Thanks so much for all your great sock yarn recommendations in the comments to my previous post! How did I not know that Cascade had a sock yarn? I'm definitely ordering some of that to play around with along with some of the other yarns recommended. I'll keep you posted.

One of my problems in finding sock yarn is that I get these particular colors in my head and then I can't find that color in sock yarn, like the deep medium pink I want for the piggy toe socks (DrLeonesse mentioned the same problem in the comments) or the rich kelly green I want for the Leaves socks in the Socks, Socks, Socks book.

I did recently purchase some of Elann's Sock it to Me Essentials. Like LaurieM mentioned in the comments, I also thought the colors weren't quite what I saw on the website - they seemed more faded in real life. Still the price is excellent so I guess I'll combine those with some of the other new sock yarns to get enough colors.




HERE is the link to the German sock book I mentioned. Pat told me about it and that there is a possibility of an upcoming translation to English. I used Google Translate and it looks like there are a good amount of colorwork patterns.

All you need is LOVE


Project Graffiti, yes another attempt at my lettering, this time I'm crocheting the word love.
My inspiration the "Sex in The City" movie, when Carrie redecorates her apartmtnt she hangs a rug on the wall and yes you guessed it! It has LOVE accross it.
I think was Paul Smith?(not 100% sure) But I like it...........

Blythe and a Pom-pom

A Blythe girl in a Pom Pom world!

These are just the cutest little boots. I got them from Gina Garen @ Blythe world.
Yes I hooked and my Blythe picture file will be huge;-)

Jelly

My Progress so far on my extra long sleeves.......

Not as far as I'd like to be, but for me knitting on a round is just so tricky.

The next sleeve I attempt like this, I think I will have a go using the double pointed needles and see if I find that way any easier.

spring

"Spring, with that nameless pathos in the air

Which dwells with all things fair,

Spring, with her golden suns and silver rain,

Is with us once again."
Henry Timrod [1829 - 1867]

Right now...loving the sunshine pouring in, the sound of the spring peepers & birds singing, the flowers poking up in the garden, and hanging clothes once again on the line.



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Good thing I just planted some strawberry plants because here is what it looks like from my front door today:




Fortunately the strawberries are safe in the cold frame and I've even heard the rabbit rescue garage sale is actually doing well in the snow.

Every year I choose a fun summer knitting project and this year my plan is to knit as many complicated mind-bending baffling sock patterns as I can find. Of course I'm getting Cookie A.'s book and a few Cat Bordhi books and I found a German one that has some colorwork socks (link later when I find it). I also have the Katherine Pence Tongue River sock book and PGR's Ethnic Socks books so I should have enough patterns. I don't have enough colors of sock yarn for color work though. For instance, I've always wanted to make those pig socks with toes from the Socks, Socks, Socks book but I have yet to find a pink yarn that is the right color.

Can anyone recommend a sock yarn line with at least 20-40 SOLID colors? Otherwise I could just use my Palette stash but I prefer socks to be machine washable so I can give them away.

lemon cake & domesticity

I am reading and baking my way through the Gentle art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket and am thoroughly enjoying both! I appreciate the term 'domestic artist' and the statement "Domesticity gives us the opportunity to express ourselves..." This morning I skipped ahead to the Lemon Cake recipe and baked a loaf for tea--it's scrumptious! *Just be sure to check out the errata page, as the US edition I purchased has many mistakes in the recipes.*


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I knit Sweden(Blythe)

Jelly- progress so far pretty good

Currently working on the sleeves and I'm knitting both arms at the same time.

Not literally at the same time, a few rows on each so I will end them both around the same time.

Knitting them on two round needles (size 8mm)

My quick knit scarf is completed. This was made using a 20mm needle and a 5mm.
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Blythe Cosy Cape (1972) aka Mabel




Mabel

She finally arrived and so little knits are my next big project.
I just want to finish Jelly and the Sverige Scarf and the Alice in Wonderland dress.
I also have a Pom Pom sat in the bag ready to tag with. The projects are mounting;-)

So I plan to use the next few days wisely and hopefully by the weekend project Blythe can commence.

The photography started as soon as she came out of the box, she has her very own flicka account, awaiting her adventures.

I will post the link on a future blog post

Up Next...



by Ysolda Teague
Two of my favorite pieces of art are these molas from Panama. A mola is made by the Kuna Indians using reverse applique on colorful fabrics. My father bought these for himself and had them framed in Chicago. Fortunately after a few years I managed to convince him to give them to me. The bird and lobster designs seen here are actually much simpler than some I've seen.







They feature embroidery on the faces and the applique stitching is seriously tiny. There used to be a mola store on Canyon Road in Santa Fe and I enjoyed looking through all the designs.







I'm knitting these alpaca mittens in 3 colors - they will photograph much better on one of our rare cloudy days. I need to make them again in wool with a greater contrast between colors.






Knitted Booby's

My Google image search word of the week was Booby (Booby's aka breasts), And like most hits there where plenty........
so here are a few to share, make you smile.;-).

And Baby Booby hat (aaahhh too cute)



This is a very early art project for me 2004/5
(Bad light was a must for this photo) what was I thinking.......
Trying to impress my HND of choice college (Nearest)
I was meant for them, unfortunately they where not meant for me!

don't mind the plaster dust, please

We're in somewhat of a disaster state here of late. For the last week and a half we've said good-bye to our textured ceilings (due to some water damage)in the living room, dining room, and foyer...

We opted not to replace the texture and went with smooth & flat, all done by a professional thank goodness, as the clean-up and repainting of the LR/DR walls will probably take Mike & I another couple weeks. Despite the plastic hung, there is plaster dust EVERYWHERE.

{after scrubbing down the whole foyer today}

It definitely calls for a stiff cup of tea and a new scone recipe--one which for me is right up there with my favorite orange scones...

And, Hazel's Simple Scones have three variations::cranberry-orange, lemon-blueberry {above}, and cherry-almond. I've tried all three, and it's hard to pick a favorite as they are all so good.

You can find the recipe here.

Edited::A reader's comment reminded me that Hazel's recipe makes a very sweet scone--I cut the sugar at least in half, as I do with many recipes. I'm sorry I forgot to mention this originally. ~Deb

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Jelly


Jelly

I made the skirt part as one piece. Then next step the collar, I made this Using the fluffy yarn. I Just crocheted a band this I made with a 8mm hook.

Then I attached the doubled up blue cotton to make the back spine part, 8mm hook again.
Next I picked up the stitches(well added them) On to the front of the collar using a round needle so that I could be a little fiddly with the stitches.

Then I knitted the stripes with the left over yarns
(Red Heart mainly)

Once the back and the front where at the correct size. I used crochet to make the side panels I used a crochet big stitch so that you have a bit more room for movement.(This is around a Uk 10)

Size 10 fitted to the actual mannequin, I usually tend to knit up a little bigger but this is purely for fun and not for me to wear;-)

That is Unless I have a clown day.
(And I also need to loose a few pounds)
I love the clown colours

Mothering Sunday (UK)

Mothering Sunday

So in other words a perfect day to do my favourite yarn thing. Not look after my family as I do all year around a days celebration just for me.




Sit with a cup of tea and my perfect little rows of knits and purl's
(If I'm feeling adventurous that is)

And this week I have been a little busy with starting a few new knit/crochets projects.

The house is empty the teen still sleeps my daughter and husband are off Horse riding with my puppy too.

I am about to commence my knitterthon of me....ness

Once I have completed my post that is;-)

Book review
This week I Completed the Friday Night knitting club, I really enjoyed this knitting read the description of the stitches and the references based around the knitting groups it is all so true.

But Be warned a Little sad in places, but a recommended knit read;-)
(Tack Sigun)

Jelly up-date



Progress so far on Jelly

The Red Heart bulky is making this a quick knit (As they say)
The skirt goes off at and angle in crochet, I like angling the bottom verses a straight edge, I thinks it's just much more interesting to the eye.

I discovered how to make the waist band checker effect completely by accident, I'm not actually sure what I did, but I like how it sits on the mannequin.

I then used the 15mm round needles to pick up the stitches and knitted beginning to add the skirt panel.(Red flecky, fluffy yarn)

Then I added the waist band, using cotton and acrylic yellow to make it a thicker yarn.

Buttons


Up at Stitches West a few weeks ago, I indulged in some button buying.
I am not sure what I will use these little rooster buttons for. But I just had to get them.
They are so cute.
Don't you think they would be adorable paired with a little red toddler sweater?
Hmmm... the design wheels are turning..


Also, I brought my long lost Sienna Cardigan along for some button matching.


I came across these buttons almost immediately and they fit great.
Ok. Now I have no excuse. I really need to finish this project up!



Its amazing what the right button can do for a finished piece.

Jelly



New project

Spring green/Jelly red....................
I'm in need of some colour/something colourful

Progress So far, I just began with the stitch and I'm flowing.
I have no Idea where I'm going, where the stitch will take me!
But that's half the fun.

Watch this space!

New for me
I Ordered some yarn www.1-2-3Stitch.com ($)
Discovered a web site that has the Red Heart Brand, bulky big balls of acrylic and very reasonable.

Debbie New



Debbie New....... who?

I read her name on the I knit London web site. So I tried to Google her
all I got was a load of other Deb, Deborah News and not any on this one.

I managed to find her 1 big book on the Amazon site, a Hard back at £50!! So unfortunately I can't buy that at the moment!

But some times with Amazon you can have a look at some of the pages, but typically not with this book;-(.

I even tried official web site but got nothing? (pc skills are not that good!)

Does any one have any more info about the Canadian knitter. I found these two on image and I love them;-)

Conceptual Crochet with Keys!

Free-form

Here is a piece of crocheted free-form that's came together, as a funky cat walk top. I competed it a few weeks back but hadn't yet gotten around to popping it on the mannequin.



And I think this type of work needs the structure of a bodice, to show the work. I used two rolls of cotton (well I think, as it was from the charity shop)
It feels almost like string but not so rough/ strong cotton at a guess.

The white was a ball of yarn that was almost like shoe lace but skinny? I used a few crcohet hooks 8mm and a 20mm I think:-( Loosing my memory...........

These I mixed together and added some old cool keys! Not practical in any way and only for the likes of a Kate Moss type. My reason for this is that one arm hole is for a very skinny arm.

Conceptual Crochet would be a good descriptive term for this piece, as I haven't thought of a name yet.

NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 15 : The S-L-O-W-E-S-T Knitter in History




Shownotes:














































If you are interested in trying out O-wool Classic, the yarn I used for my Forecast sweater, Dancing Ewe Yarns is offering a special discount of 20% on all O-wool Classic and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.


This offer is only valid for the month of March and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.


In order to receive your discount, click on the Dancing Ewe link and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "


The winner of last episode's prize drawing was Deborah! Congratulations!

She won 5 skeins of O-wool from Dancing Ewe Yarns!


Click here to download the MP3

Forecast

Its finished and it fits! Kinda.


I like it. It fits much better than I thought it would but really I should have knit the 36" size rather than 32". Then it would button comfortably. I can button this thing with one button keeping it closed, but as for the rest. Forget about it. They are just sewn on for decoration.

But its not all that bad. I think that Forecast looks kind of cute as a fitted cardi.
I love the cable and bobble pattern. I find that it adds interest while not being too overwhelming.
One of the modifications I made was that I worked 3 st bobbles instead of 5 st. So the bobbles are smaller and not so uh.. bobbly.


I also made 3/4 length sleeves instead of the full sleeve. I thought the 3/4 length would suit the style more since I knew it would be on the small side.
The funny part is that this yarn, O-wool Classic, blocks out very well so my 3/4 sleeves grew to be full length after blocking. I kind of have to scrunch them up my arm a bit to get them to be 3/4 length again. I am so grateful for blocking. Aside from the sleeve issue, blocking did such wonders for this garment! Like a previous commenter brought out, "Blocking fixes everything!"
I ended up using only 4 skeins of O-wool Classic with yarn to spare making this a very economical knit. I also love how the O-wool feels after washing. It bloomed and softened wonderfully while still maintaining crisp stitch definition. This was a fun project and it went relatively fast.
And.. Its such a cool design! Where could I ever buy a sweater like this in this color?

That's the great thing about knitting.



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