July 19, 2008

I am sad to report that I was unable to submit a sock to the second Summer of Socks bi-weekly raffle (rav link.) For two weeks I tried to complete a sock, but I ended up frogging every attempt. You've seen the updates.

Well, finally, I think I am meeting with some success and I owe it all to Trekking XXL color #326 and the Anastasia Sock pattern. It probably doesn't hurt that Hubby is gone for the week-end and Offspring and the Stray are in Birmingham. No interruptions usually makes for good knitting. This progress pic was taken yesterday. Today I turned the heel and I'm knitting the leg.



And as always, I have some fiddly bits:

• I sold my soul to plurk.
• Offspring is nearly done with her charity baby hat.
• Heath Ledger is a terribly disturbing joker.
• It occurred to me as I labeled this post that I'm inconsistent.
  

Countdown 1,000: 73

Labels: Knitting, Socks, WIPs

|

July 17, 2008

Breaking blog rule #71 ("There is such a thing as 'too short'") to bring you this post:

Offspring tells me (with a huge grin) that she got a lot of comments over at her blog.

Thanks! Ya'll are so sweet.

Pssst: she's got progress pics up now.

Countdown 1,000: 74

Labels: Family Fun, Good Stuff

|

July 16, 2008

I finished ugly sock Monday and immediately cast on the second one. Tuesday afternoon I decided to block the first sock. I know, sock blocking isn't necessary, but I think it evens up my knitting. (And maybe part of me hoped some great miracle would occur and the sock would turn a beautiful solid shade of garnet.)

I ordered some Soak a while back (from the Loopy Ewe, duh.) and decided to give it a try. It did warn that "Some color may bleed into the water-don't worry, this won't harm your garment or yarn."

Did they mean this?:





To say this "bled a little" is an understatement. My first thought was of my feet and their tendency to sweat, no matter what the season (yeah, TMI). My feet would have looked nasty dirty if I wore those socks. Add to that the fact that I was really miserable knitting such ugliness. I just gave up and frogged them.

Now I'm working on a pair that makes me much happier. Trekking XXL #326 is my new favorite color. I guess I might as well tell you it's another spiral pattern. So sue me.

Fiddly bits:

• Offspring has learned to purl. She spent 5 minutes this morning analyzing her feelings on both stitches and gave me an explanation, which I would share if I weren't so lazy. In brief: the pros and cons of both cancel each other out in the enjoyment department. But she's still knitting, so I guess it's all good.
  
• In fact, her stash is up to 4 balls. Two she took from my stash and I bought two balls for her today. (I'm enabling I guess.)
• Offspring is also on ravelry now: classicsj
• And she has a blog. Can I talk ya'll into dropping by and saying hi?
  

Countdown 1,000: 75

Labels: Knitting, Year of the Sock

|

July 14, 2008

I had a workshop to go to today and was able to finish this. I was a little early and finished before it even started. Good thing the speaker was fabulous.

Pattern:Vintage Lace
I think I've written before about how much I love this pattern. Simple and easily memorized, but produces something lovely. I knew when I started that I would not have a super long scarf. I'm very pleased. I really wish I had a cameo or pretty brooch to wear with this (To hell with looking like a granny!)

Yarn: Lion Brand Sportweight
I purchased this a long time ago. Do they even make this stuff anymore? I loved the look of this, but I have some KnitPicks Merino Bare (fingering weight) that I think will look nice, too.

Needles: Bamboo (who knows what brand) US size 6 (4.25MM)

Commentary:
Did I mention how much I enjoyed knitting this? I took a break from it for a while, but figured I needed a little "pick-me-up" since the socks are being so cantankerous. (To be fair, it's the yarn. The sock feels great, but the pooling is driving me crazy)

Countdown 1,000: 76

Labels: FO's, Knitting, Life The Universe and Everything

|

July 13, 2008

I'm glad there's no "50 Book Challenge Police" since it could be argued that my choice of books is perhaps not what was intended in the original challenge. (Blogging rule #43: Avoid clunky sentences.)

#11


I enjoyed this book just as much as her other offerings. I seem to remember some folks feeling it was not "up to snuff", but I could be mistaken. I really enjoyed the "Notable Knitters" and wish there could have been more included. I especially liked that she discussed knitting etiquette. I felt this was more serious in tone...although there were still plenty of chuckles. (Grammar question: Is "plenty" singular or plural? "There were still plenty of chuckles..." OR "There was still plenty of chuckles..."

#12


I admire that she could come up with 45 adages and attach them to knitting. A quick read.

One thing I like about all Harlot books is that she takes frequent "breaks" and gives us these neat little lists. (5 things to do in an airplane instead of knitting, 5 reasons to knit hats, 3 ways to get more knitting time on a road trip)

And now for the fiddly bits:

• Offspring is still busily knitting away on her scarf. It's currently 17" long (is that about 40 cm?).
• Without my knowledge she requested to join ravelry.
• She wants to start another project and learn to purl.

(I remain hopeful this will stick, but still trying not to show too much enthusiasm. Children can be weird, if you are too supportive/approving, they may turn on you.)

• I have taken a break from the sock of many pools of frustration and I'm working on mindless knitting drivel. I'm still hoping to produce a pair of socks for the 2nd bi-weekly raffle of the Summer of Socks.
  

Countdown 1,000: 77

Labels: 50 Book Challenge, Family Fun

|

Apparently, there are blogging "rules" and an "About Me" section is mandatory. Well, here you are:

I blog because I like to. I am a curmudgeon. What else would you like to know? Ask me, I'm happy to oblige!

Hub-a-Dub: Claims he is being punished for sins from a past life.

Offspring: A teen-aged girl who gets away with murder

The Stray: Offspring's boyfriend. We fed him and now he won't leave.

Join the Catster community

 

Subscribe in a reader

www.flickr.com

This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set called FO's 2008. Make your own badge here.

• What Multicolored Should Look Like
• Awwww. You Guys!
• Uncle! (And The Usual Dose of Fiddly Bits)
• Yay For Workshops!
• 50 Book Challenge #s 11 and 12 (And Some Fiddly Bi...
• Recipe For Frustration
• In Praise of Serendipity
• The Trouble With Ravelry
• Not Quite 10 On Tuesday and Other Bits of Random
• 50 Book Challenge #s 9 and 10

- Look Into My Past - January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008

June 21-September 1

Boards and 'Zines

legalese

This work by Sara is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.