Thursday, August 12, 2010

Thirty Six Inches of Stockinette!

Well I've been working on Widget's stocking as I have time and I've go the knitting finished! The pattern came from a book of Christmas stocking patterns. It is actually just a simple top down stockinette sock with a short foot.

I have actually knit this pattern twice before and it was early enough in my knitting career that I was still actively keeping a notebook on all my projects. So I was able to follow what I had done previously row by row.

My first two stockings took three and a half skeins. This one took just over four skeins. I don't know where the extra yarn went. This one is just a little longer than my notes indicate the last one was -but not that off. I even used the same needles.

I guess it probably has to do with gauge. That is something that I didn't track on this project or the previous stockings at all. I almost never worry  about gauge and especially on felting projects. I'll chalk it up to gauge and just be glad that I had enough yarn in my stash to cover the difference.

Now I just have to do the felting. Hopefully I will be able to get it felted soon. But I might wait until I get something else knitted up to felt. I've been thinking of making another felted bag with some more Noro Kureyon I have stashed . I just have to decide on a pattern.

In the meantime, I've picked up an old project and started working on it again. I'm  committed to working on old projects or knitting strictly from my stash. So hopefully I'll have some progress to report on that project soon.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Swissy Sunday

Well the Swissys are still here and doing well, but they are now having to share the stage and our attention with Widget. Sherman is a little indifferent to Widget, but Scarlett is always interested in what he is doing. Sometimes I think she is just as interested in the toys as he is. One thing is for sure, the dogs and the baby make this a busy house. It is nice when everyone decides to take a nap at the same time. I'm able to get laundry folded or a few rows of knitting done.

But the minute one of them gets up, the fun starts again. This time Widget decided to catch Scarlett by the tail. He did pull, but I think she is so much that bigger that she didn't even feel the tugging. He does love watching them and reaching out for them. He likes feeling the texture of the fur.

One of the neat things to see is Widget's face when we get home in the evening from work/daycare. He lights right up and starts laughing and smiling at both of them as they come to the door to greet us. We never leave this group unattended, but it is great to have everyone get along and play nice.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Funky Monkeys

Widget has been the recipient of many fine knitted gifts, most are from his grandma (my mom). She has been knitting up a storm since she found out she was to have a grandchild. I think she had about given up on the possibility, but she took to the idea with gusto! She surprised us with these monkeys on our trip home over the July 4th holiday.

The monkeys are great, but they will have to sit on the shelf for now. The button eyes are great, but make them unsuitable play toys for the time being. Everything Widget gets makes its way to his mouth sooner or later.

One of the nice things about all of her knitting is that she is using some of my stashed yarn and patterns. Each time she comes for a visit, she goes through my stash and takes home some skeins for new projects. I had originally bought the yarn and pattern for this project, but it is nice to see it done for Widget. No telling how long it would be before I got around to knitting them.

The monkeys are knit from Socks That Rock Heavyweight. The pattern is written for both the large and small monkey. The main color of the large monkey is Lapis and the small monkey is primarily knit from the Amber color. The report from grandma is that the pattern was straight forward and not difficult. The project started with two full skeins, but there was a lot leftover; probably enough for another large sized monkey.

Project Info

Pattern: Funky Sock Monkey
by cockeyed sockateer
Yarn: Socks That Rock
Heavyweight in Amber and Lapis
Notes: Knit according to pattern; no pipe cleaners used for legs or tails.