Wool Socks Needed!

Join our Sock Challenge for Orphans in Kazakhstan - 265 pairs needed by 9/15/07
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/Mittens_ for_Akkol/

"Mittens for Akkol" is a worthwhile charity that supplies an orphanage in Akkol, Khazakhstan with wool clothing, not limited to mittens. Currently, they are having a sock challenge, to provide each child at the orphanage with a pair of 100% wool socks for Christmas. Approximately 67% of the goal has been reached. Will you please help? Some cold feet will thank you very much!

What I've Been Knitting

First, there is The Thing. I spotted some of DH's socks that he was about to throw out, and of course I thought "knitted toy". I had hoped to make it into either a frog or a dinosaur, since it's green, but I think that the shape would be better as a monkey. A green monkey? They're very rare, you know, being found only in the wilds of my sewing room. My goal is to make a few knitted toys for the waiting room where I work. I'll have to ask my boss if this will be allowed, but I'd like to have a couple completed items to show her.
Here's a Knitted Boy, in progress. He's being knit completely in the round, which is how I'd prefer to knit everything! As for the pattern, I'm just making it up as I go along. :D

I'm also working on a top-down raglan with 2 strands Paton's Classic Wool, on 6mm needles. With a cast-on of 68 stitches, it's turning out to be about size 8. It will go to CIC.

March Socks

Here are my March socks for the KAL on Knit and Chat. The pattern is Twin Rib: http://dlcdesign.com/danniknits/wp-content/themes/danni/free.htm
done toe-up on 3.25mm dpn's, with a rectangular toe: http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/sqrtoe.shtml. I followed Judy Gibson's instructions for toe-up socks, found at: http://tiajudy.com/putmeon.htm The yarn is Paton's Classic Wool in a dark grey. I enjoyed this pattern, and will probably knit it again. These socks will go to CIC for the Big Kids Challenge.



I really have to work on how to take a close-up picture! Of course, Koko insisted on being photographed as well.



Now in progress: toe-up socks in Bernat Sox in "Baby Rib" pattern, from Sensational Knitted Socks.

Turquoise Raglan

Here is a picture of the finished top-down raglan. Just over the left shoulder, you can see Koko the pug, sleeping. It's too bad I can't attach the sounds of him snoring! I've had some technical difficulties taking pictures this morning [grin]. I, um, well, took pictures with the lens cap on. Brain. not. working. This sweater is being knit in the round up to the armholes. I'll be doing a 3 needle bind-off at the shoulders, then picking up stitches to knit the sleeves in the round. I bought this yarn because it was cheap and 75% wool for CIC knitting, and I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I like it knitted up. Nice surprises are good!
Yesterday, we had a bowling birthday party for David's 12th birthday. 8 of his friends were there, and a good time was had by all. I can't believe I have a 12-year-old! Gasp!

Sock Heels

I just came across this chart for various sock heels, so thought I'd share. I'll be trying out the various types of heels. http://www.socknitters.com/Tips/heels_by_the_number.htm

I hope that link is clickable, but I'll also put it in my list of knitting links in the sidebar. I've been busy knitting socks. In the photo, the lefthand and middle pair were knitted toe-up, and the righthand socks were cuff-down. They'll be going to CIC for the Big Kids Challenge.

The top-down raglan will also go to CIC. It seems to be taking way too long. I'm eager to get on with other CIC sweaters, in bulkier wool. I hope to make significant progress while on nightshift the next 2 nights. Here's hoping! :D