I have really enjoyed being in Blue Moon’s Rockin Sock Club this year.  The colorways have been beautiful.  However, September’s shipment took my breath away.  Everything I love about fall and nature wrapped up into one gorgeous colorway and a pattern from Cat Bordhi.

You’ve been sufficiently warned, so here it is:

RSC Sept 2009

The colorway is called River Rocks.  This  from the rust to the teal and everything in between – I love it.

River Rocked

It makes me think of fall.  It makes me think of my house.  It makes me realize that rust and turquoise are my fall colors.  Would you believe I just bought a sweater (yes, I bought one) and a long sleeve shirt to layer underneath that will match this colorway.  The sweater is the same teal and shirt is the same rust color.

The pattern is called Knetted.  I will be casting on today.  I can’t believe how excited I am to start this project.

I made some seriously cute socks.  Using Opal Harry Potter series.  I had the beloved Tonks colorway.   I knit one sock from each end.  Completely different, because, well, they were Tonks.  I wore them on Thursday.  They hadn’t even been washed yet.  I hadn’t gotten a photo.  I put them in the closet at the end of the day.

Enter my 8 month old puppy.  Apparently, she had forgotten the handknit lessons that I’d been giving her.  We can also assume that I forgot to close the closet door.  I found her, on my bed, with sock in mouth.  Not only had she stolen ONE sock because I have enough to knit another, but she stole both.  They were unsalvageable.

No photos, no proof they ever existed.

I haven’t found it online yet.  But these socks were really cute.  If I can find another ball, I’ll probably make another pair.

I didn’t intend to take the summer off from posting, but it appears that’s exactly what I did.  Bugga, Jammer and I were all over the place this summer.  A trip to the Outer Banks, Ohio, Atlanta, Kiawah Island and another week for just the girls in Ohio.  This week, the girls went back to school.  I guess the summer really is winding down.  I’m ready for some cool weather.

Of course, I did get some knitting done.  I had to decide if I should show it all at once or spread it out.  I decided on one big post to cover my summer knitting.

While at the Outer Banks, I made my first Clapotis.  I used Araucania Lonco Multi which is a fingering weight cotton.

Other than a bad hair day, I think it came out really great.  It is super versatile as a summer scarf or a small wrap to cover your shoulders.

Pattern:  The famous Clapotis

Yarn:  Araucania Lonco Multi

Needle:  Size 5

Mods:  Only did 5 of the increase repeats.  I also didn’t count the number of repeats in my length.  I used a scale to determine how much I could get out of 1 skein.

I’ve begun thinking about Christmas already and made this hat as a gift:

Pattern:  Figheadh Yarnworks Flowing Locks Cable Cap

Yarn:  Cascade 220

Size:  L

Mods:  None

For Bugga, I made a shrug:

Pattern:  Knitter’s Haven, ‘Child’s Ruffled Ballerina Shrug’

Yarn:  Noro Kureyon, color 240, 2 skeins

I wasn’t sure who it was going to fit when I started it, so I just ‘went with it.’  Jammer is quite a bit smaller, so I’m going to knit hers on smaller needles with Debbie Bliss Eco Cotton.

I have also finished Rogue Roses, but I need to get a picture.  This means I’m only 2 shipments behind with my Socks that Rock Club, but I get another shipment in September.

On the needles:

1.  Misbehavin Vest – I have been working on this for a long time.  I had to rip out both of the front panels because my gauge was SO far off.  One was really tight and one was really loose.  Hopefully, they can meet in the middle and match the back.  This time, I’m knitting them at the same time.

2.  Opal Harry Potter Socks.  I love the Tonks colorway (probably because I love the character).  Honestly, these have gotten quite a bit of attention lately and are almost done.

3.  Clapotis – I’m trying another Clapotis on fingering weight yarn using a Unique Sheep’s Gradiance colorway.  I’m very excited to see how it turns out.

4.  Jammer’s Shrug – have the yarn, haven’t cast on.

I know it is hard to believe, but I have never knit with Noro before.  I fell in love with this little vest and have been patiently waiting for Knit Picky to get Noro Taiyo.

Marina

Pattern:  Marina from Noro Joy

Yarn:  Noro Taiyo (3 skeins)

I started this project long ago.  I have been procrastinating on finishing it for a month.  See that cute sash that ties on the bottom?  Any guesses as to how it is attached?  132 stitches on each of the 2 needles, then you kitchener them together.  Let me remind you, it is mohair kids.  It wasn’t fun, but I love the result.

Buggajam's Anjou

all that mohair...

SO happy it is done!

The details:

Pattern:  Anjou from French Girl Knits

Yarn:  Louet KidLin (3 skeins)

Changes to pattern:  There are 5 less repeats in my sash than the pattern calls for, but I had the right length, so I went with it.  I think it ‘looks right’.

However, this weekend has proven to be my return.  As of Saturday night, I completed 2 objects, received my next installment from the Rocking Sock Club and just feel generally happy to have the needles in my hands again.

 I would start you with pictures from Maryland Sheep and Wool, but I forgot my camera for the trip.  We had a wonderful busride up to Maryland.  We started drinking Cherry Limeade around 9 am.  By the time we reached Baltimore, dancing in the aisles was in full steam.  We had a wonderful lunch with Mama E of C*Eye*Ber Fiber at Phillip’s Seafood.  We got to our hotel and then headed to the local mall for dinner.  After dinner at PF Changs, we did a bit of shopping at LL Bean and headed back to the hotel.

The next day, we took our big bus to the festival.  I was blown away by everything – there was SO much to see.  I was doing well, but then I saw Tess yarns.  I’m pretty proud of myself for not walking out with more than I did.  I stepped outside of my comfort zone as far as color, what do you think?

Tess 100% Merino - worsted

I also got the matching sock yarn…of course.  I think it wants to be February Lady.  I’ve been wanting to make one and looked up the yardage to make sure I bought enough.

 That night was a party at the hotel where I won this yummy yarn and a bottle of Soak.

My Door Prize

250 yds of Superwash Merino/Cashmere/Mylon from Woolarina! 

Sunday, we packed up and left.  Next year, we’re staying in Baltimore.  That city is fun (even for a girl from Cleveland…)!

Tomorrow…the complete mohair project.

I’ve been working on Anjou, but then I needed to wind another skein and kept forgetting.  I finally wound it yesterday, but here is where I am:

Anjou

 (Yes, I use my daughters’ indoor minigolf set for blocking.)

I need to finish up the ‘sash’ piece that goes on the bottom. 

Anjou body

I will admit that I am getting nervous.  You see, to attach the pretty sleeves to the pretty body AND to attach the bottom, you pick up stitches and you kitchener.

Greensleeves?

That is 60 sts per needle for each sleeve and 132 sts per needle for the body. 

1.)  That’s a lot of kitchener. 

2.)  It’s mohair and won’t be fun.

3.)  If I don’t take my time and do a good job, it will be obvious and the whole project will look awful.

Well,  a couple weeks ago, I mentioned we got a new puppy.  Her name is Velvet.  She is now 3 months old, so I thought I’d let everyone know how she is doing. 

3 months old

As you can see, she is growing.  Velvet is now 19 lbs of pure energy.  When she isn’t chasing a ball, however, she is SO snuggly.  She loves to lay on my chest or, if I’m laying on my back, she’ll rest her head on my neck. 

19 lbs of Pure Energy

Bugga loves the ‘work’ of having a puppy.  She has decided it is her chore to feed her when she wakes up.  I love that she has a sense of responsibility.  Jammer is quite obsessed with Velvet, or Velvey as she like to call her.  She constantly tries to hold her, pet her or give her treats.  My friends and I are taking bets how long it will be until Jammer tries to paint her nails.

Potty training is going splendid and she’s already getting better about not jumping up or using her mouth so much.  All in all, a fabulous addition to our family.

Rockin Sock Club March '09

The yarn is mediumweight this time, and to be quiet honest, I don’t see much of a difference.  I’m knitting on 2.5mm needles instead of 2.25mm, but not a major difference.  I love the the marriage of the colorway and pattern.  The pattern was written by The Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.  I was so excited to knit them up that they’ve already been cast-on and the first repeat is done.

Unskeined

Somehow, I keep flip-flopping between RSC and French Girl knits.  This month, I’m splitting time between my Rogue Roses and Anjou.

I finished my first Rockin Sock Club kit:

Queen of Beads

on Lizards