Sock Yarn One - Skein Wonders

Here it is! The One - Skein Wonders new book! I received my Designer's copy in the mail last Thursday. Yippee!

I was blessed to have two patterns chosen to be included in this book. Two patterns were submitted hoping that maybe one of them would be chosen.

Ruby Begonia was designed several years ago while sitting with a group of dear friends and knitters in Lake Charles, LA. It was our weekly knit group meeting at Joe Muggs. Joe, my husband, had recently gifted me with a gorgeous pair of purple glitter sunglasses. (I know, they are fabulous) I was afraid of getting them scratched in my handbag so Ruby Begonia was created to protect those much-loved sunglasses. (Ruby Begonia was a character in my favorite after school program as a child)

I had just finished Calypso when I received the invitation to submit a design. I loved the sock yarn and the stitch pattern; decided it needed some beads to go with the sparkle of the yarn. Of course. Shoulder shrugs are the greatest little wrap ever. (Calypso was a tropical beauty in the last Pirates of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow movie)

I am certain you will love this book; especially if you love sock yarn as I do. There are many beautiful patterns to knit which means, of course, you will need MORE sock yarn.

Dog Sweaters

My Christmas gift from Joe last year was Bella. Bella is the cutest Boston Terrier you will ever see. Her marking are perfect and she is about as big as a minute; weighing in at just 10lbs. Bella has a super disposition and loves everyone; especially children. Now that she is full grown, I want her to be dressed for the season - every season. This past October, I kept going to PetsMart wanting to buy some cute "clothes" for her. I didn't find anything like what I had in mind. The lightbulb came on! I knit! Now, I have become slightly obsessed about knitting for her. It's almost instant gratification! Such a small sweater takes so little time. In a couple of evenings, she is sporting a new outfit. Okay, I CAN follow a pattern (when I want to). I have 5 dog sweater books. None of them had many, if one , pattern knit in the round. COME ON, why not? I want a great fitting sweater, knit in the round with minimal finishing. It can't be that hard! Seems I had challenged myself. First I began with a better fit. After knitting a couple of basic sweaters and trying them on Bella, I watched her wearing it; looking at the fit and deciding where I thought it could be imporved. Joe and I have had several discussions about fit and how to get the garment to do what I want it to do or not do. After several attempts, I have a basic, in the round, sweater pattern that fits well and knits up quickly. The two areas that I have addressed are (1) fitting better in the chest area and (2) leg openings that allow maximum movement for a very active Boston Terrier. I think she needs a couple of sweater per holiday. It will be fun to create looks for each specific celebration. This sweater is going to be called Candy Cane. It's really cute on her. Not quite finished, it will have some type of embellishment around the neck.

More Hemlock Ring - Lots of Photos

I have finished Hemlock Ring!

Hemlock Ring isn't a difficult knit. Watching the Flower and then Feather and Fan pattern appear was exciting; it took me about a week to complete. It is ready to block but I have to order something to block it on; so it will go on hold for now! It is approximately 36" across, when blocked from feather and fan tip to tip! Hemlock is going to make a gorgeous small tablecloth for my table. These pictures are more representative of the true color of the Senso I am using. I took a lot of pictures -

This is the center stretched out to block.

Closer -

Showing some of the feather and fan section

feather and fan detailing and stretched out a bit

I found it took me 30 minutes to bind off one section. Having 8 feather and fan sections; that would make it 4 hrs to bind off the whole tablecloth.

Hemlock Ring

Hemlock Ring is a very old pattern dating back to 1942 from the book Crocheted and Knitted Doilies Book 184. Amazing! This is an incredibly beautiful knitting pattern. I truly love knitting in the round and lace. This has been a very enjoyable knit for me reminding me of hours spent with both my Grandmothers while they crocheted the most beautiful doilies, tablecloths and bedspreads I had ever laid eyes on! I have my Grandmother and Meme to thank for a love of all things crocheted and knitted. (When my Meme passed, many knitting needles were found with her crafting supplies even though she crocheted most of the time. We were quite surprised) Deciding what thread to use for Hemlock wasn't as hard as I thought it might be. Cotton, of course, like a doily; but I wanted it bigger than a doily so I would need a heavier weight cotton! Rummaging in the yarn room closet (expecting that to take all morning); I found a tub of Senso by DMC - 100% cotton! (color N 1006 - red) I see Hemlock as a great little tablecloth for a wicker chest used as a coffee table in a room who's decor is best described as "texmex cottage". (The texmex part is a talavera collection that keeps growing.) I had some difficulty deciding what size needle to use and swatching didn't help at all. Senso calls for 2.5 or 3.0mm (#1 or #2). Those were just too small as you can tell by the flower in the center. I moved up to a #4 and finally settled on a #5 on the feather and fan part. I thought this would be a challenging knit project, but it isn't. The beginning of 8 sts on dps is the only challenge. It is actually a very enjoyable lace knitting pattern making a beautiful keepsake that will last forever if knit in a quality thread/yarn. I started this on Sunday afternoon delighting in watching the knitted design grow; becoming prettier as I progressed. I could hardly put it down at night to go to bed! The picture below is a bit rumpled; but you can see some of the detail. I surely will have to block the the hell out of this to get it to lie flat; but it will be worth it.

Today is cloudy and gray due to the tropical rain showers passing through so the color of the Senso isn't true. It is more of a cherry red.

I am almost finished. I have about 8 more rows around but that "around" is a long way now. I hear the bind off takes days.....

Can't Believe It's Already July!

Where has the year gone? It seems it was just Christmas and Bella, my Christmas present, was a tiny puppy! It would be nearly impossible to try and catch up so I will just start anew. Joe keeps us very busy - always on the go doing something. Never a dull moment; some days I think that wouldn't be so bad. This is "grandchildren" month and several will be here one or two at a time to spend a few days with us. I will be depending on caffeine to help me keep up. Even though I have been knitting constantly; I have been in a knitting funk. I haven't been really excited about anything knitting. A couple of days ago, I found Hemlock Ring (on Ravelry) and fell in love. I have not only started it; I have it nearly completed. Pictures will follow soon.

Why Can't I Just Knit From a Pattern

This past Thursday at Market Street DayKnitters, our knit group, I started a simple shawl in Fiesta's Starburst La Boheme (Aster 22107). I have had 3 skeins of this yarn stashed since 2006 thinking I would find something I would like to knit with it. With no new flash of inspiration coming, I started Fiesta's Fabulous Shawl pattern, to have something beautiful to knit on Thursdays where there is too much conversation and fun going on to focus on much of anything at all. It's a good thing Borders serves coffee and tea instead of margaritas or we would be kicked out! After seeing how beautifully La Boheme knits up, that flash of inspiration hit me between the eyes and I have frogged the shawl. After sketching out a shape of an idea, I have cast on and started again. I will still be knitting and probably frogging, at times, the pattern in my head and scribbled on paper as I knit along. Isn't this absolutely gorgeous?

It knits up light as a cloud but yet holds the shape of each stitch beautifully. I want to be wrapped up in this yarn. Therefore, the inspiration.

Breaking for a Shrug

Alexis is going to her FIRST Homecoming in October. She has her dress; it is a beautiful garnet red satin with spaghetti straps. Deciding to use silver as an accent; she and her Mom have put together a beautiful ensemble. I think she may need a little something for her shoulders. So, taking a break from my serious knitting, I am going to knit up a quick shrug. I just happened to have some Crystal Palace Yarn Soiree in silver stashed (imagine that). It is truly gorgeous and even more so when knitted. It knits up very soft even though it has a metallic thread running through it. It is truly like liquid silver; so much so, that you should contain it as you knit as it falls away from itself. Seriously.

Initially, I tried the Love Knot Stitch but it looked very ornate; too much I think for a teenager. So I tried for something simpler. This is just a knotted stitch that opens up when it's stretched a bit.

You can get a better look at it here. There is garter stitch at each sleeve edging which will be above the elbow making a nice evening shrug.

I will post a finished shrug picture later.

Update on Ryan's Socks

I have been working on Ryan's socks for a while now. I made the leg ribbing extra long (9") since he is quite tall. The foot portion of the sock is a total of 10.5 inches long. At the toe decrease of the second sock, I RAN OUT OF YARN. Determined not to panic, I called Twisted Yarns, my LYS where I bought the yarn. They were out and did not plan to reorder that particular yarn. Near panic now, I turn to Google! After Googling the yarn manufacturer and name; only ONE place came up that had a skein. One skein! I am so thankful to be living my perfect life! Now to knit one toe and kitchener two socks!

Blogger has turned my picture AGAIN but you can still see how big these socks are.

In the Garden at Dusk

When we moved into our house, we had an acre of yard that had been bulldozed. After nearly a year of construction, the yard had become very overgrown. It was pretty awful. Weeds were shoulder high hiding, at times, the local wild life in the yard. The second night we were here, I walked out onto the porch late at night. It was, and still is, beyond dark since there are no street lights. Hearing heavy breathing nearby, I realized there was a large animal very close. Screaming and running into the house, Joe informed me I had scared the hell out of a deer. It has been two years this month, since we moved in. Joe and I have worked in the yard Spring, Summer and Fall of both years. There is still so much yet to be done. It is amazing how an acre can soak up several hundred dollars in plants leaving you wondering where it all went. Kim and Todd, with their children, visited a couple of weeks ago. Grandson, Matthew, paid us a great compliment not knowing it would mean so much. While sitting on the back porch early one morning, he told his Dad how much he enjoyed being outside here as it was so pretty. I am going to show a tiny bit of our yard. On the right/east side of our back porch, the morning sun welcomes whoever is sitting out there having coffee by shining blindingly into their face. So, Joe put up a trellis and we planted Moon Vine early in Spring. The Moon Vine has covered the trellis and has been thinned out twice! Next year, we are going to try Morning Glory Vine and decide which we like best.

This is Coral Impatiens planted in the flower bed that the trellis is grounded in. They are beautiful. Keep in mind, I am taking these pictures in deep dusk one evening.

This is our Moon Vine trellis at dusk. Moon Vine blooms in the late evening. The large white flowers are gorgeous and fragrant making it most enjoyable to sit on the porch in the evenings (if it isn't still sweltering hot).

Multiple flowers on the vine are truly beautiful but you must come out in the evening to see them!

Moon Vine flowers - a close up view.

Yard work is almost as gratifying as knitting. There's a whole lot less sweating with knitting.

A Bit of Halloween Fun This Morning

We have a new baby in our extended family! Manny and Jennifer have a new son - Landon Cole! He is so handsome; just like his brothers. Yes, for all of you who are counting, Alexis now has 5 brothers! Whoa! I have been knitting a few of the Perfect Baby Bibs (in Fixation) to go into Cole's gift box. This morning, as I sat tucking in the yarn ends while enjoying a large mug of Snickernut coffee, I saw fun Halloween potential. Looking at the purple and orange bibs, I knew they needed spiders and pumpkins. I realized that with a little black yarn and some outline stitching, these would be so cute! After Halloween, Jennifer can snip the yarn , pull out the outline stitches and still use the bibs. Having already made a Target shopping trip for cute baby stuff; his box is ready to go! I have included a Halloween Onsie and matching socks - really cute!

These were so simple and quick. A little free-style embroidery and viola!

A close up of the Pumpkin face so you can see how simple these stitches are. You also get a good look at the Fixation that is slightly variegated.

I tried to upload the close up pics of the purple bib but Blogger kept turning them sideways. I finally gave up. You can view them in my Ravelry notebook in the Perfect Baby Bib pattern. I am going there next to upload the pictures.

Back to Ryan's Socks

Whew! I unfolded the cuff so you can see "the whole 9 yards". In reality, it is JUST 9" of ribbing; but that IS a lot of boring 2 X 2.

The toe is ready to be kitchenered (is that a word). I am meeting Loretta tomorrow for a "knitting lunch". She needs to go over kitchener again; she isn't pleased with how her last one turned out. It is undone and ready to go again. I am taking this one and we will do them together. This yarn made a nice man's sock, I think. I enjoyed knitting with it.

A close-up of the stockinette stitch - really nice.

So, this is where I am right now. Toe ready to be kitchenered and I have cast on for the next sock. I have quite a lot of yarn tail left over from the cast on. Maybe I should weigh the yarn to see how close it's going to come for the second sock. There's enough yarn to Kitchener the second sock if I were to run short - hmmmm. The sock foot on this particular sock is 10.5 inches.

Cast on via the 12" circular.

New Project!

I know, I am supposed to be knitting Ryan's socks; it' a big sock and I need a project that's just "knitting" for when I get tired of knitting on a sock. I know you know what I mean. I started this project for tomorrow - Thursday - Market Street DayKnitters knitting. Our knit group is growing and there is usually a lot of conversation going on. (I think a couple of ladies are there JUST for the conversation as opposed to some of us who are there to knit together). I needed something simple to knit with a luscious yarn. I dug in my stash and VIOLA! Manos Silk Blend; and several skeins of it!

I loved this yarn when I saw it; loved everything about it - the color, the feel - it's very soft and it really has no twist. I have been wanting to knit this up for a while. Seems now is the time.

Up Close - great colors! (I think Berroco has a sock yarn Metallic that is just about these same colors. I think I see matching socks in my future)

Just starting - OTN

I am going to knit this pattern. It's a Manos pattern book and I like the look of Newport.

I will be blogging about this for the next couple of weeks. P.S. Loretta we are missing you! Hope you are home soon and back to knitting with us.

Projects OTN

My son-in-law Ryan requested a pair of socks for his birthday. At the time, he knew they would be a bit late as I had project deadlines looming. Ryan didn't mind; it's not like he's going to be wearing them anytime soon as we are in the Dog Days of Summer. Now, I have one OTN and I am enjoying knitting them Thursdays at Market Street DayKnitters. I really do enjoy knitting for someone specific at times; especially if they are excited to be getting something knitted. So, below are a few pictures of Ryan's sock. It's not quite a "neverending sock like Joe's is; but I am glad to be knitting it on the small circular so I can pick up some speed on the foot now. The yarn is Lana Grossa. (no matter how hard I try, I even have each project in a separate basket, I still misplace yarn labels - I am sure I will find it on my knitting table somewhere)

Close up of the cuff - of 2 X 2 Ribbing

Yarn and Beginning on the Small Circ

Close Up of the Heel

Another -

There we go - all 9" of ribbing

Next -

This is the short row shawl I have been working on while I was a bit "under the weather". It was relaxing to knit something I really didn't have to think about AND was turning out gorgeous! I have thoroughly gotten into this shawl adding an ample hood onto it. Now, I am working to make a hood in a non-traditional way. In other words, I don't want to just sew a seam across the top of my head front to back! It's been a labor of love with no anxieties since it's for me! I have written everything down as I am sure I will want to do this again. It will have beading around the face of the hood. The next one will have some yarn over details and beading between the short row designs.

Close Up of the Colorway

I have been knitting this while it is literally "hot as Hell" here in Houston. I daydream about how much I am going to enjoy wearing this when Fall finally does arrive. Even though I love Summer, I was daydreaming about fireplace weather just yesterday. (I know I am going to knit matching handwarmers to go with this)

Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders

I have received official notification from Storey Publishing that two of my original designs are going to be included in the newest One-Skein Wonders book! These books have not only been favorites of mine, but also favorites for everyone that I know! This has absolutely made my day! I had submitted two designs hoping that one of them would make it into the book. I was most surprised to receive word that both made it! So, when the book debuts; get your copy and look for Ruby Begonia and Calypso! (happy dancing and singing with squeals in the background)

Fun Knitting

After finishing 4 design projects, it feels so good to be knitting for my enjoyment only! I have the Ilene bag almost finished; Todd's socks are almost finished and Ryan's socks are ready to start. Then, there's a shawl I started with Noro - couldn't resist the yarn.

We went to Lake Charles for Memorial Day. took Todd's socks to knit on the way. Just needed to decrease and kitchener one toe to be finished with the pair. Forgot my double points (I guess that would be a menopausal moment according to SOME people). I was disappointed as I wanted to give them to him while we were there. Below are a few pictures. Thought I would share. Back to knitting pictures tomorrow.

Matthew in his Indiana Jones hat with whip

Matthew up in a tree. (don't think his Mom knew where he was)

Pam letting Jayden nap in her lap. He was so tired.

(there may be more family pictures next week as Pam, Alexis and Jayden are coming to spend 10 days with us)

Mississippi and Guam Socks are Finished

My socks are on their way to Crystal Palace Yarns via UPS as of yesterday! Woohoo! Today, I am finishing up edits on the written patterns and a short bio. Several pictures of both pair are below. First is the sock for Mississippi. Guam sock pictures follow. (blogger turned some of my pics again)

Leg of Mississippi sock

Heel of Mississippi Sock

Tiny beaded rib of Mississippi sock

Pictures of Guam Socks This pair of socks are siblings but not twins; meaning they are not identical. It is their differences that make them interesting.

The colors are reversed for the socks plus one sock has one more row of edging than the other. I liked them that way so didn't change it. Knitters can do their socks however they want them. Flowers are positioned on the outside of the socks slightly above the ankle. The inside of the socks have small lazy daisy flowers with beaded centers.

Closeup of sock with red flower, orange edging and orange lazy daisy flowers.

Closeup of the sock with the orange flower.

On to the next big thing!