CSM progress

I now have finished 1 pair of sleep tube socks, 2 pair of picot hem socks and 2 pair of basic hem socks.  I have a pair of socks almost totally finished, just one toe left to kitchner for that pair.

The machine is all set up for another pair, I just need to decide which yarn to use.  I've really expanded my sock yarn inventory.  I've been watching the sales and buying yarn that way.  I also bought 9 skeins of Barocco yarn from my Meadville yarn store.  Yesterday there were some beautiful skeins of Opal sock yarn at the Meadville store and I really wanted to scoop every one of them up and take them home.  I didn't, but only because they aren't in the budget!  I have spent this month's budget for yarn related items!  Next year's budget has been increased!  Hey, with a CSM you know you are going to be buying more sock yarn!  I more than doubled my 2012 yarn budget for 2013!

I've been using only my 72 slot cylinder and will soon try out the 60 slot cylinder.  The 60 will take a thicker yarn and I have some yarn I'd like to try on that cylinder.

I admit I haven't knit as much on the CSM as I'd like, but I was on some antibiotics that really blew a full month for me.  I was totally wiped out by the meds.

I bought an electric cone winder that I love.  It only has one draw back.  It is so touchy that you can't wind directly from a store bought ball because of the tension.  So, I wind it on my Royal winder first, then from that ball I am able to wind it with the cone winder.  It makes such a difference, knitting off the cone when using the CSM.  Also, Ann in Ohio gave me a gift certificate that I used to buy a Yarn Buddy.  Wow, that is so wonderful.  I love it.  I can use it for any hand wound or Royal wound ball plus it is great for the CSM.  I don't have to worry about the cone falling over as I crank away!

The Yarn Cabinet

As I have acquired more yarn I've just been sticking it into the cabinet, by catagory of course.  Then I received a large shipment that was bagged.  That gave me the incentive to make my yarn inventory cards before putting the yarn in the cabinet.  From there I decided to bag my sock yarn by manufacturer.  Out came the 1 gallon zip lock baggies and the sorting began.  Now all of my sock yarn, that is in balls, is in baggies and have inventory cards made!   Then, looking at the Yarn Cabinet, I decided to start on the worsted weight yarn!  Now most of that is bagged and have inventory cards made!  Progress. 

I think the next step will be the skeins of both lace weight and fine sock yarn!  The process is slow but rewarding.  By the time I get these two done I'll be through the bulk of it.  At this point 4 of the 9 cubes are organized, of which one is not carded but is just for the 2 Classic cardigans from KP and also my beautiful skeins of discontinued lace weight turquoise variegated yarn from Knit Picks.

I also updated my books list and added two books to my Ravelry library.  I did notice a couple of patterns that need to be added to my Ravelry library.

Organization makes it so easy to find what I want and the unexpected discoveries are great!

Socks on the CSM

It has taken me almost 2 months to get up the courage to try an actual sock.  I didn't practice on heels, like you are supposed to.   On 10/23 I decided to make a sock.  I got the picot hem done and the leg.  When I got into the heel I got confused and screwed up!  So I took it off the machine and undid the heel portion, putting the live stitches from the last row of the leg on ravel cord.  Late that night I re-hung the sock.  Wednesday morning, the 24th I re-attempted the heel and it came out fine.  So then I did the foot and toe.  Now it sits waiting to be kitchnered.  So, today, the 25th, I made the 2nd sock!  I need to remove the waste yarn and kitchner that sock also.  They are both the same size, which I'm told can be a problem, sometimes.  I tried on the 1st sock and it fits!

Now I'm watching the ribbing videos!  Not that I don't like the picot hem, I do, but I don't think David will want picot hems on his socks!  I'm not a fan of mock ribbing, so that really isn't an option.

I love my circular sock knitting machine!

I do need to put another pair on needles though, so I'll have something to do with my hands when I'm listening to audio books or just relaxing.  Of course there are other things I can knit, by hand. Heaven knows I have more than enough yarn that is not compatable with either of my knitting machines.

Two Pair of all hand knit socks are done!

On October 12th I finally finished the 2 pair of socks that I started clear last February.  The Schoppel Wolle yarn, that I bought in DC, made up a bit big, but once washed they fit perfect!

Of course I will probably keep a sock on needles for my to-go project, since I'm totally lost without my knitting.  But, from now on I hope to be making all my socks, Sharon #1's socks and David's sock on the CSM.  Heaven knows I have more than enough yarn waiting and calling to me!

Tomorrow I plan on trying my first "heel" on the CSM.  I figure that if I take it really slow and am really careful I should be able to do it!  Of course I will have to take lots of notes so the 2nd sock will be the same!  I have my machine all set up with the cast-on sack and waste yarn portion done.  Now it is just put in the ravel cord row and switch to sock yarn.  I would try it tonight, it is 9:30 pm., but my eyes get tired and I want to be refreshed and ready to go at it tomorrow.  Crossing my fingers!

Progress is wonderful

I finally finished one pair of my hand knit socks that I started last February and have begun the 2nd pair that I started at the same time.  I had knit the cuffs, by hand, with the thought of knitting them on the flat bed machine.  But when my hand was so painful I just put them aside.  The ones I'm working on now are black and blue and I purchased the yarn in DC when visiting David.

Now, as to the CSM (circular sock machine) I've made some real strides there also.  I've made 3 cast-on sacks and the last one I incorporated a new technique.  The 3rd one, finished today, went so great and is perfect!  Now I need to make a draw string (I-cord) to go with it.  That will be a breeze as I haven't had a problem making I-cord on the CSM. 

On 9/23/12 my tension and speed finally came back to prior surgery levels.  Now I can knit anyway I want ~ machine or hand ~ with no problem.

Life is great, even if the weather is grey and gloomy!

It has been awhile.  Thumb surgery turned out great.  My tension is still a bit off, but that is temporary.  I bought a circular sock knitting machine and am still trying to get the process working for me.  Finished the Horizon Scarf and ordered the book that it is published in. 

Not much doing in my knitting world.  I'm still working on a pair of hand knit socks that I started in Febuary!  The tension is not consistant so I have to keep tightening it up.  Now I think it is to tight!  They probably won't fit me! 

Now that I've spent all that money on both the flat bed knitting machine and the sock knitting machine I've got to get my tail in gear and start knitting on them! 

Doing some knitting

It has been 5 weeks since I had my thumb tendon operated on.  That was 6/20/12.  I am doing quite well, but knitting socks is out of the questions at this time.  The tension has to be "just so" and a bit tight and that still is causing discomfort, called pain.

I am working on a scarf called Horizon Scarf by Kate Jackson.  She hasn't published the pattern yet, as it will be in her up comming book Kate Jackson Knits.  It is a beautiful scarf.  Even though I still don't knit a lot of stitches per day, I am making progress.  Since I''m using a size 8 circular needle and the tension is loose it doesn't make my thumb sore.  At least I'm knitting!

Edited to add that the book is called Sunday Knitting and will be out on 9/22/12.  I've ordered my copy.