Here's What's On and Off My Needles

Here's what I've been working on this week in the knitting area.  First, I finished my 4th pair of socks. These were made with Diversity yarn, which has an elasticity and but feels like cotton.  They are fun to make because of the self striping and feel so good on.

Then I did a little more on my faux infinity cowl from months ago.  This yarn is awful to work with so I'm not too excited about knitting with it.  I love the color and look of the yarn after it's knitted though.

Maybe part of the problem is I'm using an interchangeable circular needle, and because of the fibers in this acryllic yarn, it seems I have to constantly re-tighten the tips almost after every round.  Not fun.  I do it because the alternative would be awful -- having it coming apart midstream.  You cannot see your stitches with the yarn even though it's all knitted.  I would never be able to find my stitches to get them back on the needle correctly.  It will be the last time I buy any of this yarn. 

Since I was so frustrated with the handling of this project, I decided to cast on a simple facecloth for some easy, peasy knitting.  I give these as gifts, so it's always good to keep a supply on hand for those occasions.  I add a good smelling facial soap with each cloth as a little Thank You gift, or "just because" gift.

That's about it for this week's knitting.  I am waiting until after the busy Christmas season to concentrate on learning toe up socks on circulars.  If you have been following me, you know, I've been saying that for a long time, but I WILL get there. lol

I'm linking up with OTN over at Patchwork Times.  Check out what others are up to.

On the Needles - A Day Late

Oops, I missed Friday and almost lost Saturday too.  I'm a little late for the party, but I did get the first sock finished with the Diversity yarn.  I was concerned that I might run out before the end of the toe, but I actually had quite a bit left over.  Now I'm upset that I didn't make the leg longer.  I do love the way it striped though and it feels so soft on my foot. Now to going on the second one.

I also spent a little time and added a few more inches on the Faux Mobius Cowl.  The weather is getting colder, so I need to get this finished soon. 

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times' OTN party.  If you haven't been there, go see what others are knitting up.

On The Needles Catch Up for June 6, 2014

The faster I go the farther behind I get is my motto these days.  It seems as if I cannot get a post done on the day it's due, but at least this shows I am working toward finishing some my projects.

Here is what's on my needles this week.  First, I finished one of the House Targaryen socks and have started the 2nd one.

I also started another Faux Mobius cowl in a darker color gradation that will go with nicely with fall colors.

Go to Patchwork Times to see more knitting inspirations.  

On and Off the Needles - May 30, 2014

Today marks the last OTN post for May.  I had hoped to have both of my knitting projects finished by the end of the month, but did manage to finish one of them.  Remember the Faux Mobius Shawl that I started back in April- you can see my post about it HERE.  It is finished.  yay!!

My quiet helper "Lady Jane" says it's a bit too warm to wear right now, but she was so cooperative while I tried different ways to wrap it.  This was by far the best of my tries.  You don't want to see what the others looked like.   Not pretty.

I'm still working on the House Targaryen socks.  Just finished the heel and heading toward the toe.  It's taking a bit longer because I'm doing the shell pattern all the way to the toe decrease row, otherwise I would be finished and starting my second sock!  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.--because it's true.

If you haven't seen what others have done this week on their needles. stop by Judy's Patchwork Times and check it out.

On the Needles - May 9, 2014

It seems like forever since I've posted anything.  Since that time I've been to the AQS show in Paducah for 4 days and a visit to a good friend in Alabama.  She took us to one location of the world famous Blue Bell Ice Cream Creameries and other fun places.  Since returning from my travels, I haven't had a lot of time for knitting or quilting, but here is what's on my needles.

A few more inches were done on my House of Targaryan socks that I started in April, before I ran into trouble.  I lost one of the needles out of the stitches and couldn't get my pattern back on the needle correctly.  This set me back a week until I found someone to rescue me.  I have to concentrate and pay attention to what I'm doing on the pattern row. Hopefully that will improve if I can sit and knit for longer periods of time and not so far between knitting sessions. :)

On my circular needles is the Faux Mobiius Cowl also started in April.   It's about three-fourths done and I can talk, walk and chew gum while knitting this one!   I've gone through all the colors in the yarn once and am starting on the first color again.  I think it's turning out pretty nice.  

What have you been up to lately?  Is it too hot in your area for knitting now and maybe you've put it away for the summer.  I hope to knit all through summer because most places are so air conditioned that it feels like winter inside sometimes.  It's also very relaxing to me and I am really enjoying doing socks.

I'm linking up with OTN over at Judy's Patchwork Times, so stop on by and see what others have on their needles.

On and Off the Needles - April 18, 2014

Today I'm happy to show off my first pair of knitted socks--finished. Yipee!!

1st pair of knitted socks

I'd like to thank Judy Laquidara for inspiring me to try knitting socks years ago when she came to St. Louis to teach a workshop and telling me not to give up no matter how many times you have to rip out and cast on repeatedly for the same sock(which I did numerous times), and my friend Sheron who started a pair with me so I had a mentor when I became discouraged or dropped stitches and made a mess of it (she gladly came to my rescue several times) and to Lenora who gifted me the beautiful Opal wool yarn from her magnificent stash to make my first pair. Now I am hooked and I look forward to my next pair. Thank you ladies for encouraging me and helping me learn to knit socks. I am loving this new skill and look forward to knitting many more pairs.

Now see what came in my "Box of Fun" that I teased you about on my post Wednesday. 

Surprise, more yarn and a set of circular needles.  On the right is Judy's Loopy Legion "Judy's Favorite Quilt" and on the left is Denise's "Mandarin Duck".  Aren't they just beautiful.  They feel so soft and can't wait to start another pair of socks with one of them.  My only dilema is which one to try first!  

The set of circular needles are the small size set of Chiao Goo stainless circulars.  I was so excited to see how they worked, I started an easy project called Faux Mobius Cowl made from 1 skein of Rainbow Boucle with Size 8 needles. This gave me a chance to try out the largest tips which came with my circular set and red lace 32" cable, This set has sizes U.S.#2 through U.S.#8.

I wanted the color shown on the wrapper which was black, charcoal grey through a silvery grey/white, which would look great on a black coat, but they were all sold out of that color.  There were many other beautiful choices though and I ended up with blues/teal/grey/turquoise blends.

These are the first two colors and I'm not sure how long each color covers, but so far I like what I'm seeing.  Here is the huge skein with all the range of colors.. I was in such a hurry to get started that I didn't take time to try winding it somehow or pulling it from the center.  Next time I'll know better.

Before the arrival of the Box of Fun, I had started another pair of socks using KnitPicks' Stroll Tweed. The color is Thirst Heather. The pattern is Game of Thrones-House Targaryen by Christine Pike.  I have to blame give credit to Teresa of A Quilt and a Prayer for making me try this pattern. Really, she twisted my arm until I said OK. lol.  Take a look at her beautiful red ones HERE and then you'll understand why I was inspired to start these.

To see what others are doing in the knitting arena, stop by On The Needles at Judy's Patchwork Times.