I have half a pair of socks

One Slouch Sock is done. I've just cast on for the second one, and as stated previously it will not take as long as the first one to complete. I'm not liking using 4 needles, though. Before my next pair I will have to get some new needles.

I haven't really done anything else since I'd determined to finish the socks so I'm playing monogamy for the moment. After that I'll get back to my Lucky and Bird's Nest.

I also want to get some cotton blend or silk blend to make another Hourglass. It's going to be too warm for the wool soon (at least, I hope so!) and I'd love a more lightweight version for spring. Time to hit the knitalong and see what others have used.

Well, that's about it. Not too glamorous but I'm sure to make up for that at some point! ;)

Slouch Socks Back On Track

They have been reproaching me every time I come across them in my bag, as well as the reminder on my sidebar, so I've pulled them out and brought them with me to work. I've got roughly 3 repeats to go on the instep before finishing the toe. I am hereby promising myself that the second one will not take so long to complete.

Now that the nicer weather is here I will be washing out the alpaca I've had stored and see about working that up. The color suggests men's items so I'm thinking a hat and mitten or glove set and a pair of socks. Between that and the other items I am currently working on/have on wait I should be quite busy.

Miss me?

Sorry I wasn't here for a while. I was battling evil kidney stones and I found out the hard way that Percocet and knitting don't mix (poor Bird's Nest is awaiting frogging since there are so many mistakes in so many places that I can't figure it out). Actually, it doesn't mix with anything, really, except watching clouds go by.

Anyway, I'm back and finally fixed the straps on Hourglass. I am happy to say that working 11 stitches in garter is sufficient for my modesty ;) and I am wearing the sweater at work now. I'm so happy with it.

As said, BN is about to be restarted. After all my spouting about lifelines do you think I used one? Of course not. However, this time there will be one inserted after the border stitches and then after each pattern repeat.

I haven't done any other knitting in the last week. I really missed it, too, so I'm sure I'll get back in the saddle. I'm dreadfully behind on Lucky, compared to the rest of the group. I'd like to get a bit of progress on that, too.

Hopefully the next post will be a bit more constructive.

Monday, Monday

I heard that song on the way in to work and it's now stuck. I guess there are worse things than having the Mamas and the Papas in your head.

I actually got to the first rows of pattern stitch on the Bird's Nest last night. Three nights of work just to start the lace. But I do love the striping action I'm getting from the yarn. Once there are a few more rows and it looks like something I'll show you all.

And in the "Why I shouldn't be lazy about checking the mail over the weekend" Department: I ran over to drop a few things in the mail this morning and hanging from the box was my yarn for Lucky. So I grabbed two skeins, SnB Nation and my needles sizes 2-4 and am preparing to swatch.

Oh, and it looks like Hello has decided not to play nice again. At least, I can't see the picture of Hourglass I just posted. I'll fix that tonight. Sorry.

Finished Hourglass

Here it is and just about ready to wear! The little "ears" up top are actually straps to hide my straps. I need to redo them because those are in stockinette (to match the sweater) but not quite wide enough. I think I'll add a few more stitches and just do them in garter. They do give a fun look to the finished sweater when on, though. I'm thinking I would definitely make this again in a different yarn. It was too much fun.

It almost looks like a sweater!

Look, Mom! Sleeves!

The color is not right on this since I'm a dope and forgot to turn my flash off. Naturally, the batteries are almost dead so I can't take another picture. The shot of the body a few posts down is more accurate of the shade of green, although the color flecks show a bit more in this shot- red, yellow and blue.

I've got about 35 rounds to do on the raglan decreases and then the neckline. I'm hoping to finish it (off needles) by the weekend. Then I can concentrate on the Bird's Nest and Lucky once the yarn arrives (either this weekend or early next week). And maybe I'll be wearing Hourglass to work next week! Yay!

More goodies!

To start with, the weather is nasty again. The rain stopped and it did snow a bit last night. Fortunately we didn't get much in the way of accumulation. However the winds were horrible all night. They didn't just rattle the windows, they shook the house! All doors and windows were frozen this morning. I had to bang on the handle of my truck just to get in it. And it didn't want to move- I think the rain/snow/ice froze around the tires. Spring officially arrives in 11 days. I hope Mother Nature remembers that.

After displaying my new tea goodies I braved the monsoon outside to get the mail. It was well worth it because my Shimmer from Knit Picks arrived! Six skeins of Morning Mist. There's a little more blue than I had anticipated, but we all know I like blues so that's no problem. And there is a fair amount of gray to balance it. I think with the two strands held together it will be lovely. I cast on for the Bird's Nest Shawl but I'll have to double check the stitches again before I start knitting. With so many stitches (346) I want to be sure I'm right before starting! I'll wait until then before officially moving that to a WIP.

Then I got e-mails from HelloKnitty and Yarnware this morning. The two skeins of Chunky Tweed have come in so I'll be able to finish Banff. Also the Brown Sheep Fingering has come in, but only 6 skeins instead of the 7 I had requested. Going back to the book, 6 skeins is exactly what I need to make the Lucky Clover Wrap; I had ordered the extra "just in case". But I'm going to trust Melissa on this so I asked Yarnware to send the six.

Needless to say, Erin will be busy for quite a while with projects. I think the shawl and the wrap will take a bit of time. Banff should finish quickly. Thank goodness it's still cold enough for me to curl up in it. :)

I also got some progress on Hourglass. One sleeve is attached and I've started on the second one. I didn't get much done on it last night because I was busy winding the first two balls of Shimmer up so I could get them cast on and I had a chat for an online course I'm taking. I'm hoping to get it finished and attached tonight or tomorrow. I promise piccies once that happens.

Oh, and a couple of movies should be arriving today. Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story. Perfect "knitting-to" movies. Because you just have to love Cary and Kate. :D

Look what was waiting for me today! It's a teapot and set of 6 herbal teas from Adagio Teas. How good do these sound: Spearmint, Rooibos Jasmine (a red tea), Foxtrot (a blend of chamomile, rooibos and peppermint), Strawberry Patch, Blood Orange and Berry Blast. It was all wrapped up but there was no invoice or paper saying who it came from. The only one I can think of is my Secret Pal. I hope she comments here so I can thank her properly. And this couldn't have come at a better time- it's been pouring all day and will be into the night. Perfect weather for curling up with a nice cup of tea! Thank you, so much! 

As promised, here is my progress so far on the Hourglass Sweater. Let's hear the "oohs" and "ahhs" now. :D I have 5 more rounds to the last increase round and then roughly 12 rounds of plain knit before I divide for the yoke. Here's to hoping it looks more like a sweater once the sleeves are on! 

Yay for KALs!

I just found a knit-along for the Hourglass Sweater. Seems there are lots of people making this. It's so cool to see all the variations of color and yarn.

Mine is currently a big green blob. I'm at work now but I'll take a picture when I get home so you can all ooh and ahh over the lovely shapelessness of it. ;) I'm actually thinking I might like a Silk Garden version of this. Have to ponder that a bit.

Oh, and if anyone is interested, the button is over on the sidebar. Join up!

Hourglass Sweater

I did a swatch with my Galway Colorneps and lo-and-behold! I got gauge! Well, row gauge is off, but that's workable. I'm getting 6 rows/inch instead of 7. Stitch gauge is spot on. So, I cast on for the sweater and started knitting. It really goes fast. I've finished the decreases and am about to start the increases for the body. I really like the way it looks to be put together- minimal seaming to do. Anyway, once it looks like something other than a dark green tube I'll put a picture up.

Oh, there is a corrections list for the items in Last Minute Knitted Gifts to check out. Fortunately the list is rather short for this sweater. Armed with the book and the corrections I should be able to finish this rather quickly. Yay for me!

Yarn and stuff

OK, that's a dumb title. I can't think too clearly today. Blame it on all the recent snow.

Shimmer is on it's way from Knit Picks. I'm anticipating arrival late next week. So the Bird's Nest Shawl is soon to be underway.

Still no word on the rest of the 128 Chunky Tweed from Hello Knitty. I just sent off an e-mail asking about it. I really hope I won't end up having to pull the pieces all apart. Maybe a little capelet or small poncho could be made out of it if necessary.

I also sent an e-mail to Yarnware about the Brown Sheep Fingering. I don't know how long it will take to get the color I ordered in so I asked about the possibility of converting the order to a different color. Can't hurt to ask, right?

I got my package out to my Secret Pal today. I hope she likes what I sent her.

No work today so I think I'll try to get some progress on the Slouch Socks. They've been languishing in the basket for too long. I'm ashamed each time I pass them by for something else.

Speaking of things that aren't going to be knitted, I just picked up Last Minute Knitted Gifts (after reading about it in Wendy's blog. I want to do that camisole!) and saw the Hourglass Sweater. I have roughly 1800 yards of Galway Colornep that were going to be my Weasley Sweater. I think I can get gauge with it and maybe make that sweater. It looks very comfortable. Maybe after I'll swatch after playing with my socks for a bit.

I also went on a Disney animated classics spree. Picked up Bambi, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. I find it easier to knit with a movie if I'm already familiar with it. Then I don't have to give all my attention to the screen. And speaking of familiar things, just have to go back to my pre-teen fan days for a moment. CMT has begun showing The Dukes of Hazzard at night. Yes, it's a silly show but the scenery was nice. And I don't mean the trees and fields!

I also just got some supplies from Fire Mountain to make some stitch markers. I just love that place. So many pretty things.

Looks like I've got lots to occupy my time today. Better get to some of it!

Edit: Just heard back from both Hello Knitty and Yarnware. One skein of the Tweed is in. The other should be here next week. Seems to be quite a bit of hot pink tweed in demand at the moment! :D And the Brown Sheep will be in next week, also. Since I know the Shimmer is on its way and I have some other yarn to keep me busy I think I'll wait for my original color choice.