One last time ...

I promise this will be the last time I show you these socks. But they are done!!!

For the first pair I didn't have enough yarn to make the second row of squares, but they are the same length as it is. The squares eat up more yarn. I've worn them yesterday, and they are incredible soft and warm. The glitter doesn't bother me at all (was a concern first).

The second pair is waiting to warm my husbands footsies. Nice yarn, nice colors. Love them.

The third pair, my lovely Trekking XXL socks, did not surprise me with the unpredictable color changes. The second sock, which I've finished last night has a very bright red part on the foot, smokin'! This is just a wonderful color, and guess what?! I have another ball of the same colorway. Yeah!

Once again, please let me know, if you find mistakes in the pattern. I'm embarrass that I've overlooked this one. Sorry! :o(

So, now back to my mysterious new project. So far it's going well. ;o)

Oh boy, ....

I was afraid of that! A mistake was found in my Smoking Hot Socks pattern, and I pray that this will be the only one, but please let me know, if you find anything else.

Here it goes:

Slip Stitch pattern:
Multiple of 5

please correct where it says - 4 times - to 5 times, in row 1 and 2 of the slip stitch pattern.
Of course there should be 30 stitches on top and 30 stitches on the sole part.

Monkey see, Monkey do ....

I've made a trip to the library today, to pick up a book which was on hold for me. I saw this gorgeous hat at Pat's blog and had to at least have a look at the book where she's got the pattern from. Luckily it was not checked out. I own and love Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks, and "Hats ON!' as well as "Mostly Mittens" are sensational as well (don't own the last two, but wish I would). Thank god for libraries! While I was browsing through the knitting books section, which is very small, I found "The Children's Collection" by Alice & Jade Starmore. Alice Starmore's name came up here and there, so I was intrigued. I was flipping through the book, when I fell in love with the "Secret Garden" coat for girls. Oh, my, how I wish I had a girl between 3 and 7 years old, just to be able to knit this coat for her. And there was "Sand Dollar" an amazing knitted dress! I liked all projects in this book, but these two stood out to me. If you can, you should get a copy of this book and feast your eyes on these beauties!

I'm not at all sure, I will ever knit anything out of these three books, but just looking through them is pure pleasure. O.K. I might do a hat or two, and maybe some mittens in the not so near future, because I've something else in mind for my next project.

I've finished three more squares for Hannah's Magic Mosaic blanket. This would be squares # 7, 8, and 9 out of 63!

Don't laugh at the uncoordinated picture presentation. It's not my fault, and even if it would be my fault, I don't have time right now, to play around with this. I'm spending too much time on the computer as it is.

That said, bye for now. ;o)

Wow! - you can download the pattern now!

I'm overwhelmed with the response to the Smoking Hot Sock pattern! Thank you for your interest! So far I've send it out 140 times. For those of you who didn't get it, a few emails came back, or I didn't even have an email address, (hallo Mercedes!). Please let me know, I really would like to send it to you.



Since this is my first sock pattern, I do hope it's clear and not riddled with mistakes! I would love to see pictures of your finished socks and some feedback would be nice. I'll put every pic I get up on my Readers Gallery. If you include what yarn you've used, and needle size, that would be great!



I've started the mate for the Trekking XXL last night, the other two socks are pairs now.



I need a sock knitting break after this and already know what I'll be knitting next. You will never guess! ;o)







And since posts without pictures are not fun, here is one more pic with Sam trying out Biko's round soft bed. He fits right in, don't you think? He does. ;o)

I will send out the pattern to whoever asked for it today. But - hurray!

you can download the free pattern now!
please go to the side bar where you can find the button to download it.

Smoking Hot Socks! - The free pattern is done!

Hurray!

All right, here are my "Smoking Hot Socks". Until I can figure out how to put the free pattern I've written in WORD up on any place on my blog, you'll have to send me an email, if you want it. Sorry about that!


For the last week and a half I've been knitting socks, in different sizes, with different yarns and needle sizes, to figure out the best combo to write up a pattern. I was very excited and motivated. I hope you like the outcome! I do. I like the third and last sock best. It's made with Trekking XXL color # 100. I've had this yarn in my stash almost a year now, waiting for the perfect pattern, and wouldn't you know it, I think this is it! With this pattern, you don't have to worry about, how the color and stitch pattern go together and even if the mate is identical or not. It doesn't matter, well not to me. They are close enough and I LOVE Trekking XXL with all it's colores!







The second sock was made with a German sock yarn, I've got from ,Sybille as a Christmas present. I like the colors a lot, the only thing I don't like is, that I've knit the sock with 2.5mm needles, which is too loose for me or my taste. They will be for my husband, as soon as he comes back from Europe. By then, I think I can manage it's mate. It's cast on already anyway. We have the same shoe size, but his feet are way wider.


This was my first try. The Cherry Tree Hill Super Glitz sock. I liked it very much until the others came along. It's a thick yarn for sock yarn. I've knit it with 3mm needles. It's warm, but I could not finished the second sock with just one hank (for my size 10 foot). I've only made one mitered square row and K2, P2 until I ran out of yarn. In the end both where the same height on the leg, but if would not have been enough otherwise. Doesn't matter to me, as long as my feet are toasty warm. Good enough for wearing them around the house. The yarn is lovely though, I like the glitter in it, but even for my they are almost too bright. I lean more to green these days.



Here's my darling Trekking sock. Isn't he gorgeous?! I've got the toe part for the second sock done. I've cast on as soon as the needles were empty, so I don't get any ideas of not finishing this pair. No worries though, I really really want them.





Close up of the jojo heel. I've included the instructions and the web link to the instructions on the Lana Grossa website. I've asked for their permission just in case, and got it today.

Here you can have a closer look of the toe part. I always make Judy Becker's magic cast on. It's very fiddly the first couple of rounds, but well worth it. I think.

The slip stitch pattern on top of the foot blocked out really well. At first it pulls together, but no worries. These socks are quite warm, with all the garter stitch and cushy. I like when the decreases on the mitered squares make those ridges, I think it gives some texture. Of course, if you don't like them so prominent, you can always decrease a different way. Your prerogative!

I'm still thinking about what to do next. Of course there are still two mates to be knit. I still have two blankets, which I haven't even glanced at, to finish. I don't want to do lace exactly. I want to do something, but what? Something very different and exciting. What will it be?

Now, if you would like to give the Smoking Hot socks a try, I've put a link on the side bar with my email or you find it with my profile. Just let me know, that you want it and I'll send the Word file to you. Have fun! Keep warm! Knit, knit, knit! ;o)

Question for blogging geniuses!

Well, I've written my "Smoking Hot Socks" pattern in Word, and have NO idea on how to get it up here or anywhere on this blog for that matter. I've included photos in the document and the usual copy/paste is not working out. If you can help, please do so! I'm a point and click kinda girl, need precise instructions.

Thanks,
Monika

Is the whole world watching Super Bowl???

Some days it's hard to get to the computer, but not today. Guess why? I have no feelings about Super Bowl one way or the other. I would have, if I were forced to watch it, but as it is, I'm enjoying my peace and quite around here.

Hannah's finished her third Calorimetry. With 3.75mm needles and DK weight yarn. She didn't change anything else in the pattern. This size is perfect for her. Now she's my Calorimetry Queen. She's got it down now and wants to make a few more for presents (in the future).

Sam was outside for FIVE minutes, until his paws froze. It's just too cold today. But, you can see, that he's playing with his beloved snow shovel, once more. AND he's running free. I always hold my breath and watch him like a hawk. I'm always relieved when he's back inside, with no damage to his knee. It feels like Russian Roulette. His shaved leg is getting fury again, but you can still see the scar.

About a week ago, or even longer, I made these mittens for Hannah, since she always took mine to go outside. I've used self dyed left over yarn; the almost neon green and multi red. I've made her a cap and some socks with it.

I took this picture after freezing rain and they had no trouble sticking to the car window. Both are a bit funny shaped, because I think I've pulled too hard, when I changed colors.

I'm as good as done with the "Smoking Hot Socks" pattern. Just waiting for permission to use the jojo heel instructions from Lana Grossa. We'll see if and when I hear back from them. Otherwise I have to think about it some more, how to do this another way.

Silent Poetry Reading Day

I saw this mentioned at Not Plain Jane and I liked the idea. Here's my contribution to this silent poetry reading day, in honor of Brigid.

Knitting.

An old-time kitchen, an open door, Sunshine lying across the floor; A little maid, feet bare and brown, Cheeks like roses, a cotton gown, Rippling masses of shining hair, And a childish forehead smooth and fair.

The child is knitting. The open door Wooes her, tempts her, more and more. The sky is cloudless, the air is sweet And sadly restless the bare brown feet.. Still,' as she wishes her task were done, She counts the rounds off, one by one.

Higher yet mounts the sun or June; But one round more!___a joyous tune Ripples out from the childish lips, While swift and swifter the finger-tips Play out and in, till I hear her say, "Twenty rounds! I'm going to play!"

Up to the hedge where the sweet-brier blows, Down to the bank where the brooklet flows, Chasing the butterflies, watching the bees, Wading in clover up to her knees, Mocking the bobolinks; oh, what fun It is to be free when the task is done!

Years and years have glided away. The child is a woman, and threads of gray One by one creep into her hair, And I see the prints of the feet of care. Yet I like to watch tier. To-night she sits By her household fire, and as then she knits.

Swiftly the needles glance, and the thread Glides through her fingers, white and red. 'Tis a baby's stocking. To and fro And out and in as the needles go, She sings as she sang that day in June, But the low, soft strain is a nursery tune.

Closely beside her the baby lies, Slowly closing his sleepy eyes. Forward, backward, the cradle swings, Touched by her foot as she softly sings. And now in silence her watch she keeps; The song is hushed, for the baby sleeps.

Up from the green, through the twilight gray, Comes the shoats of a troop at play. Blue eyes, black eyes, golden curls - These are all hers___her boys and girls. Then wonder not at the prints of care, Or the silver threads in her braided hair.

Does she ever pine for the meadow brook, The sweet-brier hedge, the clover nook? When sweet winds woo, when smiles the sun, Does she ever wish that her task was done? Would you know? Then watch her where she sits Smiling dreamily, while she knits.

by Ellen P. Allerton.

...meanwhile ...

I'm knitting away on my mitered squares socks. I'm working on the third sock (no pairs yet), with different yarn and different needle size. They fit me all, but I'm not satisfied enough, to write it down, as it is. I'm going to have three! pairs of socks very soon. ;o)
So, until I have something to show you, I'd like you to have a look what my daughter Hannah was doing (knit wise).
She's doing yoga, so she needed a bag for her yoga mat. She can't stand to waste anything, that's why she went through my stash to get all the yarn, which was great for felting. At times she hates that monstrous thing, but stuck to it.



We threw it into the washing machine and had to turn it on five times, until she was satisfied with the size. Funny thing though, she used different colors of Lopi and other 100% wool, only the red Lopi didn't felt as all the others did. I thought the little bulge on top, was an interesting touch. Hannah was just glad it was DONE!


edited: I don't want to embarrass Hannah here, but I'd like to say, that I'm proud of her, that she stuck to it, because a lot went wrong with this project. She's knit two stitch marker into the fabric and just noticed it after about an inch of knitting, At the first try, she's twisted the cast on stitches and knit about 5 inches until she's noticed the twist. She had to rip it all out again. And after all that, she did something, I'm still laughing about, when I think of it. I've taught her how to connect wool (the yucky spit and rub method) and she spit and rubbed two ends together, just to find out, that she had just connected two balls of wool! ;o)

After that she needed a quick project and since my digi camera fell into the snow the other day (and is still working, thank god), she made me a case for it, with left over yarns. On the back there's even Regal Silk in the knitted fabric. I love it, and I think it looks a little bit like woven fabric. It's thick and will cushion all future falls of my digicam, from my pocket.

There's also the Calorimetry she made for "me". Well, it's her second try. The first one was big enough for an elephants head. The second try fit's my head (just a little bit smaller). I don't know if there will be a third try. She's gone down from 5mm needles to 4.5mm and thinner yarn. Right now she doesn't even want to touch knitting stuff. She's so disappointed, because the pattern is great and looks nice and is comfortable, I can tell, since I'm wearing it right now. Maybe I'll knit HER one! ;o)


Sam thinks snow tastes yummy! (and wants more of it).

Smoking Hot Sock!

edited to show finished pictures:

the yarn is very busy and it started to pool shortly before the heel. It's also a heavy, thick sock. I'm going to try another pair with normal sock yarn. I'm going to leave the nubs out as well, since they don't show very well; it was just playing around with an idea anyway. I've used the jojo heel again and the magic cast on, both my favorites. The slip stitch pattern on top of the foot got blocked out very well. No more pulling in.

click to see some sparkles


I'm so excited! Last night, I started this sock. It's my own pattern. I've seen quite a lot patchwork socks throughout blogger land and even have a pattern for one of them, but quite frankly they are to fiddly, with lots of ends to weave in (there are more than two ends to weave in here as well), and complicated to start. I just didn't like it. I'm always looking for the easy way out and since I'm knitting my Noro blanket (not lately though), I was wondering, if I could apply this to a sock. One mitered square built upon another, and yes, it's possible. Of course it had to be a toe up version as well.

I'm going to try to write up a pattern, but first I've got to knit the other one. Oh, yeah, I forgot, the first one is finished and being blocked as we speak.

My son, David saw it, and said, it's big (the leg part), and yes, it looks big, but it's garter stitch (squishy). After I've bound off, I tried it on and, he so gentlemanly said, that I've got horse feet (because they fit my foot and leg perfectly). Well, I made it for me, so it better fit!

Anyway, I've used Cherry Tree Hill Super Glitz (there's a strand glitter plied in), but it's DK weight, knit with 3mm needles.
On top of the foot I've made a slip stitch pattern, which I wanted to try out for ages. It was not the best choice, because this stitch pattern pulls in (but stretches easily, when worn). Since my daughter was following the designing and knitting process with interest, she suggested to make some nubs as well, and since I've had so much fun with the nubs on the Swallowtail shawl, I was game. One round of nubs, coming up! After that, some ribbing and bind off.
The finished pictures will follow soon.
What do you think? Is it worth the trouble of writing this experiment down?

Swallowtail Shawl

Snowfall during the night and freezing rain in the morning, makes a nice setting for taking pictures. I present to you the ugly duckling, the mop rag : my Swallowtail shawl, but wait,


... what a change, the ugly duckling emerged to be, if not a swan, than a nice little shawl for sure!

Once, I've removed Hannah's fingers from her coffee mug (one by one, I might add), she gave in and modeled the shawl for me. She's smiling but I'm sure she's thinking not so nice thoughts. It's before 9 AM and still drizzling little icy droplets. Oh, well. While I did scout around for nice places to bring my Swallowtail to life, she was refilling her coffee mug. Heat up some water for my tea, please!

This shawl is a most delicate and small one. I LOVE it! At least I love the pattern, if not the yarn/color I've chosen. It's O.K., I guess, now that it is blocked and struggling for my favor. Relax, you'll be more likely to be worn, than your little rose sister!

Although I've been warned about those little nubbies, and I had the utmost respect tackling them (I had a cheat sheet for cheater nubs ready), I did NOT encounter severe trouble with these tiny little P5tog'ers. O.K. I'll admit, I did THREE cheater nubs, where it was impossible to get the needle through. But I'm still working with addi turbo needles, and they are still blunt. I've read somewhere, that there are new addi's out there, especially made for lace knitting. Haven't seen one yet.

If you must know, here are the specs for this shawl:

pattern: Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark from Interweave Knits Fall 2006

yarn: Knit Picks Shadow 100% merino wool, color: Oregon Coast , less than 50g used.

needles: 3.5mm addi turbo circulars

blocked size: 42" x 25"

Some day I will knit another one, with a shiny yarn in a color I absolutely adore, with larger needles to make it bigger. I do NOT complain about the size, in fact I like it small. I'll just like it a little different. Who wants to knit the exact same thing twice??? Not me.

With this shawl, I had a bumpy start, but it's size is excellent, because as soon as you start getting bored, it's done! ;o)

I've learned something too, I need to learn how to count, I'm challenged that way. So, lets do this right away, one, two, three, five.... see, need to practice some more. Maybe one day, and I really, really hope so, I can make a whole shawl without ANY mistakes! Wow, that would be awesome! ;o)

No knitting content - Sam overload!

I've been reading Dave's blog entries and what I especially liked about them, are his pictures and stories of his walks through his neighborhood and the special shots he took of ordinary things around him. He inspired me to take my camera with me on my walks and these pictures are the result of it. Yesterday was a most wonderful day. Sunny, not too cold, the fresh snow was sparkling - just my kind of perfect day.

click on pics to see the snow sparkle

I thought I let the pics speak for themselves. Sam was a little frustrated, because he would rather have moved on quickly to the next bush, tree, trash can and NOT freeze his rear off. Thanks anyway, good sport!

I did try to make a snow angel and failed, due to Sam. He thought it quite funny and thought it was a new game we were playing. And of course the leash was in the way all the time!

Swallowtail Shawl!

What looks like an old mopping rag? My version of the Swallowtail Shawl in Knit Picks colorway "Oregon Coast"! (What's up with that color? What's up with me choosing this color in the first place?)
Prime knitting time is in the evenings and last night was more tinking than knitting going on, and a lot of cursing as well. How can two shawls be so very different to knit? I'm quite sure this one's an easy one too, but for some reason, I really don't know, it is giving me a hard time. I know the yarn overs are out to get me (and have for some time now), but still, I'm on to them and on guard here! If there's one stitch to many, no problem, knit it together. If I'm one stitch short, no problem, make one! Next row - nothing's where's supposed to be and suddenly everything looks the same! So, I declare defeat and tink back. In the back of my mind there's a word floating around, no not that one, it's "life line"! I've heard of it, seen it, but never used it or even know how to do it, but somehow I think I should make myself familiar with it.

How can I knit 12 repeats of this chart and everything falls into place and it's smooth knitting, but by the 13th (Aha!) repeat I'm like a person with sausages for fingers and no thumbs? AND I'M NOT EVEN AT THE HARD PART YET! Still four more rows to go before I can start with the Lily of the Valley chart one.
I'm sure it's not me, it's the distractions around me. It's Sam and Biko, it's Hannah and David, and the sun and the moon ...... but not me!

So far, not much pleasure in knitting this one, but once again, I'm like a dog with a bone, just can't give it up! I'll keep you posted.

My mom's a nice person. She likes to shop and she loves to rummage through hobby & crafts markets and flea market as well. She bought and sent me this pair of socks. They are hand knit of course. Maybe a year ago, she would not even have looked twice at hand knit items, she's all about cross stitched table cloths and so on, but since I've started knitting (again), and she gets to see some pictures of it here on the blog or, gets actually to feel some socks on her feet (which I made), since all this happened, she looks at hand knits differently. She also buys me lots of yarn, special deals of course, because she's an expert shopper. And I am not one to say NO to a pair of hand knit socks, never! You just can't have enough of them, and don't they fit my feet nicely??? - and yes, this is my very photogenic pumpkin in the background. It's still with us. My kids tell me everyday, that one day soon there will be a "poof" and all the moldy innards of this pumpkin will explode into my living room. I say not, it will dry out and sit there forever! (by the way, this is not a cup of coffee! I'm a tea totaller(?) !)



And of course there is something to learn about my dogs:

Biko smart, Sam dumb?


That's how Biko uses a pillow to sleep on the couch. Smart!


This is how Sam uses a box of wool as a pillow, to sleep on the couch, ahem ..... or he's just very comfortable about all the knitting going on in this house!

Besides, we both got a scare last night, or maybe it was just I that got scared, he didn't know what the hell was going on, with me running home after our last short walk, yelling like a banshee for my son. This is what happened:

Sam's finally allowed to go for walks. We do short walks, rather than long walks, but several. I monitor him, to see how he's doing on these walks, so I can judge how far we go. He's still limping, but it gets better every day. Anyway, it was almost dark and we were walking along the neighborhood sidewalk, thinking happy thoughts, him and me; it's stop and go, there's a lot to sniff at (many dogs here), there's pee, stop and go, you get it. At one of these stop's at first I'm off thinking said happy thoughts, mostly about knitting (nay), when I noticed that Sam's not sniffing nor peeing, but chewing and swallowing. Alarm bells ringing! I jank him away, see a heap of a white powder like substance and some clumps of that stuff all over the sidewalk. I grab what I can with my gloved hand, jank (sorry Sam) Sam around and hot foot it home as fast as we both could. Doors fly open, I yell for David, to come and see, I just couldn't bring myself to have a closer look, Sam's panting beside me. I stick the stuff under David's nose, he says, huh? I say, smell it, what is it? (O.K. I yelled it, total panic). David sticks his nose to the stuff and looks at me, wondering if I've gone totally mad now. Tell me what it is, I said.
Why - it's feta cheese, of course! Huh?
What the hell is feta cheese doing on my side walk??? - And Sam's panting, came from the running, I guess. Poor guy.
All's well. ;o)

Shetland Triangle Shawl

One last mention of my contest: All prizes have been claimed and the packages are on their way to the winners! Enjoy, ladies! ;o)

Last night this little shawl jumped off my needles, right into a relaxing bubble bath and on to the blocking mattress and now here it is:

The Shetland Triangle Shawl!

I'm totally in LOVE with Evelyn A. Clark's designs. Her patterns are so well written and the stitch patterns fit together so smoothly, it's pure pleasure to knit her shawls (well, except the nubbs and 5 or 7 knit togethers, but that's another shawl).

The pattern for this shawl was waiting for me for month now. I really, really wanted to knit it, but never got to it, until now. I can't think of a reason why, maybe because I've knit on my rough Noro blanket and wanted to feel something airy between my fingers. Who knows and it doesn't matter anyway.
Once again, there's a shawl with no destination other than a drawer (and how do you store your precious hand knits anyway?). This is definitely NOT my color. Rose, there's nothing delicate about me, like this flimsy shawl. Nobody would ever think that this is mine, would it be lost.

But nevertheless, it was pure pleasure to knit. How can I make you understand? It's like the first sip of tea when it's the right temperature, or if you take a deep breath on a summer day, after it rained, or your first smoke of the day? (maybe, I'm not a smoker, but I've been told that it's wonderful). You might think I'm ponkers, but you might also understand.

Well, this was so satisfying, that I've cast on another one of Evelyn Clark's shawls, the Swallowtail Shawl. You'd think, enough already with the shawls, but it's an addiction, I tell you! Do I really need another shawl? 100% definitely not.

pattern: Shetland Triangle shawl by Evelyn A. Clark from the book "Wrap Style"

yarn: Kauni uni, color rose, ( this yarn comes from Denmark) I've used 48g of a 50g ball which has 300m on it, 90% wool 10% acrylic (I've got this yarn as a gift from Uta )

needles: 4mm addi turbo (blunt tip, not good)

size after blocking: 48" x 27"

Sam loves snow. Unfortunately for him, there is not much of it this year, so he's studying it very closely, to not forget how it looks until next year. He told me, he could even make out different snow flake designs. Do I believe him??? ;o)

And now to sooth my aching eyes from all that rose and snow white, some orange and green. Aaahhh!