Sock It To Me

so i've been on a sock kick recently....they're quick, and highly portable. i'm also teaching myself this technique:


pattern: basic 64-stitch sock pattern
yarn: KnitPicks Felici self striping sock yarn
colorway: Berries
needles: KnitPicks Harmony 47" fixed need, size 2.25mm/US1

knitting 2 socks at the same time--on one circular needle. i'm trying it to avoid "second sock syndrome". sometimes, especially when a new stitch pattern or technique is involved, once i've done the first one, the excitment is over. so to maintain productivity, i'm learning how to do both socks at the same time. so far, the only downside i'm seeing is that it slows me down a bit, normally, i'd be almost ready to do the heel flap and righ now, i'm only 2 inches into the actual leg. and manuevering the cord and trying not to get 2 balls of yarn twisted up is a bit of a nuisance--but not enough to make be stop. hopefully, as i get more comfortable with the technique, it will move a bit faster. of course, i'm getting 10 stitches to the inch versus 7 or 8 so that will make it go a bit slower too. this is how i normally do socks:


pattern: Spring Forward, Summer '08 issue of Knitty.com
yarn: Perchance to Knit superwash merino sock yarn
colorway: Nasturnums
needles: KnitPicks Harmony sock needles size 2.25mm/US1

that's 66 stitches divided amongst 4 needles, plus one to work with--5 needles. i'm also getting 10 stitches per inch on the sole of the sock. rest of the sock is done at the pattern gauge of 7.5 stitches per inch.

i am still plowing away on my lace projects--they're just too big for me to lugg on the commute, plus, i'm afraid something my happen to them. so for now, socks will be the major commute project for a while.

i also got some goodies recently:


Lyra, by Herbert Niebling

i've been wanting this pattern forever, but the obey-copyright person inside me said wait until you can get it legally. its been on ebay, going for up to $50-$60 bucks. Recently, Lacis.com recieved permission to reprint this uber famous lace pattern and is selling it for $7! it will definitely be a test of my knitting skills. so along with the pattern, i got:


Shetland Cobweb, 100% pashmina wool

its the real deal.....thread thin wool used to make those insane Shetland shawls. i purchased 2,000 yards. now all i need to do is get some size 0000 needles and i'll be good to go. i only have size 0 in my arsenal of all things thin.

and since i was in the buying mood, i also got these goodies from a local dyer, the Sanguine Gryphon:


Little Traveler Sock yarn, colorway: Venezuela, 560yds merino, 2 skeins

it is soft and squishy and the color is a more vibrant green-teal shade that goes from blue/green to teal to green/blue to black


Taiping DK, colorway: Terra cotta, 220yds cashmere, 1 skein


Taiping DK, colorway: Moss Green, 220yds cashmere, 1 skein

*ahem* CASHMERE.....hand dyed and affordable *squeeling like a schoolgirl* the green is a bit more olive than the pic but the terra cotta is just as lively and vibrant. i don't know what i'm going to make with them but.....CASHMERE!

tonight is Stitch n Bitch night in Dupont circle, so i'll get to oooh and ahhhh and giggle with my kind and get some knitting down.

next post will be about the sparklies....Fire Mountain Gems contest is coming up and i think i might enter....

More WIPs

my mind tells me, that if i blog about what i'm working on, then i'll be more accountable for completing the project--doesn't mean my mind is correct, but at least there's a record of it somewhere.



this sweater was supposed to be a baby gift for a special little baby girl in cyberspace. due to a few personal issues, it got put on the burner--and all it needs are sleeves and the neck and button band to finish it off. i'm knitting both sleeves at the same time, and am already halfway thru. oh, and lets not forget the cute flowers that go between the lace pattern below:



baby is now approx. 6 months old and may not fit this sweater. but since mommy has been sewing, i'm going to finish the sweater, with the hopes that she may know of another baby to give it to, or perhaps, she'll sew a doll that can wear the sweater. *hint, hint* that way, i can move on to another project for the baby. i'm thinking, it will still be a cardigan, and perhaps pearl buttons, just cus i'm that slow in getting them to mom.

another project that has been hanging around is this one:



i call it Posideon's Mistress. the focal bead is a faceted yellow opal and the large reddish stones are faceted sunstones. included in the mix are various pearls, fancy jasper, rutilated quartz, citrine, rose quartz, garnet, carnelian, and aquamarine. its a pretty substantial piece as far as the weight but its not quite done. so any tips would be helpful. now that i can make my own chain, i'm thinking i should do something more substantial like chainmaille.

the final project is for the girlchild--the Central Park Hoodie:

i got off to a great start and then things slowed down once the girlchild got sick, then got on medication, then started to gain a little weight. she's losing the weight now so we'll see. i'm sure it will still fit but she wanted it loose fitting. i've even gotten the sleeves done:

all that needs to be done is to finish the hood (the upper part of neck) set in the sleeves, then pick up the edge stitches to do the button band. now that its been warm i'm not sure i want to work on something as heavy as this--hence the lace projects.