Guess what? More socks!

These are both Schoppel Crazy Zauberball.  The purple/blue is I think: Lilac Breeze.  Knit these in May/June 2013.

The green/blue is "der Lenz ist da!"  The Spring is Here!  Knit these in August 2013.

It seems like only yesterday...

But, I haven't posted since March 2012!  All I can say is that sometimes life gets busy.  My only "big" news in the past year is that I moved to a new-to-me house, visited my sister & family in South Carolina, and I'm now on 'sick leave' after a total knee replacement last month.

Prior to surgery I had in mind that I'd get caught up on this blog, and do a lot of work updating my genealogy database with information from two file drawers full of papers.  It would have helped immensely if I had a laptop... sitting at the computer desk for very long is not comfortable yet.

During the past year plus:  I've NOT finished that quilt.  I think I only have one or two Blocks of the Month to do (from last October.)  I've set a goal to finish it by New Year's Day 2014.

During the past year plus:  I've knit a pile of socks but did not get photos of all of them, but I'll add the earlier ones I have photos of below.  I'll do separate entries for the more recent pairs.

 These are actually among my favorites... using leftover yarn from the two pair of Toxic Socks I knit for my daughters (purples & white) and I think the middle is leftover from the Chili socks from early 2012.














The gray waffle stitch socks are also mine. 

And these Brigit socks are mine also.  I wasn't happy with the way the Knit Picks heathered yarn was a bit stripey on the one leg.  So, I'm glad I hadn't promised these to anyone else.  Love the pattern, though. Very easy to memorize.

Still working on Toxic Socks -- but here's more quilt squares

My March blocks from Block of the Month course from Craftsy.com.

Toxic Socks, Quilt blocks, and Grandsons

I've made a little progress on the Toxic Socks mentioned in my previous post. Not enough for a photo, tho.

February quilt blocks are completed.  My seams need help - some are a bit off!  I'm going to blame that on my old sewing machine.  Or maybe on my new trifocals.

We had a family bowling party last night.

Sport (now 8)

and Buster (6) had loads of fun.

What I'll be working on during the Super Bowl

Have a decent start on these.  For DD3 - same specs as the previous pair except for a different shade of purple.  This is Knit Picks' Sprinkle Heather...includes blue shades.

An FO for January 2012

Yay! Off to a good start this year. I received this yarn from my DD3 a year ago. Wearing them to work today. (Temp is -2 F. Love my wool socks :-)

Pattern: plain vanilla, top down, with 2 inch 2x2 rib and then ss
Yarn: Deborah Norville's Serenity Sock yarn in Chili
Needles: 1 [US] / 2.25 mm
Knit for: Me!!

Now off to get ready for work & cast on for another pair of Toxic Socks [a Ravelry link.] This time for DD3.

Quilt blocks!!

I'm going to Kitchener a pair of socks tonight (more on them another time.)

But first - I've got two quilt blocks completed. My first "real" quilt blocks! I signed up for the (free) Block of the Month course from Craftsy.com.

The wonky pound sign block really IS 12.5" square, just photo graphed at an angle.

Happy 2012!

Wishing a happy & healthy 2012 to all

Projects 2011

There probably were a couple pair of socks that I can't remember & didn't get photos of, and I still need to take a photo of my February Lady Sweater and four chemo hats. But, here's what I can show you now:

I started the "Toxic Socks" [Ravelry link] in March or April, and finished them last weekend.

The pattern is not all that difficult, but it's not one I could memorize. Thus, I could only knit on them when I could concentrate. A lot of the year I needed totally mindless knitting (or crocheting), so that's why these took nine months.

Pattern: Toxic Socks
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Sock "Duchess Heather" and "Bare"
Needles: Size 1 [US], 2.5mm
Knit for: DD2

About the same time, I started socks for the grandsons. I knit them top down & waited to do the toe decreases until October after measuring their feet :-)

Pattern: Ribbed legs, stockinette feet
Yarn: ?? in "Pumpkin" and some blue
Needles: I think US 2
Knit for: Sport & Buster


DD2 got a new living room set, and the afgan I'd crocheted for her years ago was looking rather sad. So... taking colors from the new chair, I crocheted long strips, alternating "beige" and the colors in random-ish stripes. No pattern. The yarn is Vanna White's.

(Photo taken on my sofa, not hers.)

5 Years

My calendar reminded me that five years ago today I began this blog.

My goal for the remainder of this year is to add photos/info about several projects I've done this year, but haven't blogged. And my goal for 2012 is to blog more! Not promising how often, but at least more than 2011.

MONDAY MEME - on a Saturday

Spent some time this morning reading knitters’ blogs like I used to when days weren’t so full. Dee had a Monday Meme posted, so here’s mine. (I’m posting this today, because there won’t be time on Monday.)


Age: 63
Bed: Very firm.
Chore that you hate: Shopping.
Dogs: Had one a long, long time ago. A toy poodle named Vida ~ short for In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Yes THAT long ago!
Essential to start my day: Two cups of coffee.
Favorite color: It used to be blue. But, I’d say now it’s a dark cranberry color.
Gold or silver: Gold.
Height: 5'5"
Instruments that you play: None in the past 50 years.
Job Title: Reference Librarian
Kids: 3
Live: Beatles!!!
Mom's name: Beverly
Nicknames: Jakki
Overnight hospital stays: At least seven as a patient: T&A, appendectomy, pneumonia, three C-sections, and a total hysterectomy. And probably at least six or seven this year during my daughter’s hospitalizations.
Pet Peeves: My favorite college football team not being on TV every game day.
Quote from a movie: Unfortunately, I rarely remember memorable lines. Although, I’m sure my favorite would be from one of the Lord of the Rings movies.
Right or left: Right.
Siblings: Four younger sisters, and a “little” brother.
Take-Out-Food: Chinese.
Underwear: Cotton
Veggies: Yes. It’s a requirement for a vegetarian.
What makes you run late: Other people
Xrays: Try to stay away from them.
Yummy food: Veggie pizza!
Zoo Animals: Oh, those poor caged animals.
Now back to more blog reading!

March 2011 Socks

My March socks were started several months ago, but finished just a few days ago.

I Have been working on the Toxic Socks, but that's far from mindless knitting. And lately I've needed Mindless Knitting. (See previous post.)

These used up leftovers from at least five, maybe six earlier pairs. Not too bad looking, if I say so myself. These are for me, but are a bit large.

However, the goal was to knit House Socks to keep my feet warm during winter months. And, these will definitely do that!

Helluva month

I'm OK, but two of my DDs aren't. See: Lynch Syndrome. DD1 will have surgery on Monday.

DD2 (the mama) has a colonoscopy scheduled for Mar 31. God, I hope it's "just" ulcerative colitis for her.

Probably won't post much after today for a while, but I WILL be knitting. (A lot healthier [and cheaper] than smoking & drinking!)

2011 February Socks

I had intended to do a "big person" pair of socks during January. Great intentions, but no product to show for it!

So, about January 24th I decided I could quickly whip up a pair for the toddler son of DD1's friends. I had him in mind when I ended up with plenty of leftovers from this pair last summer.

Great intentions, but I didn't get them cast off until February 2nd. Too late to qualify for "January Socks," but early enough in Feb that now I can get a good start on my "March socks."

I haven't done colorwork in, oh, probably 43 years [...I started knitting very young :-] so this next pair will be slow going. And I'll get to try out that "knitting thimble thingy" [see last post.]

I'm Baacckk!

Tonight's post features what I bought several weeks ago with the gift certificate my DD3 gave me for Christmas.

Thanks again, Honey Bunch!

I plan to use the sock yarn for myself. I think the buttons will be used on my February Lady Sweater. That's looking like it will be a February 2012 Sweater.

The "knitting thimble" thingy, if it works, could be handy when I start knitting a pair of colorwork socks (2 pair are planned.)