Log Cabin Socks

Made with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted :-O Color is Loden 177. 4mm US6 DPNs. Exactly according to patern in Handknit Holidays book. Only thing I'd change next time is maybe go up a size on the needles for the leg part since all those cables make it not as stretchy as the foot part.

Louet Gems Lilac Socks

Pattern is Stansfield no. 11 from Sensational Knitted Socks. 66 st CO, US2 DPNs. Eye of Partridge Heel is only modification to original pattern. Louet Gems is soft and shiny!

Holiday in Wales

Gotta include a knitting shot. Here I am sitting on a bench on Jubilee Walk on Moel Lus in Penmaenmawr. In the distance is Great Orme. I still have yet to see anyone else knitting in Wales even tho there are sheep all over the place and according to historical accounts of knitting everyone used to knit socks around here! The only evidence I've managed to find are old needles and remnants of yarn in charity shops.
This is one of my favorite places in Wales. It's near the Druids' Circle in Penmaenmawr. There are lots of sheep (of course) and wild horses! I think that is just so neat! If you look closely you can see mama and baby grazing above the rocks and papa looking on from the right side of the picture. Or at least that's who I think they are.

OMG Aren't they just so cute! They look so soft and snuggly! I wish I knew which breed they are. Would like to know what their wool is like to knit with.

The Cashmere Reclaim Project

First attempt ever at hand dyeing yarn!

Before: 35g cashmere soaking in vinegar bath.

After: hand painted with grape, fruit punch and orange Kool-Aid. Check out this excellent color chart link: http://www.thepiper.com/fiberart/koolaid/images/colorchart-max.jpg Am very pleased with the range of color I got. Was expecting just purple, red and orange but I got lots of violets, pinks and yellows too. Process is very engrossing. Will do it again! I'm not sure what I'll do with this yarn. Smells really lovely like a popsicle. Is enough for child's socks or maybe cuff of adult socks. Maybe a headband? 8/13/07


Cashmere Baby Socks. Infant size 4 shoe. Approx 9 mo age. Size 5 sts/in gauge, 30 sts CO, size 7US needles, slipped stitch rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks book. I love that book! approx 25g total. Smoother knitting when reclaimed yarn is rinsed and hung to dry. 8/9/07

Boot socks again with baby socks.

Here's the first completed project! Size 48 sts CO, gauge 5.5 sts/in, size 8US needles? Can't remember! *scoff* (size 6 actually!) Pretty much a worsted weight boot sock. Tho not sure anyone would wear a 100% cashmere sock on a hike. Pattern is Open Cable with Twisted Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. Very warm, soft and squishy..definitely for lounging! approx 90g total. 8/6/07

Step 2! I have a new appreciation for people who assemble sweaters! This one was very well done! I felt kinda guilty taking it apart. But here's the haul: 452g of 10-ply appears to be approx. worsted weight, 27g 8-ply appears to be approx. sock yarn and 7g 6-ply which was what was used to seam the parts together. I imagine I can get at least 3 pairs of socks from it...maybe some mittens or baby booties. 7/11/07.
I just got this sweater on Super Clearance at TJMaxx. Is 100% 8-ply cashmere. Would have cost me a fortune to buy this yarn at a yarn store. My crazy idea is to rip it out and reknit it into what else? wait for it...SOCKS! The cashier even said "wow that is a soft sweater!" (Sweater doesn't fit...otherwise I'd just wear it! My fingers end at the start of the sleeve detail and it looks dorky folded up. I suspect sizing was the reason it was on Super Clearance. So wish me luck! 2/21/07.