Friday, January 13, 2006

Good Gracious!

I'm a sock knitter!!!

I just finished turning the heel and picking up the gusset on my first pair of socks. Woah! Turning the heel was a bit tricky, but picking up those stitches was easier than I thought it would be. I'm really enjoying the sock knitting and see why some people *coughLauracough* are addicted.

Mom and I took a mittens class at our LYS tonight! It was my first official knitting class and first time really getting together with other knitters. I loved being able to share the obsession with others who could appreciate it. (Hubby dearest tries to be understanding about it, but I know that it's more because he loves me than for real interest in the wooly wonders I "whip up".) The class itself wasn't anything too difficult. We're making fingerless mittens from the Weekend Knitting book. They're being knit on straight needles and seamed together using a three-needle bind off.

Though they're an easy project, it is incorporating a few new techniques for me:

~ short rows
~ button holes (for the thumb)
~ three-needle bind off

I'm using Manos del Uruguay in color #28. I've never used Manos before and I'm really liking it, though I think that I have more thick and thin in this skein than in Mom's skein, but it is making the finished product more interesting! I'll post a picture of this work in progress and of my sock tomorrow.

By the way, I'm one strong woman! I spent 2 1/2 hours in a yarn store and only bought the needles and skein of yarn necessary for the project... in complete compliance with the Stashalong rules and regulations. That was difficult. I loved being in the yarn store with my fellow knitters surrounded by all that yarn, but I really wanted to buy yarn.

My current works in progress:

1. Hopeful. Lace middle and first end section completed. I just picked up the stitches on the second end and worked about 3 inches. Only 17 inches left to go and it'll be done!

2. Irish Hiking Scarf. Yeah, I haven't worked on this. I'm still at the halfway point.

3. Stashbusting tank tops. Laura found a great pattern for these! Email me with your address and you'll find a little something in your mailbox. Yay!

4. Owen's Sweater Vest. The front part is almost finished. I had to rip back the v-neck because I didn't start the shaping early enough, but that's easy enough fixed. My plan is to have this finished by the end of the weekend. The exciting thing is that I have someone who wants me to do sizing for a 4T so that they can make one for a family member! I think I'll probably end up doing a few sizes and then making it available as a free pattern here. What do you think?

5. The socks. Oh yeah.

6. Fingerless mittens. It's a good thing.

Am I going a little crazy with the knitting?

5 comments:

Beverly said...

I've made that Weekend Knitting pattern twice...once for my SP6. It's hard to give those mitts away--you'll love them.

Kim said...

Congrats on turning the heel--isn't it cool! And a HUGE pat on the back for making it through 2.5 hours in a yarn shop and not getting anything more than what you needed for your class:) Just popping through on weekly Stashalong check--Happy knitting!

Laura said...

I love those mitts too -- I have also made them twice and am thinking about another pair. So fun and fast.

Your Stashalong intentions are indeed in peril if you become a sock knitter. I have bought a LOT of sock yarn lately. Sorry I'm dragging you into this addiction. Do you watch Lost? I feel a little like Charlie's older brother. Tho' I am still a big time "user." LOL!

Did Wendy have a tank top pattern? I will email you my address, because I can't resist getting mail from an actual person that I know. Thanks! :)

knittinmom said...

There's nothing like turning your first heel! And I see that you have an Owen - I've got one, too! You're all signed up for the sock-a-month knit-along. Can't wait to see your first pair!

stricken madchen said...

Congrats on starting your first sock! (and for your compliment on my blog!). It's an exciting, addicting adventure. ;-)
Michelle