The mojo returns.

It's all ok. I don't know why you were all so worried.



It's not too tight...it'll be just perfect.

Check out the heel. The garter stitch edging looks much better in the tighter stitch.



I am feeling much better about your socks Sockpal! Who wouldn't love these socks?;)

Dear Sockpal...

I do know how to knit socks...really...check my finished knits. My sock knitting mojo has disappeared this round.

Here are the problems...

1. I don't know where you are from. I really wish they sent out addresses with sockpal information immediately. It tells me if you require wool year round, or if you really wear flip flops and only put on socks when you receive your sockapaloooza socks in the mail.
2. You have no blog. So I can't sneak around and see what type of socks you have knit for yourself.
3. Your measurements are incorrect that you sent me. I know it was a typo because the size is not humanly possible...but I am pretty sure what it should be. I've tried to contact you but have never got a response...so I am not absolutely sure of your size.

So you see, I am knitting blindly.

Here is what has happened since we have last spoke...

I reevaluated the socks. I started with a very small 2" in the round gauge swatch. Well, evidently when I knit in the round on something larger...my gauge loosens. Don't ask, I can't figure it out. Look at these stitches...way too loose...

Instead of the 15sts per 2" I now have 14sts per 2" and that makes a big difference. I am using the yarn the pattern calls for and normally need to go up a needles size, now I am going down a needle size...figure that one out.

So, on the 14hr ride home, I decide to knit the lovely lace socks with the other ball...maybe that one will be better.

No...I don't like it. I put it down and just looked out the window the rest of the way...seriously. When you think you are packing too many projects...put another one in just in case!

This is actually the second attempt at this socks that has been ripped. (I think it is the inelastic twisted stitches that bother me.)

So I start ripping...what the...

Don't ask what I did, but it took an hour to fix.

So I cast on the leaf socks again, this time with smaller needles and adding 4 sts in the reverse st st between the pattern. This should make the correct size....well...it seems a little tight.

I don't know...I keep trying it on every couple rounds...I have never been more unsure of a sock.

I may keep knitting this...maybe not...I don't know....I just don't know.

I see what you are doing. You are challenging me...I won't give up...I accept the challenge!

I'm still here...

Well, not really there but here. I decided to take a little drive to my sister's for a birthday surprise. Well...the drive is about 14 hours...to CT.
We are having so much fun, shopping...eating...drinking...playing dominos....shopping some more..
Last night was the birthday dinner at my BIL's restaurant Ocean Drive. It is mainly seafood and is absolutely delicious. Hanging above us was a Chihuly Sculpture....



Gorgeous!

I will have more to write once I am home...and lots of photos...
Oh yes, knitting. Well, I haven't been doing too much, but did manage to finish my mitten on the way here (there was lots of time to knit!)



I still need to block them...but they turned out perfect!

I'm turning the heel...I'm turning the heel...

"Isa turn the wheel...turn the wheel Isa...I'm turning the wheel...I'm turning the wheel..."
That's a little Dora's Pirate Adventure...heard over and over in this house!

A boring progress shot for you...



I've turned the heel of the embossed leaves sock for my sockpal. I just started the gusset and screwed up the decreases on the first row...so I need to knit back a row.
I don't think I mentioned the yarn. It's koigu in a purple shade...I just love koigu.

The heel flap has a garter stitch edge on it. (the photo of the pattern doesn't show it) We'll see how it turns out. The toe of this sock looks quite interesting as well.

A new cuff, a different heel, a new toe...I am loving this!

P.S. Thank you for your imput on the picture problem. I am sorry to those who don't have high speed internet...I remember your pain. I do think that it is the flicker badge thingy on the sidebar as some have mentioned...so I will consult some of you and maybe use something else for viewing past projects. Suggestions are always welcome.

HAPPY 39th BIRTHDAY MOE!

I love this photo of my sister Maureen and I! This was 12years ago at CK's wedding! Too funny. Check out the outfits...and better yet THE HAIR!

Sockapaloooza begins.

Yes, I am still here. I made it through a couple days with my sister and nephews down for a march break visit. After a little slave labour to help her with a work project...and shopping...and comforting my 2yr old and his black eye after daddy "parented" while we where shopping (my 3yr old told me exactly what happened as soon as we walked through the door...it was an accident, but daddy was the cause!)...I have picked up my knitting again!

With a little knitting A.D.D. of the current projects...I decided that I better start my socks for sockapaloooza. Now, before you start wishing that they are yours due to my previous hinting...well, note to self...sock sister is not sock pal. Read the email carefully!
Anyway...here is the start of the embossed leaves socks from the winter IK.



This cast on is new to me...and I love it. It is called a tubular cast on (well, not like the tubular cast on I have done before with a provisional start). It is quicker to do than the other tubular cast on that I have done and it makes a beautiful edge on the cuff. I also love the 1x1 twisted ribbed cuff. I will definitely be using these techniques for other socks!

A little blogging question:
Do you have problems downloading my site? There has been some concern about picture size. Help me please...I really know nothing about sizing pictures (I figured photobucket did it for me). Any computer knowledge in this area will help. I'd hate to think people don't want the visit this here site because of this.
Thanks!

Just look at those stitches!

I have finished the first mitt to the second set of komi mittens...and I love it!



I squared off the tip of the thumb and the top of the mitten, like I said I would do if I made another pair. I found the pattern actually makes them too pointy for me.

Look at these stitches...



They are near perfect...and they haven't even been blocked yet! The more I practice, the better I get. I have finished the cuff of the second mitt and have started the colour work. A complete pair is in the near future!
Thank goodness I saw a couple snow flakes fall today...I was about to drop this project and start something for spring with the balmy temperatures yesterday;)

The Circle of Life.

A wonderful man, great uncle, and the best godfather.

"Uncle Paul"

1928-2006

Boring Forecast Progress.

Here is a progress shot for you....I know...boring.



I love that you knit it in one piece...you get to try it on as you go...but man does it take a long time to see any progress.
I have finished the upper pattern and have started the lower half. I ran out of yarn...well sort of.
You may remember that I bought this yarn for the Elizabeth Zimmerman vest I made for dad...well it is aran not the dk weight that was needed for the vest. So I decided to knit this...

I won't wear a turtleneck sweater. And it was boring to knit.

I have figured out that I seriously overheat in wool. I need to knit cardigans for myself so that I can take it off when I feel I may burst into flames.
So, I ripped it apart today and now can continue with Forecast.

Everybody's doing it.

Grumperina...you saw THE sock, didn't you.
Brooklyntweed is also doing komi mittens...and soon the Ufserud hat.
Fig and Plum....oh those stockings!
Mustaa villa...more stockings.
Eunny...I will make that vest.
Purly...the socks...and the stockings!
Lisa has been doing it for a while...check out her finished objects.
I can't believe I forgot Stephanies gorgeous Nordic Mittens...go look!



We are all doing it.
Have you tried?

Well, you saw my new Komi Mitten...



I so enjoy knitting two handed fair isle. Seriously. This is bad. Who thought that knitting could become even more addicting!

Another little number I have been hiding from you. Inspired by other knit bloggers who have made...and those who are already knitting it....



Forecast. I looked right past this pattern when it first came out. Maybe it was the colour she made it in...I don't know...but wow...am I loving this knit! I have cut the bobbles to 3 sts rather than the 5 sts ones called for in the pattern. I think...well, we will see...but this may be the best fitting knit yet....

Are your floors white?

Both my sister (CK) and my mother told me not to tile the floor white.

"It really shows the dirt"

Ok, lets talk about this for a moment.
Do you not want to see the dirt? Or is it that you don't want a dirty floor. You know that dark tile also gets dirty. I just don't get it...dirt is dirt...I don't want to hide it on a dark floor. Not knowing how dirty your floor is...what creatures are lurking there...do you gauge it on how dirty your socks get?
What about white socks. Why do we wear white socks?
Just think about it.

So...all of you poking fun at my cream fingerless mittens...I ask you...do you hide your dirt?

I know, I know...not very practical. But if they get dirty, I will wash them...just as I would a dark pair.
I won't be changing diapers in them...or washing my dark tiled floor (I didn't tile it white) in them...or wear them while making tomato sauce.

They are for the sole purpose of looking great with my brown coat.



Started: March 1, 2006
Finished: March 5, 2006
Pattern: Pom-Pom Fingerless Mitts from IK spring 2006
Yarn: Truffles. Check your yardage on this yarn. My ball said 20g 60m. oz 70yds 66...the pattern says the yarn has 75m/81yds 25g...I wouldn't have had enough for the pom pom's if I wanted to make them. The yarn is new...so maybe they decided to up the yardage in them.
Adjustments: No pom poms. I also cast off with a needle two sizes down from the one I was using for the glove. It was just too loose at the top cuff with the bigger needle.




Fingerless Mittens. I never thought I would knit a pair. Why would I want mittens without fingers...the fingers are the parts that get cold quickly! Well, Maria and I chatted about this...how many times do we take off our gloves to do up the car seat buckles...dig in our purse...try to hang christmas lights (or take them down because you feel that your husband is never going to do it)...I don't know...I am constantly pulling my gloves off for something. Now, I don't have to!
Also, an added bonus...knitting outdoors in my fingerless mittens!

In other knitting...have I said that fair isle is addicting?



Another Komi Mitten started!

Fingerless glove vs cutco scissors

I am very nervous when knitting involves scissors. This seriously gets my heart pounding. Extreme knitting....feel that adrenaline rush.

The idea is to "clip"...yes with scissors...the area you want to add the thumb. Why? I don't really know. I do know there are other ways to get the thumb in here...but this is new and fun...a rush...whatever...LETS CUT!



(Please note, after seeing this photo...I had myself a little home manicure and pedicure...sorry, I've been too busy knitting!)

Now, you unravel some stitches...



Then put these live stitches on your needles...



Pick up some stitches at the edges, knit your thumb and then weave in those tiny ends from the "clipping"...
Voila! A thumb!



I did it! I am loving this fingerless number. I am not making the pom pom...I am just not a pom pom girl.

Komi Mittens

My Komi Mittens are done. Let's just say that they were a learning experience...but purposefully so.



You may or may not see the second mitten on the bottom sticking out a little...well, it is about 1/4" wider and longer because I did it stranding with two hands. Not the best idea to switch knitting techniques when 1/2 way through a pair...but I had to master it. As you can see, blocking helped the stitches immensely. I still have some wonky stitches on the edges. Some are pulling the strands too tightly and some are an attempt at weaving in to carry the strand. Learning here.


I must say that they do fit like a glove! Ha. Sorry.



I am glad that I finished them. The yarn did soften up after a wash. It is great for mittens. I totally enjoyed knitting these. I love knittng fair isle. It is just more interesting to me.

Mom really like them, so they were gifted to her. I wouldn't normally gift something knit for learning purposes, but I know she will wear them for walking doors.



Started: February 20, 2006
Finished: March 3, 2006
Pattern: Komi Mitten from Mostly Mittens
Yarn: Garnstudio's Baby Ull NOT the Baby ull that I have seen bloggers knitting with. I had a conversation with the LYS about Baby Ull...which I thought was a brand name but actually just means baby wool...so I have to try the Dale of Norway Baby Ull!
Adjustments: None. I would square off the top and thumb stitches on another pair.

A great knit...even though they are not perfect. I definitely will knit more of these mittens.

Remember the first time you picked up needles?

Remember how awkward it was?
I started on straight needles...metal, but not addis...there was no way I would pay that much for needles.
It took forever to cast on and then when I knit I anchored the right needle under my arm...or against my body and knit. Yeah, just picture it. Pick up the yarn, wrap it around...I don't even know how I did it.

Then one day I decided to try knitting on circular needles. How awkward. No place to anchor that needle...my hands and wrists had to do the work.
Watching another knitter I saw how she wove the working yarn around her fingers to keep tension. She moved so quickly...one fluid movement..."throwing" the yarn.
I had to master it.
That is how I decided I would knit from then on. And I did. I practiced...it got easier. I got faster. I broke down for the addis...and then some.

Why am I telling you this? Well, this is how I felt trying to knit with both hands. I knew how to hold the yarn...how it was suppose to work, but it felt so awkward. This "picking" way of knitting is going to take me a little while to master...but I can do it. My picking is looser than my throwing...but by the end of the second mitten...I was flying.



Now, the first mitten I knit throwing with my right hand...Maneuvering the strands of yarn every so slowly...but I had a pretty good method going. The stitches are even and the mitt fits like a glove. (go figure)
The second mitten I decided to practice the two handed method...so it is not so even. My purple stitches (the pickers) are looser and the tension is all wonky...but better near the top. The mitt itself is larger. It's ok though.
I am learning.
Now to block and hopefully everything will magically look perfect!

Questions to the readers who fair isle...
How do you weave in the ends? I try to knit them in as I go...but I have some to weave in and can't really see under the stranding. What is the secret?

Also, this book says to block the mitts inside out? Pour quoi?

I know you have read the buzz around blogland...that Purly!
Check out her yarn...the colours are to dye for! (ok, I'll stop)

Please don't keep her too busy though...I need some of that yarn too! (See that lovely book under the mittens...Norwegian Stockings here I come!)
Finally some solid colour sock yarn for beautifully textured socks or for my new love...fair isle. I know the multicolours are the trend now...but I love the classics.

Psssssst! Come closer....let me show you something.

Feast your eyes on this



"Truffles are what sweet lovers fantasize about. They are opulent orbs of smooth chocolate. Truffles must be eaten ever so slowly to get every flavor sensation, as they slide past your lips and into your mouth"

Yeah, so, you say.

Yummy. Let me tell you about the yarn...SR Kertzer truffles...

Truffles is the yarn that every knitter fatasizes about. It is wonderfully blended merino wool and cashmere. Knit with it ever so slowly to feel the smooth, soft plies, as they slide over your fingers and produce a soft luxurious garment.

Seriously...it is soft...I mean SOFT...get naked and roll around in it soft.
If you haven't yet tried it, please go buy a ball...just try it for me. I want you to experience it.
My LYS (Prattes) has had it in stock for a couple months...and I finally broke down (6.99 can for a mere 66yrds) . I am so glad I did!

What am I making? The fingerless mittens in the current IK. It actually calls for this yarn! Look at how lovely it knits up...



We'll talk about the practicality of fingerless mittens in another post.

Lastly but certainly not least...
Thank you all for your support and wonderful comments throughout the Olympic Knitting Games. As you can see in the side bar, I have earned my fabulous gold medal! I do need to step it up a notch for the next games...I need more of a challenge...what will I knit for the next Olympics.....hmmmm.....