Ruffles for days

I'm jotting this down right before I leave to jet off to New York for a week. I'd like to think I'm going for lots of fun, glamorous reasons but alas I'm just there for work trainings. I do get a chance to see Allyson of Sweatshop Of Love fame and some of my best friends in the world (looking your way Henning). I really couldn't be more excitted.

Of course the day I leave the heat in Chicago has broken and it's absolutely beautiful outside, it doesn't help that my hubby has a vacation this week so my brain is full of picnics and relaxing, but it will just have to wait I suppose. I'm hoping that the weather will be great when I get back because after that two more weeks and I'm back to the grind of school.

Luckily I managed to snap some pictures of my newest project before I packed my camera away.

Twin Cities Anklet Socks!!

Even after washing and drying them in an effort to shrink them they are still too large for my feet (that's what I get for not paying attention while knitting) So they are definitely going to have to be a gift for someone- probably this winter/Christmas. I however already have more yarn coming from Knit Picks for a second pair, that this time will fit- here's hoping. 

I love the double moss stitch on them and the ankle ruffle is just to die for. If you look close there's even an eyelet row right before the ruffles start. Cutest details. This was my first experience with toe up socks and I am totally a convert, they just felt less fussy than cuff down. I'm sure this is the beginning of some very beautiful sock knitting.

I'm bringing.  my computer with me to NYC so I'll try and get some trip updates in, of course I've bought a billion (four) knitting projects with me so hopefully I will have some fun goodies to show by the end of the week.

The lighting in this photo is so dim but I love the atmospheric effect from it. Off to the blue line my friends. Talk to you soon!

Sock Interlude

I've been waiting for a chance to take decent pictures: read, morning light, of my new sweaters- that's right, there's two of them!! but I haven't had a chance due to my work schedule so we're just going to have to keep those on the to do list. Hopefully I'll be able to check them off soon. We'll see if tomorrow morning cooperates with me.

Luckily I have had lots of things to keep me busy here on the knitting front.

These little beauties have been a joy to make! You may remember them as the Twin Cities Anklet Socks. They are a breeze as a sport weight, cotton fiber knit on size 4's. I started this first one about three days ago and I just finished up this evening. Not too shabby, by the end of the week I should have the second one. I think these are going to have a very special place on my Christmas knits list. Unfortunately I didn't try them on when I was making them and they are a little too large for my teeny tiny toes.

This is the first pair of toe up socks that I've knit. Where you start at the toe instead of the cuff, as done in traditional sock knitting. I have to say I think I'm going to be a convert. You can try them on really easily as you go (something I should of paid attention to) and it just felt so much less fussy than knitting them from top down. I'm excited to say that I see a lot of socks in my future.

I also picked up a new knitting book while I was browsing the book store yesterday

400 Knitting Stitches!

I've been experimenting with some lace stitching on some cowls recently and it hasn't been going too successfully. When I saw this I realized that someone had already figured out all of this so why was I trying to recreate a look when there was already a recipe for it! So far I've ear marked about 15 stitches I want to try out on various projects. I think this is a great resource to have and I know any time I get stuck I can just sneak on over here and I'm sure to find something that sparks my creativity.