Ta Da!!

Yeah - a pair of socks DONE!! This is certainly a record for me - as anyone who's followed my blog this summer, usually several weeks and/or states/miles pass before I ever finish sock #2. I attribute this accomplishment to the 2-socks-on-one-circular needle method. Let's not even mention the orphaned Jaywalker sock upstairs buried in my sock yarn stash.

These are great as they satisfy a 2nd/extra credit pair of socks for August for SAM4 and the SKS KAL. They aren't my favorite socks I've made - I think the rib kind of muddles the stripes, but Orion doesn't seem to care & that's all that matters. :0)

Details:

Yarn: 56 stitches using Lorna's Laces in Jungle Stripe
Needles: Size 2 Addi Turbo; Magic Loop; 2 at a time
Pattern: Garter Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks (K2P2 one row, knit 2nd row, repeat)
Modifications: None
Recipient: My 7 year old son. He specifically asked for lime green, striped socks.

Here are a few more photos of this monumental FO:

Okay - I lied. Here is one more photo of the FO. Blogger apparently doesn't want to import my photos from iPhoto w/the correct orientation. Everything came up sideways. Don't know why & right now don't feel like troubleshooting - just too happy that these socks are finished! :0)

Next up: I signed up for the finishing class at our LYS "The Yarn Branch" so I'll have a target date to finish my Cindy sweater. I also signed up for a beaded scarf - I'm interested on how to incorporate beads into knitted objects.

But... since those classes aren't occurring for awhile, and while I'm waiting for the yarn for my Monkey Sock Swap to arrive, I think I'll CO another sock w/some new Faux Fair Isle Yarn I purchased yesterday (I swear it just jumped into my basket!). It's called ON Live Supersocke 100 -Afrika-Color. I'm debating whether or not to do some sort of ribbing down to the foot. I like how ribbing tends to keep the sock up. We have two more days of inservice/meetings - so I need another small project to keep my hands occupied.

Happy Weekend!

Summer is Over...

Yes - it's true. Summer has officially come to an end; if you are a teacher within the Anchorage School District. I know we get no sympathy from non-teachers, but going back to work after a long summer hiatus is still a shock to the system. I'm using that for my excuse for not blogging more this week & lack of any true knitting progress. Today was day #2 back at work - an 'inservice' day where teachers have mandatory meetings, trainings, etc. Like any occupation - some meetings, etc. are more beneficial/interesting than others. Today was no exception. One of the great things about the school where I teach & the department I'm in is our Weekly meeting at the local watering hole/pizzeria "The Moose's Tooth". Ahh - what fun to gather w/colleagues/friends & share a pint (or two). A good way to end day #2 of work.

Here's where I am on the knitting front:
I've made it to the gusset on the Jungle Stripe - 2 at a time - socks. That was the adventure, let me tell you! I was working in bed & just too comfy to jump up & search on the internet for the best way to pick up stitches along the gusset for 2 at a time socks. I quickly realized that when you turn the heel, you have to do one at a time since you work back and forth. That was no problem. The gusset was a bit more tricky, since I don't think I picked up stitches in the right order. So - I had to transfer stitches of the 2nd sock, albeit briefly, to a 2nd circ, pick up those gusset stitches & then put it back on the original needle. This was a bit unorthodox, but it seemed to work. So - just a few more decreases & then the foot & I'll be done with the pair. I still love thinking about that. I recently joined Monkey Sock Swap 3 (There's still time to join if your are interested) & am considering making the Monkey socks on one circular as well - guaranteed to finish a pair at the same time! :0)

I have been making progress on the 'Cindy' sweater. I finished the left side arm & started working on the right when I became concerned about how the 'V' was formed. So - I revisited the Yarn Branch where I originally saw the sweater made up. My 'V' is correct - hooray!
But... I apparently misunderstood the directions. If you look along the arm hole, you'll see a series of CR3 & CRL. When I looked at the made up sweater in the store, it only had a few of these & they didn't run all the way up the arm hole. Hmm... Now if the photo on the pattern would have been more clear about showing more of the details instead of the nifty necklace she's wearing, then maybe I could have avoided this error. Well - I'm just going to call it a new 'Design Feature'. I hope it doesn't affect the shape too much & that when I knit the sleeves, they actually fit. Arghhh... I am planning on singing up for a finishing class that is held in September to seam it together.

Well -