Sock progress and stuff!

Got socks flying off the needles at the moment!

Finally finished my first sockapalooza sock!
I think I've done ok, was worried for ages that I'd done some thing wrong because it looked too big, but now its finished and I've had a sneaky try on (socky friend has a similar foot size to mine!) its actually a nice fit, not too tight and not huge either.
Have realised I've done some thing wrong on the heel however, this pattern says slip one knit 1, and repeat, I slipped one then just knitted across, as well, as long as the other one matches, it won't make much difference! Just doesn't have a fancy heel on it! And I'm also pleased to report the second one is well underway and I should meet the August deadline in good time fingers crossed! I haven't gone for matching stripes I have to say, I don't like to waste wool and any way, matching is so over rated! These socks are going to be unique! I just hope the person I'm sending them to appreciates them as I almost don't want to give them away (don't worry, I will be doing!) they are my first attempt at a pattern and I'm proud of what I've managed with them! Few mistakes along the way, that hopefully won't stand out too much (I don't think they do any way..). They look good, thats the main thing!

Next sock off the production line was the first sock from my Panda cotton attempts! Now it is truly funky, the colour pooling is some thing else, and the elastic content makes it a fab fit.
As I suspected I ended up going in to the second ball, I was 2 rows away from toe shaping when it finally ran out. Didn't do too badly I don't think. Will order another ball before I start the next one, and then think of some thing to do with the remaining 3/4 of a ball!

I have also finished my matching sock for my tofutsies socks (the trainer socks I was doing)! Very pleased with this one by the end of knitting, I would have a picture to show you but they have already been worn and are in the wash some where! Will post pic when I rescue them again.

If that wasn't enough, I've been trying my hand at recycling some carrier bags and making a...bag lol Been quite a few patterns springing up so I thought oh what the hell, it involves cutting carrier bags in one big spiral and then using the ribbon to knit with.
So here we have alternating tesco and sainsburys bags! Going to do another 6 stripes, and then fold it over, stitch up the sides and do some handles. Don't think it will hold any thing really heavy but..not the point is it! Few less bags going in the landfill!

One last thing, I promise! Got some new wool, specially made by Gemma at Krafty Koala, and I'm itching to cast it on! Like I've got nothing better to do. So I'll leave you will a lovely pic of its 200g squishiness! Electric 80's, I can see matching socks and wrist wamers here hehe

Well I can honestly say...

I don't do subtle!!
New yarn time :-D


These are my new yarns from Middle Earth Yarns and I love them! One the left is Marmalade and on the right is Midnight stripes! Not had the heart to undo them and wind them in to a ball yet, not a clue what sort of socks I'm going to knit with them either! I just wanted them....

On the pins at the moment (along with Rainbow Child, Broadripple socks and the FC shawl) we have these little stunners!


This is Crystal Palace Panda cotton in Night Light, and I love it! First time I saw it I needed some but couldn't find it either in this country or from the states with postage I was prepared to pay until the woolly workshop decided to stock it! Woohoo!!
Its a bit difficult to knit with at times as it divides up very easily but it feels very nice and if you get in to the swing of things it soon turns in to a stunning sock, the colours on the black are great! Overall I'm very happy with it so far, just hoping the ball lasts to the end of my sock as my feet are a bit above average size it has to be said....


And if all that wasn't enough! I've asked Cazza from Middle Earth yarns to make me some Not just for Goths sock yarn, as it took my fancy big time when I was browsing her previously sold items! Looks very funky. And! If I really really didn't have enough, I've been involved in a joint custom order for some Electric 80's sock yarn from Kraft Koala (photo of which can be seen here)

I'm going to have some funky feets thats for sure!!
All good fun, well back to the northern lights socks!

Been busier than I thought!

Life has been a little bit stressful of late, and I haven't been doing much knitting as I couldn't concentrate enough on my main projects, but when I gathered a few bits together to take photos of, I realised I'd managed more than I thought!
Well first off I'd better show you the lovely stuff I got from my summer secret santa, as it sets up one of the projects I've been at!


Look at all that! I was made up, a book I was after, 2 balls of Peaches and Creame dishcloth cotton, a stunning skein of Jitterbug which I really do love, some really cute stitch makers and best of all, chocolate!! Again, huge thanks to Loulabelle for that! I'm still trying to get all my items together to send to my recipient, had items lost in the post and my order reshipped, not impressed with the postal service so far!

Anyway first thing is my little sock I knitted for my sockblocker from Fyberspates. Was a little bit fiddly due to its size, but I managed it, and apart from having to fix the heel, it turned out ok!
The skein of wool next to it was kindly sent to me from Cazza (tho don't visit her shop with your credit card in sight!! Lovely stuff in there!)




And this is where my secret santa comes in! My first ever dishcloth! Don't know if you can make it out, but it has a musical note knitted on it! Going to use that as a wash cloth when I stop at Daves or we go away for a concert. Never like taking my sponge for some reason, but this fits the bill better! Seriously want to buy some more of this cotton tho, love working with it and its got some fab colourways, but seems I'm a little stuck for choice, and I've so not been inspired by other cottons, a little too plain tbh but we shall see!

This little bag was just a couple of hours project to take my mind off a few things, and when I'd finished, I found it was the perfect size to put my mooncup in! So this funky little thing goes round in my bag every where. Was a nice little find I think!






And here we are at my new project! Its Rainbow Child from the current issue of Simply Knitting (you have to buy it for the sheep needle holders alone!) Its a hooded gilet, and it just looked really cute. Its done in Twilleys Freedom Spirit, and it should be the shade Bliss, but I'm not sure as there is two colourways with the number 508 and I'm not sure which I got! Its lovely regardless and its only going to take 4 balls, going to have to learn to crochet properly tho to do the border! Should be fun! Got to remember I've got my sockapalooza socks (have worked on them too, but not for a couple of weeks) and I've got my FC shawl to do as well..

Tho its probably not a good idea to be getting all these books! (just realised my domiknitrix book is missing off this photo!) Getting too many ideas and I'm looking at even more to buy as well...another bad idea!
Oh well!
I'm sure I'll finish all my WIP one day....