On Crazy Log Monkeys

Sock monkey quilt sock monkey quilt
I am not really sure it matters which way I do the blocks on this quilt, but I am letting it sit for a bit until I sew.

I got a few hours of sewing time in today. I want to make Darrin a quilt for Christmas, and bought several of the “Monkey’n Round” fabrics a few months ago with this intention. I bought a charm pack too… and I must say I am highly disappointed with the 5″ charms! No bananas, no “sock texture” (looks like knit) printed fabrics from the line, and a whole lotta pinks. I am glad I bought yardage of the fabrics that ended up NOT being in the Moda charm pack. And then the charm pack included colorway charms of prints that were large so I ended up with monkey butts and tails, if I was lucky in the 5″ section. Yeah… Moda didn’t plan the “MONKEY’N ROUND” charm pack very well, IMO.

On Darrin’s first shoes

Darrin's First Pair of Shoes
Darrin got his first pair of shoes today! And of course since we went to Nordstroms for his shoes, he got a Nordy Doll since it was his first pair. Love the firsts :-) So far he hasn’t really minded the shoes, tried to eat them a few times, but hasn’t fussed.

Finished Gingerbread Dude Monkey Socks

November: Gingerbread Dude Monkey Socks
The pattern knit up so quickly and easily. I finished the socks in one week… compare that to another sock pattern that I am struggling to get started for sock #2… ugh.

Kind of hard to see the pattern in this picture, but in person it easier to see it.
Modifications: Garter Stitch short row heel and toe; rib sole

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, merino lightweight in "Gingerbread Dude"

On Gingerbread Monkey Dude pt2

One Gingerbread Monkey Dude down
Again… I love this pattern! and yarn :-)

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, merino lightweight in "Gingerbread Dude"

On Gingerbread Monkey Dude…

Loving the Gingerbread Monkey Dude!
considering I just cast on a day ago, I am cruising along with this sock compared to Lenore. I love this pattern, and I love the yarn!

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, merino lightweight in "Gingerbread Dude"

On Lenore’s Progress

Lenore in Lovers Leap
One down, one to go. As easy as it is, I hate hate hate the kitchener stitch. It never looks flat and perfect like my toe-ups (using either figure 8 cast on or short row toe).

Looking forward to #2 being done and over with. For purely seflish reasons that I don’t like the pattern. I guess Lenore and I just don’t get along well! :-)

Pattern by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
"Lenore"
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Superwash Merino
Colorway: Lovers Leap

On a Grinchy Gingerbread Dude

I received an order from Blue Moon Fiber Arts on Saturday. I am ready to start knitting on both yarns NOW! I kind of feel I should finish up my Lovers Leap Lenore first, but I do have another set of empty needles I could whip out :-)

I saw Gingerbread Dude first at Ravelry, and went to a flickr page that showed this crazy pooling. I loved it! Had to have it! Check it out here: www.flickr.com/photos/13758561@N04/1495574197
Here is the skein I purchased. I love the dye pattern in the open skein. All wound up, it looks like it has frosting spread throughout!
Gingerbread Dude Gingerbread Dude

Blue Moon Fiber Arts also has a kit for Grinchy socks, which includes a furry skein :-) I opted to just buy a skein of Grinchy since I really am not into furry :-) The colors are very Grinch-like, don’t you think?
Grinchy

On The Rockin’ Sock Club: Oct/Nov Lenore pt2

Lenore

Ever have one of those projects that feel never ending? It could be that my hands are feeling raw from the weather (need lotion!), but this feels like one of those to me.

Pattern by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
"Lenore"
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Superwash Merino
Colorway: Lovers Leap