Summer of Socks 2011

It's that time of year again!  Summer of Socks starts tomorrow, June 21, and runs through September 21.  It's all about knitting socks, baby!  The festivities can be found on Ravelry at Summer of Socks 2011.

Speaking of socks, I have finished a couple of pairs recently.  Let's call it the warmup for SOS2011!

This first pair is for my self-imposed sock club (SISC).  This yarn is surprisingly awesome.  It's Debrah Norville's Serenity sock yarn (it's a combination of merino, bamboo, and nylon) in a colorway called Tanzanite.  I did a pair of cuff-down anklets.  Love!

The next pair is from an unknown yarn, but I just love the colors.  I named these Candy Corn.  I did an afterthought heel, which is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

Let the summertime sock knitting begin!  ;)

Podcasts - TheKnitGirlls and Round the Twist

I have recently started to listen to and watch various knitting/spinning podcasts, so I thought it would be fun to share with you my opinions (good and bad) about some of them.  I will also post about podcasts I don't enjoy, because Your Mileage Mary Vary. 

I am starting off with my two favorites (they are both tied for first place).  If you know of a knitting/spinning or other podcast that you think I would enjoy, please leave a comment.   ;)

TheKnitGirllls
Podcast Type:  Video
Web  Page:  http://www.theknitgirllls.com
Ravelry Group:  http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-knit-girllls
Hosts:  Laura and Leslie
My Rating:  5 out of 5 bunny paws
My Watching/Listening Status:  I have downloaded all of the episodes, and I am almost caught up on all of the past episodes.  I stalk them for new episodes.
What I Love:  Everything!  I really love the camaraderie between the girls and how much the love to laugh.  I have learned a lot about various yarns from watching this podcast, and I love the book reviews. 
What I Dislike:  Nothing!  Honestly!
Other Comments:  On their webpage, they have an awesome tutorial for an afterthought heel for socks, and it is the best one I have seen online so far.  I recently asked Laura for a book recommendation (since she is a librarian and an avid reader) and loved the book she recommended.  Laura and Leslie both design their own patterns which can be found on Ravelry.

Round the Twist

Podcast Type:  Video
Web  Page:  http://roundthetwistwithcarin.blogspot.com/
Ravelry Group:  http://www.ravelry.com/groups/round-the-twist
Host:  Carin
My Rating:  5 out of 5 bunny paws
My Watching/Listening Status:  I have downloaded and watched all of the episodes, and I stalk her for new episodes.
What I Love:  I love her cute doggie cameos.  I love how excited she gets about her projects.  And, we have the same spinning wheel!  (SpinOlutions Bee)  She is an avid sock knitter, which we have in common.  She also knits very beautiful shawls.
What I Dislike:  Nothing!  Honestly!
Other Comments:  She recently re-did her craft room, and it has inspired me to re-do mine. 

Rainbow Skittles Socks

My second pair of toe-up socks!!!  I am officially addicted to Wendy's gusset toe-up socks.

The yarn is Regia Ringel and the pattern is called Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder.  Very simple pattern that really gives great texture.

My next Self-Imposed Sock Club yarn was chosen by my hubby, and he chose....

 It's Debrah Norville's Serenity sock yarn in a colorway called Tanzanite.  I am going to make some simple toe-up socks again since this yarn is so wildly variegated.