Happy Halloween! Happy Autumn!

Autumn is my favorite season- the changing leaves, the crisp air, warm apple cider- I just love it! So in honor of my favorite time of year, here are some lovely yarns in colors that reflect what I see in the beauty of nature all around me during this wonderful season.

From top left: Madelinetosh Vintage in Copper Penny, Ella Rae fingering in Frizzle, Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Goldrush, Alpaca Yarn Company Paca Peds in Harvest, and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Satsuma. All yarn and photos from The Loopy Ewe.

My Favorite Things

Today I have the song Favorite Things from The Sound of Music running through my head. While Julie Andrews' voice and version of the song are incomparable, I recently discovered an interesting version of the song on YouTube by PomplamooseMusic.

So, without further ado, I bring you a few of the things in that song: raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, cream colored ponies, and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, and something I love- a beautiful green yarn.

From top left: Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in Rose, Schaefer Yarn Co Nichole in Cobblestone, Malabrigo Worsted in Natural, Dream in Color Smooshy in Malibu Sail, The Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga in Polyphemus Moth, and Dream in Color Starry in Go Go Grassy. All pics from the Loopy Ewe.

Into the Green

These socks are now available for purchase in my Ravelry store.

Twisting the Night Away Socks

This pattern creates a nice and stretchy ribbed sock with a sweet little twist stitch to add a little extra interest. With A Twist would be a great first sock project (or 20th sock project for that matter). They knit up quickly and the twists keep you on your toes. For a cute look, work the cuff, heel and toe in a contrasting color!

Materials
• 1 skein sock weight yarn (350-450 yds depending on length of sock leg)
• Size 2.25 mm needles (US 1)
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
In stockinette gauge should be 9sts per inch- this is with fabric relaxed, not stretched at all.

 

Bluegrass

Today I'm listening to Allison Krauss & Union Station and I'm loving the bluegrass. So I figured I'd find some pretty yarn that is evocative of this music- rich, beautiful blues and greens. I'd like all of these please.

In a circle starting from the top left: Dragonfly Fibers Djinni Sock in Robin's Egg available from The Loopy Ewe; HandMaiden Casbah Sock in Hemlock 2 available from The Backwards Loop; Three Irish Girls in Rhiannon available from Three Irish Girls; Yarn Love in Lagoon, Pagewood Farm Alyeska in Bird of Paradise available from Eat.Sleep.Knit; and HandMaiden Casbah Sock in Rainforest available from The Loopy Ewe.

Hello, Cowboy.

Today I am thinking about old Westerns starring Sam Elliott. Hence the desert color scheme- blue, sand, orange, brown, and hints of green. I think I'll go and watch The Quick and the Dead now.

From left to right: Becoming Art Outlaw on Suave, Madelinetosh Napoli on Tosh Sock, and Yarn Love Tranquil Waters on Juliet.

Inspired

Today I am feeling inspired by a post from last week on Katie's blog, Today I Want, that featured vintage swimwear. It's hot outside and these colors make me feel all cool and happy. I seem to be in love with blue yarn lately.

All these yarns are available from Eat. Sleep.Knit. From top left: Dream In Color Smooshy in Beach Fog, SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock in Saltwater, Scarlet Fleece Painted Merino in Pacific, Yarn Love Marianne Dashwood in Shipwreck, MadelineTosh Tosh Sock in Cove, and Squoosh Fiberarts Ultra Sock in Beach Comber.

Self Restraint... ha ha ha!

That just happens to be Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in the Tomato colorway. And yes, I am such a dork that I just had to compare the color of the yarn to the cherry tomatoes we're growing in the back yard. It is the same color. I always thought that tomatoes were pretty much red, but now I see that they're really rather orange. Although, my favorite tomatoes are purple. Anyway, back to yarn. I love the feel of Tosh sock. I have two skeins in my stash but have not done any knitting with it yet.

I've been on the hunt for some good, true yellows. Not orangey, not greeney, but true yellow. And voila! Madelinetosh does some amazing yellows. Oh, I am so in trouble.

This is Butter. Isn't she beautiful?

And this is Chamomile. Oh, my, aren't you cheeky?

Purl, Purl, Purl

I did not take the above picture- I wish I could make that claim.

Today I am waiting for my monthly shipment of yarn to arrive from Three Irish Girls. Notice how I did not say "patiently waiting." I am anything but patient at the moment- chomping at the bit might be a more accurate description. It's not like I have anything planned for the yarn that is currently in my mailman's bag, I just want to possess it. I want to open the plastic envelope, remove the chocolate brown paper bag with the Three Irish Girls seal on it, break that seal and touch the yarn.

I also have a set of needles coming to replace the one I broke working on the Cattywampus socks. So I have all kinds of knitting goodness coming in the mail. Today I am the long suffering yarnaholic.

The Tale of Cattywampus

One of these tomatoes is not like the other ones.

I believe that all knitting has a story to tell. Sometimes the story is about what was happening in the knitter's life when she or he was knitting the item. Sometimes the story is about the person the item is intended for. And sometimes the story is about the item itself. For example: Cattywampus.

I just finished knitting the first sock of the pair and this is the amount of yarn I have left over. That's 3 grams. Yes, the ball is in fact slightly larger than a quarter. Happily, I was smart and divided the skein into two equal sized center pull balls before I started knitting. Not that this yarn likes to stay in a nice, neat center pull configuration.

Yes, that is a broken needle. When you knit with needles that are slightly thinner than a toothpick, sometimes breakage happens. As it did in this case when I was on the last row of the last pattern repeat. No big deal, I just started using 4 needles instead of the usual 5. I can order another identical set of size 0 (2mm) needles and I'll have extras incase of more breakage.

This is the first sock. I love it. The picture does not do it justice at all. The yarn color is Cattywampus and it is on Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight. It is a delight to work with. The pattern is Nanner Socks by Wendy Johnson. I love it too.

And just look at this bind-off! I mean who wouldn't want to put their foot in that?! I just love JSSBO (Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off).

Thoughts, I'm just full of them

This is Beckon Merino Sock yarn from Three Irish Girls. The colorway is Lagoon. I love this colorway. In fact I love this yarn so much that I am having a really hard time using it. I know, that sounds counterintuitive. But like the Yarn Harlot said, "yarn is forever, socks get holes." I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist of what she said.

This yarn is currently destined to be knit into a pattern that I have devised. The pattern has a leaf motif, and I need a name for said pattern. I need to stop calling these socks- that have yet to be knit- Leafy Socks.

More Yarn, Please

After getting a quote of nearly $20,000 to replace the cabinets in our tiny galley kitchen I decided that I'd rather spend the money on yarn :) Just kidding. I must admit that this HandMaiden Casbah yarn in Dandelion makes me want to spend tons of money on yarn. I think I need to get my hands on some of it...

http://www.thebackwardsloop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_177_178&products_id=1496

Bright and Sunshiney

Circus Dancer is so cheerful with shades of orange, yellow, blue and reddish pink. I've used Claudia Handpainted Sock and it is very nice to work with- and it seems not to pool!

http://www.eatsleepknit.com/cshop/product/Claudia-Handpainted-Yarn-Fingering--Sock-Yarn/26/#

Hello Sunshine

Today needs something bright and warm. Here is some cashmere and silk laceweight yarn from Sweet Georgia in Goldmine.

http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/yarn/sweet-georgia/cashsilk-lace/goldmine/

Of A Tuesday

Wild Berry handspun makes me think of summer berries from the Farmer's Market all cooked up in a delicious cobbler. Now I'm hungry and I want yarn.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/42205591/kitty-mixers-2ply-yarn---wild-berry---ha?ref=cat3_gallery_1

Dear Monday,

Sometimes you just need something really happy and PINK! Willenstudio Superwash Merino Sock yarn in And A Pink Carnation.

Sparkle Peach

Dream in Color Starry in Giant Peach. And it sparkles! The fastest way to my heart is with glitter :)

http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/yarn/dream-in-color/starry/giant-peach/

You look delicious

Meet Zuzu's Petals (on Kells Sport from Three Irish Girls). I want to take a big bite out of this yarn.

http://www.threeirishgirls.com/

Saphire Green

If you've never knitted with Malabrigio Worsted Merino, you are really missing out on something special. This yarn is delightfully soft and knits up beautifully. It's like knitting with clouds.

http://www.eatsleepknit.com/cshop/product/Malabrigo-Worsted-Merino-Yarn/835/#

La Vie Boheme

I seem to have fallen for Boheme. I mean, who wouldn't?

Yarn, How I Love Thee

Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock in Kelpie. There are no words to describe just how beautiful this truly is, so a picture will just have to do.