YOP Week #7

Yahoo!  Yippee!  I have enough yarn to do the second sock!  (crowd cheers)...I'll be casting on for that this week............the "weight" is over LOL!  But from now until the end of time I will be using Minding My Own Stitches method of measuring for sock length.  If I had used the method in the pattern it would have been way too big.  Here's her method and I quote....

"A word of caution about the socks. I usually aim for 10% negative ease for a well-fitted sock. For you 10-1/2 foot, you may want your sock to finish at 9.45" and should therefore start the toe section at about 7-1/2" inches. If in doubt, thread a lifeline soon so you can rip back if they end up too big.
Also, weigh your first sock on a kitchen scale and then weigh your remaining yarn. You'll know right away if you're going to run out!"

I used her method and they fit like a dream!  On to the second sock!

I finished the first of the 3 dishcloths for my son's housewarming present.  What is up with these small dishcloths?  Do these designers not wash dishes?  I'll be designing my own after this...stay tuned for "Retired Computer Scientist Turns Washcloth Designer"....more to follow.  Lots of purling in this one too.

I am thoroughly enjoying the shawl knitting and that was the same comment that had me chose this design for my first shawl.  I could sit and work on this all day. I am on row 84 of 118 so it won't be long now!  Except that each row gets longer and takes longer but with this project I will be sad to see it end.....I'll have to immediately start another one in order to prevent any lingering sadness.  Don't worry, I've already "faved" a bunch more shawl patterns. :)

I just have to weave in the ends on this size #3 of the boy's preemie hat.  One more in a newborn size for boys and I will have August taken care of.  As you can see, I am also out of yarn so I'll have to get some in another color this time to keep it interesting.

Remember I told you about all my new yarn that arrived?  Here's another part of it........

This is wool of the Andes Sportweight by Knit Picks for making my Millie  doll!

Her head is finished except for her hair and embroidered facial features and I'm on to the body.  So far so good and it's so much fun to see it take shape so quickly not like blankets or bigger projects that take months.  I am very pleased with the Knit Picks Wool of the Andes yarn and the Brittany wooden needles are a dream to knit with.  They might be my favorite so far and I have others that are more expensive.

In addition, I started a Lalylala pattern, Bina....the first of many, I think, as I am having fun with this one too.  I am not using the required yarn which is more a fingering weight.  I'm using a worsted weight so it will be much larger but I also need to use larger eyes.  I am at the point where the eyes need to be placed but I don't have any so I ordered a variety pack of black plastic safety eyes as I'm not sure what size to use.   I ordered from an Etsy shop in Maryland called 6060.  The price you see includes shipping so it might depend on where you live.  This was the only shop I could find that sold a variety of sizes in one package.  This will be handy for future projects too.

$7.88 USD

Purchased from 6060 on 16 Aug, 2014

Plastic Eyes Craft Eyes Safety Eyes Black Sampler - 12 PAIRS 6 Sizes (SE3)

I can't wait to start using the brown tweed yarn for the body of the bear.

That's my YOP project roundup for this week.  Happy Trails!