I'm in Trouble Now!
I'm so delighted to join this group. As I told Barb, how can I pass up the chance to chat about knitting and ogle pictures of gorgeous men? My name is Cindi Myers and I write romance and women's fiction. I'm also a craft-a-holic -- I quilt, play with beaded jewelry -- and knit.
Which is where the trouble comes in. I logged on to this blog day before yesterday and started reading through posts and was immediately seized with a desire to knit everything! I want to make spiral socks. And dish rags. I have patterns for both. So much yarn -- so little time.
I live in the mountains southwest of Denver and we're making a trip into the big city this weekend. I've already warned my hubby this will include a trip to my favorite yarn shop. I can hardly wait!
As to my current project, I'm knitting the second sock of a pair started last spring. The weather has turned cool enough to inspire me to want to handle wool yarn again. I love socks. I felt so accomplished when I finally mastered working with double pointed needles. Please tell me I am not the only person who buys shoes specifically to show off my socks. I just bought a lovely pair of leather clogs for winter, to wear with my large collection of colorful wool socks.
I end this first post with a request. Has anyone ever knitted a doggie sweater? Do you know where I can find a good pattern? I have a little beagle mix who actually loves wearing sweaters in the winter. The one he has now was a gift from my mother-in-law and it's pink. A little girlie for a masculine dog like him. So help me out here and point me toward a good pattern.
And thanks for letting me join the party!
posted by Cindi Myers at 9:28 PM
19 Comments:
Cindi! Hooray! I'm so glad you're here. (And isn't Cindi discreet? No mention of my hideous whining when we were comparing notes on the novella anthology this summer.)
A few months ago I dashed over to Michael's from Cost Co (what a glamorous life I lead) and I saw a woman walking across the parking lot wearing homemade socks (very obvious) and transparent vinyl clogs. It had to be one of the ugliest sights I've ever seen: it was a hot day and apparently her feet were sweating (you should've seen the typo: "her feet were swearing" -- they probably were) anyway, her feet were sweating and condensation formed inside the clogs and it looked like a rain forest. Hideous!
But regular clogs were made for handmade socks. Check out my favorite all socks book SOCKS SOCKS SOCKS and look at the Aran Sandal Sock. It is one of the most gorgeous socks I've ever seen.
You guys are making me want to take my knitting off the top of the bookshelf. I'm just a beginner and I haven't touched it in ages but now I want to do more.
Hey, Cindi, welcome to the blog! Great to have another "yarn spinner" on board!
Cindi!!!! I'm sooo glad you joined us!! Oh, this is gonna be fun.
Nicole - Definitely grab that knitting off your bookshelf! I'm completely addicted and it's all Barbara's fault.
Hey Barbara! For our sock-a-long, what size dpns and yarn do I need? I'm going shopping tomorrow to find a "how to knit socks" book, too.
Nice to meet you Cindi. (I just won't mention, I've only been reading the blog for two weeks.) I'm looking forward to seeing your work.
Welcome, Cindy, for another clogs person who's going to knit her first pair of socks beginning October 1.
Like Jean, I'm allergic to wool. Does anyone know of a good cotton or blended substitute for socks?
Here's a free dog sweater pattern to cut and paste into your browser:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=25189&categoryid=32
Mrs. Clive Owen
Try Cascade Fixation yarn for socks - stretchy and comfy - size 3 needles work well. Also Opal cotton is nice too.
Thank you everyone for the welcome. And thank you, Fran, for the pattern. (Or should I call you Mrs. Owen?)
Jean, the yarn and needles will depend on the pattern you choose. With regular sock yarn (fingering weight) I like #0US or #1US. You want to go smaller rather than larger with the needle. They wear better and look better. I used #5US with Sirdar Highlander Chunky and that worked well. I use #2US (sometime #3US depending on pattern) with Cascade Fixation.
Which brings me to the wool issue. I can't wear wool either but I seem to be doing okay with Fortissima Colori. It's a superwash (meaning it's been treated so you can machine wash them) and that seems to have reduced or eliminated the allergens.
So for cotton: Cascade Fixation (it has stretch in it); look for some of the Opal (I think it's Opal) Bamboo sock yarns (yes, made from bamboo), Wildflower DK (thicker than sock yarn; makes the most adorable baby socks imaginable -- look for my email, Jean).
I've also made socks with (and here come the brickbats but I like what I like) Lion Brand Woolease, both chunky and worsted weight and have been delighted with them. Wool content is low enough that I have no problem.
Any other cotton suggestions?
I meant Jamie. Sorry!
Cindi: Today you can call me Mrs. Connery. LOL!
And you're welcome for the pattern. My Scottie loves his little "coat," as does the feral cat. The Shi-Tzu, OTOH, isn't interested in going out in the cold.
Welcome, Cindy!
I love socks, too, and am looking at the prospect of buying my first ever pair of shoes with something other than comfort in mind. I too must go look for shoes to show off my socks.
Barbara, I have a number of pairs of socks made with Wool Ease. I like what I like too. (But the thought of plastic clogs is repulsive.) And no Jean, my heals don't get cold -- that's what the wool socks are for!
I lied about the Cascade Fixation. I use #2US and occasionally #1US. I yearn toward #0US but that makes too firm a fabric with Fixation.
I really like the dog sweater patterns in both of the Stich n Bitch books--Stitch and Bitch nation has a cute little striped sweater that looks really easy and is easy to size.
Hi Cindi! A few free doggie sweater patterns, some books and even a website that will generate a pattern for you!
These are my 2 favs that I've used to knit coats for 8 month old cavalier named Lucy (she's ready for her first winter in NY!):
Knitting for Dogs by Kristi Porter
Puppy Knits by Jill Easton
Check out Amazon for others, but these are great.
Free patterns:
http://www.northtipton.com/hand_knitted_dog_coat.htm
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4 patterns at this website...but, no photos
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/petjac.html
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This page will chart a custom dog sweater for you to knit by hand or on your machine when you enter your dog's measurements! FREE
http://www.thedietdiary.com/cgi-bin/chart_dog.pl
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Barbara - Thank you! The lady at WalMart set me up today with all except a "how to" book. I'm still on the look out for one of those, but otherwise, I'm ready to go. (And not shaking nearly half as bad now that I have supplies.)
Jean - I love wearing clogs in the winter and I'm in the northeast where we get plenty of snow and ice. Birkenstock makes some that are sooooo comfy!
Jean, I too cannot wear clogs. Evidently, I have strangely shaped feet and clogs simply will NOT stay on no matter how hard I try to keep them affixed to my soles. I've tried every brand and cut. It's very frustrating because I love the way they look, esp. with fun socks.
I guess I'll have to wear my handknit socks with sandals. That ought to send my teenagers wild with embarassment. LOL!
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