13 in 2013, Socks

One knitting goal I had for 2013 was to knit 13 pairs of socks. I only made it to 12 pairs with number 13 still unfinished on the needles.  The green pair was sent to my second daughter in Switzerland for her birthday, and the pale blue pair was gifted to my third daughter.  My firstborn daughter can choose a pair for her upcoming birthday. (Did you read that, Jessica?)  My fourth daughter doesn't like wearing socks, and the fifth daughter has a few pairs that I shrunk by mistake.  So many daughters, so many socks.  All is well.  Happy New Year, everyone, and happy knitting, happy sewing!

This red pair was to be number 13, but is now promoted to number 1 for 2014.  By the way, I do not plan to knit 14 pairs for 2014. :)

 

Pocket Edges

The winner of the skirt pattern, Simplicity 2226, is Jenny who wrote, "Super cute! It looks like great proportions. The pockets are a nice touch, too."  Email your address, Jenny,and I'll get this pattern popped in the mail to you.

Regarding the skirt, I've worn it several times and love, love, love it.  It's the perfect summer skirt and can be worn with many different colored tops.

One more construction detail--I was cleaning out the pictures on my phone and I came across this picture I'd forgotten.  Because my fabric was lightweight, I stabilized the pocket edges with a fusible stay tape.  The instructions call for stay-stitching, which also stabilizes the pocket edge, but I wanted the extra reinforcement to prevent the pocket edge from rippling and stretching. If you don't have stay tape, a strip of interfacing would work just as well.

Change of topic, but I have not forgotten about the giveaway for the stitch markers.  Stay tuned....

Ruth

Oh, one more picture.  These socks that I started some time ago are finally finished!  I bought the yarn in Switzerland when I was there in 2010, and I finished them in the car on the way home from New Mexico.  Now I am trying to decide on a pattern for another pair.  Any suggestions?  :)

Swiss Sheep Socks

I bought this sock yarn when I visited Switzerland in 2010. When I started knitting these socks this week, the yarn reminded me of the day we took a road trip through the Swiss Alps. One of the passes we traveled through was so high up that we were literally in the clouds. At one point we had to stop suddenly to let a cute hairy sheep cross the road. For some reason, these socks remind me of that fuzzy sheep in the middle of the road.  So I'm calling these my Swiss Sheep Socks. 

One day I want to go back to Switzerland.  My granddaughter is now two, and I miss her, my daughter, and son-in-law.  While spending my time knitting this yarn, I think of them, pray for them, miss them, dream of the day I can go visit them again in Zurich. 

Ruth

August 2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeruth/collections/72157624761912517/

This is why I haven't been sewing....

.... because I've been knitting!

socks



and more socks



2 scarves



baby blanket (this was time-consuming, but I love the finished blanket)

The only sewing I've done lately has been in my dreams, and I miss it tremendously. After I finish up a few more non-sewing projects, I hope to get back to sewing full force. : )

Ruth

Sweetness from my Project Page at Ravelry

Favorite Socks

Favorite Socks.... the book by Interweave has become a favorite of mine for some great sock patterns.

I really have not knit much this summer---I think knitting is a winter hobby for me. But in the car when I'm not driving I do take my knitting with me. A few weeks ago I finished this pink pair of "Embossed Leaves" by Mona Schmidt from the Favorite Socks book.



The burgundy socks were completed several months ago, and actually, I like this pattern better than the Embossed Leaves pattern. This design is "Retro Rib" by Evelyn Clark. These are knit in KnitPicks Essential yarn.



So---I no longer have any socks on the needle, although I do admit to having yarn for several more pairs in my yarn collection. After Labor Day I plan to choose some yarn and start another pair. I can't do without at least one pair of socks on the needles!

Ruth

Finished Jitterbugs!

Finished, and in only 11 days. Hey, that's quick for me! :-)

Jitterbug yarn by Colinette
Size 2 double pointed needles
Cast on 56
2x2 rib
Stockinette stitch for leg and foot

Nothing fancy, just warm and cozy socks in a pretty colorway. This yarn was fabulous to knit--no splitting, and oh-so-soft. The socks do seem a bit thicker than other socks I've knit, but that's okay with me. These will surely be one of my favorites (along with the Tofutsies and the Sassy Stripes socks I've knit. Hmm....I don't know if I can choose just one favorite).

Ruth

Jitterbug Socks

I've cast on another pair of socks in a new-to-my-stash yarn called Jitterbug in the "Toscana" colorway.

Double pointed needles are my needles of choice, and I like to work on both socks at the same time. Well, not exactly at the same time, but alternating between the two. This helps me to avoid finishing one sock and never completing the second. Plus it enables me to ensure that both socks are identical in size. :-)

This is the first time, however, that I've knit both socks simultaneously but from the same skein of yarn. One sock is using the end of yarn from the inside, and the other sock is knit with the outer thread. So far this is working out great....no tangles or other problems. I'm sure this has been done many times by everyone else, but I feel so ingenious.

Off the computer to go knit some more!
Ruth

Tofutsies Socks Finished!

Today on the drive to church I grafted the toes of the second Tofutsies sock, finishing the pair! The yarn for these socks was given to me on my last birthday from Jessica. I love this yarn! It is so soft. I admit that at times it was a pain to knit with because it tends to split somewhat, but really it wasn't too bad once I got used to working with it. I'm going to love wearing these socks!
~Ruth~


Yarn:
TOFUtsies
50% Superwash Wool
25% SOYSILK brand fiber
22.5% Cotton
2.5% Chitin (made from shrimp and crab shells!)
Colorway: Get Your Feet Wet

Needles:
Size 1 (2.25 mm) Pony Pearl double-pointed needles

Pattern:
Baby Cable Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch

Sassy Stripes Finished

Blue striped socks. My favorite color. Plain everyday socks. Comfortable. Yes, the stripes match. Can't wait 'til cooler weather so I can wear them. Started in March. Finished 2 weeks ago. Almost finished with the pink Tofutsies socks. Sock knitting is addicting. Fun.
Ruth



Yarn: Cascade Sassy Stripes
Needles: Inox double pointed, size 0
Pattern: Basic 2x2 rib

Sassy Stripes

I've spent too many hours on these socks to rip them out, but that's what I'm going to do. Sigh. The socks are too small--not enough stretch when on. They look like they'd fit 11 year old Ellen if I were to finish them. But, since blue is my favorite color and I really like the stripes, I'm going to take them apart and start over. And just look, the stripes even match. Sigh. Again.

On another note, Flat Cat's socks, mentioned in the previous post almost fit Emily. Almost, but with no growing room. I guess Elliot will eventually grown into them, so Jessica... they're yours! Remind me, because I tend to forget things. By the way, the stripes on the green socks are not supposed to match, okay? :-)
Ruth

Green Feet

Finally! I finally finished the green striped socks that I started knitting ever so long ago. If you have never worn a pair of handmade knit socks you don't know what you're missing. I'm such a slow knitter that this is only the 4th pair I've ever made, and that's over a span of 3 years. Originally these socks were to be knit for Heather, but she no longer likes green. I guess that means the socks are now mine (unless you inform me otherwise, Heather).

I used the Fluted Banister pattern found online; however, I did not continue the design down the foot instep as instructed.

In my yarn stash reside 2 more skeins of self-striping sock yarn in shades of blue, red, and yellow. Jessica did you pick out that yarn? Does that mean the socks I knit from this yarn are to be made for you?

To all you sock knitters out there--what pattern should I knit next? Something a bit simpler, perhaps, than the fluted banisters....

Ruth

Knitted Baby Booties

Aren't these knitted baby booties adorable? I think they look like little snow boots! One of Justin's younger sisters, Jillian, made them for our soon-to-arrive baby boy, and she did such a good job! I can't wait to try them on him.

My younger sister Ellen knitted this cap for the baby. I was so impressed with both of these girls talents. Thank you Ellen and Jillian!


Less then 3 weeks till his due date...I can't wait! Justin and I have been very busy with bunches of little projects that we're trying to get done before the big arrival. Last week Justin finished painting the nursery, and since then I've been busy washing the baby's clothes and bedding and getting everything set up. It's not completely finished yet, so I'll save pictures of the room til we are done!