Wee Tiny Sock

So many people have made darling Wee Tiny Socks that I felt like I had to join in.  I got a blocker at The Loopy Ewe and now can broadcast that I'm a sock knitter :)  I also think these would make great Christmas ornaments or cute package toppers!  (I think you could even make your own blocker out of cardboard! )  Can you tell more of these are in my future?

The yarn?  This yarn I won in a contest from Trish back when I was blogless Leah!  It is Apple Laine Apple Pie in Sunset and my first pair of Monkey socks!  (also the first pair of socks I made for myself that actually fit!  It took me awhile to figure out how long to make my socks)  Thanks Trish!!!!! (sorry it has taken me so long to show you the finished product)

Speaking of contests.....I have finally decided on a contest I want to do ( I think)!  It will begin July 10 and run through July 26th, so be sure to check back for details!  I'm really excited about it!

Baby Bootees!

So pair one of Saartje's bootees are done!  These are for a prof in my department who is expecting!  The yarn is Sockotta (cotton/wool/nylon blend).  It isn't my favorite yarn for socks...a little scratchy in my opinion, but it works perfect for some bootees!  The pattern tends to run a little small, so I used US 3 needles and am really happy with the size of these.  (maybe it's because I knit on the tight side)  

I have plans to make one more pair of these for another friend I met at a recent math conference.   Hope you all are having a great week, I know I'm having fun!!!

On vacation!

Well the day has finally arrived!  I'm off to Seattle!!!  with one of my best friends to see one of our best profs!!!  (details about how the trip came together are here) This is one of the first trips in a really long time that is a true vacation...nothing that has to be done except some fun!  Woohoo! I promise to take lots of pics and share with you next week!

No worries for all of you though, I have a few posts planned for you!!!  Retro Rib Sock #1 is done!  I'm super pleased with how it turned out and DH is begging for one for him, I think he would rather I not give it to its designated recipient...which is still a surprise. (I've had trouble finding good guy patterns/yarn combinations...this one is a hit)

I also started my Secret Prayer Swap sock....3 inches of the leg done and I'm loving it! but not pics yet for you....it's a secret :)

Yarn!

Thank you all for the lovely comments on the swallowtail shawl.  I mentioned that it might be screaming to go "live" with someone else.  Well last night I talked with my mom about the shawl:

Leah: Have you seen the finished shawl?

Mom:  Yes

L: Well I was kinda thinking it was screaming you.  Have you seen it blocked?

M: no, but you should keep some things for yourself! 

(mom gets on computer)

M: OH!!!!  That definitely screams me!  How did you ever doubt that?  We could "share" it.  (ie-I use it and when I die you could inherit it)

M: (laugh)

I proceeded to tell her we would see.  I might wear it a couple of times and see what I think.  I also think I have some cream lace yarn in my stash and I could make one for myself.  The cream would be a better color for me (and I would make it a little bigger by doing 5 extra repeats of the budding lace part).  Plus gray is my mom's color!  

I picked up some new yarn at Discontinued Brand Name Yarn and it came!  Here are some pics:

Cherry tree Hill Supersock in Island Red.  (a nice red that isn't too bright, nice and subdued)

Cherry tree Hill Supersock in Dove (almost grey, but has some green tones in it too...a hard color to describe, but very nice)

Cherry tree Hill Supersock DK in a purple blend (so I love this color and this was the reason I really placed the order, but I didn't notice the DK, so it is a little thicker than I thought, but I saw on Ravelry that many people have made lovely socks out of this yarn)

Louet Gems fingering weight (this yarn is to dye myself...I think I'm going to use Koolaid....I used this base for my May socks and really liked it, so this should be a fun project!)

Pictures

I think I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves! (They aren't too bad considering I took them all myself)

Not a lot to show!

So the shawl is blocked!  Steve left yesterday morning, so last night I took advantage of the empty bed and blocked the shawl!  I'm super please with it.  Now it is awaiting its photo session....we tried to take a couple of quick shots this morning, but I wasn't pleased with them, so I will try again when I have more time to get them just right (It deserves nice pics)  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to keep this for myself or gift it.  It might be screaming to live with someone else....we'll see. 

On the needles (or soon to be):

1.  Another pair of Saartje's Bootees.  These have become my go to baby gift.  They are quick, cute, and fun to make!  I want to make a pair for a professor and a friend I met in Columbus.  I got one bootee done last night, so these should be done in no time.

2.  My prayer sock swap socks.  I have finally settled on a pattern (I think).  You can view it here.  I love how the pattern goes down the back of the heel.  I think it will be a good pattern for the yarn I have picked out and it seems forgiving on the size.

3.  Retro Rib socks. I am half way done with the foot on the first sock.

4.  Crochet some reusable grocery bags.

Okay that sounds like enough for now, and I definitely have other plans, but we will see.  These are the more immediate.  Next time I hope to have pics of the shawl!

Here is a  pic of Knox because we don't want a pictureless post! (it's an old pic, but too cute not to share!)

FO and friend!

We have the great pleasure of having one of our dear friends, Steve, visit us!  He got here last night and leaves tomorrow morning, but we are blessed to see him!  I made him an apple pie in honor of his visit!

So what have I been knitting?  I showed you a preview the other day and here is the finished object (unblocked)

Blocking must wait until Steve leaves!  It is a Swallowtail shawl by Evelyn Clark!  Lynda recently completed one and it had been in my queue, so I excitedly casted on!  Now I'm ready to see it blocked!!