Magali Knits (and Crochets)

Long Time No Post

2011-09-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I've posted. It seems like just yesterday! I've been very busy, mostly on Ravelry, including Sock Knitters Anonymous & the Editor's Group.Let's see. what have I been doing:Went to the 2nd Sock Summit, where I managed to visit the emergency room on my first day and hobbled around the rest of the time with cellulitis. My team did win the Yarn/Fiber Trivia contest Saturday

Sock Summit!

2009-08-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

I've been back for a week from Portland OR for the very first Sock Summit, 2009. I haven't finished unpacking my suitcase, but most of the yarn has been entered into Ravelry and pictures posted to Flikr.The highlights for me:The Sock Museum, where I had three pairs of socks (one a pair of Bosnian socks I donated, and two pairs I made)The Sock Hop, where I wore my pedal pushers and sock hop

Cheeky Kittens

2009-07-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this kitty?LOST: August 7th, 2009, Half Moon Bay CA4 months old, spayed, loving, ID chippedMy DD got a new kitten a few weeks ago, mostly to be a mouser and an outdoor cat since I am allergic to cats. She flew off to Costa Rica (back tonight), leaving the kitten here with us. The kitten can't go outside since she was spayed two weeks ago. DD named her Chiquita. but I'm calling her

Thistle Lace Socks

2009-06-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

As part of the Socks Knitters Anonymous Ravelry group's Design Your Own Sock June challenge, I've been busy designing a new sock and writing up the pattern. It's now available on the sidebar and on Ravelry.I'm using a solid color Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in a mauvey cocoa brown color. I used a lace pattern from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury and charted it out to be knit in the round using a

65 Questions (what happened to only 20?)

2009-06-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Aren't gardens wonderful? This gladiola spike was 5 feet tall.1. First thing you wash in the shower? under my arms2. What color is your favorite hoodie? navy blue velour (my only hoodie)3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? of course4. Do you plan outfits? occasionally5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? achy and in pain6. What is the closest thing to you that’s red? the light on my

My Secret Garden

2009-03-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

Mystery FlowersAs if my obsession with Ravelry wasn't enough, some of my friends on that site just introduced me to a new website for gardeners, Folia. This flower has been in my garden since we bought the house. We've dug the bulbs up every fall and replanted them, given them away, and still don't know what this plant is. Someone told me it was a Madeira Lily, but it doesn't look like the

Eyelet Scarf Pattern

2009-01-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

My blog has been sadly neglected while I spent time dealing with life, knitting and browsing & editing on Ravelry.I have learned a few new things, one of which being how to make a PDF and link PDF patterns to the blog.Here's a new scarf pattern I came up with today while in a stash busting mood. If you want a printable version, please click on the PDF link.Direct download: PDF pattern linkSuri

Crocheted Juliet Cap

2008-05-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

Shades of the Sixties!Better late than never, here is a pattern in honor of Pete Seeger, whose birthday was May 3rd. Juliet CapApproximately 60 grams (100 yards) worsted weight yarnFor the original hat, I used Passport Yarns London, a discontinued yarn sold at Michael's, but you can use any worsted weight yarn you have on hand. The cap pictured was crocheted using a vintage mercerized cotton

Pinwheel Beret Pattern

2008-03-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Daylight Savings Time, America!As promised, here is the beret pattern that I developed from the Pinwheel sweater designed by Shelly Mackie for elann.com. I seem to be on a spiral kick recently. I just finished these easy spiral socks (a free pattern designed by Sandi Rosner) as well as the beret and the pinwheel sweater. I wear this beret almost every day. It looks great on my head, with

Stitches West 2008!

2008-02-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

Had a great day yesterday visiting with my cousin who was up from sunny SOCAL. I sewed the last button on my mom's tweed stitch cardigan and she modeled it for the camera, so I will soon have pictures to post. The cardigan was originally for me, but gauge was not my friend once again. It was my first steeked garment, adapted heavily from a pullover in Sally Melville's Color book. My mom loves it,

That's My Story and I'm Sticking to it

2008-01-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

Mea culpa (I'm not Catholic, but the image & words popped into my head.) It' s been over 2 months since my last post, so here's one I was working on BR (before ) I have been knitting, and here's proof: a felted bag project (my own design) finished and ready to shrink.I also started (and finished) a larger felted tote, knit in a stranded design using two colors of Kureyon over the long, cold

I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing

2007-10-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since I posted. What can I say? I've been busy at work, knitting, and spending way too much time on Ravelry. I also went to a quilt festival and our big local whoop te do, the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. I'm lucky I can walk there, otherwise I wouldn't be attending. 300,000 people descend on our small town over two days, and traffic is a nightmare. All the locals do their

Corrections to Fish Scales Pattern

2007-09-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

I ran into a little trouble making my second sock.Here is the corrected Fishtail Lace stitch pattern in its entirety: Multiple of 8 stitches Round 1: K1, *YO, K2, SL1, K2tog, PSSO, K2, YO, K1* repeat between *’s to end Rounds 2, 4 & 6: Knit Round 3: K2, *YO, K1, SL1, K2tog, PSSO, K1, YO, K3* repeat between *’s to last 6 stitches, end YO, K1, SL1, K2tog, PSSO, K1, YO, K1 Round 5: K3, *YO, SL1

Sock Number One is Finished

2007-09-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Corrected 9/22/07I finally finished the first sock of my most recent self designed pattern. Basically, I take a stitch pattern and plug it into my favorite basic sock pattern that fits me, but here it is if you are interested. I think that if I make this pattern again I'll leave an open area, or maybe a cable, between the lace repeats. The stitch pattern is Fishtail Lace, from the 365 stitch

Sockapalooza

2007-09-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks here. School started, which is always the busiest time of year for me, since I work at a district office. I received my package from my Sockapalooza 4 pal, Alice Yu, all the way from Onslow Gardens, London. When the package arrived I thought it was a Fairisle vest like Onslow wears so badly in Keeping up Appearances. What incredible socks Alice made! The yarn is my

Six Degrees of Draco Malfoy

2007-08-19T14:15:00.001-07:00

I'm supposed to post my assignment for the Hogwarts sock swap here for grading. I have to connect the Dursley family to Draco Malfoy in six steps, or degrees of separation, ala Kevin Bacon.Petunia Dursley is the sister of Lily Potter, who is the mother of Harry Potter, who is in Gryffindor House with Neville Longbottom, whose parents Frank & Alice Longbottom are tortured into madness by Bellatrix

Hogwarts Swap Socks Arrive in HMB

2007-08-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

I received an incredible package in the mail yesterday. It came all the way from Cambridge, England, courtesy of my Hogwarts sock swap pal Lyndsey-Jane. She sent me custom hand knit VOG ON lace anklet socks made from hand dyed Ravenclaw striped yarn, the leftover yarn in case I want to make the socks longer or to use in another project, a matching fringed bookmark, a chocolate truffle candy bar,

Still No Sock Knitting

2007-08-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

I started knitting the Via Diagonale bag by Wendy Wonnacott from Knitty's Spring 2005 issue last week and I'm at the binding off point. I could not stop knitting on this project! Everything else got put on hold. I'm using two stash yarns: a Chinese red Pingouin mercerized cotton from Elann left over from a sweater I made my Dad 5 years ago and some cabled cotton, also from Elann, that I helped a

No Sock Knitting

2007-08-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

The weather is normal for this time of year: misty and overcast in the morning, then the fog burns off and the sun comes out. I've been getting the itch to knit more than socks. Being able to see all of the great projects others have made in Ravelry has been an inspiration. It's also been a distraction, leading to less knitting time than usual.I also got some great books at the Knitpicks 40% off

Harry Potter Has Arrived

2007-07-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

No spoilers here.Doesn't this Horcrux sock look perfect to accompany the new book? My Hogwarts sock swap package has not yet been delivered by owl post yet, but I woke up early this morning to greet impatient garage sale buyers. I was informed yesterday afternoon by DD that she and a friend were holding a garage sale at my house this morning. Of course they both overslept (!!) They eventually

Friday the 13th Again? Let's Feast

2007-07-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

It's time for another Friday Feast!AppetizerWhat is your favorite fruit? Watermelon SoupWho is someone you consider as a great role model? Audrey Hepburn SaladIf you were to spend one night anywhere within an hour of your home, where would you choose?The Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco Main CourseName something you do too often. Eat DessertFill in the blank: I really like dyeing fabric

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire 2nd Years

2007-07-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

I've joined the second year Hogwarts sock swap (signups open tomorrow 7/14 for first years) and need to post my questionnaire here for my pal to read and to earn my first house points.You can see the results of the first swap in my last post. I haven't received my swap socks, but I've been told they are coming soon, all the way from Harry's homeland (I guessed). I might have to wait to see the

Hogwarts Sock Swap

2007-07-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

I finally sent off my Hogwarts sock swap package to Shannon in Maryland on Friday. She received it by special delivery Owl post on Tuesday! That owl must have been caffeinated or something. I've never had a package fly so fast all the way from California to the East Coast. It must be the higher rates the owls are charging now. I couldn't post any pictures earlier because Shannon had figured out

It's Finally Friday's Feast

2007-07-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

This flower doesn't even look real, but it was blooming outside my room in Costa Rica.The chef was away this week, so there weren't any new questions posted, but I've missed a few Fridays, so here's a new one for me.AppetizerWhat do you consider to be the ultimate snack food?Chocolate SoupOn a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is your last name?6? (I have no idea, but

Why I Haven't Posted Recently

2007-06-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't been knitting much lately. My DD rented an apartment nearby and is moving out this weekend, plus I have been packing up books so I can move the bookcases and paint the living room next weekend. I also got my invitation to Ravelry almost 2 weeks ago and I've been busy scanning projects, listing yarn stash and chronicling my knitting odyssey over the last few years. It's been good for me

TGIFriday Feast

2007-06-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

It's a payday Friday, so let's have a feast.AppetizerHow many pieces of jewelry do you wear most days?Wedding ring, sometimes a necklace if I remember SoupWhat is your favorite instrumental song? This one is hard, I can never remember the names of the instrumental songs. Green Onions, I think, orSukiyaki SaladWho has a last name that you like?Candace Eisner Strick (she's a knitting author &

Fiber Feast Friday

2007-06-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

It's Friday, so let's have a Feast.AppetizerName a funny habit you have.My hands must be kept busy at all times. I used to shred my napkin under the table when I wasn't allowed to leave until everyone had finished. Twirling my hair was the first thing that came to mind. I do that when I can't knit, instead of twiddling my thumbs.SoupIf you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument,

Phoenix Rising Here

2007-06-22T19:34:00.001-07:00

Warning: SPOILER ALERT: Don't scroll down further if you still haven't received your Rockin' Sock Club package, although since I am on the West Coast my package was in the last shipment, so hopefully everyone else has received theirs already.I came home after a frustrating day to find a nice flat package on my doorstep (not crammed into the mailbox.) I knew it was coming, but it was still a nice

Jaywalkers Cross the Finish Line

2007-06-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

I got the second skein of Jitterbug yarn in the mail today, (along with two more in semi-solid colors) only two days after ordering it from Jimmy Bean's Wool. Now that's what I call customer service. I wound it into a ball and found a knot quite near the end. The little golf ball of yarn that resulted was just enough to finish the second Jaywalker sock. The socks fit me, although they are a

Jaywalkers hit a Roadblock

2007-06-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

They would be finished if I hadn't run out of yarn!I'm really getting good at those double decreases. I've been working on my first pair of Jaywalkers, using Colinette Jitterbug yarn in Jay. I've hit a roadblock, though. I ran out of yarn halfway down the foot of sock two. Not to worry, I ordered another skein, plus some in a coordinating color to make another pair. In fact, I followed the

Friday the 15th Feast

2007-06-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

It's Friday, so let's have a Feast.AppetizerFill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is _________________…Beach sunsets. The beach is right down the block (well okay 3 blocks) from my house.SoupCreate a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”).Necessary Evil. I'm allergic to perfume so I use unscented deodorant.SaladWhat was the last piece of software you

Number Nine Socks

2007-06-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

I finished the RPM socks from Knitty last night, pair number nine for the 52 pair plunge. Sorry the picture is so bad. The dark colors in this Fleece Artist yarn don't show up well on screen. It's the colorway Parrot: blues, greens, fuschias and purples, all very luscious. These are definitely winter socks, though. The yarn is really thick and squishy, especially in the spiral rib pattern.A

Virtual Vacation Swap

2007-06-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

I joined yet another swap. The Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap sounded like fun when I read about it on Dave's blog this morning. I was one of the last to sign up (it's always last minute when I travel), and here's my questionnaire.1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why? I really want to go back to Hawaii. I was there a few years ago for the first time and didn't

Artistic Inspiration

2007-06-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

I took the day off from work today and went to see two museum shows which are closing on Sunday.Show One: French jewelry of the 20th century, at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I have just one thing to say: the designers and artisans who made jewelry in the early 1900's were incredible. The later jewelry was less awe inspiring, although still beautiful. There's also a great

Finished Socks!

2007-06-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

of the 52 pair plunge challenge!I finished the toe on sock two of my vine lace stripe socks last night while watching the season finale of The Riches. (Interesting show, very different.)I also finished sock number 1 of the RPM socks I started a few weeks ago (my mindless knitting project). They are made from Fleece Artist Merino in the parrot colorway, blues, greens, purples, magentas. Just

Goal Setting

2007-06-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

These are my Regia cotton slip stitch socks, from an old KnitNet pattern. One skein each of black and a grey/white mix (leftover from a pair of lace socks)I saw this idea on Krys' blog, and thought it was great. I've decided to try and set goals (and meet them) every month in 2007.Despite my unusual productivity in March-May, I still did a fairly shabby job when it came to meeting my goals--maybe

Vine Lace Summer Socks Pattern

2007-05-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

In honor of Memorial Day, the traditional start of summer weather and activities, but also so much more. Take a minute tomorrow at 3:00 pm local time to remember those who have died serving our country in war and peace. Memorial Day started after the Civil War as Decoration Day, when people would go to the cemetary to clean up graves and place flags and flowers.The actual stitch pattern for these

Lucky Seven

2007-05-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

I finished pair number seven in the 52 pair plunge challenge a few days ago. I used a cream colored Regia cotton. This is the Grapevine pattern from More Sensational Socks by Charlene Schurch (Page 96). It's a 12 round pattern, with every odd round plain knitting. I think these might be for my Sockapalooza 4 swap pal. I was happily knitting along and belatedly realized that the foot was long

It's here!!! My Knitter's Treat Exchange package

2007-05-18T18:37:00.001-07:00

I arrived home yesterday after a really bad day (sinus infection, aching muscles, no time to even sit down for 5 hours straight) to a satisfyingly stuffed mailbox. My package had arrived from my upstream treater in the Knitter's Treat Exchange. I sent a package to Chrissie in Singapore, and in return I got a wonderful package from Amanda in Tasmania. She sent me a great package with incredible

Personal Knitting Herstory, Part I

2007-05-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'm wearing these summery socks today as I write this. These are my lost socks.Two posts in one day! That's unusual for me, especially this month. I found this on fluffy knitter Deb's blog. Consider yourself tagged if you want to perpetuate this meme.bold for stuff you've done, italics for stuff you plan to do eventually and normal for stuff you don't intend to do ever unless you move to

Fiber Weekend with Stash Enhancement:Take Two

2007-05-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

I've made quite a lot of progress on the cream colored Regia cotton Grapevine sock. This pattern is from More sensational Socks by Charlene Schurch (Page 96). It's a 12 round pattern, but every odd round is plain knitting and the others are very similar to each other.I also frogged the Opal Hundertwasser cotton sock and restarted it without the ribbing. I'm using a garter stitch cuff that waves

Stash Enhancement

2007-05-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

My (stash enabling) knitter friend & neighbor emailed me that she added a new rule to her personal knit from your stash guidelines. If the yarn is new to you, you are allowed to buy it. (Don't know if that means you can buy one skein or a whole project's worth.) I liked that rule. For her, it meant she could buy Colinette's new Jitterbug sock yarn. For me, it meant that I could use my birthday

Sunday Seven Quatorze

2007-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

Seven things that I'm grateful for this week: Fluffy dwarf rabbits who feel so warm and cuddly. We'll forgive the shedding, it's just more fiber to knit with!Gilmore Girls fans Strawberries fresh from the garden Sourdough bread Completed hand knit socks Suzi's Knits research on sock yarn gauges Deb Barnhill's sock knitting time trials

I've been Remiss

2007-05-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks, and the only posts I've made are the really easy ones, with almost nothing about knitting. I've been knitting all along, just not writing about it. I finished one of my Monkey socks and am halfway down the leg on sock two. The second sock should be finished this weekend, just in time to meet my 52 Pair Plunge goal of a finished pair every week. This is one of the

Fantastic Friday Feast

2007-05-04T15:35:00.000-07:00

AppetizerName something you would not want to own.Another Fiat automobile SoupDescribe your hair (texture, color, length, etc.).My hair is ash blonde, shoulder length, wavy, frizzy and fine, although there is a lot of it. SaladFinish this sentence: I’ll never forget my mother. Main CourseWhich famous person would you like to be for one day? Why?I would have liked to be Eleanor of Aquitaine when

Birthday Week

2007-04-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

I found this fun meme on Marigold's blog while I was looking at her Hogwarts swap socks. She's making Ravenclaw socks out of Koigu! Maybe they're for me?1. Go to Wikipedia and enter your birthday without the year:May 32. List 3 events that occurred that day: 1960 - The Anne Frank House opened in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. On my way back home after 9 weeks in England I arrived in Amsterdam

Sunday Seven: A Baker's Dozen

2007-04-29T00:02:00.000-07:00

Seven Things I'm thankful for this week: Spring Sundays Strong coffee Free time to knit Clean sheetsCosta Rica vacations Family pot lucksFresh orange juice

Hooray it's Finally Friday

2007-04-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

Let's have a feast! AppetizerHow fast can you type?I have passed a typing test at 45 words a minute but only because I have a photographic memory. I refused to take typing in school because I wasn't going to be a secretary. Many term papers (and blog entries) later, I sometimes regret my decision. SoupWhat is your favorite online game?mahjong SaladOn a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), how

Four Pairs Down, 48 More to Knit

2007-04-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

I finished my 4th pair for the month of April. Only 48 more to go for the 52 pair plunge challenge. The socks are based on the Horcrux pattern by Susan Pierce Lawrence, but I made major alterations to it. No pictures yet because these socks are for my Hogwarts swap pal. The original pattern, knitted in worsted weight yarn, is available on Susan's blog. A fingering weight version is available to

Sunday Seven Dozen

2007-04-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

Seven things I'm grateful for this week: Spring Showers overnight (we need the rain) Bead stores online Needle nose plyers DD's who have a bead collection to die for Color theory classes Pack rat tendencies Spring sunshine during the day I spent this morning making beaded stitch markers for knitting. It was a lot of fun and I didn't want to stop but I ran out of head pins.

Thank Goodness it's Friday's Feast

2007-04-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Friday FunAppetizerWhat is your favorite kind of bread?Sourdough of any type, most especially Beckman's Three Seed whole wheat variety and the long gone but still lamented late bake sourdough loaves from Lombardi's. When we lived on the East Coast our friends would send us sourdough bread and hard salami from San Francisco for Christmas. SoupWhen was the last time you bought a new pillow?I found

It's Official! I am a Sock Knitting Fool

2007-04-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with knitting socks right now. Yesterday, instead of finishing my taxes, I started knitting the Horcux socks designed by Susan Pierce Lawrence. These socks were the mystery socks on her blog in March, and didn't have a name. I won't say much more about that because they are for the Hogwarts sock swap and are a secret. I've changed the pattern quite a bit, too. (No more hints for my

Sunday Seven Eleven

2007-04-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

Seven Things I'm grateful for this week: Cookie A's creative sock patterns. I'm working on the Monkey pattern from Knitty's winter issue right now. Shelridge Farms soft touch ultra hand painted sock yarn. I'm using this for my Monkey socks. Pony Pearl double point needles in small sizes and 6" length. They are perfect for the Monkey socks. April 15th is on a Sunday this year.Clarinex

Friday Feast for the 13th

2007-04-13T17:32:00.000-07:00

I like this one. It's Friday the 13th, so let's have a feast. AppetizerWhen you were a child, which crayon color was your favorite? Periwinkle Blue, but I liked every wierd color in the 64 crayon box. I still buy a new box every so often, especially when they add new colors. SoupOn a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move?The

Marble Arches FO

2007-04-13T15:52:00.000-07:00

I have another FO! I finished my Marble Arches socks today. These were started back in the fall when I got the kit from the Rockin Sock club. I was past the heel on sock one when I decided that the top of the sock was just too ruffled for my foot. I ripped out the sock in February and reknitted it with about 1/3 less stitches at the top, and just finished sock two. I had to postpone knitting the

Knitting with Kids

2007-04-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

I volunteer at a lunch time knitting group at the local middle school once a week. We have two boys and from 10-15 girls on a regular basis. This week was the first meeting after spring vacation, and we met in a new room, so there were only two students today. There were actually four, but two hadn't brought their projects. It was a good thing.We had given most of them a little felted bag project

Where Were You in '62?

2007-04-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

I caught this loooong meme from Dharmafey, right after she caught one from me.What were you doing?20 years ago (April 1987)Age? 33Were you in school? NoWhere did you work?I owned a clothing store in Santa Rosa CAWhere did you live?Healdsburg, CAWhat were your regular

Spiral Mosaic Socks Nearing the Finish Line

2007-04-08T01:57:00.000-07:00

I watched The Good Shepherd tonight and worked on socks. It was very interesting. My dad had a friend from law school who was in the CIA (I think) during the same time period. I wish I could have discussed it with my dad but he's unable to speak at this point in his Alzheimer's dementia.My spiral mosaic socks are winding down to the finish line, well ahead of the deadline for next week's pair in

Sunday Seven Times Ten

2007-04-08T00:54:00.000-07:00

Seven Things I'm grateful for this week: Cicely Barker and her Flower Fairies Online Libraries Warm hand knitted socks Easter egg dyes Knit Wiki Movies that make me cry happy tears EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann)

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

2007-04-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

I joined a new sock swap and have to post this questionnaire on my blog and also on the Hogwarts sock swap page. In anticipation of the new book coming out this summer, we've been assigned a swap partner and will make them socks in their house colors.1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Ravenclaw 2. Shoe size? 8.5 wide

Toning Down Bright Colors

2007-04-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here's the second pair of socks I made using the slip stitch pattern from the Judy at the knitter. I was so happy with the first pair that I immediately cast on for another pair, but I thought I'd try using just one yarn for each color. They are both variegated. The pink yarn came from Elann and was much brighter than I expected. I used a blue/black Opal yarn as the contrast color and

Slip Stitch Patterned Socks

2007-04-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share the first pair of mosaic stitch socks which I made a few years ago. I love using slip stitch patterns, also known as mosaic stitches. They work well in socks for uniting leftover balls of yarn using a 50 gram ball of a solid color as the contrast. and using the leftovers as your contrast color. This does make a striking sock, but there are lots more ends to weave in.These

Sunday Seven to the Nines

2007-04-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

Seven Things I'm grateful for this week: Good friends who scan old pictures and email them to you April birthdays Home grown vegetables The large stash of yarn I have on hand to knit from when money is tight Fresh baked artichoke bread from Norm's market in Pescadero, CA Cafe Mochas Sunday mornings at home

Finally Finished!

2007-03-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

I finished the seemingly endless Socka socks for DH I've been working on for months. They've been my "take in the car just in case (JIC?)" socks. I used the alternating 2 X 2 rib pattern from SKS. They were supposed to be done for Christmas. I guess they'll be an April Fool's day present now.Since I had a free set of needles, rather than finish another sock project, I cast on for a new sock using

Knitter's Treat Swap Questions

2007-03-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

I signed up for yet another swap/exchange. These are fun! I have to post the questionnaire on my blog, so here goes.1. What's your favourite type of yarn?SOFT! (angora, silk, cotton, linen, chenille, superwash wool, bamboo)2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?SCRATCHY! (mohair, Lopi, shetland wool, rayon chenille, acrylic)3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?

50 Songs of My Misspent Youth

2007-03-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

Wendy of Wendy's Woolies tagged me with this one. You take the top 50 records from the year you were 18 from this website, post the list and then -bold the ones you liked, strike the ones you disliked and italicize the ones you knew but didn’t particularly like or dislike. The ones you don’t know will still be in normal text. The year I was 18 was 1971, not a great year for music. 1970 was much

Sunday Seven/Eighths

2007-03-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

Seven things I'm grateful for this week.1. Stick shift cars2. Trader Joe's3. The Sunday paper4. Spring Weather5. The Yellow Pages6. Rotary cutters for quilting7. KleenexI took a class yesterday with Judy Sisneros on making a quilt pattern called Winding Paths. The quilt pieces are still pinned to the design board in my car, since I went to visit my mother instead of going home. Today we're going

Sock Madness Est Fini

2007-03-23T18:32:00.000-07:00

I've gone down in flames in the second round of sock madness. I was paired with one of the faster knitters in my bracket from round one. I was the last to qualify, what were they thinking of with the matchups! She is already finished with both socks and I have just finished the heel and gusset on sock one! I knew when they announced that the pattern was coming on Thursday afternoon that I was a

Knit Wiki Encyclopedia of Knitting

2007-03-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a post on the socknitters list, I just discovered a new site to help knitters connect, learn and explore the world of knitting. It's a wiki: a free, user developed, online encyclopedia for knitting patterns, history, stitches, links and connections. I've put a link to the site in my sidebar and hope every knitter will visit, enjoy the site and contribute. The developer of the site is

A Knitting Book List Meme

2007-03-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

I like it!This is only a partial list of the thousands of knitting books, how-to's and fiction available. Copy the list to your blog, italicize the ones you’ve read, bold the ones you own, **the ones on your Wish List, change the color to red on the ones not worth the money. Note alongside any one that is very special to you, or that you use most often. Have FUN1. Dyed in the Wool: A Knitting

Slip Stitch O Rama

2007-03-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

I watched a great movie from Netflix last night and knit on my new sock. The movie is called "Her Majesty". I thought I was ordering the Helen Mirren movie, and was kind of surprised when she never showed up in this one. After a while I figured it out. It's about a little girl in rural New Zealand in 1952 who idolizes the new queen. She writes her several letters and is thrilled to hear she will

Sock Madness Round 2

2007-03-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

I got my instructions for the next round of Sock Madness. We'll get the pattern on Thursday afternoon and the first to finish in each group of 2 goes on to the next round. The pattern calls for sport weight yarn this time. I have a free needle in the right size and lots of yarn in my stash. I do have a knitting group on Thursday night where I don't usually get much personal knitting done, and a

Who Knew?

2007-03-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

Your Inner European is Spanish!Energetic and lively.You bring the party with you!Who's Your Inner European?With a name like Marguerite, I thought I'd be French.

Sunday VII, Part Seven

2007-03-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

This is my delightful niece Sophia, who was born in Brussels, moved to Prague at age 2, and lives in Rangoon, Myanmar right now. I knit her a baby surprise jacket when she was in Brussels. Now that she lives in a hot climate it's hard to find things to knit for her. She's 5 years old, goes to a Japanese kindergarten, and is a tri-lingual bundle of energy. Do you agree with Sophia that she looks

On the Home Stretch

2007-03-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

I've been working on these socks for my DH for a while now. They've been my travel socks, the mindless pattern that I carry around with me to knit in my spare moments. I finally turned the heel on sock two last week and am almost finished with the foot. I'm using the Alternating 2 X 2 Rib basketweave stitch from the SKS book (page 38). I've had this Socka striping tweed yarn in my stash for

The Luck O' The Irish

2007-03-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

I must have been kissed by a leprachaun this week.I'm only Irish by marriage, but it's a pretty Irish household.On Tuesday I was the last contestant in my division of Sock Madness to make it through to the next round, and I did it by the skin of my flying fingers. My socks even had green in them.On Wednesday I filled out two door prize drawing forms, one for my boss (who wasn't even there yet)

People Can Do Amazing Stuff with Computers

2007-03-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

I was playing around with a shareware paint program on my computer, using the filters. I love filters. I took a picture of a quilt I made and applied different filters to it. These are my two favorites.Here's the original image.Here's the first tweak; and this is the final tweak:Both images started with the same original image. Aren't computers amazing? Of course I know that a computer is only

The Dreaded Kitchener Stitch

2007-03-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

I tried it once, on my first practice sock. Not a pretty sight. Then I discovered the three needle bind off and that's how I finish all of my sock toes. I can't feel the seam at all, so I don't bother with Kitchener. If someone else who I am l knitting socks for is bothered by the seam, I will do a star toe instead. Anything to avoid the dreaded Kitchener.

Toe UP Socks

2007-03-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

I've made exactly two toe up socks. Actually neither one of them is done yet but I am past the (short row) heel already. Notice I said socks, not pairs. They are two entirely different pairs of socks. One has been on the needles for about 5 years. It's made of Fixation using DPN's and I JUST HATE KNITTING CUFFS ON DPN'S. I have about an inch to knit on the cuff before I bind off. One of these

How did the computer guess My Favorite Color?

2007-03-15T00:09:00.000-07:00

You Are Teal GreenYou are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you.Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible.While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks.Your warm personality nicely counteracts any strange habits you may have.What Color Green Are You?

Meme: 100 Books

2007-03-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

Copy this meme to your own blog and edit it to match your reading style. It's kind of fun to see the kind of books everyone likes. A very wide assortment.Look at the list of (100) books below.Bold the ones you’ve read.Italicize the ones you want to read.Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in.Movies don’t count.1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)3. To

Sock Madness Round 1 Completed

2007-03-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

I MADE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND!After a hectic weekend when I got no laundry done, I finally finished both sock madness socks. I ran out of navy blue yarn at the heel of sock two. I knew that was a possibility when I started and I had a backup yarn planned. Turns out it was a slightly lighter weight than the original. I used some yarn I hand dyed for the variegated yarn. I also ran out of that yarn

Favorite Yarns for Felting Projects

2007-03-13T10:05:00.000-07:00

I personally prefer a heavier bag, so I almost always double strand, except for the self striping yarn. If you can find a bulky yarn that's not too expensive you don't have to double strand. Lamb's Pride Bulky is great. It has 125 yards a skein, so it's actually cheaper than using two strands of the worsted weight Lamb's Pride at 190 yards a skein. It's harder to find in as many colors,

Sunday Seven, Part VI

2007-03-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

Seven things I am grateful for this week:1. Spring flowersThis picture was taken last spring in my garden. This year the freesias and madeira lilies are already in bloom, but the bearded iris usually bloom in April and May. I've taken the iris rhizomes that produce this flower with me wherever I've moved for the last 26 years. The very first time the iris bloomed in my garden was the day my DD

Fiber Weekends

2007-03-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

I had a fibery weekend with a knitting friend whose family was out of town. Saturday afternoon and evening we knitted and watched her new Lucy Neatby sock knitting DVD. Then we got bored and watched an old Masterpiece Theater with a very young Jeremy Irons: Love for Lydia (look for it at your local library.) We kept knitting the whole time. My friend started a new ripple pattern jacket in Silk

Charity Knitting

2007-03-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

Stanford Hospital's cancer center has put out a request forchemo hats, especially for men. They need to be made in softyarn. This could be a good way to reduce your stash and trynew patterns.Some good ideas for soft yarn:(Not all of these come in "masculine" colors)Lion Brand MicrospunLion Brand Cotton EaseBerroco ChinchillaKnitpicks Shine and Shine SportWildflower DK cotton and acrylicCrystal

Rockin Sock Club Inside Out Sock

2007-03-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

I'm working on the new SOTM design from Socks that Rock, Inside Out. I ripped out the garter stitch short row heel I did last night and redid it on a smaller needle. This is my second ever short row heel and I didn't quite get the directions. The heel I ripped out had some holes, and the replacement looks great. I'm ready to start the cable pattern. The pattern is still striping regularly, and

I got a BIG Squishy

2007-03-06T15:13:00.000-08:00

I got a package from Astrid in The Netherlands! Enough yarn for 17 pairs of socks at an average price of $11.00 (shipping costs are astronomical from Europe to California, but cheaper than flying there to pick up the yarn.) I got a skein of the Opal Hundertwasser (and a free sideways knit sock pattern to use with it) in the Silver Spiral colorway. I think it's the best of the Hundertwasser colors

Honeycomb Slip Stitch Sock Pattern

2007-03-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

A (nearly new) sock pattern in honor of what would have been my grandmother's 106th birthday today. She taught me to sew and made my Barbie a real mink stole (which I still have) from a scrap of someone's mink coat, brown satin and a rhinestone button. I moved this pattern from my old website so it would be more available. I prefer using a 12" ADDI turbo circular to knit my sock, so that's how

New Socks that Rock Project

2007-03-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

I finished my Swirly Girl socks last night, so I had a free needle to transfer the toe from my new Rockin Socks that Rock Monsoon socks onto. I prefer to use a 12" long ADDI turbo to knit my socks. I tried using the Magic Loop and double points, neither of which worked well. I don't yet have two size 2.5 mm circulars, so I had to finish the SG socks before I could start knitting up the foot of

Lost your Socks?

2007-03-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

The Bizarro cartoon today made me laugh. Thanks to my sock knitting friend Elizabeth in Norway for this link.I finished knitting a pair of socks and wanted to wear them before I wove in the ends. Well, then I couldn't wash them until I wove in the ends. They were on top of my dryer waiting for me to weave in the ends and one disappeared. I looked in back of the dryer and all over the garage but I

Sunday Seven Part V

2007-03-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

The title sounds like a Shakespeare play, doesn't it? Henry VI, Part IISeven Things I am grateful for this week.1. I missed last week due to Stitches West, so we'll start with that. I had a great time and learned a lot2. My mom is home from the hospital less than two weeks after hip replacement surgery.3. My Rockin Sock Club shipment arrived, and I completed my first short row toe successfully. I

What I would rather be doing instead of watching a movie.

2007-03-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

Sitting on the beach in Hawai'i.(or Half Moon Bay, Costa Rica, Cozumel, you pick)Watching the sunset.or knitting.......................socks

Do you have a Life?

2007-03-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

It’s been alleged that if you’ve seen over 85 movies you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste it in and put x’s by the ones that you have seen. Add them up, figure out whether you’ve got a life or not, and post it. (X) Rocky Horror Picture Show(X) Grease(X) Pirates of the Caribbean(X) Pirates of the Caribbean 2:

Rockin Sock Club

2007-03-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

It's here! The first shipment of the new year. I was just reading about the trials and tribulations of Kaci and crew and I heard a thud at my door. The mailman had dropped off my package of sock yarn. Hurrah Hurray Kalooh Kaleigh!It's a beautiful spring day here but I am suffering from acacia allergies so I'm home from work. I also got a new DVD from Netflix, based on Rosamund Pilcher's book

Basic Sock Pattern on 12" Circular Needle

2007-03-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

Sized to fit Women's Medium (size 8 feet) Men's Medium or Women's Large in ( ) Gauge: 8.5 sts and 9 rows to the inch in stockinette. SUPPLIES NEEDED: Size 2.5 MM Addi Turbo(r) Circular needle (U.S. size 1.5) Size 2.5 mm or 2.25 mm (1 U.S.) double point needles, which you will need for the heel and the toes, set of 5. I prefer using a 12" ADDI turbo circular to knit my sock, so that's

25 things about my knitting life

2007-02-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? My favorites are soft yarns and natural fibers. I have trouble with mohair and scratchy wools like Shetland and Lopi. I like cotton and wool blends for socks, merino wool, silk, angora, cashmere, baby alpaca.2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a nice ceramic vase on my desk for the

Stitches West/ I succumbed

2007-02-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

I had 4 days of classes at Stitches West, met someone for lunch on Saturday (no shopping that day until after class at 5:00), and yet I still managed to buy yarn. It was a good thing I brought a bag lunch on Friday because I spent my whole lunch break (2 hours) at the Woolstock booth looking for another bag of some Louisa Harding Aran weight cashmere blend. Everything at the Woolstock booth was 1

New Sock Projects

2007-02-20T17:30:00.000-08:00

I started a new sock last night after finishing my Socks that Rock Pink Granite Marble Arches design. I got some Tofutsies yarn and the Swirly Girl pattern by the Knitiot. I am not using the the Tofutsies yarn, though. I had some Nature's Palette naturally dyed yarn from Full Thread Ahead in my stash, screaming to be knitted up. It is a pale sea green with dots of dark navy and bronze. The

Sunday Seven Part III

2007-02-18T23:10:00.000-08:00

1. Dave Mackay's wonderful page of heels for knitting socks. I just recently came across Dave's blog and was happy to see he's still knitting and feisty.2. The Knit List3. The Socknitters group website full of great patterns and ideas.4. Netflix5. Rosamunde Pilcher's books6. Folk Socks7. Chocolate Muffins