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.

Eye Candy Friday

Yes it's Friday!!!  End of work week (for most of us) beginning of the weekend and whatever we want to do!    Here's some "Eye Candy" to get you started...

Hello Yarn Fiber Club from November 2010

Hello Yarn Fiber Club from December 2010

Socks that Rock Lightweight in "Bag Lady"

This skein didn't last long, it's now being knit to make these two lovely Solstice Slip socks

Got a busy weekend ahead of me, work all day tomorrow, at my regular day job and at my LYS.  Then Saturday is the big Quidditch Hat challenge for HPKC!  Will see how I make out 8)



The Rhythm in the needles

I have so many WIPs right now, including new projects I need to start. Awhile ago, Leslie, invited me to the Socks that Rawk "Leyburn KAL". I quickly joined and was supposed to cast on back when I joined, but never did, as I gave more attention to the projects I had.

Well, this past Thursday, I kept thinking "I gotta get started on my Leyburns", and I finally did. The purpose of the KAL is to have everyone participating in it knit in Socks that Rock yarn only, and in any colorway, hoping to get as many different colorways knitted up for the "Leyburn" sock pattern by Mintyfresh. It has a lattice pattern look, similar to the lattice you would see going across the top of some fenced homes.

I casted on Thursday evening, got the toe and foot started, and contined a teeny bit Friday, but not really, and the on Saturday, kind of did nothing. That is until later in the evening when I finished up other tasks I had to do, and I turned the heel, and started the leg. I was all fine to keep on knitting, but I was tired from cleaning and other random tasks I finished during the day, so I put my sock down.

Come Sunday morning, and I was flying along, like my heading says "The Rhythm in the needles", and it certainly was. I had memorized the pattern and was knitting "blindly". I finished my first sock by mid-morning, even weaved in the ends. The pattern really looks very nice in the Dragondance colorway, and wouldn't yah know it, it's the perfect color for Valentine's Day!

Here's how it started, TOE UP, my fave way now:



And then voila, I got one down and another one about 50% of the way done!



I quickly casted on for the 2nd sock, but had to put it down to take Rosie, my doggy, to the doggy park to play with other dogs. My hubby and I left and visited a dog park in North San Jose, one we hadn't been to before, but it was perfect. Wide open, a bit smaller than a football field, with benches and chairs to sit. Rosie had a great time, she runs like a race horse and we call her Sea Biscuit when she runs like that. Golden Retrievers have amazing speed and agility, it's really neat to see them in full stride. She was a good girl, and got along with all the other dogs, who all were behaved very well. Here, she's resting, after having stole a tennis ball from another dog.



Oh, and she made plenty of friends, including this little guy who just wouldn't stop following her around



When we arrived back home, I started working on finishing the toe, and again, the rhythm took over, and I stopped at the leg portion, which I'll work on tomorrow. I should get these done by Tuesday, I'm giving myself some slack for working *-)

Now, I need to get my beauty sleep, work again tomorrow! And rain is in the forecast, which means I can bulk up with some of my knits, which I love!