Bag Lady

For the Socks that Rawk group, Q1 "Tina's Choice" KAL.

I knitted these on and off over the 3 months.  Just simply got distracted with other knitting and then of course life always calls too.

The heel portion adds a decent amount of length to the foot, originally I had about a size 7.5 sock, which is way too long for my little size 5.  I ripped back down to about 4.5 inches and started the heel again, this time it worked out perfectly, although I think if I were to use this version of heel, I'd go with maybe 4 inches to give it a more snug fit.   

I was originally skeptical about having garter stitch toe and heel, but it's actually pretty comfortable.  The pattern simply ends at the leg portion, you just bind off in pattern, no cuff.  I did, however, try a version of a garter stitch cuff and didn't like it, so I ripped it out and went with the pattern instructions.

All and all I'm happy with them, another pair of socks to add to my ever growing sock wardrobe.

Quick note about the pictures, it was quite interesting contorting my body to get these pics.  Although the time I spent contorting did count as a small but always needed workout! 

Pattern: Solstice Slip by JC Briar
 Yarn: Socks that Rock - Lightweight "Bag Lady" colorway
Needles: US 1 (Addi Lace)
Started: January 16, 2011
Finished: March 28, 2011

Mods: Front (instep) stitches are 30, and the sole st’s are 25. I did this intentionally to make the sock fit snug, since my feet are small and narrow. At heel portion, increased to the 35 sts.  When done with the heel portion, the first round that starts the decreases (k2tog/ssk) I picked up all wrapped stitches on the first and last stitches that I did decreases on. This worked great and closing any holes.  I went with ankle socks instead of the traditional longer leg.

Traveled Home No 78

I'm a member and moderator of a Traveling Scarves Group #78 on Ravelry.  If your not familiar with TS groups, its usually about 12 members total.  All take part in knitting and/or crocheting each other a scarf.  Each member starts a seedlet scarf, knit/crocheted traditionally (vertical) or lengthwise (horizontal).  The member (owner) of the seedlet, only starts the scarf, then packs it up and sends it onto the next member in the chain.  The next member, continues adding to the scarf, and packs it up and sends it onto the next member in the chain. 

It continues in this fashion, until it finally reaches the last member in the chain, which by then adds the finishing portion to the scarf, and then sends it home to the owner who now has a finished scarf that has made a journey around the USA, sometimes to Canada, and back being knit/crocheted by all members in the group. 

I received my scarf home this past weekend, it was originally 300 stitches, started lengthwise, unblocked without fringe it measured 57 inches long. Blocked its measuring 65 inches, with the fringe its 73 inches.

It is the 3rd Traveling Scarf thus far that I've received, having been in 3 groups, well 4, but one group went south.  3rd time is truly a charm, such a gorgeous scarf all the members of Group 78 knit for me. 

I truly do love it and appreciate all the work each member put into it.

I can't wait to wear this proudly and I will tomorrow at work 8-)

Thank you TS#78!

So much to cover!

Over the past months I've been so active knitting, crafting, and taking on new adventures. I haven't shared much, not because I didn't want to, but because of lack of time. I have to block out time for all the things that I do each day, and I've failed to make my blogging a priority. I am working on fixing this though, so I'll load up this post with alot of fun stuff to share, including FO's!

A recent FO, made for a spoilee I had in the Vampire Swap, is the "Fresh Bite" scarf. This is super easy to knit and definitely fast to knit.



The buttons were very special for me to choose, they are my 2nd choice, first choice of buttons didn't fit through the buttonholes, so these were my 2nd and I think they are perfect, and should of been my 1st choice! Thankfully the 1st choice of buttons didn't fit.



Pattern: Fresh Bite Scarflet
Yarn: OPUS 1 by Zitron
Needles: US 8
Started/Finished: Not noted, sorry, but I did make it in the latter part of October over the course of 2-3 days. Probably spent a few hours on it.
Mods: None.
Make again?:Yes, I will make again!! One for me definitely, and one for my Mother, who liked it very much.
Supplies:Yarn and buttons purchased from GPY.

Do you know why I choose these buttons? What do they look like? What would help is the theme of the swap, which was a "Vampire" themed swap, so now do you know? Well they look like bloody vampire teeth to me, at least that's my take on it. The green colored yarn, a choice I made based off of my spoilee's taste. The fit of this scarf is very nice, and the yarn, OPUS, an aloe based yarn is just divine. Extremely soft and the slow gradient color change is very pretty.

In the middle of all my craziness, I also got my package from my super secret spoiler from the Vampire swap. My good friend and co-worker was referred to the Vampire swap by me 8-) and she was given the task of spoiling me, but did I know? Nope! During the whole swap, she wasn't allowed to let on that she was secretly stalking me. Then, one Saturday, she calls me to ask what I'm doing.

I was like "I'm knitting, why?"
To which Christy says "Well I was going to stop by the LYS and see if you wanted to meet up"
I said "No sorry, I'm knitting right now, maybe tomorrow?"
Christy said "Ok, well just checking, talk to you later, bye."

After getting off the phone I look at the clock, it's about 5:30 p.m., but it didn't mean anything to me, so I continued knitting. About 30 minutes later my home doorbell rings, I assume it's my brother, who I was expecting to stop by. Nope! It's Christy, with a big smile "Surprise!" holding a large black bag with red tissue paper. I still didn't put it together!

I was like "Hi?"
Christy said "I'm your spoiler! For the Vampire swap! Here to deliver your package personally."

I was utterly flabbergasted! I've always heard of people in swaps getting packages delivered directly to their doors, but this was a first for me. Here's how everything was packaged up.





Christy seriously spoiled me rotten! Everything a perfect match. I love the yarn by Hazel knits.



And the Porom beret, a pattern from one of my favorite designers, Brooklyn Tweed.



It also came with this amazing scarf! Which I've worn many times since I was given it.



Christy, if you read this post, "THANK YOU!!!!!".

Now onto the Reducio Swap, theme "Hogwart's Teachers". I made these wee items for my spoilee.



This is a miniature version of Professor McGonaGall's witch hat. I looked all over to find a good mini-witch hat pattern but couldn't find any. So I devised up this one, trying as best I could to make it look like the real thing. You'll notice the crooked tip of the hat, which McGonaGall is known for in her hats, as well as the feathers. I actually want to make another one for me, just to have on my shelf. The hat turned out better than I had anticipated.

I then made a Gryffindor mini-sock, based off of my spoilee's house.



I made a boo-boo when knitting this, knitting the "G" for Gryffindor in the wrong area (intarsia method), so what ended up with was "G" in the front of the leg vs. the side. I realized I had to fill the void of the back of the leg now, so I stitched this.



What does that look like? I'm hoping you say the Golden Snitch, which is what I was aiming for. In the end, I was happy with the sock turn out. Knitting the miniature items is always fun and creative.

I still have more to share, but I'll end for now. Tomorrow's a holiday for me, yay! No work = knitting, sewing, crafting, = FUN!

Happy Wednesday!
~Rocky

It's a mystery ....

It happens once a year, when the weather changes and that feelin' of Fall is in the air. It starts with a creative designer, Through the Loops, and before you know it, each week you get lil' snippets of a pattern, for yes,

You only know your knitting socks, but what type of socks?!? Well you know it will be a gorgeous pattern, what else from TTL?

I eagerly anticipate each clue, released each week, the pattern develops before your eyes. Such great satisfaction and suspense!

Here's a peek at my Mystery Socks 2009....



Twins! Two at a time on one circular, is there any other way? I love completing a set at once! If you don't knit 2 at once, you gotta try it, it's very addicting. 8-)



I'm using Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in "Whispering Pine" colorway, I felt it call to me for this project.



I'm 1 clue behind, the heel portion, but I'll catch up this weekend! We'll see what appears in the next clue *-)

Good Things

I received my Franken Socks kit from Woolgirl last week, and it had all kinds of goodies and sqooshy yarn!



Look at all those goodies, and do you see that Frankenstein stitch marker made by Wee Ones? Totally cute. The yarn colors are cool and perfect for Franken Socks. It's 1 skein of Mis Babs Superwash Merino 100% wool, hand-painted yarn in colorway "Yummy" with accompanying color for the heel, 133 yds.

Here's a few more pics of the goodies:









Another package, though it was a surprise, was my "Love Bites 2" Swap package received from my secret swapper, Mollie Bug on Ravelry.

Mollie Bug on Ravelry by RockyMoreno, on Flickr">

She included the cutest "Edward" Amigurumi pattern! I gotta make this guy, then I'll have Edward all to myself *-) She also included local yarn from her area, Virginia, from Indy-dyer David Simpson. It is just gorgeous! 490 yards of 100% Kona Superwash Merino in Fingering weight, colorway "Burress".



And look at this Bella hat, so pretty! And I love the black tweed color, fits perfect and definitely a knit to wear. I faved this on Ravelry not long ago, and she found my fave to make. I'm still gona make one, but I just love hers.



And, the cutest Twilight stitch markers! Check these out!



Phew, so much good stuff!!! A big thank you to Mollie Bug!

Ok a new venture I'm taking on lately, knitting jewelry. I'm trying recreate a gorgeous bracelet I received from Gherkin on Ravelry. So far, so good, check out my progress:



It doesn't look like much yet, but when I'm done I'll form the beads to look sit nice and then add the clasp to close it. See the original, to the right?



I have so much more to share in the coming days, I'm now in high-gear for swaps, KALs, Fall knitting and yes, GIFT knitting 8)

Hope everything is going spooky well!

~Rocky