Back to the needles.

New sock yarn that I started today is going along great. It's 'regia stretch' and I can't wait to see the final fit on the foot of the sock. I'm being daring (for me) and doing a plain, yes plain sock. The yarn has built in stretchy fibers but feels like regular sock yarn. I bought this sight unseen and unfondled off the web from 'webs' . I realize that I like to fondle my yarn and fabric first prior to purchase but i trusted 'regia'.

Am also finishing reading the new book 'knit so fine' and loving all the reasons to knit with fine yarn. My favorite so far, you get more knitting enjoyment for the money because you have to knit more stitches than a bulky weight yarn.

Stitching the nite away

I've been concentrating on my hot air balloon needlepoint project and finished it today. The balloon is done in basketweave and the basket that will hang down in done in tent, long and woven stitch. I can't wait until I get a change to assemble it and see it hanging. I have enough of the white sparkly snow thread for a hanger at the top and haven't decided what to hang the basket from. The basket will need a silky soft lining too. Lot's to think about for this special project.

Hot air balloon

I got to do some more needlework today and this is my current project of choice. This is only half of a hot air balloon ornament. You really can't tell but the snow and band on the bottom is done in a glittery 'snow' thread. The sky and reindeer is in a soft wool with a matte finish. I'm only half way there and there are 2 more panels and a basket that you can't see. This finishes up as a three dimensional ornament with the basket hanging beneath. Lot's more stitching but easy fillinging in with basketweave stitch. I didn't even get to cast on my knitting today but there is hope for my lunch break tomorrow.

Some assembly required day

On my day off today I got to assembling some of the projects that I had finished the stitching on. I had lots of fun with the doggy door stop. I came out just great. I used medium interfacing on all of the pieces, a piece of foam core as an insert for the bottom, a special bag of lead shot for weight and a lot of careful stitching. It's only 5 inches on a side and is adorable. The patterns called for 8 inches but that was going to be too large. This is nice and you could use any cross stitch patterns for the sides or even just beautiful fabric to make this. There is a doubled piece of twill tape for a handle across the top.
This was a needlepoint card by 'sundance designs' that I had stitched while on vacation. It worked up quickly but needed a press and some double stick tape to get it all finished and ready for the holidays.
Two needlepoint ornaments got finished and assembled also. The little house was a canvas I had purchased a while ago and decided it needed to get done this week as a break from the sock marathon. It was fun to put together but was done carefully and has a suede base that gives it a nice bottom. The sports ornament was one I had stitched on vacation. It's mounted on a batting covered piece of archival board, as is the back. The two covered pieces are then hand sewn together and then the matching cording sewn on. I came out stunning and will look good on a holiday tree.

I do have a few more things to assemble but it's back to work on some fun crafting.

Not enough time to craft

I've been busy back at work and not even time on my break to break out the knitting needles. Since I've met my goal for Septembers socks I'm not feeling bad about it at all. I've still been stitching but on some needlepoint canvas's I've had on the way, way back burner. Fun stitching by filling in the colors, like coloring for grownups. You don't need a magnifying glass and you get a lot of instant satisfaction from it. They are small and easy to carry around. I'll do the finishing and have some beautiful ornaments. A plus on both ends. I'll get my knitting vibe on next week. The bag is ready to go with yarn, needles, sock bible and ruler. Grab and knit.

Rum done

Today during my lunch break I started the heel flap on the second 'rum on the beach' sock. After a short walk after work with each cat it was time to relax, read the newest 'mason-dixon' knitting book and then finally get down to finishing the second sock. As anticipated I didn't have enough yarn to knit a pair. I unknit from the first to the second and then finished off the toes with the creammy yarn. They came out looking like the toe is a 'design feature' and very stylish. Another pair to add to the count.
Here's a shot of the 'miyuki fan club cat' beaded charm that I made this weekend. It has tiny whiskers and is just so cute. My son thought that as a key chain charm it would fall apart in his pockets due to the many keys he carried, but I could tell he really liked it. I'm thinking cell phone, purse, or zipper charm. I have some others to do and am looking forward to them as a break from knitting. Going back to work this week has put a serious dent in my crafting time.

Knitting away

I went to the yarn store today and purchased additional yarn for my 'rum on the beach' socks. They had a nice dark shade of cream 'ultra alpaca' that will be the final finish on the toes. I knit them for a women's size but the yarn when done, gauged right, fit a men foot. My son did a trial run and they fit wonderfully and he commented on their soft feel and fit. I cast on and have 5 inches on the cuff so far tonite. The larger 5 1/2 inch gauge knits up really fast.

I'm looking forward to knitting up these pair. I heard back from socks I finished knitting for my daughter. They were well received and fit nicely. I'm right on target for my goal of one pair a month. Next year will not be a sock a month year. That's definite.