In case it isn't obvious

I'm not very fond of blogging.

I am however very fond of ravelry so the two minutes per six months that I was devoting to "blogging" are now being spent over there. Come check out my latest projects there, including the Bias Shell from the new veronik avery book that I'm convinced is not actually going to work. (username "shireen")

Ask and ye shall receive

My sockpal is a much better person than me. Not only does she give me beautiful more-than-knee high socks, but also two skeins of incredible sock yarn AND perfectly crafted stitch holders. Thank you Michelle - it is all truly wonderful!!








Look how high they go! I hope she wasn't cursing me as she knit higher and higher . . .


over the knee!!






That is one looooong sock.




Pattern: Canyon Hiking Socks from "Greetings from the Knit Cafe"
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotten



I can attest to how comfortable they are!








And what gorgeous sock yarn - my feet will be happy for years!







I've decided that these are boysenberries. Why not??

I am very very happy.

Mission Completed!

I'm sure the few people that were once reading this random blog are no longer, BUT I had to show off the finished Sockapalooza socks. Just a few days late which I blame entirely on the fact that I chose a too-difficult pattern. Which meant this was not a mindless knit. But I'm so pleased with how they turned out and now I just hope that my sockpal likes them!



Photos courtesy of the Subway Knitter. That's The Point in the background.

Pattern: Twisted Flower Sock Pattern by Cookie A

Yarn: Claudia's Handpainted Yarn - colorway "Walk in the Woods" - also courtesy of The Subway Knitter (wow! she's great to have around . . . )


I LOVE this pattern. Though I had many nights filled with cursing of the little cables, I love how it turned out. In retrospect, though the distinct pattern would have probably had more pop with a solid color, this variegated yarn also suits my sockpal's color preferences so I'm happy with that. Not evident in these pictures (see Cookie A's pictures for a better shot), is the beautiful back of the heel.



Phew. Now i just need to handle the extra challenge of making my way to the post office sometime this century.

I Get by with a Little Yarn from my Friends

I've made some progress in the Sockapalooza world- I have achieved yarn!

I was detailing my sockpal's preference for deep blues and purples to the Subway Knitter a couple of weeks ago and she informs me that she has the perfect match. One week later, and Voila!, some Claudia Handpainted Yarn with all my sockpal's preferences for color.



Colleen, you're the best! Now i'm in search for a good pattern. This will clearly be a darkly variegated yarn so I don't want anything with intricate stitching that will get washed away. My pal is also in a warm climate so i think knee socks would be impractical. I've been enjoying seeing everyone else's choices on the knit pligg so I may be stealing some ideas soon. Unless the Subway Knitter wants to do this for me as well??

The Last Baby Blanket I'll Ever Make?

It's the same old story. I decide to make a baby blanket for a dear friend. I obsess over the yarn type and color. I excitedly start the project.

Then . . . about row 10 . . . I get bored.

And from then on, I count the rows and inches until I finish.



Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK, rose color
Pattern: Fiber Trends, Ruffled Ridges

Next, I anxiously mail it across the country, worried that it will get lost in the mail or damaged in some way. But look at the cute little card!



Finally, a couple months later, I get the photo that makes it all completely worth it.



Little Esme is the sweetest thing ever! And she looks so great in pink!

Alright, I'm ready for the next one.

Update-a-rama

After hearing from some of you that you were tired of seeing my last post, I have finally decided to bite the bullet and post an update. But I'm tired so this update will be mostly in pictorial form. And I know most of you don't read the words anyway . . .

So what knitting projects have I done since last I posted? Well, first a couple of pairs of baby booties for a colleague and Alison.

I finished Violetta's Shawl for my sister:

Then, of course, the holiday sweaters.

The niece:

And the nephew:

Phew. If only I could add these projects to my resume.

Connor Meets George

What to do when there's no new knitting to report? Go to the babies! Yesterday, I received some pics in the mail from my friend Erin in Vancouver. She had her baby in August and I had sent her the George Sweater. Look at how charming this baby is! I really like the red on him.



One of the reasons there's no knitting update is that I had to go on a trip to Little Rock, Arkansas this past week. I actually purposely made the decision not to bring knitting with me because I didn't want to distract myself from preparing the workshop that I was giving over two days. But, due to scheduling, and the fact that there is nothing to do in Little Rock, Arkansas, I had a lot more time on my hands than I would have liked.

But I found this particularly interesting. This sign was posted on the back of the bathroom door:



I have never seen anything like it. And what does it mean exactly? Flush after use? Well, that's different than saying "flush frequently", no? And why do Arkansans (or visitors to Arkansas)need such reminders?

I couldn't let it go so I asked the front desk guy when I was checking out. He said that "even though the building had been completely renovated, there were still old pipes." I asked if people needed the reminder and he told me, with a bit of a grimace, that yes they did.

I was very happy to come home.