Summer of Socks Prize!

I won not just one...but two skeins of yarn from a contest for the Summer of Socks KAL! It is extemely lovely stuff with a generous amount of yardage. Here are the specs:

Yardage: 560 (4oz.)

Fiber: 2 ply soft 100% Superwash Merino Wool

Yarn weight: Fingering (of course it came from a sock KAL lol)

Made by: Cynthia's Skeins.

I won it for an internet Scavenger Hunt. Funny thing is that the first time I put an entry for the contest I didn't do it exactly right. I thought I had read the rules but with working being the way it was I didn't read them correctly and I ended up having to re-do it. So I figured I was out at that point lol....but guess what? I wasn't! lol

I have no chance at all of winning any of the other prizes because I have not been able to keep up with the sock knitting at all this summer...again due to work. Can you believe that Cookie from "Shut up and Knit!" has made 27 pairs so far? Wow! Right now she is in the lead for the Most Socks Contest but Jeannie from "Sewing, Knitting and Beyond" is close with 23. Wow.

Yup...9 Days

I have been so busy with work that the last 9 days have just slipped by without me being able to post anything. Knitting has slowed down considerably as well due to work. Its been pretty stressful. Though there have been some fun things going on as well. Swimming, yarn playing nights at Deluxe yarns, outings with others...so its not all work...but ALL busy.



Had a weekend when I was able to hang out with my cool friend K, we played yarn, went to see the 5th Harry Potter movie and went out to dinner over a three day period. She lives far out and sometimes it gets a bit difficult to get together. Actually going to see her tonight for a belated bday dinner (her bday). All you can eat crab legs! YUM!


Earlier this week J and I were invited to the lovely Knitty Otter's for a DELICIOUS dinner! For those of you who read her blog you know that she posts original recipies every once in a while ... however...you may not know that she is a GOURMET cook. I have been fortunate enough to sample some of her tasty creations and have not had one thing that I did not like. The other thing is her food always looks pretty. lol...Dinner at her house was no exception. It was a lot of fun to visit with her and her honey. THANK YOU! Got to give their kitty, TKK, rubbies. She is so sweet.



Summer of Socks 2007: River Rapid Socks: I am in the middle of my second sock. These will be a part of my Summer of Socks. I really wanted to make some more socks this summer...thought I would be able too. Summer has gotten away from me. (geez I start my last semester at the University in just a few weeks...but it is my last ....YEAH...diploma will be in hand right around Christmas...YAHOO! There WILL be a party!)


Mystery Stole 3 by Pink Lemon Twist: Slowly but surely working on them. This one has been really slow because I have to really pay attention lol. We are on clue 4 as a group but I have still not knitted past clue 1. Yeah I know.


Summer CAL - KAL : Purse Round up: I picked up the beads I want to put on the one bag I made up myself (that pattern will be written up and shared for whom ever might be interested). I found some fantastic beads made of glass in the shape and colors of fall leaves. Which go with the colors of the bag perfectly. I have 3 other bags that still need to be felted (big purple thing, Lucy bag, Lotrop II bag). I also found a really nice handle (finally!) for the entrelac bag ...just need to pick it up from Deluxe Yarns (whom by the way was over with J and I for dinner the other night. We laughed so much! That always happens for some reason.)


Yarn-In-A-Teacup Swap: I finally got all the things I want to send together and will be wrapping up all the little items on Sunday and mailing them off on Monday to Elan in Canada. :-D

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: OH and how could I forget! I went to the local Border's release for the book last Friday night. By the time I got home with my book it was close to 2 am. So I slept so I could be alert and began reading on Saturday at noon and finished at about 2 pm Sunday. Though I still have questions and like many others thought the Epilogue was kind of sappy...I LOVE IT! JK Rowling, imho, is a creative genius! What a fun book. I need to re-read it again more slowly. I didn't want to accidently come across a spoiler so I stayed off the internet and didn't even check email until I was done. Though my sister called me to see where I was and so did K's hubby (whom I hung up on because he was teasing me too much...brat!). It was fun after I was done to go over the book with my sister and then with K's hubby. K was working on fixing her truck so she didn't get to it until this week. She is now finished and I am looking forward towards dinner tonight and I KNOW we will be going over the whole book! Can't wait!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Movie: Best one out of all the movies. Contained the best acting so for, best depicted action and though they changed HOW some of the story and important information was told it was done in such a way that it added to the story and so that it didn't take away from the story.

Other stuff: One of the OTHER reasons knitting has been a bit slow is because I stopped the above projects to get some secret knitting done. I do not want to say what because I don't want to spoil the surprise. I will be able to share after the 5th though. Also, finished writing and testing a pattern for a crocheted fish shaped wash cloth. Will clean it all up and post it soon (hopefully!).


Yarn: I have recieved some belated bday gifts as well. One from Knitty Otter lady and one from my friend K. BOTH gifted me with SCOUT YARN! Yeah me! I have some Scout yarn. Yippy! I have also purchased some more CherryTree Hill sock yarn. I love that yarn so much!

Books: The night I purchased the last (sniff sniff) Harry Potter book I also picked up "Knit it! Felt it!" Really nice..it has unique pieces in it that can be used as the base for projects that you can make entirely your own. It has patterns in it but it can also be used as book of ideas as a stepping stone to your own ideas.

Work wise: Its been an interesting summer program this year. I have come across some unique situations that I have not had before. As an example this was the first year that as a teacher I HAD to pull out and use "THE LAW" to help out some students. For those who are teachers, counselors or doctors/nurses they know what "THE LAW" is...for the rest here is a brief explanation:

"THE LAW": If a child/student is may cause harm to themselves or others, is being harmed or in jeapordy of being harmed, is involved in drugs, alcohol or criminal activity the property authorities and/or parents/gaurdians must be informed. The professional must take action to ensure the safety of the child/student immediately.

That is it ...simplified and in a nut shell but describes it well enough I think. I have always believed that WHEN it came time for me to pull out and use THE LAW that I would be able to do so with a feeling of knowing that it was for the benefit of my kids. Well intellectually that was the case...and I did what I had to do and what I believed to be the right thing personally but it was emotionally difficult to do and extremely stressful. Which took me by surprise. It was a learning experience to say the least.

School: On the 27th of August I will begin my final year for my license! Woohoo hoo! Its been a long long road. I have had many personal up-hevels that have made the road extremely difficult at times. But I am standing at the end in the light. YEAH! I have to say that the finish will also be well done...without tooting my own horn too loud lol...I will be ending with a flourish...with a high (high!) GPA...a great student teaching opp. lined up (paid at that) and many more grand things that will in the end make the entire trip over the long, windy and bumpy road worth it. Whew! Deep breath.

Ok super long post ...but I guess that is what happens when you don't post for almost 10 days. OOPS.

Summer of Socks: Monkey Socks

I really thought that I would be making more socks then I am, but work has been...well more work then I predicted and is taking up a lot of knitting time. Damnit! lol... Also I have slowed down my pace when knitting on a project. After Sock Madness I found that the process of a project is what I enjoy most not just getting it done. So though I am not completeing as many projects as I was a couple of months ago i am enjoying my knitting much more.


I finally finished my first pair of socks for Summer of Socks 2007. I love them. That Cookie A. sure can design/write a pattern. I have decided to gift these to a friends for her bday so I will have to do the pattern again because I want a pair for me. I still have socks for my honey going (though they are a car project so going really slowly) and I have "River Rapids Socks" from Sock bug. I have been thinking that since I have so many socks on needles waiting to be finished...even though they don't qualify for anything for the KAL that I am going to set a new goal to finish the socks I have started before starting anything new. :-s Lets see if how that works out. I can't seem to stop myself from starting new things lately. LOL...need. self. control.

Specs:

Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A.


Yarn: Zitron Trekking (XXL) in colorway 04, I used about 75% of the skein.


Needles: Addi Turbo Lace circs in U.S. 1 (2.25 mm), I used Magic Loop technique for these.


Notes: When you look at the socks they make you think that the pattern is complicated but it really isn't. Its an 11 row pattern repeat, 3 of which are straight knitting. Its easy to memorize actually. I did not make them as long in the leg as the pattern calls for because I wanted an ankle sock. The pattern works well for that adjustment. The yarn is lovely. Trekking is one of my top 10 favorites. They have nice colors, interesting patterning and it feels nice to work with.

Yes I did again...

I joined the Myster Stole 3 KAL. It just sounded way to intriguing. It is now closed for new sign-ups as of the 6th, I signed up on the 5th. I had been hearing about it for weeks all over blogland but swore I was NOT going to join it. But then ....then...I made the mistake of reading that "Yarnharlot's" blog how she describes she fell down the rabbit hole....and instead of detering me it just pushed me further and I fell down the rabbit hole as well...in total about 4k fell into the whole so I will have lots of company. It actually started on June 20th so two clues have already been posted. From the pictures that have been posted for clue 1...it is a gorgeous pattern.

Lets see what the KAL count is now:

1. Summer of Socks: really going slow for me, I have 3 socks cast on and have completed 1 of a pair. LOLOL...I find it funny considering that I participated in Sock Madness and was able to get all the way to the final four. Its probably the reason why I have slowed down my sock making and my knitting in general. SM was able to show me how much I enjoy the process of knitting.

2. Summer KAL-CAL Purse Round: Since it started I made 6 bags. One of the 6 is completed, the other 5 need felting and the closures. I have 3 sitting on the side that need closures, linings and 2 which need a lining.

3. Mystery Stole 3: began swatching two different yarns to test which one would look the best to my cray eyes of colors lol.

4. Yarn in a cup: I don't have to knit anything for this one but am putting together a package. I have several items that I still would like to get but am almost ready to send it. It needs to be sent by July 30th. I will make it. lol

A Socking Along...

Just wanted to post a quick update... Well into my 2nd Monkey sock on magic loop. Slowly working on my version Wendy's Knit Toe-up sock. Its slow because its car knitting or group knitting. Since I am almost finished with the Moneky socks I am picking out my next "complicated" sock. I had picked the next pattern out but have since decided that I want to try something that I haven't tried before and that not that many people are doing just to be different. :-) Mix it up a bit.

Well time to heard students off to lunch. I am gone this coming weekend so will catch up with posts Sunday night or Monday. Going an a knitting group trip with some friends to Lake Tahoe, will take pictures and write up a post for next week. So everyone have a great weekend.

Monkey Needs a Friend

Just finished the first of my Monkey socks. This pattern has some kind of mojo and that Cookie A knows how to write a pattern. Easy to follow and fun to knit. This is short but I leave you with a serious of pictures of construction of the sock

.

A comment about the earlier post...I recieved a concerned phone call....ty to my lovely friend :-) hugggsss! She called just to check up on me (not saying who cause its her and my personal business, she is a FRIEND). Just so for infor for those of you who care about me know. I am fine. I wasn't crying or hurt at all. I was PO-ed...big time. I just do not suffer fools well sometimes. Shrugs we all have our things. Mine happens to be messages from silly people who need to get a life. If they think my posts are such drivel and the world is such a serious place then what in the hell are you doing checking over a knitting blog? Just kind of curious...if you have such low thoughts about the world, society and people then shouldn't you be out there trying to do something to change it instead of bitching about it or pointy fingers at others whom you are assuming are wasting time? I am out "there" doing something about it....(my personal non-knitting info that I will speak of in general terms ...see?) Ok yeah ....I said I wasn't bringing it up again ....but damn some people's kids I swear! Now I am just laughing about it because it is rediculous.

Time for bed. Sweet Dreams...ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Summer of Socks Update

Honey has been asking for more socks soooo... I downloaded Wendy's Generic Toe-Up sock pattern and am using it as my "don't need a pattern small to carry around" knitting project. I am using Patons Kroy sock yarn on US 3 dpns. I am doctoring the pattern (of course lol) so that I cast-on 18 stitches to begin with (because it makes the toe less pointy) and I instead of plain stockinetter I am doing a k2p2 ribbing (except on the soled) because ribbing seems to shape to my honey's foot better then stockinette.

Here is the Monkey Sock. After the mis-step it is now going well. The 2nd pic shows up to 3 pattern repeats. I am just going to do one more pattern repeat because I want to have a shorter ankle sock (the pattern calls for 6 repeats). The yarn is working well with the pattern, compliments it well. I knitting the sock with Magic Loop using Addi Turbo Lace US1 needles. Oh and just as an aside the lovely stitch markers seen in both socks were a gift to me from the lovely Tezzcan in Britain. They are my fav stitch markers for socks because the rings are tiny for sock needles :-).

Swaps and KALs

Yarn in a Cup: This will be my first swap. Have never done one before so this seems like a fun one to do. Its being put together by Zoe of Zoe's Knitting Bag. :-) Seeing as the place I work has cool thrift store/antique shop it always has cute "tea" things. Can't wait will find something fun there and other goodies for my swap partner. When I get matched up. Of course there will be yarn involved. Since Zoe is in Britain I think we will get a good mix of people from all over, which is always cool.

Summer Kal - Cal Purse Round up: Finished my 6th bag and have found some really cute embellishments for it. Also last night I found a slightly large then silver dollar size Chinese "coin" that will work well for bag closure and will be unique.

Summer of Socks: Aka SoS...love that. I started my Monkey socks and was in the middle of doing the first pattern repeat when I realized something just wasn't right and I had too many stitches (yes I was knitting along without counting duh me lol). Soooo I had to rip out late last night so I only have the cuff of the first sock done. However this am before leaving the house I decided that I need a project that I really would need a pattern for and one that I can knit in the car on the way too and from work or when playing yarn with others. So I downloaded "Wendy Knits" 's toe up sock pattern and will make ankle socks. So I will have two pairs going. As usual cannot stick to just one project.

Well I hear entirely too much talking from my "kids" and it doesn't sound like school work talking so need to go light a fire under their feet. Its Friday, Its summer and they all asked if they could get done early but they must work first. LOL...but seriously this group of kids this year (about 12) are extremely motivated. I don't mind if they are chit chatting as long as they get their work done. One young man recieved an Astronomy course (from BYU courses for High School students) on Tuesday, with 6 lesson he already knew the info. Two hours after starting it he comes to me and says: "Miss Vikkie I'm done with the course. Can you correct it for me please?" I laughed and said "Yeah, go find a quiet corner and work"..."No, no seriously I am done with the whole thing." So I took it and corrected it...not only did he finish but he did not miss one so he is done...an entire semester done. That is just one...all of them are kicking butt and taking names. I love them! They are just great! I love this job.

Summer of Socks 2007

I have picked my first pattern for Summer of Socks, which begins on Thursday (21 June 2007). I have picked Cookie A. "Moneky Socks" pattern to be the first one. I have wanted to make these for awhile. I have other socks in progress but the rules for the KAL require that you start a new on the 21st so that everyone is starting at the same time. So no working on old patterns already in progress. :-) I might not make them as long as the pattern calls for because the color (Trekking XXL 04) I am using is springy/summery and I think shorty socks go well for summer. I am also going to use a size smaller for the needles then the pattern calls for because I learned during Sock Madness 2007 that when doing a lacier pattern I tend to knit loose and then the sock will end up too big. I will post pictures when I start and while I progress. The KAL goes until September so I will be making other socks. There is a contest and prizes but unlike Sock Madness it is not a timed competition but I didn't join it for the prizes I am hoping to "meet" other knitters (like I did with SM) whom I wouldn't have come across other wise. :-)

Bag Update. I finished knitting (including the handle) the one skein Chan bag and am on the handle for the bag that I am making up. Once I finish that handle I will felt all the bags I have made together and then post completed pics. As I have said before I am putting the bags into the "Summer KAL - Cal Purse Round up" which also goes until September. Nice people in this KAL.