A few minutes

I have a few minutes and I'm thinking of it, so I figured I would tell you what's on the needles.

Project #1: Cardigan, made up as I go
I scored some Elsebeth Lavold Eucool for half price at Coastal Yarns in Cannon Beach. Picked up 7 balls in a very dark brown, enough to make a sweater in my size, thanks to the amazing yardage. I started a cardigan, not really knowing what it was going to look like. The back is plain stockinette; for the fronts (V neck), I chose a simple lace pattern to border the button bands. I have the back, one front complete and the other is almost done. I should block soon - and possibly photo (now there's a crazy idea for me).

Project #2: Fair-isle pullover from recent (latest?) Debbie Bliss magazine.
It's number 3 in the mag and I'm substituting Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light (maroon and white) for the DB Rialto 4-ply (black and white). It may turn out a little smaller, but I think that's ok (in width anyway). I also converted it to work in the round so I don't have to purl in fairisle - I'm just not capable. Realizing I should have put in some fakey seem stitches, as the side that marks the change in rounds is a little funky looking. Cest la vie. I really enjoy fairisle, even though it's slow - it's fun to see the color patterns emerge.

Mercy Corps fund update

Pretty modest update, but wanted to note that the total for Mercy Corps climbed by $5. (That was actually back in March, but I'm going to pretend like I didn't wait so long to do this update.)

And thanks, by the way, to the last commenter (also some time ago, sorry!) for their kind words on my previous post.

Currently on the needles: A pair of socks (second pair in a row)
Recently finished: A giant, comfy aran sweater and a scarf I don't have enough room to block
Next project: Something involving fair isle? A cardigan? Definitely something 4-ply...

Pattern proceeds

Well, it's obviously been quite a while since I posted, and probably no one is reading anymore. Life has been, let's say, "interesting" the past few years. But I'm still here, knitting away in my little corner of the world.

Like many people, I have been watching the impacts of yet another major earthquake in the last week, and trying to figure out what contribution I might make to the world right now.* In that spirit, I've decided that proceeds from Mayberry Sock pattern sales will all go to Mercy Corps from now on, for disaster relief and international aid.

As it happens, proceeds from all 9 copies I've sold so far went to Mercy Corps after the Haiti earthquake, so it seemed logical to make it permanent. I only wish I had more patterns to sell - perhaps I will try to work on that soon.

Sorry I don't have a better update than this right now, I certainly don't intend for this to become an earthquake relief blog. I've been trying to get my craft room on order lately, and once that's done pictures will be easier - I'm proud to say I have a dress form now so I don't have to take funny portraits in mirrors anymore. Although I'd bet people find more amusement in funny portraits in mirrors...


* Aside from getting a family emergency kit together already for when our time comes in the Pacific Northwest. 'Cause it's a'comin.

Grand total

Sales of the Mayberry pattern have resulted in $45 for Mercy Corp. It's not a lot, but it's $45 more than I would have been able to give otherwise.

Thank you,
Sarah

Give Something, Get Something

I have a nice home. I have a wonderful husband. I have a great family, great pets, great friends, and a fulfilling job. I have yarn and knitting needles. And sometimes I bitch about not having things I want. I'm not going to bitch about that today.

I have sold exactly 4 copies of the Mayberry Sock pattern, and I just donated it all ($20) to Mercy Corps. Through January 31, 2010, I will donate all additional proceeds from sales of the pattern to Mercy Corps.

Or, send me an e-mail at sarah.castor@gmail.com and tell me where you donated this month (you don't have to tell me how much), and I will send you the pattern for free. We're working on the honor system here, I'm sure you're good for it.

Choose your favorite option.

Donate anywhere you like, it doesn't have to be for international aid, and it doesn't have to be for Haiti. So much money will be going to Haiti that other places will probably have to go without, so I would encourage you (if you have the option) to let the organization use your donation wherever the need is greatest, whether that is in your own community or in another country. But choose whatever works for you.

There are probably like 5 people checking this blog now, so pass it along if you feel like it. I'm going to walk the dog and think about what a great life I lead.

400+

Holey pantyhose, Batman! There are 401 Honeycomb projects on Ravelry! Only about half are finished, but that's still a big number to me.

In other news, the pink tweed is still in the form of Salina. I have the front, back, and half of two sleeves, but need to wash some more yarn before I can go further.

Pink Tweed

Where has the weekend gone?

As promised, the pink tweed. Originally, I started knitting a turtleneck in seed stitch with a cable down the front, similar to one in a Debbie Bliss book in chunky weight. But I got most of it together and tried it on and it just made me look chunky. Then I started another turtleneck from an Adrienne Vittadini pattern, but it was coming out too large. Then I thought about knitting Demi, but realized I would not have enough yarn. So I settled on Salina (Rav link) from Vintage Knits, adjusting for the aran weight. I think it will turn out nicely.

Back, in progress

Part of what has thrown me about this yarn is that it is aran weight - I almost never knit with yarn this heavy anymore. I recently cleaned out and organized my stash (really just leftovers from other projects) and realized I have a ton of 4-ply, sport and DK weight yarns, but not much else. The other thing is the color. It's a nice shade of pink, but it could easily get too girly.

I'm hoping this is the last incarnation of this yarn. We'll see.

What to do with pink tweed

Man, I need to get my act together and post! I did actually start something with the tweed, but the question is: Will it survive? Stay tuned this weekend...

Donegal Tweed

What the heck am I going to do with 10 balls of Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed (aran weight)? I cannot figure it out.

Mayberry socks

Uh, hi there. Well, let's see, it's only been about 10 months since I posted. This is a little awkward...

It's like this: I lost my knitting mojo there for a bit. I had a couple of disappointing projects and then got distracted by all kinds of other things and I didn't knit a whole lot for a while. But I'm back on it now - Fall helps.

And now that I'm back, I brought socks with me.

Mayberry Socks

(Click to enlarge pictures)

I adapted the stitch pattern from one in Gisela Klopper's Beautiful Knitting Patterns (obviously I'm a fan of this book) - it's a combo of cables and brioche that's easy and really beautiful. The squishy-ness of the brioche makes them super comfortable and great for lounging.

Size/Finished Measurements:
One size
Length: 7 inches from cuff to beginning of heel flap
Leg circumference: 7 inches unstretched before blocking
Foot circumference: 6 ¾ inches unstretched before blocking

The length of the foot can be adjusted to fit your feet (as instructed in the pattern) and the brioche stitch is quite stretchy. These socks comfortably fit up to a 12 inch lower calf and a 9 inch instep.

Materials
Louet Gems Pearl Fingering Weight, 2 balls; or approximately 350 yards of fingering (sock) weight yarn
US size 1 dpns, set of 5 OR size needed to obtain gauge
Cable needle, if desired - I recommend cabling without a needle, a tutorial can be found here
Tapestry needle for grafting toe

Gauge
35 sts X 48 rows = 4” in stockinette st

Pattern: $5.00