Sock-a-licious

WIPs as of Feb 18, 2008 making lots of headway in my sock knitting. I am trying to get to 42 pairs by month-end. Thank goodness for 3-day weekends.

Progress and Such

I finished a pair of socks last night and cast on another one. I have pulled two more mystery bags.

1. Seacoast Handpainted Yarns Panda
Colorway Surf
Merino, Bamboo, Nylon

18. Interlacement Tiny Toes
Colorway 203 Blue Green Purple
Superwash Merino

Tomorrow I will grade the Slytherin's Arithmancy Trivia Challenges and award one skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock to the lucky winner.

I really miss my lace projects. When I downloaded and printed the clue for Spring Shawl Surprice I really wanted to color code it and get started on it. I can see how pretty clue 4 of the Secret of the Stole ii is too, and mine is coming along so well. BUT I am the KAL police and I am the one enforcing MY rule to finish my 55PP KAL. I signed up my sock swap Gryffindor bag as my project for the 2008 EE KAL. I will have to squeeze that onto the sidebar projects list too.

I will need to do a major photo shoot this weekend. I have yarns that need to be added to my Ravelry stash, finished objects and WIPS to be posted. We are supposed to have clear windy weather - so the lighting should be good for pictures. My box of kit contents came from Knit Picks!! I bought every knitting accessory I could find for my Hogawart's Sock Kit Swap Pal. A knitting kit must have losts of gadgets. I will snap some shots of that haul too this weekend.

Ebony Elite KCAL 02/15/08 to 03/15/08

I have thrown myself into the 2008 Ebony Elite KCAL - does anybody see a (dangerous) pattern developing here??

I am making a tote bag for a swap I am in. I have again modified the Knitty.com maze hat pattern, to create my own pattern. I made up a sock pattern from this hat pattern for a swap last year. I love the slip stitch technique of creating the maze motif. Since I have to make this bag for the HSKS4 by April, I thought making it my EE project would motivate me to go ahead and get it done. Of course I will be using Gryffindor colors this time.

Back on Track

Whoo Hoo!! I finished a sock, cast on another sock, turned the heel on a third sock. I am back on track to finish the 52 Pair Plunge. I am going to get back to my lace and other projects when these socks are all done. I will be pulling two more mystery bags tonight and casting on those two pairs as well. Got to keep things rolling. The Perchance to Knit yarn I am working with has the most gorgeous colors in it, and it is a huge ball of yarn. I am going to have a ton left over. Great yardage, I probably could have made a Forest Canopy shawl with it.

Got Heel?

Hi my name is Bev and I am a Lace Addict. I joined another Mystery Lace KAL
:{ I can't seem to help myself!! I am addicted to lace knitting. It is probably good I did since I also got another 5 cones of Jaggerspun Zephyr lace yarn from Halcyon Yarns yesterday. Photos to follow.

The good news is, I actually turned the heel on one of my socks and will finish the sock tonight. Back in the saddle again. I was managing to keep current with my lace knitting, but I made a conscious decision to finish the 52 Pair Plunge Sock KAL first. I worked too hard on that KAL to not finish it. So I will set aside (and fall unsurmountably behind) in my lace knit alongs until I finish all 52 Pairs.

I got some luscious yarns from Cosmic Fibers. One hank lace and one hank sock yarn. Photos to follow.

Moving on.

Road Trip

It's the first Hogsmeade visit this weekend.

I need to stock up on some pepper-up potions.

I am meeting the other Slytherins for tea at Madame Puddifoot's tea shop.
Then I have to go to Honeydukes for some chocolate caramels and lemon drops.

What, it's February?

I don't know about you but I was just getting used to the fact that it is 2008 already and now it is February. WTF???

I received a VERY nice package from my Ebony Elite Scarf Swap Pal, CrimsonPurls. She made me a very soft Malabrigo Neckwarmer with a great wooden button. She bought me the Caribbean Colorway of gossamer yarn for one of the projects in my Ravelry queue. Can you say YUMMMY - DOVE Chocolate, can you say history? Yep it's all gone. There was an Emerald Green Lattern Moon bag too, and to pamper and take care of me Bee Bar Lotion. Thanks pal, you done good!!!!






I have taken pictures of my completed Hint 2 of the Secret Stole ii. I have printed Hint 3 and I have a guess of what might be. I am really enjoying this project, I guess that is why I am able to keep up with the clues.

Happy Camper

I am a happy camper this week. I completed the second Hint in the Secret of The Stole ii KAL and I should be able to finish Clue 1 in Dem Fischer Sin Fru (The Fisherman's Wife) tonight. Which is all well and good because QUIDDITCH starts TODAY. Any time now as a matter of fact. This will be round one of the Hogwart's Sock Kit Swap 4 Quidditch matches. Go Slytherins!! I have my HSKS4 bag design on paper. I need to buy the yarn now. I have been looking around but I have not seen the right tones for my spoilee's house colors. I also found some choice goodies on Etsy this morning.

There was a slight hitch in my Ebony Elite Scarf Swap pal's package delivery. She resides in Toronto and they are very serious about their delivery requirements. I did not know her phone number :( Hopefully she will have it in a day or two. I hope they don't still charge me 2-Day Delivery fees, I have to remember to check my invoice (note to self). I sent it on Jan. 22, 2008.

Dharmafey mentioned me on her Socks in The City podcast, it always makes my stomach flip flop when I hear my name on a podcast :) I am so glad she was my sock swap pal!! I also just ordered some of her gorgeous Cosmic Fibers yarn. The green is so divine. I cannot wait to add it to my yarn collection.

I received the 1st Rockin Sock Club 2008 package and pattern. Very nice. I don't know why, but I am digging the red yarns lately. I have been told that the color suits me, so that's a good thing

Waving from San Francisco.

The weather is chilly dilly but it is beautiful and clear.

New Equipment

Since I have been having so many technical difficulties lately I thought it was time to get some new equipment.

Wood type: birch Length: 11½ inches Core: Kelpie Hair get your own wand!

Copasetic

All my little computer glitches are fixed. I have finally caught up on the Ravelry Forums and personal messages. Unfortunately I am not getting any knitting done. I have Clue 4 of the Spring Shawl Surprice to knit. Hint 2 for The Secret of The Stole ii will be coming tomorrow and Dem Fischer starts tomorrow as well. I think the most worrisome thing is the distinct lack of sock progress. I keep planning to knock off a pair or two and pull two more mystery bags, but alas the two socks on my needles remain heel-less.

Hmm, I just don't know what I am going to do. I had a couple of bag ideas for my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap Pal but every time I go into the forum I see more, and more ideas. Now I am not sure what kind of bag I want to make. So much inpiration out there!! However, I did get her stitchmarkers in the mail yesterday. I buy all of my Hogwarts stitchmarkers from Sunneshine's etsy shop. The quality is spectacular. I LOVE the ones I got for my pal, I wish I could have them - oh well, it is better to give than to receive. . .

Please shop elsewhere. I have been receiving an alarming number of requests to purchase or trade for yarn in my stash. Although I probably won't ever knit my stash in my lifetime, I have it because I WANT it. Especially the Wollmeise. I have had requests for other yarns in my stash but several for Wollmeise. I waited and patiently checked weekly just like everyone else until I could finally get the colors and weights I wanted. I understand what having unfilled yarn cravings can be like. But I can't help you - please shop elsewhere, thank you!!!

Technical Difficulties

The Knitting Faeries obviously sent an e-mail to their cousins the Computer Gremlins. My Sister was having trouble with her CAD Drawing software and I could not access Ravelry for TWO WHOLE DAYS!!!! So we went to Staples bought some memory and a system maintenance kit and attacked the problem. I never work inside of anyone's system without static wristbands, and I gave up long ago (about the time the bifocals came into my life) trying to get the screws out of the back of a laptop with a nail file. So I bought a new tool kit, grounded myself and popped another 1024 of RAM into her machine. She's flying now. I e-mailed Code Monkey Casey about my little problem and after a few minutes in the Lingr Ravelry Help Chat room I learned that the latest update of my Firewall Software does not like Ravelry. I created a little work around and it's all good now. But geez I had messages waiting over there - you know?!?

Since I could not Ravel I did get caught up on my stash photos, and I finished a couple of things. The Crochet Square Afghan pictured below and The Secret of The Stole ii Hint 1. I also bought two more 66 Quart Sterilite storage containers for my new Raven Collections Yarns and my Wollmeise.

Behold :



The stole is in Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 colorway Sable.

Craft Workstation

I bought myself a craft workstation from JoAnn.com It is one of the combos that includes a clip on lamp, tool tray and drafting chair.

1 Alvin Creative Center Combo- 30"x42" White

1 Premo Drafting Chair Black

I have also clipped my ball winder onto the table for easy access. What a difference!!! Now my lace charts are close and easy to read. I applied a few Stikki Clips to hold them in place. The table top is 42" across so I can finally get rid of the card board pieces I had been clipping the charts to.


I finished Clue 2 of the Spring Shawl Surprice and I am about to cast on the Secret of the Stole ii. My new stitchmarkers from Entrelac and Hide and Sheep are really going to come in handy.

I also finished my queen sized crochet square afghan. I think I want to make the border a little thicker when I have time. I have not taken pictures of my WIP lately, and I still need to add photos of my Raven Collection to my Ravelry stash. I am a little sore from relocating my yarn stash, and moving and assembling furniture all day yesterday. I think I'll take a nap.

Knitting Faeries

Okay I was a wee bit skeptical when Dharmafey started her podcast with a little tip for dealing with uncooperative yarn and such, controlled by Naughty Knitting Faeries. But having tinked rows 70-73 of my shawl project four times I said, what the hey I will give it a try. Dharmafey's advice was to take off your top and turn it inside out, and if things are really bad - backwards too. Put it back on and get back to your problem yarn or misbehaving knitting. Silly no?!?! Well I was very frustrated and disappointed that I could not get past this point on my Spring Shawl Surprice. The time I was spending tinking was time I meant to spend turning the heels on the two socks I am knitting. I gave in, what was there to lose, the dog thinks nothing of backwards clothing on his mom. So I took my sweater off and turned it inside out and put it back on. I made it to ROW 80 with no further problems and I completed the other 8 rows of Clue 2 last night. Wow, knitting faeries, who would of thought . . .I have dealt with computer gremlins before, but knitting faeries?!?!

I received my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 4 partner, yay. I am ready to shop. I have so many ideas they are bursting out of my head. I have lots of things I want to get out to the Slytherins too. Luckily I have this long weekend to pull all of these things together. The Alumnis are getting on my case about us being behind in house points.

Spring Shawl KAL and So Forth

I have completed Clue 1 and half of Clue 2 (pictures are clue 1 only) of the Spring Shawl Surprice pattern. I love it. I am using JaggerSpun Zephyr Main Line 2/8 in the colorway Peacock. It is a teal color, very nice to work with. I am using Addi Lace Turbos in US size 5/3.75 mm. I have got to get more of these needles with a longer cable. I swatched with US size 4/3.50mm needles and I was going to have to stretch the heck out of the shawl for the laciness I want. So I just went up one needle size. I am much happier with the laciness.



We will be starting the Secret Stole ii next week. The signups for the Hogwart's Sock Kit Swap close today so I should be getting my Slytherin's info today or tomorrow. I am looking forward to checking out their blogs!!

I received the last two cones of my JaggerSpun from Sarah's Yarns. The French Blue and Williamsburg colorways. I love my BLUEs!!. My Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Raven Collection also arrived. I have big plans for that yarn. I bought one of each in lightweight. I am sure you can guess, I will be using it for a couple of shawls/wraps, but can you guess which ones? Then you are better than me, because I cannot make up my mind LOL :D

I received my confirmations for the Rockin' Sock Club 2008 and the 2008 Year of Lace Kits. Yay!!!

I had to order some more "abridged" audiobooks. They are a bargain at less than $5.00. The unabridged versions cost $25 - $40 for the same titles. I tried podiobooks but the advertising and some of the readers just grate on my ears. One of them, which was read by the author, was a really good story, but the author's reading was horrible. I was so glad when the book ended. I spent my Barnes & Noble gift card and stocked up on several titles, most of which I have print copies of on my bookshelves.


Still having trouble with Ravelry. Sometimes I get in sometimes I don't. I have not checked Casey's blog yet but I am sure he has posted something about this. I will look later. I found a few new podcasts that I will add to my links shortly. One of them is a video podcast, which are really fun to watch.

It's On It's Way Soon

I have finished my Ebony Elite Pal's Scarf. It is pretty nice if I must say so myself. My Mom liked - but you know how Mom's are ;) The stitch pattern I chose from the 200 Ripples book made a nice chunky scarf in the Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky. I have the perfect box and no reason to wait. So I am going to get this little package into the mail this week.

OMG No Ravelry

I could not log in to Ravelry a couple of nights ago. I did not panic, I knit.

I could not log in last night or so far today. What could this mean? Have they reached their Beta peak? The last few times I did get in, there were well over 1400 Ravelers logged in. Have we overloaded the system with our stash??? Oh dear, I hope not. My greatest fear of course is all the work I put into my notebook may be lost - heaven and hell forbid!!!

Mystery Bags 1 and 2

The first two bags have been pulled. Lets see what we will be knitting up first.










BAG # 1 holds Perchance to Knit










BAG # 2 holds Regia Multi Color













Casting on . . .

Hmm, Not So Much

I was experimenting with posting directly from Flickr so I could access blog photos at work. Don't like it so much. Flickr puts too much in the titles and clicking on the photos takes you to Flickr instead of a larger photo, like when I upload them from Photoshop. So I won't be using this technique again.

Y-ugly :{

It's In The Bag

It's In The Bag
Originally uploaded by paletpc

Step Three: alrighty then, I have completed the selection process. Wound up all the hanks and skeins. The chosen yarns are in their little bags and ready to begin the big Sock Yarn Mystery Bag game. I will select the first two tonight. Any guesses which yarns will come up first?

Ready To Go

All Wound Up

The Chosen Ones

Note to Self

Mystery Sock Bags
Step 2: Winding Hanks Into Balls
The Duet accent yarn is too small for a swift. Cherry Tree Hill, Claudia Hand Paints and probably Shi Bui are all too big for the swift so the yarn catches on the ends of the spindles. All above must be hand wound on the regular ball winder, not the electric ball winder.

Another Note to Self.
Post more comments!!!! on EVERYBODY'S BLOGS !!!!! I just discovered, to my heartfelt disappointment, that Carrie Dennision of BritKnit Cast has decided not to resume her podcast. When I brought up the site to see when she would be starting the new series, there was a note in the sidebar that she will not be back. Below the note were links to other knitting and fiber podcasts that Carrie liked. Of all the links only 2 of the podcasts are still on the air. I have also been popping into some of my favorite blogs and seeing that there have not been any postings on some of them since the summer or before ( ahem, before Ravelry - just saying ). So for those bloggers who are still making the time to share and post I have got to leave comments EVERY TIME I visit, before they too are gone. Carry of Autumn Breeze Designs does the Knit Wit podcasts and she says comments are the biggest thrill of all. So I must also make time to visit my podcasters, even if I don't need to read the show notes, and just let them know I appreciate their time.

Last point on this, I have been spending so much time keeping up my Ravelry Notebook, which in turn requires keeping up my Library Thing and Flickr sites. My blog posts have therefore become fewer and further between. I am not sure I like this result. After all, blogging is how I discovered this online crafting world, and not everyone is into Ravelry. Balance is definitely needed. And Lord knows there is plenty knitting to do . . .
Cheers

Mystery Sock Bags

Step one: the yarn line up.
1. Seacoast Handpainted Yarns Panda
Colorway Surf
Merino, Bamboo, Nylon

2. Fearless Fibers
Colorway Tiger's Eye
Superwash Merino

3. Knit Picks Felice
Colorway Clay
Superwash Merino, Nylon

4. Regia Multi Color
Colorway Atlantik
Wool, Polyamid

5. Four Seasons Hot Socks
Colorway Tapestry
Virgin Wool, Nylon

6. Knit Picks Risata
Colorway Ash
Cotton, Wool, Nylon, Elite

7. Dharmafey's Cosmic Fibers
Colorway Gryffindor Stripe
Wool

8. Moda Dea Sassy Stripes
Coloway Swish
Acrylic

9. Fleece Artist
Colorway Amber
Merino Wool 2/6

10. Koigu KPPPM
Colorway 305-256 Purples
Merino Wool

11. Dream in Color Smooshy
Colorway November Muse
Superwash Merino

12. Woolly Boully Softie Sock
Colorway Fishing With My Father
Superwash Merino

13. Shi Bui Knits Sock
Colorway Rapids
Superwash Merino

14. Misty Mountain Farm Jubilee
Colorway Ocean Wave
Superwash Merino

15. Cherry Tree Hill Supersock
Colorway Tropical Storm
Superwash Merino

16. Perchance to Knit
Colorway Deep Sea
Superwash Merino

17. Claudia Hand Painted Yarns
Colorway Thistle
Merino Wool

18. Interlacement Tiny Toes
Colorway 203 Blue Green Purple
Superwash Merino

19. A Swell Yarn Shop Duet Sock Yarn
Colorway Deep Blue Sea
Superwash Wool DK

I am making 19 Bags so even the last pair will be a surprise. Yeah?!?

Starting Out Right

I have all of my Lace Yarn in hand, solids in JaggerSpun Zephyr in various weights. The Spring Shawl Surprice KAL has begun, we received Clue 1 yesterday. I am on Clue D on both of my Mystic Waters Shawls. They are getting really big - nice!!



I finished the Morning Glory Socks yesterday, so that is 33 pairs out of 52. I am stealing Stariel's idea. I have dozens of sock yarns in my stash that I have never knit with yet. Louet Gems, Duet, Fearless Fibers, Koigu, JoJoLand, Soy, Tofutsies, Felice, Risata, Bare, Shibui, Wollmeise, Cosmic Fibers, and on and on. Stariel came up with an idea on her blog, to put some skeins into bags and then pull a bag at a time, being surprised by which yarn is inside. As you go along you eventually knit with all of your different sock yarns. Jazzing up the sock knitting a little bit :) I have 19 pairs of socks left to knit to complete the 52 Pair Plunge KAL, so I am going to make up 18 surprise bags and cast on 2 pairs at a time until all the bags have been knit up. I have one pair already on the needles, which I should finish up this week, for a total of 19 pairs.

I also have some ball winding to do this weekend and photos to take. I did manage to get all of my WIP photos uploaded to Flickr (click the link in the sidebar) and on to Ravelry.

I am also starting the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 4 and I have been selected as a Prefect. I sorted into Slytherin house for a change. (Honestly I am bit tired of Red and Yellow too!!) This should be fun. I will be checking up on all of my House Mates blogs to make sure they are following the house rules ;)

WIPS and SEX

I received the last 2007 Rockin Sock Club kit. They saved the best for last. Thank you ladies at Blue Moon Fiber Arts. The blues in this colorway are wonderful and it is medium weight this time. Perfect. I will definitely be ordering a few more skeins. I just ordered the Raven Collection - I had bought Lenore, Haida and Thraven to get an idea of what the over and under dying were like. I loved it so I ordered one of each of the colorways in the Raven Series. I moved several scarves and shawls up in my queue because of this yarn collection. I also changed my mind and joined the 2008 Rockin Sock Club, the last colorway and the Raven collection sold me.

I have made much progress on my Arctic Lace North Star Scarf and my Mystic Waters Zephyr version shawl. I added 4 inches each to my Dimple Shale scarf and my Andean Treasures stole. I have removed the Campfire Feather and Fan Scarf and reclassified it as a swatch. The color is just not right. I will try using it doubled for something else later on. I finished one of my Morning Glory socks.

I have the most favorite of knitting diseases - finish-itis. I just want to finish everything. I have not cast on anything new this week even though I finished a pair of socks and am a few rows from finishing my Swap Pal's scarf. What I have not been up to is photo shooting. The scarves and shawls all need to be pinned out for photos - it can wait until they are done!!! I do have my 32nd pair of socks though. The Socks That Rock Amber colorway is like a roaring fireplace.

Holi-Daze

I have been really enjoying the Holiday atmosphere. I have been sitting in front of the fireplace knitting, reading and crocheting. I finished another pair of socks, a scarf, a book and 2 audiobooks. I wound 10 hanks of yarn into balls and cast on another pair of socks. The Mystic Waters KAL has officially ended, the last clue was posted last week. The pattern is now for sale on the designer's website. The shawl is so beautiful with all 8 sections completed. I am making steady progress on both of mine. Even though knitting lace is extremely slow in comparison to sock knitting or crocheting, the results are well worth it. I am really looking forward to all of my upcoming projects. I am almost finished with my EE Scarf, it is 4 feet long, I need to add one more foot.

I received an e-mail from Sarah's Yarns yesterday about the Jaggerspun price increase this week. I went ahead and ordered my yarn for my other knit alongs. I was undecided about colors for the mystery shawls, which was silly to ponder over since I could only order the colors that were in stock. So I chose several earth tone warm colors, with the aid of my color cards and I am now all set for the 2008 Lace Along, etc.

I managed to catch up on the forum chatter on Ravelry, sporting my Ravelry T-shirts by the way. Now I need to do a photo shoot so I can post my new socks and the progress on my WIPS. I might be able to get to that tonight.

Cuteness

This line of Doggie Bags was so well done. [No longer available from The Sak. :( ] I hear there is a new line of dog bags out there, I will have to Google all about it when I get home.

Lacing Right Along

I am having the best time with the Mystic Waters Shawl knit along. Both of my shawls are coming along nicely. I have decided to make the short version in the Schaefer Anne Rain Clouds because of the amount of yarn I have. 1,060 yards. I have my doubts that it is enough for the full pattern. I don't dare temp fate. The Zephyr Admiral is readily available and I have plenty so I will do the full version in that. The stitches and pattern are very clear in the Zephyr because of the darkness of the yarn, gorgeous.

I have knit over three feet on my Ebony Elite Swap pal's scarf. I am happy with the stitch pattern I chose. It is making a very nice scarf. Can't share any photos, it's a surprise!! Other little bits and pieces have come in the mail for her package.


I got three packages from Claudia the Wollmeise and she has the coolest bags. They have German-English knitting terminology printed on them. She also put the translations inside the bags. I am in two KALs with German speaking co-knitters. I should be able to translate some of their posts now. Very cool. I have added several lace weights, and two worsted weight colorways to my collection.

I have not been on Ravelry much, other than to check the forums for my Knit Alongs. I need to update my projects and stash. I finished a sock and started the second one. I need to photo and add the Lace Garn in Pfefferminz Prinz, it is unbelievable. The colors just make me so so so happy. The blues are so rich and deep. I am going to ball wind some tonight. The Campari Orange is delicious. I don't know what I am going to make with it, I just liked the colors. But I don't want any socks this color or a scarf. Maybe a pair of fingerless gloves.

There has been much stash enhancement from Blue Moon Fiber Arts as well. I got the Lapis and the Gingerbread Dude at last. From the Raven Collection I got Thraven, Haidi and some more Lenore. Very interesting over dying. Nice subleties. I may have to get some more of this!! I did not sign up for the 2008 Sock Club however. I liked almost all of the yarns, but I never knit any of the patterns. I have not gotten around to reading any of the newsletters either. I know there will probably be some colorways introduced that I will not be able to get as a non-member. But I think I can wait for them. My Blue Moon Yarn collection is pretty fat right now. Photos of all new yarns in Flickr - click link in the sidebar.

I have completed another 10 rows on my Arctic Lace North Star Scarf in the Quivuk. Whew, it's good this yarn is rare and expensive. I could seriously get hooked on this stuff. It is really easy to work with and it is the softest yarn I have ever felt. LOVE IT!!!

I have my Christmas gift assignments. I can't wait to shop. I have a short list this year. I don't usually have a list at all, since I shop all of the time. I bought myself a 10th Anniversary Gift, I have been with this firm10 long years. Just kidding, they actually flew by. I did not know about the 10 year bonus - I was expecting flowers or something. So I picked up the Palermo GM which I had been eyeing for awhile.