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Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

This week I spent some time cranking socks.

On Monday, I cranked these wild socks with some yarn I picked up during the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May. It's so much fun seeing how different yarns knit up. I paired it with some highlighter yellow for the toes.

On Tuesday I put together this cart for told hold my yarn.

I'll fill all those levels with yarn shortly.

I even worked on my next pair of hybrid socks.

Wednesday I cranked these socks using Knit Picks Felici in the colorway called Time Traveler.

2019 sock knitting ...

added by Becca 1 day, 5 hours ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Crochet Madness from Becca's Crazy Projects

I had to make another Cakes Two to Tango shawl. This time with this monochromatic cake and one with a little more oomph.

Getting started it had contrast, but not much punch.

The shift from color to color was fun, though.

The resulting fabric for this one is just so scrumptious.

Then, when I got to the end, the colors really started popping.

When I make something like this I always wonder how it would have come out if the colors had shifted the other way.

Overall, a great finished project.

Find the pattern on Ravelry: Cakes Two to Tango ...

added by Becca 3 days, 4 hours ago. under 2019 , crazy , crochet , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , yarn

Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

I promise, the blog will not become all socks, all the time. Even if it feels like it right now. Sitting down to learn a new skill takes time and dedication. You won't get good at something doing 15 minutes of it once a month. You have to practice consistently to get good at something. Crafting is like that, too. I've focused a great deal on the machine sock knitting, and I think I've learned the basics well enough to somewhat reliably get a sock when I try to make one. Not all the time, but most ...

added by Becca 5 days, 4 hours ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

All aboard the sock train!

When I'm trying to accomplish something I roll from one sock right into the next. This is what I call a sock train. Knit a sock, add some waste yarn, knit another socks, add some more waste yarn, repeat. This way I really only have to set up to knit once. From there I can just keep adding to the train. This was my Saturday afternoon sock train. It looks like four socks, but there were only two good ones in there. The other two were wound back up and are ready to be ...

added by Becca 1 week, 1 day ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

I knit this pair last week. One on Tuesday, and the other one Wednesday. So many socks waiting to be finished.

I managed to finish sewing up the toes on a couple pairs from last week. This pair with the contrast heels and toes came out great!

Then, I tried to knit some socks and it just kept not working. I don't know if it was the yarn, or the tension, or what. But I used all three set-up bonnets and made a big mess.

In the end, not one single socks. All of it ripped and wound up ...

added by Becca 1 week, 3 days ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Hybrid Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

I know I'm sock obsessed. It's summer. I don't want to go outside. I don't want to sweat. I would rather sit in the air conditioning and knit socks. At least I'll be ready for gift giving this winter.

I've been working on these hybrid socks (partially machine knit and finished by hand) for a couple weeks now.

I managed to finish the heels over the weekend. They fit as well as hand-knit socks made with afterthought heels. A fine project if you like take-along projects.

I even started another pair of hybrid socks ...

added by Becca 1 week, 5 days ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

Contrast heels and toes

During the learning process I've avoided some steps just so I can be confident with straightforward sock knitting. This means I focused on setup and consistent tension. Then I focused on technique, meaning being able to consistently knit heels and toes on the machine. Now that I have those things master to the point I'm not ripping back every-other sock, I can play with changing yarn along the way. This was my first go at a contrast heel. I totally messed up the toe and had to rip all the way back. I joke ...

added by Becca 2 weeks, 1 day ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

So many socks! As I work through the learning process, I'm getting more proficient at heels and toes. You have no idea how many times I've watched some of these instructional videos. This was my second pair on Saturday.

Update: I finished the toes and started working on the afterthought heels of my hybrid socks. I promise I'll stop cranking long enough to share some tools.

2019 sock knitting count:

Cranked socks: 2 pair (one still needs the toes closed up)
Hybrid socks: almost 1 pair (partially cranked and partially hand-knit)
Hand knit socks: 1 pair

added by Becca 2 weeks, 3 days ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

I don't usually have much time during the week to work on projects. Between work, dinner, family time, and sleep there isn't much time during the week to practice on my knitting machine. This week I squeezed in a solitary turned heel. I was overly proud of it even if it is destined to be ripped back and put into a different project.

Later in the week I decided to try again. This tangled mess is what happened to the toe. I don't recall what went awry, only that it did. That ball winder of mine is ...

added by Becca 2 weeks, 4 days ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Cranked Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

My first pair of cranked socks are almost done.

Because I wanted to have something to show for my first week with my sock knitting machine, I grabbed a single 50 gram ball of Knit Picks Felici and got cranking.

I decided to go with hand-finished heels and toes but wanted to give the hung hem a go. I put in waste yarn for the afterthought heels (that's what the strange red strand is all about).

I picked up for the toes and got knitting.

I knit in the car.

And I knit waiting for dinner.

I almost finished ...

added by Becca 3 weeks, 1 day ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Awaiting Fullfillment from Becca's Crazy Projects

After returning from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I decided I wanted a circular sock knitting machine. I wanted one enough to do some internet research, choose Erlbacker Gearhart to manufacture my machine, and lay down the substantial amount of money required to buy a reproduction machine manufactured in the United States. What I wasn't expecting, in this Amazon-will-have-that-to-your-door-tomorrow world, was the long lead time. Once I started investigating the lead time, I learned most people were saying 8-10 weeks. Then, when I started asking people in circular sock knitting groups when they had ordered their machines -- and ...

added by Becca 3 weeks, 5 days ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knit picks , knitting , machine , machine knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool , yarn

Crazy About Yarn from Becca's Crazy Projects

On Monday I shared my Awaiting Fulfillment Socks. Today, I'm going to share the sock yarn I bought to be ready for that sock knitting machine.

I discovered that Knit Picks was offering their Summer 2019 Felici at 20% off. How could I not invest in the new collection of striping yarns? I added two of those to my shopping cart, then started adding Stroll Sock in solids for contrast heels and toes. I think Knit Picks changes their Felici colors once or twice a year, so if you see one you like you should pick up a couple ...

added by Becca 4 weeks, 1 day ago. under craft , crazy , knit , knit picks , knitting , labels: 2019 , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool , yarn

Crochet Madness from Becca's Crazy Projects

I fear this might become a regular thing. Last week I shared my Cakes Two to Tango Shawl and this week I get to share the finished shawl.

This is where I left off last week. I worked on it a little every day. It's a really quick project if you're an experienced crocheter.

I was a little concerned when I hit the white section of both cakes at the same time. I think at least one of these sections was supposed to a color and there was some failure at the factory. That doesn't bother me ...

added by Becca 1 month ago. under 2019 , crazy , crochet , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , yarn

Awaiting Fulfillment Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

On May 6th, after returning from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I decided I wanted a circular sock knitting machine. I wanted one enough to do serious internet research, select my machine, and lay down the substantial amount of money required to buy a high-precision machine. What I wasn't expecting -- in this Amazon-will-have-that-to-your-door-tomorrow world -- was the long lead time. I'll talk about that experience when my circular sock knitting machine ships and arrives at my door. Until then, I decided I would hand knit some socks with the same stitch count as the cylinder I ordered so ...

added by Becca 1 month ago. under 2019 , craft , crazy , knit , knitting , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , socks , tool

Crochet Madness from Becca's Crazy Projects

Sometimes I get a crazy idea to go to one of the big box stores and buy yarn for a crochet project. I say crazy, because I have plenty of yarn. I don't need to buy any more.

I discovered that the local A.C. Moore had Lion Brand Mandala yarn on sale: 3 cakes for $10. I couldn't resist. I bought more than a couple colors.

What was I going to make with those cakes? Well, a shawl, or six.

I have been meaning to try a pattern on Ravelry called Cakes Two to Tango. Two contrasting ...

added by Becca 1 month, 1 week ago. under 2019 , crazy , crochet , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , yarn

Desk Upgrade from Becca's Crazy Projects

My IKEA desk has been collecting things for a while now. One of the downsides to this desk is that sometimes I wills spend entirely too much time sitting. I decided it was time to upgrade to a felxible workstation where I could sit or stand. I did some poking around and settled on the FlexiSpot Standing Desk.

I opted for the VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount for my monitors. This was the part that took the longest to assemble. It includes cable management which is always great. The FlexiSpot Standing Desk was mostly assembled when it arrived. I do ...

added by Becca 1 month, 1 week ago. under 2019 , design , shopping , tool , tool tip

Crochet Starburst Poncho from Becca's Crazy Projects

I shared the beginnings of the Starburst Poncho in early June.

I've been slowly working on it and finished it on Saturday.

It wasn't quite a poncho after the first full Caron Big Cake, so kept going.

And going.

When I couldn't finish another row, I bound off an called it done. This is no small poncho. With four points, it can be worn with two points in the front and two in the back.

Or, center opposite points in the front and the back. I think this is way I would prefer to wear it. It ...

added by Becca 1 month, 3 weeks ago. under 2019 , crazy , crochet , maryland , md , project , projects , shopping , yarn

Does Her Neck Look Okay? from Canadian Needle Nana

Hubby has been busy mowing. Kitchen window view to the left on Thursday.

Tilly the wild Turkey visited the front yard again this week. Does her neck look okay to you?

I got a couple of sewing items in the mail. I've never used these needles before- the Bohin needles from France which sounds posh as Hubby would say. For certain projects like applique, I prefer shorter needles. I usually use John James. But so many of you recommend the Bohin I thought I would give them a try.
And how do you like my Murhpy mug as I ...

added by Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana 1 month, 4 weeks ago. under books , cross stitch , dogs , quilting , shopping

Game Night Play Mat from Becca's Crazy Projects

We get together with friends a couple times a month to play games like Evolution from North Star Games.

Or Space Base from AEG. We found the cards weren't very easy to pick up from the surface of the table. I wanted a neoprene play mat to help cards from slipping away and to generally make things easier to pick up. I did some searching around the web and Amazon and found a 3 foot by 4 foot neoprene play mat that was perfect for our dining room table. If you play board games and want something to cover ...

added by Becca 1 month, 4 weeks ago. under 2019 , board games , friends , game , gaming , shopping

Quilts by the Bay from Becca's Crazy Projects

I try to attend a few local quilt shows a year. The closer the show is to my house, the more likely I am to attend. The Annapolis Quilt Guild's Quilts by the Bay is one of my favorites.

There are often used tools you can pick up, like this embroidery machine for about half the original price. (Similar to this one available from Amazon.)

Or homemade treats such as this cornucopia of fudge. There were so many flavors!

It was great to see a trio of Good Fortune quilts hanging together. From the left: quilt-makers Marilyn O'Loughlin ...

added by Becca 2 months ago. under 2019 , fabric , local , maryland , md , pattern , quilt , quilt show , shopping

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