January 6, 2009
Latvian Dances

I certainly had no problem with boredom while knitting these socks! My enthusiasm stayed high throughout the process with 4 different colorwork patterns, braids interspersed here and there, and soft beautiful yarn. Robyn's gorgeous design uses motifs from traditional Latvian Mittens and I think they are one of the prettiest pairs of socks I have knit!

This was my 1st time knitting with Estelle Ariquipa yarn - it is a wonderful blend of superwash wool, alpaca, and nylon - I REALLY like this sock yarn with its beautiful colors and soft, luxurious alpaca touch.

Pattern: Latvian Dances "Ilze" by Robyn Gallimore of Red Bird Knits (October 2008 SOTM)
Yarn: 42 gms Ariquipa Paint (# 210) and 50 gms Ariquipa Solid (#222) - Plenty of leftovers!
Needles: 2.25 mm 40" circular needle
Modifications: (only of interest if you're making the socks) Centered the sole pattern and adjusted so no break in the pattern(my new round started after the instep), changed gusset decreases so single dark line flowed into dark line on edge of sole (eliminated the K1 and just K2tog/SSK on last 2 stitches), used a 2 color eye of the partridge heel.

They fit me to perfection! Here are a few more views since they look so pretty from all different angles...

click photo for bigger

Now that these are done, I am in the swing of NaKniMitMo and am focused on mittens - 1 pair almost done (needs thumbs) and a new pair cast on with very cool cuffs - pictures next post...
I'm also binding a quilt, so should have plenty to show soon!

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December 29, 2008
Last Socks of the Year and Sweater Beginnings

I LOVE Adrian's method of making a LT - easiest twist I've ever done and it makes such a pretty mock cable! The fit on these socks is absolutely perfect - could not be better. The yarn is soft and the shades of green are subtle and beautiful. Pure sock happiness!

Pattern: Cable Twist Socks by Adrian Bizilia of Hello Yarn
Yarn: The Woolen Rabbit Harmony Sock Yarn (I used 85 gms of a very generous 120 gm skein) in Neptune colorway.
Needles: 2 socks on 1 40" circular 2.25mm needle
Modifications: 64 stitches with 6 X 2 ribbing, eye of partridge heel, adjusted stitches to continue p2 down instep and make smooth heel transition, regular toe without 1st row decreases.

I'm having fun, but getting a bit tangled with the Stashbuster Spirals....

The plan was to finish all my little projects and start Acer in January, but despite the fact that I still have 3 small projects that are not done, I cast on Acer in beautiful Volgassippi Blue Peace Fleece this weekend. I liked this sweater pattern the minute I saw it - I think it's the clean simple lines that make it so appealing to me (along with the fact that there is no finishing - even the button bands are worked as you go!) I just know it will be one of those sweaters that I wear all the time!

I also joined NaKniMitMo on Ravelry last night, so there will be more mitten knitting in January for sure!

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December 21, 2008
Happy Winter Solstice

Such a special day, especially for my son, Matt, who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska. We visited him during Summer Solstice this year (the fishing pictures were taken at midnight!) - - - It's getting lighter every day now, Matt :-)

A perfect quick last minute quilty gift (I've made 5 of them over the years!) This teeny tiny paper-pieced Santa Quilt takes only an evening or 2 to make...(for me it was 1 evening to cut and piece and 1 evening to layer,quilt, and bind)

Pattern: "St. Nick" by MH Designs
Size: 10" X 12"
Method: Paper pieced, machine quilted in the ditch (I skimped on the quilting for speediness - now that I look at this photo, I may add some more to the background and borders....or not~

We've got 15" of new snow and it's still falling - a white Christmas is certain this year!

HAVE A HAPPY SOLSTICE AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS

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December 14, 2008
Man Socks

It's been 2 years since I knit Dave a pair of hockey coaching socks. He loves them and has worn them through 2 cold winters. (Austermann Step stayed soft and silky with that jojoba/aloe and they show no signs of wear or tear - winner socks for sure!)
He's been very patient waiting for this next pair. I offered him any yarn in my sock stash and here is what he wisely chose! I got them done just in time for hockey season... there will be no cold feet in the rinks this year!

Pattern: Cuff down, eye of partridge heel over 64 stitches
Yarn: Mountain Colors Bearfoot in "Wilderness" colorway - PERFECT for Man socks!
Needles: 2 socks on 1 2.5 mm 40" circular

other new projects...

Very warm "Striped Mittens" from Favorite Mittens (also known as the "Pole Pattern" in another of my books - The Mitten Book ) More about these mitts when they are done.

Started my 1st pair of Stashbuster Spiral socks - I've wanted to make these since they came out as the Six Sox KAL pattern in February 2005 and I'm finally doing it! I've changed my mind on colors several times since I took this photo earlier today - WAY too many options in my sock leftover stash! All I know for sure is that the cuffs will be blue :-)

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December 5, 2008
Onduleux Cables

I started Onduleux Cables way back in September, knitting a repeat here and there when I wanted to feel this soft, silky, cushiony, luxurious yarn flow through my fingers. My neck is very sensitive - no woolen scarves for me, but this yarn is heaven wrapped around my neck! The cables are reversible and look just as pretty on either side of the scarf - the secret is ribbing which hides the purl stitches and shows the knit stitches making it appear as if there are just knitted cables. I even like the naturally curved edges - all pretty!

Pattern: Onduleux Cables by Angela Johnson
Yarn: 2 50 gm skeins Classic Elite Posh (30% cashmere 70% silk) #20322 taupe
Needles: Denise circular US 10
Size: 5" X 49" - no blocking needed! Off the needles and around the neck :-)

Here is a close up of the cable stitches...thick, lush, and warm!

In the sock the sock knitting arena - Dave's socks just need toes - will be done next! Latvian Dances are gusset bound (and would be a bit further along if I hadn't attempted to knit on them after 2 glasses of wine - not a good idea with colorwork!) After some ripping, they are back on the needles and moving along again. (this picture was taken the day before the slightly tipsy knitting episode.)

I've been trying not to buy anymore sock yarn, but lost my resolve when I saw this post on Kim's blog. I immediately emailed her because I REALLY wanted that pink yarn hanging on her deck rail. When I left The Woolen Rabbit, I not only had my "Cherry Bomb", but also bought a skein of "Neptune"which is the beautifully hand dyed yarn that I'm using for new Cable Twist Socks - classic sock pattern by Adrian from Hello Yarn that I've had in my "to knit" file for about 3 years~ Perfect for this special skein of yarn in subtle shades of green!

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November 28, 2008
Moose Loves Roses

All other projects were put aside while I made these adorable mittens. Jorid Linvik has designed so many beautiful, unusual and whimsical mitten patterns, but to me, these are the best. This lone bull moose walking along reminds me of a site often seen during my many years in Alaska.

Pattern: Moose Loves Roses by Jorid Linvik (this particular pattern was given to members of the Jorid Linvik Designs KAL , but will eventually be available to everyone.)
Yarn: all leftover sock yarn - Elann Essential 4 ply and Knit Picks Essential Solid (8 gm dark red, 28 gm gray, 24 gm black).
Needles: 2.25 mm 40"circular
Size: 68 stitches with fingering made an 8" circumference. These fit a small adult hand or med/large child.
Modifications:Instead of a hemmed cuff, I used Liidia's Braid cast-on and snuck 2 Kihnu Vits braids into the cuff pattern for stability (both braid instructions are found in Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush.). I also moved the thumb opening up 6 rows for a better fit - still had plenty of room for fingers.

They fit everyone except for Dave - the boys and I will fight over who gets to wear them! For those who like to see the inside of stranded knitting - click here.

The next of her patterns that I want to make is Tallulah's Heart - gorgeous!! but for now....back to my original plan of knitting at least one pair of mittens from each of my 5 mitten books. I want the next pair to be thick and warm, so will start with Favorite Mittens by Robin Hansen. The only pair I've ever made from this book are Chipman's Check Wristers, so there are many great options open - decision to be made in the next few days...
I also want to start a sweater, but decided to continue with smaller knits until after Christmas and THEN begin sweater knitting - that gives me a whole month to make the big decision!