Wine Socks are done

I finished these socks on 11/12. Not in time for Dad's memorial. Once family started arriving, the needles became idle. They are a nice reminder of my dad when I do wear them.
The pattern is from Ann Budd's "Getting Started knitting socks". It is called Spiral Rib Socks, pg 92. The pattern called for worsted weight yarn and size 8 and 7 needles.
I used sock yarn from Knitpicks.com and size 1 (2.25mm) needles. The yarn color is not as bright as it is in the picture. The flash kinda ruined it.


I've already casted on my next pair........ in Christmas yarn!

I'm back

Wow! I've been gone waaaay to long from my blog. Dust and cobwebs everywhere.
I'm still knitting, although I laid down my needles for awhile and read alot instead. Bought myself a Kindle from Amazon and love it! Rode my bicycle to work all summer. I took care of my Dad's place while he was in the mountains, so that meant watering 3 times a week for about 2 -21/2 hours. Sadly, my wonderful dad passed away on Oct. 7th from colon cancer. He bravely fought it for 2 1/2 years. This is the last picture of us together. I had to go up to the mountains and pack him out.


While sitting with him at home and at the Hospice House I was knitting socks. So these socks will forever remind me of that time with him. Appropriately, the colorway of the yarn is called "wine." My dad loved his vino. I'm trying to get this 2nd one done before next weekend so I can wear them to his memorial.

Lancaster socks Done!

I finished these up quite awhile ago. Finally got around to taking a picture of them to post. I've worn them a few times, showed them off, and as you can see, they held up to the washing machine. I hang dried them; can't be having them shrink. They are very comfortable.
Yarn: Berroco Sox yarn
Colorway: 1427 (Lancaster)
Pattern: Basic sock; cuff: K2 P2; leg: K3 P1; foot: Knit

Mama's Stash

Mama, circa 2000

My husband's grandmother was a knitter. When I met her (Mama) she was no longer knitting. I hadn't started. She died in 2001 at the young age of 96. She was a wonderful, caring, giving, lovely woman. I wish I had found her stash while she was alive. The stories she could have told about her projects! Instead, last month I was given her stash. There are quite a few unfinished projects. Some with needles still attached, all without the patterns. And without the stories. How sad!!! While going through the bags and boxes, her daughter Maria told me how Mama learned to knit. She befriended a lady who was the nurse to Robert Louis Stevenson. She taught Mama to knit her very first item.....socks!!! It took me 4 years to finally venture out and attempt socks. Now I kick myself for waiting so long to knit them.
I brought all the yarn home and today I took pictures of my "inheritance".... it took eight years of asking for the stash and last month I got it. Eureka!!!
Here we go....

Purple Mohair

Parfait, 9 balls

I started unraveling this project and I'm knitting a scarf with the yarn

Who was this for? My husband?

Almost complete. Where's the pattern??

Unknown

I think I can finish these

Yarn odds & ends

If you have suggestions or comments on this post, please, please send them. I would love to hear what you think, what I should do, etc.

Wool Hat

I made this wonderfully warm wool hat last month. I just love it!!
I used Noro Kureyon 100% wool yarn #159 Brick/Green/Purple/Blue colorway.
I used two skeins. I found a good price on ebay. I found a link to this pattern while reading blogs. The pattern can be found here. Pretty?

Backscrubber

I came across this pattern found on knittingbunny's blog. She has some of the coolest things to knit.
I used Peaches & Creme cotton yarn, color #11 Sunburst, size 5 needles. I found that if I left extra long tails at the cast on and bind off ends, I could use them to sew on the handles.
Looking forward to using this in the shower.


Share your smile with someone today

Another baby bib set

I finished one more pullover baby bib and washcloth set. The baby shower is set for Feb. 18th. Can't wait!!
Yarn: Peaches & Cream #169 Salmon Royale. One ball for both. Size 10 needles.

Koni's Socks

I knitted this pair of socks for Koni in cold, cold New Hampshire.
Made with Moda-Dea Sassy Stripes, colorway 6250 Crayon; on size 3 needles.
I tried to match the color stripes, but the 2nd ball started halfway thru and I didn't want to run out of yarn or try and add to it later. As long as they keep her feet warm....

Baby Bib

Ooooooohhh, Baby. She's having a boy. Here's a fast and fun baby bib and washcloth made in one day. Pattern from Creative Knitting, January, 2009, page 66.
I used Sugar 'n Cream Twists Denim Twists, color 20117. I used size 10.5 needles instead of size 10s because I had the 10.5s with me and I was anxious to start. I am going to make another set as a stash buster of my cotton dishcloth yarn.

One Lancaster sock finished

Tah-done! On to the next one, except.... I somehow lost two needles. Unbelievable! And they are the Harmony wood ones from Knit Picks. Time to place another order!!

Lancaster sock

Making progress on my second sock. I like this colorway. Gotta love self-striping yarn :)
Knitting on my new Knitpicks Harmony DPNs, size 2.25
Yarn: Berroco Sox, color: 1427 (Lancaster)


Modesto weather: Foggy, again. No Burn day. Cold, damp, and did I mention it was FOGGY? Time to turn up the heater and play the Beach Boys CD.

Ziggy Recycles

Sometimes Ziggy says it all.

Knit Picks order

I placed an order with my new knitting friends and kinda went overboard. But, wait, the books were 40% off!!!
Books: Sensational Knitted Socks and More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch

Yarn: Knit Picks Essential Kettle Hand-Dyed. Wine on the left; Eggplant on the right.

Needles: Harmony wood 6 inch double pointed needles.

Socks - First pair done!

I completed my first pair of socks! Okay, now I am addicted. Already knitting another pair and I've spent more money on sock yarn, needles, and books.
Check 'em out!

Garden pixs to share

Summer is gone and that makes me sad.
The tomato plants were all yanked out 2 weekends ago. The sunflowers are gone.
Basil is going to seed. The lettuce is fighting the white flies (HATE 'em!). My lantana is still pretty in the front yard. The Haas avocado tree is growing tall. Can't wait for it to produce. Love the elephant ears. Enjoy the pictures.

Rosemary

Haas Avocado tree

Elephant ear

Daisy

Lantana

1st sock's mate

10/18/08
Here is the mate in the making. I have finished the leg portion and knitted 6 rows of the heel. Just 20 more rows to go.


Now the heel has been turned.



Stitches have been picked up and the gusset has been started.


10/19/08
Gusset done. Now 71 rounds for the foot.

Sunflower summer

For my birthday in April my stepmom gave me two giant sunflower plants that she had started. I planted them along with some other sunflower seeds I went out and purchased. I had a lovely backyard full of sunflowers. When they died off, I cut off their heads and set them out to dry. I found instructions on the internet how to oven roast them, after letting them soak in salt water overnight. I plan to do that soon. Here are the pixs of the sunflowers, before and after. They are such happy flowers. Can you see the bees in the photos?

First Sock!!

Check out my first ever sock! I met up with some awesome ladies at Barnes & Noble and they started me on my first sock. Just completed it and now I'm working on its mate. Denise had the best advice. Read the pattern line by line and don't try to figure it out, just do what it says. Well.... it worked! I will be showing it off tomorrow night. Now that it is done, I find it on the large size. A little long, a little wide in the foot. Also, the yarn was a bit "thick". I will use thinner yarn and smaller needles on the next one. Here are the sock specifics:
Pattern was found in Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks. Size is "6 stitches per inch". I used #3 needles. Yarn: Moda Dea Sassy Stripes, color 6948 Polo; light #3, 100% acrylic. I LOVE self-striping yarn!!
So...... do you like?