Go Felt Yourself!: July 2005

Somebody stop me

You might notice that my "In the Queue" section to the right lists "socks galore" as upcoming projects. This will give you an idea of what I'm talking about...

Enough for 5 pairs of socks (that's 10 socks, for those of you keeping score at home). Plus the 4 hanks of Lorna's Laces (see post below) for 2 more pairs, AND the natural-colored Lorna's Laces I just bought. Hmmmm, that's like...8 pairs of socks. Oh yes, children, I am insane/obsessed/broke. But it's all in good fun. And too bad I just found the Simply Sock Yarn Company online. Must feed the beast! And possibly get a second job.

Last night at SnB I got halfway through the armholes on the back of the Ballerina Wrap Top. It's cute! I hope I don't run out of yarn, because that defeats the purpose of using stash yarn. I also started the second Gull Wing sock.

Here are some funny pictures for your enjoyment.

Future knitter? I think so!

Crumpets

I give you...Crumpets!

Look Mama, I'm going to be a model! I'm working on my profile shot.

Refusing to look at the camera.

"OOOOOO, what's dat?"

"Let me OUT!"

Crumpets became a smock instead of a dress, because I was going to run out of yarn anyway, and 300 stitches in stockinette in the round is BORING.

I need to reinforce the straps using my sewing machine, but that will only take a few minutes. Then Ainsley will be free to wear it and spill whatever she wants on it. Luckily it's machine-washable!

I also got this in the mail yesterday:

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn - yum! I'm excited to begin working with it. It's so soft! I definitely see some gifts in the future.

Also exciting, Knitpicks has released a new solid sock yarn! I see some of this in my future as well - it looks great for lacy patterned socks, or for solid men's socks. I don't see Chris wearing stripey socks any time soon.

Socky

At Stitch n Bitch last night, I finished this:

It's the first Gull Wing sock. I like it! It's 2 rows of lace repeated over and over, with knit rows in between. Easy! I am definitely loving the socks - they're easy, they look impressive, and they're quick. My kind of knit!

Crumpets is done - she became more of a shirt than a dress. I just need to put some elastic in the bodice and measure the straps, and it will be done, hopefully tonight. I'll take some pictures and have them soon. It's a cute pattern - we'll see how practical the shirt is.

All these FO's give me room to cast on for something else - I think it will be the Plum Shrug. It looks pretty quick and easy, although I think I'll have to do some adjusting to get it to fit the way I want it to. We'll see.

The white spot

Just for you Dad, socks with the white spot.

What the hell is this, you ask? Apparently it helps balance color (or something) if you first take a picture of a white spot, then take your real picture. So, my dad has all these pictures of people posing with this white card, before they had their picture taken. I think it's going to be like Stephanie's traveling sock, or the roaming gnome. I don't know that it will become quite as famous as those two, but now the whole 5 people who read my blog will know. And knowing is half the battle. Go Joe!

Stitch n Bitch Tuesday

Tuesday night means Stitch n Bitch, and here's proof:

Lou and Amanda have good spots on the couch.

Janice laughs at Suzanne who laughs at me.

Group shot

Monica and her scary Blythe dolls, which have cute hand-made sweaters.

Amy in an artsy-out-of-focus shot. Um, only because I can't hold a camera still.

Notice I'm not in any of these pictures? Ha! As it should be.

Gull's Wing sock:

Love the lacy sock. Might actually keep this for me.

Crumpets far away:

Crumpets close up!

Why does everyone think knitting with beads is difficult? There are no gnomes here folks. No magic. Sorry. You just string all the beads on before you start knitting, and then when you need a bead, you slip it all the way to the left, against your knitting, and knit it on! Well, for most of you right-handed (backwards!) people, you'd slip the bead all the way to the right. Seriously. No gnomes. Go home and try it. And try to say "no gnomes" five times fast.

And go read Manolo's Shoe Blog because damn it is funny.

Oh yeah, I'm ending my voting for my button. I may not have as many votes as some people get on their blogs (not jealous or anything), but button number two edged it out at the very end:

Thanks to those who voted!

Socks and a Ribby (sounds kinky)

Continuing the vote...

Have I got pictures for you! Broadripple socks, as modeled by my mom...

Ribby Cardi, modeled by moi...

Well, that's it. I've moved on the to Gull Wing socks from Socks Socks Socks in Wildfoote sock yarn from Holly Spring Homespun.

Crumpets continues - I've worked through the pattern with the beads and am now working on the poofy skirt. It's pretty! Ainsley is guaranteed to spill something on it within the first 5 minutes of wearing.

Name Change!

I've decided that "MelanieKnits" is pretty boring. So, my new blog name is...

Go Felt Yourself!

So that means I'll need a new button (not that the old one was great). Vote here!

Just for you, Suzanne...

Suzanne's question: Love the sweater--and the sock! I'm planning on staring a broadripple this week (with yarn from MS&W). How does it fit--is it firm on your foot and leg or way stretchy?

The sock is pretty firm on the foot. When I was knitting it, I thought "How will this ever fit on a foot?" But it does fit nicely - the pulling allows you to see the yarn over pattern. And the KnitPicks Dancing yarn makes a crazy pattern.

The broadripple pattern is so easy, and I would definitely recommend it to a friend :-)

Suzanne also asked: And now on to the kids sweater--I did not even know you were working on that. I LOVE it and want to make one too--maybe 2. What's the pattern? Is it in the round?

The pattern is here: http://knitting.about.com/library/blbabyswe9.htm

I warn you, it's an easy pattern, but written badly. The Math doesn't line up. But if you charge ahead, and pay no attention to how many stitches she says you should have after your increases, you'll do OK. It's written for babies. I would not recommend it to a friend.

And the yellow cardigan on Ainsley below? My MOM made it ;-)