Wednesday, November 9, 2011

YARN ALONG

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Linking with Ginny.

I have come to the conclusion
that I am a sock addict! I want
to knit everyone I know a pair!
I cast on a pair of long stockings
for the wee one since she
likes to sleep in socks and with
cooler weather coming [my
fingers are crossed], I thought
these would be perfect. I am
using Loops & Threads Sock Yarn
in color Balloons. I think it
is a great color for  a little
girl. Since knitting two socks
on dpn's side by side, I have
learned that I really prefer to knit
with wood needles. I only have one
set of size 2 in wood so I cast
on the second sock using metal
needles and  I am finding
they hurt my hands when
I use them. I guess this means
I need to make another trip
to the city to purchase more
wood needles!  ;)
With the holidays right around
the corner, I picked up a book
I read every year, Hundred Dollar Holiday.
This is a book that helps
keep me grounded when I am
bombarded with so much
commercialism and greed every time
I go into a store. I was at the
market last week and was
serenaded by Christmas music
the whole time I shopped...
unbelievable! We haven't
even had Thanksgiving yet.
I want to enjoy and spend time
with the people I love, not worry
about buying stuff that none of
us needs. OK, I will climb down
from my soap box and just 'exhale'!
What great and wonderful things
have you been knitting and reading
this week?
xx

38 comments:

  1. I think we are soul sisters today with our posts ;) I love metal and wood makes my hands hurt! I am trying to think of Christmas gifts that will be meaningful but not from a box store....sometimes my head hurts!

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  2. I love the colors of your yarn!
    Living in Canada the early start of Christmas in the stores makes me crazy - the day after Halloween it's all out! Ugg :-/

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  3. Oh Tracey what fun! Love the colors and love the idea of the long socks!

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  4. Oh I die for those long socks! The reason I started knitting was because I love tights - warm tights in beautiful/crazy colors and patterns. Of course, I probably won't be knitting myself any until I'm 84. But what more perfect time to wear them?!? That book looks fabulous. I've started tracking holiday expenses this year (for the first time ever). I'm already horrified. But do you have to count the cost of craft/knitting/sewing supplies? Or can you just make a gift out of them and call it free?? ;-)

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  5. Sock knitting is totally addictive! Once I got started (about 8 years ago) I just couldn't stop.
    You asked about the sock knitting book I was using, but I have to tell you it is in German. If you'd like, I'd be happy to translate and give you the pattern. Just let me know...

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  6. Look at those stockings! I love that yarn so much… I think I may need to cast on a pair for my daughter…I confess to already thinking about Christmas, because I am making so many things…but like you, I hate the early start of it commercially. I had to explain to Julia in the craft store the week before last that Santa wasn't for Halloween - because both holidays were displayed at once! ugh… xo

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  7. That books sounds interesting. A good reminder perhaps as to what truly matters? Love the socks. I think your granddaughter will shine in them.

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  8. Ah, I hate the way this time of year centers around buying, buying, buying. It drives me crazy. Love the stripey socks so much. I have been a diehard wood needle gal until recently. I used metal needles for the sweater I made and it went rather quickly. Not sure if it was the needles or my self-imposed deadline!

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  9. Great colors! I'm a sock addict, too. Everyone in my family has st least one handknitted pair! I heard Christmas music on a tv commercial and couldn't believe it, too.

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  10. Those socks are fabulous! That color is so fun and girly!

    Your book sounds great. The most disappointing part of the holidays is definitely all the commercialism...I'm going to see if I can find that book too :)

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  11. Tracey,

    I am so glad you told us about the metal needles hurting your hands...I almost bought a pair last night. I love the socks!!

    ~~Renee

    A Knitters Notebook

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  12. Oh I did miss you Tracey. Just look at those socks! I can do it. I can.

    Definitely a book I would enjoy too. Thanks for telling us about it...

    Blessings, Debbie

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  13. What a great sock! You have become a sock knitter, for sure. Now to get my act together and at least finish one pair!

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  14. Fab colours, not just for little girls - I want a pair that colour too!

    I know what you mean about metal needles, I preferred my bamboo ones but they seemed to bend really easily. I think I should get some wooden ones myself!

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  15. i love them tracey, they are just adorable. i'm like you too, i love wood (crystal palace are my favorite) to knit with dpn's. but then i use only metal, mostly addi lace for everything else.
    and now i really need to have that book too. thank you so much for sharing it.
    have a wonderful day knitting your darling socks!

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  16. Welcome to the 'dark side', Tracey! ;-)

    I'm in a sock knitting mood right now, too. I, too, have a hard time with my metal dpns and prefer my bamboo ones.

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  17. Those socks are gorgeous and I am so jealous, I have only ever finished one pair of socks and they were terribly ugly, lol.

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  18. christmas music already???? it's tooooo soon!

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  19. I find metal needles so cold! Love the colors of the wool.
    Christmas already?!
    Much love

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  20. Thanks for popping over Tracey : )Beautiful knitting, she will love the cheery colours! I also much prefer the warmth and softness of wood needles, birch are my favourite x Happy stitching

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  21. You've become a champion sock knitter - woohoo! Love the colour. I sometimes think I should start a reclaim November campaign. I just don't like to think about Christmas until Advent, but if you look closely, it creeps in slowly from around August. xxx

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  22. Love the balloon colors!! and i knew you would master socks!! And I so hear you about the commercialism and bombardment of Christmas decor in the stores already. We were at Joann's the other day and even my 9 year old commented on the ridiculousness. Hey, we can all take turns on the soap box I guess!!
    xoxo

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  23. I love the colour in your socks.
    I too get so fed up of the constant bombardment of christmas pressure here, it starts from 6th November, immediately after Bonfire night. I would love not to be thinking about it at all but trying to mama nmake as many gifts as possible, and find pre-loved for the rest, means that planning early is necessary this year.
    xx

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  24. Oh, I love the color of the yarn! Lovely! Socks are on my "to knit" list. :)

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  25. You know, the early Christmas music, et. al., are what make so many people hate the season, and one reason why some feel like Christianity is being pushed down their throats. It's really unfortunate.

    Thanks for stopping by. The book sounds interesting. As for socks, I know someone who is also always knitting them - another addict!

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  26. Tracey, could you give me your e-mail address so I can mail the pattern to you? It might be easier if I send a picture of the pattern to you along with the translation.
    Here's my e-mail address: ankecox@hotmail.com

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  27. i love the colors in those socks! i need to read Hundred Dollar Holiday--i really admire Bill McKibben's environmental activism, and i was just thinking the other day that i need to read some of his books.

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  28. Love those bright and cheerful socks! I am with you on keeping Christmas focused on the real meaning. The commercialism has made Christmas very stressful-- and it shouldn't be that way.

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  29. Those bright socks look so fun! Thanks for the book recommendation. There is a movement out called the Advent Conspiracy that we are going along with this year, and the focus is placed way more on giving (to those really in need) rather than receiving. Anyway, happy day to you!

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  30. Great colors for those socks!

    I'm not into the holiday buying frenzy either. We're working on a plan to keep it as low-key as possible.

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  31. I couldn't love that yarn any more, it is gorgeous! I've just cast on my first sock, I'm so excited I want a sock addiction!!

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  32. You're absolutely correct when you said the color "Balloons" would be right for a little girl.
    I L♥VE THIS COLOR, I WANT THIS COLOR ! ! ! "
    hugs

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  33. Love your newest socks! You and I must be on the same soap box. I can't stand seeing all this Christmas stuff so early. And I have to keep repeating the mantra "reign it in, reign it in" so that I don't get caught up in the craziness of it all. My sister actually requested handmade gifts from me for her kids this year, and I'm trying to do more for my own kids. How much stuff do we all really need? OK, I'll get off my soapbox now too :)

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  34. I love that color and love the name of the yarn! I wonder if I could convince my Mom that I need socks like these ;)

    I'm going to check for your book at the library. I was so frustrated when the local radio stations started holiday music before Halloween (craft stores I patiently tolerate, but with very little patience!). I have a plan this year, and so far, I -think- it's working!

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  35. Yep, every October/November I climb right up on that soapbox, too. Maybe I'll have a look for that book.

    Love those socks! Two at a time - great idea. I'm the same with needles - metal hurts my fingers. Shame you have to jot out to the store. ;)

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  36. Lovely yarn! I've used a similar one for baby socks, it makes for the sweetest ones.

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  37. Sock knitting is so much fun, isn't it? The colors are perfect for a girl.

    You too about the Christmas music? I can't believe how early they start! Yes, please, can we get through Thanksgiving first?

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  38. Beautiful socks and there are worst things to be addicted to! I hear you about the commercialism this time of year. I stay as far away from the mall as possible because of it.

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