First toe-up sock!

I was really nervous about starting my Sock Knitting Master Challenge #4 because it involved knitting a toe-up sock. I never had success with this method before, so I was not too sure if I was going to be able to do it... But I have successfully finished the foot of the first sock, and guess what? It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be! The Sock Knitting Master Class book gives really clear explanations and makes all the techniques really accessible. So here it my first successful toe-up sock:

The sock is coming along, and now I just have to figure out how to do intersia in the round!

A New Bracelet

I saw this really cute tutorial over on Crochet Clouds for Anthropology inspired bracelets. I love the idea of wearing knitted jewelry, but I am not into big statement pieces, so I modified the pattern for a smaller piece:

Instead of knitting the piece flat, I casted on 4 stitches and made an i-cord until I reached the desired length (I kept measuring it against my wrist until I liked the way it looked!). I used two different colors to give it some visual interest. Then I just threaded an old necklace chain through both ends to connect them and added a little heart charm I found in my jewelery box, and there you have it: a cute and stylish bracelet, that didn't cost me anything!

Here is Anthropology's version (it will set you back $158!):

And here is my version:

Isn't it just darling? I'm probably going to have to make a second one to go along with it, I just love it so much!

Mood Scarf

I told you guys that I would keep you posted on my progress on my mood scarf. Well... I've been deliberating whether or not to show you guys since I have not made much progress. Between school and work and getting sick, I have not kept my promise to myself to knit two rows a day. I know I should not be making excuses (it's only 2 rows!) but I wanted to give an explanation as to why it's not coming along as planned:

I still enjoy the process of thinking back on my day and thinking on how to improve for the next, so I am re-committing myself to this project starting today. Next time I will have more to show you!

Sock Knitting Master Class: Sock 4

I am starting my next project in my Sock Knitting Master Class Challenge. This will be my first (!!) toe-up sock, and I am a little nervous with it. I did try to do a toe-up sock once, and trying to cast-on with the magic loop method gave me head-ache, so I gave up. But not this time, I am going to have to complete all the socks in this book, so that means getting over my irrational fear of toe-up socks and getting them done. For the flowers, I am going to use some left-over yarn from previous projects. I had a hard time picking out which socks I wanted to use this yarn for, but I think I chose the right pattern.

Bulgarian Blooms:

Yarn: Evermore Studios Dreamland Sock Yarn in Plum Crazier
Needles: Size 0 and 1 DPNs
Pattern Source: Sock Knitting Master Class book

I'm going to try and stay on track with these socks, it is getting difficult for me to find time to knit with all the school work that I have.

A Little Devil

A friend from school wanted me to make him a stuffy, so I gave him a bunch of patterns to look at and pick the one he wanted. He ended up choosing this little guy:

 The 'Red Devil' pattern is a free Ravelry download!

As this was my first time doing any crochet amigurumi pattern, I was a little apprehensive trying it. But I managed to get him done (and do a pretty good job if I do say so myself!). The only time I ran into problems was making the feet, horns, and hands. The small number of stitches being worked made it difficult for me to figure out what I was doing, but with a little perseverance (and some good lighting) I was able to complete him without too much hair pulling.

I was even able to complete a bit of my Stash Challenge, since I used (a little) Red Heart LustreSheen yarn. There is still plenty of it left, but at least it's something, right?

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

Mr Beaky!

I would like to introduce you to Mr Beaky! 

 Kiwi is a free pattern from Knitty.

The pattern is from the new Knitty (that I blogged about here). I used some yarn I had left-over from some previous projects. I liked that I did not have to sew the pieces together after I finished, it was made all in one piece.

I think he's just great, one of my favorite stuffies I've knit so far.

Happy Knitting!

Sock Knitting Master Class: Sock 3 - Complete!

I'm sorry I haven't been posting lately; School has been absolutely crazy (I had 5 exams this week and a pretty major assignment due!) so I haven't had as much time as I would like to knit. 

I did finally manage to finish these socks for my sister for Christmas. This was Sock #3 of my Sock Knitting Master Class challenge. 

 'Knot Socks' from the Sock Knitting Master Class book.

I think they turned out really nice, and the yarn is so bright and sqwishy, my sister is going to love them!

 Here is a close-up of the pattern (the color is washed out but the pattern is clearer):

I really enjoyed making these socks, the pattern was a fun to work up, but was still interesting enough to keep me working on it. Highly recommended!