I think the internets is fixed...

Yay! The cable guy (thank goodness, it was not Larry) came this morning and changed some connectors to make the signal better. So far, so good! I have some wips to show you:

This is the fern lace pattern from Vogue Stitchionary. The yarn is Jade Sapphire Cashmere-silk in Oceana (from Fiddlehead Yarns). It is so soft and nice to knit.

Below you see the Mad Color Weave Sock by Christine Lorin. The yarn is Perchance to Knit Merino Cashmere (more cashmere!) in Roses, Roses (from The Loopy Ewe):

This is the first sock, and, again, this is very soft and nice to knit. Hmmm, cashmere = soft, duh!

And now for something completely different, I give you Child's First Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush:

This is different because it has no *gasp* cashmere content in the fiber. It is Crystal Palace Panda Cotton (cotton + bamboo = very nice for spring/summer socks) in Vanilla Creme (also form The Loopy Ewe).

I am still working on tangled yoke-just ribbing and stockinette so far, not really exciting and several other ufos that have stalled a bit. I also have a ton of fabric to turn into skirts and I think I am going to attempt a shirt...well, we'll see how that goes. I also have fabric from generous coworkers that I think I can turn into some cute tote/lunch bags. Maybe I need to get some of that iron on vinyl. I have some plain white linen/cotton dishtowels that I have the itch to embroider. I think I need to look through my embroidery books for some inspiration. Or draw out something. Too many crafts, too much time spent at work to pay that damn mortgage! At least I own and am not renting!

See you on Monday!

Socks Socks Socks! (and stocking)

Ok, so I am a day late on the blogging (and I am watching American Idol, too!)  But I had to post some socks that I just FINISHED!  Here are Hedgerow Socks by Jane Cochran (made from Dream in Color Smooshy, Strange Harvest):

and here is a detail shot of the stitch pattern:

The only change I made was to make a flat toe instead of round and to shorten the heel a bit (I have teeny feet).  All in all a wonderful knit that I will do again.

I also got some Misti Alpaca sock yarn from Fiddlehead Yarns in Kenosha, WI (love Mindy's shop!)

Which I have already started the Oak Ribbed Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks:

This is the one of the best sock yarns I have knitted up and I have tried a lot of sock yarns!  Love the way the colors just stripe randomly!

And, I think I am the only sock knitter that hasn't knitted a jaywalker...but here is my rendition in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, Birches:

And for my niece, I am knitting up a Judy's Colors stocking.  Leg all done, just need to do the heel and foot:

All in all, train riding has upped my knitting time and I LOVE IT!  I also love that I have a set time to arrive and leave work--not as much working later because I can (and to avoid traffic).  Anyway, I need to knit some more.  Next week I will post my latest sweater project (tangled yoke) and what I want my next big project to be.  I'll be back!

A walk in the woods...in 2007 and some FOs

I have no excuses for not blogging. But here it is 2008 and I have not blogged since last december and a pretty lame one at that. But Bob and I went for a woods walk last november and I have to say, I love my camera (Nikon D40X).


I also did complete a sweater, Mr GreenJeans (makes me think of Captain Kangaroo!). Here is a detail of the cables (love cabling without a needle-Thanks Grumperina!)

and here is my finished product before blocking:

Yarn-Dream in Color Classy in Chinatown Apple I think about 4 skeins on bamboo needles recommended by the pattern. I LOVED knitting this sweater! It was so much fun to knit and I think I got it done in about 2 weeks. This was my first topdown sweater and there were NO seams to sew up! I did make the 2nd to largest size and I left the sleeve length alone (not 3/4 on me--full length) and I made the torso section a little shorter. Instead of a button, I made buttonholes on both sides of the sweater and I fasten with some i-cord I made out of some similar sock yarn. All in all, a FUN project.

Fair Isle fun:
What you see below is the start of my ivy league vest from interweave winter 2007. I am using smith and jameson fingering weight on size 3 addi turbos. I have gotten a little further along but I need to take more progress pics.

But before I started the vest, I took a fair isle class from Fiddlehead Yarns shop (a great lys in Kenosha, WI). Mindy was a GREAT teacher and I loved the class. It was a two parter, and, overacheiver that I am, I finished this hat before the next class.

So I spent my time adding a lining. It was fun. but the shop is 26 miles from my house! However, Mindy is great and I would drive all that way again to shop and take another class. If anyone is in the Kenosha area, you MUST check it out!

It's HERE!!!!

My computer is finally here!!!! I LOVE it! But I am still not used to a mac. I have been using PC's now for over 13 years and old habits die hard. Like how do you copy and paste? Sorry for the bad picture. I got home after 8 pm today and did not have natural light. Also, my house is a mess!

Anyway, I also wanted to post some craft pics. Here is a little mascot that I made for my sockpal! Isn't she cute? I made her from the Cute Book. I would give you the link but I am still trying to figure out where stuff is...like a file bar!

And here is a picture of my Q3 challenge from the Loopy Ewe! It is Cookie A's Twisted Flower and it was a joy to knit!

Once I have more knitting pics (I need light to photograph my Bee Shawl in progress) and figure out how to navigate the internet on my iMac, I will post again. Probably this weekend!