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.

Shawl Collared Shrug

Here is the second pattern I am adding to my blog. This one I also made for one of my girls. I have to get some pics of these finished things so my blog doesn't look so empty. Sheesh, but you know how it is, ya gotta share the score ya know...........Right now it kinda looks like blah, blah, blah.... but I am workin on it ya know. So here is the pattern. I haven't found a guinea pig (oops I mean test knitter) to double check this for me, so if there are any things that you don't understand. Please let me know. O by the way, the yarn I used for the finished garment is no longer available so I did some research and found this one from KnitPicks to be a suitable substitute.
Hopefully they don't discontinue it before you get to make this kewl looking lacy shrug.

Shawl Collared Shrug
one size fits most
Materials:
4- 50g balls of "KnitPicks" 'twist' use color of your choice, the shrug is pink.
(I have to figure out the gauge so will get back to you on this, but as long as it doesn't look like it'll fit the arms of a gorilla you should be fine.)
US size 6 knitting needles

Special Notes and Abbreviations:
k= knit; p= purl; sl = slip a stitch; ssk = slip one stitch and the next stitch as if to knit, return to left needle and knit the two together throught the back loop); k2tog= knit 2 stitches together; skp= slip one stitch, knit one stitch, pass slipped stitch over; yo= yarn over; st(s)= stitch(es); RS= right side; WS = wrong side; k4tog= knit 4 stitches together

This pattern uses two different lace patterns and will be referred to each other as "lace pattern #1 and lace pattern #2"
Starting at the cuff of the sleeve in "lace pattern #1"
Cast on 79 sts. K next 2 rows. Start "Lace pattern #1 (keep first and last stitches in garter st (k every row)
Row 1: k1, k to last st, k1.
Row 2 & 4: k1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 3: k1, k2, *k4tog, (yo,k1) 5x's, yo, k4tog, k2; repeat from * across, k1.
Repeat these four rows 5 times. End with WS row. Change to "lace pattern #2 Continue as instructed.
Row 1: (RS) k
Row 2 and all WS rows: k1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 3: k3, *yo, skp, k6: repeat from * to last 4 sts, yo, skp, k2.
Row 5: k1, * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, k3: repeat from * to last 6 sts, k2tog, yo, skp,k1.
Row 7: Repeat row 3.
Row 9: k across.
Row 11: k7, * yo, skp, k6: repeat from * to end.
Row 13: k5, * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, k3: repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2
Row 15: repeat row 11.
Row 16: repeat row 2.
Repeat rows 1-16 of lace pattern #2 for 10" or til desired length of sleeve (from knuckles to elbow) End WS row. (79 sts).
Keeping in lace pattern #2, conotinue by increasing at the beginning and end of every RS row keeping increased sts in garter stitch (knit every row) until there are 6 increases (91 sts)
End WS row.
Next row: Continue in garter stitch borders and lace #2 as established. Work increase at the END of lace pattern rows 1 and 9 til there are 15 garter sts at the end of the RS rows (105 sts).
Work even, keeping garter st edges and lace pattern as established for desired measurement (measure from knuckles to center NECK with arms at the sides) Finish on plain knit row 1 or 9 of lace pattern. Place sts on holder. (105 sts)

Make second side same as first except reverse garter st shaping.
Place sts on two needles (one for each piece) and graft together using kitchener st. Or if you prefer, Bind off all sts and sew or crochet together the back seam (bound off edges).
Fold piece in half lengthwise and sew sleeve seams together from cuff to beginning of garter sts shaping being careful to keep lace matched and garter st matched.
Weave in ends and block if necessary.

The larger of the two garter stitch borders is the "shawl collar" and the bottom is well just the bottom.
Well here's to next time we meet in some dark alley comparing notes on yo's and stst. And yes pictures will be coming shortly. (I hope!!)

Sunshine Halter Top

Well here it is...........finally. My first pattern on this here blog. Hope you like it. If there are any problems with it, shoot me an email and let me know where the confusing parts are.
I designed this for my girls (I do have 4 of them ya know). They are all young ladies who like those daring fashions. So here is one I designed just for those young at heart.
I will post pics as soon as I can. Have fun gettin knotty..............

SUNSHINE HALTER TOP

Materials Needed:
Lion Brand MicroSpun (any DK or light weight worsted yarn will do as long as it isn't fuzzy)
2 balls
Knitting needles; US size 5 Crochet Hook; US size G

Gauge: 23 rows x 17 stitches in lace pattern 4"x4" square

Special Notes and Abbreviations:
RS = Right side K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together
WS = Wrong side K2togtbl = Knit 2 stitches together through the back loop
StSt = Stockinette Stitch st(s) = stitch(es)
knit right side rows, purl wrong
side rows.
YO = yarn over k = knit p = purl

Starting at the Bottom of the "skirt"
Cast On 96 sts; k 2 rows.
Begin Lace Pattern:
Row 1: (RS) k across.
Row 2: k2, purls to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: k3, *(k2tog) 3x's, (yo, k1) 6x's, (k2tog) 3x's; Repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Repeat Rows 1-4 for patterns for 8". Keep first 2 and last 2 sts in Garter st (knit every row). End with WS row.

Beginning Bodice:
Next row: Decrease 24 sts evenly across (k2, k2tog) (72sts) at end of row Cast On 60 sts for the ties. (132 sts).
Next row: k 60 (these are the cast on sts), k2, p2 to end, cast on 60 sts. (192)
Next row: k 60, k2, p2 next 72 sts, (begin seed stitch) k1, p1 next 60 sts.
Next row: Seed stitch (k the p sts, and p the k sts) next 60 sts, k2, p2 next 72 sts, (start seed stitch)k1, p1 next 60 sts.
Next row: Seed st next 60 sts, k2, p2 next 72 sts, seed st next 60 sts.
Repeat this row until 1.5" of ribbing (k2, p2) End RS row.
Next row: Bind off 60 sts, purl 72 sts, seed st next 60 sts. (132)
Next row: Bind off 60 sts, k 72 sts. (72)
Next row: k2, p 68 sts, k2.
Next row: k2, k2tog, working in stst (stockinette st: knitting RS rows purling WS rows)to last 4 sts, k2togtbl, k2.
Next row: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2
Repeat these 2 rows 2x's more (66)
Next row: k across
Next row: k2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Next row: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2togtbl, k2.
Next row: k2, p to last 4 sts, k2.
Repeat last 4 rows until 50 sts remain, end WS row.
Next row (eyelet row): k3, (YO, k2tog), repeat to last 3 sts, k3.
Next row: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2.
Next row: Bind off, weave in ends and block item if necessary.

Tie for Neck:
Using crochet hook (size G), make a chain to length desired for tie. Weave through eyelets at the top.