We Have a Swatch, Some Knitting & Need Some of Your Wisdom

Ok folks if you don't want to see or hear anything about the February STR kit this year it is time to move on. I'll wait.
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Since you are this far now I am guessing you want to see the pictures that I have for you.

First is my swatch. It seemed like it took forever to get gauge. From the bottom to the top is 0, 1, 2 and 3. It was rather odd that I seemed to get the same gauge with my 0 and 1. I did end up getting gauge finally with the 2, but I just wanted to make sure that was ok so I went ahead and tried the 3 just to make sure. It amazes me how much a needle size can change the patterning of the yarn.

I took all of the pictures outside on a nice bright and sunny day. =)


So I knit the toe with a size 2 and decided to use a 0 for the foot. The pattern calls for a nice tight fit for the foot so I figured that the 0's would be my best bet. I am really liking the way that they are knitting up. The yarn is so yummy and I just love the colors. As so many people have said, it isn't a color that I would have picked for myself, but I love it.


It isn't as obvious here, but the sock looks like a ummm......... uhhhhhh......... mushroom, yeah that's it, a mushroom. I have actually gotten a few odd looks from people. LOL I think it is pretty funny. Kevin was wondering what the heck I was knitting. ;)


Here I am almost to the heel. It felt like it took forever to get this far. I am guessing that it is the size 0 needles. My hands and fingers are hurting as well from it. I am excited though to get them done even though it might be too warm to wear them.

It was 81 F here today!! I about fell over. Needless to say all the windows were opened and James spent most of the day outside.


I did turn the heel with my size 2's and started on the leg. The sock fit before starting the leg. I decided to use the size 2's for the leg as well. I was all the way up the leg and had cast off, but hadn't tried it on in fear of snapping my DP needles and I was being too lazy to put them on circs. to try them on.

Well as my S-I-L always says, "Whad' ya learn?" I learned that I should have tried the dang thing on. I could get my foot in the leg with no problem, but where the turn begins to go down to the foot is where I got stuck. I am guessing high arch?

I have went up to a 4 and don't think I like the way it is knitting up. This is my first pair of toe up and I have no clue what to do to solve this problem. Any of you knit toe up sock have any info. or suggestions that you could pass my way? I am stuck staring at my sock really wanting to finish it. I don't want to go any farther for fear that I will have to rip it out again.

Thanks for any help or suggestions that you might have on the sock. Have a great day.

Since I am on the Topic of Socks.....

I have decided to tackle socks for Kevin. Wish me luck in this adventure.

I am in no way brave enough to use a fingering weight or sport weight for him yet. He has a size 17 foot for cripes sake! So the poor guy has to settle with a pair of Malabrigo socks.

I am knitting them in a generic stockinette with a K1, P1 rib at the top. It is knitting up faster than I expected it to, but I guess that is what happens when you use a worsted weight yarn opposed to a fingering weight. Plus I am using a size 5 needle instead of the normal size 1 that I am used to using.

I hope that when they are done he will like them. They are so soft and squishy. I think I might just have to make a pair for myself. I have plenty of it to go around. Wouldn't it be cute to have a pair for James too? They could be our family socks. =)

IT"S HERE!!!!!!!!!!

I would have never guessed that it was here. I looked out the front door and nothing, the back door and nothing. I know that we have a large mail box, but knew that it wouldn't fit in there. So I figured that I would have to wait another day. I went out to collect my bills and what was waiting for me????!!!! Yep my first STR Sock Club Package!!!!

I am soooooooooo freaking excited! I can't wait to get started.

From here on out are going to be spoilers of the package contents and pictures so if you don't want to know or see anything about it now is your time to move on.

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Ok so if you are this far either you want to see the pictures or to read what I have to say about it. :)


First I have a picture of the package. See in the upper left hand corner? Yep that says Blue Moon!! (as always click on any picture to make it bigger). I was skipping back to the house with my package. Our dog was looking through the door at me like I had lost my mind.


Next we have the folder, and contents. The yarn is called Monsoon and is soooooo lovely! Do they know how to pick them or what! There is a flyer for Camp, discount card, emergency yarn key chain, button, bumper sticker, beautiful yarn, Dyer's Notes, Foot Notes, hints and tips on making socks to fit friends and family and the pattern called "Inside Out"

What a wonderful first package. This is my first time being in any sock club and I am already having a blast.


I have glanced over the pattern and it a toe up pattern with ribs and cables. I have never done a toe up or cabled pattern on a sock before. So there are going to be many new things that I will get to learn. Not only does the sock look so cool and pretty it can also be worn inside out! How freaking ingenious is that?!


I will leave you with one last picture. A closer picture of the yarn. It is actually a little lighter in color than this picture, but it is very close considering I took it inside with a flash and no natural sun light. I have it all packed and ready to go with me to knitting tonight. I hope that the other ladies at my FNSLYS got theirs today too.

Waiting, Waiting and Still Waiting

STR

I am one of the ones that are still waiting for their Rockin Sock Club Package. I want it so bad I can taste it. They have a blog set up for all the members and yesterday just about put me over the edge. There were people posting right and left that they got their package. My mail man had come and gone yesterday and today leaving me with nothing but bills. So I am stuck here waiting for Monday in hopes that it will come, but I am not holding my breath. I feel like a child at on Christmas Eve. This is so crazy. :) This was all that I asked Kevin to get me for my Birthday. It is a great gift that keeps on giving through the year.


ADS

Some of you might have noticed on left hand side that I now have ads and a search section. There are so many things that need to be done and taken care of that I was hoping to make a little money that way. If you don't know already, I am a stay at home mom and sadly I don't make any money at doing that. I feel that my contribution to the family is less than what it should be. I have an Etsy store set up that I was told I should do from friends and family, but it isn't going well either. I sold 1 knitted hat around Christmas and that is it. I don't know where I am going wrong. I was hoping that with the adds and the search section I might be able to make a little to help out. We are currently having to get our kitten spayed, looking at a $400 + propane bill whenever they decide to come out and fill the tank again, we have to get the breaks fixed on my vehicle, Kevin needs to have work done on his beater truck that he drives to work, he needs to get to a hearing specialist too and quite a few other things. Sadly you have to have money to do all those things and they always seem to happen all at the same time. Ugh.

If you could just click on one or more of the adds when you visit I would greatly appreciate it. It is quick and painless. If you have them on your site I will do the same for you. Thanks!


KNITTING

I have no pictures to show you of my knitting progress this time. Sorry. I am working on a pair of socks for my cousin though. I am using Trekking XXL Color 102. This is the first socks that I have made with it and I am loving how the colors are coming together. I am not going to want to give them away when they are done I know it. At least I am enjoying knitting them and it is something that is keeping me somewhat sane while I am waiting for my STR package.


PICTURE

I will leave you today with a picture of James playing in the tent that I made him with his table and chairs. He had a great time.