Category Archives: WIPs

Cast On: Toe Up Socks With A Difference

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In addition to my ongoing PigskinParty KAL I have heard in the podcast-verse that a couple new KALs are popping up in January. The first is the Self Indulgent KAL with the Yarniacs and then the New Year New Ewe KAL with the Actually Knitting podcast. I figured I would cast on something special that would hit all three. My solution? The Toe-Up Socks with a Difference by Wendy D Johnson. They are a Pigskin Party sponsor, they are a new to me technique of the gusset on the bottom heel for the New Year New Ewe KAL, and the yarn is a golden skein I have been hoarding in my stash for the Self Indulgent KAL. Best of all…..these will be all mine!

I was off to a great start during nap time the other day. Until I noticed a problem….ladders on my toe increases. The designer recommends using a knit front and back increase which I failed spectacularly at. See….

So I turned that attempt into this….

I went with my old standby of the lifted left and right increases. Much better…

Now I’ve switched to my nine inch circs and I’m plowing up the foot!

Happy Knitting!!

Halfway Happy Valley

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My Happy Valley socks are halfway there! (Don’t mind the dog hair…no matter how I clean it sticks to everything, sigh)

I’m copying the stitch count and measure from my Cygnus Vanillas with the exception that I’m working a gusset heel instead of an afterthought heel.

The yarn is Knit Picks Hawthorne Sport in the Happy Valley color. It’s playing quite nicely with my stitch count. I didn’t encounter any pooling or flashing, just some mild striping!

It actually went up farther than I anticipated based on how fast my yarn ball was shrinking, but not as far as my typical socks. But these are so lovely I’m just rolling with it. I used all but three yards of half of the ball…if that makes sense. I knit until I was scared I didn’t have enough to bind off and then stopped!

Now I need to get cracking on sock #2!

Happy Knitting!!

A Very Happy Valley

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My Happy Valley socks are swimming right along. But what does one expect with sport weight yarn on size two needles?

I’m working over 60 stitches so I’m getting more striping than pooling of these colors. Which suits me just fine. You can see even the heel turn didn’t pool things too badly. I’m ready to zoom up leg. I should have started the heel turn like maybe two rows before I should but the fit should still be fine….I hope.

I peaked in my project bag and noticed that I don’t have that much yarn left. My size 10 foot really eats yarn quickly at sport weight. I don’t think this sock will be as tall as I normally make but I can probably live with that, lol.

Happy Knitting!

Cast On: Happy Valley Vanilla Socks

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I have a FO later this week to share but in the meantime I want to show you my Christmas Day cast on project!

I pulled the Hawthorne Sport in the Happy Valley color from my stash as we dashed out the door for our Christmas travels. I knew I had the right needles in my bag to start another pair of sport weight socks. So while Jellybean was taking a post-Santa coma nap (p.s. Christmas with a little person is SOOOO much fun!) I got my needles clicking on a vanilla toe up sock!

This is now my purse knitting de jour! I’m kind of in love with the speed and beauty of sport weight socks…

Happy Knitting!

Cygnus Vanilla Update

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I admit all the focus on my Mighty Rainbow Blanket has made me yearn for other projects. And with my wrist being sore I needed a lighter project than my super heavy blanket. I’m sooo close to done so I indulged myself a little and pulled out my Cygnus Vanilla socks!


I pulled the yarn from the other end of the cake and installed the afterthought heel. After lots of trial and error I’ve found a formula of sorts for my heel. Instead of straight knit one round and decrease one round combo I have found a combination of multiple knit rows to a single decrease row that adds depth to the heel for a better fit. I’ll try to put notes in my Rav project for those with inquiring minds.

For now I’m off to finish the leg of this sock. With sport weight yarn it shouldn’t take much!!

Happy Knitting!

80% There

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My Mighty Rainbow Blanket is officially 80% done!


I managed to squeeze in two blue stripes since my last update. I finished the Gulfstream and the Celestial. I’m just about to start the first purple stripe called Eggplant.

This has been my main project these past few weeks. I’m really really hoping to get this done very soon. Only two skeins to go!

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Gradient Mitts

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The Down Cellar Studio Pigskin Party is hosting a special December interception and giveaway. It’s all about the minis! So while waiting for my swap packages to arrive I pulled the One Twisted Tree mini skein set in the Beachy color  from my stash!

And after some pattern diving in Ravelry I fixated on the Gradient Mitts by Christa McCurdy. And boy are these addicting!


I finished the first one (sans thumb) and started the second one. The yarn is held double to achieve the gradient effect. Between the two strands of yarn and the fact I chose to stay on size three needles, this fabric is dense and warm. I love it!

The mini set was short one color and my husband suggested black. Not a color I would normally use in this case. But I kinda dig the stark contrast from beginning to end. Points for the hubby!

Now on to the second one! Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Rainy Avenue

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I recently stumbled across some caked up goodies in my stash, Cascade Yarns Sunseeker in a sparkle grey color. I bought this many moons ago and tried to start a very complicated shawl. I got frustrated and frogged it.

But now that my skills have grown a bit this yummy yarn deserves to be knit. I chose Rainy Avenue by Jeannie Kubricht. The pattern calls for a variegated contrast color but I think I’ll be a little more vanilla and just use one color throughout.


I pulled a project bag together and started the garter tab cast on. I have a few other WIPS I’d like to finish up before starting this. But it’s nice to know this project is ready and waiting for me when I’m ready to start working!

Happy Knitting!