Are you really only 31? I feel so old.

Happy Birthday baby sister (who’s not quite a “baby” anymore). Not only is she one of my sisters, but even if she weren’t, I would like to think that we still would be close friends.

My sister is a very talented artist and a delicious baker, so last year she combined the two and started making one-of-a-kind cakes. I’m always amazed at the fantastic confections she creates and I hope that someday I’ll be lucky enough to be the recipient of one of her cakes.

Last year on her birthday I let her choose one of four fabulous gifts, but this year I figured it out all by myself. Since her favorite color is green, and since I know she doesn’t have any for herself, I decided to treat her to some hand knit socks. Unfortunately, they didn’t get complete in time to make it in her mailbox for today, but they are going in the mail on Monday (along with the delayed socks I knit for her daughter’s December birthday). Do we see a horrible trend here or what?

A Twinkle in the Congo

Pattern: Twinkle Toes by Cookie A.

Yarn: Cider Moon Glacier in Congo

Needles: 3.5mm (US 4) 24″ KnitPicks circulars

Pattern Notes: This is definitely a great pattern to try if you are intimidated by other patterns written by here. Since it’s knit with DK weight yarn, it knits up fairly quickly, but still introduces you to Cookie’s fabulous design work. I knit these two at a time on 2 circular needles, and cast on using Judy’s magic cast-on (of course). I knit 5 pattern repeats before starting the instep increases, but I should have only knit 4. In the heel section, I used the yarn over method that Cookie demonstrated on the Knitty Gritty episode instead of wrapping the stitches as written in the directions. I knit 6 pattern repeats on the leg which makes them a bit long, but hopefully she prefers a longer leg like I do. I used the sewn cast-off for the very first time and I’m wondering why I never tried it before. Brilliant.

Yarn Notes: It’s super soft, squishy, the color variation is beautiful, and it smells great. The downside is that in Sept 2007, the Cider Moon blog said that due to a legal matter, they’ve stopped doing business. It’s such a shame because I’m not one to typically purchase DK weight yarn, but I really think this is one I’d purchase again. Hopefully whatever the issue is, it will be resolved soon.

Final Thoughts: While I’m pleased overall with how these turned out, I’m afraid they may be a tad too big for her. Then again, she could just wear them around the house as big slouchy socks, right?

Thanks to all of you for your comments on my last post. I’m still trying to sort through all the emails and read each of your blogs, so bear with me while I try to catch up this week.

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I’m Twisted

I know why this is called the Twisted Flower sock … you have to be a bit “twisted” to attempt it! After much anticipation (mainly by me), I’d like to present:

Twisted Flowering Eggplants
(click photo for bigger)

Pattern: Twisted Flower by Cookie A.
Source: Cookie A Knitwear Designs
Yarn: Louet Gems Pearl in Eggplant
Needles: Knit Picks 24″ circular size 1.5 US (2.5mm)
Notes: The only modification I did to this pattern was to knit it on two circular needles. I didn’t attempt for a moment to convert this to toe-up, but I feel fairly confident that if I knit this again, I could convert it successfully.

WHEW! This pattern was by far the most time-consuming as far as sock patterns go, but look at the results! I’ve decided to be selfish and keep these for myself. I love the yarn, the color, the pattern and the fit. How often does *that* happen?

The pattern is worth every single penny and more, but ssshhhh, don’t tell Cookie. I’d hate to see her pattern prices jump up because of that comment. The yarn was less desirable though. Although I’ve previously loved knitting with it and only had minor problems with yarn slubs and knots, these skeins were horrible! I think I had 12 ends on each sock to weave in … ICK! I’m hoping it was just a fluke because I really do like the yarn (and there’s more in my stash).

If you decide to purchase this beautiful pattern, a couple of things I would suggest:

• Pointy-tipped needles — this makes cabling that much easier
• Chart reading experience — trust me on this one
• Solid color sock yarn — to show off the beauty of the pattern
• Experience in cabling without a cable needle — really, you’ll thank me later
• Full concentration while knitting — I wasn’t able to successful watch television without ripping back
• Complete trust in the pattern — everything about it is brilliant.

September Sock A Month 4 KAL socks are complete … what’s up next? I think maybe something plain and simple!

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The-what-ius?

Does anyone have any idea why Cookie named this sock pattern Thelonious? Does it have something to do with Thelonious Monk?

Pattern: Thelonious by Cookie A.
Pattern Source: www.cookiea.com
Yarn: Louet Gems Pearl in Sage
Needles: Knit Picks 24″ circular size 1.5 US (2.5 mm)

Thelonious is one of the patterns I purchased when I took the sock design class from Cookie in July and it’s one of the few patterns I didn’t convert from cuff down to toe up. I figured I’d knit a pattern as written (for once) mainly because she designed them cuff down and I wanted to knit it as she designed it.

I made a few errors and had to tink back here and there, but overall, things went smoothly. The yarn was wonderful to work with, and I’m glad I chose a solid colorway yarn so that it shows off all the details of Cookie’s design. I would definitely recommend this pattern to anyone who loves knitting socks, but be forewarned, you need to be able to knit from a chart.

These socks are being mailed to mom for her birthday, although I must admit, I’m almost a week late in sending them to her. I’m sure she’ll forgive me though since her gift to me was a few weeks late also.

I’ve already cast on for the next Cookie pattern, Twisted Flower, and it’s taking my full attention, although I’m starting to itch to make something other than socks.

In yarn collecting news (because I can’t not), I picked up 13 skeins of this Classic Elite Skye Tweed for a future cardigan for myself. I’m not sure what pattern to use, so I’m wondering … does anyone have any recommendations?

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Knitting mojo (here!) …Blogging mojo (anyone, anyone?)

In the ever growing saga regarding my health, (skip this entire paragraph and save yourself the boredom), I saw a wonderful Endocrinologist last week and although I have all the symptoms and TSH levels that show hypothyroidism, she’s running additional tests on my T3 and T4 levels to confirm. She’s also running some other tests to rule out other diseases and such before committing to a fibromyalgia diagnosis. She thinks my last Dr was an idiot for not running additional tests to rule out positively everything else first. I definitely agree with her.

Mystery Stole 3 KAL is the most fun I’ve had in a LONG time and definitely helped me with my knitting mojo. I finished the first clue on Saturday and was semi-sad that I had knit it so quickly since that has left me with 5 days of no MS3 knitting. The only negative part to this KAL are all the yahoo digest messages that seem to be a complete waste of reading. As a matter of fact, it’s only July 5th and there are already 1,400 messages that have been written. Who has the time to read all of that? In my opinion a lot of the messages are from people attempting to knit lace for the very first time ever, and they’re clogging up the message system with whining about frogging for the 3rd & 4th time or asking for help since nothing makes sense, etc. Did these people not read the KAL description which states: “This year’s stole is not recommended for beginning lace knitters, but if you are comfortable with lace techniques and reading charts, you should be just fine.” I think not!

There will probably be no MS3 knitting on Sunday. I’ve signed up for two sock knitting / design classes taught by none other than Cookie A who designed sock patterns such as Pomatomus, Monkey, and Baudelaire, just to name a few. The classes are being taught at Unwind in Burbank, CA which is only about an hour from my home, so it’s fairly close and in addition to finally meeting Cookie, I’m excited to meet other knitters who are as passionate about socks as I am.

In yarn collecting news, my next post should have photos of some new yarn. DH & I refinanced our home and since I made sure we took out some extra cash, I decided that I’m going to celebrate my birthday month by increasing my stash. DH said he was fine with that, but that’s also because he knows I’m the penny pincher in the family and that I’d never purchase too much yarn. HA! We’ll see about that!

In addition to the MS3 shawl, I’ve GOT to post my completed photos of the Handsome Shawl from Victorian Lace Today, the adorable felted bag I gave my niece last month, and the Feather & Fan socks I completed weeks ago. I’m also currently knitting Shedir and a pair of ankle socks for DH, but I’m pretty sure those will be on the back burner Friday morning when the MS3 clue is available. My blogging mojo is still missing though, so for those of you with access to Ravelry, you’ll probably see photos of my completed items there first. By the way, my “name” on Ravelry is GuiltyPleasures. Sounds like a porn star name huh? Maybe I should change my blog name.. any recommendations?

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My Perfect Monkey

Before I get to the good stuff, I must apologize for being absent for so long. I can’t believe it’s been two weeks of no blogging, emailing or anything. Too much has been going on here for the last 2 weeks, and unfortunately I chose my computer time as the thing that had to stop for a bit. So in case you’re wondering what has had me MIA for the last 2 weeks, it’s mainly been just too much going on coupled with severe exhaustion, since my health problems have not improved (see note at the bottom of this post). I do promise to catch up on all my emails and blog reading by this weekend, so please be patient with me. I’ve missed so much so this will be fun to catch up on what you’ve all been up to for the last 2 weeks.

I have been doing a tiny bit of knitting in between all the things that have been going on, so first up, here’s My Perfect Monkey Socks!

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
Pattern Source: Knitty.com Winter 2006
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, P43835
Needles: Knit Picks 2.5mm (2 – 24″ circulars)

This is my 2nd pair of Monkeys but my first time knitting with the Koigu. Although I think my first pair of Monkeys flopped, I definitely LOVE this pair. Then again, how can you go wrong when you pair up the perfect pattern, yarn and needles?

Of course I knit these from the toe-up using Judy’s Magic Cast-On and utilized instructions from past correspondence with Judy to do the toe and heel modifications to make the pattern work. Thank you! Without Judy’s guidance in teaching me how to convert patterns, I’d still be stuck knitting everything from the cuff down. …not that there’s anything wrong with that.

If you’ve never knit with Koigu KPPPM, I most definitely recommend that you either get to your LYS or find some online and order it immediately. If I had any idea how utterly fabulous this yarn is, I would have bought more than 2 skeins. Sadly, I have no more Koigu in my stash, but it is at the top of my priority list when my wallet recovers from the purchase of DH’s birthday gift.

Since I’ve received a few requests, I’m considering writing up my version of the Monkey pattern written toe-up. Of course I think I’ll need to contact the designer first for her permission, so when that happens (or not), I’ll post that information here.

A final note totally off topic. For those of you who have inquired, I finally have news regarding my health problems. There has been much drama surrounding everything and I blame it on switching to a HMO doctor, but suffice it to say, I do not have diabetes. YEAH! Big party at my house right now! What I DO have is a sub clinical hypothyroidism, which means my body is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. My doctor has chose NOT to treat this condition with medication. Obviously … he’s an arsehole. If he had my symptoms (severe fatigue, muscle pain,weight gain, and messed up menstrual cycles), he’d be medicating himself in a heartbeat. What’s especially frustrating is that the medication has NO side effects unless your dose is too high, and those side effects are actual very mild. Needless to say, I’m going to be picking up my medical records and finding a new doctor.

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Beautiful Baudelaire’s

My April SAM KAL 3 socks are completed and ready to wear … well, ready to wear if I weren’t currently wearing sandals.

Pattern: Baudelaire by Cookie A.
Pattern Source: Knitty.com Summer 2006 issues
Yarn: Socks That Rock lightweight in Jasper
Needles: (2) KnitPicks Circulars size 1 US
Modifications: Judy’s Magic Cast-On

Notes: I *so* love that this pattern was written from the toe up. Maybe I had a bad experience with cuff down socks or something, but toe up socks just feel natural to me. Also, after having to convert the last few sock patterns I knit, it was nice just to follow the instructions as written. I also am glad that I was able to see Cookie demonstrate these socks on a recent Knitty Gritty episode since she does an interesting modification to the short row heel. When the directions say to wrap and turn, she instead turns her knitting and then does a wrap (yarn over). It’s really very clever and I much prefer it to the normal wrap and turn method. The 8 row 22 stitch pattern repeat was fairly simple and at some point on the leg section, I finally had it memorized. I also really liked the added touch of the cable going up each side of the leg next to the lace pattern. As usual, Cookie hits a home run.

I’ve finally acquired a smallish sock yarn stash now and have quite a few wonderful patterns, so now it’s just narrowing down the choices. Since DH’s birthday is in June, maybe I should knit a pair for him?

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Monkey Feet

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.

Source: Knitty.com Winter 2006

Yarn: Cherry Blossom Fibers handpainted merino sock yarn in Noblesse colorway

Needles: KnitPicks Circular Size 1 US

Modifications: I knit both socks at the same time from the toe up on two circular needles.
Notes: I personally believe this yarn doesn’t work well with this pattern. Don’t get me wrong, I really love the yarn and the pattern, but the yarn doesn’t show off the beauty of the pattern & the pattern definitely doesn’t show off the beauty of the yarn! I think the best part of knitting these was finally feeling like I’m getting the hang of knitting socks from the toe up. I know the best part is that I don’t ever worry about running out of yarn anymore!

I feel like such a “joiner”. I guess I may have needed something to motivate me in my fitness endeavors, so I joined Runagogo. By April 1st I have to run, jog, walk, swim, or whatever 100 miles. It sounds like a lot, but really, if you started the program January 1st, it’s only 3 miles a week. I can do that! Go ahead, click on the link, you know you should!

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