greece sock

I have just returned from Greece! An awesome place. Walk around Athens and you can't get more than a few blocks without running into some OLD stuff. Not just old in the American sense where 200 years is old. I'm talking 2000 or more years! Walk down the street and, oh look, Roman Baths found when digging a ventilation shaft for the Metro. Just awesome! Can't say more.
Visiting Greece means lots of travel, especially if you're island-hopping which I was. Airplanes and ferry boats. And knitting of course. This is the Greece travel sock.

I might have completed the second sock as well if I hadn't needed to get up and walk around the ferry boat every few minutes to gaze at the lovely islands passing by.

Summer Days

Hard to believe it; summer is over. Well, yes, it's sticky hot outside at the moment. But the week of cool and rainy weather we just had was a warning and these 2 days of heat are a last gasp. But for me, the lazy days of summer are over. Work has jumped up into full speed, chorus rehearsals start on Monday, and the romance of summer has been derailed. But, hey, I've got a trip to Greece to look forward to. Yippee!

So, on to knitting. Here's my latest contribution to Summer of Socks KAL.

Pretty, huh?
Yarn: Steinback Wolle, Aktiv Effect
Pattern: Standard toe-up, short row toe and heel, 3/1 rib on US0

Then I added the pair to pile of socks and they looked so pretty all lined up in a row I had to take a photo. Four pairs of socks completed this summer. Not too shabby! For me anyway. Don't forget before this summer I had never knit a sock. I'm quite proud of myself.



But socks are not the only things on my needles in the last few weeks. Did I mention that my sister is having a baby? So, I'm also knitting baby things. Such as this blanket.



I'm finding this a supremely comforting knit (just what I need right now). Could be the soft, cozy feel of the yarn (TLC Cotton Plus), could be the soothing colors, could be calming repetitiveness of stockingnet. Or the combination of all three. Whatever it is, I'll take it!

I'm off now to commune with my cotton blankie.

It's a Mystery

On the sock front I've started the Socktopia Mystery Sock. So far only the cuff has been released. This is the first top-down sock I've ever done and I'm a bit apprehensive about how badly I'm gonna mess this up. But then, we don't learn if we don't try.



I'm researching and reading lots of patterns for baby socks, booties, hats, and blankies. I've recently learned that my sister is expecting. I already have 4 nephews and 2 nieces but this will be the first baby since I've taken up knitting. I don't usually put too much pressure on myself but I really, really want to gift new baby with a knit treasure that will become a favorite.



This is my first baby garment. The cutest hat using this pattern. Haven't done the flowers yet but even without them it is soooo cute!

Does anyone have suggestions of best yarns for babies? Preferably machine washable and dryable?

Lacy Socks

Here's my latest.
This was a lot of fun to do. The lace pattern was very simple to work and remember and since it's not highly repetitive, also keeps the engaged. I'm gonna have to do this one again and again and again. Guess what my sisters are getting for Christmas. Hee, Hee. Ho, Ho.


Yarn: ArtYarns Supermerino color 129
Pattern: generic toe up; lace pattern inspired by Padded Footlets from Favorite Socks

I've recently learned that one of my sisters is having a baby. Hmmm. Knit baby stuff. I haven't knit baby stuff before. So I did a big swan dive into the internet looking for patterns. My, my. Sure are alot. Tons in fact. So many choices. Can't write anymore. Gotta go read...

Joy and Dancing Around the Room

This weekend has started fabulous for sock knitting. A pair of socks completed!

Yarn: ArtYarns Ultramerino 6
Pattern: Basket Weave from Sensational Knitted Socks modifed for Wendy's Toe-up Sportweight Gussett heel

And a new sock nearly halfway done.

Yarn: ArtYarns SuperMerino 129
Pattern: Inspired by Padded Footlets in Favorite Socks

What a joy this new sock has become! From inspiration to execution without the least bit of effort or struggle! I've had this experience before in designing jewelry but this has been the first for a knitting project. I'm giddy with delight!

Harry Potter slows knitting progress

Very little knitting has been accomplished this week. Harry Potter rightly deserves the blame. I just had to read the seventh book. A mostly satisfying finish to this wonderful epic.

I've finished the heel of the second basket weave sock and started the leg. It'll be a short leg like the first sock. That's how I prefer my socks. Sorry, no photo. Next post will have the finished pair with photo.

First Sock of Second Pair Done!

Knitting progress has slowed due to the need to re-read HP-HBP. Gotta be ready for HP-DH. I've got a copy reserved that I plan to pick up Saturday morning. Then there won't be any knitting getting done for 2 days or more. More because I'm likely gonna want to read it twice. First time in one big gulp. Second to savor.
So here's what I did get done. The first sock of Pair Number 2 is done.

And the second sock has a toe.


Plus, I also finished the SeaSilk Skinny Scarf. I had an urge to handle silk. Yum!

I also have an original design idea for the next pair of socks but so far no swatching done. Could be the design won't work at all. We shall see.