Not Much to Show ...

... but at least it is knitting!! I have restarted the sock I'm knitting for my sister. That extra repeat is going to work just fine (I'm knitting the Chevron pattern from SKS). Another inch or so I'll be to the heel flap. The second sock in the picture is some new Trekking I have. I'm knitting Miriam Felton's Razor Shell pattern. I really like the effect the design has on this yarn, all scallopy. It's so funny, I introduced my Amazing Lace team as a shawl but all I'm knitting is lacy (holey) socks. Go figure. Ah well, I'm going to work on Monica's sock. I want to get the heel turned today. More later!

Jury Duty...Again

I received notice in the mail today I've been called for jury duty, again. This is the 3rd time in my adult life that I have been summoned. The first time I had just turned 21, still living at home. The first day I had to call there was a message that the judge had died over the weekend and all trials had been postponed. I was sorry that the judge had died, but so glad I didn't have to report. The second time, (Mandy was 2 or 3 years old, she's 16 now), I served on a jury that acquitted a prominent civil rights activist and local clergyman of sexual harassment. And now for what is called Petit Jury Service. I have to be available August 28 - September 8. How many out there have been called and how many times. My husband has never been called (he's a registered voter too, why don't they call him?). Mandy thinks it's so funny that I've been called AGAIN. All I can say is they better let me in the building with my pointy sticks if my number is called. Please pray they don't call juror 48 during those 2 weeks. I know it's my civic duty and all, but I really don't want to do it. They only compensate $5 a day if your called but don't get placed on a jury or $10 a day if you do get placed on a jury. They do give you daily parking passes though. That's a lot of lost wages that I can't afford to lose (if my number is called).
This is the second post with no pictures. Sorry. I'll try to do better next post.

Just A Minor Setback

I had to take my sister's sock to the frog pond. It was just to small (I hadn't intended to knit tourniquets). It's a shame too, I was all the way to the gusset decreases. I have restarted with another pattern repeat added, they should fit fine now. If not, I hope there is a pattern out there I can get to work (and that I really want to knit).
I also wanted to tell you, if you listen to books on tapes, you must listen to Anne of Green Gables. I have been listening to it in the car whenever I go someplace. I laugh so much, people must wonder what's going on. I adored the show and I have read the book, but it is so wonderful to listen to.
Well, I must put some more inches on the sock. More later!

My Summer of Socks

I have just finished my 4th pair of socks for July. And my 15th for the year (but who's counting? Oh, I am). These were fun to knit and look so cool. The colors in the yarn make me very happy. I can't wait for suitable weather to wear them. Here are the particulars:
Yarn: Sisu Fantasy
Stitches: 68
US 1 dpn's
Pattern: 3-1 Rib for the leg and down the foot.
My daughter is upset that they match perfectly. She actually threw them down on the couch when she saw how well the stripes match and said, "you and your matching socks".
WELL! Nothing to get your knickers in a bunch about. IMHO. They are exactly how I like them.
I think I will work on the socks I'm knitting for my sister now (and the stripes will match on those too, BTW). It's hard to concentrate on anything right now. Mandy and a friend (it's a sleepover, which means "no sleep") are upstairs baking chocolate chip cookies and they smell wonderful.
More knitting and sewing soon.

Monica Said It Would Be Safe

I've been doing some sewing along with the sock knitting. My niece (Lauren) loves for me to sew for her and her birthday is coming up next month, so I don't want to disappoint her. This first doll outfit matches one I made her last year for her birthday (unfortunately the capris don't fit her anymore, I'm not sure about the peasant top). I may have enough of the white material left to make her a new pair. The peasant top is from Simplicity 8451, and the capris from the Nancy Ziemann book Girls n Dolls.

I used the capri pattern again for these strawberry pants. I have a pair cut out for Lauren from Butterick 6615 to match. I have more outfits planned and I will post them as I get them done (because Monica said it would be safe and Lauren wouldn't see them).

PS: I didn't make the white top Samantha is wearing, that is part of an American Girl outfit.

PSS: The nice thing about dressing dolls is they don't grow and they don't complain about the style or color.

Dragging Myself Out of the Funk

I think Shelley was right, the weather was effecting me and contributing to my funk yesterday. Not having air conditioning at work didn't help things at all. I'll admit it, I'm spoiled with all the wonderful technologies we take for granted. You work in an office, you expect it to be air conditioned. Someone should tell the maintenance guy to change the filters more than once a decade, I'm just saying. So, to drag myself out of my funk I started a new sock on my lunch break. And this one I didn't rip.

I'm knitting my Sisu Fantasy in a 3-1 rib pattern and I'm carrying it down the foot. I have 2 more gusset decreases to do and then it's down the home stretch to the toe. I think it helps that the colors are so bright in this yarn, I'm enjoying knitting it. I'm back in the swing of things, and I might even cut out some things to sew for my niece's upcoming birthday (I know the pattern pieces are around here somewhere).

In a Funk

Well, nothing completed yet. I've tried starting 3 different socks and just didn't like them. Not sure if it was the pattern or the yarn or a combo of the two.I'm not calling it "burn-out yet! I have been working on Monica's sock, it's growing slowly. Work is slow too and now the air conditioner(at work) isn't working. And it's going to be in the 90's for the next week, at least. I hate heat and humidity, and the weathermen sound so cheery about the forecast. Are they all crazy? Give me the 60's and 70's any day. Ok, enough of my rant. Hopefully the next post will contain knitting.

Somebody Call the Fire Department....

Cuz I. Am. Smokin..... I finished Mandy's Opal Petticoat socks (that's pair #3 for July). And look, they are identical, even the toes!!!! Mandy says she doesn't like her socks to match (she says I have issues). But is she knitting them? NO, she isn't. Mom is. So if the stripes can match, Honey, they will. I hope I don't get "sock burn-out" or reach critical mass or something. I have 4 empty sets of size 1's and more yarn to knit. My Sensi (Monica) will be tsk, tsking me for being so sinful as to have (so many) empty needles. I will find a way to remedy that situation. It's back to work for me tomorrow, I mean today. My hot streak may be over. Stay tuned.

Hot Off the Griddle.... I Mean Needles

My Orange Marmalade Waffle socks are done!! They are so nice.
Particulars:
Kool-aid dyed with Lemonade (Monica added some yellow food coloring too, to intensify the color) and then Orange
68 stitches
US 1 DPN's
Started: 7/3/06
Finished: 7/8/06
So I'm back to another set of empty needles and none of my previously started socks are getting done. I think my startitis is getting out of hand. I don't think I need intervention yet, I'll yell if it comes to that. I think I'll look through my books and see if anything catches my eye.
If you click on Monica's name (above) you can see the wonderful baby dress she knit and entered in the county fair. It is covered with ribbons!!! I couldn't be more proud of or happy for her. She is a wonderful sister, knitter, teacher, mother, wife.... I know I'm a little biased but there you have it.

Waffles Anyone?

I got started right away on another pair of socks (I just couldn't leave those needles empty). I'm knitting the yarn Monica and I dyed last month. It is so pretty, I'm using the Blueberry Waffles pattern. But considering the color of my yarn maybe I should call them Orange Marmalade Waffles. I should have this first one done tomorrow. Mandy thinks I should be working on some socks for her, but she will have to wait. I think I will use this pattern for a pair of socks for my son too. That will be a good stocking stuffer. Yes, I'm thinking Christmas already. It will be here before we know it. Back to knitting!

Ummm, I May Have Underestimated...

...the sock knitting voodoo powers I possess. Here is exhibit 1: Fortissima 1776. Started 6/25/06. Finished 7/03/06. I stated at the start date that I wouldn't get these done in time for the 4th, it seems I was wrong. I also stated that it would be too hot to wear them anyway, well, I was right about that. 90 degrees and wool socks don't mix. It does seem though that my powers don't extend to being able to match those darn toes. They are identical until I start the toe decreases!! Why is that? It is mind boggling. Ah well, I guess that will always be the imperfection in my sock knitting.
Now it seems I have another set of empty size 1's.... so much yarn to choose from. What will I knit next? Stay tuned.

Smallest Sock

I've knit some small socks before (all those baby socks) but this is the smallest sock I've made so far. I used this recipe for it. I wanted a keychain so I just made one. It is so cute!! I used some of my leftover Meilenweit yarn. I think I will do this with all my leftovers, that way my keychain will match whatever socks I happen to be wearing. Yay, I know what you are all thinking, she's gone off the deep end for sure. Naaa, I'm just having fun with my knitting.

I have also finished the first of my patriotic socks. And the second is cast on. Just cruising right along.

Monday is my son's 21st birthday, but we will be celebrating it tomorrow. It will be so good to see my sister and her family and spend some time with her/them. So I better go bake a chocolate cake and some yellow cupcakes... and do some more cleaning. It seems my yarn is taking over the family room. More later!

And In The Center Ring....

We have the Fishermen's Sock2 (I hope your German is good) finished before the stroke of midnight. This was a fun pair to knit, it is the June sock for the sockmaniacs yahoo group.
Particulars:
Lorna's Laces Sock in Natural
rib: 64 stitches
leg and foot: 72 stitches
If anyone knows of a nicer, softer yarn than Lorna's please let me know. This sock is so luxurious feeling, I can't wait for cooler weather so I can wear them.
And now I have another set of empty needles, which means I will need to start a new sock.
No, I will work on some that are already OTN.
I will be good. Well, it's late and I'm off to bed. More later.

I'm Not Seeing It

Do you? This is Fortissima 1776, also known as Stars and Stripes. Well, I see the stripes but not the stars. Or am I just blind? I started this sock this morning out of curiosity (and the fact I did have a set of empty needles). Sometimes you just can't fight temptation or startitis. I doubt I'll get them done by the 4th, it will be too hot to wear them anyway. This sock is going so fast, I'm to the heelflap already.
The second Fishermen's Sock is making good progress too, 13 more rows on the leg and it will be heelflap time for it too. I plan to work on that for a while today, and hopefully get at least to the gusset if not through the decreases. Maybe I can get a 3rd pair finished by the end of the month!!
Back to knitting. More later.

Some Silly Questions

My husband asked me some silly questions tonight... I was sitting on the couch, working on the Fishermen's Socks. I had my graph on the clipboard with post- it notes to mark my place, just knitting away. He comes over and looks at it and gets that "what is that" look on his face, so I say it's the pattern. See what it looks like knit up, isn't it pretty? He kind of rolls his eyes and walks into the kitchen. And then he asks the "silly questions"... 1. What do you do with all those socks? I wear them, I say. 2. Don't you have enough? NO! 3. Why don't you sell them? Because I made them to fit me, and I wear them. End of conversation. I have offered to teach him to knit, but that's a no go. If I could just get him hooked, he might understand. Or not.
Just a few more inches and the first sock will be done (on the Fishermen's) and I've started it's mate already ( I did have empty needles and another ball of yarn, so, why not?). I'll keep you posted.
Oh, and my finger is much better.

Monica Said I Had To

Monica said I had to post, so I hurried up and finished the Meilenweit socks I was knitting. I was close to being done anyway. So....... here they are.
The particulars: Meilenweit Inca
68 stitches on size US1 dpn's.
Plain socks.
I decided to let the yarn speak for itself. They are identical until the toe. Why is it always the toe? And after the toe was kitchnered but before I could weave in the ends, I went out and cut some sucker growth from one of the Bradford Pears in the front yard. Well, when I was gathering up the debris something stabbed me in my ring finger near the tip. Mandy pulled it out, but now my finger is red and swollen. I've taken some Benedryl and cleaned and spritzed the wound with some topical Benedryl... so hopefully everything will be alright.

New OTNs is Opal Petticoat. This pair will be for Mandy. I had started it in a 3 x 1 rib on the leg but she likes her socks plain so I ripped it and started over. I love the colors in this yarn... so happy and Springy/Summery. I have also started a pair for Monica (she knows about them) but the yarn and pattern will be a surprise. We will exchange socks in September (when we go to the Wool Gathering). So you will have to wait to see them till then, sorry.
Well, I'm going to see if I can knit. Typing hasn't been too bad. I really need to finish the Fishermen's Socks before the end of the month, we'll see if that happens.

French Socks Done

Well, I have just kitchnered the toe of the second French Sock .... WOO HOO!! I liked knitting this sock, it was a fun pattern and easily memorized. Mandy has been laying the toe of the sock flat, she says it looks like a crocodile's back and I should put some googley eyes on them and use them for hand puppets. Isn't she funny? It looks more like a rainbow fish to me!






I have started the Lozenge Sock in the brown tweedy Trekking I got at the Hoosier Fiber Fest 2 weekends ago. It is looking nice (only 1 repeat done), this pattern won't be memorized I fear.
It's a pattern that needs your full attention. I'll post a picture of it when I'm further along.


Now that Monica's yarn has been knitted, it is time to put them through the wash (here's hoping the dye doesn't fade). And now I have a set of empty needles too, I may just wait till I have a few of my UFO's done. I hope I can be strong enough to fight my startitis. This may call for some Moose Track's ice cream (I should really be strong to fight that temptation).

30 Things

So, Kerrie at Hip Knits is turning 30 next weekend and is having a contest. So if you're ready (and even if you're not) here are 30 things about me: some of them pretty obvious

1. I'm a knitter! Mostly socks, but I'm trying to branch out.
2. I've been married (to the same man) for 23 years, we dated for six years during and after high school before we got married so we've been together for 29 years.
3. I have 2 children. My son will turn 21 ( how did this happen? where have all these years gone?) on July 3, and my daughter just turned 16 in April.
4. I don't like dogs. (dog lovers don't hate me please)
5. I do like cats, but we're (husband, both kids, and myself) allergic so we have no animals.
6.I also sew, smock, cross stitch, and crochet.
7. I wish I didn't have to work outside the home.
8. I used to be a SAHM.
9. My dad was in the Army so we moved a lot. I've lived in Kentucky (born there), Pennsylvania, Germany, Colorado, Indiana (after dad retired from the Army) and Ohio.
10. I don't like to exercise, but I really need to.
11. I like chocolate! too much
12. I like to cook and bake but I don't like the clean up afterwards (that's what I have kids for. right?).
13. I'm always tired.
14. Until my sister taught me a year and a half ago, I was afraid to knit socks. I'm addicted now!
15. I'm half way done, this is harder than it seemed before I started. How do people come up with their 100 lists?
16. I don't like bugs! I don't go screaming from a room though (well unless they're big and I don't have a shoe handy).
17. I don't like coffee. I do like the smell of coffee though.
18. I do like tea. I drink decaffeinated raspberry flavored tea (that I brew and then chill) every day.
19. I don't drink pop. I used to, but not anymore. It makes me hiccup. But that's not why I don't drink it.
20. I've had a lot of surgeries. Organs I don't have anymore include: appendix (not an organ, I know), gallbladder, and uterus(not an organ either). I've also had scar tissue removed from my left knee and a melanoma from my left cheek. My son was born by C-section.
21. I was supposed to be left-handed, but my mom made me right-handed.
22. I am left eyed ( my husband says this would be a great asset if I played baseball. And I don't anymore).
23. My favorite color is yellow. Yet everything (dishes, towels, etc) in my house is blue. No yellow at all.
24. I do have yellow paint for the half bath. I think I will do some painting during my vacation the week of July 3rd. I will have to buy some new yellow towels.
25. I'm the middle child of 7. Yes I do have a few issues with my birth order. 5 girls, 2 boys. Dad always said if he had known he was going to have 5 girls he would have invested in Kotex.
26. I'm not a candidate for HRT, so I just have to put up with the hot flashes and night sweats (fan please!).
27. I don't drink alcohol. I have been known to take a sip of Asti Spumanti on New Years Eve, but that one sip puts me right to sleep.
28. I don't answer tela-marketer calls. So stop calling me! I don't want new windows or gutters or cable tv.
29. I like old movies. B/W: Bishop's Wife (Cary Grant...aahhhh), Shadow of a Doubt, Rebecca, Laura, Sorry Wrong Number, I could go on and on. And musicals too.... Seven Brides /Seven Brothers, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, Show Boat, Funny Girl, My Fair Lady. that's enough I guess.
30. Finally, I'm going grey.... and I don't care one bit.

Happy Birthday Kerrie!!

Family Visits,Fiber Fair, and Dyeing

My niece was confirmed this past Sunday and Monica commissioned me to make her this t-shirt. She has always wanted an "I Survived" t-shirt, so I was more than happy to do this for her.



While my daughter and I were visiting, Monica
and I went to the Hoosier Fiber Fair. It wasn't
very big, but I did come away with several balls
of sock yarn. And one (the red/white/blue Trekking) I didn't even have to pay
for, it was a door prize. Monica won too, she got
the Cascade 220 book. There are some nice
patterns in it.



And she showed me how to dye yarn too. It smelled like lemonade and orange kool-aid in her house for a while. But the results are wonderful. It is dry and just waiting for some needles to empty out. I think I can do this on my own now, I don't know why I thought this would be hard or scary.

I have also finished the first Child's French sock out of the yarn Monica dyed (and you'll be proud of me) and have started it's partner. No SSS on this one. I will post a picture as soon as I have them both done.

Well that's all for today.

Last Day of School

It's my daughter's last day of school today and mom is doing the happy dance. No more early risings for a while (well, till summer gym starts on the 12th anyway). Maybe it would be alright to let her get her license afterall. Scary thought, have to push it out of my mind.
On the knitting front, I have been doing some. But it's just not picture or blogging worthy, progress is slow on everything I have on the needles. I know, BORING.Well, maybe after a weekend with my sister (see you sometime tomorrow) I will have something to show. Have a great weekend.