When I consider the heavens,the work of your hands.
The moon and stars, which you created
What is man, that you take thought of him?
Or the son of man that you love him?
I must have drifted in and out of sleep. Each time I woke up Dad was there watching the show in the sky. In the distance you could hear the city sounds, but even they seem muted. It was magic. In time the full moon returned and Dad took me back to my room. He brought down my quilt and tucked me in for the night. The next day he let me stay home from school. Although my Mom was not sure star gazing was a reason for missing school. Dad went to work as usual.
My parents met late in life. And to be honest they would have been just as happy if they never had children. They were so in love with each other. But Dad took to having children like a natural. He never talked down to children. And he expected we would be just as curious and interested in the world around us as he was.
When I was around 12 my Dad ground the glass for a telescope lens. I got to help. My father had the grand idea of cutting a hole in the roof of their house in Long Island and putting in a clear dome. Then mounting an electric telescope with camera. My Mom thought it would probably let in the rain. Sadly it never got to happen. My Dad had a massive stroke. He wanted to die, but my Mother dragged him onward for 10 more years. She could not bare to be parted from him.
I never heard my father raise him voice in anger. He never hit us. All he had to do was look you in the eye, with one eyebrow raised. You had this strange urge to explain yourself. It was spooky. His idea of punishment was to take a book out of his extensive library of second hand books and have you memorize something. Usually poetry. You also had to give a summery of what it was about. This did backfire on him a bit, when I had to memorize extensive bits of Hiawatha. I felt I should share this with any guests my parents had :-}
He was a kind and gentle man. He always stood up when my giggly teenage girlfriends showed up. Helped them on or off with their coats. He always took my arm at street crossings and walked on the outside.
Now I am sure you are wondering if this paragon had any faults. My father had no idea of time. This doesn't mean much, unless you are waiting for him after work in three inch heels. When he did wander up, and you asked through gritted teeth where he had been. He looked very surprised to learn he was late. Meanwhile your feet are throbbing like drums. In spite of his many stellar qualities, I was sometimes sorely tempted to push him under a bus. :-} No matter how far back we pushed the clock, we were always late.
My Dad who was from Barbados had a very British sense of humour, which alas floated over the heads of most people. Including my mother. She laughed but she wasn't sure why. This led to him giving us outlandish answers to questions like "Where did you meet Mom?" "Ahh, she was a go go dancer in a glass cage, I rescued her." My brother repeated that story at school, when his class had to tell something about your parents. My mother nearly died. She was a short chubby lady and president of the PTA.
Rock on Dad, you are a star
ps Daddy if you are reading,I wouldn't have really pushed you under a bus. I still have your book on the Qualities of soap bubbles. And you were right about that guy. I should have pushed HIM under a bus.

sorry I haven't been around much. I haven't been feeling full of mojo of any kind.

Grace Is Great

2007-05-31T09:31:00.000-04:00

Grace is GREAT, better then chocolate cake :-)
I sent Grace some yarn, which truthfully I was never going to use, and was glad it was going to a good home. In return, Grace surprised me with this.

This is like handing someone a bologna sandwich and they give you the keys to their Porche. It is beautiful, and warm and made with love. I have been waiting for someone to take a glamour shot of me holding the shawl open. No one seems to want to take my picture. And I really wanted to share this with the world. Is so so beautiful. I am shawl impaired. I have started SK's SunRay three times. It says more about how great Highland Wool is, then my talents as a knitter. The yarn is a lot less frazzled then I am.
Yesterday I had to go for a stress test. Due to the knee problem, it was a chemical test. I know only to well how freezing cold the hospital is. There are morgues that are warmer then the hospital. So I wore wooly socks and took my lovely shawl. I was toasty warm. And the shawl got lots of touches. People couldn't believe that a real live person knitted it. The technician that did part of the test kept coming back for another touch. She even dragged in the Radiologist in to touch it. Oh Grace I wish you could have been there.
You can see the stitches in this picture, but the color is off. It is more like Tranquil Lagoon

Thank you, hardly seems to cover this gift. I have to go back to the hospital for some more tests. And I will be wrapped up in my beautiful shawl. Even if it is August.
Thank you again Grace, your the greatest

Yarn and Socks

2007-05-25T21:54:00.000-04:00

Some new yarns. The top on is from The Knittery in Australia. Talk about fast shipping. It was here in under a week. And consider I am as far from Australia as you can get and still be on the same planet. The color is "Orange Blossom" Merino, cashmere and nylon. So soft Bets could roll around naked on this stuff. Super super soft.
The bottom one is from Zen Garden Yarn Canada. Color is "Just Peachy" Merino and tencel also super soft. I undid the skein which is why it looks a bit messy. I will use one of these for my Sockapalooza partner. Ok I am sorely tempted to keep the Knittery one for me. I will strive to overcome my naked greed.

I have a skein from Jayne which my daughter has gone off with. I need to get it back and take a picture. Because it is beautiful.
And a gift so beautiful from Grace that I want to devote a complete post to it. Also I need to get someone to take a picture of it.

Bets and I swapped yarn. She sent me a box full of goodies.One of which is this Opal yarn. I love the turquoise color. I decided to do Nancy Bush's Child's First Sock from Vintage Knit Socks. The pattern is easy except for the purl YO knit. It is just so counterintuitive to not restore the yarn to the back of the needle after a purl stitch. I expect after I finish these socks, I will be making unplanned Yarn Overs for a long time

Round Toe

2007-05-08T20:47:00.000-04:00

Round toe uses decreases over a lot over rows, to create a gently rounded shape. To do this successfully you need to know your row gauge. The decreases are usually worked over a number divided by 8, but can be a number divided by 10 or any number I guess.
I measure from the base of my big to to the tip of the toe. Then divide the inches by my row gauge. You can work less knit rounds if you need a shorter toe. Or start the toe part earlier.
Round toe is part of a family of toes that slowly decrease and end up with a number of stitches that are then drawn closed as opposed to grafting. The decreases can be worked to create a pattern as in the Star toe (toe used so beautifully in the Embossed Leaves sock) Swirl toe creates a decrease that seems to move to the right across the toe. The best source of information for these different toes is either Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks or Nancy Bush's Folk Socks.
If the number you are working isn't divisible by 8 or 10, do a decrease to get to the correct number and then go onto the Round toe action.
To work round toe over a number divided by eight
Knit 6 K2tog repeat around the sock
Knit 6 rows
Knit 5 K2tog repeat around the sock
Knit 5 rows
Knit 4 K2tog repeat around the sock
Knit 4 rows
repeat with one less stitch on each decrease round and one less row on the plain rounds
Until you have just 16 stitches left. cut yarn and run through the stitches on the needles. Draw up and run needle through the stitches again to close up the hole.
The shape produced fits my feet perfectly very tapered. When I grafted toes closed they always looked to blocky and the squared off shape never went away no matter how many times I wore them.
If you have toes that are in more of a straight line across, then the grafted toe is probably perfect for you.
You can see the blocky effect with the grafted toe on these socks I made my daughter.
I have tried all the tricks that are supposed to get rid of the sharp corners, and they haven't worked for me

I have the same problem with toe up socks. They are too wide across the very tip of the sock. And there is a lot of excess fabric over with would be your smallest toe.
Not to mention that I do crap short row heels :-}

Star Toe from Embossed Leaves Socks

Nancy Bush's Evening Stockings

2007-05-04T10:26:00.000-04:00

One down, one to go.

I didn't want knee socks so I did a few mods on the pattern. I changed the heel flap to repeat the P1 K 5, pattern repeat. The flap is edged with seed stitch. I will do more rows of seed stitch on sock two. I did three seed stitches on each side. But one row gets eaten up when I picked up the gusset stitches. In effect I just used the lace pattern. I think they turned out pretty well. Of course I need to knit another one.

I did round toe, my favorite. I wanted to keep the P1 K5 pattern going. Due to brain damage I decreases in the purl stitches. This causes the purl row to go wonky. Next sock I will do the decreases in the knit stitches. That way the purl rows should remain true.

Sock without Suzann's big foot in it :-} I can't get the color right. But it isn't a light pink, more a peachy pink. The yarn is soft and cushy

New KAL

2007-05-02T19:47:00.000-04:00

If you missed out on Sockapalooza4 here is another sock KAL

It isn't a swap but a three month KAL, starting with the Summer Solstice (June 21st)and ending with the Autumn Equinox (Sept 21st) Makes me feel all druid. There are contests and other fun stuff. You get to flash your socks and their is a contest for the most socks knit (Jayne) And you can enter designs in a design contest.
I can't believe I signed up for more socks. But there is no pressure of completing a perfect sock for a partner.

Speaking of which I heard from my Sockapalooza swap pal. *Waves Hello* I am waiting for yarn to get started on socks for my pal. The yarn is coming from Canada and is probably sitting in a customs office someplace.
Oh and I would like to thank Jayne for pointing me in the direction of Etsy. Oh good another place to spend hours drooling and spend money. I have no control.
My socks are coming along well. I really really love the yarn and the pattern. I stuck my finger with the damn needle so I am taking a day off to let it heal a bit.
I would take pictures (the socks not the wounded diget) except the most evil line of thunderstorms is heading our way. The radar is a bit frigtening. Cate is probably getting hammered right now, and Kim will be next. Hale winds and lightening. Could we just have some nice normal rain, pleaseeeeeeeee

Stupid Place part II and Socks of course

2007-04-30T11:16:00.000-04:00

Ladies, I am here to tell you, you can access the Stupid place without a 20 pound cat. All it takes is a double portion of very garlicky Shrimp Scampi and two very large Caribbean Sunset Pina Coladas :-P My daughter and I went off for the day Saturday shopping. We were high in the way, only woman can be who have stuffed the trunk of the car with BARGAINS. We decided to reward ourselves with lunch. Not some nasty quickie food. We wanted wait staff and food. hehehe. The only place near by was a Red Lobster. As we waited for a seat, we spotted large pictures of Caribbean Sunset Pina Coladas. hmmmmmmmmm, looked good to us. Got seated, ordered our drinks and dived into the menu. We both had double orders of Garlic Shrimp Scampi. Burp!!Burp!!Burp!! Very good. And you know those drinks went down so smoothly, why not another one. It was at this point the portal to The Stupid Place opened. We called home, and in fits of giggles announced we were knocking back Pina Coladas at Red Lobster and forget dinner as we were stuffed. The worried voice on the other end of the phone wondered how we planned to drive home? Ha! had it covered. We were laughing so hard, we were drawing strange looks from other dinners and the wait staff. Wiser minds decided that a third drink might mean spending the night in Hampton. We leave Red Lobster. Go back to the mall, and Macy's, we are still giggling . The sales help at Macy's got garlic breath for their trouble. Which for some reason we thought was funny. I was trying on jeans, and Dawn tells me "Mom you have an ass, flaunt it!" I looked over my shoulder to see if I could find it. Must have been someone else's Mom :-D
My daughter grabs my hand and drags me out of Macy's and off to a Starbucks, where she declares we are having a time out. I found this funny. So funny I called home to announce we were in Starbucks, having a time out. All I heard was GAWDS PUT DAWN ON. Mz Schoolteacher advises that she really thinks I NEED A TIMEOUT. Excuse me I am not 11. It was alright in the end. We had coffee and dessert (like we needed that) wandered around for a few hours and made it home safely. Two things that made this work. I bought home dinner for the stay at home and also got him a few new shirts. So he never noticed the huge bag that had my name on it.

The yarn for the socks is from Fearless Fibers and indie dyer at Esty Fearless Fibers A thicker fingering weight or a skinny sportsweight. Very soft very cushy. Slight changes in the color don't compete with the pattern. The pattern is from Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks. Evening Socks. I didn't want knee socks, so I just used the lace pattern on the leg over 60 stitches. The cuff is shorter then the pattern, because the leg is shorter. I am repeating the P1, K 5 cuff for the heel flap. With a seed stitch border. The lace pattern is super easy, actually only two rows of lace the rest of the rows are the P1, K5. I made a mistake. My fault knitting and boozing are probably not a good combination. I was going to frog back the two rows to fix it. But I decided to leave the mistake there, as a reminder of when Dawn and I took a trip to the Stupid Place together.
This is closer to the actual color.

The beginning of the heel flap

Suzann Gets Stuck In The Stupid Place

2007-04-26T08:28:00.000-04:00

Everyday around 2pm I am off for a nap. I get up at 5:30 am to make breakfast and wave the folks out the door. No problem. But by 2:00pm I am exhausted and need to rest. At first there was a bit of resistance to nap time. Then the quality of the dinners went down the tube, and nap time was reinstalled. So I went off for my rest and something happened. Granted I have a rich inner life this one was over the top.
I found I couldn't talk. Couldn't even mouth words. People were talking to me, and I was shaking my head, franticly. Trying to let them know I couldn't speak. Hands grabbed me and a voice boomed out..."Dawn come quick, your mother is stuck in the Stupid Place again" They began pushing be back and forth and slapping me. Not hard, but like they were trying to wake me up. I was desperately trying to tell them I could talk. It didn't work. They kept yelling, YOU'RE STUCK IN THE STUPID PLACE AGAIN. At some point I broke away from them and found paper and pencil. I wrote I CAN'T TALK!!! The answer, of course you can't talk, YOU ARE STUCK IN THE STUPID PLACE.
Then I saw my mother sitting at the kitchen table cutting out grocery coupons (a favorite hobby) I wrote to them I CAN SEE MY MOTHER!!!. They said, yes yes everyone can see dead people, but YOU ARE STUCK IN THE STUPID PLACE.
I woke up. I couldn't talk. Not sure about the stupid place, but a 20 pound cat had half his body across my neck. He was peacefully sleeping away. I was gasping for air.
Have a good day, and watch out for THE STUPID PLACE or 20 pound cats, whichever comes first :-}
Negative ease a bit later.

PS I feel the term, Stuck In The Stupid Place is going to be thrown in my face in future. Ya know, like when I can't locate my glasses(on my head) or stuff or mumble mumble mumble

Basic Sock Patterns

2007-04-25T21:22:00.000-04:00

Here are a few tried and true but interesting to work sock patterns

The first is the famous Blueberry Waffle pattern. Wendy Johnson just did a sock using this pattern. It is the first stitch pattern I ever tried. It looks great in a sock color and breaks up patterned yarns. It has a lot of texture, but is basically ribbing. I have a short attention span for ribbing, but I managed to use this pattern twice, once for a CIC kids sock and once for a pair for my daughter. The pattern is for sports weight yarn, but is easily changed for fingering weight yarn.

Blueberry Waffle Socks

The next is Fluted Bannister Socks. This was a Six Sock KAL sock, but is available to anyone now.
I did this with some opal yarn and even as a raw beginner I was able to change the pattern repeats for use with fingering weight yarn. Nice pattern, it is a bit more difficult then Blueberry Waffle, because the number of knits and purls change each row as the banister twists around the sock. Both of these patterns can be used on the instep without causing you pain if you wear you socks in traditional shoes. I would not carry cables down onto the foot. The cables can really cramp your style inside shoes. It is easy to change the cable pattern to ribbing instead. Or just do a plain foot.

Fluted Banister Socks

Next is Dublin Bay socks. I have not knit this one. But it has a lot of play time around the net. Looks pretty

Dublin Bay

The last one is the Tidal Bay socks I knit for Benne. While not a super simple pattern, it is really interesting pattern to work. It has no tricky parts. Increases and decreases. There are two rows with double decreases that you need to watch for, but other then that it is easy. It is a stretchy pattern, so no fears of not being able to get it over your foot. A fun knit in either solid color yarn or patterned. Jayne I bet this would look brilliant in your hand dyed yarn. Your beautiful blues or the yummy Butterscotch.

Tidal Wave Socks

As soon as I get to feeling alive again, I will post the pattern for the green socks. I wouldn't trust any pattern I posted just now. I am beyond fuzzy

And a final word on negative ease and twisted stitch patterns. I look at a lot of sock knitting blogs. And I can't tell you how many people I see with socks that could pass for compression bandages. The sock is stretched to the screaming point and it is hardly flattering. This happens when you have complex patterns with twist stitches. A pattern repeat of 15 is hard to adjust for a larger foot. Unless you choose to go up a needle size or use a heaver weight of yarn. The twist stitches make the pattern inelastic in the extreme. All you need to do is Google for images of Pomatomus, or Jaywalker and see the problems. The other problem is negative ease. I have a post about negative ease to put up, because unless you have very very skinny legs mostly you can skip this disaster causer.
ramble ramble ramble :-}
I hope the pattern links help people to find something they might want to try.

So Easy So Much Fun

2007-04-23T11:22:00.000-04:00

Unlike the red lace sock this one is a joy. Well it is a six stitch pattern repeat instead of 13 stitch repeat. Less chance for me to go zombie in the middle of a row. If anyone wants a pattern that is easy to do and just flows, I would be glad to post this one up.
Meilenweit Colortweed 1004 from Astrids
Needle size 2.25mm.
I cast on 64 stitches for the ribbing. Did about 2 inches give or take a bit. Then two rows of plain knitting, while I moved the beginning/ end of the middle of the back of the sock. I only needed 60 stitches for the pattern, so I deleted the extra 4 stitches over the two knit rounds. And started the pattern. I tell you this pattern is like eating potato chips. You just keep going and going. I knit the leg 7 inches before the heel flap. Since I wasn't going to continue the pattern down the instep, I stop about 4 rows before the heel flap. This was to keep the YO away from the pick up gusset stitches. Did the heel, and gusset reduced down to 64 stitches. To give a bit of ease over the instep. I kept the extra 4 stitches until almost up to the toe.
Knitted the foot and did a round toe. I am half way down the leg of the second sock. Wheeeeeeeeeeee like flying :-}
A word about the yarn. Meilenweit is a commercial yarn that feels like twine when you knit it. Very firm and sort of rough. But wash that puppy and it just puffs up and is smooth and soft. The pattern would show up really nicely in a solid yarn. It is a bit hidden by the stripes. I don't care. It is fun. And I don't have any bright green and blue socks. I am trying to get out of my netural "safe" mode and live a little with some color.

stripy feet :-P

If you can K 2tog and SSK and YO you can make these socks. I like SKpsso cause I find it relaxing to do on small needles. But either one works.

I know some of you are doing the sock exchange and I am going to post a list of patterns that are available online. They look good and if you have never done patterned socks these are a good place to start. And fun to do.

I think I am getting a cold or something. I am freezing (it is 82 in the house) I can't taste anything and I feel a bit tired. Maybe a wee lay down is due.

Thanks ladies

2007-04-23T09:46:00.000-04:00

Kathy asked me about the climate in Virginia.

Kathy this is the bad news
So, let's plop the center of one of these highs right over the island of Bermuda which is about 800 miles east of Charleston South Carolina. The clockwise rotation of the high will cause air to steadily stream northward from the gulf of Mexico, up across the southeastern part of the US and at times on to New England and beyond before curving eastward out into the Northern Atlantic. So air that may be in Portland Maine on one day, was in Virginia the day before and in the subtropics the day before that. The Bermuda High is one of the many meteorological mechanisms that moves heat away from the tropics, to places where it is not always welcome. Completely unwelcome.

When I lived in California the summers were hot but dry. I miss the weather.
As for cities, well we have some of everything. Richmond is the state capital and is a traditional city with a downtown and lively night life.
Virgina Beach area is bit time Navy town. Very beachy and we have tourists in the summer.No downtown lots of sprawl. Norfolk is a traditional type city with a downtown
opera house and ballet.
Williamsburg is very traditional. The home of William and Mary College and colonial Willimsburg. Beautiful old houses.
Cape Charles is a beautiful water town on the Easter Shore. It has been taken over by retirees from up north keen on waterfront property.
The western part of the state has many lovely cities. Not sure what you are looking for.

Jayne asked of the Red socks were like childbirth, pain forgotten in the joy of the product.
Hahaha, The cuffs were fuzzed up before I finished the foot. I had to wash them 6 times before the color stopped running. They are soft and cushy, I guess this counts for something.

Lisa W & Benne. Thank you both so much for the information about the shots. The swelling has really gone down, but the deep pain in the knee was a bear. It was worse then the knee pain I had before the shot. This is the first shot I have ever had. All these years my knee hurt me, I was given the take two whatever and keep your leg up thing. Under the TMI, I can't seem to stop going to the bathroom. I am guessing this is all the extra fluid in my leg and foot. At least I hope it is :-)
The doctor said that since my knee has never had any treatment, I have gone past anything but knee replacement. I have bone on bone contact. Everything else is gone now. He seemed a bit surprised that my GP had never sent me on for further treatment. I am not surprised as it was this swollen leg that led to the discovery that I had heart failure. If you are a woman, look out for yourself. No one else seems to be paying attention.
This is what the red socks are Supposed to look like, but don't

Thanks for the kind words Joan, Trish, and Grace.

Socks and Storms and Things That Go Bump In The Night

2007-04-18T11:08:00.000-04:00

The red lace socks are done and on my feet. Nice and warm even with all the holes. The pattern was a bear. It wasn't hard in itself, but not intuitive at least not for me. Every pattern round required attention to the pattern and the chart. The knit rounds were a blessed relief. It was a struggle from beginning to the end. The other problem was that the lace never showed, as it did in the picture at Magknits. The needles I got gauge with created too dense a fabric. The larger needles got a more open pattern, but the fabric was way too flimsy. Usually I do the leg 7 inches before the heel flap. This time I only made it to 5 inches. I just couldn't bear to do anymore. And why I carried the pattern down the instep is beyond me. Drink? who knows. I truly thought the first sock would be the only one in this pattern. I love the color, maybe that drove me on to do the second sock.
This is the first time I used Lorna's Laces yarn. It reminds me of Knit Picks Merino sock yarn. Very soft, very loosely spun. And splitty. My INOX needles consistently split the yarn. The more blunt Addis worked much better, but I still split the yarn. I think the combination of the yarn and the pattern made this a less then wonderful knit.

The Nor'easter passed through and while we only got rain, the little wind we did get after the storm did its thing. I bet Kim got twice as much rain and wind as we did. Hampton/Newport News while only a half hour drive from me always get the worse end of the weather.
So the day AFTER the storm passed, half a 60 foot pine tree dropped on the back fence. I took this picture just after it dropped down, more of the tree is falling down. So the pile is now twice as high. I looked up at the top of the tree and decided that it probably wasn't all that smart stand under the tree :-}

I went to see a new Orthopedist today. This is the doctor who did one of my Mom's knee replacements and did my daughter's hip replacement. He really examined my knee/leg. Recommended a knee replacement. nooooooooooo He admired the red socks, and DID not try to rip them off my feet to try on :-P He gave me a shot (hurt like bloody hell) in the knee. To see if it helps the swelling. And I have to return in 5 weeks.
I am hoping that with the shot, I will be able to drive to the post office tomorrow and mail off the my packages to Grace and Benne. It is a disgrace, they have been sitting on the table for at least a week. Sorry ladies :(

I have shut off the TV I can't stand the constant coverage from Blacksburg. I am getting my news from online. At least I don't have to look at the TV "actors/news persons" emoting the news. god I am such a cynic

Tragedy In Virginia

2007-04-17T10:04:00.000-04:00

There are no words to express the horror of what has happened in Blacksburg. My heart, my prayers and thoughts go out to the students, parents and citizens of Blacksburg.
The news media is already feeding like sharks on the story. Can the politicians be far behind? Hello outside world, can we give these people a moment to bury their dead and try to grasp how their world has crumbled and changed forever.

I finished my socks, my feet are warm but my heart is cold as ice. I am going to see the Sports doctor tomorrow about my knee. It is getting more and more painful.

Naughty Snowflakes

2007-04-09T09:50:00.000-04:00

I thought, mmmmmmm red lace socks. Why not? They have been a bit of a problem. In order to have the lace showing properly you need to knit them tight enough to stretch the pattern out. There is a fine line, which I have not be able to locate, between cutting off circulation to my leg and having the pattern show. The pattern is beautiful but not what I would call a relaxing knit. Still if it was coming out the way I liked I wouldn't really mind. sigh. On the leg, the pattern does show better, but not really all that lacy. Sock one is down to the toe decreases. I have already cast on the cuff for sock two. If I don't start it as soon as sock one is done, I will never finish it.
2x2 ribbing and Eye of The Partridge heel flap. Round toe. If I ever get to the toe that is.
Lorna's Laces. Soft yarn, splity like mad. I had to change to my Addi needles which meant going up to 2.50mm since Addi in its infinite wisdom doesn't make a 2.25mm. And the super pointy INOX was snagging the yarn like mad. Give me a tightly twisted yarn any day for working on small gauge needles. I think I am suffering from a sugar rush, after helping to empty the Easter Basket :-}
Have you ever wanted to do a picot edge on socks or anything? I found a cute faux picot edging at this blog. socks, coffee and a good book

I'm In Love

2007-03-29T23:54:00.000-04:00

I love love love this pattern. I wish I could wear it. Maybe if I got the arm weights out :-} I love the rose leaves around the shoulder. I love the fancy ribbing down the front. I love it
This pattern is from Elsebeth Lavold Knitting Book #4 Silky Tweed Silky Wool. I can't imagine doing a summer top in Silky Wool, no matter how wonderful a yarn it is.
Yarnbow

Isn't She Lovely

2007-03-29T11:11:00.000-04:00

The is the Wee Tiny Sock I received from my swap partner Cindy Not only is it perfectly knitted but is topped by a beautiful Iridescent bead. It really sets this sock apart for anything I have done. Also I love the hot pink envelope and the great note card. In other words I love it all :-}

Benne's Sock part I

I went to the Orthopedist yesterday. Sitting in the waiting room a young woman came in with a child of about 4 or 5. I was working on Benne's second sock. Lots of times kids are fascinated by knitting or the colors and want to touch or ask questions. The kiddie heads to my side of the room, grabs the sock and yells at the top of her voice I WANT THIS I removed the toddler hand from my knitting and offered her some yarn. She threw it on the ground and went into Toxic Dump mode. This was beyond screaming to the upper level of screech mode. Dolphins out at sea looked up to see what the racket was about. Stamping her legs up and down she kept Screaming I WANT IT, I WANT IT, I WANT IT So I put the knitting away in my bag and put the bag behind me on on the chair. I believe the kid breaths through her rump cause she never stopped to breath. Her mother looks up from People Magazine and whines across to me. "Just let her hold it for awhile." I explained that the needles were very sharp and she could get hurt and more importantly to me at least was that she could pull the needles out of the sock. Mom shrugged her shoulders and went back to People. I then said something to this child, which she has probably never heard before. I am amazed they didn't call Child Protective Services. I said NO and go sit down you are loud and annoying. DO IT NOW. I would love to say it worked, but it didn't. :-{

Benne's Sock part II

Having escaped the hope of America to the examining room, I was told they were waiting for the results of my MIR. Ahem I only had it taken two weeks ago. More knitting. Good thing it was freezing in there. Doctor comes in tells me he is sending me to a sports doctor. I am still ROTFLMAO, cause I am about as un-sporty as it is possible to be. I have to have a Arthroscopy. Oh joy. At least I get to watch. The doctor asks what I am knitting. I show him the completed sock. Doctor loses mind over sock. Rubs sock on face. And then he rips off his shoe and sock and tires it ON. Has the world gone mad??? It doesn't really fit him (he is a short guy with small feet) He loves the heel, he loves to colors, he loves the pattern. He wants to know what I am going to do with the finished socks.(hint hint hint) Hahaha, you ain't getting them ace.
Benne I promise to wash it twice before I send it off to you. Gawds. If I didn't have to launder the sock twice I would be sending them off to you tomorrow. I am down to knitting with the yarn from my swatch. Scary

Say a little prayer for Bets

2007-03-23T10:52:00.000-04:00

Bets and I seem to think the way to bring in spring is to get an MIR. She has had two of them. I had on and upped the anty to include an ultrasound Go tell her to get well soon. Infected sinuses are awful and very painful. Not even getting to wear a smart eye patch makes up for the pain.
My problem isn't painful. I have congestive heart failure. My left leg has been swelling. When I pointed this out to my doctor he assured me it wasn't my heart, and I didn't have a blood clot. Still it was very worrying. After about 6 months of this I got on his case again. Maybe it was the veiled mention that my nearest and dearest would see him in court if I dropped dead suddenly. I dunno. He sent me for xrays and then for a MIR and then for the Ultra Sound. Now I have appointments with an Orthopedist and my Cardiologist (the one who has been hinting for hand made socks) Next week is going to be busy busy busy. On the upside I can do some knitting in the waiting room. I am Zen about the whole thing.

Dennis Hopper is a Republican. How the hell did that happen. The biggest drughead to float out of the sixties alive is a freakin Republican. He has been seen on TV doing his Mr Cool act for the benefit of some investment company. A company by the way which has been sued by the State of New Jersey for the damaged they did to the state employees retirement fund. Hey Dennis you make me sick.

a fun parody of a Dennis commerical

Ring a Ding

2007-03-20T11:12:00.000-04:00

A few images for the new Elannite webring. Created by our hard working WebMama Joan

If you like them, please copy them onto your hard drive.

I will probably do a few more. I used all Elann Highland Wool the backgrounds.

The Lace Mistress

2007-03-17T15:35:00.000-04:00

Shui Kuen has allowed me to put up some pictures of her incredible lace work. Folks this is like getting to clean Michaelangelo's brushes :-) It is very picture loaded so get a cup of tea and prepare for some ohhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhh and drooling
The lady herself wearing her contest winning Garden Path Shawl

a close up of the edging

The beautiful Birdseye shawl modeled by a friend. I lighten the color a bit so you could see the pattern. It is a deep rich eggplant

The popular Kiri also modeled by a friend

Snow White sans the dwarfs

2007-03-17T15:25:00.000-04:00

Even in my dreams lace entrelac does not exist. But Shui Kuen has done it again, beautiful. I hope one day we see a picture of her wearing it.

Ok you can all breath again.

Oh But There Is So Much More

2007-03-17T15:17:00.000-04:00

It isn't that I don't trust Blogger, but I thought it would be saver to divide this up into a few posts. I had to resize the pictures. So if there is an area you would like a closer view of, let me know and I will upload that.
I think this shawl is just beautiful

I think these are some of Shui Kuen's best works. They certainly move me to envy :-}

Leaf And Acorn, modeled by a friend.

Close up

A back view

Close up

It's A Tidal Wave Folks

2007-03-16T11:23:00.000-04:00

I really am enjoying working this pattern. The yarn is so busy it doesn't show as it should, but I am determined to get rid of the yarn. STR in Dutch Canyon color way on 2.25 needles.
The yarn is nice,tightly spun. But the color is not something I would have picked out in person. Damn the internet.
If you want a sock with a bit of pattern this is for you. Easy to work it just flows. The pattern forms sideways shells that move around the leg. And of course there is a bit of warping of the stocking. Which is probably why the design stops at the ankle. Which is fine with me, I will probably just do a ribbing on the instep. In Barbara Walker's Second Treasury (I think) there is such a sideways curved design called Madeira Lace. BW says that it does not bias. Interesting.
If you are looking for pretty sock yarn, in colors that won't make you feel ill, and you won't need to reserve your place in line check out Jayne's Fab Yarn
Winter is back. While Joan is getting ready to be buried in snow, we have rain and cold again. Thank you Norse gods of weather, I love the cold and hate the heat and humidly of summer

Half way down the leg

Pattern:Tidal Wave
Yarn: Socks That Rock, Dutch Canyon
Needles: Beloved INOX grays 2.25

Just Silly

2007-03-13T10:15:00.000-04:00

I ordered a bunch of these key rings. Just for fun ya know. I am feeling a bit silly these days. Brain meltdown maybe.
The keyrings are really nice and come with a great pattern. Not sure how practical a tiny sock on a key ring will be. I expect the demon purse will eat it alive.
The folks were great to deal with and my key rings arrived promptly. If you want some for yourself go here felt up designs

This is my dd St Patrick's Day key ring. Knitting as fun

Wee Tiny Sock part III

2007-03-12T11:14:00.000-04:00

A friend asked me to make a pair of tiny socks in the Glasgow Rangers Football (soccer) colors. I asked very carefully just what the colors were. Black with a red turn over I was told. So I cast on for the cuff in red and this morning I considered just how a big a cuff would be needed. Google, no close up sock pictures. I proceeded to knit a cuff long enough to fold over and moved on the the leg of the sock. On nailing down my friend I was told "Ah well they just have a small strip this season" gaaaaahhhhhh Men!
The second is a St Patricks day pin for my daughter. Some old Opal. I now remember why the original socks never got finished. Every so often there were long stretches of white yarn. The pattern didn't continue. Opal can do things to me that make me want to bang my head against a wall. Sort of like a 3yr old asking "Why" over and over.
The black and red is Diwa on 2.00mm It will be longer as it is supposed to be a knee sock. Clearly a more dedicated football fan would shape the leg. Dream on Paul :-P

Wee Tiny Socks part II

2007-03-11T17:19:00.000-04:00

This has been a hoot. The damn things are very addictive. So I was thinking wouldn't it be nice to swap every month. By the holidays you should have twelve or so. They would make cute holiday decorations, a garland or package trims. If you give socks away, the tiny ones would be a reminder of what a certain yarn looks and feels like knitted.
Maybe I have gone over the tiny edge, ya never know. It was really really nice to knit with small needles again. I have been knitting chunky stuff for Dulaan and CIC since before the holidays. I thought I might have lost my 2.00mm mojo

The bigger sock is Socks that Rock on size 2.25mm needles. The really tiny one is JoJoland sock yarn on 2.00mm needles. That .25mm makes a big difference. The smaller sock is 2 inches from cuff to heel. The larger one is 3 inches. Should have put something next to them for comparison.
I am not loving the STR. The yarn twists. Maybe it was me when I wound it into a ball. Nor do I love the colors. I think I am swearing off ordering handpainted/dyed yarns online. They never look like I think they are going to look. Except for the JOJOland, which looked better then I thought it would.

Sock as a finger puppet

Go forward wee socks and give someone a giggle :-}

It's Fun, It's Small, It's Madness

2007-03-06T10:56:00.000-05:00

Yes folks it is the Wee Sock Exchange. One tincy sock is all you need to knit. Stuff it in an envelope and send it off to you swap partner. I truely understand the pull of the small. Having knit ballband earrings on size 000 needles. hehehe so this project had me written all over it. Well it would have if the socks weren't tiny :-)
Hope over to Yarn Miracle and get in on the fun. Cause ya know this time of year we are all going a bit bonkers between the weather and unending sick people. You just need to burst out and do something loony.
My long absence is due to my daughter bringing home some kind of middle school flu of I Wish I Could Die illness. I am beginning to believe the Japanese have the right idea, wearing masks. Also putting students into Hazmat suits might be an option :-}We could knit them fun fur scarves to wear over the suits. Years ago ladies never went out without gloves on. The gloves protected your hands from nasty germs (of course that wasn't why they were worn) Woman often knitted or crocheted their own gloves. And they were thrown into a basin of hot water at the end of the day and hung over the shower bar. Between the hose hanging over the shower bar and the gloves, taking a shower involved a lot of weaving and dodging. No wonder Mom, kept the colds at bay.
I digress check out the Wee Sock Exchange>>>>>> sidebar. After all the sick people, I am desperately looking forward to some quick madness.
No knitting, unless you would like to see the 35 short row heels I tried to make, that have holes (of varying sizes, from Supermassive black hole size, to pin pricks) No I think I will spare you that. I just don't have the short row heel gene.

Something for Valentines Day

2007-02-14T10:04:00.000-05:00

I discovered this site. Probably everyone except me knows about it.
free vintage knits

There are some really nice shawl patterns. I am putting off any knitting content. I have a pile of sock cuffs that are headed to sock hell. It is too shameful to take pictures of. In a week I have knitted 6 sock cuffs and no socks. bah I just can't settle down to anything. Do you ever feel like that? Things look interesting, but not so interesting that you want to cast on. I need a swift kick in the bum

Also I find it really interesting that Interweave Press set up a KAL even before their Sock book was available. Never mind, I am just cold and cranky :-) My computer is located in the room over the garage. I have a small heater up here, but it is a bit on the chilly side. In the summer it is very warm.

ohhhhhhhhhhh Someone gave me a Valentines Present. Someone who knows I am nutty about these things. It is long so you might not want to watch the whole thing. The place is just magic :-)

Five Secrets Meme

2007-02-10T21:45:00.000-05:00

Miss Betsy The Knitting Channel tagged me for this meme. I am feeling the love, Bets :-)

1: When stressed out, I walk in my sleep. I did it as a kid. We lived in a six family apartment building. I would walk up two flights of stairs open a big metal door and stand on the roof. I now know that I was waiting to be picked up by The Klingons. Now I walk out in the yard and sit on the swing. Good thing I don't sleep in the nude. There is quite enough violence in the world without that sight.

2: When I was younger I thought I wanted to be a nun. As I got older I realize that having to live with a pack of women for the rest of my life, would lead to murder.

3: I was Pirate Wench of the month at a forum.arrrrrrrrrr

4: I love Georgette Heyer novels. They are out of print and I treasure my ragged paperbacks. I also love sedate British murder mysteries, no blood no fuss. Tea at 6pm

5: I have a thigh holster for my Ipod cause you can't keep a good pirate wench down :-)
That should have put everyone to ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I want everyone to comment at Bets, and tell her to pick more exciting people to tag :-)

Favorite Socks Interweave Press Part Two

2007-02-08T10:55:00.000-05:00

Don't have a copy of every issue of Interweave Knits? And the sock pattern you want is in an sold out isssue. The new book from Interweave Press seeks to help you out.
I just received my copy of Favorite Socks by Interweave press. The same folks who bring you Interweave Knits. It is a beautiful book, but not a beginner "how to knit socks" book. There are old favorites from Knits and one from the sister publication, Pieceworks.
Be sure and check for errors at the Interweave Press site. One of my favorite sock patterns, Embossed Leaves made it into the book. Everything from ribbing patterns to cables and lace to colorworks. Something for everyone is what I am guessing they were aiming for. Everyone's favorite designers are here also. Nancy Bush, Evelyn Clark. Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and Ann Budd.
My one complaint which is the same complaint with the magazine, the gray type color against the white background. I can hardly read the help pages. Ok, I wear glasses, but would it kill them to darken the print? Here is Interweave Press' weakness, style always seems to come before ease of use or in some cases information. This would be fine with a coffee table type book, but not so helpful if you are trying to work one of the patterns.

There is a KAL for the book at favorite socks kal Many of the socks have pictures shown. Also Interweave Press has put up a link with a look inside. Only four pictures are shown.

Warm toes, warm heads

2007-02-06T09:14:00.000-05:00

My daughter finished two hats for The Dulaan Project. Then we went and bought yarn for HER stash. So nice not to stash alone :-) She created her hats using Brown Sheep bulky on a knitting loom. And she is now busy working on another hat. I expect someday she will want to try knitting on needles. But she is very happy with her looms, just now.

My hats are doubled up worsted weight yarn with a stand of angora for extra warmth. The pinkish socks are Patons SWS yarn. I am thinking these will not wear well. The yarn is splitty and sort of annoying to work with. The red pair are DIWA and a strand or Opal. Works up to sort of sports weight/DK Thick and warm. The colors alone would keep you fired up.
Please excuse the quality of the pictures, it is 16 degrees outside and I was freezing. I am surprised they are all blurry because I was shivering with the cold.
I have packages to take to the post office, but not today. I can't even imagine living in temps of -45 degrees as they do in Mongolia, brrrrrrrrrr
The socks and the sweater I finished earlier are for CIC, the hats are for The Dulaan project and the mittens are for Mittens For Akkol

Second Annual Brigid in Cyberspace Poetry Reading

2007-02-02T15:18:00.000-05:00

Lots of really great poetry out there. My contribution, written several years ago. There are three parts, but I won't post them all. If you want to read the rest it is at http://jasidog.com/poetry-content/24/web-life-trilogy

Web Life Trilogy
By Lyric - 18 September 03

He said "all that was, is now done"
"Sorry, babe you just ain't the one."

She said "oh, that is ok"
"Been flat, for awhile any way"

Her chirpy fingers type, LOL
Her soul has slowly gone grey

He said "We'll be friends forever"
She types "could it get any better?"

She is now vitriolic inside.
There is no smile in her eyes.

He thinks it has gone very well
No mess to clean up, no hell

she is now a pit dark as night
Crying out to the vanishing light

I hope you dick goes limp
I hope she laughs when you think
I hope she rips out your soul
I hope you never grow old
I hope she is your acid rain
I hope she gives you my pain

Dulaan

2007-01-26T09:35:00.000-05:00

As you know I mostly knit for CIC (Children in Common)I was digging in my stash looking for who knows what, and I found a lot of angora yarn. So I think I will be making some hats for Dulaan. I can't even remember what I had in mind for the angora. But there you go, someone will enjoy it.
This is a new Video about the Dulaan Project. The kids are adorable

Stick A Fork In It

2007-01-22T10:55:00.000-05:00

I finished the Cozy Cable sweater Friday. It is so rainy that I am holding off blocking it. I started a pair of big kids socks. A strand of Opal and a strand of DWIA. A very nice washable merino I got from Elann last year. The two strands together equal DW weight, more or less. The colors are so vibrant that it is hard to get an accurate picture of them. I started another pair using some leftover Patons and a strand of sock yarn. Nice and cushy, but I need to frog them and start over with less stitches. These are heading for a size XXL. :-)
I would really like to do another sweater before the deadline of March 31. And I would love to take a crack at SK Sun Ray shawl Sun Ray Shawl And I want to get back to my Shetland Lace socks. Shetland Lace Socks That should take care of this year :-)

I think I can, I think I can

2007-01-18T09:01:00.000-05:00

The pattern for the Cozy Cable Big Kids Sweater has been posted atMarguerite . I didn't finish on time, but I can smell the finish line. I am half way to the end of the second sleeve. This has been some zippy knitting for me. I have really enjoyed the pattern and I plan to do another one for the kids, with the bulky Brown Sheep yarn. I will probably switch to 2x2 ribbing. Ribbing makes my teeth hurt and 1x1 ribbing is an act of love for me. Maybe try a different cable pattern. I know Margarite wanted to keep the pattern simple. I swear it took longer to knit the sleeves then the body of the sweater. What is that? Sleeves, You are now entering a different time space continuum Sleeve time is definitely different then normal knitting time.

And a belated gift from Santa ;)I ordered them in November, but she was over run with orders after Harlot posted about the sock kits. I told her no rush. I have no idea when I will get around to these. They are for my daughter. She loves dolphins and Celtic stuff. She also love pirates and still hasn't gotten her pirate hat. So you see how these things go :-)You can see the patterns much for clearly at her site.

From tsock tsarina

Cozy Cables (CIC Big Kids Jumper)

2007-01-12T10:13:00.000-05:00

I completed the body last night. Some wiser element of my brain decided not to try and pick up the sleeve stitches by the light of my monitor :-) Because my row gauge is off from the pattern, I ended up picking up more stitches then I need. Its like sock gussets, you pick up whatever you need so you don't have holes. Then just work them off. The first round I worked off the extra stitches. I have completed just four rows of the sleeves, when I realized that I desperately need to do some laundry. Sadly put the knitting aside and off the laundry salt mines. I am doing the sleeve, magic loop. I have several 10 1/2 needles, but the INOX Express have been the easiest to work the double stands of yarn with. The points have a nice long slant but not to sharp a point. I don't think I will have both sleeves knit by the 15th. Weekends around here get a bit hectic.
Patons Classic Wool Merino, 10 1/2 needles used about 500 yards of yarn so far. It is a very nice yarn and I wouldn't mind having something made of it myself. Except for my laziness about hand washing. Hand washing a pair of socks is one thing. Wrestling a full sized sweater is another. I have been eying that Patons Urban Aran as a cardigan Urban Aran Cardigan Which I think would look better on me that the long unlamented Einstein Jacket :-P

This and That

2007-01-08T10:38:00.000-05:00

Vamanta asked what CIC is. CIC is Children in Common. A group that supports orphanages in Eastern Europe and Russia. It was started by people who adopted children from these countries and saw the condition of the orphanages there. All the items made are carried to Russia, so they don't end up on the black market. For more information check out
Children In Common Funding for the orphanages is a very low priority and the need is great. The children are turned out at age 16 and have limited education and no skills at living in the outside world. Many turn to crime, prostitution, drugs or suicide. The children are not integrated in the surrounding society. So there is no support in place when they are forced to leave. The caregivers work very hard with the little they are given.

The loom is just like the spool knitting things we had as kids. You wind the yarn around the pegs once. Then a second time. Then lift the bottom strand over the top one. The usual way produces a twisted knit stitch, but it is possible to work a normal knit stitch and even to purl. It is a fairly easy way to get people to try knitting. They do have big limitations. Your gauge is set by how big the pegs are and how far apart they are spaced. There are some looms with metal pins set sideways to give you a finer gauge. But they are much more fiddly to work with. And it truth, they can not replace a size 2.50mm needle. Never mind anything smaller. Cables, yes cables are why I took up knitting with needles again. As I struggled to create a cable pattern on the loom, I decided it would be easier to learn to cast on and knit them on needles. Did I mention although I could knit, I never cast on. My Mom always cast on for me
I had a lot of fun with the looms (round) and the rakes (straight) Before I ever heard of Barbara Walker I worked out how to turn flat patterns into circular ones. I gave away almost all my looms so now of course I have to buy one from my daughter to use. I always seem to get rid of the wrong stuff :-)
You can see some of this loomy stuff at my Tatting site Tatting

Another One Bites The Dust

2007-01-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

I have lured her over to the dark side. Isn't that what Mums who survived the teen years are supposed to do, hehehe
My daughter who has a very soft heart, decided she wanted to knit something for CIC. We tried needles, and she was not happy. Then I dug out an old loom I had and bingo she was off. The long tube on top of the loom is her first effort. It will double up to make a small hat. She is now working on a youth/adult sized hat. I knew I had her, when she went to get the her cars oil changed, and took her knitting with her. I now know my stash will be in good hands :-) I have ordered her a smaller gauge loom. She is using some of my endless supply of Brown Sheep Bulky.

This is the test pattern I am knitting for the CIC (Children In Common) Big Kids knitting. The reason I didn't use the Brown Sheep Bulky, which would have been ideal was I need to keep track of the yardage. I don't have one of those nifty measuring things that measure off the yards. Instead I am using Patons Classic Wool in denim doubled. I am getting a bit over 3 spi. I decided on a neutral color that would work for either sex. The kids who receive these items are close to leaving the orphanages and looking for work. I think a kid that age (16) would probably rather have something more adult looking. The pattern is Marguerite's Stitches Of Violet She has designed so many great patterns some for CIC and some just cause she can :-) I took this yesterday, but I am almost done with the lower body today. Fast going on those 10 1/2 needles. I will have to retrain my hands for sock knitting when I am done.
We are also doing worsted weight socks for the older kids. And I remember I have some Elann Bag wool in the back of the closet. In natural and mocha I think. That could work up into a nice sweater also. I have a lot of Tranquil Lagoon and Celedon HW for socks.

Colorworks The New Lace?

2007-01-02T10:11:00.000-05:00

Remember 2004/2005? Summer of Lace. When everyone went lace mad. Lace patterns sold like mad. Lace was da thing. I have been sniffing a new tread. Colorworks. Of course it has been around forever. But with Wendy, Harlot, Eunny and now Grumperina turning out new colorworks, will Fair Isle, Norwegian etc be taking the place of lace in KAL/Blogland? Will it become the new ME TOO marathon?
I have to admit, I fell hard for the lace-go-round. Why I have no idea. I am not a lacy person. And I am way to uncoordinated to wear a shawl. Last time I tried that, I caught my heel in the edge and took a header. As my Dad use to say "All the class of a duck" :-) I have tried some stranded colorworks. But the fabric produced is so thick, I doubt we would ever have weather cold enough to wear it. I could see some nifty fingerless gloves, maybe a hat. My daughter wants that pirate hat. I am trying to wait it out.
Human nature being what it is, I fully expect to see Lion Brand coming out with Color pattens for bulky acrylic yarn.
Have you been seriously bitten by the colorworks yet?
disclaimer I know lots of you already do wonderful colorworks. Y'all just wander off and consider the future Lion Brand patterns :-P

My husband has been home for eleven days of holiday whatever. And while I admire Gerald Ford, I do not appreciate another day of enforced productivity. I was so looking forward to a quiet house and some serious knitting time. This might account for the cranky posts :-)

My Stash is a Treasuer Chest

2007-01-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

I wish all my friends and peaceful and healthy New Year. Some other things I wish for all my fellow knitters

1: The will power to resist the urge to jump up and down yelling "Me too, Me too" when an A list blogger says they are going to do something. It seems there are a lot of sheep out in the blogosphere. baaah baaah baaah
This is not to say that you shouldn't consider any ideas out there, but cut out the knee jerk reactions. Ideas aren't all that much clever because and A-lister proposed them. I read Yahoo knitting lists where wars have broken out over the "Yarn Diet"

2: The stash. Knit it up for Charity. Yes I know it is Elizabeth Laviod silky wool and it cost a fortune, but then you noticed that lime green isn't your color and you live in Florida. So it sits in a box making you feel guilty. Cause you know it isn't ever going to get used. Unless your complexion or location changes drastically. Knit up a lovely sweater for some kid in Russia or Mongolia. Make their life sweeter. Usually these kids get the cheap end of wooly goodness. Imagine how this child will feel when they put on this lovely sweater and feel it's soft perfection. Give from the heart. You will feel better about your stash. See that lime green yarn wasn't a mistake it was a good deed in the making.
Got tons of sock yarn, then decided that knitting on size 0 needles was just not your bag? Double it up and knit a pair of warm socks for some kid with bare feet. Or add the sock yarn to some worsted weight yarn for a bit of flare. Can you imagine some kid in Mongolia admiring their new and beautiful and warm socks? Look at the smile on that face. Warm feet and warm heart, what could be better
By now your stash is no longer a burden, but a treasure chest. Give it a try
So here is my New Years resolution, I am going to knit up the "good stuff" for the kids. The Jo Sharpe Silkroad Aran, and Silkroad tweed, the cashmere and silk and whatever else is hiding in that closet. I bought the yarn cause I loved the colors and the hand. But reflection tells me the climate here is too warm for most of it. And I am lazy. I know if I have to hand wash etc the thing will never get used.
I am so glad I bought those yarns. Because now I will get as the Chinese say Double Happiness. The happiness of knitting quality yarn and the happiness of sharing it

Y'all probably already know about these, but in case you have missed them

CIC-knit

dulaanknits

Mittens_for_Akkol

Weirdness

2006-12-31T22:13:00.000-05:00

“THE RULES:Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”

1: I am a world class procrastinator. If I were God, we would still be on day 3

2: I am scared of heights. Has anyone else thrown up at the sight of the Grand Canyon?

3: I have absolutely no sense of balance. And I have the broken bones to prove it. Can't roller skate or ride a bike

4: Gawd knows I love the south, but no one is going to get grits in my mouth. I hate cooked cereal of any kind

5: When under stress, I walk in my sleep

6: I get sea sick. I got sea sick on an aircraft carrier. Fine in cars and planes, even lovely small planes. But show me water and I turn green :-)

7: I talk funny, posting with the Brits. I have been known to yell "Wanker or Arse" out the car window at offending drivers. Or "Bollocks " Southerners are too polite to ask if I have gone a bit daft :-)

8: Melted cheese makes me sick. Solid cheese is fine. No pizzas for Suzann
8a: I am tone deaf, can't tell a flat from a sharp. This does not stop me from singing, you have been warned ;-)

I can't tag anyone (see #1:, everyone is already tagged) :P

Woohoo I made it before 2007, go meeeeeeeee

Merry Christmas To All

2006-12-24T20:18:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings to all my wonderful friends
We are having a rather warm holiday. I suspect that the poor people stuck in Denver would like a bit of warmth sent their way. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Safe travels and finds joy whatever and wherever they are celebrating.
From my home to yours

Peace and health for the coming year. May your stash increase while your waistline decreases. May everything you knit be a perfect fit. And may your knitting continue to bring smiles to your mind and heart

Mittens and Friends

2006-12-14T08:31:00.000-05:00

I would like to say, how proud I am to know Bets and Bri and Benne and Jayne and Joan and Grace and SK and Barbara and Cate and all the gang at the Elann chat site. A more talented group of ladies I have never met. They are a constant inspiration to me. They produce the most beautiful and creative knitting, with ease and grace. While I am plodding along on one mitten or one sock, they are cruising the knitting highway with style. They are funny and gracious and welcoming.
Bets your winning bag is wonderful. My daughter who was at one point a music major is smitten in a big way. What a brain, you not her :-) Libby's winning elegant hat, SK, many beautiful lace shawls and Bri's perfect cable sweaters. Jayne I love your new sweater.
Afraid I have only done three pairs of mittens so far. I kept ripping them out, because I didn't care for how the thumb gusset looked. I am still not thrilled with the holes and the covering up that follows. It looks lumpy and crude. Like first day at Knitting Camp :-) I ended up with a combo of Elizabeth Zimmerman's 36 stitch mitten and Ann Budd's mitten directions. I have switched to a sort of afterthought thumb. There are still holes to cover up, but they don't seem as bad as when I did the gusset version. I have been plying the yarn and duplicate stitching over the holes. It could be that I am out of practice working with anything thicker then sock yarn.(any excuse will do) I hope they will keep some kids hands warm and be pleasant to wear.
I am loving that Elann Bag Wool. I wish I had bought something besides tan and brown. I have no idea what I was thinking at the time. Digging around in the stash, I found two bags of each. That is a lot of bag wool. The Elann HW Chunky is great to work with also. But the Brown Sheep Bulky is hard on my hands. It is the mohair. Makes me itchy.

Comments on my Brother post. I will remind everyone that my brother and my cousins tied me to a tree and set fire to the grass. They were playing Cowboys and Indians. If my Aunt had not arrived home early, I would be a very different Suzann today. And then they had to cheek to say that I showed them where the matches were kept. Excuse me. :-)
Red pair is the Brown Sheep bulky, Blue pair Elann HW chunky, Green pair, Reynolds Chunky with HW Chunky trim.

My first attempt at colorworks.

Which led to this, maybe chunky yarn isn't the best choice for colorworks.

Dear Brother

2006-12-08T12:43:00.000-05:00

For the holidays I thought I would tell you the truth

1: You were not adopted, like I told you when you were 6

2: Mom did not win you at Bingo

3: Your "real" Mom was not executed as a war criminal

Just in case you were still wondering, that picture of me hugging you in your crib, was not an attempt to murder you.
You are the bestest brother in the whole world. No matter what I actually thought when you were born, I am glad that the parents didn't trade you in for a Cocker Spaniel. Even though you made a habit of scaring the hell out of dates that came to pick me up. And you told one of your friends who was taking me to a movie, that he must be "hard up for a date" if he was dating me. Yes I forgive you. I am still mulling over the memory of you calling me an aardvark, making fun of my Girl Scout uniform and saying that I looked like a frilly watermelon in my tutu. Maybe in 2007.

Enjoy your broadband. And welcome to the 21th century

yes paul i hot linked to your site, I am a bandwidth thief, sue me

Mittens For Akkol

2006-12-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

CIC (Children in Common) is having a mitten knitting challenge this month. Knit as many mittens as possible for the children in an orphanage in Akkol, Kazakakhstan. Baby its really cold there, and these children are very poorly dressed. Visit the site to have your heart moved a bit. Get rid of those odds and ends of wool and whip up a few pairs of mittens. If you live in a warmer climate like I do, but love to work with wool, if you family is less then thrilled with hand knitted items, knit for Akkol. No one will turn their nose up at your efforts.
I have made a button for the KAL, if you like it please feel free to download it to your hard drive.
See you at the mitten round up. We have lots of cold fingers and toes waiting for us.

I would like to thank my friend Paul for rendering me transparent, it sound vaguely naughty but it wasn't :-)

Shui Kuen's Shawl

2006-11-21T08:46:00.000-05:00

Here she is in all her glory. Shui Kuen is a friend from Elann Chat, she allowed me to post a large picture of her finished shawl.
Birds Eye Shawl design by Sharon Miller Shui Kuen used 1 ball of Devon 25x50, US7.
I am amazed that all that shawl came from just one ball of Devon yarn. She is a beauty Shui Kuen, I hope we get a picture of you wearing it :-)

Into The Wind

2006-11-19T11:12:00.000-05:00

A friend recently gave me a link to this video, and I found it beautiful. Since there isn't much blogging on Sundays, I thought you might like to see it.

There are more videos at Theo Jansen of the same artist, with different shaped beasts. Although it is hard to call something so beautiful a beast. It must be the wings.

I read on his site that he would like to build more of these and leave them to wander the beaches. I would love to see a beach full of these sculptures.
I think they are like lace, in capturing air and space.

Lacy Stuff

2006-11-16T11:26:00.000-05:00

In textile classifications, there are only two types of true lace. Bobbin Lace with is akin to weaving and Needle Lace with is akin to knotting. All other laces are imitations of these two.
I tried Needle lace, but lack the patience to produce two million buttonhole stitches. But it is so so beautiful.
I also lack the patience to really make Bobbin Lace. Bobbins are wound in pairs. So if someone says they have 50 bobbins on their pillow, they really have 100 bobbins. And while it looks very impressive, like knitting with double point needles. You only work 4 bobbins at a time. No matter how many are on the pillow. If you can count to 4 and know your right from your left you can make basic Bobbin Lace. The learning curve is steeply upward from there. There is a lot of leeway in how Bobbin lace is worked. Size is left up to the lace maker. How the bobbins are hung at the beginning is also left to the lace maker. And if Kirchner stitch makes your teeth hurt, try sewing together pieces of bobbin lace made with thread finer then your eyelashes.

A piece of Bobbin lace I made. I have it in a plastic case on my keychain

Links to interesting bobbins. Do look at the hanging bobbins :-)

Bobbin Museum

Bobbin Bobbin Who Has The Bobbin

2006-11-16T10:54:00.000-05:00

I thought you might like so see some Lace bobbins up close. The first group are called Midland Bobbins (English Midlands) They are use exclusively in English type laces. The bobbins are very light weight so to maintain tension the bobbin was weighted with beads, called spangles. Many antique bobbins have hand made glass beads or buttons in their spangles. I have seen bobbins with uniform buttons from the Napoleonic wars. The bobbins were home made from wood, or bone. The bobbins I have are modern and simple. There are Mother and Babe bobbins. Where the shaft of the bobbin is carved and a miniature bobbin is inside.

Many old bobbins have messages on them from the person who made them to the lace maker. They were often given to women by their sweethearts. But make no mistake lace making was not a romantic occupation. The lace makers worked for a lace dealer. He supplied the pattern, called a pricking and the linen thread. He would come back and inspect the work. If it was unsatisfactory he took the work and the lace maker was now in debt for the cost of the thread. The linen thread was very very expensive. In some places in England, lace makers worked in groups in a cottage. There was no electricity so water filled glass bowls were place in front of candles. The best lace makers worked closest to the candles. Woman and children worked hunched over their pillows for 12 hour days. Many lost their eyesight. When the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, many mothers saved up to send their daughters to work in the factories rather then see them become lace makers. In some areas men worked on lace during the time when the fields were fallow. But it is doubtful that men ever worked on really fine work, because lace making was a finely honed skill. I added a ball point pen for size reference.

These bobbins are called Continental bobbins. They were used all over Europe except for England. They are heaver with the weight at the bottom of the bobbin and did not need spangles. Although a pillow filled with Midlands bobbins looks beautiful, I prefer working with Continental bobbins. The longer bobbins are called Bayeux bobbins and the shorter are Danish bobbins. Their are many different types of Continental bobbins, developed to deal with the different types of lace made in various areas of Europe.

There are many many tools used in bobbin lace. Lace pillows can be more expensive then a bathtub full of cashmere yarn. A lot of lace makers make their own pillows. My Mother and I made three of them. I will put up pictures at some future time if anyone is interested. Pins, prickers, pin lifters and pin pushers. The pins have small heads and after awhile you get holes in your fingers from pushing them into the pricking/pillow.
Linen thread, very expensive. I was never that great a bobbin lacer so only rarely worked in linen thread. Pillow stands, divider pins the list goes on and on. :-)

Diamante

2006-11-14T21:16:00.000-05:00

I had already started these socks toe up. So I have only used the stitch pattern part of the pattern. My daughter doesn't care for stitch patterns on the foot. She sometimes wears slip on shoes and the patterned stitches can be a bit uncomfortable. The pattern is really simple to do and fun. Dawn said she thought it would look nice with matching fingerless gloves in the same pattern. :-P I have got to teach her to knit.

I made just one mod. Instead of doing M1 (as in a lifted increase or picking up the thread between the stitches) I did the backward loop over my thumb. Worked out fine, no holes and I find it is quicker.
The foot/heel part of the sock is done on 2.25mm needles. The leg is done on 2.50mm. I went back for to the 2.25 for the cuff as the leg seemed to be a bit loose on my victim.
I just cast on for the second sock. This is the first pair of toe up socks that actually fit her in the heel area. I don't get what is so great about toe up socks, especially if you are going to do a heel flap. You might as well make it easy on yourself and go cuff down. But hey, different things work for different people.
The second sock I will follow the pattern from the toe up. It looks like an interesting heel.
I ordered this kit to make for my daughter. She loves dolphins. The kit is sold out, so I have no idea when they will actually get made
Poseidon

I have a doctor's appointment on Friday. Because I just can not get out of my own way. Dawn has been walking me around the block on the theory the fresh air will wake me up. She hasn't sorted out yet, that walking equals less knitting. I come home and collapse in the chair and sleep for an hour. Prime knitting time lost :-)
I need to take a walk though everyone's blogs and catch up.

Democracy is Exhausting

2006-11-09T10:50:00.000-05:00

I have a new link >>> This is the blog of the designer of the Knitty pattern Diamante A beautiful pattern. Deb also has a pattern for a felted Patons Soy Wool Stripes Felted Bag I know Jayne had great success with this yarn making slippers. So naturally I thought of her when I saw this pattern.
I am frogging the leg pattern on the Tweedy Goodness socks. I really like the looks of the Diamante sock and I think my daughter will like it also. Well I hope so :-)

Democracy is exhausting. After toting the ladies to vote, several gave me those granny cocker spaniel eyes and wondered,sigh, wondered if I would mind making a quick stop at several places. I don't mind but I am not as energetic as they are. So we went to the post office, several grocery stores (had to be the one with senior citizen discount day) I got kissed, patted on the cheek and told my Mamma would be proud of me, cause I am such a good girl. They play me like a harp.
They are all praying for T and her family. And they are a power to be reckoned with.
And the ladies were eyeing my sock in progress. Comments, so nice and warm. Shame I never got to make socks for my Mamma, but that doesn't mean they would mind standing in. But not those wild colors, pink is nice or a pretty blue. If you hear harp music it isn't heaven, it is me being played by the masters :-)

Damned for Eternity

2006-11-03T11:29:00.000-05:00

Do you know what happens to people who sign up for gift exchanges and then promptly forget all about it? Do you? Do you know which circle of hell they are assigned to? Apparently I signed up for the Elann gift exchange then promptly forgot I had signed up, and went on my merry way. And now I have to break the news to the saintly T that I am in effect gift less. No cute boxes with cute key chains will be wending their way from my house to hers. Damned I am. As punishment I will spend the rest of the winter wearing one of these. It was this or having FOOL branded on my forehead. And there is no point in stating the obvious is there

They will snicker at Wal-Marts and guffaw at the yarn shops, foollllllllll will echo around behind me all winter

This wild pattern is from a great new online knitting mag

AntiCraft

Their motto is "You're Going to Die Anyway, So You Might as Well Knit"
Love it, and I love their Goth Girl attitude
I am off to email T with my news and I hope she won't kick me between the eyes

Tweedy goodness

2006-11-02T08:15:00.000-05:00

Trekking XXL Tweed yarn. I bought this last year and it has been vacationing in my stash.
Astrid's
I finished Dawn's Wickerwork socks and when I get them back I will take a picture. This pair was supposed to be for moi. But then she kept fingering the yarn and sighing over the rich autumn colors. The pattern is a plain foot with a simple pattern on the cuff. When you are knitting for a size 12 foot there is a lot of foot to knit :-) At 13 rows to the inch, it is going to be awhile till I get to the fun part.
This toe up is created by knitting a rectangle and then increasing out till you have the correct number of stitches. Which works for me as I am short row impaired.
I have been really tired lately. And not because I have been doing anything. This is related to my heart problems. I am seeing my doctor next week. I already take so many medications, I really don't want anymore. When I was first diagnosed the doctors said if they couldn't stop my heart from growing, 2 to 3 years. If they could then pretty much a normal life span. And they did manage to stop it growing for a year or so. But last year it started increasing again. Shake up the meds and another stent. It is stopped again. But the whole thing makes you want to clean out your undies drawer so no one else has to do it :-)

If you like Pete's Pond, try this one. Also from Africa, I think Joan mentioned it in the comments
AricaCam It is a watering hole at a resort in Africa. The water area is less but the picture quality is great. You can't screen cap the pictures, unless you subscribe to their service.
I think Pete's Pond probably has a greater variety of animals showing up. Yesterday there was a lion lurking about. Everything got deadly still. I was too shocked to capture a picture. The camera is operated by volunteers and has not been all that great this season. Here is a LION and the camera operator zooms in on a tree. The camera operator (whoever he/she is) has been nicknamed Botswana Bob
Have fun

A little vacation

2006-10-27T13:31:00.000-04:00

I was turning the heel on Dawn's sock and watching this.
Petes Pond
Live web cam from Botswana Africa. If you are sick of mid term elections or just tired, give it a try. The whole while the Elephants were milling around in the water, a Nile Crocodile (aka Fatty) was eying them longly. Lots of baby Elephants today. They were at the pond drinking and taking mud baths for a good hour. This year they have had a lot of camera trouble, but it is well worth the trouble of checking in once in awhile. And kids would love seeing the animals live.
Enjoy

Strange Magic

2006-10-23T13:38:00.000-04:00

Strange magic,
Oh, what a strange magic,

Oh how I loved ELO, I have some very pleasant memories connected to that song. None of which I think suitable to a knitting blog. The song is stuck in my head again.
The sick people have returned to their appointed places. The knitting can begin again in earnest.
The strange magic here is the illusion that ribbing is traveling diagonally across a stockinette background. I fiddled about with a gauge swatch, while making endless cups of tea and bring soup to my patients. Just call me Nurse Ratched :-) All part of the 70's theme. I liked the look of the traveling stitches. I was not crazy about making 2 zillion left twists. Scrap the swatch. Thought a bit. Then I tried right twists moving to the left. You get a very sharp diagonal line. Nice. This is one of Barbara Walkers stitch patterns in the Second Treasury. She directs you to move right twists towards the left. I didn't care that much for the look. The stitches look loose and a bit sloppy. It couldn't be the knitter could it? We shall leave the knitter to her illusions :-)
This morning as I waved them off, telling them to come home early if they felt ill (what a liar) I cast on 72 stitches using some Opal Uni and 2.00 mm needles. I think this gauge is a bit firm. I would probably go up to a larger size needle. I did a fancy ribbing. and proceeded to work the diagonal ribbing. There comes a point with diagonal patterns, where you have to decide if you are going to drive yourself mad, transferring stitches from one needle to the next, to keep in pattern. Or just declare a front and a back. As you end a repeat on the front, you don't try and continue it around the back. Remember I am working on two circs. I think it would be even more madding if you were working with dpns. I repeated the stitch pattern twice, and was just working up a full head of steam, when one of my patients arrived back home. Looking for tea, cough medicine and sympathy. I swear American homemakers are the best actresses in the world. Meryl Streep could take lessons from us :-P In any case the knitting had to be put aside.
The stitch pattern is great. It creates a dense but not inelastic fabric. If you tolerance for twists stitches is limited, it would be great in fingerless gloves or wrist warmers. For socks I don't think I would take it anyplace but the cuff, or you would never get your sock inside you shoe. But would make really toasty slipper socks.
Bets this is the pattern stitch I told you about. I might use for the design thing.

gauge swatch

note the wonky right side. this is what happens when you try to carry the pattern around the sock. The stitches get pulled out of shape and it really looks bad.

I am going to frog the blue sample later. 72 stitches gives about a 7 1/2 inch diameter. Sort of average. And that is 10 spi

A word about the sick people. One of them drove to Richmond (95 miles away)on Sat to take pictures of a Confederate cemetery in the rain. The other one ate leftover Lasagna for lunch, turning his nose up at soup. I think it is time to declare that the sick people need to move on with their lives :-)

Tagged by Bets

2006-10-20T22:15:00.000-04:00

Ok, your on Bets

Four Jobs I have had

Opening envelopes for Parade Magazine Patterns (high school)
Researcher for Rockfeller Foundation.
Justice and Peace Commission
Church Secretary (which shows God has a sense of humour)
Customer service QVC, great discount

Four Movies I Can watch over and over

The Hunt For Red October, no idea why
The Last of The Mohicans, burly men in loin cloths, what is not to like
Lord of The Rings
Joy Luck Club

Four Places I Have Lived

NYC
Los Angeles
San Diego
Virginia Beach VA
Rota Spain

Four television shows I love to watch:

What Not To Wear, BBC version. they are cruel
Cash In The Attic BBC, all my attic has is dust
PBS Mystery
DYI and Create
I don't really watch much TV any more I would rather be online playing games and killing spammers :-)

Four places I have been on vacation:

Haven't had that many vacations
Puerto Rico, long long ago
Las Vegas
Weekend in Toronto with my daughter

Four of my favorite dishes:

My Mom's home made ravioli
Fried green tomatoes
Fried Okra
Veal cutlet surprise

Four websites I visit daily:
knitting related websites
Elann.com
Elann bloggers
Mason Dixon.com
Mason DixonKAl
Blog Princesses (you know who they are)
zillion of Yahoo sites

non knitting websites
Khazad-Dum.com
Jasidog.com
council-of-elrond.com

Al Jazeera.net
BBCnews

Seasonal

http://205.188.130.53/ngm/wildcamafrica/wildcam.html
aka Pete's Pond
http://www.wavelit.com/index.asp?ch=Wildlife&sh=africam
more wild Africa

Four places I would rather be right now:
Scotland
Visiting friends in the UK
New Zealand
notice the large oceans between me and the sick people :-)
At Bet's Place
AT Benne's Place
AT Bri's Place

She likes it, she really likes it

2006-10-20T07:59:00.000-04:00

The toe up sock I am working for Socktoberfest. I am using Knit Picks Donagal yarn. Very soft, I am wondering how long those tuffs of colored yarn are going to last. My daughter likes the pattern and the yarn. I was using Wendy Johnson's generic toe up pattern. Short rows are not my friend. I can short row anything but socks. I turn into a dribbling idiot when faced with a short row toe or heel. Go figure. I had concerns about the sock directions,because there is no shaping for the instep part. I got my daughter to try it on and sure enough it was stretched like mad as it went over the top of the arch of her foot. It made the pattern look awful. And the whole thing looked like she was wearing someone else's socks. So I dug out my copy of Queen Kahuna book, started the gusset increases on the sole side of the sock. After just 10 increases I got dd to try on the socks again. What a difference. The sock fits smoothly over the top of her foot. I think that Wendy's pattern would work fine on my feet. I have a narrow foot. And not a particularly high arch.
Sock in progress

A close up of the pattern and the yarn. You can see my terrible left twists. I am not about to use a cable needle to do them, so I guess I will live with it :-)Left twists are a trick of the devil to make us curse like drunk sailors. Not that I would do that, hehehe

Hard to capture, but the yarn is more tan then creamy off white. It is soft and not spitty. You do get big tuffs of color once in awhile. I just pull them off. The rest are more specks and knit right in. This yarn would also make a nice hat or scarf.

The other Knit Picks Bare yarn I purchased, the wool and nylon is so flacid that even at 12 stitches per inch, it just lays there. Maybe it is a bit more firm if you dye it. It is super soft, in fact it feels like Merino. Would make beautiful baby things (superwash) or scarves. But for socks it just spreads out and keeps spreading. I am thinking of using it for the pirate wrist warmers my daughter would love. Since that is color works the soft yarn might work. Or not. But I have a lot of it to play with.
I wish Elann would get its solid color sock yarn back in stock. Oh great yarn goddess, I promise to stock up this time.

Out in the blogland you read about this or that hand dyed yarns. Yarns so excluse that you need to get on a waiting list, or have a blog that attracts 700 comments per post to get any. How super soft it is. How wondrous the colors are. Almost all of them are based on Knit picks bare yarns or Henry's Attic yarns. Dunno, I think super soft yarn for socks it over rated. Even at a high spi, they flatten out when you stand on them. Not that I want scratchy yarns on my feet, but I think sock yarns need a bit of body to fit correctly. I like commercial sock yarns like Regia or Opal. Soft but not limp. And they soften up even more after being washed. I am not a big fan of hand dyed yarns. Most never knit up and nicely as they look in the skein. Or maybe I am just a jealous cow :-P

Why Knitters Kill

2006-10-16T09:37:00.000-04:00

Lets see, after several frogs of the sock in my daughters chosen stitch pattern. I finely worked out the number of repeats needed to have the sock fit just right. It involved doing some fudging on the back, by introducing a seam. But it worked and it fit. So Sat. I asked her to try it on and see how it looked. Because not all patterns look good in the round or on such a small area as a sock. She slips it on, perfecto fit. Looks at it in the mirror and announces "You know, Mom it looks like amoeba are swimming up my leg." She is looking at it like mice were crawling up her trousers. "So, does that mean you don't like it?" "Oh, no, it is ok" Ok OK OK awwwwwwwwwwh I know what "Ok" means, it means it will sit in her sock drawer until hell freezes over. Friends we are talking about 72 rows of lace and cabling on 2.00 needles. Not counting the previous incarnations of this sock. I put it aside and she picked out a different pattern, and I am half way up the foot. I am doing this one toe up for a change. She has tried it on and likes the pattern, all is good in sock land
keep repeating, i love my daughter, i love my daughter, i love my daughter :-)
I will frog the amoeba sock, as it is too big for me. I might make a version for me someday. But not anytime soon.

Sometimes even a lifeline can't save you

2006-10-12T22:36:00.000-04:00

I decided to do the Tilty pattern (the one like Drunkards path) for my daughter. The pattern repeat is 13, which is an odd number. I could remove one of the purl stitches to bring it down to 12 or add a few to bring it up to 15. I added 2 extra purls to each pattern repeat. Cast on and did the ribbing. I do not feel the knitting love when I am ribbing. So after 1 1/2 inches of ribbing I put in my usual lifeline. I only do this when I am trying a new pattern. If it has to be frogged, at least I don't have to redo the ribbing. I did two repeats of the pattern and had my daughter try it on. The extra purls pushed the pattern to the sides and made the purl stitches center front. Also the lace was too stretched out for my taste. I mean lace should be stretched out a bit, to show the pattern. But this looked like me trying to wear Paris Hilton's bra. It wasn't pretty.
I decided that I needed to do 6 repeats of the pattern to get a nice looking lace. Stretched but not screaming for mercy. But there was no way I could use the ribbing. It was just too many stitches to add to the sock. So off to the frog pond it went. With its lifeline mocking me.
This is a case where the gauge was spot on, but the outcome not so good. Any way I have cast on 76 stitches for the ribbing, and added two more after to bring it up to the needed number of stitches. Sigh. I have gone down a needle size. Hopefully when she tries it on again, it will not only fit, but look good.
If this doesn't work, I will save the stitch pattern for something more forgiving, like a scarf. Or work it on 0000 needles and give them to Bets for earrings :-)
If it doesn't work I will make the Shetland Rib Lace for me. But so far it is looking pretty nice.

Sock Swatches

2006-10-11T10:53:00.000-04:00

I have been swatching with a few different yarns. The first swatch is Marguerite's Shetland Lace Rib. The pattern is easy to work and I got right into the rhythm of it. I used Knitpicks Bare Fingering weight yarn and size 2.25mm needles.
I have to say right now, the yarn is beautiful, soft and not splitty. I think it will beautiful socks. I like the natural color for lacework. The blue part at the top is Opal Uni. Even though the color is fairly light, the pattern didn't show as well.
Lovely pattern Marguerite

The next swatch was the pattern from Magknits. Snowflake. The same yarn and needle size. This pattern is a bit more complicated. You need to pay attention to what you are doing and you need a good sharp set of needles. It is a lovely pattern, and well worth the work

Next up a fun pattern from Barbara Walkers Second Treasury of Stitches. Same yarn, same needle size. It is an interesting pattern because the cables pull it in while the lace relaxes it. It tilts back and forth like Drunkards Path quilt pattern. My daughter loves this one. I have converted the pattern to the round. Warning this pattern has 24 rows :-) In the round it isn't that bad, as most are knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches. Isn't it fun looking?

The last one is a very clever and easy twist stitch pattern. I like it a lot. Also from Barbara Walkers Second Treasury of Stitches. There are only two twist stitches per repeat so the pattern doesn't feel bunchy or too tight. It is very easy to work.

All y'all

2006-10-10T11:27:00.001-04:00

You know you are just dying to find out your Southern Horoscopes :-) I am proud to be a Catfish. Excuse me while I go wax my whiskers.

Chitlin or Catfish

Lacy Legs and Yarn Shop Rant

2006-10-05T06:38:00.000-04:00

I loved both these patterns from the first moment I saw them. Marguerite's pattern Shetland Lace Rib came out in July. I was not in a sock knitting mood. But I printed it out for the future. Marguerite has designed so many beautiful patterns. A good many are for children in the CIC (Children in Common) KAL. Her patterns are well thought out and balanced.
Shetland Lace Rib
The MagKnits pattern was published in Sept and I thought, ohhhhh another beautiful lacy sock.
Snowflakes
Both are beautiful and I can see them in a soft creamy off white merino. Or Regia Silk in an off white. Excuse me while I dither a bit.
I am going to chart both of the patterns. The person who once hated charts has become a convert.
I was thinking the new KnitPicks Superwash might work for either of these.
Last year when I did the Embossed Leaves pattern from Interweave Knits, I used a very soft non sock yarn. The socks came out well and I wear them often. But even though I live in clogs, the top of the foot is getting worn out. Just from sliding my foot in and out of the clog. I had a strand of yarn break. Thankfully the yarn has fuzzed up enough to keep the broken stand from unraveling. I secured it with a few stitches. I now treat this pair as extremely delicate. I would like to go with a more robust yarn, but finding a solid color in sock yarn is not all that easy. Most of the yarn companies are still in stripy self patterned mode. My daughter still loves them. So I have a fair bit of this type of yarn in my stash.
I have tried KnitPicks Essential, and they didn't thrill me. The yarn seemed a bit thin and scratchy. Of course it may wash up into socky wonderfulness.
If I don't start soon, Socktoberfest will be over and I will still be deciding on which yarn :-)
In an effort to secure my yarn I decided to go on a Yarn Crawl. We have 5 yarns shops locally. All of them sell sock yarn, none of them sell needles small enough to knit socks with. What the hell is that all about? Not only that, when asked about needles to knit the yarn with, I was directed to needles that were too large for the yarn. If this is ignorance, it seems to be universal. The ball band size needle is always too large. You can't knit a decent sock using Lorna's Laces sock yarn and size 3 needles. What you will end up with is a loose baggy tube. One shop owner offered that the socks would shrink up and I would be glad I had knitted them a bit larger. "Hello, dear lady. They are superwash, and don't shrink up." I shudder to think of the hapless first time sock knitters out there wondering what they have done wrong. At one shop I was told, I didn't want to use small sized needles because they would take forever to finish. Go up a size and the socks will be done in no time at all.
I realize that not every shop owner knows how to knit everything, but come on folks. This is the equivalent of taking your car into the shop for work and finding out the owner has no idea what a piston is.
At another shop I was told they don't carry sock sized needles, because people who knit socks (you weirdos out there) already have the correct needles.
So after five shops and a lot of frustration, I came home and turned on the computer and started my yarn search.
I really want to support my LYS and almost always buy books from them. So many of them seem to be missing the boat. It would be so much better to admit you have never knit a pair of socks and only carry the yarn. Or you don't carry the needles because there isn't much of a call for them. Those are honest reasons, and I can certainly live with them.

Socktoberfest

2006-10-04T19:31:00.000-04:00

First pair of socks.
Oh dear. I never measured my feet. A problem I now see as very common among new sock knitters. I went for medium. But what does medium mean? I had no idea at all. I assumed that I had medium feet. The very first pair of socks I knit was from Knitty Socks 101 Which I still think is one of the best tutorials around for top down socks. You make a pair of cute baby socks with worsted weight yarn. I was hooked sistas, I was hooked. My reason for wanting to knit socks was simple. My daughter who is quite tall and has feet to match, lived in mens socks. The only socks that really fit her. I saw her looking at the pretty socks in the ladies dept, and thought I can do that. I still knit most of my socks for her. I expect to be well taken care of in my old age. She said when I stop knitting socks, I go to the HOME. And to think I could have raised poodles :-)
The first pair of real socks was made using Knitpicks Merino. And Ann Budd's The Handy Book of Knitting Patterns. Easy pattern to follow. I skipped any measuring and came up with this poor sock Poor Socks The foot was too short, the heel was too short and they slid under my foot in shoes. But I loved them to death and wore them out.

When did you start making socks?
About two years ago

Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I am mostly self taught. Books and online lessons and of course the devine Alice Truman at Elann Came to my rescue. She taught me how to knit a sock on two circs. And ahem, she mentioned measuring my foot first.

* What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

Aside from the Poor Socks, my first pair that actually fit were Opal for my daughter. She still wears them. Just the basic sock.

What would you have done differently?

I did a short row heel and it doesn't really fit her as well as the heel flap. I only use heel flaps for her socks now

* What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Oh Lord have you got a few hours. I have used Opal (when it is good, it is great)Sadly I have had several bad experiences with Opal. And have switched to Regia. Elann Sock it to me, Knitpicks dye your own merino fingering weight. I love the solid cream color for texture work. Trekking XXL, Regia Silk, Regia Bamboo. Although I love looking at the handpainted yarns, I don't really care for how they look knitted up. I love socks knitted from Merino yarn and don't mind if they pill or wear out. They feel like heaven on the foot.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

Never crochet socks. I think they would be a bit bumpy under the foot. I learned on DPNs, switched to 2 circs my favorite method for now. I think I knit one pair Magic Loop. I find it more fiddly then two circs.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I love making heel flaps. So I do that most of the time

How many pairs have you made?

I really have no idea, maybe 20 pairs of adult socks. But I knit socks for Children In Common A lot of those. Do they count, they are tiny. And a great way to check out a new pattern or technique

Tincy needles

2006-09-29T10:13:00.000-04:00

I got a few questions at The Mason-Dixon KAL about where to get the 000 needles. This is where I got mine. Spinblessings
I believe I found the link at grumperina
It is a set of three different sized sock needles. 000,00,0,1 Each size is a different color and 5 needles to a size. Good thing because I have seriously curved the two I am using. They are quite inexpensive. Have fun :-)

Mason Dixon Ornament

2006-09-28T11:44:00.000-04:00

I used sock yarn, but any tightly twisted fingering weight yarn will work. Size 000 needles.
Mitered squares, what can you say. The pattern in the book was just to large, even with the tiny needles. I used the free pattern at Elann For the body I doubled the size of the square from 13 stitches to 27. Remember you always need an odd number of stitches. Mark down which row you change colors on. Someone didn't do this, and had to examine the tiny thing several times in hopes of having the match.
The arms/wings are done on the original 13 stitch pattern. The head is done the same except the color is only on the first 4 rows. The rest of the square is in a neutral color. Of course you can make them any color you like.
Sew in the ends, then sew together with the end from the last stitch. I added the letter beads. They would look nicer with a fancy thread. But I consider it a major victory that I got the needle threaded at all :-)
If you make four of the large squares, but two of them slightly shorter, you get a sort of Maltese cross. just saying,

Ball Band Babes Earrings

2006-09-26T11:57:00.000-04:00

Using sock yarn or another tightly twisted fingering weight yarn, size 000 needles
Earring findings.

Pattern repeat is 6 + 5, rather then the book pattern which is 6 +3. I like the extra stitch at the beginning. So rather then knit 1 slip 1, I have knit 2, slip 1. I find it keeps the slip stitch from rolling around to the back as you carry the yarn up.
I carry the yarn ends behind the work so there is no sewing in at the end. And with something this small you don't want to try sewing in anything :-)

Cast on 17 stitches.
Knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
Join second thread
Knit 2, slip 1, Knit 5, slip 1 end with slip 1, knit 2
Proceed just as when you are knitting a full sized ball band washcloths

Knit 5, slip 1, etc end with knit 5

Do three sets of slip stitches.
End with beginning color
Knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
Bind off
The directions may seem a bit skimpy, but the pattern is copyrighted and if you don't have the book, go buy it. I am only giving the changes I made.
Next I have will probably be mitered earrings or maybe log cabin. ;-)I think I need a longer neck.
Close up of earring without the fat head

Ball Band Babes Unite

2006-09-22T08:50:00.000-04:00

There have been a lot of snickers out in the Knitosphere about people who are addicted to knitting Ball Band washcloths. Pfft! I say. We are babes. We could cable if we wanted to, we could lace if the mood moved us. The snickering has driven some BBB to go underground. Now we can recognize each other. Ball Band earrings. You know you want to do it :-)
Size 0000 needles using sock yarn. I made two for each earring and fused them together. That way they look nice from each side. I need to make a run to Wally World to get the earring findings. Except my family has taken my car keys away from me. They feel I need intervention. I will escape, I will knit. I will be a BBB (ball band babe)
Band on sistas

How To Take Pictures of Socks

2006-09-20T08:30:00.000-04:00

I joined the Soctoberfest. See the mighty sidebar and was looking through the pictures on the Flickr site. It comes to me that most of us do not have someone to take nifty pics of our feet. I can sometimes wrangle my daughter into playing photographer, but not always.
Most pictures show the picture the way it was taken. The camera pointing down at the feet. The resulting perspective makes even the slimmest of legs go short and stocky. It not only doesn't flatter you, but it doesn't really show off your socks to advantage.
All you need is some simple graphics software to fix the problem.
This is a picture I took of a pair of socks I was working on. I propped my feet up on a chair, pointed my toes and snapped away. Sadly I forgot to move the yarn, patterns etc out of the picture. But you can see how I edited the picture.

In the Graphics software (I use Paint Shop Pro) I flipped the image to this

Better but still a lot of background clutter. I then checked the background color and filled in around the sock. I also cropped the picture a bit

This is much better, my leg and foot have lost the elephant look and the sock is the focal point. It would be except for the jeans. Which is the reason these pictures never saw the light of day :-)

But what happens if you are knitting a lace pattern. Lace off the leg tends to crumple up on itself and look awful.
This is the Embossed Leaves sock from Interweave Press Knits. It is a very popular pattern, and sadly most people photograph it off the leg, so it just piles up on itself.
For these photos I went from the camera to the scanner. You can get much closer and more detailed pictures with a scanner.
The first one shows a work in progress. I inserted a glass into the sock and threw a white towel over the scanner to cut out the ambient light. The scanner lid was up in the air, naturally.
The second picture shows the completed sock. I stuffed it with a white hand towel and propped up the scanner lid so it wouldn't squash the sock. The reason for all this trouble was to show the lovely toe pattern that finishes off the sock to perfection.

If you knitting a complex pattern in dark yarn, you will want the best light possible to photograph it. And it still maybe too dark. In a case like that, you are probably better off scanning a small portion of the sock to show the pattern. Even the most basic graphics programs will allow you to fiddle with the contrast. Sometimes bright sunlight will just show a dark blob. Which is not what we want our knitting to look like. Stretching it over something before taking the picture can help. Beware of over head lights. Most yarns have some sheen, and strong overhead lights can cause a glare bounce back effect.
If someone is modeling your socks, get them to point their toes. It gives the leg and foot a much more graceful look, and shows off your sock to best effect. Your model will thank you too ;)
If you are trying to show a heel effect, try having your model put their foot up on a chair or stool. This means you don't have to crawl around on the floor to take a picture.
Hope this helps someone to show off their socks to best advantage

Baby Gone Red

2006-09-16T15:03:00.000-04:00

This is the back and front in the correct yarn. The blue was just for gauge swatches. It is a deep blue red, unlike the pictures.
All fine and dandy but I think I am going to have to frog the front. The neck opening is going to be too small. Especially since I want to add a hood. I am leaning toward frogging the whole thing and doing it in one piece up to the arms. Lazy, I am very lazy :)
Yarn is Dark Horse Fantasy using size 6 needles for the cables and 5 for the ribbing. It is supposed to be worsted weight, but I find it is a soft maybe light worsted that or I am a very loose knitter. I couldn't use the recommend size 8. It looked like lace

Cables Baby

2006-09-15T10:23:00.000-04:00

The next sweater will be a cable job. I decided to wing it. Using the same Dark Horse yarn, this sweater will be a deep red. The swatch samples are left over blue from the Baby Surprise jacket.
I wanted the sweater to fit up to 6 months size, and I hope this will be big enough. You have to allow for it going over his inner clothes. I planned on 22 inches around the chest.
The swatch for the front of the sweater, it is a cardi. I mean why not make it hard for your self Suzann :D

The back is a bit of photo shop magic. I wanted to see how this pattern would look as an all over pattern. I liked it a lot and cast on for the back.

I have to take a picture of the finished back in all its red glory :) I would like to put a hood on this one, maybe a cable around the edge of the hood. I would also like to finish it before the kid goes off to school :-)

Baby Baby Baby

2006-09-15T10:07:00.000-04:00

A friend had a baby and I wanted to knit something fun for him. Elizabeth Zimmermen's Baby surprise Jacket. I had the pattern, had the yarn. But I just could not get my brain around the directions. I feel bad, I am one of those sheep EZ talks about. I need massive amounts of hand holding. Then the knitting godess smiled on me and I found this A wonderful group that is dedicated to knitting EZ patterns. And these wonderful knitters had had a KAL of this same pattern, with a day by day workshop. I printed it out and was on my way. I still couldn't see how this

was going to turn into this

But of course it did. I even traced and cut out the diagram in the book, and tried playing with it to see how the magic happened. Dumb cluck :D
The yarn is Dark Horse Fantasy yarn. Super soft acrylic and nylon blend. Machine washable and dryable. Important for the new mum.
The babies parents met online so the buttons are yellow smilie faces. They aren't on in this picture. Mainly cause I haven't sewn them on yet :D

Frog Pond and Onward

2006-06-28T11:21:00.000-04:00

knittedsquare,
originally uploaded by Suzann.

I took a really hard look at the Pinwheel Jacket. Had my daughter take pictures of me wearing it. And there was no way this was ever going to look attractive on me. I suggest if you are thinking of knitting this jacket you try this before you cast on the first stitch. Cut out a circle and then wrap it around a tube or a glass anything round. Look at how it fits in the front. Look at how it looks in the back. Will this be an attractive look for you?
So I frogged 6 balls of yarn and said goodbye to a zillion stitches. My mind kept trying to figure out how to flatten the top and bottom of the pattern, in order to create the width you need in the front. And speaking of frontage, if you have any at all or if you are older then 11 you are going to have problems covering it. Without the back dragging behind you like a train.
Nothing I tried really flattened out the top and bottom attractively. And then my brain woke up. A square, that is what is needed. Or better yet a rectangle. A quick look in my Mom's old knitting pattern book and this. The pattern is dead simple.
Now if you kept knitting this square you could make just the back. Or if you want you could leave the armhole spaces and continue around the front. I think that might be a lot to keep in your lap. So I think maybe a back and then two half squares for the front. This will allow of some armhole shaping if you like. The front will cover your front. You still have the swirl design and none of the circle problems.
This sample is small and please excuse the awful center start. But I think you can see how it will work out.
I am not re-energized :D And I will cast on properly today with my pretty yarn.
If anyone is interested, I will post the stitch pattern.
Don't you love when it when your knitting stops kicking you in the gut :-}

Pinwheel Pain

2006-06-26T11:56:00.000-04:00

I am now at the area that has the garter stitches. Now I have discovered that I should have only been increasing every six rounds, not every other round. Oh joy. If I have to frog 20 something rounds, I will frog the whole thing.

The directions get a bit vague after that. Knit like the baby version, except. Adult version knit until you have 30 stitches per section, then create armhole. Which leaves a gaping hole that gets more saggy as the jacket gets bigger. Solution, knit 30 stitches with waste yarn, purl back 30 stitches. Drop waste yarn and continue with jacket yarn, knitting in the stitches created with the waste yarn. You come back later and pick up those stitches and remove the waste yarn. But the jacket stays whole until then. Or you could just knit is round no armholes. When done measure the distance between your arms, pick up the stitches and then cut the yarn.
Continue knitting until you get to 42 stitches in each section. I missed this, and that is my fault not the designer. But the directions are shotgunned all over the page. Between the kiddie version and the adult version. You should start the garter part of the jacket. And

Purl 1 round. Knit 1 round. Repeat these last 2 rounds 3 times. On the last knit round increase 1 st. every section by knitting into the front and the back of one stitch. Repeat these 6 rounds maintaining the colour change every 18th round. Repeat this pattern until the desired size. The sample sweater has 126 rounds and 7 colours.

Stupid me, didn't do the math. A increase one stitch every 6 rounds would have been helpful. But as I said this is my fault. So now I am at row 62 and have increased every other round.
I am not sure what I am going to do yet. I am angry at myself for not paying better attention.
I have been reading the Pinwheel KAL and apparently I am not the only confused ducky out there.
Nor is this the only Elann pattern that has caused eager knitters to go a bit mad.
I am going to watch Italy play. With any luck they will win and race around with their jerseys off. Hey you need to find your fun where you can. Today it is not in my knitting