Tuesday
02Sep2008
Making a List
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 12:08AM | 26 Comments Anyone still out there? I sure hope so! If I keep going at this rate, I'll be slipping to monthly updates before long. Sigh. Thanks for sticking in there, hopefully I'll be more talkative soon!
I do have a few finished objects to share, both knitting related, and otherwise. First up are some single socks, knit up in some of my hand-dyed yarn. Whenever I offer a new base yarn, I always save a skein for myself to use for swatching and test knitting. I swatched both of these yarns ages ago, but am finally getting around to actually knitting them.
This sock is knit with a merino/bamboo/nylon base yarn, which is pretty awesome in my opinion. I just love how soft it is! The pattern is the Gentleman's Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern, from Vintage Knitted Socks (the official compendium of man approved socks), which really shows off the colorway well.
The next lonely sock is knit in my sport weight merino base, and is just a simple Waffle Stitch pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks.
Both socks are knit toe-up, with short row heels and cuff ribbing until I could no longer stand it. The original plan was to exhaust each 1/2 skein, but for both socks I got a bit tired of the ribbing after a while. Now I just have to get around to knitting their mates ;)
As summer wanes, I've also turned my attention to winter knitting projects. I have 2 cones of Valley Yarns English Tweed (bought in a WEBS closeout) which have been calling to me lately. So I skeined them up and gave them a good warm soapy bath to clean out the spinning oil.
I've finished swatching and am thinking that the light color will look quite nice as a Cobblestone. I may be the last person on earth to knit one, but I'm ok with being late to the party.
The other finished object is a house project, and I'm quite proud of this one. I've been wanting a chalkboard for the kitchen, but decent ones are quite pricey, so I figured I could come up with a DIY solution. So after a bit of Google searching, and a trip to Lowe's and Hobby Lobby, I came up with this.
Pretty sweet huh? Want to know the best part? It's magnetic!
I simply painted a piece of sheet metal with chalkboard paint (best. invention. ever.) and had it mounted in a cheap-o premade frame. The chalkboard paint is very cool, and it works way better than I expected. The board just requires a wipe down with a damp paper towel, and it's ready to go. I had thought about using magnetic primer, but read that it was a bit hard to work with. Then I realized, that a piece of sheet metal would be just the trick.
All in all, the project cost me about $60, compared with about $150 - 200 for a decent board in a similar size from most places I looked. It's the perfect project for my compulsive side, since now I can make meal plans with my weekly produce share and cross off my veggies as I use them up. It's also a handy place to write down daily chores.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go cross "Write a Blog Post" off the chores list. ;)
Reader Comments (26)
I like the socks. My daughter would just make those two a pair!
Awesome chalk board! That's what I need to do in my kitchen. That's too spiffy. =D
The socks are gorgeous, and that is going to be a lovely cobblestone. (I haven't made one either, although I do keep debating it for my hubby). I love the chalkboard - I have a whiteboard, but the chalkboard looks MUCH cooler. :)
I love the way the white stripes subtly in the second socks. That is very cool about the chalkboard paint. I've considered it, but didn't know how it would perform.
I love the socks you're working on. I just finished a pair in Ringwood pattern that I really love. It's a great pattern! I can't wait to see this tweedy winter knitting you're planning!
Love the socks -- both of them -- and the chalkboard! That is awesome. Go you!
We used chalkboard paint for the top of our coffee table- we LOVE it! That stuff is really cool. I've had the same idea about painting a piece of sheet metal for a magnetic chalkboard! Glad to see it comes out well.
I didn't even know such a thing as chalkboard paint existed - but that is way cool! It almost makes me want to put up a chalkboard in my craft room/office just to use it.
Also, nice socks. I especially like the stitch pattern of the first one. :)
Love the chalk board! I have a little white board on the fridge, but it is nowhere near as stylish as your chalkboard. :D
The chalk board is rediculiously awesome. Now I want one!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
I really, really like your Gentleman's Half Hose. And that chalkboard is making me scream! Must! Make! One!
another reason I love you:
you use "R" for Thursday!
:)
I love how the single socks look - if you're just wanting to get samples of your yarn as tangible knitted items for show, you may want to purchase a circular sock knitting machine - or enlist the aid of someone who has one.... it'd make a more boring/basic sock than the ones you have made... but you can literally "crank" a sock out in under an hour!
congrats on the chalkboard... I have wanted to cover a wall with chalkboard for years and years... haven't done it (yet) .... but when the time and place allows it to happen, I'll remember that you used sheet metal as a base. you're a genius.
Gorgeous socks! And I LOVE the magnetic chalkboard. Very cool.
Love the socks, particularly how well matched thed first one is with yarn and pattern. The chalkboard is genius, want!
The socks are great! So is the awesome magnetic chalkboard. The tweed will be gorgeous as a cobblestone!
I admired your tweeds too - you've picked a perfect project for it. The chalboard project is quite nifty!
LOVE the magnetic chalkboard idea. I may have to steal the idea. Thanks! your socks look great!
i love your sock singles. it pairs perfectly with the patterns you chose. i have to get some of your yarns to play with. they look great!! also i'm looking forward to seeing your Cobblestone.
and lastly, BRAVO! on the chalkboard project. i saw this done on an HGTV home improvement show for a kids' room. great creativity all around!
That. is. amazing. You sir, make me smile.
mmmmmm.....I love merino/bamboo sock yarn. As far as the tweed yarn, I think that either yarn would look great as a Cobblestone. Love the chalkboard! I ended up settling for a dry erase board since it was way cheaper.
You're playing poker on Friday?! We should play together! I went to a girls' poker night with Joanna H., and it was a lot of fun! How's your thesis coming along...?
That chalkboard is freakin' AWESOME!!!!! And yeah, that tweed will make a great Cobblestone. Enjoy!
I bought exactly those colors of the Valley Yarns English Tweed and will be using one of them for a Cobblestone, too :)
LOVELY socks. either color will make a lovely cobblestone....
and i must say, your magnetic chalkboard is just the coolest. i am a HUGE fan of the chalkboard paint. it truly is one of the best inventions.....EVER!
wow tat first sock is sooo great . . i love blue/goldy/tan colorways. and the chalkboard project is a good one too . . .i don't have wall space for that in my kitchen but if i did it would be fun.