Friday Eye Candy

Clemson Sock yarn....

...And thats all I have to say about that! :)

More Socks...

So...

I used to go on Ravelry and see people who knit and knit and knit socks, and I couldn't understand why.  With gorgeous sweater patterns, hats galore and baby blankets needed - how could you always choose socks?

Now I get it.  

Knit a couple sweaters (spending $65-$100 on yarn and knitting for weeks and weeks) and have them not fit.  Have runs in the sleeve (no matter how tight you pull the stitches) and patterns that end up making you look HUGE and you'll start knitting socks.  

Knit three baby blankets in a year (taking months at a time of boring boring stockinette in cotton that makes your hands ache) for someone to toss it in a pile with all the other Target blankets and you'll start knitting socks (and baby hats - those are quick!).

Live in SC where a knitted hat (scarf, gloves, mittens) are useful for about two months out of twelve - at night.  And you'll start knitting socks

You'll knit socks...because...

They always fit

They can't make you look fat

They cost $20 in yarn (alot for socks yes, vs. a blanket or sweater - not so much)

You can wear them year round

And so...I knit socks.

From my new very own sock club - I present Ampersands with Spunky Eclectic Ravelry yarn.  Again on size 4's (it calls for 3's I dont' have em - 4's have worked out just great) and the first sock knit in less than a week.  I did however, have a very weak moment that had it not been for my vow to knit a PAIR of socks at a time (henceforth in 2010) then I would have certainly cast on with this yummy goodness I received this week.  And I plan to knit this second Ampersand sock even faster so I can get to it soon!

Oh yum!  

Cherry Tree Hill Fingerpaints Self-Striping in Summer Sweet. OMG really - its AMAZING!

What are you knitting? (is it socks?)  :)

Finished Socks...

... as promised.

First, BlackJacks.  

The first pair I started (that never got a second sock) and the last to be finished.  

 But cute, and fun, and SWIRLY!

Disappointingly though, they ended up not matching.  One had more blue, the other more green.  I like the blue sock better...alas

But under a pair of jeans you wont' hardly notice and I really like the pattern and the way the colors swirled (except for all the pooling at my ankle - at least it pooled the same on both).

Secondly, the Duckies.  DK socks - Oh how I love thee!

Soft and Sweet and Happy Feet indeed...

These adorable socks are on their way to Ohio - lovingly made and wrapped and in a package for my mom for Mother's Day.  I have NEVER knit socks for anyone other than myself.  That (even in DK weight) should give you and idea how MUCH I Love my Mom!

Sock of the Month

There has been ALOT of sock knitting going on around here....

Blackjack socks with Lorna's Laces limited edition colorway - Robin's Egg from last April (yeah - it took me a year to knit these socks)

THESE socks however are looking more like one week to complete (I may start knitting all DK weight socks)

These are Duckies in Happy Feet

I am loving these!  But both pairs are coming to an end and I decided to take the Yarn Harlot's advice.  Make your own sock club.  So I took the sock yarn from my stash, matched each one up with a pattern I would like to make with it and stuffed them each into a baggie.  Then I had hubby choose one and that will be the next pair of socks I knit (yes, girls - PAIR!  I am trying!)  So... here is my make-shift sock club all set up and ready to go...

Exciting huh?

There are enough there for May-November if I knit a pair a month (lofty goal if I do say so myself - cuz none of those are DK weight...)  but I am really thrilled about the prospect and hoping it keeps me motivated to knit a PAIR of socks and move on to the next one out of the grab bag.

I bet you just can't wait to see all these finished socks and what hubby picked next- any guesses?

Socks

Well I promised a finished PAIR of socks and finally I am here to deliver.  These socks have been done (the knitting part) for over two weeks - but as Morgan has taught me - it isn't DONE until you weave your ends in (I HATE weaving ends in btw). 

Anyway, for a sock pattern named Tadpoles these had a very fitting finish last night as I weaved the ends in while we were out fishing.  It also made for quite a good picture opportunity...

That leaves only one single sock left without a partner.  I'm working on that...

(oddly enough I knit the second sock for each of these in the exact opposite order I knit the first sock in)

Anyway, to try and eliminate this problem in the future I recently started this too...

So far, I don't get it.  Ugh!  SSS will forever plague me!

(oh and tomorrow IS Friday Eye Candy - and its GOOD Friday - so I'll make it a good one! Make sure you come back!)

Ravelympics Wrap Up

So I mentioned a couple times I was knitting my little heart out for the Ravelympics.  I chose to not follow any rules or join any team - but to make an effort to knit every night while watching the Olympics (and man, I really enjoyed watching them this year!)  Don't know if that's because I got to enjoy knitting at the same time or b/c I'm getting a bit older, but they sure were fun!  Recap of what you have already seen that I started and finished in this 2+ week period...

The OSU hat for Drew

The PeaPod Hat for Drew

 

  

and new to you... I also started and finished a "boy hat" for me

 

  

 Lorna's Laces sock (held doubled) in Dec 2009 limited colorway

and the second sock of my mmmm malabrigo set
 

 

(no more lonely sock! one down - two to go!)

I also started (but didn't quite yet finish) my Wrenna sweater

 

(front)

 

(back)

Made from Lions Brand Bulky - in taupe.  QUICK knit - but I am debating about adding more rows - it looks really short right now and I'm supposed to end it (just add 3 rows of rib).  I think I need to add the 6 more rows of the lace chart like the medium size - thoughts?!?

All this knitting has inspired me to work on another second sock (yea!) and so far that is going really fast.  I'm also inspired to try to make this ala Lindsey Vonn - but I guess I have four years to get on that!

Finally, a parting shot of me - in my finished socks watching the Olympics - oh sweet victory!

 

You might knit too much...

If you asked your hubby to meet you (out of his way) at the house so you could run errands together (instead of the usual meeting him at the intended location) 

AND if it wasn't ...

b/c you love riding in his big truck (which I do!)

or

b/c you want to listen to your favorite Avett CD (that he has)

or 

b/c you enjoy his company so much (did that just rank 3rd?!  oops)

but

b/c you want to knit some more rows on your sock - and you can't do that if you're driving

you might knit too much...

(yeah, that's a phone pic of me knitting through lunch too)

(its the deadline folks...I only have until the Closing Ceremonies to get this finished!!)