Stash Enhancement

I figured out a long time ago that I was a stress shopper, and for the most part, I keep it under control. However, I've made three purchases in just over a week. Up first, shopping at The Loopy Ewe (no, I missed out on the Wollmeise - however, I still have a skein in my stash from my SP11, Purple Jen - Hi Jen!!!). I ended up with a skein of sock yarn from Perchance to Knit in the November colorway. See those tiny little beads? Every skein of sock yarn from XXX comes with a matching beaded stitch marker. I also ordered a small red tote bag, just the right size for a sock project. Actually it's large enough for your project, plus a wallet, cell phone, and keys, which I love!

Next up - Two balls of Soxx Appeal in the Purple Dusk colorway. Every time I go out of town, I buy a souvenir from a yarn or quilt shop. BHE and I recently made a quick, impromptu trip to Wichita and visited Twist. None of my LYSs have Soxx Appeal, as far as I know, so that's what I chose! I've already cast on for a pair of socks!

Finally, one of my LYSs, Stitches, just celebrated their 1st anniversary with a sale! I bought Regia Galaxy in Jupiter Anthracite Coal for BHE, and Regia Nordic Color for me. Although, I really like the Regia Galaxy, and may either claim that yarn as mine, or go buy some more . Edited to add: I went back and bought more.

You know, I don't think vacation yarn and sale yarn count as stress shopping, do you? And you can't really count one skein and a bag from the Loopy Ewe as stress shopping.... I think I'm still in control! We'll see in this weekend - Another LYS, Stitchworks, is having a Super Bowl Sale!

FO Report: Embossed Leaves Socks

Pattern: Embossed Leaves by Anne Budd, from Favorite Socks

Yarn: Panda Cotton, Baby Blues

Needles: U. S. size 2

Started: January 9, 2008

Finished: January 20, 2008

Modifications: Hmmm, I'm not sure if you can call it a modification, as much as a design feature (a.k.a. mistake). I decided for once I would knit a pair of socks exactly as written. These are knit top down, with a tubular cast on (my first!), and a stitch pattern that just flies by. I got to the heel flap, no problem, shaped the heel, no problem, picked up the stitches for the gussets, no problem. I started the decreases, and thought it looked a little odd, but kind of cool at the same time. They fit well, so I finished the first sock and started the second. It wasn't until I got down to the gusset of the second sock that I realized the error of my ways. The only deviation from the pattern was that I knit these socks magic loop style instead of on 4 dpns. My error occurred because of how the stitches were arranged on the circular needle verses how the designer intended for them to be on dpns. The end result was that my gusset decreases were on the bottom of the foot as opposed to the sides. I decided they still served their purpose, and I wasn't ripping back half of a sock just for the aesthetics, or to be as the designer intended, blah, blah, blah.

Anyway, I like the socks, love the stitch pattern, and love the yarn. It was a little splitty, but it is super soft, and I will definitely use it again!

Miscellany

Whose looking forward to Lost this week? I double checked my DVR settings as soon as it rolled on the the schedule!

In knitterly news, I finished one Soxx Appeal sock (have I blogged about this? I don't remember...), and had about 10 grams left over, so I cast on for a tiny little sock for Sweetpea. If I have enough, she'll get a pair of socks too; if not, I may knit mine a little taller (toe-up, don't ya know).

In still other news, I got a new camera! I've been too busy with work (bringing work home in the evenings) to play with it and figure out the menus and features, but hopefully I'll have time soon, and hopefully I can improve on my sadly lacking photography skills!

FO Report: Monkeyboy's Knee Socks

Pattern: My own - toe up, slip stitch heel

Yarn: KnitPicks Felici, Atmosphere colorway

Needles: US Size 2

Started: December 25, 2007

Finished: January 8, 2008

Modifications: Made to order per Monkeyboy's specifications, specifically, over his knees. They were finished a few days earlier, but only came up to the top of his shins. I was promptly informed that I got it all mixed up and they were to come up "to here, Mommy! You need to knit them higher!!"

FO Report: Sweetpea's Knee Socks

Pattern: My own - toe up, slip stitch heel

Yarn: KnitPicks Felici, Firefighter

Needles: Knitpicks Options, US 2

Started: December 18, 2007

Finished: December 25, 2007

Sweetpea wanted me to knit her some socks and specified they were to come all the way up to her knees! I used just under one skein total for both socks, and they are a little large on her size 6 Toddler feet. Once I got past the toe, I had 48 stitches on the needle and could have gone down to 44 or even 40 probably. But I figured these will last through a couple of growth spurts. Nothing fancy here, just 2 x 2 ribbing on the instep and leg. I have another skein left, so I may knit some regular length socks for Monkeyboy.

Still to come: FO reports on the Apple Socks, plus thigh high socks for Monkeyboy!

Pay It Forward

OK, This was posted nearly 48 hours ago, it doesn't show up in my Bloglines, and I've had no comments. I'm re-posting to see if I get any takers this time :)

You've probably seen the Pay It Forward on a blog here or there. I signed up with Rachel a few months ago, but for some reason, never posted here - not intentional, I promise!

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

I will send to anywhere in the World as long as it doesn't involve space travel ;)

Do-overs

Not so much do-overs, as add-on's, but regardless.... I had a FO post all set to go about the knee socks I knit for Sweetpea and Monkeyboy the last couple of weeks. I finished Monkeyboy's Saturday night, and showed them to him Sunday night. He tried the first one on, and promptly informed me I messed them all up. Apparently, they were supposed to go OVER his knee, not stop just short. So, I am adding on about 3 inches to both socks (knit toe-up), and will hopefully have a proper FO post in the next couple of days.

What do I care if my 4 year old son wants thigh high socks? I told him they are to wear to bed so when he kicks the covers off at night, his legs won't get cold.