Oct 20 2008
October 2008 Woolgirl Sock Club
I had a very pleasant surprise on my front porch this afternoon. The October 2008 shipment of the Woolgirl Sock Club had arrived! Click on the link below for spoilers.
Oct 20 2008
I had a very pleasant surprise on my front porch this afternoon. The October 2008 shipment of the Woolgirl Sock Club had arrived! Click on the link below for spoilers.
Oct 04 2008
I have a heavy heart today. One of the yarn dyers that I know through a message board and consider an acquaintance was diagnosed with cancer a few months back. She had part of her liver removed and was expected to start chemo this week. I do not have many details but I know that she has taken a turn for the worse. I had pulled out some of her yarn this week to make a Hudson hat for my nephew’s birthday and now I feel each stitch is a healing thought going her way. If you can spare any positive, healing thoughts or prayers, please send them her way. And if you cloth diaper your child and can spare some money, please check out these charity auctions that have been set up for her.
Oct 01 2008
I finally finished my other Perambulate Sock last night. Just over a year in the making and I have finally finished the first pair of socks that I ever started! Yay! Once I got the basic pattern down I could pretty much do it in my sleep. Made for quick work on the second sock. Doing the heel in pattern was a bit tough, but again much easier the second time around.
My husband thinks they are the nicest pair of socks that I have knit so far. I think I may have to agree with him. The color is nice and the pattern has a cabled look to it. After I finished the first sock I wasn’t sure if I would ever use the pattern again. Now I think that I would use it for another pair of socks.
Yay me! I just want to pat myself on the back for finishing them
Knit on size 3 DPN needles
Zenstring Lotus Toes Fingering weight yarn
Jaime colorway
Sep 16 2008
I am so happy to report that Angelina of Zenstring stocked today, after a very long hiatus. She has been pretty busy dying yarn and came up with some new colorways too. Check it out, as it looks like things are selling pretty fast. There is some really gorgeous fiber too.
Sep 15 2008
Sep 13 2008
I have compiled a list of resources that should come in handy for any knitter.
Knitting How To:
Knitting Help – This site is filled with a glossary and helpful videos that show you how to do every kind of stitch in both English and Continental style.
Learn to Knit – Basic how to of knitting, crocheting, types of yarn and needles. Also have free, simple “Make It Quick” patterns.
Knitting Communities
Ravelry – One of the fastest growing knitting and crocheting online communities out there. Started in 2007, Ravelry now boasts over 169,000 members. You can keep an inventory of your yarn, projects, and needles as well as meet up with others that share your interests. Also has a very handy pattern search.
Patterns
Knitty – Now in its 6th year, Knitty offers free patterns 4 times a year. Submitted by talented designers, the patterns offer great pictures, instructions, and yarn suggestions. Knitty also offers an active forum to meet other knitters, ask questions, and chat.
Blogs
Yarn Harlot – Funny and with patterns. She is an author of many knitting books.
Sep 12 2008
Finally a finished one, at least half a pair of socks anyway. I finished up my first Perambulate Sock yesterday. This sock was a whole year in the making, as I first started knitting it in September 2007. I had no idea what I was doing and I definitely picked a much too difficult sock for my first go at it. I didn’t even knit a gauge swatch and the result was something that would not fit over my ankle.
So I put it away. For a long time. I picked it back up while on vacation this year. I ripped the whole thing out and knit a gauge swatch. I moved up two needle sizes and I was on my way again. So much easier now that I know so much more about sock knitting and knitting in general.
Here is the first one:
It is knit on Zenstring Lotus Toes fingering weight in the Jamie colorway. Looks pretty good I think
It has the look of cables without cables. I do not recommend this pattern for a beginner. Look for a pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple for that. Off to cast on the second sock!
Aug 30 2008
Morwenna of Mosiac Moon has some beautiful colorways. She hand dyes a wide range of yarns, including Gaia organic merino and Blue Faced Leicester. Tonight she is stocking on Necessitae, one of my favorite Congos on Hyena Cart. Here is one of my favs tonight:
Even if you don’t like yarn, check this stocking out. I am sure one of the vendors there will have something for you. They are stocking everything from cloth diapers to fresh roasted coffee beans. Very cool blend of items.
Aug 25 2008
Yarn Quest is located in a strip mall just a few miles from downtown Traverse City. It was the last local yarn store (LYS) that we visited during our trip. It was definitely a shame that it was our last LYS visit.
Aug 24 2008
This yarn store was a bit out of the way for us, but we decided to check it out because we were relatively close after having lunch in Glen Arbor. Inish Knits is located at 9031 S. Kasson St. in Cedar, MI. It is a very small town with a tiny IGA, ice cream store, a bar/restaurant, and a few other shops.