Big 'F' Little 'f'...

...what begins with 'f'? Feather & Fan are Finally Finished - Fabulous!

Woot! I finally finished knitting my feather & fan's! Gee, it only took me nearly two months to do them...but wait, before you pass judgment and think I either didn't know what I was doing or I am an extremely slow knitter, or that I frogged and restarted...stop! No, those weren't the reasons. I blame school naturally, some, hehehe (was getting in the way of my knitting lol), and the first sock did take much longer for me to make than the second one because I think I was still getting used to the pattern. It's very easy to memorize (4 rows repeated and 1 is just purling and 2 are just knitting - the 4th is the one with the pattern and like I said it isn't hard). I think also with the first one I was getting used to the smaller needles as well.

Pattern: I have Sharon to thank for the pattern.
Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks (75% wool, 25% nylon)
Colour: Retro Red
Needles: 2.75 mm (US 2) aluminum

Umm...can't think of what else to think of to write up for the specs, other than I took the pic this morning on the back deck that needs to be stained and/or painted. But I guess that doesn't really matter eh?

Ok, and just so little Tinker Belle doesn't feel left out (I know she hasn't been in my last few pictures), I took a pic of her with the feather and fan's as well...looks like she's smelling my feet, but what I'm going with is she is either smelling the YARN, or she is thinking "Get those feet out of my face or I am going to bite them and possible ruin all that hard work you put into making those socks!"

Something Funny To Share...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/rhymes.asp?date=20060415

I thought this was funny and thought I'd share it, considering it deals with knitting! Hope you enjoy!

PSx2

Project Spectrum times two. These are two dish cloths that I made (one last night, one this morning/afternoon) for Project Spectrum. Not only is it two items for PS, but because the colours involved are from the March and April colours. March, as you can remember, was pink and red; April is yellow and orange.

Ok, before I got into my explanations, I need to confess. The patterns I used called for 4.5 mm (US 7) needles, but mine were in use with something else. I only have one pair of 4.5 mm so what was I to do? I thought it wouldn't hurt too much if I went up to 5 mm, so that's what I decided to do. It doesn't look too badly, just a little looseish...loosish...loose (whatever the word is). There is also supposed to be a picture of a watering can on it (you can sort of see it if you know what you are looking for LOL). I think using the right size needles and a solid colour would be better to see the patterns. However, I think the varrigated created a funky little pattern of its own!

And now for the one on the right. Same colour of yarn used, different size needles. For this one I used the 4 mm size (the 4.5 are still in use lol) and got a little smaller size overall, but still it is a nice size I think.

The pattern on this one, which you can kind of see a little bit better, is a cat (go figure eh?). The varrigation didn't produce a funky pattern like in the other one though...but that's ok. I told mom she could use the cat one too if she wanted, and if not then I'd probably just keep it for me.

I made the watering can one for my mom because she is into gardening and I thought she would like that. I'm still going to give it to her, even though it's not perfect. She's already seen it and thinks that if it was done with a solid colour the pattern would stand out better (which is what I've already said), and thought that something like that might be nice for their Yankee Swaps that they do now and then in their horticulture club gatherings. So, maybe I will make some for her to take next time. She said that one of the packages she got in the past was a set of dish cloths and dish towels that were knit by someone, so it still might go over nicely...especially since it has something gardening related on it.

Both patterns were very easy to do, and didn't take too long. I think estimated time for each was an hour and a half tops.

Patterns: Pattern for the watering can dish cloth can be found here. The pattern for the cat dish cloth can be found here.

Needles: watering can - 5 mm bamboo; cat - 4 mm aluminum
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton ultrasoft; colour - #23741

The Red Mittens

Ok, technically this isn't a post about knitting, but in a way it is...

Last November I wrote a short story that I entered in Faith Writers weekly writing challenge. I won 3rd place in the intermediate level for it. It has to do with red mittens, and is in a way about mittens. Therefore, this post is kindasorta about knitting...

Anyway, I haven't made enough progress on my knitting lately to show pics of it (there is some progress though, just not enough to take a picture for), so I thought I would share this story. If you are interested in reading it (it's not long) you can find it here by clicking this link.

Drop me a comment here on my blog and let me know what you thought of it.

Happy knitting!

Where I Knit

Kat over at Kat Knits is having a contest. I saw the link at Karen's site and thought I'd join in. You have to list 5 places where you knit, other than at home or a LYS. I guess the most unusual will win, however mine aren't unusual but I joined in anyway.

1. My friend Kristina's house. I go there after church often and sit and knit (or crochet).
2. In the university cafeteria.
3. Before and during break time of the 3 hour class I had this semester (got lots of questions and comments on my knitting from the youngsters - I'm 37 and think, other than the prof, I was probably the second oldest student in the class).
4. At work (summer and Christmas time) during lunch and breaks, if the work is late, sometimes before if I get in early enough.
5. In the car travelling to work. I'm a little skitting driving in the car after I had a bad accident a couple of years ago so I like to knit or crochet during driving time so that I have something to focus on.

Anyway, other than home, so far these have been the places I've knit so far.

Whew, What A Relief!

Yup, it sure is a relief...I had enough yarn to finish my first feather & fan sock! I didn't have a whole lot left over, and probably would have had less but I skipped three or four of the straight knit rows in the toe decrease because I was afraid I would run out. But, I tried it on and it fits just fine - nice and snug, but yet doesn't feel too tight on my leg.

So, Sharon's instructions stated that it would fit a lady's medium size foot. My shoe size is 8-8 1/2 and it fits just fine. So, without further ado, here is the completed first feather and fan sock:

Ok, for some reason I thought that was a little bit closer. Oh well, at least you can see it completed ;o). The next picture is a little better. I had to increase the size of the picture posted so that you could see the detail better - that might be why the other one doesn't look as close as it really is.

I'll post the stats on the socks when I actually get the second one completed. Hopefully that won't take me as long to complete now that I know the pattern and that I will have enough yarn. I'll just have to remember to try to match it as close as possible down at the toe section. So, I'll leave you now with a picture I took of the sky when I was out taking the pics of my sock. It's nothing spectacular, but I just happened to like the way it was looking. The clouds are moving in and it will no doubt rain later, which is fine because we need the rain for all the trees and flowers and grass to grow. Happy Knitting!

WIP Pics

Ok, as promised, pics of my WIP's that I mentioned in the previous post. I had tried to make a post this afternoon, but blogger wasn't co-operating and taking forever to post the pics.

To start off, I thought I would post a group shot, followed by individual pictures.
You can see the feather and fan sock to the left, the sock with the Knit Picks yarn in the middle, and beside that is the left front side of the Let's Party Cardi with the right side completed on, as it turns out, the right side.

Look at that red...too bad this wasn't all done last month when the colours for Project Spectrum included reds. Oh well, better late than never right? And at least I was working on them during the month of march. Other than the yellow baby blanket from one of my previous posts, I don't have anything yellow to work on.

And here you can see the feather and fan sock and how much yarn I have left. It looks like there will be enough to finish the sock, but I am still scared that looks are deceiving...I don't think I am too far off from the decrease for the toe area, so hopefully it will all work out in the end...


And here we have the sock that I am doing with the Knit Picks yarn. The pattern is from the Vintage Sock Patterns book, and is just one of the ribbed ones so far. I didn't know if this yarn would look good with some of the "fancier" patterns, so I chose something a little more simplistic. Also, I hadn't read the book very much at the time of deciding what pattern to use, and I assumed that the children's socks were for children so I was holding off trying the pattern for now...turns out she made them sized for ladies feet! Woo Hoo! However, I like this pattern too and it's easy. The heel flap and the turning are different from what I've done so far, so I learned something new with this pattern as well. Not sure if I really enjoy this one though (I'll give more details on which one when I get them finished...I'll need something to post with the pic!), but can decide after I at least make the second sock for the pair.

And lastly, we come to the cardigan. Ok, well blogger for some reason will not let me post the fourth picture...so, you'll have to wait or scroll back up to see it again. As I said, I finished the right front (I messed up and did the decreased on the wrong side so I ended up doing the right side instead of the left that I was attempting to do. So, I have the right side completed and some done on the left side. I hope I don't mess this little cardigan up; I would really like some little girl to have some enjoyment with such a fun little sweater. I can't wait to get it done and see the outcome of it.

I've also, as like a lot of other knitters, have more plans of what I want to attempt when I'm done my current WIP's. Sheesh, so many patterns, so little time (and money to buy the yarn for the projects)...

Anyway, happy knitting!

Thank You All

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers with regard to my friend Kate. Yes, she was young, 25 I think (my mind is drawing a blank on this at the moment though), and she would have graduated with me in 3 weeks.

On the knitting front, I have finished the right front section of the Let's Party Cardi, and have a couple of inches done on the left side of it. I have also worked on my feather and fan socks, and am at the part just after the decreasing for the gusset. I've also been working on another pair of socks with my Knit Picks Parade yarn. This sock is from the Vintage Socks book I got recently (see post further down).

The feather and fan sock is looking good. I don't know why it is taking me so long to make it because it is easy, and a nice pattern. I just seem to hold off working on it. Well, the other day I picked it up to work on it some more and was horrified to come to a part in the yarn that had been tied together!!! A KNOT in my yarn!! Sheesh...and its right at the side of the foot area. I hope it will not be bothersome. I'm also afraid that I might run out of yarn, but I'm hoping not. One other thing that worries me is that it might not fit. Sharon said it fits a small to medium foot, but I don't know what that means size-wise, and if it will be stretchy enough for me to wear. I take an 8 - 8 1/2 shoe (American size) but I don't know if that is considered medium or large...I really hope it is not large; I don't want large feet!

The Knit Picks sock is looking good so far too. I am liking the colours (it's self stripe) and the yarn. I can't wait to try the other Knit Picks yarn that I got. I'm trying to decide on a pattern for that yarn already.

I'm sorry I don't have any pics to post of my WIP's this time. Things have been a little crazy the last few days and I haven't gotten around to taking any. I'll try to get them done in the next day or two and post them for you to see.

Happy Knitting!

Had Some Sad News...

I found out yesterday that my friend Kate passed away. I've been somewhat numb since then, and it really hit home today, at school, during the memorial service they had in chapel for her. I'm back to feeling numb again I think. It's weird...just weird.

If you have some knitted items you would like to donate, I'd like to direct your attention to a blog that hasn't had many comments on, so people might not be aware of her ministry. Go to Soulful Knitting Ministries and check her out!

**Edited to fix the link...it should work now. Thanks to Ruth for pointing that out to me.

More Yellow & Yarny Goodness

Ok, as per popular demand (ok so it was only one person who requested (and not demanded), but since I don't have a whole lot of visitors/comenters on my blog, one is popular!) here is a picture of the yellow baby blanket I am working on. It is crocheted using one row of double crochet, one row of single, and just repeating these two rows alternately.

It is baby yellow, and not one of those more brighter shades that you can sometimes get. I hope it shows up yellow and not whiteish. The yarn is acrylic I believe, but I don't know all the details offhand because I don't have that handy.

Ok, that takes care of the yellow. Now for the yarny goodness! Look what I got today in the mail!!

It's the Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush and some sock yarn! I've only been able to just glance through the book, but it looks great and there are some patterns that I'm itching to try. The yarn is 2 skeins each (as you can no doubt count) of, on the left, Knit Picks 'Ballet Dancing' (41% cotton, 39% wool, 13% nylon, 7% elastic), and on the right, Knit Picks 'Gumball Parade' (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon).

I haven't used either of these yarns because sock yarn is very limited around this area, or so it seems. There isn't much of a selection or colour variety to choose from, so I decided to try ordering some. I've read a lot of good things about Knit Picks, and decided to go with that this time. I am looking forward to trying these yarns and am hoping I have great results with both of them. I'll keep you posted on what socks they become once I start them.

I am attempting to get a couple of other sock patterns knit up first, and I want to get into my stash and use up some of that so that I can have a good excuse to get more yarn. I am thinking I should get some mittens done with the stash, and make a scrap afghan in a granny square pattern as well.

I'm off to study for a test now, and hopefully I can stay focused on that instead of the new yarn and knitting...

Happy knitting!

April = Yellow & Orange

For all involved in Project Spectrum, the month of April is dedicated to the colours of yellow and orange. I thought I would start off by showing some yellow:

These are some of our crocuses that have really come into bloom in the last few days. There are purple ones as well and a lighter shade of purple with darker purple edges too (they darker purple ones are my favs of course).

I think this month I will be working on the yellow baby blanket that I am crocheting. Not sure who it will go to, as there are three pregnant ladies at church. Or it might not go to any of them and I'll just go buy them something. Hard to say what I'll do. I guess it depends on when I get the blanket finished and if I think it looks good enough to give to one of them.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some yellow today in honor of Project Spectrum. Happy knitting!