Letter to my SP9 Pal

Dear Pal,

Thank you for you words of wisdom on the sock yarn size. However, as you can see I am a glutton for punishment and was not able to heed your warning.."USE THE BIGGER YARN, LUKE!!" because I had already casted on for the Pomatoumusee sock.

As you can see from the last post it is going well, but as you predicted a little slow as my fingers are not yet made for size 1 DPNs. Luckily I am not actually making a sock this time, but instead making gloves. Which comes with its own challenges as I have never REALLY made a thumb gusset or fingers so instead of meeting the challenge head first, I have decided to do another pattern repeat to stave off the inevitable new techniques.

As for you suggestion of the All Things Heather Sock Yarn...you have got great taste my SP9. I loved all the colors she had! I have been lusting over them at the Loopy Ewe and plan to buy some BIGGER size yarn when I finish this sock/glove. Which at this rate may not be until the end of November as the Christmas knitting that I have not started is weighing heavy on my crafting soul.

Think I can finish 2 hats, 1 cabled scarf, 1 lacey shawl, 2 wristlets, 1 felted hat, 1 hat with short rows, and a pair of fingerless gloves?

Yeah me neither. And for all of you who said yes, you are the people who just can't look away from an accident waiting to happen. Don't get mad because I outed you! I too am one of many who would have said "yeah, do it!". Why? Because I am masochistic that way. It's a sickness people!!!

Ok SP9 Pal, just thought I would send you a little impersonal letter to say thanks for the suggestions and the comments.


EDIT: Dear SP9 pal, Per your question in my last post, I LOVE teas. I actually wanted to be a tea sommelier at one time in my life. I have only heard of two restaurants in the U.S. that have such a position but one can hope. My favorite flavor is Early Grey. But I like to experiment and try new flavors all the time. Hmmm...in fact I am going to have a cup right now. See!! My SP9 pal is full of inspiration.

Your SP9 Spoilee

Mr. Miyagi where are you!!

I need some Mr. Miyagi kung fu training for patience. I need to wax on and wax off to learn that rushing to the finish line is not the goal, but to enjoy the journey as well. Signs that I need help:

1) My Pomatomus Sock/Glove: working on size 1's was not the best idea for me. Given, I can do it and I AM doing it but second glove syndrome may be right around the corner.

But who can resist the calming waves of the Pomatomus Sock/Glove? BTW, I have not been able to say the name since I started always coming out Pomitomus or PomUtomuses or PAmotomus. Finally I decided to figure out what the Hell this was. On my way to finding the phoentic spelling of Pometonmuses. I found this picture:

With such a pretty pattern I imagined this to be a much prettier fish. Oh well, at least my sock/gloves look better than that fish.

2) Battlestar Galactica: I have fallen in love with this show ever since adnor got me hooked. Now the third season has started and I am without cable (have been for 2.5 years which is the first and longest period I have been without it). I am reliant on either my mom's TiVO or iTunes. Instead of waiting a week to see the episode, I instead paid $1.99 because I just couldn't wait!!

4) My sewing: I say this as though I have taken more than one class. I started the class on Monday. As the teacher was describing the various aprons we could make and their various skill levels. I picked one of the hardest ones, of the easy skill level that is, to try and do. Then she asked how much sewing I had done. Ummmm....

So after swallowing my overachiever nature, I settle for one of the two she had mentioned for my skill level (read: no sewing skill at all). But I vowed to myself that I would get the apron done AND make the potholder DAMN IT!!

3) My driving: I probably drive too fast. Given I do have good reflexes and can anticipate the stupid moves of other drivers (this comes from years of video game play). But sometimes I find myself yelling at people in my car because they are driving the speed limit when no one else is. I can't believe that I am yelling at them for obeying the law. Makes me sad to think this as I speed past them leaving them in the dust.

So patience is a virtue that I do not possess and if Mr. Miyagi was here I would be waxing cars for quite some time. But until then I expect that age will temper my impatience.

Now when is that sock/glove going to be done....ERRRR!!!

The Sock Yarn List

First I have to say thanks to my SP9 spoiler for the wonderful welcome. I wait eagerly in anticipation. No pressure, since I often do. I just love mail.

I also sent a little special welcome for my SP9 spoilee. They were very happy to have such a special welcome which made me glad. I hope I am a good SP9 pal.

Ok, so on another front, I have gone ga ga over sock yarn ...really this post is more for me than for you. Over the past few weeks I have been lusting over sock yarns. I love seeing the beautiful sock pictures from brooklyntweed and bitter purl so much that I have been a little inspired. Given I have been inspired before and never followed through so I am not promising sock pictures any time soon. But I thought I would compile a list of yarns created by bloggers and blogged about by fellow bloggers so that I can actually find these places again when the mood hits. If you have any yarns that you just love, leave a comment so that I can check it out.

Also, since I currently have not experience with sock yarns, this is not in order of priority and any excluded yarns are for lack of knowledge as opposed to lack of love. If I actually get some of these and use them, I will add some comments for other newbie sock knitters in search of a good list of yarns.

In the meantime, I will add an asterisk to each yarn that receives a positive comment from someone who has bought or worked with it. Check out the comments section for what they have to say.

The Sock Yarn List (Updated: 10/21)

Sundara Yarn**
All Things Heather*
Sunshine Yarn's*
Yarn Pirate*
Sweet Georgia*
Yarntini*
Piece of Beauty
Vesper Yarn
Socks That Rock
Ideal Sock*
The Sweet Sheep (A one stop sock shop)
The Loopy Ewe*(A one stop sock shop)

Please God Make My Fingers Move Faster...

Because there is just too much to knit!!

Interweave Winter 2006 preview is up and I have some new must knits. The list keeps growing...

The Damage is Done...

Now I do realize that I was kinda asking for help in vain. 1) It is was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and most people are out an about, not blogging about needing to stay at home and 2) my plea for help was kinda like asking practicing alcoholics to be your AA sponsor. I am not saying that knit blogger don't have control or drink heavily, I am just saying that going to the knitting world and complaining about yarn was just not the best of ideas.

So, because I am weak are now the first to see my new stash enhancements.

New Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006



I have been waiting for this for weeks. I thought I would have to wait until Tuesday but behold, Yarn Lady had it. The patterns I previewed are still the ones I liked the best. The other are not really that great in my opinion.

3 balls of Koigu KPM -



These are for the Mermaid Gloves by Craftoholic which is an adaptation of the Pomatomus sock. Since the Fetching gloves don't need to be done until December, these are going to be casted on for today.

3 wooden cable needles and size 1 DPN



I was pretty excited about these as since one of my SnB group members and fellow knit blogger mentioned these to me. I almost forgot about them until I was shopping around and saw them. Perfect timing since I am working on the Fetching gloves which have cabling involved.

I also bought some cheapy Susan Bates double pts so I could get started on the gloves.

Internet buys

To top it off the knitting accumulation spree, I also placed an order for Knitpicks needles mentioned in last post and a copy of Hip Graphic Knits

Unrelated Shopping

In addition to the knitting haul I also stopped at Ross and did some shopping. It wasn't too bad, just some stuff for work. The funny part was that I was also looking for a shirt to match my new yarn. I did find a great dress though. Anyone who knows me has fainted in disbelief as I don't wear dresses but I think it will also look great with jeans underneath. That will be the closest I have come to a dress since graduating from high school (read: a long time).

So all in all my wallet is lighter but so are my spirits...thanks yarn.

S.O.S - I Need an Intervention

Thank you all for you wonderful comments on my Sunrise Circle Jacket both here on my blog and on Craftster. I have never had such compliments showered upon my knitting. I am such a sucker for a compliment and I have to admit that I am smiling from ear to ear like a proud momma.

This leads me to my next problem. The need for yarn. It came over me late last night while knitting the first of two Fetching gloves and trying to figure out what to do with my Saturday. With no plans on the horizon the thought of the Yarn Lady popped into my head.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!" I screamed (actually it was pretty quiet because this is still all in my head) because Yarn Lady = potential bankruptcy. I would go in search of sock yarn only to find more things to buy. I might even actually be good enough to escape with nothing and then that brings me to the internet.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!" I screamed again. Because my desire for more of the Knitpicks Options Needles is just as great as my need for more Elann Yarn - Baby Cashmere and the new color cards for Sierra Aran and Pure Alpaca. I am on a sinking ship here. One that is already filled with cotton, wool, and various other fibers that are already in my stash. I need an intervention because I obviously do not have the strength to help myself.

Something has got to give...and it's probably going to be my wallet. Send help soon!

America's Next Top Model meets Sunrise Circle Jacket

So since I could not find a stand-in with the proper build I had to be the model. I have to give props to those who take such great pictures modeling their knits. I am much better behind the camera but I gave it a go. I have to thank my friend Syl for taking such great shots. Here are my America's Next Top Model submissions where you can see all sides and the back shaping.

Finished Object: Sunrise Circle Jacket

Yarn: Elann Highland Peruvian Wool - Harvest Heather
Inspiration: IWK Sunrise Circle Jacket
Needles: Size 7
Yardage: 10.5 Balls
Modifications: Knitted the Hem as I went for the sleeves and bottom of the back
Enjoyment Factor: 8
The Good: Loved the construction of this jacket, it was amazing to watch it come together. I also liked that the sleeves and the front were knitted as one piece so you didn't have to seam and it felt like I finished so much faster
The Bad: The nothing much. Guess I could say the M1L and M1R kinda got tedious after a while. I have to say that my KnitPicks Options Needles saved the day because they are so sharp they make this a lot easier.
The Ugly: My seaming. This was the first time I had to really do any serious seaming and my mattress stitching, although easy, started to become a little crooked toward the end, I had to make up for it with some MacGyver techniques. But you can't really see it so its okay. My crocheted loop aren't the best either. I may have to redo them sooner or later
Knit Time: September 12 - October 11




I loved this pattern. It kept me going for one month straight. I couldn't wait to finish. In fact I nearly killed myself in the pursuit. The construction of this was ingenious and well written for even the novice knitter. I have to say that all the tips given by my fellow SCJ KAL members was indispensable. There were warnings of the sleeves being too long and that worried me throughout the process, especially because my gauge was not quite perfect. But I said my prayers to the patron saint of knitting (is there one?) and kept my needles going in the hope that this would not be my first and possibly last knit sweater. However, it all worked out in the end and I couldn't have planned for a better fit. You can check out the modeled photos here.

The Details




The buttons were a bit of a trial. I had originally planned to use some stone buttons that one of the SnB members makes, but since she would not be at SnB this week I was possessed with finding a replacement. 2 hours in JoAnn's later I found the perfect substitute. These buttons are a great match in my opinion. The placement was a little more trial and error but finally came together nicely.

The knitted hem was ingenious. I would have hated to do all that seaming post-knit so the knitted hem was an answer to my prayers. It came together like butter as my needles slid through each stitch marrying it together. Can't wait to do it again!

I have to say that I love my first finished sweater. I have already worn it this morning but it is a little too hot to be sporting it all day. It is a little fuzzy due to the heathered yarn but seems to stand up pretty well so far. Next will be to get in action photos to show the fit, but no promises on when that will happen since photographers are scarce in my world.

Next Knit: Fetching gloves

It's 4:38am. Do you know what your knitting is doing?

I do. It is laid out in triump as I finally finished seaming my Sunrise Circle Jacket. I normally am not this obsessive with finishing a project but the adrenaline was so high I didn't realize it was so late until I looked up and it was 2:00am. At that point I wasn't tired and just kept going. Now the the jacket is seamed, adrenaline has worn off, and the sleepiness has set in.

Which present the problem of work. I normally go in later around 9 am but since I am already too far into today to get the sleep I should have started on yesterday, I decided it would be best to forgo sleep and drag my sleepy booty into work so that I can leave early and crash.

I am consoled by the fact that I can now stop worrying about whether my sweater will fit. I don't think I could have planned it to fit any better that it did. I was worried the entire time as the curve and build of the sweater made it far too hard to imagine the fit. I pretty much had to just keep going and hope for the best. I am not 100% finished because I still need to get the buttons but the hard part is over. Now I get to accessorize!!

I probably won't have pictures until this weekend but you can just imagine the grin of triumph for my first knitted sweater finished in under 1 month.

SP9 Questionnaire

Thanks goodness they posted the Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire so that I have something to blog about. Just so you know, I am still trudging away on the Sunrise Circle Jacket. But for my Secret Pal, here are my details.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Hmm, my favorite yarns... Well I like S. Charles Ritratto Yarn, Elann Highland Wool, Touch Me...pretty much everything except Acrylic. Now I have had my share of Lions Brand knits but they always seem to pill or feel scratchy and plastic like so I will pass.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Um, well they are in my makeshift,poorly made needle case that I made. I need to find a better way to store them but for now they are all together. I got some cool needle markers from Knitpicks so at least I can identify the sizes, but I need to get more as the needles keep appearing from UFOs

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for 2 years now and I learned in a Beginners knitting class. I would probably consider myself an intermediate knitter but I love the challenge of hard projects. I have even been accused of wanting only to knit the hardest pattern in a book. Talk about masochism.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I actually have my wishlist on the sidebar of my blog with links

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

I love scents!! I love scented lotions, oils, bath products, and perfumes. I am not much of a candle person because I am afraid of my cats catching on fire and burning down the apartment (not necessary happening at the same time)

My favorite scents are roses, flowers, coconut, lime...pretty much everything but musk.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not a huge sweets fan. But I do love the Godiva Raspberry Caramel Duets. I have to get one every time I see a Godiva store

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Photography, cooking, and I will be taking a sewing class in October. Nope, don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

All kinds, except Country. Yup, I can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Favorites: Lime Green, Dark Reds, Dark/Burnt Orange, Brown

Don't Like: White, Pink (at least solid pink),

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Single with two cats. And I have to say, if you can mail be Taye Diggs or The Rock, you will be the best secret pal ever!!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Love scarves!! Not really a hat, mittens or poncho type of gal

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Scarves, but I am branching out into sweaters which I am enjoying immensely

13. What are you knitting right now?

Sunrise Circle Jacket and the IWK Pink Mimosa Vest

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Love them!! Especially is the maker truly has me in mind when making it.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Metal Circulars, KnitPicks Options to be exact. Love love love them. I also like bamboo, but not a fan of plastic.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

A ball winder..yes. Swift...No, but I need one.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Just ripped out my year old Kyoto Sweater to make the Pink Mimosa

18. What is your favorite holiday?

The ones where you get a day off. Not really partial to any holiday and have found a new dislike for Christmas due to the headache and ingratitude from gift recipients

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Oh boy, is there anything I DON'T collect? I am materialistic. I love things. I collect Star Trek action figures, Magazines (Photography, Knitting), cookbooks

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Check my wish list cause I have lots! However, I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions but wouldn't mind one for Vogue Knitting or Interweave

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Sock knitting and getting better at lace.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Not yet, but I kinda want to start. I have a 12W in Women, size 11 in Men so that is why I am a little scared of the whole knitting socks thing. Also, I am either a self-striping or a slight variegated solid sock yarn kinda gal. I REALLY don't like Regia or Lorna's Laces type of yarns that have funky colors cause if I knit socks I want to do the cool pattern (read: Pomatomus and Ripple Weave)

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

March 4th. I am a Pisces by birth but have decided that I am more like a Taurus.

Red Alert, Red Alert!

Lower your shield and prepare for new knitting because the Holiday 2006 Vogue Knitting Preview is up!!