Best Laid Plans

I had envisioned Lots of Time to Myself after Christmas to work on my genealogy files and on knitting. Hmmm.... Haven't had much time to do anything with genealogy, but because Knitting is so Portable, I Have been making progress there.

My current project is a cardigan for myself. It's been decades since I've done that! I mentioned the yarn in a September post. It's item 3 in the stash list.

I'll confess up front - it's polyester. But, I'm OK with that. Red Heart, worsted, in the 0303 Painted Desert colorway. In the Sept. post, I said the yarn was "tweedy." Let's call it "variegated" instead.

The pattern is from Lion Brand - [for use with Wool-Ease...which I think would be lovely...but I already had enough skeins of RH - Painted Desert.] The Oh-So-Simple Cardigan is all garter-stitched in 3 pieces. Oh, OK, in 5 pieces - I forgot the pocket linings. I wish it would look on me the way it looks on the mannekin in the pattern photo- so slim & sleek. It will look more like a tea-cosy on me. But, the colors are great for me, it's a very easy pattern, and I'm at least 1/3 finished. Photo, and details, to follow when I complete the back. Stay tuned.

My other projects for the remainder of my time off work will be:

1. Try Kool-Aid dyeing -- my first time attempt with dyeing. I have some [undyed] tapestry wool donated for charity knitting. I'll start with that first. I plan to use one color as my test batch. I'll try to leave some undyed bits to give "white" flecks. Then I need to find a good [easy] pattern for felt slippers for children. I'll knit the Kool-Aid dyed yarn doubled. And then felt the finished slippers. Sounds fun!! Hope it works.

I also have a skein of undyed superwash sock yarn that I got last winter [?] I want to dye that and knit into socks -- for my next sock project.

2. Take photos of my stash. Add to Flickr. Add to Ravelry.

3. Add future projects to my Ravelry pages.

4. Review my needles & hooks = I think I found more that aren't listed in my Ravelry chart. They were with my Christmas decorations. Eh?

If I don't make it back here before January 1 -- I wish all y'all a very peaceful and healthy 2008!

FO - Mom's Christmas Socks

But I don't have proof. In my rush to get Christmas presents wrapped, I forgot to get a photo of the "Christmas Socks" for my mother. They are completed and have been worn, she says.

Sport's Blankie

Finished the crocheted blankie in plenty of time for Christmas:
Buster needs equal time:

Christmas Decorating

Sport helped me with the tree a few weekends ago. I was a bit apprehensive about that, but he's nearly 4.5 yrs, and he does well when tasks are explained to him. He really was a good help. We got it all finished in one evening!

The first time Buster was here after the tree was up, DD1 found a few small white balls and helped him hang them. He was so proud. They visited a few days ago and Buster worked hard at rearranging the ornaments. He stood back and admired his handiwork with a big smile on his face. So, I've decided to leave them.

Christmas socks

Hope to finish the Christmas socks this evening. DD3 emailed that she'd come for a visit later today - with her laundry and her knitting. WooHoo! A knitterly offspring!Yarn: Worsted weight Acrylic, but what the heck. Found these two skeins in a craft box in my closet. Don't know where or when I bought them. Or why. But, they were just what I wanted for some festive gift socks. I think the giftee will be pleased.

Needles: Size 5 dpns

Pattern: Just a generic type. CO 44 sts. Cuff: K2, P2 for 2." Used a st st heel flap (with 3 garter st on ends of rows.)

Knit for: a Christmas gift.

Christmas Cookies

Recently DD1 bravely made Christmas Cookies with her nephews. Sport [4 yrs old] did a very good job. Buster [2 1/2 yrs] tested the frosting.

Just Checking In

I'm still around - and still knitting. But, Nov-Dec. is a very busy time for me - probably for everyone. I finished Sports socks - he tried them on last evening. They fit! But, I didn't get a photo -- too busy trying to keep Buster out of the Christmas tree. Also forgot to tell the mama to Air Dry them.

I'll try to get a photo added soon.

And I'll try to add more content over the weekend. Sounds like we're going to have nasty weather - so I'll be staying home.

Take care all ya'all ~ !!

I'm Flattered!

I'm still very much a Ravelry newbie. I have to add more photos to Flickr - so I can make more entries on Ravelry. Too bad I can't do it at work :-]

But...I had a very pleasant surprise a few days ago. I had a message from someone wanting to know if they could use one of my photos for a pattern entry. I agreed. I checked the entry this morning and sure enough, the photo of my very first pair of CIC socks is what you see when you look up the "Swirling Confetti Kids' Socks" by Jean Gifford.

Well, I think that is really cool. I liked the pattern a lot and would/will use it again.

Health benefits of fiber/fibre

I mean crafty fiber, of course.

And the primary health benefit I've been reaping is : stress reliever! It's wonderful to be able to work on a project to unwind after work, or while waiting in Drs offices, or while [sick] grandkid sitting.

No photos today, but my OTN includes:

1) Sport's socks. I'll do the toe dec on the first sock & immediately CO for the 2nd.

2) Sport's camouflage [crocheted] blankie. I'm probably more than half finished.

3) A pr of adult sized socks for someone for Christmas. Done with worsted wt acrylic, in certain colors. No photo for about six weeks. YIKES!

YIKES! I've only got 6 weeks. Gotta go -- these projects have to get done. [If I could only knit or at least crochet at work :-]

SAMKAL4

Well -- don't know what the problem is - but I'm giving up on ever getting my October Socks entry posted on the SAMKAL 4 blog. I tried four times on Monday evening - finally left it with one draft sitting there. On Tuesday when I checked, the draft had not been posted and the draft had been deleted. So I tried twice last evening. Same thing.

I know other people have experienced problems. But, it's too exasperating and I don't have time to keep fiddling with it.

I'm giving up [on posting to SAMKAL4.]

Sport's Socks

One day last week when I was knitting on my [finally finished] October Socks, Sport asked when was I going to knit socks for him.

:-)

He wasn't especially impressed with the yarn choices I offered him, but he finally settled on the green Reynolds Swizzle. [Ignore the date stamp :-\

These might end up being my "November" socks for the SAMKAL4.

Speaking of SAMKAL4 - I've been having the darnest time posting to it the past few times. I left my October Socks post sitting there as a draft. Hopefully it will get posted eventually. Argh.

October Socks

Finally! Finished the October Socks [formerly known as the August Socks] last evening - before the end of the World Series!

Ignore the date stamp. Don't know what happened there [other than...maybe I shouldn't let the grandsons use my camera.] {But they sure had fun taking pictures}

The date stamp now will display correctly.

SOCK SPECS:
Pattern: Move Your F@nny (from Socktopia)
Yarn: TOFUtsies #790
Needles: Crystal Palace bamboo size 2.5 mm [1.5 US]
Knit for: Me!
Modifications: To accommodate my wide feet -- CO 66 st, instead of 62. Worked heel on 33 st, thus a couple more rows needed to get to the turn.

In which I wonder

...Why do I have FIVE size "J" crochet hooks? I just figured that out this weekend after entering all of my hooks and needles into my Ravelry notebook. Love that feature! I've printed out the chart & stuck it in my wallet for future reference.

I started entering completed projects. Not finished with this section.

Have yet to start adding my Stash. I don't have all that much - compared to some/most knitters, so it won't be an overwhelming task - just not one I want to do in the evening after work.

See my entries on Ravelry at jakkmitch

OTN and Off the Hook

Making Progress! I cannot believe that I've been working on these easy, short-legged socks since early August. Now my goal is to finish them by the end of the World Series. Do~able.

The colors are pretty wild for me! But, I like them in person - the photo is a bit off. See those short row heels? I'm SO pleased with myself. Each heel only took about a half dozen froggings, but -- finally got them right! :-)

FINISHED OBJECT:

Crocheted blankie for Buster (sshhh - for Christmas.)

It's 32" x 39"

Acrylic yarn. Worsted. Mostly Bernat Camouflage - "Outback." The solid colors are probably Red Heart.

Size F hook. (Though I should have used a "J")

Priorities

My DD2 had emergency surgery a week ago. Don't want to seem overly dramatic, but it was an extremely serious situation. She's going to be OK, but while she's recovering, I'm helping with the boys. That leaves little time for knitting or blogging.

Earlier in the week I had both boys overnight a couple times. Then they went to their daddy's for a few days [he's been an Ex for a couple months now.] The daddy dropped them off at DD2's yesterday a.m. and then I picked up Buster after work. He spent the night with me and Sport stayed with his mama. I think we'll switch today and I'll have Sport tonight. I'll be able to do some knitting while Sport is here and we're watching baseball. Might be able to do some blogging in the a.m. as he sleeps in. [Unlike his brother who is always awake by 6 a.m. :-\

OTN Update; Ravelry; and, of course, Grandsons

OTN: True confession time. I have not knit one stitch on the 2nd F@nny sock. Hope to today, tho. Stay tuned! However, I'm on the last round of the blankie for Buster. WooHoo! I'm going to work on the one for Sport yet today, too. I thought I'd do that one in granny squares, but I decided I really don't like sewing all those squares together nor do I care for fiddling with all the loose ends. So, I'm thinking about either: Sewing the current 24 squares into a rectangle and then go round & round that rectangle. Or, a bit of a compromise -- do more rows on the current 4" squares, so I'd end up with 24 bigger squares. [How much bigger? I haven't worked that out yet. I'm on meds for a nasty sinus infection.]

Ravelry: Good grief. They're moving about 500 per day. There are only 1600, plus a few, ahead of me now. Sure, I'll get the invite this week. I'm going to be out of town on TH-FRI and I have to WORK next Sunday. Drats. Unfortunately, I will not be able to develop my Ravelry site whilst at work.

Grandsons: The boys were over for a few hours yesterday. Sport [4 yrs] is getting taller, smarter, and he's SO curious about everything! He's a tech geek, too. :-) Buster [2 yrs] is certainly not a baby anymore. He's got a wicked fast ball. Mind boggling to see him in action. He's a leftie, brings his right knee up, leans his left shoulder back, and hurles the [air-filled, plastic] "baseball." I've caught it between my eyes more than once. And, I'm sure that's where he was aiming! He's just as good with a football, too. His auntie [DD1] and I are going to push for the baseball vocation, though. Oh, and did I say he's a hitter, too? Pitch it to him anywhere close to the strike zone and it's outa there! [That's especially mind boggling for me - who has NO hand-eye coordination and was always the LAST person picked for a side in gym class!]

Here are a few photos from yesterday. Buster on the left & Sport on the right:

Moving up, Move Your F@nny, and More

Now there are only 6023 people ahead of me in the Ravelry queue. When I signed up about 5 weeks ago there were 16850. They seem to be processing about 2000 or so a week - it's going faster than I expected! I might have to take a couple vacation days from work when I get in :-)

In the meanwhile, my OTN projects are:
1) the Move Your F@nny pair of socks for myself. I have the second sock just started [finished row 2 of the cuff a LONG time ago! Oh...it's a good thing I'm blogging all of this. I thought it was Months Ago, but according to that post it was only about 5.5 weeks ago!]

2) the crocheted "blankie" for Buster

So the Goal is to finish BOTH projects before I start another. I admit that might be a bit difficult. I'm not a very disciplined person, as evidenced by my lack of commitment and interest in dieting, exercise, housekeeping, etc. I'm movitated by what interests me - and at the moment I'm interested in knitting. That can't be ALL bad, can it?

I've put all my other yarn way. Out of sight, out of mind, they say. But, before I packed it way, I took a quick inventory -

1) I've got enough "sock" yarn for 5 adult pair.

2) There's also some sport weight yarn [or worsted? I'll have to figure that out] in Christmas colors that I'm planning to use for house socks for someone who will remain nameless for now.

3) Enough [polyester] yarn in a tweedy color combination that features the predominate colors in my work wardrobe [tans, browns, dark foresty greens, cranberry, dark blue, etc.] Maybe, I'll go ahead and knit that sweater this autumn/winter. Maybe.

4) Oh, yeah, more "sock" yarn. Some undyed wool to try KoolAid dyeing!

5) Enough Wool of the Andes Bulky for a child's sweater or a couple vests for CIC.

6) Enough Wool of the Andes Worsted for about a dozen pair of little kids socks -- or a respectable number of pairs for bigger kids.

7) Camo yarn for a "blankie" for Sport.

Whew. Considering that a year ago I only had the yarn listed in item #3 above, my stash has grown!

Socks off to CIC

...and a pair of slippers, too.
Specs:
Yarn: all Wool of the Andes, except for a bit of Paton's Natural wool on the green socks and the slippers.

Patterns:
4 pair using the "Class Sock" starting on pg 29 of Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks. All using size 6 US dpns.

2 pair using the Magic 28 pattern. The Evergreen pair was knit on size 6 US and the Fog pair was knit on size 5 US dpns.

The slippers (double stranded) - using the pattern found here.

Posted the parcel to Kathy/CIC.

The Grandsons were here today and I held the grey pair up to Buster's foot. Looked like it would Just fit. I tried one of the green socks on him and there was an extra half inch at the end of the toes. Buster was 2 in June, but is a big guy [wears size 3T clothes] and has Big feet. So the four smaller pair and the slippers should fit toddlers and the green & grey pair will work for 2-3 year olds.

The Grandsons

This was taken a week ago.

Sport [4] on the left, and Buster [2] on the right. I took other photos that day, but of the type only a Grandma would love: Sport with a finger up his nose, and Buster in the throes of a terrible 2 tantrum - which was made worse when I got out the camera. :-)

It Looks Like Some Leaves with Legs...

But, I guess it's some kind of grasshopper. ???

My month [and September Socks]

Well, it's been a busy one. The two weeks after my vacation were very busy at work. Probably not more so than a normal September, but having to condense the projects, meetings, etc. into 3 weeks was rather stressful. This week will be busy, but not as much.

My knitting since finishing the BSJ has been limited to a couple kids' socks for CIC. One pair is finished & I'm going to use it as my official September pair for SAM4, and I'm nearly done with the first sock of the second pair for this month. I'm using Norma's Magic 28 pattern. These little socks on worsted yarn are SO addictive! And, I'm having fun using up leftover bits in creative combinations

Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes [worsted] in
Evergreen and Cranberry, and Patons [worsted]Natural

I've also been crocheting on Buster's Christmas "blankie." I'm doing it in one big rectangle...photo later. I've started one for Sport as well.

That leaves the Move Your F@nny pair and the second sock has been OTN for ever-so-long [At least since the beginning of August.] Maybe I'll dig it out tonight.

Brrr...I'm Going to Need a Sweater Today!

Yippee! I'll need socks, too! We had a freeze overnight, though it's now up to 39 deg F.

I had lofty aspirations to get up early & go shopping. I hate shopping. [If I'd buy a lottery ticket - I keep forgetting to do that - and WIN, I'd hired a personal shopper who would shop for everything except my clothes and my yarn.] Until then, I have to do my own shopping. I hate shopping even worse on weekends. So...the plan was to go early. But, I couldn't get out of bed. After this week back at work [Sept. is our busiest time of the year], I was absolutely shattered by last evening.

Missed my departure for early shopping before the crowds arrive, so I made a pot of coffee [1/2 decaf, 1/2 caf] and started catching up on other bloggers. I could do this all day.

But, it's Mother Hubbard's Cupboard out in my kitchen AND I'm out of laundry detergent. So, I've gotta go shopping. Feel the dread? I'm not agoraphobic, I just don't like crowds...not even small city, Midwestern crowds! When I have to queue up with my shopping cart [trolley, buggy] to get to the oatmeal, I could scream.

OTN: The beginning of sock 2 of the Move Your F@nny pair. Ooh, that could be what I knit during The Game today. Uh-Oh - gotta get going so I can get back before kickoff.

ALSO: the 2nd slipper of a pair for CIC. Using double stranded worsted Wool of the Andes - left over from the BSJ.

Finished Baby Surprise Jacket

Hmmm...I need to get the manual out and learn how to take better digital photos -- these are too dark.

This was my first BSJ and it turned out surprisingly well. Especially since I've never seen a real one in person.

The back - before closing the seam. EZ's directions say to "weave" the seam closed. Or something like that. So I just did a whip stitch type of closure. However, I've seen several photos online where the seams were crocheted. I like the look of that, so if I ever do another, I'll try it.

I thought the sleeves looked too short. I found some photos online where cuffs had been added. So, I picked up stitches from the cast on edges and did 2 inches of k2, p2.

Also did one row of crochet around the neck. If there's a next time, I'd do either a collar, or an I-cord trim around the neck.

Need to add buttons. Not sure if I'll keep this first one, for the heck of it, or pass it on to a charity.

Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmermann's BSJ [from the Knitting Workshop book]
Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Evergreen, Holly Berry, and Redwood Forest; also Patons Natural Wool.
Needle: 29" circular Size 4
Modification: added the cuffs

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Some year I'd like to have one of those vacations where people "don't do anything." Maybe I could rent a cabin or a camper for a week. Take a book and all my knitting supplies along. And just sit and read/knit. A little hiking each day would be OK, too.

My vacations tend to be Drive There & Back, Go, See, Do. Busy, busy, busy. Not too restful. But, they ARE fun, enjoyable, and much too short!

It's 802 miles from my house to my sister's. We drove it in one day and I always think about the pioneers who took months to cross the same distance. What would they think of I-80?!

It ended up that I drove the entire way out as DD1 drove my brother's car while he napped. [He worked in Illinois until 1 a.m. then drove 100 miles to his home-for-one-more-week-before-he-moves-to-Illinois, slept for a few hours, then drove 2.5 hours to meet us along I-80. Interestingly, he arrived just a few minutes after we got to the convenience stop.] Dang, Nebraska goes on forever. And then there's Cheyenne. Wind was from the north so we got the full effect of the refineries. What a stink! Cheyenne is where I saw a plane crash a few years ago. Luckily, the only one I've ever seen. Unluckily, there were two fatalities.

We arrived at my sister's before dark. I used to live only a few miles from her place, so I could have easily driven there after dark, but DD1 & I wanted to see the sun set behind the mtns. [Well, technically, from that close, one sees the sun set behind the foothills.] Impressive non-the-less, especially when we now see it set behind cornfields. Just not the same effect.

My sister-from-So.Carolina was already there. [Good to see ya, Pud!] Didn't really do a whole lot on Friday - we were all tuckered out from our travels. But, while Bro took samples of his home brew to Boulder, and mother stayed in, the rest of us took a short drive into the foothills - to the Rock. [That one I *thought* DD1 and I could hike to ... we'll do it next time.] Had BeauJo's pizza for supper. [Worth the 802 mile drive, let me tell ya!]

On Saturday, my sister-who-now-lives-in So. Cal. and family came up for a visit. On Sunday we all went to Denver for the open house reception for newly wedded nephew & new niece-in-law. We were there about 5 hours altogether. What fun! Saw lots of family/ friends/ acquaintances, including a "girl" I used to babysit for when I was a teenager. Her mom was there, too, and we talked long about genealogy - she recently got into it and she's hooked. It was so much fun comparing notes, sharing tips, etc.

Bro drove home on Monday. And us girls & DD1 drove up into the mtns. - west about 45 miles. It rained and I wondered if we went far enough, could we get into snow? Nobody wanted to check it out, so we went back to my sister's using a different, but very scenic, route. *If* I'd win the lottery, I have two places picked out for new homes. [They tell me I'd have a better chance of winning, if I'd start buying tickets. Ya think?] The place that won my heart has a few drawbacks: 1) I'd have to haul in all the water, 2) I could be snowed in for months, and 3) I wouldn't have highspeed internet - and satellite TV might be tricky with those Rockies in the way.

OK - so the place out on the plains with the fantastic panorama view would be the winner...if I won. I wonder if BeauJo's delivers out there?

On Tuesday we drove back to Denver. Mom met some old-time friends for lunch in Arvada, DD1 went to the Denver Art Museum. [Not at all handicapped friendly. "Doesn't she have her OWN wheelchair?" No, she broke her leg. She just has crutches. I'm leaving her here for four hours, so she'll need a wheelchair. ...We did get a wheelchair for her with only a small bit of hassle.] My sisters & I went to the genealogy section of the DPL - not too fruitful a search, but it convinced me that, yes, I do want to rejoin the NEGHS for the online databases access.

We drove back home on Wednesday and got a late enough start that it was dark a couple hours before arriving home. But, like I said, it was a busy week, but full of family, friends, and fun. Everyone arrived safely back at LAX, John Wayne Int., and ATL, and those driving also had good trips home. PTL!

And, I knit on the Baby Surprise Jacket. But, not in the car.

Back from Vacation

The past 12 days have been heavenly. Busy, but oh-so-nice! Don't get me wrong. I really do like my job. But, I have to admit that I'm not truly anxious to get back to it. The next three weeks at work will be very busy, plus my "performance evaluation" is scheduled during that time. I do a good job, but my boss "has to" include some negative comments ... so I have something to improve upon during the following year. Odd, but that's how the system works there.

But, I can come home each evening and knit! The new CIC project [that runs till the end of the month] is for little kids socks. [I thought that's what we were doing for the summer.] So, I think I can use the four pair I have completed and knit more to send! Fun, relaxing, and miles from work! Hey, knitting on the little kids' socks is a mini-vacation in itself! Knitting, movies, football, baseball -- and woohoo! -- it's not long before hockey season starts. All adds up to R&R!

August Socks, or Where DOES the time go?

I last posted a week ago? Seems like a few days ago...or a few months ago. Too darned busy these days. But the little bit of knitting I have time for is such a respite!

My "August socks" will not be done this month. They'll be my October socks, with luck. However I do have official August sock contributions for SAM4! Earlier in the month I knit 3 pair of little kids socks for CIC (and a pair in July.) Here's the photo. KnitPicks Wool of the Andes (worsted) and size 5 (i think) dpns.
I still have to pack for my vacation -- leaving dark & early tomorrow and driving straight through. Can't wait to get back to the mountains. These cornfields leave a lot to be desired :-)

I'm taking the Baby Surprise Jacket along, but not setting any goals about finishing it while I'm gone. I'll be staying at my sister's (just 3 miles from my old place) - and I plan to visit my previous workplace on Friday. Fun! I recently discovered, by accident that a former co-worker is on staff with Interweave Press. Now That's exciting!!!

DD1 is going along -- and the ortho surgeon said today -- NO weight on that leg - it's not healed yet! Bad bones due to her life long lactose intolerance. So he's got her on 1500 mg Calcium a day and now 50,000 IU of Vit D twice a week!!!!!!! She can drive though, thank goodness!

Surprise!

...as in Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket! I kept looking at yarn in the tote I keep in my bedroom. Kept thinking, "This would be great for a BSJ. One of these days. If I ever get around to it." Then I got EZ's Knitting Workshop from the library. I studied the page with the pattern....there HAS to be more to it than this. Right?

Couldn't help it. I had to cast on. I'm nearly down to the 90 stitches. I'm thinking maybe the pattern in the book IS all there is to it.

I've been warned before to just follow the pattern and don't analyze it. I'm trying! Here's a look at the project - took the photo just minutes ago....

Move Your F@nny update

One almost done - just need to kitchener. The second sock is OTN, but I started another project. Couldn't help it. Here's a photo of the first MYF sock.

Sport's 4 years old!

He's getting to be such a big little man! The party was last weekend and I took loads of photos, but I'll only post a few :-)

And here's Buster the little brother

Note to Self

I knit the "Move Your F@nny" socks for Mother. Before beginning the toe section, I tried one of the socks on to see how they fit. A bit too snug for my wider feet. So, when I started the pair I'm currently working on for myself, I decided to cast on four extra stitches. That sounded reasonable. I just needed a little more width to the sock.

The original pattern says to CO 62 - an even number.

I added four stitches to make 66 - also an even number.

I didn't find it odd to be knitting 33 instep and 33 sole stitches until I started working on the short row toes. Major DUH moment. I'm doing short row toes - I really should have an even number of stitches. No wonder I had such a #%@* time with the heel...my stitch count was always [what I thought] off. Very odd that I didn't realized WHY I was having a problem. [Can't blame drugs or alcohol. Maybe listening to Harry Potter on cd? Yeah, that's my excuse.]

So last night [while listening to HP6 on cd -- and occassionally nodding off] I got to the end of the toe & turned the corner. Might be able to finish the first sock today. Maybe not. I've got to go shopping - It's Sport's 4th bd today and I haven't bought anything for him yet. I know what I'm going to get - just have to go.... His party isn't till supper time - so I've got plenty of time. I'm trying to wait out the monsoon rains we're getting this morning!

The note to myself: do 2nd sock the same as the first, this time. BUT...make a big notation on the pattern to, if I ever do this one again for myself, CO68 stitches -- or use size 2 needles instead of 1.5???

Pre-K

As mentioned previously - I've been sidetracked. When I've been knitting, it's been on little kid's socks. Here's proof. I'll kitchener the toes on the weekend and post a new photo & specs.

Now I'm back to MY Move Your F@nny socks (still on first sock...but nearing the toe part.) Also trying to finish up the last six audio-cds of Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince.

16850 - 0

I did it. I got on the Ravelry list & I checked immediately to see my status. Ha! 16850 ahead of me and 0 behind. Good Lord.

Oh, well. I'm really hoping I'll get my invite sometime in December when I'll have a couple weeks off work (or is that wishful thinking - to think it will be that soon?)

F@nny's not Moving & Knitting with Black

I laid my "Move Your F@nny" [in TOFUtsies] down over the weekend to work on CIC socks for little kids. I'm only in the middle of the instep/arch ribbing on the first one - and this is my August sock -- so I need to get back to it. The pattern is a quick knit, tho. , so I should be OK. My sudden panic came from looking at the calendar and realizing that I want to finish them BEFORE I head West on vacation in a couple weeks.

I'm side-tracked by CIC socks. They're so much fun -- and really quick done in worsted yarn. But, what-was-I-thinking when I CO with black? I wanted to use up a bit of left-over cranberry colored yarn - and I thought "Stripes! White-cranberry-white - hmmm... guess the main color will be black."

My eyes are too old [and too tired after work] to deal with black yarn. Maybe a black stripe or two sometime, but not the whole sock -- no matter how small it is!

Weekend Update - OTN

After I finished Mom's "Move Your F@nny" socks, I started a pair for me using that ball of TOFUtsies I bought a few months ago. The heel [and toe] drive me nuts. No. Wrong. How do I do that strike through feature?

It's my perfectionism that drives me nuts. I frogged the first sock [heel] I don't know HOW many times before I got it to suit me. First time the slipped stitches were much too loose. Last evening I missed a sl st or two. Can't watch Monk and do knitting that I have to pay attention to!

August Socks

Pattern: Move Your F@nny (from Socktopia)
Yarn: TOFUtsies #790
Needles: Crystal Palace bamboo size 2.5 mm [1.5 US]
Knit for: Me!
Modifications: To accommodate my wide feet -- CO 66 st, instead of 62. Worked heel on 33 st, thus a couple more rows needed to get to the turn. But that should work out fine for my feet. I'll have to see when I get to the toe if I want to do extra rows or have the toe a few stitches wider than the pattern calls for.

Meanwhile, I'm also working on some CIC little kids socks. No photos yet, I'll do another pair or two and then get a group shot.

Weekend Update - Grandsons

They're so much fun! And growing quickly! On Thursday evening I went for a walk with DDs 2&3 & my grandsons. Well, the boys actually rode their bikes [with training wheels.] Buster does very well on his little bike and only tipped over twice [off the sidewalk & onto grass.] Sport stopped at the end of each block and waited for us to catch up.

While the daughters walked 6 laps at the Junior High track, I took the boys to a park at the elementary school "next door." Here are a few photos:

Buster with a chocolate mug

Sport demonstrating how tuff he is

Weekend Update - Genealogy

During the past week I transferred data on a few more individuals from my old database to the new one. Slow going. But...I'm glad I'm doing it this way -- cleaner database in the end.

Also [while doing work related research online] came across reference to a gen. journal published in Maryland. I only know of one family of ancestors who lived in Colonial Maryland, but thought - what the heck, I'll check the index. Lo & Behold, I found a citation to an article that looks promising, so I requested the article and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Not holding my breath, tho, that there will be any new revelation [or new ancestors]...but, I keep hoping!

Knitting Daily

I've been receiving the Knitting Daily newsletters via email for several months. It's an Interweave Press publication and I know they produce a Lot of great books & magazines. What intrigues me about Interweave Press is that I never heard of it when I lived out there. Well, to be honest, I wasn't into knitting back then. But still....

While reading today's Knitting Daily, I poked around the links and found out that one of the people who put the newsletter together was a former co-worker of mine. Small world, eh?

I'm about ready to do my daily knitting -- It's been a long day with the boys here since yesterday afternoon.

It's been a frustrating day for their folks...they had the truck loaded and were ready to drive the 30 miles to their new apt. But before they got on the road, their new landlady called and said, Oops - the woman who was vacating the apt. wasn't completely moved out yet. DD2 & SiL had paid the deposit a couple weeks ago, so they were expecting to be able to move in today. Another issue was that they had to have the truck back down there by 5 p.m. They got the call from the landlady at 7 p.m. to say that the apt carpet has been cleaned and they can move in. So, they're going to load the beds on a pick up truck and get them set up in their apt. and then they'd be over to pick up the boys. They'll have to get a truck again tomorrow [hopefully] to move the rest of their belongings. The other grandma will watch the boys tomorrow.

Today, though, we went to a park, to the petting zoo, and to the airport. The boys also helped water the plants out front, chalked up the sidewalks and driveway, played with new neighbor kids, and spent over a half hour playing with GOOP [mix together baking soda, cornstarch, and water.] Both Buster & Sport have been asleep for several hours now. And I had a nice nap!

Now off to my current OTN project: another pair of little kids socks for CIC.

July Socks done!

I finished the Move Your F@nny pair officially last night. WooHoo! If I do say so myself, the Kitchener closings look great! I also finished [Kitchenered] a pair of CIC socks. I used these to practice the Kitchener technique before working on the F@nnies.

Pattern: Move Your F@nny [pattern at http://www.socktopia.net/]
Yarn: Knit Picks Memories in Redwood Forest [100% Merino]
Needles: 1.5 [US]/2.5mm dpns
Knit for: my Mother
Modifications: just the needles. Pattern calls for 2 circs. I only have a set of dpns in the size I needed.

Pattern: Top down, ribbed leg [k2, P2] 4 1/4" foot

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes [worsted] in Winter Night with a Fog stripe

Needles: Size 6 [US] dpns

Knit for: current CIC challenge for Little Kids

"Good job!"

That's what the EMR doctor told DD1 when he saw her ankle. The orthopedic surgeon got her on the schedule and she had surgery yet Thursday evening. She's home, but frustrated, overwhelmed and a bit depressed. She'd be bored, too, if it weren't for the Harry Potter 7 book that I picked up for her yesterday morning.

Knitting bags are marvelous. I keep necessary supplies, photocopies of the pattern I'm working on, extra yarn, etc. in mine. So when we had to take off for the hospital, all I had to do was just pop in my current OTN project and take off. I finished the 2nd Move your F@nny sock. Just need to graft them shut. Also nearly finished a little kid's pair for CIC. Photos available in a day or two.

Move Your F@nny update

Really quickly 'cos I've been catching up on blog reading and I'll be late for work....

Except for weaving/closing after the toe turn, I'm finished with the first Move Your F@nny Sock. I'll do the finishing on both socks at the same time. And, since I only have one set of size 1.5 [US] needles, I've moved the stitches to holders so I can cast on this evening for the second sock. No photo, yet.

The heel and toe turns went very smoothly, after encouragement & advice from Kathy. (Thanks again!) In fact the toe went perfectly. After fiddling and frogging a bit on the heel a couple times because I'd set it down and when I picked it up again, didn't get on the right row...was confused about where the slipped stitch was, etc. On the toe, tho, I used stitch markers to set the slipped stitch apart. Saved me much time and irritation!

Back to Socks

After several weeks' break, I've started a pair of socks - another pair for Mother. I'm using the "Move Your F@nny" pattern from the Socktopia blog as first seen [by me] on Kathy's blog. These will count as my July Socks for SAM3.

I like to read the patterns through first and was puzzled by the instructions for the heel that read: "sskWSL...." The explanation that followed probably would have been OK... IF I had read them At the Point of Need. But, I was reading ahead. Trying to get it all figured out before I got there. Probably not such a good idea.

I sent a "need HELP" email to Kathy and continued to knit the stst leg/ankle part. And by the time I was At the Point of Need, she had replied :-) Thank you, Kathy, for the advice! You're a life saver again! Here's a photo - with sock at the ready to work on the instep sts again. I got about an inch through the K1,P1 arch ribbing before calling it a night.

The yarn is KnitPicks Memories, 100% Merino in Redwood Forest. The pattern calls for 2 circs. Your eyes aren't fooling you, I'm not using 2 circs. When I ordered the yarn [which I meant for a different pattern], I also ordered 2 circs [size 2US/3mm] This pattern calls for a 8 sts/inch gauge. Not gonna happen with this yarn on 3mm needles. So I switched to my bamboo 1.5 [US]/2.5mm dpns and I'm getting the prescribed gauge.

No modifications to the pattern [other than the needles.]

Also in my last KnitPicks order, 2 hanks of Memories - Cape Cod [also from the clearance rack]:
Hmmm. Colors are a bit washed out. And now you know that I don't have a yarn winder system. Do it by hand. Fairly respectable little cake. And it pulls out nicely from the center. My Gran [GG] taught me how to do that early on. She was such a pro that her cakes were flat on the bottom. Mine are almost flat - flat enough they don't roll away.

7+1=8 Caps

I finished eight caps for the Cheyenne River project for CIC. Seven were finished in June and the other last evening. In the photo of the seven, there are two tweedy hats. They were knit with white worsted and a strand of [fingering weight] sock yarn - one with leftover KnitPicks Essentials "Dusk" [used for Mother's Embossed Leaves] and the other with leftover Opal Feelings #1703 - the blue stripes [used for the pair for my sister in SC.]

Various sizes - children through "small adult."

Two of the caps were knit using the rolled brim cap pattern from Knitting for Peace, and the rest are Seaman's Caps - several inches of K2, P2 rib for the cuff and then st st.

I tried to get Annie to model the 8th cap, but she said that it's too hot & humid today, but if I can wait till November....
She's going to spend the day on the shelf - watching Wimbledon.

Happy 4th!

Other than going to fireworks tonight with DD2 and the boys, I'm planning a stay-at-home day. The grass needs a mow, the carpets need a vacuum, a book needs to be finished [I'm only half through and it's due on Friday...I could finish it, IF I didn't do anything else.] Title? The War of 1812 in the Old Northwest by Alec R. Gilpin, published in 1958. I told you I was/am a history major, right?

Have I been knitting, you ask? Yes, some. I'm on the 7th cap for the Cheyenne River project [CIC] When I finish this one, I'll do photos of all the caps. I probably will do one or two more to use up the yarn I bought specifically for this project.

Buster stayed all last weekend while his important people went camping across The River with the daddy's extended/extensive family. Buster and I had a a good time. I was even able to knit a bit on the cap. I put it away, tho., after he grabbed it from me and pulled out the circ needle. ARGH~ Being worsted weight, the stitches were easily recovered, so no real damage done. But, I'll wait a few more months before knitting in his presence again!

What else have I been up to since last post? Besides working: a little napping [I'm still so tired after work...], and a little data entry on my genealogy project -- manually adding data to my new software from the old. [After a Big Mess when I tried an export/import, I decided to do it the Slow-but-accurate way.]

After sharing a computer with DD1 for the past term in which she had an online class with mandatory real-time online seminars in the evenings, I've 'bought' her a computer. Now don't go thinking what a wonderful mom I am. She's paying me back for it. AND it was at the IT department's garage sale at work. They were selling oldish Pentium 4 Dells for $100. Loaded with XPpro and an anti-virus product, but nothing else. Monitor, keyboard, mouse, cables came with. She's happy, and can transfer her music download subscription and files to her computer. :-) It came without speakers, but she's getting rid of an old, non-working, cd player and salvaged the speakers from it.

The Grandsons - 2 yr old Buster on the left and nearly 4 yr old Sport on the right:

My Knitting Library

Thanks to Dear Friend Joanne and DD1's discount at her day job, I've got a nice little library of knitting books.Oh, yeah...my newest novel [also thanks to DD's discount] wanted to be included in the photo. I couldn't refuse.

Caps and Harry Potter 5

Finished the audio book - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I knew I'd never get through it before the movie was released. No brain power left after work these days. So I got the audio book from the public library & knit caps for the CIC-Cheyenne River project [and finished the June socks.] I'm nearly finished with cap #4. Here's a sneak peak at one of them.

Knitterish Blogs

You guys & gals Rock! I sat down to add a post [not this one], but first read my usuals. Then I linked from one to another to another.... There are SO many interesting people who knit / so many knitters who are interesting people. Lots of talented crafters. I continue to be awed by your words & handiwork.

Updated previous post

With a photo & a few links. :-)

Buster stayed overnight. He was absolutely distraught this morning when he realized his mama wasn't here. Hopefully he will take it better when he wakes up from his nap - probably shortly. I left my knitting bag in my bedroom, so now I don't have anything to do that won't wake him up...besides dust.

That doesn't sound like fun, but since I'm having visitors this afternoon, I suppose I'd better do it.

OTN: small adult (teen?) sized Seaman's cap for the Cheyenne River project. In black. I have 6 rows on the "cuff" so far. One more row & I'll do two red, two white, and two more red rows before I go back to black.

Road Trip and a not-so-local LYS

At [nearly] the very last minute, my road trip for a work-related conference ended up being a solo excursion. Yippee! On the way back up I-35 I stopped at the Rose Tree Yarn Shop in Ames, IA. Denise had mentioned on her blog that there was a new order of ToFUtsies and I had to see/feel them for myself. Of course I came home with a ball. I'm thinking about using this yarn for my attempt at nona's Sidewinders and can only hope I can do as good a job with them as Kathy has!

Also bought an inexpensive ball of Reynolds Swizzle [75% Merino Superwash-25% nylon] in green. This will do for the [3rd] pair of socks Mother has asked for - and I promised to have done before winter.

While at the Rose Tree, I introduced myself to Denise. [Hope I didn't scare her - I'm NOT a stalker.] She was teaching a class and I was late for another stop, so we didn't chat.

The other stop was to see my grandsons at their new-to-them home. By taking several 2-lane highways and getting into several road construction messes, I ended up being even later. Oh, well. They were happy to see me. I was happy to see them. Etc.

And speaking of being late -- I've got to get to work. I'll add yarn photos and links later.

Buster's 2!

[Grandson content]

Buster and some of his loot.

Sport and Buster on their new Cars chairs. [DD3 in the background]

Buster, er - I mean Spideyman.

He had a personality change when he got the suit on.

We think he thought he really was Spidey!

June Socks

Finished the denim blue Embossed Leaves Socks for Mother.

Yarn: KnitPicks' Essentials "Dusk"

Needles: Size 2 [US]

Pattern: Embossed Leaves from Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs

No modifications.

The pattern looked fussy to me before I began [of course my previous 11 pair of socks were either in st st or ribbing] - but it is Very Easy! I'd use it again.

Quik Update

Lots to write about. No time to write this a.m. Gotta get to work early.

1. Finished radiation on Monday -- and got a certificate of completion (fun!)
2. Buster's 2nd bd was Monday -- a photo or two will be posted later.
3. Finished the blue Embossed Leaves socks for mom -- had her model them -- photos later.
4. Knitting for the Cheyenne River project -- and listening to Harry Potter/Order of the Phoenix on CD the past few evenings.

Have a good day/evening!

The Wait is Over [ffinally!]

[Deleted my rant about the "2-3 days" the PO said the parcel would take.]

My sister finally got the socks I mailed to her 10 days ago. She likes them, too!

When I found out that I would not be able to go down to the Carolinas for her surprise birthday party, I decided to gift her with the Blue Stripes. Had to keep all that a secret, of course. She Was surprised about the party - and the socks. :-)

Still waiting

I thought I'd have something to blog about - oh, say, last Thursday or Friday at the latest. The clerk at the PO said "two to three days." Right. And now tomorrow's a holiday, so maybe Tuesday...which will be Eight Days. Since it's a surprise, I will still have to wait.

Meanwhile -

1. I'm nearly finished reading "Knitting Rules!" Loads of fun!

2. I'm working on the heel flap for the second Embossed Leaves sock [for mother.] I took the finished first sock along when I visited her several days ago and it fit Perfectly!

3. It was DD1's bd yesterday. Our tradition is that we all go out to a movie and meal together. This time it was Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and then to Olive Garden.

4. I've had 23 radiation treatments - 5 to go.

5. I'm officially on vacation until June 5th. I know the time will go Much Too Quickly.

6. DD3 is transfering back to the local university for fall semester, and she can move into an apt. on campus on Tuesday. So, tomorrow I'm taking a road trip down there to load up as many boxes that will fit into my Protege. Just to get them out of the way. Her boyfriend has a trailer, so they'll do the rest of the moving on Tuesday- and estimate they'll have to make two trips. Luckily she lives less than 100 miles away.

7. While I'm down at DD3's current digs tomorrow, I'll see if at least one of the 2 LYSs is open - and then stop by :-)

May Socks Completed

Sitting here with a big grin on my face ... The May Socks are finished! And here's the first photo I've taken with my new digital camera!

Specs
Pattern: leg - k4, p1 rib - continued on top of sock down to the toes
Yarn: Opal Feelings #1703
Needles: 5 dpns [US 1.5 bamboo] for the legs and then US size 1 for the rest

Green River [and I don't mean the soda]

Another item in my meme talked about one of my rafting trips. I got all nostalgic & dug out my photos. Here are some of them. Oh, if you've never been white water rafting - try it. I love it!!

1. Here's the loaded raft and my brother-in-law. There were four of us on the trip. [We weren't on a guided excursion. It was just us.] The raft held all of our food, water, camping gear, etc. for the week long trip. On this stretch of the Green River in Utah, you have to have a permit. They only give two permits per day. The river looks calm there, but the rapids aren't. A week before we set out, another group lost someone whose kayak flipped and the fellow got caught under the rocks.

2. Awesome scenery.

3. Some of the canyon rims are 5000 feet above the river. 4.This is Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid territory. These wild horses have lived in this canyon for decades. There's an old log cabin near this spot - still with pots & pans, glass bottles etc. 5. Wash day 6. One day we got off the river and hiked to some petroglyphs. That's me. 7. Recently, someone asked me, "When you are riding on the big raft, do you get splashed by the water?" --- Yes. 8. I'm paddling as fast as I can! 9. On our last night on the river, we camped across from Nefertiti rock. Wonderful experience!