Progress - no pics though

I have done four pattern repeats and am measuring my foot and calculating to determine when to start. I think I can do a fifth repeat and then start increasing for the gusset. I know I will likely not need all the extra gusset rows. My foot measures 20 cm and the pattern is 24 cm. I am just under 10 now.
I discovered on the start of my 3rd pattern repeat, that I forgot a row. Either row 2 or 8, but I skipped it. Happily, due to my smallish foot, this will work out as otherwise I would have to have started the gusset now. It looks okay and I think I will just call it a design adjustment (planned it doncha' know!!!)
Love working with the Yarntini and the pattern makes cabling lickety split fast (except when the stitches pull out and...)
This is a fabulous knit!!!

Progress

Hi all just wanted to stop by and show some progress. I am just about to start the increase of the leg. It's slow going now because I have so many other projects on the needles. My own fault, I can't help casting on another project when I get lovely yarn in the mail. Anyone else like that? I love this pattern though and can't wait to knit myself a pair! Hope that you are all having a lovely weekend. Happy Knitting!

Frog It!

I am posting a picture just so you know that I really am working on this. Yea, I figured out the toe and then what a downer...Look at that toe. I am shoe size 10 extra wide. Those sizzling 60's that had us alternating between 3 inch spike heels and Birkenstocks gave many of us of the "Boomer Generation" such "great understanding". There is no way this is going to fit my foot. This would fit my skinny teenage granddaughter who wears size 8 1/2 or my four year old granddaughter who also has a wide foot but I am sure I would have strangulation of the large toe. I used the larger needles and by no stretch of the imagination could you say that I am a tight knitter. The next step is to pull it out again and work with a pattern that tells how to enlarge to fit a BIG foot. Once I get that figured out I can return and hopefully figure out how to apply this pattern.

Cast on...

I have started my first one.
I am using a 2.25 mm needle - dpn, because I am finding the 2.5 too loose.
Already frogged once as I forgot that when I purl then knit, I twist my knit stitches unless I work throught the back loop.
I am using Pomtini, by Yarntini and I love this yarn!!

Green with envy

I just put in that I am having a terrible time and when I went to the blog what did I see but one that is all done. It looks wonderful. Good knitting out there. Any time you would like to come and help me out let me know.

Update

I have finished the neighbor's shawl and started the firestarter. So far I have pulled the toe out 5 times. I am beginning to wonder if this is the sock for me. I am going back to it again. Did anyone else have all this trouble? Maybe the senior dementia is acting up.

Finally -- progress!

I finally finished my 2 back "orders" and have gotten to work on my firestarter. I'm going to do a single one for my Harvest Sock Swap pal, then move on to one for myself. I'm leaning towards Metamorphic STR for me, but I don't have the energy to wind it right now, so it's full steam ahead with my pal's. Well...full steam ahead as soon as I finish my swatching. Those are 0's, so I need to see if they will work. I have some 1's as well, but I don't have any 2's (of course, since I *just* ordered these, but didn't get any twos, not realizing I'd need them!).

What's everyone else knitting on?

one down one to go

one down, one to go....



(super cute pear sock knitting bag from ms. b)

cheers,
fbz

Hi everyone!

I'm so glad I found this KAL and I'm so excited to join you all cast on Yarnissima's gorgeous pattern. My only problem at the present is picking the yarn color from my stash. My yarn color choices at the moment are:

Left to right (all Socks that Rock):
- Fire on the Mountain - I thought I was going to be just like Mike ;) but my skein is lightweight and I think I need to go medium weight due to the pattern stitch count and my wide 9.5" circumferenced feet. (This fact may rule out my newly acquired Wollmeise unless there's a way to alter the pattern stitch count without too much thought?)
- January One medium weight - 'cause it's almost a fall color scheme
- Thistle medium weight - but it's not a fall color scheme
- and lastly, an unnamed medium weight mill end my friend bought me when she went to the STR camp this spring, but it's similar to the whole chicken series.

Right now I'm waffling between January One and the mill end. Any thoughts?

just past the first gusset

i am just past the gusset on the first sock, knitting in posh yarn lucia sock in the rainbow colorway on a 2.5 mm addi circular. it was lovely meeting yarnissima this past weekend at benediktbeuern and so helpful to have her and ms. b help out with my lack of ability with reading german cable charts and cabling without cable needles. i did one more repeat of the chart before starting the gusset for size 9 women's feet, but they would have fit snuggly without it. also, i opted for a magic cast on toe with 16 x 16 stitches which i increased up to 60 before starting the foot chart. here's where i am as of tonight:



cheers,
fbz aka fabienne

The beginning

Firestarter Sock
Originally uploaded by elemmaciltur

Start: 23rd September 2007
Finish: WIP
Yarn: Rohrspatz & Wollmeise Sockenwolle, colourway "Bob" (seasonal colourway - not available any more)
Needle: 2.5 mm / 80 cm Addi Turbos
Pattern: Firestarter by Yarnissima via The Loopy Ewe

At last, I got around to starting my Firestarter. It still hasn't grown more than what you can see yet, but I'm hoping to catch some time to knit on it this week. :-)

Ready for the gusset

I finally decided to go with the Granny Smith green colored yarn, (Phoenix Fiberworks in Nymph) for my Firestarters. Here is a picture that was taken yesterday:

I am now up to starting the gusset and I look forward to the totally new construction. I hope I don't have as hard a time with it as I had with the traveling stitches. All I have to say is that it kicked my butt, a lot. I had never knit traveling stitches before, so it took me a while to understand what I had to do. And it took me super long to wrap my head around how to set up the stitches after the toe... lol! It was quite an experience. DH did his best to stay out of my way as I was running from the living room where I was knitting to the office where I would look up stitch explanations online and look up pictures of the pattern on Ravelry. In the end, I got it to work my way and the results are quite pretty. Updated pictures to come!

Detangling and winding

Thank you for your comments. It took me only about an hour for the rest of the skein.
Then (of course) the whole thing had to be rewound because it was a little off. It looks very much like the Suzanne cake photo.
being the glutton for punishment that I am, I also started winding 1375 yds of merino lace. happily they divide the whole skein in half and my Mom came in to help with the second half. of course, she is taking the socks on my needles a payment.
Just a general question - doesn't it make you feel awesome when someone you care about not only loves the socks you made them (and agonized over getting just so) but literally steals the socks on your needles (cause they are just a smidgen too large for your own feet).
My mom really made me feel happy about knitting socks this weekend. (although she still things the lace work and design patterns for socks are wasted - oh well maybe she won't steal my Firestarters!!!
edited to add - here's a link for a homemade swift.

The yarn is here

My yarn arrived in short order but I am currently in the middle of a sanction that I gave myself. I started a shawl for a neighbor in the spring and some how those lazy days of summer got in my way. She watched my dog for me when I was visiting my oldest son and family in TX way back in March so I have to finish before I start these socks. Things should go fast now autumn has arrived. speaking of Autumn, look at the color of the yarn. It's Trekking XXL from Germany. I love the way it squishes. I also have some reservations about the pattern. I have never done a toe up sock and it looks like this might not be the best one to start on..Oh well, it looks like I have lots of people to give assistance. I love the yarns I am seeing and can hardly wait to see the finished products.

One small toe...

After an inordinate amount of wrangling (and an excess amount of hair pulling) I finished my first toe! I'm using Lorna's Sheperd Sock yarn for the first time. The colorway is Gold Hill. I'm in love with it. Whad'ya think?



Long story short, I was so frustrated by the pattern I wound up emailing Marjan in the wee hours of the morning yesterday with some concerns I had with the pattern directions. Later on when I was more fully in control of myself I regretted my impetuosity but I get so wound up reading patterns. Hopefully you guys wont give me the pain in the butt award and kick me to the curb. :-P. Oh, and if anyone needs any help getting over the toe, I'd be glad to help.

Now that I've begun the foot and given up trying to use my new Lantern Moon Sox Stix I'm having no problems. Thanks Peaknit for letting me join. And kudos to all the posters so far. Great yarn choices!

Suzanne cake photo................

The light was finally good enough to take a picture :)

Ball winding issues

I decided on the Yarntini Pomtini.
But I have about 2 more hours of detangling to do.
Already did about 6 hours.
Anyone have a spare skein holder thingy - yarn swift isn't it? - cause this sure isn't!!

Which color to chose?

I printed my pattern and found the yarn I'll be using. Now I just have to pick the color...

The yarn is Phoenix Fiberworks Fetish in the colors Nymph and Blood Roses. I've always wanted some red socks for myself and thought that the Blood Roses colorway really works with the name of the pattern. But on the other hand I've always wanted Granny Smith colored socks and I think that the almost semi-solidness of the yarn would work great for the pattern. Tough choice!

For those interested Phoenix Fiberworks will be the artist featured as the October Artist of the Month at yarn4socks.

Wow!

I love all the starts! I'm kinda jealous though, 'cause I'm waiting til my new knitpicks circs arrive. I bought 2 2.5mm's and 1 2.0mm. It's a smaller size than she calls for, but I like a tight knit & a tight sock, so I think I'll be all right (plus I have smallish feet).

Kniterella -- I'm glad we talked you into it! :) I'm off now to *just look* at sock yarn for my harvest sock swap pal... no really... just looking.


Yea, right.

Turn heel early?

I was hoping to turn the heel before the weekend, but it's time for me to get some work done...Oh well... Hey, I just tried these on for the photo and noticed that I am SO ready to turn the heel, even though I have only worked up to 15 purls in the gusset, rather than the 18. I'm afraid to do more and make this sock huge, and then again can I go ahead and shorted the gusset? I'll have to read the instructions closer to see. In the mean time, enjoy the photo and enjoy your weekend everyone!

One last note, this is the first time I have had a Lorna's Laces that striped rather than variagated......Hmmm I guess I'll have to think Tiger. Grrrr.

Current details

Yarn: Lorna's Laces sock, in color Safari

Needles: One 2.5mm 40" Hiya Hiya circular needle.

I feel good! ...I knew that I would!

Well, I got past the first chart and am thinking my yarn choice is too variegated. There are some awesome variegated Firestarter projects but this yarn - I love - Iris Sibirica by Wollmeise may be a bit too busy - the colors are each so vibrant, maybe they are fighting for attention? I think my cable pattern is lost in translation, the picture is kind of pathetic to boot. I am finding this pattern challenging (in a fun way), so I kinda want to capitalize on that cable pattern. Show me the cables!


Veilchen

So I have just finished the short row in a new colorway, Veilchen, also by Wollmeise. It's a pretty purpley blue. I also decided to go down a 1/2 needle size because my first try seemed a bit baggy - so I made some key decisions before I was beyond the point of no return, ah...early success! I feel good!

Hi Everyone!

Well, I am also getting started with this. I decided to use some Panda Cotton in the Red Cinnamon colorway. I hadn't used this yarn before, but since we have a pending move to India, where wool socks will have little use (!), I am trying to branch out and try cooler fibers. I was finding the yarn a little difficult to work with at first, as it splits easily and doesn't have the stretch that wool does. This was making magic loop and cabling without a needle a little difficult. So, I switched to 2 circ's and am using the inactive circ' tip as a cable needle when needed. This is working out. Yay! I really like the design. Thanks for sharing it with all of us Marjan!

Back to my knitting!
- Cindy aka Snidknits

Start your engines......

I've completed the toe and ready to start my engine (I mean the pattern).

I'm using a 2.5mm needle and Lorna's Laces Safari (I hope they don't end up too big...). Even though they are not "red" I think they will work, I'm gonna like it!

Linda

Download the pattern at the Loopy Ewe!

Okay, for those who are joining, or are still hesitant about joining because you don't have the pattern. Fear not anymore, because Yarnissima has given the pattern to be downloaded for free over at The Loopy Ewe.

You can find the pattern HERE!

Just joining and loving the pattern

Hi all I just wanted to stop by and show you progress of my "Firestarter". I started it a few days ago and found the knitalong and couldn't wait to join. I look forward to seeing all your in progress and finished socks. Here is my WIP.

Yarn: Yarn Pirate Booty Club in "Calamity"

Needle Size: 2.5 mm circular

Sockblockers: My own made out of a plastic placemat (placemat was 50 cents...can't beat that!) tutorial on how to make your own blockers here.

Thank you Yarnissima for a great pattern!

Heather aka Punky Purls

Howdy Hey!

Just wanted to pop in and say HI! I can't wait to see everyone's progress and all the amazing colorways we will end up choosing to work with this gorgeous pattern. :) I'm a bit slow but your progress will inspire me to try and keep up. :)

Yay!

I'm so excited about this! I may have to sneak & order a long circ or two from knitpicks so I don't have to do them on DPN's... Now I have to decide about yarn. No red, unfortunately, because I have to use some thing from my stash. What do you all think:

Panda Cotton "fall herbs," Socks That Rock "metamorphic,"






















Here is the rest of my stash. Of this, the black/brown should be for my dh, but if ya'll tell me it would be perfect for this I could be persuaded (it's Obsidian from STR). The Mountain Colors right below it is a possibility, as is the STR Puck's Mischief (experimental cable has been frogged -- too tight) below that. The only Opal I have left is the dark brown, and about 3/4 of the skein of that reddy brown on the top right.

Opinions?


And sorry about the wonky picture placement, I'm too tired to figure out how to fix it!

Signing in and up!

Hello, I'm Sharon and I am so excited about this KAL!
I linked the pattern from peaknit and have been pawing through my stash for yarn.
No pics yet, but I have Colinette Jitterbug in hot pinks and Fleece Artist in Hot Pinks and Pomtini by Yarntini. So it is going to be pink, unless I fall off the sock yarn wagon.
I'm planning on swatching this one as I have had a lot of trouble with patterned socks and my gauge so far.
Thanks for the great Kal.
I am at 3redgurlz.blogspot.com and on ravelry as Gurlzmum.
Hurray!!!

Wait....I'm not ready!

Only Joking!!! But I really am not ready. I have another pair of socks hogging my needles and markers (and time) and no yarn......although I do have 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces, Safari waiting to be knit. Let's see how far I get on those socks tonight, and if I make it to a LYS tomorrow, otherwise I am just itching to get started.....and will have to make due with what I have on hand. I noticed in the Needles section it states that I will need a 2.50 mm and 3.0 mm needles, but I did not notice in the instructions where it indicated the use of a different size needle.....what am I missing????

Fire on the Mountain.... Run Boys Run

Okay, I hate to admit it, but I really did love the Charlie Daniels band song, "Devil Went Down To Georgia" only because it had a dueling fiddle and guitar ( or was that a cheesey synthesizer?). In either case, it was so melodramatic and silly. Just like me. So, I have decided to use my Blue Moon Fiber Arts STR "Fire on the Mountain" for this Sockalong. I'm feeling a little protective of my Wollmeise at the moment, but STR is a lovely yarn to substitute. I'll casting on today!

Pattern down, yarn to go

I received my pattern this morning! Wow, Yarnissima is definitly on top of things (I just requested the pattern last night). Now, to find some worthy yarn! I'm jealous of those of you who snatched up some Wollmeise before the shop closed... not sure if I can wait for it to re-open, I may need to cast-on before then. Maybe I'll just have to make two pairs! One in another yarn, and one in the coveted Wollmeise once it's available again.

Anyway, I'm excited to share in this SAL with y'all!

Cheers.
Becky

I'm Inn! I'm Inn!

So glad to be here and begin working on this sock. I have my pattern and needles ready. I just have to pick a wollemeise color from my newly acquired WOLLEMEISE stash:)

Oh the joy!

Suzanne cake ready.................

Pre winding as the light is too poor this evening to photograph the yarn cake.

I wound my skein of Suzanne ready for starting this pattern. I have to finish the toe on my second Monkey for the Monkey Swap3 and then I can cast on. I'm really excited!!!

Thank you Stacey for the invite :)

OK, I'm in

You're casting on and I haven't even purchased the yarn yet! Something tells me everyone else will be finished and I won't be started. I guess that won't be the first time something like this happened.

Destined to become Firestarter

Wollmeise Sock Yarn: "Bob"
Originally uploaded by elemmaciltur

Okay, to kick this Sock-Along (SAL??) off, I thought that I should start posting a bit, even though I haven't cast-on for the socks yet. (Although the yarn's wound up into a lovely yarn-cake already).

Anyway, for those of you who are asking what Wollmeise colourway this is...it's the seasonal colourway "Bob" that the Wollmeise dyed up this summer. According to the Wollmeise's blog entry, Bob is supposed to have a reggae feel to it....but I find the colour perfect to represent fire....

Even though Yarnissima refers to the song, for me, the name "Firestarter" reminds me of the movie. And for some reason, I feel that Bob is the perfect candidate for this pattern. :-)

All that's left now is for me to cast-on and start knitting away on this.

So, what are you waiting for? Come on and join in on the fun!!!!

Please join me

I am so enamored with Yarnissima's new pattern Firestarter, (if you go to this link and it explains how to go about getting the pattern e-mailed to you, if you haven't gotten it already).

**the pattern is available in English and German

The sock is a toe-up design featuring a cable and a funky gusset. I believe it is intended to be knit up on one circular needle - there is some information on doing the Magic Loop method here. There is a tutorial on knitting toe-up using this method and knitting two socks at once here - egads, I'm sure it is not as overwhleming as it sounds. The pattern itself includes pretty comprehensive instructions on using the crochet provisional cast on - I have found this book helpful. There is also instruction on doing cables without a cable needle - slick. An additional resource for this method is over at Grumperina's blog.

I am going to cast mine on today in Wollmeise Iris Sibirica (Claudia's shop is closed until October 1, but entirely worth the wait...I promise). I am hoping some of you many join me and share your progress, or lack there of as sometimes happens...

Bear with me as I have never tried to put together a knit-along. I am thinking it will be just like blogging with the bonus of added friends. That's where you guys come in. Please e-mail me at peaknitATgmailDOTcom so that I can invite you to join me and get your name and a link to your blog, if you would like, on the side bar. I am thinking I will try to come up with a button in the meantime - until then - come on, join me!