My Birthday Gift

Mother Nature got me exactly what I wanted for my birthday... I have leaves budding on my backyard tree and tulips budding in my front yard. Perhaps spring has finally come!

More good news... block 10 is complete! Now I just need to figure out what type of edging to do. I think I want to do applied I-cord. It seems like the Mason-Dixon edging of choice right now. And it seems neat and tidy. I looked at the edging from the book and it just doesn't seem right for this blanket. I need to do a bit of net searching on the best way to do the I-cord. So get out your forks... this one is almost done!

Bad lighting... despite the lovely weekend weather, it's now cold and rainy again. Bah!

I do have an FO for you... it's not the most gorgeous ever, but it's done. Behold... the first sock. Looks pretty good...


The problems began with the second...


See what I mean? But still... any handknit pair is far and above better than store bought. And since spring is coming so slowly to these parts this year, I'll wear them several times before they're put away for the summer.

Pattern: Basic Sock Recipie - 72st
Yarn: Regia Bamboo Color
Needles: 2.0mm/US size 0

On to more beautiful projects right!? I joined a KAL for the Hazel Knits Artisians Ravelry group. We're all knitting the Embossed Leaves sock in different colors from Hazel Knits. They are all totally gorgeous. I'm using my Chocolatier. It's turning out quite lovely. It's slow going though because with the wide stitch pattern I haven't been able to memorize it. I'm almost there, but need to peek from time to time. Especially since I get interrupted so much! Occupational hazard. I'm down through the heel now, but here's a peek at the beginning.


I'm off to make brownies with Miss N. Because no birthday is complete without chocolate!

Block 9

Yes, that is block 9 complete! It actually appears to be two blocks because it's worked in two colors. And better yet, 10 is picked up and started. I can taste the end of this beast!

What prompted this frenzy of garter stitch? I've had house guests ever since returning home and good old garter is always your friend when you're carrying on conversations. And... Last week, Miss E turned 2. If you remember I started this before her first birthday. A year later... here it is, still an UFO. My brother who was visiting along with Hub gave me much guilt over it. So I picked it up and charged through block 9. It was a biggie. Block 10 is long, but not very wide. Only 18 garter ridges. Last night I calculated and figured if I was paying attention... it would take me 4 hours to complete. However, I tend to knit while watching movies and such so... probably longer. I'm so excited to be nearing completion! I actually want to work on it again. I love the finish you know... that adrenalin kicks in and pushes you through. Maybe I get carried away. :)

I am so jealous of all the pretty pictures of spring I'm seeing around the blogosphere. Here, we have nothing but more cold and we've even had a couple inches of snow. Ugh. We're now a mere inch and a bit away from the all time record for snow in a winter... 93.some odd inches. That's a lot of snow folks. I'm kind of rooting for another inch just for the bragging rights for having such a crappy long winter. But the other side of me can't wait to see what that predicted 60 is going to feel like this weekend. Maybe spring found her way to us... just maybe... hopefully I finish that blanket by then!

Scenic Socks and More!

Pattern: Broken Cable Rib by Ann Budd

Yarn: Dream In Color Smooshy, Deep Seaflower

Really, there's not much to say here. They are gorgeous! I am so happy with them. I knit nearly all of them while in Alaska with my family. Then Hub and I escaped one afternoon to give them a special Alaska photo shoot. I was freezing. Did I mention that in the chaos of getting us all out the door at 3am for the airport I forgot my coat?! Ugh. Not smart! A day or two after this I took possession of one of my brothers wrestling team jackets. I was SO fashionable... but warm.

I did make a few simple modifications which I detailed out in Ravelry if you are interested.

I also started this pair while I was there... and finished them up here at home. It's so odd to say that because Alaska IS my home. Just not right now. So I'm home from going home. Strange but true! I thought my Mama deserved a little something for having 10 people in her house for over two weeks!

Pattern: Citrine Socklets from IK, Holiday 2007
Yarn: Louet Gems Sport, Lilac

These are a LOT cuter on feet. But Mom has tiny feet so I couldn't stuff my big 'un's in to show them off.

I have a house guest this week! It's one of my brothers from Alaska! His twin to got go to Arizona with a friend for spring break. So he got to come here, hang with us and go snowboarding with Hub. Then this weekend MIL arrives to celebrate Miss E's 2nd birthday! All this business is keeping me from crashing into depression about being home and away from family again. So it's good. I'll sort through the gross amount of pictures that were taken and get you a little taste of Alaska soon!

WIP's

Well, since I don't have pictures for you from the trip yet I thought I'd share some of the things I worked on while I was there. And for the record... I used every bit of sock yarn I took with me! Good planning I say. I also took some yarn for hats, but then decided I didn't want to use that yarn for the hats... so I stuck with the socks.

First up... the traveling sock. I knit this on the airplane. Now, I almost didn't pack any knitting in my carry on. I was traveling with a 2YO and a 4Yo. I didn't expect to get anything done. But... the plane was packed and they couldn't sit us all together and Hub VERY graciously took the kids and I sat ALONE! So I knit the cuff on one of the flights up. I knit the heel while there and then about an inch of foot on the way home when we were all sitting together the entire time. The yarn is Regia's Bamboo Color. It's interesting. It's got a lot of drape. It's silky soft too. Hub declared it too girly, so it's for me. I'm not complaining.


Next up, Lilac Socklets. This is a quick little knit for my Mom. I would have finished them while we were there, but the last few days I put down the knitting to really spend every last moment with family.


And THIS... UGH! I have been wanting to do the Roza pattern by Grumperina again. I devised a plan to make them fit me as the original was a bit too small. (working on 66st instead of 60st) Well, it didn't work! GRRR! They are too tight in the instep. I'm totally mad so they've been in time out. I am fighting off the urge to rip the whole thing out. I believe that the problem lies with the stitch pattern itself... where there is lace, it's stretchy and bigger. But with the heel and bottom of foot being all stockinette... it's too small there. I'm considering ripping out the heel only, increasing by several stitches and giving it another go. But like I said... that urge to rip the whole thing out is also there. We'll see. I could also gift these... but the right recipient hasn't come to mind. For various reasons, this one won't work for my usuals... I even for a moment thought about just chucking the whole thing. I never thought I'd feel that way about any yarn, but... I'm mad at this one!

OH! Rereading this I just had an idea... what if I ripped the heel and redid it in plain stockinette instead of slip stitch... and maybe added an extra 2 stitches say... that way it wouldn't be drastically different from the stitch count on the top and I think the heel would have a little more give... Feedback appreciated!


Hub has promised me a disc full of pictures tonight, so trip photos and an FO coming soon!

Home

We're back! I have no pictures yet. I have an FO, many WIP's, and lots of family and scenery for you. However, all is on Hub's laptop. And I have no idea how to get them onto this computer... So... you'll have to wait...

I also have 213 unread posts in bloglines. That could take a while...

More soon!

The Long Awaited Surprise!

Pattern: Childs Cabled Jumper, by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, Lime

Needles: US 7
Notes: This was a dream project. The pattern is very well written. I had no modifications, and no problems at all... not a bit of ripping back. It was amazing! It's exactly the dimensions it's supposed to be too! A dream. Yummy!

Front

Back

Miss T got her "baby shower in a box" today! Meghann of Radiant Twist and I have been scheming for several months on a way to really treat Miss T. She's kind of had a rough go of it and we just wanted to make sure she got to celebrate this joyous occasion! Meghann is lucky enough to live near Miss T so she got the honors of giving the gifts to her. She's blogged about it with some cute pictures here!

I myself have been sitting here on the west coast dying of anticipation! Of course I had to be done first so I could ship the gifts back east. It's just no fun to hold it all in!

Look! Mama and Baby Socks that Rock!

Aww...

Sooooo cute! And so fun!

Pattern: Priscilla's Dream Socks from Favorite Socks.
Yarn: Socks that Rock Heavyweight in Chapman Springs, and Mediumweight in Fairgrounds, both from leftovers stash! They both have tiny feet. :)
Notes: What's not to love? Miss T needed some labor socks. And we must impart good taste to the baby right away so she needed a pair too. I love the look of the zig zag bind off. I'm not sure if it would be comfy in a pair of shoes, but these are so thick I don't think they'll go in shoes. It's sure pretty to look at!

Womans Heart, 2001

The knitting was all really fun and cute. But this was really the heart of the gifts I sent. I created this piece about 8 years ago just after I'd gone through a very surprising divorce. I started thinking about my future children and how they wouldn't even know about this part of my life until they were possibly quite a bit older, or maybe never. It sparked a train of thought about the depth of a womans heart. How it holds so many treasures and secrets, hurts and loves. But looking at her face, you'd never know. Miss T and I have talked about this piece quite a bit. She's had some high's and some low's in the past year or so. All little treasures to be tucked away in her heart. And perhaps when she looks at this piece on her wall it might remind her of things she has forgotten about. Or maybe it will just remind her of the depth and beauty that she holds within her very own self. Because that is certainly something to celebrate!

I love you Miss T. I am so happy for you and this upcoming adventure. Another beautiful memory to tuck away in your heart.

Crazy Socks

Pattern: Basic 60 stitch Sock with a Dutch Heel from Knitting Vintage Socks

Yarn: Selah Parvana Sock

Needles: US 1.5, 2
Notes: I can't help but think of Easter candy when I look at them. Maybe it's just the time of year, I'm not sure. I need to rave on this yarn. I reknit the heel on the first sock 2 or 4 times and you can't tell. This yarn is tough! The Dutch Heel... not sure I like it. I have a narrow heel, and yet it's still kind of puckery. I'm hoping it will relax a bit when I wash them. Thank you Julie for this yarn! It was a second that she gave to me. It has been the most fun yarn!

We're leaving town next week and heading north to Alaska for a couple of weeks to visit my family. To cope with the stress of traveling with two toddlers and all that entails I've been doing three things... winding yarn, spending extra time at the gym and freaking out. The freaking out is followed by a trip to the gym or a session winding sock yarn. Now I know I don't NEED to take enough yarn for half a dozen socks with me. But it's calming. So shush! I'm not sure if I'll be taking anything besides socks with me. Baggage space is at a premium when traveling with toddlers and all their stuff. Not to mention dragging two carseats with us. Miss E is also sick right now... hoping that doesn't pass it's way around the house. Did I tell you yet that our flight leaves here at 5am?! Pray for me. lol!