Bad Amy Knits

Thank you, NPR!

2012-06-21T15:46:00.001-04:00

Thank you, NPR!
original post:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/06/21/155508908/after-knitters-get-in-a-twist-usoc-apologizes-for-cease-and-desist-letter

After Knitters Get In A Twist, USOC Apologizes For 'Cease And Desist' Letter

by Mark Memmott

Enlarge Michael Brandy/AP Note to the USOC: Those are balls of yarn, not puts.

It wouldn't seem to be a good idea to get 2 million people with pointy sticks angry at you, but the U.S. Olympic Committee did just that.
So it has just apologized for sending a "cease and desist" letter to a social networking site for knitters that is holding its own sort-of Olympic games.
Here's what the knotty legal dispute is about:
As Gawker reported, knitters were "in revolt" because the USOC's legal beagles got on their case this week over the website Ravelry's "Ravelympics" — featuring such competitions as the "Afghan marathon."
To the USOC, that "may constitute trademark infringement, unfair competition and dilution of our famous trademarks," as its letter to Ravelry co-founder Casey Forbes states.
"It's looking like we may have to rename the Ravelympics," Forbes said in a Ravelry post.
But his fellow fans of the knit and the purl didn't give up easily. They left a ton of messages on U.S. Olympic Team's Facebook page, hit Twitter with their complaints, and emailed the USOC. Of particular concern to many: What they felt was the letter's insulting tone.
Which led to the Olympics committee casting off the idea of going after the knitters. In a statement posted online this afternoon, spokesman Patrick Sandusky says in part:

"Thanks to all of you who have posted, tweeted, emailed and called regarding the letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics.
"Like you, we are extremely passionate about what we do. ...
"The letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics was a standard-form cease and desist letter that explained why we need to protect our trademarks in legal terms. Rest assured, as an organization that has many passionate knitters, we never intended to make this a personal attack on the knitting community or to suggest that knitters are not supportive of Team USA.
"We apologize for any insult and appreciate your support. We embrace hand-crafted American goods as we currently have the Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey stitching a custom-made American flag to accompany our team to the Olympic Games in London. To show our support of the Ravelry community, we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create to travel with, and motivate, our team at the 2012 Games."

So, it would seem, the USOC's plans to take legal action have unraveled.

By the way, Two-Way readers may recall that we're something of a pro-knitting blog. See our post from Jan. 8: "At One Maryland Prison, They're 'Knitting Behind Bars.' "

And for a more in-depth look at brands and trademarks, check On the Media's piece on "When A Brand Becomes Too Successful."

(H/T to NPR's Howard Berkes.)
Update at 2:15 p.m. ET. Early Reactions To The Apology Aren't Positive:
Knitters are now leaving comments on the Olympic Teams Facebook page about the apology statement. This captures the tone of the first few:

"Patrick Sandusky, your apology falls well short of any real acknowledgement of any wrong doing on your part. Your clerk's language was insulting and inflammatory, and not any part of any cease and desist or form letter I have ever seen. T...o follow it up saying "while you're knitting, send us some of those things we didn't want you knitting in support of us in the first place" is just adding fuel to the fire. Do yourself a favour the next time you try to protect the Olympic brand and the interest of your sponsors - do a little bit of research about the efforts you are trying to quash before sending threatening letters. If you had, you'd find that you just stopped the US members of a MASSIVE group of people from watching NBC and all of the sponsors' ads because of your lack of judgement and your poor representation of the Olympic brand. Sincerely, Lisa Roman, Ravelry member since 2008"

#ravelympics

Don't pee on my craft and tell me it's raining.

2012-06-21T14:18:00.007-04:00

Ooops, if you send us your silly handcrafted things, does that make it all better?

Wait, let's not forget the LOCOG beat the USOC to the punch by dissing the hours of talented crafting put into the handmade cushions by UK crafters and artisans. Maybe they would prefer if they were emblazoned with corporate logos and manufactured in a sweatshop?

The cushion project that is so very disrespectful:
Article in the Daily Mail about the refusal.

But, oh sweetie, we're so very sorry. It was just a standard issue cease and desist letter. You know, the fancy kind that insults artisans and their craft. I dare say, Abby Franquemont summed it up best: "Well, at least we know they aren't overspending on high-paid, competent PR staff."

Jun 21, 2012, 12:07 PM ET

Statement from USOC Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Patrick Sandusky:

“Thanks to all of you who have posted, tweeted, emailed and called regarding the letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics.

Like you, we are extremely passionate about what we do. And, as you may know, the United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit entity, and our Olympic team receives no government funding. We are totally dependent on our sponsors, who pay for the right to associate with the Olympic Movement, as well as our generous donors to bring Team USA to the Games.
The letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics was a standard-form cease and desist letter that explained why we need to protect our trademarks in legal terms. Rest assured, as an organization that has many passionate knitters, we never intended to make this a personal attack on the knitting community or to suggest that knitters are not supportive of Team USA.

We apologize for any insult and appreciate your support. We embrace hand-crafted American goods as we currently have the Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey stitching a custom-made American flag to accompany our team to the Olympic Games in London. To show our support of the Ravelry community, we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create to travel with, and motivate, our team at the 2012 Games.”

http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/June/21/statement-from-usoc-spokesperson-patrick-sandusky.aspx

#knittingolympics #ravelympics

Perhaps I will add to my queue an extra-special chapstick cozy in the five Olympic colors for my contribution....

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/phallic-chapstick-cozy

2 Million Knitters with Pointy Sticks are Angry at the US Olympic Committee

2012-06-21T11:03:00.002-04:00

...and don't you forget it!

#ravelympics #knittingolympics #usoc

http://knittingwithkarma.blogspot.com/2012/06/seriously-olympic-commitee.html

http://gawker.com/5920036/us-olympics-committee-is-mad-at-knitting-olympics-for-denigrating-real-athletes

http://exchangingfire.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/2-million-knitters-with-pointy-sticks-are-angry-at-the-us-olympic-committee/

http://thedomesticsoundscape.com/wordpress/?p=4125

http://woolfreeandlovinknit.typepad.com/wool-free-and-lovin-knit/2012/06/afghan-marathon-banned-in-us.html

http://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/much-wenlock/william-penny-brookes/

http://blog.joyuna.com/2012/06/they-can-take-our-name-but-they-cant.html

http://www.london2012.com/about-us/our-brand/using-the-brand/

April Stripey Spoiler!

2011-04-19T12:34:00.002-04:00

La Violeta Stripe!
La Violeta Stripe!

Lucky Lucky!

2011-02-17T22:58:00.003-05:00

Lucky Pot O'Gold sparkly handpainted sock yarn! Up at midnight. :D

www.badamyknits.com

I've got stripes...

2010-12-02T00:44:00.005-05:00

Stripey Club is coming!

Bimonthly (3 shipments over 6 months), renewable subscriptions
First shipment will be first week of February 2011 (then the first week of April, June, etc.)
Colorways will be exclusive to club for 6 - 12 months
Complementing mini skein add-on option available for fancy toes, heels, cuffs
A sprinkling of swag and treats
On sale beginning on or about Dec 8th (I'll announce more detailed time etc)
Gift certificates can be used toward a club subscription. GCs are through Paypal and totally easy to work with. They're are available here if your special Santa needs a hint ;)

Magenta and Black make me happy!

2010-11-26T21:53:00.003-05:00

Nymphadora Stripey Sock Yarn
&

Punk Skull Stripe Boxy Bag

Fire burn, and caldron bubble

2010-08-16T22:09:00.003-04:00

The threadbanger and they dyepot have been working overtime in a trick or treat candy-laden haze! Sock kits are forming up nicely!

BAK Ravelry Group!

2010-08-13T21:15:00.002-04:00

If you're in the know, you're on Ravelry. So stop by and say hi at the fancy new group for Bad Amy Knits.

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/bad-amy-knits

See ya there! :D

Boulder Holders!

2010-08-03T19:19:00.001-04:00

Funniest Etsy Treasury I've been in yet: Over the Shoulder Boulder Holders!

Thanks BeadyEyedMonster! :D

Fiber Cooperative is Live!

2010-07-31T18:03:00.002-04:00

Calling all fiber-fiends... be sure to check out the newly formed FIBER COOPERATIVE for an awesome collection of fiber-related treats!

HPKCHC Roundup May 2010

2010-05-31T15:04:00.022-04:00

Less than 12 hours to turn in HPKCHC May 2010 projects. Get to stitchin'.

Well, I thought I’d be more of a zen-quester, but apparently it’s not in my makeup. It’s okay as airmidm has reserved a bed at St. Mungos for me. Dungeon hotties on duty all holiday weekend.

Potions, HoM, Herbology, Ancient Runes, DADA, and Charms completed and turned in and 9 Quidditch Hat Challenge hats finished. One HoM OWL approved and underway. For regular Quidditch, 2 of 12 preemie caps for my local hospital’s NICU. And I even picked up some Perle Cotton for the Headmistress Challenge bookmarks.

Fine, what's this mean to the real life Muggle realm? It's competition. A knitting competition. It's a full-tilt Harry Potter geek-out. Plus a little bit of D&D... but with better hygiene.

In alphabetical order, let's start with Ancient Runes....

Ancient Runes:

Assignment: Craft something based on or related to Norse mythology, or a god from the Norse Pantheon.

Project: Mirmir’s spring of wisdom lies deep under the roots of Yggdrasil and its nourishing liquids feed the World Tree. Odin visited the giant Mimir in a quest to understand the secrets of the world, but the giant did not want to give his knowledge easily. Odin pledged his left eye to the mighty one. Mímir accepted Odin’s eye and showed him the mysteries of the world with a single drink of the enchanted water. His mouthful granted him wisdom and foresight. It is due to this sacrifice that Odin’s face is depicted with a straight line indicating an empty eye, or alternately, in a wide-brimmed hat pulled down low over the missing orb.

Odin’s eye now sits at the bottom of the Well of Wisdom as a sign that the father of the gods had paid the price for wisdom. I chose to knit a tribute to Odin’s sacrificed eye to honor the Norse God’s search for knowledge. I envision its iris in bold blues - Bright and clear in the search for understanding. It seems most at home in a barren tree, similar to the one from which Odin hung for nine nights in his search for the ultimate wisdom. I do fear, however, that this noble tribute to Odin closely resembles a catnip ball and is at risk of becoming a simple toy to a nearby trio of fierce house cats that don’t worry themselves with worldly knowledge.

ETA: (note from my husband….) More importantly, Odin was a hair metal glam band from Los Angeles during the nineteen-eighties. They were forever immortalized in the classic motion picture “Decline of the Western Civilization Part 2”. During production, the film was intended to be a serious documentary. However, given 20 some odd years to ferment, the film has blossomed into a self deprecating comedy.

Charms:

Assignment: This month we will be working on Charmed Creatures. Craft something inspired by either Birds, Rabbits or Dragons. Literal interpretations are welcome as are the more abstract ideas. Charms to use: Avifors – charm used to turn small objects into birds – used by Hermione in Half Blood Prince to create the birds she then sent after Ron with Oppugno; Lapifors – used to charm a small rabbit statue to life; Draconifors – used to charm a small dragon statue to life

Project: I am not a morning person. I despise the sound of any muggle-invented alarm clock, so waking up in time for classes is a challenge in the dark dorms of Slytherin. After running late too many times, I’ve found a quite pleasant yet effective way to wake in the morning. I tried the Avifors charm on the clunky alarm on my nightstand and I now enjoy the morning song and chirps of this little bird as I wake each day. It has, according to my Hufflepuff classmates, greatly improved my Slytherin disposition.

DADA (Defense Against the Dark Arts):

Assignment: This month, we’re going to be investigating one of the greatest tools ever contributed in the fight against the Dark Arts - the Extendable Ear! Yes, it’s true - the Weasley Twins were not just consummate jokesters, but actually could have given Q from Bond a run for his money when it came to inventing items which help you gather intelligence. From Shield Hats to Decoy Detonators, their products helped the Order of the Phoenix complete some of their most dangerous missions safely.

For this month’s assignment: Use your Extendable Ears (Addykan and Fluttervale will hand them round) to spy on the projects or queue of a member of another house. Make your favorite item. Be sure to credit your source when you turn it in.

Project: I wandered the castle with my Extendable Ear and learned all sorts of things. Things that I probably shouldn’t repeat here, especially in polite company. But the thing I kept hearing over, and over, and over, emanated from Ravenclaw Tower. So much monkey talk was going on I could hear it even without using my trusty Extendable!

Monkeys. Everything monkeys. A gazillion monkeys jumping on beds. Monkey. Monkey. Monkey. Overcome by the Tower’s monkey-mania mayhem, I decided to knit the Baby Monkey Potions homework by darwinia of Ravenclaw. My monkey has a slightly shorter tail, and has both eyes, but he is proving just as mischievous as his predecessor.

Herbology:

Assignment: Option One: Embellish an item with flowers. These may be knitted or crocheted or needlefelted. The base item may be premade or purchased. Option Two: create an item that has a floral motif on it. The key here is FLOWERS.

Project: I find wearing the purple rose headband is far less conspicuous than carrying a clumsy bottle of love potion. The purple rose conjures feelings of wonder, impracticality, magic, mystic and spiritual and magnetic wonders. It is said love at first sight, delight, attraction, charm and enchantment describes the meaning for a rose of this color. The purple rose should be worn with care as to not attract an unintended suitor. Unfortunately, it has no hypnotic effects on the of the hotties in our dungeon - I’m still working on that part.

History of Magic:

Assignment: Descend into the Chamber of Secrets and knit, crochet, or spin something inspired by your visit. Choose any object you find on this journey to be the focus of your creativity. Statues, stonework, carvings, bones, ancient mechanisms, and evidence of cave-dwelling magical creatures all await your notice in these dark depths!

Project: As a member of the Noble House of Slytherin it was quite an honor to visit the Chamber of Secrets. Conjured by the founder of my House, Salazar Slytherin, it is a darkly beautiful place although the intent behind the Chamber’s creation is quite disturbing. Looking beyond the frightening purpose of the Chamber, the space is beautifully designed and quite breathtaking.

Strangely, it was not Salazar Slytherin’s elegant design that inspired my project. I was taken with the massive sheddings from the Chamber’s former Basilisk guardian. The winding folds of discarded snake skin were unexpectedly delicate and translucent and covered in many years accumulation of strange blue and green iridescent moss.

The jewel-like beauty of the moss-covered skin inspired this coiling mobius cowl. I used the Easy Missoni Style Long Mobius Cowl pattern which wraps and turns like the rolling folds of the sheddings. Fiesta Yarn’s La Boheme is perfectly dyed mohair and boucle in opalescent blue, greens, and bronze. It is light and delicate in appearance, but very strong - much like the skins of the Basilisk.

Potions:

Assignment: -The heart of potions is taking many disparate elements and melding them into a greater whole. For this assignment, you will do the same thing with fiber.

Option One: Knit or crochet something that uses at least three different colors of yarn (different shades of the same color are acceptable, as long as they are visibly different, professor’s judgment applies). Colorwork, multiple strands held together, and stripes are all allowed - be creative!

Option Two: Knit or crochet something that has at least three pieces that have to be seamed together. Before and after pictures are required for this option

Project: I’ve combined the basic trio of ingredients for Wit-Sharpening Potion with Jobberknoll feathers in hopes of creating the perfect exam week brain-boosting potion. The effects of Jobberknoll feathers (blue) are unknown but are presumed to enhance memory. Ginger root (gold), scarab beetles (purple), and armadillo bile (magenta) make up Wit-Sharpening Potion - a concoction presumed to make a person think more clearly.

Additional experimentation is required. It is unclear if it is necessary to designate the left from right in this set of fingerless gloves. I worry the potion may have a reversed effect if they are worn on the wrong hands!

Pattern Credits and Information:

Ancient Runes:
Pattern: Oh Balls! by Marcie Nishioka
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted

Charms:
Pattern: Flying Birds by Audrey Ritchie of Audrey's Knits
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Merino DK

DADA:
Pattern: Baby Monkey from Patons
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool

Herbology:
Pattern: American Beauty Rose Headband by Ashley Kearns
Yarn: Handpaint fingering merino and Alchemy Lone Star

History of Magic:
Pattern:Easy Missoni Style Long Mobius Cowl by Haley Waxberg of knitomatic.com
Yarn: Fiesta Yarns La Boheme (wild oak)

Potions:
Pattern: Fingerless Flower Gloves by Kristin Nicholas (Kristin Knits)
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted and Brown Sheep Lanaloft Worsted

American Beauty Rose Headband

2010-05-25T18:43:00.004-04:00

I love this headband so much! I see a collection of them in my near future.

Pattern: American Beauty Rose Headband by Ashley Kearns
Needles: US 6 - 4.0 mm
Yarn: Handpaint Springy Fingering by BadAmy (green) and Alchemy Lone Star (purple)

* Blocked headband,rose, and leaf separately before sewing.
* Main color (fingering wt) is held triple give gauge of 16/4”. CO 64 for headband for similar diameter as written for pattern.

HPKCHC: Herbology May 2010

Start your needles! Hat Challenge!

2010-05-16T23:43:00.011-04:00

From the HPKCHC* Hat Challenge - May 15, 2010

24 hours. Knit as many hats as you can/want/until your fingers fall off.

I finished 9 awesomely thick and cozy button band hats. Woot! It was a great day of competition and camaraderie on Ravelry. All for charity, all for fun.

Lots of folks would like to knit this hat so here's the pattern I used.

Here's the quick and dirty version. I'd love to hear any comments or see pics of your hats! I'm BadAmy on Ravelry.

**For those who can't wait for a pretty version in PDF:**

If you're on Ravelry, here's the project page.

* **Yarn:** Approx 70-80 yards (?) Super bulky yarn, 2.5 stitches/inch (10 sts/10 cm)
* 1 ball Rowan Big Wool = 1 hat with some remaining
* 2 balls Lion Thick & Quick = 3 hats

* **Gauge:** 10 stitches / 4 inches (10cm)

* **Needles:** 11 to 15 depending on **YOUR** gauge...

* *For these hats I used US10 Addi Turbo 16" circ for the button band and body of the hat and switched to Bryspun US11 dpns at beginning of decrease section ... I'm a pretty loose knitter on Addi circs and much tighter on acrylic or wood dpns!)*

* Test your gauge, pretty please. My gauge changes drastically when I switch to dpns... yours may too.

* The button band is equally pretty done in moss/seed stitch!

* CO 52
* knit 8 or 10 rows (4 or 5 garter ridges)
* B/O 7, knit to end of row
* join to knit in the round, place marker at beginning of round
* knit about 15 rounds (fewer for a shorter hat)
* switch to dpns:
* knit 7, k2tog, repeat to end
* knit
* knit 6, k2tog, repeat to end
* knit
* knit 5, k2tog, repeat to end
* knit
* knit 4, k2tog, repeat to end
* knit 3, k2tog, repeat to end
* knit 2, k2tog, repeat to end
* knit 1, k2tog, repeat to end
* k2tog, repeat to end
* draw yarn through remaining stitches
* HAT!

Don't forget to:
* Weave in ends.
* Block.
* Sew a pretty button on the flap, stitching through to interior of hat. I used 1.5" buttons. For best button results, reinforce the decorative button with a flat button placed between the flap and the exterior of the hat.

*HPKCHC - Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup

Juicy Treasury!

2010-02-23T19:34:00.001-05:00

LaurenceCollection made a TREASURY called "O is for Orange !!" featuring one of my knitting project bags!

The colors of this treasury are hypnotically juicy and full of summer.

I'm off to continue my happy dance! Go and leave a comment on the Treasury, maybe it'll hit the front page... dream dream dream....

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=88374

... and another!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=88634

Holy flying tongues, Batman!

2010-02-09T18:41:00.006-05:00

These are my pal Sarah's corgies in today's snow. Her caption on Facebook?

Holy flying tongues, Batman!

These are a few pics from our local ABC network affiliate - all sent in by viewers. I'm staying IN my house so please enjoy photos from these brave souls.

Seriously dude, what are you thinking? Get in the house.

Silly Nutkin.

I know we're not the only area in the snow wallop, but man, that's a LOT of snow! And I love it. :)

Hearts For Haiti!

2010-02-05T23:51:00.005-05:00

Have you checked Etsy's Hearts For Haiti? A shop full of awesomeness!

It's an Etsy collective of donated items from hundreds of Etsy shops to raise money to rebuild Haiti. 100% of the proceeds from this shop (minus Etsy fees and Paypal fees) go directly to DoctorsWithoutBorders .

I did volunteer work in Haiti when I was 19 years old. It was hard and rewarding and will always be with me. Thank you for keeping her people in your thoughts.

Here's my donation this month to Hearts For Haiti... go check out the great stuff there.

Gothy Valentine Project Bag, about 8"x 4.5"x 4.5". Wild hot magenta cheetah print inside. Tres chic.

Who took my Christmas mojo?

2009-12-19T14:52:00.003-05:00

Look Ma! Front page! ----->

And apologies for those that tune in for knitting. We will return to our regular knitting programming next week once gifties are revealed.

Holiday goodness? Cookies will be my downfall with the weight watchers. A little holiday binge will do some good, right? I've also had that dang "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas" stuck in my head for what is starting to seem like all of eternity. It alternates with Spike Jones' "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth", so at least I have some variety. What is wrong with me? I suppose it beats some Mariah Carey schlock stuck in my brain.

Secret Christmas knitting is going well, but the heat is on to get all the projects done in the next week. Socks, mitts, sock monkeys, pajamas (sewn, not knit), and more candy canes. I've noticed a growing lack of patience with the amount of time required to complete knit items other than ornaments. They're pretty quick so when I have to work for more than an hour on a foot of a sock, I'm starting to get cranky. Knitterly brat, I am.

There's no tree, yet, in our house. No lights. A door swag sits on the porch waiting to be hung. The Christmas mojo just hasn't hit and that's really really really odd for Lambert Drive. Not even any baking. It seems there's a lot of folks in similar modes this year and it kinda bums me out. But evidently not enough to actually DO something about it.

It snowed - finally! That's helping the mood, but it's still lacking. What grinch-of-apathy bit my behind this year? Hmmm. Maybe a good stiff egg nog will help the outlook. It certainly can't hurt a snowy Saturday afternoon.

Despite the lack of Christmas motivation, I hope the end of this year is ending well for everyone and your needles are happily clicking away. I'm off to find some nog. And brandy. Brandy first. :)

Cheers!
Amy

Treasury got even better!

2009-12-17T16:25:00.003-05:00

I'm in not one, but TWO, Etsy Treasury Collections! I'm so silly excited! :D

Candy Cane Theme Treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=100848

Minty Fresh Treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=100829

Thanks Sbdesign and RelicSoapCompany! You made my day! :D

Spoilers!

2009-12-07T12:17:00.003-05:00

I'm so happy with my new little knitties! Hopefully I'll have gobs of them to take to my family this Christmas... knit! knit! knit!

Little sweater, top-down, totally seamless, about 3 1/2 inches tall. Cute.
Rowanspun Aran & Fishermans Wool

Candy canes! Yum! Some are about 7", some about 4".
Cascade 220 and Fishermans Wool

Do you like them? Would a pattern be helpful to anyone? I can post one when I get a chance.

You know the Harlot?!

2009-12-02T08:54:00.002-05:00

For those on Ravelry, a little tidbit from my local group... and no, I don't know the Harlot. But she sure seems to know me. I've been outed.

I suppose now we all know where the BAD part comes from. ;)

*apologies to those not on Rav .

Seriously.

2009-11-14T16:03:00.003-05:00

WTF?! Sock yarn does not count as stash, right?

Why, WEBS, why??

2009-11-04T11:30:00.003-05:00

Why, WEBS, why?? ...are you trying to break my heart?

I fill my shopping cart with your wonderful yarny goodness and successfully go through checkout.... then, several days later, I get notice that half or more of the order isn't available.

Just stab me in the heart and get it over with.

Stitching up some goodies!

2009-10-21T23:21:00.005-04:00

I'm slowly adding knitting project bags and other knitting goodies to etsy... take a peek if you like. There will be new batches coming and you can even win one with Through The Loops Socktoberfest Mystery Sock KAL!

www.badamyknits.blogspot.com

(don't worry, you can check my history...I've been selling for a while as BeehiveBetty.)

Socktober Blitz!

2009-10-15T07:29:00.003-04:00

I posed a challenge to the folks in my knitting group to complete a pair in honor of Socktober. I think quite a few of them are in! I've been finishing socks that were on the needles already and aiming to complete a pair or two more during the blitz...

I'm really excited to work on my first 'mystery' pattern It's the Mystery Sock '09 from Through The Loops. A portion of the pattern is released each week and I'm embarrassed to admit how fun I find the mystery process. I'm working the pair from a hank of the Malabrigo sock yarn I received last Christmas... thanks Lance! Gauge seems pretty good on 2.25mm DPNs. So far so good and I love the faux-cable and rib stitch pattern.

This is weeks 1 & 2 completed...

Also, if you're in on the KAL for the TTL Mystery Sock, I'm contributing this project bag to the prize pool - so get knitting! There's some great prizes up for grabs.

A more challenging pair of socks taunting me are the Butterfly Socks
by Coriander (it's a ravelry link). I worked both socks through to the heel turn before I realized I had a noticeable difference in gauge... dang. So now I have ONE sock worked through the heel turn. Fair Isle on DPNs can be a workout. The main concern is keeping the stranding loose enough to allow the sock to actually fit over a foot. I know, crazy idea, right?

The yarn was dyed by a knitting friend, Rebecca (winterbird on Ravelry). Merino/silk blend and it's just lovely to work with. Thanks Rebecca!

Recently I've been obsessed with stripey socks... I have a pair nearly complete as part of Fiberworks Orphans sock-blank Dye Day challenge. Photos coming, ...but here's another pair of stripey goodness in Serenity Sock Weight (yes, that Deborah Norville yarn). It's soft and super cozy to wear. Just a tiny bit splity but the price point is a delight! Plus, I now have socks that match my PJs!