How Many ways can you knit a Sock???

Well, I have done it 3 ways, and I know there are more!! I finished these green socks not long after the 4th holiday, just haven't had time to post them.
They were my first sock using Magic Loop!! They were done cuff down, which is how I have always done socks. Now....ta.da!!! My first toe-up sock using Magic Loop!! I also used a new cast on with this, it is Judy Becker's Magic Cast on as demonstrated on You Tube by Cat Bordhi. She is a riot, if you've never watched her...her story while doing the demo is a bit annoying, but it really is funny and you do remember.
This shot is where I am, almost done with the gusset, (easier going toe up by the way)!!!
These socks actually might be a tad to big, but since they are my first toe up, I am just going with the process, I will either try to shrink them, or find someone who has a bigger foot than I do, which perhaps will be my daughter...hmmm...maybe a Christmas present in the making!!! I am truely amazed however, how quickly these go compared to dpn's...amazing!!! :)
Oh I am going to be a test knitter!!! Never done that before!! Found a pair of socks on ravelry, and they were beautiful. Christabel can be found on ravelry, or at her site, cseneque.wordpress.com. She is from Perth, Australia, and she is going to let me test knit these beautiful socks!! She has done them in a pretty varigated color, I may try them with a solid, we'll see. I'll keep you informed as to my progress!! :) I'm so excited!!! Other than that, our summer.......wait.....oh ya...Michigan isn't having summer this year, we are the land that summer forgot!! No lie, this is the coldest July on record...it was 52 here the other evening, and has been rainy...shall I go on!!
Talked to Alex the other day, and he got official word of when he'll be home, I can't really post that, but do know that it's sooner than my ticker!! We are so excited!! So is he!!!
Guess that's it, as usual, thanks for visiting!!
Suzanne

Socks and Magic Loop

Okay, I have posted a few socks that I have made here, each one so far done with dpn, which I do like......However, I just decided to teach myself how to do socks with Magic Loop! Oh WoW!!! I can't believe how much faster it goes.
Now mind you, I only did one at a time......but after I do this a couple times, I think I will try to teach myself two at a time.
I really want to teach myself toe up first. Its the cast on I seem to have trouble with, but the internet is so helpful for this!! All you need to do is google something and You Tube probably has it. Some are better teachers than others, but if you watch a couple different ones, you pick up different things, or the camera angle was closer, etc. Here is a picture of my first sock, the second one is just started on the needles. I pretty much did this one over the holiday weekend, but I didn't sit and knit constantly. Would never have gotten the dpn done this fast. I am just amazed. Maybe someday I can keep up with friends, like Leah from the knitting giraffe. She does amazing socks, and has them done so quickly!! :) I got so excited, that my LYS was having their sidewalk days....still are come to think about it.......hmmm....that I went and bought two more skeins,
at half price to do some more socks. Do I have sock yarn in my stash you ask? Why yes,
but doesn't a knitter always need to get more.........me thinks so!!! :)I hope you all had a relaxing 4th....we had a wonderful time at my SIL house. Nice and relaxing. Please continue to pray for Alex...he will be coming home soon, but as the time draws near, he is almost more homesick........it was hard for him to have us all together and him not be there over the 4th. I know many of you are praying, and I sincerely know that that is what will get him through this, and from a mothers heart, I thank you most sincerely!!
Suzanne

Happy Birthday, America!!!

I hope you all enjoy this long weekend, celebrating our country and all its freedoms!! Please remember those who have fought and continue to serve to keep our country free. Thank you from my family and may God bless you on this special day. Thank you for your sacrifice of time, and may God protect and bring you all safely home.

Well Finally!!!

Oh my goodness!! We've gone from prom around here to graduation and open house, to exhaustion. I keep saying, "I need to change my blog." That, however, would involve thought, effort, two things that seem to have left me recently. We have had a delightful time the last month, but wow, am I tired!! :) Ashleigh graduated and is one of those kids who enjoys ever moment she lives in. She is fun to watch, she soaks in everything... as she should!! She graduated on Thursday, May 28th, outside, and as you can see, the clouds were dark and threatened rain, but Praise the Lord, never did.
It was freezing...no, seriously, I had a thick sweatshirt, turtle-neck, and even some mittens on!! But no rain!! Family was all in for that, and then on Sunday, we had her open house here. We fed probably around 250 people. She had a taco bar, which really did seem to flow nicely, our backyard was full of people we love, and the sun was shining.

Oh and we also got to talk to our son from Iraq, as did many others, so what's not love!! We had a wonderful day!! Yes, and even in all that, I have managed to knit!! Actually, crochet. We have a team from church leaving for Brazil, and they needed 17(final count) dishcloths.

I crocheted them, because that goes faster, and got them all done!! I also made two dish towels for Mom's for mothers day. I didn't get a picture of my mom's which was purple and lime green. Will have to see if I can get that. They liked them. Now, will they use them!! You knitters know what I mean!! I think, besides Alex and Anna's blanket, I might cast on for a pair of summers socks for me. I haven't done a pair of socks in s
o long, I want to make sure I can. We have a few weeks respite then we are off for camping season, Jeff's sisters for the 4th. Then, Lord willing, we will be gearing up for Alex to come home. No official date yet, (and even when we do, I can't tell):) but it might be sooner than we expected!! He is pretty homesick, so do keep him in your prayers. I know several of you mention him alot, and I know your praying, and I thank you for that!! I am still blown away, that Christians, I may never meet until glory are praying for me and my family. How cool is our God!! Guess that's it. Oh! The garden is in. Maybe next time I'll take some pics of that new garden we put in last fall with my folks (remember that??) and show you what it looks like now!! But for now, that's all I've got. I've missed you, even though I have been keeping up with your blogs. As always, thanks for visiting me and come back soon.
Suzanne

Spring and Prom (picutre heavy post!)

Well, spring has sprung around here, trees are budded and blooming and of course that means Prom.
Our daughter is a senior, as had her prom this past Saturday.
Here are a few shots of her and her friends. She has more friends, but these kids have grown up together. THey had a beautifully sunny day. Although a little windy, still beautiful. Ashleigh is the one in yellow (duh!).
Another thing with spring is the fact that Alex will miss it this year. I think I will send him some pictures. He says all he sees is sand. :) The dishcloths you see are crocheted, and are for our churches mission trip to Brazil in June. I have a couple more weeks,( I'm making twelve of them to take to the 12 pastors wives), but this is such an easy, and nice pattern.
Easy to memorize and makes a really nice thick, nubby fabric. Also, is the nice swap package I got from Diana.
I still won't show hers, yet, as I'm not sure she's gotten it yet. I had all the stuff, almost the entire month, just didn't get it mailed out. She made me a beautiful butterfly dishcloth
and a very cool sunflower. Looks hard to me.
She sent me a lot of other goodies. Very fun. I am taking a couple months off of the swap, due to all the busyness around here. Oh yes, how could I forget, look what I got from my mother and father-in-law for mothers day... a beautiful vintage apron. I see many aprons on lots of your blogs (lovely by the way) and I have several already, but this one matches my living room, which is visible from my kitchen.
I wore it today in fact, had to take it off for the pictures. Fun, Fun! If I ever get real adventurous, I might actually make my own. Sewn, not knit. I have added the fourth color(red) on Alex and Anna afghan, when I get a little more done, I will show you. It does look real pretty, still think its a huge project. Maybe wedding, maybe 1st anniversary, we'll see!! LOL :) Anyway, I know I rambled a bit, but thanks as always for visiting, and come back soon!!
Suzanne

A little Busy

Well, as I said, still trying to figure out this new computer, but I did manage to download all my new pictures, so I figured it was time to change the ole' blog. Thanks to all my (few) faithfuls (you know who you are). I miss hearing from you and I do so appreciate your comments!! I have been busy in the...well actually, more crochet right now than knitting. I am in the process of knitting that Moderne Blanket for Alex and Anna. Wow what a huge project. I will take pictures soon, but I feel guilty knitting anything else, when I have so far to go on that. So, what is a knitter to do? .... Crochet of course... that doesn't count!! :) I made some real fast projects though that were great stash busters! First, is the Stitchy Scrubbie I found in the latest issue of Crochet Today. Isn't this fabulous!! The directions were a little strange sounding, but if you follow them then you get this. Just great. I will definitely be making more of these.
The only thing is that the yarn needs to be doubled. I hate that, cuz that means making two balls instead of one, and I will avoid one if I can. I need a ball winder!! Hum!! The next project was a tote.
I did find this pattern somewhere, but simply took the basic directions out of a crochet instruction book for a flat circular bottom. I think I did 7 rounds, then you crochet through the back loop with you first color, and then every color, I used a different stitch, which in crochet means a different length. Make the thing as tall as you want, do the same for the handle, and Viola' instant great summer tote. I have gotten a lot of compliments on this.
Just makes me think summer. I like it!!
I have made a couple dishrags, but they are for swap, and I haven't sent them out yet, so next post I will show you those. Maybe I will have more scrubbies made by then. Guess that is all for now. This is going to be a whirlwind month, our daughter is graduating, every concert and piano and voice recital is scheculed for this month, plus one son in track, not to mention getting ready for her open house. Whew! I'm tired already! :) As usual, thanks for stopping and hopefully I can post soon. Should have lots to share! :) Have a great day!
Suzanne

I'm Back!!!!!!

Praise the Lord!! I have a new computer!!! I'm sure you all thought I dropped off the planet, and there were times when I felt like I did! :) I was able to use my husbands old laptop, but lets just say all I could do was lurk and check emails. It wouldn't even let me leave comments!! I have been knittiing. I'm not sure though if I have any new pictures. I will soon, but alas, that part of this computer system isn't quite finished. Here are some updates:
Alex is on a long mission, please pray for him. He just in the last month, had two wisdom teeth pulled, and suffered through a bought of dehydration, that had us a little concerned. He also has lost @ 30 pounds. I asked him if they had a fat Marine Mom weight loss program. I'd be right over! :)
Daughter Ashleigh (the senior) is counting down days, now that spring break is over. She will be done on May 15th!! Whoa, quess I better get going on her open house plans...yikes!!
The Boys are boys... :) trying to keep ones grades up, and one is running track. Hopefully have some pictures of that soon.
Well, it seems to be spring sort of here in Michigan. No blooms yet, but everything is budded. Just waiting for 60 degree weather. Then I am sure everything will pop!!!
I did get out in my yard last week, got the garden beds already, and hope to plant seeds in my garden on Saturday. I guess thats really all. Oh Wedding plans are really in full swing. We went with Anna last week to the place where the reception will be for a taste testing dinner. That was fun, and I think she got the menu set. Today, I am off to meet my brother and his family at the Bridal shop, so my neice Lydia (who is in the wedding) can pick out her dress. Talk about excitement for a 6 year old.... getting to pick out a princess dress. Her only two questions were... what color.... and do I get to carry flowers like Anna!! Very important things you know!! I went a couple weeks ago with Anna and Ashleigh, so Ashleigh could order her dress. That was fun. I got to see Anna's dress. Wow, she will make a beautiful bride. The dress is beautiful, but she makes the dress!! Sappy, but true!! :) I guess that is it for now, I just wanted you to know that I was still here, and have missed being in blogland!! Thanks for visiting, and I hope to hear from you!!
Thanks,
Suzanne