sokk girl

Sock Sale 2009

2009-11-09T13:21:00.020-06:00

In Osage, IA each year (this year held on November 6-8), the Osage Rotary holds a Sock Sale. My Husband introduced me to this phenomenon which was located in his backyard while growing up. He invited me on a little outing to the Sock Sale (unbeknownst upon acceptance of the invitation, it included lunch at "Teluwut" and a LOT of interesting tidbits about My Husband's childhood).

Sokkgirl attended her first Sock Sale.

There were tables and tables and tables of Fox River Mills Socks for sale. The prices were $1 per pair of unlabeled socks (socks with no label band), $2 for socks with a FRM sock band and $3 for pairs with other sock band labels (which included bags with TWO pairs of socks in them). This pricing was all pretty much a mystery to a first-time attendee (me) until you hit check-out.

Socks were in boxes on tables and under tables.

There was an organizational system of Women's Medium and Large and Men's Medium and Large and Extra Large. And, there were boxes off to one side that had absolutely no organizational system. This is where I found some true treasures.

This was My Husband toting the goods after the sale.

My Friends, $39 for the load!
Total.
$39.

Oh, I almost forgot. Fox River Mills is possibly The Home of The Sock Monkey Sock (another blog post).

Fall

2009-10-31T11:45:00.000-05:00

There were a LOT of leaves this week!

Gift Basket

2009-10-31T09:28:00.006-05:00

I don't like to write about my being sick, but it's been a life lesson for about 6 months now.

Recently, I received a nice Gift Basket from my colleagues. There was yarn-ly goodness and a bunch of cash artfully tucked in the yarn and a nice message. This was very unexpected and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the receipt of this!

Now, what should I do with the yarn? And, I would like to do something pampering with the money!

Walnut Dyeing

2009-10-04T18:42:00.011-05:00

Some walnuts from G'pa's back yard.

Yarn in the walnut dye bath.

Yummy brown yarn and wool fabric drying!

This was my second nut-dyeing experience. It was easy and almost mistake-proof. It did take reassurance from My Dye Friend. I make mistakes like putting the yarn in the mordant (not wetting it and just chucking it in the pan) and maybe I don't measure perfectly.

I do have rinse, rinse, rinse, wash, rinse, rinse, rinse down to a routine, tho!

More Toe's Work

2009-10-04T18:41:00.005-05:00

I toe'd up and have a HUGE sock start. Soooo, a little rippin' fun to follow!

I WILL toe up! (with a little help from Chrissy Gardiner and other knowledged Toe-Up Friends).

All in a Toe's Work

2009-10-04T17:24:00.005-05:00

CO for some toe-up'ster socks this morning. This is what I did today:

CO 7 sts on each (2) needle using Judy Becker's Magic Cast On (uTube video'd by Cat Bordhi). I learned this cast on only because Cat (met her, so I can call her "Cat") is so funny (in the entertaining way) and uses brain research, teacher-strategy techniques that make it go IN your brain. No problem in casting on.

I did a M1 increase every other row until I had 60 sts (total around). Knit more rows following, thinking that I am a super-star knitter.

When I tried on the sock toe, it seemed quite huge for my foot. And, maybe the toe is too "steep".

DONOTASKIFIDIDAGAUGESWATCH. THIS IS MY GAUGE SWATCH. I will unknit this work-days worth of work. New knowledge as a result of my efforts. Posting photos when I have a product of acceptable size.

Pee Ess: I dyed up some yarn and wool fabric with walnuts from G'pa's yard. Photos when dry!

First Day of School

2009-10-04T08:42:00.007-05:00

I forgot to post this little diddy . . .

this year was my TWENTIETH FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. When I got home from work, I had this skiff of flowers on my knitting-work place . . . from My Handsome Husband.

I do not know why there are playing cards on my work table. We do not play cards. Maybe I could use them for knitterly row-counting? Hm.

2009-10-03T09:15:00.008-05:00

Remember when I did the trip to the Knitter's Palette for an extra skein of Smooshey (Black Parade) for the Spiral Boot Socks?

Glad of that yarn-buying effort . . . see the little skiff of yarn sticking out of the needles? That's what I would have had to finish my second sock toe with one skein!
Whew!

Promise Blanket Square

2009-09-12T15:20:00.008-05:00

Here is my completed square for The Promise Blanket! I used Shelly Kang's Sock Blanket recipe and upsized it! Great yarn (Mochi Plus from Crystal Palace) on size 8 needles. Upsizing also meant co 61 sts (sock blanket square is co 31 sts) and knit as for Sock Blanket Mitered Square.

Yummy yarn.
Yummy project.

What if . . . ?

2009-09-06T15:20:00.010-05:00

I am officially a What If'er. You know.

What if I forgot to lock the back door? Pad pad pad, check the back door--locked. What if I didn't turn off the coffee pot? You know.

So, I started a pair of Spiral Boot Socks. The pattern suggests three skeins of Reynold's Soft Sea Wool which accumulates to 486 yards. I have ONE skein of Dream In Color Smooshy. It has (4 oz) 450 yards. The pattern is written for a size 8 foot. I have a 6 1/2 to 7 foot. I figure that's about 36 yards less yarn in foot length.

Knit.
Think.
What if I run out of yarn?
Call The Yarn Store.

Usually, I keep a project's yarn label, along with a sample stapled in my knitting notebook and copious notes about the project (not unlike My Grama, who kept track of every pitch, hit, run, ball, strike, fowl of every Twins baseball game on radio or TV in her notebook when I was growing up). I keep ball bands and labels (which has stitch count, fiber content, colorway, dye lot, etc). Lost this.

Trying to explain the above to the woman at The Yarn Store, she totally understands (whew). We make an elaborate plan for me to bring in my project, she has some saved in the back in the same colorway, different weight. So, I did this. And, we make a second plan to order another skein.

While waiting for The Yarn Store Woman to write up my contact information, I peruse the shelf and other available colors because by now, I love the yarn.

I FOUND ANOTHER SKEIN IN THE BACK OF THE DISPLAY CUBBY! It was right there way in the back waiting for me! It knew about me and "what if's" and was just waiting! Some exaltations and elations and I purchased the yarn!

Now, just more knitting!

Mail Miscellany

2009-09-05T16:47:00.021-05:00

This knitting needle case is a vintage purchase from Etsy. It came with a little note from the
seller (swinging retro) . . .

with all of these nice needles.

And, of course I would show you my coveted Susan Todd Bark Cloth Knitting Projects Bag!

Both came via our Superhero Post-Woman who delivers mail faster than a speeding bullet.

Knitting Project Bag

2009-08-30T13:28:00.007-05:00

The other day, while looking through "Mason Dixon Knitting", I came across a photo of some knitting bags in
the front (p. 13) of the book (Gardiner, K. & Shayne, A., 2006. Mason Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitter's Guide. Random House, Inc: New York, NY). It reminded me how I did not ever buy The Bag and it is now probably too late.

Years ago, I pined over a Susan Todd birch cloth bag--The Bag--for my knitting. It was a small tote, of yellow-ish birch cloth . . . amazing. It had a little button closure and a fabulously long handle that did not put the bag in your armpit.

This was one of those purchases that I had committed to "someday".

I found Susan Todd online somehow . . . (long story shortened here).
SHEEEE'S MAKING ME A BAG!!!

Garden Bling

2009-08-25T10:16:00.008-05:00

The other morning, as the sun was coming up over the house, I went out to the flower garden to capture some morning dew.

I found this spider's home in the grass.

And some sun flowers that had finally come out to show their faces.

Humming Bird

2009-08-24T19:11:00.003-05:00

The other morning, My Husband was looking out the back, sliding-glass-deck door and saw a hummingbird in the flower garden. I had to take a closer look, so went out onto the deck.

The hummingbird flitted over to another side-area garden and did his/her flitty flying into the flowers there. It then LANDED ON THE CLOSE LINE and sat there looking at us on the deck. Then, IT FLEW UP TO THE DECK RAILING AND FLITTI-ED WITHIN A FOOT OF OUR FACES! It was looking at us looking at it!

This is nothing a camera could capture (otherwise I would post the photo on this blog entry) especially since the camera was inside and we were outside. This is one of those photos that will have to be captured in our memory. I'll be old(er) and remark "remember the hummingbird on the closeline" and it will cause a smile.

Chrissy Gardiner Class (aka: My Sock Summit 2009)

2009-08-22T14:53:00.018-05:00

I went to Textured Colorwork (really a sock class) today with Chrissy Gardiner. She just published this book:

We learned stranding techniques, colorwork and the phrase "whatever works" (as a good reminder that sometimes there is not a "right" way to do a technique). Reinforces that we all come to knitting (or whatever) with our own skill set. We know stuff. About stuff. Now, I know more stuff. We studied Bohus design. Amazing.

I took this learning opportunity to go shopping. I bought Chrissy's book. NOTE: I can call her Chrissy as I have met her in person. I think she'd be okay with that. She's originally from Minnesota, which makes us almost related.

And some nice yarn in mini-hanks that will make their way to The Sock Blanket.

And a VERY nice Project Bag from the Yarnery. It is crafted by their own talented "Sarah". It's kindof a green thing to do. Nice bag, too!

Afterwards, I had a nice lunch with a nice friend. Good day!

Anniversary

2009-08-17T15:39:00.004-05:00

I got these nice flowers for my anniversary today. When My Husband asked me out for the very first time, we celebrate that day. It is the Saturday night of a local antiques market that we do. This year, we did not get to go out for dinner and spend this time together.

He is a sweet man.

Bohus-Inspired Sweaters

2009-08-16T09:47:00.004-05:00

I keep thinking there should be a Ravelry Bohus group discussion on Bohus-inspired sweaters. Or maybe Bohus-inspired objects. I have found several during my thinking about starting my REAL Bohus. Like here:

Enid Cardigan (http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Patterns/Enid-Carigan.html)

and here on Ravelry:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Crory/bohus-two
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/trollenwol/bohus-cardigan (Trollenwol's Cardigan)

And this one at Classic Elite:

Caitlyn Pullover (http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/9/Issue9.php)

And, this one in Handknit Holidays:

Sugarplum Pullover (http://savannahchik.typepad.com/photos/handknit_holidays/yokesweater.html)

And this yoke cardigan (Freya) in Interweave Knits, Fall 2009.

I have misplaced some socks somewhere . . . Chrissy Gardiner? I better go look around s'more!

Where is 2006?

2009-08-12T08:51:00.002-05:00

I keep all of my knitting magazines . . . you never know when you might need to pull out a back issue to consult for a stitch or a pattern. Or for somebody. I am looking for Interweave Knits Fall 2006 and Winter 2006. I have "lost" all of 2006. I keep most magazines in the same place, in chronological order.

Except for 2006! Aaargh!

So, what happened in 2006?

Goodli-ness in the Mail

2009-08-11T07:39:00.004-05:00

Getting a package in the mail is good . . . even if you really already know what it is.

WEBS is having a summer sale . . . so I ordered a box of grey goodli-ness!

Sock Summit KAL

2009-08-09T11:23:00.005-05:00

This is my Sock Summit KAL sock . . . since I am still trapped in the house. I bought this yarn when I ploy-ed my daughter to go to the yarn store after our grocery store excursion. I seem to be able to get to a yarn store from just about anywhere!

The yarn is Happy Hands Hand Dyed Yarns Toe Jamz Sock Yarn (superwash merino 75% and nylon 25%; 450 yd per 4 oz approximately) at happyhandsyarn.com or available at Knitter's Palette in Lakeville, MN.

Very nice yarn . . . it's a bit Harry Potter-like.

Butternut Dye Bath

2009-08-08T12:03:00.013-05:00

I tried some natural dye-ing at home. Allbymyself (well kinda, with e-mail support and with the kindnesses of My Husband).

I purchased some natural yarn (both skeins, top one dyed-- with butternut, one natural--bottom skein) from Hickory Hills (located in Nelson, WI) at the Eagle Coffee Shop (not it's real name, but Eagle Something) in Wabasha, MN. This yarn shopping was whilst on girls retreat in Stockholm, WI.

I dyed with butternuts (top brown-ish) we collected at our retreat rental home--amazing. When readying, My Husband helped schlep the water and the hot plate and the hose, and the tubs. He watched me checking the temperature and asked important questions like "is it getting warm?" and "is it warm-er?".

In the same dyebath, I put this grey wool (undyed on the right) and out came a nice brown-grey.

I am pretty pleased with this allbymyself dying effort.

Now, what to knit?

Oh, and did I mention I know The Mayor of Wabasha, MN? And, that they have a nice store where to purchase Swedish Fish? It's actually a chocolate store, but I like Swedish Fish.

Community Knitting

2009-08-04T19:50:00.005-05:00

(from The Yarnery e-newsletter, August, 2009):

Promise Blanket 2009
The Promise Blanket is a charitable project that began last year. You may remember that together we created and auctioned off a blanket made of sock yarn squares. This year the project will have a few changes.

We will still be asking for the help of all of you to knit (or crochet) some squares - this year in worsted or DK weight. Instead of making one large blanket, we hope to make many smaller blankets to donate to KidsCan of Minnesota.

KidsCan of Minnesota is an organization created by families for families who have been touched by childhood cancer. KidsCan recognizes the unique needs of the entire family as they journey through and beyond pediatric cancer. Because of this they put together resource totes for these families. Please feel free to check out their website at www.kidscanmn.org.

How can you help? We would appreciate any of the following:

A 7 inch square made of machine washable worsted or DK weight yarn.
Donate any of your left over machine washable worsted or DK weight yarn to The Yarnery. We will be making that stash available to anyone who would like to knit squares for this project.
Check out the KidsCan website at kidscanmn.org for a list of other items that can be donated for the resource totes and add one or two of those items with your square.
Mention our project on your website, blog, store, class, etc.
Drop off or mail your completed square to The Yarnery between August 10 and september 14, 2009.
Join us at The Yarnery Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 6:30-8:00pm for an "old-fashioned" sewing bee to seam the blanket together.

Questions about the Promise Blanket can be emailed to Sarah at incaknits5@gmail.com
Thank you for your support and good will.

sokkgirl plans on being part of the "we" this year . . . hope you will, too!

Sock Summit 2009

2009-08-01T10:59:00.006-05:00

I ordered some Sock Summit yarn . . . (and a pattern) because I just have this notion that "sokkgirl" should be at Sock Summit. So, instead of going to Sock Summit, I went Sock Summit shopping!

I visited the Dye for Glory Voting on Ravelry and pre-ordered this:
here:
http://www.threeirishgirls.com/catalog.php?item=275

I had to look up "estuary" in the Google "dictionary". Just think, new knowledge AND new yarn!

Happy almost Sock Summit . . . there should be a KAL for those of us sock knitters at home--like Tour de France or Olympic Knitting. This all has to do with Yarn Harlot and Tina (my sock yarn superhero).

Oh, and The Yarnery cool people will be there!

Pee Ess: This is cool . . . a whole Sock Museum!

Rauma Yarn (Rauma Garn) and other goodies

2009-07-24T17:56:00.007-05:00

When you want to purchase Rauma yarn (Finullgarn, Gammelserie and the felting one that I can never remember the name of), Syvilla Tweed Bolson is IT. She has been carrying unusual and highly-saught-after Norwegian specialty yarns as long as I can remember. Like this:

And, this was a found treasure of Perendale, which will someday become a pair of socks or something sock-like (from Syvilla's treasures).

Syvilla and her quality yarn can be found at:
512 Locust Road
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: 563.382.3711

Syvilla sells weaving yarns and other accroutments for knitting and weaving. Good stuff.

RIGHT NOW, at this very minute, friends are celebrating Nordic Fest (also in Decorah) and probably hung out at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum today. Wish I was buying yarn at Syvilla's and eating a quality lunch at the Oneota Food Co-Op!

Natural Dye Course at Saterglantan

2009-07-18T11:33:00.007-05:00

Saterglantan's Natural Dye class (June, 2009) yielded these yarns from "lottery". Our class (6 amazing women) dyed seventy (70) 1/2 skeins of wool using cochenile, madder root, indigo, lichen, buckthorn bark, birch and mountain ash leaves on natural grey and ecru yarns. We also used flowers (dyer's chamomile) and some mystery root that we may not have identified locally.

When the class was completed, we all drew a number from a "hat" and then our instructor, Mia Olsson, called "turns" for us. We got to choose our skeins from the 70 colored. I was NUMBER ONE, which meant nothing as all numbers were good. Number One was called first, so I chose the dark, dark brown skein dyed with lichen. This colorway and dye process was my favorite at that moment and I really, really wanted that skein. Gods of Randomness shined down on me! Yeah! Other than that lichen skein, my goal was to choose an assortment of yarns dyed with dyestuff that represented our whole experience.

In the dye course, we also had the opportunity to dye some yarn on our own (seen in photo)--after all of our required course work was done, and usually after supper.

I wanted to dye some zed (z) twist yarn ("red" on the left at the bottom of the photo) for a pair of tvaandstickning mittens (pattern from Walstedt's Spinnery). I wanted the colorway to be a little antiqued.

There is some 3rd dye-bath birch ("green" in the center). The blues are all indigo.

All of this dying was masterfully orchestrated by our instructor, Mia Olsson. She brought samples of plant stuff as well as instructed us on purchase-able natural dyes (commercial). Those samples of natural plant stuff--we then tromped around the Saterglantan area woods and collected enough material to make dye baths. We prepared plant dyes over open pit fires and used hot plates for temperature-controlled dye baths when we dyed the yarns.

It all was sooooo cool!