Busting the Stash in South Park

Destination TTL Mystery KAL, Day 6

katzendog — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:12:24 +0000

I completed the cuff and leg of sock 2 of the TTL mystery sock KAL today. I’ve decided that , since I’m using my Chiao Goos which I prefer to my Addis, I’ll finish this sock then go back and finish the toe of sock 1. I’ve also decided that rather than knit another pair of socks. I’ll knit the Augusta Cardigan which will break up the larger sweater projects with socks. I hope to do some blocking this week.

Detour

I worked 10 more rows of South Park throw and will work another 10 before starting decreases. I knit a few rows on the Buttons Cardigan and will work on it again tomorrow while at Gate City Yarns.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Destination TTL Mystery Sock KAL, Day 5

katzendog — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:06:30 +0000

This is being written on day 6. I finished 25 more rows of the leg of sock 2 on day 5. This pattern has bobbles and crossed (1×1 cables) stitches so I can only work about 6 rows in an hour as opposed to my normal 8 to 10. I do cable without cable needle and use this method. I’ve tried several different methods but this one works for me. I haven’t tried it yet with a 3×3 cable but it works well with 2×2. On 1x1s that are both knit I use another technique which involves working both stitches then dropping off the left needle at the same time but the mystery sock involves stitches knit through the back loop and purl stitches. I plan to finish the cuff on day 6. On day 7 I’ll either work the toe of sock 1 so that it’s finished or work the heel flap of sock 2. Usually finishing sock 1 spurs me to finish sock 2 faster. I don’t suffer from dreaded second sock syndrome. My knitting ailment is usually castonitis.

Detour

I also now have 50 rows finished on the South Park throw. I’d planned to start decreases at this point to feel that it needs to be about 5 inches bigger. So I will knit another 20 rows before starting decreases. One of my concerns was being able to get 2 throws from 3 skeins of yarn. Judging from usage so far that will not be a problem.

I’ll be spending the afternoon at Gate City Yarns so will work on my Buttons Cardigan a bit today.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Destination TTL Mystery Sock KAL, Day 4

katzendog — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:22:22 +0000

I cast on and knitted 25 rows of sock 2. I’m knitting these on size 1 US needles and the yarn is Wollmeise 80/20 in Aquarius colorway. Here’s a close-up and you can see the detail of the sock. The colorway is actually more green than it is in the picture. I hope to have the leg of this sock finished when clue 5 is sent on Sunday. Then I will finish toe of sock 1 and finish heel and foot of sock 2. I hope to finish both in seven more days.

Detour

I’ve completed 90 rows of the South Park throw. I hope to finish the increase rows tomorrow (halfway point) then will start decreases.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Destination Through the Loops Mystery KAL, Days 2 and 3

katzendog — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:50:37 +0000

I’ve finished the foot (clue 4) of the sock KAL. I’m going to divide the yarn and cast on sock 2 tomorrow. My conclusion looking at this sock is that on future socks, unless the pattern is on that will “draw in” horizontally, I should use size 0 US needles. I still don’t have a good picture of the cuff of this sock but I love the design. I’ve made several of Kirsten Kapur’s designs and loved them all.

I’ve also decided to add the Providence Hoodie back to my queue and substitute my design cardigan for the Five-way Cable Shrug. If the moss stitch gets to “tedious,” I’ll cast on a pair of socks to give myself a break. I’m considering knitting Victoria instead of the hoodie. I’ll decide when it gets closer to time to cast on.

Detour

I’ve knit about 75 rows of the South Park prayer throw. I’m hoping to finish it buy February 5.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Destination TTL Mystery KAL, Day 2

katzendog — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:53:10 +0000

I worked 32 rows of foot today on sock 1. I tried to take another picture. The design still doesn’t show up well. So will try a shot outside next time the sun shines. This is a beautiful pattern and I hope to get a shot at some point that does it justice.

Detour

I’ve worked total 50 rows on this project. I’m hoping to use 1.5 skeins of yarn for this and it’s looking good so far.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

And I’m Worried Why?

katzendog — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:02:59 +0000

Remember back at the beginning of the stash-busting quest? One of my concerns was my brother’s reaction to my level of stash upon his inheritance thereof. Here’s a picture he took yesterday at the course when it was misty and 30-something degrees and all his buddies except the dog were at home watching football. The dog’s name is Bonehead. He lives at the course and the only reason he would play was he could stay in the cart and the heater was on. And I’m worried why? Gotta love my family and our level of commitment to our craft…I love you, brother mine.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Destination TTL Mystery KAL, Day 1?

katzendog — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:53:58 +0000

Okay so I’ve been working on this project since January 1, but only an hour a day on the days I worked it. So I decided to go with day 1. I finished clues 2 and 3 on Sock 1. I’m making this project in Wollmeise 80/20 in Aquarius colorway and the stitch definition is indescribable. The picture is through clue 3 and doesn’t do the design or the yarn justice. I won’t post a picture of clue 4 until clue 5 has been given. My plan is to finish sock 1 through clue 4 (the foot) and then catch up with sock 2. Since I estimate 8 days to knit a pair of socks, my guess is that I should have both socks ready to finish by next Sunday when clue 5 (the toe) is given. If, by some miracle, I finish both and need another project to work on this week, I may work on The Loopy Laces socks. Debit has grounded me for a week because she says all the gallivanting I’ve been doing partially caused me to be under the weather. So I make have extra knitting time. We’ll see.

Detours

Yes there are two right now. I’m working on what I’m calling South Park Prayer Throw in Jarbo Duo. It’s based on Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth pattern and another pattern I had for a baby afghan. I’m knitting it on size 13 US needles.

I also cast on a Buttons Cardigan in Berroco Vintage. This will be my work in public project and will be a baby gift. I’ve ordered Hey Diddle Diddle buttons for it. I have not a clue what is going on with the camera. This yarn is a nice baby green–kind of a soft lime color. Hopefully future pictures will be better. Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Departure Acer, Day 18 and “Arrival” at TTL KAL

katzendog — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:22:16 +0000

I’ve been under the weather all week and the last three days I’ve slept more than I’ve been awake. I’m hoping that I’ll be back on track soon as I hate to be under the weather. I finished my Acer. I used about 5.26 skeins of Cascade Pacific and buttons by Tessa Ann Designs. I’m not sure about the buttons. The one that looks lavender under flu0rescent light looks blue under other lights. I notice in the picture it looks lavender. Button ho that I am I do have other choices. I still need to steam block.

I will now focus on Through the Loops Mystery KAL. I haven’t finished clue 2 and clue 4 comes out at midnight. This is not a good sleep knitting type project so I may have to put it aside till I’m feeling 100%. I am going to try.

Also this is not a work in public project so I’ll be casting on a baby sweater using Buttons Cardigan and Berroco Vintage to work at knit night. This is a detour project.

Detour

I finished the Angel Lace Shawlette. I will post a picture of it as well as 198 yards of heaven when I block. I’m now going to cast on a prayer throw for W who is undergoing treatment for cancer. I’m going to use Jarbo Duo and size 11 US needles. I’m doing a version of Grandma’s Favorite dishcloth except using stockinette stitch with garter ridge border.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Destination Acer, Days 13-15

katzendog — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:43:06 +0000

A lot of sleep knitting and not much knitting has been going on her the last three days. I think I’m about caught up with the sleeping so hopefully will knit more the next few days. I did finish sleeve one of Acer and started sleeve two. I’m loving the way this is turning out and want to finish it so I can wear it this weekend.

Since I’m still on clue 2 of the TTL Mystery KAL, I decided to focus on the sweater and then work on the sock. I’d set aside an hour a day to work on the sock and found that the leg went very slowly but the outcome is well worth it. I will post a picture soon.

Detour

I’ve completed five pattern repeats of Angel Lace Shawl. I’m debating whether to try for a sixth repeat but am not sure I have enough yarn. I may knit the lace edging. If I have extra yarn, I can frog and add a repeat. The intended recipient lost her battle so I’ll give the shawl to her daughter.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.

Destination Acer, Day 12

katzendog — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:20:01 +0000

It’s Saturday but no pajama day here today. I taught the Basic Sweater Class at Gate City Yarns today so didn’t have much personal knitting time. I’ve worked almost half of sleeve 1. My knitting in the round gauge is slightly smaller than my flat knitting gauge. So I should have used size 10 US needles for the sleeve but decided that blocking would resolve the issue. Most non-knitting folks won’t notice.

I didn’t work on Through the Loops Mystery Sock KAL at all today. I received the third clue tonight and hopefully will be able to catch up next week. Once the Acer is finished I’ll focus on the mystery socks and will continue to work on Loopy Laces. Since both socks are in contraband yarn, I may also cast on the Augusta Cardigan to work while at Gate City Yarns.

Detour

I cast on Angel Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark for my friend, L, who has cancer. I’m using Berroco Vintage on size 8 US needles and finished the set-up rows and one pattern repeat.

I also learned today that I have approximately 8 pounds of roving that are on their merry little way here so the small dent I made in the stash will be filled very quickly.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just knits.