I’m being very bad just lately. I keep casting on new projects left and right.

I think perhaps I’m still trying to make up for Christmastime when I was restricted to finishing certain projects on a definite time line. Now that I don’t have that strict “to-do” list, I’m just starting things willy-nilly, all over the place.

I actually started a spreadsheet of friends and family that I want to knit socks for. Yes, a spreadsheet — shut up. I’m on a mission to turn everyone on to the wonders of hand-knitted socks… which really is a bad idea, I suppose, because it makes more work for me in the long run. Unless of course I can convert them to being knitters as well… hm.

But anyway.

So I have an ongoing list of people I want to knit socks for. I have two pairs of socks on the needles right now: one is the second sock to the pair from the Neighborhood Knit Shop’s sock club and the second is a pair of Monkey socks that I’m knitting two at a time (pictured to the right).

I worked on both socks last night. I got the toe to the sock club socks done and I got through the first repeat of the lace chart on the monkey socks.

Then I decided I was sick of sock knitting. I decided to start a scarf instead.

The yarn is Schaefer Susan. This was another goody I picked up at the Schaefer trunk show at my LYS several months back. I actually only snatched it up originally because I liked that the colorway was called “Minnie Pearl” — I thought it was rather appropriate, living here in Nashville and all.

The pattern I’m working on is called the Susan Undulating Waves Scarf. It’s actually the scarf that the ladies going on the Neighborhood Knit Shop’s knitting cruise this week will be working on. But alas, I will not be going to Cozumel (*sigh*), so I’ll be knitting up my scarf’s waves without being able to enjoy the ocean’s waves at the same time. (Hope you gals all have lots of fun though! Bring home lots of sunshine!)

This pattern also marks my first attempt at knitting with beads. So yay… another new thing I’ve tried!

As if three projects weren’t enough, I still have my drop stitch scarf, hexagon blanket and Juno stole hibernating in my knitting basket someplace.

AND, on top of all that, I’m extremely tempted to cast on one more scarf. Why? Because I finally caved and bought a skein of the Baby Alpaca Grande that I’ve been lusting after. This stuff is seriously some of the softest fiber you’ll ever touch.

As if I need to start knitting something else. But ya know, an alpaca scarf isn’t very practical in the warm weather, so if I’m going to knit it, I should probably really start it now, right?

Is anyone else out there going through cast-on fever right now like I am? I can’t be alone in this.

Isn’t this pattern lovely? Look at those beautiful stitches. Too bad I screwed up this first sock after I’d gotten all the way to the bind off. Ugh.

I posted about it earlier on The Neighborhood Knit Shop’s sock club blog. The last instruction on the pattern was to “BO loosely”. I did a normal bind off, as loosely as I possibly could. Having never done toe-up socks before, I didn’t realize this bind off was still going to be far too tight to allow the sock to stretch enough to go onto a foot.

I was incredibly frustrated to find that out the hard way. I am going to have to rip back and reknit a few rows of the cuff (as I’d already cut the yarn much too short to redo the castoff in a new method) to rejoin the yarn. I’m planning to do Elizabeth Zimmerman’s sewn bind off instead this time. Hopefully that will create a much better, stretchy bind off.

The socks for my husband are slowly progressing. The heels were turned, the gussets have been picked up, and now I’m knitting the feet. His feet are about a size 12 so it’s been slow going. I’m just glad that I’m knitting these two at a time so that when they’re done, I don’t have the dread of a second sock looking me in the face.

My only fear is that I might run out of yarn. (Eep!) I’m really hoping that’s not the case. Keep your fingers crossed, ya’ll.

I was thinking tonight, after having received some e-mails asking for help with sock knitting questions, that I might do a video series on knitting socks. Is that something anyone would be interested in?

What I’m thinking about is choosing a very basic sock pattern (a free one) and recording a short series of videos (perhaps a new video every week or 2) and each week go over how to knit a different section of the sock. That way you’d have the week or whatever between each video to complete what you just learned and be ready for the next instructions. It would be kind of like a knit-along, but with video help.

Of course, the only trouble is, before I can do that I need to find the cord to charge my video camera. It’s been MIA since I took it with me up to Pennsylvania to record our wedding. Hmph.

I was so excited this morning when I checked my RSS feed reader and saw that my drop stitch scarf was mentioned on Lime & Violet’s blog yesterday. (*Squee!* - I’m such a L&V fangirl!)

I wish I had a more updated photo of this project (I’ll have to take one tonight). I’m about 40% done with the scarf now and I’m fairly certain it’s going to become my favorite scarf ever. I used Christine Vogel’s Drop Stitch Scarf pattern, which is easy and quick to knit. The yarn I’m using is a single hank of Schaefer Helene. It was my big splurge at the Schaefer trunk show at my LYS a few months ago. The yarn is just drool-worthy: it’s 50% merino wool and 50% silk. It’s incredibly soft and has a lovely sheen to it. It drapes beautifully. I really can’t say enough good things about this yarn. I only wish I’d bought more of it (because I really wanted to use it to make a Clapotis).

In sock-knitting news…

My Noro socks are half done. I finished the first one a couple days ago and cast on the second one last night while watching the Ghost Hunters marathon on SciFi. I got the cuff done and got a few rows into the leg.

The colors of this sock are just… yum! I only wish the yarn was softer. I’ve been hearing mixed reviews as to whether it softens up after washing. I guess I’ll find out soon. I’ve also heard that it felts badly from standard wear. I can’t say that I’m likely to knit another pair of socks out of this yarn (so many other sock yarns… so little time), but I still think they’re great despite these “faults” that I’m hearing about.

My husband has also been asking me for a pair of socks (*gasp*).

On one hand, I’m dreading knitting them because he has pretty big (size 12) feet, but on the other hand I’m extremely flattered that he is actually “bugging” me to making him a pair. It’s kind of neat when someone you care about obviously appreciates the things you make, ya know?

I picked out a nice blue and brown colorway of Schaefer Heather from my stash for his socks. I’ve cast on and frogged three times so far. The first two times I was having problems getting gauge and the third time, the pattern I was attempting wasn’t working out (either I cast on the wrong number of stitches or something is wrong with the pattern itself).

Needless to say, I was frustrated enough that I put this aside and decided to finish the Noro socks first. I think this is maybe the knitting-gods way of telling me to finish what I start before casting on new projects. Hmph.

ETA– Here’s an updated picture of that scarf, as promised:

I started my first attempt at lace knitting today: the Juno Regina pattern from Knitty Fall ‘07. I thought it looked like a good first pattern to try; not TOO hard, but not so simple that it might become boring. I might be wrong, but so far, so good.

I’m really excited about it. Should I technically be working on this? Um. Probably not. I should be working on my Christmas-gift knitting. But… ya know… I had to take a break and do something different for a while, ya know?

The yarn I’m using is my Wollmeise Lace. The name of the color is “Pfauenauge”, which Julie was kind enough to tell me translates to “peacock butterfly”. It’s really very lovely.

I’ve actually made a lot more progress than what’s shown in that photo, but I couldn’t get a good photo of it because I don’t have enough hands to stretch out the piece and hold my camera. Maybe tomorrow I’ll pin it down to a mat and take pictures.

Anyway.

I did most of the knitting while watching a marathon of “I Love Lucy” on TV-Land network. Oh my, I forgot how much I loved that show! I used to watch it all the time when I was younger. I laughed harder than I’ve laughed in quite a long time.

Then “Beaches” came on and I made the mistake of watching that — I say “mistake” only because at the end I was a sobbing, pathetic mess. I hate that!! But it’s a good movie nonetheless.

So anyway, that’s mostly how I spent my day after Thanksgiving: knitting and watching cheesy television. Did any of ya’ll go shopping? Did you get any good deals? Right before I woke up this morning, I was dreaming that I was at Best Buy running all over the store trying to get my hands on a laptop that was on sale. I woke up before I found it though. Damn it! Ha ha. No laptop for me.

I’m feeling very tired and run-down tonight, so I’m grateful it’s What’s on your Needles Wednesday. Makes for an easy post, ya know.

First up: my Irish Hiking Scarf.

I cast it on last night. I’m using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in “claret heather”.

I freakin’ love it. As promised, here’s a photo that shows the color a bit more true-to-life. I’m so impressed with how it’s turning out.

Then there’s my “Cold at Work” shawl (photo). It’s on hold till the rest of my Schaefer yarn comes in. *sigh* Looking at it, though, I’m considering frogging it and starting over. It’s too “pointy” — I should have increased on both ends every row, instead of every other row, I think. Grrr.

Lastly, I’m still working on Christmas socks: this pair and this pair (for two different family members). I was working along pretty steadily on my socks till I got sidetracked with the Irish Hiking Scarf. As soon as the scarf is done, though, I’ll probably get back to finishing these.

And finally, just ’cause she’s cute, here’s a picture of kitty:

What’s on my needles…?

I had been working on a baby hat (gift for a friend) before the wedding. I’d put it aside and yesterday I finally picked it up again to finish it. Something didn’t seem quite right though. I looked at it, then put it on my head. Sure enough: it fit me. Now, I realize babies have big heads, but this is way TOO big. I have a gigantic, fat head (store-bought hats never fit me), yet this “baby” hat fit me. ::sigh:: So I guess I’m going to frog it and try again on smaller needles. I guess that’s what I get for not swatching.

After that bit of discouragement, I decided to cast on a new pair of socks (also a gift). Socks just make me so damn happy. Just simple socks. There’s just something wonderful and peaceful about knitting round and round on tiny DPNs (I’ve decided I much prefer DPNs to Magic Loop). It’s soothing to me.

I’m using Knit Picks Felici for the first time. I’d heard both good and bad about it, but I’m loving it so far. It’s so much softer than the Lang Jawoll that I was fighting with on my previous pair of socks. I also like the wide stripes it creates as you knit it.

I’m knitting it up with my US size 2 ebony Lantern Moon Sox Stix (have I mentioned how much I love those things?) and it just feels great in my hands. I’m following the basic 7 Stitches Per Inch pattern from Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd (my sock knitting go-to book) but I’m throwing in garter rib for the ankle and instep to fancy it up a bit.

I was thinking today, and realized: I’m a process-knitter (rather than a product-knitter). I knit because I enjoy the process. I think that’s why ripping something out and starting over doesn’t bother me as much as it does other people. Sure, I enjoy the finished product (whether it’s a gift or for me) but what I really love is the time I spend making the item. I enjoy the rhythmic repetition of the knits and purls. It’s soothing to me. Sometimes when I knit for other people, I actually feel selfish because of the enjoyment I got out of making the gift. Are you a process-knitter? Or are you more of a product-knitter, who knits because they desire the finished object (a new sweater, socks, a hat, etc.)?

I’m a product-seamstress. I sew because I want a new dress that’s unlike anything I can buy at the store — not because I actually enjoy the act of sewing. (Actually, sewing infuriates me quite often.) That’s probably why I have so many sewing-UFOs (translation for the muggles: “un-finished objects”). But knitting… that’s my meditation, my happy-time.

If I had yarn-budget, I’d have surely blown it this month. (Incidentally, I need to start budgeting my hobby-spending, I think.) But anyway, check out the yarn haulage from yesterday:

Isn’t that a lovely sight? In the front row is my order from Knit Picks which arrived in the mail yesterday. I got 10 skeins of their Felici sock yarn (4 clay, 2 Arugula, 2 pebble, and 2 Aurora) and I also got 4 skeins of Wool of the Andes in Claret Heather (to make the Irish Hiking Scarf with).

Then, in the back row of that picture, we have my haul from the Schaefer Yarn Co. trunk show at The Neighborhood Knit Shop last night. That is where I went wild:

Schaefer Heather
Colorway: Coretta Scott King

I’ve used Schaefer’s Lola sock yarn before and it’s great. Heather is a thinner sock yarn, and seems softer (to me). I got this particular one because I thought it was a nice, masculine colorway. I don’t have a lot of masculine-colored yarns and I thought with gift-season approaching, maybe I could think of a special someone to knit socks for with this.

Schaefer Helene
Colorway: Jane Addams

Helene is 50% cultivated silk, 50% merino wool. I have NO idea what I’m going to do with it — but it was so soft and silky, so pettably wonderous, that I HAD to have it.

When I was standing in line to make my purchases at the yarn shop, I was petting this yarn. When I was stuck at a red-light on the way home from the LYS, I was petting the yarn. When I got home, I made my poor husband pet the yarn. It’s just… YUM.

Maybe I should make a lovely lacy scarf with it, so I can pet it all day long? Ha ha. We’ll see I guess. This one is just going to live in the stash for a bit, I guess.

Schaefer Sandra
Colorway: Jeanette Rankin

This is the other yarn from last night that I fell madly in love with and HAD to have. I actually purchased three hanks of it (I only got one of the other yarns I bought). Unfortunately, I only got one and had to order the other two though. Hmph.

Anyway.

The photo doesn’t do this yarn justice at all. It’s baby-soft colors with a thread of iridescence woven through it. It’s heavy, and drapey, and wonderful. I’m thinking it would make a lovely shawl.

… and finally …

Schaefer Susan
Colorway: Minnie Pearl

This was actually the first yarn that I picked up at the trunk show. It’s 100% cotton and very shiny and lovely.

I debated on getting it, till I picked up a copy of this pattern. They had a sample of the scarf in the store, and it was absolutely beautiful. So I guess I know what I’m doing with this!!

On a slightly different note, I also received my order from Hello Yarn in the mail the other day. I got some roving and a drop spindle so (theoretically) I can learn to spin. Thankfully it also came with lots of detailed directions. Unfortunately I’ve just been too “duh” this week to be able to concentrate on reading the directions and trying it. Maybe over the weekend. I hope I can get the hang of it.

So…

Other than buying more yarn, I have been knitting too. But not very successfully.

I cast on my Cherie Amour sweater for the second time last night. The first time, I blamed my issues on the cheap circular needles I was attempting to use. The second time, I cast on with Addi Turbos (my new love, needle-wise). I knit five rows. On the sixth row, I counted the stitches — I’d apparently forgotten to do some yarn-overs, because I was 3 stitches short already. ARGH! Now, I could just scatter some increases in to try and “fix” it, but when I’m only a few rows into it, I hate to start fudging things. Instead, I’m thinking I’m going to frog it for the second time, and hope that the third time is the charm. But I think I may wait a few days to cast back on — because once again, I’m lacking focus this week (apparently).

So instead, I think I’m going to go back to the socks I’ve been working on. I’m about 75% done with the first sock of the pair. They’re a Christmas gift, so I want to get them done because I have some other Christmas gifts in the queue too.

And maybe I’ll start knitting up the Sandra yarn that I bought last night. I’m thinking of using this pattern. Just something simple.

I think I have enough yarn to keep me busy for a LONG while though!

Lookie! I finally finished the mittens I was knitting! They’re no longer thumbless!

They’re from a pattern in One Skein Wonders. The only thing I didn’t like about the pattern is that it used a M1 increase and it left some little holes. Hmph. But I still love them! They’re the first mittens I’ve ever knitted and overall I’m really pleased.

I also nearly finished my Harry Potter Gryffindor scarf last night. I say “nearly” because I ran out of the burnt-sienna colored yarn when making the last few tassels. Argh! So I had to order a whole extra skein of it just to make three more tassels. I finished tassels on one end, though, which you can see in the photo.

I can’t believe how long this scarf is … and SO warm! If you’d like to knit one yourself, this is the (wonderful!) pattern I used.