October 25, 2008

Christmas Stocking Update

Almost have finished stocking for mamaphdknits in the International Christmas Stocking Swap on Ravelry. I just need to sew the seam from the top down to the heel flap. They are to be sent by Nov. 15, but I'm waiting for a while .... mamaphdknits said she needed to start mine. I just wanted to get it done since I have two more socks to knit for a grandfather here in town who needs them for the last two grandchildren.

Spent most the day today at church preparing food for a mission festival tomorrow evening. We are serving barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, chips, and bars plus an assortment of beverages. The number to expect is not really known since this is the first time for an event of this type. Hopefully, we'll have enough for everyone.

Think I'll head for a lavender bath ..... soak away some of the aches from being on my feet most of the day.

Happy knitting! TLGB

October 23, 2008

Christmas Stocking Update

I'm so excited ..... I've finished the leg, heel flap, and heel turn on the Christmas stocking for the International Christmas Stocking Exchange on Ravelry. I just learned about this swap earlier this month and the moderators said they would accept people until Oct. 15. Well, I received my partner's name the next day and started to stocking ..... I'm using Plymouth Galway yarn in the basic colors of red, green, blue, purple plus white. It has really turned out well. I did do the slip st heel flap instead of just a st st flap .... thought it would be more substantial. I've collected most of the "stuff" for the sock even though it will not be inside the sock .... fits better in the flat rate USPS boxes. I took a pic of the leg of the stocking earlier today, but won't post pics until the box has been sent ...the date is to be before Nov. 15, I believe. So ..... pics will be up after Thanksgiving.

I've also been working on a scarf for the husband of one of my coffee friends. He said that men's scarves aren't ever as soft as the one I knit for his wife last Christmas. He will find out when I'm finished with it.

October 18, 2008

Surprise Started!

Someone will definitely be surprised with what is going on my needles tonight. I'm not going to divulge anything about it .... not even on Ravelry! It's going to be a surprise.

I did a few rows on clue 3 of the Mystery Stole 4 this morning before dh awakened. The stole is knit from both ends through clue 5. Then, clue 6 is only done on one of the pieces. When completed, the grafting begins. I hope I can get it done before Thanksgiving.

I also have about 80 rows to do on Secret of the Stole 2 that I started back in January when I was home from teaching for most of a week with a severe sinus infection. I got it out about a week ago and saw a "goofy-looking" decrease about six inches below. Froggin' definitely took place. I picked up all the stitches and have done about 5 rows after that. It is definitely on my "to-do" list for 2008, so I'd better get busy.

Happy knitting until the next post! TLGB

Completed Monkey Socks


These are my October socks for the SAM 2008 KAL. I started "some" socks back on Aug. 18 ... didn't know what pattern I would use, but co 64 sts and did 1x1 rib for 12 rows and set them aside. Sept. 30 came and I picked up the circ holding the ribbing for my two socks. The decision was made to create a pair of Monkey socks for myself .... I had gifted dd with a pair a couple of years ago. The yarn is STR mediumweight in the Rolling Stone colorway. DH even made a comment that he liked the color and didn't think I had ever knit such a pretty sock.

October 10, 2008

Monkey Socks

On August 18, I began another pair of socks with STR mediumweight in the Rolling Stone colorway that was in my stash. I had actually purchased it for a chevron scarf for a friend, but didn't care for it with the Silkie in the Lunasea colorway. I hadn't decided on the pattern, so I just co 64 sts and did my 12 rows of 1x1 rib that I like. On Sept. 30 I decided to knit a pair of Monkeys by Cookie A. I had knit some for dd a couple of years ago for her birthday, but had never knitted myself a pair (dd did gift me with a pair a year ago). They are a pretty quick knit. I try to complete the 11 row repeat daily ... some days I don't make it, but they are almost to the heel flap. These are to be my October socks for the SAM 2008 KAL.
This week I signed up for a Christmas stocking swap. I have two Christmas stockings to knit for a teaching friend here, so need to get those finished, too. I was a late join, so haven't received my downstream yet. The mod said that they were still accepting members. I think that it will be fun. Another swap I joined was the Holiday Theme Swap on Ravelry, too. You send yarn, a pattern, plus items to either do with Thanksgiving, Christmas. Hannukah, etc. A lot of fun, I hope!
Happy knitting! TLGB

October 1, 2008

My pics of Angel Scarf

Here are some pics of the RSE angel scarf I did for Julie. The yarn is Diakeito yarn from Japan and the pattern is the Phileme scarf. I had purchased some blocking wires from Knitpicks earlier this summer. My first use of them was with this scarf. They worked very well and cut my time for blocking by at least half. I use an inch thick piece of styrofoam insulation for blocking. I cut the 4x8 ft. sheet in half and "hinged" it with duct tape (yet another use for the wonderful stuff). It makes is easier to carry and store.
This is a close-up of the scarf after blocking was completed.
This one is of the scarf just before it was folded and wrapped, then sent on its way to Julie.