Finally, Time to Knit

Well, time to post, actually. The knitting has been coming along just fine. First off we have another pair of completed socks (without even enough time to post a progress shot).


Pattern: Denmark from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush (April/May sock from the KOTR KAL)

Yarn: Cashsoft DK by RY Classic Yarns in 507 (beige) I used almost exactly one ball per sock. I had just a few yards left when I was all finished.

Needles: US 2 (2.75mm)

Notes: Another great pattern from Nancy Bush! These knit up very quickly and the pattern was easy to memorize. I was even able to cable without a cable needle on these (a first for me)! The yarn is ever so soft! The socks are nice and warm. Okay, so they are a little too warm for SoCal. That means that someone out there can expect to see them as a gift later this year.

Next up are the progress shots:

First we have an entire sleeve from Aran Rose Peach. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cotton DK. I have realized that I will probably need more yarn (curse my optimism) so I need to knit quickly while I can still find a fix to finish the back if when I need it.

Next we have my FLAK (betcha never thought I get around to this one). I've sailed off to sleeve island and expect to be there for some time. The warmth of spring has made this low on my priorities, but I do enjoy the pattern.

Of course, my sock knitting needles can never remain empty, so we have the next sock in line. This one is the Fluted Banister pattern that was a 6Sox Knitalong project many months ago. The pattern is quick and easy and the yarn is a cotton that looks to be fun for summer.

What I really wanted was to start on a pair of Trekking XXL socks. I had one skein when Margene and Norma announced their inspired new KAL.

Now I have two skeins of Trekking XXL (66 for me and 69 for Mr. Engineer) and I'm chomping at the bit waiting for 1 June. Maybe I will need to cast on early......

Sixth Sense with a Twist

What better reason for two posts in one day than to share another pair of socks off the needles!


Pattern: Sixth Sense from the 6Sox Knitalong

Yarn: Regia Cotton (34% cotton), Surf Color 5413 (tropical)

Needles: US1 dpns

Notes: This is a fun pattern (thanks, Susan) that seems to knit up nicely in all the colorways that the KAL gang can find. Mine bring me thoughts of boat drinks and sunny days.

Deviations: Much of my sock knitting is done at work over lunch. I must have been flustered the day that I turned the hem for the first sock. I liked how it looked, but it seemed different from the picture in the pattern. I continued, but the differences were more obvious as I started seeing all the other socks being knit by the group. When I was waaaaaaay down on the foot, I realized that I had managed to turn the sock around and inside out when I turned the hem. Thus, I had stockinette showing with a little purl edge instead of the reverse stockinette that was designed. I liked it so I decided to repeat it for the second sock. (Okay, so I just didn't want to frog an almost finished sock! Sue me.) The fun began when I realized that I had also made two additional errors on the cuff (one fewer purl row and one missing knit row just after the hem was turned). In the end, I'm happy and my feet are happy.

In Which Questions Are Answered

A perusal through the comment logs tells me that I have been remiss. There are questions about and the curious want answers. So, today's post will be about the past.

First off, a big thank you to Kay for the shout out at Mason-Dixon Knitting. It's so fun to have publicity! Next a HUGE thank you for all the complements from my readers. Appreciation feels good!

Now for those anwers that were promised.

For Rebecca in CO, yes, I did use the channel cast on for the New England socks. It was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. The only downside was that the doubled yarn meant that there was an extra end to weave in. The tops of the socks do seem to curl but they seem to lie flat when on.

For Allison, the colorway of the Gryffindor Socks is Regia Nation farbe (color) 5393. I purchased mine at Velona Needleworks and I also saw that Suzoo's Wool Works had several skeins of this the last time I was there.

For Jennifer, I don't think that all the house colors can be recreated in Regia Nation colors, but there is a yellow/black that would be a good Hufflepuff substitute. There is a green and white, but not a green and grey.

Eyja, you are braver than I. No way, no how was I going to weigh my stash. There are some things I don't want to know.

One more for Rebecca in CO, I completely relate to your daughter the chemical engineer. My degree is actually in chemistry, but I work in engineering. It is all good and, yes, we are a little different.

Earth Day Every Day

In case you missed it, Saturday was Earth Day. We spent a few hours at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. The original intent was to help at the beach cleanup, but a late start and Young Man's froggy voice in the morning nixed that plan. We did have a great time perusing the conservation displays and, of course, visiting the fishes. Young Man again proved that he was a good sport by not correcting the gentleman who was "helping" to explain the tide pools to the boy who was obviously not being watched by any parents. Mr. Engineer and I were both chuckling because we figured that Young Man could probably explain more to the adult than the other way around. We love this aquarium! It is small enough for a quick trip, but there is enough there (and enough fabulous docents) to keep even Young Man happy.

Supposedly, the Governor came to the aquarium later that afternoon. We left before he arrived, but not before Mr. Engineer caught the attention of the security detail. Something about a tall guy looking with great interest at water intakes made the security guys really nervous. Haven't they ever dealt with an engineer before? In other news, Young Man's teacher told us last week that she really thinks that he will be an engineer. You think?

After a picnic lunch, we headed home where I dug up our garden. Mr. Engineer didn't think that I was serious. Boy, was he wrong. Sunday the whole family got into the act with a trip to a local arboretum for their annual big garden show. We came home with lots of gorgeous veggie plants that are now safely nestled into the garden waiting for sun and water so that they can grow their goodies for us. It wasn't a big knitting weekend, but today I received both of Janet Szabo's books. They are fabulous!!!!

Now for some in-progress shots:

My Sixth Sense socks have at least six errors (some deliberate to end up with a matching pair), but they are working out well.









Aran Peach is progressing slowly. Very slowly.

Finally, some better photos of Durrow. I can't think of a better way to remember Earth Day than with a great kid like this.

Not Close to New England

We are about as far as we can get from New England while remaining in the contiguous United States. Still, we have a little taste of the area right here on the blog.


Project: New England from Knitting on the Road, by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Brown Sheep Company Wildfoote in Little Lilac
Needles: US 0 DPNs (these are soooo much smaller than US 1s!)
Notes: Another wonderful pattern from the ever-talented Nancy Bush. I knit these per the pattern with the exception of the toes. Since these are a gift, I stuck with the toe shaping that I know I like. I really like the lacey diamonds. I could see myself knitting these again. Well, I may knit them again once I've forgotten how long it takes to knit with those small needles!
Recipient: I haven't decided, but they may be a teacher appreciation week gift for the best third grade teacher in the state. We are biased, but Young Man's teacher is really wonderful.

Can you believe that I finished two projects in one weekend? Amazing. I'm still knitting away on my FLAK, but the warm weather is making it less appealing. I'm re-swatching for Aran Rose from Interweave Knits. I'm planning to do it in a Debbie Bliss Cotton DK in a delicate peach color (thus the "Aran Rose Peach" name in the progress area). More socks are certainly to come. I have a nice Regia cotton Surf Color lined up for the Six Sox Knitalong socks. Yes, it's time for some spring knitting!