Who Are The People In Your Neighbourhood?

Remember that song from Sesame Street? It's one of those catchy little tunes that get stuck in your head and you just can't get it out.

Who are the people in your neighbourhood, in your neighbourhood, in your neighbourhood; Oh who are the people in your neighbourhood? The people that you meet each day!

Well, that has absoloutely nothing to do with knitting or with this post, but I just thought I'd put a post up so you didn't think the rapture came and I was taken and you weren't...lol. No, I wanted to share this with you because I'm a little instigator and I wanted you to get the song stuck in your head!!! Mwwaahhhaahahahahaaaa!

I haven't been doing much knitting the last little while because of my wrists - still trying to keep them rested for a little while. I won't be getting any socks done for the June Sock A Month KAL and that breaks my heart. I did get some done on the first child's sock though (I wasn't as far head on it as I thought I was - was doing the heel flap), but now I am nearly to the decreasing at the toe area. However, if that were the second sock, I probably would push myself and finish it; but since it's the first one, I'll just wait and do it up for July. Oh well, thems the breaks I guess.

Anyway, I'm going to head out and rest my wrists some more. I'll probably do some reading for awhile before bed, or maybe I'll get a bit of inspiration and do some writing (I'll write it long hand so my wrists wont be as aggrivated for typing all day at work tomorrow). Hopefully I'll get some knitting done and post some pics soon. I'll leave you with the latest Tinker Belle pic though, just to make the post interesting. This was taken a few days ago, and she is looking out the back screen door onto the patio.

Where's The Knitting?

That is what I am asking myself...where is the knitting?

My wrists have been bothering me this last week, what with sitting at the computer all day typing at work. I still haven't located my wrist thing-a-majigs - maybe I need to look a little harder or just go to Wal-Mart and get new ones. I've been trying to cut back on the knitting and computer time and that has helped some. More than anything, my wrists feel tired but not overly 'sore'. Last Friday though, one of them did feel a little like the numbness would come back if I didn't stop the typing. Thankfully it was at the end of the work day and I was able to rest my wrists over the weekend.

I've done some knitting and crocheting, but not a whole heck of a lot. Not much has been done on the baby sweater for the lady at work, but it's getting there. She doesn't need it until December, though she was thinking of having it by the end of October. I'll get it done before then though.

On the Easter colourway socks I am on the gusset part of the first sock, and have not touched the other ones. June is almost over - only 10 more days and I don't think I'll get these ones done to count for my June socks for the Sock a Month KAL. I think I'll have to pull out the children's socks I had started a couple of months ago and finish those. I should be able to get them done on time as I was on the foot part I think of the first one, and they are only a size 2-4 and they knit up fairly quickly. But, if my wrists bother me too much I just might have to let this month slide by. Keeping my wrists 'healthy' is more important than finishing a pair of socks for the KAL (though that runs a close second).

I've also been working on my writing some. I've got tonight and tomorrow night to finish my short story for the writer's challenge over at Faith Writers. I haven't entered the challenge for several weeks now because I haven't been able to come up with anything for the topics. Hopefully this one I'm working on will see completion and I can enter it.

Anyway, off to work on that and maybe do some sock knitting if my wrists are feeling fine.

Happy knitting!

I've been doing a little knitting and crocheting lately, but not too much. My neck and shoulder have been feeling better and I think the little break has helped some. I've got two pairs of socks started as well as the little sweater for the lady at work (which is being done in crochet). For all of them I don't have much done. The sweater is generally only worked on at work during breaks and lunch, but it goes fast. I started one of the pairs of socks the other day, and the other one a couple weeks back but was working on finishing the socks in the previous post.

The socks to the left are being done with Knit Picks "Dancing" in the ballet colourway. I am either done with the cuff, or just have a few more rows to go. The socks with this yarn will be from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks, and the pattern is Child's French Sock.

The sock to the right is with Knit Pick's Memories in the Easter colourway. I really like the bright colours on this one. The pattern is just a simple basic sock from Patons. It is from one of those free little pattern sheets you can get, but I've also seen it online. However, as I said, it is a basic pattern so you can pretty much find those everywhere.

I was thinking of using the blueberry waffles pattern or the haystacks pattern for the Memories socks, but one of them said I'd need three balls of yarn and I only have two. The other one I either figured that I might not have enough yarn, or it too called for three balls. I think I was afraid of running out of yarn, and it seems to me that the Easter colourway of this yarn isn't being sold anymore...at least in their catalogue and online they aren't showing it. Maybe it's only offered in the Spring...I don't know.

You'd think when I had the camera out that I would have taken a picture of the baby sweater I'm crocheting, but I honestly never thought to. You'll have to wait for another time to see it. It's the white baby yarn that has those small splotches of colour throughout it, and it's looking cute. I showed what I have done of it to Wendy (the one who requested it), and she loved it. I also told her that I wasn't going to put the edging around it because that would make it look too girly, and she's wanting something pretty neutral for a boy or a girl. She was fine with that though.

I have also been working on some writing lately, and you can read about it on my newest blog (hey now, I only have 3 of them...sheesh! I'm not a blogging addict or anything...yet. Just wanted to keep things seperate.) which is called Ink Scrawls. You can click the link to take you there, where you can play a little hangman on the sidebar, or leave a comment - I love comments). I'm slowly working on a novel, and I've got an idea for a short story for the latest writer's challenge over at Faith Writers. I haven't entered the challenge for a little while, so I'd really like to get one done up to submit.

So, I'm going to head off now and do an update (maybe) on one or both of the other blogs and get back to knitting and crocheting. Going to also try to get some more writing done this afternoon or this evening as well.

Happy Knitting!

Finished Sock

Well, I finally finished my next pair of socks. This pair will be my May entry for the Sock A Month Kal - am getting it in just under the wire (It's 9:52pm Atlantic time, 8:52pm Eastern).

I used the Lichen Ribbed Sock pattern from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks (pg. 26-28). I pretty much stuck to the pattern, except for the toe area which I did as I have done in my other sock patterns. I think it's a standard decreasing pattern. I nearly ran out of yarn for both of the socks, and when I was doing the decreasing in the toe area it didn't turn out quite right because I had adjusted the stitches on the needle as it had for the book. The result was that it was more of a "pointed" toe look which makes my big toes look really long and pointy. Trust me when I say they aren't. I have short stubby toes...Also, the socks are a little tight on my feet so they would probably fit someone with size 7 or 7 1/2 feet better. I will wash these up and put them on the mitten tree at church this Christmas.

Pattern: Lichen Ribbed Sock
From: Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Needles: 2.75 mm aluminum dpn's
Yarn: Knit Picks Parade
Colourway: Gumball

Commissioned

One of the ladies where I work during the summer found out last weekend that she is going to be a grandmother. This will be the first grandchild for her and her husband. Needless to say, she is quite excited.

Yesterday, she asked me if I would be willing to be commissioned to do up a little layette ensemble. She wants a little sweater, a hat, pair of baby mittens (with no thumb of course) and pair of booties. She asked if I would have enough time. I should have...'should' being the key word here.

She has picked out the pattern from one of the baby pattern booklets I had in my knitting/crocheting bag, so I know which one it is. I've worked on it before, and just have to sew the arms on and do the edging. Wendy isn't sure what colour she wants though, since they don't know the gender of the baby. She is leaning towards white, but is going to ask some others what they think is an OK colour other than white. I said the typical gender neutral colours seem to be white, yellow, or green.

I'm not sure what to charge for this. I know I need to take into consideration what I pay for the yarn (unless she gets it), and I need to include my time as well. I have never made anything for payment before, so I have absolutely no idea what prices to charge - what is reasonable.

So, does anyone have any idea what a reasonable price to charge would be - especially in Canadian dollars (don't want to say $30 if it is in American, because for Canadian it would be more)...if that makes sense. So, let me know what you think I should charge for a baby's sweater, hat, mittens, and booties set.

Frustration & A New Beginning

Well, I ran into some frustration with trying to sew together my Let's Party Cardi. I think somewhere along the line I messed up in the knitting - probably on the front halves. I got the shoulders sewn together, no problem. My next step was to sew the sleeves on and then sew down the underside of the sleeve and then continue down the side of the body.

Well, here is where my problem is. I think I sewed the sleeve on wrong. I know I did at one little section and let me tell you it was annoying trying to find the end of the yarn AFTER I wove it back in through the seam. I figured I would undo the little area that I messed up on and then fix it. However, that prooved a little more difficult than I imagined.

So, I thought I would hold off and just do up the other side first and then go back. So, I sewed up the seam on the side first (the way I usually do). Then, I realized that I sewed it wrong. I put the right sides together and sewed, but when I turned it back the way it was supposed to be it didn't look right. I think I should have kept the wrong sides together and sewed and it would have been fine.

Well, then I tried to play with the other sleeve to see if I could make it fit. It didn't seem to be. Arrrgggghhhh!!!!! I am so frustrated! The party has definately ceased to exist with this item! So, I have put it down for awhile and will go back to it when I am not tempted to take scissors to it....here's a pic for your pleasure (or lack of):

It's just a jumbled mess right now. I think if I can get it sewn together correctly, it will look nice. I even bought cute heart shaped buttons to sew on.

So, for now I will set it aside and put my focus on a couple of other knitting items. Firstly, I will need to work on my socks so that I can get them done before the end of the month. That way I will have a pair to count as my May socks for the Sock A Month KAL. Here is a current pic of the sock project:


Sorry for the picture being a little dark. I am close to starting the heel flap on the second sock. I just need to sit down and work at it. I have 8 days, but I don't want to leave it down to the last day or so and then not get it done. Once the heel is turned and I start working on the foot, it should go a little faster - you know, that "I'm nearly finished and I can't wait!" push is on.

Also, I felt like I needed a little mindless knitting to do, some garter stitch or stocking stictch...that sort of thing. So, I had got a couple of single skeins of baby yarn to make a couple of baby sweaters and would only have one 5.25 oz skein of each different colourway. I went through my patterns, but any that I had required more than what I had for yarn (I suppose I should have played it safe and got two of each, but I didn't). My next step was to turn to the net. I went to Knitty and found a cute little sweater that I thought I would like to try. It didn't look too dificult. It's actually a cardigan, not a sweater...whatever, LOL.

The yarn is Bernat Baby Coordinates Sweet Stripes; the colourway is called Splash Stripes. It is a combination of acrylic, rayon and nylon (I know the yarn 'snobs' are cringing LOL). I've used this yarn before to make some crocheted baby blankets and I like it. It's soft and has a little shine to it.

Anyway, the pattern (see the link above) is for the sweater called Haiku, and I thought it looked so cute. The pattern says it is designed so you can use any yarn. You just do up a swatch to see how many stitches per inch you get, then do the math. The author has provided the calculations, all you do it take your number of stitches and fill in the blanks then do the math (I suggest using a calculator because it makes it faster and easier, especially if you are not good at math like me). They are really simple calculations though, so it isn't bad.

Anyway, there are only two stitches used - garter and box. The way the yarn is in the pic, you can see it it horizontal, however for the sweater, the stripes will be going verticle. I really hope this one turns out better than the cardigan! This one, from what I can see so far, only has sleeves to attach (and buttons). My understanding of the pattern, if I am reading it right, you start on one side and do 3 inches of garter stitch, cast on a certain amount to that and then do the box stitch for 2 inches, then back to garter for 2 more inches. Then you bind off a certain amount of stitches for the armhole and then work the back, bind off again for the other armhole, then cast on and do the other side of the front, not forgetting to make the button holes.

Once you make the sleeves, you just sew the shoulder seams, then sew on the sleeves and then the buttons, and voila! I really hope this one goes much better than the other one. I'm rather disappointed with my making of the Let's Parti Cardi. I mean, the pattern is fine, it is in my doing of it that got messed up...

If anyone has made the Haiku pattern from Knitty, please let me know how it turned out for you and if you had any problems.

Still No Pics

I would have thought by now I would have taken some pics of the Let's Party Cardi in progress. I still haven't blocked it, though I did go out and get the 2 buttons needed for it. The buttons go up near the top, and the rest of the cardigan is open. After the blocking I just have to seam it and add the 3 rows around the neck area and down each side of the front, then add the buttons and it will be comlpeted. Yeah, I think I've mentioned that before...and it's still not done. I had hoped to have gotten it blocked so that it would be dry by tomorrow or Sunday and I could finish it up. However, it is now Friday night and I don't have it blocked. There is a reason (or excuse if you prefer) for the laziness in getting it all together. I've been tired and on the go, somewhat, and haven't really had a lot of knitting time.

Monday evening I had my Weight Watcher's meeting, and was feeling rather tired afterwards. Tuesday evening I was rushed because when I got home from work and checked my email, I had a reminder that there was a CE Board (Christian Education Board) meeting at 7pm and at that point (of reading my email), it was after 5. Wednesday I had a BBQ to attend for the leaders of the kids mid-week program at church (it was yummy - the BBQ, not the program).

Last night I was free, but I had got some bad news when I got home from work. I found out that I did not get accepted into the B. Ed. program for next year. Needless to say I was feeling rather upset and depressed the rest of the night. Not even knitting would have dragged me out of that funk.

I'm feeling better tonight, so far - though I did have a few moment this morning that weren't all that good. I still didn't feel like handwashing the cardigan and pinning it out to dry, so instead I started a new sock. Yeah, instead of working on the one I have on the go (not too far from doing the heel flap), I decided I wanted to start a new one - but that's normal for me lol.

I'm still waiting to see if they have the adjusted sizes posted yet for the Reid sweater at Knitty, but haven't seen anything yet. I want to do this sweater up for my best friend's daughter, and from what I've read on other blogs and knitting forums, the size 4 and 6 measurements are messed up (apparently they are knitting up way to large for a normal 4 and 6). So, I don't want to start until I get the right numbers. Though I have to wonder if I were to knit the size 4 if it would be large enough to fit a 6 year old (the age of my friend's daughter).

So, sadly, again no pics of knitting. I was going to try to post another pic of Tinker Belle, but for some reason Blogger is not co-operating.

Warning: Boring Post, No Pics

Yeah, honestly it is going to be a boring post and once again no pics! Sheesh, if I want to attract people to my blog and have them leave comments I am going to have to stop making boring entries and not showing any pics... (edited to say that I decided to post a pic so the post wouldn't look so bare again)

I started back to work on Monday, and my days are longer now than they were in school this semester. I get up 6:45-7:00 and end up needing a nap after supper, which of course throws off my sleeping at night because come bed time, I am not tired!

Needless to say...ok maybe it isn't needless...anyway, I haven't felt like knitting much this week. Well, when I'm at work I feel like knitting, or writing, but once I get home my mojo is go go...I've only done about 8 rows on the second sleeve of the Let's Party Cardi this week. I'm really hoping to finish it tomorrow though and get the blocking done.

Thanks to all who left a comment on the previous post with the suggestion of blocking first and then seaming. So, with regard to the blocking, do I just soak it in water and then let it dry flat? Do I wash it? What do I use to wash it with? The yarn says to handwash, but is regular detergent (we use Tide) ok to use, or do I need something special? Man, I'm such a dunce with this LOL - though I blame it on not having done any of this before...


Ok...I couldn't stand not having a picture in the post so I have included one of my furry baby, Tinker Belle, just so the post wouldn't look so bare.

I hope to get some pics of knitting to include soon, and hopefully I'll get that cardigan finished this weekend and have pics of it to include in the next post.

Off to try to find some knitting mojo again. Happy Knitting!

Just A Wee Update

Sorry that this isn't much of a post. I have been dealing with graduation, and it finally happened yesterday!

So, with knitting news, I've put a few rows on my second sock of the one I was working on when I was doing the red feather and fans. I'm only about an inch past the cuff, so not much progress with that. However, I finally got the first sleeve for the Let's Party Cardi completed! Woot! I don't think it quite worked out right with the pattern - if I could have added 2 more stitches it would have but oh well. I've got the first 2 rows done on the second sleeve so far. I just hope this one goes much better than the first and that I don't have to end up frogging again! Once I get that done, then all I need do is block and put together.

So, I have a question. When blocking (to be honest I've never done this before), do I block first and then sew it together, or do I sew it together and then block it? What's the best way to do it? Would appreciate your thoughts, opinions, and advice on this.

Happy knitting!

The Horror & The Honor

Oh, the horror of it all! I can't believe this finally happened to me. I mean, I knew eventually that it would, but not just now! I bet you're wondering just what I'm talking about. Well, wonder no more for I will tell you.

I experienced the WWF for the first real time this morning!! Oh, I am in utter disbelief that I would have to experience this right now. Why couldn't it happen much later down the road instead of now? Oh, yeah, I should explain what WWF is. No, it is not the world wrestling federation (and I think I heard they actually changed their letters now to something else, but since I'm not a fan of the stuff I don't really care, lol). Is it the World Wildlife Fund? Nope, though I think their little panda symbol is so cute!

No, WWF stands for World Wide Frogging! What does world wide have to do with it? Well, nothing but I thought it might make help me create a post about my frogging experience. Yeah, I know, I'm lame.

Remember my Let's Party Cardi that I have been working on? Well, I have the back completed, both fronts, and was nearly completed with the first sleeve - I just had maybe 5 or 6 more rows to go until I would bind off. Then I discovered it. A huge mistake. The directions said to "work in pattern, and at same time, inc 1 st at each edge..." Ok, well somehow between reading that and following the pattern to the first row (every 4th row) that required the increasing, I somehow overlooked or forgot about the "at each edge" part of it. What I ended up doing was only increasing one stitch at one edge. It said to keep doing this until you get 54 stitches, and works out 11 times. So, as I'm working away at it and am nearing 40 stitches, I somehow did the math and 4 x 11 = 44 right? Well it wasn't adding up for me. How can you get 54 stitches if 4 x 11 = 44? So I read further and it said to knit until it measured 10 inches. And I'm thinking 10 inches with 54 stitches at the rate I'm going isn't going to happen - either that or it is going to be as nearly as wide as the back. What 4 year old kid has arms that big?

So, I decided there must have been a printing error and it should have read 44 stitches instead of 54. So, I followed the pattern until I got to 44 and then knit until it reached the required 10 inches and started to do the first part of the binding off for the sleeve cap. I held the sleeve up and folded it together to see how it would look as a sleeve. Well, it looked a little thin, like it might not be big enough to go around an arm. It was at this point that I went back and looked over the directions and found where I went wrong.

Yeah, yeah, I know...all knitters experience this, but it's my first real frogging experience and it made me sad (insert sad, pathetic looking face here). At least it was on the sleeve of a childs cardigan with just knitting and purling stitches though, and not some intricate piece of lace or something. Though since I plan to try some lace this summer, I am fearing this will happen then too. Ok Shelley, suck it up and get on with it....

Now, comes the honor! If you are still reading this by this point...I checked the comments on my previous post before I started my blog entry just now, and found out Stephanie had left a comment. Lot's of Stephanie's out there right? Well, I hadn't recalled a Stephanie leaving a comment before (at least that I can think of, but I could be wrong - it's been known to happen before (case in point, see the first part of this post).

So, usually if I don't recognize a name, I click on it to go see the blog and if it is one I have visited before or not. Anyway, to my great surprise, the blog that appeard was none other than the Yarn Harlot's!!! Woot! I got a comment from the Great Yarn Harlot! I feel so privledged and...faint! Ok, maybe not faint - that would be a lie and I don't want to lie. But hey, it made for good theatrics didn't it?

Now, I am a consistant reader of the Yarn Harlot. I may not always leave a comment, but I have in the past. Anyway, I know she says that people are surprised when she tells them she reads their blogs. Well, I now know how those people feel. Woot!

I just wish I had one of those witty cool blogs, or one of those blogs that show fabulous pics of hard intricate patterns that have been made, or one of those blogs full of items designed by the blog owner/operator. Sadly, mine isn't like that. It's a blog with a few pics of mediocre items knit by a somewhat newish knitter. Now, I've been knitting for about 4 or 5 years now, but I tend to stick to the easy patterns and fear the more advanced ones. I think maybe I could move up to intermediate now though...which I think I'm starting to do in some cases. Anyway, the bulk of my knitting prior to now has been making mittens and 3 sweaters for my soon to be 3 year old nephew. But, I'm sure Ms. Harlot understands. I just hope she wasn't bored to tears...

Now I am all inspired to go back and work on the sweater sleeve of the Let's Party Cardi and hopefully get it completed (the whole thing, not just the sleeve) before I start work on Monday.

Happy Knitting!

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!