Christmas Socks and Stocking Along Update

Well Happy Halloween to everyone. I made some serious progress on my stocking for Lauras' stocking along. I finished the toe and seamed up the back leg! I added a braided loop to hang with but that was after I took this picture. I'm think I'm just going to wet block it a bit. I'm happy with the way it came out. Its huge, but perfect for filling with stuff.

I also made some progress on dads Christmas socks in the Knit Picks New England Foliage. I've gotten to the heel. I'm much happier with the ribbing on this sock. It's more snug and stretchy. I used size 1 needle and a K2P2 rib. As opposed to the usual k1p1 rib that always seems to stretch out. Right now I'm carrying along some wool/nylon to reinforce the toe and heels. The yarn is 100% merino wool. Hopefully they will hold up to my dad.
I also finished short sock that I experimented with knitting entirely on size 1's. They were meant to be for me but they are a little tight and I should've added more length to the top. I think instead of ripping it out I will just give these to my nephew instead. His foot is smaller and a bit shorter. But the gauge is more snug and it won't be long before he grows into them. I was going to make him socks for Christmas anway so now I'm just ahead of the game. I dont think he'll care that they are shorter. They are more like a slipper sock now.

New Craft Ideas?? You tell me

I'm a pretty crafty person. I'm not quite Martha Stuart, but I have a ton of her books and back issues of Living magazine that I just can't seem to part with. I've been known to hunt flea markets and lawn sales looking for a unique treasure. Something that I could incorporate into my home somewhere and give new life.
I stumbled onto this link this morning and I just had to share.

TAMPON CRAFTS get them while they're hot! I kid you not. Who knew? I didn't. I'm not sure if they are funny or distrubing. However I just cant see myself sitting down with my 5 yr old nephew making Christmas Crafts out of Tampons. I just know that would follow a slew of questions...

"Aunt Michelle what are these?" "Tampons, Nephew Tyler." "What are tampons? What are your making with them?"

It just goes down hill from here I know it! Can you imagine opening the latest issue of Martha Stuart Living and seeing holiday crafts with Tampons.. I dont think so. Or how about going to a Christmas Bazarr where there is plastic canvas and little old ladies everywhere and seeing holiday ornaments on display made from OB or Kotex.. (the thought of that cracks me up) I wonder if people really have made these things. These almost seem like something you'd see on late night tv.

I also have to admit to some cheapness here as well. There's no way that I'm going to waste a perfectly good tampon on the making of blow gun! See for yourself, make your own decisions... and answer this question " Will you be making any Tampon Crafts this holiday season?"

This is one of my favorites. He is cute in a weird funny way.




My brother used to make homemade potato and blow guns when we were kids. He never raided my moms Tampon stash to do it though..never thought of it... I can almost imagine him doing it then (due to the mean boy humor) but now I'm sure I won't be seeing my brother sporting this look at Halloween.



These lights are pretty funny. However I'm not planning on stringing them at my house. I can hear my dad now
" Hey Sis, what did ya make those lights out of?"
"Dad, you dont want to know."

*ps. This post definately goes towards WTF Wednesday!

Aching Back and Finished Socks

How was your weekend? Mine was interesting enough. It snowed Friday night. It started out with rain. I went to pick up Chinese takout, got back at 5pm and it had just started to turn to snow. By the time I left mom and dads at 7pm there was nearly 6" on my car and the road. Of course there are no plows on the State/Local trucks yet. So it was a slow and slippery ride home. Unfortunately I didnt get a picture as it was gone by the time I got up the next day.

Saturday was spent re-laying my laminate flooring and undercutting door jams. Something the ex-contractor never got around to doing. Still on going reoccuring nightmares of contractor from hell. Due to most of the day spent on my hands and knees my body was in rough shape on Sunday and today. I thought coming back to work and sitting here would be restful. But I cant seem to get comfortable in this chair. Guess I was better off at home moving around.

Sunday some knitting got done. I finished the toe on my Stocking Along Stocking. Now it needs a seam and blocking. I also stitched the toe closed on a sock that was intended for me but looks like a candidate for Christmas gift list. No pictures today.

Socktoberfest

Knitters Tea Swap arrived!

On Monday my box was waiting in the mail for me from Lisa ! I got some cool Big Tex Jelly Beans ( tis' true what they say about everythings bigger in Texas). If I'd known my swapper was in Texas I would've asked for "1 live Cowboy to be shipped overnight". Oh well. Guess I'll have to live with only the yummiest Belgian Milk Chocolate with Lavender and pretty Sock yarn from Hill Country Yarns. : )
Of course all incoming mail, bags, boxes and packages must be "A-ok'd" by the Siamese Security System Technician. I think he works secretly for Homeland Security or something. Be nice if they would send a paycheck too once in a while.



Must have checked out ok because I was allowed to continue on . Check out the size of them Beans!

Here's a shot of Monday's Sky, and it's not even the best yet so far.

the Gnome says....

Is it time to get the pumpkins out yet?

No pictures

Today I no pictures of anything. But I will update. I've made it to the toe on my Manos Stocking. Then I started decreasing it and realized I messed it up.. so now I'm gonna rip back and redo the toe. I hope to finish this weekend. Also I made it to the toe on my Socklet too. I plan to start another couple of projects to leave at work for breaktime in my desk. Just a small one or two.
Yesterday in the mail I got "Modern Classics" by Louisa Harding. This book is soo nice. I cant wait to cast on for something. I'd post a picture but Blogger wont let me!

SP9

I joined SP9.

Secret Pal 9 Questionaire

Secret Pal 9 Questionaire.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Mostly I knit with wool or any blend of wool and a natural fiber. I've knit a little with cotton. I'm not a fan of novelty yarns or 100% acrylics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use tall narrow basket for the straights. My circulars store in the Denise Case they came in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting since 1997. I learned in a 3 session course at the Local Joann's Fabrics Store. I haven't learned yet how to do Fair Isle or Intarsia. I only stripe if I do multiple colors. I've done lots of differant stitch work. I have done any lace work but I do have yarn and patterns for it and look forward to starting something for Christmas this year. I would say maybe Advanced Beginner or borderline Intermediate because I havent done multi-color work.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like woodsy, floral, food scents. Really most anything.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I like chocolate with or without nuts. Milk and Dark Chocolate. My favorite is chocolate and peanut together! I also love Jelly Belly Jellybeans.. any flavor and anything peppermint or spearmint flavored.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Other crafts I enjoy are cross stitch, embroidery of most kinds, sewing. I haven't learned to spin. I have thought about getting a drop spindle and try to learn. I've become a Do-it-yourselfer around the house. Woodworking and building and remodeling have taken up a lot of my spare time lately. I like to garden and cook as well.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My computer plays MP3's. I like country and classic rock mostly. But I will listen to others as well.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is Blue (any shade). I like darker or rainbow shades including woodsy tones too, greens and browns. Not a fan of neons.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am single, one cat and no kids.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes, I would wear a poncho, just havent knit one yet. I knit hats then never wear them. I love mittens and scarves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
things i can get a lot of wear out of, sweaters, vests. I seem to be knitting a lot of socks and mittens too. I also knit scarves because they are quick and easy.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Now I have two sweaters going, 1 sock, 1 stocking and I started about 3 rows of a sweater vest.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes. Michelle's Wishlist at Amazon

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have the Denise circ. set and since I cant use my aluminum straights without my wrists getting sore. Guess I prefer circs. now. Except for my wood size 9 straights. They dont bother me. Bamboo are ok, but I think wood are better. I knit my socks on wood dbl. only cause i havent learned to do socks on circs. But i want to.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes to both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years at most, but its near done.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
The question should read "Is there anything you DON'T collect?"... I collect stamps, postcards, tart burners, dishes of all kinds, baskets, antiques... all kinds of stuff.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to Interweave Knits. I'd like to check out "Socks soar in Circular Needles".. maybe they wont take sooo long on circs. to knit. I've never knit with Koigu, Lornas Laces or Wildfoote
sock yarn.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to learn Intarsia and Fair Isle.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. I wear a size 8 womens med. width shoe and sock.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
February 19th.

Updates

Well this weekend I got a lot further along on my stocking the Mistletoes Knitalong. I got past the heel and its smooth sailing to the toe! I think my stocking has a definate country cabin feel to it. I call it my Scrap Stocking.

Also I worked some on my Socklette... past the heel and onto that toe as well.
I packed the box for my Knitters Tea Swap. That box is full! I will ship that this week and get it off to her. I hope she likes it. Its my first swap so it's possible I went a tad overboard... maybe not. Either way it was a blast shopping and I couldn't stop putting goodies in the box!