FO's and New beginnings

My glittens are finished! Thank goodness!! Terrific to wear, they are - fun to make, they are not. Sofee and I will deliver to mom as soon as they are dried. Sounds like they will be to her just in time for another major snowstorm!!! This is a semi-original pattern, knit of Dale of Norway Heilo. Dpns size4,5, and 6.

Also finished is another fun and quick pair of worsted weight socks for the "bigger kids" at CIC. Stitch pattern courtesy of Marguerite. Thanks again Marguerite!



Probably the new "Monkey"by Cookie rage brought to mind the time when "Jaywalkers" by Grumperina was all the rage. As I remember, there was a fitting problem for some, while others just loved the pattern. I was intrigued, and in an effort of procrastination from the dreaded glittens, I cast on Jaywalkers. Sort of love them.....!! So far the fit seems fine, but time will tell. I am knitting these in a Lisa Souza yarn. The colorway is Graphite, and is really more gray and less blue than the photo portrays.

And - for the new beginning part of this post: One can never have too many Monkeys!! I am casting on for my 2nd pair very soon. Shirley and I are doing a pair in a plain color while joining in the Sockmaniac's March KAL. Should be fun!

Come back later for a BLT! (1st sign of spring at my house!!)

Gratitude...

Winter returned to Iowa this weekend. Freezing rain followed by up to 10 inches of snow has bent tree branches and broken power lines to many residents in our area. We are grateful that we have power and are warm and safe. The power company is doing all they can, yet some customers are not expected to be up and running till some time Monday. We have been there, and that is why a dusty generator stands ready for duty in our garage. Our daughter now has a generator also, as she lost power yesterday - only to have it return about the same time her new generator moved in!! There is always next time, however.... Iowa is Iowa...

Sofee, she is grateful that she is a Chihuahua today! No one in their right mind would expect her to do anything other than stay inside and lounge on her cozy comfort disk. Gone are the days that she is jealous of the "big dogs" next door that live outside most of the time. Course, their lifestyle may look pretty darn good in a month or so....

As for knitting: Along with nearing the completion of a WW "big kids" socks for CIC, I have mom's glittens in the finished Mittens stage. I need to open them up and put the glove insert in. It is always amazing what the blocking process will do for the looks of these....even out those lumpy stitches, and make them presentable. Hope mom likes them!

Glittens....

This is my current project, Glittens for my mom. This is the 26th pair that I have made. One would think I really enjoyed making them, right?? Wrong! It is all about the end product, in this case. They are the warmest hand covering I have ever found! The multi strands of the wool does wonders at freezing temps. They are always welcome gifts, much appreciated for harsh midwest winters.

The original pattern was in this Fall 1993 edition of Knitters, but I have made many modifications over the years. I have designed many motifs myself, and different cuff configurations. The gauntlet remains my personal favorite, as it blocks the wind from blowing up your sleeves, but that is personal choice. My daughter prefers ribbed cuffs.

I make these from Dale of Norway Heilo. I have tried Falk, but somehow not the same, not as warm, even though they are 100% also. Does the superwash process make a difference, or is it all in my mind??

Those of you that read my blog much, know that I am not "into" colors. But, this is the one project that I do enjoy working with bright colors. Making the fingers different colors always seem to put the "fun" factor into wearing them. I admit they are a little wierd looking, but once in a while, you have to give up fashion for down right comfort!!

Done "Monkeying" around! (sorry folks!)

It is 45 degrees here in the middle of Iowa today! A great thaw after weeks of unusually cold weather. I just got back from a 45 minute walk. Needless to say, it was slushy and wet - it was wonderful! Fresh air and sunshine..... Only downer was that I could not take Sofee, just too wet and too cold if carried. But, there will be many more walks to come.....

DH planted his tomato and pepper seeds (inside) this weekend - the first official sign of spring.

Now - back to the title of this post: Yes, they are completed. It was a very fun pattern to knit up, quick too. The Monkey socks designed by Cookie. Yarn is Wildfoote Soft Jazz. Knit on my favs - Pony Pearls DPNS - 2.25mm. They are my "colors". I am very happy with them!

Next OTN - "Glittens" for my mom. Will post more about those soon enough...
PS: Retirement is great!! Walks in the middle of the day!!!

Pure bliss....

This knitting experience brings back to mind the reason why I like to knit socks - it is just so much fun!! Monkey by Cookie - Most enjoyable pattern I have knit in quite some time. Total bliss!

Foiled plans.... darn!

My plan was to knit "Dalarna" with the KOTR kal. I had the yarn called for in the pattern, and was ready to roll. I never thought to guestion the quality of yarn that had been carelessly stored away for probably 10 years! Well - it was pretty useless - lots of fraying and breakage. So - Wendy Guernsey in the trash... sniff sniff... lesson learned.

While I re-grouped, I knit these three pairs of "big kid" socks for the current CIC challenge. I would like to make 3 more pair before shipping them off at the end of the month. Perhaps I should re-check to see when the deadline is? The center pair is the pattern that Susan has posted on her blog in segmented fashion-- what fun! The other two are from the "Winging WW socks" pattern that Marguerite was kind enough to share with us. Thanks to both talented (and generous) ladies!

And, Shirley and I have decided to knit "Monkey" the pattern by the talented Cookie as our next KT. I am still undecided as to which yarn I will use, but leaning towards a Wildfoote in "Jazz" colorway. I purchased this yarn in Colorado last fall, and don't want it to go the way of the Wendy Guernsey..... My heart can't take too much of that....!

Done - Finally!

These are the socks that I have chosen to make for my Sockret Pal. I made the first one in November, and no matter how long I waited, it seemed that second sock would not knit itself!! Knitters know what SSS is "Second Sock Syndrome". I now know all about it. I can't explain it, but it was just sssooooo hard for me to pick these back up and get them completed!! But - so glad that I did! I Hope she likes them, and that they fit well. I will be shipping them of in a few weeks.

"Fetzensockens" by Diana Meyer. Lisa Souza "Sock!" yarn, Sage colorway. Pony Pearls DPNS 2.25mm. Fetzen is a German word meaning something like rags, tatters, or shreds. Appropriate name, I think.

Cozy in Green

The Green Cozy in Cables sweater is done. This will eventually join the others going to CIC. I really enjoy this pattern - a quick knit and the Lamb's Pride Bulky is so soft to work with!

Next, Socks - I really must make a pair of socks for SAM-3. I also need to finish my Sockret Pal's socks. I fear I have the dreaded SSS with those! Hmmm.... we'll see....

Shawl finished!

Yes, I have my shawl done (again) - only it's not upside down this time!! Yeahhh!!! Now - the next big mystery - blocking it. Hmmm.... Is there a standard as to how severly I stretch it out? I am not sure what surface I will use either, although Sofee expects the entire process to be great fun!!

I made a pair of CIC bigger kid's socks while I was gaining my self esteem from the upside down shawl fiasco. Next, I am going to make another Cozy in Cable sweater for CIC. Shirley and I are going to do another KT.

Then - socks with the KOTR group. Hopefully they will also meet my obligation for the SAM-3 group. There have been such lovely socks posted there!!