Socks and the Ravelympics

Hello Knitters,

How is everyone's week going? Mine is going well. Today I've spent a good portion of time working on a pair of socks, well actually the first sock of the pair. After making the Wedding Planning Footies for my sister, I've been itching to make another pair of socks. Although this time I wanted them to be a little more complicated. After looking through countless pages on Ravelry, I finally decided on Caribbean Coolers by Laura Stapleton. The whole Caribbean name just drew me in...now I'm working on the foot of the first one, and I'm liking it quite a bit. I haven't tried it on yet to see how it looks...hang on a sec, I'll do that now so I can better describe it to you................Ok, I will be honest with you, that was a little tight coming over my ankle, there was a slight moment when I thought it wasn't going to go on. Now that I've got it on, it looks cute. I can't tell if it is too tight, or if that is just the pain from having my foot shoved into a set of double points....hmmmm. Well, I'm going to finish it anyway and then try it on again. I've got this far, I can't give up now!! I will let you know how it goes...I'm sure the twitter updates will keep you posted hour, by hour...

On to more uplifting and exciting news....the Ravelympics are coming up in just 3 short days!! I'm eager for them since they will be my first ever. I joined the Itty Bitty Knittys group, and I have my projects all picked out. Now I'm just waiting for the yarn I ordered to arrive. Mass cast-on time here will be at 9 pm on Friday. I should be going to pick up the yarn on Thursday if all goes well. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you what my projects are going to be! For my "big and challenging project" I chose the Be Mine socks from 2-at-a-time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes - 1. because I've never done socks two-at-a-time on circular needles, 2. they look to be a bit more complicated then a regular sock, 3. they are just too cute! and 4. it's the month of February, need I say more? My second project is going to be Elefante by Susan B. Anderson, I had to chose this one because he is just too cute, and I've been wanting to make him for so long. And my third project is the Rainbow Marley from Itty-Bitty Hats also by the amazing Susan B. Anderson. And today I decided that if I get all my projects done and still have some extra time, I might whip up a Bunny Tail for one of my little cousins. While at the yarn shop on Thursday, I think I'll just pick up some yarn just incase ;-) Are any of you participating in this year's Ravelympics??? I think it's such a fun idea! What a great way to use your time while watching the Olympic games.

Well, I should be getting back to that sock. Have a great evening everyone!

Lovestruck #2 and Wedding Socks

Hello again,

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was quite nice. I got to spend a fair amount of time finishing off some knitting which to me is always a good way to spend a weekend. Yesterday, I decided to knit up another Lovestruck in red because I thought the first one was getting a little lonely. They look quite happy together now, and ready for Valentine's Day don't you think? This really is a super quick pattern...I must have whipped him up in about 2 hours.

Another thing I got done were these socks. When my sister got engaged I decided to knit her a pair of wedding planning socks. I'd really liked the "Family Footies' pattern in Nicky Epstein's book Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch, and since she likes ankle socks, I thought it would be a perfect match! She really likes them and even wore them yesterday while doing wedding planning with her fiance. These were my first adult sized pair I've completed . I never knew sock knitting could be so much fun! I'm now on the lookout for patterns everywhere.

I made her do a little poising for the blog :-)

Now, I would like to introduce you to "The Love Frog." He is made from the Ribbit pattern by Susan B. Anderson for Spud Says! with the addition of the heart from Mochimochi Land. I knit the heart out of cotton instead of wool so it's not felted. I made him for my sister and her fiance. His job is to remind both of them of their great love for each other during the stressful times in the wedding planning ahead ;-) She took him to work today with her, and I hope he is having a good day!

Well, I'm off to search for a good sock pattern, I hope you all have a wonderful day!

A Little Play Time

Good Morning,


I just had to share this with you. Sunday morning my yorkie Emmie had to have some quality time with her Mom:

Getting a little fiesty

Wait, time out, what was that noise??

I wore myself out with all the fiestiness, now it's time for a long Sunday afternoon nap!

Engagement!!!

Hello,

Today I will get back to my update of what has been going on here over the last few weeks....One of the most exciting things that happened was my sister got engaged!! Her boyfriend of two years proposed last Saturday. We are all very excited, although not nearly as much as she is. I call her my little lovestuck-bride-to-be..this is where I got the name for the Lovestruck pattern! When I finished him and seen his little love eyes, he reminded me of her! I couldn't think of a more appropriate name.

W are now into the planning phase. I've adored weddings since I was a child, and this one will be the first for my immediate family. Since busy season is starting at her work, she's asked me to be co-planner with her (as well as her maid-of-honour!!). I'm very honoured and excited! So far the date is set for October 23rd. We are praying for a beautiful fall!

The picture up above is of the cupcakes I made for her when she got engaged. I put little wedding rings tied together with ribbons on each one. Whenever something exciting happens, I feel the need to bake something!

I have a feeling we will be in "wedding mode" here for the next so many months! I hope you all don't mind my occasional wedding related talk! I'll try to keep it to a minimum!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, I will be back on Monday with a continuation of the update!

Take care!

P.S. hop on over here to check out a free pattern preview on Spud Says! Too cute!!

Lovestruck

"There are three things that remain - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

Hello Knitters,

Since Valentine's Day is fast approaching I had to share with you this little pattern I made yesterday. It's super fast and easy which means you can whip one (or more!) up in plenty of time. I knit him out of worsted weight cotton, but you really could use any yarn and needles you would like to make him larger or smaller to suit your taste. Enjoy!

Lovestruck

Finished Measurements: 3 1/2 inches wide by about 3 1/2 inches tall

Materials

Yarn: Bernat Cottontots (100% cotton; 100 grams) or any worsted weight yarn would work - Country Pink

and small amounts of Bernat Cottontots - Wonder White and Lion Brand Cotton - Black (or just use any small amounts of worsted weight yarn for feet and hands)

Small amount of fiberfil

Needles: US 7 double-pointed needles

Tools: Yarn needle, scissors

Abbreviations:

k - knit

p - purl

m1 - make one by inserting the left needle from the front to the back under the bar in between the stich on the left needle and the stitch on the right needle and place the bar onto the right-hand needle. Knit this through the back loop.

k2tog - knit two together

psso - pass slipped stich over

sl - slip

ssk - slip two stitches separately as if to knit, knit these two stitches together through the back loops

Pattern

Heart Body (Make 2)

Using 2 double-pointed needles as straight needles, cast on 3 sts

(RS) Row 1: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 = 5 sts

(WS) Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Purl

Row 3: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1 = 7 sts

Row 5: k1, m1, k5, m1, k1 = 9 sts

Row 6: Purl

cut yarn and leave on needle.

Using 2 other double-pointed needles, repeat the above so that you now have two pieces for the top of the heart.

Join the two pieces together by on row 7 of the current piece you are working on: k1, m1, k7, k2tog (do this by knitting the last stitch from the current piece together with the first stitch from the first piece), k7, m1, k1 = 16 sts total

Row 8: Purl

Row 9: Knit

Row 10: Purl

Row 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23: k, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 - 2 sts will be decreased in each row. When completed row 23 you will have a total of 5 st.

Row 25: k1, sl, k2tog, psso, k1 = 3 sts

Row 27: sl, k2tog, psso = 1 st - cut yarn and thread through yarn needle and pull end through loop.

Weave in ends then take a piece of yarn and thread onto yarn needle. Whipstitch both pieces together, leaving a small space, stuff with fiberfil and finish sewing together.

Arms and Legs (make 4)

Cast on 4 sts and work i-cord for 2 1/2 inches - bind off. Sew onto body using the picture for a guide.

Feet (make 2)

With black yarn and two double-pointed needles used as straight needles cast on 6 sts

Rows 1-8: *k1, sl 1* repeat to the end of row

cut yarn leaving a 8 inch tail and thread through yarn needle. Take knitting needle out of stitches carefully and gently form a tube by squeezing slightly near the bottom of the piece. Draw tail through live stitches and then turn the piece inside out so the right side is facing outward. Gather the top tightly and stitch closed. Taking the tail end, sew the foot onto the end of the leg.

Hands (make 2)

With white yarn, follow instructions for feet, and when complete, sew onto ends of arms.

Face

With the black yarn threaded on yarn needle stitch on face using picture as guide.

Congratulations!! You are finished!! Now find someone who needs a little love in their life and pass him on!

Catching Up

Hello Dear Knitters,

Oh I have so much to share!! I haven't been posting lately and I've missed out on telling you so much that has been going on in the knitting department here. I'm hoping be able to get back to my regular posting now that things are getting better.

As you can see, I've been busy knitting up some of the critters from Itty-Bitty Toys. I've also got a pig on the go, but he's still in pieces right now. These little guys were so much fun to knit!




This is the Hippo. She is done in Lion Brand Cotton which is a worsted weight instead of two strands of sock yarn held together like the pattern called for. She might be a little bigger than the one from the book, but I think it just means there is more to love!

I thought this sheep is so adorable! And by the way, the pattern is now available for free in the Winter 2009 issue of Petite Purls and here on Ravelry. I knit him for my doctor and he got quite a kick out of him. The only thing I did wrong is when inserting the straws into the legs, I should have left them long enough to shove up into the body for more stability. I cut mine to be a little shorter than the legs, so he doesn't stand up very well. But that's okay because he looks just as cute sitting down.

My little green frog isn't quite done yet, he still needs a heart, which I have yet to knit, since he is the "love frog" but more on that later...

Well, I've got more to share with you, but it will have to keep till tomorrow! I hope you are all having a lovely week!

Take care and keep knitting!

Finished the Thrums

Hello Knitters,

How is everyone?? Getting back into the swing of things again? I'm still doing some adjusting! I have yet to take down my trees and put away my decorations, but it's on my list for tomorrow's project. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday and a great New Years!!

I finally got some pictures of the thrummed mittens to show you. As you can see, I messed up a few times with my row count in regard to the thrum rows, but all in all they turned out quite nice. They're extremely toasty and soft inside. I'm hoping they get lots of good use!

I've done some other knitting over the last few weeks, and I hope to share some pictures with you soon. I'm just finishing up a few last details. Pretty much every night lately, I've been watching a movie with my parents and have got in a lot of knitting time. It's been wonderful to be able to combine two great pleasures of mine.

Well, I'm off to make some biscuits for dinner. Have a great evening everyone!