Dublin Bay Socks
Pattern: Mossy Cottage Knits
Yarn: Tess Designer Yarns Superwash Merino Sock
Needles: Size 1 Aluminum DPNs
Started: October 17, 2005 / Finished: February 21, 2006
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I got a very bad case of Second Sock Syndrome on these little buggers - I finished three sweaters, two other pairs of socks, and numerous accessories all while these socks were lingering on the needles. I loved the yarn, and I enjoyed the simple pattern, but I did find the size 1 needles to be a little uncomfortable on my wrists, so I blame that for taking so long…

The yarn was great - one of the best I have worked with so far. Heather picked it up for me at Stitches East 2005, and got a matching skein (or two) for herself. So, when that little festival in May comes around, you can bet I will be stopping by the Tess booth! (and Stitches East 2006 is just up the road in Baltimore this year, baby!)

Over the Presidents’ Day holiday, I went pattern and fabric shopping with my mom for my first Sew? I Knit! sew-along pattern. The first project is a skirt - and I had some simple specifications. I wanted:

• something easy to start with because my sewing skills are zilch
• something that could be easily altered as I lose weight

I chose Simplicity 4481, a simple trumpet knee-length skirt with an elastic waist. I was tempted by about a million other patterns, but I do like this one, and it fits my specifications so well. Plus, the pattern has several variations in length, so I will be able to reuse it in the future.

My favorite part was choosing the fabric. Since I wanted to combine the sewalong with Project Spectrum, I bought red and pink fabrics. I saw several floral and geometric prints that I liked at the shop, but chose solids in the end because I may try my hand at some embroidery on the fabric. I chose a pink linen with light flecks of blue and green, and a beautiful red linen. So, I have enough to make two skirts!

You can see that I also bought the thread, and 4 pieces of felt (also in pink and red) and a packet of cute red pearly buttons. I wanted to try some applique with the felt, and the buttons may play a part in my postcard for the Postcard Swap. As you can see, I am really gearing up for Project Spectrum - and over 360 of you are too!

The festivities begin a week from today: March 1st!

All of the names for the Postcard Swap were sent out yesterday (whew! 86 of you!) so, I am behind in regular emails. I actually have one participant in the Postcard Swap who does not have a partner - we had an odd number - so, if you have any interest in the March swap, please leave a comment. I only need one, so the first commenter gets it. If you did not receive an email with your pal’s name, please let me know as soon as possible. (Got one! We are even now!)

On Monday night, I had the chance to meet up with a great bunch of girls for a little knit night at the Panera Bread in Columbia. Although I had to leave early, I was able to meet everyone and have a great hour of knitting fun with Coleen, Eunny, Sarah, Laura, and Amie. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by!

It’s a double pointed needle project parade… It just so happened that all of the knits I am currently working with are on these little needles - the second Koigu Indigo sock, my first Hourglass sleeve, and the second Dublin Bay sock.

These projects have gone with me everywhere this week, and I was able to fit in a few rows here and there: on the way to class, on the ride coming home from work (Kris was driving!), at knit nite with the girls…

On the train - so MetroSOCKual

While the double pointed projects are so small and portable, my wrists and hands were in need of a little break - that is when I decided to pull out this lovely Morehouse Merino laceweight (triple skein) and begin the balling process. I tried to put this yarn on my swift and ball winder, but the yarn is fine and unplied, and it broke almost immediately. It was back to the ol’ hand winding process for me. There is a lot of yardage in this hank - nearly 700 yards. This yarn is slated to be the simple and elegant Bellini shawl; my kit was purchased from Morehouse Farm at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival last year.

This year’s festival is only four months away, and I am already thinking about what I am going to buy… I am hoping to find the LaScala and Violetta shawl kits at their booth this year - they are so beautiful! (okay, truth is, I really love all of their lace kits…)

I am planning to cast on for this project, as I am quickly realizing the need for a black scarf (even with variegations). It should be a quick knit, as the shawl calls for US 9s or 10s.

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The weather in our region this week has been unseasonably warm - this morning, it was about 60 degrees. We decided to take Jen and Bella on a walk / hike on the river near our house. We had a lovely time; it seems like a lot of other people had the same idea about getting out of the house. As you can see, the girls were quite happy to be outside

Jen (left), Bella’s tongue (center), and Bella (right)

PS - Memes are all over the blogs again, and while I do enjoy reading these memes on others’ blogs, I rarely enjoy answering them myself. So, for those of you that tagged me, thanks for thinking of me and caring enough about what I have to say - no offense, but I just think I will pass.

Our Wednesday road trip to Alabama went really well – we made good time, and got to my aunt and uncle’s house in about 12 hours. As Kris drove through Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally Alabama, I sat beside knitting away on Kris’s sweater. Yeah, you heard right – I did not finish Kris’s sweater in time for his birthday last Monday – but it is coming along quite well.

I finished the body, and am now working on the sleeves; after finishing those, I have to join together for the yoke, and then install the zipper – that’s a cinch, right?

Just for a little variety, and to close up some loose ends (no better time to work on lingering 2005 knits than on the Eve of 2006, huh?) I brought my socks along. Second Sock Syndrome hit me pretty hard… but I am trying my darndest to eradicate that now…

I finished the first Diagonal pattern sock during Socktoberfest, and not did not start the second one until December. I am using Cascade Fixation, which is quite fun to work with – the cotton / elastic blend makes a nice fabric that stretches. Next time I work with this yarn, I am planning to go down a needle size (I am currently using US 3s, but I think the US 2s would suit my knitting and my foot size a little better).

I love this sock. This is the Dublin Bay pattern from Mossy Cottage Knits. The yarn is one of the best I have worked with (Tess Designer Yarns; Heather bought this for me at Stitches East 2005) and the slight color variations make such a lovely fabric. I worked this one up on US 1s, so it is a very small thick fabric – just perfect for a sock. The small gauge and tight knitting did a number on my double pointed needles, though! I finished this sock the day after Christmas, and will be starting sock 2 very soon. Can’t wait to have a finished pair and show these lovelies off.

My aunt and I have scouted out several thrift shops in Alabama – I picked up several sweaters to unravel (among them a wool/angora in carnation pink, an aquamarine chunky wool turtleneck, and wool/cotton variegated funnel neck – pictures to come when I get back home!) We have also been knitting quite a bit too. It is so much fun being able to share this knitting hobby (obsession?) with my family.

My mom finished her first scarf – she knit it up in a nice stockinette with garter edges to lay flat. She already gave it away to a friend for Christmas! I wish my first scarf had turned out this nicely!

Right after giving my sister, Sarah, some new needles and yarn for Christmas, she cast on for a scarf – and the word on the street is that she is already finished with it! Haven’t seen it with my own eyes yet, though

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Kris and I will be back in Maryland on the 3rd, so expect some fun Alabama pictures, thrift store finds, and maybe, just maybe, a finished pair of socks.

The journey to the garland starts with a single pom pom, grasshopper.

… okay, so I need a little practice on the pom pom! (Why can’t mine be as puffy and squishy as Jenn’s? I did use a pom pom maker - maybe I did not do enough wraps?) I joined the Handknit Holiday knitalong, hosted by Jessica. You can choose to knit anything out of the amazing new Melanie Falick book, Handknit Holidays. I chose to warm up with some pom poms, and maybe get around to the i-cord later. If nothing else, it is a fun stash buster project!

This book is a real joy to just look through, and to get the "knitspiration" flowing (not to be confused with perspiration). I have some big projects on my list right now, so for this knitalong, I like to think small.

Maybe I will try my hand at wire knitting (did you see Amy’s lovely wire knitting FO?) or try my hand at some of these flap mittens. Love the versatility!

However, the project that really keeps catching my eye in this book is not a small one… more medium sized.

This bag is amazing to me… beautiful stiches and construction… I think I need it, and since it does not say "holiday" specifically, it can wait until I finish up a few things before I cast on for it…

Klaralund is getting closer by the minute, I will probably be able to finish and seam her up within the next week. This really excites me because I can’t wait to wear this sweater. I think it is destiny that I knit it — it matches so many clothes in my existing wardrobe!

Another lingering knit?

My Dublin Bay sock (links to PDF). I finally turned the heel on these, and am working on the in step gusset now. Here is a close up of my "eye of patridge" heel. This photo also shows the yarn in its true light. I love this stuff: Tess Designer Yarn is a dream.

I am so tempted to jump in and start my Jaywalker socks for Cara’s knitalong, but I really need to finish these first. I hope I can stay focused! There are Jaywalkers EVERYWHERE to tempt me!

**Speaking of socks, check out the Socktoberfest finished pairs that Christine and Cece worked up! Splendid socks, ladies!

The other thing that is tempting me …

Once Klaralund is done, this handsome sweater is gonna be on my needles. Handpaintedyarn Bulky Wool and Lolly have a very special date.

I posted some topics in the forums, go check it out! Go register!

Two days was too long of a break! You Socktoberists are insatiable!

For administrative purposes, I decided to make October 19th the last day for people to sign up for Socktoberfest 2005. All this means is that I will stop adding names to my sidebar–see how many we have already? If there are late-comers that are still interested in Socktoberfest, please feel free to knit socks with us, and comment on the blogs of Socktoberists… there is always next year!

So I have some great news–Our little knitalong has attracted some attention!

I got an email from Allison, owner of Simply Sock Yarn Company, an online company that sells all of the sock yarns we love.

Lolly,

What a great and fun idea! I (obviously owning an e-store that just sells sock knitting items) adore knitting socks. All the encouragement and friendship shown on the blogs of those taking part in Socktoberfest is really wonderful to see.

…I would be happy to donate a skein of Fleece Artist Merino yarn to whomever you all choose as the winner.

Can’t wait to see more of the socks that come out of this!

Allison

Simply Socks Yarn Company http://www.simplysockyarn.com/StoreFront.bok

This news is so exciting! So, I was thinking of a random number generator–just so everyone could have an equal chance, and so it did not turn into a popularity contest (that is not Socktoberfest spirit!)

I will consider everyone who joins the group before October 19th in the running for this contest. And just to make the odds a little better for everyone, I will come up with another sock-related prize to send out. The Prize Day will be October 31st.

Unfortunately, my weekend was filled more with homework than knitting. The really bad thing about it? My mind is already in vacation mode for Hawaii, but I still have to go to class tonight and tomorrow…

This is the best picture I have ever taken of this yarn. It really shows the lovely light and dark sections. I love Tess yarns! The Dublin Bay pattern is going very well. I love the little lace inserts. There is also a matching one on the other side.

… and my first Diagonal Fixation sock is done! It was a quick knit on the size 3 needles. I think that next time I work with Cascade Fixation, however, I will go down to 2s. These are a great fit, but the stitches are not as tight as I like them. I think that they will be perfect for warmer temperatures. One more sock to go. I did no do the pattern on the foot, opting for straight stockinette instead.

I was unable to swatch for the Kris’s raglan cardigan this weekend. It may have to wait till the end of the month… but I did find a perfect pattern for my further stashbusting efforts:

Stefanie’s new pattern is my favorite yet. I love cardigans, and these cables are just a great touch. You can order this pattern on her website. You can also order a kit from Jeanie’s store, DiscountYarnSale.com (Jeanie is a fellow Socktoberist!)

I bought 12 skeins of Lion Brand Kool Wool last spring. I was attracted by the sale sticker and the pretty Eggplant color. They were languishing in my stash because I had no project in mind… until now! The gauge is very similar to the Cabled Cardi, and I think it will look smashing in this color. Yes, I have a lot of things on my “to knit” list, but this is also a stash buster!

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10:52pm — I finished my paper at 3:46pm, printed it out and took the train to my 5:10pm class. I forgot my knitting, so I sat on the train and looked at people’s shoes… I hate when I run out and forget the knitting!

While I was at class–a mere 5 hours away from the computer–I got 26 emails about joining Socktoberfest. That means we have 211 participants in this knitalong! I guess Fleece Artist Merino is a pretty good incentive!

So here are those great Socktoberfest updates you were waiting for!

Looking for some great finished socks? These ladies can show you some! Go look right this instant!

Kira Tacha Karen Jillz Barbara

Lisa Catrin Siri Luvtocraft Stephanie Cathy

AmyBoogie Petra (3 pairs!) Chris Risë Emmy Susan

 

And in some other Socktoberfest news…

Chrissy in looking for some great free online patterns. Share your favorites with her!

Laura wants your input on sock swatching: do you do it?

Cathy is curious about reinforcing the heel and the ball of the foot. Do you have any advice for her?

Brenda shows off her amazing array of finished socks from the past. I have to say, I am a little jealous!

Grumperina shows off the socks that she has made for her grandmother, and the new pair she just started.

Katie is still taking names for her Sock Scrap Swap–rid your stash of your old sock scraps… and then get some pretty new ones!

Okay, time for me to go… I think I am going to fall asleep sitting up!

PS–I am woefully behind in my emails–so if you have written to me, I will get back to you, I promise!