Not for my BFF

iphone_pic, a photo by bean counting knitter on Flickr.

I started a new pair of socks, BFF Socks by Cookie A, yesterday. They are for me and not for my BFF.  I have been excited to get my fingers into these little cables for a while now. I will have a great deal of air travel in the next few days so these will be a good distraction so long as TSA doesn't object. I have flown a few times now with knitting and haven't had any problems. But you never know....

I don't like to knit with wooden needles this small (because I am pretty hard on my needles and have broken a fair share of them) but TSA recommends wooden needles over metal so I am sacrificing. Hopefully I wont become stressed with turbulence action in flight and snap them. That would suck a big bunch.

Ever feel like there is a black cloud over your head?

Last night we were "treated" to three rounds of tornado sirens. That in and of itself is nerve wracking! Thankfully it was just an intense storm and not a tornado. I shared some photos of before the storm on Facebook and my cousin Mammy (Amy) asked if I ever felt like I had a black cloud hanging over my house (when she looked at the pictures). See for yourself!



My hopes, thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that have been affected by the horrific weather we have had the last few months.

Saturday I finished a pair of socks! Wooohoooooooo. The yarn and pattern were from my first shipment of the Cookie A Sock Club. The yarn is String Theory and has some cashmere. The pattern is Simple Haleakala.

2011 Finishing # 15

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

Baudelaire socks FINISHED! Thank goodness.

Darn it....

I have a few pairs of hand knit socks that are well worn. I am of the mind set to get as much wear out of my hand knit socks as possible. I have heard some say when the hole appears they throw them away. I just don't have the heart to toss them out until there isn't anything left to fix. If it can be fixed I am determined to fix it.....

I noticed a couple pairs starting to wear at the heel. I want to head off a hole. I like Knitting in Colors idea of picking up stitches and knitting over the hole. I intend to try this technique over the soon to be hole.  If I pick up stitches right at the edge of the heel and knit well past the worn part I should be able to graph the stitches to the bottom of the foot.  I would much rather knit a patch of fabric than darn a hole or God forbid throw them out.....



Stay tuned!

Toe up sock # 1 DONE!

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

I finished my first toe up sock yesterday. It is the Baudelaire by Cookie A.

I am still very luke warm on toe up.

I dream of cables....

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

I have been bitten by cables again. Perhaps it is my husband's impending trip to Ireland for work that has me so worked up about cables. Or maybe it is my love of cables. My Mom and Grammy loved to knit cables and I think I acquired that gene from them.

Earlier this week I received Knitting at Home and I can't stop looking at this book. Seriously there are 60 patterns in this book and I want to knit at least 16 of them.

The top of the list are these socks. I have to knit these socks. Never mind the fact that I have 10+ projects on the needles and they all have to be finished or frogged by the stroke of midnight on 1/31/11.

UGH!

Still a cuff down girl!

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

I am almost finished with my very first toe up sock. It's Cookie A's Baudelaire pattern published on knitty.com

While I am not in love with the toe up process I am grateful to have the skill in my knitting inventory. I know someday there will be a pattern that I have to knit and it will require toe up.

Nothing has changed because I am still a cuff down gal.

Official Cookie A Sock Club Member

So it has become necessary for me to modify my 2011 knitting goals already. This morning I awoke to the news that Cookie A has a 2011 sock club. OMG! Well after some ekkkkking on my part my husband purchased a membership to said sock club as a Christmas gift.

So now I am trying to figure out if I am going to try to knit my originally selected 12 Cookie A's PLUS the 6 from the club. I only have 15 days to decide.

Denial Canceled

Last week I blogged about being in denial. I didn't think the partially knit circle sock was going to fit comfortably. Later that same day I tried it on again and it didn't seem to be as tight as I remembered. It has been pretty crazy at work the last couple weeks and my brain capacity isn't what it used to be. CRS what can I say?

Anyway I started working on it again and last night I Kitchener stitched the first sock. On to the second!

Denial!

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

So I am in denial.... On Ravelry I am going to list this project as ZZZZZ but in reality I am going to have to frog this sucker. What you probably can't tell is that the cuff is like a flipping vise. I am not sure what possessed me to wait so long to try it on. I guess I will know better next time. I love this yarn and I really love the pattern. If I reknit I will go up a needle size for the circle patterns and back down to the current needle for the foot.

Circle Socks

Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

This sock pattern, Circle Socks by Anne Campbell, cracks me up. I have named the project 313 Circle Socks on Ravelry.

I have a break between the last pair I knit and a sock KAL kicking off so I cast these on Friday evening. I am using Zitron Trekking XXL (colorway 313) given to by Tami for my birthday last year. I am working the heal flap on the first sock.

So whimsical....

Cooper Circle Angee - Finished

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

This Angee pattern is awesome! I just love Cookie A. The yarn is Neighborhood Fiber Co.

First Sock Finished

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

Pattern: Encore Worsted Kids Socks
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted
Donation: Global Knits

2009 Knitting FO's

Here is an inventory with Ravelry project page links and some of the photos of hand knitted items I started and finished during the 2009 calendar year. WOW I should try to estimate the yardage of yarn used. On second thought it is probably best I don't.....




Rivendell
Started 11/22/09 finished 12/28/09

Balaclava # 2
Started 12/20/09 finished 12/24/09

Bountiful Bohus (Jalapeno Steeks)
Started 11/7/09 finished 12/23/09

Balaclava # 1
Started 12/16/09 finished 12/19/09

Maltese Fisherman's Hat
Started and finished 12/14/09

Huggable Hedgehog # 3
Started 10/09 finished 12/13/09

Felted Clogs
Started 11/1/09 finished 12/13/09

Encore Worsted Kids Socks
Started 12/8/09 finished 12/9/09

Slouchy Hat
Started 12/5/09 finished 12/6/09

Pastaza Skull Cap
Started and finished 11/27/09

Sideways Rib Cowl Modified
Started 11/15/09 finished 11/21/09

Not so itchy fingerless mitts
Started 11/13/09 finished 11/19/09

Hourglass Eyelets
Started 8/22/09 finished 11/15/09

Surprise BDAY Gift (Scarf for Mom)
Started 11/5/09 finished 11/12/09

iPhone Headphone Felted Case
Started 10/2009 finished 11/11/09

Christmas 2009 - Gift # 7 (Pond Vine & Leaf Beret)
Started 10/31/09 finished 11/7/09

Christmas 2009 Gift # 6 (scarf)
Started 10/30/09 finished 11/1/09

Christmas Gift # 3 - 2009 (Kitty Catnip toys)
Started 7/10/09 finished 11/1/09

422 Bella's Mittens
Started 10/25/09 finished 10/29/09

Christmas 2009 Gift # 4 (purple yarn stash busting)
Started 10/28/09 finished 10/28/09

Snickerdoodle Luxe
Started 9/4/09 finished 10/25/09

Sony eBook Reader Cover with Button Closure
Started 10/17/09 finished 10/18/09

He is a Hot Head (made two hats for Jimmy)
Started 10/16/09 finished 10/18/09

Deux Elm Row
Started 10/4/09 finished 10/13/09

5 Dish Wash Rags
Started and finished in September

Black September
Started 9/20/09 finished 9/24/09

Kauni Ribbed Mitts
Started 8/30/09 finished 9/12/09

Kauni Raha Scarf
Started 8/21/09 finished 9/6/09

Cherry Air Raid
Started 8/8/09 finished 8/17/09

Slipped Stitch Iron
Started 7/21/09 finished 8/4/09

Woven Stitch Socks
Started 6/23/09 finished 7/19/09

Christmas Gift (hedgie) # 2 - 2009
Started 5/11/09 finished 7/14/09

Alpaca Cozy Softy Socks
Started 7/4/09 finished 7/8/09

Jubilee KAL with Molly
Started 6/29/09 finished 7/5/09

Garter Ribs Socks
Started 6/12/09 finished 6/21/09

Clap 2x's
Started 3/16/09 finished 6/20/09

Pour me a Bordeaux Eunice
Started 5/11/09 finished 6/9/09

Baby Bibs

Started 5/12/09 finished 5/28/09

Christmas Gift (hedgie) #1 - 2009
Started 3/12/09 finished 5/10/09

Woodsmoke Do Over
Started 2/8/09 finished 3/6/09

Komet KAL with Molly
Started 2/16/09 finished 3/2/09

Molly's Knitted Flower Project
Started 1/4/09 finished 2/24/09

Ragg Hiker Socks
Started 2/4/09 finished 2/7/09

Top Down Hat II
Started 1/14/09 finished 1/15/09

Top Down Hat
Started 1/10/09 finished 1/11/09

Cold Tea is Sad
Started 1/3/09 finished 1/3/09

Socks!

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

So a few weeks ago Heather asked me if I would knit some socks for the Cedar Foundation. The socks are being sent to disabled orphans and adults around Bulgaria. She even passed along a hank of Peace Fleece yarn to knit them with. The hank had 200 yards so I decided to make some kids socks. These are so darn cute and I finished them in 24 hours. The best part is I still have over half the yarn left so I am going to make another pair after the Christmas and New Years.

Pattern: Encore Worsted Kids Socks

Sock 1 finished - Rivendell

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

I finished the first sock of my Rivendells last night. I immediately cast on the second sock because I really was feeling the pull of second sock syndrome. I have to march through and get it done! Go here to view the Ravelry project page for details.

Sock drought over....

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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter

Hourglass Eyelets finished.... It is odd though. I started these socks while on vacation in August. I got my tattoo during that vacation too. Today I finished these socks, which are the only socks finished during that time. They are something like my 12th pair of socks for the year. Still don't see why that is odd? Well in case you don't remember that tattoo is sock knitting related. I feel like my sock mojo is coming back though. Molly and I are going to be casting on a sock KAL later this month. :-)

Rocking Birthday!

I love this time of year. What do I love about it you ask? The leaves. I love watching leaves change from green to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. I hate when leaves change to ugly shades of crunchy brown though. When leaves get to the crunchy brown stage I am finished with fall/winter. I am ready for spring. The crunchy leave stage usually occurs right at my birthday. It is like the grand finale of a good fireworks display. This year is no exception and I was spoiled.

It started oh about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Krisite gave me this amazing Blue Moon sock yarn Socks that Rock. That alone is enough to cause me to sequel however then she told me she bought it at Sock Summit in Portland. WOW...... This yarn is amazingly soft and RED! Did you know my favorite color is red?

I am pondering making the My Vampire Boyfriend socks with this yarn. Those tomatoes were the last harvest from my garden right before our first frost.

Molly's gifted me with Neighborhood Fiber sock yarn. This yarn is dyed by a local artist and she produces her product in the basement of Wonderknits.

The colors in this yarn are amazing. It reminds me of fall that has been iced over with a light gloss. I haven't found the perfect pattern to marry this yarn with yet. I am on the hunt. Also in the package was a ceramic mug from the Renaissance Fest (thanks Dave for the torture). I wonder if Molly has some how tapped into my brain here because three times I have clicked on a tea mug to purchase and for some reason been distracted to not purchasing. Also included was some Earl Grey Spicy tea and so yummy.

Tami's gift included a bottle of my favorite white wine, Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, wrapped up in a hand felted cozy with leather handles.  Also along the wine theme is a wine cork with leaver opening allowing wine to pour without having to take the cork out.

Have I told you I love the sock that Trekking produces? Well Tami certainly got the message and gave me my second skein. I haven't found a worthy pattern yet but continue to hunt. Perhaps a simple pattern out of Sensational Knitted Socks. Something simple to let the colors pop!

As for my birthday, Jimmy put together a few of our friends and we went to dinner at Casa Patron.  Arla and Steve gave me an Apple Blossom Amaryllis plant. I was acting a bit immature by refering to it as my "Dick Plant". Hey it was my birthday and I can act immature if I wanna. I can't wait until this beauty blossoms and will post pictures!

 There were many margaritas consumed and chips inhaled. It was a lovely evening of talk and laughter.

On Saturday Jimmy, Kristie and I went to Nazareth's for lunch. Rachel, one of the owner's daughter, gave me one of her hand made rice bags. What is a rice bag you ask? This one is made of flannel material and has several cups of rice sewn up inside. Pop this into the microwave and place it on any sore spot that is ailing you. Moist heat that works out the pain. You can also place it in the freezer for a cold pack. If you are interested in ordering one of these, and I highly recommend them, leave me a comment with your email address and I will forward Rachel's contact information. These make GREAT gifts.....

 

This is the card Jimmy gave me:

Inside the card suggests as we get older to limit ourselves to a couple glasses of wine ~ it doesn't perscribe the size of the glass. ;-)

My mom and mother-in-law gave me some cash. With it I have ordered some yarn. Big surprise! Right? It hasn't arrived yet but I will post it when it does. I have big plans for this yarn. Stay tuned!

Thank you everyone for a wonderful birthday. You all ROCK!

Poo says, "Oh Darn"!

Darning socks again......

Ebb and Flow

Life has certainly dished out some major Ebb and Flow lately. By the time I got home Friday night from a knitters night out at A Tangled Tale, where we watched Marley and Me, I was pretty pissed off at all my knitting projects. Disgusted even.

So what is a girl to do when faced with knitting ugliness? Cast on some new happy projects. Yep that is what I did. I bought some awesome Shetland wool called Kauni Effektgarn 8/2 while at the shop Friday night with the Raha scarf in mind. I have wanted to knit the Raha for a while now. I really hope Molly and I didn't plan a knit-a-long for that pattern because I have major CRS going on these days. If we did I am sorry Molly! I will knit a second one together with you because the pattern is so fun! I am already in the fifth repeat of the eleven called for in the directions.

Here is a picture of the yarn and my progress on the scarf so far. I was able to get tons of knitting done while at Heather's yesterday. I am sure I will have at least enough yarn left over to make some fingerless mitts I have been wanting and who knows maybe a hat too.





I also found myself at a loss because of my lack of socks on the needles. So last night I got out my More Sensational Socks book and cast on for a pair of socks using the Hourglass Eyelet stitch pattern. I am using some left over sock yarn to make these in red and black. Should be an interesting pair of socks. If anything I can hide them in my boots if they turn out duds.


So during the movie Friday I got to the point on my sweater where I was setting up for the lace rows. When I got into working the row I discovered I am out of whack somewhere. I think this is really the reason for my disgust so I put the project in my bag and it has been sitting in time out ever since. I am starting to feel the itch to pick it up and figure out where the hell I went wrong if I did go wrong. It probably wasn't the best project to be working on during a very sad ending of a movie anyway. Yeah we all balled our eyes out! ACK......

Ahhhh the Ebb and Flow of my knitting life.....