Learning Socks Two-At-A-Time

So, with all the socks I want to knit this year... and with how that second sock really drags, I decided I needed to learn how to knit Two-At-A-Time.



These are for Helen (they are fraternal twins since the stripes don't match up!). The pattern is the Most Basic Kid's Sock, and I am knitting the 4 to 8 year old size.

I found a great picture tutorial at Knit Freedom with Liat of how to cast on. The "picture" part is important, because it was naptime and I actually had both girls asleep and didn't want to wake them with a YouTube video!

I am not sure what I am going to do once I get to the gussets, I may switch to DPNs and then back to magic loop, but I think I am going to like this Two-At-A-Time thing!

New Reading Material!

Received yesterday!

I can't wait to share this amazing book with you... and with the sweaters on my needles!

Knit to Flatter: The only instructions you'll ever need to knit sweaters that make you look good and feel great!by Amy Herzog is fabulous!

Knitting Socks like crazy.

Last night I completed my Hermione's Everyday Socks - because Hermione is practical like that.



Clare wanted to help me photograph them this morning.



I made these as a part of the Knitting in Circles Podcast March Pop Culture Madness Knit Along (that is a mouthful). But, I have wanted to knit this pattern since I first saw it back in 2009. Luckily, I think I have enough yarn left over to make myself another pair as my mother claimed these as her own.

In other news, I am waiting patiently (and Helen is waiting impatiently) for the arrival of our "Snow White" Merino wool that I will be spinning in April. That will be a "Spin Along" with my new favorite dyer Hogg Wild Fibers. You should like her on facebook! She is just about to dye up her first batch of sock yarn!!

This is the last week to get Disney Princess inspired fiber (or Disney Fairy!) for the April SAL, and you can even get her to pre-spin it for you to knit or crochet with if you are not a spinner. This is such a fun chance to include Helen in my hobby, I couldn't resist! Hurry to the Hogg Wild Fiber Etsy shop if you want some too!

Taking it easy and spinning away.

I think Diane of Knitabulls has it right, we should be doing what we love and what makes us happy when it comes to crafting. Why pressure yourself into a tizzy when you can work on things you love.



This year I am knitting what I want to knit too. I am casting on what I want and finishing what I want. I don't need to complete 500 projects. I don't need to. I just need to knit... and now I need to spin! Because spinning makes me happy!



My first spinning ever was this Knit Picks Wool of the Andes fiber. It spun up thick and squishy. It is basically one of the cheapest fibers you can buy (at least I think it is!). I liked it fine... and then I tried this:


(This is a swap package from an awesome lady in Denver! Yay for swaps!)



This is 100% Heinz 57 wool, and it is super strong and clingy. I have been able to spin it up much thinner than the Knit Picks and I am loving it! Spinning this makes me want to try even more types of fibers and ahem... look into spinning wheels.



Yesterday, it was lovely outside. The girls and I wandered around the yard checking out the budding plants, and I spun as we walked! It was fabulous. They played and I spun. What a beautiful day. More fiber is in the mail to me now! I can't wait to share more spinning fun with you :)

By the way, Dawn has an Esty shop where you can buy her hand dyed Heinz 57 and some gorgeous handspun yarn: daybreakdyeworks.etsy.com

Lots of things.

I know I haven't been blogging a lot lately. I will blame it on living. Sometimes you just gotta live.



No worries though, all is well. I have been knitting away, enjoying my kids, planting fruit trees, and avoiding cooking dinner.

What have I been knitting?

Preemie Hats and Socks out of delicious Family Pendragon yarn.







David's Socks. He loves them.



A family set of hats with spirit!



A little blue sweater from (incredibly old) stashed acrylic yarn.



A little bit on my Rocio sweater - when will this lace pattern end!?



My happy sunshine socks.



Hermione's Everyday Socks with Paton's Kroy sock yarn which I super LOVE.



Lots of knitting, and lots more planned.

Knitting in the Sun.

It is a sunshiny day today. So pleasant, that the little one and I tromped around the yard and did a few less than pleasant chores... and had a blast doing it!

Now I am knitting in the sun. How nice, I could sit here at my warm sunny window all day.



I am knitting my first pair of socks for myself as a part of the "Never have I ever...." Knit-A-Long with the "Watcha Swatchin Podcast". (I really enjoy Emily's little mini podcasts!)

These socks are 3 things I have never done:

1. Knit socks for myself
2. Knit an afterthought heel
3. Use self-striping yarn



I am SO loving this Knit Picks Felici Sportweight (which they are sadly discontinuing... so if you want some you better hurry! They will still have the fingering weight.). Believe it or not, this is the "Sunny Day" colorway - how perfect.



I have been busy with lots of other knitting as well... hopefully I will have a chance to post about those projects soon :) Have a happy sunny day!

Powering through, the Mordor Shawl

As my pile of works in progress continues to grow, I decided it was time to finish something. In order for me to complete a project I dedicate 85% of my totally knitting time every day to that object... otherwise they never get finished.



Last week I focused my attentions on the Mordor Shawl, a lovely pattern and a beautiful finished shawl. I love that it is long and narrow... almost like a scarf. I still need to block it to get more of a crescent shape.

I made some minor modifications, such as doubling the contrast color band before the ruffle border, but don't ask me how exactly how I worked it all out... it was a figure it out as I go kind of thing.



The orange is Berroco Vintage DK in Pumpkin (pumpkin spice?) and the multi is Lorna's Laces Sportmate in the November '12 Rusty Bucket colorway. Love love love these colors. I knit most of this while catching up on Downton Abbey, and the purples and grays of the Lorna's Laces looked so much like the beautiful gowns of the Grantham sisters.


(Hey! look! It's the Dinosaur Train, lol.)

One 2013 project down, many more to go.