Multi-Color Soxie Sox

My third pair of socks and the easiest yet as I finally know what I am doing. I have modified the pattern so the socks will actually fit my feet. It just seems like a good idea to have a pair of socks going. A small portable project. I will take along with me to Jury Duty tomorrow. Hopefully, the size 1 bamboo needles will not pose a terrorist security threat. I actually started this project months ago and then it migrated to the back of the closet. Now that I have finished Pair #2, I will get going on these again. This is the first sock of the pair.

Kitchner Toes

I started these Tofutsie socks a year ago [see June 7, 2007 posting] and I finally finished them yesterday sitting on my friend Linda's patio. That last little part of weaving the toe together just defeats me. But Linda is a whiz and with her help I have now completed another pair of socks. Believe it or not, I am on pair three. And I have yarn put aside for two more. My feet will be cozy next winter.

State Fair Entries

A friend at Yarn Yoga reminded me that I had noticed an absence of lace knitting being displayed at the State Fair when I went two years ago. So this year I plan to enter some lace. Of course, things may have changed since then. However, I plan to send the beautiful Edwardian Carrying Cape I made as a Christening Cape for my granddaughter. [See posting for 10/17/07.]

I am also making a lace scarf. Soft and warm. And with the weather being what it is in Oregon, I won't have to wait until calendar winter to wear it. It is made with Debbie Bliss wool/cashmere blend on size 7 needles. The pattern is called VanDyke lace.

Ten UFO’s

Count them. Thanks…I’d rather not. But there they are…all those unfinished objects lurking in the back of the closet and stuck here and there about the house in several of the multitude of bags I love to keep on hand. Can you believe I just made another one! [See entry below.]

Anyhow…I am thinking that I should (there’s that word again) finish them before I start any more with the wonderful yarns I purchased while on vacation. Ten projects/ten weeks. If I stick to a schedule, I could have everything wound up by the end of September. Just in time to start on warm fuzzies for Fall and Winter.

Of course, some need more work than others. Take the socks, for example. One pair is done except for joining the toes with the dreaded Kitchner Stitch. The other pair has sock one half done and sock two not even started. Mending an afghan should be a quickie, but the Sixteen Color Vest will take more than a week. (It took me a whole winter to knit it the first time before I ripped it out because I lost 50 pounds that same winter and by the time I finished it, it was way too big.)

That’s all well and good, but on this quiet Sunday I want so much to plunge into some of the yarn waiting…waiting…waiting. While in Missouri, I visited The Studio in Kansas City which was a favorite spot when I lived back there. And I dropped in to Kiddin’ Around in Clinton to just say hi and ended up with two balls of fun bumpy yarn. Then my friend Jane gave me some from her stash. I also have some skeins sent by a friend that would make a great scarf for her.

So the PIW’s are beckoning. But I will stand firm. At least for today. I have a plan to meet my friend Linda next week to get back into Sock Mode. She is a pro at that K Stitch. And I do like the small sock projects as take-alongs.

The State Fair is coming up but I have resolved not to enter anything that is not already complete. No more stitching up the last seam in the car on the way to the drop-off point. Watch this space for updates on the final decision on knitted items. The Quilt will go, of course.

To Market...To Market...

If you know me, you know it is NOT to buy a fat pig. Baby treats, natural old-fashioned peanut butter, and organic tea fit nicely. I made this in one evening on Size 17 needles from a Mother Earth Knitted Bag pattern from Fibers Grass Valley at 120 Mill Street, Grass Valley CA.

Next time I will use a circular needle so I don't have to sew up the sides. Maybe add some color stripes. This is made with 100 yards of hemp.

World Wide Knit in Public Day

On June 14th, yarn lovers all over the United States and the world were staging public knit-ins. In Portland, there were several events scheduled. Because we learned of the event rather late, Knit Wits was not able to participate as a full group. Those of us who could attend chose to stay close to home and not venture downtown. Jen, Pat and Monica met at Cafe Delerium in Gresham for an afternoon of coffee/tea/smoothie and knitting. Jen (on the couch) is working on a felted purse, Monica (seated on right) has tackled Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket, and Pat (seated on left) is starting a "spa cloth."

Little Mary Jane Footsies

For Christmas Windy gave me a subscription to Creative Knitting magazine. Each issue has had something I wanted to make. The latest project I chose was Mary Jane Footsies for my sweet granddaughter Ember. Thanks to my Knit Wits buddy Nancy, I got past the dreaded "pick up stitches" part of the pattern.