Opal Socks

Just a couple pairs Opal Sock Yarn Socks. The black and white pair were from a regular sock weight yarn. The other pair in the making are from a 6 ply heavier weight and I loved making those and can't wait for the winter as they will be so nice and toastie warm. For the 6-ply socks I used the "56 Stitch-56 Row" pattern. These were both completed January through April, 2006.

Aran Celtic Braid Socks

I completed these socks in July. I am not sure how sturdy my toe grafting or the fabric in general will be. It was my first time using Regia silk. I knit from the Aran Celtic Braid Socks pattern as part of a KAL with the yahoo group "For the Love of Socks". I mainly knit them on my own and pulled out of the group because the group was very quiet and they posted ahead to another pair of socks way before I finished these. I used 3 mm Addi Turbos (US #2) and 72 sts, and I think that was a bit to big of a needle for the firm fabric I usually like. I have another pair of Regia Silk Skeins and I think I will drop to a size 1 needle in whatever pattern I choose. I did successfully knit 2 at once for this pair. I started on a 40 inch needle for 2 at a time using the magic loop method. I found that 2 at a time would be better served on a 47 inch loop IMHO. I could not avoid the ladders at the joins on the 40 inch. I switched to 2 circulars (24 inch) and had no further problems with ladders forming. Although 2 at a time is slow going, by any method, it is great to have them both done together. Well, I have many other sock yarns waiting for me and I have vowed to buy no more sock yarn, no matter how tempting, until all that I have is used up!

Making Lemonade

You know that saying, about when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? I had a plan to knit a gift for a 2 year old and decided upon the Rainbow Bear found in Family Circle's Easy Toys to Knit and Crochet. (The Lemon). The pictures in the book look cute and fun and the directions 'looked' adequate. I bought 9 colors of Plymouth's Dreambaby Yarn to make the Rainbow Bear. I completed all the parts by the day before the birthday party. I was sitting at the table sewing all the parts together and then stuffing them, when I realized "Why on earth was I doing this for a 2 year old?" That thought became more prominent when I realized that stuffing this thing was not creating even a remotely cute bear. It was looking like an alien with out of proportion legs/arms to body and then a huge head which was never going to fit on the body and look right. I should add that the whole time I knitted the parts, I realized that the pattern seemed to be full of errors and was poorly written. I had to figure things out on my own to complete the parts. At that moment, I gave up and threw away all the parts. Yes, threw it all away..........in the trash can. I then went to the local toy store and for reasonable money, bought an age appropriate gift for the little one and even got free gift wrapping. No stress! Note to self............remember that toy store routine for the future! However, I did save all the yarn. I just completed a crocheted baby afghan for a yet to be born baby - a good 4 months ahead of time! (the lemonade). I was determined to use every last scrap of yarn so I then went on to knit a silly little knit spiral rib hat.
I just found out the baby is a boy and I hope the colors will be ok. I think they will be.........well they will have to be. I know the baby's mother is not set on boy/girl separate colors and loves things in primary colors, so this afghan is more along those lines.

Just Starting Out

I do not know how often I will post or how I will use this blog but I will say that my blog name was a long time coming and suddenly it just came to me. I enjoy the hobbies of knitting, scrapbooking and any needlework (sewing for the home, crochet and such). Like most people, I just dont have the time I would like to do all of them. Also like most, I have many projects 'on the needle' or 'in the works'. I primarily want to have a place to direct people to see things I have made. I have been inspired and helped by so many other bloggers. I hope eventually to do the same for others.