I Said There Was Knitting

I ran out of room and time in my last post before I could share my knitting.

I have almost finished the second square of Fr. Stanly's throw.  The heat and humidity has slowed that down some.  Once I have the first two sides of the circles squared to much of it hangs in my lap.  Hopefully cool weather will be here to stay soon and I can whip it out.

While on my road trip, I uploaded a picture of some of the knitting that had taken place as of the morning of our second day.  I have continued to work on that, at least part time.  You know me, I always have more than one project in the works.  But this is a picture of the Blue Easy Shaped Shawl as of this afternoon.

I was on the Royal Blue when we started the trip.  The color is starting to transition over to light blue again. Every other row the rows are one stictch longer, so it is going slowly now.  But it is an easy knit, just like the pattern said.  I even bought another skein of this "Shawl In A Ball" for another one.

Someday.

I had started the first sock of this pair last week.  And now I am two rows from binding off the second sock.

My first sock with Fixation, a cotton and elastic yarn, and first time using a short row heel.  I had to use the extra contrast yarn on each side of the heel to stitch up the gaps after this picture was taken.  It looks and fits fine now.  As soon as I am done here, I will finish number two.

And as though I didn't have enough projects on hand, a friend gave me this at Knit Nite.

She had kept her size 4 needles, so I transferred it to a new needle and after a few rows, tinked back and tried again with a size two needle.  Much better.  Gauge does matter you know.  

I just need to finish the hood and then the front bands.  I also got a zipper today, so I may install instead of buttons.

I guess I have some knitting ahead of me.  As usual.

A Goal or Two, Or More

As I mentioned before, I don't do resolutions.  Too definite.  To much of a promise.  I prefer the term of goals.  Something to shoot for, but no harm, no foul if you don't quite reach the finish line.

That said, I skip the whole personal improvement type of goals.  Don't smoke.  Only have a wee bit of wine at New Years, then some after, to finish the bottle by the end of the month or so.  I try to improve myself and my actions with frequent "examination of conscience."  

So my goals deal with the real stuff of life: Knitting and Reading.

My knitting goals fall into a couple areas, some miscellaneous WIPs and some sweaters.  While I need to first finish my Favorite Teen's Turquoise Sockhead hat, as well as her Graceful Harvest cardigan, since they were Christmas presents these will be next to go.  The hat is well on its way, with about 3 1/2 inches before shaping begins.  

 

Obviously it will be extra long.  It is a slouchy style hat.  And due to the lighting conditions, it looks too green here.  It really is turquoise.  Anyway....

The WIPs goal:

• First is to finish the Baby Hap, which is stalled on the border and will be first to be worked on, once the presents are finished.  
• After that finish the 10 Stitch Blankie.
• And, at least one pair of my several socks already on the needles. 

Then there is my Sweater Goal:

• Finish the previously mentioned Graceful Harvest.
• Find and finish my Navy Tweed Vest.  (Where did I stash that?  And the last few skeins?)
• Finish my Bang Out A Freyja.  It was a project to have been knit last February, in the round then steeked.  I am close but not quite to finishing the body shaping.  I know where it is, but must review the pattern closely.

And Miscellaneous Knitting Goals:

• Finish at least one project started over two years ago.  Sadly, I have several to chose from.  This may be a two- fer with a pair of socks.
• Hold off as long as possible starting any new projects.  This may well be the hardest goal of all.

I think I will save the Reading Goals for next time.

Resolution Review

Way back on my January 8th post  I listed some resolutions here on the blog.  They were primarily knitting goals and resolutions, although I l did add some non-knitting resolutions at another time. 

 How did I actually do with them?  Only so-so.

Number 1was to finish my most active WIPs (Works In Progress).  I then listed the ones I hoped to finish:  

 

• Navy Tweed Vest, is for me, and still languishing in a project basket beneath another project.  Not accomplished.
• Stonehenge Hickhiker, was also for me.  That was finished back on January 18, plus another later in the year.  Accomplished .
• Sandy's Traveling Woman Shawl was finished in May, in plenty of time for her cruise.  Accomplished.
• Rustic Blue Silk Triangle.  This was from stash yarn purchased for my birthday a couple years ago and shown above.  Accomplished.
• Lilac Cardigan, for the Purple Princess.  I almos frogged it but I was successfully completed January 30.  Accomplished.
• Baby Hap Shawl, also for the Purple Princess.  This is hiding the tweed vest.  It just needs the last bit of lace edging to be completed.  It would have been done but this fall was too hot to have a pile of fluffy wool on my lap.  Not accomplished.

 

So, I did complete four out of six that I listed then.  And, added several more, including some for my own Little Peanut.

Number 2 resolution was to knit one or two cardigans for me.  I even listed the yarn from my stash that was to be used.  And while I did cast one a new cardigan, using new, not stash, yarn, my Freyja is still sitting, although close to the arm divide.  This resolution is a total failure.

Resolution 3--more socks.  Hmmm. I started one with a Craftsy Class, that's past the heel on sock one.  I took a class at the local yarn shop, learning the Fleegle Heel and have 1 1/3 sock done.  And a started a plain vanilla sock, using the Fleegle Heel.  It is half done.  And the previously started Broken Seed Sock still sits as well.  No usable pairs of socks...not accomplished.

Number 4 was to finish more of my Craftsy classes.  I did finish a couple.  But bought a few more.  Oops.  Not accomplished.

 

Not very good returns, but at least I had goals.  I may rethink the WIP resolution again.  It kept me motivated.

I mentioned additional goals as well.  I had hoped to blog more often.  Since this post has me tied with the second most posts per year, I think I did all right.  Even if I didn't come close to posting daily.

One goal for the year was to explore my options in changing my church home.  I took the plunge the end of January and am very pleased with my new situation.   My soul is being fed again.

On the goal of handing out random compliments, I could have done better, but did do some.  I may need to resolve to review my goals monthly, to help on that one.

Lastly, I added the goal of crocheting a sampler scarf and mitts, after taking a crochet class.  My heart still belongs to knitting, but this goal was also accomplished.

 

Since Advent is the start of the church year, I have started thinking of ideas for resolutions, or at least goals, for 2017.  Maybe I can do better next time.

Down for the Count

My Simple Brainless Socks turned out to be not so brainless after all.

I was cruising along nicely, with my Fleegle Heel, where the heel flap also incorporates the gusset increases. I had all the necessary stitches and was well on my way with the turning of the heel, using up those heel stitches and getting back to the original number of stitches. Suddenly I realized the the heel stitches had more left on one side of the turn than on the other.

Oh oh. Several minutes of frantic counting ensued.

Out came the needles and back I frogged. (Rip-it, rip-it.) After successfully frogging back and picking up the poor stitches, I re-counted. The problem was a result of my stitch mixup earlier, when after again miscounting, I had transferred two stitches from instep needle to heel stitch needle. Turns out that was unneeded.

Everything has been sorted out. Copious notes have been made to hopefully prevent the same problem with the second sock, as well as making them both match, and I am once again short-rowing my way through the heel.

You would think after my problems counting (to 10!) with The Ten Stitch Blankie when I had to rip back one whole side, that I would have learned my lesson.

Apparently not.

Posted with Blogsy

Knitting Angst

It's real people. Just like the agony of defeat, without the skis.

So what happened? I got ready to sit down with some knitting this evening deciding to work on my Simple Brainless Socks. I pulled them out of my bag, adjusted the needles when....what? The one tip has snapped off from the cable. So I know one thing I may need to purchase this weekend at the Northern Michigan Lamb and Wool Festival: size 0, 40 inch circular needle. Preferably wood, but I won't be fussy. I had only used them for the amount of sock you see here.

So, since that won't be getting worked on for a while, I pulled out some handspun, merino silk I believe, and wound it into a ball to start a new shawl. Of course, since my swift is hung up with that mohair I mentioned before, this was hand wound again.

I think this will make a decent semi-brainless traveling project, once I work through the pattern repeat a time or two.

Posted with Blogsy

Domestically Getting Along

I have faced my domestic challenges these past few days. Yesterday my coffee maker died. The hot plate on the bottom just melted away from the sides. So the pot was too low to lift the bottom of the basket to let the coffee drain into the pot. It overflowed, with the grounds, and ruined what coffee was run through. So...long story short, I had to run to Wal Mart to get a new coffee maker so I could have my morning fix. Never fear, I am fully caffeinated now.
Since I have had 13 eggs in the last two days, out of seven hens, I decided to try a quiche for supper. Hubby wouldn't want any (cheese and such you know) but since he would be gone to the auction, and Younger Son was leaving for work an hour early I decided to try one.
One of my new egg cookbooks had basic instructions for improvising a quiche with whatever you have. Well, I had a can of asparagus, and one of mushrooms I thought. But they were awol. So I cut the kernels off an ear of corn, and sautéed them with an onion. I had made the pie shell, covered the bottom with Swiss cheese and added the veggies. Oh, and for flavor I added some chopped dried tomatoes. I guessed at the number of eggs because the oldest were assorted sizes. (One double yolker though.). Some salt, and mustard and milk. And it was surprisingly good. And I have leftovers for tomorrow.

Also on the domestic front, I have not forgotten my Cactus Flower Gold Digger socks. I cannot work on them once the sun is down, but I am making progress.

I think I am not far from starting the toe decreases. The traveling stitch pattern will continue down the toe till I graft it together.

Then I need to start the second as soon as I can, to avoid second sock syndrome.

Posted with Blogsy

Keeping Busy

Between my Daughter in Law's maternity leave, followed by her new job, I won't be getting my weekly Grammy day with the kiddos. But this past week, with the return of the school year, I went to help wrangle the little grand kids, while my DIL managed her yard sale and mowed lawn between customers. At least to the eighth grader came home. (That's right. She has infant, toddler and teen. Pray for her.)

Tough job, but I managed.

When his momma was helping customers, guess who wanted to run the mower? Well, hey, it goes vroom vroom doesn't it?

And, I have done several inches on my Cactus Flower Gold Digger socks. I'm well past this picture taken last Tuesday. Can you see where I used the red reinforcing strand of mohair on the heel?

I am quite sure I will be knitting fewer rounds than called for before beginning the toe shaping.

Posted with Blogsy

Hot, and Muggy, with Wool Sock

Will this summer ever end? I can only count a few nights in the last couple months with comfortable sleeping conditions. Old farm houses do not cool down easily after the sun beats down on them all day.

I am leaving my snowy background on Facebook until the weather breaks. I am sure glad I don't need to sit in a hot stuffy classroom all day.

On a cheerier note, I have the sock ready for session two of my class. It is the Gold Digger Sock, top down with the gusset done before the heel turn.

The gusset is all complete, and ready to turn the heel.

I even made the supreme sacrifice and tried on the sock to show on the blog. (I mean after all, wool? In this heat.)

See how the design goes all the way down the heel?

I think I am going to like this sock. Even if I don't enjoy trying in on on a muggy afternoon. Wool doesn't wear well with 88 degrees and high humidity.

I am so ready for cold and snow.

Posted with Blogsy

Whacking Away

A month or so back, we got a letter from our farm insurance company stating that they were no longer offering coverage in our area. Our local agent came out last week and offered alternate coverage. However, before they come to take pictures, we need to clear the grass, weeds and, in some areas, brush away from all the buildings.

Our tractor is needing a new tire rim, which means the brush hog is not an option. We can't keep a string weed wacker working. So, yesterday I ended up springing for Hubby's next Christmas and birthday present...a hand held bush whacker. Think weed whacker with a blade instead of a string.

Hubby has been buzzing up a storm, clearing around house, barn and garage.

In the meantime, while waiting for the rain delayed NASCAR race to finally finish, I worked on my Cactus Flower Gold Digger sock. I need to finish the cable chart twice before starting the heel gusset. The gussets get increased, and there is no flap. Just short row shaping/heel turn after the gusset.

I was worried the cables would be lost in this Madelinetosh yarn.

But they seem to be showing up nicely. These pictures show me at about row 8 of 24, on the second time through the chart, first the front then the back.

Then dark came and I turned to the Ten Stitch Blankie for my evening knitting.

Posted with Blogsy

Cables After Dark, and Kids

Even with relative bright colors, it seems that once the natural light is gone, cabling difficulties multiply. Especially at 8 stitches per inch on size zero knitting needles.

After I needed to unknit a needle with cabling, I decided to wait until tomorrow to pick this sock back up.

At least it was the back, with smaller cables that needed to be tinkled. I guess I better work on these during the daytime and find other evening knitting.

My visit with the grand kids the other day of course needed a few pictures. Little Farmer was mugging for the camera, as usual.

"See Grammy? I have two ears!"

My Little Peanut showed off her long fingers. Knitting fingers? Maybe I better bring a pair of needles to put in her hands. (And look! Open eyes this time.)

Legend says that is how new knitters are created, by having a knitter place knitting needles in a baby's hand. I need to find some dull needles.

Posted with Blogsy

WIPs Parade

This past Monday, before my Tuesday sock class, I spent some time on several of my active WIPs, or Works In Progress. While the Baby Hap was out of the question due to the heat, I did manage to work on the Ten Stitch Blankie for my Little Peanut.

Once the heat started getting to me, I turned to the Tapestry Hitchhiker. Being a rayon yarn, it was less fuzzy and much more comfortable to knit.

I have quite a bit of yarn left, and it is already wearable.

Poor picture, but you get the idea.

Finally I dug out the poor forgotten Smocked Brown Cow Socks and tried to figure out where I left off.

I figured out that I had left off with the gusset almost done. I am now working down the foot.

And of course on Tuesday I had my class on the Golddigger Socks. I have completed the cuff since this picture and am on the cable set up rows. I need to get through the chart twice before my next class.

I better get back to the charts.

Posted with Blogsy

No Surprise

It should probably come to a surprise to no one that with the completion of the Peanut Dress, for my new granddaughter, that my thoughts have turned to new projects to begin.  Teddy bears, socks, sweaters for me,,,,,
But I quickly came to my senses.  After all, there are quite a few items sitting in the WIP pile, not necessarily in time out, but still not being worked on.  So while visions of new projects continued to dance in my head, I sorted out the projects sitting on deck.
While I will continue to work on the Tapestry Hitchhiker at odd moments, I am designating the Ten Stitch Blankie, which is for Little Peanut as my main knitting emphasis.

If this makes me sound disciplined, toss that thought out of your head.  I also signed up for a sock class at the local yarn shop.  It starts next week.  Book was previously purchased and yarn has been purchased as well.
Swatching has begun. There will be a new project begun soon anyway.  But to anyone who knows me, that should not be a surprise.

Other Weekend Highlights

I posted on my other blog, The Continuous Journey, about my serious side of Easter. There was also candy, and some little presents for the grandkids. And maybe some chocolate.

Speaking of chocolate.....What happened to the yolk in the Cadbury Easter Egg? It got scrambled in the shell! Most disappointing.

There was also knitting. I worked some on Sandy's Traveling Woman shawl, but, for a break, I went back to the Guernsey Smocked Socks.

I was close to the length of the leg, so busted through and completed the heel.

The pattern for heel was different than any I had done before. It had a wider heel than I normally turn. And I never did figure out her needle placement. But I presevered and I think am doing ok. With my standard needle placement. I am taking the foot down to either 64 or even 60 stitches for the foot. But clear sailing for a while anyway.

Then the second sock looms.

Posted with Blogsy

Ice and Knitting

The slop and slush of yesterday continued overnight and continued on into the day. It froze good and solid.

We had about a quarter to half an inch of ice on the post and porch rail.

But through it all, our power stayed on. It did flicker once so quick I didn't even need to reset the clocks.

With all the area schools closed, that meant no Bible Study. So I knit.

I have been trying to finish the center portion of the Baby Hap Shawl. As I neared the corner of the decrease section, I spread it out to check the size. I think it will work out well. Especially since there are two borders to be added yet.

It was just a short sprint from there to the end. I have two stitches on hold with only a couple yards of yarn left. Good place to put it in time out while I get started on Sandy's Traveling Woman Shawl. Swatching has already been done. So I can start right in with the garter tab.

And work on socks in between. My Guernsey Smocked Sock is almost ready for the heel flap.

Posted with Blogsy

Productive Days

I have been making great strides on the decrease rows of the Baby Hap Shawl. After frogging back a couple inches a few days ago, I have continued several more inches. I also spent some time working on my Smocked Guernsey socks.

Not much more and I can start the heel. I need to double check the pattern. I think it is a heel flap type of heel. Then the smocking continues on the instep until just before the toes.

I also need to get started on a Traveling Woman shawl for my road trip buddy. She needs it for a cruise in July. It is next in the queue and will started soon. Maybe I can give her back the two skeins she didn't wind so she can cake them. Sounds like a plan to me.

All our feral barn cats made it through the winter just fine. They know how to get into the dirt floored basement, where it is quite warn. One recent rehoused cat, Gina Kitty, has been earning her keep I noticed the other day.

I saw her with a freshly caught mouse or mole the other morning. Since she later was munching it, I assume it was a mouse. Our cat crew never seem to care for the taste of the moles they catch.

And did you notice? Some of the wood is getting cut. And Younger Son has taken a couple vacation days and has plans to cut some more this weekend.

Posted with Blogsy

"WIP"ing Right Along

I discovered that I had neglected to mark the Lilac Cardigan as finished on my Ravelry account's project page. So while I was updating that, I was also able to update the page for my second pair of pocketbook slippers. Because with the pressure off from banging out my Freyja, I also finished them.

All it took was a couple hours, and I had these done. The second slipper was half knit so it was just a matter of flying though the knitting and sewing them up. So comfy.

And easy too.

That makes six finished projects this year.

 

Posted with Blogsy