whackadoodle coconut

I am working on my project list for summer, it keeps me busy and I always have somehting to do for an hour or less or when I watch a movie - this week features super heros (what else right?). spud and chloe fine in glowworm pattern cabled socks from the book socks from the toe up These are the socks that I unravelled a while back and are just now getting to re do them.  I chose a different pattern.  One with small faux cables, they are turning out nicely.  Just a short 4 row repeat.  I'm almost to the gusset and heel flap. Then I am working on weening down the stash and randomly making granny squares for a blanket someday.  Something that isn't too fancy, but perfect for taking places or grabbing for the car. I won't be too upset if it gets dirty or misplaced, or lost.  Just quirky crochet & knit squares that are impromptu. leftover yarn from elefante and tako (or ocho) it's a barney purple generic acrylic yarn from red heart - ...

My first one was a hand me down and the touch wheel began sticking and it would just stop working.  So I asked for one for Christmas.  I've had a little trouble with it, but the latest works well and I've been looking around for podcasts that I can listen to. My latest choices have been some yarn podcasts.  Lion Brand Yarn has a pretty good one and I've listened to the one hosted weekly by WEBS. Also, I've been listening to the BBC4 radio drama, The Archers.  I haven't listened (ever) to a radio show so it's took some getting used to.  The first weeks broadcast, I had to listen twice to figure out what's happening.  The second week was the same.  There's a lot going on.  Want to check it out?  You can go online and suscribe.  There are two versions, daily and weekly.

Just purchased the newest Noro magazine for Fall 2012.  I love their yarn.  It's so unique and rustic, the garments in the mag are beautiful!  I could make them all! I am also working on weening down the sock stash with a pair of spud and chloe socks.  I had made a pair last year and they didn't fit quite right, so I unraveled them and will redo them toe up with some soft cables.

I just finished my sample and took it to my mom's house to have her take a look and share a few things regarding choosing yarn and the importance of blocking. Pattern: Summer Blooms by Susanna IC, printed in this months Interweave Knits Yarn: leftover from cardi and some socks (not the same kind of yarn, or technically the same color either, it was the same weight though)

so I'm still working on my "test" summer blooms.  I am hoping to have enough yarn just sitting around to finish the short rows.  I have used up the last of the yarn from my sweater and a half ball from a pair of socks I made a few months back and I might have to break into another ball to finish.  it's okay since the yarn is kind of old and the blocking should soften it up a bit.  3 more rows until the 68 short rows!  Yay! about 3 rows short of the short rows tester of the 32 row repeat didn't look right, so I cast on all 417 st for another test

This past week I had the opportunity to visit a not so local, but close by some means yarn store about 30 minutes from where I live.  It's closer than Santa Barbara.  My mom and I drove up and she picked out a lacy shawlette for me to make and purchased the pattern.  I have spent the week off and on practicing and putting together what I need to make it.  I even joined the ravelry group for he KAL. It took about an hour and half to cast on the 417 stitches needed to start and I will work 34 rows of the pattern before the short row shaping and be done.  If the practice works out, I will get the yarn to do the real thing.  It's easy enough, although I have run into a couple of snags that I need help with.  This will be my first official lace knit and beaded project.

I just purchased the cutest pattern from ravelry.  An online community for knitters and crocheters.  These french press slippers are just the cutest thing I've seen in ages and I couldn't be happier with the final results.  Even though the took a week and are still somewhat drying they are so delightful that I will have to make about a dozen pairs.  They are super easy to knit even the youngest and most inexperienced knitter could make them and still have great results.  The biggest drawback was felting them by hand.  That was a pain.  It took a lot longer to felt than to knit.  I will probably make a few pairs and then do them in the washer. Take a look at the process. pre-felted, just knit and sewn together funny picture since they are WAY too big for my feet felting in the sink, since the tub photo was way messier the straps were done in about 15 minutes of vigorous felting once the first slipper was done, I had to d...