WIP Wednesday: Very Berry Vanilla Socks

After I cast off the last pair of vanilla socks I had the itch to cast on another pair. I dug around in my stash for some more Knit Picks Felici self-striping yarn and came up with two skeins of Mixed Berry. Then I hunted through my Rav queue and found DVD – Simple Toe Up Socks .

So onto the needles they went. I quickly realized I need to change the pattern….

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The toe increases at 2 stitches per round just don’t cut it for my man-like toes. So to the frog pond I went. I used a 4 stitch increase per round and got this…

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Much better! I’m working both socks at once, just on separate sets of circulars. So I actually have two toes made. On to the foot sections I go. This pattern uses an afterthought heel and I’m excited to learn this method!

Ps. Happy New Year to all 😉

Finish It or Frog It

Jellybean is napping and I’m taking advantage of it. It’s the end of the year and it’s time to go through my WIPs in a “finish it or frog it” frame of mind.

Here is what I’ve decided so far..

The Baby Bunting from Jellybean’s nursery…Frog it!! With Jellybean coming early I just couldn’t finish this and honestly don’t have the time or energy to work this now. I’d rather knit him cute clothes now that we now that we know he’s a he, lol./home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/f00/39837473/files/2014/12/img_2036.jpg

A random ribbon scarf from at least two years ago…Frog it!! I was working these for craft fairs, and in which I’m no longer interested. So into the frog pond this went and the yarn back into my stash./home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/f00/39837473/files/2014/12/img_2037.jpg

Fingerless Mits from who knows how long ago made from leftover bits from some sweater yarn? …. TBD. I don’t want to frog these as I could really use some fingerless mits, but I don’t have the urge to knit them currently. I’m going think more on these./home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/f00/39837473/files/2014/12/img_2038.jpg

My Plain Rye socks…Finish them!! These woolen socks are perfect for my cold feet. I’ve finished the first sock and then fallen victim to the dreaded SSS. I’ve put these on my night stand to finish this winter!!/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/f00/39837473/files/2014/12/img_2039.jpg

Random sock project…Frog it!! These pre-date my Ravelry tracking. I don’t even know what in the heck these are, lol. Nuff said../home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/f00/39837473/files/2014/12/img_2040.jpgMy Cuff to Cuff Sweater…Finish it! I’m excited to wear this. It might not get done this winter. But get done it shall! I’m enjoying this knit so I’m not in any hurry.

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There you have it! My craft room feels so much better already and my project bags are organized and ready to go for 2015. Anyone else out there do any purging these last few days of 2014?

 

 

Almost…..

I have one complete sock!!

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And since I knit two at a time on two separate sets of circulars the second sock is almost to the cuff! The first fits like a dream but has some issues with ladders on the foot section. I’m chalking it up to a learning experience and will fix on my next pair. My “give a sh#t” level with a three month old to take care of is just not that high, lol. They function as socks just fine!

Have you ever just moved on from an imperfect knitting project?

The Things No one Warns You About

This has pretty much been my life for the last month…

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Lots of Kleenex, a baby with unpredictable sleep patterns, and slow progress on a pair of socks. Since Jellybean started daycare and I’ve been back to work I’ve managed to catch a sinus infection/ear infection combo, then the very unpleasant 24 hour flu that lasted 48 hours, and now finally a head cold that just lingers. No one warned me having a baby right before cold and flu season was a bad idea!

So we just take our days as they come: lots of snuggle time in steamy bathrooms, the dreaded snot sucker, and a boatload of Kleenex. The only upside is that I should have a finished pair of socks by Christmas and to wrap up my year of Socks With Sarah!

P.s.
Dear Santa, all I really want for Christmas is for our new little family to be healthy for just a little while? Please and thank you!

WIP Wednesday: Garter Ear Flap Hat

It’s turning cold here in Kansas and Jellybean has outgrown all his store bought stocking caps. (Even the 6 month sizes….) So being the knitting momma I am I cast on for a hat posthaste!

Pattern: Garter Ear Flap Hat by Purl Soho

I made the toddler size to make sure it was going to fit. But I didn’t pay very good attention to the instructions and neglected to go down a needle size after I finished the brim portion. The result is a lovely hat that won’t fit Jellybean until the middle of the blazing Kansas summer…shown below…IMG_1053.JPGSo I have regrouped and cast on again, this time with a number of total stitches between the infant and toddler sizes AND the correct needles! This first hat really is just a big gauge swatch right? I totally meant to do that…

For those that are curious the yarn is some Berroco Lustra that I picked up eons ago during a trip to my first actual yarn/knitting shop. I’ve been saving it in my stash and surely Jellybean deserves only the best from my stash right?

This pattern like so many from Purl Soho is very easy and delightful. It shouldn’t take me long at all to whip out this next hat. I’ll pause for your laughter considering Jellybean is now two months old and ruling the roost and most of my free time…

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Cuff To Cuff Sweater

My sweater is growing! Here is the latest progress on my Cuff To Cuff sweater!

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This is an interesting construction. It’s worked side to side. I’ve completed the first sleeve, one front, and the back. Now I’m on to the second front. The stockinette is very curly and I’m concerned this is going to be small. But I believe in the pattern and my search. Blocking is indeed miraculous! I have faith 🙂

Happy knitting !

WIP Wednesday: Vanilla Striped Socks

We spent last weekend with Jelkybean’s grandparents do he got lots and lots of snuggles. And in between feedings I got some knitting time!

Because little ones require so much “stuff” when you travel I needed a small portable project. I pulled out my Vanilla Socks from my #sockswithsarah KAL project. Before Jellybean’s arrival I managed to complete the foot and the gusset on both socks. But I hadn’t turned the heel. Well now I have!

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I knit my socks inside out but I turned one right side out to show you the stripes. I hadn’t worked on this project in sooo long that I had to go back and redo my pattern math, lol. I’m making the sock four stitches bigger than the largest size in the pattern.

I’m pretty in love with them! Now I just have the legs and cuffs to complete. Just a few stitches here and there right now. But they are growing!

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Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Cuff to Cuff Sweater

My knitting time is basically nonexistent now that I’m nursing Jellybean. But I manage a few rows here and there when he is napping or chilling in someone else’s arms.

Since my last post on this sweater I had completed the sleeve and now I’ve finished the first front/side panel (depending on how you look at it). I’m now working the back portion of the sweater!

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(The true color is closer to the first photo)

These few stitches here and there really help me find my center in the midst of baby poop, crying, laughing, and nursing. This motherhood stuff is no joke and I’ve never been so tired in my entire life. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Pardon me while I go take a short nap whilst Jellybean is down for the count as well!

Happy Knitting!

Baby-Itis….More Hats

Still counting down to Jellybean’s arrival. Sorry if it’s getting a little repetitive but I don’t have a lot else to think about lately since I’m smuggling a watermelon under my t-shirt, lol. After the success my Candy Corn Hat and Booties last week I felt the itch to make more winter hats for Jellybean. I figure it wouldn’t hurt to have several in different sizes on hand.

First up, Newborn Hat with Seed Stitch Trim by the Mucky Mackbook. This is a free pattern and not a lot of people have made this yet. So fingers crossed it works well. I plan to knit this some super soft Berroco Comfort DK in a royal like blue color.

Next, Checkerboard Hat by Heidi Sunday. This pattern has a lot more hits and completed projects. So I’m guessing this one should be pretty easy. For this cap I pulled some Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Celestial.

Lastly, I felt Jellybean needed some more booties. I found these adorable creations in my queue, Rolled Cuff Baby Booties by Nickie Alexander. This pattern has a crazy amount of FOs so I don’t have any worries. And the photos of the projects are adorable! For softness and ease of care I pulled some Caron Simply Soft from stash. I chose the color Pagoda for a nice rich dark fabric.

Stayed tuned to see my progress! Happy Knitting 😉

WIP Wednesday: Candy Corn Hat and Booties

Since Jellybean is going to be a fall baby I couldn’t resist whipping up a little Halloween fun. Since I’ll probably be in the throes of “new mommy fog” come late October this might also be Jellybean’s Halloween costume…

Pattern: Candy Corn Hat and Booties by Lion Brand Yarn

Needles: US 8 circs

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in yellow and off-white and Vanna’s Choice in terra cotta

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It’s coming along quickly! I upped my stitch count from the pattern 60 to 68 to account for the likely size of the offspring that comes from my 6’4″ husband, lol. Chloe is generously helping as well…okay she is mostly snuggling and snoring.

Anyone else out there making Halloween plans yet?