indieknits

More dyeing

This weekend I dyed the yarn that I ordered from DT Crafts:

   

I really like this colourway! It reminds me of candy floss. It's got me thinking that maybe I should try my hand at selling some in the future...

The yarn took the dye well, but isn't as Koigu-ey as I'd hoped. It's lighter and fuzzier, but still very soft. It arrived in centre pull balls which meant I had to wind it into skeins before I could begin dyeing.

I think next time I will try the yarn sold by Violet Green (as recommended by Lyndsey-Jane) and see how they compare.

On Thursday a package arrived for me from Curly Custard:

Isn't it great? She stencilled it herself - it's the outline of Edinburgh castle. I've been using it all weekend for my shopping.

Oh, and on Friday my Sockapalooza pal Michelle got the package I sent! I'm so glad that it arrived (I was starting to worry a little) and that the socks fit her! I really enjoyed spoiling her.   

My Sockapalooza Socks have arrived!

They were delivered this morning and I love them. My pal Deborah knit them with KnitPicks Gloss in Dusk, and used the Cafe Curtain pattern. They fit perfectly!

 

I'm definitely going to bookmark that pattern as I love it.

Thanks so much, Deborah!

Sockapalooza socks finished!

I finished my Sockapalooza socks last night! All they need now is a wash and some blocking, and they'll be ready to mail to my pal. This is the fastest I have ever knit a pair of socks - under 2 weeks - and to think I was worried about getting them finished on time!

Pattern: Rib and Cable Socks from Interweave Knits Fall '05

Yarn Used: Koigu KPPPM in shade P436, from Jenny in the Hot Socks Swap.

I love the pattern, love the yarn, and loved every minute of knitting these socks. Now I shall seek out some extra goodies for my pal's package!

In other sock knitting news, I signed up for the Sock It To Me swap last night. Go and check it out - sign ups close on Saturday!

Sockapalooza sock number 1!

My new camera arrived about an hour ago so I've been testing it out - it seems pretty good!

Here's my first sockapalooza sock:

 

If you asked for cables and muted colours, this could be yours! 

Here's the yarn I dyed yesterday:

It's drying at the moment  - once it's done I'll re-skein it and take another snap!

Oh, and I also wanted to show everyone a picture of what my Embossed Leaves socks actually look like, since the old camera had such a hard time with them:

What else? Ooh! The yarn that Alice gave me last week!

The new camera and I are going to be good friends :)

I am obsessed...

...with my sockapalooza socks. I can't put them down! The pattern is so simple, yet I want to knit and knit and knit to see how the cabling develops. I've already turned the heel and finished the gusset decreases! And it works so well with the yarn I have chosen. Hurrah!

Picture to follow tomorrow. I have caved in and bought a new camera, which is due to arrive tomorrow. This camera has a special 'close up' setting, so shouldn't be as crap as the one I have at the moment.

Finally

Finally I have cast on for my Sockapalooza socks. Hurrah! Now I can stop stressing and start knitting. These are going to be my main focus until they are done. The Britanny 2mm needles are so fragile in my big hands that they feel like they are going to snap - in fact one already did when I was casting on yesterday! Luckily the pattern is knit using 4 needles and not 5. I've e-mailed Brittany to ask for a replacement (they're guaranteed for 5 years). Hopefully the other 4 will hold out at least until the DPNs I ordered from Knit Picks arrive.

Even though it's 4 months away, I am already thinking about the Knitting and Stitching show at Ally Pally. This year I am thinking about booking the Friday off work so I can avoid the busy Saturday crowds. Did anyone else go Thursday/Friday last year? Would you say it's quieter than the Saturday/Sunday?

Pattern and Yarn decided...

...for my Sockapalooza pal. I'm going to knit her the Rib and Cable socks from Interweave Knits Fall 2005. The yarn I'm going to use is Koigu...yummy yummy Koigu...such a pleasure to knit with.

I'm going to cast on soon as I'm a bit of a slow knitter and have to get these done by August! Is anyone else sending their pal a little treat in the meantime?

Couldn't resist Sockapalooza!

I just signed up to Sockapalooza. I couldn't resist! Sign ups close at 3am (BST) tonight.