The beginning of the slipper sock

Meet the beginning of my lovely slipper socks. Not too shabby for my first stranded project if I do say so myself. All the knitters out on ravelry new to stranding caution everyone to watch their tension with stranded knitting because we newbies tend to make our floats too tight which isn't good. So I have been trying VERY hard to avoid this and I think I have been successful. 13 more rows till I can start my first chart!

Stranded knitting seemed so daunting to me, just like I guess everything new is. But it seriously is a breeze. Easy peasy. Another technique under my knitters belt to make me feel like a "real" knitter. Remember the socks? Ya another "real" knitter experience.

I haven't hit charts yet so I may change my tune a bit then. PS I almost really embarrassed myself and sent the designer a really dumb question, thankfully Tum (of all people) cleared up my confusion so I think I understand the whole pattern now. Sometimes (often) I make things way more difficult than they need to be.

A little buzz kill on this project though is the fact that our mum asked me if this project was the stockings. Shit. Somehow with the hype of buying this pattern and everything else going on, I totally forgot about the stockings. Whoops. So I think I may just break my cardinal rule and do 2 projects at once. I am someone who likes to do one thing, finish it, then move onto the next. I don't like to leave things unfinished. But my Mom seemed so bummed when I said this wasn't the stockings that I just think it may be necessary. So close to doing something just for me and not feeling guilty about it...so close!

O ya and if you'll notice I'm using cheap yarn again. Ya ya it's just cheap and I'm broke! Plus totally washable which is of the utmost importance to me. Lets be honest, feet get gross and I'm certainly not hand washing socks/slippers.

Nighty night,

Riz

PS: Track my progress and get the info about this pattern here on rav.

New Pattern Purchase

I couldn't resist.

These are called Kamchatka: Knitted Mukluks and Slipper Socks. I absolutely love this pattern. It is quite daunting because I have yet to do any stranded knitting yet and it has different sock shaping than I am used to. Eeks! I think I am going to have to email the designer with questions which is something I NEVER do but I think it's going to be necessary with these bad boys. These will be for me. I absolutely love them and love slipper socks. I also think I am going to buy this exact yarn as well, depending on the price and availability of course.

I have already cleared up some of my questions from verypink tutorials. Of course, she is great!

Happy Knitting and GOODNIGHT,

Riz

Ravelry

One of the blogs we follow, Idle Hands, does this wonderful post regularly called "ravelry roundup." In these posts she lists projects she is itching to make from ravelry. I love this idea, so I am going to do my own version today.

Funny Patterns:

Banana Hammock FREE

Hat $4.50

Bearded Beanie FREE

Lovelies:

Hat FREE

Stirrup leg warmers FREE

Bird in Hand Mitts $6

Slipper boots ~$6

Cable Scarf FREE (Mom's request for xmas)

Headwrap FREE

Bo Peep Scarf $5.50

Socks FREE

Toasty FREE

Dog Sweater FREE

Happy Knitting!

Riz

Glittens

These are finally done.

Ya ya crappy iPhone pics, sue me. I'm not really happy with these but I can't really pinpoint why. I have been frustrated with knitting lately. After the slipper socks I have been just UGH in regards to knitting. I guess I just want to be a perfect knitter already (perfectionist issues 101). My purls are looser than my knits. I have to pay close attention to my tension. Etc. etc. I also think my frustration may lie with my use of cheap yarn. I probably need to stop being so cheap and get the good stuff, or at least better stuff. At least get myself some Cascade 220 or something.

I haven't added the button loops yet. I got frustrated, they'll come tomorrow. Right now this is a FO according to ravelry. The toggles are gifted from our Aunt. She got a bunch (tons!) of buttons in an auction and let us pick what we wanted when we went to Maine. We came home with a bunch of goodies, these included. Thanks Aunt Cindy!

Btw remember these? The Lingo's? Ya still haven't done them. Maybe it's due to the fact that they're small needles, stranded, and small yarn. Yep that probably sums it up. I'm a little intimidated. But I really want to move on to another challenge. So I guess those are next, especially considering I bought the pattern, it seems wrong that I haven't made them yet.

So anyway, back to the glittens, if you are interested in making them they are a free pattern (thanks!) and can be accessed here. I did make a few mods that you can check out on ravelry.

Happy Knitting folks,

Riz

Presents.

I love presents. Mostly I love to give them but I do love to get them too. Our Dad came home from Maine with our version of a pot of gold today.

Yarn gold. These are just two skeins of MANY that he came home with for Lyddy and I. Remember how we went to the alpaca farm when we were in Maine? He went back to it and got us some.

PS: This yarn is not dyed! That is the actual color of the alpaca it came from! So cool. Ya know whats even cooler? Their version of a dye lot is a particular alpaca. Year after year you will get the same exact color from the same alpaca. Amazing.

Our Dad knew that M and I would never spend that much money on yarn so he took it upon himself to buy it for us. With one condition, we only use it to knit for ourselves. This may seem easy to some, to us not so much. My first thought was to make our Dad a hat out of the gray. Nope. He won't let us. Really sweet. I'm so excited! I still have yet to knit anything for myself. I mentioned this in an earlier post a month or so ago but it still hasn't happened. Apparently he's taken it upon himself to make this happen. Now the hard part is what to knit...

In other knitting news. I frogged these. Ugh is right. But I am making these instead and BFF actually asked for these last year so I figure it all worked out better anyway. And less frustration. I'm going to stay away from cables for a while.

Also in knitting news. Since I now have slipper soles that fit lil sis perfectly I am going to make her some slipper socks! I'm thinking this pattern. However there are a couple issues here. One I'm not totally sold on the fact that she likes the pattern. She said she did but idk I know her too well and she didn't seem to enthusiastic. Two, I'm not sure that she will really want them. Ya see M is tough. Her answer is idk to everything. "Idk what I want, idk what I like, Riz you just pick for me." And that's how its been for our entire lives. I basically tell her what she wants. So every year ya I get her great gifts and ya I tell Mom and Dad what amazing things to get her but its always coming from me and not her. I am trying to ween us off this cycle. Because ya its nice she trusts me with all decisions in regards to her but that doesn't mean its right. This year (for xmas) I want her to get what she wants, not my version of what she wants. I have been trying so hard to really think about what Lyd likes and get her those things and not what I want through her. If that makes sense. Its tough though because she doesn't tell you, you really just have to figure it out on your own. So ya I love this pattern but we are two different people and just because I love it doesn't mean she does or has to. Because Lyd you are your own person to and your entitled to your own opinion and likes/dislikes and that's OK if we're different and if you pick stuff out on your own without your big sis. Its OK, your just as good at it as I am you just don't give yourself a chance. Love ya girl as always.

Riz

And so the fun begins

I have officially started the slipper sock pattern. Wish me luck. I think I at least have it conceptualized at this point as to how it all works out.

One cuff is completed as you can see. The pic sucks but the color is a light cream. I went to Joann's with a whole list and only walked out with 3 skeins of lion brand worsted in fisherman and nothing else. That's always happens, I was already bummed because I was cheaping out and going to Joann's, but then I made myself extra cheap and only bought yarn for one project. Ugh.

I also thought I had size 7 dpns at home. Nope. Which sucked because I needed 7's for everything except the cuff of the sock. Ugh. So I dragged myself back out and went to Hancock down the road to get some dpns there. They only had size 1-4. What? Ya thats what I said, except insert a shit in there. So then I picked up Lyd and dragged both of our butts to Hobby Lobby, once again no dice, they only had plastic which I am not fond of. I did get my slipper soles though. So finally we just went to our local yarn shop and I grabbed a pair there that I don't think I'll like as much as my clover's ironically but whatevs, at least I can do my project now and they're bamboo.

By the way, while we were there a girl walked in and a lady working there asked her if she needed any help and the girl says "Umm ya. I don't know how to knit or anything." Lady: "Umm ok do you have a project?" Girl: "No I don't know anything I just saw you were having a sale." Lady: "Ahh ok well you should probably start with a scarf, Umm..." This convo was way more awkward than the typed out version.

Happy Knitting,

Riz

PS:

Is he not the cutest thing you've ever seen? Notice the claws, and when I say claws I'm referring to the 2 on his left front paw. Such a goober. Ya see I was over Lyd's and her and B fell asleep so I started taking pics. Love you Mr. B!, Love your Auntie Rizzy

Slipper Socks!

I have found yet another pattern I am obsessed with...

Slipper Socks by Patons! Would these not be a fabulous Christmas gift? I actually have these in mind for my BFF. This is highly unusual that I have so many gift ideas for her. It's weird, for some people I have a million handmade gifts ideas for and others I am totally at a loss. Anyway, this year I have 3 handmade gift ideas for her! The lingo mitts, glittens, and now these slipper socks. I better get on it.

Happy September and I hope you enjoy your long weekend! So excited for our sibling holiday Monday!

Riz

Update: I read over this pattern to see if I understood it. So confusing. This nice lady charted the cables but you still have to figure out the bottom once you get to the foot. I get the sock shaping but the explanation of the cables is so confusing. Ugh. I still think I'll attempt it and seek help if necessary but I wish it was more clear. Should have known since it's from a yarn website, they usually are confusing.

Flamingos!

Flamingo Mittens! By SpillyJane Knits. I am obsessed. By the way this is my first purchased pattern, that's how much I love them. There's a story of course. These will be for my BFF who I met the first or second day of school when I moved here (sophomore year of high school). We would write notes almost everyday, sometimes twice a day and somewhere along the line she started to draw a flamingo at the bottom of our notes and named him lingo the flamingo. She's a goof I tell ya and that's why I love her but any who. So since then it's been an ongoing joke, I think one year I even bought her a stuffed flamingo. So naturally when I stumbled across these bad boys on ravelry I instantly thought of lingo.

So I just purchased this pattern and I plan on starting them this week! This is what I love about knitting, or shall I say these are the things that I love to knit. I come across a pattern that instantly strikes me as being perfect for one of my friends or family members. There is nothing better than seeing someone open a gift that you have poured your heart and soul into making. I just love it. I am totally a sucker for handmade gifts, I just think they are so much more meaningful than just buying somebody something. Anyway I'll get off my soapbox.

Fun Fact: my BFF and I have tattoos together, two sides of a heart on our wrists so when we put our arms together they match up! It may seem corny to you but I love it. Every time I look at it I think of her, its like we're linked even though we are states apart. Another Fun Fact: Lyddy and I also have tattoos together!

Happy Knitting!

Riz

Due Date

So I am done with summer school now, but I still have given myself due dates. My manager got a new job and her last day is Monday.  As a gift, I am knitting her 6 month old daughter this sweater.

Autumn Leaves



I found the pattern through Ravelry, but you guys can check it out on What to Knit When You're Expecting. Man oh man, knowing how to speed knit would be so useful right now.  I am determined to teach myself one of these days.

Anyway, hope everyone has a great weekend! Keep your fingers crossed that I get this sucker done by monday!

M

Something New

Remember these?

Well I have decided that I would like to replicate them.

I know it doesn't look like much now but I am really proud of this so far. This is my first attempt at creating my own pattern. I figured out my gauge for this yarn and needle size then kinda just had an idea for how the heel part should be worked and went for it! And so far I have managed to get the measurements the exact same.

I can't seem to figure out how the originals were made. If you'll notice, mine have the stitches going the opposite way and I have the knit side exposed. The originals are seamless as well (my goal) but I can't figure out how the foot goes one direction and the rest towards the heel (the purl part) goes the opposite direction and includes a heel section in the back as well.

So mine won't look identical but I hope I can get them close enough! I am going to try to replicate the colorwork as well which will require me to make a chart.

Now I would not have chosen to try to figure this out on my own, I would have used a pattern I found that was close enough. However, I looked and looked and couldn't find one that I was happy with. I found lots with the same concept but none that really worked out the way I wanted.

So if I can get this pattern right, I thought it would be cool to make all the ladies in my life a pair with a design on the toe area that suits their interests. For instance flowers for the flower lovers or paws for the animal lovers. Might be fun. We'll see how it goes.

How sick are you of me using all the same yarn? Me too. I'm just trying to use up my stash and these are only for practice anyway. Gosh I really don't know why I bought so much of this color, it's hideous on everything I make.

I had to do these bad boys, I haven't been excited about anything in a while it seems and I needed something to get my mind off of school and all the other responsibilities. It worked, just minor headaches today. Woo hoo!

Riz

What's in your queue?

Sis and I have posted a bunch mentioning Ravelry but I don't think we have ever officially discussed it. For those of you out there that don't know what it is, it's a place where people can post knitting/crocheting patterns, can buy patterns, can log their projects, can keep track of their yarn, and many more things. There are tons of groups you can belong to ranging anywhere from people who love to knit on dpns to people who knit for charity. There are really so many things you can do on this site.

It gives you access to tons of free patterns and patterns that you can purchase. It's also great because if for instance you find a pattern that you want to make, you can see comments that others have left about that project giving tips and tricks about how they tweaked the pattern, found errors, or did things a little differently to get a better result. I first heard about it from a girl working at Joann's and also knitting pattern central often posted links to free patterns that brought you to ravelry.

So now that you know a little something about ravelry, let me share with you whats on the top of my list in my queue. Your queue in ravelry is a place where you can store patterns that you would like to potentially make in the future.

Rikke Hat

Bird in Hand

Quidditch Socks

Knee High Stretch Socks

Here is our page on ravelry where you can see everything we have queued etc.

So what's in your queue?

Happy Knitting!

Riz

PS: The only problem with our Rav account is the fact that it is obviously shared by my sister and I meaning I can't queue her xmas gift ideas because she'll see them!

Fingerless Mitts

Well as you can see they didn't become glittens. Tear. I really wanted them to be. But I ran out of yarn and I certainly wasn't going to buy a whole nother skein for just the half a mitt part. So here they stay as fingerless mitts.

And your eyes aren't deceiving you. The right mitt has a shorter cuff. How does this happen? Apparently I can't count even with the help of a row counter. Or I just need to start measuring to be 100 percent sure. O well. Nothing I can do about it now.

I don't think these bad boys will be particularly warm. Just to keep your hands a little warmer while using your phone. Speaking of that. These are going to another friend as a bday gift who is now a proud owner of an iPhone.

If you would like to make these you can find the pattern here.

Also check us out on ravelry to see my comments on the pattern etc.

Happy knitting!

Riz

New Project!

And it has begun! I finally started knitting again!  It's good to be back baby!

The project I decided on was The Commuter by Stephanie Sun.  Riz found this bad boy on Ravelry.   They are the perfect little love child of regular mittens and fingerless gloves.  So great for all those iPhone users out there that love fingerless gloves so they can use their phones however hate that the tips of their fingers freeze!

So my schedule worked out that I have a couple days off work in a row (yipee) and decided to start these last night to keep myself occupied and not do my summer school homework.

It hasn't been the quickest knit, however I haven't made any major mistakes either so I can't complain.  This pattern is also teaching me some new techniques which is nice, always good to improve your skills.  The first glove is just about done so I'll show you guys the finished project here soon.  (This is my trial knit before I use nice yarn. When I make them for real I'll go down a needle size or two cause they are bit big. Or I could just do a gauge swatch like I'm supposed to and go from there, we'll see.)

Happy Sunday night/Monday morning,
M

P.S. I was washing my face before getting in bed just now, and I looked over to see this.

G, what the heck are you doing in the shower? Haven't you heard, cats don't like water. Just another day in the life people.

P.S.S. I may or may not have thought of the most legit prez for my big sis for when this guy comes to town.

photo credit

And she'll never guess what it is! Winner!

Speed Knitter

Either I have become a speed knitter (highly unlikely) or these bad boys are a quick knit.

This is glitten numero uno. This is the pattern. The pattern actually has you create individual fingers but as Lyddy says, homey don't play that. So I adjusted the pattern accordingly. I actually think they have come out pretty good so far. Except they aren't fitting as well as I would have liked. They're loose between the thumb and cuff. Hmm.. Next time I'll probably need to knit them on US 3's instead of 4's.

Totally sick of this yarn by the way. I hope the rest of it will make it through the other mitt and the mitten tops. Fingers crossed.

Well I'm off to cast on glitten numero dos.

Adios!

Riz

Mug Cozies!

Well currently it's cozy and a half. These are a quick easy knit. Here's the pattern if you would like to make one. The pattern is for a cozy that goes around coffee cups not mugs. I did 7 pattern repeats and crocheted the edges and added a chain loop for the button.

Thanks Aunt Cindy for the button!

Riz

PS: All 3 of us (Lyd, J, and I are currently on Lyddy's couch hangin out with the kitties! Lyddy and I have an upcoming adventure tomorrow!

Update:

Mug cozy number 2. This one came out better. I did one less repeat, I put the button on the opposite side and I bound off as tightly as I could. So quick! 2 in one night without even trying. And a great way to get rid of some of the stash!

The Cabled Mitts

Phew finally. If you would like to make these here is the pattern.

My changes: double stranded, size 8 dpns, no cable repeat on the top of the mitten, coff/on 13 sts 4 rows after reserving sts for thumb, 2x2 ribbing for the bottom of the cuff.

What I would do in the future: I wouldn't convert it to a mitten flap. I wouldn't do the repeat on the arm and might do the repeat on the top. Single stranded.

I can't say for certain that I won't do these again, but at the very least it won't be in the near future. The cables were t e d i o u s. I'm just glad they're done. I hope the recipient likes them. I'm worried about the mitten flap area. I tacked down the sides of those flaps but I just don't think they'll stand up to the wear.

Night/Morning,

R

The Needle Eater

Let me introduce you to the needle eater. I have been diligently knitting away at my other cabled mitt. I just want to get these damn things done. And of course since there are 3 sets of cables I am using a cable needle quite frequently. Well some of my cables are at the end of rows so I drop the 5th needle to finish the row off with the cable needle. Bad idea.

This chair is one I frequently knit in. It has this individual light above it so I don't disturb everyone else (everyone as in the canines). It is also placed near a vent to cool me off when I start sweating during the stressful parts of the project (I know I know, chill out its only kitting, I'm trying). It also reclines and has the whole foot rest thing too. So bottom line, it frequently acts as my knitting station.

Well a while ago I lost a straight needle. I couldn't find it anywhere, I cleaned and searched high and low, still couldn't find it. I kept going back to the chair to look for it, nope wasn't there. Finally I basically took the chair apart and low and behold, the chair ate it.

So tonight as I'm ferociously knitting away, my 5th dpn vanished. Poof. Gone-zo. I knew the chair must have ate it. So I dug and dug. Pulled this thing apart. Picked it up. Flipped it upside down. No cigar. And now I'm thoroughly annoyed. So I call in backup, lil bro.

He finally comes down, I explain the situation, he looks at me like I'm an idiot (of course). Then proceeds to stick his hand inside the chair and comes out with it first try. Hands it to me and says goodnight, and goes back upstairs.

Figures.

Anyway, back to it,

Riz

PS: Where is the 5th dpn now you ask? Lodged in my bra. Take that chair.

Etsy

Sandals
Turtle Fudge
Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Sideboard
HP Tee
Another HP Tee
Print
Another Print
Glasses
Vintage Clutch
Wrap Bracelet
Owl iPhone Case
Owl Watch Necklace

These are the lovelies for this week. Have I mentioned how much I love etsy?

By the way, from now on Lyddy is Khumbu. Damn auto correct sent Lyddy a very complicated message yesterday, calling her Khumbu and our lil bro S instead of J. She was a tad confusal bamboosaled. Why auto-correct would have Khumbu in it's dictionary is beyond me.

Anywho, work is underway on the other cabled mitt so I can move on to other projects.

The rents and I (what we call our parents) went out for Mexican tonight and got a tad shwasted. Woops! You should have come Lyd, it was good times. I ran out of salt on my margarita and started to lick off Tum's margarita glass which he proceeded to tell me was unsanitary (please). Then he proceeded to suck his entire lime and toss it in my drink. However, karma's a bitch because apparently the lime was really tart (duh numnuts) so he had a puckered face for quite some time and we didn't have any water. It was funny, maybe you had to be there. And since of course Cat was the most shwasted out of the three, Tum was testing her hand eye coordination, hilarious.

I did debut the shorts and shoes today, love those things. Is is bad that I want to stick my foot out to everyone and tell them about my find of the century? Weird much? Ya maybe I should hold off on that one...

Riz

PS: What I am loving today =

I love this dog child of mine with my whole heart. She's my little 4 lb munchkin.

Update:
I have fixed the links!

Then there were two...

Finally these are done!

If you are interested in making these cozy socks go here. I followed the pattern exactly, it's perfect.

Good Luck!

Riz

PS: 5 hours and 15 minutes till the beginning of the end.

"Me" Knitting

This is a sad confession. I have never made anything for myself. I just realized this as I was looking through patterns on ravelry. Everyone was commenting on the fact that they have to stop knitting for themselves and start up on their xmas knitting etc. Then it dawned on me, I have never made anything for myself!

I am going to try to practice what I preach so I figure I'll start with "me" knitting.

Here are some patterns that I would LOVE to make for me:

Colorwork mitts, Legwarmers, Tube Sock Legwarmers, Slouchy Hat, Fingerless mitts, Cowl

Whenever I tell people that I knit or make things they are always looking on my body for proof. And I never have any, it makes me feel like a fake. So this winter one of my goals will be to wear knitted items made by me, just for me.

Rizzo

PS: What I am loving today =
Getting some school work accomplished, so I'm not such a stress bag. And realizing that something you thought was due tonight by midnight isn't due until next week, can I get a... SCORE!

What I am not so enthusiastic about today =
Return of the parental units. Ya ya we love em but it's nice to have the whole house to yourself for a week, me and lil bro ruling the roost. Till next time little brother.