Krafty1

Treats

Halloween season..tricks and treats...the treats are the best!

My Secret Pal has done it again.  A treat arrived today in time for Halloween.  That was one heck of a broom that made it here all the way from Japan!  Bento box items, a special kind of green tea, Halloween pasta (guess what we'll be having for dinner!?!), a Potter phone leash (very magical), 5 skeins of merino wool (yummy) and the Forest Canopy Shawl pattern.  Thank you Pal for the wonderful treats!!!  Perfect, simply perfect.

Even my Mom got into the Halloween treating.  Since we'll be busy with the neighborhood ghosts and goblins, there may not be a Wednesday posting.  So I share my mother's card with all of you...

Best Witches!!!

Mad Cow Monday

Finished: Mad Cow Socks for Special K using the leftover yarns from the Fawkes and Farewell socks. (Shoe size US7.)

Needles: US1 (2.25mm)

Started: Oct 18

Finished: Oct. 28

It became apparent near the end of the first sock that 29 grams of purple wasn't going to be enough for the second sock unless a few modifications and the acceptance of a "fraternal" sock were agreed upon.  Thankfully, Special K is highly flexible and she gave the color adjustments her seal of approval.  (I think it may be time for Panda to be a knit recipient.)

This pair makes my third for the month AND twenty-first for the year!  That's more socks than I knit last year.  Ending the year at twenty-six would be nice...half of what those participating in the 52 Pair Plunge are trying to achieve. Hmmmm.  But first, I should really finish the Fair Isle AND the baby sweater!

Roadtrip

Miss me?  The kids had a break from school and we fled to the big city...Chicago.

In particular, the kids (and the sock) went to visit the Star Wars exhibit. Out of this world!

In the 22 years that Doogie and I've been married he often teases me about my ability to run into someone I know.  The story remains the same even in a city of 3 million people.  While Special K was busy trying to teach a robot to walk, we managed to run into our former neighbors from ten years ago!  Imagine what might happen if I came to your town.

Of course the exhibit wasn't the only thing Chicago had to offer.  We played tourists and went to Navy Pier and walked the Magnificent Mile.  There was a geocache at Water Tower Place and soon we had a pretty good idea as to why Chicago is known as the Windy City.

Unfortunately, all of the hats, mittens and scarves were tucked away in the laundry room drawer.  (We could've used a few items from the drawer.) 

Along the way Special K, who lives in her warm woolens at home, HAD to buy a hat. The fact that is was just like Kelsi's from HSM2 may have had something to do with it too. (She loves that movie and soundtrack!)

Later, when we met up with Tom and Franklin for a late lunch, I'll admit to being slightly embarrassed when Franklin asked if I'd knit Special K's hat.  How I wanted to say, "Why yes...that is one of my projects."  But, instead, I admitted to being the knitter who purchased acrylic knitwear for her child.  These things happen when you roadtrip.   

Change of Seasons

You can tell the seasons are changing...in my case, the pink purse needs to be put away till spring.  Check out the new brown one that has taken its place. 

Bonus points: It has a large center zippered pocket that is the perfect spot to ensure that there is ALWAYS a pair of socks with me!  No more having to carry a small knitting bag in the car.  Completely mobile...

It's all about handbags here today.  My Secret Pal sent two skeins of Noro Silk Garden.  It seemed the perfect amount for a felted bag.

I cobbled together 3 bag patterns and think that I'm happy with the results.  We'll see if I'm still happy once it's completely dry.  At least it's the right "season".

Wednesday already?

Boy, first I'm historical and then I realize that time has gotten away from me again.  Here it is another Wednesday and I haven't had a chance to see what's on the web.  Quite honestly, I'm being consumed by work and a knitting project.  Tomorrow I'll share the knitting with you...there will be felting...can you believe it!?!  In the meantime....

• For all the recyclers, yarn from old newspapers!  Just don't get caught in the rain!
• For a caffeine fix for the holidays, the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap sign-ups are open.  That can only mean that Caribou's Reindeer blend is right around the corner.  Fa la la!
• But first....Halloween....take a look at the hand knit "costumes". (You'll need to scroll down at the link in order to find a super hero that's right for you.)

Halloween...right around the corner...maybe it's time to decorate and get some candy.  (Told you that time had gotten away from me.)

Mail Call

Have you noticed the increase in catalogs in your mailbox?  Yes, the holiday season is approaching but, whose bright idea was it to make me feel old along the way!?!

The new American Girl Doll catalog showed up in our mailbox.  They've added a new character to their "historical" series.  Her name is Julie; she's from the 70's.  The historical 70's!!!!  The glossy ad declared to my daughter that I was "historical"!  Not a happy moment at Chez Krafty1!!

However, much I denied their historical claim, they did manage to achieve some (personal) historical accuracy...I wanted an embroidered gauze top like hers.  My Mom made one for my cousin and I was so disappointed that she didn't do one for me as well.  The poster in the locker...Brady Bunch. (Nah, I was a Partridge Family devotee.)  Browsing through Julie's accessories I found my old shag footprint rug and the Christmas gift I wished for, never got, and am all the better for never receiving it.

The trip down memory lane was fun although distressing to be called "historical". The catalog is now history.

Thankfully, there has been recent mail that was far more flattering and amusing.  Recent arrivals:

The pink Sweetest Day card: "Sweet on Ewe!". (Thanks Doogie!)

The black sheep postcard and green assorted sheep stickers from Fabz in Berlin. (Thanks.)

The French postcard from some of our traveling German pals. (Thanks S&N!)

Thank goodness for marvelous mail that doesn't make me feel "historical"!!!

A couple of hours

Every once in awhile, a girl needs a bit of immediate gratification.  Socks, don't take quite as long as a sweater but still take longer than these.

Normally, I'm not big on knitting dishcloths.  But something about these Halloween goodies seemed impossible for me to resist.  Maybe it was the colors.

Skully was first.  One skein of Sugar n' Cream yielded two green skully dishcloths.  I wish that I could say the same for the orange Peaches n' Cream.  I had to substitute a different orange on the bind off row in order to have enough for two Punkins.  Guess that one is mine. Not real crazy about the smile on the pumpkin either.

My favorite, by far, are the purple Batty dishcloths.  For some reason they appeal to me completely. (And they are far more purple than the camera picks up!)  Each of these took less than two hours to complete.  Six dollars, six dishcloths in under twelve hours.  Not bad.

Other stealth knitting...a case for Special K's recorded.  Her teacher asked the kids to bring in tube socks for them but since no one in the house wears tube socks and there is a lot of leftover yarn...voila!  A recorder tube with braided tie closure.

In 2005, Special K tie dyed some pillowcases.  We used the leftovers to dye some DK Knitpicks Bare.  A pair of socks were made with the yarn and the leftovers have sat until this weekend.  Special K is thrilled that her recorder case will be unique and made with yarn that she dyed herself.  A couple of hours here and there makes a lifetime of memories.  Gotta love a couple of hours.

Winner

After reading all of the comments, checking to see who linked to the contest, and bookmarking a number of new (to me) blogs...the random number generator chose number 23.  The winner is...Wendy.  Congratulations! 

I've been reading Wendy's blog for awhile, but there were a number of new visitors whose blogs I'll spend some time catching up with.  I've been a little preoccupied of late and have missed or nearly missed a number of cool happenings in the blogosphere.

Mystic Waters, a mystery shawl knitalong, is something I discovered while reading Linda's blog.  Registration is open until the 23rd, so you've got a couple of days left to get in.  I'm looking forward to having something "extra" to work on.

Thanks to everyone who left a comment.  A few gave me ideas for future contests.  Watch this space.

Treats

These are the socks that were supposed to keep me company at the dentist office. Leftovers.  29 grams of leftover purple from Miss C's "farewell" socks.  That combined with the leftover Flames is turning into the perfect pairing for Mad Cow socks.  The purple combined with the reds and oranges will be perfect for Special K.

Using up these leftovers will enable me to eliminate 2 more skeins from my Ravelry stash towards my Socktober goals.  Thankfully, the goals I've set for myself allow me to treat myself with new stuff from time to time. 

After three weeks of company and a meeting that took me "on the road", it was just the excuse I needed to make a little side-trip after the meeting.  What a treat!

Upon entering Monterery Yarn I knew that I had a new reason to be excited about "on the road" meetings.  Colleen, with her beautiful Brit accent, and Kathy (co-owners) were warm and welcoming.  That spirit is reflected throughout the shop.  The variety was enjoyably overwhelming (and well organized) and inlcuded plenty of "alcoves" to "lose yourself".  At one point I just sat down at the table to take it all in.  What a treat!

Of course I didn't leave without a few goodies.  Monterey Yarn carries one of my favorites,  Lorna's Laces Motherlode colorway was a definite bag filler.  These will be knit up for a special recipient.  Shhhh!

A skein of Lamb's Pride worsted (chocolate souffle colorway) will be the perfect compliment to the Noro that SP11 sent.  Now that the weather is changing, this combination is just the thing for making Jessica's Felted Bag for this fall.

It's been so busy around here lately that I hadn't seen anything about the Holiday Issue of Vogue Knitting.  (Hmmm, their link isn't working either...that might have something to do with it...)  So many treats...thank goodness the weekend is here!

Unthinkable

Well, it finally happened...the unthinkable...caught waiting for a child at the dentist office without any knitting!!!!!  Oh, No!!!!  The horror!!!!

And not just caught, but they were running behind and I was left for an entire HOUR with nothing more to keep me occupied than a wall full of magazines. (I'm trying to forget the woman with the five screaming kids...that particular moment I understood for the first time why most people with ipods carry them with them everywhere...if only wishes made it so.)

Now, before anyone scolds me or reminds me about keeping knitting in the car...my knitting HAD BEEN in the car just 45 minutes before we left for the dentist.  The pattern was in my purse.  The problem came when I carried "my things" out of the car and dropped them on the kitchen counter (because I had a spare moment).  Somehow, my knitting bag was in the mix. 

Oh well, thankfully, there was a comfy chair at home with my name on it and my knitting waiting for me when we returned from the dentist.

Reminder: The Contest ends soon.  The winner's name will be drawn on Saturday, October 20th.

Farewells

Fawkes takes flight.  Tuesday the skies cleared and we were set for some smooth sailing.

Yarn: Lorna's Laces: Flames colorway (truly THE best colorway for this pattern)

Needles: Addi US1

Started: Oct 1   Finished: Oct 12

The aerial and lakefront shots were courtesy of our evening event venue.  Tuesday evening we hosted the farewell party for the 20 visiting German students and their host families at the Marina Harbor Center.  It was a great evening!

Afterwards, the last minute packing included a new pair of socks.  Started: Oct 13   Finished: Oct 16

In order to finish these in time, they are stockinette Regia (#5270) with solid toes, heels, & cuffs.  Miss C was thrilled and actually put the socks in her carry on for getting comfortable on the long flight home.

This morning, we said our farewells and sent this lovely young woman home to Staufenberg-Mainzler, Germany.  It has been our pleasure!!  Safe travels.

Fawkes Finishing

A girl can change her mind, can't she!?!

There was a change of plans for my Fawkes.  Though there was plenty of yarn to make a "nearly knee" sock, it didn't feel right.

That would be because it was not "nearly" long enough. See how much shorter it is than my "actual" knee socks?  Can you imagine the troubles there'd be with falling socks!?!  What kind of damage could I inflict on my fellow man due to "falling sock syndrome"!?!  Nope, the shorter route was the way to go.

You know, of course, that meant a trip to the frog pond.  The messy frog pond.  Take a look.  Yep, I like to frog straight to the ball winder. (Then knit from the outside of the ball.)  I watch as row after row quickly and efficiently hops right onto the ball winder.  Just like ripping off a band-aid...it doesn't hurt as much if you do it quickly.

Of course, there's no time to clean the desk and take a "nice" photo.  Once the decision is set to frog, there's no time for cleaning.  (My mind may have changed again, for cryin' out loud!)

Now the socks are finished and I am happy.  (If only we'd have some nice daylight for a "finished photo"!)

Toe-up Fawkes Instructions

Last year I knit my first pair of toe-up socks and became an immediate convert searching out toe-up patterns all over the web.  Many of those patterns utilize a short row heel.  However, I am a fan of the heel flap. 

First, there I used Widdershuns and even modified it when designing Mom's Fixation.  Then I tried Diamante's heel and fell in love...a true diamond! 

So when it came time to knit Fawkes, it had to be toe-up with an adapted Diamante heel over fewer stitches.  Below are the adapted instructions in case you too would prefer Toe-Up Fawkes.

Toe-Up Fawkes (60 st design with heel flap)

Toe- Cast on using favorite toe-up cast on.  I prefer to Magic Cast On 20 stitches- 10 on each needle. Then work increases each round until there are 40 sts- 20 on each needle.  Then alternate a knit round with an increase round until there are 60 sts- 30 on each needle.

Foot- Work the 60 stitches in pattern according to the original Fawkes design with instep according to the chart and the sole in stockinette.

Cont in patt until work measures approx. 3.5 inches less than desired length, ending with Round 4 or 10 of patt.

Gusset- Increase Round: Work in patt to end of Needle 1; k1,m1, work to last st of Needle 2, m1, k1. Work 1 round in patt as set without increase. Repeat the 2 rounds eleven time more. 84 sts; 30 sts on Needle 1, 54 sts on Needle 2. You should have finished these 2 rounds having just worked Round 4 or 10 of chart patt.

Heel-

Row 1: Work in pattern (rnd 5 or 11) on Needle 1; Needle 2 knit first 36 sts. Turn work.

Even numbered rows 2-12 (WS): Sl1, p17. Turn work.

Odd numbered rows 3-11 (RS): Sl1, k17. Turn work.

Row 13: Sl1, k15, w&t.

Row 14: Sl1, p13, w&t.

Row 15: Sl1, k11, w&t.

Row 16: Sl1, p9, w&t.

Row 17: Sl1, k7, w&t.

Row 18: Sl1, p5, w&t.

Row 19: Sl1, k11, pick up & k6 sts (1 st in each slipped stitch along edge of flap). Turn work.

Row 20 (WS): Sl1, p23, pick up & k6 sts (1 st in each slipped stitch along edge of flap). Turn work.

You will now have 66 sts on Needle 2: 30 heel flap sts, and 18 gusset sts on each side of the flap sts.

Row 21 (RS): (Sl1, k1) 14 times, sl1, ssk. Turn work.

Row 22 (WS): Sl1, p28, p2tog. Turn work.

Repeat Rows 21 & 22 sixteen more times until 32 sts remain on Needle 2. Work Row 21 once more, but do not turn work.  Proceed to leg.

Leg: Needle 1 K all sts (Rnd 6 or 12). Needle 2 k2tog, k to end of needle. 60 sts total.

Continue Needle 1 in pattern and begin Needle 2 in pattern to match Needle 1.  Work desired length until ready to knit cuff.  Knit k1, p1 ribbing for cuff to desired length. Bind off.

A New Favorite

• Doogie
• Franklin
• Emerson Cod

What do they have in common?  They are my three favorite male knitters.  Who is Emerson Cod? If you haven't heard of him yet, I think you should.

Emerson Cod is the private investigator on Pushing Daisies.  When he gets stressed, he knits. Isn't that fabulous!?!  It's not the little ol' lady knitting...it's the strong confident male.  Unfortunately, the show is one that holds my attention so tightly that I'm unable to knit while it's on.

However, during this single episode (the 2nd, titled "Dummy", you can watch it online if you missed it), Emerson has been so upset about Chuck (the revived dead girl) that he knit a ribbed vest with coordinating gun holsters (presumably is fingering weight) as well as countless socks that he hides his money in.  Not to mention the felted briefcase he has on his desk.  Whatta guy!!!

I sure hope they have knitting content each week!

Feeling Lucky!?!

It's the rare occasion when Krafty1 wins a contest.  Rare indeed.  Stash & Burn's recent "One Skein Contest" reminded me of this. (Side note...if you're a S&B listener...it catches me offguard to hear them discuss all of the one "skeen" projects! How about you?  Do you pronounce "skein" as "skeen" or "skane"?  Not an issue with a Hank!) There were a number of nice winners...I was not one of them.  Since I never win contests, today's Web Wednesday is dedicated to all of the contests you could win!

1. Sorry you missed out on the One Skein contest? The ladies at Stash & Burn are having a "Sockburning" contest to burn through your Socktoberfest sock yarn.
2. Need a worthy cause? There are a couple of days left to the Spin Out 2007 contest.  So far Cara has raised over $21000.  Each $10 donation to the Heifer International Gift Registry gets you an entry for fabulous prizes!
3. A little short on cash?  Trek's contest involves collecting Boxtops 4 Education.
4. Want to stick with something knitting related?  Loopy Ewe's 4th Quarter Challenge may be something that could interest you.
5. Want to support your LYS? Anne's October Contest involves writing a review of your LYS to add to the LYS Gude Blog.
6. Involved in SP11?  Some of the hostesses have raided their stashes for goodies to giveaway.  (If your hostess doesn't, give 'em a break...they are already giving their time; a lot of volunteer hours are involved in hostessing!  Take it from someone who knows.) My hostess, Shelby, has asked our group to flash their stashes as an entry.  So here's a reminder...
7. And finally...since I occasionally miss hostessing, enjoyed holding contests AND missed the fact that last week I had my 500th post (yippee!!)...how about a contest of my own!?!

Simple: Leave a comment on this post as to your favorite kind of contest is before October 20th.  The winner will be drawn at random for a sock kit complete with tote, needles, pattern and (in honor of my German guest, Miss C) German sock yarn and chocolate.  And if win AND you're German...I can adjust your prize.  

Bonus: Tell your friends...add this contest link to your blog for an additional entry (just let me know that you've added a link).

Returning to normal

Ahhh, the return of sweater weather! 

Additionally, it's the return of my "view".  As the leaves fall from the trees more and more of Lake Michigan makes an appearance from my office window.  (The view is one of the perks of my day job.)  In the past six years, my view has grown more and more obscured with the growth of these three trees outside my window.  Yet another reason to relish the return of falling leaves.

Returning home had its own relish...parcels!

Stitches, Stitches, Stitches...1110 designs total.  The turning temps have turned my attention to designing.  It's time for a new sock design and a new gansey design.  These will help me find some inspiration!

These will help too.  A parcel arrived from Japan.  Shaun and Hostie sent fiber goodness (Noro Silk Garden), green tea, a sheep named Suki and a Japanese Kit Kat bar. (Thanks SP!!!)

The Kit Kat means its time for another cultural study.  Watch this space for the details of this in-depth study.  A bit of silliness really...but then that just means that things are returning to NORMAL.

Series of Unfortunate Events

Sometimes I worry that my knitting likes to live life a bit dangerously. 

When I finished the first Shetland Triangle, it seemed that there would be "just enough" yarn for a second triangle.  Well, not quite.  With 4 rows to go I was down to the last 25 inches.  Oops.

A quick scrounge through leftovers revealed a complimentary color from last year's "scarf of monotony".  Ahh, tragedy averted.

Alas, tragedy was inevitable.  Finding yarn to finish the triangle, merely postponed a tragedy that was due the knitting gods.  Why?  Who knows why the knitting gods/goddesses required a sacrifice from Chez Krafty1.  In the end they got their wish.

Take a close look at what happens when new socks get their first wash and then decide to tagalong into the dryer.

Felted

Pandas.

Remember these? 

They were my new favorites.  They felt SOOOOO good on my feet!  Now look at them!!!

I was not amused.  Special K now has new slipper socks.  No more Pandas for me. (Deep sigh.)

This is October!?!

Eighty-eight degrees! (Thirty-one for my metric pals!) 

October...the time of year where thoughts should turn to winter woolens.

Instead, tank tops were the fashion must-have for the weekend.  This is Miss M, Panda, and Miss C.  Miss C is our visiting German student.  Miss M is staying with another family and is Miss C's friend from home.  Mom's Taxi serveice drove the girls to one of the malls in Milwaukee.  Afterwards, we had dinner at Maggiano's.  We had a great evening!

Of course, it's no problem for Mom's Taxi to deliver and wait for three teenage girls at a mall.  Well, as long as that mall has a coffee shop; preferably one with a comfy chair.

Time isn't an issue as long as the coffee and knitting holds out.

The heat warranted a move to a bookstore coffee shop whose air conditioning was in full working order. 

Who'd have thought there'd be the need to find a spot with a/c in October!?!  Ahhh, a good time was had by all!

the long and short of it

The first sock is finished.  It's LONG!  It's nearly to my knee.  (You'll have to wait to see it till there are two socks.)  I'm so excited, I haven't had knee socks since I was a kid.  (Not many knee socks in the world for size 11 feet.)

The second sock is underway and this evening enjoyed a latte at the hair salon.  Hair salon!?!  That's right.  One of the hair salons in town has a coffee shop/restaurant under the same roof!  It's awesome!!!

No, my hair wasn't touched. 

Why else do you think the sock was out? 

No, it was Special K.  One little hair cut and she ages from a girl to a tween.  The hair, it's on its way to Locks of Love. 

And that's the long and short of it.

Wallace Wednesday

Yes, I'm a HUGE fan of Wallace & Gromit.  Wednesday my mailbox filled with Wallace mail.

What could have sent everyone into a frenzy?  Why it was news of a new film: Trouble at Mill. The guys will take over a bakery in the next film.  I'd guess there won't be many knitting or sheep shots at the ol' bakery.  Oh well.

Then Wed. night an email arrived from my brother....a new Shaun the Sheep comic will soon be mine.  From the photo it appears that this one includes some modeling clay to make a Shaun of my very own.  Sounds like a good project for Panda.

Are you a Secret Pal?...the Shaun site has postcards.  Lots of sheep to send to pals all over! 

Aren't a Secret Pal...SwapDex is an index site with swaps of all types: knitting, quilting, sewing, scrapbooking and SO MUCH MORE.  Time to have some fun while we wait for the new film.

Socktober Goals

It's true...the best way to accomplish a goal is to write it down. 

At one point, I considered using Ravelry to help me diminish my stash.  Unfortunately, even though I knit like crazy, the stash number keeps going up (shopping & gifts).  However, the "Stash Used" number is going up; currently it sits at 8.  My goal for October: 15.

This is how I plan to do it:

• Fawkes- will use 1
• Mad Cow socks- (with the leftovers from the Chevron scarf) will mean I can finally cross the 2 Koigu off the list
• Shetland Triangle #2- will mean I can finally cross the 1 (Aziza) off the list
• Komi Cap or Latvian Hat- will mean that I can finally cross the 1 pink Baby Ull off the list. (BTW: For those of you keeping track, even though I used 5 skeins for the baby cardigan, on Ravelry because I had 6 skeins total they don't go off the stash inventory until the 6th skein is gone. And then it still will only count as "1".)
• Plus 2 other misc. gift socks- will use 2

That equals stash used of "7".  That also means that my goals for Socktober include 4 pair of socks, 1 Shetland Triangle, and 1 hat.  Ambitious!?!  Better get knitting!!! 

Do you have goals?

Flames

Fawkes is well underway.  Lorna's Laces Flames is perfect for this project!

The pattern is written top down, but I've adapted it for toe-up.  So far, I'm pleased with the results.

And yes, this time BOTH skeins have been weighed so that a shortage can be avoided.  They each weighed 58 grams! 

The crazy thing is that, usually, this is as long a sock as I can get from a skein of yarn in order to accomodate my size 11 feet!  (Sorry about the low lighting.)  However, at this point, there's still 15 grams left!!  Not only will there be a toe-up re-write, but now it'll need a calf increase write-up if the remaining 15 grams is to be used up.

I've never had this "problem" before: more yarn than sock pattern. There's enough left at this point for 3-4 more pattern repeats AND a cuff!  Wow!!!!