Yarn Along


Do all of you get a thrill turning a heel like I do?  I bet the answer is 'Yes!'.  I believe that's the best part of sock knitting besides casting on and casting off.  I am thoroughly enjoying the colorway of this yarn as well even though the socks are for my daughter.  It's a good thing that this project is fun because my hawthorne sweater is going ever so slow in my mind.  I managed to finish both sleeves last week and started on the collar.  Then, poof, my motivation dwindled and it sits in my basket mocking me.  I decided to leave it out of the photo.

I also finished my personally designed hat which is free on my patterns page or as a ravelry download. The cowl is also available as a ravelry download too!

My reading has been abundant!  I finished my Mr. Pettigrew's Last Stand book and it was very very good.  I recommend it!  I loved the way it was written and the story line and the sub plots.  A sweet love story.  I also finished Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott.  Another very good book that had me laughing and smiling.  My son was VERY colicky and I could so relate to her plight.  I am currently reading How Reading Changed my Life by Anna Quindlen-almost done with that.  And I just started The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.

What are you reading and knitting?

Joining Ginny

Comments

  1. Tracey ~ CloverApril 11, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Such fun socks Karen and Yes, I do like turning the heel! [never thought I would say 'that'}!
    Thank you for all the book recommendations and the knitting patterns. I have plans to knit more of your cowl's and now I can't wait to cast on your hat pattern.
    Have a lovely yarn along day.

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  2. sylviaApril 11, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    I just checked Mr. Pettigrew's Last Stand, thanks for the recommendation. I think I would like it, and my mum even more, maybe I will get it for her and read it afterwards!
    wow, is there some glitter in the sock yarn? i've never knitted socks so i know nothing of turning the heel LOL!
    have a great day!

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  3. TannaApril 11, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    Those are going to be fabulous socks!! Love the bit of bling in the yarn. I am so far behind on my reading. Ugh. And, my knitting. Need some things to start rolling smoothly around here so I can get back on track. Thank you for the review of Anne Lamontt's book; I'm adding it to my list!

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  4. AndriaApril 11, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    Oh I really like the yarn for those socks, it is so pretty! I liked Major Pettigrew's last stand too, it was lovely!

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  5. purplepearApril 11, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    Love those socks, great colours.

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  6. *kateApril 11, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    I love the colorway! They will be some awesome socks :) Socks are next on my list, I'm really looking forward to attempting them. But I need my other projects out of the way so I can concentrate first.

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  7. UnknownApril 11, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    I've said this so many times but I'm saying it again: I love the yarn!! I need to knit me a pair of socks with some bling in it! :-) I love turning the heel too. That's the one thing that kept me from knitting socks for so long: all I'd heard and read was that turning the heel was the most difficult part....I love it and not hard at all!!

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  8. Kim April 11, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    Those socks are going to be great!! I have yet to try knitting socks, I keep looking at the patterns and it freaks me out...one day :)

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  9. little macaroon.April 11, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    those socks look so amazing! I'm going to have to learn...

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  10. MelissaApril 11, 2012 at 9:00 AM

    I remember when I learned how to turn a heal...I was so excited and felt so brilliant! I'm easily amused :) I hate to say this, but I'm kind of glad you've lost your motivation with your Hawthorne sweater...I don't feel quite so guilty for deserting my Lady Kina...she's still on the sofa mocking me.

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  11. TamiApril 11, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    you are one busy lady, wow! have a blessed day, Tami

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  12. EllenApril 11, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    Thank you,Karen, for those pattern downloads - they're sitting in my Ravelry library. Yay! And yes, I agree, I love turning the heel(it's not as hard as I originally thought). Haven't turned heels too often since sock patterns have been few & far between, but it does mean that you're on the home stretch to a finished pair.

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  13. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    I do get a thrill when I turn a heel. It means that I don't have that far to go to finish a sock. :-)

    I really liked The Lace Reader and hope you do too.

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  14. RosemaryApril 11, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    I love turning heels! My favorite is short row heels because they seem to happen almost by magic. :)

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  15. AngelaApril 11, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Those socks look great. I have turned a heel only once. Something tells me I need to get back into it. You are so inspiring. Thanks for the great book recs too!
    xo

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  16. IsaidaApril 11, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    Lovin' the socks...one day I will be a sock knitter...one day.....

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  17. stephApril 11, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    Love love love the colors there---the bling doesn't hurt either!!! :)

    more books to add to the list....I have read the lace reader; I don't remember much about it off hand...I think it was one I put down and picked up and finally finished and was glad I read. I'd have to refresh myself about the whole plot. Have a great yarnalong day!

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  18. ErinApril 11, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    Turning the heel is the best part!!! That yarn is amazing for socks too- what a great pair it will turn out!

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  19. meghannApril 11, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    Look at those socks! What beautiful yarn…

    Would you believe I've never made a pair of socks? I guess it's not such a surprise since I've only been knitting for a little more than a year now. I am going to wait until after we move before trying, I think - too much on my plate now, and we have so much packing to do! But I may be bugging you for help when the time ever comes… xo

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  20. UnknownApril 11, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Turning the heel is like working a little bit of magic. I haven't been able to knit much this week, but I look forward to our upcoming long trip for some catch-up knitting.

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  21. A Faithful JourneyApril 11, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    I have yet to knit my first pair of socks, so I am not yet aware of the excitement of turning the heel! I'm guessing it is because you are now in the home stretch! :)
    I requested Mr. Pettigrew's Last Stand at the library. Looking forward to reading it once it becomes available. I have heard a lot of positives about it!

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  22. pinkundineApril 11, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    Turning the heel is actual magic (more exciting on flap and gusset heels than short rows for me at least!) - I love it ;) And I love the sparkly socks too!

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  23. amanda {the habit of being}April 11, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    Yes! I love turning the heel. However I don't love picking up sts on the heel flaps ;-)

    And the Lace Reader was an enjoyable, easy read. Hope you enjoy it!

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  24. cpcableApril 11, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    I loathe when knitting projects mock me. Have they no shame? ;) A couple people have mentioned Operating Instructions...I think I might have to check it out.

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  25. Conservative Knit MomApril 11, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    I, too, love turning heels! I agree there is something magical about it. Your oatterns are delightful. I have been eyeing of that hat pattern since you showed us a photo-- thanks for making it available!

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  26. fjord girlApril 11, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    Loving the hat- (I know what it's like to be mocked by sweaters)
    I am with you on the heel!
    Happy knitting.

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  27. nunuApril 11, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    i loved that book operating instructions. read it when ez was a babe and it really helped me deal with my emotions of having a colicky newborn myself. lamott is awesome. did you read her latest? i liked that one too.

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  28. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    The socks look great, got to love a bit of sparkle!

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  29. AlisaApril 11, 2012 at 3:53 PM

    I have yet to finish a pair of socks.....it's on my list to tackle this year!! yours are coming along great and you have inspired me to try again!!

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  30. Gilda KnitsApril 11, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    I can't believe I've never turned a heel. I'm a knitter, but not a sock knitter. But I want to be. And I also want to read Mr. Pettigrew's Last Stand - thanks for reminding me ;) And thank you for your sweet comment on bloggity blog. <3

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  31. Erin @ Wild WhispersApril 11, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    You may make a sock knitter of me yet! Your socks look great! Happy yarn along, and thanks for the book recommendation!

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  32. La ChiliApril 11, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    Love the sparkling yarn. Off to check your pattern.

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  33. CherylApril 11, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    Me too! I love turning the heel. Its the half way point and the start of sculpting the sock. The sparkly sock yarn looks even better knitted. Fun knit indeed.

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  34. GigiApril 11, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    My goodness, you are accomplishing so much -- knitting, reading, & designing -- wow! Love your stripey socks & yes, turning the heel is a bit of a thrill, isn't it ;)?
    Blessings,
    G

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  35. DeeApril 11, 2012 at 7:40 PM

    Great color way on the socks. And well done for your pattern.

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  36. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Turning a heel is quite fun. I liken it to getting past the shoulders on a raglan sweater. You make me want to really get into a good book...

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  37. Lori annApril 12, 2012 at 12:17 AM

    you are such a sweet mama knitting those pretty socks for your daughter. i will need to start on a wedding shawl for my girl soon. i hope you are able to give your sweater some attention soon too. :)

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  38. LizApril 12, 2012 at 3:50 AM

    The yarn is gorgeous! When I see eeryone knitting socks it makes me want to try, lol.

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  39. maknetaApril 12, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    Lovely colour. I don't like knitting socks, they are so small but take so much time.
    It's nice of you that you spent a while reading my post on my blog.

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  40. LydiaApril 12, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    Your daughter is lucky to have a mama like you! Love those socks.

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