Felted Flat Top Bowler

Hiya folks. Yeah it's me again. I've been knitting like a possessed woman these past few weeks and havn't had a whole lotta time to post in the ol' bloggaroonie here. Sorry about that (blushing)!

Well, to get ya'll up to speed n such; I've embarked on a major de-stashing project. I have 5, 30 gallon Rubbermaid totes just poppin out all over the place with (gasp) acrylic yarn (mostly redheart) and I just can't see knitting for my entire family, although there are quite a few of em, stuff from this massive stash.
Well, that being said n all, I figured, why not knit some hats n scarves n stuff for the local charity ( Caring Ministries) they usually end up with second hand junk, and I figured this would be a good thing for them. They would get varied different styles of hats and scarves (nothing like tryin new techniques n all that stuff) potholders, dishclothes, etc. etc. the list could go on n on n on, for weeks even.

I've also been quite busy coming up with patterns n such for other things and finishing up as many UFO's as I can before March 1st hits and the SKP2008 sock knitting contest starts. Also I joined up with the sockamania club as well, AND the ADHD knitters "EX" contest. That one will be loads of fun. LOL!!!

So, as you can see, I've been one crazy knotty chica. I did manage to make a mistake into a rather cute pattern for a felted hat though. I was aiming to try to write up a pattern for the knitted version of the fuschia fedora. But alas, everytime I felt it the crown ends up too small or like this last effort, (oi veh) I kinda let it go in the wash a little bit too long and, well, I guess my lil blue eyed angel has a new Easter bonnet. I do have pics of it before it was felted and the dang thing was like humongo bigness. Gotta pay more attention to the wash I guess when I'm felting something and not let it go the full cycle. Well at least I learned something new though huh? Back to the drawing board or the cirx at least.
I did manage to record the video for the needle-less cable for youtube. Here's the link if ya'll would like to take a peek. n all that good stuff. I think it's really kewl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX7bK6xlV1U
Or I finally figured out how to embed the darn things LOL!!! How kewl is that???
O, yeah, there's quite a bit of background noise n stuff, cause, well sheesh, for once the kids thought they should be doing the dishes right then. Had to be done, they say. O well!! Who am I to complain when the kids do the dishes. right?

Enjoy the show ya'll. Laters!!!

DONUTS ARE EVIL!!!! (or why I really hate donuts)

Okay so this doesn't have a whole lot to do with knitting today, but, please, OH puhleezzze, hear me out.
I have come to the conclusion that donuts (you know those sweet adorable round things you get at the local bakery or Krispy Kreme are just plain, downright evil. Yes, evil!! You heard it here first!!!!

I work at a local bakery and after having a somewhat event filled evening (teenage daughters, need I say more), I had relaxed in front of my computer and was merrily knitting away at an awesome pair of mittens for my boy (he chose the pattern cause he thought it looked like camoflauge ).
I digress, but alas, I was knitting along checking out the Ravelry and KH forums when, DAMN, are you serious? It's the friggen phone. Now who in their right mind would be calling me at 12:45 in the a.m. not wanting me to teach them new articulate ways of telling someone to get a life? It was the regular "donut lady" at the bakery. She's got a fever and can't work, blah blah blah. I look at the clock and Scheit, it's almost 1 and I need to be there ASAP!!!
So, I jump in the shower, get dressed kiss the hubbiness buh bye and head to the bakery.
This is going to be such a looooooong day.... remember, I haven't even been to bed yet and I'm heading out to foment evil (donuts that is).
I get there and start the drudgery of donut making, you know weighing out the flour and mix and water n stuff, get the dough going and start in on the cake donuts. Now them buggers are definitely evil. If the water is too warm they won't fluff up and be tough, if the oil is too hot they burn on the outside and are still gooey as snot in the inside. Or if the oil is too cold they get all greasy and floppy and are just not worth the time it takes to mention them. But, as luck would have it, the fryer was being stupid (or was it just me, o well), the oil hadn't gotten to temp yet and, crap, that first drop of little hellions just flopped all to heck. I ended up having to make another batch of batter and doing them AGAIN!!!! ARRRGGGHHHHH, did I mention I really hate donuts??
The rest of the morning goes along fine, but I have to be back in the afternoon to make those lovely personalized cookies. Who names some of these kids anyway. Sheesh, some of those names had more letters than Brittany Spears has DUI's.
I take a nap, but wouldn't you know it the dog decides that he has to jump up and down on the bed the whole time I am tryin to get a nap so that I can go back to the bakery and make those cookies. It's a wonder I would spell d-o-g much less write names on cookies. Acckkk!
Hubbiness calls while I'm at the bakery. Mind you I haven't seen him since I kissed him this morning before I went off to make those offending little pastries. He want's to know if I can get to the store to get some TP and something for dinner. I get done with the cookies, clean up, lock up and head to the store. Get my shopping done, get home, make the aforementioned dinner (it was nachos by the way) and wouldn't you know it, hubby is in bed sleeping like a baby. Yep, so, therefore, I have come to the conclusion that "donuts" as a whole are invariably EVIL!!!!
They make you stop knitting, they get you out of bed at ungodly hours. They just basically screw up yer whole day.
Now that I'm home and don't have to worry about those damn donuts maybe I can get back to knitting and surfing.
Luv you guys!!!!

Holy Batman !!!!

I've done it now..... I've finally forayed into the realm of the sox on cirx club. Yep, you heard me right.
Ever since I heard about the sox on cirx thing, I kept telling myself, "Why fix something that ain't broke?" So I kept goin round n round on my beloved dpn's. (I still luv em btw).
I just wanted to experiment with my favorite sock pattern (The Sherman Method). I went and watched some Cat Bordhi videos on YouTube and I had an epiphane (no I didn't hear any choirs from heavon singing "AHHHHH" but close)!!
I used the Judy Becker 'Miraculous' Cast on from the video and then watched a few more times some of Cat's videos on knitting on two cirx. I would have to say, so far so good. Not quite as fast as I am on dpn's but I'm pretty sure I'll get the hang of it and be pumpin out sox n other tubuler things like there's no tomorrow.
As soon as I get off my lazy bum to drag the camera out, I'll take some pics of the WIP. Just a simple little sock, nothing fancy, but I did want to make sure I got the grasp of the concept before I went on to something with a little bit more pizazz.
Well, I had better head off to bed. Have court tomorrow (don't ask). So I still have to dye my hair or I'll be the only skunk in the court room.

And Now for Something Completely Different...

Well ya'll have been asking and here they are........... the pics of some of my FO's. Most are sox that I have adapted the Sherman Sock ToeUp Method. ( I hope the link works)... and without further ado... I give you "SOX"

And now for some non-sock stuff...

These are all knit with either KP's gloss or Andean Treasure. The hat and wonkywrist rockette are knit with "Frog Tree's" 100% worsted weight alpaca.

O and sorry about the double post of the purple sox. That wasn't supposed to be that way ya know. I have been busy busy busy making gifts for my kids and loved ones this year and I only have like 8 days left. Sheesh!!! But I hope to have em all done before the big day.

I know,I know. It's been way way too long...........

I know it's been like forever (since June) that I've blogged about anything. I was trying to get stuff done so that I could link it or post it, but alas, It's been a busy summer and fall and, well, dang, it's about time I posted something before I turned into the proverbial pumkin!!!

I have been knitting sox for Christmas gifts for kids, grandkids, sisters, brothers, outlaws, inlaws, you name it I'm trying to knit something for them.

I have about 3 UFO's sitting round the house waiting for my attention, but you all know how that goes. You get burned out and have to start on small projects to feed that ever present desire to actually finish something and feel like you've accomplished a great thing (when actually it was just another potholder or dishcloth to add to our ever growing collection).

Now to go off on a tangent, hmmmmm, I have looked everywhere and lo n behold, I cannot for the life of me find an OTC (over the calf) men's sock pattern that doesn't look like a bent torpedo.

I went and splurged on some lovely "gloss" from "knitpicks". It's a gorgeous, sumptuous wool/silk blend yarn that is between lace and babyweight. Perfect for socks that aren't too heavy but still nice and warm. Now to find a pattern that fits what I need to do???? HA!!!

There isn't one.

So, what does a yarn junky like me do in a situation like that? Well, write the pattern for it I tell ya.

Well so far so good. I have my favorite pattern for sox that is very easy to manipulate into whatever size or gauge I need (sorry I am really bad about gauge guys. I'll knit it til it looks right and then go from there). So right now, I am using this yarn on size 0 needles, making the turned toe (yes I love toe up sox. No seams, AND, woohoo, no grafting). I started out thinking that maybe I should start with 40 sts (80 sts around) but that would've fit Shaq's foot with room to spare, so FROG it goes. Tried 32 sts (64 sts around) but that was too small (sounds almost like Goldilocks don't it). Well finally settled on 38 sts (76 around) and it looks like this is the winner for todays events. I'll let you know how it goes, but I was going to make it so that it had arch support (sl st's like the french heel) and reverse stockinette on the ball and heel parts of the foot for comfort (my hubbiness if very very picky). He also has a very slender ankle but enormous calves (sheesh, that's gonna be a challenge).

K, now more on stuff I've learned while knitting sox.... You know that horrid feeling you get when you've knit a wonderful, lovely pair of sox only to have the cast off edges (especially on toe-up sox) be way way too tight? ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!! I really hate that. (did I also mention I really, and I mean really hate frogging?!?). Well, sock knitters of the world, I think I've come up with a simple little solution. Yep you've heard it here first (if someone else didn't already think of it, which I'm probably sure they have.. but oh well...)

If I'm knitting a k1, p1 rib for the top band of the sock or k2,p2, beings I'm also an avid crocheter, I figured, why not on the knit stitches, make an extra chain st in the binding off process. You crocheters out there know what I'm talkin about. I would (on k2, p2 rib) k1, make slip stitch, k1, pass first stitch over second, and off (like regular binding off) then bind off the p sts, and repeat the whole process around. On k1, p1 ribbing, I would do it on every other knit st. and follow the pattern around. It's not noticeably flared but it does give the top of the sock extra room and you don't get that sinking feeling of a really tight top when it's done. I've also used this same technique to get a lovely picot edge on top just by making more chain stitches in between the knit stitches. Aww, necessity being the mother of invention, ain't she great!!!

The two pics at the top of the page are a pair of sox I knit using the toe up method with the bind off technique prevously described. I know, they need to be blocked.