Some Spinning

I admit it. I have been a terrible blogger of late! Shame, shame on me. I hang my head low - low enough as I pick up some spinning to work on!

I mentioned previously that I had some of my first spinning washed and set. Some of that is still in need of a good soak and set, and I hope to get it done before heading to Korea. Here's a pic of that mess.

The ball in front (hand wound because I have neither a swift nor a ball winder, but I'm not complaining, hehehe) is what has been soaked and set. The two bunches in the back still need that process done to them. I have no idea how much yarn I ended up with, but I can tell you the stuff isn't that great. However, I must keep in mind that this is my first overall attempt at spinning on a drop spindle...well spinning on anything really. It is very unevenly spun with some parts being big, some being small, some spun a little too tight, and some not enough. Overall, I guess it's ok for a first attempt. The roving I used was polworth (I think that's what it's called), and it was nice to work with. I got it at London-Wul back in April when I took the class on drop spindle spinning. To the left you can see a bit more of a closeup on the varying sizes I managed to produce.

I have no idea what I'll make with this, but it will probably end up as a scarf. Like I said, I have no idea how much yarn I ended up with, and I'd hate to start something like a hat or pair of mittens and end up running out of yarn. Also, with the different thicknesses in the ball/skein/whatever you want to call it, I don't know if it would be wise to knit a hat or mittens with it. I might just end up making a simple garter stitch scarf...unless anyone else has any other ideas.

This is my latest spinning. It's only single ply as of yet. See how much more uniform it is, and how much thinner it is? I must say I am liking this one much more than the first attempt. I've since learned to use not as much of the roving and to pull (or whatever you call it) it apart more than I had in the first attempt. It is also polworth and I've just really started to spin it. I'm just wondering if it is possible to knit with a single ply, and if so what; or is it better to ply it with another single? Please spinners, let me know!I am also hoping to get sock yarn out of my spinning (at some point), but being such a newbie at this, I don't think I'm quite ready to make sock yarn just yet...I don't know if it takes a lot of practice before one is ready to spin sock yarn, or if newbies can attempt it. Any spinners out there have any idea?

Other than the spinning, I haven't really done any knitting. We had a few days of unbearable (at least for me) heat and I just didn't feel like doing much of anything except for sitting in front of the fan and trying not to melt. My neck was also bothering me (stiff and sore) for this past week and it still is a little...though I can actually move my head without my neck hurting. Right now it basically feels just a little stiff and no real pain - which is good.

I want to knit. I stand in front of my stash gazing at my yarn, looking at my patterns, thinking of what I should make (or at least finish i.e. socks and a baby sweater I started), but I can't muster up the energy or desire to actually sit down and knit more than a few stitches. I think part of the "problem" is the whole getting ready for Korea thing. That has sort of taken precedence over anything right now, which is understandable. But, at any rate, I will be knitting again, and hopefully soon - as in before I leave for Korea!

My Sockapalooza, Christine over at Needle In My Vein, has received her socks and they fit! Woo hoo! I hope she'll enjoy wearing them when the weather gets a little cooler/colder. Why not make a visit to her blog; tell her I sent ya (not that that will get you anywhere or win you anything). My pal (the one knitting for me) has left a comment saying that she's got mine on their way. She'd been on vacation and had forgot to mail them before she left, which is ok. To be honest, I was a little late sending Christine's socks as well. Anyway, I'm hoping to get my package before I leave for Korea. That would be way cool!

Off to try and knit or spin or start making my list of what to pack, or do absolutely nothing...just depends on what I feel like doing (or not doing as the case may be). Happy knitting!

Edited to add: I am not sure why the paragraphs are all joined together (or at least most of them). I separated them, but for some reason blogger is sticking most everything together. It makes it look like I don't know how to write in paragraph form - really, I do know. It's just blogger's fault.

Sockapalooza Pal's Socks, ISE 4 Scarf, Spinning

Ok, I promised a picture of the socks I knit up for my Sockapalooza pal, and here they are:

They are made with Paton's Kroy yarn (I forget the colourway off hand, and can't find the ballband). I used 2.75 mm DPNs, and the pattern is the Yarn Over Cable from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.

The foot looks big (it's 10 inches from heel to toe), but I think it's because the cuff and leg are skinnier due to the ribbing nature of the pattern. At least that is what I surmise. I do hope they fit my pal (I'm sure they do...gotta think positive), and I hope she'll like them and the colourway and yarn I chose for her. I also gifted her with the two skeins of yarn I had ordered way at the beginning of Sockapalooza that I was originally going to make her socks from - only to realize that the pattern I chose AFTER ordering the yarn called for part of a third skein of the yarn...

I really enjoyed knitting this pattern. It is very easy to do, and I had the pattern (which was only 4 rows, and 2 of those were the same) memorized very, very quickly. If you haven't knit this pattern and you have Sensational Knitted Socks, I do recommend that you make this pattern!

Currently I am working (albeit slowly) at work on a child's pair of socks using the Little Shell Rib pattern from the same book. It's another easy peasy pattern that is easily memorized. I have no pics of it yet as I only have the leg done...well about another inch until I start the heel flap. Not sure if I'll get these socks finished before leaving for Korea, but I'll do my best so I can add it to the pile of items for the mitten tree at church...which reminds me, I'll have to have my mom or dad drop the stuff off at the church when the tree is up so the items can be put on/under it.

On another note, remember the scarf I knit for my ISE 4 pal? Well, I sent it out to her on June 7 (the day we were supposed to), and after the post office contacted her two or three times, I received my package back yesterday. She never went and claimed it at the post office. I've contacted the leader of ISE to let her know what happened and offered to use my package as an angel gift for this one, if someone has not received a scarf, or it could be used as an angel gift in the next round of ISE. I must say I was disappointed...something may have happened to her or she may have moved (I hope nothing bad has happened), as to why she never claimed it. Oh well. The next round will go better...and I'll also be sending it from South Korea!

I've also been working a little at spinning. I'll try to take pics of the first "skein/ball" of yarn I spun...it's really not a pretty sight...really. I've got a couple more sections to soak and dry before I can ball it up (I don't have a niddy noddy or whatever you call those things to make skeins with). I started into the other batch of roving I got back when I took the drop spindle course, and I must say that is a LOT better and finer spinning. I'll take a pic of that too so you can see the difference. I didn't want to spin the pinkish roving I won in the contest awhile back (scroll down to see the pic of the roving) because I didn't want it to look terrible. I figured I could use this batch or roving I purchased back in April as my next practice spinning before moving on to the beautiful pink one. I do plan on trying to squeeze that and my spindle into one of my suitcases. The spindle will be no problem to fit into my carryon (or any other suitcase for that matter), but the roving will take some squishing...should make a nice cushioning should I decide to pack anything "fragile" to take with me (though at this point I don't plan on taking anything fragile).

Well, off to do some knitting or writing for awhile. Happy knitting!

Been A Long Time

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to let you all know I'm still around. I've been somewhat busy trying to get some things in order for the big trip to South Korea; have had some stress dealing with all that, but things are working out. I'll be posting about that on my other blog, Confirm The Work of Our Hands shortly, so feel free to check it out for an update on the trip.

I finally got my Sockapalooza socks finished! The only problem is that I can't get the pictures off the camera and onto the computer...don't know what's wrong there but as soon as I can get the pictures downloaded I'll post them. I think the socks turned out nicely, and hope my pal will enjoy them!

It's been rather hot here the last little while, though the last couple of days hasn't been as hot, and I haven't felt like doing much of anything - not even knitting.

Just to let the winners of my contest know, I'll be getting your prizes out to you by this weekend.

I hope to have a better post the next time around. Just wanted to post and let everyone know that I'm still around and haven't abandoned blogging. So, until the next post (which hopefully won't be as long as it's taken me to get this one on here), happy knitting!

Progress Report

Well, I thought it high time I make another post on here! So, I thought that I would show you how my Sockapalooza socks are coming along.

As you can see, I've changed yarn and patterns. This one is coming along much better than the previous one...I will actually have enough yarn! The last one didn't look like there was going to be enough yarn so I decided to cut my losses while I still had time to get my pal's socks finished. I have just another repeat (maybe two) left and then I start the toe decreases. This is still the first sock, but it is coming along quickly.

Here's a picture of the pattern...does anyone recognize it? It's a little blurry in the picture - I must learn how to take close-ups with this camera so that they don't turn out blurry. I had the macro setting on, but it doesn't allow for a good close-up, and if I zoom in any and try to take it it still doesn't work too well. Sigh...

Keep posting your entries to my contest. You've got until tomorrow, Friday July 13 to get the entries in and I will do the drawing for it sometime on Saturday (so, if you don't see a post telling who won and it is Saturday, you still might be able to get an entry in). Do not post your entries on this post - only entries on the actual post will be entered into the draw.

Also, Kimberly over at Woven ~n~ Spun is having a little contest game. She's hosting a Knitting Bingo! She has 25 words listed and you choose 15 of those words and email them to her (you have until 6:00pm central time on Sunday to get your words emailed). Then, starting Monday, she will post a couple of words each day until someone emails her to tell her they have Bingo! Once she confirms that all your words have been called, you win the prize. She hasn't said what the prize will be yet, but I'm sure it's something good! Also, I don't think you'd need a blog to participate (there is nothing saying you need one) - I'm sure if you have access to email and read her blog each day to find out the words, you could play. So, why not head over to Kimberly's and take part in the Bingo.

Well, off I go to surf a few blogs and work on my Socapalooza socks. I'm hoping to get this first sock done tonight! Happy knitting!

Craziness And A Little Contest

Hang in until the end of the post...something good awaits you!

Well, I am really afraid that I am going to run out of yarn for the Fluted Banister socks. I'm not done the first one yet...still have a few inches to go before I even start to decrease for the toe, and I'm looking at the ball of yarn and to me it doesn't look like there will be enough for the second sock.

I cast on for a different pair with different yarn (Paton's Kroy). I only started this last night after I felt like I was going crazy and might start hyperventilating or something (not really, but I was getting a little freaked out). I'm about to start the leg of this pattern, which is one from Sensational Knitted Socks.

I really don't know what to do. I waited for some time after ordering yarn for my pal's socks for said yarn to arrive...only to find out after choosing the pattern that I'd need 3 skeins of this particular yarn (Panda Wool). So, I choose some yarn (the Louet Gems) and a different pattern because said pal requested cuff down socks (which is how I typically make socks anyway) so starting a pair toe-up was out of the question. And now I'm worried about not having enough yarn for this. That's why the new pair. I've used this yarn for a pair of socks for myself before and have always had some left over (my foot length is 9", my pal's is 10") so I know there should be enough left over for an extra inch of the pattern. However, I don't know if the new pattern will use up a lot of the yarn and thus cause me not to have enough for the foot. As well, I don't know if I should just do the pattern on the leg and keep the foot plain stocking stitch, or continue the pattern on the top of the foot as well.

What also worries me is that I won't get these socks done in time to send out to my pal on August 2nd. I'm sure if I explained everything that has gone wrong and ask if she mind if they are a little late, that she wouldn't be too upset (so long as she gets them). However, it hasn't come to that yet. I've put the baby sweater I was working on at work to the back burner, and the socks are in top priority. I'll work on them during breaks at work as well as at home. I am determined to get them done on time...that is providing everything works out for me! Who would have thought that joining a fun swap would be so stressful - all I can say is I'd better not be getting any grey hair from this; I have enough of that already!

So, on to a little contest. I've made a couple sets of stitch markers and thought I'd give those as prizes. First up is a colourful set of 5 stitch markers. All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me what the provincial flower of New Brunswick is.

Next up is a shiny set of 5 stitch markers. All you need to do is leave a comment telling me the name of the actor I have a crush on. I'll give you a little clue...he's really hot! 'Nuff said.

I will draw for each set of stitch markers from the list of names - or if someone tells me where I can access one of those random number generators online, I'll use that. You can enter one or both of the draws, the choice is yours; however, you can only enter once for each. If you don't know the answers to the questions, just take a guess and you'll be entered into the draw.

And, here's an even sweeter deal! Tell your friends, post about it on your blogs and let them know that they should also include the name of the person/blog who sent them here. If they tell me, and that person wins, you as the referrer will win a surprise set of stitch markers (yet to be made, hence the surprise part of it), one for each draw. So for example, if Jane leaves a comment and says that Billy Sue from Billy Sue Knits sent her, then Jane wins a set of stitch markers and Billy Sue would win the bonus stitch markers.

Now, you know what to do....oh, and contest closes Friday July 13, 2007!

Sockapalooza Update

Ok, so I finally have the pattern and yarn chosen for my Sockapalooza socks. And, I have begun to knit! Well, ok I'm past the "begun" stage now. I started the socks last Thursday, after I ripped out what I started before. They were going to be too big, so I ripped it out and cast on 64 stitches.
This is what I had as of early Saturday afternoon. I have a lot more done on it now, and in fact I am on the foot portion and I am really liking the look of this sock! It's the Fluted Bannister Sock, and it is a very easy pattern - a 4 row repeat that is easily memorized. I'll post another picture of the sock when it's completed. I'm really praying through this that I'll have enough yarn to complete the second sock. I don't know what I'll do if I don't have enough. I have to mail these socks out on August 2nd, so there wouldn't be enough time to get more of the yarn in.

I'm using Louet Gems 100% Merino wool, a fine/sport weight yarn in the colour Shamrock (it's really a little lighter than the picture is showing). It is thicker than I normally use for socks (I usually use a sockweight yarn), and the sock is nice and thick and should be very warm on my Sockapalooza pal's feet.

I also started a cardigan sweater (sized for a 1 year old) to knit on while at work on breaks and is coming along nicely. I started with the back and it is to be knit 11 1/2" long; I'm already up to about 8 1/2" so far, maybe a bit more. I don't have a picture yet, but when I get one I promise to post it. I was a little unsure of the colourscheme - even though in the picture on the pattern it looked nice. The colours are a tad different in reality, though not a whole lot. I must say, though, that I think they look good together. I'm so terrible at putting colours together so I tend to go (whenever possible) with what is in the pictures - or keep it solid. I suppose I should branch out and experiment with the colours...or get my colourwheel out (from my scrapbooking/card making supplies) and utilize it with my knitting as well.

Well, I had better get this posted and get cracking on the sock again so that I can finish them up and - heaven forbid - should I run out of yarn, I'd still have some time to pull something from my stash and knit up a different pair. My pal (the one knitting socks for me) posted a comment and said my pair is already finished, and they're purple! I can't wait to get them (and yes, I'll post a picture of them, too)! The sock is calling, so I really should go. Happy Knitting!

Lookie Here!

Remember I told you I was working on a pair of children's socks out of the yarn hand dyed for my by my SP10 pal, Robyn? Well, lookie here:

I finished the pair today, on break at work none the less. This pair went quickly, probably because I was anxious to see how they would look. They are nice and bright and pretty. I call them my Summer Sunset Socks because of the sunsetty (is that a word?) colours.

They are my typical stocking stitch children's sock knit on four DPNs (I think the size was 2.75 mm). In the picture they are resting on the rhodedendron out front.

Next up, for my knitting at work, will be a baby sweater done in Lion Brand Cottonease (I think) with a pattern I got from one of those tear off pads at Michael's. I chose the same colours as wasin the picture on the pattern because I liked the way they looked. There is a yellow (not bright but more mustardy I think), a rose pink shade, and a berry colour. I'll take a picture at some point when I start knitting so you can better judge the colours. Anyway, I liked they way they looked together. I'll also take sock yarn and needles along just in case I feel like working on another sock and not the sweater.

I ran into a big of a snag with my sockapalooza socks. I hope my pal doesn't stumble along to my blog and read this, otherwise she'll know I'm her pal. I've sent her an email with this in it, but she hasn't replied yet. I did a swatch with the needles and yarn, consulted my Sensational Knitted Socks book to see how many to cast on. So, I get 72 stitches because I'm using fine/sport weight yarn and size 2.75mm needles.

I've knit several rounds of the cuff, and only have a few more to go before starting the leg pattern, but to me this sock is looking big and would be too stretchy. I'm also afraid that if the sock is big, I'll run out of yarn (100g). She doesn't like toe up socks, so that is out of the question.

I guess my question to anyone who can help, is this: is 72 stitch too much? Should I cast on less? Should I disregard the gauge I got and just cast on the number of stitches the pattern calls for (60 stitches, but the size is for women's medium...my pal wears a US size 8 sock with a 10" foot length and 9" circumference). Help! I don't know what to do! I'm not good at substitution, so I don't know if I were to use a regular sock weight yarn if the pattern/sizing would work out well (since it would be a different weight sock yarn). Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas? I could really use your helps since I need to get cracking on these socks!

And, to leave off on a happy note...

A Prize For Me!

Not too long ago, Holly of Knitnspinner had a little contest and I was one of the winners. She emailed me and asked me what I would like for a prize - some yarn or some roving. I said that either was fine, and told her she could surprise me. Well, she did; and here's what she sent:

It is some merino/silk top and it is sooooo soft!

Now, this made my day - I love getting mail (except bills and stuff like that). I was thinking that it might be my scarf from my ISE4 pal because she emailed me a few days ago to let me know she'd send it out and I should be getting it soon.

However, when I looked at the customs sticker, it said nothing of the package containing a scarf. To be honest, the fact that I had entered the contest and this awesome package was on its way had completely slipped my mind; and I haven't ordered any more yarn for a little while - since finding out I'd be going to South Korea (so now I'm trying to save my money for that - no more yarn purchases for me for a little while), and when I opened the box and saw the contents (there were also some chocolate included - yummy!), I remembered the contest. Holly, thanks so much for the prize - it is awesome and I love it! I can't wait to spin it up! The closeup (above) is close to the actual colour.

I took a pic with and without the flash (this one is without) outside a little while ago. I'd say in reality, the colour is a smidgen darker than the picture (the other picture wasn't very accurate).

On the Sockapalooza front - I think I've decided on yet a different pattern to knit for my pal. While cruising the SAM3 blog, I came across a post that had the link for the Fluted Banister Socks and thought they looked great. Now, the pattern says that you use sport weight yarn, 350 yards/100g, and I have fine/sport weight that is (I think) 225 yards/100g. It is noted in the pattern that the test knitter has plently of yarn left over...it also said that for the pattern repeat in the leg that 15 repeats gave 7 1/2 inches. My pal only wants 7 1/2 inches from heel to cuff (so that would include the heel flap too, presumably) so I won't be making that many repeats. I am just wondering if my 225 yards/100g will be enough. My pal also said that she prefers cuff down socks as opposed to toe up, so I can't start at the toe and knit until I run out. I've really got to get these socks started

Where Am I?

Well, I'm still here. I wish I could say I've been so extremely busy that I haven't had time to blog, but that's not the case. I've just been a little lazy I guess.

I got a postcard (from Boston) and another package (haven't taken the pic yet) from my awesome Secret Pal. She said she's got one more package for me - the reveal package, in which I will find out just who she is. She asked me in the card that was in the last package if she should wait til the end of the month to reveal herself or if she should send it sooner. I'm quite fine if she decides to wait til the end of the month...afterall, we're pretty much half way through June now (where has the time gone?). Thank you so much for the package & post card SP!

In knitting news, I've been working at the mindless knitting at work - the scarf made with the yarn I dyed with Easter egg dyes. It's looking pretty, and I'm not far from being finished with it. I only work at it during lunch and breaks at work, that's why it's not finished yet.

I've also been slowly working at the scarf for my friend at work. I've only got about three repeats of the pattern finished though. I'm doing the Dayflower Lace scarf, and I'm wondering if the yarn I'm using is working with the pattern. I'm sure once it is blocked it will look more like the pattern. Right now it's a little difficult to see the pattern, but when I stretch it some I can see it a little better. I just hope it turns out well enough to give her as a retirement gift.

I was waiting for my yarn to come in so I could start on my Sockapalooza Pal's socks. It finally came in yesterday, but now I don't know if I'll have enough. I got some Panda Wool (2 skeins) to make her socks, and the pattern I was going to use (and an alternate one) both say to use nearly 3 skeins of the wool for larger socks. My pal's feet is a smidgen bigger than mine and she likes them about 7 1/2" from the cuff to the heel. I'm afraid that I won't have enough yarn with the Panda, so I just might go ahead and use some sock yarn from my stash (though I might also have to use a different pattern because my stash yarn doesn't have any solids in it, and the patterns I planned on using would look better in a solid yarn). I've been thinking about using one of the patterns (as an alternative) from Sensational Knitted Socks, but now I think that pattern might also look better in a solid yarn. Oh, what to do, what to do!

I want to get these socks started soon so I can get them completed and off to her before I have to spend my time getting ready for South Korea. I think we have to have the socks to our pals in August, and since I leave sometime in August, I'd like to make sure I get my pal's socks out on time - if not a little early. But first, I have to finish the Razor Shell sock (still slowly working on it from time to time) because I need those needles...unless I use a 2.75mm needle...though that would make for a looser sock.

At any rate, I should work on one of my WIPs and get it completed instead of doing little bits of several of them. That way I'd have some pics of FOs to show. Off to work on some knitting since I've slowed down on that in the evenings so I won't aggrivate the carpal tunnel. So far it isn't bothering me, so I guess I'll get some knitting done while I can!

Pictures, As Promised

Well, in last night's quick post, I promised to put up some pics of the lastest gifts. First off, (since it came first in delivery from the mailwoman), we have the little gift from my Secret Pal who is totally spoiling me (I love it!):

The Scrable Tile earrings and to the left (which I forgot to mention in the post yesterday - I claim extreme tiredness rather than forgetfulness), really cute purple sock shaped needle point protectors! Love 'em both! Thank you so much Secret Pal! Oh, and here is a close up of the earrings.

Next on the list, is the package that totally surprised me - though any package I receive (that isn't something I ordered) totally surprises me, because I don't get a lot of mail. Anyway, Rhonda's gift is a cute ornament! Look at that...a cute little sheep peeking out of a little red mitten! It's so appropriate, because like I said yesterday, she sent it as a thank you for hosting the Knittin' Mittens KAL. And look at the cute little Noah's ark card! There is no sheep on the card...I assume that is because Mrs. Noah (whose name is never mentioned in the Bible, btw) has it inside the ark, shearing it and preparing the wool to spin and knit something for Noah (or one of her sons)!

Thank you again to both my Secret Pal and Rhonda! Both gifts helped add some fun and excitement to a busy week!

In other knitting news, I joined Sockapalooza (yes, yes, we all know I'm a joiner) and have received my pal's name and specifications. I've got to find the pattern and yarn for her socks. She's pretty flexible with her colours and said any colour is fine. Of course I want to find the "perfect" colour/yarn and "perfect" pattern for her. I've sent of a hello email to her as well.

I've heard from my own pal, the one who will knit for me. She (I assume my pal is female) wanted a little more clarification with colours and the instep/heel circumference to help, so I've answered her questions to the best of my ability, and she said they help. So, at this moment, I'd like to say hello to my Sockapalooza pal, whomever you are!

Hopefully in my next post I will have some knitting content pictures to show you. I want to get some more of the socks in progress done before posting, but I promise to show them soon!