FO Report: Huron Huskies Socks

Pattern: My own

Yarn: KnitPicks Sock Blank, received in Dyed Sock Blank Swap #3

Needles: US size 1 1/2 / 2/5 mm

Started: May 23, 2009

Finished: June 30, 2009

These socks were received in a Ravelry swap on the Dyed Sock Blank Swap. The theme of this round was "Where I'm from" My upstream partner was Carol from Kitchner, Ontario (mullub on Ravelry). Carol based her sock blank on the school her husband where her husband works, and where they spend a lot of their time. The school is Huron Heights, and their team is the Huskies (hence the name of the sock). The blank was dyed in the school colors, which I love :).

These socks were knit in my usual toe-up fashion with a Eye of Partridge heel. I was inspired by the stitch pattern I used on the Trekking 159 socks to do this pattern variation, but it turns out it was already a stitch pattern in More Sensational Knitted Socks! (I believe it is the Baby Cable Rib pattern.) I can't wait for colder weather so I can wear there more - I have the a top that is a near perfect match for the eggplant purple :)

FO Report: Trekking 159 Socks

Pattern: My own, plus the Alternating 2x2 Rib (I think) stitch pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Trekking XXL, color 159

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5 mm

Started: April 4, 2009

Finished: May 9, 2009

I've knit so many dark colored socks, and am usually drawn to the darker colors, but the Spring inspired me to knit some lighter colors, so I pulled this from my stash. These were also toe-up, slip stitch heel, with a stitch pattern on the leg from the Sensational Knitted Socks book. I think its the Alternating 2x2 Rib, but I have misplaced my book and can't look it up. When I find it, if the name of the stitch pattern is wrong, I'll edit this for the correct name. Likewise with Ravelry.

FO Report: Summer Socks

Pattern: Mine

Yarn: Cascade Fixation Sprayed Dyed

Needles: US Size 3 / 3.25 mm

Started: April 1, 2009

Finished: April 18, 2009

These were quick to knit little anklets I knit, toe up with short row heels. I think I've only worn them once or twice because they won't stay up - they keep working down my heel. I guess its all the elastic. I have a ton of yarn left over, and I thought about going back and making them longer in hopes that would help, but I haven't been motivated enough to do that yet :)

FO Report: Pam's Socks

Pattern: My own
Yarn: Knitpicks Felici, Martinique
Needles: Knitpicks Options US 1 1/2, 2.5mm
Started: December 8, 2008
Finished: January 21, 2008

I made these at my quilting friend Pam's request. I used my basic pattern, but had 60 stitches around instead of my usual 64.

I made her model them for me the last time we met to sew - that's a whole other post altogether!

FO Report: Vulcan Azure socks

Pattern: Azure by Deb Barnhill

Yarn: Austermann Step in Vulcan

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5 mm

Started: November 17, 2008

Finished: January 4, 2009

Modifications: I started these in size Medium, and once the heel was completed, I increased to a size Large for the leg. I also did my usual EZ's stretchy sewn cast off.

I started these because I lost the second ball of Regia Galaxy yarn for BHE's socks at the Coldplay concert. I needed something to knit while I was waiting for the replacement skein to arrive, and was definitely ready for something a little more involved that plain stockinette. The pattern gets a little lost in photos because of the stripes, but up close and personal, they look great!

FO Report: Regia Galaxy Anthracite socks

Pattern: my own

Yarn: Regia Galaxy in Anthracite colorway

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5 mm

Started: November 9, 2008

Finished: December 8, 2008

These are BHE's, and were a Christmas gift. He told me how much he likes the last pair of socks I knit him, so he gets more! Standard Turkish toe cast on with 18 wraps, increased to 68 stitches for the foot and leg, and did a short row heel and finished with 2 x 2 ribbing and EZ's stretchy sewn cast off.

It took me forever to finish these because I actually lost the second ball of yarn somewhere in OKC, either at the Coldplay concert, or at the restaurant we ate at before hand. I'm pretty sure it was at the concert, and assume it was lost forever, or if not lost, then too dirty and disgusting to be worth the hassle. I checked the LYS where I bought it originally and of course they were out - and this series is discontinued. Fortunately, Woodland Woolworks had some in stock, on sale, and with free shipping for orders over $45! Of course, the yarn didn't cost $45, so I ordered some extra bobbins for my spinning wheel to meet the free shipping requirement :) I had wanted some extra bobbins anyway, so this turned out to be a good thing!

FO Report: Regia Galaxy Indian Socks

Bear with me here folks, I'm trying to get caught up on the FO reports!




Pattern: my own
Yarn: Regia Galaxy in Indian colorway
Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5mm
Started: October 27, 2008
Finished: November 8, 2008

I'm trying to use up some stash yarn, and needed a simple mindless project to knit while I was viewing lectures. I used my basic Turkish cast on for the toe, short row heel, and finished of with some 2 x 2 ribbing and EZ's stretchy sewn cast off.

Next up, Galaxy socks for BHE!

Sock Blank Swap

Remember the Sock Blank Swap I did on Ravelry awhile back? Well, we are in the midst of round two! There will be a swap every quarter, and this time we had the option of Fall or Holiday themed colors, or no preference. I didn't have a preference (honestly, I just couldn't make up my mind).

Anyway, I received my blank this weekend, and check it out!

My partner was Nicolana111 (Ravelry ID), and she blogs at Glittercat. She chose to do a Christmas theme, and wrapped everything up in Christmas paper, and even sent a Santa card! I love this blank! I think the little dots look like Christmas tree lights, and can't wait to see how they knit up!

She also sent an assortment of teas and hot chocolate, and some cool Christmas themed stitch markers. They are pewter, and the loop at the top is closed (not a split ring), so it won't snag the knitting! The markers came from RJCharms, and she has some other cute stitch markers, as well as bookmarks, necklaces etc.

I love it all, and can't wait to start knitting! Especially by the by the light of the Christmas tree, or maybe the fireplace, with a warm mug of something by my side..... Mmmm, I love the holidays :)

Double FO Report: Sock Blank Socks

Pattern: My own
Yarn: KnitPicks Sock Blank
Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5mm
Started: August 8, 2008
Finished: September 21, 2008

These socks are all knit from the sock blank I received from Melanie in the Ravelry Dyed Swap Blank Swap Group. Here is the post about the swap, and the picture of the blank as I received it. I loved how it knitted up! I think I've said it here before, but it reminds me of Impressionism.

I started my socks (toe up of course), and knitted them as tall as I wanted. When I looked at how much sock blank there was left, I thought I could probably knit a pair of socks for Sweetpea with it. Both pair were knit Magic Loop style, two at a time, toe up with a Turkish cast on, Eye of Partridge heel, 3 x 1 ribbing at the top, and EZ's Stretchy Sewn Bind Off.

I sort of guessed on the sock size for Sweetpea, as she was asleep when I started them. They fit, but barely. I'm sure she'll outgrow them before winter is over, and possibly before it even gets here.

WIP Wednesday

A post on my two current projects is long overdue, but even though we still have lots of daylight hours, I can never seem to get the camera out while the light is still decent.

Both of these were supposed to be Ravelympics projects, but overcommitments, an allergy ridden family, and a monster infection in Monkeyboy's right ear sidelined these two projects.

First up are my sock blank swap socks. I love how they are have turned out, and in fact, I'm about to start the ribbing. They remind me of an Impressionist painting. I think I should have enough left over for a pair of socks for Sweetpea.

They aren't really flipped on the needles; I did that for the photo to show the front and back. I'm not following the Two at Once Toe Up socks pattern, I'm just knitting them with the different elements I've picked up from patterns here and there. I did do an Eye of Partridge heel on this pair, which I really like :)

Next is the Marihone cardigan for Sweetpea. I'm about 2/3 of the way through the body, and then I will knit the sleeves. I haven't decided yet what to do with the neckline. Since the pattern was for a pullover for a baby, one shoulder was not seamed but had a placket and buttons. The collar was turned and hemmed. I am making this into a cardigan, to be more suitable to our Oklahoma weather. I prefer collars on my cardigans, but that isn't really done on fair isles as far as I can tell. And if I did a cardigan how would I do it? Ribbed? Garter stitch? I may just turn it under and hem it - maybe with a picot edge?

Opinions are welcome and encouraged :)

FO Report: Cotton Candy socks

Pattern: Arch-Shaped Socks by Jen Showalter

Yarn: OnLine Supersocke 100 Cotton Summer from my stash

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5mm

Started: July 19, 2008

Finished: August 8, 2008

Modifications: I used the tubular cast-on and k2 p2 ribbing, and then increased one stitch to match the pattern instructions . I also did a different toe, but sort of did it on the fly. I really had to study the first sock when I got to that point on the second one! I do love them, and will probably do the pattern again, but will add some sort of ribbing or other pattern to keep it interesting.

WIP Wednesday

I started this post yesterday, and intended to take photos and post last night, but Sweetpea got sick - so two of the photos were taken in my parking garage this morning, and the last one was already on my camera :D (Oh, and Sweetpea has fully recovered.)

I have a ton of WIPs now! I narrowed it down to five projects to knit for the Ravelympics, which now seems laughable, one of them specifically. I also finished a few WIPs before the Olympics began, and will be posting about those in the coming days.

OK, now for the good stuff! The project that started it all, my Sock Blank Swap Socks from Melanie. I am on the Sock Blank Swappers team, and cast on for these Saturday night. Incidentally, there is talk on this group of a seasonal swap, so join the group if you think you might be interested. Rumor is the next swap may happen in late September / early October.

Next up is a baby cardigan for some friends who are expecting a boy in September. The shower is this Saturday, so I have to finish this really soon. I was initially going to make Rocketry, but dying my own yarn. I could only decide on the three colors - honestly, the baby registry influenced my color choices. My row and stitch gauge are off from the pattern so I'm recalculating as I go, and changing up some of the details as well. I've picked up stitches all the way around for the ribbing and button bands, so you are looking at the back. When the ribbing is complete, I'll go back and knit the sleeves.

The now-laughable project is Marihone - this has been in my queue long before Ravelry even existed. I think I've had the yarn maybe 2 years? Anyway, I also cast on for it Saturday night. I'm knitting it in sort of a 3T size, but the pattern sizing only goes up to 24 months. My cast on was 252 stitches on size 2.0mm needles - US 0. After a few rows of that the rest of the body is knit on size 2.5 mm / US 1/2. Oh, and I added 10 stitches for a steek because it will be a cardigan instead of a pullover.

Besides those, I also pledged to knit another February baby sweater for our new niece. She is nearly 3 months old (yikes! time is flying), and we will be hosting a baby shower at some point if we can ever get our schedule to match up with the new parents. This cardi will be one of her gifts from us. Really it will be more of a meet the baby party - the parents live out of town, and we offered to host a party for all of there friends who still live here.

Finally, I really thought I could possible finish all four of those projects before the Olympics were over, including the 262 stitch fair isle, so I threw in a final project of more socks from another sock blank I dyed.

More Sock Blanks!

Here are the pictures and details on the sock blanks I dyed Sunday night! I love them all and I can't decide on a favorite!

You get a shot of all three, and then individuals, because of color differences in the photography! There was no more daylight by the time I was able to take the photos, so these pictures are by chandelier light :)

The sock blanks are from Knitpicks, and are knit from two strands (held together) of Superwash Merino. By having two strands knit together, it insures that your socks will match. You can either unravel the blank and wind into two separate balls of single strand yarn, or knit two socks at a time, unravelling as you go. This is the method I will try. The Ravelry Sock Blank Swap group has a KAL starting August 10th for our first round of swapping, and we also started a Ravelympics team for knitting our sock blanks.

I soaked all three blanks in a vinegar and water mixture for about 30 minutes before dying. The eggplant blank was first, and I followed one of KnitPicks examples of having a zig zag stripe of black through the whole blank, and then filled in the triangles with two shades of purple. (I made my purple by mixing 3 parts blue with 1 part red. If you need to know, I can look up the exact names of the dyes. I used Jacquard acid dyes from Dharma Trading.) After all the dye was applied, and worked in by latex-gloved hands, I wrapped and rolled them up in saran wrap and microwaved on high for 2 minutes, let them cool for a few minutes, and then nuked for 2 minutes more.

While the purple blank was steaming in the microwave, I painted the diagonally striped one. I used leftover purple, blue, and green (green was 3 parts blue and 1 part yellow). I did exactly what it looks like, squirting diagonal lines of the three colors. I left a little bit of undyed fabric in between each stripe, and then worked the colors towards each other. The blending really happened in this one when it was rolled up, and the extra dyes ran together, creating another shade of purple. The end on the right side of the photo showing the truer blue was at the outside end of the "cinnamon roll", so less dye was squished through this part. The other end is where all the unplanned blending happened.

The last blank was the blue and green one. I had something else planned, but I don't remember what. I started squirting on the black dye, window pane style, and then filled in alternating sections with blue and green from the previous blanks. They sort of blended together too, but not to the extent the dyes on the diagonally striped blank did.

I was sort of iffy on these when I was painting them. I have a pretty limited range of dyes, just red, blue, yellow, black, and brown, and didn't have a very scientific method of mixing the colors. The real magic happened when they were steamed in the microwave. I could see the transformation before I even got them unwrapped. Besides the color blending, the colors deepened and became more intense. Another good surprise, the dyed blanks all ran clear on the first rinse!

FO Report: Camo Galaxy socks

Pattern: My own

Yarn: Regia Galaxy, Camoflauge

Needles: US 1 1/2, 2.5mm

Started: June 3, 2008

Finished: July 5, 2008

I knit these for the BHE from some stash yarn. I have more of this in two different colorways, but I think they'll both be for me! I just love watching the rings form.

Details - knit toe-up with a short row toe and heel. I started the toe with a Turkish cast on, with 20 wraps and increased up to 68 stitches for the foot and leg. I finished it off with a 2 x 2 ribbing for about 2 1/2", and then EZ's stretchy sewn bind off.

Sock Blank swap

Check it out! I joined a Ravelry group to swap Knit Picks sock blanks, and the moderator was my upstream partner! Melanie sent me this blank she hand painted, and she must have done some snooping* on my blog, because she also sent me 2 different kinds of dark chocolates! Thank you, Melanie!!!

I have my blanks (I ordered 3), but am waiting until after the test to paint them. I have until August 3rd to send one to my downstream pal, but hopefully will do it this weekend or early next week :)

Check out the group if you're so inclined. There will be a KAL to knit up the sock blank you received, plus there's talk of doing seasonal / quarterly swaps!

*I'll have to check my blog stats and see who my visitors have been lately - it always fascinates me to see where everyone is from. I know I have some lurkers, so leave me a message and say hi! I'll check out your blog and add you as a Ravelry friend if you're a member :)

FO Report: Business Socks

Pattern: Wendy's Toe-Up Socks with a Differnce, tweaked by me.

Yarn: Austermann Step, Hunter
Needles: US 1 1/2, 2.5mm
Started: June 8, 2008
Finished: July 1, 2008

Seriously, these really did take me nearly 4 weeks to knit, but I did knit another pair at the same time (next FO report), plus I'm very busy these days. These socks earned their name because I knit them mostly while studying for the Business portion of the CPA exam. Specifically, while veiwing lectures. Honestly, having something the keep my hands busy helps me focus on the boring topic better.

I mostly stuck to Wendy's pattern, but instead of plain stockinette, I threw in a pattern on the instep and leg. I think it is the mistake rib? I didn't get it from a specific book, I just *k3, p1*, on one round, knit the next. Easy-peasy, and it gave it a bit of interest.

New WIPs

Wicked is long finished, with the exception of buttons and maybe a bit of elastic. If I use some, I'll explain in the FO post.

Meanwhile, I've cast on for two new toe-up socks, unrelated. The first is from my Regia Galaxy stash. I cast on in the Camouflage colorway for BHE. I got stuck (far enough up the foot to start the heel, but no BHE around to try it on), so I put it aside and cast on with Austermann Step in the Hunter colorway, also from the stash.

Speaking of stash, I've been doing some major decluttering in my sewing room / home office. I took a huge bag of yarn to Monkeyboy's speech therapist, for her daughter who is learning to knit I haven't relegated any of the good stuff to the destash pile yet, but there will be some to come, and possibly even knitting books and / or patterns. Definitely some fabric, sewing patterns, and quilting books and patterns as well. I haven't been a serious quilter since Monkeyboy was born 5 years ago, but I do definitely want to get back to it. I think if I get rid of the stuff I don't like anymore and keep only the things I love, that will make it easier.

A (blogless) friend of mine has a theory that the energy in our body is stored in pods. All the dormant WIPS and UFOs lying around suck up energy pods, and each time you finish a project you get some of your pods back. I think if I can bear to part with as much as I hope to, you all will see a bright glow and distinct hum of energy emanating from my little corner of the world.

FO Report: Leafling

Pattern: Leafling by JC Briar
Yarn: BMFA Socks That Rock Mediumweight
Needles: US 2, 2.75mm
Started: April 25, 2008
Finished: May 8, 2008
Modifications: I used the modified toe pattern by KnittingSuzanne (ravelry link)

This is the March sock kit from the 2008 Rockin' Sock Club. An alternate name for these socks could be The Third Pair of Green Socks I've Knit in a Row. Seriously, I really enjoyed knitting these, but I'm a little tired of all the green. I wanted to do the Stretchy Rib cast on I've used for the last couple of top down socks, but it sets you up for a 1 x 1 ribbing, and these needed a 2 x 2 ribbing to flow into the leaf pattern. I know these pictures don't show pattern well, but check out the other photos on Ravelry for some truly beautiful socks. I think I could have figured it out how to do the Stretch Cast on or something like it in a 2x2 rib, but I've been fairly brain dead by the time I am able to sit down with my knitting lately. And the last thing I want to do at the end of the day is sit in front of the computer any longer. Actually, the hand out we received at our last K.N.I.T. Guild meeting will help me with this I think. If I have time to sit down and figure it out for 2 x 2, I'll write it up and post it here, if anyone's interested.

The heel was really interesting too. It started out as a slipped stitch heel, but the slipped stitches continued down underneath the heel until all the gusset stitches were decreased. The creates a little padding under the heel, which is great on my hardwood floors!

It's time for the May sock club kits to ship, in fact I think they are shipping this week. In the meantime, I've cast on for a Wicked cardigan, and am nearly finished with it. Hopefully I can get another FO report up this week for that one! I have another cardi swirling around in my head that may need to be knit before I start anymore socks. Plus, I've got to get that ladybug cardi knit for Sweetpea....

FO Report: Paddy's Lucky Clover

Pattern: Paddy's Lucky Clover socks by Angela Dominey
Yarn: Shelby B's Designs Superwash Merino
Needles: US size 1 1/2, 2.5 mm
Started: April 10, 2008
Finished: April 22, 2008
Modification: used Stretchy Rib cast-on and 1 x 1 ribbing instead of long tail cast on and 2 x 2 ribbing.

Was it really nearly a month ago that I finished these socks? Wow, I really am behind... Anyway, this was the March sock club kit from Robyn's Nest. She has a month to month sock club with a different indy dyer each month (I think) . It came with the yarn and pattern (of course), plus some beaded stitch markers, a St. Patrick's Day pencil and pin. I signed up for the March kit because Shelby was my downstream SP9 pal.

I really liked knitting these and the lacy pattern made them go really fast. I especially liked the heel. It is sort of like an Eye of Partridge heel, but the yarn is carried on the right side in front of the slipped stitches. It made for a really pretty heel, but I couldn't get a picture of it that does it justice.

That's the thing I like the most about sock clubs, is that you are presented with a pattern or technique or yarn color that you might not normally try. I've never been disappointed :)

One note on Robyn's Nest, I also ordered an ebony shawl stick from her (at a fantastic price!) and despite the good packaging, when it arrived it had been snapped in half. I emailed her, and she replaced it, no questions asked, and was very apologetic about it. So, I can doubly recommend her for the great products she carries, as well has her excellent customer service!

FO Report: Jupiter Red Socks

Pattern: My own

Yarn: Regia Galaxy, Jupiter Red #1559

Needles: US size 1 1/2 / 2.5mm

Started: March 21, 2008

Finished: April 10, 2008

These turned out to be really long socks, but I just kept knitting so I could see the swirls! They were knit toe-up, with a Turkish cast-on, short row heel, and EZ's Stretchy Sewn Bind-Off after a couple of inches of 1 x 1 ribbing. I think I have enough yarn for 3 more pair of socks in this series of yarn - One black with swirls, one navy with swirls, and one khaki with swirls. I'm too lazy right now to go look up the colors, but I will be knitting them up relatively quickly. I washed this pair yesterday, and they came out of the washer a lot softer. Not that they weren't wearable before washing, because I did wear them for two days, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much softer they did feel :) (I'm also too lazy to link right now, but I've used the Turkish toe and the Stretchy Sewn bind off in my couple of pair of toe-up socks - if anyone needs help with them, feel free leave a comment or send an email.)

I've already cast on for my next pair, and am just at the heel on the first sock. Pictures soon!