Too Much Yarn

Pair #2

It pays to stay focused, I found out... I only knitted socks this week (OK! I cheated on the socks by knitting a few mitered squares on my blankie!). And so, I finished Rambutan Socks. This is my second pair of the year.

I don't normally knit mirrored socks, but this pair, I followed the pattern as written. One foot uses K2TOG, the other uses SSK.

And this would be my first completed Bugga project of the year. My goal is finish 12 projects. For the next few days, I'm planning on finishing the Linaria Bipartita socks. I'm working on the heel flap of the second sock now, so I know I can do it!!

One of the threads on SKA (Socks Knitters Annoynomous) discussed the Sock Drawer topic. I do not have a sock drawer. The drawers in my dresser are all too deep for socks. I was asked to show my "drawer". So, I took the opportunity to organize my socks. Interestingly, I found out I'm missing 3 socks. My Socks That Rock Orange ones and a single Hazel Knits Terrywinkle one. Maybe they went on vacation... Are you as anal as me to remember missing socks from the inventory? Anyway, the results of the organization:

Yep, I brought them outside to get the best lighting! I need to find a new system as both containers are overflowing. (psst.. Christy! 6 pairs here still have the ends not woven in! 4 have never been worn, the other 2 were worn with tails just tucked inside!)

Last night, I was at Amazing Threads, my local yarn shop. They hosted a reception for one of Rowan's American designers, Josh Bennet. I've never heard of him, but maybe you have. Josh's website is boy meets purl. Josh designs mostly sweater patterns. You can find free patterns from Rowan on his website. I learned that those patterns on the Rowan magazines ($25+) are free online. You just have to register at the Rowan website. I had this photo taken for Yvonne: (and I had a few minutes alone with him in our little spot, talking about knitting on airplanes! Angel B is my witness!)

That's all I have to share with you for now. I'll be back when I finish that 3rd pair of socks!

Destash Dec/Jan/Feb

I've misplaced some yarn and realized that I didn't post my destahes for Dec and Jan. Here's a recollection of what left the coop.

Socks That Rock Lightweight: Clare De Lune

Bugga: Black Witch Moth

Miss Babs Yowza What A Skein: Aubergine

Bugga: VW Bug

Bugga: Coloraro Hairstreak

Bugga: Experimental Love Child

Bugga: December Nudibranch

Bugga: Vampire Moth

Skinny Bugga: Red-Legged Ham Beetle

Skinny Bugga: David Attenborough

Bugga: Pink & Green Point Mutation

And a bag!

Finished Socks #1

My first pair of socks for 2012! These are the Sock Knitters Annoynomous Mystery Sock for January. The pattern is called Bláthnat by Carrie Sullivan (irishgirlieknits). These were knit using The Plucky Knitter's Primo in Fingering in a special color - One Hit Wonder. I bought a bunch of Primo, thinking I'll never be able to buy them from Sarah's online store. They are really nice to knit with, but the yarn is a little thinner than what I'm used to. I need to give up my 2.5 mm needles if I want to continue using this yarn. And you know how much I detest knitting with 2.25 mm needles.

Here are the Primo skeins I brought back from Portland:

So many blue skeins! The lavender skein I used is on the left side, bottom...

I was hoping to complete 15 pairs of socks and 12 shawls - which would give me the ability to fill out the alphabet with my 27 projects. Well, the first 2 projects I've finished start with letter B... Hmm... Maybe that's not such a good idea afterall.

Finished Shawl #1

This is from the Janel Laidman's Knitterati Sock Club. Each club shipment consists of 2 patterns. One is a sock and one is something-else. This month is a mystery shawl. I followed along and finished it on Saturday. I blocked it and it's all ready. Emily was not home today so I wasn't able to have her model for me. Here it is, unblocked:

Here it is blocked:

I have been knitting my shawls and yes, I still have 12 rows left on Damson.

And I started on Romi's latest pattern, Erato as you have seen last week: (I have knitted quite a bit more since this photo was taken)

Needless to say, I have been neglecting my socks. I did finish Rambutan #1.

This week, I've decided to devote myself to only knitting socks as I have 3 second socks to knit. One that needs to be cast on. One has 3 inches left from finishing. One is only 1 inch into it.

I've slowed down on my destashing, but in January, with the opening of Verdant Gryphon and Cephalopod Yarns (split from Sanguine Gryphon), it appears my purchases had doubled in the one week. Luckily, as new colors were introduced, especially at Cephalopod, I already have those colors. Verdant, on the other hand, is introducing new colors and slowly... (lucky for me!). And they brought back another dose of Valentine Bonbons. Here they are. So yummy...

and I received some yarn from Hazel Knits - Wendee started dyeing color of the month (such a bad idea for yarn-addcits like me!) Zest is the January color:

Since I didn't want it to travel alone, I thought I would try Divine in Orchid. BAD IDEA! Divine is really divine!

And while I was photographing new acquisition, I found this Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 that I had picked up at a local shop a few weeks ago. It look really nice next to Zest.

So, as I'm knitting, I'm wondering about my next Shawl project. I think it's going to be Color Affection - that's a hot pattern right now. The toughest part is deciding on what 3 colors to use. For the time being, this is what I've decided on.

I'm trying very hard to stay focused so I dare not wind these yarns, ready for use, as you know how distracted I get! Have you finished any projects lately??

Wordless Monday

s