I'm leaving on a Jet Plane

Today is the day!!!!!!  I'm leaving for Sock Summit in just a few short hours.  I've been thinking, and planning, and organizing, for weeks and I'm just about ready.

These are all the supplies that I need for classes.  I have just a bit more homework to do. 

At this point I think I'm going to be knitting instead of reading on the plane.  And hopefully a quick nap too.  I land in Portland at 10:45pm PDT which is 1:45am EDT. So a quick nap might be wise.

If you're at Sock Summit and see me be sure to say hi!  I'm looking forward to meeting so many people that I only know through blogs and Ravelry.  If I haven't told you before, my Rav ID is Woohoogirl.  Woohoo!  I'm ready to go!  Let the fun begin!!

Summer Wind

This is a perfect day to share my newest finished project.  It is a hot steamy summer day here in NH and we have a wonderful breeze blowing making the temperatures almost bearable.  So it seems like it's the perfect day to show you my finished Summer Wind!

Chandler was taking his friends tubing behind his little boat and there were too many of them to all go out together. While Holly was waiting for her turn in the boat, she was a good sport and agreed to model for me.  I love the look of this scarf either way you wear it.  Nice and long.....

and doubled up and cozy........

I really enjoyed this knit and I can see myself making it again to give as a gift!

Pattern: Summer Wind
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light
Color: Tart
Needle: US 5
Mods: I cast on for the larger size but knit the center panel for the smaller size. I was worried that I might run a bit short on yarn if I did the larger center.  That was probably a good call as I finished with a mere 9 grams of yarn leftover!  I bet if I'd used a US4 needle I would have had plenty of yarn.

I hope you're all enjoying your summer!

PS- 6 more sleeps until I leave for Sock Summit!  Woohoo!

WIP Wednesday

I've been trying to finish up a couple projects before Sock Summit next week so that I can a.) free up some needles, and b.) start a few new projects, aka homework, for my classes. I did finish my Summer Wind scarf and I'll show you that tomorrow. I am still working on two pairs of socks though.

I'm plugging away slowly but surely on Stricken.  I've finished the dreaded Chart E which flows into the heel flap.  I think what has made this chart dreaded for so many is that the cabling takes place on the wrong side of the heel flap as well as the right side.  I'm not sure I've ever done that before, but I completed it succesfully and now just need to add some more length to the flap so I can turn the heel.  I'm still on sock one, so I think these may be a long term project.

Here is the 2nd Orange Pekoe sock.  Next time I work on it I'll be able to turn the heel and then zip down the foot.

My Sprossling sweater hasn't gotten any attention in about 2 weeks and I doubt it will until after Sock Summit.  Before I leave, one week from today, I need to finish Orange Pekoe and do my homework for my classes.  I bet this next week will fly by!

2 Weeks and Counting!

Sock Summit begins 2 weeks from today!  I'm so excited to go.  Socks are my favorite thing to knit and to have a chance to go a 4 day event with classes and a marketplace dedicated to sock knitting.....  the only way to describe it is Fantastic!

One of the informal activities taking place is a stitch marker swap.  I love stitch markers and think they are fun to collect.  I've ventured a bit into making them, but until know they have been primarily for my own enjoyment.  I think swapping markers will be a fun way to meet some new people that I probably otherwise wouldn't meet.  After a few trips to Michaels, I finally decided on my design and materials and this is what I've decided on.

I love this charm and I picked beads using the prominent colors from the Sock Summit logo.  So far I've been mixing the colors up with each marker, although I do have one that is a solid color.  I may do a few more like that, but I haven't decided yet.  I have a dozen made so far and I'm aiming for 100.  If you see me at SS11 ask me for a stitch marker.  I'd love to meet you and share the fun!

I was also lucky enough to register for some great classes!

Thursday morning I'm taking Toe Up Socks for the Stubborn with Deb Barnhill.  I have a hard time getting a great fit with toe up patterns so I am really looking forward to learning some tips and tricks.

Thursday Afternoon I'm taking Designing with Handpainted Yarns with Chrissy Gardiner.  I'm not overly interested in designing at this time, but I would love to learn more about choosing stitch patterns that best showcase handpainted yarn.  How often have you paired a yarn and pattern and not loved it?  I'm hoping to get better at putting yarns and patterns together.

Friday morning I'm taking Holes in our Socks with Anne Hanson.  I've certainly knit lace before but I was really intrigued by the class description.  I know I will learn something, in fact probably many things from Anne Hanson.  She has an incredible collection of lace designs!

Saturday I'm taking Provisional Cast On's with Laurel Coombs.  This is not my best skill, but one I'd certainly like to improve, so this quick 1-hr wonder class should be perfect.

Sunday afternoon I'm taking Stranded in your Socks with Mary Scot Huff.  Again, this is a skill that I feel pretty weak on.  I can't think of a better person to learn this from.

I'm also on the wait list for Oddball Stitches with Cookie A Saturday morning.  My fingers and toes and legs and eyes are crossed hoping a spot becomes available.  Cross your fingers for me too, OK?

Are you going to Sock Summit too?  Let me know, I'd love to see you or meet you!

A little catch up

I can't believe it's been nearly 2 weeks since I've updated the blog.  We've been on vacation this week and my middle son is home this week from school as well.  We haven't done anything particular but have just been busy enjoying some down time and visiting with friends.

I have been knitting, and as you're about to see, I've had a little Knitting ADD going on.  I've been knitting but not making much progress on anything.  I've decided it's time to buckle down and finish a few things up.

I have finished a pair of socks that I haven't shown you yet.  I actually finished them at the end of June.  This is the Boysenberry Yo pattern from the Cookie A Sock Club April installment.  This is a new yarn from Lorna's Laces and we were lucky enough to have it a sneak preview.  When we got it, it did not yet have a name.  It has since been named Solemate.  I can't tell you how it compares to the Shepherd Sock, I have some in my stash but have not yet knit with it, but I can tell you that I did like the Solemate!

I've also been poking away at my Sprossling sweater.  I'm still on the back and have finished the waist decreases and have started the increases.

Going back to the Cookie A Sock Club, the June shipment came and it was all about Orange!  Even the cookie recipes that come in each installment were orange themed.  This week I made the Orange Creamsicle cookies.  They are a yummy orange flavored cookie with a cream cheese frosting filling and perfect treat on a warm summer day!

I started the Orange Pekoe pattern and have finished the right sock.  The left sock will be a mirror image.  The yarn is by Hazel Knits, and honestly, nobody does orange like Wendee!  I'm not a big fan of orange, but I do like this color!

I've also been working on Stricken for the Knit Sock Love KAL.  This is the June pattern, so I better get busy on it.  It's not a hard knit, it's just different every flippin' row, and I have to pay close attention to the chart.  I tried working on it while waiting at a car appointment last week, but forgot my post-its to keep track on my chart.  Yeah. Not smart.  Good thing I had a back up project with me.

Last, but not least is Summer Wind.  I love this pattern!  And I love how this is coming out!  I finally found a perfect match for the Tosh Merino Light that I bought earlier this year.  I was going to put this in the Gift Basket for Christmas, but I think I'm going to have to keep it for myself instead.  There is a KAL for this pattern in the Irishgirlieknits group on Ravelry.  It's not too late to come join us!

So that's everything I have on the needles right now.  Hopefully you'll see lots of FO's over the next few weeks as I try to get these finished up.

Happy Summer!