stitchingmystressaway.com

Seriously, I LOVE this book. I have made so many socks from this book and there seems to be no end in sight. So far, I have made:

Embossed Leaves I, Cabled Rib, Uptown Boots, Mock Wave Cables, Embossed Leaves II, Elegant Ribbed Stockings, Waving Lace Socks, Diagonal Cross-Rib

Some, if not most, of these socks are made for other people so I find this as an excellent excuse to make and additional pair for me too . I also have an eye on patterns I haven’t tried yet:

Merino Lace Socks:

Courtesy of Gena on Ravelry

And Anniversary Socks

Courtesy of Ksh, on Ravelry

This is my favorite book because it has a diverse set of socks–ones for men in my life, ones for a challenge, some patterns that can be best classified as “Oldies But Goodies,” oh the list goes on.

What’s your favorite knitting pattern book and why?

I finished my first Christmas present for Rose–Slip Jigs from this March’s Rockin’ Sock Club. When I first got the skein, I wasn’t a big fan:

Then I thought of Rose and these are so her colors. So I started a Christmas present very early.

Pattern: Slip Jigs by Irishgirlieknits from the 2010 Rockin’ Sock Club
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Socks that Rock, Mediumweight
Colorway(s): My Wild Irish Girlie
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm
Casted On: April 10, 2010
Casted Off: July 11, 2010
Modifications: I didn’t do any. I followed the pattern exactly as written, even did the heel flap.

But if I could change one thing, it would be the toe. There are a lot of stitches between the decreases making the toes a little…bunchy. But then again, the slip pattern does go up the side of the socks so I am not entirely sure how I could edit the  pattern.

It was a fun knit though. I know Rose will love these socks to pieces. One Christmas present down, plenty more left to do. I’m trying to get a head start on Christmas knitting, if you can believe it, because I will be spending a better part of  September and October  running around like a chicken with her head cut off because of our wedding

are finished!

Pattern: Skew by Lana Holden from Knitty, Winter 2009
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Socks that Rock, Lightweight
Colorway(s): Eggplanted
Needle(s): US 1½ – 2.5 mm
Casted On: April 18, 2010
Casted Off: July 4, 2010
Modifications: Like with my previous Skews, I changed to a higher needle size after the Inner Ankle knitting. I also lengthen the leg portion so that I can have the longest socks I could.

I just love this pattern. It’s not so often that I finish my first pair of socks and immediately start thinking of the second pair of socks in that pattern. I think I’ll need a little break from this pattern for a while, at least, but I still want to make MORE SKEWS …hehe

It’s interesting with this pair of socks–The left sock was knit with smaller needles. I was nervous about a 72 stitch count sock on 1.5 or size 2 needles. I have to practically beat it into submission to get it on because it’s so tight. Then this project was put on hold for a little bit. I picked it back up again a few days ago and knit the second socks a little looser and that goes on with NO problem whatsoever.

I did make a very fortunate mistake on the second sock, which resulted in a slightly wider heel. In the “Heel Shaping” portion, it states:

(Note: there will be 15 sts between second ankle marker and heel marker throughout heel shaping.)

By accident, I had 17 stitches between the two markers and followed the directions from there. Opps. But YAY for a little bit of a wider heel. I planned that all along. Really. I did.

Really, ladies and gents, try this pattern out. It’s a fun leap of faith knitting project as my buddy Heather stated in her blog just this morning. (Heather’s new to the blog world. Go over and welcome her )

This weekend has been a great one. Busy too. I’m going to plop right now in front of a chic flic and knit ridiculously warm items in this 90 some degree heat.

Ok let me first say that, yes, STD has a not so great connotation but it was brought to my attention that I might have confused readers in my last post. I am planning a wedding and while doing so, a STD will refer to Save The Date cards. Get it? Do we have an understanding?

Now that they’ve been sent to our invite list, can I show you the most awesome save the date cards my friend Lara made for us?

How awesome are they?!?!

The week I got the draft from Lara, I was bummed out about a certain part of our wedding (long story) and I received the draft on a Friday afternoon and just yelped from excitement. These totally got me out of my funk because this card is SO us! And my God, I had no idea I was a head tilter till I saw this and took a closer look at pics of me.

Annnnnnnyway, Lara had to get spoiled. I show my love through knitting, of course. May I present….her socks.

Pattern: Maelstrom by Cookie A. from Twist Collective, Autumn 2008
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Ultra Solid Colors
Colorway(s): Iris
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm
Casted On: April 20, 2010
Casted Off: May 9, 2010
Modifications: The pattern called for six repeats of the leg pattern. I went for ten and even with that, the sock was a little short. Here’s hoping that didn’t make much difference to Lara who is shorter than me?

I love this pattern and always knew I’d make a second pair after I finished my first. It’s interesting enough to keep your attention but is also not too complicated that you have to refer to the pattern after every row.

Knitters often don’t get handknit gifts themselves. Why is that? We don’t hesitate giving each other yarn but we don’t make things for each other? At least I don’t but I’ll admit that I really must change that Anyway, Lara was quite pleased to receive them and I was so happy to make them for her. My family and friends absolutely love the save the date cards. So original. So Us. And they include our wonderful girls. They can’t be forgotten We got all that and more. THANK YOU LARA….AGAIN

And speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaking of socks, I recently got a copy of Think Outside the Sox and I just can’t get enough of it! I love an overwhelming majority of the patterns in the book. Go check it out at the library or get a copy at your LYS. It will not disappoint.

I love knitting socks. That goes without saying, right? I’ve even made some sock patterns twice–Monkeys, Embossed Leaves and Spring Forward, to name a few. But I’ve always spaced the first and second pair out. You know….give it some time.

This week, however, something new happened. I finished my Skew socks and, no joke, right after I was done, I wanted to start another pair. They were that fun to make.

Pattern: Skew by Lana Holden from Knitty, Winter 2009
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Tess’ Designer Yarns Super Socks & Baby
Colorway(s): There wasn’t a colorway name on the label so I just state “Crazy Rainbow” Pretty accurate, no?
Needle(s): US 1 / 2.25 mm & US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: February 21, 2010
Casted Off: March 22, 2010
Modifications: PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF BOB, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS SOCK LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING – change needle sizes after the Inner Ankle knitting. I changed to a size 2 needle for the right hand sock at the increase mini-gusset portion and the sock fits wonderfully!

Here is a picture of the two ankles. For the sock on the right, I used size 1s throughout. For the sock on the left, I changed to 2s for the ankles. You can see, at least a little, the difference in the tension of the band that goes around the ankle:

Ankle tension issues aside, I can not express enough how much I loved knitting this sock. This pattern seems so ideal for that skein of yarn you have that you bought on impulse because the colors were that crazy and once you got home you thought, “Yeah, this is pretty but what the hell am I going to use it for?” We all have skeins like that in our stash.

The colors in this sock just do wild and crazy things and I think that’s why I enjoyed knitting this sock so much:

So, boys and girls, the lesson for today is–Get in touch with your process knitter. I consider myself, for the most part, a product knitter…Of course I love the process, otherwise, why knit. But getting in touch with the process knitter inside made for a wonderful knitting experience–These socks. I almost was giddy when I was making the heel….just like a three year old playing with My Little Ponies.

Oh yes, another lesson learned? TRUST the pattern. There will be times when you’re reading it and you go, “Reeeeeeeeealweeee? You want me to do whut??” (Those were my exact words) But trust it. It will all make sense. Promise 

OK Candidates for the next pair of Skews??

1. Creatively Dyed Yarns, Tradewinds, 2. Socks that Rock, Lightweight, 3. Artyarns Ultramerino 4, 4. Shaefer Yarns, Sock the Vote

Knitters would think of any reason to start a project and/or have a knitalong. So….there are two blizzards headed your way?? Yes, I think it’s a great reason to cast on something.

I present…….my Snowcopolypse/Snowmageddon 2010 Shawl:

This is the Conifer Shawl from the Winter/Spring 2010 issue of Knitscene. It would have probably been done if I didn’t leave it at mom’s house when I was at her place on Sunday the 7th. opps. But I got it back and hope to finish it soon.

I also finished the first sleeve on Abby’s Starlight Starbright Cardigan

and I finally finished Courtney’s socks.

Pattern: Serpentine Socks by Wendy D. Johnson from Socks from the Toe Up
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Fiesta Yarns Boomerang
Colorway(s): Sapphire
Needle(s): US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: December 23, 2010
Casted Off: February 11, 2010
Modifications: I did a short row heel instead of a heel flap. no biggie

This was my first time knitting with Boomerang. It’s a warm thick yarn for socks and I’m sure Courtney will love them. I have another skein in my stash and I’m sure they’ll making warm socks. But it wasn’t the most flexible or giving yarn. The resulting socks will be warm and very appreciated so that’s all that matters, right?

Ravelympics

The opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will be starting at 9pm EST and that is the precise time the Ravelympics will commence I have decided to knit Seneca out of Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Woo. Progress pics to come!

Happy Ravelympics everyone! Be safe!

Seriously, as someone who has had her share of tendonitis issues due to flute playing, if your hands hurt, STOP!

I finally found a pattern that is guy-friendly for Ray and I finished the pair of socks this morning on the Metro

Pattern: Elegant Ribbed Stockings by Ann Budd from Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s)ream in Color Classy, 1.32 skeins (150 yards)
Colorway(s): Don’t Be Blue
Needle(s): US 4 / 3.5 mm
Casted On: January 30, 2010
Casted Off: February 2, 2010
Modifications: I opted out of using a ribbon on the top of the socks. Me thinks Ray wouldn’t have digged it.

Needless to say, when I started these socks, they flew off the needles but it was a hard time coming. I’d start a pair of socks and they’d be ridiculously big or too busy or it didn’t match well with the yarn. When I picked up my ever-so-trusty Favorite Socks book and saw this pattern and it was perfect!

The cables pop as you wear the socks

Ray wears a size 11 sock and, yes I understand that it might look funny that I’m wearing his socks, with my size 7 (Men’s) feet. Well, they were big on me. Had plenty of room in the toes. But I’m sure they’ll be a little tight for him, still. That was my intention. I understand that Dream in Color has a tendency to stretch, which explains why I sized them a little small.

Guy friendly pattern with fun cables to make it interesting for the knitter

Wanna hear something interesting about this pair of socks, during it, I realized I was making short row heels the wrong way! Who woulda thunk it?? Yes I was wrapping my stitches in the wrong direction. It made a slightly funky looking heel but not one that I would object to. But I did get curious and looked it up and realized I wasn’t bringing the yarn to the front, when knitting. I wrapped from the back to the front as opposed to from the front to the back as you should. This is my 28th pair of socks and I’m still learning things. Gawd I love knitting!

I finished Rose’s socks for Christmas and mailed them to her this week

Pattern: Nanner Socks by Wendy D. Johnson from her blog, WendyKnits
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s):Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock – Mediumweight
Colorway(s): Flower Power
Needle(s): US 1½ / 2.5 mm
Casted On: November 11, 2009
Casted Off: January 6, 2010
Modifications: None

I asked Rose if she wanted these socks to be a little higher…higher than typical socks but shorter than knee socks and she jumped all over it. I split the skein in half and stopped when I ran out of yarn.

These socks were fun to make. The pattern was easy enough to do but interesting enough to keep my attention. I am a little anxious of the bias that formed in these:

But it is something that is bound to occur with some patterns. I’m sure Rose will still love them.

It’s such a pleasure knitting these for people like Rose, Courtney and my mom. Courtney and Rose can go on and on about how much they love their socks. I just got this email from mom this morning, all of which makes me beam

On Christmas day I finished a pair of socks for my friend’s husband, Corey

Pattern: Basketcase Socks by Criminy Jickets from his blog
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): KnitPicks Swish DK, 3 skeins = 369.0 yards (337.4m)
Colorway(s): Hunter Green
Needle(s): US 2½ / 3.0 mm
Casted On: November 11, 2009
Casted Off: December 25, 2009
Modifications: None! I actually paid attention to all of the pattern! It was nice too because I learned the Eye of Partridge heel. Who would ever knock learning a new heel?

I don’t know Corey all that well but he’s good people! Served in Iraq and Afghanistan….he’s a great father:

And want to know another reason I find him sock worthy? He didn’t say anything profound but I think of the conversation from time to time and laugh. My mom, for Christmas, gave me a cable stitch dictionary. Corey, Rose and I were in the back seat of dad’s car, practically on each other’s lap. Dad and Corey were talking army weapons.

snore…mentally check out.

he’s talking about weapons “The MI-4 blabity blah carries these kinds of bullets…blah blah blah….OH I LOVE THAT CABLE! It’s pretty crazy…Laura can you do that?”

Literally in the same breath. So yes…the man is sock worthy, wouldn’t you say?

When I got back from Rhinebeck, I remember telling/complaining to Lindsey that, in all the projects I brought for the trip, I brought all complicated ones. Abby’s fair isle sweater needed a lot of attention with the pattern itself and color changes every other row. My Botanical Cardigan has a 180-count rows. I didn’t bring the ever-so dependable sock project.

When I got home, I casted on Leyburns. I finished them today during the Philly/New York football game. (I feel the need to specify because the Phillies/Yankees, 76ers/Nicks, Eagles/Giants all played this weekend in Philly.)

Pattern: Leyburn Socks by MintyFresh from her blog.
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Socks that Rock, Lightweight
Colorway(s): Bella Coola
Needle(s): US 1½ / 2.5 mm
Casted On: September 30, 2009
Casted Off: October 9, 2009
Modifications: None really. Pattern was written toe up already with a short row heel.

I won’t lie…it took a while for me “to get” the quilted-like pattern, but once I did, they started to fly off the needles. I really like these socks because I knit them ever so slightly smaller so that they hug my feet and keep them ubber warm. (I’m a little nervous because of my new work building. It’s been know to be very cold in there….Like the skin-under-my-fingernails-are-purple cold!)

That said, I think I’ll be living and breathing Christmas knitting for the next few weeks though.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their extra hour of sleep. I certainly did! Only, I’m a lil freaked out that it got dark at 5.

Edit

I would be remiss in not stating that Dad’s Rocky toy helped me make these socks.

Last Sunday, Dad, Jermaine and I went to the last weekend of the Maryland Renaissance Festival. We got stuck in a lot of traffic. Rocky offered his assistance. Did you know he knit? hehe. For more pics, check them out.