Fibers on Friday: It's On Like Donkey Kong

Are you ready for this? It's time for second annual

TURNING HEELS IN THE NEW YEAR SOCK CHALLENGE!!!

I'm so excited that a few of you expressed interest and some of you even got a little head start....yay! I am ready to start; my big project (the sweater vest) is complete, I bought my sock yarn, and I got the cool sock button loaded back onto my sidebar and it's ready to GRAB! So, please grab it and spread the word!!

So, first things first; here is the vest! I am really thrilled with it. I knit it to fit a youth size 10-12. Here is my model, a six year old, so I think it should be perfect. I used Lambs Pride Bulky Wool and it's so incredibly warm. The pattern is called Keep Me Warm Vest.

I really enjoyed learning how to do the cables and I cannot wait to knit something for me which includes cables! I need a nice cardi/hoodie, so if you can recommend one, I'd appreciate it. So far I've considered the Central Park Hoodie because I know Stitched Together knit one and enjoyed it.

So now....on to BUSINESS!! I hope you're IN on the sock challenge. Please accept the challenge as a friendly invitation to jump into sock knitting whether or not you've ever tried. If it's something you've always wanted to try, please do! And we'll all do our best to help along the way. Jump in!! Again, here's the outline of my plan. Next week, please come back and show us the cuff and leg of your first sock!

Here's my plan: to knit a pair of socks by the end of January:

• By Dec. 30th everyone needs to have gathered their supplies and checked their gauge.
• January 6th we'll show off our cuffs and leg of the sock.
• January 13th we'll show off our heels. Yes, Turning Heels in the New Year!
• January 20st we should be done our gussetts and foot and be ready to close the toe.
• January 27th we'll be well into our second sock and we'll display our works in progress.
• By Feb 3rd we should be able to take a picture of our feet adorned in TWO fabulous socks!!

Fibers on Friday: Cables at Christmas

Happy Friday!! I'm trying to post this week's knitting picture from my phone....

Wow! That was easy....but boy, is it ugly!?! Well, you get the idea. The vest....my first cabled project...is coming along nicely (despite how it looks in pictures!). I've completed the back entirely, cast off for the neck, and have the shoulder seams on holders. Now, I'm finishing off the front neck and it should be ready to ship!

Who's ready for this year's sock challenge??? We have a lot of new followers, so let's look back at last year when we did our first annual "Turning Heels in the New Year". Have you knit socks before? Are you an old pro who proclaims there's no sock like a knit sock? Have you always wanted to knit socks but haven't had the courage to take the plunge?

Well, in any case....join me!!! Below you'll find my projected schedule. Last year I found this time line to be the perfect amount of time to complete each phase without too much stress. If you'd like to join in, you have this entire week to gather your supplies, maybe get a book if you've never attempted socks before (may I suggest Getting Started Knitting Socks?), and check your gauge. And we'll take it from there!


Here's my plan: to knit a pair of socks by the end of January:

• By Dec. 30th everyone needs to have gathered their supplies and checked their gauge.
• January 6th we'll show off our cuffs and leg of the sock.
• January 13th we'll show off our heels. Yes, Turning Heels in the New Year!
• January 20st we should be done our gussetts and foot and be ready to close the toe.
• January 27th we'll be well into our second sock and we'll display our works in progress.
• By Feb 3rd we should be able to take a picture of our feet adorned in TWO fabulous socks!!

What do you say? Sound doable? Are you game? Here are the supplies you'll need:

• sock yarn- 2 balls
• double pointed needles-size US 2 or size to obtain proper gauge
• this pattern-Silky Soft Socks by Premier Yarns as found on Ravelry and here is the PDF
• The one and only sock knitting book I own is called Getting Started Knitting Socks. Maybe look for it at your library this week if you're so inclined. I found it very helpful.

I'll work on our button from last year so we can all show that we're participating in the sock challenge. I'll try to do that this week.

Fibers on Friday: Cables

Hello! I've managed to get this post done before I head out to Puerto Rico for a week....woohoo! We're attending a wedding on Saturday in San Juan and then we're off to the other side of the island, Aguadilla, to visit friends for the rest of the time. I know we'll be doing tons of exploring and site seeing...I can't wait.

I really haven't done too much knitting. I just got finished with the sock monkey project and then I jumped into making EIGHT more for Christmas presents. And for some reason, each one seems to take wayyyy more time than the previous batch. Hmmm???

And besides that, I've settled in to reading on my Kindle. When I fist got it 2 weeks ago, I have to admit, I almost sent that sucker back. It was really hurting my eyes, giving me headaches in the middle of the night, and I just wasn't loving it in general. But, I pushed through the adjustment phase, I tweaked some of the brightness and color settings, and now I'm a happy reader. So happy, in fact, that I'm on my third book. I read Room; very intriguing albeit disturbing. Then I read the second book of the Hunger Games, Catching Fire, another page turner. And now I'm on Unbroken. I don't know how this device gets me turning through books so quickly, but I'm loving it!

Anyway, here is the progress on my first cable project. This is the sweater I'm knitting for Afghans for Afghans.


Oh yes, I am really enjoying the cables! Such a huge effect with very little effort! Everyone was right who said they were easier than one would imagine!

Fibers on Friday: Peas and Carrots

Hello wonderful people! Happy Fibers on Friday! I come to you today with knitting and crochet....side by side....happy as peas as carrots!


The vest that I'm knitting is for Afghans for Afghans. I'm knitting the Keep Me Warm Vest. And get this....I'm trying my hand at cables for the first time! You all assured me last week it was really easier than it seems. And I must say, it's pretty easy! In the picture you'll be able to see my first twist.


The afghan I'm crocheting is the Offset Shell Pattern by Oh My Good Knits.


My excitement this week came in the form of the Kindle Fire that I pre-ordered a couple weeks ago. I was on the fence for so long about using an e-reader, but I finally dived right in and went for the Fire. I just got it yesterday...there are definitely some kinks to work out, but so far it's fun! Have you read anything you'd recommend lately?

Fibers on Friday: Crocheted Apron Complete

Fibers on Friday comes to you on this fine Veteran's Day. I'll remember and honor all who have served today. And I'll be a little sad to miss my annual Veteran's Day dinner with my dad since we're now living so far away. Here we were two years ago on Veteran's Day:

I finished my apron earlier in the week. I LOVE it!!

The pattern comes from Oh My Good Knits. It's called Tessa. It's perfect!! In fact, I'm kind of on a roll with her patterns. I made her Mary Jane slippers, which I'll show you soon, and today I started her Off Set Shell Stitch afghan.

It's also that time of year again for my annual knit for Afghans for Afghans. This will be my third year! I've done two sweaters (seen here and here), so this year I'm going to make a vest. I'm excited to announce that I'll be taking this opportunity to learn cables, a feat that's been on my to-do list for way too long!

Fibers on Friday: Turning Heels Challenge Starts NOW

Are you ready for this? Have you gotten your supplies and checked your gauge? Are you ready to

TURN HEELS IN THE NEW YEAR?

I am! I spent the week finishing the sweater for Afghans for Afghans. I'm proud to report that this is my second sweater I've knit and donated to the cause. It feels good. Do what feels good! Take a look at my sweater, if you will, and also hop on over and read about the cause. Depending on how this sock challenge goes, we can do a charity challenge in the future!



I had to knit 3....count them THREE swatches in preparation for socks. My gauge was just too big, so I'm ending up with size 0 needles, something I was really hoping to avoid. Oh well. And want to hear what else? I'm using a yarn that I had in my stash....one skein...and I have no idea what it is! So, stay tuned for the debacle that's sure to ensue when I run out of yarn!

So, I cast on last night and took some pictures along the way just to sort of guide those of you who have never cast on the double pointed needles for knitting in the round. This is what we need to start now so that next week we can link our cuffs and the leg of our sock. If you'd like to read my proposed time line for this challenge, please read here.

Cast on 64 stitches on to one of the needles

Divide the stitches onto 3 needles as outlined in the pattern; 16....32....16

Now, join in the round. I do this by slipping one stitch from the left needle over to the right needle. Then, I slip the second stitch that's on that right needle over to the left needle. You're just criss crossing stitches and that secures the work and you're ready to start knitting the cuff.

Ines, over at Forward Tumble, wrote a detailed tutorial on casting on and knitting socks, complete with tons of pictures for those of us who need a visual.

Make sure your stitches are not twisted before you start knitting!
Make sure you're knitting in the direction you're suppose to be! I've been known to put down my knitting and when I pick it back up, I've gotten it backwards so I'll actually be purling where I should be knitting.

Knit the cuff in knit 2, purl 2 ribbing. Come back next week to show us what you've got! I can't wait to see who's participating. Got questions? Need help? Post a comment and I know you'll get help from me or someone else!

Fibers on Friday: A Challenge!!!

Friends, I'm so excited for this! Are you ready to take on a challenge for the New Year? Are you ready to get out those teeny, tiny little double pointed knitting needles and very fine yarn? Are you ready to join together as a knitting community and tackle a daunting project together....with support? Well, then join me for a New Year's Challenge for Fibers on Friday:

Turning Heels in the New Year!

It's SOCK time!! So here's my history with socks; I had barely graduated from washcloths and scarves and I dove right into socks. I completed the entire first pair and they were definitely wearable, but not for me. They were too big and bulky, think Wig Wams in 1990. So, I gave them to my sister in law who works outdoors.



Then I attempted the second pair with sock weight yarn. I wasn't happy with the tension, though. They seemed too loose and just not fitting, so I frogged them.

I thought I needed way smaller needles (size 0), so I bought those on line and attempted socks for the third time. Still not loving the whole process, so I gave up entirely.

But I'm still very determined to knit socks that I love and want to wear. So, I challenge you all to knit along right along with me. Whether or not you've ever knit socks! Whether or not you've even ever followed a pattern! We can do it! And if there are sock pros amongst us, good! Please join us and encourage us and teach us!

Here's my plan: to knit a pair of socks by the end of January:

• By Dec. 31st everyone needs to have gathered their supplies and checked their gauge.
• January 7th we'll show off our cuffs and leg of the sock.
• January 14th we'll show off our heels. Yes, Turning Heels in the New Year!
• January 21st we should be done our gussetts and foot and be ready to close the toe.
• January 28th we'll be well into our second sock and we'll display our works in progress.
• By Feb 4th we should be able to take a picture of our feet adorned in TWO fabulous socks!!

What do you say? Sound doable? Are you game? Here are the supplies you'll need:

• sock yarn- 2 balls
• double pointed needles-size US 2 or size to obtain proper gauge
• this pattern-Silky Soft Socks by Premier Yarns as found on Ravelry and here is the PDF
• The one and only sock knitting book I own is called Getting Started Knitting Socks. Maybe look for it at your library this week if you're so inclined. I found it very helpful.
  

It's a party guys! It's a challenge! I even created a button to grab for the event (Image courtesy of Forward Tumble who is way excited for this challenge!!) So post it on your blog, tell your buddies and let's turn some heels!!

Fibers on Friday

In light of all this excitement, let us not forget about this week's Fibers on Friday! I've been diligently knitting away on the a4A sweater. I completed one whole sleeve yesterday and started the second sleeve this afternoon. I was running really short on the teal yarn, so I switched to black for the cuff. Here is my enthusiastic model (click on image to enlarge for full hilarity):

Fibers on Friday: a4A Progress

The only thing I've worked on this week (as knitting goes) is my Steppe Ahead Sweater for Afghans for Afghans.




I'm still enjoying it, but I have to say the pattern gets kinda hectic at times. Nothing unmanageable, but hectic! I should have taken pictures of some of the jumbled mess I had going on, but here's the run-down:

• 2 straight needles were acting as stitch holders for the live stitches for each front shoulder piece as I knitted the back.
• 1 set of circular needles as I was knitting the back.
• 1 length of cut yarn hanging off 1 straight needles to use for 3 needle bind off when ready
• 1 entire ball of yarn hanging off the other needle ready for picking up and finishing the collar.
• 1 entire ball of yarn as working yarn for the back.

Wow! Gobbly-goop! It all works out, it's just crazy. And I'm lucky to have accumulated all those needles and had them handy.

So, what was new? What have I learned? 'Cuz we all know, if we're not learnin' we're burnin':

The three needle bind off!

I was quite intimidated by this process, but I watched a video on youtube and then got to it. And it was easy! I mean aside from adding 2 more needles to the gobbly-goop! And it created the most astoundingly beautiful seam! Look

Fibers on Friday: As Ugly Sweaters Go.....

So, here's the super fun thing I have planned for this weekend: An Ugly Sweater Party!! Last month was our first annual Witch and Bitch. This month is Ugly Sweater Night! So, my friend is the one who had the idea for this. She has THE ULTIMATE ugly sweater. I kid you not....it is the REAL DEAL. The sad part (or maybe really really cute part depending on how you envision this.....and I love to envision the back story on thrift store finds) is that I'm pretty sure this sweater was hand knit. I see it being worn by THE CUTEST little old WHITE haired lady to BINGO night. Or maybe even to a Square Dance. Totally. I see her being just darling and adorable. And I see her having put a lot of time into knitting this sweater. But, nonetheless.....it's UGLY! I can't wait to show you pictures!

Anyway, I feel like I have BIG shoes to fill when it comes to matching this sweater. I had a fairly ugly sweater in my closet. Let it be known, I've actually worn this sweater despite its ugliness. So, I just wanted to embellish it to make it uglier. Here we go:

I added a pom pom ruffle to the collar and the sleeve cuffs. I added tassels to the shoulders and jingle bells all over the front. My husband thinks I should leave the strings attached to the bells.


When my girls got home from school, I asked if it was ugly enough. Paige said no, I needed to add a big bow to the front and center. Madison said I need to add a ruffle to the bottom. Both very good suggestions, I must say. I'll work on that tomorrow. But, as ugly sweaters go, does this suffice?

Now, onto Fibers on Friday:



Here is the Steppe Ahead Sweater I've been working on for Afghans for Afghans.


The front is almost finished. I like the garter stitch running down the center and forming a collar. The back is only half done. Then I'll pick up for sleeves. I plan on it being long sleeved, but I fear I'll run low on yarn, so it may have to be a vest. The campaign says that is fine, but I'd rather send a long sleeved sweater.

I'm enjoying knitting this. I love thinking about how important this campaign is. It's an easy pattern and I love the yarn. Win! Win! I am anxious, though, to start my Shalom sweater that's waiting to be cast on....for me.

If you'd like to read more about a4A, visit the link below.

Fibers on Friday: Two Projects!

Hold on to your hats! Bethy has two projects on needles for the first time ever! I'm diving deep into the realm of multiple projects and I'm loving it!

Here is the progress I've made on the sweater for Afghans for Afghans:






And here is my second little project; a washcloth! I hope you weren't expecting more! I desperately need new washcloths and I have a few I should really make as gifts, so I need to have one going as a second little project to pick up.

PS. Does anyone have any good advice or resources for making blog headers? Mine is way too big and I'm just not good at working with them. (ETA: I did it! How do you like it? I think it's a good size now.)