A Mailbox of Minis

Ready for some yarn porn? I received my mini skeins from my swamp partners in the Down Cellar Studio Christmas Mini Skein swap

It was such a joy to go the mailbox everyday. I received the yummy yarn above and a few extra treats thrown in by swappers. I hadn’t ever really done a swap before. And this was a nice easy one to start with. People were so kind and wonderful. It was the epitome of the holiday spirit. I cannot wait to add these to my sock yarn memory blanket.  But that probably won’t happen until after the Super Bowl when the Pigskin Party KAL is done. Until then, I have more projects to finish!

Happy Knitting!!

A Very Happy Valley

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!

Happy New Year and Happy New Yarn!

For many reasons the end of 2016 was pretty crappy for me. Christmas not withstanding because Christmas with a two year old is just awesome. (And no it’s not because any certain celebrity died.) The last quarter of 2016 was just one personal gut punch after another and that’s all I will say. A dear friend from college, bridesmaid in my wedding (ahem…almost 10 years ago), and definitely a knit worthy friend mailed me a care package. And it was yarn of course! She is a resident of the Pacific Northwest and has at her doorstep some of the best yarns in the US. At least in my opinion

She sent me two skeins of beautiful Knitted Wit Victory Sock in the Fiesta color. When I opened the package I sent her this photo…

Since I have two skeins of this yarn I think I’m envisioning a pair of socks for me. And the second skein will become a set of matching finger-less gloves. One pair for me and a pair for her. 

My life is blessed and I know that. I have a warm house, food to eat, and people who love me. But during the crappy times it really is nice to know someone notices and takes the time to do something to try to make it better. So if you need it right now I’m sending you a digital hug right now……

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday: Cygnus Vanilla Socks

Guess what I finished on Christmas Day? The Cygnus Vanilla Socks are done!

Pattern: 60 stitch toe-up vanilla socks with afterthought heel

Yarn: String Theory Orbit in the Cygnus color

Needles: US 2

I used 98 grams of the 100 gram skein leaving just enough leftover for future sock mending. They are snuggly and warm and boy, do those stripes just POP! String Theory Colorworks is definitely one of my favorite dyers!

These are also special because these are my 2016 birthday socks. I got the yarn from my husband and cast them on for my birthday cast on project. Bonus points for finishing them Christmas Day 🙂

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Happy Valley Vanilla Socks

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!

Blanket Victory!

I finished my Mighty Rainbow Blanket!


All glorious 2,080 yards of squishy garter stitch is done done done! I’m soooo happy with this project. It’s soft, it’s huge, and it’s warm!


I didn’t remember to measure this for a finished measurement but it’s all of 10 skeins of Knit Picks Mighty Stitch. This project scored me 600+ points in the Pigskin Party KAL too! I just can’t wait to cuddle under this while the snow falls!

Happy Knitting!!

Merry Christmas To Me!

I sent Santa a wishlist this year. All I really wanted was yarn but my family doesn’t speak yarn. So I sent a list with web links. Santa did good…


Santa and the family hit my wishlist hard at the Loopy Ewe and I might have squealed out loud! I have Abstract Fiber, Into The Whirled, Berry Colorful Yarnings, and Fibernymph Dyeworks. I died and went to yarn fume heaven.

I hope you and yours had a safe and magical Christmas! Happy Knitting!!

FO Friday: Gradient Mitts

I had some surprise kid free time this week and I managed to finish the Gradient Mitts!


Pattern: Gradient Mitts by Krista McCurdy

Yarn: Prime Fingering from One Twisted Tree. I used the beachy mini skein set and then some miscellaneous black yarn to finish

Needles: US 3s

Mods: Rav noted here

I was SUPER excited how these worked up. The yarn held double makes them super warm. They aren’t as long as I normally make fingerless mitts but I kinda like that. My son has already stolen them as play things!

Bonus to this is that I used most of the kit from stash, these counted towards the December minis interception for the Pigskin Party KAL, and I have new warm mitts!

Happy Knitting!!

Cygnus Vanilla Update

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!

Whoops…

I managed to aggravate my wrist by baking and lugging heavy things these past few days. Nothing serous but it’s sore and hurts when I move it wrong.


I’m sure knitting on my 10 pound rainbow blanket isn’t helping either. I am resting/icing my wrist and using a brace to give it some support. I’m hoping this just lasts a couple days because I have knitting I want to do!!