I just finished a simple little Bell Sleeved Shrug. ( It's here. )

This was actually the first hat I ever knitted :)
I put some leaves on the string to give a pumpkin plant leaf effect (they originally were silver but I put a coat of green acrylic ink over them).

( Read more... )

Current Location: Hallaar, Belgium
Current Mood: busy
Current Music: Blutengel downstairs in the cd-player

I'm going to attempt the Silver's Sock Class (http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/SockClass_Start.htm) and I was wondering if anyone had a good yarn recommendation. Let me give you some background on what I need:

I'm an American living and teaching in South Korea. At school, I have to wear inside shoes, which are basically open sandals. I'd like a yarn that is super warm, easy to wash, and easy to work with. Last winter was horrible on my feet. The hallways aren't heated, only the classrooms and offices, and even those stay pretty cold. Thanks for any help you can provide!

Tags: socks, yarn
Current Location: Yecheon Girls Middle School
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: The students cleaning

Hi everyone!
I think it must be the change to cooler weather here, but I am seriously considering knitting and afghan. I've made one afghan before (for Christmas for my brother two years ago) but I used a really simple pattern and acrylic yarn. He loves it, but this one would be for my house and that's not what I'm looking for.
I'm having a bit of trouble picking out a pattern and yarn, which is where you come in.
1. What afghan patterns do you like? Have you tried making it? If so, how did it turn out?
I really like the Four Seasons Throw but the pattern costs $10 (!) and it doesn't approximate the yardage per square, so I'm not sure how much of each color to get. I also looked at the Great American Afghan but ultimately decided some of the squares are a bit too fussy and complicated for the look I'm going for.
2.What yarn should I use?
I think I would prefer superwash wool, but I'm not entirely sure. I don't have tons of yarn money to spend on this, so cost is also very much an issue.
Help?

I know there are chart-makers out there, but is there anything that can do the opposite? As in turn a chart into written instructions?

Even asking that I'm questioning how it would work, but I figure it's still worth asking.

I planned on starting the Percy Shawl but it's all charts and I truly prefer written instructions.

And if there's no such thing as a chart-to-written instructions thingy, if someone has the written version and don't mind sharing, that'd be absolutely fantastic as well!!

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Side-note: I've posted recently about working on the Swallowtail shawl - I cast off yesterday and it's been blocking overnight, but I'm leaving it on for a while longer until I figure out how to store it until October when the recipient will receive it. Post and picture of that will come up before or during the weekend, but a huge thank you to everyone who suggested the pattern and who had inputs and tips - it helped immensely!