Hubby's Third Pair of Socks

As you have previously read, I am on a sock knitting kick lately.  I have been very good about sharing with my hubby.  It was his turn for new socks.  Here they are:

This time I made them on 12" circulars by Chia Goo from the top down.  He liked the way these fit better than the toe up ones I have done for him in the past.  I bought 12" circulars for his socks because I was afraid that all those extra stitches (cast on of 72 versus 56) would be super cramped on the 9" circulars especially when I got to the gusset.

 

My next socks are for me!  Hmm, which pattern and yarn should I use?  You'll have to wait and see!

 

Supplies:

Pattern: "Top-Down Socks: One Or Two At A Time On Magic Loop" Video E-Book by Liat Gat

Yarn: S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes 4 Ply with Aloe Vera #3815 - Camoulflage Print

Needles: Chia Goo 12"Circulars in Size 1

More on 9 Inch Circulars - Videos

So, did you see my post about knitting socks on 9 inch circulars?  Do you want to learn more?  Here is a great series of 8 videos on You Tube from Springer's Yarn Nook to help you through it.

 

Here's the first video:

 

The second video:

 

 

The third video:

 

 

The fourth video:

 

 

The fifth video:

 

 

The sixth video:

 

 

The seventh video:

 

 

The eighth and final video:

 

 

I hope you find this series to be very helpful in your quest to knit socks on 9 inch circulars!



Sunday Swing Socks at Sunset

I've been on a sock knitting kick lately.  I figured if I was going to knit, let's make useful items for myself (or sometimes for hubby too).  This is my first attempt at a top down sock other than the sample socks I made several years ago.  Here they are:

These socks were also make using a new method to me, knitting them on 9" circular needles.  What???  9 inch???  Yes, you read it right.  They are the perfect length for knitting in the round and match the diameter of socks.  I first read about this from Stacey Trock from Freshstitches.  Want to read more about it, here are her blog posts #1 - Why a 9"? and #2 - Video: How to Knit Socks on 9" Circulars.

 

Here's a picture of my cast on:

 

 

Aren't they so cute!  To me, this is more efficient way of knitting socks over magic loop.  You do not have to keep adjusting your needles and turning your yarn bag.  I made these in a little over three weeks.  As you can see, I bought two sets of needles and I work them at the same time so I don't get second sock syndrome.

 

Where do you get these needles?  I got mine from an eBay store called Knit Bin.  They are HiyaHiya Sharps in size 1 (2.25 mm) for $9.25 each plus shipping.

 

 

If this has sparked some interest to you, please give it a try, you won't regret it!  If you do, please leave me a comment telling me about your experience and thoughts.  I love this method!



 

Supplies:

Pattern: Sunday Swing Socks by Kristel Nyberg

Yarn: S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes 4 Ply with Aloe Vera #3824 - Sunset Print

Needles: HiyaHiya Sharp 9" Circular - Size 1 (2.25 mm)

My Hubby's Second Socks

A couple of weeks ago, I finally finished my hubby's second pair of socks that I started in September 2012.  Here they are:

He loves them and wear them all the time!  I'm just not a big fan of the invisible bind off, it looks messy to me.  I am going to make him a third pair soon but I am going to make them top down this time.  I think they just look neater!

 

 

Supplies:

Pattern: Beginner Toe Up Socks for Magic Loop by Liat Gat from Knit Freedom

Yarn: S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes 4 Ply with Aloe Vera #3809

Needles: Knit Picks 47" Fixed Circular - US 1 (2.25 mm)

Easy Pattern for Self Striping Socks

Hey, remember me??!!  I know it has been a while but I am still here.

 

There has been some changes since my last blog post.  I have a great new job that I love so much!  I am now working as the Accounting Manager at Greater Springfield Credit Union.  It is such a relaxed work environment and it is a pleasant and welcomed change.  I have been here since May 19th but I have feel like I have been here forever already (in a good way).  I have been welcomed with open arm by everyone (all 20 employees) and I am looking forward to working here for a long time!

 

Now that life is more relaxed, I have time to get back into my hobbies.  Quilting has been put on hold for me for summer so I have gotten back into my knitting.  I wanted to make something productive, other than dishcloths, so I'm back to knitting socks.

 

Here is my latest project:

 

 

These socks were as part of the July challenge with the Sock Knitters Anonymous (SKA) group over on Ravelry.  These are my socks and I can't wait for them to dry so I can wear them.  I just finished them last night.  It only took me 3 weeks to make these too!

 

I am now working on some new socks for August's challenge with SKA for my hubby!

 

Supplies:

Pattern: Easy Pattern for Self Striping Socks and Beginner Toe Up Socks for Magic Loop

Yarn: Felici by Knit Picks in Afternoon

Needles: Addi Click Lace Size 1 (2.25mm) on 40" cables

Baby Reo's Hat Collection

A friend of hubby's that he snowmobiles with is expecting their first child in February.  His wife, Barbara, asked me to make the baby fun hats to wear for fun baby pictures.  Reo was born on Super Bowl Sunday, February 2nd, at 9:30 am!

Here they are:

Plain Hats

Bear Hat

Chick Hat

Mickey Hat

Owl Hat

  

Newborn Long Tail Hat

Some are newborn size and others are 0-3 months.  She loved all of them!

Other Handmade Christmas Presents

I made everyone else in my family at least one hanmade item this year.  Here they are:

 

Mom's Cozy at Home Socks

Marty's Chunky Scarf

April's Lace Scarf

Dolly Kwoosh Shawlette

Here is my second shawl, first one using fingering weight yarn:

 

Since it was using fingering weight yarn, it did take longer to make it.  It was a very easy pattern though!  I really like the way the colors works out on this one!

Supplies:
Pattern: Kwoosh Shawlette
Yarn: Stroll Hand-Painted by Knit Picks  #24769 - Dolly
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) on 30" Cables

Chocolate Sanibel Cowl

Here's another Sanibel Cowl:

I love this cowl because it is so pretty while being a brainless knit especially while on vacation in the White Mountains in New Hampshire.  I love the dark brown color of this one!

Supplies:
Pattern: Sanibel Cowl by Beth Anne Paustian
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids #9750 - Chocolate
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

My Magenta Saroyan

Here is my first shawl:

This was a fun shawl to knit even though I was constantly reading the pattern.  This shawl is made with worsted weight yarn so it worked up quicker.  I am very happy with the results.

Supplies:
Pattern: Saroyan by Liz Abinante
Yarn: Cascade Yarn Cascade 220 #7803 - Magenta
Needles: US 10 on 24" Cables

Bone Sanibel Cowl

Here is another Sanibel Cowl for the East Coast Knitters Group KAL on Ravelry:

I made this over the july 4th holiday while I was camping with friends.  I wanted to bring a project that I did not have to constantly keep refering to the pattern.  It was a perfect choice!

Supplies:
Pattern: Sanibel Cowl by Beth Anne Paustian
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft #9703 - Bone
Needles: US 8 on 24" Cables

Rouge Sanibel Cowl

A friend from Ravelry, Amy (a/k/a AmyBamy), invited me to join the East Coast Knitters group.  They are having a knit along for the month of June for this item:

It is called the Sanibel Cowl.  I made this for myself!  It was such a fun and brainless knitting pattern.  I love how it came out!  I bought more yarn from Joann's last week to make it two more colors before winter.

Supplies:
Pattern: Sanibel Cowl by Beth Anne Paustian
Yarn: Loops & Threads Immpeccable #01531 - Rouge
Needles: US 8 on 24" Cables

Foliage Vinny V

I finally got around to making Vinny V.  Here he is:

 

I can see why this is becoming everyone's favorite monster.  I think he is awesome!  He is like a bigger Iris, which will always be one of my favorites.

Supplies:
Pattern: Vinny V by Rebecca Danger from Knit a Monster Nursery
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tonal #25424 - Foliage
Needles: US 5 on 40" Cables

Charlotte the Snow Monster

Here is a monster for my hubby:

He wanted a blue monster like snow.  He is a little smaller than I thought he'd be but he is still cute!

Supplies:
Pattern:  Monster Mobile by Rebecca Danger from Knit a Monster Nursery
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Solids - Navy and Reynolds Signature #059 - Blue
Needles: US 5 on 40" Cables

Zombie Monster

Here is my zombie monster:

I wanted to make this one before The Walking Dead returns on February 10, 2013!  So what do you think?  Do she look dead enough?

Supplies:
Pattern: Zombie Monster by Kimberly Kwon
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Medium Thyme & Black and Caron One Pound Red
Needles: US 5 on 40" Cables

My Arctic Cat Winter Hat

Here is my hat for snowmobiling:

I made it to make my snowmobile!  Since I have made 4 other hats, I figured it was time for me to have one too.  I just wanted a basic hat to wear after snowmobiling and having messy hair after wearing a helmet.  I kept it simple by making it a solid color without stripes this time.  Stripes annoy me!  LOL!

Supplies:
Pattern: Regular Guy Beanie by Chuck Wright
Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable Solids #01223 - Grass
Needles: US 7 on 40" Cables

Miranda's Marian Cowl

I made my SIL this cowl for Christmas and my niece loved it.  So here is hers:

I added three more rounds from the second skein of yarn.  I was afraid that it was going to be too thick and heavy.  I hope she likes it!

Supplies:
Pattern: Marian by Jane Richmond
Yarn: Jo-Ann Sensations Sumptuous #49326 - Dark Brown
Needles: US 13 (9.0 mm) on 40" Cables

Regular Guy Beanie for Hubby

Here is a hat I made for my hubby:

I casted on 112 stitches and did 2” of 2x2 ribbing. Then I did 15 rows of my MC, then 6 rows of CC and did 10 more rows of MC before beginning the decreases.

I made one (well it took 3 tries though) for hubby last year. But yesterday he was looking for it to go snowmobiling and it was missing. I couldn’t help him look for it because he is hiding my Christmas presents in the closet where it would be (and you know they aren’t wrapped yet)! I bet I’ll find it and then he’ll have 2 hats just in case.

Update: I found it in the closet today after 20 seconds of searching and moving 2 pairs of boots. He’s in trouble now!

Supplies:
Pattern: Regular Guy Beanie by Chuck Wright
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice #204 - Charcoal Print and Cranberry
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) on 40" Cables

Penelope for Sandy Hook

I read about a group on Ravelry called 600 Monsters Strong.  This group is collecting knitted or crocheted monsters, from a list of approved patterns, to send to the children in Newtown, CT.  I had to participate.  Here is my Penelope:

I've been wanting to make her and what I better reason to make it!  I know she will make some girl a wonderful friend!  If you are interested in participating, read more about it HERE!

Supplies:
Pattern: Penelope the Empathetic Monster by Rebecca Danger
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Solids in Cafe and Rose
Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) on 40" Cables

The Taupe Super-Fast, Ultra-Cozy Scarf

Here is a scarf that I made for Jeff's wife, Michelle, for Christmas:

Jeff and Jay went Christmas shopping and Jeff was going to buy his wife a scarf until suggested that I  make one for her.  I made it 70" long so it could be folded in half.  I like it!

Supplies:
Pattern: Super-Fast, Ultra-Cozy Scarf by Jen Reilly
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids, Twists, Heathers #122 - Taupe
Needles: US 13 (9.0 mm)