Snowflakes for Spring

I promised pictures. These have been off the needles for awhile, but it took awhile to block them (I had to buy sock blockers) and then the weather was not cooperative for pictures.

Pattern: Snowflake Socks by Chrissy Gardiner (Interweave Knits Fall 2007)
Yarn: Reynolds Soft Sea Wool, 1 skein of each color.
Needles: Size 2 circular needles
Started: March 13 2008
Completed: March 29 2009

This was my first stranded project, and I used the opportunity to master the two-handed technique, using my right hand for the main color and my left for the contrasting color.

The first sock was knit a little tight as I got comfortable with the new technique. By the time I started the second sock, I had loosened up considerably, and therefore, the second sock ended up being significantly bigger. So much so that I had to block the second sock on a different sized sock blocker!

I should have gone down a needle size for the second sock; but alas, I did not realize until it was too late.

However, they are very warm and comfortable. I will definitely be wearing these around the house, different sizes and all.

And what stranded post would be complete without a little guts and glory! The inside...I think it is almost as pretty as the outside.

Notice my new purchase in the above photo. I got these lovely sock blockers from the Loopy Ewe. I made a deal with myself if I finished these socks I was allowed to buy these, as blockers are especially needed with stranded projects. I bought a pair in my size and a single blocker in all the other sizes they had so that I can block socks for anyone else I knit for. I love the sheep at the top.

A leap of frog and a lot of unfinished business.

Here is a recent finished project of mine. This frog hat was knit for a coworker's child so that she could match dad's outfit for Philadelphia's Mummer Parade.

Pattern: Frog Hat (Free Cascade Yarns Pattern)
Yarn:
Filatura Di Crosa Baby Zarella 1 ball each in colorway 1 & 15, plus some scrap worsted weight black yarn
Needle Size: Size 8 for Cast-on and Size 6 for body of the hat
Size: 6 months





Next are two projects that probably you probably won't see for awhile, as I am trying to finish a secret gift project, and have many other projects on the needles that need to be finished.

This one is a pair of Mary Janes from pattern 18305 in Dale of Norway Baby Designs/ Dalegarn #183 knit with what else but Baby Ull

Next is the Smock Coat from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby Book knit with Knit Picks Shine Sport.

Since it is the beginning of the new year and I had set a few goals for myself last year, I decided to revisit those goals and see how I did and make some new knitting goals for 2009.
In 2008 I kept my knitting goals simple due to my crazy school schedule. They were:

1. Try fair isle - I already have some yarn and all the tools I need.
2. Finish at least 1 sweater
3. Delve further into lace knitting : I plan to try the flower basket shawl, and have yarn to do at least 1 more shawl (maybe a Niebling)

Well I did try fair isle with my snowflake socks, and actually had some success. Unfortunately these socks remain unfinished, but as I will discuss later in the post I have a plan for my unfinished business.

I did finish 1 sweater with my FLS, but I also have an unfinished Bell Sleeved Jacket to complete. I just couldn't resist the bandwagon for the FLS!

As far as the lace knitting goes, I finished my Branching out Scarf and started a Flower Basket Shawl, but alas this project too remains in the unfinished category. I have delved into some worsted weight lace, such as FLS, and my current secret gift project as well. As for Niebling, well.....I purchased a Niebling pattern (Lyra) while I could get my hot little hands on it at a reasonable price. Maybe someday I will knit it.

Okay, so I tried out a lot of my resolutions, but have had a little trouble with follow through.

My knitting resolutions for 2009? Well number 1 is no surprise, but here they are:

1. Finish my unfinished business. I have many projects on the needles that I need to finish before I get swept up in all that new project fever. In order of how I will do this
a) Secret Gift Project (70% complete)
b) Snowflake Socks (65% complete)
c) Bell Sleeved Jacket (65% complete)
d) Flower Basket Shawl (20% complete)
e) Baby Mary Janes (10% complete)
f) Smock Jacket (10% complete)

Of course, I always like to have about 3 projects on my needles at all times anyway, so there may be some overlap. Usually I have 1 lace project, 1 sweater or bigger project and 1 small project like socks that is very portable on my needles at all times to fit different knitting situations.

2. Socks. I have developed a habit of collecting skeins of sock yarn. Everywhere we go, I find the local yarn store and find a skein that reminds me of the place we visited or that has a simply beautiful dye job. I need to get in the habit of using these skeins to make even more beautiful socks to keep my feet warm.

3. Knit my man a sweater. Gasp! I have been married for over a year, and have not knit my husband anything except a hat. Although my husband is generally not into sweaters, I did find a pattern that appeals to him in the Best of Interweave Knits book called Cambridge Jacket by Ann Budd. I think it is about time to knit my man a sweater. (And maybe some Dashing mitts as well).

4. Shop from my stash. I have a lot of yarn. Probably not as much as some of you, but even so. I currently have enough yarn for 3 sweaters in addition to the yarn to finish the sweater on my needles. I also have enough yarn to knit about 9 pairs of socks, and 3 shawls. I also have a lot of skeins that would be great for smaller projects.

5. Try Mobius knitting. I have had my eye on the Cat Bordhi Mobius Cowl for awhile, and already have a skein of variegated yarn picked out for it.

6. Try Entrelac knitting. I may start with a pair of socks, but I also have the Forest Path Stole in the back of my mind.

7. Knit more, now that I have the time.

There are a lot of other things I want to accomplish, but for now this seems like a reasonable list of goals. I look forward to a year of knitting in 2009.

Reading has stolen my knitting time!

After the move to the burbs and my newfound train ride time, I thought for sure I would be whipping through knitting projects in no time!

However, with the train ride has come a renewed love of reading. In the morning, I am almost always drinking coffee and have found it nearly impossible to juggle my coffee and knit on the train. In the afternoon, the train is often crowded, and I feel when I knit, I almost invade others space on the train even with the small motion of my arms.

I have always loved to read, but the last few years have been busy, and a lot of the free time I did have was spent knitting. In the last month I have read 3 books:

The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

None of them were " 5 -star" such as some of my favorites such as The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and Life of Pi, but they were good reads nonetheless. I particularly liked Eat, Pray, Love and My Sister's Keeper.

I am currently reading The Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler.

Not to fret though, I have managed to finish the first snowflake sock and cast on for the second. Here are a few pre-blocking photos.

Snowflakes Falling

Now that my final is done, I was able sneak in a little knitting time this morning to work on my snowflake socks....I have turned the heel, and may officially be addicted to colorwork.

They are a tad tight, but I can get them on, and with a little blocking, I think they will be fine.

Now I have to get back to packing. We are moving in a week, and there is still a lot to do!

Fair Isle!

Two nights ago I cast on for Snowflake Socks by Chrissy Gardiner from Interweave Knits Fall 2007. This is my first Fair Isle attempt and actually it is going suprisingly well. I am knitting with the main color (blue) in my right hand and the contrasting color (white) in my left. The Continental still feels a little awkward because I am a English style knitter. No puckering and it looks nice and even, although it might be a little tight. I can get it over my heel, so it probably will be okay, but I am going to try to keep my strands a little looser.