Socks that Really Rock

posted by WG


So.....just a short post, as I plan on putting together a longer one sometime next week, and just wanted to get some photos up here for the time being.

We had lots of fun this Friday in the noon knitting group, as we took snapshots left and right of everything under the sun, including many, many, many pair of socks that our lovely group of gals has knitted.

We have such a great group of exceptionally talented and creative girls....



See if you can spot the Cedar Creeks among these other beauties! Look closely, as each one is unique and quite different than the others.



I'm not sure what photos the other girls got, so there may be better shots of all of this, but I will post these up front, and everyone else can post theirs also. It will be great to see the differences!



NK snapping a shot of me snapping a shot....(sorry NK, but I had to include this, as you are just too cute with your little camera and we have no other photos of you on this blog!)















The mesh of it all....
































And the Cedar Creeks present themselves...

















And finally, Socks that really do Rock!

Maryland!

Posted by Neuroknitter

I'm back from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! This was my second adventure at this show! I am now warmed up for Oregon's own Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR in June and Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival in Canby, OR in September!!

Can you believe that except for the bunny, I have no fiber pictures....jeezy peezy...I better go back next year as punishment and do a better job of documenting the festival....

Oh, and for inquiring minds....There are no pictures of the illusive skeins of STR that rumor had it were at the festival, as they were all sold out by the time we arrived at 10:00 a.m....one hour post opening....

The sea of cars.....

The main exhibit hall

Celtic music while shopping

Deep Fried Twinkies for a mid-day pick me up!

A woman spinning her angora directly from the bunny!

People coming...

...and going...

...and gone!

Until next time!!!!

Whataweekend

posted by...ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Yee-haw!

Two wonderful guests in town, a lot of running around and visiting, and I still managed to finish Aunt B's socks on Saturday night, while watching a sweet movie with my girls.

My mom and soon-to-be-sister-in-law were in town for a truly fantastic visit. They were here because they were throwing a wedding shower for lil ole me with my sis. What a great party - it was so perfectly lovely- the food, the drink, the company, but talk about emotional. I feel like I have either been giggling like a hyena (do hyenas giggle or do they guffaw? because, honestly, there was a little bit of both) or leaking tears from my eyes since they arrived on Wednesday. Aren't women fantastic? I love my S - I can talk to him about anything and everything, can cry to and with him, and laugh until my sides feel fit to bust, but there is something about having your girls around to really get the waterworks going. This weekend has been good for the soul.

Now for the knitting content:

To start out with, I am in love with these socks. They have the right amount of bounce, of give, of stretchiness. I really want to keep them. They will be a lovely gift. They fit me like a dream. Aunt B will heart them completely. I will send them in the next few days. It will be painful, but it will be done. I promise.

Specs:
Toe-Up, Short-Row-Heeled socks in STR Cobalt Bloom
Over 60 stitches on two Inox #2 circular needles
Stitch Pattern: Yarn Over Cable pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks

I worked the pattern until about 1 inch from where I wanted the cuff to be, then began working a p2, k3 rib to keep in step with how the faux cable works (on a multiple of 5 stitches). It looks really fly. Of course, I have yet to take photos of the finished socks, but I will soon, possibly tonight, and will share the beauty.

Oh, and by the way - ? BY THE WAY... the wonderful, beautiful, talented and gifted Wool Girl presented me with the most amazing pair of socks on Saturday, socks that she had made just for me! She had posted about these before, referring to them as "socks for her mother" (I will be totally honest with all of you out there - I am NOT her mother :)) and even went so far as to tell me she had been working on these socks for her mom, in this one pattern, with this one yarn, yadayadayada, and guess what? (oh, WG's mom, I hope you are not reading this, cuz you are gonna be sorely disappointed!) THERE ARE NO SOCKS FOR HER MOM. just mine. Lookie here:



Specs from WG's socks:
Elfine Pattern (my sis called these "Elfine Love Socks," which I really really heart - whattaya think, WG?) with Sundara sock yarn in Leafy colorway. She made them a bit shorter than the original pattern, and, get this - ADDED A PICOT EDGE TO THE TOP.

They are:
* 2 cute
+ 2 be
= 4 gotten

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, WG!

Proudly on Display

by.....julie

I was happy that I had finished my first pair of rockin' toe up socks (thanks NK!), but someone else was at least as happy as I was...

Isn't she cute. This is Tess, our 7-year-old Golden Retriever. She doesn't normally pose so well. :-)


The socks were knit using bamboo size 2 dpn (size 1 dpn for the heel).
The yarn is from Brown Sheep Company. Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn colors Royal Blue and Symphony. The toe and heel are knit in Royal Blue, the foot and cuff are alternating rows of the two colors. The cuff is a k2p2 rib.

Now, what will I knit next?






It is al STR, except for the purple and green skein, which is Lorna's Laces Jungle Stripe. AND...that's what's next. I've decided to use the toe up sock pattern and pick a rib or lace pattern to knit on the top side of the foot and the cuff. Stay tuned. :-)

Jaywalkin' at the Coast, or, What I Did on My Spring Vacation

by.....sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss


Yet another pair of finished socks have slid off my needles. Not that it's such a big accomplishment; I began these socks so long ago I can't even recall casting them on, but they were finished in the most serene and ideal setting. (I also began and finished the Yarn Harlot's newest, Knitting Rules. This is a wonderful read, with practical information as well as Harlot-y goodness).

S and I had one of those weekends, you know the kind, the weekend to top all weekends. First of all, the weather here in Portland has been absolutely amazing - warm, sunny, blue skies, and most importantly (and suprisingly), NO RAIN!! Saturday, we woke up early, did a few errands, went out to breakfast (my absolute favorite meal to eat out, probably because we do it so rarely), and headed to Wordstock for a few hours. While there, I attempted to get a glimpse of Dave Eggers, who I decided I want to be best friends with after seeing him speak at a WRAP function at the Alladin a few years ago. He is funny, sweet, caring, and charming. My sister and I wanted to propose best-friend-ship to him that very night. Anyway, I never did see him. It was for the best, actually, because I don't think I would have actually gone up to him. Big talker, little walker, that's me.

We then got on the road, and headed west. Oh, what a drive, once we got a few miles outside of Portland (the first REALLY nice weekend since the fall + one way to get to the ocean = TRAFFIC, and I don't mean the Michael Douglass movie). It was fantastic; we had the windows down; and I even drifted off to sleep for a moment or three. I have found that it is impossible for me to knit while in a car heading to the coast, especially when we are driving a sporty car S got from work. So, we talked. And laughed. And gossiped. Held hands.

We arrived in Cannon Beach in the early afternoon, and got a room practically right on the beach. We have camped out there, but never splurged on an actual room. Totally worth it. We then wandered through town, got some fresh crab cocktail, and began making our way toward the ocean. My eyes were drawn to the left - whoa! What is that, right in front of me? With the lovely colors in the window? Right down the street from our hotel? If you guessed Yarn Store, ding!ding!ding! You win. It is called Coastal Yarns, and the proprietor opened it about 6 weeks ago. I do believe the previous owner retired. This store is beautiful, a definite must-see next time you are in Cannon Beach. It's on 2nd. The best part? Hold on to your hats, ladies, they have SOCKS THAT ROCK. Yeah. I bought some. I couldn't help myself. Seriously, what is a knitter supposed to do when faced with STR Medium Weight????? I have heard rumors about this stuff, sure, and the next Sock Club yarn is supposed to be the medium, but I have none in my (considerable) stash, and the color is so restful and beautiful, and it was calling to me from the shelves. I was thinking to myself, okay, I am getting away fairly easily, one skein, when, out of nowhere, I was slapped upside the head with the beauty of another colorway, in the heavyweight, and really, what's a few dozen dollars among friends, right? I mean, look at this stuff:

STR Mediumweight, Spring Fling
STR Heavyweight, Red Rock Canyon

no regrets...

"To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often"

- John Henry Newman

Posted by Woolgirl

So, this statement, I have concluded, describes me perfectly, as I have changed my mind on which sock pattern I'm working on almost on a continuous basis these last few months. (I guess this makes me perfect? Not a chance!) It's always something different...whatever I'm in the mood for on which day at which time. Isn't that how it's supposed to be? I tend to get bored if I just work on the same pattern day in and day out. I've decided that I need to design a sock that includes many different patterns, colors, etc...the perfect sock! Something to keep me entertained always.

I'm currently working on the Pomatomus Socks (see attached knit along button). Actually, I just started them, and have only done a few rows of the first pattern repeat, so I can't really classify myself as really working on these yet, but I've started, have them on the needles, so that classifies as "working on", correct? (Photos to come in the next couple of weeks).

I'm working on a secret pair of socks for my mom for mother's day...these are top secret, so will post pictures after they're complete and on her feet. One hint..I am using Sundara Yarn...no color hints yet.

Of course, I'm still working on my Cedar Creeks. And, just turned the heel on the second one, so my first Cedar Creek almost has a twin! Woo hoo! Can't wait till these beauties are off the needles and on my feet!










































Started a pair of regular knit socks, toe up, in Lagoon Heavy Weight STR, for a special someone. Will include photos of those as they progress.

Also started a pair of regular knit socks, toe up, in this wonderfully beautiful yellowy orange sock yarn from Woolarina.com. Again, will post photos as soon as these progress a little more. NK and I purchased this yarn together, and of course, she is much further along than I am on the project we had planned for this yarn (in fact, I completely changed the project around and am working on a completely different pattern), so I hope she will post some of her photos of her project, as it's off the hook amazing! NK, Where are YOU? I expect a post from you in the next day or so!

I've made some recent additions to my yarn stash, some purchases that I'm very excited about....

Lovely, and I mean, lovely, Emerald Queen sock yarn from Sundara Yarn. This yarn is so beautiful and has the best mix of colors in it. This yarn really rocks, and if you get a chance to purchase some Sundara Yarn, you absolutely should. It's amazing....











































And, I made a trip to the infamous Farmhouse Knits in Beaverton, OR
this weekend, and couldn't leave w/o purchasing something.
And, the beautiful colors of STR they have are just too awesome to pass up!
So, I've added some Prove It All Night lightweight to my collection.




I'm sure I will find the time to start and not complete yet another project. (It's all about the process, it's all about the process, it's all about the process) Knit on!

Stop the Presses

Posted by...sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

The Cedar Creeks are done. And, boy, do I heart them. I heart the pattern, I heart the yarn, I heart the picot edge. I never realized how not difficult picot is. It looks like it would take some serious futzing, but - viola! not so much.

As I said before, the NK helped me figure out the toe-up mods, and it was purty easy-breezy. The above photo is right after the picot row. For Donna, you basically just reverse the directions - I did a few more rows before and after the picot row (6 instead of the 3 called for in the pattern), and then I did the EZ sewn cast-off and sewed the top of the sock down. Gorgeous.

This is S posing with the sock (on my foot, nonetheless)

Finished socks, on my tootsies

And the jumble that is a finished pair of socks.

Note the picot.

The picot is amazing.

Give Me My Flowers While I'm Living

Posted by...sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss


"Give me my flowers while I’m living, let me enjoy them while I can..."

(This blog-post inspired by a fantastically catchy tune by a band called, most aptly, The Knitters).

This weekend, I worked some on my Cedar Creeks, got enough fabric knitted up that all I had to do was figure out the toe-up picot modifications, which I did, thanks to G, aka NeuroKnitter, (thanks, baby!). 13 rows. That is all that awaited me on Monday night.

BUT...

Monday night was the finals for our bowling league. Can you say: FIRST place? BIG winners? UN-losers? Meaning NO KNITTING AT ALL ON MONDAY. I am one of those people who has played a lot of organized sports in her day, mostly softball, but have never, and I mean NEVER actually won any kind of a championship. Sure, I have “won” some trophies – you know the kind they give to everyone, no matter how athletically able-bodied (or not) one is, in grade school. But actually being on a winning team? Never. (Let’s just look over the fact that my team is a bit…obsessive, and everyone except S and I practice, like, 5 or 6 times a week, and many have taken actual lessons with the resident pro…let’s not talk about that).

And then, last night, E and I met up to do some stitchin' and some bitchin'. Bitchin' must have won out, (most likely due to the massive beer she ordered, and the tall mandarin V&T that magically appeared in front of me), because when I woke up this morning and grabbed my Cedar Creeks, they were pretty much at the same spot as when I put them down on Sunday. (Remember, 13 rows). I am holding steady at about 11 rows now, which means that at this rate, I could be done by...oh, by the first of May. I am going to redouble my efforts, though. Yes, ladies, tonight is for knitting. I have had enough of bowling and boozing - tonight, the boob tube and Cedar Creeks will command my attention.

Because, my feet have, actually been asking, neigh, BEGGING, for some green socks. And if your feet aren't happy, NONE of you is happy.

Marauding Puppies

by Emily....

Ah, puppies. So fluffy. So warm and fuzzy. Don’t they look cute? Don’t be fooled! These two rapacious beasts (our usual Carat plus her best-est friend, Grady, who we were puppy-sitting) destroyed out computer!

I was working at the dining room table. They went tearing under it like bats out of hell, got tangled in the power cord and my laptop went sailing through the air and THUD down on the ground. Needless to say, it’s toast.

However, it’s under warranty, so we’re getting a brand new computer as a replacement. (Let me insert a little plug for Dell, which is such a cool company.) So, although the world has been denied the wisdom of my blogging for the past two weeks or so, all’s well that ends well.

And the puppy shall lead them…

Snowdrop

She finally did it. Like the gentle drop of pink fluffy snow that she is, she finally drifted off my needles.


I could hardly believe it. Just a few weeks shy of 6 months in the making. There were times I was sure she would end up forgotten in the back corner of my closet. As she grew from one single stitch into this beautiful lacey fabric, could I spend a whole hour knitting a single row? After I picked up over 600 stitches and started the edging, could I take one more edging row? Like most things in life, she was worth the effort. One stitch at a time, one row at a time, and eventually, there she is. I can hardly wait for the next one, but first I hear a pair of socks beckoning me...


The pattern for snowdrop is a free pattern from the yarn harlot.

I used Misti Alpaca laceweight yarn and size 5 needles.
I was concerned about it being wide enough so I knitted a few extra rows. Of course then I had the dilemma of not knowing how many stitches to pickup for the edging. To figure this out, I calculated the proportion of edging stitches to number of rows called for in the pattern and then applied that proportion to the number of rows I actually knitted. The pattern estimated about 1200m of yarn, but despite knitting extra rows I had a lot of leftover yarn. I figure my snowdrop took just a bit over 1000m.

Cedar Creek Toe-Up Mods, for Donna

Donna left a comment wondering about the modifications I made on the Cedar Creeks, to fit my toe-up addiction.

First, I started from the toe with 34 stitches on the top and 30 on the bottom of the foot. The top stitches were my pattern stitches, with a purl on each side (I worked the pattern 2x, plus another repeat of the twists, with a purl at the end).

I started the heel when the sock foot hit that bone at the top of the instep, you know that bone that angles your foot just a bit. I worked the short-row heel, and on the first real row after working it, I added a stitch to the top of each sock, one stitch in from my needle join. So, I am working my sock leg with 35 stitches on the "top" and staying steady at 30 on the "bottom." (i.e. the front and back of the leg).

Hope that helps with any others who simply cannot follow patterns as they are written, no matter HOW well they are written, like me. And especially for those who do not have a NeuroKnitter right around the corner to bounce ideas off of (thanks again for helping me figure this out, NK).

Cedar Creekin' it With the Homies

Posted by Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssss



3/5ths of the WeHeartYarn contingent are happily entrenched in the STR sock club madness. As we all saw a few days ago, the talented NeuroKnitter has completed her pair, and WoolGirl has one-down, one-to-go, amazing everyone with her picture-perfect stripes. (so perfect, in fact, that a new word was coined on the KAL-blog to capture the elation felt when looking at WG’s sock: STRIPERFECTION. needless to say, she confided that she is a bit apprehensive about her second – doesn’t want to disappoint her fans, you know).

I, too, have finally begun the actual patterning, and stripes are occurring. I wouldn’t say there is any real striperfection on my addis, but they are a bit striperific, if I do say so myself. (these are very different things).

Knitting has been taking a back seat to life lately, which means I have 3 pairs of socks on the needles in various states of not-being-done-ness, and have not really knitted much for what seems like eons. One pair are little toes with a bit of foot, and two pair now have heels and are slowly growing legs. I often think to myself: “self, you should cast on a whole mess of toes because that is sometimes the hardest and least-fun part of knitting, the casting on (although, sometimes we feel antsy and restless, and casting on is the easiest part – go figure), so just do it – get yourself a bunch of toes cast on, then you can do what you want, any-how you want, with any of a number of socks, whenever you want.” Well, I have realized that that is crazy talk – my anxiety levels just grow when I have a bunch of toes cast on, because I accidentally (there’s that word again) set myself goals, which I am really trying to get away from.

Anyway, this past weekend contained knitting. Most notably, it contained a serious bitch-slapping of my checkbook due to a Blue Moon Fiber Arts sale at a local yarnshop, but I don't really want to discuss that right now. That is the kind of thing best thought about in the privacy of one's own head, wondering what on earth possessed a certain engaged-knit-blogger to throw every single piece of caution she has been saving up for the past year to the wind, and go crazy, absolutely insane, with not one ounce of logic intervening at all, at said sale.

Whew.

Back to the weekend's knitting-related components: I turned the heels on my Cedar Creeks, and - oh, Kaci, OH, KACI, I love this pattern. It is deceptively quick and memorizable, and stretchy, and shimmery, in a way, and the pattern is at once easy and interesting, and really quite beautiful. I did my own personal modifications, meaning toe-up, two at once, with a short-row heel, and I am IN LOVE with the yarn, not only because it is green, but because of that shimmery-ness.

Okay, enough of this gabbing. Without further ado, I present:

MY SOCKS!!

The top of the page shows where I was when I started the weekend - a big mess o' socks, each vying for my attention, pushing each other out of the way, each one wanting desperately to be the one settling in with me for a nice long Friday night of knitting, by myself, no fiancee, no sister, no roommates, no one but the socks, me and the boys of Ocean's 12.

Guess who won?


Close-ups of the contenders:


STR Rainforest Jasper, Cedar Creek pattern

STR Marbles, Jaywalker pattern

STR Cobalt Bloom, Yarn Over Cable stitch pattern

It was a difficult decision, to be sure, but I really feel that the best sock won.

This time.