October Stats

In October, I used up 2 skeins of yarn/ 593 yards. I finished two pairs of socks and one stocking.

Baby Cable Rib socks

Pattern: Baby Cable Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Devon

Needles: US size 1 DPN

Started on: Oct. 10th

Finished on: Oct. 28th

Comments: This is one of my favorite colorways from Lorna's Laces.  The pattern was easily memorized, so I could also carry this project around in my purse. I really love the way these socks turned out.

Moose Xmas Stocking

 Pattern: Moose Xmas Stocking from Annie's Woolens

Yarn: Yarn that came with the kit. 

Needles: US Size 6 and US Size 8

Started on: Oct. 2nd

Finished on: Oct. 21st

Comments: You probably thought I forgot about knitting holiday stockings! Nope! I'm so proud that I was able to take a break from them and then go back to working on them again. It's like I'm an adult and can actually commit to finishing something I started. Yay! I've done three stockings and have one to go! I can't believe I'm ahead of schedule and it seems like I'm going to get all these stockings done before Xmas. 

It really helps that I've made a few now, each additional one I make goes faster (when I'm actually knitting on them and not distracted by other patterns). Something unexpected happened while knitting these stockings. It's sparked a renewed interest in me for knitting socks. I have so much sock yarn, most of which was purchased in the first few years I learned to knit. So it's a great benefit to actually knit up some sock yarns in my stash. 

Another awesome, my mom bought me shoes recently and they are perfect for showing off my hand knit socks! So now I have even more reason to knit socks! 

Retro Rib socks

Pattern: Retro Rib socks from Favorite Socks from Interweave Knits

Yarn: Neeley's Knits Once Upon A Time Inspired Evil Queen self striping sock yarn

Needles: US size 2

Started on: Sept. 28th

Finished on: Oct. 16th

Comments/Modifications: I knit the cuff as written. I used the basic sock construction I always use and have memorized and just used the Retro Rib stitch pattern from this book for the rest of the sock.

I've only knit with self striping yarn one other time that I can remember. I see now how addicting it can be. I love seeing each new color appear (even after discovering the order in which the colors will stripe). I didn't get these socks to match exactly, but it's pretty close. I love these socks so much, I'm still wearing them now!

WIP Wednesday

I started a new sock. I love this sock yarn. It's Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock in Devon. I've had this yarn in my stash forever. It's one of my favorite colorways so I was saving it and saving it...until I found the perfect pattern for it. It seems so silly to keep it in a ball of yarn and not use it, but I didn't want to waste it on the wrong thing. Anyway, I'm very happy with the yarn and pattern combination.

I'm still plugging away on the Evil Queen socks. I know this photo looks fairly similar to the last photo I posted of it, but surely it's different. I'm now on the second sock! I'm a bit further than this photo shows, so hopefully I'll have these finished soon.

WIP Wednesday

I just can't stop with the stockings. I really enjoy making them and will be sad when I finish the fourth and last one. I'm on stocking # 3 right now and this moose is adorable. I can't get over how clever knitting is and am fascinated by how all the sudden I can see the moose emerging from my knitting.

FO Friday: Holly Xmas Stocking

Pattern: Holly Xmas Stocking from Annie's Woolens

Yarn: Bartlettyarns in Light Sheep grey, Spruce Heather and Cranberry that came with the kit

Needles: US Size 6 - 16 in. circulars and US Size 8 - 16 in. circulars

Started on: Sept. 22nd

Finished on: Sept. 26th

Comments/Modifications: I followed the pattern as written. This stocking went a lot faster. I think my tension is a lot better on this one. This one also had no duplicate stitching, although after I finish all four stockings, I will have to duplicate stitch the names at the top.

I really do enjoy making these stockings. Only two more stockings to go! I'm actually still excited about making the last two stockings!

WIP Wednesday: socks

I haven't knit a pair of socks in forever. I thought now was as good of a time as any to start up again. I also realize I have several sock books that have been sitting on my shelves forever barely ever opened. I hope to get through some of those books and knit most of the patterns out of them.

The first book I chose is Favorite Socks from Interweave Knits. While I have made a few socks from this book in the past, there are many more I would like to make. So my plan is to knit all the socks that I like out of this book. Then I'll pick a different sock book and do the same. I'll probably just keep one sock on the needles at all times.

I decided to start with the first sock pattern in this book, the Retro Rib socks. Since Once Upon A Time the TV show started back up again, I chose to use my Neeley's Knits OUAT inspired Evil Queen yarn. I wasn't sure how the yarn and pattern combination would work out, but I'm finding that I like it quite a bit. Even though it's clear now the order the colors will stripe, I still find myself excited about getting to the next color. I never realized how much self-striping yarn can motivate my knitting.