28 May 2013

Through round 4

I've finished up another pair between rounds, these cute colorwork socks.
Traditional Stitch Motif Socks, which I like to call OrangeWheel Slice socks.




And then these lovely High Button Socks for Round 4.  Still in the cometition!  We're down to 18 per team and we're waiting on some slower teams to continue. 




So, I'm working on a couple shawls, painting rooms and furniture, learning to spin... More on that later. And entered into the Sock Competition that will start on June 1, Tour de Sock where monies go to Doctors without borders.  Very cool and progressive patterns too!  Keep the stashbusting going, eh? 

Oh!  And I finished this really cute colorwork bag!  Very enjoyable mystery kal during May.
Steeks will be in June.  Yay for new techniques and cutting knitting...intentionally.



01 May 2013

Optional round

We usually get a freebie round. It gives the moderators a chance to catch their breath. It's just that, totally optional, and we can even modify the pattern to our liking. I did no such thing, alough I am considering gifting them to larger feet than I... So I might rip the toes and knit another rose motif for the receiver, since they kinda fit me perfectly!

I feel the need to share this one. :)
Next pattern specs around May 8, so I got a little time to change them, spackel a room, knit something else... Like a test knit!

Rose Water by Heatherly Walker




16 April 2013

Between competition

Socks between the socks? Sounds great to me! Lol
Here's a pair that sorta revolves around my bro and sister in law, because they provided 2 of the 3 yarns (the orange and the super dark green) and then I used the white in some sweet uke socks for Charles. So, these are all leftovers too, but they just sang together in this pattern, so, here we are!

Pattern is called Traditional Stitch Motifs Estonia, my title? Orange Wheel Slices.

I'm also working on the first sanding in the studio room, a shawl, and a beaded stole. So, plenty to alternate on while I wait for the next Madness pair. I have a strong feeling the next pair will be optional, there is one round of "breather" in the competition, and I have a feeling it'll be one of them with buttons... But will it have the zippers? The optional round is just that. Optional. One can knit it or not, there will be a designated window for completion, and noone will be eliminated.

Cheers!

10 April 2013

Round 3, Completed.

Only a few hours over 2 days! I wanted under 48 hours... Snap! Almost. Soon maybe.
These were challenging and required some fierce focus, but I had no major problems as other knitters have gotten really confused along the way.

I think I'm about number 5 of the 26 that move on in my team. The fastest team has 13 done already! Woosh!

Greenhouse Socks by Swedish designer, Anita Grahn
I knitted them in Dream in Clor Smooshy and am quite glad these are shorter socks, so I can knit with the same yarn some more! I have quite a bit left over! I'm planning for something in 2 colors...
Features: fairly classic top-down construction, until just after the heel, gusset shaping ended up on the sole but kept the sleek ribbing, very unique sole shaping, and then that got added to the top of the foot after the last diamond, and a very unique bind off using a slip stitch decrease style creating a most interesting border around the toes.

Time for a FEW pics since they're so difficult to capture.








08 April 2013

Pair #7

Here are pair #7 for this year. A fast thick, comfy, cottony, cabled and ribbed cute and relaxed pair... Mistake Braid Socks, by my friend, Tanja Fleischer. I have now completed all 3 of her sock patterns as she is a great new designer. She is one of my personal cheerleaders out in Ravelry and I cherish knowing her. Charles' uke socks are also her design.

Mistake Braid Socks: princess sole, unique gusset shaping, toe-up, worsted weight yarn, cables and ribbing.

Also, a progress shot of round 3.
Greenhouse Socks. Using Dream in Color Smooshy in Chinatown Apple, a gorgeous colorway.
My own yarnslayer watching over the delectible cake along with a lovely mix of green and black tea in one of Grandma's cups.

Although I'm quite tired from removing an old washing machine from our home yesterday, maxing out my muscles ina way I don't believe I have ever felt before, I think it a great morning. Muscle fatigue and all. Must keep knitting! What's also awesome, is we got rid of the 2 full size fridge and freezer units yesterday too! Oh my the open spaces!





06 April 2013

Get ready for Round 3

Ok. 45 hours to go.
I've decided to use a gift of yarn my bro and sister in law gave me a few years ago. The test knitter used the same kind of yarn, I think it serendipity. Chinatown Apple, here I come.

But in the mean time, I will show you my Sock Scrap socks. I have thick comfy braid socks on the needles and will finish them before the next pattern, for sure. Pics very soon.

Sock Strap. Colorwork, unusual construction, cables, and cables right to the tip of the toes, and behind the heels. Very cool pair. Loved making these.





02 April 2013

Flying Dutchmans

Round 2, I finished the Flying Dutchman pair with Lena's feet in mind. I do think they will be lovely and comfy, where ever their sailing adventures take them!

Also, I've finished up my mystery Step into Spring socks. I plan to finish the unusual construction Sock Strap, probably today!

Flying Dutchman had some fantastic intarsia in the round technique and a lovely lacey waves motif. Very cool design.
The spring pair have stranded knitting a new heel for me, the Sweet Tomato Heel, but I don't think this one fits very well. The Fleegle heel, first tried by the Sockdolager pair would be so much bettter here. Oh well. I think I can wiggle them enough to wear anyways. But they do poof under foot.

Check back soon for the unusual construction and Round 3! I think round 2 will finish out real soon as we await some last finishers. Then, we'll get specs for round 3! Also, fyi, the tem I'm on, Yarnslayers, finished out our 33 first! Out of 7 groups! Holy smokes Batman!




24 March 2013

Round 2

Oh wow oh wow.
Here's the first sock folks!
Flying Dutchman. In saphire blue and springtime lime green.
Making them a little longer than my own feet, for a gift. I'll make that reveal with the set ;)



22 March 2013

Oh the excitement...

Sheesh, I just knew within 24 hiurs of the 'within 48 hours' was too soon, but did I sleep well?
No.
Way to nervous and excited.

These are the team names:
Team Yarnslayer - my team!
Team What!
Team Mission Accomplished
Team Mighty Minnows
Team Inconceivable
Team Sockeroo
Team Twinkletoes

So, I'm just gonna keep going with other socks on other needles in the mean time. And paint another last coat of paint in our first nearly finished bedroom, whoo hoo!

Here's my pic for my icon in ravelry, a little yarnslaying, from my perspective. A lot seem to know of a dearly departed pet who is infamous in yarnslaying. Hmm, not really my story.

Following the orange sacrifice, are my choices for this 2-color project. I'm leaning towards the light blue and red wine. Toodles!



20 March 2013

In-between the socks

More Socks!

I have been working on a couple mystery kals. Here are the clues from the unusual construction pair.
Clue 1 was a strip of cable.
Clue 2 was a strap of colorwork from cuff round the heel to cuff.
Clue 3 was the front cable strip.
Clue 4 coming out friday! Final clue too.

Madness round 1 ends today. Then teams, then round 2. Don't know when these things will happen. Part of the madness I guess.







15 March 2013

Finished Round 1 and wait.

I did complete the first pair when I said I would! Yay! Here's a pic of these long beauties. They are lovely and hope they fit well. Ginger? These are scrumptious! But seriously, if they are too long or whatever, I can mend them to fit. But I think they will be a smashing success!

Now, I will continue working on a couple pairs of mystery sock knit-a-longs, yes 2 pairs, and another kal with a friend designer. Not to mention a shawl or 2. So, those pics will come soon in the Waiting Game, since there's still a whole week before the first round ends. Then they might take another week to sort out our teams! Well, then, the race begins.

Without further ado, Sockdolager Socks, Pair 1, for Ginger.
I am so thrilled I have a few feet to knit for this year! Yay yay! Thanks feet!

12 March 2013

Round 1 progress

Sockdolager, designed by Adrianne Fong. A fantastic, stretchy, lacy, ribbyish design.

  • A super comfy elastic caston, the german twisted cast on.
  • A brand new heel for me, the fleegle heel, made entirely without a usual heel flap but still worked in the round with a gusset to accomodate the heel, of course!
  • We were encouraged to choose a busy striping or wild hand-painted yarn.


I was deciding between this brown tone stripe and a turquoise yarn. I chose by which was softer! I think these will indeed be more soft and comfy.

I enjoy this yarn so much, bamboo, supwerwash wool and nylon. Stripey.  And I am constantly thinking of yummy drinks!  Coffee with cream, cafe latte, mocha, hot chocolate, strawberry something, crushed mints... :). Good fun.

I hope to finish today.
So, more pics to come.


06 March 2013

Round 1 Specs are out!

Just about 24 hours ago, we gor our specs for the first pattern.

They say they will release thepattern within 48 hrs.... 1/2 way done and no pattern!!

This first pattern acts as a qualifying round to compete on a team. After yhis one, they willput us into teams too. If we only complete one sock, or essentialy half of both. Then we can get the patterns, but competition stops there.

I am beside myself.
Since it's the first round, we actually get 2 weeks to complete it, after that, it's a race. I remember the second round ended up around 2 weeks too though.

This first pattern is for self-striping or wild handpainted yarns. I have both, and have no idea what to choose! Perhaps the patterns will help me decide ;)

Here's a pic of my top 4. The two on the left are stripey and the two on the right are handpaints.
Feel free to vote!  1,2,3 or 4!

19 February 2013

Bricks and Tiles

I have just finished the warm up pattern for Ted, and I just love them! They're soft, they have a masculine rib, they have a very ingeniusly created afterthought heel... A huge success.

On to work some other projects on the needles, to clear out a few things for attention on socks in March and wall prep in our 2 main bedrooms. Oh, a second round of spackeling, then sanding, putting in doors to both with a bit of wall above them, and paint to finish. Just a bit really, lol. But we did just finish our wood flooring over the weekend! It looks fantastic!



14 February 2013

Warm up progress

Ted's Mortars are coming along.
So are recruiting my Madness materials... Mom helped me find tiny shank buttons, now to find a couple zippers and buttons to match up with one or another yarn. Bizaar materials!! We'll see how they pan out! Soon! (Can you tell I'm getting excited by the day?!)



08 February 2013

2013 Warm ups

Looks like the warmup pattern is fantastic and sweet for unisex design! So, I took this nice and early chance to knit big ones for my bro. Only after knitting did I realize how cool deep red and cream would be for these, "bricks and mortar" socks! Sorry Ted, snazzy dark brown will just have to do, lol

They look like they'll be tremendously comfy ribby socks, with a totally amazing afterthought heel with a planned in gusset! Very clever. Totally diggin' it.


02 February 2013

Sock Madness preparations

So, it's Februaury.  I should say, "Whoo hoo, skip to my loo!  It's Feruary!  Time for signups baby!!"

Yeah, that's better.

Soon, requirements list, and well, March will be here all too quickly this year, and the Madness will begin, officially.  More on that as the stages come and go, with pics of my finished socks, hopefully.

And to test that out since it has been so terribly long since I last posted... Here's a newly completed pair from a January Mystery KAL with Rachel Coopey.
Echeveria.



Now to lick this flu,
Cruise on knits in progress,
Stock up the pantry and the freezer with some good eats and snacks,
Get my bin of sock yarns at the ready along with all needles, stitch markers, etc.
And maybe try to finish the wood flooring in the foyer and 2 bedrooms. :)