RPM and other socks

Pattern: RPM by Aija Goto. Summer '06 Issue of Knitty
Yarn: Knit Picks Sock Memories in Hawaii (100% Merino Wool; 220 yds per 50 gram hank; approximately 1 1/2 hanks used)
Knit on US # 32" circular needle












Remember this lonely green sock?



Well, he's found a friend and potential mate. The relationship is progressing nicely and it won't be long before they're a solid pair. Here's a picture of the happy couple.

What's Your Blogging Type?

Your Blogging Type is Social and Responsible

You enjoy blogging and do all you can to advance the blogging community. From helping friends set up blogs to getting rid of spam - you take a leadership role. A super blogger, you tend to blog regularly. You'd hate to disappoint your audience. And always appropriate, there's no way you'd blog something too personal!

What's Your Blogging Personality?

KSKS in on the way!

Here's a picture of the kit I put together for my pal. I included the Fall 2006 issue of Vogue Knitting because it has some great articles on sock knitting and many sock patterns. You can never have too many sock patterns. The pattern is Leafy Lace Socks from the sock-of-the-month club at The Knitter and includes 2 skeins of cascade fixation yarn. I also included some size 3 dpns, 2 packages of skittles, stitch markers and darning needles. I mailed the kit out on 8/18/06, so she should have it today or tomorrow. Hope she likes it.

Today, I mailed out the final package for my One Skein Exchange Pal. This package included the Fall 2006 issue of Vogue Knitting, the Fall 2006 issue of Interweave Knits, the pink felted clutch from my last post, the Dublin Bay pattern, and 2 skeins of mystic alpaca in burgundy. This was a fun exchange. It's too bad they won't be doing another one next year but I've signed up for too many swaps (yet again) for the Fall.

Another Felted Bag

I knit this bag for my One Skein Exchange Pal. I have enjoyed this exchange so much. Kathy, my pal, has been a most excellent pen pal. I've actually been to able to get to know her over these past three months and hope to continue corresponding with her when this exchange is over. She's getting ready to begin knitting her first pair of socks! The world needs more socks knitters. I've done my part, I convinced her it was a good idea to knit socks. I accept responsiblity if she becomes hopelessly addicted to the process.



I used approximately 1/2 a skein of Patons Classic Wool and a small portion of some Cascade 220 for the flower. The pattern is the felted clutch from One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet

Party Socks

Here's the pictures I promised.

The Summer Sock Party Sock/Dublin Bay Pattern

The Hurricane Party Sock/Moc Croc Pattern

A close up of both socks.

Sock Update

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures today -- just an update. I have completed my Hurricane Sock Party sock and my Summer Sock Party sock. So, now I'm busy finalizing the goodie selections to include in each package.

I also frogged my Hawaiian Croc socks. I just wasn't loving them. They have turned into RPM socks. These socks are much prettier and more suited to the yarn.

My First Felted Bag

I will admit to a small amount of disbelief and uncertainty when it comes to the felting process. I had invested a lot of time knitting the most enormous bag. I mean, my whole family could fit inside. My family spent time (too much time, if you ask me) laughing and pondering the fate of said bag. Would it really get smaller? Won't your stuff fall out through the knitting? Everyone, including me, was concerned. I wondered, does this felting thing work? Of course, I did not reveal my own doubt. Instead, I spent time explaining the wonders of the felting process and how I would end up with the cutest little bag ever -- a functional bag. I secretly prayed it would be so because I was making this bag for my Knit Sock Kit Pal. I didn't want her to be disappointed. I meticulously set the settings on the washing machine -- heavy wash, hot water. I threw in some old jeans and the gigantic bag. I waited anxiously. I checked on progress after approximately 10 minutes. Thought, oh crap!! This bag is still GIANT. Patiently decided to have faith in the process and allowed wash cycle to complete. Checked again. Amazing progress, but still too big. Set for another wash cycle. This time, I allowed the wash cycle to complete, having faith that this was going to work. I should note that I did not allow the bag to go through the rinse cycle. I checked on the bag the final time! What a magical process -- this felting. I give you my first felted bag.



The pattern: Felted Striped Tote from One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet

Sock-A-Month 2

Another pair of socks off the needles and onto my feet! These are my August socks for Sock-A-Month 2. The pattern is a simple stockinette stitch with K2P2 ribbing. I used Lion Brand Simple Strips to knit these socks on size 2, 32" circular needles (magic loop method). Any matching stripes are purely by chance, I don't mind if my stripes don't match. I also joined the original Sock-A-Month but only managed to knit two pairs of socks which were knit in the same month. This is going to be excellent motivation to finish all those socks I've got in progress -- no more lonely socks.


Maybe this poor little green guy will finally get a mate.

What is your life path number?

Because I am me I couldn't resist testing this little quiz. I wanted to know if everyone was a 4. All the bloggers I've been reading were a 4 and I was a 4. My boyfriend is a 4, my oldest daughter is a 4. Could it be that everyone is a 4? The evidence seemed to be pointing in that direction. The answer --- everyone is not a 4. My youngest daughter is a 1, which frankly doesn't seem at all right but maybe we've all been missing something. My dad is a 7. He must be completely blocking out his true life's purpose because I'm telling you he is not a spiritual man or even remotely interested in the mysteries of life. So, I guess it's possible there are people who simply don't follow their life path. We do have free will after all. I'm a 4 and I mostly agree with that. My friend, Barbara, would say it was right on.

Your Life Path Number is 4

Your purpose in life is to build your vision. You are practical and responsible. You work hard, knowing that there are no shortcuts in life. You work for a better life for yourself and those you love, but you are not an idealist. Trustworthy and honest, you also demonstrate great courage. People can count on you. In love, you are a loyal and committed partner. You are the ideal spouse. You don't give up easily, and sometimes you can be too stubborn and unwilling to change. You also can be too conservative at times. You sometime miss out on good opportunities. Also remember that not everyone can work as hard as you, as disappointing as that is!

What Is Your Life Path Number?

Monthly Dishcloth KAL

I love knitting dishcloths and I love KALs. I love lighthouses even more. Imagine my delight when I was knitting this lovely lighthouse dishcloth. It was all very mysterious. We were given 10 rows to knit each day. I watched the mystery reveal itself but by day two I had it figured out and I felt as though this KAL was done especially for me because I love lighthouses. Life is so perfect sometimes.

Dishcloths are perfect for the knitter with a short attention span. I can complete one long before I grow tired of knitting it. And, there are no sleeves - a huge perk. Dishcloths are to be used. Sure they're pretty and you're reluctant to mess them up but use them til they're all used up. Then, knit some more.

Summer Sock Party Woes

You might remember that I was designing my first ever pattern for my Summer Sock Party Pal. It was not meant to be. Things were moving along so fabulously until Sunday night. I was closing in on the toe when I decided it looked totally wrong and couldn't possibly do. I frogged the whole thing. It just looked ---- WRONG. I'm not abandoning the whole design-my-own-sock-pattern thing but this particular pattern would be better suited to a solid color. So, I've put it aside for now and began knitting my pal another sock -- same yarn, different pattern. It's the Dublin Bay pattern and it looks fabulous. I hope to be finished by this weekend.

Gus

There's a new baby at my parent's house. Isn't he beautiful? My dad is giddy with delight.

Lotus Blossom Tank

The Lotus Blossom Tank is finished. The design is by Sharon Shoji and published in the Summer '06 issue of Interweave Knits. The tank was knit using size 4, 32" circular needles and the least expensive yarn I could find. This is such a pretty sweater and I enjoyed the pattern. However, mine looks a little wonky. When I switched from knitting in the round to straight knitting, my gauge changed slightly but not so slightly that it isn't obvious. And the shoulders are a little off. It's been a long time since I knit a sweater, 20 years or longer, so hopefully I'll get better. I only spent $2.17 on the yarn for this sweater. I guess you get what you pay for, huh?


What a face! She is angry about something her sister said to her while I was taking the photo -- priceless moment captured forever. lol

Sock Wars 2006

I signed up for Sock Wars 2006 today. It is an international death by sock tournament being hosted by yarnmonkey. Deadline to sign up is September 8. On September 22, participants will be emailed a "top secret file" containing the details of their target and a pattern to knit. The goal is to knit a pair of socks using the pattern provided and mail it to your target. Once your target receives your package they are dead (out of the game). They must post their status on the "fallen comrades" section of the yarn monkey site and send you their "top secret file," yarn and any knitting they've completed. At that point you’re off again trying to knit your target a pair of socks before your target knits you a pair of socks. This will continue until only one remains.

Now, doesn't this sound like a jolly good time? It's challenging, exciting and a little scary. Just knowing that someone's out there trying to knit you a pair of socks before you can knit a pair yourself. At the end, everyone will have a new pair of hand knit socks except the sole survivor and they get some fabulous swag. It doesn't get any better than this.

This is such a creative and fun idea. You guys should check it out! I can't wait to get started!

Da Vinci

Have you ever seen a more beautiful creature?