Show And Tell

I know, finally right? Admittedly I probably wouldn't even be here now except My arm is a little sore from the knitting with big needles (US 10.5, pretty big compared to the 1.5's I've been using recently). So rather than cause permanent damage I decided to take a night off. Which sort of stinks cause I am really close to FINALLY finishing this damn scarf, but more on that next time.

This post is my photo tour of the past...little while, sock style. It's been all socks all the time around here for a while.*



The Double Eyelet Rib Socks from Wendy Johnson in Seacoast Panda "Surf," finished 9/13/09. These are my re-entry into the SKA universe. With all that had been going on, I hadn't been participating in their monthly sock challenges much (or at least not finishing much), but life is getting a little more normal (hahaha) so I decided to jump back in. I wasn't sure how the pattern and the yarn would get along, but I think it works.

Funny story. Jaime saw me knitting these socks and kept saying how it seemed like I had knit them before. I had no idea what he was talking about! Until a couple days ago I remember this little number:



The socks I knit for my aunt over two years ago. Not quite the same, but still earns him big points. I'm glad he can remember...



Here we have the Dog Days Socks by Kristi Schueler in Madelinetosh Tosh Sock "Beach Towel," finished 8/27/09. This sock is brought to you by the June 2008 Woolgirl Sock Club shipment. I know the club was exclusive and all, but I can't believe more people haven't knit this pattern. I loved it! The construction was so different it really kept me interested the whole time.



Next up are my Glinda Socks by Bethany Whitney in Madelintosh Tosh Sock "Glinda the Good Witch," finished 7/5/09. The socks came in one of the Oz kits from Woolgirl and is part of my goal to finish all of the sock kits I have around here. Um, ok. I LOVE these socks!!! The color couldn't be more me. I seem to be a fan of the yarn. The pattern seemed to take forever (lots of teeny cables without a needle with teeny stitches and teeny needles), but it looks fab. Yaay!



We're really traveling back in time now. These are the Yarn Over Cable socks by Charlene Schurch in Rowan 4 Ply Soft color 378, finished 3/23/09. These socks seemed to take forever too. I like the pattern, but it wasn't that interesting and didn't even have fun yarn to help keep me into it. They turned out pretty well, and then they felted a bit in the wash. I can get them on but they're a bit snug now. These socks convinced me to start hand-washing and air drying my socks...for a couple weeks until I got lazy.



Last but not least, my first pair of socks this year. Cloning Anemone by "Team Blue Moon" in Socks That Rock Lightweight "Tide Pooling," finished 1/5/09. I am so upset over these socks I can hardly even talk about it. I made them, I loved them (PERFECT patter, GORGEOUS yarn), I wore them once maybe twice. And then I lost one of them!!! I figured it got lost at the bottom of my old closet (it was a scary closet), thought it would turn up in the move. Months later and still no sock. Makes me want to cry a little.

So, I think we're caught up now. I owe you a spinning post in the near future. Until then!

*99.9% of the links are from Ravelry. But for reals everyone is already there, right?!?

It Has Been Far Too Long...

since I've posted a picture of Junior. Right?


taken 9/24/08

I think he has finally turned a corner and decided to give table food a real go. Last night he had peas and carrots and apples for dinner. Yaaaay! He's so big now. And he is getting harder and harder to entertain. Jaime and I play with him, and he has toys, but he just seems to need more excitement. My mom went with Jaime and Junior to look at cars and Junior was an angel (ok, those were my mom's words and of course she thinks he's an angel). When we're out of the house he's fine. I think he is just bored of his toys, his room, us.

Sooooo, knitting. Right. I've been knitting a little bit.







That would be palm cozy, Monkey's and Junior's blue jeans socks. They are all knit in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Jeans. I just can't get rid of this yarn! I bought two skeins for socks and only used a teensy bit from the second skein on my Monkey's. I'm thinking Junior might get his first hat this fall made to match his socks.

Ok, one more Junior pic for the road.


taken 9/24/08

I sure love that kid.

Again With The Socks

For a week or so there I was knitting something besides socks. It was between RSC mailings and SKA's month off. I knit maybe 4 inches



And then, again with the socks. First, some Monkey's.



It only took me 2 years to get to this pattern. Actually at first I wasn't impressed by it. But after seeing so many variations I caved. I'm in love!

Next, the September mystery socks for SKA. The challenge was to knit orange socks. It doesn't count as stash if I start them right away.



As far as the life that goes on between sock knitting sessions, it's been going pretty well.

We're in the busy season at work, gearing up for year end close out at the end of this month. It's been a little crazy but I'm still loving it.

Junior gets more ornery every day. He gets into EVERYTHING. I just have to remind myself that his curiosity is a good thing. He still isn't talking at all, which worries me sometimes, although everyone says I shouldn't be concerned. Aaaand the only "big boy foods" he'll eat are cheerios, cheez-its and just recently frozen soft pretzels (ok, and there was that one time I let him nibble on my oreo cakester, but that doesn't' count at all). UGH! It is so frustrating. The doctor said not to force it, which is good cause the boy is seriously stubborn. Don't know where he gets it...

Olympic Knitting Begins

Joiner that I am, I signed up for the Ravelympics. But in a non-commital way. I am competing in the WIP wrestling event, meaning my goal is to finish stuff. As much stuff as I can.

Fortunately for me, my newest obsession (seen above) was started a week ago and therefore technically counts as a WIP. Maybe not the intention of the event, but whatever. They're actually going relatively quickly and after they're finished I plan to actually dive into my UFO bin. Scary!

New Sock Parade - Part One

In my blogging absence I've finished a few pairs of socks. This is the most recent, I'll work my way back in time in the next few posts.

Details*:
May 2008 Rockin' Sock Club yarn and pattern
Cleopatra's Stockings by Yarnissima
Socks that Rock Lightweight in The Incredible Shrinking Violet
Ravelry Project Page

mods: none

For the first sock, I added some stitched to accomodate my wide feet. After binding off, I realized that not only were the mods unnecessary, but I had also made the foot too long. I couldn't bare to rip yet, so knit the second sock to be sure I could make it with no mods (I don't trust sock patterns; see my above comment re: wide feet). They were PERFECT, so then I got two knit sock 1 again. I didn't know if I'd make it, but I managed to finish. It helped to have Ravelympics and the next club shipment coming up.

So, they fit wonderfully with no changes at all. I even managed to knit a decent sized cuff. (I usually go for anklets or short cuffs as my calves are pretty wide as well.) The yarn is fab, the socks are lovely. I'm a happy sock knitter!

* I'm a rabid Ravelry-er, so many links point to Ravelry. This is your fair warning. If you aren't a member, sign up already!!

Mission: SOCKS!

Of course. As soon as I swore I wouldn't cast on till I finished Serendipity I lost all interest in it. Well, in my defense things got busy (busier than normal that is). So the last sock drug on a bit. But, they're done now and I'm IN LOVE!



They fit perfectly and they even survived a long day at work. I'm definitely a Socks that Rock convert. (For the record, I'm enjoying the mediumweight a bit more than the lightweight used here)

After wearing these socks Tuesday and an older pair of handknit socks Wednesday, I've come to a conclusion. It's a mission really. Life is much too short for poor-fitting socks! Nearly every sock I've knit to this point has been "great but." You know, great but a little loose, great but too short, great but bound off too tightly. Most of the time I knew the problem as soon as I tried the socks on, but decided it wasn't that big of a deal, or I just really wanted to be done with them.

NO MORE!!! These socks took a little more time, I mean it nearly killed me to have to rip back after I thought I was done, but it was so worth it. Now I have a pair of socks I look forward to wearing. From now on, I will not settle.

When Motivation And Energy Meet

Until a couple weeks ago, I really hadn't knit since my trip (had to go to DC for a work-required class for a week in February).


Fortunately, Junior has slept through the night since about 7 weeks and not long after that he established a pretty regular schedule of going to be between 8 and 9. I generally don't make it to bed till at least 10:30 and sometimes later, so it seems like I'd have plenty of time to get in some knitting or anything else. Except I was tired. I work all day and then come home and play with/take care of Junior so Jaime can have a break. I never even get a chance to eat dinner till the kid is in bed. So mostly I would just sit between his bedtime and mine.


For some reason though, I've been feeling a lot less tired lately. Work has been going well and Junior really enjoys playing with all his toys, so I can maybe even manage some dinner while he's awake.


Add this new energy to my recent motivation, namely the Rockin' Sock Club and suddenly I'm knitting again.

I had started the first sock on my trip but never finished it. Then all of a sudden the next shipment seemed to be sneaking up on me. One glorious Saturday afternoon alone and a few good lunch hours and I've finished sock one and am making good progress on sock two.





I REALLY want to keep up with this club, if I do nothing else knitting related this year. I just received the March club shipment and can't wait to get started. I had finished my Serendipity socks last night and just wanted to take a few pictures. This is how one picture turned out.



Don't know if you can tell but the bottom sock is a wee bit shorter than the other. Yeah, I sorta forgot half a repeat of the pattern on the second sock. I was just so excited to finish it! So I ripped back and am patiently (haha) working my way towards the finish line again. My new yarn keeps staring at me though...

Hopefully I'll have some finished socks to show you very very soon!

Day 8

Although I still have a fair number of projects in various states of not-quite-done*, I have become pretty monogamous with my knitting. I don't have the time or brain power for more than one project at once! So what am I working on now?

My main project is a sock for Sockdown: Ravelry. I decided a couple months ago that my life wasn't crazy enough, and I should try to knit a pair of socks a month. Of course, the prizes don't hurt. I'm knitting my first sock from Sensational Socks and so far I'm loving it. I apparently have unusually wide feet, so it is nice to be able to adjust for that easily. I actually left my sock, or more accurately toe, in progress at work, hopefully I can get some pictures soon.

Another thing I'm working on every great once in a while is Junior's Trellis. I LOVE this sweater, but HATE seaming. So once a week or so I pick it up and sew up a seam. I'm going to have to pick up the pace though, as he's probably pretty darn close to fitting into it.

Annnnd since I left my sock at work, I think I'm about to cast on for the famous My So-Called Scarf. I've wanted one for so long...

Daily baby pic

taken today

*Yeah, I've given up on the sidebar for now. And I've even become too lazy to link. I'm really just holding out for the Ravelry sidebar.....

Happy Halloween

Freedom

I'm temporarily baby-less and it feels so good. Jaime took Junior to the store so I could have a few minutes to breathe. It's nice being able to knit (or blog) without having to worry about whether he'll need me rightthisverysecond. We even get to go out for a birthday (mine was Saturday) dinner tonight while my mom watches the baby.

So far I've eaten two chocolate chip cookies for breakfast, knit a bit on my forget-me-not socks, and posted this. Who knows what kid of craziness I'll do next!

Here's a newer shots of my handsome boy. I can't stay away from him for long. He's getting to be such a big boy.



I love that little guy more than I could have imagined, but he can be such a booger. He sleeps a fair amount, and even for some decent stretches at night, but he can only sleep on one of us or in his bouncy seat. I've been sleeping on our couch for over a month (it was more comfortable for the last week or so of being pregnant as well) because he won't sleep in his bassinet or crib (and so that Jaime can get some sleep since he's still working). I seriously miss bed.

I really have to say that this mother thing is so much harder than I expected. I know that sounds dumb, I should have known. But with my experience with kids and infants I thought I had an advantage. Well, I don't know if I've been working with numbers for too long or if kids this young are just a different animal (my best guess), but I have NO advantage. It's better now, but I've had some rough moments when he won't stop crying and nothing is working and I just break down. I'm supposed to be good at this and know how to make him feel better and sometimes I just don't. I'm so logical that in my mind when he cries he must want one of a finite set of things that have made him happy in the past and when none of those work I feel helpless.

Ok, end of vent. Despite those moments I'm really enjoying this new little person.

Making Progress

So, no baby yet. But getting closer. Baby J's still doing great. I'm due Monday the 13th and we decided that if nothing happens we'll be inducing Wednesday morning. I'll actually be going in Tuesday night to get things ready and then they'll start the pitocin Wednesday bright and early. We were really hoping that things would happen a little sooner, but I'm really ok with everything.

I've been so focused on how uncomfortable I am, always wondering whether this new sensation meant that I was going into labor. Every day I'd think that maybe this was the day. It was exhausting! So even though it could still happen at any time, I still am relieved to have a scheduled time. I really feel like for the next week I will just be sure and enjoy being pregnant and not worry (too much) about what is coming next.

There's been knitting progress too. I have been working on my Forget-Me-Not socks. I found this sweet pattern on Ravelry and actually decided to cast on after joining the Sockdown there. The idea is to knit a pair of socks based each month based on either the theme or designer of the month. This month the theme is lace and I just decided to jump in. Really didn't need another project, but oh well.



And since finding out that I have another week till hospital time, I have cast on for the second in the pair of Twinkletoes slippers. I knit the first one a while ago thinking that it'd be nice to have something special to wear in the hospital, but then had issues with the second and had to rip. Well now they're moving forward again.



Yeah, I think I might be rebelling against all the blue. But, I'm making progress!

Seriously?

More gauge fun! So I said I was done with my multidirectional scarf and that I love it. Well, I spoke too soon. I love half of it. And the other half makes me nuts. Here's the evidence.



See how the end on the left, the cast on end, is nice and tight and lovely? And the other end is wider and sloppy looking?? Yeah, that sucks. So I found about where it seems to go bad (just a little less than halfway through) and I've decided to rip back and fix it. I haven't decided yet whether I should go down a needles size or just consciously knit tighter. Right now I don't want to think about it.

Then we have the sock I just picked back up. I'm finally going to finish those (Not) Padded Footlets that I've been (not) working on forever (I think I'm so clever). So I pick up the beginnings of sock 2 and go along my merry way. I try on what I have of sock 2 with the completed sock 1, and sock 2 seems a bit wider. Hmmm, strange I think, but I continue. Then, 20 rows later, it hits me. I was supposed to be decreasing for the gusset this whole time. For some reason when I picked them up I got it in my head that I had finished that part. Sooooo I rip back those 20-some rows on 0 needles with 90-some stitches.

And I'm DECREASING merrily along when I actually look at the sock. Hmmm, now the lacey motif in the center looks a little funny. Like, it isn't quite as tidy as the rest. I tried capturing photographic evidence of this, but it didn't work so well. 20 rows later (again) I realize that I have been knitting at a looser gauge since I picked it back up. Ok, people, this is like three projects in a row. SERIOUSLY?? This time the culprit was my knitting style. I used to sorta throw with my left hand, but in the past couple months I've taught myself to pick while holding the yarn in my left hand. Pretty similar, just a slight difference in which hand does the most moving. But apparently enough to screw me over. I switch back to my old method and things look lovely again. I don't have the heart to rip back again, but I don't think it will bother me so much on socks. *SIGH*

Will I ever learn? Stay tuned.

Socktoberfest Parade

Remember in elementary school when everyone put on their Halloween costumes an hour before school got out and paraded through the school and playground? This is sort of like that. But with socks. And less cupcakes.


These are my most recent pair of socks. They're the famous (or infamous depending on who you are) Jaywalkers. I've loved this pattern forever, but got a little worried when bloggers were saying that they don't have much stretch. I have thick ankles, no stretch is no good. So I made them from a nice stretchy yarn (Fixation) and made them shorter so as not to cut off circulation to my ginormous calves. I ADORE them!


Next comes another pair for Jaime. He never really wears the other socks I made him (he claims they're too nice to wear...) but I can't blame him cause they are pretty big. But after seeing the thicker socks I made for my mom and dad he had to have some. These fit much better and he loves them. His feet were occupied at time of post. Now will he wear them?


With the leftovers from Jaime's socks I couldn't help making these cute little sockies. They also used up some of my leftover fun fur. I knew keeping all that crap would come in handy someday. These socks are destined to warm some Mongolian toes through the Dulaan Project.


Last and somewhat least is my not exactly socklike, but still foot related, effort. I love love love these things. I sorta funked up the bottom, but they are so comfy. And super cute in my fave color.

As always, more details can be found on my project page (link on left side). And you can click on the pictures to see a bigger version, but I will warn you that no shaving was involved in the taking of these pictures.

Coming soon, my new project and life updates. Have a great weekend!

Kansas City Girl

Yep, this is what I'm doing today.



Although I have a test Tuesday, school has actually settled down for a week. So I can enjoy a nice Sunday of football and knitting (and maybe even some podcasts) without feeling guilty about it.

More about that somewhat fuzzy project soon.

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday too!

Sky And Cake And Crafts, Oh My!

I'm a Kansas girl, what can I say? This looks to be a picture heavy post, so beware.

First off, my first ever on-time Saturday Sky.


And of course the end of the birthday celebration. For those of you with delicate sensibilities, I edited this picture of Jaime's cake.

I bet you just have no idea what's under that airbrush huh? I decorated it myself. Aren't I an artiste? Ha. We're goofy, what can I say...

Here's one of the birthday boy blowing out the candles. He wouldn't tell me what he wished for.

Sorry for the fuzziness. That's one of those tricky shots. So, all in all we had a great day yesterday.

So, when I haven't been partying with Jaime, or reading books like they're melting, I really have been knitting. Here's proof!

Getting closer.

There's even been some spinning. I picked my spindle back up three days ago and for once it seems I haven't forgotten everything I'd learned. I've spun a section a day since then. I might eventually have enough yarn to knit something with. Imagine that.

For those of you who've made it this far, a special treat. This is the second thing I knit. The first being a "scarf" that was probably 14x40 inches, with variegated acrylic yarn, in garter stitch. Was fun fur a step up? That's debatable. Well, this scarf has been well loved and is now looking a bit mangy so I'm giving it to Goodwill. But first I had to take a picture.


WW Update
apparently my intuition about those gummies for breakfast was right. I gained .8 pounds this week, but I know I deserved it. Just means I'll have to get my butt back in gear this week :)

Sockies!

Ok, so just part of one.



I've finished 4 of the 7 repeats of the main pattern. So close! And it fits like a dream. I'll have to make room in my sock drawer pretty soon.

Refocus

Well, I decided on a new project. And it apparently was just what I needed because I can't stop knitting. Here's my progress so far.



Anyone recognize this? It's the reverse of the socks I made for my sockapal2za pal so long ago, the (Not) Padded Footlets. Hers were turquoise with pink stripes and of course mine are going to be pink with turquoise stripes. These were the best fitting socks I had ever knit, and it was REALLY hard to send them away.

Here's a close up of the heel flap detailing. Did I mention I LOVE these socks?



WW Update:
I finally made it down to the workout room this morning and it felt SO. GOOD. Of course, it was mostly to make up for the poor choice I made for dinner last night. Lets just say it involved someone delivering food. I feel so guilty!! But I guess if that's what it took to get me to start the exercising habit again maybe it wasn't soooo bad. I'm just not going to let it make me get down and do anything else bad. Weigh in's tomorrow...

Another Accomplishment

Maybe not quite as exciting as working towards better health and taking care of myself, but pretty great none the less. I have a new FO!!

Meet my newest pair of socks.



They're spunky! As always, click for a closer look.

I've been working on these since October of last year. Not my oldest UFO by far, but still feels good to get it done. I'm hoping that this will be the first of many new finished projects, and if nothing else I am excited to start on a new pair of socks. Now I just have to decide which ones...

Busy Busy Busy

School has been keeping me super busy lately. Only a few weeks left, but so much more left to do. I talked to a counselor about the masters program, which of course means I need to make more decisions. I'm just so tired of thinking about what classes I should take and when I should graduate and whether I should get a few grad credits or just finish and if I can even afford a masters at all and and and... Pffff!

Aunt Vicki was in town for a few days and of course that meant lots of random fun. I think Jaime's feeling a bit ignored as I haven't been home for like three days except to sleep. He actually said he missed talking to me, so I know I've been away for a while. I haven't even been keeping up with my blogs. I'm so excited to have this weekend to do a bunch of nothing. We might even make it out for a date night, it's been way too long.

We found out Thursday that my mom is going to have another surgery, probably on May 5th. And after that the doctor wants her to do chemotherapy. It's a little scary, but I think I'm really just more worried that she won't agree to it. She's worried about how all the side effects will make her feel, which I can totally understand, but if it'll help her keep this cancer away for a little longer I think it's worth it. Hopefully with all the support from her sisters and me she'll feel strong enough to handle it.

So, knitting. Well, since I had to get Aunt Vicki's birthday socks done in time for her birthday and all, that's about all I'd been knitting. I finally got a picture of them before they were gifted away.



As far as I can tell she loved them. I know she kept mentioning that she would have to get a new pair of clogs to show them off. Nothing like a well received gift. Now that that's over with I'm back to the ruffle scarf, after tinking a bit so that I could remember the pattern which I didn't bother to write down since it was so easy. Should have known better.

My Random Day

Hey, everyone else is doing it.

1. Is it weird that the only playlist I've created in iTunes is "Drinking Songs"? I am in college I guess...

2. My Aunt Vicki is coming into town for the week of Easter. Her birthday also happens to be on Easter and I've volunteered to make her a pair of socks. Why do I open my mouth??

3. Because of the above, all other knitting (should, in theory) be put to the side immediately considering my history with socks. And I'm thinking I should go for full socks, as opposed to ankle socks which is what I make for myself, which means more knitting.

4. I've decided on a project for my handspun, Panta. I don't have a link for the pattern, but everyone's made one and you can probably find it on Craftster if you search. I think I'll have enough for at least a narrower one and I love the pattern. Yaay! Oh, but not until the socks are done, right.

5. Saw some action last night. No, unfortunately it wasn't THAT kind of action. I swear we might as well be married... Anyway, right as we were getting ready to get in bed last night we saw two police cars pull someone over in the parking lot of our apts. As Jaime says, "It doesn't take two cops to write a ticket," so we were curious. Apparently (I wasn't watching yet) the guy got out of his car and tried to jump this like 6+ foot fence, which fell down. Then they had to like tackle him and stuff. Hey, you don't see this stuff here too often. Pretty soon there were 7 cop cars all over the place. They carted him off and didn't appear to find anything of interest, though they certainly looked. We maybe sat at the window and watched this for 40 minutes. Sakes, we are boring huh?

6. Tuesday night we're off to see wrestling live. Don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Jaime's a HUGE lifelong wrestling fan. I never would have given it the time of day if not for him, but now I'll watch sometimes with him or at least keep up on the stories. It's seriously the same as the soaps with some fighting in between. Oh, and there are some cute guys too. Anyway, this will be my first live show and I'm actually pretty excited. Sports are always more fun in person. And I could be on tv :)

That's about all the randomness I have for now. I swear, I will get those pictures soon. Hopefully Monday will be nice enough for an outdoor photoshoot. Happy weekend!