The Sock

My first attempt at a toe up sock. I took a sock class and it could have been the needles (denise) or the yarn (takhi cotton classic) but I never really got the sock love. That is until now. So now I’m doing a generic toe up sock pattern (wendy’s) and loving it. Of course it could also be the lorna’s laces I’m using.

The Hat

Since I suck I have slacked on posting pics of that hat I made.  I do wish I had managed a more flattering picture but come on you are interested in the knitting not the state of my makeup. I really enjoyed the pattern. So without further ado I bring you Odessa.

Pattern: Odessa

Yarn: RYC Cashsoft DK color Poppy
Needle: Combination of denise and addi’s
Pattern Notes: Well it was going well until the top when I didn’t trust the pattern. So it has a few flaws but you can’t see them too much and there was no way I was going to frog it. I really enjoyed knitting this. It was fast, it kept my interest, the yarn was delicious. I’m going to make two more one for me and one for my cousin. I do plan on using beads on mine though.
Pics:

I kind of like one day projects. I finished the sophie bag tonight. Ok technically it wasn’t one day but I felt too awful with the girl plague last night to do anything with it so I’m saying it was about a day and a half tops. Even so I am convinced it was indeed about a days worth of knitting. It’s in the wash felting as we speak. I guess today will be a day of zen like finishing with tivo and Jaywalkers. I really should try again with the hat too. I’m thinking that with the right size needles maybe the hat will go better. God I hope so otherwise that lovely alpaca is turning into a felted bag. Even then who the hell would I give it to. My mom is over her blue period. There isn’t enough to make a man bag so that’s the plan, finishing, experimenting and socks.

So I finished my socks. They are sock shaped and although they have some mistakes I am generally pleased with them. First attempt and all. That being said I do not like the yarn I used. I mean I do like the yarn just not for socks. They stretch out really quickly. I should have a photo up sometime later today. I’m having the husband model them for me;) I got him to model it somewhat faster than I thought so… here they are.

So I sort of delayed finishing the socks because I originally had planned on making a scarf thing for the husband to take back to the sandbox with him. I was going to do it out of wick since it gets so freaking hot over there I thought *maybe* it would be useful. Anyway change of plans due to a change in his assignment thus I had 840 yrds of wick. I know I know that much yarn for a scarf? But I’d rather over buy than under buy. Anyway I spent several days searching for a pattern. Picovali would have worked yardage wise but I could not get gauge. Yes I am aware I could have altered the pattern. This is my first sweater so I wasn’t quite ready to do more than take the plunge into sweaters by just following a damn pattern. I also wanted it to be something I might actually wear. I know how picky can I get? So anyway…and much swatching and searching I ended up buying essential stripe by wendy of knitandtonic fame. But seriously I felt like I was in pattern hell.  I also lucked out and was able to order more wick in the right dyelot. Anyway I had a brain fart about part of the pattern but she helped me and I am everlastingly grateful. You know most sweaters are really freaking ugly. I’m busty and I have shoulders a line backer would be proud of. Put me in most boxy sweaters and yuck-o-rama. I mean I may not be skinny and hell even when I am skinny for me I still don’t look skinny so finding something that might not be too hideous was a bit of a challenge. Hopefully this will go well I haven’t gotten that far but let me say I love wick. I love wick. I also got some lion and lamb for the clap. I know I’m about 2 yrs overdue but…Its ok. Honestly I liked the colorway better on my monitor. I might try and pawn it off on someone else. We’ll have to see and just cause… A wip shot. I also was scarily OCD and put all my yarn into an excel spread sheet. That was sort of depressing I have a whole of lot of small bits. Need more yarn for larger projects!

So I did what 3 bags in a month. I have pics of the new one which I’ll post below but I am freaking sick of that pattern. It is fanfuckingtastic tv knitting though so I do find it kind of tempting…I know I know there are other patterns out there. I did find one that calls for a single skein of Cascade 220 maybe I’ll make that my default gift pattern instead. Once I test knit it. I have some red c220 languishing in the stash and I’ll bet my gran would love it. Sounds like a plan to me. If I can remember where I saw the pattern! (Oh what a total relief I found the pattern) Anyway I ended up liking my last bag ALMOST better than the one I made for myself. How funny is that. I wasn’t even that thrilled with that colorway when I bought it. Yet again noro has my grudging love. I guess I had better post a pic so you too can share in the noro love.

I finished the heel of my first sock. Well ok I cheated the pattern called for 6″ and I did 4″ I might do another inch to split the difference. I also want to get a move one for the other sock since I know I’ll have 2nd sock syndrome when its done. I’m not loving socks. Maybe and I hate to admit this its using the denises instead of the addi’s I admit its a possibility. Or maybe its the fact I’m making it out of Cotton classic but its not like the bestest mostest fun evah or anything. Its ok and I can see the appeal of them mostly nice gifts and portability but… I should reserve judgment until I finish cause 2×2 rib in the round isn’t that much fun no matter what!
(yes I realize that is not 4″ I didn’t feel like breaking out the camera)

I haven’t made any really majorly cool yarn purchases. I did manage to free an alice starmore book for the cover price though. I felt like I’d just had sex well what I remember sex feeling like;) It’s the fair isle one. I’m not sure I’m actually going to keep it. I just don’t like the look of FI all that much but I keep thinking I’d be a L’idiot to not hold on it to it.  But the yarn that 100-160 could buy…So we shall see. I also got a nice skacel spring pattern book that had 3 patterns I wouldn’t mind owning. Branching out continues in a half assed fashion. I know if I just dedicated say one repeat a day to it. Maybe two I’d finish in no time but I just… I actually really enjoy knitting it. It’s not that but I KIP so frequently these days. (3 days a week most weeks) That finding the time when I can dedicate my concentration for it is a bit limited. I shouldn’t have these problems I am a bon bon eating hausfrau after all. Not only that I am a bon bon eating hausfrau who has a deployed husband. Alas my inner pilgrim screams at me if I spend my day on my oh so frivolous hobby. This is one instance where my mad multitasking skils fail me. Oh well it will be finished some day.  If I ever make it again I must remember an easily tinked yarn is best! Might as well show off the progress or lack thereof. I will say tho I do think its coming out nicely just a bit slowly!

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