New England 2.0

They're done! Second time around with this pattern. First time, I used some nasty acrylic sock yarn (!?) which made for some rarely worn socks. This time around, I used a wool/nylon blend, and I couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out!













New England Socks, from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Red Heart Heart and Soles, Ivory. 2 skeins.
Needles: US 0's. Magic Loop.
Mods: Switched out the Dutch heel for a round heel. Deeper gusset=better fit for me.

Set Adrift

One of the things I love about knitting samples is, other than the big pluses of getting a "sneak peek" at a spankin' new pattern and often getting to use yarns I wouldn't otherwise drop the cash for, it gives me focus, direction. The deadline charges my knitting and I actually get things done. I recently finished two sample socks for Gardiner Yarn Works, and once they were out of
the house, that old feeling crept up on me again.









Lazy River Socks











Walk in the Woods Socks


I feel I've been set adrift in a round boat with no rudder and no oars. Just spinning and drifting and listing this way and that. No focus, no looming deadlines. It's a strange feeling.

In an attempt to combat the perception that I never knit for myself, I've been plugging away at a couple of things for me, namely the Fire Monkey socks and Bianca's Jacket. But I keep getting torn away by one temptation or another... Not stuff for me, just flashes of brilliant gift ideas for others and the like.

The Shetland Triangle, last seen as an expanse of fluffy peaks, was gifted to the lovely and talented Emily (LYS owner extraordinaire!) for her birthday. Tears were shed and, as expected, it looks wonderful on her.














Pattern: Shetland Triangle, by Evelyn Clark
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas sportweight in ? baby pink (leftovers from some sample knitting)
Needles: US 6
Modifications/Notes: I think I knit one more full repeat than called for. It was a pretty easy pattern to memorize and a lot of fun to block since it knits up SO LUMPY!

I'm also plugging away on my pal's Sockapalooooza socks:

First time using Trekking, first toe-ups (successful toe-ups, there was a toe-up of which we shall not speak, and one toe-up sample that I don't count), and first shortrow heels (for an adult) Any suggestions on a stretchy bind off? Don't say EZ's sewn bind off, I've used it and I don't find it to be elastic enough (ie: it stretches, but doesn't have much memory, KWIM?) Should I do a tubular bind off, or are there any other suggestions out there? I'm almost ready to start the ribbing for sock #1, so any suggestions would be welcome! Thanks!

Losing the Battle

Yet, winning the war. I did, indeed, run out of yarn on Icarus. I don't think the solution harms the final product in the least, do you?

Didn't think so.

Pattern: Icarus, by Miriam Felton
Yarn: Knitpicks Bare Merino Laceweight and a touch of Colinette Parisienne in Castagna
Needles: 3mm circular

I knit this as a gift for my mom, who, incidentally, is flying out for a visit tomorrow, so the finishing couldn't have better timing. I'm ashamed to admit how long this thing languished on the needles. I got bogged down in the stockinette columns, and it just sat quietly waiting for me to pick it up again. Looking at it pinned out on my bedroom floor, I'm glad I refocused my energies on this one. It's really a beautiful pattern. (and, not a half bad dye job on my part! All hail the Kool-Aid Man! Ooh, yeah!) My only real problem, other than running out of steam in the beginning, and running out of yarn at the end, was the fact that the name Icarus just makes me think of that episode of the Cosby Show when we find out that Theo's not really an idiot, he's just dyslexic. So, here's to Theo and his magical LD diagnosis, and here's to my mom, who raised me and gave me wings. The least I can do is return the favor.

Pardon Me Whilst I Remove My Crabby Pants!*

Now that my computer has (finally!) deigned to speak with my camera, it is refusing to acknowledge the existence of my printer. Grrr... Curmudgeonly computer. Okay, so it is four years old (I secretly blame the printer, which is 8), and maybe it's time for an upgrade...

Moving on!

Nothing finished (that I took photos of, anyway) but things are starting to get interesting on Icarus:

More interesting than you might think, since I fear I may run out of (hand-dyed) yarn! Fear not, as a solution has been determined that will work if it has to.






This lovely pile of moguls is coming along nicely... Anyone care to Name That Tune?













And, I think I'm getting the hang of this spinning thing! (white is wool, brown is Al. Pa. Ca.)























*When I taught school, I used the phrase "I'm wearing my crabby pants today" to warn students I was not in the mood to deal with nonsense. My first graders spent the entire school year attempting to surmise just which pair was the crabby pair. They determined I must have several. ;-)

On a side note: Cellie, you left a comment with a question, which I'd be more than happy to answer. Just drop me an e-mail (my address is on the side bar) and I'll try to help you out!