Tea Time

So our Augustas are almost complete! After working on them in all our spare time this weekend (which, sadly wasn't much ... you always think you'll get more knitting done than you actually do it seems...) we are oh so close. Mine are completely done, but pom pom-less (and we all know that the pom pom really adds that extra punch) and Mom just has her little red cuff. After working so hard this weekend, we took a little time for tea this morning ... freshly made English Cream Tea scones (courtesy of one of King Arthur's delicious mixes) and kiwi pear green tea. It was also an opportunity to break in our new tea pot!

So Hopefully pictures of Augusta, pom poms and all, will be up soon. Until then, check out our finished Shibui Toe-Up Socks. We finished them quite some time ago, but Mom has decided to redo her cast off to make it a bit more stretchy. We've been trying out this cast off for toe-up socks, and so far, it seems to be working just wonderfully.

Toe-Up Sock by Anne Berk
Yarn: Shibui Sock in colors 3602 (left) & 4201 (right)
Needles: We both like socks on two circs .. we used Addis, I think size #2

This was our first time doing toe-up socks, and our first time knitting with Shibui. Toe up is so nice ... no worrying about picking up gusset stitches, and the yarn was just gorgeous. I don't know if the pictures even do it justice ... Mom's look like strawberry fields or watermelon slices, and mine remind me of cool blue water ... it really seems like you could almost dive into it. Anyway, we love the socks, and the pattern was written so clearly .. great for our first toe-up sock!


So stay tuned for more sock posts (and other accumulated FOs) ... we're becoming regular sock addicts here at knit two together. If we didn't have so much yarn for so many beautiful sweaters, we might abandon other forms of knitting all together!

August(a) in July

So, it's been an embarrassingly long time since the last post here at knit two together. And I could make lots of excuses, but that involves stolen computers, broken cameras and just general summer madness to really go into. However, some knitting has definitely been going on! Right now, Mom and I are working on one of the cutest pairs of socks I've seen ... Through the Loops' Augusta (rav link here).

This is our first time knitting with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, and we both love it -- we've already bought more to make some striped socks. I love the unexpected color combo of Augusta and the simple lace pattern (which isn't super visible in the picture). We've both finished the first sock and are well on our way on the second ... maybe we'll even finish up this weekend.

Sock fever has hit our house. Mom and I had never done much sock knitting, and now we've become quite obsessed. And here's the sock that started it all (at least for me) ...

The London Sock (loosely based on this)
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug in Wasabi Squeeze
Needles: 2 Addi circs size #2

So, as you might guess from their name, these were made during my time in London ... I actually finished them up to calm me down after my computer was stolen from my hostel (knitting really has an amazing ability to calm, no?).

I tried to follow Black Dog Designs Picot Eyelet Sock (but left out the eyelet obviously ...) It wasn't the best first time sock pattern just because it assumed you'd made socks before, but it was a great learning experience. They're by no means perfect ... I definitely need some gusset practice ... but they're my first pair and I love them!

There's been more knitting than that going on this summer, but where's the fun in revealing it all at once? So for now, happy summer sock knitting!

What happens when Mom comes to town ...

So Mom just spent a FANTASTIC five days with me in London. While she was here, we hit up every knitting store we could and cast on/worked on Orangina in the moments we weren't running around. We also went to some delicious restaurants and, most importantly, had scones with clotted cream every chance we got.

Up until Mom's visit, I think I'd shown some admirable self-restraint as far as yarn purchases (or any purchases for that matter...) went. But when she came, I threw caution to the wind and bought more yarn in a 3 day span than I ever have.

So, without further ado, the purchases... (I apologize for the photo quality .. they were taken very quickly on a bed in a hotel room before Mom packed the yarn up to take back to the states ... I was over the weight limit on the way over here, so she tried to take some stuff back for me so I don't have that problem again.)

Purchase 1 (from I Knit London): Garthenor Organic DK, 8 balls of the marled and 3 of the solid brown. I'm thinking of making a cardigan and using the solid for the ribbing, button band and little elbow patches.


Purchase 2 (from Loop): Savannah DK ... Mom treated me to this one .. the yarn is quite luxurious .. I felt very spoiled. I got the three skeins pictured ... I'm thinking either a hat and handwarmers or some sort of cute little summer tank.

Purchase 3 (from John Lewis!): 5 balls Rowan Damask. Ok, so who knew you could buy Rowan and Debbie Bliss in department stores here?! We were shocked! Mom and I both got some of this (she got a lovely green colorway) and are going to make some sort of tank. Maybe the lacy tank from Last Minute Knitted Gifts or the Razor Cami that I saw on six one seven's blog today.

I had such a great time while Mom was here, and now I really can't wait to head home (in a month!). It was so hard saying goodbye to her on Monday. We had such a wonderful time frolicking about the city and, of course, obsessing over knitting...

Right now, I'm on holiday in Dublin. Going to try to scope out some knitting stores, but it seems they are outside of the actual city. Will have to see if I can make it out there. Hopefully will have more pictures up soon. My camera appears to be broken (and I've only had it since August!) but I'm going to see if I can get it repaired tomorrow. Wish me luck!