Jo Knits!

Climbing up the walls

After knitting with success the Forest Canopy shawl and seeing Amy knit one in worsted, I quickly cast on a 2nd shawl. I kept tabs on how long it was taking me to knit it and in the end it took around 15 hours. This is so quick to knit and I finally remember the lace pattern so it is even easier than the first time around. That said, I am already planning on knitting yet another Forest Canopy shawl but this time I would like to add beads to it. Also Lucas is begging for a shawl... How can I say no, really, how can I?

After reading what Jennifer was knitting, I was totally sold on trying out the Sidewinders: A PerpenSOCKular Pattern! Ravelry is such a great inspiration for what a pattern will look like with any chosen yarn. I went the easy route with Regia Canadian (two other knitters used the same colorway I have). Now I'm thinking about yarns like Austermann Step or a Jacquard print yarn, I believe this pattern really looks at it's best in a striping kind of yarn. Of course I will only know if I actually love this pattern once the sock is sewn but at the moment I really enjoyed the knitting part. I took a picture of the reverse side prior to sewing to show off the little toe pocket, isn't it just the cutest? LOL! I 'think' the sock will fit but I'll only be convince once it is all seamed up.

Last weekend, the kids started a new 'sport' and I am so jealous that they have the opportunity to try it out. LOL! I registered them at an indoor rock climbing class and they both absolutely ADORE it. They could not be any happier than to be climbing the walls like that. Surprisingly enough, Lucas is doing better than Zoe, this is a surprise as Lucas usually is afraid of heights when we tried rock climbing at outdoor events. On his second try, he climbed up 40 feet in the air, I was so happy to get a picture and proof so we could tease Zoe about it. Only gentle teasing don't worry. LOL! It did surprise Zoe and I think she will try harder next week to climb up higher, the goal is not to make her go to the top if she's not ready but to encourage her that it might not be as scary as she fears. I'm hoping that someday I will get to try climbing the walls too, I never have and it really looks like a lot of fun. :)

Pssst! I finally added a few pictures to my Ravelry projects.

Well that's it for today!

I'm alive!

Just as the kids went back to school after the winter holidays I got sick, really sick but luckily now that is over and I am back to being myself. Right now I am working for a few days to help out at school. On a team of 4, two people are hurt so I get to work. LOL! I must say that it does confirm my opinion about why I left in the 1st place a few months back. The $$$ will be helping to pay my tooth surgery next month. Now onto knitting.

Ravelry is totally to blame for this. I kept seeing Baby Surprise Jacket sweaters made with sock yarn and I just had to make one. I used Opal 6-ply yarn and it took me three days to make, gotta love quick projects like that. Amazingly enough, I still have 59g left out of the 150g ball so I'm thinking a baby hat and perhaps booties to finish this little set.

I have frogged the same sock FOUR times now and I am still going at it, luckily I like the yarn enough to give it one more try. I started by miscounting the stitches once, then goofing up the Leyburn socks pattern twice and finally learning from my mistakes and creating a new stitch pattern for the sock, just to goof up that too. LOL! Again, I am happy to report that I didn't give up on the yarn yet, it's Sea Wool yarn from Fleece Artist and I think I deserve to knit for myself. So I finally started yet another sock pattern instead of coping with the one that kept me frogging my work. It's the first time that I am joining in the knit-along on Sockamania and so far, so good. I did change the foot part of the pattern to a simple 2X2 rib but I shouldn't have... Now I just hope I have enough yarn to finish the foot. ACK! I don't recall ever coming that close to the end of the end. Not fun when you are knitting size 10US/40EUR socks.

Here is a picture of Lucas, seeing how Zoe was getting nice comments from her project, he was hoping to get a few himself. So may I present you his 1st completed hand sewing project, he seamed each side of the little case by hand and sewed in the buttons too. Tada! :)

One last fun tidbit before I sign off, go to KnitPicks, check this book, then click on view more pictures. Who is that on the top right smiling? I'm pretty sure you have seen her here before.

2008!

Meet the lovely Forest Canopy shawl knit in Cherry Tree Hill Merino Supersock DK, color Wild Cherry. I increased the pattern up to 237 stitches but skipped two of the buttom edge rows in fear that I miss a few yards by the time I would cast off. This yarn bleeds like crazy and I had to change the water 7 times before it got to a 'barely' pink tint water. I then blocked it just like they say in each lace pattern but this time, I actually did block my lace. lol! I would totally rate this pattern easy and idiot-proof, just the way I like them.

The shawl was a gift for Zoe on New Year's day. She couldn't have been happier, she loves to lounge around with a shawl around her shoulders. I will most definitely knit another one for myself, to hang on my bed. Not sure what yarn I would use, actually... I do have some sea silk yarn that could be rescued from the dying state I left it when trying to knit the Mystery shawl this summer. I do not like the finished pattern, so I know I will never complete it.

Once again, wishing everyone a happy new year, I hope this is a year filled with opportunities and joy for you and yours! By the way, to those who take the time to comment:

it makes my day each time I read them!