Friday, September 24, 2010

Pretty , pretty Rosamond


These are my recently completed socks . They are Kate Blackburns' Rosamond pattern . I don't remember how exactly I came across this gorgeous design , but am I ever glad that I did. It was love at first sight and I love , love the finished socks . They're lacy and feminine without being overly fussy. As Goldilocks would say they are just right . And best of all they're for me ! Some of my hand knit socks are starting to be the worse for wear and it's time I knit some new ones .


The added bonus with these socks is that I'm slowly using up my Elann Sock it to Me 4 ply stash . This is a sturdy , adequate and inexpensive yarn for socks . It leaves a little to be desired in the softness category . The problem being that since I bought this yarn I've acquired some truly spectacular yarns and have been spoiled by them for this more plain and everyday yarn . I still like it overall , but it's true what they say , you get what you pay for . They're knit cuff down using 2,25mm dpns . I like this pattern so much that I can foresee me knitting another pair in a better quality yarn that would truly do it justice .


On to the next pair which will be for Mike who's definitely experiencing a shortage in the hand knit sock department . As he keeps reminding me ;-)) . But hey , I've only got two hands and there's so many projects , so little time . I'm not called restless needles for nothing ....


Have a wonderful weekend !

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Scarf love




I'd lost the blogging mojo for a while but found the knitting mojo to replace it . I 've been suffering with a severe case of startitis and couldn't wait to cast on new projects before finishing the ones in progress. Usually this spells disaster with a plethora of unfinished knits in the knitting corner . Not this time , things are actually getting done , will wonders never cease !








The first one is a scarf I call Maine Blue , not because it's a blue ( as in sad ) project but because the yarn and pattern were bought in Maine on our recent visit . It reminds me of the colours of the ocean and sky on a beautiful day spent at the beach . An good image to keep in mind on a snowy winter day . The details are here on my ravelry page .






Second up is a stash buster . I've had some Noro Kureyon in the stash since 2004 . I'd bought some on impulse mostly because of the gorgeous colours . I came across 4 balls of 2 different but somewhat similar colourways . I'd cast on simply to see how the colours would work out and before I knew it I had a completed scarf . I don't have a recipient in mind , it'll be going into the gift basket . It'll need a good soak in a wool wash to soften up the scratchiness of the Noro . I wouldn't want to gift it as is . So the yarn is technically out of one stash but into another . Oh well ....
There is one more finished knit and two in progress to show but I'll save those for another day . Back to the knitting before the mojo disappears !

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Finished socks and the birth of a knitter

We've been back from our vacation for almost 2 weeks and I still haven't posted my finished socks . I've been too busy knitting , baby sitting and watching the US Open . Oh and the house also had a quick once over just to get rid of some dust bunnies . But truthfully thanks to the tennis I've turned into a real couch potato this week . But a productive one !

These socks just missed the August deadline for the socks a month KAL . I finished them on Sept 1st . Love the pattern , but I'm not sure if my yarn choice was the best one for it . The yarn was new to me , it's a super wash bamboo . It's very splitty and slippery to work with but the finished socks are really , really soft . These are for Mallory . I consider her our almost niece ,but actually she's our friends daughter . I've known her since she was 2 years old and she is the sweetest 14 , almost 15 , year old you could ever hope to meet . She started knitting this summer and is working on a garter stitch scarf made from some of my leftovers from various projects . She calls it the Ugly Scarf , it's so ugly its cool . It's certainly funky but in the best way . When Mallory and her mum come over she always brings her knitting and proudly shows off her progress . I think this knitting thing might just stick .

Specs on the socks :

Yarn - Happy 4ply from Wendy a UK company . It's 75% bamboo , 25 % nylon .

Pattern - Circle socks (ravelry link ) by Anne Campbell . I knit them on 2,25mm dpns .

There are some more knits to show but I'll save them for another post . I also have some stash enhancements bought in Maine , also for another post . Before I forget , thank you all so much for the good wishes for the upcoming grand baby . I'm pinching myself , I can't believe that in the new year there will be 3 little bundles to cuddle . Lucky , lucky me !

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Back home


and doing the happy dance . We had a very nice time on our week away in Ogunquit . I should add , despite the weather , which was rainy , stormy and windy for five out of the seven days of our stay . I did get 2 hot , sweltering days at the beach , so it's all good .
The big reason for the happy dance is that there's another grand baby on the way . That will make three ! Chantal and Casey are expecting another baby , as of now the due date is late March 2011 . Jessey will be a big brother !!! I see more baby knits on the horizon .