Sock Wars Rant

I promised myself I wouldn't post anything more to any Sock Wars boards because they were beginning to make me (more) crazy. I can, however, release my frustration here.

rant on

Gauge: To knit the socks for the war, you need string and pointy sticks that will get the specified gauge. That's it! It doesn't freaking matter what size needles the partially knit socks you receive are knit on. Each knitter is obligated by the war rules to knit to gauge. You put their work on the needles you used to get gauge and away you go. You don't NEED their needle size. You don't NEED to swatch with their yarn. Who cares if they knit them both at once???

*Swatch in the round with the yarn you've chosen. If you don't get gauge, repeat from * with different needles until you do. The End.

Pattern: To knit the pattern for the war, you're obligated to follow the pattern AS WRITTEN. The stuff about embellishments means you can add beads or intarsia in a message in a contrasting color. It does NOT mean you knit toe up if the pattern is written as cuff down. It does NOT mean you can get all cutesy and use your own personal heel technique. The point is that everybody does the same pattern the same way. If you are afraid that the pattern will use a technique you don't know, go learn it. Sheesh.

rant off

Mmmm, cake!

day173
Originally uploaded by Paula knits

Upcoming Knitting fun on Paula's Planet

day172
Originally uploaded by Paula knits

• Knit In Public Swap, Ravelry, any day now


• Sock Knitters Pentathlon, Sock 2, May 1


• Sock Wars III, May 9


• Slow Bee Mystery (see picture), May 11


• Sock Knitters 5 Swap, Swap-bot, May 14

The beads for Slow Bee arrived today. They are clear aurora borealis. They look almost white in the bag, but I crocheted together a few with the yarn I'll be using. Looks like I'll be getting just the icy effect I'd intended. Size 8 (smaller) beads might've been a little better, but these size 6 should do o.k.

Sock Wars III: The Tension Builds

...and it's been posted:

To construct your weapon you will need to avail yourself of some yarn and pointy sticks.
32 sts = 10cm (4") on 2.75mm needles (US 2)

I was wondering if the pattern would be done with doubled yarn. The previous wars have been done with DK weight. It looks like this one will be done with regular single strand of sock weight. This will slow virtually everybody down. I expect the first wave of carnage will be spread out over the first two weeks or so.

I wonder how many needle sizes I'll have to go down to get gauge?

More Big Girl Knits

After reading some reviews of More Big Girl Knits, I decided it would be one of my book indulgences from Amazon. There's lots of handy information and useful advice, but what I wanted to see are the patterns. I'm a little cranky today, so take my reactions with that in mind:

• Plain vanilla pullover: I'll probably try this customize it yourself pattern.
• Bountiful Bohus: cute, but are those really 3/4 length sleeves on a cardigan?
• Susie Hoodie: love, love, love. I will make this for sure.
• Modular Spiral Jacket: hmmm, maybe with less contrast in the color blocks.
• Boo, too: I have too much in each of the 3 Bs (b00bs, belly, butt) for a ruffled-bottom sweater.
• Hot Cocoa Jacket: I like it, but double-breasted is a no-no for the first B.
• Peapod Aran Jacket: uhhh, just say no to bobbles.
• Cable love jacket: There's nothing "little" about that horizontal band. It's BIG.
• Folly II: I bet it'd be nice without the flowers on it.
• Twisted pullover: very cute. Will likely make this one.
• Mirage pullover: I wonder if the neck could be modified to a V?
• No-gap wrap: verdict's not in on this. Maybe if it was a little longer.
• Pastille: pretty, not the right style for moi.
• Slipstream Pullover: a little on the boring side.
• Guatemalan floral tunic: if it was an actual tunic length, perhaps.
• Summer Chevron: cute, might try this one.
• Magic Halter: no, no, not on this body, ever.
• Orange Smoothie: it'd be almost as horrible as the magic halter on me.
• Goddess Shawl: very purty, but I doubt if I'll make it.
• Perfection Wrap: I'm not a shawl/wrap person, but it is pretty.
• Finagle: a scarf. Do not want.
• Trellis diamond socks: big girl socks! Yay!!!
• Indian summer socks: likewise, yay! I think they could use a couple of those teeny grape leaves from the Tsock Tsarina's Vintage pattern.
• Twisty-stitch socks: I like the pattern, but they're made with Cascade 220. Too heavy.
• Big clutch: pretty cotton clutch bag, big girl size.
• Felted weekend bag: the last thing I need is another bag, but this one's tempting.

It's one of those days

day166
Originally uploaded by Paula knits

when I just can't get into doing anything. I swear that these cupcakes don't look this bad in Real Life. This was the best of about a half dozen pictures. I couldn't get into trying to take better pictures.

The things sticking up are candles. Tips are made with glow-in-the-dark yarn. I knit them instead of doing more interesting things, such as making real cupcakes or knitting socks.

I think I need more sleep than I've been getting.

Yarn-o-rama

Here's my Bayerische. I love the way it looks like a fancy Aran sweater. The merino/silk blend yarn is really nice to work with.

I got my hands on some much-needed cash today. I paid all the bills that had been collecting, and then you know I had to get some more yarn.

First was a skein of sock yarn from an indie dyer. It's for a swap, so I won't say any more, in case the intended recipient shows up here. I will identify the company later, because their yarn looks pretty and the service seems top-notch.

Then I went to Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Yes, I know I still haven't knit the final kit of last year's Rockin Sock Club, but I needed yarn from them for another swap. The swap yarn looked so lonely there in the shopping cart. I had to buy some more so it wouldn't have to make the long trip from Oregon all by itself. (Yes, I'm aware of how crazy this sounds. I still think it is better than other things I could be addicted to, plus my feet are warmer.)

Finally, I hit Knit Picks. I'm doing my first mystery shawl KAL in a few months. KP's laceweight is beyond reasonably priced. Even with them miniscule shipping charge added, it'll only cost me around $10 for the yarn. Can't beat that with a stick. Even pointed ones. I'd originally intended to buy the Bare stuff and dye it myself, but changed my mind. It cost a tiny bit more to buy it in a color, so I did. Now all I need are somethink like 3000 likkle bitty beads.