Holiday Stash Enhancement

I was weak and couldn’t resist the Knit Picks Cyber Monday sale. Here is proof of my shame weakness great deals…

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/f00/39837473/files/2014/12/img_2035.jpgI managed to grab some Knit Picks Biggo in a neutral color for a baby blanket. I also chose several skeins of Shine Worsted, Comfy Sport, Cotlin, and some Stroll Fingering. While putting this away I realized I have more yarn than I could ever knit but these were such great sale deals I just couldn’t pass it up. I’m hoping some of these skeins will turn into some sweaters and accessories for Jellybean…time will tell!

Did you hit up any Cyber Monday sales?

 

FO Friday: Toe Up Vanilla Socks

I have conquered my socks! What a great way to wrap up my #sockswithsarah year!

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I used size 1US dpns and 8″ 1US circulars. I loosely followed this pattern and adapted to fit my gauge and yarn weight. I used almost two whole skeins of Knit Picks Felici fingering weight in Aquarium.

I’m really sad that this yarn is discontinued because it knit up like a dream! Except for some laddering in the foot sections I’m pretty happy with these. I wore them to work on Christmas Eve and they kept my toes nice and toasty!!

Happy Knitting

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?

FO Friday: A Grown Up Barley

Pardon the no make bathroom selfie. But a knitter with a tiny human attached to them at all times doesn’t have much choice, lol.

Pattern: Barley by TinCanKnits

Needles: US 8s

Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Wine (I used just over half a skein or 130 yard of yarn)IMG_1283.JPG

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I made this hat to match the teeny tiny barley I knit for Jellybean. But for the life of me I can’t remember where the hell I put that darn hat! Mommy brain: 1 Me: 0 I have some hunting to do!

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!

On Being Inside Out

In my last few #sockswithsarah sock updates I’ve had a few curious questions about the fact that my socks are knitting inside out. And I would I would share why. Two things:

1: I like working in what I think of “modified magic loop”. In other words I have two dpns that I use like two circulars or one extra long circular. I then have a third needle to work the active yarn. And normally the socks are right side out and the active stitches to be knit would be on the needle closest to my body.

2: I have very long fingers. And now I have developed pregnancy induced carpal tunnel in my hands/wrists. I couldn’t stand to work very long on my socks.

My local yarn shop owner overheard my problem awhile back. She had a nifty suggestion….turn the darned thing inside out!  

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This allows the active stitches to be knit to be on the back needle. I’m still knitting…no purling. But the slight difference in distance allows my hands to relax more and my fingers to be less cramped. I’ve had almost zero carpal tunnel since switching styles. And when I’m done….I just have to turn the socks inside out 🙂

Not sure if this makes sense. Not sure if it’s a knitting thing or just something weird that works for me. But I had enough comments I wanted to share with the world. Sorry if the photo doesn’t help me elaborate the point….I’m about to turn the heel after completing the gussets.

Has anyone else every done something a little different to solve a knitting problem?

Now The Gussets

I’ve reached the gussets of my toe-up vanilla socks!20140706-160805-58085026.jpgI’m still working a basic sock with gusset heal over 64 stitches. I’ve had a bit of a problem with laddering in between my needles. I need to concentrate and pull my stitches tightly when switching needles. If I get distracted by a show or conversation I find my tension slips and I get ladders. Not that anyone will ever notice but me. Still terribly annoying…

I do love these lovely green colors. The short stripes keep me knitting along and moving from color to color. I’ve quite enjoyed the #sockswithsarah KAL this year. Have you checked it out?

 

Stash Enhancement

My OCD/planning has kicked into high gear while pregnant. I have a plan for the nursery, budget for daycare and diapers, and a tentative holiday schedule to get Jellybean to all the relatives. Our finances will definitely change post baby with fewer dollars for creative activities like knitting and video games. So the hubby and I sat down and for our anniversary we splurged on each other before the baby gets here.

I got a little stash enhancement courtesy of the Knit Picks Summer Sale….20140706-153210-55930526.jpg

 

I picked up:

– Felici self striping – Lighthouse colorway

– Stroll Fingering – Blue Topaz

– Stroll Tonal – Canopy

– Brava Worsted – Caution yellow

– Stroll Hand-painted – County Fair

– Brava Sport – Eggplant

– Stroll Hand-painted – Lullaby colorway

– Heather Stroll – Merlot

Just enough for a couple of sweaters and several pairs of socks to stock up my drawer. I’m guessing what little knitting time I get after Jellybean gets here that socks will be my best “pick up/put down” project. 

Pardon me I need to pet these lovelies before they got into my stash drawers 🙂

Happy Monday!!

WIP Wednesday: One Sock Down

My #sockswithsarah progress has been slow but progressing. I finally finished my first plain rye sock.

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I’m using Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Squirrel Heather using the Rye pattern by TinCanKnits.

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And to avoid SSS or second sock syndrome I’ve already cast on the mate!

Are you following along with Socks With Sarah?

WIP Wednesday: Little By Little

I haven’t exactly been a ball of fire lately but I’ve finally made some progress on a hat for Jellybean.

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I’m making the smallest size of Barley by Tin Can Knits. The yarn is Knit Picks Brava worsted in Wine.

This had been a quick and easy knit so far. Excellent for pregnancy brain knitting, lol. I’m itching to make some sort of Minion hat for Jellybean too. I just need to get my needles free!!!