Monday, April 30, 2007

Ravenclaw progress...



The photo is a few days old, they are at least an inch longer than they were when I took it.

I am planning to do an afterthought heel so as to not disrupt the self-striping action I've got going on there, and might do something resembling ribbing from the heel up because row after row of just stockinette is getting boring.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

More Hogwarts Sock Swap stuff...

Because I couldn't find a source for sock yarn in the colors I was seeking, and because I am the creative sort, I decided to hand-dye yarn. And then I had to deal with thoughts of doing two seperate skeins/colors, variegated, or *gasp* self-striping. The Ravenclaw I have for the swap was happy to be a guinea pig for my dyeing attempt, and I think she will be very happy with the results (which are, by the way, indeed self-striping).


The yarn (KnitPicks Bare, superwash wool/nylon blend) happily lounging in the dyes.


All dry and ready to be wound into a ball.


OMG it barely fit onto my ball winder, but it made a lovely yarn "cake".


And... stitch markers! I want to try to round out the tops a bit more to make them more perfectly round, but I am otherwise happy with them.


The first sock is in progress, I am doing basic stockinette, toe-up, on size 0 metal DPNs. My gauge is something insane like 10 stitches and 16 rows per inch. I've never knit anything remotely close to this tiny before, but the first sock's toe increases are all done and it's knitting up beautifully. And though I heard that this particular yarn wasn't that soft, I beg to differ. I am glad I got a second skein, I'll be using it for socks for myself at some point.

Sock progress photos possibly to come in another day or two.

Friday, April 06, 2007

Hogwarts Sock Swap

So I just posted the questionairre for the Hogwarts Sock Swap and I should probably mention a few things in regard to it.

1. Go forth and join.

2. I have yet to knit a single sock.

3. I am crazy. Want proof? See #2.

4. Having to buy sock yarn breaks my Knit From Your Stash. Oh wait... *checks guidelines* 2.a. Sock yarn does not count. *breathes sigh of relief*

5. I made a button specifically for me because Slytherins rock.



Whoo!

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Hogwarts Sock Swap Questions

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Slytherin

2. Shoe size?
Somewhere around a woman's US 8.5, UK 6, EU 39... you get the point.

3. Foot Length?
9.25" from toe to heel.

4. Foot Circumference?
9" at the ball of my foot, 10" where the foot meets the ankle, 10.25" ankle, and my calve muscles are growing again because they claim to be 16.75".

5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
(noting here that this will be my first ever socks, so I've no experience with anything smaller than a US4 currently in DPNs)
a. Brittany Birch, US6, 7.5" long
b. Clover bamboo, US5, 7" long
c. and I have no third because I hate the plastic DPNs I have with a passion and all my others except for the Brittany US6's are Clover bamboo - I do rather like Boye's Balene II needles, though, and they do come in a DPN, so though I've never used them, they get my third spot.

6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
Well, there's the Boys Balene II's, or the KnitPicks DPNs, but I'd also really love to try some Inox needles, any length is fine, and I think I'd rather like a US3 or a US0 (mostly noting those two sizes because they are the empty gaps in my DPN collection and they want filled with sharp pointy goodness).

7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?
Doesn't apply to me.

8. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
Sure.

Monday, April 02, 2007

OMG!

Ok, so this is only remotely related to knitting in that it related to Friday night's trip to Joseph-Beth to see The Yarn Harlot speaking.

They were having a drawing for a gift card for their store, entries were filled out while in line to have books signed. I totally forgot I even filled one out until I just got an email from Joseph-Beth.

Squee!

I won a gift card for their store!

I am very excited, because we fell in love with their store when we were there, and I'd much rather support a small chain store than a large conglomeration bookstore. And they have Playmobil too. :P