Too Much Yarn

Back from the State Fair

Well, I made it to the State Fair on Monday.  I went straight to the Blue Ribbon case - where all the first place winners were.  And there they were, my two babies:

 

and

The colorwork sock was hung up in a different case: (3rd place is white ribbon)

I also located my other items that did not ribbon and got an idea what to knit for a better chance of winning next year.  Of course, I'll have to see what the judges say.  My first instinct is to submit items with neutral colors (not bright) as it would appeal to more people.

Since I last posted about a week ago, I've finished 3 more pairs of socks, totaling 8 pairs since August 1.  I only have photos for two of the three pairs.  I'm heading out to Wisconsin to see my daughter's apartment in college in a few hours so I'll have to show you the finished 8th pair the next time I post.  Here are pairs 6 and 7...  Pair 6 is a Mystery Sock started in May, 2014 (by Heidi Nick, called Tree People).

It was knitted in Hazel Knits in a Rogue colorway - most likely Posey.

Pair 7 is a test knit for the Sock Knitters Annoynomous Mystery Sock in May, 2012.  I test knitted the first sock and just finished the second sock.. I hated knitting the twisted rib, but I so love the look of it.  And I love the color of the blue - Lapis in Socktopus Original Sockkusu.

Pair 8 was started back in May, 2009 when I was "young" and a member of the Rockin' Sock Club.  I'm so enjoying knitting with Socks That Rock Lightweight.  The pattern is Squiggle Socks and came with the color Pepe LePlume.. I felt it was too variegated and substituted it with Mochaberry. Here was the status on Tuesday morning.

And finally, here is the pair I'm starting today on my trip to Wisconsin.  I'm only bringing ONE project as it will be the ONLY project I'm going to work on.  I hope to finish this pair by Sunday night and that would bring a total of 9 pairs that I've completed this August!  It's a record!

 

Results from the State Fair

Yay!  Out of the 6 entries, I won FIRST PLACE in 2 categories and 3rd place in 1.  Here are the winners:  First Place in Textured socks:

First Place in Scarf (Medium Weight yarn), 16" width and smaller:

 

Third Place in colorwork socks:

I'm so excited!  I really didn't think I would win anything!  I'm looking forward to see what the judges wrote on the feedback forms we will get back when I pick up these items in 2 weeks.

In the last 2 weeks, I've been knitting socks, as you recall, I'm participating the in the August Sock Knitters Annoynomous KnitALong to free up needles and I sure have lots of socks in progress.  I posted the 2 pairs that I've finshed.  Here are 3 more I've finished since then.

Cookie A's Sock Club Bubbles were finished on August 7:

Annetrelac Socks were finished on August 12 (these were started in 2008!!)

and finally, Circe Socks, another Cookie A Sock Club pattern, finished on August 16.

If I'd kept up with my progress, I should be finished with pair #6 right about now, but for some reason, I'm knitting on two different socks in the last few days.  Working on the heel flap on one and finished with the leg of the other (both are sock #2's).  I feel I can finish both pairs by the end of the month.  These are the next two pairs I plan to finish:

and

Photos were taken a few days ago - before I started working on them.  Once I get pass the gusset, it should be a breeze as it's just stockinette on one needle!

Hope you get to knit as well - school is going to start soon.. Both my kids have left for college.  My husband will be subbing for a teacher who is out on maternity.

Going to the State Fair

Every year, I looked at the knitted items submitted for competition at the State Fair and thought to myself, "I can knit that!". So I decided to see really if I'm good enough. I submitted 6 entries.

I stood in line for about an hour.



The clerk really liked the watermelon slice socks. We flirted a little but unfortunately, he isn't a judge!!



I will find out on Aug 21 if I win anything.

I'm done with the Rowan Afghan

It's just too hot to knit this darn Afghan!  So I bound off the top border and called it a day.  I do have ends to weave in, but I'll wait to do that at the dining table.  I wanted a chance to win something - I don't care what - you know how I am about winning things I don't need... so I took a couple of photos on my way to my Golf night.  I first stopped at the Yarn Shop:

Then, I went to the Golf Course:

Next, I need to work on finished PAIRS of socks in the month of August.

I want to submit the watermelon socks (this was started in September, 2013!) to the State Fair so I need to finish it this week:

This is the only toe-up ones I have.  It just seems to take FOREVER to work on the leg going the opposite direction.  I think I just have 2 or 3 repeats left and then, the cuff.

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It has been almost a week since I started this post but I haven't published it.  So here I am, a week later.  These are the socks I finished.  On Aug 2:

On Aug 3:

In real life, you can see that one sock is greener than the other.  I need to modify the design (my own).  And what's with the gusset?  I was trying to find a way so it's easy to figure out when you are done with the gusset without counting.  It looks odd, but the lace chart is fine.

Up next, Bubbles, by Cookie A:

I'm done with the pattern on the foot on the second sock.  So all that's left is stockinette and the toe.  I'm using leftover yarn from a shawl.. I had to go into a second skein of Sanguine Gryphon Bugga in Acrobatic Snail but I felt I have enough for a pair of socks... We shall see.

The day before, I had time so I decided to do a photoshoot of the yarns I've acquired in the past 4-5 months. 

My bins are overflowing; I need to do some destashing!  The latest yarn that arrived was the Cookie A Sock Club August yarn.   It's Old Maiden Aunt (never heard of it before now) Merino Superwash 4 ply. Cookie knows the good yarn for socks that show stitch definitions well.  I'm glad mine is not as Autumy as some of the ones I've seen.  This is what it looks like

Well, I'd better publish this before I think of more things to say!