Totally Fraternal

These socks are totally fraternal. I normally like my socks to match as perfectly as possible. This time I just went with the flow. There was a knot in the yarn that changed the color repeats and they were quite large so I just thought I would leave it be. They are fun for a change. The yarn is Sockotta, the needles, size 2 Knit Picks.

On the needles I have the most adorable vest called "Lady Jane". A new pattern by my bestest friend, Deby Lake.

Spring Has Sprung

The apple blossoms are in bloom, the grass is getting green and spring has sprung. This is my very favorite time of the year. I am outside every minute I can be working in the flower gardens watching everything come to life or enjoying knitting on the swing. My knitting time gets even less during the warmer months so I try to stay with easy, light projects.

These are my Socks That Rock. I bought my yarn at Stitches Midwest in Chicago last August. I had read so much about this yarn and had to try it. I loved it!! I used Silkie Socks that Rock in the colorway, Moody Blues. I used size 2 Knit Picks needles and just made a plain vanilla sock. The colors are so pretty and the socks are so soft. They will be waiting in my sock drawer until fall when I put my shoes back on again.

Best Friend Socks

Last month was my best girlfriend, Deby's birthday and I sent her socks for our traditional birthday sock exchange. This month is my birthday and I got my birthday socks in the mail from her. I was so excited to open my package, I was like a kid at Christmas. Not only did Deby knit birthday socks, but she designed and named the pattern "Best Friend Socks" in honor of our birthday tradition. I was thrilled!! How cool is that!!! She sent me a copy of the pattern that she is offering free on Ravelry and soon on her website . She also sent me the neatest knitting journal to keep track of all my projects. Thank you Deby, I love my birthday package!!!

Mom's Birthday Socks Finished

I finally finished mom's birthday socks and she loved them.

The pattern is Stansfield 196 from "More Sensational Knitted Socks" by Charlene Schurch.
I used size 2 needles and did an Eye of the Partridge heel with garter stitch edge.

Black Wool

Yesterday was the Spinning Guild in at Zeilingers and I worked on this black roving with bits of colored mohair running through it. The pictures don't do it justice. It is kind of hard to capture the deep black with the other colors. I have one pound of roving so I Imagine it will become a scarf and mittens in the future. So far I have about 300 yards plied.

Mom's Birthday Socks

I started mom's birthday socks. I am using Aussie Wool in purple because mom is a Red Hatter. The pattern is Stansfield 196 from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch on size 2 needles.

Hoodie

I finished my hoodie yesterday. I love it! It is so soft and fits perfectly. The pattern is from Knitting Pure and Simple, top down construction. I used Knit Picks size 9 circulars and the yarn is Andean Silk from Knit Picks in Hollyberry.

Now for the next project. I will be casting on mom's birthday socks.

Birthday Socks

Today is my best girlfriend, Deby's birthday. Happy Birthday girlfriend!!!! A few years ago we decided to exchange hand knit socks for our birthday every year. What a cool tradition that has turned out to be!

This year I used a pattern from "Sensational Knitted Socks" called "Ribbed Lace". The yarn is Araucania hand dyed on size 2 Knick Picks needles. They have an Eye of the Partridge heel. The ribbing is 1x1 through the back loop. I had never done this before and I really liked the results.

Hoodie

For Christmas this year my DH did alot of investigating to come up with something he knew I would like. He searched through my patterns knowing I had said I want to make the Hoodie pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple. I love these patterns, simple and always fit. Always a good take along project. Anyhow he found my Knit Picks catalog and called a rep to find the nicest yarn for me. He chose Andean Silk in Hollyberry. The top picture captures the true color. This yarn is awesome!!! He did a great job in suprising me for Christmas!!!

Beaded Wrap

This is a kit I bought while at Stitches Midwest last summer. It is a beaded wrap called, Jill and made of cotton with crystal beads. The kit is from Swallow Hill Creations.

The pattern is a variation of the Tilting Block and is very easy to knit. All the beads had to be pre-strung before beginning. The only problem I found is it takes quite a long time to keep pulling up each bead as needed. They have a tendancy to fall back down the strand.

I love the texture of this wrap and know it will be beautiful completed. Hopefully I will have it finished by August for my daughter's wedding.

Black Wool

This is black top with colored mohair mixed throughout. I think it would make a wonderful pair of mittens and scarf. I can't wait to see it plied because the singles are already very pretty. This wool came from Zeilingers in Frankenmuth.