Last week at knit night, there was shock and horror when I mentioned not having a hat for Scotland.  In reality I did have a hat, I just didn't like it.  I had made it to match a scarf I made and was never really happy with it (loved the scarf).  I also am picky about hats, I don't like them too tight!  

Now the good people that knitters are....I had many, many hats offered to me. Instead I decided to frog the old hat and try again!  It still isn't a perfect hat, but is much better! and will keep me warm!

Top view (hard to do when taking your own pics)

Pattern: One day Beret

Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic....no idea what color it was....but I do remember it was a Christmas gift from my SIL! :)

Needles: US 8

Mods: None, just had to make sure I didn't run out of yarn!

Now it is packed and on its way to Scotland!  I'll keep you updated!

P.S.-Mom my face really isn't looking this good, got to love the fact that photos can be touched-up!

No socks this time!

Well the packing is well underway....close to finished I think.  I wanted to take a little something for my adviser's daughter (besides Cheerios) and this seemed to be perfect!

Pattern: Baby Shrug

Size: 18-24 month

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, Berry and a little bit of Lime (thank you YarnGurl)

Needles: US 8

Mods: Well I added the little flower, after all this girl's first word was flower so it seemed only fitting.  If I were to do it again I would do ssk instead of the weird decrease they had.  It seems a little big, but hopefully it will fit!

A close up of the flower, pattern here and leaf pattern here.

It is crazy trying to put your life on hold for a month, but I'm almost there and will have a great time...and will keep you updated on the knitting and sightseeing!

Preparing

Last weekend also included a trip to the library to get some things.  Have you been wondering why I've been so anxious to get wool socks made when I live in warm Louisiana?  Why is the blog so quiet?  why the big math push?  Well the photo should be a good hint!

Next week I'm off to Glasgow!  My advisor is currently there and the trip is to do research there with her...and have a little fun!  So now I'm in the mode that says: what do I need to pack? how do I prepare to be gone for almost a month?  international travel?  My lists are made and I think I'm covered!  So for the next month the blog may not be as active.  I do want to keep blogging, but I'm not entirely sure how much time my schedule will allow for it, so I wanted you all to know!  I'll update when I can and will be looking for some lovely yarn while I'm gone!

KAL Socks Finished!

Fair warning...this pattern is highly addictive!  Every other row is plain knit and it is so easy to say "just one more eyelet row."  I'm happy these socks are finished and can be warming my toes!  By the way....thanks for all the math encouragement.  I chatted with my advisor yesterday and she was grinning ear to ear!  Those are fun meetings!

Pattern: Anastasia Socks (for Baton Rouge Red Sticks KAL)

Yarn: Lang Jawoll Cotton Collor

Needles: DPN US 1.5 and 2 (I switched to the 2's towards the top of the cuff to make sure they were stretchy enough.  I probably didn't have to do this, but I wasn't sure)

Mods: I cast on 64 stitches instead of 60, so there were 12 stitches between eyelets.  

New things learned:  Toe up construction with short row heels and toes!  While I didn't really enjoy doing the short rows I can't argue with the results.  Normally I have to give a new technique a few pair before I can really judge if I like doing it or not!

PS....I love how the socks are mirror images of each other!

Fiber Love!

So I've been promising you a spinning post for awhile....and while spinning has been slow lately (as is indicated by the many finished objects you've been seeing) I did score some awesome fiber over Christmas that you must see!

First by SIL (and brother, but we know my SIL is really the one to score these lovelies for me!)

This is 8 oz of undyed Corredaile (sp?)!   I'm enjoying dreaming about what this should be!

and 8 + oz of Merino in lovely pink!  (Knox wanted in on the fun...I think she heard a bird outside too)  Oh to live where fiber was so easily accessible....oh no then my fiber stash would be even worse!

And 8 oz of merino in blue that I bought at the Yarn Barn!

And last, but definitely not least was what Santa left in my stocking!!!!  (boy I must have been good this year...thanks Mom!)  50/50 Bamboo/Merino blend by Creatively Dyed!  I love looking at this and dreaming of the possibilities!

I am so eager to spin...but am feeling the need to make lots of warm socks right now....the spinning time will come!  

On the math front:  It was an awesome week last week.  My work has been verified by my advisor and I was right...WOOHOO!  so now I get to figure out what follows from what I figured out! (I could give you details, but I don't think you really want them) :)

Another Pair of Socks

In my lack of blogging I didn't even hint to you all I was working on these socks!  One of my very favorite sock books is Favorite Socks. (I think I've made 8 patterns from it) While this pattern didn't jump off the page at me....maybe because I was lacking sport weight sock yarn....upon second thought I gave them a try and love the results!

These are made from the only yarn I bought over Christmas (but I did get some fiber that you all must see)  I got it from the Yarn Barn with I had the pleasure of visiting with my mom and grandma.  It was so fun...what an awesome store!  My mom left wanting to explore her "inner weaver" as she loved all the hand woven finished objects!!   

Okay, so here are the details:

Pattern:  Lace Cuff Anklets from Favorite Socks

Yarn:  Reynolds Soft Sea Wool

Needles: US 4, 3 and 2 DPN

Mods:  None.  I cast on for 56 stitches and with the thicker yarn they fit perfectly and went super fast!

This yarn is so soft and sproingy....I really enjoyed working with it!  I'm not sure how well it will wear....after wearing them all day yesterday the bottoms definitely showed wear and the heels pilled a little.  The yarn isn't superwash and has no nylon either.  Maybe someone else knows how it wears better than I do.  Even saying all of that....it was a true joy to knit with and the socks are very comfy!

More good math days....you must be praying hard for me.....off to work!

Photoshoot

Friday during lunch several of us knitters decided to help each other out with a photo-shoot of some finished objects.  It was a gorgeous day and we had a blast!

Left to right: Ashley (our photographer!), S (blogless), alh, and me!

Ashley has a washcloth to photograph, but really came along to help us out!  S had the hat she is wearing and a pair of socks!  alh had a pair of socks, a sweater, and a hat. Me.....the clapotis!

I finished it maybe two weeks ago and love it!  The perfect wrap for a cold classroom, but it needed a proper picture!

Full Details:

Pattern: Clapotis

Yarn: Great Adirondack Yarn Co Silk Noir

Color: Storm

Needles: US 8

Mods:  None, just made it a little longer than the pattern

Best part of pattern:  Dropping stitches!

Worst part:  This this is huge!

Here is a close up!

Can you tell we had a super time?

I appreciate all your prayers about my health!  I'm feeling much better!  I know the blog has been quiet....mainly because I've been having some awesome math days....when those happen you must work like mad because who knows when the brain can handle it again!  What an answer to prayer!!! 

Back to work I go!