tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223163752009-12-03T14:42:30.365-08:00Knit Happens in Half Moon Bay knitting (mostly socks), thinking, creating with colorMargiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.netBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-54690694696930441782009-08-17T11:42:00.000-07:002009-08-17T12:05:51.899-07:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-17201906946700014802009-07-06T17:44:00.000-07:002009-08-17T11:39:14.891-07:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-18966351062637816852009-06-17T13:49:00.000-07:002009-06-17T13:58:58.871-07:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-6158242077378185892009-06-16T18:41:00.000-07:002009-06-16T22:03:07.756-07:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-10484751596340340052008-05-14T18:03:00.000-07:002009-04-04T13:26:52.429-07:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-5755751818314306612009-03-28T16:15:00.000-07:002009-03-31T15:13:23.617-07:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-60900243364544666972008-03-08T18:20:00.000-08:002009-01-05T13:20:29.633-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-39485454531999255612009-01-03T18:00:00.000-08:002009-01-05T13:12:58.528-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-1169493972571441272007-01-22T11:03:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:53.394-08:00

I joined a knit along for the Nicky Epstein bag in the Vogue Knitting Holiday issue.I am using Bartlett's Maine Wool which I had on hand in most of the same colors. I started out knitting it double stranded on size 13 needles to make a larger bag, but I'm not sure I'll continue with the larger size.I've also been distracted by learning entrelac, and made a bag from leftover Kureyon and a larger

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-24501800653308699262007-01-29T12:41:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:53.220-08:00

This is one of my favorite pairs of socks, made in 2001 from the brand new Opal yarn (no color numbers back then). I have a sensitivity to scratchy wool, so my favorite sock yarns have to be soft. I can't knit with, much less wear, mohair blends, Shetland Wool, Peace Fleece or Lopi.I have a lot of different sock yarns in my stash waiting to be tried. The first test in the LYS is to feel the yarn,

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-25158463675127613232007-02-05T11:40:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:52.937-08:00

I like this idea. Here are the seven things, with links, that I am thankful for this week:1. Hand Knitted Socks2. The fact that I don't seem to be allergic to superwash wool, baby alpaca or cashmere.3. Stitches West takes place near my house so I can afford to go, and it's during President's Week, so I can take the time off.4. The Secret Garden, by Francis Hodgson Burnett. I read it again every

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-54288631333899617322007-02-11T17:07:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:51.882-08:00

1. I am thankful that my mom is having hip replacement surgery Tuesday so hopefully she will be able to walk without pain. (Update: she had the surgery and it went well.)2. I am grateful that Marguerite is a knitter who shares.3. I am thankful the GUI interface was invented.4. I am grateful that I have a top loading washing machine and was able to felt some bags this weekend.5. I am happy that

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-22424320669819226402007-02-14T12:31:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:51.766-08:00

What a great present for V-Day. I got an email from Socks that Rock letting me know about the new blog they have set up. I was a charter member of the club last year but only knit one pair of socks. This year I hope to do better, and post pictures here. I was inspired to go home and rip out a sock I started from one of last year's kits and start over. I made a mistake at the beginning and it

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-1820995884970958672007-02-18T23:10:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:51.566-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-14182622468722167252007-02-20T17:30:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:51.341-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-22634946493932680502007-03-02T11:27:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:51.211-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-39878161017391138292007-03-03T20:19:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:50.914-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-78448835780107397182007-03-04T11:33:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:50.731-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-90173333062711254572007-03-04T15:21:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:50.399-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-72813451002323459822007-03-05T16:10:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:50.146-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-13402647260374981462007-03-05T18:02:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:50.017-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-21152404249200139812007-03-07T12:19:00.000-08:002008-11-12T22:30:49.804-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-39374844909543778662007-03-11T18:29:00.000-07:002008-11-12T22:30:49.665-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-32318634796293557332007-03-11T19:32:00.000-07:002008-11-12T22:30:49.495-08:00

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

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22316375.post-58776784606642492792007-03-13T10:05:00.000-07:002008-11-12T22:30:49.413-08:00

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,

Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17976296107280824177margie@coastside.net0