Monday, October 29, 2007

Not Much To Share

Thanks to all who commented on my Fall Elegance socks.

I don't have much to share. Not much spinning is happening. I did finish up a new yarn, but can't share pics of it, because its for a swap.

I've been knitting (socks, of course). Here's a picture of a recently completed sock knit with Silkie Socks That Rock in Walkin' on the Wild Tide. Pattern is Retro Rib from the Interweave Favorite Socks book.

Wild Tide Sock
This is the Rockin' Sock Club colorway from April. I started this shortly after receiving the kit and then decided for some reason to take a break from it. The spirit of Socktober caused me to pick it back up. I know I won't finish the pair before the month is up, but I will keep on going and get the second sock cast on soon.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Fall Elegance Socks

I completed my Fall Elegance socks yesterday.

Fall Elegance Socks
Yarn = Union Center Knits, Whatnot sock yarn, colorway = Fall
Pattern = Elegance Socks from Sockamania KAL

More Handspun

I went on a spinning binge about a week or so ago and I've got new yarns to share because of it.

First up, Cassis. Spun from roving I purchased at MD Sheep & Wool this year. The roving is Superwash Merino from The Drafing Zone.
Cassis-close

Second is Chill. This is Superwash Merino/Tencel from Funky Carolina. This was September's club fiber. Look at that shine!
Chill up close

Both yarns are sport weight and are approximately 200 yds each.

Monday, October 22, 2007

No Rhinebeck for Me

I was one of the few who didn't get to go to Rhinebeck. But I did have a very productive weekend, and I scored some Yarntini at Woolgirl on Sunday night.

My biggest accomplishment was on my "Fall Elegance" socks.

Fall Elegance
These are being knit in Union Center Knits Whatnot Sock yarn. The colorway is "Fall". The pattern is from the Sockamania Knit Along and is called "Elegance Socks". The pic above is of the first sock which I completed Saturday morning. By Sunday night, I had finished all but the toe of the second sock. This is my first time doing cables. They were small, so I wasn't too intimidated. The leg is almost 7" long and it looks like I'm going to have lots of yarn leftover. You've gotta love yarn with generous yardage!

It's a start
I started a new pair of socks on Saturday. I'm using Storm Moon Knits Twilight Sock yarn in The Great Pumpkin and the Broad Spiral Ribbing pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks. This is yarn I picked up at Stitches East. I'm really enjoying these. The gauge is 6 stitches per inch, so they are working up really quick!!

I also made some progress on a super secret, can't-blog-about-it project, because its a Christmas gift.

I've got a couple of new handspun yarns to share, but I'll do those in a future post.

Monday, October 15, 2007

11 Skeins of Sock Yarn Later

Stitches is over and was loads of fun. I attended on both Friday and Saturday this year. This was my first year attending classes. I took 2 classes; a toe-up sock class on Friday and a spinning class on Saturday. Both classes were great. I received lots of information. I have more confidence in my spinning now and I am ready to tackle a pair of toe-up socks.

Like last year, my shopping experience at Stitches revolved around socks. This year, I walked away with 11 skeins of sock yarn. I also purchased a cute kit for a beaded bag and lots of sock patterns.

Stitches Haul
Click the picture for a bigger view.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Two New Yarns

Here are pics of my two newest yarns, spun by me. Both are 2-ply, fingering weight-ish yarns.

Cricket
Specs
Fiber: 5 oz. Hello Yarn Corriedale from the Fiber Club
Color: Cricket
Yardage: 500 yds


Sherwood
Specs
Fiber: 4 oz. Twisted Superwash Merino
Color: Sherwood
Yardage: 350 yds

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Charade Socks

Fresh off the needles!

Charade Socks

Yarn is Lisa Souza Sock! in What a Melon.
Pattern is Charade.

I've used several different Lisa Souza colorways before and never had this drastic difference in color intensity. I'm not going to say I love how they turned out, but I don't hate them.

Stay tuned for a post featuring new handspun yarns!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Socktoberfest

It's Socktober!! And I've got socks on the brain. I've got so many sock projects in mind right now, that I think my brain is going to explode. I've got lots of socks on my to be knit list and I've only got 2 hands. Plus there are more great sock patterns and yarns turning up all the time.

I don't have any specific goals for Socktoberfest. I'm trying to focus on completing my current projects before starting more; and I'm making steady progress on both. But, I may cave and cast on a third before the week is out.

What A Melon socks = The first sock is done and the second sock is about half-way down the leg. Here's a pic of the first sock.

Charade

Rum Runner socks = I made lots of progress on Knit Night last week. I expect to finish up the heel tonight.

Rum Runner

Upcoming projects = Here's a pic of the yarns I have chosen for my next several projects (in no special order).

Future Sock Projects
From left to right:
-Union Center Knits, Whatnot Sock in Fall - pattern planned: Elegance Socks, October Sockamania pattern
-Socks That Rock Lightweight in Flower Power - pattern planned: Monkey
-Socks That Rock Mediumweight in Pebble Beach - pattern planned: Gwen
-Yarn Pirate, BFL in Calamity - pattern planned: Stockinette

And on another sock note, I'm signed up for a toe-up sock class at Stitches. So, it's going to be a very busy month for me.