On Friday I received my first 3 skeins of Koigu! I originally thought the colors were bright pukey green, but when it arrived it was more yellow/straw, but I love it just the same. Color #P822144. I decided to order 3 skeins, as a test, I have large feet and I didn't want to run out of yarn. I had a pattern already picked out when I placed my order:

Elfine's Sock, by Amelia. I love this pattern! This is my first lace project and I think I am in love. Read Amelia wonderful post about the healing powers of knitting lace. I have been feeling pretty blue this past week, but I found this pattern soothing. The socks are knit toe up, with leaves traveling up the leg. So far I have turned the heel on the first sock and begun the lace pattern around the leg. The only change I have made to the pattern is I did a short row toe, because so far that is is the only cast on I have mastered. And I did a few more short rows in the heel because my ankles are pretty thick, it make a more comfortable sock on me.

Here is a close up of the lace. The color of the yarn was very hard to capture, but I would say the color is closest to the middle picture. As the colors are pretty shocking.

And because I am crazy I decided to start Birch, for my mom. Above is the very pale green yarn I chose. Yesterday I only managed to cast on the 299 required stitches, but I am confident I might get it finished before 2007.  Want to see some pretty one go look here here and here. ( Mom, you can peek if you want) I really love this shawl, but again I think I might be nuts! This is the first project I have started, that I am not sure I will be able to complete. I decided to use Kid Merino, instead of the Kid Silk Haze. Only because my yarn store sells the haze for 16 buck a skein! Crazy! I got 3 skeins of the kid merino for that price. I know that everyone loves haze, and once I get this pattern down I think I am going to knit River for myself, that should be done ya know before my 30th birthday.

Happy Halloween!

I was tagged by grumperina for this meme all about knitting.  Wow I feel like a real knit blogger now.

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?

I am not sure I have found a favorite yet, but so far I have like Cashmerino although it is a little sheddy.  Lorna's lace for sock yarn, but only because I am waiting for my first skeins of koigu for it to come in the mail. I do love Cascade 220, it is a great work horse for things like dog sweaters!

Your favorite needles?

I love Addis, but I only recently found them.  Most of my collection is bamboo circulars, which I don't love but I use. For the price though you can't beat Inox Aluminum, plus my local yarn store sells them. My needle choices depend a lot on what yarn I am using. But I have found the longer I have been knitting them more slippery I prefer my needles.

For dpns, I like crystal palace bamboo, but I have fallen head over heals for the magic loop on Addi's of course.

The worst thing you've ever knit?

Hum, how about those 5 unfinished acrylic scarfs I still have tucked away in my closet. I hated knitting Flora, more than any other project so far. The finishing on the flower almost did me in, and the darn scarf is still not fully sewn together.

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)

I really enjoy the Child's sweater from LMKG. It was a fast satisfying knit, that turned out really cute. I like that it was knit in the round and the seed stitch trimming.

Most valuable knitting technique?

Bravery. Never be afraid to try something. Most of the time I have found things aren't as hard as I think they are going to be. Like socks or cables,  I spent so long fearing them.

Best knit book or magazine?

I don't have a favorite book yet, but I do enjoy The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook. As for magazine, I get Interweaves, but my love for it is fleeting. Sometimes I like it other times I don't.

Your favorite knit-a-long?

Socktoberfest, It has motivated me to finish 2 pairs of socks this month. Hopefully with two more on the way. i don't commit to a lot of knit- a- longs,  because I often don't stick with things.

Your favorite knitblogs?

Jessica at Fig and Plum, her's was the first knitblog I ever read. Diana at Streets and Yos, she picks the greatest projects and has great style. Grumperina always amazes me with her knitting and she writes some kick ass patterns. It is hard to pick favorite though, I read over 200 blogs...  I keep coming back because they all amaze me.

Your favorite knitwear designer?

I always love Stephanie at Glampyre  patterns. Everything she designs I always want to knit. I think my sister Rachel would say she is her favorite designer too, because she has a lot of Stephanie's creations. Other than that I am pretty picky, so no one else really jumps out at me.

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

My herringbone scarf. It has been too hot to wear any knitted items yet but I remember I got a lot of wear out of this last winter. Most of my knits go to my family, who wear them the most.

Tag time! If they would like: Jess, Diana, Angela, Allison, Jane and Ginny. I bet they have some good stuff to say.

I was so excited ripping open my box from African Kelli!

She really spoiled me. She sent me some knitting stuff and quilting stuff.  Along with a nappy bag and two different Vito shaped items. One was a zippered pouch filled with thread and the other a pincushion. I got books, stationary, and some great mango moon yarn!

 This swap was so fun, it is amazing the crafters you get to meet along the way! I am especially glad I made a new friend!

I have finally gotten my act together and started (epp) my backtack swap project. I am not going to say what kind of kit this will turn out to be, because I don't want to give myself away to my partner.

This pouch will contain the kit and I am in the process of sewing up a tote as well. I just couldn't seem to get this together, but now that the deadline is looming, I am moving full speed ahead. My goal is to get this in the mail by Monday, as it only has to take a short trip to the Midwest. hint hint.  The stitching on the fabric above was done before I assembled the pouch, in a slight quilting manner. The thread is variegated which I think gave it a great effect!

In other news my backtack package from my partner has arrived, but I haven't had a chance to photograph it as I only got to see it for a few minutes on my lunch hour today. I will do that tonight, and post my amazing gifts!

    I was pretty productive this weekend, partly because I was stuck inside.  That is not saying I didn't enjoy being at home, it was quite nice. I finished up to pairs of short socks and took them outside for a photo shoot.

I am glad these are done. Because I decided to start yet another pair, this time toe up. This is my first toe up pair with wrapped short row heels and toes.

So far so good, different but good. Look no holes! I have gotta say so far out of all the sock yarn i have used, knitpicks sock garden is my favorite ( see the pink striped socks above). So soft and nice to knit with. I am still thinking of some fixes on my jaywalker socks, and I might save them for the plane. We are going to South Carolina, in between Christmas and New Years. Yay!