Knitting@roosterhillfarm.com

First off, the new installment of the Rocking Sock Club arrived this week. Reviews are mixed, I like it. The pattern looks very interesting. If you want better pix, I suggest you visit Turtlegirl’s blog, she always takes great pix of yarn! Each kit came with a different sticker – I like mine best!

Fiber Baristas shipment came too! This is a generous skein and can almost be considered solid. Not sure if it says socks or scarf yet.

Meanwhile I have to learn to stay away from the destashing forum on Ravelry. I’ve been a little … uh…. busy.

I also have this problem of reading other people’s blogs and shopping because of them. These shoes were first spotted on Knit Flix’s blog and I wanted a pair too! She also blogged about them here. Off I went to search for them, and found a pair my size, brand new, on eBay. So for $25 and free shipping, they were mine! They are not exactly my style but so cute! and so comfy!

So I am enamored of other people’s stuff. Luckily I have been able to avoid garage sales this summer, although I almost stopped at a couple the other day ….

I spent the last week knitting a 45″ long tube. This is the Felted Yoga Mat bag from “Great Knitted Gifts.” I used Malabrigo (blue) and Plymouth Boku (stripes). The sample I knit seemed to felt nicely so I took the 45″ plunge. And threw it in the washer once I was finally done. And again. And again. And again.

Turns out the Boku really doesn’t felt too well! I now have a very big bag, or maybe a very small mat. :-/

The Malabrigo on the left, very dense, very felted. The Boku on the right, not so much. Bummer. Now what do I do with this thing! Ah well. I guess that’s the gamble you take with felting.

Moving on, I started the July sock for the Socks From the Toe Up KAL on Ravelry, WendyKnits’ On Hold sock. The yarn is Claudia Handpainted, the color is Denim. This is the first time I have used Claudia’s and it is awesome. I love how it knits up. The pattern is ok, I have not memorized it yet after 2 repeats but I am hoping it comes soon. I can’t wait until I start the leg when there is a double lace insert up the sides.
One thing I have improved with all these toe-up socks is my Judy’s Magic cast-on. I still refer to Cat Bordhi’s video once in a while, but now I do the very first loops with a slightly larger needle, switching to required size on the first round. Also I like the way M1’s look over Knit TBL increases.

I have just one problem. The new Loopy Ewe Sock club kit arrived. BuggaBugga and yet another WendyKnits pattern which looks like a lot of fun. The package also contained a cute sheep stitchmarker as well as a Namaste buddy case. I am not sure about the case. Although I have always been tempted by them when they are in stock, in person they are not what I thought they would be. There is not a lot of room inside. Does anyone use these? What do you use them for?