On and Off The Needles

I started writing this Friday and then all of the sudden,

no internet!

For hours!

I found the pattern for Groovy Socks on Ravelry.

Unfortunately, it is no longer available.

The pattern calls for a different heel but since these were my

passenger seat knitting socks, 

I used my regular ole heel instead of learning something new.

I'll do it on the next ones.

By the time we got to the beach, 

I was ready start do the toe decrease.

I told Ernie I was going to have them finished by the time we got home.

I was wrong,

I finished them at home.

I was too busy loving on...

...Daisy.

Our reason for doing a 1 day round trip to the beach.

We adopted this gorgeous chocolate lab from

South Pacific County Humane Society in Longbeach, WA.

OMGoodness, if I could have, I would have brought 2 more home with me.

I could easily turn into that crazy dog lady with too many dogs.

It's been a long time since I've done an On The Needles post...September!

I'll try to do better and maybe I'll finish that Frankensock I still haven't finished.

I'm linking up late to Patchwork Times On The Needles.

On The Needles

I may have developed a bit of a Frankensock obsession. 

Just a little one. 

I am having so much fun with these. 

The other day when the grands were here.

While the boys played outside, 

Clella was inside cuddled up in the recliner. 

I gave her my bag of sock yarn and the little plastic bobbins and put her to work. 

She had so much fun and 

I have so many colors at my finger tips. 

She's pretty excited to wind more on her next visit.

I think there is enough of just these yarns to make at least 6 socks, 

maybe more. 

I am all about life's simple pleasures and

this is certainly one of them for me.

See what others have on their needles at

Patchwork Times-On the Needles

On The Needles

I'm making Frankensocks!

I saw them on Instagram and I've seen them at The Polka Dot Chicken and other places.

I have always wanted to use up my leftover sock yarn for more socks.

So I pulled out some of my sock yarn balls and got started.

Then I remembered I saw where Carol wound her yarn on little plastic bobbins,

so I had to go get mine out and make myself some little bobbins.

It took over my tv/knitting time last night. 

I am ready to make a really fun pair of socks.

Or 2 or 3.

This kind of stuff can get out of control for me.

 But that's ok, I always need socks.

And this goofy boy wanted his robot/alien hat so bad.

His Gramma kept messing it up and when you are 4 

and everyone else has their new hat,

you must hound Gramma to get it done.

I don't know how many times he asked.

5 times I started this hat,

4 times I pulled the needles.

My last On The Needles post,

(seriously Gramma!!!)

was July 8th and this hat was finished but 

waaaayyy tooooo tight!

I said this was the last time.

if it didn't fit, he'd get one like the other boys.

Thank goodness it fit.

After trying it on him and getting the funny face picture,

I sat down and finished it.

The pompom that he didn't want, oh wait, yes I do!,

is now made and attached.

He is one happy little man. 

I'm sure glad I finished his hat before Frankensocks took over!!!

I am not going to go digging to see what else I have on my needles.

I'm just happy my sock Mojo is back so that's what I'll work on. 

Check out Judy L's fabulous projects and see what other knitters are working on at

Patchwork Times-On The Needles.

On The Needles

This hat is off the needles and when Corbin put it on, it's too tight.

I'll start over with everything I've learned from this project.

I had it finished with a different design on top.

It was waaaayyyy too tight so I cut yarn and pulled it out down to the black above the robots.

Then I picked up all the stitches-successfully the first time!-and added the X design.

It's still to tight.

It just barely goes on his head.

He loves it!

So I am going to make him another with the robots and

 be very careful about pulling my traveling yarn too tight!!!

Then I started on Leland's hat.

I sat down early this morning and finished the knitting.

Now I have to make a pompom.

He can hardly wait!

Too bad my picture doesn't show how bright this is.

We road tripped again last weekend.

We were gone for 5 days.

These boys are turning into really good travelers.

Yes, hubby's seat covers are camo.

Yes, I let my dogs sleep on the truck quilt. 

I love how little 6 pound Jessie takes his half of the seat right out of the middle. 

See what others have on their needles by visiting Patchwork Times-On the Needles today.

On The Needles

I've been in hat knitting mode. Mostly because of the road trips we have been taking. Each direction is at least five hours......so 4 trips have resulted in 3 hats and the beginning of number 4.

This pattern is called Neon Knights. 

This is for 10 year old grandson Elliot, made from stash Lion Brand Wool-Ease.

He's pretty subdued most of the time so I thought it would be the perfect colors for him.

He loves it and I was quite surprised that he wanted the pompom.

He wants another in bright colors. 

(He's going to have to wait for his turn to roll around again.)

I'll make this pattern again with black yarn and bright colors, using more stash yarn.

That will be for 6 year old Leland who does NOT want pink in his hat!

Any other color I chose will be fine.

This one is called Floppy Brimmed Sunhat. 

This one is for 8 year old Clella. I added the flower. She loves it!

Wherever It Points

This is the 3rd hat from this pattern.  

This one will go to 4 year old Estella. 

If it's too big, then I'll make her something different. 

4 year old Corbin gets this one. It's called Jumping Jacks from the book Kid's Knitted Hats. 

You can see it on the back cover of the book I linked to. 

I had a heck of a time with the 2 color ribbing so I gave up after 4 attempts. 

I am using Red Heart Worsted yarn for this so I made a few adjustments. 

I am having a blast with the color work on these hats. 

After Leland's Neon Knights hat, I have some bulky camo yarn to make Warm Quick Hat for Jonah.  

I think that is enough planned knitting for a while.

 I love making hats for the kiddos. 

I love having to concentrate on something on these road trips.

 Especially on the freeway. 

See what others are knitting at Patchwork Times Oh the Needles.  

Oh Judy L, those cables are fabulous! 

They still terrify me. 

On The Needles

I knew it had been a long time since I've done an On The Needles post but I didn't realize how long ago it was. September 18!!! The knitting slump has been over for a bit but I've been too lazy to post. I'm in hat mode right now.  I found this cute pattern for a Floppy Brimmed Hat and knew I had to make one for Clella. I found a fun Red Heart With Love yarn and knew it would turn out cute!

And it did! But she hasn't tried it on yet. I've said before that I am an awful passenger and I must do something to keep my focus off all the the road hazards and big trucks. So the first photo was taken at the end of our driveway and by the time we got to the campground, the hat was almost finished.

A while back someone posted this hat pattern called Wherever It Points. 4 skeins of yarn is supposed to make 4 hats. Hat one is the blue brimmed hat. I wish I would have used the green for the center band instead of the top but it's finished and someone somewhere will wear it. I'm about half done with hat 3 and wonder if there will be enough yarn left to make the 4th one. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease.  Crystal has already nabbed the white brimmed hat.

I did start a Rainbow Trout hat but a little ways in to it, I ripped it out. It isn't a travel friendly pattern for me so I will start over on it at home and work on something else on the road.

Maybe I should start a pair of plain Jane socks for the travel bag. Those are always fun to work on and I do have some fun yarn.

Check out what others are doing at Patchwork Times. I love the color of Judy L's yarn.

On The Needles

Holy Cow, I have been a slacker. It's been since July that I have done an On the Needles post. I really did have good intentions but you know how that works out sometimes.  

After finishing the 2 pair of socks I had on the needles, I finally get to start 2 more pair. This pattern is call Fruit Strip Gum. Isn't it fun. Super easy and it will become my new to go project. I am not even concerned that the stripes don't match up. Because these are fun!

The next pair is called Groovy Socks. This is the original yarn I wanted to use for the Fruit Stripe Gum socks but the color runs are really short. This is the pair I keep by my chair. Again, it's an easy pattern to follow so I can kind of pay attention to what's on tv or what's happening around me. 

These Plain Janes were started in January on the way to the beach and were my to go project. I don't go much so these took a while to complete.

Glacier Lake Toe Up were finished also. These were started in March.......oiye! I am so slow. I did really good then had some trouble understanding the instructions until I sat down in total silence and read them out loud and talked my self through the gusset part. Then it was easy peasy! I'm not sure if I'll do another toe up pair or not. I'm kind of an old dog and like my tired and true, 2 socks on 2 circulars. I know I need 60 stitches on my size needles with the yarn I like to use. So I'll just stick with that for a while longer.

Check out what others have on their needles at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I feel like I have been such a slacker. I have spent very little time knitting and even less time blogging about it. But I haven't been slacking on other things--hand stitching and quilting have been going strong.  These are Glacier Lake Toe Up Socks. Earlier this year I decided to challenge myself and do a pair of toe up socks. So many people rave about this method and I knew if I put my mind to it, I could follow the pattern and they will be great socks. Will I make another toe up pair? Maybe, maybe not. I guess if I like the pattern enough, I suppose I will.  As long as I can knit 2 socks at a time. 

I confused myself so much on the heel flap. In the end, I learn to read the complete instructions for the row. Not just the numbers, but read the words.  Yeah, sometimes I confuse myself. *wink, wink*   This pattern has a longer heel flap than I make on my Plain Janes. Maybe an inch taller.
I'm well on my way up the leg now. I'll knit until I run out of yarn.

The Plain Jane under this sock is my travel project. I am about half way on the foot and should get to the toes this weekend as we make our way down to the Great Oregon Steam Up. I'll take the Glacier Lake socks with me in case I run out of Plain Jane work. That kitchner stitch is not for road work! When this sock is finished, I'll have another fabulous pair of socks.

I even did a yarn inventory this week and have picked the next yarn and pattern. But I won't start it until these 2 pair are finished.

Check out Judy L's great sweater and other knitters fabulous work at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I'm knitting again. Not much, just a little at night. Lillian-pattern at Ravelry-has come out for some attention. 

This will be the final color section, then one more black section before the crochet edging.  The color runs are quite long in this yarn. I'll have enough for another cowl. 

On The Needles

You know that sometimes I need to work on something new feeling?

I had that this week.

I was clearing out some stuff and came across a bag that had the Dreambird shawl in it.

I knew I would never, ever finish it.

I just isn't me. 

So I pulled it out, or I tired to.

Not an easy unknit.

I decided to make myself a Lillian scarf.

The yarn is Chroma Fingering Yarn from KnitPicks.

Don't you love the colors of the verigated?

Grays to pinks to lavender. 

The pattern doesn't call for fingering yarn or size 5 needles.

I cast on double the amount of stitches.

Cross your fingers that it works out for me.

I've made Lillian before.

This one was gifted to daughter Dee last year.

She loves it.

Again, not the yarn or needle size called for in the pattern.

Will I ever make this according to the pattern?
I just might.

See what others have on their needles at Patchwork Times.

PS: the Blueberry Waffle socks from last week have been fixed

and more progress was made on toe up socks-I'm almost at the gusset.

On The Needles

The real title of this post should be

Sock Week

(Notice that play on Shark Week???)

Saturday we went to a banquet.

The drive was almost an hour so I made some good progress on my Plain Janes.

It was pouring rain so I just put my head down and the needles were flying.

I finished my Blueberry Waffle Socks.

They are too small.

I swear I measured 7" before I started to decrease the for the toe.

I need to stop swearing!

I am going to take this out and make the foot longer.

I want to wear these without regret!

The lesson learned here is to not use a tape measure but

use the 7" knitting needle I keep in my knitting bag instead.

Then the numbers won't confuse me!!!

Remember these funky socks I started back in January?

I pulled them out and started over.

One day I'll make this pattern but I'll do a stockinette sole

and probably start from the top.

I wasn't happy with having the pattern on the sole.

Even though it probably wouldn't be a problem.

Or I was more worried about the gusset and heel turn.

I wanted to make toe up so I found Glacier Lake Toe Up Socks.

Simple pattern, good instructions. 

She has very good row by row instructions for the gusset and heel turn.

I'll use one of my good fitting socks to measure against 

for when to start the gusset.

See what others are working on this week at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I've made pretty good progress on my Plain Jane socks that I work on while being a passenger.

A couple trips to the beach has accomplished an almost complete sock.

I also worked on them Wednesday at my sewing group until I got to the toe decrease.

I can't pay attention enough to remember to decrease on both sides while I'm chatting and laughing.

I'll finish this and start then next one so I'm ready for when I need them.

I've been knitting a few rows each night on my Blueberry Waffle Socks.  I am really excited to be back in knitting mode. I really do think it's because of all the inspiration I see each day on the Facebook group called Addicted to Sock Knitting. It's a large group-over 10,000 members-and I see so many fabulous, jaw dropping socks every day! They share links to lots of different patterns and I want to make them all!  I'll try to finish these first.

See what others have on their needles at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I used to be a better blogger. I did an On The Needles post every Friday forever. Then the Mojo left me so I had nothing to share. It shows up sometimes and this time (cross your fingers for me) it might be here for a while.  I joined a group on Facebook called Addicted To Sock Knitting with over 10,000 members. There are lots of sock pictures that will knock your own socks off!  I am in awe of these knitters. Joining that group brought the Mojo home.

Last Friday I had good intentions to post my progress on the purple socks I was working on from the January 2nd post but Ernie decided he wanted to drive to the beach so who was I to say no. I can't work on anything with a pattern so I grabbed a skein of sock yarn from the stash and some dpns and we were on our way.  This is how far I got on Plain Jane socks using Knit Picks Felici in the Coney Island colorway.

I was using the Tadpoles pattern but messed it up something awful. I don't know what I did to mess up such an easy pattern, so I frogged it all and started over. I was part way through the ribbing when someone on that FB group posted socks using the Blueberry Waffles Socks pattern. This is an easy peasy pattern with not much thinking or counting involved so I decided to make the most of my Mojo's return and use this pattern. I love the texture it gives this Opal sock yarn.

To see what other knitters are working on, check out Patchwork Times. While you are there, you will see Judy L's super cute granddaughter as a hat model.

On The Needles

 Happy New Year! It's really hard for me to believe it's already 2015. I vividly remember Y2K like it was yesterday! Do you?  I didn't know how to knit then. It was still a dream. I quilted and did machine embroidery and crocheted. Now I quilt and knit. Times have changed--not much though.

I did it, I finished the No Purl Monkey Socks before the end of 2014!

I think I'll wear them today.

Since I was in the sock knitting mood,

I found Mojo.

An appropriate name since mine has returned.

Fun, quirky, something any teen (or their Gramma!) would love to own.

I had to finish the Monkey socks before I started these.

(I think that's the only reason the Monkey socks are finished.) 

I also cast on for a pair of Plain Jane Socks.

But decided I wanted something with some texture.

This morning I went searching through my Ravelry favorites for a new sock pattern.

I found Tadpoles.

A couple rows of unknitting and I will be able to start the design.

Or I can be a rebel and start it where I am at right now. 

I'll probably be a rebel.

I can't wait to see what others are working on.

We are sharing our projects at 

Patchwork Times-On The Needles.

On The Needles

I'm still working on my No Purl Monkey Socks.

I am so slow....

but I am determined to finish these before the end of the year.

I think I have one more set of 11 rows before the toe decrease so

maybe by the end of the week.

Maybe!

I told Mae that these socks make my feet happy.

Her socks make her happy too.

So we had to take a picture of our socks.

Happy Feet is one of our favorite movies.

I think it's time to watch it again.

On The Needles

It's been a while since I've done an On The Needles post......October 10th!  I hadn't been doing much knitting until  one day I got a phone call from my daughter in love. She requested new dishclothes for her Christmas gift. OK, easy peasy!  I pulled out my laminated patterns and got busy.  I was keeping track of how many dishclothes I made this year and stopped counting in July at 11. These for sure put me into the 20s. I used up all the stash and gifted yarn and was able to buy more yarn for these. There is a bit leftover from each color but it will be used up into one dishcloth for me.  

My favorite patterns are DW Dishcloth and Grandmother's Favorite.  Both are free on Ravelry.

I did work on these socks a bit more.  They will soon become my evening project again. Maybe I can get them finished before the end of the year so I can say I finished 3 pair of socks this year.

Find out what other knitters are working on this week at Patchwork Times.  Aren't Judy L's mittens just the cutest!!! I want a pair for myself!

On The Needles

Good progress has been made on the No Purl Monkey Socks.

I am such a slow knitter and if there is a pattern,

I'm even slower.

It's all good,

this isn't a race or a matter of life and death.

Good thing!

I made a whoopsie in the heel.

I'll live with it.

I am terrified of unknitting short rows.

Again, it's not a matter of life and death.

Check out some fabulous On The Needles projects today at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I'm working on the No Purl Monkey Socks again. It is Socktoberfest Season after all. I want to knit a couple pair of socks this month. Or at least finish these. I have so much fun sock yarn to play with and I miss knitting. 2 more color sections were added last night before I was interrupted by someone needing loves . I will leave my knitting bag next to my chair and try to knit at least a color section each evening.

Miss Shirley Kitty is learning to lay on Momma's lap/legs without playing with the yarn. She is doing really good. What you can't see is the little dog that is napping on my right hip.

See what others have on their needles at Patchwork Times today.  I might be adding a new pattern to my collection.

On The Needles

Brace yourself! 

I have an announcement! 

 I picked up my knitting needles

 and worked on my No Purl Monkey Socks!!!!!

I haven't touched these socks since May.

I feel bad about that,

but the return of the missing mojo is exciting.

I didn't make much progress, 

only the pink section but

any progress is good at this point.

I must be careful though,

I might loose my sewing mojo for knitting

and I don't want to do that right now.

Maybe a a row here, a row there for now.

Doesn't matter,

I'm just excited to be knitting again!

Now to train those 2 kittens to lay nice and leave the yarn alone.

See what others have on their needles 

at Patchwork Times.

Isn't Judy L's sweater just the cutest thing ever?~!

On The Needles

Sadly my knitting mojo is missing. The only time I've picked up anything yarn related has been while I'm a passenger in a vehicle.  I've been hexi stitching instead.  This is dishcloth #14 and will be a mix of little yarn balls that need to get out of the bin.  I tried to throw these away but just couldn't make myself. I knew 3 of them would make a dishcloth.  I know you know what I mean!

Here's a cute grandson story. We went on a road trip with Crystal and the kiddos. I sat in the back next to 8 year old Elliot and I was knitting a dishcloth. We had a good conversation about washing dishes and making it fun with bright, happy dishcloths.  (He thinks his Gramma is silly.)  I told him he could have this green one since green is his favorite color.  No thank you, I don't wash the dishes.  You don't!? No, that's Mom's job.  Mom is laughing because they all help with the dishes.  In the end, I gave him the dishcloth and told him when it was his turn to wipe off the table, this would make it fun.  Now each of the kiddos have their own dishcloth.

I'm sure my knitting mojo will reappear one of these days. But for now, I'm happily stitching hexies.
See what others that have mojo are up to at Patchwork Times.