Vacation LYS/Stash Enhancemet -- Part One

(From left to right.) Cascade Yarns, Sassy Stripes, #713; Fortissima Socka, #1014 (purple). Bought at Skip One Purl Too in Mesa, Arizona.
Couldn't resist the price on this one--$1.99. Lion Brand, Wool Ease, sport weight, #146, fuchsia. Bought at what was Spag's, but now is Building 19 in Shrewsbury, Mass (at least I think that's where it was--my aunt was driving and I got all turned around, but it was on Route 9, so I think that was it).
And for those of you who were with me during the Monkey sock yarn problem---ta da! I found it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Lion Brand Magic Stripe in jelly bean stripe. Bought at AC Moore in Framingham, Mass. where a lovely lady named Kitty helped me and my aunt out in their yarn department. Oh, yeah, and it was on sale -- they're discontinuing the colors. Now I can finish the monkeys! Found 4 skeins of Micro Spun in #144, lilac for a possible future project. On clearance at AC Moore for $1.87!! Can't beat that. Also another Magic Stripe in denim stripe (also on sale).
And the last installment for today-- Cherry Tree Hill, supersock in brights. It's a great mix of reds, pinks, orange and bluey purple. This was purchased at Knit Purl in Sudbury, Mass. She doesn't have a web page, it looks like, but the link shows directions. The owner, (I can't remember her name) was very nice and helpful. This shop was neat, clean and had a wide selection of yarns. Part Two of this will show what else I acquired at this shop.

That's it for Part One, but there's more...

I'll have vacation review (and some more pictures) next week after Part Two of stash enhancement.

Hope all have a great day.

I'm Back...

Hi all, just letting everyone know I'm back from vacation.
I did survive!!!
When I get all my pictures and things downloaded, I'll give a vacation review (including some stash enhancements).

Hope all have had a great July -- I feel like I missed most of this month.

Toe-Up Socks/4th of July

I couldn't decide which picture I liked the best, so I put all three in. The bottom one shows the pattern a little better, I think.

These were a good practice pair. The yarn is a little thick to wear with my shoes, so I'll probably use them as house socks. But they are soooo comfortable (of course given that it's been about 106 degF here, socks won't be worn by me for a few months).

I did the easy toe version. Next time I think I'll be adventurous and try the short-row toe.
Pattern: 5 Stitch Patterns (lace rib), from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. Gauge: 6 sts/1" for 8 or 81/2 foot cir on #4 dpn (#2 for the ribbing). Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in terracotta.

So there they are. My first pair of toe-up's completed. I do like that I don't have to Kitchener at the end and I can measure as I go and hopefully not run out of yarn! The only thing I did not like about this pattern was the purl stitches at the beginning of a round on the dpn (I purl them too loose for my liking and get a little bit of a loose portion), next time I'll have to try on the two circulars, it might be better.

On another note...I just wanted to wish you all a Happy 4th of July. The kids, my mom and I will be traveling to Massachusetts and Maine for the next two weeks, so I'll probably be out of touch with you all for a while (none of my relatives have a computer or Internet access that I know of) so... you all take care. If I can find a computer with Internet somewhere, I'll post on how my vacation is going! Otherwise I'll see you all back here in two weeks!

Happy knitting and Happy 4th! Enjoy the fireworks!!!!!

Forgot to add this morning: Ali's (skeins her way) is having a contest. Stop by and check it out!

Yellow Hat

This week went by so fast and I've been really busy getting ready for vacation and cleaning up loose ends here. But I did find time to whip up this little number (it's for a friend who wanted some "summer hats" to wear). I'm going to make another version of the blue floppy hat in a blue, yellow and green variegated cotton yarn (I think it's a sugar 'n' cream, but I don't have it right in front of me (it's already in the suitcase) for this same friend.

From 100 Knitting Projects by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss. The Pretty Petal Hat. I used #8 dpn for the top part and #9 circular for the bottom. Yarn: Sugar 'n' Cream, yellow (from my stash). (I can't tell you who the hat model is, but let me just say, he was a good sport about it.)

I'm almost finished with my other toe-up sock, just have to finish the ribbing and then I'll post a picture later today (I hope) of both socks. The second one was easier, I understood the short row heel wraps and knitting them together better on the second heel. And I think the easy toe came out better on the second one. Sometimes I like trying something new to me in a heavier weight yarn (especially before I get into the fine sock yarn) because I can "see" how something works easier. (Does that make sense?)

Anyway, thanks for all who stopped by this last week, I haven't had a chance to catch up with you all, but I hope to today or tomorrow. Have a great day!

(Edited to add: Oh, yeah, Happy July everybody!!)

My First Toe-Up Socks

Well, here they are in all their glory, my first pair of toe-up socks (well almost, I've got to finish the second). I made them shorties (is that what you call them?) ending just above my ankle.

Adapted from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch (before it has to go back to the library).
The toe.

The Lace Rib Pattern.

(With weird flash problem.)

The yarn is Cotton Ease by Lion Brand in terracotta (I know, it looks red, but it's a real pretty washed out orangy color).

It's just been too hot to knit much here, thus the slow progress on everything (and I do mean everything). And I'm trying to organize everything before going on vacation with the kids. Hope all had a great weekend.

Reflections on Wednesday

Yarn Update:
No luck locally for the Magic Stripe in the Jelly Bean Stripe color, but I have found a couple on different web places (amazon/e-bay) that carry it still (I think it's going to be discontinued soon) and want to thank all for the tips. So, the monkeys will stay on the needles for a while longer.

Since I'm on the lookout for the yarn, I'm trying some toe-up socks from the Sensational Knitted Socks (have you checked out the KAL?) book, but I'm using cotton ease in terracotta (yes, another Lion Brand yarn), so they're a little heavier than with the sock yarn (it's a DK yarn). But I really like the toe-up method. Makes more sense, somehow than cuff, leg, heel, and so on and so forth, but I can see the virtues of knitting both and of knowing both methods. These particular socks are going to be cuff socks or short socks, whatever you want to call them, hoping to get them done before vacation. (pict to follow sometime later this week, I promise)

On another note, I must apologize to those blogs where I have lurked (I really hate that term), let's see, where I have only read and not left a comment, no, too many words, hmm...where I was a wallflower -- yes, I think that works. Okay, to continue, I must apologize to those blogs where I was a wallflower, I love reading you guys, and I have my favorites, but I, for reasons unknown to me, did not leave any comments this week. I love seeing all the socks, hats, scarfs, shawls, sweaters, mittens, etc that you all produce and when you show me (and everyone else who reads) those things, I get inspired to keep on knitting my socks, my sweaters (if I knit them, you notice I don't yet?), my hats and accessories...so, I guess what I'm trying to say here is, thanks and keep on knitting (even if I don't tell you personally)!!

Have a great day!!

Semi-Book Review (don't want to spoil the ending)

Happy Monday to all!!

I finished The Friday Night Knitting Club and let me tell you, I was a little disappointed in the ending. For those of you who have not read it, I will not tell you what happens, only that I think it was not the best way to end what was, up until that point, a delightful book. I enjoyed the characters and how they integrated knitting into their lives, and it was a quick and easy read, but...I did not like the ending. It was almost as if the Kate Jacobs (the author) didn't know where else to go with it so she just...oh, yeah, I'm not going to say. So, read it and then you decide. That's all I'm going to say.

Oh, and say good bye to my Monkey Socks...I don't have enough yarn to finish, unless someone out there has a part of a skein left of Lion Brand Magic Stripe in Jelly Bean that they want to donate (or trade???) to my socks? I need to finish the foot. I looked at the store where I bought my original skeins of Magic Stripe and they were all out of the jelly bean, and clearance pricing on the blue color I had used already.

But never fear, my creative gene kicked in late yesterday, or was that Saturday?, and I've got something else (or two, or three, or four) [projects] up my sleeve.

Hope all those hubby's out there had a great Father's Day yesterday, too. (Where would we be without them?) :)