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These were put on the backburner since I had a deadline to accomplish the scarf. Everything else was put on hold. Now that I have some free/downtime, I'm trying to finish up these socks in a hurry. I know with the weather getting deathly hot, the man isn't going to wear them any time soon, so perhaps after a few washings, the holes may disappear...although I don't think those "scars" will go away.
They will be Reaver Socks forever! I originally called them "Two by Two, Socks of Blue", but, Kis*Knit (a far more talented knitter) beaten me to it. So I figured until I get my skills down and I can knit a pair without holes or super-wonky-ness, I think they really are Reaver socks.
However, being that the hubby has loved them from the beginning, without the slightest bit of "they could be better" - I knit on, laughing at myself and enjoying making these crazy socks...and planning to buy more sock yarn soon!!! And circulars because I need to learn the toe-up method, too...I can't wait!
Since I fnished Mum's jersey in early May, I've completed quite a few projects. And not new projects, either (though there certainly some of those), but some that had been sitting around, neglected, for quite a while!
To the left here you'll see my mitred-square blanket, finished just one week shy of the one year anniversary of its cast-on! After much prevarication (and sitting half-completed for many months), this blanket (that I first mentioned here) is done. It is cosy and warm, and a big hit with Maddy. It (rather like the cat) graces the bed at night, and the sofa during the day. I'm really very pleased with it - and pleased to have the stash of yarn set aside for it gone!
Two pairs of socks were also completed, putting an end to the second-sock syndrome. One pair of brown socks in Naturally Sensation (a merino/angora blend), which I'm loving as bed socks. The other pair, in Naturally Vero Tweed, were sent off to my Mum! I did manage to get both of these completed before a year was up, but for the second pair (which I wrote about when finishing the first sock) it was a pretty close call!
Finishing these items, and unravelling a couple of things I absolutely knew I would never finish (because I no longer wanted them), meant that for probably the first time since I was a teenager, I did not have somthing half-finished somehwere! I've always had lots of things on the go, so it was not something I expected to revel in, but it gave me a great sense of control!
So, those new projects that I've finished recently and not blogged about, well, if you're on Ravelry, you can check out my Handspun Garter Mitts, Aspire Garter Mitts, Handpun Scarf, Vero Tweed Calorimetry, Hottie Cover, Mum's Felted Bag, the Brown & Turquoise Bag for my bag swap recipient, two simple beanies for KidsCan, and the Handspun Mittens I mentioned in the last post, and twelve pairs of preemie baby booties for charity.
Is it any wonder I haven't had much time to spin (or blog)?! Right now I'm working on some preemie mittens, and a jersey for myself (I got a bunch of this done on WWKIP day - check out Catherynne's nice recap of our day knitting in public on Waiheke)!. I have bought some new yarn, too, so another jumper or cardigan for myself should be coming along fairly soon, along with long queued socks and a beret! I wonder, however, how long this finishing thing will last...
A group of us from knit night have signed up for the Ravelry Summer of Socks knitalong. There are various contests including most socks knit, and best socks on vacation photos. While I'm not going to fool myself into thinking I have any chance at the most socks knit, there may be some other categories for me. But winning doesn't really matter, it's more about being inspired and challenged by other sock knitters, trying out new patterns, and, of course, attempting to make a dent into that sock stash!
In preparation for the knitalong, which starts on the first day of summer, I've been trying to finish up what I've got on the needles. The Monkey Kaw Kaws are done!
The second Leafling is still on the needles, but it's getting there. I love the squishy heel on this sock. (Pardon the blurry photo.)
-Terre
I wonder how many independent and stubborn knitters in the world who, like myself, have all but banned the books written by the 'most popular' modern-day Knitting Gurus from their bookshelves because they see it as hopping on a bandwagon, going main-stream or being too trendy for them.
I have to admit...I never had the desire to read any of the Yarn Harlot's stuff before today.
I thought it was cool for her to get to have photos of thousands of people holding her socks, or her holding other's socks in progress on the needles (as is her signature move) while she travels to speaking engagements all across the globe. I guess I felt like she must have enough fans without me becoming one. Does that make any sense? Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe I felt like it should be me.
I don't know...anyway...here's where the Traveling Mercies post title comes in. Today at the library, I came across one of her books called Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off - The Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting. Now, anything having to do with traveling just intrigues me. Well, this was a knitting book with a travel theme! Doubly interesting! When I scanned through the book, I noticed the clever way she compared knitting to traveling. It really got my attention. So, I checked it out.
I came home and started to read it. I was extremely INTO the book, almost instantly. I thought to myself, "Oh no. I'm becoming a Yarn Harlot Fan!" Argh!!!! The thing that I didn't want to do! I didn't want to become some sort of freaky fanatic who drives three hours to get my photo taken holding a Yarn Harlot sock! I didn't want to give up being 'too avant-garde for the Best Seller List Club'.
Then, I saw them...three or four words within the first few chapters. Words that you don't want your young children repeating. As harmless as they are to most people in today's society, the words suck, hell and crap were never allowed in our vocabulary growing up. I don't even use them to this day out of respect for my elders (who probably blurt them out on a regular basis by now)...in fact this post is the first time in 35 years that I have ever spelled them out in that context. It's just the ultra-moral conservative code I have made for myself.
So...NOW I have a reason to retreat, right? NOW I have a reason to put the book down. I mean, I WILL NOT read such things written by someone called a Yarn HARLOT!
Would you believe, two years ago, I would have stopped reading at the first offensive word? In fact, I may not have checked it out at all for the sake of the moniker 'Yarn Harlot' alone. It's true! That's how I lived my life. You couldn't say 'butt' in my presence without me either sneering, scolding or marking you as an uncouth lout for using such a word. "We don't say that word...say 'bottom' or 'rear-end'". Seriously, you know people like that, don't you? Are you such an individual?
Well, I am so proud to say that within the last two years I have certainly mellowed and learned a lot about acceptance, tolerance and love. Can you guess from where I've learned these things? Well, I'll tell you...from a wonderful on-line crafting community. I joined Craftster.org about two years ago and it opened my eyes to different cultures, ways of life and camaraderie that I had never known before. I quickly found that I could either cancel my membership because I saw some posts with words that I didn't like to read and realized that some folks there were of different sexual and religious persuasions than I was, or I could stay in that super-creative atmosphere and learn so much from crafters from all over the world. Obviously, I decided to stick it out and not run away from fear of the unknown. I tell you, I learned a lot more than great crafting techniques there. I seriously learned to connect with and not 'disconnect' from people who did some of the things in the morally grey area that I saw as 'wrong' in the morally black and white world in which I lived.
So, my friends and family...I'm a changed woman. I know some of you who are 'on the straight and narrow' will be just as narrow as I used to be in your thoughts about my revelation, but I really can't help that. You may think, "Well, that's what she gets for consorting with sinners." I know that's what you might be thinking because I had the same thoughts you do about it for the first 30 years of my cognitive-thought life. It's what I was taught. Oh...and if you are offended and think that I could not be referring to YOU, then chill! I must not be talking about you. Hee-hee.
Obviously, not everyone can relate to this way of thinking...but I really used to feel sorry for people like me. I felt as though they had lost 'the righteous way'...and had fallen into a sea of mediocrity. Please, my dear family and long-time church-going friends...may I put your mind at ease? I feel set free! I have had a world of people put before me and I've been asked to love them, genuinely. And only now can I love them, faults and all. So, be encouraged...because that means that I can even love myself now. My imperfect self...and even you, too! :-) Even if you say the word 'butt'! Whoa!
So...back on topic. Today, I've become a Yarn Harlot fan. You may even see a photo some day of me standing next to her with a sock in both of our hands! I can't wait to finish reading this book. It even made me cry two times thus far. Not because it's sad in any way...but I had to shed a few tears for being blessed with the Traveling Mercies that have led me to a greater love of people, art, hobbies, excellent authors, traveling, culture, tolerance and humility.
I am forever your humble creative friend,
RM
Twist Collective, a new initiative that I am very proud to be part of. Launching August 1, 2008.
I've been using those not so pretty plastic stitch markers forever -- even those funky looking pink things. I've never been crazy about them, but didn't think I had any choice until I started seeing photos of cute pretty stitch markers that knitters were using on Ravelry. I was almost too embarrassed to post a photo of my Clapotis because I was using the plastic markers. Then I realized I could purchase some prettly little markers, or better yet, break out those beading supplies that have been collecting dust in my closet since the early nineties, and make my own!
Only problem is, it takes time away from knitting. Now to make enough for my Clapotis -- which is still a WIP after months and months...
A week ago Saturday was Color: A Fiber Festival. A festival that I hosted along with friends and vendors A Verb for Keeping Warm, Girl on the Rocks, Pigeonroof Studios, and Tactile. It was a warm sunny day, just perfect for some fiber, knitting, spinning, and weaving fun.
The morning started bright and early with setting up our main room.
The show got underway at 10 am and we had people waiting to get it!
This is what Krista's roving looked like after 30 minutes! Trust me, there was a whole lot more there when she started. I think Kathleen was the lucky one to get the last of the roving.
Thankfully, Krista did have some sock yarn to sell for the rest of the day. :)
We held 8 different classes through out the day; 3 drop spindle, 3 fiber tastings, and 2 how-to weavettes.
Brooke and Kristine introduced 30 people to spinning. Yea!
A live action spindle shot.
Our new spinners!
The fiber tastings focused on rare wool breeds, exotic fibers, and cellulose fibers and blends.
Fibers...
+ spinning = way too much fun!
So many fibers, so little time!
Karrie brought along her weavette looms and shared a new addiction skill.
Many folks came just for the opportunity to knit and spin with others.
Ah, ladybugs! I wants one.
Socks!
Handspun scarf in progress
Say "Hi" to Mike.
Another wheel at work.
Kathleen's multi-colored spindle and some yummy roving.
All I can say is that I can not wait for out next Color!
Blue Moon's sock camp, Camp Crows' Feet, held last week on Orcas Island was the most amazing knitting experience, ever! It's one of those things where you had to be there to fully understand this truly magical week filled with education, camp antics, knitting olympics, friendship, and fun, fun, fun!
And, of course, there was much much more... But whatever happens at sock camp, stays at sock camp. :) I will definitely be there again next year!
-Terre
I don't quite have the sock yarn stash that many out there do, but I certainly have more than I can knit for years to come. For this month, I received shipments from Blue Moon and Zen String. But before I show you the new stash, here's my progress on the Malabrigo socks:
And now, on to stash enhancement for March. Zen Strings Bambewe (merino, bamboo and nylon blend) in Kiwi:
Blue Moon's Socks that Rock Mediumweight Lucky:
-Terre
i have decided to grace vox with my presence. *grins* i never think about updating here when i finish something! But here I am... I will post some pictures of some FO's. I guess I just assume everyone could just look at my stuff on ravelry if they realllly wanted too. but alas, i like reading about everyone else's FOs on their blogs too... and ya'll are just like me i bet! so how about some pictures?
i did a test knit for a yarnie... she sent me the yarn and i knitted her some socks. i'll get free yarn when i decide what i want from her store. which reminds me: *stalks etsy store* I was aggravated with all the patterns I came up with for this sock, and finally Amy came to my rescue (AGAIN!) and I went with the cables, yo pattern. it's a really speedy pattern, i do recommend it for everyone! It's in Sensational Knitted Socks book.
and some in progress shots:
the yarn didnt really do what i wanted, but eh, what can ya do? yarn has a mind of it's own sometimes! I will knit this pattern again for myself sometime.
Hmmm, what else have I finished lately? I made Derek some thick wool socks to wear when he hunts... they took me all winter to make. Ha, oh well! I knitted them toe up so that they'd fit him.
let me see if there is anything else in the flickr album...
And it snowed here the other week or so...and I finally got a good snow picture after messing around with all the settings on my camera... it was snowing soooo much when i took this.
i also have this lacy scarf dealio on the needles.... i saw this pattern (omo scarf) on ravelry and it was so pretty in some cashmere yarn.... but the only DK wgt yarn I had is this pink berroco (cotton) so I went with it...it's not my favorite thing... but it's not for me anyways. I have quite a bit more done on it since this picture was taking...almost thru the first skein. i really suggest you look at the patter in other yarns. maybe blocking this will help some too. HAHA, and if you notice, I was using pretty bamboo needles, that I got for free, on it... but dang! SO SLOW! I have since switched to my knitpicks circs and it's zooming along now.