Anniversary Socks finished

Here are the completed Anniversary Socks by Nancy Bush. These are made from Louet Gems fingering wt yarn. Color is Terra Cotta. I used PonyPeal DPNS 2.5mm. This pattern is from the new(ish) book "Favorite Socks" by Interweave Press.

I like the cabled cuff area, and the difference between the patterning of the front vs back of the leg. Not sure if I will knit this pattern again, however, as it has the infamous twisted stitches in it. I only broke one needle!!

Next?? Not sure yet. I have a couple of sweaters bouncing around my brain, and I expect the Rockin' Sock Club kit to be delivered at anytime (today hopefully). Also, the cold kids of the world are still out there... So...?? I'll keep you "posted"!

Finished gloves

My 2nd post of the day! I think that's a first.

I am happy with the finished gloves, although I did make an error. Notice the one round of dark brown before the start of the fingers on my left glove. Darn!! I did not notice till I was finishing off the fingers. Nope - frogging was not an option. I can deal with it. I should have asked if anyone could find the error, but was fearful that there were more that others might notice that I had not!!! Didn't even want to go there....

Stats: Knit from pattern obtained thru KAL site "Karen's gloves" KAL. Brown yarn OpalUni, multi is STR "Cobblestone County" colorway. Knit on Pony Pearls 2.00mm for hands, 2.25 for fingers. (I didn't know I had chubby fingers!) They were really pretty easy to knit - lots easier than they look...

Perseverance... Worthy of display

Due to a very late, very prolonged, very COLD spell, all of the tulips, daffodils, and such met with an early death this year. So sad, all of them totally wilted, laying on the ground. But, just a few little heads lifted up to show their spirit. I thought they deserved to be displayed. These are about 1/2 the size they should be, but twice as beautiful as normal (to me!). Hope you enjoy!

On the knitting front, I have completed my "Karen's gloves", but need some assistance in taking a photo of them while wearing them. (I can't seem to figure out how to do that!!) DH has volunteered to help me this evening. Will post photo as soon as possible. They came out fitting "like a glove", and I like them - minor errors and all!

And, I have started another pair of socks. "Anniversary Socks" by Nancy Bush from the new IW "Favorite Socks" book. For this pair, I am using Louet Gems Pearl yarn. It seems I see it being used for lots of solid colored socks recently. It is quite soft and endearing - and I love the color that I found at my LYS! I also managed to purchase several single skeins at great discount, so I see some color-work in the near future.

Trying to keep my spirits up after the recent national tragedy. My heart goes out to the families and friends of all affected. Those of us spared from crisis -- we need to hug our loved ones a little tighter tonight - and be oh so very grateful.

Now...back to the gloves

I really dislike having more than one project going at a time, so after completing the one glove, I finished up this pair of socks. "Waving Lace Socks" by Evelyn A. Clark from the new Interweave book "Favorite Socks". It was a fun and easy knit. I used Lisa Souza Sock! yarn "Gingerpeach" being the colorway. These were knit on 2.25mm Pony Pearl DPNS. Lisa's yarns are my all time favorite, and Pony Pearls are my normal choice for needles.

Now, to finish up my gloves.....

1st glove finished...

and I must admit, I am pretty happy with it! There are a few things that could be more perfect, but only I know what those are....lol! Now, if I can get the 2nd glove to fit as well. The patterns on the fingers are random, so the second glove will not actually "match" but it would be nice if it fit as well. Hope I took adequate notes, (and that I can decipher them when the time comes!)

Not a lot of knitting, but.....

we saw a pretty spectacular site yesterday. We spent some late afternoon time at the nearby lake, and witnessed beautiful pelicans! While the photos are less than adequate, I still wanted to post them, to give you an idea of their beauty. Also, to verify that we really SHOULD invest in a good quality camera, capable of taking long range photos. We often discuss the need.....

We do have some very powerful binoculars, however, and take my word for it - the little white blobs are actually big beautiful white birds!!

Hope everyone had a great Easter, and that you all (eventually) experience nice warm spring-like weather. We hope for it here too, but at least we don't have snow (yet).

I hope to finish my 1st glove later today, and post a photo. The fingers are taking FOREVER to knit! I am still really liking the end result, however, so all is good....

Gloves...

Making progress on my gloves for Karen's Gloves KAL. Choosing yarn was difficult, wanting enough contrast for the pattern to show, yet I did not want them to be garish. (You know me and colors - yikes!) I think I have come up with a good compromise. The dk brown is Opal, the multi is STR "Coublestone County". They fit just perfectly. I am really pretty happy with these. Colors are a little off, as I took the photo inside - will get a better one later. This is a really fun knit. The pattern is incredibely well written! Glad I stumbled upon this KAL!

One done, one in progress, and one "broken"....

I have the Wonderfull Wallaby for CIC finished. I am not too happy with the collar - I followed the patterns suggestion of a garter stitch collar instead of the hood - but next time I may search for a better alternative. It is out of Patons Classic Merino, Size 6 and 8 needles, Sweater size 4. Hope it will eventually keep a little body a bit warmer.

While waiting for the pattern for the glove kal to arrive, and as I am frustrated with the chore of picking out "contrasting" yarns with which to make these gloves - I started an easy pair of socks last night. "Waving Lace Socks" (yes - I have joined the masses) by Evelyn A. Clark from my new favorite book: "Favorite Socks". They are living up to their reputation of being a fun knit!!

And, I leave you with this:
It happens to everyone: A "bad hair" day!

Down with Fit Frustration!

Jennifer asked what my next project would be. Last night, I cast on a toddler sweater for CIC. I am hoping that will be the next challenge, but as I understand it, there is always a need for toddler sweaters. After all the sizing issues with the InsideOut socks, I wanted a fun project - and I know this "will fit some child -- somewhere!"

The patters is an old standby - "Wonderful Wallaby" by Cottage Creations. I have made it many times, and truly enjoy the pattern. This is a size 4, out of a Denim color Paton's classic Merino. I plan to make the "pouch pocket" from the Denim Marl. I do not plan on making the hood, rather a rolled open color. I wouldn't think the kids would need a hood inside, although perhaps the pocket would be fun for someone to keep their special "things" in. (Marguerite, if you are reading this, and have a different opinion, let me know. I have enough yarn for the hood, I am sure.)

It is a cool and rainy day here today. Low stress level in our house (aka: Lazy Saturday). Sofee is just chilling, trying to avoid all liquids in an attempt to wait out the rain!! Not sure she'll make it... but venturing out in the rain is just one step up from dealing with snow on the ground, and we all know how she feels about THAT!!

Whew.....

These took WAY too long to complete. Course, I lost track of how many times I frogged and reknit either the entire sock, or portions thereof!! Am I happy with them...?? Well?? Jury is still pending....

InsideOut socks, the Blue Moon Fiber Arts "Rockin Sock Club" selection. Medium weight STR - Monsoon colorway. These were knit on DPNS Pony Pearls, size 2.25mm for the foot, 2.5mm for the lower ankle and 2.75 for the upper part of the leg.

I did learn quite a few new techniques - toe up with shortrow garter stitch toe - provisional cast on - garter stitch short row heel - and I topped it with a tubular cast off, which was a first for me. And, my goal with the club patterns is to knit them as they are - forcing myself outside my comfort zone. So - mission accomplished with these.

I eventually got the yarn to create stripes, but the two socks are not the same. Now, is my gauge different?? - the needles were the same, and they "feel" the same size on my foot. The whole, stripe vs pool vs flash puzzles me.

But - I am glad that I made them, glad that they are done, and hopefully I can move on to a (more) fun project.