My yarn has thawed and I think this is the rest of my sock yarn stash (at least, what I can find).
Koigu (50g): 50, 50, 50, 52, 50, 52, 52, 54, 50, 50
Handmaiden Casbah (115g): 118
Louet Gems fingering (50g): 56, 58
Lorna's Laces (no weight on label): 56, 58
So here's my theory about the yarn weights... It's all about imperial vs. metric. Base yarn seems to be sold by the ounce or pound. One pound is approx. 454g. So 4oz is 113.5g and if you split that into 2 skeins, each one is 56.75g. Maybe the weight of the yarn depends on the source of the base yarn. If it's being bought/sold in imperial measures, you get a little more. This makes sense when you look at my yarn stash - a good amount of it is hand dyed/painted with the base yarn purchased probably in the US. These skeins are well over the weight listed (Koigu is the exception). But yarns from Europe seem to be right on or even slightly less.
Polly's theory is that US sock yarns are more generous than the British yarns. She's going to weigh more of her sock yarn and we'll see how her numbers compare with mine.
BTW, does it shock you as much as me that I have this much sock yarn?
Friday, November 9, 2007
how much does it weigh?
This is for Polly:
(labels on; scale accurate to +/- 2g)
Sweet Georgia (50g): 54, 56, 52, 52, 54, 54, 52, 52, 56
Indigo Moon (50g): 54, 54
Cherry Tree Hill (4oz): 4.3oz
Lana Grossa (100g): 104
Regia (100g): 102, 100
Regia (50g): 50, 50, 50, 52, 52, 50, 50, 50, 50, 48, 50, 50, 50, 50
DGB (50g): 50, 50, 50, 48, 50, 50
Schaefer Anne (4oz): 4.4oz
Briggs & Little (4oz): 4.2oz
Cascade Fixation (50g): 54, 54, 54, 56
SWTC Tofutsies (100g): 104
CP Panda (50g): 52, 52, 50, 52
Lorna's Laces (50g): 56, 60
Koigu (50g): 50, 50, 50, 50
Jojoland (50g): 48, 46
Trekking (100g): 100, 100
ONline (100g): 98
ONline (150g): 148
ETA: As per Carol's request, I've included the weight of the yarn as printed on the label. I will be weighing more sock yarn after they've come out of quarantine (aka the deep freezer). I have a theory about the North American vs. European yarn weights but I want to finish weighing all my yarn first.
(labels on; scale accurate to +/- 2g)
Sweet Georgia (50g): 54, 56, 52, 52, 54, 54, 52, 52, 56
Indigo Moon (50g): 54, 54
Cherry Tree Hill (4oz): 4.3oz
Lana Grossa (100g): 104
Regia (100g): 102, 100
Regia (50g): 50, 50, 50, 52, 52, 50, 50, 50, 50, 48, 50, 50, 50, 50
DGB (50g): 50, 50, 50, 48, 50, 50
Schaefer Anne (4oz): 4.4oz
Briggs & Little (4oz): 4.2oz
Cascade Fixation (50g): 54, 54, 54, 56
SWTC Tofutsies (100g): 104
CP Panda (50g): 52, 52, 50, 52
Lorna's Laces (50g): 56, 60
Koigu (50g): 50, 50, 50, 50
Jojoland (50g): 48, 46
Trekking (100g): 100, 100
ONline (100g): 98
ONline (150g): 148
ETA: As per Carol's request, I've included the weight of the yarn as printed on the label. I will be weighing more sock yarn after they've come out of quarantine (aka the deep freezer). I have a theory about the North American vs. European yarn weights but I want to finish weighing all my yarn first.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
things that annoy me
(This is a whine-y knitting post. I can't help it - I'm in that kind of a mood this morning.)
So here are the things that are annoying me today:
1. A knitting book that won't stay open. I am thisclose to scanning in the whole dumb book, printing it out on paper, and putting it all in a binder. Seriously, I do not have time to fiddle with a book that keeps slamming shut while I try to read and execute some complicated knitting maneuver. I have 2 words for printers - spiral binding!
2. A pattern that requires you to look in 6 different places in the book for instructions (pattern starts on page 59, pattern jumps to pg 57 and then back to 59, toe instructions on pg 126, heel instructions on pg 120 and pgs 14 & 15, and cuff instructions on page 130). And did I mention it's a pain in the ass to keep the book open on these pages?
3. And when you think you're cruising...
The sock's too big. Can you see that the sock blocker is kinda swimming around in the foot? I double checked my measurements, I consulted the charts, and after a day of knitting - it's going in the frog pond. I'll never wear anything this loose. So a warning for you knitters looking at making the Coriolis sock - take half an inch (or more) off your mid-foot measurement before looking in the chart.
So what am I going to do? I am going to find some scrap/leftover sock yarn and I am going to knit one single sock - following the instructions to the letter. I will put the sock on, I will note all areas of dislike, and I will modify the pattern and knit the socks with the good yarn. It seems like a lot of work but if I don't understand this pattern, I'll never be able to make socks that fit myself and other people. And since I don't have a brilliant mind like Cat Bordhi, I won't be able to figure this out until I knit the whole thing.
This sock hasn't been a total failure. I have discovered that if you are using hand painted sock yarn and you think it's going to pool, it won't once you start the arch. You can see that after I finished the short row toe, there is a blue stripe spiraling around the foot. But it stops when I start knitting the Coriolis band. Cool.
So here are the things that are annoying me today:
1. A knitting book that won't stay open. I am thisclose to scanning in the whole dumb book, printing it out on paper, and putting it all in a binder. Seriously, I do not have time to fiddle with a book that keeps slamming shut while I try to read and execute some complicated knitting maneuver. I have 2 words for printers - spiral binding!
2. A pattern that requires you to look in 6 different places in the book for instructions (pattern starts on page 59, pattern jumps to pg 57 and then back to 59, toe instructions on pg 126, heel instructions on pg 120 and pgs 14 & 15, and cuff instructions on page 130). And did I mention it's a pain in the ass to keep the book open on these pages?
3. And when you think you're cruising...
The sock's too big. Can you see that the sock blocker is kinda swimming around in the foot? I double checked my measurements, I consulted the charts, and after a day of knitting - it's going in the frog pond. I'll never wear anything this loose. So a warning for you knitters looking at making the Coriolis sock - take half an inch (or more) off your mid-foot measurement before looking in the chart.
So what am I going to do? I am going to find some scrap/leftover sock yarn and I am going to knit one single sock - following the instructions to the letter. I will put the sock on, I will note all areas of dislike, and I will modify the pattern and knit the socks with the good yarn. It seems like a lot of work but if I don't understand this pattern, I'll never be able to make socks that fit myself and other people. And since I don't have a brilliant mind like Cat Bordhi, I won't be able to figure this out until I knit the whole thing.
This sock hasn't been a total failure. I have discovered that if you are using hand painted sock yarn and you think it's going to pool, it won't once you start the arch. You can see that after I finished the short row toe, there is a blue stripe spiraling around the foot. But it stops when I start knitting the Coriolis band. Cool.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
shopping and a FO
Saturday was a bleary day - rainy and cold. What a good way to spend it inside at the Langley Weavers' and Spinners' guild annual sale. I went with 2 other knitters - Grete and her daughter, Emma.
I bought a skein of llama (from Monty)/merino blend handspun, some boozy honey, and root beer candies. I bought something else as well but it's a secret until Christmas.
Here's a close up of the yarn:
Surprise - it's purple.
Grete bought some lovely handspun, too but I don't have any pictures.
After the sale, we walked over to the Lampliter and had some lunch. Then we walked around Fort Langley for some light shopping. Emma bought this pretty dresser set from the antique mall. I saw lots of old metal sock blockers but they were all way too big for my socks.
When I got home, I crashed and had a big nap. I was sooo tired.
I finished knitting hubby's Christmas sox yesterday. They're huge! I swear they're long enough for me to wear as sleeves (if I chopped the toes off).
Yarn: ONline supersocke 6ply Winter (150g per skein); colour 882
Pattern: generic toe up; short row heels and toes; increased 4 stitches after heel turn; 3x1 ribbing in the leg and switching to 2x2 ribbing for the cuff
Needles: 2.75mm
Comments: My digital scale must be off because I tried to use up every last inch of yarn. I thought I'd split the ball equally but I probably still have enough to knit at least one more inch on each sock. I can squeeze a pair of hubby socks from a single 150g skein of yarn but just barely.
And here's a great picture that hubby took of me holding Ricky:
Ricky doesn't like being held (can you tell by his expression?) so this is a rare picture.
I bought a skein of llama (from Monty)/merino blend handspun, some boozy honey, and root beer candies. I bought something else as well but it's a secret until Christmas.
Here's a close up of the yarn:
Surprise - it's purple.
Grete bought some lovely handspun, too but I don't have any pictures.
After the sale, we walked over to the Lampliter and had some lunch. Then we walked around Fort Langley for some light shopping. Emma bought this pretty dresser set from the antique mall. I saw lots of old metal sock blockers but they were all way too big for my socks.
When I got home, I crashed and had a big nap. I was sooo tired.
I finished knitting hubby's Christmas sox yesterday. They're huge! I swear they're long enough for me to wear as sleeves (if I chopped the toes off).
Yarn: ONline supersocke 6ply Winter (150g per skein); colour 882
Pattern: generic toe up; short row heels and toes; increased 4 stitches after heel turn; 3x1 ribbing in the leg and switching to 2x2 ribbing for the cuff
Needles: 2.75mm
Comments: My digital scale must be off because I tried to use up every last inch of yarn. I thought I'd split the ball equally but I probably still have enough to knit at least one more inch on each sock. I can squeeze a pair of hubby socks from a single 150g skein of yarn but just barely.
And here's a great picture that hubby took of me holding Ricky:
Ricky doesn't like being held (can you tell by his expression?) so this is a rare picture.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Monkey goodness
A big thank you goes to my Monkey pal (whoever you are) for all my lovely Monkey goodies. Lookit all the stuff that I got!
My package included the Thelonius sock pattern, Monkey lip balm, a project bag made with sock monkey fabric (I have some of that fabric in my stash :), some notecards, a mini calendar, enough yarn for not one but TWO pairs of socks (Louet Gems in Violet and Lorna's Laces in Black Purl), leftover sock yarn, of course, my Monkey socks (Socks That Rock in Tanzanite), and last but not least, 3 adorable monkey stitch markers. One of them is even holding a teeny tiny banana:
And here's a better picture of my Monkey socks:
I have been lusting after STR yarn for awhile now. My pal knew about my obsession. And when I saw these socks last week, I wanted some STR in Tanzanite. And now, I've got some! Talk about perfect!
And guess what - I still don't know who my swap pal is. The notecard instructed me to email her/him and they would reveal themselves to me. I have not received a reply yet. So many thanks to A. B. in California. I hope to find out who you are soon!
ETA: She has revealed herself! My Monkey pal is Manda (knitpsycho on Ravelry). And she's having a contest. Go and enter (you have until Fri Nov 9th) and you may win some yarny goodness!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
fond farewell
Friday night was the last big pizza party at my lqs. The doors will be closing on Nov 14th after being open for 11 years. Many customers, class instructors, and past/present employees were present to wish the three owners a fond farewell.
They were presented with their (as yet) unfinished signature quilts. Many tears were shed.
Our quilt group meets every Thurs in the store's classroom. When we heard that the store was closing, we agreed that we should organize a signature quilt. I drafted up the Friendship star block and we passed out the block instructions with a request to make 3 blocks - one for each of the quilts. We had a great response with many offers to help finish the quilts. The blocks were circulated amongst the local quilt guilds for more signatures and we even had some blocks at the store for customers to sign. It's been a lot of work but it was worth it to see their surprised expressions. I'm just impressed that we managed to keep it a secret - LOL.
So, farewell Quilters' Haven... I'll miss you.
They were presented with their (as yet) unfinished signature quilts. Many tears were shed.
Our quilt group meets every Thurs in the store's classroom. When we heard that the store was closing, we agreed that we should organize a signature quilt. I drafted up the Friendship star block and we passed out the block instructions with a request to make 3 blocks - one for each of the quilts. We had a great response with many offers to help finish the quilts. The blocks were circulated amongst the local quilt guilds for more signatures and we even had some blocks at the store for customers to sign. It's been a lot of work but it was worth it to see their surprised expressions. I'm just impressed that we managed to keep it a secret - LOL.
So, farewell Quilters' Haven... I'll miss you.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
crazy coupla days
It's been a whirlwind 2 days and I am finally catching my breath (and dumping several hundred pictures onto the laptop). I'll need to spread everything out over several posts so that I don't bore y'all to death.
On Thurs, the postperson rang but I wasn't home. I was expecting 2 parcels - some Koigu from a destash and my Monkey Swap package. So first thing Friday morning, I picked up the parcel and it was my Monkey Swap package!!! Despite being sorely tempted to rip open the box in the car, I was in a rush so I had to throw it in the trunk and open it later. I was hurrying to meet a fellow Raveller who was visiting from London, England.
We were meeting at a local quilt show. After ending up on the wrong Triumph Street (I did not know there were 2), her chauffeur finally dropped her off on the correct one. Gabrielle brought me some lovely yarn from England. How thoughtful!
We went inside and looked at a few quilts together but I turned left at the end of the aisle and she went in a different direction. It's a small show so I knew we would easily find each other later on. I saw lots of neat quilts. There was one made of 18,000 half inch (finished size) squares. Yikes! I bumped into a friend who alerted me to a thread sale at one of the vendors so I rushed over there to find out that she (and her friends) had bought all the good colours and didn't leave any for me. Oh well... I did buy some cat fabric and some variegated Aurifil thread instead:
After the quilt show, we headed over to Toko (one of my favourite restaurants) for lunch. It's a noodle factory with a tiny slice at the front of the building converted to a restaurant. Hubby and I have been eating there for years and we love it. We ordered gyoza, agedashi tofu, and the house special chow mein. Yum! I'm drooling just thinking about it.
Now the real fun began - off to the yarn shops! Our first stop was Birkeland Bros Wool. It's a very small shop but it's the oldest yarn store in town so it's a bit of a historical landmark. Gabrielle went a little crazy and bought a lot of Handmaiden yarn - Casbah sock, Sea Silk, and several hanks of thick'n thin bulky can't-remember-the-name-of-it. I don't think it's all for herself. In a moment of weakness, I bought a skein of Casbah sock, too. Could you say no to this skein of yummy superwash merino/cashmere/nylon?
I didn't think so.
Our next stop was Three Bags Full. Finally - an opportunity to open my Monkey package. Yippee! The first thing I unwrapped was my Monkey socks. I immediately put one on.
I will post more details about the socks and my Monkey goodies tomorrow. I'll just say that the socks are awesome and I was thoroughly spoiled. Thank you Monkey Pal - whoever you are.
After all the Monkey excitement, Gabrielle got down to some serious shopping.
What you don't see is her growing pile of goodies...
I had a good look at the new Lexie Barnes bags and scoped out the Noro Silk Garden Lite. While I was there, I exchanged my defective Addis for a new one so that I can finish knitting my Mom's cardi.
Gabrielle's chauffeur arrived before she bought out the store and we parted ways. It was great to meet her and I had a great day and I hope she did, too.
On my way home, I stopped at a fabric store to look for fabric to make hubby more pjs. There wasn't anything suitable but I did buy a ton of buttons (click on the picture to embiggen).
Some of the buttons are just for fun - like the frogs and the hippos. The rest are potential buttons for a knitted Christmas gift. But now that I look at the pattern, I need 9 buttons and I only bought 8 of some of them. Dang it.
I was going to blog about my Fri evening in this post (I left the house at 9:15am, was home for an hour between 5:30 and 6:30pm, and didn't get home again until 10:45pm) but I think you're probably bored by now so I'll save that for tomorrow, too. But before I go, I'll leave you a picture of what I've been knitting - hubby's Christmas socks.
On Thurs, the postperson rang but I wasn't home. I was expecting 2 parcels - some Koigu from a destash and my Monkey Swap package. So first thing Friday morning, I picked up the parcel and it was my Monkey Swap package!!! Despite being sorely tempted to rip open the box in the car, I was in a rush so I had to throw it in the trunk and open it later. I was hurrying to meet a fellow Raveller who was visiting from London, England.
We were meeting at a local quilt show. After ending up on the wrong Triumph Street (I did not know there were 2), her chauffeur finally dropped her off on the correct one. Gabrielle brought me some lovely yarn from England. How thoughtful!
We went inside and looked at a few quilts together but I turned left at the end of the aisle and she went in a different direction. It's a small show so I knew we would easily find each other later on. I saw lots of neat quilts. There was one made of 18,000 half inch (finished size) squares. Yikes! I bumped into a friend who alerted me to a thread sale at one of the vendors so I rushed over there to find out that she (and her friends) had bought all the good colours and didn't leave any for me. Oh well... I did buy some cat fabric and some variegated Aurifil thread instead:
After the quilt show, we headed over to Toko (one of my favourite restaurants) for lunch. It's a noodle factory with a tiny slice at the front of the building converted to a restaurant. Hubby and I have been eating there for years and we love it. We ordered gyoza, agedashi tofu, and the house special chow mein. Yum! I'm drooling just thinking about it.
Now the real fun began - off to the yarn shops! Our first stop was Birkeland Bros Wool. It's a very small shop but it's the oldest yarn store in town so it's a bit of a historical landmark. Gabrielle went a little crazy and bought a lot of Handmaiden yarn - Casbah sock, Sea Silk, and several hanks of thick'n thin bulky can't-remember-the-name-of-it. I don't think it's all for herself. In a moment of weakness, I bought a skein of Casbah sock, too. Could you say no to this skein of yummy superwash merino/cashmere/nylon?
I didn't think so.
Our next stop was Three Bags Full. Finally - an opportunity to open my Monkey package. Yippee! The first thing I unwrapped was my Monkey socks. I immediately put one on.
I will post more details about the socks and my Monkey goodies tomorrow. I'll just say that the socks are awesome and I was thoroughly spoiled. Thank you Monkey Pal - whoever you are.
After all the Monkey excitement, Gabrielle got down to some serious shopping.
What you don't see is her growing pile of goodies...
I had a good look at the new Lexie Barnes bags and scoped out the Noro Silk Garden Lite. While I was there, I exchanged my defective Addis for a new one so that I can finish knitting my Mom's cardi.
Gabrielle's chauffeur arrived before she bought out the store and we parted ways. It was great to meet her and I had a great day and I hope she did, too.
On my way home, I stopped at a fabric store to look for fabric to make hubby more pjs. There wasn't anything suitable but I did buy a ton of buttons (click on the picture to embiggen).
Some of the buttons are just for fun - like the frogs and the hippos. The rest are potential buttons for a knitted Christmas gift. But now that I look at the pattern, I need 9 buttons and I only bought 8 of some of them. Dang it.
I was going to blog about my Fri evening in this post (I left the house at 9:15am, was home for an hour between 5:30 and 6:30pm, and didn't get home again until 10:45pm) but I think you're probably bored by now so I'll save that for tomorrow, too. But before I go, I'll leave you a picture of what I've been knitting - hubby's Christmas socks.
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