FO Friday: Socks!

Apr17

I have new socks to wear for spring! I finished my scrappy shortie socks last night and they’re the same size and used up two little leftover balls of yarn. They’re a pattern from my head but I’m pretty sure it started with the Rose City Rollers and I just modified the leg to add a short cuff.

My yarn friends at work are going to do a worsted-weight sock knit-along through work, so that will motivate me to do the second sock for the boy. I’m kind of…leading it, I think?? Which is so weird to me but whatever, I have made a lot of socks so I’m pretty skilled at basic sock skills, I guess? Anyway, it’ll be fun and give us a good excuse to meet virtually and show off socks. And maybe I can get someone else addicted to sock knitting because it’s the best.

My apparently never-ending supply of happy mail continued today with this fun collection of goodies from the Treasure Goddess: ea25de0f-c7d8-4475-b1ba-c0cde6023f8e The sock yarn will actually become socks, and the two little pirate sheep in the middle are temporary tattoos, how fun is that? And that sticker in the upper left corner? LOVE with the yarn ball? I think that would make an amazing real tattoo! Only if I did it, of course the yarn would be purple. We’ll see if I still want it once we’re allowed to go out into the world again.

I don’t expect any happy mail tomorrow but who knows, something could show up! Happy Friday, friends!

More Masks

Apr16

I wish I could show you some fun knitting, but I have none to share. The nurse friend I’ve been making masks for said her team was required to wear masks now and they loved the ones she had, and I’d offered to make more, so she wondered if I’d still be willing. I definitely was, especially since I had supplies on hand. I used up the last of my dish-cotton yarn and the last of the cotton shirt I’d cut up to make six more masks.

I think this is a total of 16 I’ve made, and I might be done now. It felt good to do something to help people in healthcare, and my friend said her boss, a senior VP and CIO of a major hospital system, liked it enough to ask for one herself. That made me feel pretty cool! If you’re interested, I used this pattern and added a two-layer cotton lining. I used the sewing machine to sew the two pieces of lining together, then hand-stitched the lining in place. I ran out of ribbon so I slip-stitched yarn into place on the corners and just chained for 18″ to make the ties. I tried to make them as sturdy as possible to withstand many washes in hot water.

Besides masks, I had a short interlude for another puzzle. The girl is now sheltering in place with us, which is really comforting for this mom’s heart, and she’s my puzzle buddy. (She’s also my showtunes/musical buddy and my chick flick buddy.) Good news: I have someone to help me. Bad news: the puzzles go much faster!

I was spreading the ModPodge on this one last night and the husband walks by and says with dismay, “You’re gluing that one together too?” LOL! I guess he’s not a big fan of finished puzzles either! This is the last one to get glued, I think, so he’ll be fine. But I like the idea of hanging this one in our sitting room, which is where we have our record player and piano, and where the kids used to practice their instruments.

Now, I’m gratefully back to sock knitting, which is good because I have a VERY GOOD supply of sock yarn thanks to pandemic stress-shopping! (Somehow, I am still in the black for the year: I have used more yarn from stash than I’ve added! NO IDEA how that’s still true and no idea how long it will last.) The latest is my first skein from Mint Rain Yarns, a self-striping in a color called Make Me Smile.

And it does! The hardest part might be deciding which awesome sock yarn to knit next!

Okay, it’s 8 am which means it’s time to get to work for the day. Happy Thursday, friends. Hang in there.

Review: Manos del Uruguay Alpaca Heather

Apr14

A couple of months ago, Stitchcraft Marketing offered me the chance to review a new yarn from Manos del Uruguay and of course I said Absolutely! Alpaca Heather is a sport weight that’s 70% wool, 30% alpaca. It comes in 12 colors: 3 undyed colors, and 9 more overdyed with their kettle-dyed semi-solid colors. I chose Kohl, a dark gray, and Goji Berry, a dark dusty rose.

There are also six free patterns for this yarn, and I chose the Oleada Cowl. I wear cowls a lot, and chevrons and stripes are some of my favorite things to knit. The pattern was well-written and quick to knit. I memorized the pattern sequence easily and this was one of my favorite projects to knit while it was on my needles. I’d love to make it again in other colors! It sits up enough that I can burrow my chin into it, which just makes me feel extra cozy.

I love the rich colors. I love the stitch definition. It’s a dense, supple yarn. I loved how it slid across my needles, catching just enough to not be slippery. It blocked beautifully, with no bleeding of either color. I wore it around the house for a while, and it’s warm for sure. I like the drape — it has enough structure that it actually stands up enough to keep my whole neck and chin warm. I enjoyed knitting with it, but it’s the tiniest bit itchy to wear. However, I know the skin on my neck and face is sensitive, so your mileage may vary. Alpaca, in my experience at least, makes for a slightly hairier yarn than merino, giving it a fuzzy look and feel. I kept thinking I had single dog hairs trapped in the cowl, but I’m pretty sure it was (usually) the yarn. I think I’m just learning that I prefer smoother yarns, like Alma or Alegria.

I could see this being a great, warm yarn for outerwear like hats and mittens, or beautiful cabled sweaters. I might not wear it on my neck, but I’d test-drive some thick boot socks. And I love Manos for the good work they do: they’re a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, the yarns are produced by artisans in cooperatives located throughout Uruguay, and every skein helps a woman in Uruguay support her family. I’ll continue to happily buy their yarns!

Thanks so much to Stitchcraft Marketing and Fairmount Fibers, the North American distributor of Manos del Urugay, who sent me two skeins of Alpaca Heather (retail value: $43) for free. I received no other compensation for this review. All opinions and photos are my own.

Rainy Day Knitting

Apr12

This has been a cloudy, gloomy Sunday, but it’s been a pretty satisfactory day for me! I took some masks to my friend, who gave me homemade bread and cinnamon rolls in exchange, and then I spent the afternoon knitting. I sat down with my three (THREE!) sock WIPs and here’s what I learned…

The socks only grow if you actually sit down and knit on them!

Those are all first socks but at least I’ve now got two completed first socks, and that feels good! Plus these are both quick socks, with one being a shortie and one being worsted weight, so second socks shouldn’t be too far behind.

I’ve also been binge-watching Little Fires Everywhere. At first I was skeptical — I wasn’t sure about the casting and there was so much that wasn’t in the book — but now I’m a little obsessed! Anyone else watching?

Happy Saturday!

Apr11

It’s the weirdest thing, guys: I avoided the news and social media a lot today, and played showtunes and sang along loudly, and puttered around the house doing fun little things, and it’s been a good day!

I’ve done almost no knitting today, though I hope to tonight. So far I got five masks ready for my nurse friend, and spent a couple of hours in my craft room, rearranging and putting out some knickknacks that had been packed away. Plus I got several things hung, including my new puzzle!

On the other wall, only the big movie poster is a new addition. I’d forgotten about it and was really happy when I found it!

Not much room to hang more puzzles, unfortunately, but I’m quite tickled with how it all looks. And now I can sit down with a glass of wine and my knitting and enjoy a quiet Saturday night!

Friday, bah

Apr10

Today is Friday and it is a good thing it’s Friday, but I’m not in a very Friday-ish mood. I’ve got some frustrating work stuff going on that’s not helping my mindset. I might have ended up browsing for yarn online this morning! I also decided I needed a fun new project.

49a7f868-cad3-40a9-b58c-313a8b831072 These will be shortie socks using leftovers from other projects. I’ve only got three pairs of shorties and have been enjoying them as spring has sprung. I’m pretty sure the pink is Hedgehog Fibres and the black mix is Madtosh. The colors don’t exactly match but eh. Whatever. I’m even tempted to use some of my smaller balls to make single socks and just mix and match. Great way to use up some sock yarn! Happy Friday, friends.

WIP Wednesday

Apr8

What did I do after finishing that pair of worsted weight socks? Immediately cast on another, of course! This one’s for the boy to wear with his Doc Martens. I didn’t have enough of the Mountain Meadow Tweed left, so I pulled some Cascade Eco Cloud from deep stash. It’s not superwash so they’ll definitely need to be handwashed but it’s fine, I’ll just throw them in when I wash my handknit socks. I am using the Mountain Meadow leftovers for accents though.

The toes will also be the darker brown. He says they’re “vibey”, which is apparently a good thing. However, now I am tired of brown so I need to switch back to something lighter and brighter! Also my new puzzles came today so I have something besides knitting to keep me occupied.

d853989f-3f37-4a9c-821c-4177ae1c3e35 Hope you’re all coping well today. I’m currently in the “this is never gonna end” state of mind, which hopefully will pass quickly. If not, there’s wine. Well, honestly, there’s wine either way.

Two on Tuesday

Apr7

You can take this “two” in two different ways: I’ve got TWO socks to show you, and I have TWO different things to show you. Here are my finished worsted socks!

fe71bc31-6ea1-4a8b-83fc-37152d2553e6 I used the Rye pattern for stitch counts but just did a basic sock with a ribbed leg and stockinette foot. They’re so thick and squishy and I already have yarn picked out to make another pair. This yarn is Mountain Meadow Wool Tweet Worsted and it feels sturdy enough to withstand some hiking!

The other thing I wanted to share is more new yarn. Yesterday I got one last skein, the last of my stress purchases. This is Two Sisters self-striping sock yarn and it’s so FUN. (Hey, TWO sisters! It fits the theme!)

Now I don’t know what I’ll look forward to, with no more yarn en route. I got too accustomed to happy mail days!

My weekend was full of baking (lemon bread, yum!) and making. I made some masks for a nurse friend of mine who does some work in a telemedicine office. I knitted masks and added 2-layer cotton linings. (Note: I know these are not medical-quality masks. I don’t intend them as such and neither does she. We’re both operating under the concept of “better than nothing” and “what the hell, we have nothing to lose”.)

afbc4270-6d5a-4946-8df1-5891876fc259

Oops. I broke the two theme. Oh well, anyway, I pulled out the girl’s sewing machine so I could cut up an old cotton button-up shirt and sew up the linings. And, confession time: I kind of liked it! I might need to play some more with simple sewing. What if I could make my own project bags?? Unfortunately, hunching over the masks triggered a muscle spasm on Sunday morning so Sunday wasn’t too productive. I’m hoping next weekend will be a little better!

FO: Simple Cowl

Apr4

I snuck out into the gray, overcast morning to get some photos of my newest FO, a simple stockinette cowl I finished yesterday. It’s not getting blocked. Sure, it might could use the bath, but whatever. I’m a rebel these days. (Okay not really I’m following all the pandemic rules to the letter which means I need some freedom in other areas, all right??)

The yarn is from Alexandra the Art of Yarn…wait…no, I’m looking at that yarn on Ravelry and this totally is not the yarn I put into my project page. What the heck. This is not a fingering weight and the colorway is not Purple Rain and I have NO IDEA what yarn this is. Crap. I have no idea if I messed up when I created the project page, or if it came home with the wrong label. Oh well, it’s pretty yarn that makes me think of Maleficent and it’s a lovely simple cowl that was comforting to knit and will be comforting to wear.

Edited to add: I found it!! It’s Hummingbird Moon Super Moon Worsted Weight in Dark Queen! And it’s 100% superwash merino and it’s nice and smooth and soft.

4AC9C326-E454-4F92-9462-61AC8F28F5FB Sigh Whatever. Happy Saturday, friends. I hope you’re not freaking out about not being able to sew well enough to make masks or about possibly never being able to find chicken breasts at the grocery store ever again or whether your kid at college will be able to pay their living expenses. It’s not fun. I’m gonna go knit now.

FO Friday: Socks

Apr3

These socks actually got done two days ago, but I forgot to post until today. These are plain vanilla socks, with yarn from Old Rusted Chair in the color Devil’s Details. Love the yarn, loved knitting such simple socks. I finished them one night while watching a movie and immediately put them on because my feet were cold. I might have worn them for the next 36 hours.

They are good socks. The other photo is what happens when I sit down to try to take a picture of my feet: I get “helpers”!

I have one more WIP on the verge of becoming a FO, and I’ve got the second worsted sock in progress too. I’m hoping to get lots of knitting done this weekend; how about you?