Summer of socks 2008

These days, all I want to do is knit socks. Mostly because I want to use my sock yarn, so I can buy new sock yarn without feeling guilty.

So I decided to join in on the fun of Summer of Socks 2008. It starts on June 21st, until September 1st.

I didn't enter the "most knit socks" contest, because I'll be lucky if I finish two pairs (I am still planning on knitting other things). I also didn't enter the "vacation" contest, because my vacation will be in September, most likely.

I just decided to set my own personal sock knitting goals. I would like to finish the second Cable net sock (I'm actually hoping to finish it before the Summer of Socks starts, but we'll see). And then I'd like to knit three pairs of socks. Not sure I can do it, but I sure will try.

I WILL NOT BUY ANY SOCK YARN UNTIL THE END OF THE SUMMER.

The Lotus Yarn sock club yarn doesn't count because it's already bought. Oh and I still have some gift certificate from Effiloché that I might use to buy sock yarn. Ok screw what I just wrote, I will most likely buy sock yarn. Which is why I need to knit socks.

Speaking of which, did you see the Knitty surprises? The sweater is very nice (Tempest), but I don't think I'll ever knit it. But the socks (Froot Loop) are already in my queue!

Ok look at the time. I need to get ready for work (of course that happens when all I really want to do is look at patterns online or knit!)

New camera! New IK!

I got a new camera! Woohoo! I LOVE it! I've been playing with it quite a bit, but I haven't taken any good knitting-related pics yet so I don't have anything to post. But it's great. It's a Canon Power Shot A720 IS.

I'm almost done with my plain vanilla socks, so I should have a pic to show soon.

In other knitting news, the preview for the summer 2008 issue of is up! I gotta say I'm pretty disappointed in this issue. It's just not my style. But if there are any IK-designers reading this, don't feel bad, it's definitely a case of "it's not you, it's me". People are raving about the issue on Ravelry.

There is one pattern that made my heart beat a little faster though. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was love. Yes, I am totally talking about the Apres Surf Hoodie. IN LOVE I AM. It's beautiful. I want one.

And just like that, it became item #148 in my Ravelry queue. It will probably get made sometime in 2026...

Go Habs Go!

The Habs won!!! The Bruins are going to play golf!!! The last game was fantastic too, we won 5-0. I just hate the fact that we even needed a 7th game, but oh well. At least we won. It's just too bad that some people don't know how to celebrate. Seriously people. It's a great sport, but it's still JUST a sport.

Ok back to knitting. Or I should say, back to blogging. I am sad to report that my beloved camera died a couple of days ago. It wasn't a great model (Nikon Coolpix 4600), but I liked it. It came to France with me. Twice.



It even took pictures while I was in the air:


It met Tori Amos:


(I really need to get my hair cut again. And to lose weight.)

And it took lots of knitting pics.

R.I.P. Nikon Coolpix 4600, you will be missed. That being said, it completely stopped working after almost 3 years. My boyfriend's google-fu found out that many owners of that particular model had the same problem after exactly 2 years and 2 months. I guess I'm lucky that mine lasted a bit longer. But still, it sucks that so many people had the same problem at the same time. I don't think my next camera will be a Coolpix...

First spin!

On the left: My first try at spinning last Saturday
On the right: What I made yesterday

Do you see a difference? I still don't like it but I think I'm at least getting better.

On spinning and free patterns

I know I still haven't posted about the spinning class. I was hoping I would have good pics of some great yarn I made, but nope, almost a week after the class, I still suck! But the good news is that I don't suck as bad as I did last Saturday!

I realized that spinning is like anything else: some people are talented and "get it" right away. Apparently I'm not one of those people.

I may sound bitter but I'm not. It will take practice and I'm ok with that, though I'm usually a quick learner so not getting it right away is quite frustrating.

That being said, I *did* take pictures of my first yarn and the last one I made (which is already a lot better. I'm making progress). Unfortunately, my batteries died and we the "charged batteries" box in our house is empty. So pics will have to wait. The good news is that I have found a project for my first yarn: A stuffed sheep! My yarn actually looks a bit like the Ozark.

Oh and I don't want anyone to think I didn't enjoy the spinning class. I did! It was lots of fun and the instructor is super nice!

Now let's talk about free patterns. I'm sure most of you know that Magknits is gone. Many of the free patterns are available on Ravelry though. I also found out on Ravelry that some of the free patterns that used to be offered free on the Knitting Daily site are gone. That includes Kate Gilbert's super cute Peapod Baby set. I panicked at first because I looked into my pdf patterns and I didn't see it. BUT I printed it a long time ago so at least I have a copy. I love that pattern. Anyways, I'm not going to get into the reason for the disappearance of the free patterns (I only know it has something to do with contracts - I don't blame the designers at all). There's a long thread about it on the Ravelry forums.

But the whole thing really made me realize that I can't count on the free patterns I like to be there forever. So I'm going through my Ravelry queue (all 140 items) and I'm trying to save all the free patterns that I may want to knit someday. I suggest you all do the same, you never know. I would hate it if there was a pattern I really wanted to knit and found out it's not available at all anymore!

Long time no see!

I just realized how long it's been since my last post. March 30th! Eeek! Sorry about that.

The good news is that I found the will to knit again! Yay! The bad news is that I have a bad case of startitis and of S.O.S. (second object syndrome). I've been able to manage the startitis and I've only cast on for one new project: a pair of plain vanilla socks using this yarn. After the cables and the fair isle I've been doing, I guess I just wanted something plain and simple.

The S.O.S., however, affects two of my projects. The Cable Net sock still doesn't have a mate. I'm not too worried about it though, I know I'll get back to it soon enough, I just needed a break.

The Bird in Hand mitten also needs a mate. That's more problematic. Now that spring seems to be here *crosses fingers for no more snow*, I just don't feel like knitting mittens anymore. I know I'll get back to them and knit the second one, but it may have to wait until Fall. Or maybe I'll just try and convince the ladies at Ariadne to sell me their sample mitten (though I'm pretty sure they made the right one and I need a left).

Last week, I met Robyn and Angela for a little knitting afternoon. Robyn's grandma and her grandma's sister joined us later on. I got the March Sock Club package that I had bought from Robyn's nest.



It's the Lucky Clover colourway (exclusive to the club), from Shelby B's Designs. It's super soft and I LOVE the colour. It's similar to the yarn I got from Lotus Knits Melanie for Christmas, which I love so much I actually wake up at night to pet it once in a while (ok maybe not, but it's totally something I could do).

The yarn came with a super cute pattern made by Angela (the same one I was having coffee with!), cute stitch markers and a few goodies.

I love sock clubs! I just have to be careful and not get into too many because I have so much sock yarn already! And I'm in the Lotus Yarn sock club that starts in May. Eeep! I need to be careful, I have so much sock yarn already! I'm proud to say that I resisted the sock yarn sale when I went to Ariadne yesterday (Jo, K. and Jennie were there and fun times were had by all!).

I remember last year a bunch of knitters did the Summer of socks. I don't know if people are still doing it this year, but I think I might do it. I need to actually *use* some of the sock yarn I have! Especially since I have some Effiloché gift certificates that expire in June and I may very well use them for sock yarn! ;)

But before I dive into sock knitting, I want to finish the Cardigan for Merry. It's coming along well:



Ok that was a long post. Next time I just need to update more often instead of saving everything for one long post! And next time will probably be soon since I'll be taking my spinning class tomorrow! I can't wait!!!