I'm a bad, bad, girl!

Okay! So I didn't get to the 100th row of my shawl! How could I? It was mid 80's everyday on vacation with the sun shining and the margaritas & beer calling! I couldn't take the shawl outside, now could I? I really tried to get up in the early morning to work on it, but then the fish were calling me! I caught some perch, blue gill, bass and (yuk) catfish! So don't blame me about the shawl....blame.....the weather! Look at this sunset.....could you really concentrate on knitting with a sunset like this?

I did get a little knitting done, though. My buddy Tim was with us and I did finish one of his socks so he could try it on. He absolutely loved it and can't wait for the next one. This is one of those take-along projects that I hopefully will get done before October! (don't worry...I will!)
If I don't......then I guess only one of his feet will stay warm while he hunts! Then......I'm not making anymore hunting socks until next year!

Slowly but surely

This week I began with the intention of working on the shawl....however, I needed to get going on the hunting socks for my buddy Tim. I like to buy two sets of dpn's then work on each sock, so I don't get bored. However, I grabbed the "wrong" sock and started knitting around and around and around and then noticed that I didn't work any of the instep decreases! You see I should have been working on the "other" sock, because I was at that point with the decreases already done! So what did I do? I backward knitted around and around and around to get back to the decrease point of the sock! What a pain........

The shawl is coming along nicely, thank you very much! I worked on it while watching the movie "Saved" with my 13 year old. What a great movie! I'm taking the shawl with me on vacation next week and my goal is to get to 100 rows. (I'm currently at 70) Total row count for the shawl is 280, but remember my knitting friends....one row is 203 stitches on size 2 needles! It takes about 45 minutes to complete 2 rows. A friend of mine is curious to know how many stitches the actual shawl is! I told her that I'd figure it out when it's complete.

Last night I met with my knitting group and we had a great time! One woman said her husband was invited to a "meat" party! I guess it's similar to the pampered chef parties, however some guy cooks up a bunch of meat and then the men order what they want! What's next.......lawn tractor parties? Also, Rachel in our group completed her first sock. It was from a pattern back in the 60's where you knit it flat and then seam it up. When she seamed it up and put it on, it looked like those genie shoes from Istanbul with the pointy toe! We could not stop laughing! It was the funniest sock I'd ever seen! She is such a good sport because she was laughing along with us.

I'm gone until next weekend.....I hope to get to that 100th row while I'm gone!

Only the shadow knows..........

Well, as promised I've been really focused on getting the Shadow Knit shawl done this month. However, it's starting to get to the point that it's heavy and hot! I also wasn't too keen about the "orange" side, but after working on it I'm now getting used to it. I have no idea where I would wear this though. I suppose I could wear it when I'm working on other projects! When I'm not working on the shawl, I have begun another pair of hunting socks! I know, I know, I know.......but socks are so easy! A year ago, I didn't even think about making socks, because I thought they looked difficult....but now I'm a sockaholic!

Here's an angle shot of the shawl. You can see the "shadow" that forms depending on how you look at it. I was surprised at how well this shot came out!

Now enough of this blogging stuff.......back to knitting!

Yet Another Pair of Socks!

Socks! Socks! Socks! Here's my latest pair I finished after my horrid train trip out to Boston! Now.....I've told myself that I have to stop making socks and finish my shawl and start on some Christmas gifts! Phew! I've got a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time. My next knitting adventure will take me to the "Land of Cables". I've never done them, but I've been told that they are fun and easy! I certainly hope so........

I'm Back!

What a vacation! We took the train to Boston (late by 6 1/2 hours) and had a great time. I did some knitting on the train, but I couldn't do too much because it made me nauseous. I was working on another pair of socks, and caught the attention of many weary travelers. Most couldn't believe that you could actually knit socks! Most thought that the only way they you could get them was at the store. What a hoot!

I also had the chance to stop at Newbury Yarns, which is a great shop on Newbury Street. While I was there she just received a shipment of yarn, and allowed me to look in the box at it, before she priced it and put it on the shelves. However, the "real" event at her store was the German speaking customer.....

This lady walks in and is trying to converse with the store owner and it's obvious that she doesn't speak English. As she is trying communicate my husband realizes that she is speaking German, because he can speak German! So here's this store owner telling my husband what to say and my husband has to translate this to the German woman! I was laughing so hard, because my husband knows nothing about knitting and he's trying to make sense of it all for this German lady! The store owner was so pleased that we happened to be there at the right time, that she gave me 10% off my purchase of sock yarn.

Here's the book I recently bought! There are a couple of patterns I'd like to make for family and friends for Christmas......if I can find the time. So much knitting.......too little time!

Whee! They're done!

They are finally done! Since this is my second pair....I've noticed that it gets a little easier as I go along. I think I finally have the "rhythm" of how to make socks!


I've finally have finished up packing and have brought along another pair of socks to knit on the train. I really like taking the train.....I have no horror stories to tell and enjoy meeting all the different people! Therefore, it will be a week before you hear from me again.......Happy Knitting!

Almost Done!

Guage is god......that's what Sue tells me! But do I listen.......heck no? Now.....I love these socks! However, they are a little big around the ankle, but I really don't care, because they are for me! The first sock seems a little tighter because I was a little tense. I can tell that by the second sock, I was getting the hang of things and felt a bit more comfortable. I'll probably finish these this week and then start on another pair.

We are slowing getting ready for our trip to Boston. Taking the train will give me lots of time to knit! I also found out that there are a lot of yarn shops in the area and I can't wait to check them out!

Here's my little guy Nick modeling the London Beanie I made. He loves it because it's a tad tight and I guess that's what all the skateboarders and skiers wear. Tonight I can't wait to go to Stormi's and partake in some adult beverages while I continue to make my socks! School as officially ended so that means that my vacation is now over. My yarn diet is going pretty well! I haven't purchased any yarn for 1 week! I bought some Cascade 220 to make the London Beanie in my boys' school colors. I also designed an illusion scarf with my son Nick's name. If time is on my side.....I'd like to try and get it done before Xmas! Now back to the shawl......Happy Knitting! 

Socks, Socks, Socks!

Phew! I now know the difference between the hunting socks and these.........teeny tiny needles and teeny tiny yarn! Actually, it is mindless knitting and doesn't take to long. This is the first sock and what I like to do is stop before I begin the heel flap, put this sock on some other needles and start the next one. That way....I don't get bored as easily and I can check to make sure sure that both socks are going to be close on gauge etc;

My yarn diet is not going very well......I keep thinking about buying more and more yarn and making more and more things! To remedy this I give myself projects or goals that I need to do before I can buy more yarn! For instance, I told myself "Self.....you can't buy anymore yarn until you clean out your half of the closet!" Well, guess what I did clean it (it took me 6 hours!) and now I get to reward myself with more yarn! I should start a group similar to AA and call it YA (for Yarn Addicts) We could just sit around and talk about the addiction we have to yarn! Anyone care to sign up?

A Hunting We Will Go......

The socks are finished! My son Mitch is the model! They weren't difficult at all to make and I already have an order from one my good hunting friends to make him a pair. Now I need to start on the "girl" socks.......

One Down.....One to Go!

Here are the "almost finished" hunter's socks! All I have left to do is finish the decrease on the other one, graft the toe and then I'm done! Next I plan on starting a pair with the Paton's sock yarn and make a pair for myself! I was so intimadated by socks because of all the needles you need to use, but I found out how easy and simple they can be! Also, they are so easy to take along "on the road".

I'm now looking at making a tank top I saw, but I've told myself that I need to go on a yarn diet until I get through 1/2 the yarn I already have. I wonder what's more difficult, quitting smoking or the yarn diet!

Sock it to me!

The left one is worked up until the "heel turn".

Here's a closeup of the shawl.

More Knittin' than Drinkin'!

I've been a very busy knitter, lately! I've finally begun working on the other half of my Vivian Hoxboro shawl. My goal is to have it finished by the end of summer. I've also begun a new skill and that is sock making! So far I've done pretty good! I'm an impatient knitter and I love to work ahead so I watched a video on how to turn the heel on www.diynetwork.com! It only took two times for me to figure it out! My husband loves the way the socks are turning out. He awaits for the day when he can slip them on to keep his feet warm. With the extra yarn I plan on making another london beanie! I'll have Marsha model it when I'm done! Happy Knitting to all!

Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!

Here's "Marsha" (that's the name that was picked) modeling the ruffle scarf I finished. It took me one day to bind off 648 stitches! Phew! Notice how the scarf compliments Marsha's blue eyeshadow?

Hats Off To All My Fellow Knitters!

This weekend we had a "knitting retreat" at Greenlake. Not pictured is Anne (who's taking the pic) and Nancy who had to leave for a prior engagement. From left to right is me, Peg, Joan and Chris modeling our hats that we made through Anne's guidance. Anne had this project for us to do and it was a lot of work! What's great is how each hat is different. We did a lot of knitting and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere at the lake. Anne also taught Joan how to knit! I just need to make sure that Joan continues! The weather was a bit chilly, but that's the perfect kind of weather when you want to knit. I'm hoping we can make this a yearly event!

This is Anne getting the balls ready for our "project". 

After you have finished wrapping the ball with wool, then you take two pairs of nylons and place it over the wool. You need to pairs to cover the leg hole of the first one. You then scrub, scrub, scrub, with a little dish soap and water until the wool sticks to the nylon. You then pull the nylon off very carefully, then begin to hand felt it until it shrinks. 

Here's how the hat begins. You lay the wool horizontal in thin layers, then you lay them vertical. You keep up this process until the ball is covered. 

Here's Joan wrapping the ball with the wool in layers to make the hat.