Sock Woes

This post relects my recent sock challenges.

For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to knit STR-Lightweight with 2.00 mm (US 0) needles. Despite getting the gauge I thought I wanted, these socks will NOT fit the Witty One. They are too tight along his instep.

Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Sock

Designer: Nancy Bush

Source: Knitting Vintage Socks

Yarn: BMFA, STR-LW in Sand

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.0 mm (US 0)

I let my dad try them on, and he said he'd never wear them. He's so sensitive to wool that Mamaw used to line his wool pants when he was a kid.

I haven't completed the toe on the second sock because I may need to rework the length depending on who gets them. Since those are my size 4 feet inside those socks, I'm starting to think a woman with longer feet might appreciate them. Hmmm... I have just the friend in mind...

I really enjoyed knitting the first Winter's Eve sock, but I am not pleased with the way the beads zig zag on the cuff. I spent a long time seeking just the right color for the beads (which look much better in person than in this photo). Unfortunately, the beads which were the color I preferred were a smidge too big. I chose to use them anyway, and now they zig and zag. Argh!

Pattern: Winter's Eve

Designer: Sivia Harding

Source: BMFA, Rockin' Sock Club, Dec. 2006 Kit

Yarn: BMFA, STR - Lightweight in Mustang Sally

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.5 mm (US 1)

As I knit this sock, I kept daydreaming of beaded wristwarmers and beaded gauntlets. Since I have thousands and thousands of beads in my stash, I plan to spend some time this summer matching beads and yarn. I haven't begun my search for patterns, but I just might try my hand at designing a pattern.

OK, it's probably not fair to these socks to include them in my sock woes collection, however I have been unhappy with their lack of durability. I knit them in January, and they are pilling, pilling, pilling. I think the yarn is just not as hardy as my beloved STR.

Pattern: Monkey

Designer: Cookie A.

Source: Knitty

Yarn: Claudia's Hand Painted Fingering in Toast

I have another 2 skeins of Claudia's (in Pistachio) that I've already wound, and there were knots in both skeins! Now I have 4 small balls of yarn. I love Claudia's colorways, but I'm not impressed by her choice of base yarn.

In foodie news, the Witty One and I attended a great dinner at Roy's last night*. Roy and some of his top chefs flew into town to cook their special James Beard dinner for our gastronomic society. Not only was the food delectable, Roy and his chefs served properly sized portions (i.e., small)! My favorite dish was the terrine, however my taste buds delighted in all of the courses. Bravo!!

Have a lovely week!

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

* Actually, through the "magic" of Blogger, my post reflects a publish date of April 29, 2007. Truly, I posted it on April 30, 2007. I couldn't have met Roy on April 28, 2007, because he was in Waikiki opening yet another restaurant. The man is a force!

A Bit More Yarny Goodness

I dug through the drawers and knitting stash to find some of the items I have knit in the last 8 months. Unfortunately, I don't have photos of at least 3 pair of socks that I gave to family and friends. (I'll ask the recipients for photos...)

In September 2006, I saw Cat on Knitty Gritty, and I was inspired to knit her Möbius-shaped scarf. Though I knit the scarf for myself, the Diva has asked me to share it with her (and so it begins...). It does look quite lovely as a head scarf for the Diva. It is a lovely pattern and a quick knit. Best of all, the cashmere yarn is luscious!

Pattern: Möbius Cowl
Designer: Cat Bordhi
Yarn: Hand Maiden 4 Ply Cashmere in Paris

Here is the Diva modeling her Mermaid Mittens that I completed in February or March.

Pattern: Mitten formula

Designer: Ann Budd

Source: The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Soft Rock in Mermaid

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.5 mm (US 1)

I really like this colorway. It has a lovely sheen to it that isn't visible in the photo. I haven't seen this colorway listed on the BMFA site. Does Tina still dye it? I need to find out because I'd love to knit a matching hat and scarf for the Diva.

Though I made a resolution to knit only from my stash in 2007, I promptly broke that commitment during our trip to Los Gatos, California, in mid-January. Naturally, I had to pop into Yarndogs while we were there, and I found Wildfoote yarn! I was able to convince the Witty One that I needed some of this lovely yarn to knit HIM a second pair of socks. He agreed (Did he really have a choice?), so now he is the owner of a second pair of wool socks. I must say, though, that he has yet to wear them, and I finished them in early February!

Pattern: Garter Rib
Designer: Charlene Schurch
Source: Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Brown Sheep Company, Wildfoote in Tom Cat
Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.0 mm (US 0)

I got a kick out of the Diva helping her daddy get into position for the photo shoot.

This will be all for today. Blogger (or my computer) is acting very lazy today, so I think I'll go see what the Diva is up to...

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

No Posting, But Lots of Knitting!

Greetings from Atlanta!

I have been a very busy girl these last several months. I started my new job in early September, and I've been going 100 mph ever since. I am an organizational strategy consultant, and I typically travel each week to work with my clients. As a result, I get a lot of knitting done while flying.

I remain infatuated with socks and sock yarn, and I've knit quite a few goodies during my hiatus from blogging. Unfortunately, I seem to have forgotten to take pictures of all of my goodies. I will strive to do so soon. Until then here is a taste of yarny goodness:

Pattern: Esther
Designer: Stephanie van der Linden
Source: Socken-Kreativ-Liste on Yahoo Groups
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks That Rock - Lightweight in Stonewash
Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.5 mm (US 1)

I LOVE this pattern! Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your exquisite pattern. The picture above does not show how truly beautiful this sock is.

Also, I knit LOTS and LOTS of bibs from the pattern in Ann & Kay's book. I have LOTS more to knit, too. Just in the last month, two friends have given birth to a total of three boys!!! My friend with the twins is doing 4 loads of laundry a day. Poor thing!!!

I wish all of you a happy day!

Cheers,
Deb in Atlanta

Socks for the Diva

The Diva has felt a bit rejected lately because I was knitting socks for so many other folks. As a result, I have been focusing on her lately.

These socks are knit from Cascade Fixation on 3.00 mm circulars. They shrunk up considerably after washing and drying, so next time I plan to knit them to fit MY feet before I wash them.


The Diva went stash diving the other day, and she pulled out the Opal Doktorfisch colorway for her next pair of socks (using 2.00 mm circulars). Though she's been a tried-and-true pink girl, she has recently converted to purple. She's growing up!


In other news, I will be returning to the "real world" of full-time work next week. Though I'll be working very long hours, I will get the opportunity to travel a lot. I've been "off" the road for the last 7 years, and I'm ready to return. (Of course, we'll see what I have to say about it in a month or two.)

Cheers,
Deb in Atlanta

Socks, Tourist Sites and Pirates

Despite having a very busy month filled with sightseeing and pirate-spotting, I still found time to knit lots of socks!

Since so many folks have asked me about my grandmother's black socks, I would like to share with you a photo of them.

They are lovely, aren't they. Well, I found out last week that they are NOT what my grandmother wanted. Somehow, I had missed the critical piece of information about how her church shoes have a thong in the toe section. She wanted tabi socks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She plans to bring the socks back to me so that I can rework the toes, but I told her to take the socks as is to Ireland next week since her feet might get a wee bit chilly. I need to build up some stamina before I tackle that black yarn again.

I also knit my first pair of Trekking XXL (Colorway 100) socks during the month. I used the Ribbed Lace pattern (pp. 50-54) from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks book. Originally, I'd planned to give them to my best friend who lives in Charleston, South Carolina, but I fell in love with them when I realized they were going to be too narrow for her. Lucky me!

To readjust the karmic balance, I decided to knit some Fetzensocken from the Sockamaniac_Sockalong list using BMFA's STR in Olivenite for my best friend. Luckily, she and her husband visited in mid-July, so I was able to check the fit on the first sock. I used any eye of partridge heel and a regular grafted toe.

After my best friend's visit, we welcomed The Diva's "Belgian Sister" for a 3-week visit! Belgian sister was on summer break, and she wanted to visit us sans family. We had a ball! Here is a picture of Belgian Sister, The Diva and Toad at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

We had a ball exploring the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibit there. In addition to visiting some of the other touristy Atlanta destinations (e.g., Georgia Aquarium, the Jimmy Carter Library, the Martin Luther King, Jr., burial site, and the Atlanta History Center), we took a road trip to Charleston!

My best friend threw a surprise birthday party for her husband. She arranged for a dinner cruise, and we were instructed to dress as pirates. The Diva insisted that she needed to dress as Tiger Lily. Who can argue?

Alas, I thought I had a photo of the finished pair of Fetzensocken and the Web Socks for Belgian Sister, but those photos have disappeared. The Web Socks are now in Belgium, so you'll have to take my word for it that they were lovely in the Stonewash colorway of STR.

However, here is a photo of the socks I knit with the Peaseblossom colorway from the Rockin' Sock Club July kit and Charlene Schurch's Elongated Corded Rib pattern (pp. 33 - 37) from, you guessed it, Sensational Knitted Socks. I just couldn't concentrate on the kit pattern for the Hippy Crunchy Socks, and I have to say I LOVE the way these socks look and feel!

I am now working on socks for my DSIL (i.e., dear sister-in-law), but I will not be able to post photos of them until December. These are going to be her birthday present, and I don't want to take the chance that she might see them before she opens them on her birthday! Trust me. They are lovely.

Finally, I'd like to share a photo of my finally-blooming hibiscus plant. I bought it several years ago, and it didn't bloom once last summer. This year, I gave it some fertilizer, and we are both much happier!

Happy August!

Has it really been a month since my last post?

Greetings!

I had grand plans to post more frequently, and I fell down on the job. So sorry! During the past month, I have been busy knitting, interviewing, and, most importantly, being Mommie.

Knitting
I had a ball with the STR Club yarn from May. I made the Rock and Weave Socks from the pattern in the kit, and I had enough yarn left over to make The Diva some snazzy mittens!

During the month, I joined the Summer of Stash (http://soskal.blogspot.com/), and I promptly had to take an exception. Grrr... My DGM (a.k.a., Mamaw) asked for some black socks she can wear under her choir robe, and I discovered that I did not have appropriate yarn in my stash. I promptly scoured the Internet for some black yarn, and Judy at The Knitter (http://www.theknitter.com) came through for me. Thanks, Judy!

For Mamaw's black socks, I am knitting the Sheri's Lace Socks pattern designed by Sockbug (www.sockbug.blog-city.com). The pattern in nice, but I deplore knitting with black yarn on small needles. Ugh! I can't see a thing! I've decided to knit these socks in daylight only until I am able to purchase a full-spectrum lamp.

On Sunday, I started a sock using the ever-popular Trekking XXL 100 colorway. I'm following the Ribbed Lace pattern (pp. 50 - 54) from Charlene Schurch's Senastional Knitted Socks book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1564775704/103-1501817-0843842?v=glance&n=283155), and I am liking them a lot. On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I knit one simple anklet for The Diva using some Cascade Fixation in a mint colorway. I promise to post pics of these socks/SIP soon.

Interviewing
I have decided that it is time to find a full-time job. After all, The Diva starts Kindergarten in August! I have enjoyed the flexibility of the part-time gig I have had for the last few years, however I'm bored. It is time to stretch the brain again. During June, I began my search for an interesting position, and I uncovered a couple of interesting opportunities.

I am flying to NYC today to interview with a firm that wishes to expand its Atlanta office, and I hope that I will remember how to interview! It's been 6 years since my last round of proper interviews!!!!

Being Mommie
During the month of June, I was Mommie. The Diva and I spent 2 weeks at our cabin in North Georgia so that she could attend a drama camp. The Diva enrolled in the Summer Reading Program at the local library, and she promptly read (i.e., I read) 67 books in 2 weeks! Her goal is 100 books during the summer. I'll be amazed if she limits herself to 200 books!

(A minute passes.)

Oh gosh, The Diva just handed me a picture she cut, glued, and drew so that I could "remember what a good time we have had" during the summer. (How exactly did she know that I was writing about this very topic?!) She recommended that I take it with me to NYC. What a girl!

I hope that each of you is having a wonderful summer (or winter, if you are down under)!

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

Now, Let's See Some Socks!

I thought I submitted a nicely written post about my 13 socks (6.5 pair) from the last 2.5 months, and then ... the computer/Internet gremlins ate the post. ARGH! I will try to rewrite my incredibly witty post, but I fear I may not reach the heights I achieved with the first post. (LOL!)

As you know, I've traveled by many planes, trains, and automobiles during the last 2.5 months. With such time at my disposal, I gleefully have knitted many socks. I failed to take pictures of each sock, however I have a few pictures to share.

I have a favorite pair of socks now. I love, love, love the STR-Lightweight Rose Quartz (http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com) yarn I used for the Child's First Shock in Shell Pattern (http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/Vintage_Socks/). (2 socks total = 1 pair) Though I knit these socks for my mom for Mother's Day, I did not want to release them from my grasp. Thankfully, in my stash lies a second skein of Rose Quartz............

I knit another pair of STR socks for my friend Val. For her birthday in April, she asked for the STR-Lightweight in Mudslide knit in Jeanie Townsend's Cascading Leaves pattern. (4 socks total = 2 pair) I loved the pattern, and I will make another pair using it. The Mudslide was not my favorite colorway. Hey, they'll look good with Val's Danskos though!

Thanks to EvaLux16 (http://evalux16.blogspot.com/), I own(ed) as skein of the infamous 1776 yarn from Fortissima Socka. I knit a pair of teensy socks for my 3-month old neice, but I failed to take a picture. (6 socks total = 3 pair) After seeing those cool socks, the Diva asked for some of her own. (8 socks total = 4 pair) Here they are:



This morning I finished my Fishermen's Socks designed by Moni for the Sockamaniac Sockalong (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sockamaniac_sockalong/). Thanks, Moni , for a great design! I knit these in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Mint colorway on Addi Turbo Size 2.5 mm circulars. (10 socks total = 5 pair) Beautiful!



While in Europe, I knit a pair of Feather and Fan Socks for DD using an adaptation of the pattern for the Sockamaniac Sockalong (see above). (12 socks total = 6 pair) I loved the pattern, but I'm worried about the socks. They are showing wear already. Maybe I should have used smaller needles with the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Happy Valley. Instead of Addi Turbos in 2.5 mm, next time I'll try them in 2.0 mm.



Now, that 13th sock... I knit a great 13th sock as the first of the Cedar Creek Sock pair from the Rockin' Sock Club (http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com and http://sockclubkal.bradandkris.com). Unfortunately, I forgot to take my notes with me to Oregon when I knit away on the 14th sock. Well, er, I knit the heel flap way too long, so now the pair sits on top of my stash. (13 socks total = 6.5 pair) I'll rip that 14th sock next week. Really, I will.

Finally, I joined the Summer of Stash (http://soskal.blogspot.com/), and I promptly learned that my DGM, who is turning 80 in July, wants me to knit her a pair of lace socks in BLACK so that she can wear them under her choir robe at church (where they keep the air conditioning going at full blast). I don't own black wool! My stash has Charcoal in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport and Dark Navy in Regia. Dagnabbit! I've got to use an exception for my Summer of Stash pledge!! The Witty One says it's OK since that's all I'm purchasing. Whew!

Long time, no post. During the last 2.5 months, our family has experienced the highest heights and the lowest lows. We believe we are approaching a middle state, and we seem to be breathing a tad easier now.

The Highs: We traveled to BeNeLux and France in April, and the three of us experienced the quintessential "Trip of a Lifetime!" We exchanged homes with a wonderful family in Gent, Belgium, and we were able to live as locals in their lovely home and city. We were welcomed by their friends and family, and we cherished every moment. We also traveled to meet other new friends in The Netherlands and Luxembourg, and we visited old friends who now live near Waterloo. Oh, and we saw some pretty amazing art, architecture and landscape during the 3-week trip.

The Lowest Low: Upon arriving in Paris the day before The Diva turned 5, we received a message that The Witty One's mother had taken a turn for the worse. (She was diagnosed with Stage 3A lung cancer on January 3.) We discussed the situation and decided that Grandma would want The Diva to enjoy her planned birthday in Paris, so The Witty One made arrangements to return to the U.S. the day after the celebration. The Witty One did make it to Oregon to spend a week with his mom before the cancer in her brain prevented her from knowing the family. She passed in mid-May, and we three returned to Oregon for the memorial service.

Grandma, you will be missed.

Our camera wasn't working last week, but luckily it works now! Here is The Diva in her soccer regalia. She LOVES playing soccer, and she seems to be fairly good at it.

She almost scored a goal in each of the two games she has played, and she has been thrilled that her team has won both games. Go Cheetahs!

I haven't finished her other wristwarmer. In fact, I haven't even started it. Instead, I made a wristwarmer for me. Now I have both twins to finish, BUT... I started the first Cedar Creek Sock from Blue Moon Fiber Art's Rockin' Sock Club. I love, love, love the Rainforest Juniper colorway. When I get a bit farther on the sock, I'll post a pic. (Of course, I'm sure LOTS of other socknitters have posted their progress on those lovely socks.)

Happy Sunday!
Deb in Atlanta

The Witty One's Lorna's Laces Cedar socks using Charlene Schurch's Chain Rib pattern in Sensational Knitted Socks 

I love, love, love Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks book. I used her Chain Rib pattern (p. 44-48) to make The Witty One's first pair of handknitted socks. I think they turned out well, however I am not happy with the instep.

The next time I make one of these 6-stitch pattern socks, I will knit the mirror image of the chart in order to get a purl trough next to the knitted gusset decreases. (I'd had the same problem with my Slipped-Stitch Rib socks from the same book, and I didn't think to make that modification for The Witty One's socks!)

Happy Sunday!

The Diva's wristwarmer in STR Scottish Highlands using Grumperina's Jaywalker pattern


When I first started using the Jaywalker pattern for socks for me, I found that this yarn pooled unattractively. (I should have taken a picture, but I didn't.) I decided to modify Grumperina's pattern a bit, and I ended up making the tube too slender. Therefore, I modified a bit more to create a wristwarmer that fits The Diva.

I'm working on a second wristwarmer/sock that should fit me. Once I iron out the proper modifications, I'll make the mates to our wristwarmers/socks. The Diva will need her second wristwarmer when we head to Europe at the end of the month!