Five Minute Blizzard

We had a brief blizzard today.
It blew on thru early this morning!
For a minute it looked like it was going to get serious.
But it fooled us!
The sun came out later, it warmed up, melted the snow away like it never happened!
Gotta love Colorado Springs!



So after the dusting we trekked up to Black Forest for knit group.



It was bittersweet. One of our favorite coffee shops,The Black Kettle, is moving. So we enjoyed it while we can, until they can reopen at another location.

Chery is making the KPPFIC in a top down raglan of her own modifications.(making it up as she goes)



It is coming along nicely.
She even designed another band to add into the mix.
More pics of her fantastic creation here.

I was working on a new pair of socks.



I started them last night, my own design.
Now I know why everyone likes Trekking so much.
I like the subtle shading of color.
Specs so far:
Trekking XXL color 109
72 stitches Crystal Palace size 1 (2.25mm)
6 stitch cable each side of sock
2 purl each side of cable.

In the evening, Del and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Kura.



BTW, I did wear the Mardi Gras socks all day and they fit nicely.

Mardi Gras Socks

I really love these socks!
I enjoyed knitting them and I like the finished result as well.
I even like the pooling. Some people do not like pooling. On this sock, I think it accents the feather and fan. This is the first time I have done this pattern, and it will not be the last for sure! My expectations have been exceded. I am overjoyed! Koigu and feather and fan, it just doesn't get any better than that!

Green Mountain Mama asked: ...I wonder how well the feather and fan pattern will stay up on your legs. let us know.

I tried them on and they seem to fit fine, snug enough on the leg to stay up nicely. I will wear them this weekend and let you know.




Specs:
Yarn: Koigu P113
Needles: Crystal Palace size 1 (2.25mm)
64 stiches toe up, increase to 72 stitches for cuff
Pattern: wendyknits.net/knit/featherandfansock.pdf
cuff: 4 inches 5 rows 2X2 ribbing

I was not feeling the the garter stitch at the top in the pattern, so I substituted 2X2 ribbing. I am happy with the change.

Coincidence

When I bought the Koigu over a week ago, I named one color Mardi Gras right there in the store. I did not know that Mardi Gras was so close. Today is Fat Tuesday. So I have been knitting my Mardi Gras socks during Mardi Gras! And I chose a feather and fan pattern for the cuff, just to try something different. Masks with feathers, and fans are a part of the Mardi Gras costumes. Just a series of coincidence? I was just thinking about this today.

Anyway here are some in progress pics:
(as always click on photo to enlarge)





Specs so far:
Yarn: Koigu P113
Needles: Crystal Palace size 1 (2.25mm)
64 stiches toe up, increase to 72 stitches for cuff
Pattern: wendyknits.net/knit/featherandfansock.pdf

I am really enjoying knitting these!
The pattern is so easy, knit three rows plain, then one pattern row. It just looks complicated.

I have an FO as well.
Here are the My Favorite Sweater socks part two.
They were my knit at work socks that I leave at my desk for lunch and break knitting. Always something mindless.
The first pair were for my DH, these are for me.




Specs:
Yarn: Magic Stripes #201 Denim Stripe
Needles: Knit Picks size 1 (2.5mm)
60 stitches toe up 2X2 ribbing 4 inches

The Full Monty

The flower has gone the way of The Full Monty!
Absolutely Gorgeous!

There has been knitting as well this weekend.
I did rip the hand towel and restarted with 60 stitches.
Now it is 11 inches wide. I am ok with that.



The Mardi Gras socks are now past the heel!



I am loving them!
The colors are so vibrant!
Now for the cuff and something different.

Alien Pod

Last night a strange pod was trying to open in our kitchen.



Here it is this morning.



I started another knitting project yesterday too. I know, I need another project like a hole in the head. But the yarn calls to me, it wants to be knit!




Specs:
2nd Time Cotton, 205 Bermuda
Bernat Handcrafter, White
cast on 75 stitches size 6 needle

It is a hand towel. But I am going to frog it and restart because I think it is too wide - 15 inches. I was thinking 12 inches would be better, more like a fingertip towel. So I am thinking 60 stiches would be just right.

I am still working on the Mardi Gras socks and the fair isle scarf. So I guess I will take all three projects to knit group today. I take more than one project in case I would rather focus on the conversation than the knitting, then I need something mindless! Besides, I think most of us have knitting ADD sometimes :)

Enjoy your weekend!!

What Were They Thinkin?

For those of you who do not have Knitting Pattern-A-Day Calendar 2007, Feb 14th was a knitted thong. Like that is not bad enough, it is to be knitted out of cotton! Ouch!! What were they thinkin? If I were to knit a thong - and that is a big IF!!! But, if for a moment I lost my mind and wanted to do that, it would be cashmere or angora! Something soft and fluffy for that area. But I would not be knitting for that area! The pattern says "Impress your sweetheart, or be the hit of the bridal shower, with this unique knitted thong!" Eeeewwwwww It is not bad enough that you would think to knit this for yourself, but for a bridal shower - YUCK! Look at what Aunt Susie knit for you to wear on your wedding night! OMG! Gross!!!

Onto something slightly less offensive, I have been amused these past couple days with the Lime & Violet podcast. These chicks are funny, and ever so slightly off color!

I was surfing Flickr today and stumbled upon this site.
Just the title got me hooked. Yarn P0rn. Then the lovely pictures. Now, I do not spin or dye yarn (except Koolaid), but I can appreciate other folks handiwork.

On to my knitting.
And some pictures!

I really like the way the Mardi Gras Koigu socks are knitting up!
A kind of stripey spiral!



And I have been playing with some kitchen cotton.



The coasters are a good way to use up some leftovers from wash cloths. Here is another great idea for scraps. Good job Abigail! Gotta try Tribbles next.

Secret Valentine

When last we met, I was rushing off to start a pair of Koigu socks. I wound the yarn into balls, had needles in hand. I had already done the provisional cast on for toe up socks. I was ready. Then I remembered something I had to have done this week. Our department at work is doing a "Secret Valentine"(similar to Secret Santa). The person I picked is really, really into football, specifically the North Carolina Tar Heels. And she has been talking alot about High Tea lately. So, I came up with these:



They are coasters in her team colors. I cast on 25 stitches and worked the Baby Genius Burp Cloth pattern from Mason Dixon Knitting. I am making her a basket of tea stuff (tea, mug, chocolates, etc)and this is the finishing touch.

My knitting self control came to an end, as soon as I was done with my coworker's gift, I started these:





Valentine's Day came early for me! My wonderful husband beat the rush and brought me flowers to my work today. He delivered them himself. He is a such a romantic! And I don't mind at all!



I brought them home and separated the basket into four vases.



Now I can enjoy them in more than one room!

Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day too!

Pretty Bags

What is it about going shopping and walking out of the store with a pretty bag, maybe even with tissue paper wrapping your treasures in luxury. It is all in the packaging sometimes that makes the item all the more special!
That is how I felt yesterday.




Phoebe opened her shop "Girl of the Golden West" on Saturday.
She was handing out gift bags. They are so cute!


Later in the afternoon after knit group, the DH and I headed up to Denver to visit his Auntie and cousins. We stopped at String on the way.



They have Koigu!! It was nice to see it in person rather than ordering on the internet. As I was standing there deciding which ones I just couldn't live without, my wonderful enabler husband says, "Get the ones you like. I don't want you to go home and regret not getting it." That is why I keep him, he understands me! He totally gets the knitting and yarn lust thing!



Koigu form left to right:
olive 2340
apple P516
wood P301
Mardi Gras P113
(My name descriptions added)

And I wanted to play with some Rowan Denim. I was thinking, I should just try it with something small before committing to a larger project with it.



I will leave you with more Yarn Pr0n:



I really like the one I named Mardi Gras.
Gonna have to cast on with that one very soon!
I also scored another set of needles just for that reason! I don't even have to finish anything in order to cast on. Oh yeah, I don't have to wait to cast on....
*locating swift and ball winder*
Gotta go.....

Skip-Bo

My friend Christine came over tonight to hang out.



Every time we get together we play speed Skip-Bo.



There were other distractions.




There were knitting breaks.



I made the DH some washcloths this week.
Christine picked out some colors of cotton from my stash for a set.
I like the ballbands for instant gratification breaks.

A nice start to the weekend :)

A New Hot Scarf Model

I was pulling into the driveway after work today as I normally do. As I stop to get the mail my neighbor comes out of her house and we chat. She tells me that she has been reading my blog. And that she liked the pictures of Del modeling the scarves (here, here and here). She asks why doesn't Majc model the scarves and then she hands me a scarf - for Majc to wear!



How cute!! Her scarf is lovely!! And cabled! Majc loves it!
Yes, my neighbor is knitting again! And she is spoiling my dog!
I can't believe that she knit a scarf for Majc!
Thank you Joan!!



To answer my neighbor's question, I didn't have Majc model any of the scarves for the red scarf project because they were for charity and I didn't know if the recipient was allergic. and I didn't know until today that Majc would like to wear a scarf!

On the Needles

A couple pairs of socks jumped onto the needles this weekend.


Do these look familiar?
I made my DH a pair, but these are for me this time.


A new pair for DH.


Another update of my fair isle scarf.

Look at what my wonderful husband made to keep my fair isle yarn all neat and tidy. Isn't he sweet!



On My Mind

This may be on the needles soon.
I am trying to hold myself back, but it is calling to me!


More Plain and Fancy Sheep and Wool.
Love this stuff! This is called Variegated Green.

A Super Weekend

As you can see, I finished the Earthy Socks.
I really like them! The color, the fit, everything about them!

Specs:
Yarn: Crazy Monkey
Needles: KnitPicks size 1 (2.5mm)
56 stitches, toe up, plain stockinette, 1 inch 1X1 ribbing
modified Russian bind off with a size 3 needle



I tried a new bind off, a modified Russian bind off, that I saw on Wendy's blog last week.
It works really well. Easy to execute and very stretchy.
Just what I was looking for in a toe up bind off!



Thank you for all the nice comments on the fair isle.
I am really enjoying this project!
Here is another update picture.

Now off to make snacks for a party for the Big Game today!
Knitty Gritty is having a Knit-In to encourage needle arts enthusiasts to knit or crochet a square for charity!.
Sounds like fun!

Jimmy

We have a member of the family who I have not introduced.
This is Jimmy - named for Jimmy Buffett since he looks all tie-dyed to me. He was a birthday present this past August.



Majc loves her quado from Doctors Foster and Smith.



The fair isle scarf is moving right along.