New Knitty!

The new Knitty is up!

Just a little Christmas present for y'all...or is it?? Sorry, but there are some weird patterns this time. I guess, to each his own. I personally love Cookie's monkey pattern, and not surprisingly, it's probably the only one I'll ever attempt from this issue.

Huh?

I don't know............

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Lots to report - Socktoberfest, part 1.

I realize I'm a little late on this one, but why should my blog be any different from my behavior in normal life (I'm always late)? Needless to say, I didn't really need Socktoberfest to be inspired to knit some socks, but I was. It was pretty obvious to me and, well, everyone else around me that my "sock bug" was in full effect during the month of October. I'm not sure how this is different from any other month, but whatever. I knit a lot of socks. Wanna see 'em? Okay. I'll preface all this by saying I didn't knit the entire lot in October...some of them were started a long time ago, and some of them got started in October, and well, you get the idea.

I'm going to start by celebrating the pairs of socks I finished. That's right - you heard it here first - PAIRS! I feel very accomplished. And might I add, it's very fulfilling to actually finish entire projectS. Yes, with an "s", because I finished more than one, and am reaping the benefits by actually being able to wear my handknit socks regularly! Enough, here are the are the PAIRS:



Here is a pair I knit from my basic sock pattern using All Things Heather sportweight in "Vacation". These things are soft as shit.

Here's a closeup:



And another, because I like you:



And the fully monty:



Here is a pair that, prior to taking the picture, had been washed about 4 times. It was made with the basic sock pattern using Fleece Artist merino in "Pinata":



I love the yarn, but the dye job was a little whack. I still think they're marvelous, though, even if I DID make them.

Here's my favorite pair I've ever made, knit with Schaeffer Anne in "Hot Stuff (?)":



And a closeup:



That's it for the pairs, but come on people...that's quite an accomplishment for me, considering my horrid case of SSS. I've come a long way. So, now, I will show you the single socks, so we maintain a theme for this blog. First up is another basic sock knit up with Black Bunny Fibers (you can find it on etsy.com) "Eat Your Veggies":



I LOVE this yarn. Really. You can't get any better, people.

Here's one done in Socks That Rock "Farmhouse":



I love me some Socks That Rock, but I've gotta say this skein wasn't as shiny as some I had knit with before. Hrm. Here's a closeup:



That's all of the single socks, so now we'll move on to the WIPs. Here's one in the works, knit with the custom Simply Socks Sock Yarn colorway of Fleece Artist merino:



Here's another one in Fleece Artist merino, in the "Tiger" colorway:



And a closeup of the yarn in the ball, because it makes me hot (not really):



Here's one that's allllllmost done using Knitty's RPM pattern and Koigu KPPPM:



That yarn looks prettier in the skein. It's so unfortunate.

Here's a fun PAIR. That's right - I'm trying a new technique with this one, in which I knit both at once, using magic loop. So far, it isn't bad, except that I have to stop every ten minutes and untangle the yarn. It is obnoxious. Also, I'm not exactly sure how this is going to work once I get to the heep flaps. That is, when and if I ever get that far. Mreh. Here 'tis:



And a closeup:



Here's one using a ripple stitch from a new book I found that I'll tell you about later in this post:



This was knit with some yarn I found on etsy.com from a vendor called Lavender Sheep. I realize I haven't gotten very far. I have a short attention span, apparently. We'll call it S.A.D.D. (Sock Attention Defecit Disorder).

I've actually finished this one, since I took this picture, and it is marvelous. It has to be one of my favorites. I knit it with Addi size 0s, and cast on 88(!) stitches:



I thought I was going to run out of yarn, but I ended up having just enough. This is Lorna's Laces in "Lorikeet", though I call it the Fuddrucker's colorway. And a closeup:



Here's another one I've since finished, using another lovely, lovely skein of Schaeffer Anne:



Love, love, love the striping.

Here's one that's barely started using the "Breathmint" colorway of the Syncopation line from the sKNITches online shop:



Next up is some more show and tell. I have added to my sock knitting library. Here are some Nancy Bush classics:



The Knitter's Magazine sock pattern books and a ripple and wave stitch book, which I ADORE:



And I won an auction on eBay for a huge lot of vintage patterns. Primarily, I wanted these:



Very nice. Here is one of my favorite pages:



I will definitely be making this one someday:



I'm about sock-ed out for now. I hope you enjoyed this calamity.

The shape of things to come.

This looks pretty good, I must say. I wasn't at all impressed with the Fall 2006 issue. This one will be out on newsstands on December 12th.

Also.

How cool is this???

I must make one - perhaps over a very long period of time with leftover sock yarn? I have GOT to find this pattern...I had the pleasure of seeing Jennifer's blanket in person at the last Stitch 'n Bitch at Threaded Bliss last Thursday. Jennifer, I've got to say...it's soooo much more impressive in person!

Oh, BOY.

Have you guys seen the new etsy??

I'm pretty sure I can blame this site for why I have a problem with buying too much sock yarn, I think.

I don't have an accent? Tell that to everyone I know except my immediate family.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
The South
The Inland North
Philadelphia
Boston
North Central
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Christmas is coming...

I asked for one of these:



And one of these:



And one of these:



Or one of these:



And some of this, of course:



Oh, boy!

In one year...

I haven't done a non-knitting post in a while. I feel it is time. That's right, time for a list. I used to have another journal that has long since been deleted, but I would, from time to time post informative, yet humorous (I thought so, anyway), lists, as my posts. I did one a few months ago, as you can see in the archives, and I'd like to keep the trend alive.

I have been known to say that I don't think I've changed at all since I was a teenager. I think, personality-wise, I really haven't, that much. When I was a freshman at MTSU, I remember going back to my high school English class with a bunch of other kids I had graduated with, to talk about college life with that year's seniors. One of the questions they asked was, "So, does anyone notice anything different about any of your classmates?" and almost immediately, two of my peers said, "I think Erin has matured." At the time, I didn't notice a change, but perhaps it was true. In high school, I was what I would have called a focused, yet laid-back class clown. Or maybe I was just a goof, I don't know. But, looking back, my tone and the way I carried myself had changed, in just less than a year, for sure.

I guess I don't normally notice the changes myself. Maybe they have to be pointed-out to me. I think now, though, I'm definitely noticing how I've changed, within just one year's time. Here are some of the changes I have noticed:

1. I have entered into a wonderful romantic relationship. The changes from this abound in the following ways:

1a. Work is not as much of a priority as it used to be, or in other words, my priorities have shifted.

1b. I now live with a loving, considerate, and wonderful companion (sorry if this is cheesing you out, JC), in a house.

1c. I no longer drive to work (we are carpooling), which is also wonderful.

1d. I have learned that anything that's truly worth it, isn't ever easy.

2. I have owned up to my love of shopping. I make no bones about it. I adore the activity, and I like to spend money.

3. I have found a niche within my hobby, knitting. I am a sock knitter. I find it immensely satifsying and fun.

4. I lost a friend and learned that this isn't always a bad thing. Letting go was bittersweet, but I think it was ultimately the best decision for me.

5. As a follow-up to #4, I have told myself that I will no longer tolerate or maintain relationships with friends that are abusive, friends who harm or attempt to harm relationships with other potential friends, and friends who I just, if I'm honest, do not like. I have no desire and also have no time to deal with that kind of drama.

6. As a follow-up to #5, I find myself being drawn to friends who are severely low-maintenance, and can be counted-on for being this way. With this kind of friend, you always know exactly where you stand. Friends I had previously paid not as much attention to, are now coming to the forefront.

5. I say the phrases, "Buck, BUCK!" and "Wassup?!" more regularly.

6. I find myself really looking forward to family events and holidays.

7. I'm a little more "go with the flow", as it relates to work, but find myself still at the same level of stress. I'm not entirely sure how that's possible, but whatever.

That's all I can think of right now.

I'm not an addict, it's cool

So, I was just about to check my e-mail, and found this article on Yahoo. It's an article on Internet addiction and they site the following as symptoms to watch out for:

1. Lying about how much time is spent online.
2. General decrease of physical activity and social life.
3. Neglecting obligations at home, work, or school to spend time online.
4. Spending too much money on computer equipment or Internet activities.
5. Feeling a constant desire to be online when they're away from the computer.
6. Going online to escape real world problems.
7. Disregarding the emotional or physical consequences of being in front of a computer all day.
8. Denial of the problem.

So, I started thinking...aren't these questions you could ask when trying to decide if you're addicted to anything? Even, knitting, perhaps?? So, out of curiousity, I replaced "online" and "Internet" with "knitting" and could answer or partially answer "yes" to several of the questions.

The article also referenced a Net Addiction Test, which again, I feel could be applied to any addiction. I took the test and had this result:

"50 -79 points: You are experiencing occasional or frequent problems because of the Internet [knitting]. You should consider their full impact on your life."

I'm not sure you can even really taste this test and apply it to knitting or anything else, but I think it's possible.

Now, I don't really think I'm addicted. Is it even possible to be addicted to knitting, anyway? It's something to think about, though, for sure.

I enjoy knitting immensely, but I don't want it to get in the way of my life. Ever.

Today, it seems strange that I find it perfectly normal to regularly read a blog entitled sock p0rn.

Moving on.

I have lots of things to share with you for Socktoberfest. I have finished 3 pairs of socks. That's right - PAIRS. And several single socks. My favorite of them all, and my most favorite I've ever knit, for that matter, are a pair of plain, stockinette socks made from a very bold colorway of Schaeffer Anne. I finished them on Saturday and wore them for the first time yesterday, it wearing them made the day just that much better. They were the perfect thing to wear while having fun carving punkins (that's right, "punkins") outside with my Boo.

So, in an effort to be a better blogger, I'll finally crank out the digital camera and take pictures of all of these socks, my stash, and everything else I've thought about posting but never did. Maybe tonight. We'll see.

Take this gift?

So, it's that time of year when we're all supposed to be generous and knit for everybody but ourselves. But I just don't want to. At all.

Oh, I've knitted things for people before, and it has led to horror, disgust, and only a tiny bit of pleasure. I had one friend lose a scarf that I had made for her. Oh, she felt horrid about it, but I'm sure that wasn't matched at all by the pain I felt for spending all that time making it. There's no telling who is having the pleasure of wearing that lovely scarf now. That same Christmas, I knit one of my cousins a lovely, mohair scarf, and she didn't seem to like it when she opened it. In fact, she even said something a few minutes later about how it didn't really match anything she had. The problem is, I almost kept it for myself. Again, the pain continues.

That year, I also knit two other scarves - one for my sister, and one for my friend, Amy, and they both wore those scarves to shreds. So, that was time well spent, but I'm just not sure it was as much fun as I would have had if I had been knitting for ME. I even knit a pair of bright yellow "underpants" for a friend as a joke. For a silly joke, those things took longer than hell. The joke was duly appreciated, but shit.

Now, this all sounds selfish, I'm sure, but if I knit for myself, I can be sure that I'm going to like the finished product, and be proud to wear it. And probably not lose it. I can't guarantee that with any of the rest of you. Plus, I just don't have the time, with all the things that I'm knitting for myself right now. Haha.

Last year, I knit some armwarmers for a very dear co-worker, and he seemed to really enjoy them, but they took a long time to finish, because it was my first time trying intarsia. Oh, I don't regret making them, and it's not that it wasn't time well spent, but I'm not going to say they weren't a pain in the ass. I'm just saying maybe I wouldn't have felt that way if I had been knitting, say, socks for ME.

Oh, I am a terrible person. *sigh*

In the upcoming months, I do have some things I need to knit for people. I am going to make these socks, once the fall issue of Interweave Knits comes out, for my boss for Christmas, since I promised her some slippers last year and failed to deliver on that promise:



Yes, yes, they're very nice. And I'm sure they'll take a lot longer than I want them to. At least she has requested that they be brightly-colored.

I'd also like to make one of these for one of my other co-workers, since I had jokingly said I was going to make her one one time, and I totally lied:



Very dorky, I know. I'd like to surprise her by actually making it.

I also "owe" my mother a pair of socks for her birthday, which is coming up on November 13th. We'll see if I can do that or not. If I don't end up making some for her, I'll feel like a giant terd, because as she pointed out, she knit me a beautiful cabled sweater to wear last winter.

For the record, I love giving people things. But dang. This whole knitting for everyone you know thing is overrated.

I also have a friend who recently requested that I duplicate this sweater for him:



He said, "Make sure it's done in time for the Superbowl." And, no, he wasn't even kidding. Unbelievable. It would take forever to knit a load of navy stockinette. I told him I didn't want to. I told him that if he could find a plain, navy blue sweater, I'd try swiss darning the logo on top of it. He didn't seem too thrilled about that.

I don't really know what I'm getting at here. All I have to say is that I must be a somewhat of a decent knitter if people keep asking me to knit things for them!!! I just...kinda wish they would stop.

Mmm. Chocolate.

I have some friends who are chocolate snobs, which I always thought was somewhat ridiculous, since I don't think I've ever really had terrible chocolate. They're always ordering organic chocolate bars and chocolates from companies you and I have never heard of, which, until today, I thought was a little silly. But really, this company makes a sea salt chocolate bar:



I want one.

Public Service Announcement in honor of Socktoberfest

Am I the last to hear about this online sock yarn shop?:

Yarn4Socks

While I'm at it, here are the rest of my faves:

Simply Socks Yarn Company

Pure Knits

Little Knits

The Knitting Zone

kpixie

Red Bird Knits

Blue Moon Fiber Arts

Etsy

The Loopy Ewe

The Sweet Sheep

Pick Up Sticks

sKNITches

Hello Yarn

The Knitter

Crown Mountain Farms

Loop

Libertina Yarns

That is all. Please continue doing whatever it is you were doing.

A tiny quiz.

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!








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My sock history

Here are my answers for the Socktoberfest history questions:

1. When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I started making socks after being inspired by seeing a purple pair knit by Carrieoke. She used the free pattern available on Bonne Marie's blog, and so I did the same. I taught myself! I have also learned a great deal from the Sensational Knitted Socks book.

2. What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

My first *pair* ever finished was this one, made with some superwash self-patterning yarn purchased at the Haus of Yarn in Nashville.



I haven't really worn them that much (though I am wearing them today), because they are honestly a little bit hard to pull on!! They've held up fairly well over time...they're a bit fuzzy in the expected areas.

3. What would you have done differently?

Those socks were knit on size 1s (addis), and instead of casting on 68 stitches, I would probably have cast on 72, or gone up to a size 2. These are very thick socks, and again, difficult to get on.

4. What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

I am a sock yarn whore. There really aren't too many I don't like, but I love Fleece Artist merino, Lorna's Laces shepherd sock, Mountain Colors Bearfoot, Socks That Rock, Sweet Georgia, All Things Heather, Black Bunny Fiber Arts, Regia, Great Adirondacks, and Schaeffer Anne. Though the colors are marvelous and I keep buying it, I'm not 100% sold on Koigu for socks, and was not terribly impressed with the colors I got with Kroy. I also think Opal is overrated (it feels like straw to me sometimes, and I'm over the patterning, I think).

5. Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

I've tried everything except crochet, I think. I'm not a huge fan of DPNs, but I like a 12" addi circular, an addi or INOX circular for Magic Loop, and 2 24" addis for the 2 circulars method. I also have a few 12" pairs of Clovers and Balenes (made by Boye?) in size 3 for sport weight yarns that are fun to use, as well. I sorted through my needles the other day, and I officially have too many, I think. One day I will run out of yarn to put on them, and then I'll have to go out and buy more. What a sad day that will be...NOT.

6. Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I just tried a short-row heel the other day, and it was not as scary as I thought it might be, and it looks cool as shit. I haven't tried on a sock with a short-row heel yet, so I'll reserve judgement until then. Normally, I make a flap heel, with a garter ridge edge.

7. How many pairs have you made?

Pairs? Well, I just finished the 3rd pair, made with All Things Heather sport weight. I have yet to post pictures, but I will eventually. I have a terrible, terrible case of SSS, and hope to finish more complete pairs, instead of single socks, as a part of Socktoberfest.

Socktoberfest 2006

So, I have joined Socktoberfest 2006 - looks like it's going to be one heck of a party. I think my goal for the 'fest is to finish at least half of the socks mentioned in the post below.


I've got my work cut out for me.

Wish me luck.

I've got pictures of completed socks to post - I just have to figure out how to use the digital camera without Jake's help!!

Socks and unicorns

I know it's been a while, but I also know you never tire of seeing WIPs and FOs...and unicorns. As previously discussed, I have a bit of a sock fetish. Here are pictures of all of my sock WIPs (well, actually, these pictures were taken a while ago, so there are a few more as of today):



(Shaeffer Anne purchased at Angel Hair Yarn Co. in Nashville, TN, using a Leah Oakley pattern, purchased at the Haus of Yarn in Nashville, TN)



(Cherry Tree Hill Supersock purchased from Birds of a Feather in Avon, OH, using pattern found on chicknits.com)



(Claudia's Handpaint in Carousel purchased at http://www.kpixie.com/, using a basic pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks)



(Great Adirondaks purchased from The Knaughty Knitter in Murfreesboro, TN using the basic pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks again)



(Interlacements Tiny Toes purchased at http://www.simplysockyarn.com/StoreFront.bok I have since ripped this out, as I was knitting on a 3, and it was too loose, and pretty much just ugly)



(Koigu in an unknown colorway purchased at the Haus of Yarn in Nashville, TN using Leah Oakley's Sweater Socks pattern, again)



(Koigu in some blue colorway purchased at the Haus of Yarn in Nashville, TN using the basic Sensational pattern [and magic loop, too!])



(Koigu in another unknown colorway purchased at Angel Hair Yarn Co. in Nashville, TN using a rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks)



(more Koigu purchased from the Haus of Yarn [wow, I must really like Koigu and Leah's pattern])



(Kroy purchased from http://www.knittingzone.com/ I don't really like this sock. The yarn looked better in the ball.)



(Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport purchased from http://www.kpixie.com/ using a basic pattern. I really like this one, but I told my mom they would be for her and that she could wear them while she used the snow blower.)



(Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock purchased from http://www.kpixie.com using a cable pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks)



(I'm pretty sure this is some Filature de Whatever purchased from Birds of a Feather using a pattern from Not Just Socks)



(Socks that Rock in Sherbet purchased from http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/ using some generic pattern. This yarn is delicious.)



(Regia purchased from http://www.knittingzone.com/ using Opal's Sideways Sock pattern)



(more Socks that Rock in Agate [I think])

Here are the FOs (also, in case you haven't noticed, I have a terrible case of SSS (Second Sock Syndrome):



(a simple sock done in Koigu purchased from Angel Hair Yarn Co.)



(another simple sock done in a custom colorway for Purl, purchased from their online store)



(done in Meilenweit or something like that purchased from Birds of a Feather)



(Mountain Colors Bearfoot using the free Bubble Wrap pattern from Sock Bug)



(Regia purchased from the Haus using the chicknits pattern)



(some foreign brand's self-patterning purchased from the Haus using the chicknits pattern)



(Sweet Georgia's Golddigger purchased from http://www.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/)



(I don't really like this one either, but it's some foreign brand purchased from the Haus of Yarn, using the chicknits pattern)



(Brown Sheep Wildfoote purchased from Threaded Bliss Yarns)

And for fun, here's the whole enchilada:



Also, Jake and I had our one-year anniversary this past weekend. We traveled to Asheville, NC in celebration, and had a marvelous time, despite some rain and having to eat a little bit of strange food. I got to visit several yarn shops (Yarn Paradise, Purl's [pictures TBD], Earth Guild, and one inside of the Grove Arcade) as well as shop at many little shops, and drink several beers at some lovely bars. And of course, spend lots of quality time with my Boo. Before we left, we exchanged gifts, and I got him some deodorant body spray and a hair trimming kit (he was dirty, and apparently, I'm not very romantic!) and he bought me some awesome needles and vintage Knitter's magazines at the Stitchin' Post in Berry Hill and this:



All I can say is that it's perfect. In every way.

That's all for now. I hope this has been as entertaining for you as it was for me to write all of this.