Parade socks started

I'm starting to experience technical difficulties with my digital camera. At first, I thought it was the battery, but after it got charged I am now unable to download the images. I'm wondering if it's the cable, but honestly, I just don't feel like playing around with it tonight. Kinda sucks though not being able to attach images with the text. Oh well...
I started a pair of socks with Knit Picks' Parade yarn. The color is called Blues. I must admit that knitting with this yarn makes me feel kinda lazy, as the colors change by themselves and create perfectly proportionate stripes (or at least give the illusion of), but I want these socks to be finished quickly. I will be giving them to my friend Basil when he comes out of his scheduled surgery sometime next week (minor surgery, but still surgery) . Nat, if you're reading this shhhhhhhh!

Dancing socks completed

I have finished the Dancing socks, and this time they look similar (sorry, no picture available, my camera battery is on the charger). It is quite incredible that a few stitches can make such a big difference in the pattern. I will probably knit with that yarn again, or at least make a few preamie hats with whatever is left.
I'm trying to decide what my next project will be. With both yarn shipments, and books I received this month, and a possibly large donation from my sister's stash (she's downsizing hers), the choices are not exactly limited. I also want to go to Lettuce knit to pick up some of the Blue Moon before it's all gone.
Oh well, I'll sleep on this one and see what tomorrow brings in terms of inspiration...

Different socks?

Okay, granted, I've been having the headache from hell for the past few days, and knitting in semi darkness, but these two socks are totally different! I've noticed that I was off by one stitch on the decreasing, but still... Could one stitch (each side) make that much of a difference? I mean, look at the difference in the pattern on both sides of the socks! I don't get it!
Needless to say, I've unravelled the sock with the extra stitch, and I'll be knitting it back, hopefully without too much of a difference in the pattern this time. Wish me luck!

New socks started

I've started a new pair of socks with a yarn I got quite excited about. It's from Knit Picks, and it's called Dancing. The color I'm using is called Ballet. It has a nice stretch to it, and I just love the colors (a shade lighter than on the picture).

Since the weather is much better outside, it would probably make for more accurate colors outdoors. Unfortunately, I don't have a nice garden, or any patch of green to display my knittings in (besides, a nasty headache makes my eyes painfully sensitive to light today). I really admire the amout of effort some people put in displaying their knitting creatively in their blog. Truly inspiring...

Happy day!

Yay! Look at all the goodies I got in the mail today. From Knit Picks, four balls of Parade (two in Checkers, and two in Blues), three of Palette in Hyacinth, and three of Merino Style in Moss. When Sophie woke up from her nap, she was covered in yarn, but didn't seem to mind.
I also got a sock book from Indigo called Folk Socks -the history & techniques of handknitted footwear (written by Nancy Bush). It really seems rich in history, which is fantastic!

Forget about that pattern!

Last night I gave up on Sophie's red SoHo Cabled coat. That pattern doesn't know it's head from its tail. It tells you to K1, P1, cont rib, but when you look at the picture, it's clearly K2, P2. Also, when it comes time to increase and make space for the legs, it doesn't even indicate clearly that you have to put the legs on stitch holders. Anywho, to make a long story short, I improvised for the rest of the coat, but, when it came time for Sophie's approval, the coat was rejected. Putting it on was a bit of a struggle, as it was a bit snug, but taking it off caused a growl (and not a pretty one either). I've unravelled the coat ( I know I should have taken a picture), and will look for a better pattern.

The recent cooling of the air got me in the mood for knitting scarves. I started this very-easy-can-knit-with-your-eyes-closed scarf. It's a very nice bouclé by Bernat called Galaxy. The color I'm using is called Mercury (color on pic really doesn't do it justice, so please feel free to see for yourself at http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=galaxy).

Spruce socks completed!

The Spruce cabled socks are done! It's a men's size, and they look better than the previous pair when stretched. Not sure who will get them for Christmas, but obviously, I don't have to make that decision yet.

The cabled blanket for Sophie is still on hold for lack of interest. I can't seem to get in the mood to complete the last quarter left, for some reason.

Little Sophie has kept me busy, but I have started her little red coat. The pattern ( SoHo Cables by Style Hounds handknit-kits http://www.stylehoundshandknits.com/soho.htm) is a bit confusing when it comes to identifying whether you are knitting the neck or tail-end. Oh well, at least when it will be done, Sophie will look cute and be warm ( I can't believe we're expecting flurries tomorrow!). Eventhough she likes going to the park, she still gets cold within within fifteen to twenty minutes.

Thanks Nat!

I decided to use my birthday gift certificate from my friend Nathalie today, and I actually used it for myself! I don't usually buy the nice expensive knitting books, unless of course they're on huge discount. I've been curious about short-rows, and assorted modular knitting, since I read about it in my Vogue Knitting. The book, written by Iris Schreier, explains six different techniques, and has patterns for over twenty projects from scarves, pillows, hat, to table runner.

I strongly suspect that some lucky folks will be benefiting from that book for Christmas this year!

Another blanket for Sophie

I just finished another blanket for Sophie, but it's not the ribbed one. For some reason, I can't seem to keep interest in that blanket for more than half an hour. Besides, Sophie seems quite content with the second blanket, so no rush to complete the ribbed one.
Yesterday, I went to Lettuce Knit (see my link section), and found a pattern for a cabled jacket for Sophie. Cables seems to be the stitch-of-the-month. We'll see what April brings....

Project back on....

Got a bit frustrated with Sophie's ribbed blanket today (almost finished). For some reason, the ribbing hardly shows, and it almost looks like a stocking stitch. I guess it might look different once it's blocked (if I ever figure out how to block properly!).
I went back to my previous project, and got a bit ahead on the socks I had started before Sophie's arrival: cabled socks, of course. Here's where I am on the first one, and this time the cabling is at every 6th row instead of every 4th. These ones are made with Pingouin France+. For some reason, I can't seem to find a color on the band, other than the color number and lot. I'll call that color "Spruce"

Stop all projects! Sophie is here!

On Sunday the 19th, I became the proud owner of little Miss "Sophie". She's a 4 month old Chihuahua. When I took her to the vet, the scale tipped at a huge 1.4 pounds. Because of their small size, and how low to the ground they are, Chihuahuas tend to get cold very quickly. Even short trips, such as taking her to the store, are enough to get her all shivering. I stopped all projects, and knitted her a cute little "moss stitch" blanket in a grey and off-white blend. She quite likes her blankie, and she wags her little tail whenever I cover her with it. I think this pup will have a collection of blankies to keep her warm. I'm working on a second blankie in "rib stitch", striped blue and a grey and off-white mix.
Even though spring has been in the forecast for this year, it is still a bit cold out for this little canine. I will have to spend some time finding a pattern for a suitable sweater or coat to keep this tiny little body cozy and warm..

Cabled socks are done!

Stayed up late last night and finished the cabled socks. After a closer look at the label, I discovered that the color is called "Beetroot". What a delicious name! My cats graciously agreed to pose for this one, so you can see Jules (top) and Chloé (bottom) pretending to be asleep (yeah right!). Sorry, the picture looks a bit dark, as they claimed too much light would make them look greyish. Silly cats!

Now the knit-picking starts: although I like the cabling on the socks, I don't like the way it stretches. Obviously, there's more of a stretch at the ankle, than the toes (and I'm not complaining about fat ankles, they're quite proportionate). But still! Maybe my cables are too tight, or too close together. Not quite sure what the problem is, but I'm willing to attempt another pair since I'm keeping this one for myself. Next pair I'll try maybe a longer cable.

Must cast on......

First things first...

Okay, so here's the deal. I have been unemployed since the end of January, and OMG I love it! I have time to finish those projects that were tossed in the closet out of frustration (too stressed to attempt this one!), or lack of time. I've been working at my own creations (shrug, socks, mittens). I even decided that this year is the year of the "Knitted Christmas". Yup, everybody's getting knitted goodies in their stocking (or a knitted stocking), whether they like it or not. Actually, I don't know anybody who doesn't like receiving handknitted things, except my mother-in-law who always find faults in them (but that's a story to keep for days I have nothing better to share). She might mysteriously end up on the "naughty list"

I am currently knitting a pair of cabled socks (my own creation) with Country Garden D.K. by Berella. It's 100% Merino wool, and burgundy. I really like them, and am considering keeping them for myself (so much for the Christmas spirit huh?). It would match nicely with a pajama I have. Yes, I confess, I need to have a matching pair of socks for each pajama I have. Silly, I know, but at least harmless.