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.