2010 MDSW

2010 MDSW
Originally uploaded by shannanstitches.

Yesterday I went to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. It was hot but I had a great time. This pic has notes at Flickr, so click over for the details.

About Me

Since I've been absent from blogging for a while, I thought I'd officially 'return' with an about me post.

I learned to crochet as a child, probably when I was 8 or 9 years old. I crocheted off and on making mostly granny squares and sewing them together till I was a senior in high school. Then I branched out and started crocheting afghans using patterns. I didn't take pictures or keep track of my earlier projects. I mostly crocheted afghans, but would make other types of projects here and there.

My youngest son was born in September of 2001. I got the knitting bug then and successfully taught myself the knitting basics from a book, but quickly lost interest. I found knitting slow and tedious and I was deathly afraid of dropping stitches. I resumed crocheting and participated in lots of swaps for crocheted items. This was also about the time that my doily fascination took hold. I've made quite a few.



My interest in knitting returned in 2005. I made lots of fun fur scarves, which was great for making me more comfortable with knitting. In late 2005, I took a sock knitting class at my LYS. I finished my first pair of socks in January 2006. And I've basically been knitting socks ever since. I completed my 100th pair of socks in February 2010.



I'm also a spinner. I purchased my wheel, a Schacht Matchless single treadle in 2007. I did a lot of spinning when I first got my wheel, but my interest in spinning has decreased some. I blame lack of time and too many great things to knit. I do still spin (more so now than 6 months ago) and I have a stack of yarns that need to be washed.



My most recent love is knitting lace. More specifically, knitting lace shawls. I started shawl knitting in 2009 and pretty much haven't looked back. In fact, I'm so smitten with shawls that I'm thinking of unofficially retiring as a sock knitter.



My current projects are:
Crew Socks
Arabella Shawl
Blackberry Brambles Socks
Mandala II Shawl

Returning to Blogland

I haven't blogged since late last summer. I've been thinking about returning to the blog lately. So, there may be some activity here periodically. I need to do some work on my template. Haloscan is still installed for comments, and I need to switch to something else.

Socks for Boys??

My youngest 2 sons like hand knit socks. I've made them a few pairs each and just finished up a new pair for each of them. But are these socks really suited for boys??

First are the socks for my youngest, Sam. He didn't pick this color. In fact, when I started the socks, they were intended for me. Even though they looked a little small to me as I was knitting them, the pattern was stretchy so I figured it would be ok. By the time I got to the heel I came to the realization that there was no way these socks were going to fit my feet. So, I asked the kids if either of them would want them.



Yarn - Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock in Pillow Mint
Pattern - Peak Experience by Fiber Trends



Next are socks for Devin. He did pick this color. Devin has always liked pinks and reds and such. He's tried to pick this color for socks before and I told him no. But, how could I refuse this time when I'd just finished a pair for his brother that had pink in them?



Yarn - Interlacements Tiny Toes in Summer Fruit (color #204)
Pattern - Yukon Rush Rivers of Gold by Darlene Thompson

Fraggle Squiggle Socks

Fraggle Squiggle Socks
Originally uploaded by shannanstitches.

Sock knitting has taken a bit of a backseat this summer in favor of knitting shawls. I've been participating in quite a few mystery shawls designed by Renee of Goddess Knits. But, despite all the shawl knitting, I did finish my May Rockin' Sock Club socks. Both pattern and yarn are from the kit.

Yarn: Socks that Rock lightweight in Pepe La Plume
Pattern: Fraggle Squiggle