Crazy for Sock Yarn...

I've noticed lately, that all I've been buying is sock yarn (except for two purchases). Over May and June, I acquired enough to make 6 pairs of socks!

First, I had an order from The Yarn and Fiber Company (somewhat of a favorite, thanks to their free shipping - no min. purchase & includes Canada!):

Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Caribou Creek

and



Dream in Color Smooshy in November Muse

Then I discovered the wonderfulness that is ThankEwe!:

Superwash Sock in Lollipop

and

Superwash Sock in Cherry Wood

And then, of course, are my Yarn Pirate shipments:

Merino/Tencel in Patina

and

June's Shipment, which has yet to arrive. I have, however, sneaked a peek at spoilers. From what I've seen, it's not really to my taste, but the base (BFL) is something that I've been anxious to try, so I may just knit it up anyways (likely a pair of plain stockinette socks - that or socks for the kids).


As for non-sock yarn, I bought some lovely lace weight from handpaintedyarn.com, which had been intended for Goddess Knits' Anniversary Shawl, but then I thought about the likelyhood of myself ever using a circular shawl, and changed my mind. Well, that's not really the entire reason! The new Knitty came out, and I fell in love with Seascape, and think that this gorgeous stuff was destined for it:

What do you think?

The things I've learned (so far) this month...

I honestly feel like I'm not getting *anything* done with knitting this month! I've been running into problems with my socks, which has had me ripping out far more work than usual, and it's starting to drive me a bit crazy!

Alas, I have learned some things:

1. Do not attempt to kitchener when in a rush. The results will be fugly, and you will have to rip it out.
2. Do not attempt to rip out above mentioned kitchener stitches during OR after consuming alcoholic beverages. It also, will not be pretty - in fact, you will likely end up ripping out more (i.e - half a toe or worse) than you would have had to if you just would have waited .
3. Put down your knitting before you get so mad as to rip out half a sock (I, luckily, knew this one already, and did follow it, or I would have no more Leyburn socks)
   
4. Sometimes - just sometimes, you might need to ask someone for help in learning/figuring out a technique (I think I need to do this, in regards to short-row heels. They don't like me.)
5. Buying yarn when you're stressed really *does* help you feel better. But...
   
6. Sometimes, just sometimes, buying yarn is somewhat stress inducing.
7. Sometimes, the cure to everything, is knitting something for someone who is little, cute, and thinks you are the most awesome person ever.
8. Magic Loop is awesome. I need more circs in sock sizes.

That's all for now...

Oi! Sorry this post it so late! So much has been going on around here - it's been crazy! First, Mr.S got really sick with a tummy bug, then DH caught something, then Miss J, then me. On top of that, there was the kids' birthday party, Miss J turned 4 (and had the worst of her sickness on her birthday - poor girl!), and to cap it all off - we're moving June 30th! Blah!

Anyways, let's recap what May's goals were:

1. SockWars III!!!! Hopefully finish one pair!
2. Finish Dad's socks before SockWars starts (9 days should be more than enough time - as long as I don't start procrastinating again!)
3. Acquire yarn for Evangeline (Putting a "?" on this for now)
   
4. 2-3 washcloths/soap socks
5. Start a pair of socks for myself!

And let's see how I did:

1. We're not going there. I don't feel like ranting.
2. Didn't finish them by the goal, but...umm... I finished them yesterday! The absolute longest it has taken me to knit a pair of socks! I had to force myself to knit on them though - Lang Jawoll Cotton isn't really the softest stuff - rather scratchy actually. I just hope that they soften a bit with washing!
   
3. No - I bought sock yarn instead :P (52 Pair Plunge II and all that...)
   
4. Yes!
5. I started 2 pairs! The Leyburns and the Jaywalkers.

With us moving, and the insanity of that (19 days left!!!! AHHHHHH!!!), I'm not sure exactly how much I'll manage to finish, but here's the list:

1. Finish at least one of the Leyburn Socks
2. Finish at least one of the Jaywalkers
   
3. Start the Mystery Shawl
   
4. Finish Mr.S' Caterpillar wash cloth

Wish me luck!

My little man...

Is now 1!

Then

Now

Happiest of happy days to you Little Mr.S!
Mommy loves you and wonders where the heck the time has gone...

Mmmm...Yarn....

I have no idea how I haven't posted about this yet, but last week (at least I think it was last week - my memory sucks lately), I received my first shipment of Yarn Pirate's Booty Club! This stuff is awesome - Just take a look!


I couldn't resist casting on - it was just too soft and gorgeous! After a bit of a consult with the ladies on the Resolutions for 2008 board on Ravelry, I decided to go with a pair of Jaywalkers, and I don't think I could have chosen a better pattern :) Here's the progress so far :

I love Love LOVE how they are turning out, and I'm glad I found a good opportunity to knit this pattern again. I love how it looks - just wish is was a bit more of a quicker knit!

Oh - In my last post, I had promised a photo of my Leyburn socks - here you go!


I still love how these are turning out, but I haven't managed to work on them much as I've been distracted by my other WIPs (particularly the Jaywalkers!). I'm hoping to get around to finishing these sometime in June! I do still have half of a sock to finish of my Dad's Birthday socks!! Ack! I'd better get knitting!

Trying something new...

As some of you know, I dropped out of Sock Wars. I'm not going to bash the organizer - I know she had a lot on her plate, but things could have been much better organized/written. I'll leave it at that.

As SWIII was supposed to be a bit of a challenge, I decided to try a new technique in my newest project - toe up socks! After exploring a few projects in my Ravelry queue, I finally decided on a pair of Leyburn socks.

Now, I have to admit, I'm not really fond of the toe-upness of it (I like the satisfaction of decreasing at the end of a project), but I'm definitely enjoying the stitch pattern. It's an 8 row pattern that's pretty easy to memorize while keeping things interesting. Another thing that makes me happy about this project is that it is *finally* using the Fleece Artist Sea Wool that I have previously been unable to find a project for (4 previously frogged projects!).

I'll edit some photos in as soon as I find my camera - that's all for now!

Sock Wars!

It starts today, and while I'm sitting here eagerly awaiting the arrival of my dossier, I thought I' make a quick post to present my weapons...

Look out target - they're coming to get you!