Pair #3 finished

Posted on April 5, 2007 by Anastacia Knits

OK, I’m officially on a roll finishing up socks. This is the THIRD pair I’ve finished since Sunday morning – Yes, the first pair was started BEFORE Sunday, and the first two pairs were ankles, but I’ve finished 3 pairs of adult sized socks in one week! Very cool.

So, I’m very excited about these socks. The yarn is the Knit Picks wool/silk blend, and feels heavenly. I LOVE the color, but just love the sheen of the yarn, and how soft it is. Here & there I did see a little splitting, but nothing compared to Tofuties, the last pair I knit with lots of splitting.

Toe up, size 1 needles, 64 stitches, and just over 8 stitches to the inch. The pattern was, I believe, a German sock pattern. Unfortunately, all I have is the chart, and at the bottom it says “translated by so-and-so”… so I’m assuming it’s from one of the German socknitting groups.

patchwork granny square afghan completed

Posted on April 4, 2007 by Anastacia Knits

After recently seeing a patchwork granny square afghan on the granny square CALblog, I decided to make a patchwork one, too. I even had the same book this person did. But being the non-conformist I am, and wanting to use up squares I had already made, I only loosely followed the pattern. I think mine’s a little smaller than the one in the book, too (it’s Better Homes & Gardens Knitting & Crochet, btw).

I used an I crochet hook, and scrap acrylic yarn from my stash, choosing colors totally at random.

pair #2 out of 52 pairs

Posted on April 3, 2007 by Anastacia Knits

Pair # 2 done for the 52 Pair Plunge.

Ankle socks made toe up, with Elann’s Espirt yarn, on size 2 needles & 48 stitches, using leftovers from pair #1 (reversed).

Began Sunday, April 1, and finished Monday, April 2.

Ten on Tuesday

Posted on April 3, 2007 by Anastacia Knits

Finally doing another Ten on Tuesday!

Ten Things I love about Springtime:
1. warmer weather
2. no more winter jackets
3. no more snow
4. thunderstorms
5. listening to the rain on the roof
6. yard sale season begins!
7. longer day hours
8. people are in better moods
9. I’m in a better mood!
10. opening the windows

http://www.yanowhatimean.com/tuesday/

April sweater finished

Posted on April 2, 2007 by Anastacia Knits

With all of the KALs I’ve been joining lately, damn I should be busy knitting!

This is my April sweater, all finished, and modeled for your pleasure. It was knitted out of Plymouth Encore’s Colorspun, which I got last year at a field auction. It was the first time knitting with it, and boy, did I LOVE it! I know it’s mostly acrylic yarn, but it feels soft, it was totally fun to knit with, and the color stripes ever so slightly – can you see it in the photos?

I made the sweater top down (my first top down cardigan sweater), and I used a simple lace & ribbing pattern. Techincally, I’m wearing the sweater inside out, but I just loved this side out so much better!

Unfortunately — do you notice the short sleeves?? — I ran out of yarn on the sleeves – I had just 4 balls of the yarn, and maybe one ball wasn’t quite new?? So I had to frog a sleeve, do a little measuring & weighing, and this is what I came up with. I actually could have made the sleeves a little longer, but I was afraid of messing up…

Espirit Socks finished

Posted on April 1, 2007 by Anastacia Knits

I finished my Elann’s Espirt socks in the Brasilia colorway. Aren’t they cute?

Knitted toe up, size 2 needles, 48 stitches (I really should have used 52 – the socks fit, but after they are washed & shrink up a bit, they’ll be a bit tight). I also used a short row heel, to spice things up a bit.

craft carnival #2

Posted on April 1, 2007 by Anastacia Knits

Welcome to another Craft Carnival! Thanks to everyone who submitted. If yours wasn’t accepted this time, try, try again! We have carnivals on the 1st of every month.

We have a few different topics this time around, so please enjoy!

Japanese Knitting
An interesting conversation, complete with photos, of the difference between American Vs Japanese Lace Style, over at Fleegles Blog.

A new website to help you figure out Japanese Knitting Books, so click here to check it out!

Don’t forget to check out Marguerite’s list of Japanese resources

Tuts/Patterns
Crochet Bracelet

Have you seen some of the items made with recycled bags lately? How about making your own plastic bag yarn?

And if you are a sewer & a crocheter, why not make this handy hook holder?

And even though the warmer weather may finally be here, why not make up some Arm/Leg – Warmers posted at Niki Anders’ blog,The-A-TEAM.

Stephanie Bryant presents Straw Into Gold, a speech she made about fiber & spinning, posted over at Mortaine’s Blog.

Conversations
Heather writes I love grannies. complete with a beautiful photo, posted at What’s Cluttering My Couch.

And speaking of crochet — Beverly Schweigert writes about her daughter learning to knit & Crochet over at her blog, Crafts 4 Fun.

Asaknitter presents Knitting Therapy posted at KnittingNutter.

Reviews
Curious about the new Knit Picks KIP bags? Well, check out this nice long review, complete with photos & how much yarn fits into each bag (you may have to scroll like I did, to get to the post)

Finished Objects
Check out this amazing Crochet Anarchist Doll and the rest of her dolls over at Dolls Style

Look at these beautiful kilt hose socks, knit with Regia Silk. Oh how I love Nancy Bush patterns!

Laurie Bluedorn presents Drawn-Thread Work posted at Trivium Pursuit.

I love it! What’s old is new again, as shown with this Granny Square Crocheted Apron. If you are into granny squares, check out Monster Crochet‘s recent blog entry, featuring not only vintage grannies, but modern grannies & online resources as well. And stop by the Granny Square Crochet along, too!

And please check out another crafty-related carnival, Carnival of the Creators. They were so nice to include this carnival in their carnival, so now we’re returning the favor!