New Podcast! Episode 16: The Joy of Sox

Okay, everyone!

New Podcast is now UP!!

You can listen to it now HERE or you can download it from iTunes....as Sleepy Eyes Knits Podcast. (Sometimes, it takes a bit longer to get it to show up on iTunes, so if you're in a hurry, download it directly here on the blog.)

Sponsor Links are on the right sidebar of the HomePage of this blog.

Read the rules for entering the Prize Giveaway contest HERE.

Check out and/or join the SleepyHeads group HERE.

Check out my projects on Ravelry that are talked about on the podcast HERE.

Check out these groups on Ravelry: ManchVegas Knitters and International Moleskine Exchange.

Good luck on the contest and I hope you win!!!

Gina ; )

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween, Knitters!

I don't know if you're as excited as I am, but I can't wait until tonight!! As you see above and below, I have all the yummy candy ready to hand out, my witch hat on, and the traditional "Halloween Tree" set up in the living room....a black tree with fiber optics lights in purple, orange and green...glowing ghosts, bats, and pumpkins hanging off of it. It's sooo cool and the boys love it...when you turn it on, it says, "Booooohhooooooo". (yes, I'm also a bit batty...)



Ben is going as Spiderman this year (although he originally wanted to go as Ben10...the costume is hanging around here somewhere...) and I was lucky to spend the morning with him at his very first school Halloween parade. Unlucky for me later, though, because in a rush to get everyone out of the house, I forgot my camera. Dammit. But, even without pictures, I loved watching Ben and his class sing a "spooky" song and walk around the playground, parading their adorable selves. Then, they were treated to a big table of goodies, freeze dance and stories. Oh, to be young again....



I was up late last night finishing up Tim's costume. Close to midnight, I was going over the checklist of everything he wanted to wear for school the next day (apparently, freshman are still "cool" if they wear costumes...thank goodness!). Green broadcloth tunic? Check. Sword? Check. Gloves with Triforce symbol? Check. Leather-like sling and belt to hold sword? Check. Brown leather elfish hat? Check. Yellow Triforce on upper left hand side of green tunic? Uh...no. Damn! (that's why I was up so late)

Can you guess what he is? (Ericka and Chris probably know this...)



He's Link from the Zelda video game. How do you like my handy work?

In honor of this occasion, I also managed to finish TWO knitted projects:



1. Plain Jane Socks....pattern and mini sock class pdf are soon to come to the blog....knitted using size 1 Knit Picks circs and the Magic Loop method...and Regia's Landscape Storm colorway by Kaffe Fassett. I'll be wearing these babies tonight!



2. Rocketry Cardigan....by Dream in Color for the soon-to-be-born baby boy of my pedicurist, Melissa. I used Knit Picks circular needles and KP Swish Superwash in 5 different colors - Baby Blue, Capri, Aloe, Deep Ocean and Dark Navy. I think it came out so cute...



I'm also starting to pack for Grand View....we're leaving on Friday evening (eee!) and we'll be back on Sunday evening (awwww, man!). To be honest, I am dying for a little time without the kids. This week has been torture with working and also doing a million things at home. Once this weekend is over, I think things will be calmer and less stressful. (At least until December rolls around! Shhhesh!

I'm making a promise to myself (and to the kids) that I will finish both of their sweaters while I'm at GV. Both are at least half done (or more) and I just have to get the motivation to finish them. It's getting colder and I'd really love to see all three of my guys in their hand knit sweaters....and hats and mittens.

I'll be posting about "The Month of Mittens" probably on Friday before I leave...or, in the semi-probable event that I'm WAY behind in packing, Monday. There will be a button to grab to place on your blog and, if you put the button on, link to me, and comment that you've added it, I'll put your name into a drawing to win some great yarn! Woo-hoo! Let's see how many mittens we can knit before the end of the November : )



Have a spooktacular night!!!!

Bags and Rags

Well, maybe not quite bag(s) with an "s". More like BAG...check out this hot mama of a bag!

I bought this new knitting bag from Knit Picks called the Total Tote and it is WONDERFUL! It's even better than the picture.

The outside is very soft, suede-like microfiber (mine is in the Chocolate colorway) and the inside has such great, fun print material. This picture shows one of the three pockets (this is the smallest in the front) that holds your dpns, straights and circulars. The circulars fit perfectly in the zipper, mesh pouch.



This pocket has the biggest space and features four inside smaller pockets....two mesh and two with elasticized tops.



The last pocket is medium sized and has a terrfic, vinyl accessories bag that snaps out so you can use it easily when needed. The opposite side has a stretchy elastic with places to hold yarn or other chunkier-than-needles things.



I LOVE IT!!! (I'm kissing it right now)

Oh, I forgot to mention that the middle is separated by a hard divider (one side has the elastic and the other has the 2 mesh pockets) that you can take out of the bag completely, making the center HUGE and room for more than a sweater's worth of yarn. AND it has feet at the bottom, so you can easily put it on the floor without worrying about it getting ruined.

Right now, I have all my knitting bag stuff (5 circ needles, 2 crochet hooks, tape measure, row counter, tapestry needle, scissors, etc), my address book, my Monster make up bag, my knitting notebook, my current sock project (see below), my current "rag" project (see below), a ball of yarn, 4 baby socks and THIS PROJECT in the bag as well:



I have been SUCH a good girl the past week. I have lots of FOs to show you! (Didn't have time to do it on Friday....whoops!)

First, my RAGS!!

(all knit in Lily's Sugar N Cream cotton with size 7/8 needle)

-Garterlac Dishcloth by Criminy Jickets....very awesome pattern:



-Knitability's No Holes Dishcloth:



-Maggie's Rags Chinese Waves Dishcloth...still in progress:



-Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth...done last week:



(see last post for the link to the Grandma's Favorite "rag" I made)

I'd like to have 7 total, so I can have a different one for each day of the week for the kitchen...I know...kinda lame, but there it is.

Second, my TASSLED EARFLAP HAT!!



-Yarn: 1 ball of Rowan Big Wool, 87 yards (though I had yarn left over) Colorway 24 (wine)
-Needle: Size 15 24" circ/dpns
-Pattern: Knit Simple Fall 2007, page 77 and cover
-Size: 22" Large (it's too big for me and I have a 21" head....there is the small size for a 19" head, too)

It's totally comfy and soft, so I might make another one, too. I love the earflaps and crochet ties, though the tassel didn't impress me too much.

Third, sock one of TIM'S SOCKS!!



-Yarn: 2 balls of Knit Picks Felici, colorway Clay
-Needle: Size 1, 2 24" circs
-Pattern: My Own
-Size: 10" long foot, 5" tall leg/cuff

This yarn is really one of my favorite sock yarns....not only is the superwash merino really soft, but I love the way it knits up so evenly. Only things I haven't liked about this yarn: it's tendency to knot/tangle easily and the white/undyed spots in the color.

And, finally, my favorite of all my FO's so far....

The LEARNING SOCKS!!



[These pictures are of sample socks that you knit as you read along with the book to get used to the new "pathways" of knitting socks on a smaller level. Super fun! Top: Little Skye Sock and Bottom: Little Coriolis]



Skye Sock:

-Knit cuff down
-No traditional heel flap or gusset
-Pyramid shape along instep
-Star Toe



Coriolis Sock:

-Knit toe up
-No traditional gusset
-Beautiful spiral pattern travels from top, side of toe across instep to the other side of the leg
-Whirlpool Toe



The fantastically genius Cat Bordhi (I have all her books...and I love them) has published a new book on socks with 8 completely new "pathways" of knitting socks...different from what you've ever seen before. Not only different, but beautiful, unique and fun to knit. This book, "New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One" is more than just a sock pattern book, it's like a workboook. I was drooling ove every single page.

The fact that she uses popular and wonderful sock yarn (including Socks that Rock, Trekking, Cascade Fixation and Mountain Colors, just to list a few) makes the book even better. I love seeing how the colorways I've always admired knitted up in a new way. I found myself tempted to grab the computer and start buying sock yarn then and there...especially STR. But, I restrained myself. At least for now.

So far, in the 6 years I've been knitting and the 5 years I've been knitting socks, this is the BEST sock book I've come across. The patterns are so inspiring and Cat continuously gives tips throughout the book (shown next to acorns) about knitting socks....things that I'd heard of, but never tried or tips that I've always known, but which are invaluable to a sock knitter.

There is a section in the back just for finding out the Master Number for yourself and others you knit socks for so that, once you know those numbers, knitted up the sock patterns are a breeze. The way that Cat organizes the book is very user friendly and I found the indexes of the sock patterns and tips/techniques to be extremely helpful. The print and style of the book is simple and easy to read...not a lot of squinting involved at all. LOL!

So now that you know how much I love this book...please go and buy it. One of the best features of it is you can use any method to knit them....she gives directions for not only 2 Circs, but dpns AND Magic Loop. Can it get any better than that???

So...have I been productive or WHAT??? LOL!

Off the Beaten Path...

This really isn't about knitting, but I wanted to show you some gorgeous photos from Ian's hike to Mt. Katadun in northern Maine. They're just breathtaking!

Above: Chimney Pond

Pamola Peak Knife Edge


Ian and Gopi Taking a Break (Apparently, he's trying to fly to the top of the mountain...)



Gopi, Ian and Dan at the Cabin (Gopi and Dan are his co-workers. Ian is in the middle.)



Oh, it just looks so peaceful, doesn't it? Ian had a blast and, despite being very sore, was pretty happy : )

I DO have pics of the Knit and Crochet show and also of the Manchvegas Knitters (including a fantastic picture of Jackie, but my camera's battery is dead and currently charging, so I can't get the pics off until it's done. I had such a fun time...and, OH, the YARNS!!!!

But, as a teaser:

1. I did finish Ben's socks last night (while watching the new Harry Potter movie...OMG...I loved it! Ericka, were you drooling as much as I was??) Socks came out really great and Ben's been wearing them ALL DAY so far!

2. I had my xrays done this morning. I wish my camera had been working because the sweet radiologist let me see my skull on the digital xray screen. It was so cool. It's amazing how great your head can look without the skin and bloody stuff. My bones are pretty neat! I'll know the results on Friday. Cross your fingers!

3. I was still feeling sick with headaches after taking my antibiotics, so I talk to someone at my dr's office and..do you know what? The bottle says to take the antibiotics on an EMPTY STOMACH with lots of water. The nurse said, "Oh, no. I don't know why it says that. You should definitely be eating something first." Oh, man.

4. I bought yarn for a certain summer sweater that I've been eyeing for months now. Can you guess what it is and what yarn I bought? (Manchvegans already know...)

5. Make an estimate of how many times I (as Laurin calls it) " squealed" at yarns and patterns on Saturday? (Hint: it's more than once)

Well, hope you are having a prolific knitting (or spinning week) and next post should have lots of pics and yarn porn. Woo-hoo!

P.S. Last call for favorite knitting book(s) for the podcast......comment or email me : )

Ho Waiting

As soon as I saw this on my prescription, I laughed out loud. Yes, I am a HO waiting. (First two letters of my last name..and I was waiting for the prescription, not picking it up later....hence the label.) Little do they know how appropriate that title is! LOL!

Well, it's official. I am S-I-C-K.

I visited the doctor (not my usual one unfortunately) on Wed and I found out that my headaches have been caused by:

1. Sinus Infection (correctly diagnosed by the masterful Melissa)
2. Ear Infection (my ear, which didn't even hurt, is apparently is worse than the sinus infection)

and, possibly,

3. Temporal Arteritis (a constricting of the arteries in your head)...this, though, was looked into the informative and lovely Jackie and is not very common and is usually a condition of people over 50. So, I probably will not have to worry about this. I'm having xrays, blood tests and, if necessary, an MRI to see if I have this. I don't think it will be necessary for me to have the MRI, though....I think everything should be okay. Just cross your fingers anyway.

Here are my drugs:



Nice, huh? The doctor also told me that my muscles (in my back, neck, shoulders and head) are extremely tense and gave me muscle relaxants as well. Have yet to take those....I'm a bit nervous about it and think I might just get a massage instead. Safer and definitely more enjoyable.

Also, a small update on the lace and Ben sweater:

Lace Edging in Progress



The Body and One Arm of Ben's Reversible Sweater



And.....guess what else I made (while sitting in bed sneezing and moaning...not necessarily related to each other....LOL!)???

A BEN SOCK!!!



Melissa placed Knit Picks order a couple weeks ago and I ordered some of their new self striping, superwash merino/nylon, fingering weight sock yarn called "Felici". It is one of the nicest and softest sock yarns that I've knit with. Nice colors, great striping, soft as butter (very close to Regia Striping sock yarn), and the yarn didn't split once. I have to buy more colors!



Details

Pattern: Ann Norling's Basic Baby and Kid Socks #26
Size: 7 inch foot, 4 inch leg (for a size 11 or 12 child's shoe)
Yarn: Knit Picks' Felici sock yarn.
Needles: Size US 2 dpns, bamboo
Gauge: 7 stitches to the inch
Time: 24 hours for one sock. On my way to make the second.



Ben loves his sock....and now, instead of asking "Is my sweater done yet?"...he is also asking me..."Is my other sock done yet?" Oh, the pressure!!!

Now, lemme ask you a question: (for the podcast)

"What is your favorite knitting book and why? And, also...along the same lines....is there one pattern book that you always go back to over and over again? If so, what is it?"

And, this is for Chris.....

While I have my peppermint tonight, I will think of you.

(he he...just teasing....)

Podcast 12: Lace Race

Good morning, wonderful knitters!

I'm excited to say that I've cast on for the Myrtle Leaf Shawl! The lace cast on wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be...but that Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb is sooo thin!




Here is the button for knitting lace in May (please link back to me)....which can include knitting the Radiance Lace Headband....so grab the pattern, yarn and size 4 needles and start knitting! The Radiance Lace Headband Contest ends May 31, so remember that as well ; )



Also, check the side bar and this post for the Sleepy Eyes Tipsy Sock pattern...download for free....would love to see the socks you knit!

Go to the Sleepy Eyes Etsy Shop and buy the very last skein of Alien Invasion sock yarn....100% superwash merino...beautiful twist and 440 yards of fingering weight dreaminess!

If you liked the music on this podcast, here are the talented artists to look up....

Love = Action with "Waves" and Beatrice Ericsson with "Starting All Over"

WEBSITES to VISIT for LACE:

Knotty Daisy for her gorgeous "Fir Cone Wrap" and progress on a new lace project.

Knit Picks for Options needles, lace patterns, yarns and books.

Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Shawls and Scarves from the Best of Knitter's Magazine

A Gathering of Lace by Meg Swanson

Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls by Martha Waterman

Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby

YARNS:

Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud

Spunky Eclectic Laceweight

Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb

Rowan Kidsilk Haze

K1C2 Doceur et Soie

LACE PATTERN WEBSITES:

Heart Strings Fiber Arts

Fiber Trends

Knitter's Review Lace Tutorial

Heirloom Knitting Lace

Hope you become inspired to knit some lace this month and I'd LOVE to see your works in progress or finished lace objects!!!

With love, Sleepy Eyes : )

FO Friday: Sleepy Eyes "Tipsy Socks" pattern!

So, what do you think? My first REAL Sleepy Eyes pattern in .pdf form. Here are the details:

Title: Tipsy Socks
Yarn: Sereknity Sock Options sportweight, 100% superwash merino, 1 skein (246 yards)
Colorway: Pretty in Punk
Needle Size: US 3 [I used (2) Knit Picks Classic 24" circs]
Price: FREEEEEEE!

How can you get this pattern?

Two ways:

1. Go to Sereknity and download there... and also buying a luscious skein of the lovely Heather's sportweight sock yarn.

2. Click on the picture below:

Here is a close up of the "Tipsy" slip stitch pattern:



Here is the finished sock on my footsie:



When you make a pair, PLEASE email me a pic and I will add you to the Tipsy Sock Gallery. Speaking of galleries, did you see the Radiance Lace Headband Gallery? Check on the right side bar. If you've bought my pattern, you could be the next one up!!

Podcasting Update:

I will be putting out the podcast on the 30th, so please keep an eye out for it. It's called, "Lace Race". I can't believe it's taken me so long to put it up....whew....lots of busy, busy, busy!

Have a great weekend and grab that pattern! Share with your friends! G : )

Headband Contest Stuff! (also, an Alien Invasion)

Radiance Lace Headband CONTEST

What do you need to do?? Well, read on....

1. Buy my pattern (on right or at One Planet Yarn and Fiber...they also offer kits!)...many cyberhugs will be sent your way.

2. Buy the Yarn Botanika 100% superwash merino/tencel yarn here for the headband and size 4 needles. (This yarn comes in fingering weight or dk)

3. Knit up the headband (either the Jacqueline or Amanda) and take a picture of it...if you want to take one of yourself wearing it, that would be even better!

4. Send me the picture(s) via email, your name, blog (if you have one) and yarn info.


What will you win? Well, read on more...


*Everyone who sends me a pic will be put into a drawing to win something great!*


1. Ericka has donated two of her luscious handmade Down to Hearth soaps.....Soft Rose and Lavender Eucalyptus.



(sorry, that third soap is my Lilac one!)

2. Two books: Special Knits by Debbie Bliss and Luxury Knits by Amanda Griffiths



3. YARN:

-2 skeins of pale purple Online Punta
-2 skeins of Lane Cervinia sock yarn (greens, turquoises, purples)
-1 skein of Berroco Air
-1 skein of Berroco Boho

(and more to come!)



First Prize: First choice of 4 skeins of yarn, 1 book and soap.

Second Prize: Second choice of 2 skeins of yarn, book and soap.

Third Prize: Rest of the yarn (will be at least 1 ball or more)

I will mention your name and blog address on the following podcast as well.

DATES:

From now until May 31st. June 1st, I will pick the winners. Good luck!

Oh, and you wanna see the newest yarn I dyed up? It's in my Etsy Shop right now!

It's called "Alien Invasion":

What do you think??



[oh, by the way, the podcast is a WEE bit late coming out this time. I'm trying to add in my newest sponsor and organize all of the discount codes some will be offering. Thanks for being patient!]

I DYED! (gasp)

This post is dedicated to lovely Sonya, who has been hoping for a pic BESIDES the darn spinning wheel! LOL!

How is THIS????



Three skeins of goregeous, heavenly soft 100% superwash merino fingering weight yarn (440 yards!) that I dyed on Saturday. (eeee....they're so awesome!)

Details:

WHAT- Dyeing class with THE Cheryl Potter of Cherry Tree Hill yarns. (tiny scream!) [Here she is getting the dyes ready for the class]



WHERE- Yarn and Fiber Co. in Windham, NH....Cyndi was, of course, wonderfully friendly, helpful and had things pretty well organized for such a big group (over 20) in such a small amount of space. [Here's Cyndi with some of her crew winding up skeins of undyed Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn]



WHEN April 14th, 2007 from 1-4 pm

HOW Well, it's not really a how...but, you know...Cheryl (and her sweet daughter) gave us handouts and she explained a bit about everything...what handpainted yarn is and how many factors together determine what the final product is....the dye itself, the type of fiber and how the yarn is constructed. I found everything extremely helpful and interesting...especially her idea of "inspiration/creation/translastion"...how you think of something that inspires you, use your fingers to create that image and then that, in turn, gets translated into how the yarn comes out. Another helpful tip..."Less is More/Don't make Mud!".

[here she is with her daughter...sorry she's so blurry...a phone pic!]



Before we started to dye, she had 4 of us do a crayon demonstration....(including me, Ericka and Rose!)....she gave us a box of crayons, a piece of white paper and wrote down a colorway. We had to picture what the colorway meant to us in our minds and then translate that into a colorway on paper. Here's mine: It was "Blue Bayou":



[Can I brag here? I was nervous that she made me go first (I had NO idea what to say), but said that my colorway was "perfect", an A+.....that was SOOO cool! Complimented by Cheryl Potter??? I'm in heaven!]

Ericka's "City Lights" was really pretty (the colors gave the point across well) and Rose had "Tangerine Dream", in which she mixed orange and yellow together for a kind of "drink" type color. Very cool.

After we did that, a group of 7 went up at a time and started to dye...Cheryl helped everyone and it was so much fun experimenting and squirting dye here and there....there weren't any fist fights over the dye bottles...but it was close at some points! [here is the first group that went up]

Nichole (who I was happy to hang out with before the class started) and Heather also created gorgeous colorways. Heather's was "Pansy" and, boy, it looked JUST like it! I wish I'd remembered what colorway Nichole created. I was so busy dyeing MORE skeins that my mind went blank. Ericka's final yarn (one of the two) had a pretty Japanese name that I liked and it was a sweet color, too.

All in all, I had a FANTASTIC day! Cheryl was wonderful....and she even gave all of us a Potluck Sock pattern. I got one signed, too! (I am SUCH a geek!)

Now, on to the YARN!!!

The colorways I created are:

Baby's Breath-pale purples, peach, turquoise and pink.



Wild Cherry Love-bright red, deep pink and paler pink.



Handsome Hiker-fern green, blue, grays, and forest greens.



The first two yarns will be on my Etsy shop by tonight....BUY NOW! The other one I'm saving to knit for Ian....since he is the handsome hiker! (I thought the name "Handsome Geocasher" didn't have QUITE the same feeling)

P.S. Two other updates....here is the yarn I spun for Jackie for her birthday (which is on Monday)...called "Endless Bliss"...it's a 50/50 baby alpaca/merino 2ply fingering weight....with 356 yards out of 2.5 ounces. The BEST yarn I've ever spun so far...



AND, speaking of dyed yarn...I got my "Mandy" yarn from Awesome Amy ofSpunky Eclectic for my new sweater and socks to match. I actually got this a while ago and kept forgetting to blog it. The yarn is so soft and the colors are great....can't wait to knit it up!



Any comments??