Something To Keep Little Feet Warm



Size 2-4 socks

 I've had these finished for a few weeks now, but just never got around to posting a pic.

I used the flash in the picture, so the colours don't like quite right. They are deeper and darker in "real life".

The yearn is Patons Kroy Socks (stripes) in the "Mulberry Stripes" colourway. I was unsure at first if I would like this colour combination (well, at least with the brown thrown into the mix), but I think they look quite nice.

The stripes don't match up - they are fraternal twins, but that's OK too. I just hope whoever gets them doesn't mind! I will be adding these to my collection of knits that will go on the church mitten tree at Christmas.

I've started in on another pair of socks (same pattern and size). I'm only on the first sock yet, and I'm just about to start on the heel flap. I haven't really been in the knitting mood much, but from time to time I will knit a couple of rows. I've been feeling like knitting something else though - not sure what though. I've thought of doing yet another hat, but haven't started it. Thought using larger needles and bigger yarn would be nice after working on the socks.

I've also been thinking about knitting a shawl, but to be honest, that scares me. It would be small yarn again and lace - which I wouldn't be able to work on in front of the TV (which is where I tend to do most of my knitting). I've marked a few patterns on Ravelry that I'd like to try, so maybe I'll at least attempt it. I was thinking of making a shawl as a gift, and of course, one for me. I'd also be scared that I wouldn't get it finished for a long time. I don't know. I see so many beautiful shawls on Ravelry and on blogs, and I would like to try one...maybe I should just bite the bullet and start one and see how it goes.

What are you currently working on? Let me know in the comments!

Happy New Year!

Ok, so I've been AWOL since before New Year's. The reason is because of problems with an outlet that wasn't working (which the computer and router were plugged into), and my laptop hard drive decided to die on me.

So, since I didn't have computer access for awhile (about a month), I was busy catching up on my knitting! All photos on this post are of items completed since January 1st.

The first photo of 5 hats are a variety of patterns. The blue hat with pompom and the pink hat beside it were pretty much the same pattern (adapted from a child's hat pattern using the measurements from one pattern), the third hat on the top row is another Fixie Hat, and the two on the bottom are the same hat ("54") in two different sizes. After I finished the green one, I wondered why it was so small. I realized after looking over the pattern, I had used 4mm needles instead of the required 5mm. The blue hat is using 5mm needles and is adult sized.

The second photo is the pattern (the Two Colour Infant Hat) I used the measurements from for the hats mentioned above (the blue pompom and the pink). I made a hat using this pattern the Christmas before last (for the church mitten tree). I love this pattern - easy and quick to make! I decided to add a pompom on the blue/black hat, and used both colours of yarn for it. I must admit that I'm not the best at making pompoms, but then I'm just learning. They turned out OK, but I'm sure they'll get better with practice.

These two hats, to the left, are creations of my own, based on the hat above. I admit the patterns aren't all that great or interesting, but I was mostly just playing around.

I used a bright blue and navy Paton's Astra yarn for these two hats, and sized 4mm circs.

I think I'd like to try to come up with some interesting patterns to make hats like these - better designs than the ones in the photo, but that probably won't happen for awhile. I think I need to be in the mood for that. For now, I'll probably stick to patterns/designs I find online.

Though I've mostly been knitting hats (I have another one I created that I have to test again before posting the photo and possibly pattern, and a second pattern I'm working on, and will probably do another testing for that as well), I also managed to get a couple pair of kids socks knit.

These will probably fit a 2 year old, maybe a 3 or 4 year old...not totally sure. The green pair of socks was made with some sock yarn in my stash. I lost the band for it, and all I remember was that I had won it in a contest a few years ago. It was nice to work with, and I have enough left that I might be able to get another pair the same size made with it - either that or a pair or two of baby socks.

The other pair of socks (same size as the green ones) was made with some Patons Kroy Socks Stripes yarn that I got on sale not too long ago. The colourway is mexicala stripes, and I must say I like the colours used! I would never have though of putting orange and pink and purple together, but I think they look great. I'm not sure if I have enough left for a pair of baby socks, but I might be able to get one baby sock made that could be used as an ornament on the Christmas tree next year. For now, that left over yarn will probably just stay in my stash. I've been thinking of making one of those mitred sock yarn blankets, but that would take a long time to make so I don't know if it's something that will get done just yet. Hard to say.

Well, that's all the knitting I've done for now. As I mentioned above, I've got a couple of other "in progress" hats that I'm working on and hope to post about soon. I also may or may not have patterns to go with them! Maybe if someone is interested in the pattern, I may post it. We'll see.

What have you been up to with your knitting?

Second One Done

Got the second baby/toddler sock finished a short while ago, so I thought I'd get the photo posted while I had the opportunity. The picture's not the greatest, but I was just getting a quick shot of the socks.

These will go in my bin of items for the mitten tree at church this Christmas. I don't have much in there right now, so I'll have to get cracking and work on some mittens, more socks, hats, etc. I've got a baby hat in the works (need to find my matching DPNs to finish it off), and a couple of scarves on the needles, though one of the scarves will probably be mine. Sadly, I lost my scarf somewhere when I was teaching this past winter (late in the season), so I'll probably keep one of them for myself - unless I actually get another one finished for myself.

One Down, One To Go

Ok, so I finally got one little item done - and technically it's not done yet. I only have one so far, and I need the matching one to make the pair complete. I'll be starting the next in a little while, and hopefully I'll either have the mojo to finish it tonight, or tomorrow at the latest.

I'm using the pattern mentioned two posts ago (the usual pattern I use for baby/toddler socks). I'm using Paton's Kroy yarn in a dark charcoal colour. In the photo, it looks like light grey, but it's not. It's actually looks closer to black.

Well, back to the other sock. I'm watching, "You've Got Mail" for the umpteenth time, so I have ample opportunity to work at it. 

What are you working on? Let me know in the comment section!

More Baby to Toddler Sized Socks

I finally finished another pair of Baby to Toddler Sized Socks by Miriam L. Felton. I used the same yarn I did in the post a couple prior to this one. I still have tons of the yarn left over and I think I'll probably make a hat or two from the remainder. However, I might retire the yarn into my stash for awhile and make some more of these socks at a later date.

The childrens pair of socks I mentioned in a previous post are still in the works. I am nearly finished with the first sock, but decided to work on this pair first.  I worked all week (except Friday because schools were closed to what had been an impending storm), so I didn't work on them a lot this week, just off and on.

I have also been scanning different patterns on Ravelry and printed out several over the last few days.  Mostly the items were for children or babies, though I did print off a few hat and sock patterns for adults as well.

Up next, I'll probably slowly work at the child's socks that are currently on the needles, and I found a nice baby blanket pattern I might start as well...either that or work on some hats.  Not entirely sure what I will work on though. 

Happy knitting!

More Socks!

I was a knitting machine this week!  I completed two more pairs of socks - one toddler pair, and one child (size 2-4)!

The first picture is of the toddler socks I made.  It only took me a couple of days to complete them because I wasn't constantly working on them every minute.  The yarn I used was Bernat Sox, but I seem to have thrown out or misplaced the wrapper so I'm not sure of the colourway.  The pattern I used was the same as in the previous post. The yarn you see in the background of the photo is the beginning of the child's socks I finished today.

For the child's socks, I used Knit Picks Parade. I had this yarn in my stash for a few years now.  I'm not sure of the size of needles, but I think they are about 3.0mm or 3.25mm.  I couldn't find my needle gauge that measures the size of the needles.

The little girl I made the child's socks for is not quite two years old.  The size are supposed to be 2-4, so they will be big on her, but she can grow into them at least.  I hope her parents like them!

As for what I will knit next, I'm not really sure. I might continute to make some more baby/toddler socks, or child's socks because the Bernat yarn still has lots left - it is/was a 100g ball I believe. I can definitely make lots more baby/toddler socks with what is left!  I do have the scarf I've been slowly working at for the past year. It would probably be wise to finish that project up!

Other than knitting, I haven't been doing a whole lot. This past November I graduated from university with my Bachelor of Education and got my teaching license.  I've been doing some supply teaching since then, but unfortunately I'm not getting a whole lot of work yet.  I did get one and a half days this past week, which is the most I've had in awhile.  Some weeks I get a day or a half a day, and there have been a couple of weeks where I had no work.  I also applied for a part time job doing ESL work for 3 hours a week.  That was about three weeks ago.  A week after my interview I hadn't heard anything so I emailed the man who did my interview and he said they still had some interviews the following week but they would let everyone know that weekend.  I didn't hear anything that week, and that Friday there had been a snow storm so I thought maybe they had to cancel interviews for that day and maybe they'd have them this past week and decide this current weekend on who they wanted to hire.  If I don't hear anything this weekend, I am going to assume I didn't get the job.  I'm leaving it all up to God though; He's got a plan for me, even if I don't know what it is. I just need to trust Him!

Well, heading off to relax now, and maybe do some more knitting - though I don't know what I'll work at yet.  I'll find something!  Happy knitting!

First FO of 2010!

Finally, I finished a knitting project! I just haven't had much of a knitting mojo for awhile, though from time to time I did do some knitting - just not much. 

I started these last week.  The first sock I started but had set aside until Friday. I started and finished the second sock on Saturday.  The pattern I used was the one I've used in the past to make some baby/toddler socks.  It is the Baby to Toddler Sized Socks by Miriam L. Felton (www.mimknits.com).  I LOVE this pattern - it's so easy and quick to knit!

Yarn used: Paton's Kroy
Colourway: I believe it's charcoal or charcoal gray
Needle size: bamboo 2.0 or 2.25 mm (I got the needles when I was in Korea and it says 2, but they seem a smidgen bigger than 2.0)

I have enough yarn left to make at least one more pair of these socks, and maybe a second pair.  However, I set that yarn aside and picked up something more colourful (I believe it's Bernat Sox, but I don't remember offhand) and started on another pair this size.  I'm to the point of decreasing at the toe area, then I'll kitchener stitch them closed and start the second sock.  I might have a chance to even get to it tonight!

I gifted these socks to a friend from church. She and her husband just had their third child - a little boy, born this past Christmas day!  They are a big on him, but that's OK.  She's going to use them over other thinner socks he has to keep his little feet warm. She also asked if I had time if I could knit another pair up for her daughter (she's nearly two).  I made her daughter and oldes son each a pair last year, but she lost one of the socks belonging to her daughter.  I have to find the right size needles before I can start, but I'm hoping to do those this week. 

Well, I think I will head off and work on those other baby socks and/or search for the needles to make the bigger socks while I have some knitting mojo!  Hopefully I'll get them done soon, and when I do, I'll be sure to post pictures.

Happy knitting!

Stash Enhancers

The other day when I posted about the toddler socks, I forgot to mention my latest stash enhancers. Can't believe I did that! So, here is a little post just for that!

First up, I have my August purchase from the Robyn's Nest sock club. The yarn is a reddish colour (I honestly had trouble deciding if it was a dark pink or red. Some of the yarn looks closer to pink, while some looks red...regardless of how you'd classify the colour, I think it's pretty). It's from Tanis Fiber Arts, is hand dyed and feels nice and soft and squishy. The pattern is called Mathematical Equation, and was designed by Robyn herself! Looks like a great pattern Robyn, good job on designing it! There are also 2 stitch markers included as well (in red to match the yarn).

The next item to show is 2 balls of Reynolds Fusion, colour #22. It's a blend of mohair, acrylic, and wool. I think this will more than likely become a scarf. Also, there were two patterns, one for socks and the other for the Pea Pod baby set. There was a cute little cow (which I forgot to include in the picture...silly me) and some lollipop suckers which I love and were long gone before I got the picture taken. This was my prize from Robyn's contest she had a little while back - guess the number of meat balls on the plate. Thanks so much for the wonderful prize Robyn!

I haven't been doing much knitting lately. I have a feeling my knitting may suffer (again) this year. Though school has just started and we haven't done a whole lot yet, things will start to get busy soon. I have the first assignment due tomorrow and then nothing until Monday, but then soon after that, things will start happening. There is also going to be group work, so other than one class, we haven't been put into our groups yet. With the group work will come meetings and what not to get our presentations and lesson plans done up, so that will eat up time as well.

I have no classes on Fridays, but that will be the day I'll do the observation part of my training. I will be starting that soon - it could take a week, or a month or somewhere in between to get placed so that could start as early as next week. Once I finish that, I'll have to start the teaching part of the training. I will more than likely be doing that Fridays next semester as well because I don't have classes then either.

But, I know I'll need to take some down time here and there so I don't crack. I am hoping that knitting will be a part of that and that it won't be just sitting or lying in front of the tv all the time. I find knitting relaxing, so hopefully I will do that to relax.

Anyway, must head off and get some lunch now. My next class starts in about an hour so I need to eat and change (did I mention I have four hours between my two classes on Wednesdays? I just come home for that time...but I'm sure there will be times I have to get together with a group or something at some point) so I won't be late. Thankfully, I don't live to far away from the school so I don't have to deal with a lot of traffic!

Happy Knitting!

Hello Again!

Hello again! I am back. Thank you for your condolences on the death of my father. It's still hard to believe he is gone. I have been pretty good, but have had some moments lately where I feel quite saddened by his death. I'm sure it will be some time before things will seem "normal" again - or at least we'll have o create a new "normal" now.

I have done a little bit of knitting, though in all honesty, not too much. While my dad was in the hospital, I got a pair of baby socks knit and a pair of toddler socks as well. There was a problem with the baby socks, however. I think I either knit one tighter than the other, or I accidentally skipped a few rows in the foot of the sock, because one of them is slightly bigger than the other. When I put them together, it's noticeable so I will either have to make 2 more socks to match, or just use the others as Christmas tree ornaments or something. Because I was too ashamed of this gross error (or not so gross), I didn't bother to take a picture of those ones.

For these toddler socks, I used my 2.7mm bamboo needles I bought in when I was in South Korea with Knit Picks yarn (oh my gosh, I'm having a senior's moment or something - can't recall the name of the yarn!) and the colourway, I believe is called "Crayon". I've had this yarn in my stash for a couple of years now and decided to use it once I got back home to Canada. The pattern is the Baby to Toddler Sized Socks by Miriam L. Felton (I love this pattern!). The pattern is linked to the one on Ravelry.

In the last couple of weeks, I've worked on another pair of toddler socks in the same yarn as the first pair, since I had enough left over from the skein of the first pair. I finally finished the second of those socks last night. These may look like the first pair (making it seem like I'm counting the same pair twice), but rest assured, they are different.

The first pair I made, I gifted to my cousin for her little fellow. She loved them (as did her mom and her grandmother, my aunt). My aunt was telling me last night that my cousin's son was sitting on the floor trying to put them on (he's not quite 2 yet) and wasn't getting angry, but just couldn't figure out how on earth to put these things on! Hopefully they'll fit him. My cousin said they would, though. The second pair I am planning on putting on the "mitten" tree at church this Christmas. Which reminds me, I need to get cracking and make some more socks and mittens, etc. since I don't really have anything (other than a pair of baby socks and a pair of toddler socks) as I haven't been knitting for that while in Korea.

Well, university started up this week and it looks like I'm going to have a pretty full plate this time around. I'm taking six courses each semester, and I'll be starting my observation in a classroom next month (I think). I have no courses on Friday's so I think that is when I'll choose to do my observation and teacher training. I'm also hoping (providing I have the finances) to take part in their program where I will be able to do part of my teacher training here, and part of it in Australia! I need to find out more about it, however - particularly how much it's going to cost. Also with school, we have a lot of group work, presentations, lesson plans, etc. to do and that will take up a lot of my time. I hope I'll have some down time so I can knit and read and whatnot!

Well, I'd better go and start on some homework. For my literacy class we have to write a 4-5 page essay/report on our own literacy memoirs. The prof said it is due next class, but the syllabus says it's due Sept. 15. I have this class on Monday, and I want to get it done for then just in case. If I get to class and find out we don't need it done that day, then I can go over it and revise it (if need be) for the actual due date. If I don't need to, then that is one assignment I will have done and won't have to worry about.

I'll leave you with a picture I took of one of my mom's dahlias (I really love this particular flower). She's got some gorgeous flowers growing in her garden. Her and dad have been into growing dahlias for the last several years and I think they are so beautiful.

Not Much Happening - Really...

The weather here in Yesan has become a little hotter with each passing day - and quite humid as well. Pretty soon it will get unbearable hot - at least for a pale western girl like myself. Thankfully my apartment has air conditioning, otherwise I might melt.

This week we've had some hot, humid days, but we've also had several rainy days. Last Saturday I ventured out to Seoul with a friend. My express purpose was to buy some souvenirs for family members for when I return back to Canada in a little over a month. Unfortunately, the day was rather rainy. When we got to Insadong (keep in mind that while I've been hear nearly a year now, I still don't know how to spell the names of places correctly in English...it's so confusing, especially when you see various spellings for them) which is a popular tourist place in Seoul. Usually they have vendors outside with their wares on tables in front of their stores. You can look and buy stuff from the tables, or go inside to buy things as well. Not on Saturday, however. Saturday it was POURING rain. There weren't too many people in the area, so that was good that I didn't have to fight crowds. I got some lovely things which I should take some pictures of...I haven't right now, though (and some of the things were gift wrapped so I have to wait if I want to take pics of those things).

Also it poured rain on Sunday, though earlier in the day it wasn't as bad. I went with a couple of friends out for smoothies. We got soaked. Literally. And we had umbrellas. However, the reason we got so wet was that it was also very windy. The wind picked up after we got part way down the street though. We're not sure but we think maybe it could have been the tail end of a hurricane or typhoon passing in the area (they don't typically get hit by these things, just tail ends). As we were going into the building - ok, I managed to get into the building but my friends were a little behind me and were still outside - there was this loud banging sound and we weren't quite sure what it was. I thought maybe lightning had struck the building or something (not that we had seen any), but it turns out that a tree had either been rooted up or a big branch had broken away from the tree and crashed into the building.

It's also been raining the last couple of days, but not as bad. Yesterday evening there was a reprieve and I got to go out for awhile to pick up something to eat for supper. It's still looking rainy today, though I don't know if it's raining now or not. The two pictures above are taken out of the only window in my apartment. Not much of a view. The second picture is a little blurry on the left due to the screen and the angle of the camera.

So, a couple of weeks ago I got what will be my last yarny purchase while I'm here in Korea. I ordered it from the Loopy Ewe, naturally. All my future purchases (though there won't be many in the next year since I'm going back to school and won't be working, neither will I have a student loan - I'm footing the bill this time so money will be scarce) will be sent to me in Canada.

Anyway, I got two patterns: Maple Leaves Scarf and Circle of Friendship Socks, both by HeartStrings. I have had my eye on the Circle of Friendship Socks for a long time and finally decided to get them. I think I might make them as a gift for someone - and of course for myself.

The yarn I got is Chameleon ColourWorks Bambino in the black cherry colourway (same colourway as the baby socks in the previous post, only this yarn isn't the Evolution) and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Georgetown colourway (another colourway I've had my eye on forever).

I haven't done much in the way of knitting lately. I just haven't felt like it. I hope the mojo comes back soon though. I've been doing some writing on the novel I've been working on, so that could be where all my creativity has been going. I have worked more on the sock I've been working on. It seems to have turned into one of those socks you work on now and then. I'm not too far from the toe decreaces though. You'd think being that close to the end I would just plug away at it and then start the second one. I'd like to get the pair done before I leave Korea though.

Well, this has turned into one of those long posts that really talks about nothing, so I'd better end here. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and getting lots more knitting done than I am!

Quickest FO

Tonight I finished my quickest FO ever...I think. I started a pair of baby socks on Friday and finished it up earlier this evening. Gotta love these quick knit projects!

To the right you will see a picture of the finished product. They are acutally a little darker than the picture because it was dark outside when I took the photo and didn't have natural light. In other words, I had to use the flash.

OK, here are the stats:

Pattern: Baby to Toddler Sized Socks by Miriam L. Felton (pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn: Chamelion Colorworks Evolution

Colourway: Black Cherry

Needles: Crystal Palace 2.0 mm (US 0) bamboo DPNs

Time taken to knit: 2 days

This pattern is so quick and easy to knit, and I'll definitely be using it again! I also loved working with this yarn. It's so very soft! I'll be using this yarn again in the future as well.

I took a break from the other socks I was working on to knit these baby socks. I do have more of it done though, and am about to start the heel flap on it. I am still on the first sock though, so not a whole lot of progress on that one yet.

Not much else to say. School is finished the 18th of July, then we have a week off before we do a week of Summer Camp. Still don't know if I'll be working the first week or so of school when it starts up in August or not. I guess I'll find out the closer it gets to the time.

Heading off now. Happy knitting, all!

P.S. Ten weeks from today I'll be flying home! Woot!!

It's All About The Socks

Finally, I finished the Wollmeise Socks I'd been working on. I really enjoyed the pattern and the results. I would definitely make this pattern again! It's a very simple pattern, and very easy to memorize. Please ignore the laundry basket in the picture with the sweater hanging over the side. This was the first time I'd used the timer on my camera and had no idea it was in the shot. But, I suppose it was bound to be since I'm in the little laundry area of my apartment. It's not very wide, and not very big. But, since I wanted some natural light for my picture, this was the only place to go since this is where the only windows in the apartment are. To the right of the picture is the set of doors going into my apartment.

About ten days ago, the first graders (and their teachers) at the middle school I teach at had a field trip to one of the theme parks in Seoul. It's the same one we went to last semester with the second graders at the school. At this time, however, the second graders were on a three day field trip down towards the southern part of the country. As well, the third graders were at another theme park. Anyway, the park we went to is called Seoulland. It's ok, but nothing to brag about in my opinion.

On the bus ride to and from Seoulland, I started (and worked on) another sock. I didn't take the Wollmeise socks because I didn't want to mess up the pattern - and trust me, with thirty odd number of boys on the bus, that would be highly possible. Anyway, here's the new sock I've begun:

It's just a simple, plain knitted sock because I wanted some mindless knitting to do on the bus. The yarn I'm using is Lorna's Laces in the Flamingo Stripe colourway. So far I'm enjoying this yarn, and find it nice and soft to work with. I wasn't sure what to expect with the stripes, and must admit that I thought they'd be wider. I'm totally fine with it being single row stripes though.

I haven't been doing much knitting for awhile because my left shoulder/neck has been bothering me. It had felt like I got a kink in it that wouldn't go away. I think it was the muscle though, and it was bothering me for about nine days when I decided that maybe I should try the accupuncture again. Some of the other teachers were mentioning that it might help. Now, I had accupuncture on my lower back when I first got here and didn't have any problems with it (aside from discovering through it somehow that I was allergic to the "heat" patches I'd been using...you know, the kind with adhesive on the back that you put on like a bandaid and it has stuff in it that "heats" up the location where you place it), so I thought I'd give it another go. I went twice and it did seem to help - the entire procedure though, not just the accupuncture.

First I had the accupuncture done, and they stuck about 15 pins/needles (not sure what you call them) in my back/shoulder area, as well as 4 in my right hand in various places, and one in my right foot. Then they attached some kind of electrical impulse thing to some of them and put the heat lamp (or ultraviolet lamp) on the area. After about 20 minutes they took them out and then I had a very hot pad type thing wrapped on the area. That helped to soothe and relax the muscles. After that they hooked up little suction things for about 5 minutes. There were tubes and they would suck the air out of them with this little contraption. I' don't remember the name of the procedure, but apparently is sucks the "bad blood" out....umm, ok. After they took them off, I was left with about 4 or 5 hickey-like marks on my shoulder blade and up towards my shoulder. My favourite part came last. They attached little suction cup things to the area and turned it on - it was a massage! I don't know what is in it - it if is some sort of little prongs, or water, or what...but it was soooooooooooo relaxing!

Anyway, my shoulder/neck area is feeling a lot better, though since I did some knitting and computer work today, I'm starting to feel the area tighten up. I'll have to apply some heat or something to it to loosen up the muscles again. It's not bad, but if I'm not careful, it might end up that way. I don't want to take any chances.

So, I'm off now to do some writing and work on lesson plans for this week. There are only about 5 weeks of school left now, and the last two are after exams. I really don't know why, but they make the kids go to school for 2 weeks AFTER they finish writing their final exams. Makes no sense to me. Oh well.

Happy Knitting!!

Yarny Goodness

Yup...today is one of those yarny goodness days. I got yarn in the mail - mind you, it's all yarn I ordered from the Loopy Ewe, but that's besides the point.

The two orders I mentioned in my last post came in the mail last week. I get my orders sent to the school I work at because it's much easier to do that. I'm not home during the day when the mailman comes and since the packages are bigger than the little mailboxes we have, I'd have to make an extra trip to the post office. While normally I wouldn't mind going to the post office, the thing about over here in Korea is that the post office (among other places such as the bank) are closed by 4:30...though from what I understand the post office might close by 5:30, but that only leaves me half an hour to get home and get to the post office before it closes, and...well, to make a long story short, the overall best solution is to simply have the packages sent to the school address.

So, the picture to the right shows my loot. This is a combination of both orders. In the back you can see the lovely Loopy Ewe tote I received for becoming a Loopy Groupie. I also got a keychain, some yummy peppermint candies (one in each order), yarn and patterns. The patterns I got are as follows: Pretty As A Peacock by Some Knitting Required (a beautiful shawl), Snapdragon Toe-up Socks by Wendy D. Johnson, Chestnut Hill Socks by Lisa Parker (Wildhorse Farm Designs), Grid Lock Socks by Lisa Parker (Wildhorse Farm Designs), and Lacy Pillars Socks A Loopy Groupie Sock Pattern designed by Debbie O'Neill (which I guess I got for becoming a Loopy Groupie - sorry can't find a link for it).

The yarn is as follows: Chameleon Color Works Evolution in black cherry (somehow I messed up my order and only ordered 1 skein instead of 2 so I will make something small with it - or some baby/toddler socks - 2nd from right), Baby Boo by Numma Numma in the apricots with mixed fruit colourway (3rd from left), Superwash Me - Sock by J. Knits in the colourway ac#124 (2nd from left), my second skein of Alpaca with a Twist Fino in the same colourway and lot number as the skein in the previous post (this is the second one I needed so I could make the Pretty As A Peacock shawl) (1st on the left), Fannie's Fingering Weight in the Rhapsody colourway (1st on the right), and finally I love whomever it was who cancelled her order the day they were packing mine up. I had ordered Chameleon color Works Bambino in the Purple Rain colourway (3rd from right). I was originally told (via email) that they were sold out but put the colourway on my wishlist. I was fine with that. Then a day or so later I received another email saying that someone had cancelled her order and so they adjusted mine to include the Purple Rain! Woot!

Forgive the horrible picture above, but that's me holding the Purple Rain. It looks like I have no makeup on and I'm as pale as a ghost...however, I do have makeup on, though it's probably worn off since this picture was taken after I got home from work. As far as paleness goes - well, that's just natural, lol. Again, sorry for the horrible pic!

So, in other news, I'm still working on the Wollmeise socks. They are knitting up fast when I can find the time to work on them. I'm also doing them on size 2.7 (odd size but they are needles I got in Seoul and they didn't have the standard sizes on them...I think it's the closest to a 2.75 size though). The sock is turning out a little loose I think, but that's ok. I really like this pattern and it's knitting up nicely. I really like the way it looks in this colourway too. Currently, I'm on the foot of the first sock, nearly half way to the toe. I'll also include a closeup of how the pattern is looking.

I gotta hand it to Monica, she's got some pretty awesome patterns created! I don't know how she does it, but way to go, Monica!

New Sock

I have begun my latest sock. Ok, actually I have begun two of them. One I forgot to take a picture of, but with my left over Fleece Artist yarn from the pair in my previous post, I thought I might have enough for a pair of baby socks, so I am working on my Ainsley Sock pattern with that.


For me, however, I have started in on Monica's Wollmeise Sock pattern. I am using the Trekking yarn I got not long ago from the Loopy Ewe, as I thought that might look good with this pattern. So far, I must say, I do like the yarn and the pattern. The pattern is real simple and easy to knit.


So far, I have the cuff and about 4 repeats of the pattern. In the picture I don't have quite that much done though. The cuff was knit yesterday on the train to Seoul, and the first two repeats were done on the way back from Seoul today. It didn't take the entire trip to do the two repeats, but I was a little tired so I put the knitting away and dozed off some.


Seoul was great this weekend. My friend Tamara and I went with our other friend Sarah because she was going to the James Blunt concert at the Olympic Park stadium. Sarah didn't want to navigate the subways alone, and since Tamara knows them fairly well, we went along. Tamara and I were going to head back to Yesan after Sarah went to the concert, but when Sarah was getting her ticket, we checked and there were still seats left. So, impulsively, Tamara and I bought tickets too. The funny thing is, Sarah had ordered hers a week or two ago online and got in one section and ours was, naturally, in another section. Well, turns out the put Sarah in our section as well (for some reason they said it's the same section, but it isn't...oh well). The funny part, is that Tamara's and my seats were about 3 rows in front of Sarah. Poor Sarah is a huge James Blunt fan and we got closer than her. Tamara likes his music too, and I've actually only heard one song (Beautiful). They convinced me to go saying his music is great. I took their word for it and went.


Well, I really enjoyed the concert. I really enjoy his music. I bought both his CDs after the concert. I. Am. A. Fan. And, oohhh those eyes! And, oohhh that accent! I'm really glad I was impulsive and bought a ticket. We ended up not coming back to Yesan until this afternoon, but that wasn't a problem. We got a half decently priced and clean hotel in Seoul and took the 12:40 train back. Unfortunately we lost out on the tickets we had purchased yesterday for our return last night, but oh well.


Anyway, better head off. Still have to do up a lesson plan for tomorrow. Happy knitting!

Latest FO and More Yarn

I finally completed my latest socks this past Sunday, but didn't get
around to taking the picture until today. These are made with Fleece Artist yarn, though I don't know the colourway. I bought the yarn from London-Wul last year, sometime before I left for Korea (quite possibly in the late spring or early summer). Anyway, there was no colour name on the label, and I don't know if there was a number associated with it or not. Sorry about the picture. I had to use the flash so the colours look a little washed out.

I really enjoyed using the Fleece Artist and look forward to knitting with it again. I have another ball in my stash, here in Korea, and can't wait to use it. I have it assigned to one of Monica's patterns I got from the Loopy Ewe late last year. I just need to dig through my stuff and see if I brought my smaller cable needle with me and if not will have to try to find one here. Then I can start that pattern.

I want so much to be a Loopy Groupie so I had to put another order in as I'm almost there...I think I have just one more to go and I achieve that status. Why do I want to be a Loopy Groupie? All the cool kids are doing it and I so desire to be a cool kid!

Anyway, the yarn I got in this order from the Loopy Ewe consists of 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces in the Apple Hill (#108) and a skein (or is it a hank? I never know the difference between the two) of Fino by Alpaca with a Twist (70% baby alpaca/30% silk) in the Coral Gables (#5011) colourway. I have decided I want to make a shawl and that is what I decided to use with it. This isn't a colour I'm usually drawn to, but I think it will look nice in a shawl. The colour in the picture is a little lighter, due to the flash. I've since put in an order (again at the Loopy Ewe) for a couple patterns and had to order another skein/hank of this same yarn (hoping Sheri still has one with the same dye lot) because the shawl pattern I ordered in this next order requires 1000 yards, and this one skein/hank is only 875. I also ordered a couple of sock patterns because a girl (or guy) can never have too many sock patterns!

Here's another pic of the yarn using some natural light. I took the pic on my washing machine with my new (as of last Wednesday) African violet. The colours still lok a little light, though they are much closer to the actual colours. In the Lorna's Laces, what looks to be a dark pink is actually closer to a reddish colour. I have no idea if this yarn will produce a striped pattern or not, so I'm anxious to see how it knits up.


Tomorrow at school there is an English competition for the students. I was told today after work, while waiting for my drive, that I am to be a judge at the competition. That's right...told. Not asked. I really don't mind doing it, but the polite thing would be to ask me if I would be willing to help out, not tell me I have to. I mean, what if I had an appointment or had plans made and couldn't do it...then they'd be stuck. I assume the Korean English teachers will be doing judging too - I don't think I'm the only one, but who knows. When my co-teacher mentioned this to me (she was telling me someone else was going to drive me home because, "I'm very busy preparing for the English competition tomorrow afternoon. You're one of the referees."), I told her that this was the first I'd heard of this. She chuckled and said she should have told me earlier but she had forgot. Hey, not I'm just as guilty as the next person for forgetting things so I can't get mad about that. However, to tell me that I am a "referee" without my prior knowledge of this is just a little too...hmm, what's the word...assumptive(if that is even a word)? At least they didn't tell me last minute like has happened in different situations before (like 15 minutes before a class starts, which previously I had none scheduled, telling me I have a class that was switched with another teacher the week previously and that it was rescheduled to that day...and then leaving me totally unprepared to teach because I had no idea that was when it was rescheduled for...). And, I really don't mind doing it...just don't care for the way they went about recruiting me...


So, other than work, there hasn't been too much going on. I'm bored and am looking forward to going back home at the beginning of September. It's not that I dislike it here in Korea, it's just things I miss (aside from family and friends) like conveniences, name brands I'm used to, food I like and can eat, clothes that will actually fit me and not be made for a really tiny person with no curves whatsoever...things like that. I know when I go back there will be people I miss and even some parts of the country and culture, but in all honesty, I'm really looking forward to getting back to what I know.


And on the plus side of coming home....cheaper shipping rates, quicker receiving of packages, and being able to shop at my LYS (and the new one that just opened up before I left and didn't get a chance to shop at)!


Must go for now. Happy knitting to all!

Edited to add: The sock blockers in the first picture with the socks are also a purchase from the Loopy Ewe in the order with the Lorna's Laces and Alpaca with a Twist...forgot to mention that before.

One Out of One McDreamies Approve...

Ok, so just within the last couple of months, I have become addicted to Grey's Anatomy. I just finished watching season 2. You see, the cable I have here in Korea is weird. It's not like the cable the others have. My cable comes through the internet and everything (movies and tv shows) seem to be downloaded from DVDs or something. I'm not totally sure how it works, but I can't find any "normal" cable channels like CNN or BBC. Yes, the majority of the tv shows would be Korean, but there are some English ones on. So, as I said, I just finished watching season 2 of Grey's. I think it takes awhile for them to get the shows on because they are putting Korean subtitles at the bottom. I'm now waiting for them to get season 3 of Grey's, season 3 of Stargate SG-1, and season 3 of House.

So, back to the title of the post. McDreamy (hubba hubba) has approved my latest sock - the Fleece Artist one I've been working on. I finished the first sock today and started into the cuff of the second. He's seen the sock, and he definitely approves. Want to see the proof? Ok, look at that pitcture...see that smile? He definitely approves of the sock!



Ok, so Robyn asked about the Claudia socks as to whether or not I ran out of yarn or had to make them smaller. I forgot to mention this crucial info in my last post, and since I bought the yarn from her shop, I should mention it so she'll know and pass on the info to her customers.



I did make the socks about an inch or two shorter than I normally make them (about 7 inches from the bottom of the heel to the top of the cuff normally). I didn't want to run out of yarn, especially since I typically do my socks from the cuff down, so I thought I'd play it safe and make them a little shorter. I had some yarn left over for each sock...about enought I could have made it another inch longer possibly - maybe half an inch, but definitely no more than an inch. I've worn the socks twice already since making them and I love them. They fit pretty good and the yarn feels great on my feet. I will definitely use Claudia Hand Painted yarns again in the future.



I forgot to show you in my last post some yarn I bought at the yarn shop here in Yesan, South Korea. It's called Fiance and I think it's by Nak Yang. It's top dyed wool (75%) & kid mohair (25%), and is 45g/115m. I got four balls of it but I'm not sure what I'll make. I was thinking something like a scarf, mittens or a hat. It reminds me of Noro Kureyon (or however you spell it, lol). Anyone have any ideas and/or patterns I could try with this yarn? Please let me know in the comments. Also, if anyone has tried this yarn let me know what you thought of it as well.

Well, have to go and work on some lesson plans. We have to have stuff to email one of the teachers in charge of the Saturday classes that begin on the 19th, as they are making up a workbook for the kids to use. I'm focusing on the writing aspect this time (there are four of us, and one is taking reading, one writing, one speaking, and one listening), so I need to get some work done as the deadline to email the teacher is Monday. Plus, I have my regular lesson for the week to do up, plus three other lessons for my extra classes. Thankfully I've got a bit of that all done, and still have tomorrow to work on it too. But, I should go and do some more.

Happy Knitting!

More Yarn

Well, I had to put in another order for sock yarn with The Loopy Ewe. I felt the need to get more and build up my stash here in Korea. So, since I also needed to get some size 2.0mm (US 0) DPNs, I thought I'd get yarn while I was at it. None of this yarn, well with the exception of one of them, I have used before. The one I have used is Trekking. Well, I should say that I started on a pair of socks with some Trekking before I left for Korea and didn't get them finished. The Trekking is in the upper right, and it is colour 159. I think it might look good with a small cable pattern, but I could be wrong.

The yarn to the left is Araucania ranco Multi, in the Peacock colourway (colour number 304). Not sure what kind of pattern I will use with this though. The third skein/hank of yarn in the middle is Lime & Violet Sasquatch Sock in the Buster Keaton colourway.

The needles are Crystal Palace bamboo, size 2.0mm (US 0). There were also some Hershey's kisses included in my order...mmmm, chocolate!

Like I said, I haven't used these yarns (except Trekking) before, and I haven't heard anyone's thoughts or experiences with them. I do hope they are good yarns to work with. I'm looking forward to knitting them up.

Here is my progress on the latest sock I'm working on. It's just a plain knitted sock in Fleece Artist. I like the colours in it, and it's knitting up nicely. I'm up to the heel at the moment (first sock). I had knit the heel, but realized the pattern I was following to do the heel had less stitches and it didn't turn out right; needless to say I ripped it out and am just waiting to do the heel and move on to the gusset. The colours are a little darker than the picture shows, and the blues are a little more dominant than the pinks and whites.

I have been sick, yet again, here in Korea. It seems ever since I got here I've had a cold every single month except January. The current cold has been dragging on for 2 weeks now and twice it felt like it was starting to go away only to come back a little worse. Well, last night it started to get a little worse again, and by this morning (into my second class) I was feeling a lot worse. I was stuffed up, my nose was running, I was sneezing, coughing, had a headache, and ended up with a fever and chills. My co-teacher had said that if I wanted, she'd take me to the doctor. Well, with the schedule I had today (and hers) that turned out to be impossible. I had 6 classes to teach, plus a meeting after school. About 20 minutes before lunch was over, my co-teacher comes over to me and says that we have a class to teach after lunch. Normally I don't have a class that period, but this was rescheduled from last week. Well, I wish I had some notice because I didn't have anything prepared for it. I already taught this class earlier in the week so I couldn't do this weeks lesson again with them.

Well, to make a long story short, after we got to the class and I had asked the kids how they were doing, she walked over to me and said if I wanted, she'd do the class by herself and I could go back to my desk because I didn't look very well. Duh! I'm barely functioning and you all know I'm really sick today...but I couldn't have gone home even if i wanted to. For some strange reason, the Koreans don't seem to like to miss work and are always there. They expect everyone else to be there too. But in all honesty, they should have told me to go home. If I had asked, no doubt they wouldn't have allowed it because they need someone to teach my classes. I don't think the coteachers would have wanted to unless they had to...like if I had lost my voice (like what happened last November or December). Oh well. I came home with a fever and went right to bed and slept until nearly 10pm tonight. I'm still feeling a little crappy, and my sinuses are really hurting...my head is starting to ache again, particularly when I cough. Thankfully though, I don't feel like I have the fever anymore.

I do hope I get over this soon. I'm really sick and tired of getting sick every month. It makes me want to go home now. I'm never sick this often back home in Canada. I'm convinced it's the different germs and viruses that I'm not used to.

Anyway, I'll stop ranting like a raving lunatic now. Happy knitting!

A New Pair of Socks

Yep, I have a new pair of socks. I finished them yesterday while watching a couple of movies. I had hoped they would have been done last weekend, but sadly they weren't. Oh well, the important thing is that they are finished now. The picture to the left is a little dark...obviously...since it was taken in front of the window. I got this cool thing at one of the stores here (the kind of store that sells things for the home like dishes, cleaning things, towels, etc.) and you hook it over a rod and it has little "arms" that hang off it (about 6 or 8) with plastic clothes pins on the end. You use it to hang your fine delicates up to dry. I thought it might come in hand to hang the socks up for a picture. I think I'll take it home with me when I go back to Canada in the fall and use it to hang my knitted socks up to dry in the winter. The lighter picture below is with natural light coming in the window with the socks laying on top of my washer. What I hate about doing laundry here is that there are no dryers (very few people have them and I think they are only small anyway). I have a pair of jeans I bought new before I came here and they are big on me now (I've lost about 10 lbs since coming to Korea) and I would love a dryer to dry them in so they'd shrink a little bit. Oh welll, I digress.

Ok, so back to the knitting and yarn. These are the plain knit socks I made with the Claudia Hand Painted. I liked using this yarn and found it to be soft. There was no splitting or knots in the yarn, and I always enjoy that. The only thing I found was one skein (the right sock in the picture of the socks on the washer) was a little darker than the other. It's not a big deal and won't stop me from wearing them. But, I would definitely use this kind of yarn again!

I've started another pair of socks with some Fleece Artist (don't know what colourway it is) that I brought with me from Canada. I got this last spring or summer I think...maybe the winter. I have only got the cuff and about 3 or 4 rows of knitting done so far, so not really picture worthy yet. I think these are going to be mindless knitting socks again - just a plain knitted sock. My problem (well one of many, lol) is that I don't have a printer here. There is one the five of us foreign teachers use in the building (we have to share it...and the one who currently has had it for a few months is never around), but it's just such a hassel and I don't know if it will work with my computer since it's from Canada, and the printer is from Korea...I'm not technologically inclined so I have no idea...it might though. Anyway, in order for me to get some sock patterns I'd have to print them out, and the only printer I use mostly is at school...don't think they'd enjoy me printing out the patterns there. Oh welll, I might try it sometime. But for now, with this new sock, it'll just be a mindless knit.

Here's one of my pictures from Egypt. This is Abu Simbel and was built by Ramses II...I think. I totally forget, lol. This temple was closer to Lake Nasser, but in the '60s (I think), it was moved back so that it wasn't so close to the edge of the lake. In the process, the statue 2nd front the left lost it's head - it fell off. That's me in front of the temple, but don't look too close...I'll probably scare you.

Anyway, we had to get up at 3:00 AM to go to this place. It was about a three to three and a half hour drive from where we were in Aswan. One of the reasons they do the tours so early is because it gets rather hot during the afternoon; that and tons of tourists visit it so the earlier in the day you go, the better. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take pictures inside.

For those of you not on Facebook to see my current profile picture, here it is. This is me all bundled up (knee high tights, a pair of my hand knit wool socks, leggins, jeans, 2 tshirts, a sweater, my winter coat, a scarf around my neck (inside my coat), ear muffs, a pashmina/scarf around my head, and a winter scarf around my neck and head...oh, and gloves...and up on the mountain I was wrapped up in a blanket as well) to climb Mount Sinai at 2:30 AM. I went half way up on camel, then the last half you have to actually climb yourself. It is all steps. Uneven, different sized, stone steps. Hard. Unless you are in tip top physical shape (unlike myself), this is a difficult climb. I had to stop 4 or 5 times to catch my breath, but I made it to the top. It was FREEZING up there!

This is turning into a longer post than I had thought, but I will leave you with one last picture from atop Mount Sinai.

Swing Of Things

I guess I am getting back into the swing of things here in Korea. This past week, since I've been back from Egypt, I haven't been doing a whole lot, but I am gradually getting there.



You see, I've been suffering from jet lag quite a bit. It didn't bother me while I was in Egypt (I'm told that usually you are affected by it more so with your return flight), but this past week I have been hard hit. From what the others are saying, they too have been having a hard time dealing with it as well. I just can't sleep at my normal time - even if I feel tired. I usually end up falling asleep anywhere from 3:00 am til 7:00 am. Then, I might get only a few hours of sleep and then be wide awake and have to take a nap some time in the afternoon, and that usually turns into sleeping for a couple of hours at least.

Last night I went to bed around midnight. I felt tired. I managed to get to sleep before 12:30 but I woke up around 1:15 and was wide awake. So, I got up (after tossing and turning awhile) and had a snack of strawberries and crackers because I was feeling hungry. While I ate that, I watched an episode of Stargate SG-1 (man, that Richard Dean Anderson is HOT!) and went back to bed. I think I fell asleep around 3:30 and woke up at 10:30 when my alarm went off.



The thing is, I start back to work tomorrow. I'm worried that I won't be able to sleep tonight and then suffer at work tomorrow. I guess I'll have to make sure I have lots of coffee with me to help keep me awake...



On the knitting front, since I've been back I've been working on the sock I started before I left for my trip. I had to rip out part of the gusset because I wasn't thinking when I did it (I had this done before leaving) and started doing the toe decrease by mistake. I only noticed after I had knit about 10-15 rows. I didn't want to take out the needles and rip back because I figured I wouldn't get the stitches lined up properly and I'd probably end up dropping some stitches as well. So, I sat and tinked back the required number of rows and started knitting it correctly this time. I'm into the foot part already. Karen informed me that the yarn I'm using (Claudia Hand Painted) doesn't have a lot of yardage as other skeins do, so I shouldn't make the sock as long as I would normally do so. I made the leg 1-2 inches shorter than normal, so I hope I'll end up with enough yarn to finish. I think I have about 2 1/2 - 3 inches left before starting the toe decreases...I think.

I am slowly making my way back to reading the blogs I usually frequent. I've got a new laptop, so I will have to go on the one the school lent me, for use while I'm here, and copy down the list of links to the ones I had listed under my "favourites" section so I can add them on here (or rather add them to the list of links on my sidebar). It's great seeing what everyone is working on and the progress they are making. Lots of cute items and gorgeous yarns being used! So, if I haven't been to your blog yet, I'm slowly making my way there and trying to get caught up on the posts I've missed.

As for me, I still have tons of pictures to post up on Face Book and I still haven't added any posts/pictures to my other blog yet. Hopefully soon. I'll let you know when that happens so you can go see them if you want.

Well, off I go to surf the net some more (maybe catch up at Ravelry) and find something to watch and knit to. Happy knitting to you all!

Finished Socks

Well, I finally have the Yukon Leaves Socks finished! I finished knitting them up this afternoon, and had been working on them the past few days.

I used the KPPPM yarn and size 2.75 mm bamboo needles. I didn't modify the pattern any. I did make these socks about an inch shorter than normal because I was afraid I might run out of yarn. I have yarn left over though, so I probably could have done at least one more repeat of the pattern in the legs.

I like this colourway (sorry, can't remember the number) and it's not one I would normally gravitate towards. I'm glad I bought it though because I like the way it knit up.

On the second sock, I think I messed up the heel a little bit because it doesn't fit quite right. I'll have to just pull it a bit to make it feel right though, and it shouldn't be too uncomfortable to wear. I might take these socks with me to Egypt to wear on the climb up Mt. Sinai because we do that at night so we are at the top to watch the sunrise. Apparently it can get cold up there at night, so these should hopefully keep my feet warm.

I've started on another pair of socks. This one is the November sock club kit from Robyn's Nest sock club. The pattern is Jolene and it looks really nice. The yarn is nice and bright (there is a picture of it a few posts down), and while I've only got the cuff done on the first sock so far, I like the colours and the way it is knitting up. The only thing that gave me disappointment while winding the yarn into a ball was the fact that I came across two knots in the yarn. Hopefully they won't end up on the bottom of the feet of the socks...

I haven't been working on the Seafoam Scarf lately because I've been focusing on the Yukon Leaves socks, wanting to get those completed. I also think I'm going to have to head to the yarn store here and see if they have any more of the yarn I'm using left. I don't expect there to be any problem because it's just a small store and they don't seem to look like they are too busy. I could be wrong though, but I am hoping I'll be able to get one more ball, which is all I should need. I hope to get a picture of the scarf soon to show; didn't think to take one today when I took the pics of the socks.

Well, just wanted to post a little update. Need to look into seeing if the airline we are flying to Egypt on will allow knitting needles on the plane or not. I do hope so because we are going to have a rather long flight. I just hope my back doesn't act up like it was on the flight here to Korea (though my back was sore before getting on the plane, however I think it was aggrivated by having to sit so long). Anyway, I hope to get more written here soon. Hope you all have a fantastic day. Happy knitting!