Patterns discussed:
Wheat-ear Pullover (remixed version)
Pearl Drop Socks (regauged)
Basic Ribbed Hat (no pattern)

Sock yarns discussed that I prefer in uses other than sock knitting:
Koigu KPPPM & KPM – shawls and sweaters
Dream in Color Smooshy – baby items
Lorna’s Laces Shepard’s Sock – baby items and accessories

(I might have accidentally messed up the color, it will be back to normal next week.)

Hey guys please let me know how the volume is? It might be a bit loud this time. If it is let me know and next week I will lower it to a reasonable level. Still working out the bugs. I normally use my video to Skype with my design partner Jenny.

Patterns shown:

Tapestry Cowl in Yummy Madelinetosh tosh sock
Wheat-ear pullover (Remixed) from Interweave Knits (IK) Summer 2007 in Cascade Venezia Worsted
The Green Whisper to arrive on March 2010
Dr. Gs Memory Vest in Malabrigo True Solid Merino Worsted
Pearl Drop sock (remix) in Madelinetosh tosh sock releases October 10th 2009

Needless to say when I announced my focus word this year,  I didn’t expect it to be tested so soon.  Over a week and a half ago, I was in the shower doing my normal routine of waiting for the dishwasher to finish its cycle, starting the washer, hopping into the shower between the fill and the rinse cycle (it makes me be faster) and something horrible happened.  At first I just thought it was the toilet starting to act up again so I poked my head out of the shower and glared at it.  Like that was going to be of any use, but once I stuck my head back into the shower, I noticed that something wasn’t so right with the bottom of the shower.  Let me remind you, I’m blind like a bat and might be able to distinguish color blobs when without my sight enhancers.  So I quickly wrapped up my shower and stepped out to a slightly soggy bathmat and a toilet that was refusing to behave.  Off I ran to the main bathroom, which is still in shambles (ok maybe not that bad, but I would rather be showering in there than the utility room) with the unfinished tub surround and noticed the throw rugs in there were wet.  I suddenly realized that THAT THING we had been warned about by the neighbors was happening.  Our SEWER was dead.  We are one of the few remaining homes on our street and in our area with the old pipes.  Now you wonder how can a SEWER go bad in a 50 year old house when it should be built with metal, clay pipes or concrete.  Well lovely folks, this is a paper town.  You know what that means.  Of course not, but basically it means they try to use paper for everything.  Our pipe from the house to the street was made of thick cardboard coated in tar.  Not really a material built to last, but it was a depression era invention.  Use what you have right?

Normally I would be freaking out about the cost, the time, the lack of usage.  Oddly I was at PEACE.  Yes I was.  A weird errie peace.  I normally can’t stand things to be torn up, out of place and not clean.  Plus I tend freak out that we will be broke and completely in debt at any moment.  Thankfully I don’t do the bills any more so I actually haven’t had those …. um …. manic paranoid freak-outs about money lately.  I love math but actually working with money that’s mine is a bit rough on me.  We actually are in a great place financially, which is a huge blessing.  On top of that 2 checks arrived in the mail.  One came right after the plumber came out to confirm our diagnosis of sewer failure for exactly the amount we paid and the second was a bonus from churchable’s company for meeting safety goals and turning a profit in the last year, which is amazing with all the downsizing of his mill and the economic climate at the moment.  I was shocked.  Everything was paid for by blessings in the forms of little tiny checks.  Ya’ll might call this providence or happy chance, but I say GOD is good for sending this to us.

Churchable with the help of a few scouts dug out the sewer (thankfully it wasn’t oozing), put in new better pipes and fill it back in over the last week.  We did it for less than half the lowest quote and that was with paying the scouts dig and fill in the ditch.  I’m so amazed that Churchable got it done so quickly.  I think he was too and he’s excited to start back on the stalled bathroom project.  So I might just be able to have a shower in the main bathroom by my birthday.  Maybe.  That might be wishful thinking.

Now lets share happier thoughts (ie the knitting):

I barely had any time to knit this weekend with teaching my first class. Sorry for the passworded post above but I needed a way for them to be able to access the handouts in case they lost them or they wanted to print out another copy for personal use. So in between teaching and holding a flash light for Churchable as he dug into the night, I knit the toe of the yellow sock. I also got a bit further on…..

I think I might have gotten a row or two done. Not to sure since its slow going. I love it and will be so happy when its done but its not the fastest knit for me, since I have to knit continental style and I normally throw because I’m more consistent in gauge and faster with stitching as a whole.

As I predicted, the wheat-ear remix has fallen by the way side. I’ve found more interesting things to occupy my interest, like my friends new pattern that she wanted me to test knit for her.

I even got to use some yummy Malabrigo DOS. A new sport weight test yarn that I’ve heard rumor will become new yarn line for Malabrigo. Its lovely and squishy and great for so many different types of projects. I plan on designing a lightweight sweater vest in it.

So the pattern is by my friend ZZwhitejd, she is in love with cables and has designed several patterns that are very creative and cute.  One even won the Malarabrigo Design Contest that was held in October, which has a prominent position on the front page of the Malabrigo website.  These mitts are so lovely that upon finishing the first mitt, I didn’t even want to take it off.  I did because I didn’t want to get it dirty while I cooked dinner.  Tomorrow, I might just go around one mitted so as to enjoy the feel.  Great job Jenny!!!

Pattern: Lillehammer by Jacquelynn Vance-Kuss    Raveled Here
Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8 Ply 2 skeins – Blue & Grey plus scraps of Lorna’s Laces Worsted from this project.
Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) Susan Bates Circular

Mods: I added about a half inch to the red strip to lengthen the hat to specification.

Facts to Remember: To trust your measurements
Things I love: My husband’s buddy when he slipped his hat on after Christmas and it fit perfectly.  Just in time for the snowy weather.  I think he might just live in that hat.

Pattern: Mingus sock by Cookie A Raveled Here
Yarn: Malabrigo sock yarn 1 skein – test color most similar to Indiecita
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm) Knitpicks Harmony Fixed Circular

Mods: None

Facts to Remember:  That I should be over ambitious when moderating a group to also be able to finish on time.  These were my ravelympics project and they were cast off 6 days late, because I was so busy with moderator duties and handing out awards.
Things I love:  The marriage of color and pattern.  They are my watery death.

Pattern: Jeweled Steps by Cat Bordhi from New Pathways for Sock knitters Book 1 Raveled Here
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Wool Print Colorway: Red Cinnamon – 2 skeins
Needles: US 0 (2.0mm) Crystal Palace Bamboo circulars

Mods: I reduced the gauge for these socks but other than that it is the pattern.  Cat’s book allows you to take a pattern once you understand the basics and switch it up.  This was my first pattern from this book.  I totally skipped the baby socks.

Facts to Remember:  That sometimes there is a gauge that is too tight.  These socks are fine but I maybe should have played with the gauge so that I might not have run out of yarn with such a short cuff.  I also need to remember that pink is a hard color to photograph.

Things I Love: That I finally used up these skeins of yarn.  I got them in a swap and was so not sure what to do because they just screamed pink at me.  Lucky me I got a pal that loved pink and pink with about any color.  She was also a great sport and measured her feet with all these weird measurements so that I could learn this technique idea really well.

Lexi’s Halloween Costume. The belt is ultra reflective.

While in Hawaii, I knew I would not see my parents again until after Christmas so I presented them with their Christmas gifts plus sent Care Bears Birthday gift off as a boarded the plane.

Pattern: A Hat fit for a Boyfriend by Stephanie Nicole Raveled Here
Gifted to: My Dad (I forgot to photograph him in it – it was a bit hot in Hawaii for him to model)
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Solid in special colorway Texas A&M – 1/2 skein
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm) Knitpicks Harmony Interchangeable Needles – magic looped

Mods:  None because this pattern rocks!!
Facts to Remember: That sometimes its fun to just jump in without a gauge swatch and that reds bleed like no other color.  Don’t worry Dad, I made sure it would no longer bleed before I gave it to you.
Things I Love:  My Dad’s Christmas Present in his school colors. I have never knit him anything before so I hoped he would like it, which he did. When I was in TX in April and saw his schools colors, I knew I had to get it for him since I am tired of buying him books about finance, health or star trek.

Pattern: Custom toe-up with gusset US 10 women’s shoes Raveled Here
Gifted to: Care Bear my BFF for her birthday/Halloween
Yarn: Spunky Eclectic Super DK in Candy Corn – 1 entire skein
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) & US 2 (3.0 mm) Knitpicks Harmony Fixed Circular

Mods: The whole thing is a mod, but I like a squishy thick sole but it was pooling like nothing else so I switched up the needles when I got to the heel to encourage some barber pole action.
Facts to Remember: To write down, your total foot stitch count so that the second sock looks the same.
Things I Love:  That Care Bear loved her socks and has already worn them twice.  She has now dubbed me her sock knitter for life, which is fine because she will sew me project bags if asked nicely.

Pattern: Custom toe-up short row heel US 6 1/2 Narrow Women’s Shoe Raveled Here
Gifted to: My mom who is modeling them above
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock in Colorway 258
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) Knitpicks Harmony Fixed Circular

Mods:  I started these for me but ended up giving them to my mom since my original present would not leave the needles.
Facts to Remember: That spit felting works wonders and that noro has knots.  This skein had 2.  That’s why one sock looks like its knit from cuff to toe and the other toe to cuff based on the color directions.
Things I Love:  I actually like the pink and purple in amongst the other colors even though they aren’t my fav colors.  I also adore how the fabric knit up and the color progression.  I originally was going to cut out the pink and purples but the color transitions were so nice plus my mom’s not against these colors.

I have been on vacation as you know. I tried to improve my photography skills. With the black volcanic rock of The Big Island and the pale blue of the ocean it proved a challenge. The above photo is one of my best pictures.

I was only there for two weeks. It was fun but a bit too hot for me. I really love the Pacific NW and its moderate temperatures and the ability to wear wool most of the year. Since I got back a month ago, I have been working on designs and enjoying my time off.

I have been feeling guilty that I have not knit Churchable a pair of socks since the 4th of July in 2007. He is over do for a pair of socks. I started the above socks quite a while ago but I disliked them with a passion and refused to work on them. So I frogged them and started over 2 weeks ago. I really trucked through the foot.

Its the October Holiday Stockpile on the Malabrigo Junkie Ravelry Group. I have done a few designs and knit a new cowl using a technique that I have never done before. I decided that I really needed winter coats so I started Flair last Monday and split off the arms this weekend. I have come to a decision point.

Which button looks better?

Pattern: Personal Toe-up pattern for US Men’s 8W Raveled Here
Yarn: Pagewood Farm Yukon Hand Dyed Bamboo Sock Yarn – 3/4 skein in Camo
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony Fixed Circular US 1.5 (2.50mm)

Mods: You could say this is entirely a mod. I used Judy’s Magic Cast-on for a toe-up start. Knit in the round with a short row heel and 4×4 ribbing.

Facts to Remember: That I might need to check my increases that I have an equal number on top and bottom. My first sock seemed to be right until I got to the start of 4×4 ribbing and I was 4 stitches off.

Things I love: The yarn. I am totally in love with this yarn. I got to review this yarn a little while ago. The colors are fabulous. They don’t seem to pool or stripe very easily. I think this year.s pair of socks is more successful than last year. I also enjoyed the plain stockinette stitch section on the foot. I knit many of these areas during movies. A nice mindless knit.

First up the second sock that was cast on this weekend,

CareBears sock has progress to movie knitting length. We will be going to see Indiana Jones soon at the pub theater and I intend to knit on this while there. Any more thoughts CareBear on the colors?

The Sexy Knitters Club has nominated Joan McGowan-Michael for the 3rd Quarter KAL. I have yarn for at least 5 patterns that I love but I doubt I will be able to knit all of those with Ravelympics and a vacation to Hawaii during August and September. I am knitting the Chocolate Creme Square-Neck Top from Knitting Lingerie Style. I am using Knitpicks newest yarn Comfy with trim in Nashua Cilantro. I am enamored with both yarns.

I started my mom’s Christmas present. I need to have it done by the time I leave for Hawaii or at least have it almost done when I board the plane on September 7th. I am knitting her a pattern that she picked out of Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan. If you are interested in what pattern check out my ravelry notebook.

I have been a bit over obsessed with a certain project in my rotation. It refused to let go of my attentions until last night (Wednesday) past midnight. I used every scrap of 5 skeins. Phew. It took a trip to show off at Twisted for my month yarn shop stop. Now it is waiting for a nice bath.

I was in a bit of Ennui with this sock, but I picked it up Saturday night and I fell back in love with it.  It grew quickly under my distracted attention.  The yarn was springy and nice.  I don’t know if my gauge changed or if I just have a different view of the yarn today.  It will probably flow past this weekend as I contemplate its special bits.

Care Bear’s socks are progressing and like I said she has been checking up on their progress, hoping to see the colors and look of these special prezzies.  No worries Care Bear, I know you too well and will be keeping things in the down low.

Needless to say this weekend will probably involve a rash of cast-onitis.