WIP Wednesday: Zigzagular Socks

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I finally had the guts to start working the chart for the Zigzagular Socks. I did half of the chart back here and did the second half this week.

I could use some working keeping consistent tension when my cables are moving. You can see above that I’m already getting better. I’m still a cable knoobie but it’s very neat to watch them wave back and forth. And being new to this I still need some quiet to work on these to make sure I’m going the right directions. So this project is relegated to after Jellybean goes to bed. Progress on these might be slow…

Happy Knitting!

Mitre Progress

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Germs are once again invading our home. This time it’s a stomach bug, blargh. I guess this is what you get once you have a child that touches/licks/eats everything in sight. We are on the mend but during the worst of it I managed some knitting while holding a sick little Jellybean.

I was unhappy with my first attempt at the mitered square for my Cousins Mitered Square blanket. My travails are logged here. I went down to size US 5 needles and got to work. I also used a firm cast one (long tail cast on) to start the first square. I am much happier the fabric is firmer and squishy. I also knit the first stitch when I remembered. There are few stitches I slipped due to muscle memory and good TV. But those I can hide with the next square. I also did some YouTube research on picking up the bumps. Not to shabby if I do say so myself!

 Now I’ve only like 16 more squares to go….

Happy Knitting!

Enabled: Knitmore Girl Style

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I was minding my own business on the evening of April 1st when Jasmine of the Knitmore Girls Podcast hardcore enabled me with a FB post from Erin Lane Bags. As a not so April fools joke the ladies at Erin Lane Bags had an April Fools 50% off sale….no joke! I’m a weak weak knitter so I hoped on and couldn’t believe my eyes. So two sock bags made it into my cart and then into my mailbox. 

  I was feeling guilty about all the knitting related shopping I have done this year but my mom piped up and said she thought they were beautiful and she would pay for them for a Mothers Day gift. I get something pretty and she doesn’t have to shop. I love that my mom is also an enabler!

FO Friday: Fantastico Vanilla Socks

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Another project for the 12 Months to Christmas KAL with BostonJen of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast is in the books! My Fantastico Vanilla socks are done…

 Pattern: Toe Up Vanilla sock over 68 stitches

Yarn: Regia 6-ply Fantastico

Needles: US 2s

I worked these toe-up with a gusset heal. I got feedback from my husband that this heel fits better across a wide foot. And my dad has is size 13 US wide. I managed to sneakily get my Dad to try these on pretending they were for my hubby. The fit was great and he remarked how soft he thought they were. I’ve given these a good wash and block and tucked away for Christmas. I meant to get my husband to model these for me but once out of sight…out of mind!

These turned out fairly tall and I only used 80% of the skein. Regia is a great yarn to work with and the 10 year guarantee doesn’t hurt. I see a lot more Regia 6-ply socks in my future for the sock worthy men in my life!

Happy Knitting!

Establishing The Pattern

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I’m slowly working on my Zigzagular Socks. I’m converting these to toe up so I’m having to think through the construction and the pattern to wrap my over tired brain cells around that all.

  
I’ve knit the stockinette toe for the right sock and places stitch markers for the pattern section. When I get a minute to concentrate I’m going to try to work through a chart repeat to see how this goes.

I made a series of realizations whilst working the toe increases. A) this yarn is more of a light fingering B) the ideal stitch counts for my foot at this guage fall in between the pattern counts C) my sister’s shoe size fits the 64 stitch count and guage perfectly. So basically my knitting subconscious is telling me these need to be for my sister. I don’t have the warewithall to both follow the chart, work my first cables and modify this to fit my foot. Baby steps….I’ll get the pattern in my fingers/brain first and then do another pair for me. Besides it will knock an item off my Christmas to do list!

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Mandrake Vanilla Socks

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I’ve made some reportable progress on my Mandrake Vanilla Socks!

  
The first sock is done. This is a 68 stitch toe up vanilla sock with afterthought heel. I like the afterthought heel for preserving the stripes but I’m not sure it’s the best fit for me depending on my gauge/stitch count. But it works well enough to keep using for now.

  
I’ve started the second sock. When I wound the yarn I made sure to get two matching balls that started with the same stripe. However, I didn’t even use close to 50% of the yarn for the first sock so I’ll have lots of leftovers. But I’m really enjoying the cashmere content in these socks so leftovers would be the worst thing ever!

Happy Knitting!!

KITHKC: Yarny Goodness

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Yesterday I tantalized you with hidden Yarny treasures from my Knitting In The Heartland trip. Well here now are the goodies!


Nerd Girls Yarn – Bounce and Stomp in the Mutatis color way. This is a fingering 4-ply that’s 80/20 SW and nylon. It reminded me of my school colors and it had to come home with me! 
Show Me Yarns Bootheel in Party Cake Peeps color way. This is a light fingering 3-ply and the speckles were just too hard to resist!

This was my ultimate purchase! It is a 600 yard skein of fingering weight MCN from Treasure Goddess in Pieces of Eight color way. This took most of my budget but was TOTALLY worth it. I’m envisioning a beautiful shawl or scarf!

  This is Nymph Sock from Supernatural Yarns in the Hermoine Granger color way. I’m not a super HP fan but the color was too much to pass up!


Finally I picked up some bling fromThe Sexy Knitter. I got some new stitch markets and a pair of tiny snips for my mom and her embroidery.

I’ve now exhausted my yarn find so I need to be good for while to rebuild my reserve. I should have plenty of pretties to knit on though!

Happy Knitting!!

Knitting In The Heartland Recap

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Oh, you didn’t know I was going to Knitting In The Heartland? Well neither did I! I was vaguely aware of its existence in Kansas City but my toddler addled brain didn’t retain specifics. On the Fridat it started I saw a FB post by one of my friends and I saw THE YARN HARLOT was going to be there. I just knew then and there I had to do. Unfortunately all the classes and Yarn Harlot pieces were long booked and I had family obligations as well. But I did manage to scrounge some time on Sunday to hit the market. (Many thanks to my husband for for the toddler free time.)

  
This is me super excited in the parking lot.

  
This is me being a dork and taking photos of the sign.

  
The glorious market of yumminess!

  
My t-shirt that made everyone laugh.

  
The damage I did in the market….

  
The t-shirt I got because I didn’t meet the Yarn Harlot but was super jazzed just to be in the same building. (I probably would have fan girled all over myself I had met her anyway, lol)

I truly had a great time at my first convention. It was small and comfortable so just the right speed for my first event. I did fan girl a tiny bit when I met Sarah of The Sexy Knitter etsy shop. Her items are gorgeous, her patterns are amazing, and she is stunning in person. I pulled my Sexy Knitter tin ftom her Cyber Monday Sale from my bag just to show her and she probably thought I was the crazy knitter my shirt advertised! 

Stay tuned tomorrow for details on my purchases!

FO Friday: Present Cowl

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I seriously love this cowl! It’s so rich and smooshy ❤️❤️

  Pattern: Present by Mademoiselle C

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios in Solis

Needles: US 8s

I used just a couple yards shy of this entire skein. This knitting was very zen and soothing even with the purl rows. I had trouble putting this one down. In knitting time I finished this in roughly four days! It has me itching to go out and get a sweater quantity and cast on a comfy open cardigan in a rich green or blue….maybe some day…

  Pardon my cheesy selfies, I have to snag toddler free photo however I can. I washed and blocked this just in time to photograph and put this away for spring, lol. No worries though because this will be waiting for me next fall!

  
Happy Knitting!!

Blanket Countdown

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I’ve pulled out my Dad’s crochet blanket from the WIP pile. I want to get this done ahead of Mother’s Day because that is the next major family gathering and I really want to get it delivered. Because why wouldn’t you need a super bulky blanket in the blazing May heat!?

  

This one I’m working across 60 inches instead of the 36-38 inches of my mothers. Those are some LONG rows! But I’m making progress…