In case anyone is wondering whether or not this is the sock blog - yes, it is - I just got a little carried away with my knitting. I just heard of the impending arrival of friends Tyson & Kristy Hough’s first baby in August, so I’m going to be cheating on my sock count by making some of those socks in infant sizes. That’s one way to catch up! Also, one long car trip produces several pairs. There’s a long one this summer to the Motis reunion in the north woods of Minnesota. I’m really interested in branching out in my knitting so the next pair of grown-up socks I make will be lace. I still stand firm in my pledge: Fifty-two pairs in 2010.
I realize I might have made some sort of promise that I would use up all of my yarn before buying more, but I sort of forgot. I went to Mary Maxim yesterday and found Young Touch dk Egyptian cotton on sale for $2.99 a 50gm ball. I bought twenty-four balls in three beautiful colors. Was that wrong?
Completed my ‘beach sweater’ out of Cottontots and I have worn it enough to have thrown it in the wash already. We’ll see what happens to it! I have completed a pair of “corncob” slippers for my little friend Heidi Vosseler. They’re from a great old pattern book by Beehive yarn “Bazaar Novelties and Gifts”. If you’re interested in a quintessential toilet paper-roll cover, this is the book for you. They do have several cute tea-cosy patterns and some unique dog sweaters and other bizarre novelties. I’ll post photos as soon as Roger gets back with the camera…..
Til then, have a wonderful day. The warm weather is holding out so poor li’l paint pony gets his bath today!

Happy (Soggy) weekend

Finished a beach sweater out of Bernat Cottontots in "Pretty in Pink", a lovely toe-shoe pink. I really don't like knitting the stuff all that much, but the purchase of Addi straight needles sped the job along in the end. I have everything perfectly blocked and ready to stitch together. I've knitted so many sweaters that i just pieced together some instructions off of basic sweaters and just went my own way - it's actually the first sweater I have ever made that fits.
I do have one aside note to make on the above, one which I believe is crucial in making sweaters that fit: SWATCH SWATCH SWATCH!!!!!!!!! I never thoght I would hear myself say it, but there you go. I also have found that swatching is a really good excuse to knit when you just want to....knit.
A most useful book when it comes to basic knitting: "The Yarn Girls' Guide to Knits for All Seasons" by Julie Carles and Jordana Jacobs. I made my beach sweater from the "Separation Sweater" pattern.
Happy KNitting! Let me know if you are around......

Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday to all of you out there. (Anyone?)
I'm veering off a little from my sock knitting to make a summery "beach" sweater. It's out of Bernat Cottontots, and to tell you the truth - I am not sure if I like the stuff or not. It's funky to knit. It doesn't flow smoothly on the needles. I've tried several different kinds: plastic, metal, bamboo, and not really happy with any of them. I'm almost finished with it so it's practically a moot point.
A tip for others of you who knit and purl unevenly, making for odd rows in your work. Use two different sizes of needles. For instance, I tend to purl tighter than I knit, so I purl with a needle one size larger than what is in the directions. Try it and see if your work doesn't look better on the RS.
The saddle pad turned out great. Let me know if you find double worsted cotton anywhere!
I finished the garter stitch vest I made with left over Moda Dea silk n' Wool, a beautiful yarn that's been discontinued.
I'm going to knit a pair of socks this week, and knit a summery tank. I want a basic pattern but I'm going to attempt a more interesting stitch than stockinette or garter or seed! Maybe some nice diagonal pattern.... I have some TLC that needs to be used up.
Happy knitting until next time. Have a great week
Rosie