kimley knits

I’ve spun up a little less than half of my Bonkers tencel ‘n merino and I’m loving it so far. I used my new Spindlewood spindle to spin this up and I really love this spindle. I’m definitely going to buy some more of their spindles. I had originally planned to make this two ply but I didn’t like the way it looked plied so I’m keeping it as singles. Hopefully it will knit up OK. I’ve got about 170 yards so far in lace weight to fingering weight yarn so I’m hoping to have about 400 or so yards when I’m done spinning.

So, the rule is that as soon as you finish a project, you get to start a new one, right??? Well, I have to confess that I never really bother with rules! I cast this on about a week ago. The yarn is Brooks Farm Primero and it’s just stunning. The color transitions are really beautiful. The photo isn’t doing the colors justice.

The pattern is the Misty Garden scarf by Jo Sharp from the book Scarf Style. It is a nice easy feather/fan lace pattern that couldn’t be simpler. Although my yarnovers seem a bit sloppy to me and I’m not sure why so I’m trying to figure that out. The test blocking I’ve done definitely helps so maybe a proper blocking will help make the pattern a bit sharper looking.

PATTERN: Rib and Cable Socks by Nancy Bush from Interweave Knits, Fall 2005
YARN: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Multi in Vera – 80% Superwash Wool, 20% Nylon
NEEDLES: Addi Turbo circular, US Size 1 and Brittany DPNs US size 1

In spite of the Monkey fever, I’ve actually not abandoned my rib and cable socks. I’ve been going back and forth between the Monkey sock and the second rib and cable sock and am happy to say the rib and cable socks are now finished.

These are my first pair of completed socks and I’m pretty happy with them. I played around with the three needle methods starting out with a single circular doing the “magic loop” method, then switched to DPNs as the instructions were written specifically for DPNs and I wasn’t sure how to translate that to the magic loop method. Then I got two pairs of 16″ Addi Turbos to try the two circular method and really did not like that but I think it was partly because I hated the shortened needles. There wasn’t enough to hold onto so it really hurt my hands. In the end, I like the magic loop method the best although I prefer the DPNs when picking up stitches for the gusset.

In general, I’m thoroughly enjoying sock knitting and already have plans for several more socks in my future – not to mention the Monkeys that I already started!

If you haven’t seen Ravelry yet, definitely go check it out! This is such a fantastic idea – one of those “I can’t believe someone didn’t think of this before” ideas because it’s so obviously great.

Of course, it’s also one of those awful ideas if you want to have a life! I just got my invite the other day and have already spent hours – yes, hours – on it! It’s just so fun and addictive.

For those not familiar with Ravelry, it’s an online knitting/crocheting community that allows you to catalog all your projects, stash, books etc. I especially like that you can click on a pattern and see everyone who is either currently knitting it or has finished it. You can also click on a type of yarn and see all the different things that people are making with it. This is especially great for stash yarn that you’re not sure what to do with.

You can keep track of what all your friends are working on. Join in groups and see what’s up there. I’ve joined a spinning group, a lace group, an NYC group among a few others.

The features list goes on and on. Go sign up and try to be patient while waiting for your invite!

I forgot to mention that the very groovy yarn I’m using for my Monkey Socks is “Acero” from Brooks Farm Yarn. I’m using the skein on the left for the socks. It’s 60% superwash wool, 20% silk and 20% viscose. I bought this at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival and it is luscious. Unfortunately, they don’t give the name of the colorway on the yarn band and I don’t think it’s there on their site though there are many other beautiful colors. They seem to do a lot of shows and had quite a bit more to offer at the show than on their site. I love the other skein I bought from them as well and plan to buy some more of their yarn at Rhinebeck!

This is what happens when you read too many knit blogs and flickr groups and see all the groovy stuff that other people are up to. And then you start to salivate (first symptom of the monkey fever) and then your brain goes into overdrive trying to decide if you’ve got the supplies you need or whether a shopping expedition to the yarn store is in order which of course it always is in order! (second symptom of the monkey fever). Then you abandon all other projects because the monkey fever has taken over your entire being…

The monkey fever is very contagious so I’m sorry to say that if you are now reading this blog you’ve probably just caught yourself a case of the monkey fever!

Cookie A’s fabulous Monkey Socks pattern is free at Knitty.

I’ve finally finished my first sock. Though, of course, this does not count as a “finished object” until I finish the pair. I’m happy to say that despite a slight attack of second sock syndrome, I have actually already started the second sock. We’ll see just how long it takes me…

These were a very late mother’s day gift. And just in time for summer too! What can I say? My mom seemed to like them despite the tardiness and inappropriate season.

PATTERN: Fetching by Cheryl Niamath from Knitty Summer 2006
YARN: Knit Picks Andean Silk in Hyacinth
NEEDLES: Takumi Bamboo DPNs, US size 6

I am loving this yarn I’m spinning with the Bonkers Tencel ‘n’ Merino in the Funky Green colorway. It’s so rich and the color variations are subtle and give it a beautiful depth. I’m also highly motivated to spin this as I already know what I want to knit with it – the Victorian Lace Today scarf with French Trellis border and bramble leaf center. (photo below and on page 85 for those of you who have the book) My only concern is whether I’ll have enough yarn. I’ve got 4oz of roving and am spinning at what should be a fingering weight once plied. I need 450 yards for the pattern. Anyone know if I’ll have enough or is there a way to calculate this?

This is also my first time using my new Spindlewood spindle and this is now one of my favorite spindles! It just keeps going. Not to mention, look at how beautiful it is! I love purpleheart and even though I already have another purpleheart spindle, this one really sold me on the purpleheart shaft with the lovely woodwork. So many spindles have a beautiful whorl and then for some reason, the shaft is so bland. This Spindlewood really has all the details and spins like a dream. Spindlewood makes really cool square spindles that I’ve heard are wonderful as well. I think that may have to be my next spindle purchase.

Today I went to my local Japanese bookstore – Kinokuniya (in NYC, 49th St. btw. 5th&6th) and picked up a wonderful stitch dictionary “Knitting Patterns Book 250”. My friend Janel had shown me her copy of this book so, of course, I had to be a copy cat and get my own! The diversity of patterns in here is just spectacular! Although the book is in Japanese, all the patterns are charted out so most knitters who are familiar with knitting from charts shouldn’t have too many problems. There are some pretty complicated stitches here with many symbols that I did not recognize. But I’m still not a very experienced knitter so those of you with a bit more knitting knowledge probably won’t have any major issues. Plus there are illustrated instructions in the back.

In the last couple of months I’ve acquired a few other books for my knitting library:

Interweave’s “Favorite Socks”
Now those of you who know me, know that I have yet to finish knitting my first pair of socks but I have great plans I tell you! As witnessed by my purchase of not one but two sock yarns at the Maryland Sheep and Wool fest. So I needed – absolutely needed – a sock pattern book. This book really has a nice selection of patterns from lacy socks to a variety of fancy and plain cable/rib socks and some colorwork and folk patterns. I definitely want to knit at least half the patterns in this book which is a rarity for me and a pattern book. I’ve only been subscribing to Interweave Knits magazine for a little over a year now so I didn’t have any of these patterns. However, if you’re a long time subscriber, you probably don’t need this book unless you just like the convenience of it. It does have a nice spiral binding and it’s not too big, fitting nicely in a project bag. And I’ve just discovered that there’s a KAL for this book at http://www.favoritesockskal.blogspot.com/

I’ve also recently purchased Interweave’s Scarf Style which has a nice variety of patterns as well. Again, there are lacy patterns and some nice cable patterns, several colorwork designs. Definitely something for everyone here. In particular I want to knit “Backyard Leaves” by Annie Modesitt. And there are several others on my to-do list as well. There’s a KAL for this book at http://scarfstyle.blogspot.com/

Now, maybe I should go work on my socks!