Fair Isle Practice

Seems I don't have many solid color sock yarn leftovers.

This practice project call for solid color yarn in as many colors possible.

This all I could gather.

I'll work with what I have since this is a practice.

If my swatch turns out decent

and I like the technique 

I'll consider purchasing small skeins of various colors. 

The step after assembling solids is to make two 'magic balls'.

One from the light colors and another from the dark.

These 'magic balls' are made with arms' length of each color. 

The aim is to place pleasing colors next to each other and knot them together to form a small ball.

Here's my light magic ball.

Brandon Mably showed how he knits the yarn ends as he adds each new color,

thus no need to find a darning needle to weave in those pesky ends.

I'll be casting on and knitting a practice swatch.

Photos will follow just as soon as my swatch is far enough along to show some progress.

I think this is going to be a fun practice.

* * *

I don't know whether to think that Spring is actually here or if Mother Nature is playing a trick on us.

The temps yesterday and today are what are called Marvelous.

Mid to high sixties had us opening windows and doors.

The forecasters are saying we'll be able to enjoy such weather for the next seven or so days.

We can only hope.

Heck, we still have snow at the end of our driveway.

hugs 'n smiles

Scrappy Four-Color Sox are a Done Deal! !

These were fun to knit ! ! ! 

Every color a scrap leftover from previous sox.

Lots of ends to weave in and trim.

However, this week I did watch a

Brandon Mably instructional video

on knitting using several different yarns

in a piece - such as FairIsle knitting.

Had I watched this video a week earlier

those loose ends at the beginning and ending

of a yarn would not have been so tedious.

Brandon Mably

- an associate of Kaffee Fassett, THE MASTER of color in my eyes -

taught not a new method to me

but taught it in a way that made it easy for me to learn.

I'm so excited about this new knowledge that my next project will be one using many pieces of scrap yarn and knitting them in as they are

added using class material provided by this instructional video

on CreativeBug.

There are videos on a variety of subjects,

stop by there may be something that catches your fancy.

Tomorrow I'll post the beginning of my new learning project.

*  *  *  *  *

Our temp right now is 59 degrees F.

YaaaHoooo ! ! ! ! 

hugs 'n smiles,

Gerry

Scrappy Sox

My current sox on the needles.

This pair is made from the leftover yarn from

Go For The Green sox

Neon Blue sox

and the grey is from a pair of sox I made a couple of years ago.

Knit cuff down and an afterthought heel is planned as you can see the pink waste yarn marking the heel.

I hope to finish these by tomorrow evening so that I can post a finished pair Thursday.  Fingers crossed.

We've had our 6" snow yesterday.

Today streets - and parking lots - are dry.

Even got the car washed this afternoon.

Boy, was it good to get all that road dirt off

and a shining clean car to drive.

Tomorrow it's supposed to rain !

hugs 'n smiles,

Gerry

Broken Seed Stitch Sox II

Love the way the color turned out!

Used a scrap mini skein that lasted well into the foot area.

Made this pair a bit snugger than the first pair and like the fit.

Have already cast on another pair for Hubby.

Stripey sox with leftover from recent leftover colors.

+++++++++++++

Snow has been predicted for this afternoon and overnight.

Last time snow was predicted we received exactly 14 flakes.

At least there's still ice melt salt still on the front porch and step.

hugs 'n smiles,

Gerry

Sunshine and Sox

The sun is shining but as you can see the temp is not all that warm.

When I was putting some correspondence in the mail box at the street earlier this morning

it wasn't that cold out 

unlike yesterday when the temps were in the low 20s

and I swear it was the coldest, cold day we've had this winter.

THE day for wearing all the handknits possible - 

hat, cowl, cardigan , mitts and sox.

Speaking of sox.

A second pair of the Broken Seed Stitch Sox is on the needles.

I'm lovin' this pattern and the results.

You may notice each sock has their on needle.

What with using two ball of yarn at a time,

it is much easier to have each them on their on own needle.

I'm still knitting them in somewhat of a two-at-a-time manner with an inch or so on one sock and then on the other.

They seem to go fairly fast,

probably because the pattern is a simple one

and now that I have inserted the waste yarn to mark where the afterthought heel goes and only the instep portion is in pattern it IS smooth sailing.

The neat thing about this pattern is 

that I can modify the pattern to knit either toe up, 

or as this pair is, cuff down.  

Since I am using scraps or mini skeins

as long as the yarn lasts until the cuff and leg portion 

is finished to the point I place the afterthought waste yarn marker I'm a happy camper.  

That way the pattern shows above my shoe and the foot portion can be any color or pattern.

Luckily the yarn I'm using is enough to last well into the foot of the sox . . . . .

so far : ^ )

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*

The weather being what it is

this afternoon will be just the time to finish our audiobook by John Sandford.

Have a good one.

hugs 'n smiles

Tri-Color Infinity Scarf

Winter has finally come to mid-Missouri.

In celebration of  it's arrival

I decided to knit a scarf to keep me extra warm for the duration.

Selected three yummy colors from my Yarn Stash 

- Conch, Tapistry and Smudge -

in a blend of 70% Merino,  20% Cashmere 

and 10% Nylon 

Ever so lovely for snuggling.

Rather than leaving it as one long scarf

I grafted the ends together to make it an infinity scarf.

Seems we're in for an icy/snow mix overnight and into tomorrow.

A good day to stay home and listen to our newest audiobook.

hugs 'n smiles

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Same Yarn, Different Result

A year ago this month this vibrant skein of yarn came into my Yarn Stash

Oh, I love how vibrant the Gold plays with the

pinks, purples, blues and green.

I just knew it would be knit into a wonderful pair of sox.

Lesson learned:

once knit up 

it's not always what one expects.

Thus,

V

V

V

My Honey Badger Sox

NOT what I expected or wanted.

un-happy face

Those vibrant Golds are just not 'popping'.

It seems the darker green and blue are predominate.

Not the outcome I expected.

They are in my sock drawer,

but have never really, truly been 'in like' with them.

Fast Forward to this past December

There are posts on Instagram

from a knitter in Norway

who is making use of leftover colorful yarns

combined with white 

to create a wonderful pair of sox.

This gal in Norway is a prolific knitter.

Could it be winter snows that keep her indoors?

Already this year she has knit 17 pair of sox.

Yes, that's right, 17 pair.

Anyway, after seeing three or four pair of her sox knit with this combo last December

I decided I must give it a try.

I picked up my leftover ball of yarn with the gorgeous golds, 

got out the white yarn

and here's the result.

! ! ! ! ! 

Must say,

these are much more to my liking.

The alternate rows of white yarn do lighten the entire project.

Lesson:

Must find just the pattern

for every skein of yarn.

These will be worn with love.

hugs 'n smiles

p.s.   The first pair from this yarn [Honey Badger Sox]

have, in the meantime, found a loving home.

A reminder that I do reply to YOUR COMMENT in the Comments area.

There is a 'Notify Me' button beneath the message box where you leave your comment.

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By clicking this button, you will be notified of further comments to this particular blog post

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Be My Valentine !

Be My Valentine ! 

hugs 'n smiles

Mink and Chasmere

Bare Naked Yarn Club is the idea of

Anne Hansen - knitwear designer.

My most very favorite designer.

The club gave knitters an opportunity to experience knitting with yarns that are in their natural state.

No dyes.

Most of the shipments I've received are of a uncommon source.

Yak from Inner Mongolia

Camel grown and spun in Mongolia

Muga Silk

Natural grown Green Cotton yarn with the Infusion of Copper

Merino wool from MONTANA

Cashmere

Alpaca

Hemp

This post is about the most recent club shipment.

It's a wonderful yarn that is a blend of 80% Mink and 20% Cashmere and is fairy light.

A dream come true.

Mink, ladies, mink  ! ! ! 

I love the pattern of this scarf designed by Anne Hansen expressly for this Mink/Cashmere blend.

It is now a cowl rather than a scarf.  It suits it better I think.

It measures about 8" by 53" before joined to make it a cowl.

This, too, is to be gifted to a beautiful friend.

Oh, oh, not to fret.  I have another skein of this yummy yarn.

Don't know yet what it will become.

A reminder that I do reply to YOUR COMMENT in the Comments area.

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Have a great evening.

hugs 'n smiles

Gifted to Me

This past summer a friend visiting from the U.K. 

gifted me 

a gorgeous skein of yarn in Autumn colors.

The most beautiful Orange

and nips of deep lavender

a gal could love!

Perfect for a lovely pair of sox.

Doreen, you're one sweet friend.

I enjoyed knitting with this yarn.  

'Round and round I knit

I could hear a little voice telling me that these sox should be, in turn, gifted another friend.

And here she is

keeping her feeties warm and toasty

at the end of a busy day.

Thank you Doreen for your kindness.

Everyone, keep warm

as Winter has not made her departure

quite yet.

hugs 'n smiles 

This Evening's GORGEOUS Sunset

Pink and Grey with pale blue  just gorgeous.

hugs 'n smiles

Btw, Dianna, downloaded this photo via
'My Computer' selected from the Start menu
rather than usual Picasa
Does not require file extension [i.e, .jpg],
go figure.

LOOKY WHAT HAPPENED ! ! ! !

More fooling around

and was able to post these

sock photos.

This first pair is Spats

Neon Blue

Brown Stripes

Go for the Green

Fri-bak with Gray

It required dropping the extension [.jpg] before it allowed uploading.

Go Figure ! ! ! 

  - - - - - - 

These are not the entire sock collection from this stint of knitting.

Once I know Blogger will allow me to choose and upload photos there will be more photos

! ! !   fingers crossed ! ! !

Take care, stay warm 'til tomorrow when our temps are forecast in the fifties F.

hugs 'n smiles

Crazy Blogger

Seems like Blogger is being Contrary.

It will not allow me to choose photos to post .

How in the heck can we blog without eye candy????????

Let's give it a try.

[this is where normally there would be several photos]

Have been knitting Hubby sox to replenish his sock drawer.

These seven pair [see pretend photo] were knit between

September and end of January.

These three pair of Waiting for Winter Mittens were knit during that same span.

[photos of one pair of Deep Sea Jelly Fish colorway, two in charcoal gray]

They are as simple as ever.

Just Like Sox !!

Except for the thumb and it is shorter than the normal sock, thus less yarn needed.

I loved making these for Hubby, and both Daughters.

Four knit hats were also knit.

{see photo, oopps, forgot, Blogger is being mean to bloggers}

One hat each in:

Gold-ish Green

Barley colored

Grasshopper Green

Denim Blue

ALL FOR ME ! ! ! 

For you Rav-ers these Projects are on

my Ravelry Project Page  click here.

For those who are not,

Ravelry is a knitting community with over FIVE MILLION MEMBERS worldwide. 

If you've an interest in knitting, crocheting, or any of the fibre related crafts give it a try by clicking 

here:  Ravelry Website

Here you'll be asked to either Log In or Sign Up

Hey, give it a try.  Membership is FREE ! ! ! 

#*&$@#%&*

So this is what it's like to post without photos.

WAKE UP BLOGGER we want photos ! ! ! ! 

Hugs 'n Smiles

Cauliflower :-)

 

Hot out of the oven

and ready to carve.

Yum!

hugs

Let's eat!

 

 

 

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Scrappy Spiderweb a la Bonnie K Hunter

Here it is, pieced into three strips of five stars each.

As I'll be quilting-as-I-go,

this configuration works best for me.

The yellow and the red outline fabrics were purchased just for this project.

The spiderweb strips were all scrap pieces

mostly given to me by a friend, some are small leftovers from my projects.

My Bernina 440 is going to come into play for the quilting.

The Singer Model 15 (ca 1970?) that was used for all the paper foundation stitching is put aside for now.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Ahhh, gorgeous Autumn !

hugs

BTW, I add a couple of widgets on the right sidebar [top]

Quilt top measures approx 48" x 58"

♥♥♥

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Four in Forty

Can you belive it ?

Four Pair of Sox in Forty Days ! ! ! !

First came 'Brown Stripes':

Then came 'Spats':

'Blue Neon':

Last night

'Go For The Green':

This adventure began

August 12, 2014

with 
'Brown Stripe'

continuing through late last evening

with the grafting of the heels
on 

'Go For The Green'

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forty days and Forty nights -

Sox For Hubby.

Well, must run.

Time to cast on

'Mine Shaft'.

Another pair for Hubby.

################

hugs

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