Pre-holiday gifts

I always feel bad for December birthdays – people are spending so much time trying to find that perfect gift for someone…and then they have to do it twice in the same month. (I will say January birthdays, for me, are worse – there are 4 very close members of my family – including CoffeeBoy – who celebrate birthdays within one week in January. )  So I really wanted to make the 2 close members of the family feel special on their birthday this year.

Mom is one December baby and she’s had a rough year.  I decided she deserved mink – not some crappy fur jacket, but a mink/cashmere blend scarf.

Mom Deserves Mink Scarflet

Started: November 19th

Completed: December 1

Yarn: Great Northern Yarn Mink/Cashmere

Pattern: My own

Needles: Size 5

Notes:  I really wish I got a better shot of this, it was a lovely little scarf.  It took me forever to figure out a pattern for this yarn – it’s a very light yarn and it feels so fragile, when I’m used to more a tough wool.  I had a bunch of ideas, none worked so I went with just a garter stitch scarf with a twist -  I started with one stitch & just YO on each end until it was wide enough, then did YO K2tog & YO SSK on each end until it was long enough.  Then YO K3tog & YO SSSK on each end until back down to 1 stitch. I bought the shawl pin on etsy from AmericanCarver – it ended up a bit wide for it, but my mom loved it, plus she has a bunch of funky pins that she can switch it off with.  She was very happy with it – and timing couldn’t have been better since we are in the middle of a very cold snap here – cold even for me, after 2 MA winters.

The other December baby in my family is my youngest nephew.  And when I saw this pattern, I knew I had to make it for him.

Bruce the Mittens

Started: November 30th

Completed: December 3

Yarn: KnitPicks Swish Bulky in Squirrel Heather (way less than one hank) and some random Wool of the Andes held doubled for the mouth

Pattern:  Deep Blue Sea Shark Mittens

Needles: Size 8

Notes: These were a big hit.  Again, I really wish I got better pictures of them, but it’s hard to get him to sit still to pose.

These were super quick to make, especially  in his size – my only issue was with the sewing up (I’m not so great on that).  There were a couple of issues in the pattern with sizing (without the person nearby) but they were minor.  I’m even tempted to make a pair for myself!  He was really excited about them – my sister told me he wore them bike riding and every time they stopped, the sharks “attacked” each other.

I’m still slowly getting through the rest of my holiday gifts but it’s been a busy couple of weeks – the past 2 weekends I’ve been out of town & my job has been pretty crazy busy at work.  I know I’ve hinted at what I do, but I can talk about it now since my project is now live – I’m working with outside knitwear designers on the Independent Designer Program – we put the first wave of patterns up last week.  It is a fun job – all of these patterns are fantastic! (one downfall to my job – I look at cute patterns all day long, which makes my knitting queue longer and longer).  We’ll put out more information out in January, but if you’re looking for a great pattern, check out what we have!

My job rules, by the way.  I’ve been very very lucky this year in my job opportunities.

 

Glossy Grove

I have seriously been slacking on the photographing projects & yarn both for here & for Ravelry. Not quite sure why – I have way better areas to photograph stuff outside (um, my neighbors can’t see me when I haul yarn or do goofy poses in front of my camera) and it’s not like I’ve stopped buying yarn or anything.  I try to pretend I don’t by working through my stash but yeah, I’m still obtaining yarn either from work or because I just need something from Twisted.  I also try to pretend it’s because the weather hasn’t been great when for me to take pictures of them outside but since it was hailing when I took these photos, that’s not really holding up. (Yes I have a covered porch)

So enough of the non excuses.  A couple of weeks back, I was on the Knit Picks podcast again (always fun) talking about Impractical Knits.  Well, that fits these, at least for me at the moment.

Glossy Grove

Started: Oct 4th

Completed:  Oct 10

Yarn: Knit Pick Gloss HW in Aegean

Pattern: Grove by Jared Flood

Needles: 6US

Notes:  I fell in love with this pattern the minute I saw it.  It’s the reason I bought Made In Brooklyn actually.

And while these would have been perfect when I lived in MA & taking public transit in the freezing cold, I don’t think they will get much use here.  I drive to work and, baring some freak storm, it doesn’t get that cold here.

But they were very fun to make – the pattern is excellent.  And I used my favorite KP yarn at the moment, Gloss HW, which made it even better.   It is larger than the yarn called for but I have big hands anyway.  And how gorgeous is this color?

It matches the My Wave Cowl I made & I have about a ball left that might be enough to do a matching Ripley (rav link).

So that’s one project done & photographed at least – I have a couple more goofy things (more DangerCrafts toys) that I’ll post about later.  I’m currently working on Christmas gifts – I think I’m doing okay on that front, but ask me again in a month & I’ll probably be freaking out, like always.

One last note – I got some fantastic news last week in regards to work.  I got a promotion!  No longer will you hear my sexy voice (heh) on the customer service line (sorry J.P., you’ve missed the boat ) I will now be working directly with Knit Picks on a very exciting new project.  I am so happy, it’s going to be so much fun!  Not too many details yet – I can’t for a bit yet plus the one downside is I don’t get to start until mid November.   I am so very lucky – I couldn’t get anyone to call me back for a job when I started applying here & now I’m working for a company I already really loved and I get to work with a kick ass bunch people.  Plus – it’s all about knitting & yarn!   What could be better?

 

 

Finally…some FOs

Well, I ended up not taking pictures until today – lots of little things and some stupid family drama pretty much killed my desire to blog or even photograph my knits.  But now I have some fall items to show off.

First the Sunny Cabley Beret I mentioned in the last post

Sunny Cabley Beret

Started: August 26

Completed: September 5th

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Heavyweight Mill End

Pattern: Laurel by Jared Flood

Needles:  Size 3 & 7 US

see? I smile in photos sometimes.

Notes:  I love this hat.  This actually had started as a different cabled hat but then I picked up Made In Brooklyn and immediately had to make this one.  Believe it or not, this is the first big cabling project I’ve actually completed – what I mean is more than just doing a 4 stitch cable every six rows or so. Funny, because I love doing cables so much – keep your colorwork, your lace, I’ll take beautiful cables anytime.

And of course the yarn is a delight.  It’s a bit thinner than what was called for so mine is a bit more floppy but I don’t mind.  I did go down a needle size for the ribbing so it would stay on my giant head.

Be warned, if you have Made In Brooklyn, there is some errors in the pattern – nothing too huge but the chart key is incomplete.  I pretty much figured it out on my own, but there is now errata for it.

Next up…more fall wear:

My Wave

Started: September 4

Completed: September 8

Yarn: KnitPicks Gloss HW in Aegean, a little over 1 ball

Pattern: Wave Cowl

Needles: Size 9US

Notes:  I have been in love with this yarn since I first got to squish it a few months ago.  And the color…photos can’t capture the glowingness of this.

until I took this photo, I didn’t notice the short row stitches standing out that much.

My original intent was to make a scarf version of the Every Way Wrap from the new IK.  I did one repeat…and hated it.  So I decided a cowl was a way to go instead.  I don’t really like knitting scarves anyway.

This pattern was really fun – I’m one of those weirdos who love to do short rows (though obviously they can use some work). and I love how it turned out.

I look derranged.

Obviously, I would get more use wearing it like this in MA rather than out here (unless we get another crazy snow storm this year) but it’s still a lovely item to have around my neck when it’s chilly.

A couple more little projects in a future post…and now it’s time to work nonstop on Calluna.  After another brief heatwave, it’s hopefully going to be fall now and I am loving Calluna so much.

Funny, I realized I haven’t really been working on socks all that much.  My purse project is the same damn socks I worked on at Sock Summit, but I’m determine to slog through them before casting on for any more.

 

Little bit of this, little bit of that

I have had a serious case of startitis over the past couple of weeks in regards to my knitting projects.  Not finishitis unfortunately.  I think I have a WIP in every main knitting category now.  I just need to start a toy & some mittens/gloves to be complete! (No wait, that’s a bad idea.)

For example:

Socks:

The second of my Groovy socks that I worked on during Sock Summit & another pair of boy socks for CoffeeBoy which are honestly only worked on when it’s too dark for anything else…or I’ve had too much to drink.

Sweater:

My Calluna out of City Tweed.  I want to work on this, but the time or mood never seems right – too hot, not enough time to fully concentrate on rows that have 228 stitches & a chart to read, laziness.  It is going to be a lovely sweater though.

Hat:

A Sunny Cabley Beanie out of one of my Blue Moon purchases at Sock Summit.  It’s the pattern Clamber and I’ve only knit the brim so far.

As a side note, I really need to stop buying knitting books because it seems most of my projects are free internet patterns.  Sigh.  Although this week I ordered Made In Brooklyn.  Sigh.

Shawl/Scarf

The Prairie House Shawl out of Lotus Yarns Medusa.  I started this at knit night last week – it’s a good project for something like that.   Those are also the new Zephyr needles…I started this project with the Nickel Plated actually since I had just got a couple of sets. I had never tried them but  I didn’t really like them, for this project at least.  (I should also warn that I’m not a fan of knitting with metal needles & they were so heavy to me.)  Switched to the Zephyrs, which I like better – much lighter – but still prefer the Harmony needles overall.

Washcloth/Dishcloth

Started this for the World Record Breaking Knitting since it’s the only thing I could think of that I could use (short)  straight needles on.  Simplest knit ever – garter border, seed stitch for the inside.

To be honest, the knitting I’m most working on is a project for work which of course I can not photograph yet.  But I should be done this week, then it’s off to work on my multiple WIPs!

 

I am insane

Because this:

Probably shouldn’t mean knitting a sweater with this:

um, yeah it's a heavy weight wool/alplaca blend

But that’s what I’m doing:

also a new bag - isn't it cute?

Though at the moment, I may copy Mina & stretch out on the floor.

In her case, the top of my fabric bin.

"what? I'm hot, I don't care I'm not ladylike."

Only one week & a bit until Sock Summit!  Let’s hope it cools down a bit.

 

A Blue-Green Life

So…I still do knit.

While I’m really enjoying sewing (I have a couple more bags to show off – thank you everyone for your compliments & suggestions I sell them.  They really are not good enough to sell – I’m not going to take pictures of my crooked stitches!  Maybe in the future – after I’ve been sewing longer than a week & half!), knitting really is my favorite crafty activity & I don’t really see that changing.  I even finished a couple of little projects this week.  Funny enough, while I won’t get much use out of these until the fall, I finished them up on cooler grey days so I put them both on immediately.

First up – no surprise – some socks.

Lunasea Socks

Started: June 15

Completed: July 8

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock – mediumweight in Lunasea

Pattern:  Just a plain pair, short row heel, plain toe.

Needles: Size 2US circ

Notes: Not really much to say about these – I’ve made so many pairs of plain socks but they are the best for movie/work knitting because I don’t have to pay attention to what I’m doing much.  I started off with 60 stitches, did a 6 inch cuff & a short row heel, finished with my usual foot & toe.  It did reaffirm my love of STR – I actually love how the colors worked out and I’m very excited for my class with Tina Newton at Sock Summit!  Plus I’ve noticed my STR socks have really held up  - STR, Opal, & various Knit Picks socks have survived multiple washings & wearings- I don’t wash them any different from the rest of my socks but they all are still very wearable.

After finishing these, I needed a new on the go project so I chose a hat.  I haven’t actually made a hat for awhile so it was fun.

City Tweed Shouch

Started: July 8

Completed: July 12

Yarn: Knit Picks City Tweed HW in Jacquard – 1 ball

Pattern: Le Slouch (pdf) by Wendy Bernard

Needles:  size 7 & 9 US circs

Notes: So I really loved everything about this project.  This pattern has been in my queue for awhile & it just seemed perfect for this yarn.  It’s funny though, I’ve made several of Wendy Bernard’s patterns but I wasn’t that excited by her book – I checked it out from the library but didn’t see anything I wanted to immediately knit up.  Anyway, when looking at the projects on Ravelry, I didn’t see many that were as slouchy as I wanted so I added an extra inch on the body before beginning the decreases for that extra slouchy effect.

forgive sleepy puffy face – but how cute is my favorite coffee  mug?

And the yarn…okay, I have been obsessed with trying this yarn since it was first released (before I started working there, I might add) and it did not disappoint.  I loved it – next to the skin soft & comfy & loved the texture & the tweedy bits.  I have two more balls of this color so I might make a matching scarf or cowl but then…well, I really don’t need to start another sweater but I am obsessed with the Calluna Cardigan.  It has some my favourite elements – cables & tweed plus it’s a cardigan!  I live in cardigans!  I’m trying to convince myself that the other sweaters I’ve started are more spring type sweaters while this is a fall sweater and should be done first.  And you know, since it’s work related, I shouldn’t feel bad about starting it.  Sigh.  I really want to start it, I do get paid this week…

As a note, while I do now work for the Knit Picks company, I want to point out that my gushing over the products has gone back years.  I’m not getting anything out of it.  I just wanted everyone to know that.

Now, back on the needles is a pair of socks I started awhile ago but broke my size 0 needle so I couldn’t finish them at the time.  But now I’m ready to finish up all these single socks!  Oh I also have a bunch of new bags to show off (not all for me either – I’m seeing my family next weekend for a long standing date to see the new Harry Potter movie!) but I’ll save them for a separate post.

(note-smallish Harper’s Island spoilers ahead – though not the BIG spoiler.  But if you haven’t watched the show & want to, don’t read any further. If you just haven’t seen the finale, it’s okay.)

Still kind of recovering from the finale of Harper’s Island last night.  The show started out a bit lame – I didn’t like any of the characters & thought it was a little boring.  But by the 5th episode, I started to really enjoy it and ended up, as the weeks went on, loving some of the characters (RIP Cal & Chloe – who funny enough, when they were first introduced, I told my sister “wow, I can’t wait until they get killed off”.  They ended up being my favourite characters, along with JD, who I also didn’t really like at first.).  I also feel so vindicated as I thought the person who ended up being the killer was a bit creepy back in the 3rd or 4th  episode and was totally convinced it was him/her by episode 8.  My family thought I was crazy, but I knew it! Sadly they haven’t seen it yet, so I can’t gloat. Usually I watch it “with” my sister – either in person or exchanging texts or chatitng online but they were out of town this weekend.  I did get to exchange tweets with Carrie though, which didn’t make me feel quite alone. Anyway, it was good summer show (they really should have started it later, rather than in April), so if you like somewhat silly slasher/mystery movies, it’s a fun one to check out online or on dvd when they come out.

 

Must. Stop. Making. Bags.

I may have a problem.  I’m addicting to making bags.

It’s not like I’m the kind of girl who switches bags to coordinate with her outfits (ha ha, I’m lucky if my clothes somewhat go together)  I’ve been carrying the same big black Kate Spade bag (my only designer item and I didn’t pay for it) for years – it fits all my essentials – wallet, phone, water bottle, sock knitting, a book – even my computer.  And hey, black goes with everything.  I also have a smaller hip bag I carry sometimes when I don’t need anything more than my wallet/phone – it goes across my body & I keep it on when I’m out at a bar or a show.

Then, suddenly, my mom comes to visit & I start making all these bags.

First – a bright orange bag that goes with nothing.

I called it Henry Lee - as in "a little bird lit down on Henry Lee" - Nick Cave/PJ Harvey song

I love it.  It’s like a messenger bag, as it goes across my body & is big enough to hold all my essentials.  The strap is a bit short but still, love it.  So Kate’s been retired for a bit.

I got the fabric from Ikea.  Why on earth did I not go there before?  I live 5 minutes (literally!) away.  I pass it everyday on my way to work.  They have awesome fun fabric, among other things.  I am lame.  Anyway the fabric is heavy canvas-y which is great…although I did experience my first broken sewing needle.

Then there came these:

no name for these, but I had a bird theme this weekend apparently

Okay now these are things I never use.  I like to keep my hands free when I’m out & about and carrying a purse.  And to make these handbags with wooden handles that I can only carry with my hand rather than my shoulder?  Sigh.  But they are so cute!  And easy to make – I used this tutorial - and quick.   I really love them.

Plus I made a couple more little drawstring bags & this little bag for my lipstick, chapstick, personal products that roll around in my purse all the time

By the way, I did not just sew up bags with my mom, I also made some piillow cases (one out of the blue birdie fabric on the purse up there) and some towels.  But bags pretty much were the focus – my mom made one similar to Henry Lee & some drawstring bags too.  If you really want to see them, they’re all on my flickr page.  We had a great girly crafty weekend – I love hanging out with my mom.

Oh, and I also bought a book – Sew What! Bags by Lexie Barnes.   So, I’m sure this obsession will not end anytime soon.

THEN today I get my first employee purchase from Knit Picks & guess what I got?

Yep.  The kit for the Montavilla Market Tote.  It’s not like I need grocery bags either – I have several reusable bags already because I freaking hate plastic grocery bags with a passion. Beyond even the environmental impact, I’ve just always hated them & my totes hold more & are easier to carry.  I almost always have my red Trader Joe’s tote bag in my purse.  But I guess I don’t have any knitted ones, so that makes it okay, right?

I also got some yarn (City Tweed finally!) and new circular needles (hopefully I won’t break another size 0 needle) but…excuse me, my Elinor is calling me to sew up another impractical frivolous bag.

 

It’s not easy being green

Well, I guess that’s not really true for me, but hey, I’m always happy to quote Kermit.  Green is my most favourite colour – I go through phases where everything I’m working on and everything around me is green.  I”m actually in one now –  both of my main knitting  projects are green!

First off, I finished a Scrollin’ sock:

Really quick knit actually – less than a week from start to finish.  It’s been a great at home pattern – the repeats go quickly &  it’s easy for me to memorize.  Best of all,  I immediately cast on for the second, which seems to be my issue of late.

The problem is, it’s not a great one to take somewhere like the movies – I do have to look down at it once in awhile to get the stitches straight.  ”But,” I can hear you say, “You have a boring dull stockinette sock that you were working on last week.”  Sadly I ran into a problem.  Or rather on – I stepped on my size 0 circ the other night.  Unsurprisingly, it broke. (I seem to have issues with keeping a hold of my size 0s).  So now I could just CO for the second on my dpns, but the main reason I like magic loop is I don’t have to worry about dropping a dpn somewhere, say in a dark theater.  Or I could just place another order at KnitPicks (oh, such a difficulty – I’m dying to try the new City Tweed, which I recently got to fondle.  Lovely stuff, perfect for a sweater.)

Or I could cast on for another sock in a different yarn with my other free long circ (my other one is being used for the Devon socks…also not a great project to have for purse knitting).  My eyes keep getting drawn to this…

Lotus Yarns Mythos Sock Club for May - Medusa, 70% superwash merino 30% SeaCell. 100% delicous.

Or maybe this…

STR Mediumweight Lunasea

While I really want to try out the Lotus Yarn – I always love trying out new fibers & I’ve never used seacell before – my only empty circ needle is a size 2, which I think the mediumweight STR would look better on.  And I might want to save the semi-solid Medusa for a more complicated pattern.  Not to mention it’s nearly the same colour as the KP Essentials I’m using on Scrollin’.

So I guess I just talked myself into STR.

My other project is an old hibernating one.  Anyone remember this?

I’m really embarrassed – I started this in April 2007.  Yes, that’s right, over 2 years ago.  It’s Cables & Os from No Sheep for You and I dig it out every few months & work on a repeat or so before it goes back into hibernation.  While picking out some clothes the other night for a job interview (fingers crossed!), I realized that I really want this sweater – it’s KP Cotlin, perfect for cooler summer days & air conditioned offices.  And such lovely cables.  So it’s back on the needles again…hopefully until it’s finished.  I still have (man this is really embarrassing) 3-4 inches to go on the body before the sleeves, then the yoke, then the sleeves.  I think the reason I keep putting it down is it just takes so darn long to do one row and it’s my first sweater on smaller than size 6 needles.  And a more complicated pattern than I’ve done so I keep having to tink back to correct a mistake, which takes the row even longer.  Sigh.  I thought about frogging it actually, but when I pulled it out again, I fell in love all over again.  So I am determined.

Another green theme is continued from my last post – green eating!  One thing that sparked my interest in organic & homegrown food was my own little garden.  Finally I’m getting some items in bloom!

A teeny tiny tomato!

sunflowers growing on a daily basis - amazing these things started 2 months ago from a tiny sunflower seed!

a pumpkin blossom! Not really green, but I'm excited because I thought my pumpkin plant had died until last week when it started growing all of a sudden

And last, but not least, a sure sign that Summer is in Portland…Roses!

my rose bush that, again, I thought had died over the winter. Hearty plants, those roses.

Have a great week everyone!  I’m off to Eugene on Thursday for the second of the multiple fiber fests in OR this summer - Black Sheep Gathering.  I’m looking forward to it, I’m going  with my lovely mom who is so excited we went 2 years ago & had fun, though I just discovered the Alpacas won’t be there this year.  Sad!  But look out Blue Moon STR mill ends!

Update:  I got a job!  It’s with a dream company – a local yarn/knititng company I adore – you might be able to figure out who that is, but I’ll give more details after I start on Monday!  YAH!

 

Summer of Socks

After a brief stint of  comfort knits & toys, I’m back on pretty much only socks now.  I keep casting on for more – maybe it was a mistake buying more long circular needles because if I have free needles, they need to be put to use, right?

I did finish up a pair in time for CoffeeBoy’s visit next week:

More Boy Socks

Started: April 19

Completed: May 19

Yarn:  KnitPicks Bare Superwash Merino/Alpaca/Nylon Sock Yarn and KnitPicks Essential (Ash)

Pattern:  Tubey from Son of Stitch & Bitch

Needles: Size1US

Notes: This will be the 4th pair of socks for CoffeeBoy, hopefully these will stand the test of time (and CB’s doing his own laundry) –  two pairs have felted or shrunk, one pair bled everywhere so they are now pink.  Sigh.  Anyway, these are not the most exciting socks to knit, but CB likes them so of course I’m going to make more.  I’m loving this new Bare yarn – soft & fuzzy!  One day I’ll have to get the actual Imagination yarns, but the Bare is lovely to work with.  Anyway, I used Tubey again for inspiration, but it’s my basic top down sock, slip stitch heel & plain toe.  I did go down a needle size for these (usually I knit the socks on 2US because…well, it goes faster) so maybe these will last a bit longer.

More socks!

An update on my Sunshine Socks – I’ve been working on them while watching season 2 of Veronica Mars – funny, I finally have cable, yet I keep watching my old videos.  Anyway, I like the  pattern a lot, as always with Cookie A.  I probably should be further with these but…

…I had to cast on with my new Cashmara yarn from the Knit/Crochet show last week.  Oo, I forget how much faster socks go on DK weight yarn.  I’m doing another Reversi – and hope these last.   I would have had a complete sock but I had to rip back – I did the pattern heel and got half way down the socks & worried I would run out of yarn on the second sock.  So I did a simple short row heel instead.  I’m also planning on not sewing up the toes right away on this sock until I’m sure I have enough yarn – if not, I’ll have rip back again.  Now that I think about it, I guess I should have done an afterthought heel.

But to be honest, most of my days (nice days that is) have been spent working in my yard – I kind of got lazy for a week or two and spent way too much time being a depressed couch potato and I am fighting falling into that again.  So it’s been yard work for the past couple of days – and I really need to invest in better sun block. Ow!

Here’s my latest project – my “orchard”

That’s a nectarine, plum & peach tree planted there, along with my grape vines that are finally coming in.  I doubt I’ll get much fruit off of them this year, but we’ll see!  Obviously, I still have some work to do in this area.   It’s suppose to be beautiful the next few days, so I think I’ll get more done!  :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

A Smattering of Projects

So since I’m working from home today (honest!  I’m not just sitting around knitting! Er, much anyway), I thought I’d at least try to get some project pictures taken and do some updates.

First I finally got a picture of the Reverse Red Sox I made for CoffeeBoy

Reverse Red Sox

Started: August 24th

Completed: November 6th

Yarn:  Knit Picks Bare (sock weight) and Mountain Color Barefoot in Rich Red

Pattern: Used Tubey from Son of Stitch & Bitch for inspiration but it’s just my basic sock with a stripe on the cuff & contrasting heel & toes

Needles: US2 Harmony dpns

Notes:  These took awhile to do.   I love CB but honestly, socks for him are so very boring – he only wants plain white socks with contrast heel & toe.  That’s it.  No fancy design.  Not even any extra ribbing.  So, I kept putting them down to work on something more interesting, hence the 2 & half months to finish them.  He specifically asked for these actually – while I am probably the bigger Red Sox fan in this household, we both enjoy watching the games (actually, I had promised to get them done before the playoffs…oops)  My thought was that I would make his & then for myself, I would do some regular looking Red Sox socks.  But I may need to rethink that…here’s what happened after one wear & wash:

I had a feeling it would too. Oh the joys of working with a rich red & white.  That’s only a small part of the bleeding – in fact, I wouldn’t even wash them with anything else – I actually handwashed them (yes, apparently I do love CB, I handwashed his socks.)  So he may end up with pink & red socks at some point.  I may have to forgo my Red Sox Socks, at least with this yarn.  I think I’m going to make some tiny ones for my mom instead – when she was out here, she thought the logo was adorable so maybe I’ll just make up a couple for her & make a magnet or ornament or something that won’t get washed.

And on to other socks…

Tye-dyed socks!  Well, that’s what it looks like to me in any case.  I had mentioned before my mom had given me her Socks That Rock stash with a promise to make her more socks.  Well, I’m finally getting around to it (is it bad to make a pair of socks for my mom as a gift if she bought the yarn?).  I’m a little annoyed at the pooling, but I do like how it turned out altogether and my mom won’t care.  I’m partway through the other sock, so I’ll probably have it done by the weekend.  1 present down!  Luckily, I don’t think she reads the blog, so I think I’m safe on this one.

I had to put aside my grandma’s blanket because (of course) I ran out of the only color I didn’t buy a second skein of – when I was buying the second skeins, I couldn’t remember if the color was beige or light grey (yeah, I’m a little forgetful) so I figured I would just pick it up another time…but then I forgot.  Sigh.  So instead I’m working on some hats for my nephews.  I picked up Valley Yarns Sugarloaf for them – wow I love this yarn.  So so so soft, it’s perfect for my nephews.  Instead of swatching the normal way, I made a swatch hat – I have 3 potential people I can give it too – a 4 year old, a 8 year old and my brother in law so I figured it would fit someone

Modeled by Thistlehair. Doesn't he look tough now?

Just a basic black hat. Now I have an idea on the stitch count for the rest of them.  I think I may just do some plain striped hats,  even though I usually try to think of something unique. I was thinking about the Poke-A-Dot Alien hat but I just don’t think colourwork with bulky yarn will be all that great.

 I need to get more of this yarn, I think it would be perfect for toys too.  I’m thinking about the Donkey from Pundit Babies from Mochimochi for my toddler niece.   

There I go, spreading my liberal agenda to the young.

Okay, I guess I should actually do some work now…