Want to share with you a little crochet project I saw and just had to have for myself. It's called Estival and should be perfect to wear over the summer.  I'm about halfway finished...I just love pineapples!

Project: Estival

Yarn:  Lion Brand Cotton Ease, color: Maise

Hook: Boye H8

Difficulty: Easy

Here they are...the socks I've been working on for William.  I looked at some sock books and some pattern suggestions on Ravelry.  But, as often happens with me, I didn't see anything that appealed to me overmuch for the particular yarn I am using.  This one is Paton's Stretch Sock.  The colors are perfect for Will, and I have always wanted to try it. I looked through some of my Barbara Walker books and found this pattern called 'Embossed Moss Stitch Ribbing." I liked this one and it received William's nod as okay.  I am calling these 'Runescape' as it is one of William's favorite games and the pattern reminds me of the walls and mazes scattered throughout its mythical landscape.

As for the pattern, this is what I have so far.  Knit along with me, if you like:) This sock is worked from the toe up and I am planning on a gusseted heel.  Also, it is knit on two circulars. So far, here's what I have. 

Materials 

Any fingering weight sock yarn

2 16-24" circular needles, size 0

Gauge

9 sts/15 rows=1 inch

Using two circular needles and Judy's Magic Cast-On (or whatever you like to use) Cast on 12 Sts.  You may knit two at a time by knitting across the first row of the newly cast-on sts, sliding those down, and casting on the next 12 with a new ball of yarn.  Knit across these 12 and then slip the first 12 sts you cast on, onto the right needle (these have already been knit).  Turn your work and knit across the other side of both newly cast-on socks.  You have completed one full round for each sock and are now ready to begin your increases. Turn your work.

Increase for the toe in the following way:

Row 1: Knit 1, Kfb in the next stitch, knit across to the last stitch, kfb in last stitch.  

Row 2: Knit

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 32 stitches on each needle, total 64 sts. for each sock. 

Begin pattern: Knit pattern on needle one only. Knit needle two plain for the sole of the foot.

Embossed Moss Stitch Ribbing  

Row 1: P2, *k1, p1, k2, P2; rep from *  (you should end with P2)

Row 2:  P2, *k2, p1, k1, P2; rep from *

Repeat these two rows until the sock measures approximately 3" shy of total length of the foot.

That's it for now.  I should mention that the Embossed Moss Stitch Ribbing pattern has been altered to accomodate knitting in the round.  I consider this to be my design and copyright applies.

Thanks:) Next post will be the heel and gusset! Excuse me while I work that out:)

I really have to rethink this monthly project idea.  Maybe there need to be a few guidelines.  I am coming to the realization that lace projects with 7 charts may not be something that should be attempted to finish in a month's time.  Also, something that can be knitted without instructions in front of me at all times may be a better choice. I have also been distracted by necessary knitting; hats for the kids and DH, followed by a request for one by Emma's Teacher.   She got a version of 'Divine,' like Emma's, but in the Aran color.  It'll go with just about anything, right?

William's is another Seaman's Cap in black tweed, Red Heart SuperSaver Black Fleck.

I also crocheted a divine hat just like the one above, for myself.  That's 5 hats this month for Family and one teacher. (She does so much for Emma, I couldn't say no. )

Now, I have promised socks for William, and a super-secret new design I am working on. All I can tell you at this point is that they are socks and they are *gorgeous*. Will blog more about those soon! As for Bitterroot, I'll continue to plug along. Don't be too disappointed if it isn't finished this month, though. 

Lionbrand has an IPhone App that has a nice interface for viewing patterns. It includes all the patternfinder filters I am used to: craft, skill level, size, yarn. Each pattern includes Info, materials, and instructions. Best of all, it's portable, so I can easily take patterns with me. Now, if only Knitty and Ravelry would get on board...

Used to be, I could buy/knit for Emma anything in pink and she would love it.  Recently, though, she has decided that she prefers turquoise blue.  So, since I used this yarn for these slippers and she loved the color so much, I crocheted this hat for her.  I love this pattern! It worked up super quick,(in an hour or so) and it is so cute! I used an I hook for the body and an H hook for the ribbing.  I crocheted the hat as written through round #11 and stopped there and added the ribbing, three rows, to make it the size that she wanted.  She is very happy with it:) I love it, too!

Pattern: Divine Hat  

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver "Turqua"

Hooks: Size I for the Body and Size H for the Ribbing

Modifications: Crocheted as written through Row 11. Added ribbing rows after that.                                                                                                                                                                        

Here is my progress on the Bitterrroot, so far.  I think it is coming well; no real mistakes yet, but I haven't started the pattern repeats yet.  You can see this yarn is a little thicker than laceweight, but not quite fingering.  Perfect.

Meanwhile, the radiator went in my car so I am stuck at home.   Yay. However, I am not stressing out about it, which is a great improvement. I am trusting in God to provide. I know he will, and probably in a way that I never would have thought of.  I am remembering what Jesus said.  "...and which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his life..."   So true.  I'm feeling much more peaceful remembering this lesson:)

I want to share a project with you that I started around Christmastime. It is this Round Ripple Afghan. One of my friends pulls out all of the Christmas Themed Afghans her Aunt makes for them and anytime I go to her house during the Holiday Season, I am inspired to pick up my hook and make my own.  Somehow I manage to put it off, though and, ultimately, never get to it.  Not this year....even though it is not finished, I have great satisfaction in the fact that it is in progress and exactly as I had hoped.

The pattern is Lyn's Round Ripple Baby Afghan (Rav Link) and I used Red Heart Super Saver for this in Burgundy, Hunter Green, and Aran.  The hook size is I-9.  I can't tell you what a joy it has been to sit down with the hook again.  It has been quite a while.  This isn't quite as big as I'd like. I think I will add a few more bands of color and then, put it away until next Christmas.

As for Bitterrroot, I have just about finished with chart A.  Not going very quickly, is it?  I am going to devote a little bit of extra time to it on my days off. I am also having problems downloading a good photo. I will get that up shortly, I hope:)  The pattern is good and I have had no major difficulties, so far. I think once I get in the groove, it should go pretty quickly:)

I have some lovely Ultra Alpaca Fine in a rust color.  I started knitting Bitterroot as my pattern for this month but later today saw Dave's 198 Yds of heaven and am toying with the idea of knitting that instead.  These are both Shawlettes and could, theoretically, anyway, be knit in one month. (I think) Now, the only thing is that the 198 yds shawl calls for Worsted or Aran yarn, which Ultra Alpaca Fine is not.  But, I could use another yarn...or go down a couple needle sizes... What think ye? Which Shawlette should I knit?