12 August 2007 by KeiB

Psycho Knitter, Qu’est-ce que c’est?….

Sockamania #1 Fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, finished objects! (with apologies to my beloved Talking Heads)

Two more down for SOS ’07 and my first sock for the Sockamania knitalong (love this one). The green is my first sock from the Favourite Socks book – Anniversry Sock – and it was knit in this month’s Pick Up Sticks sock club yarn. The blue is “Spiralling Socks”, the spirals mirror each other on the left and right sock. This was done in J. Knits yarn from the Loopy Ewe. Love this yarn – it’s very fine and soft and the varigations are perfect (I’m not a fan of “pooley” and “stripey”, unless I buy a self-striping).

The second installment of Socktopia’s Mystery Sock came out yesterday, I’d just cast on the 2nd cuff – didn’t want to stop knitting with the yarn – so I’m anxious to get started on Part two today. And I finally have my Six Sox “I Love Gansey” started – this is coming out better than I expected, the yarn is NOT fighting with the design and that makes me happy :). I’ll cast on my “Shooting Stockings” for my commuter sock – nothing else is portable – what with charts and working from two ends of a yarn cake!

Yes – I probably need an intervention…

Oh! And this is totally cool….

I was nominated by SMariek, who has some of the best (free) hat / scarf and “warshrag” patterns that I’ve knit – drop by for a visit :)!

4 August 2007 by KeiB

Warning – Fugly Sock Is Posted – VAYOR!

View At Your Own Risk – SOS#3 – fugly sock AKA “Fawkes” sock by Momma Monkey at Socktopia and SOS#4 a KB Design in Zen String sock club colour “Lily”. (This is also my August sock for SAM4). Number 5 is on the needles, “Party Socks” from Favourite Socks in the July Pick Up Sticks club colour “Green Apple” Shelridge Farm yarn. I joined the Sockamania club and have cast on the August pattern “Spiralling Socks” in yarn from The Loopy Ewe (JKnits “Miami”) and am really enjoying this knit – after the fuglies, my eyes need a break!

I have also joined the Chevron Scarf KAL, and have two versions going. One is in Zen String Harmony, the “Chocolate Cherise” and a limited edition pink colourways, the second version is Scout’s Swag “Orchids” and Fleece Artist “Moss” – quite possibly my favourite green.

I am trying to break out of this sock-addiction, well, um-m-m… after I wrap up the eleventy-hundred sock KAL’s that I’m in. For inspiration though… I bought another kit from One Planet Yarn & Fibre. I am already a fan of Melissa‘s patterns and this one was too cute to resist, the “Sunshine Tank”. I’ve already downloaded the pattern – just waiting on the yarn – I’m going with the exact yarn specified, right down to the colour. Most of the KAL’s I belong to have voted on the August, August / September designs and I went stash diving to find some nice combinations. Here’s some of what I came up with:

Here’s a picture of the Sunshine Tank:

And last (at last! Must go knit or this will turn into a blather blog) Yarn & Other Pr0n this week included:

I did a mini update of my Pre-Blog knits (hard to find & scan all those “old” pictures)! You can see them here if you’d like.

And… I’m spent!! Hasta Tarde

28 July 2007 by KeiB

ETA – The Camera Is Back!

Yay! Second pair in SOS 2007 are done. I used Claudia’s Handpaints for these – first time I’ve knit with it, if you can believe that! Won’t be the last time though, great yarn, similar to Koigu. I wasn’t expecting the striping, but I rather like the overall effect. My third pair is also finished – that would be the fuggly “Fawkes“, but DD has run off with the camera for the weekend. The fourth pair is halfway done – this is a pattern of my own design in Zen String “Lotus Toes”, a club colour called “Lily”. You’ll have to take my word, they are pretty :). I did receive my July Pick Up Sticks club and it is nice – it included another fabulous Canadian yarn, Shelridge Farm and I couldn’t resist casting on (yet another!) pair, just to try it out. My Posh Yarns packet arrived too, and I can’t believe how gorgeous these yarns are – it almost seems a shame to make socks with it! I will update this post with the YP pictures as soon as the camera is back. SAM3 has almost wrapped up, my July socks were done, so I’ve signed up for SAM4. I’m pretty much keeping myself in enough socky-excuses to never knit a real garment again. DH and I went out with friends after work yesterday for supper at our favourite Indian restaurant – I am currently in a butter-chicken coma and am having trouble knitting over top of what was my waistline! Maybe I should go and poke about in the garden and burn a few calories – reminds me – Mama E’s “Karin’s Garden” is back in stock at The Sweet Sheep, for those who were asking the last time :). Cheers for now – piccys later…

Shelridge Farm
The Fuggly Fawkes (SOS’07 #3) broke the camera – OK, they didn’t, I left the mate at work! Can you imagine if that was my only project? Man there would be a rift in the fabric of the universe if I didn’t have some knitting!! I will post a pic soon :).

21 July 2007 by KeiB

OMG – I Feel Like The World’s Biggest Geek!

The sorting hat says that I belong in Ravenclaw!

Said Ravenclaw, “We’ll teach those whose intelligence is surest.”

Ravenclaw students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent, and knowledgeable.
Notable residents include Cho Chang and Padma Patil (objects of Harry and Ron’s affections), and Luna Lovegood (daughter of The Quibbler magazine’s editor).

Take the most scientific Harry Potter
Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

I’m really not sure if this is good, bad or indifferent – I’m not well versed in Harry Potter lore. And it was pretty close – I came up as 84 Gryffindor, 92 Ravenclaw, 90 Huffpuff, and 32 Slytherin. I don’t think I could really like someone who didn’t have a little Slytherin!

On the knitting front, I am working on a Harry Potter-themed sock, “Fawkes” from Momma Monkey at Socktopia. The yarn is so ugly, it’s burning my eyes! Thank God it’s merino/tencel or I would probably bury it – it does suit the theme though, and I’m sure one of my nieces will find them bee-yoo-tee-ful! I am knitting a second sock at the same time – rewarding myself with a few rows of lovely for every row of fuggly – all in the name of SoS ’07. And in true startitis-style, I started another sock this AM – just for the hell of it…

I received a wonderful parcel in the mail this week, too. From One Planet, some beautiful Artesano alpaca Inca Cloud and a pattern by Jean Moss. Can’t wait to get started on this project :).

14 July 2007 by KeiB

And The Socks Go On…

At last, my first SOS ’07 socks are done. I really like these – the colour, the pattern, yummy! I am working away on the Miranda socks now – I likely won’t finish them by the end of July, but what the heck? Its summer :). I have spent all day today playing with my Dream In Colour Shrug – I do get sick of knitting socks (they’re just so damn quick and satisfying!) and the DIC worsted-weight is so scrummy, I just had to pick it up KAL’s or no KAL’s

I noticed that Anita has some updates on the afghans for Afghans project – please go and take a look, it’s so great to see this taking off :).

I wish I had more knitting done – especially after venturing into the ~~wool superstore~~, craft room, and seeing just how much yarn I’ve managed to acquire in the last year. Holy crap! Maybe if it were in clear bins, I would notice more often what’s there! Anyway… here’s some Yarn Pr0n to distract (I know, I am a hypocrite, ha)!

Latest Yarn Pr0n

1 July 2007 by KeiB

If You Thought I Was Long-winded Before…

Many of you already know about and are participating in “afghans for Afghans“, a ‘humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan’.

I received an email this week from Anita B, who has started a home grown version of this wonderful charity. Anita asked if I would help spread the word here in Ottawa, and I said “Sure”! I am so happy to see a Canadian group started and I am honoured to have been asked. I will post the flyer that Anita has given me, on the National Capital Knitters home page. Please check it out, spread the word, and if you can, knit!

In knitting news… Go Team Koigu!! We defended our Socktopia Knit-off title against the worthy Team Louet and emerged victorious :). “Clementine”, the knit-off pattern, was supposed to be my first SOS 2007 sock, but unfourtunately, due to a technical glitch with my email, it is disqualified. “Brigit”, above, will stand in. I started it on the kick-off day for SOS, June 21st – celtic knots, moss colour… it all seemed to add up to a great Solstice Sock.

I have a ton of other WIP’s (what’s new?), the “Miranda” socks in some stashed Lorna’s, my Dream In Colour shrug – and there’s a KAL, and just waiting for my laceweight to arrive for the Mystery Stole 3 knitalong.

Another month means most of the Yarn Pr0n is of the sock club variety, both Zen String and Pick Up Sticks arrived this week. But so did my ZuluKnitty from Scout – OMG – the colours are so gorgeous, I could just frame this and stare!

Dream In Colour Shrug

And the sock clubs…

Tomorrow is Canada Day – I hope everyone is “getting their flag on” :).

24 June 2007 by KeiB

Oh My Darling Clementine!

Whoa! Break out the ibuprofen – Socktopia grudge match is done! In March, team Koigu won the Socktopia knit-off, and team Louet wanted a rematch. So, on Friday at 1:30pm EST, a new pattern was released and we went into battle again. I was at work, and surreptisiously printed off the pattern (only one page, no tsking!) and did get a cuff done before the end of the day. Just wrapped them up an hour or so ago. (Click pic for details). Come on Koigu!
I was surprised at how my new shoes brought out the inner pirate in some of you 🙂 – I already have a first mate, who will hopefully post a photo soon. If anyone is interested, they are available at SofMoc (Canada) and they are Sketchers brand. DS has an awesome slip-on pair, same skullies in Freda Kahlo-ish print. Too bad he has size 10 feet!
Summer of Socks 2007 kicked off on the Solstice (21st) and I chose a celtic knot pattern and Fleece Artist merino sock in “Moss” for my first sock (well, actually my 2nd now I guess). I’ll post a progress photo as and ETA to this post later. Can’t post secret knitting, but it is coming along to. There has been Yarn Pr0n, but alas, not yet photographed. Blue Moon STR June kit, my June Pick Up Sticks kit, Dream in Colour worsted for a shrug from Sweet Sheep – so yummy! I’ll have them up soon. DeStash is now defunct, but I still have lots of stash to pass on to good homes, I can start a new page here, unless someone knows of a similar set-up elswhere in knitblogland?
National Capital Knitter’s continues to grow – it’s so nice to see, keep spreading the word!

16 June 2007 by KeiB

Aarrhh-hh-hh – Yarn Pr0n Ahoy!

OK, enough piratey jargon :)!! Although I could go on, and on…. Yarn Pr0n first today – ’cause it’s also Shoe Pr0n – my other favourite. To the left is my SeeJayneKnit “Clematis” kona, my wonderful “Skully” stitch markers and my new favourite “skully” shoes. It doesn’t get any better than this. The kona is soft and squishy and dyed by Jayne – who I’ve known in Bloglandia for quite awhile now. She has gone from knitter extraordinaire to diva of dyeing – go check out her wonderful yarns and stitch markers. I’m in a piratey mood because I also got into the new Yarn Pirate yarn club, and I’m ecstatic about that (after missing out on three yarn updates this week, I was feeling a little hard-done-by). What else? Hiiumaas for the KOTR kal are just about done and then I have a little bit of secret knitting to do. Just in time to begin Summer of Socks 2007 and the Socktopia “Grudge Match” (go Team Koigu)!

Hiiumaa L to R: Latest Zen String club skein, Hiiumaa progress, Harry Potter skein from Dharmafey

3 June 2007 by KeiB

Wow! Lot’s of New Projects…

Better late than never :). My completed “Waving Lace” socks – the May 2007 project for the E.A. Clark knitalong. I kept setting these aside for other projects, but on picking them up again, really enjoyed the “flow” of the pattern and especially loved the yarn. I tend to hoard my Sundara Yarns, but when I do knit with it – wow! It really is a treat!

So there are lots of new projects now that we’re into a new month (I list them with the KAL buttons on my sidebar). I won’t be doing the “Canada” sock for the KOTR knitalong – seems somewhat unpatriotic, but it’s not speaking to me right now, so – to the backburner – the new one will be voted on soon. I had some stashed Regia that I’ll use for the latest Six Sox knitalong pattern. Vintage sock knitalong is still in the voting process – but I would really like to do the “Miranda” sock. My “Angel Lace” pattern (the next E.A. Clark project) is on it’s way, and I’m thinking of using Handmaiden for that.

My apologies to the gals I tagged last week – I didn’t go round and let everyone know they were tagged – I figure if you want to do it, you will :).

I’ll be doing some secret knitting in the next couple months – maybe can show a flash here and there and I am very much looking forward to this year’s Summer of Socks. Yay for Jessica getting this going again – last year was a blast :)!

Just a little Yarn Pr0n this week. My love affair with Zen String Bambewe continues – I had to grab this skein of “Chocolate Cherise” and also some of the merino’tencel in “Bloom”. Duets has come out with a fingering weight version of their wonderful coordinating sock yarns, so I had to grab one to try (I much prefer fine weights for socks).

My hockey team is still alive in the Stanley Cup finals!!! The game last night against the Anaheim Ducks was a real nail-biter! It would be totally amazing to have this modern franchise Senators bring Stanley home to it’s birthplace (Ottawa) but I must confess that with all those good Canadian boys on the Ducks, I can’t hate them too much :). Go Sens!!

Pointe Shoes Punk Rock And Purl

Confessions of an ambicraftstrous yarnista

Summer Of Socks 2007