Episode 18 - You're on my Wavelength

This week we were joined once again by the marvelous madmadre a.k.a. my mother a.k.a. LoriAnn. We talked a lot about knitting and crochet, mostly crochet. She had several finished projects from the past year that she showed, and I had two finished projects from this past week. I hope you enjoy this episode, and sorry if it seems like we are mumbling sometimes.

This is my mom's Ravatar, so you can know what she looks like if you see her out in the wild! The two projects that I finished this week were my third pair of slipper socks for Christmas that I am going to give to some special people in my life. They are made out of Classic Heritage Tapestry, which is a Worsted self-striping yarn, but I forgot to keep track of the colorways. I think it might be discontinued, since it was on the clearance rack of my lys. I used US size 8 needles, and worked from the top down in just a simple sock, they may look kind of small, but the special people in my life have small feet, even though they are full grown. 

The second project that I finished this week was my Not Quite Vanilla Socks, that I am working on writing up the pattern for. I have it all formatted and figured out, I just need to work out a couple bugs on the heel, because it's not looking right on paper, and I don't want to send out a glitchy pattern! I will be posting it on Ravelry when I finish, but since it is my first pattern I am going to be sending it out for free. I worked them on US size 1 needles, and had 72 stitches around, so it was a pretty tight gauge, but I want them to last a long time. I used a mystery yarn that I don't know where I got it from or what kind it was, so I don't have any really clues for replicating it. 

I also finished the first sock of my Christmas socks for myself that I am working to get finished by Christmas. They are made out of Cascade Yarns Heritage Prints, which is a self-striping sock yarn. It is in Christmas colors and very festive. They are a plain vanilla sock worked on US size 1 needles, with 72 stitches around. I am working them from the toe up and only have the very base of the toe done on the second sock.

This week I also worked on two Project Linus blankets. I am working on a granny ripple that I got at the thrift store half started, and am finishing it with yarn that came in the same bag. I guess it's kind of like a kit, only there are no instructions, and who knows if there will be enough yarn? At any rate it's fun to do and I like working the granny ripple stitch. Madmadre has not made a granny ripple blanket yet and we were saying that she is missing out and really needs to try it. I am using worsted acrylic yarn, most of it came without labels, and I am using a US size H hook.

I am also working on a blanket that I feel like calling an Orange Monster or an Orange Monstrosity. The orange is such a terrible color to look at in big swaths at a time. I am going to add just one more skein to the border, but this picture was taken before I added the plum like I show it in the podcast. Then I just have one more skein of the orange and black striped and then I am going to say that it's big enough and cast off. I am using Red Heart Super Saver in orange, Red Heart Super Saver in orange and black, and Caron Simply Soft in plum for this blanket. This blanket is also going to Project Linus.

Finally I am working on a cowl for myself. It is made out of Madeline Tosh Sock in Edison Bulb, and Done Roving in a colorway that I have forgotten. I am doing seed stitch with Done Roving and then an eyelet pattern with the Madeline Tosh. It is very bright and I plan to wear it with a black shirt so that it will really pop.

The thought of the week is that it is important to give generously to those around you, whether it be by something that you are physically giving, or just a positive thought or deed. Have a nice week and see you next week!