Lisa Kay Knits... and Quilts!

Hi, I finished the second sock from the Van Dyke pattern, and I'm ready to start the KAL tomorrow morning. Yea! Pattern: Van Dyke from "Socks From The Toe Up," by Wendy Johnson Modified to add extra rows, due to gauge Yarn: Crystal Palace, Panda Cotton, Color: "Ketchup" Needles: Size 1.5 Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

Hi, Just when I got re-interested in socks, I really got hooked. The Wendy Johnson book I was talking about a couple posts back, "Socks From the Toe Up," has a Knit Along (KAL) on Ravelry . They're doing one sock from the book and one Wendy Johnson pattern previously published, each month, for 23 months! (There are 23 patterns in the book, and they specify the pattern every month.) Oh, man. That's 46 socks! They have prizes and everything! I guess I'd better finish the pair I'm doing. The first month starts June 1. (I'm traveling that day, so I'll get some extra knitting time on the plane. Golden!) Interestingly, the Cookie A book has a KAL in the same format going on. You can find it on Ravelry, too. I couldn't possibly do two of her socks every month. They're much harder! (Well, I really like the Monkey pattern, but most of the others look wicked hard, especially the new book.) Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

Hi, We had rain here all day, today, but we did get a chance to go to the park, yesterday. Daddy seems to enjoy it as much as Mitchell. Mitchell runs himself ragged the entire time, darting from one thing to another. He's getting really good at climbing all the gear. We were the only ones there when we first arrived, but a couple of twin girls Mitchell's age arrived while we were there. Mitchell loves to play with other kids. Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

Hi, I finished the second sock in pair #7, the Diagonal Lace pattern from "Socks From The Toe Up." (See previous post for book info.) I used size 2 needles, which gives a bit of positive ease. I'm going to use 1.5 on the next pair. (Same yarn, same number of stitches, namely, Crystal Palace Panda Cotton, 66 sts.) I really like the toe up construction, and the toe looks wonderful. Yea! Here's a peak at sock #8... I'm using the "Vandyke" pattern from "Socks From The Toe Up," but I increased the number of stitches in the pattern because the pattern is written for sport weight (which this isn't). You can see a tutorial on how to change the chart width for a similar pattern, here . It is Crystal Palace Panda Cotton, again. I picked up a few more colors of cotton, with summer in mind. Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

Hi, I've been dabbling in different projects, lately. I've been doing a bit of quilting, for one thing. More on that in a later post. I started a Bobble Cardigan from Jane Ellison's "Knitting Noro" book. I used Silk Garden Chunky in a pink/purple combination (with many other colors, too). It came out a bit darker looking than I expected, mainly because of the black segments. I may try again in another color-way. I really like the bobbles, but I am not thrilled with the overall look of this yarn. I finished the fronts and back (not blocked). Before moving on to the sleeves of the Bobble Cardigan, I got distracted by finding Wendy Johnson's book, "Socks From the Toe Up," (of " Wendy Knits " blogging acclaim) at the local bookstore. I was so intrigued that I had to start a sock, and now I am off finishing up my second sock. I like the toe up method. I used " Judy's Magic Cast On ," which Wendy says in her book is the one she alwa...

Hi, In case you are wondering, based on the December post, "Mailbox Down," it is back up. Actually, it has been back up for some time. I had it done as soon as there was a day warm enough to set mortar. I had a contractor come and pick it up with a backhoe and re-set it. It is just slightly more crooked than it was before. (It wasn't perfect to start with...) Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

Hi, I finished spinning another colorway of Gale's Art, Ruby Swirl, a couple of weeks ago. I have two skeins of the purple, which coordinates with the Peacock plied yarn I had made already. I think it would look lovely in something striped, such as perhaps this . Perhaps it would need to be slightly more feminine, though. Maybe a scooped neck? The colors would help, obviously. I'm not sure I'm brave enough for steeking, yet, though. Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

Hi, Not far from where we live, the Cahokia Mounds provide an interesting historic site for visiting (and exercising). Here's the mound in the background, from the parking lot. There is a whole series of trails around the site, but I've only gone from this spot to the mound. Maybe someday we'll hike more of the site. Usually, the stairs on the mound are enough for me. Here's Daddy pointing out, "You are here," on the trail map. Mitchell ran for the base of the mound. This picture is looking more or less West, heading toward the base of the first terrace. This picture is taken looking up at the two terraces, from east of the base of the mound. Here are the guys after climbing up the first terrace, looking at the main part of the mound. Looking back East, from the base, toward the parking lot. Here's Mitchell running back toward me after running ahead. Too much energy... Looking West from the mound, there is a great view of the St. Louis sky line. It was a ...

Hi, Last week, G'pa W wanted to get some petunia planted before G'ma W got home. Mitchell got there in time to help water them. G'ma came home on Friday. Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

Hi, Another All Spun Up spin along occurred in March/April. I finished mine just at the end of April. Happy Spinning! Lisa Kay

Hi, Mitchell has been a big fan of ice cream ever since we got him to try it. Lately, he has been eating Mommy's Weight Watchers mint cones. The cone part is chocolate. Yummy! Happy Knitting! Lisa Kay