Lots of Locks of Love

Yesterday I had an appointment to donate my hair to Locks of Love. This (on the left) is how I have worn my hair for the past year or so.

This (on the right) is what it looked like down (Mandy took a better picture before I got out of the car, but I stupidly erased it).

And this (below) is what it looks like now. Much shorter and Mandy says it makes me look younger. Heather (my stylist) was waiting for me to panic with every snip, but I kept telling her "it's only hair". She says most people start to "freak out" after the first cut. I will have to get used to it (it was weird washing it this morning with so much less hair) and styling will take a little longer. But that's ok, someone is going to have a nice wig and I hope they wear it well.

Knitting next time.
Added at 11:31pm: the scarf is done and is blocking. Hopefully it will be dry tomorrow so that I can gift it.

Sockret Pal Package

My Pal is international. My package has some cool Australian stamps on it (which I'm going to save). But the best is inside... a ball of Jigsaw sock yarn (I've already cast on) in wonderful, vibrant colors, a set of Quill DPN's ( made in New Zealand, they are plastic and very bendy and have the Jigsaw yarn on them), a onesie hank of an unknown yarn, an Australian magazine called Yarn (some great patterns in it too... baby sweater with 4 different fairisle band designs, a crocheted canteen purse..that has my daughter's and nieces' name all over it), 2 single teas (which will be nice with this cold and sore throat I've got), a cute note pad, and a little pack of vegemite (help, what is this? I don't know what to do with it). What a great Pal I have!! Thank you so much!! It totally made my day (better).


Blogger is being a pain. First I can't get on my blog at all and now it won't let me upload the picture. AHHHHHHH!!!! Finally after about 8 attempts it finally loaded.

I Love Contests

There is a contest going on over at javajem's and I do love to enter these contests, even if I don't win. So, here are my answers to her questions:

1. Since it is my 100th blog contest - If you have a blog - how many entries have you made? This will be my 88th.
2. What is the first thing you notice about a person when you meet them for the first time? hmmm, I think the person's eyes.
3. What are you currently reading? I just finished listening to the Phillip Pullman series of the Golden Compass, Subtle Knife and Amber Spy Glass. Does that count? What is your favorite book of all time? that's a hard one, I will have to say "To Kill A Mockingbird".
4. Where is the furthest you have ever traveled from home? Well, dad was in the army, so it would have to be Germany. I've lived in KY, PA, CO, IN, and OH. But as an adult - Wyoming or Florida (whichever is furthest from Ohio)
5. What is something you would like to knit "One day"? There are so many sock patterns I want to make and I will get to them all "one day", and my sister gave me a bag of yarn for a sweater, so I need to pick a pattern and knit that, it will be cabled.
6. Since it is October - what are you going to be for Halloween? Myself, that's scary enough.

So, there it is, my entry. That was fun, fast, and painless.

It's "My So Called Scarf"

There has been very little (no) sock knitting going on since Thursday night. That's when I started a scarf...a scarf I really thought I would have done by now. You see, the woman I work with had a birthday yesterday and I had intended to gift it to her today. But that didn't happen and probably won't happen for a couple more days. This thick yarn and size 10.5 needles are killing my hands, my fingers ache (wwaaaaaa). I'm knitting this pattern in Di.ve' Teseo in the black/grey/cream colorway. The yarn is fluffy and thick and is knitting up beautifully, but my fingers are hating it. I've got 30" so far and I will try to put a few more on before I go to bed. I really need it to grow faster, because I would much rather have some size 1's in my hands. Well, that's all the
(complaining) knitting I have for right now. Hopefully, I'll have socks next time.

Foot Cozy Socks...Check

I finished my Foot Cozy Socks (inspired by a glass cozy pattern in the July issue of Creative Knitting)!! It's a very simple cable pattern (the cables happened regularly enough to make the pattern not boring).








So, here is what I did: Lorna's Laces Sport in Pale Pink (there is nothing pale about this yarn). 60 stitches on size US2 dpn's. 3-1/2 repeats on the leg and foot. I may have to rename them though... they are so perfect for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (the cables look like the ribbons).
I have started a pair of socks for my son (C.J.). He asked for some (the poor thing knows I'm more likely to finish socks for him than the sweater) so they are on the needles. I'm using the "Father and Son" pattern in the latest issue of Interweave Knits (the same pattern I'm using for my Sockret Pal). Both are coming along nicely. And I also continue to work on Monica's socks, the heel is in sight.
Well, I'm off to bed. More later!

It's Fixed!!!

The busted pipe in the front yard is fixed. YIPEE !!! And you'll be surprised to hear this, the yard and landscaping was not harmed in the process. They didn't even have to remove the slab of sidewalk that was almost against the meter. I'm so happy. Thank you, Lord. and Amen.
Tomorrow is hubby's birthday, I'll let you know how he likes his Bengals' socks. His parents are taking us and the kids out for dinner (YUM).
Have a great weekend!! Hopefully I will be finishing the "foot cozy" socks!

SOCKTOBERFEST

It's like killing 2 groups with 1 pair of socks. I have my October socks done for SAM2 and my kick off socks for Socktoberfest. I knit these plain in Opal Petticoat 1291, 68 stitches on size US1 dpn's. They fit great and match perfectly(I was lucky, no knots). I Love Them. So cool. I'm still working the on the "foot cozy" socks and Monica's socks and my Pals socks (which are looking great, even if I do say so myself). Well, I'm off to work. Have a great day!!


Edited to include Socktoberfest questionnaire:
When did you start making socks? 2 years ago. My sister Monica taught me.
What was your first pair? Plain socks in Opal Lollipop 1015. How are they holding up? Great, I wear them often.
What would you have done differently? Cast on looser
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? Lorna's Laces is my favorite. I also like Bearfoot and so many of the self-striping yarns.
Do you like to crochet your socks? I've never tried, but I don't think I would.
on DPN's, circulars or magic loop? DPN's are the only way for me (so far)
Which heel do you prefer? Heel flap. But I would like to try the short row sometime.
How many pairs have you made? Well all together I'm not sure, but this year (so far) I've knit 23 pair of adult socks and 39 pair of baby socks. I have 6 pair OTN's too.

Socks For My Pal

I have started the socks I will be sending to my Pal for Sockret Pal. I have decided not to post a picture of them (just in case I've dropped clues to my identity or she somehow figures out that I have her). I ended up having the perfect yarn in my stash, so the only problem was deciding on the pattern. What I settled on is the "Father and Son" socks (I never let the name of the pattern stand in the way if I like it; see below, the "glass cozy") in the current Interweave Knits magazine. I love the pattern (I think I will have to make some for myself) and even though I'm using a variegated sock wt. yarn the chevrons and cables are looking very nice. I have also been gathering some of her "favorite" things (and some others that I hope she will like) to send her for the Oct/Nov send. And I'm also thinking ahead (I have several things planned) for the Dec/Jan send. Well, that's it for now. Have a great day! And knit a stitch or two for me!!