World Wide Knit in Public Day

It's that time again folks. World Wide Knit in Public day is coming around again. On June 10, join knitters all over the world as we knit in public and show off our craft. Get more information by clicking the "show your sticks" button on my blog.

Frustration

Well I shouldn't have talked so big about making progress. Soon as I did I started to have trouble with the socks. No matter what I did I kept messing up the gusset. Don't know why, it's hardly my first sock. Finally in frustration I frogged the damned thing to the start. I decided that it was just cursed and took it as a hint that it might be time to try something different than plain vanilla socks. So I am breaking out that copy of Sensational Knitted Socks I bought the other day and will try something from it for a change. Wish me luck.

The observant among you will see a new button on my blog for the Knitter's Tea Swap. I just joined and look forward to what I'll be getting. You are supposed to send a box of your favorite tea, something to eat with it and two skeins from your stash. Sounds easy and fun. Give it a go yourself.

My two newest purchases are some Lorna's Laces sock yarn off of Ebay in green, and a toddler vest pattern that I intend to use for Children in Common. I saw it mentioned on the CIC list and could not resist. Please consider lending your talents to this wonderful organization. More information can be found by clicking the Children in Common link on my sidebar.

Productive Day

I got a lot done today knitting wise. I finished a vest for Children in Common, But I'm not sure about how the shoulders look so I may have to play with it a bit. I also got to the heel turn on the Lorna's Laces socks. I really enjoyed the vest and learned a new technique while doing it, the Thee Needle Bind Off. Now I know another way to join shoulders in sweaters and vests.

Went to the LYS yesterday and scored two new balls of sock yarn, Lana Grossa Cotton Fantasy. I've been wanting to try this yarn and the samples in the shop looked so yummy I couldn't resist. (yes I know I should have pictures with this and I will as soon as DH digs out the camera for me) I also got some needles, a couple of sets in bamboo in size 1 for socks and an Addi Turbo in 10 1/2 for mostly charity knitting. Last but not least is the book, Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. I'd seen it mentioned on the Socknitter's list and it looks as good as everyone said it did. Lots of socks in some basic patterns so you gain confidence. Directions for 4, or 5 DP needles and also for 2 Circs. I recommend this book, my next pair of socks is coming from it.

The Lorna's Laces sock would be much further along if I hadn't had to frog the gusset. I am very picky about my socks and just didn't like the way it looked. So I pulled it back to before the heel turn ( the only way I know I'd get to the right place in the pattern.) It was frustrating but I'd rather frog than have lousy socks.

Waiting excitedly for the start of Secrect Pal 8. I sat out round seven as I was changing jobs and didn't know what my situation was going to be moneywise. Round 8's rules are a little different, you have to contact your pal 3 times each month by email, package or snail mail. It used to be only one package a month and that's it. I like this way better and it's one of the reasons I joined. If you've never done secret pal, give it a try you won't be sorry. I am also considering doing a knitting and tea swap that's being offered in the RAOK web ring. I've not made my mind up about that one though.

I'm still listening to podcasts. Mostly while I knit. Have you tried any from my list? I'll be adding more this week sometime. I highly recommend Cast-On, KnitCast, and Knit Tunes (no knitting content just wonderful music to knit by). The others are great but these are my particular favorites. If you find a podcast you like please let me know. It doesn't have to be knitting related either. I'd also ask you to tell me about blogs you particularly like so I can add them to my Bloglines list.

Sweater Problems

I've been working on DH's sweater, or more accurately trying to work on it. It's an Aran and the directions aren't charted so it's a little confusing. The first attempt to start the pattern resulted in not enough stitches being left to finish the row. In an effort to figure it out I actually went through the pattern and counted how many stitches it would take to get through the pattern repeats and it came out OK, so I know that there's no problem in the pattern itself. So I bravely started working again, hoping it would come out OK this time and in the middle of the row my son called and I lost my place. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out where I am but it's frustrating. I will never again buy an Aran pattern that isn't charted. I never appreciated how important charts are until now. Being able to see visually what's going on would be helpful right now. I don't have the patience to go through the pattern and chart it myself and besides I'm afraid that I will make a mistake and screw it up.

I finished a premie hat from some left over Magic Stripes sock yarn and it's just darling. I will post a picture very soon I promise. Not as fast as a premie hat from regular yarn but almost an instant gratification project, with the bonus that it helps someone. I plan to make a few more of the hats from this yarn as well as the yarn I mentioned in my last entry. Not sure where I will send them to quite yet but there's time for that. I'm also going to try and do some stuff for Children in Common. Most likely some mittens as it's been a long time since I've made any.

I've rethought my position of finishing the red sweater at all costs. I am not sure if I'd have enough yarn to finish it if I go to another pattern. DH keeps saying to me that I shouldn't finish it if I am not enjoying working on it and he is right. I will make it into smaller projects instead. The yarn is lovely and one of these days I will make a sweater out of some Knit Picks yarn.

Going Riding In A Car

I did something today I've never done before, I knitted in the car while DH drove. I'd always thought that it would make me nauseous but it didn't and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I have something to do on those long car rides to visit DS at school (DS has special needs and attends a boarding school for kids with developmental disabilities about 3 hours away from us) I worked on my socks and got a lot done.

People have been noticing that I have trouble with my right shoulder. Two people today asked me if there was something wrong with my arm due to the way I've been holding it. I didn't realize I'd compensated to that extent. My shoulder is painful when moved and sometimes just at rest due to the fact that I have a form of arthritis. I guess it's time to have it looked at by a doctor if people are seeing a difference in how I carry myself.

DS has been in for a visit the last few days and it is a joy to have him at home. I know that they are helping him at school and that he is happy there but I do miss him. He's nearly 16 but he's still my baby and I can't help it. I wish there was a school that would help him here at home but there just isn't one. Sad, but disabled kids just don't get what they need from the schools in this area.

I have not re-started the red sweater yet as I worked on the socks today. OK, didn't work on it because I was too disgusted. I admit it. I am determined to get this sweater done. No matter how long it takes.

I will post a picture of the socks when they are a little further along. I just love the way the colors are working out, striping along in a spiral pattern as I go. I am excited by this yarn, it's so soft and a pleasure to work with. I am going to have to get some more Lorna's Laces. I've also decided what to do with the yarn that kept having breaks in it. I am going to use it to make premie hats. I've done premie hats in the past but haven't done any in a while. I think it would look lovely to have some of those tiny hats in a patterned yarn, rather than the usual baby colors I've used. I encourage you all to try making premie things, it's a wonderful way to give back by using your knitting. Try clicking on Carewear on the sidebar for more information.

Help! My Sweater Is Driving Me Crazy.

I took out the red sweater today to work on and damned if I didn't find a reason to frog the stupid thing yet again. Loose stitches, and a mistake that I found. Honestly I don't know why I don't just chuck the thing for good. No matter what I do I seem to come up with a problem. *sigh* In the morning I'll try again. Or maybe finally start DH's sweater.

Listened to a new podcast today that I just loved. I've had it listed on the sidebar but not heard it until this evening. (I'm trying to keep a comprehensive list of fiber podcasts on the sidebar so if you know of one I don't list PLEASE tell me) It's called Knit Tunes and it consists of music to knit by rather than knitting content per se. But the music was wonderful and very nice to knit to so I recommend it to you all. I also rather liked At The Yarn Shop. She talks about what it's like to own a shop, which I found interesting, as well as product reviews. Check this one out too, I think you'll be pleased.

The socks have had to go by the wayside. The yarn I complained about proved to be even more annoying than I had anticipated. It kept having breaks in the yarn and if I'd kept using it I'd have had a thousand knots which I didn't want to have in a pair of socks. So I put the yarn away for a possible future use as an accent and took out some Lorna's Laces that I had in the stash. Wonderful color, the Amish colorway for those of you who know this line. Purples, blues, black, and a flash of red from time to time. Just gorgeous. I've not knitted Lorna's Laces before so I am really looking forward to working with it. I've heard so much about it. I'll of course keep you posted on how this goes.

Things I Do While I Knit

Do you just sit and knit or do you do something while you are knitting? If you're like me than you usually are doing something in addition to knitting. I've read while knitting, (only possible on easy patterns) listened to music and podcasts, and of course watched TV. I've also walked while knitting if it's a small item like socks this is very easy to do. One of the things I like to do is burn candles when I knit. I love the different scents of Yankee Candles and always have them on hand. I just enjoy the fragrance and it kind of sets the mood. OK, I admit it I'm a candle addict and burn them all the time not just when I'm knitting. I ought to sign up with one of those direct sales companies that sells candles so I can get them cheap. :)

I am enjoying my socks a lot but there are problems with the yarn. I keep coming to places where one ply is broken so it's thin in that spot. I hope it will be OK when it's finished. After these socks I think I am going to try a pair that is toe up. I've never done that before and really want to give it a try. The technique junkie in me rides again I guess. I had thought to do the next pair for DH, but now that I've decided to do it toe up I may not. We'll see how I feel when the time comes. I am a slow knitter these days for some reason so it' will be a bit till I get to it.

I highly recommend the Knit Cast with Anne Modeseitt. I've been listening to it and it's fascinating. She talks about how she learned how to knit, her designing philosophy and much more. You can get it by clicking the Knit Cast link under podcasts on the blog here. KnitCast was the first pod cast I ever listened to, many episodes back, and it continues to be one of the best knitting podcasts around.

Quick note about DH. He finally recovered completely from his accident although he had pain until sometime in March. Thanks to those who asked about this.

Long Time No See

Sorry it's been so long since I updated this blog. I promise more updates in the future. Right now I'm working on socks my favorite knitting project and still am working on the multidirectional knitting. I had a problem with the scarf I was trying to do in the technique, so I stopped it and will instead go through the lessons you can get for free from the multidirectional knitting group where I lurk.

I still haven't started DH's sweater but the next pair of socks are his so that will partially make up for it. I may have to go out and buy some yarn for it as he will probably not like the stuff in my sock yarn stash. My what a sacrifice that will be :). I am working on the red sweater still, but it's boring so it's going slow. Note to self and any other would be designers, don't design a stockinette stitch only sweater. It's slow going and boring. I should have done some panels of seed stitch or something. Not too late I still may work it on the front.

I mentioned podcasts here on the blog, and I am still listening to them. I am happy to say that there is a wealth of knitting podcasts out there most of them great fun. In the next few days I'll be adding a new block to the sidebar listing some podcasts for you to try. Give them a go and remember you don't need an Ipod to listen you can always play the podcasts on your computer or burn a disk and listen on a CD player. I've done both and it works well.

Well I'm off to a hot cup of tea and a perusal of the new KnitPicks catalog. Till next time.