Brigid

Brigid is done! I really enjoyed this pattern, and plan to knit it again (sometime). I found that it knit up pretty quickly. This particular pair will be going to Mittens for Akkol. Our goal for Christmas 2008 is to send over approximately 630 pairs of wool socks. This will be enough for each child at the Akkol orphanage, and at a second orphanage (Urupinka) to receive a pair of socks.

Specs: Paton's Classic Wool in "Royal Purple", on 3mm DPNs.

OTN now: Viking Socks,
also on 3mm DPNs, and using Paton's Classic Wool.

Recent Knits

There has, indeed, been knitting! These are my daughter's slippers, from the Pocketbook Slippers pattern. They look pointy, but the pointiness disappears when they're worn. I'm going to attach some non-slip soles yet. I saw a good idea on Ravelry for slippers: the poster had encased a layer of stuffing with 2 soles, to make the soles more padded. I *have to* try this!
These are some baby socks for the Afghans for Afghans Baby Challenge. The deadline is 3rd Dec., 2007. Please click on the link in the sidebar, to find out about items needed, and fibre requirements. They also have a list of good patterns for charity knitting. :) The pattern I used is from www.knittinghelp.com
North Country Baby Socks, made with Paton's Classic Wool.
These are the fingerless mitts I made for my oh-so-scary Pirate costume. What a fearsome bunch we be! Arrr!

August Socks, or The Neverending Socks

These socks were knit on 2mm needles, with 1 strand of Paton's Classic Wool, for the Mittens for Akkol sock challenge. I had thought that if I knit them on really small needles that they wouldn't wear out for a long time. What I hadn't realised was how long it would take me to knit them. I've been working on these socks since the end of April! Phew! Now I've gone almost to the other extreme. I'm knitting a pair on 5mm needles, with 2 strands of Paton's Classic Wool. They're going much quicker. :D

The sock challenge is going well, with 81% of the goal achieved. Hooray!

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!

Toe-up Sock Flickr Set

I've started a Toe-up Flickr set. The link is in the side-bar. I'll be adding more to it as I knit up the sock. These are my April socks for the Knit & Chat KAL, so I'll have to hurry to finish them by the end of the month!

Sensational Knitted Socks

I've joined the Sensational Knitted Socks KAL! I hadn't known there was one until this morning, when I "googled" it, on impulse. I've already knit 3 of the stitch patterns: Garter Rib, Twin Rib, and Baby Cable Rib. I'm planning to knit the 3X3 Cable, and the Cable with Faggoting Centre. I really Small Capitals, and Ribbed Lace, and am considering knitting those, as well. I'm looking forward to seeing the second book in the series!

April Socks

Here are my April socks for the sock KAL on Knit & Chat. They are toe-up anklets in Bernat Sox Denim, in "Baby Cable" stitch, from Sensational Knitted Socks. There were a few places where I lost count and knitted a row too many between cable rows.

This picture shows where I did the heel flap stitch under the heel, in order to both make the heel fit tighter, and (hopefully!) make it wear longer. I have narrow feet, so store-bought socks always fit too loosey goosey for my liking.

Here's Grandmother's Favourite with Heart dishcloth, from this site: http://http://anewtwistondishcloths.blogspot.com/2005/08/grandmothers-favorite-with-heart.html This was a quick knit, taking less than half a 50g skein of dishcloth cotton.

Ta da! My next socks, Broadripple from http://knitty.com, with Paton's Grace, on 2.25mm needles. These will be ankle socks to match my capris. I'm hoping it will be capri-wearing weather by the time I finish these socks. Dream on! We woke up to the ground covered in snow today. *G*

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.

February Socks Done!

These are my February socks for the Sock-a-long over on Knit and Chat. Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver in "Buff Fleck". Pattern: Garter Rib. They fit my size 8.5 feet. I tried to show the sole where I do a bit of double-knitting to make some extra warmth at the heels and toes. I do love to have toasty toes! ;-)

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

Hat Progress, & Toe-Up Sock

My DD's hat is finished except for a pom-pom. I was surprised that she wanted a pom-pom on it. I'll have to look up how to make one, because it's been at least 7 years since I made one last! I remember doing a search for pom-pom instructions back then, and being surprised by the, shall we say, "non-knitting" search results.

Even in bright sunlight, the colours still look a bit orangey, instead of how pretty pink it really is.

The colour is also too orangey in the sock photo; all the orange is really a medium red. This is my first attempt at a toe-up sock, following the tutorial on www.socknitters.com. I don't care for how the heel looks, although it feels OK when worn. I will pull it out and do it over, because I think I had to have not followed the instructions properly. I'm working on another toe-up sock from http://www.needletrax.com/toeupon2circulars.htm and it seems to be turning out much better. Phew!
Another glitch I encountered is that the above 2 socks came from supposedly the same dye lot of Big Mexiko, and I had intended them to match, VBG. Obviously one of the skeins had the wrong label on it! I'm compensating by adding in another yarn to make a matching pair out of each 50g skein. In this case, I'm adding Brigg's and Little Regal. C'est la vie! :DGuess who got curious as I was snapping photos of knits?

January Socks - Done!

I finished them at last! These are the socks I started almost a year ago. I did have to get another skein of Denimstyle in order to finish them - darn. But they're so soft and cozy that I don't mind. When I doubleknit part of the sole I use up way more yarn than I realise. I also like my socks to have more length in the leg than store-bought socks, which eats up the yarn. Now I can get on with other projects. I'm trying to keep "startitis" under control...

I'm still working on the Baby Genius Scarf out of ancient Paton's Shetland Chunky(which is not as soft as the current Shetland Chunky). I am making some progress, although it's slow going. I think the Baby Genius pattern would make a nice blanket, too. Hmmm. Startitis just might strike me again today!

January Sock Progress

I finally finished the first sock, and am working on the leg of the second. I had forgot how much I like working with Bernat Denimstyle. I just like the feel of it in my hands.

UFOs

I dug this sock out of the UFO basket to finish for the January Sock-along on Knit & Chat. It has been untouched for about 11 months.

This is a blankie for Amy that's been in-progress for many months. Too many. It frowns at me disapprovingly every time I pass it over in favour of another project. There are more UFOs, but pictures will have to wait for another time. :D