Oops!

Well, I did it. I went ahead and ruined a pair of socks. I wear a size 9 so these clearly will not fit me. Funny, but I can't felt on purpose, but on accident it's not a problem at all. Actually, it wasn't the washer's fault. I forgot to fish them out when I threw the load into the dryer. Oh well... Does give me freedom to cast on for another pair? I've been trying to be good and not do that. I'm still only on the heel of the second Anniversary sock and had promised myself that they would be done before starting another. As things go, I got bored and started perusing patterns and yarn. Hold yourselves back... It's not a sock either! Ever since I got this book, I've admired these gloves. I've never done gloves before and hadn't any desire to either. For whatever reason the thought of doing all those fingers scared me. Now I've only finished one little pinky, but I don't think it's that bad after all. I am, of course, free to change my mind at any time. Sadly this the only progress I can really speak of right now. I've been sucked back into spinning the past few night while the Cable Down Raglan looks at me from it's knitting bag. I suspect that until I'm finished with this bobbin, it'll remain the same. Happy knitting (and spinning too) everyone!

Where's Spring?

According to the calendar yesterday was the first day of Spring. So, why then did I wake up to snow this morning?!? To make it even worse, Housing turned off the heat about a week ago and we're freezing. Brr. Thank goodness for handknits! I've got alot to show today and am having the hardest time putting it all into one coherent post, so bear with me. Pattern: Ellen's Stockings from Folk Knitting in Estonia Yarn: Koigu, P2405 You may have seen these lurking around the blog for awhile now, but I couldn't reveal them completely until now. I had knit them in a swap with Pip and Tom and I wanted her to be surprised. In return, this is what I got. Fabulous felted bowls! I have serious issues with felting so I am quite pleased. Thank you, thank you!!! Yes, Saffy has been put aside for something new and more exciting. I'm doing the Cable Down Raglan from the lastest issue of Interweave in Calmer. It's all Rachel's fault that I started it, including my choice of yarn. So far I'm really enjoying the pattern and am excited to wear it. For whatever reason I doubted how much yarn I'd need and over ordered. I haven't even finished the fourth ball yet, so I think I will be quite set with lots of leftovers. Look, an almost finished mitten! Hey, guess what? It's getting frogged! I made a decision yesterday that although I love the color combination (still can't get an accurate picture) and the pattern, it's just not doing it for me. I can't put my finger on why exactly, but I feel good about it. I'm quite sure that there some other colors in the stash that will make me even happier.

Clean Sweep

We've been enjoying beautiful spring weather the past few days. Winter coats, boots and warm handknits have been put away into storage for next year. As much as we'd like to spend all day outside basking in the warm sunshine, there are little ones schedules to deal with. So in the time that we're forced to spend inside, I've taken advantage of the spring cleaning bug that bit. This year spring cleaning takes on a different perspective. Sometime this fall we'll be moving back to the States. I know that once the hot weather hits and without air conditioning, I will not feel like doing what needs to be done. So, a little bit each day I attack a small project. Slowly but surely closets, bookshelves and random boxes are being purged of unneeded items. It's kinda overwhelming at times to see what we've accumulated over the past three years. Yarn: Sunshine Yarn in Grasshopper Pattern: Plain Vanilla Socks ** When exactly we are moving is still undertermined. Late last year it was put out that redeployment would most likely happen in late June. Now, this wasn't "official" but it gave everyone something to look forward to. Well, that's three months away and still there hasn't been an announcement as to where this still holds true or not. I understand why the powers that be won't say is because of the fear that if the redeployment date changes, there will be some very unhappy people. Right now we're in limbo and it's starting to get frustrating. One Anniversary Sock down, lots of modifications I guess at this point, I'd just to like to hear something. Anything. It's fine if the guys don't come home in June, I wasn't really expecting a ten month tour anyway. So, I guess in the meantime I'll continue to go through our stuff and prepare the best I can for what could be a move late this summer, or possibly winter. Big difference, huh? **You may have noticed Anemoi in the background. Reknitting them has commenced and I'm really glad I did. They're coming out much better this time.

WIP Roundup

After I finished the two sweaters last week, I found myself with some free needles. Ok, so maybe two sets is just a drop in the bucket, but you know what I mean. I kept flip flopping as to what to start next. Finally, I dragged out the ecru Denim and sat down and casted on for Saffy. So far there's one sleeve and the second is ever so slowly coming along. Denim is like knitting with kitchen string. Actually it's not that bad when you're doing it, but afterwards you can feel it. I mistakenly had a knitathon on Monday and payed for it all day Tuesday. So, in small doses I will be working on this and maybe by the end of summer it will be done. Remember that it shrinks when you wash it so, you have to knit 20% more. Perhaps I didn't think this through... In the meantime I've been working on a few socks as well. Front-Back: Sunshine Yarn, Merino/Tencel from TWR and Koigu* Anyone remember me saying a couple months ago that I was going to step back from socks? It's proving to be harder than I imagined. I had intentionally not joined the Sock A Month 3 knitalong for the purpose of not feeling the pressure to constantly be knitting socks. Instead, I'm more tempted. There's just too many great patterns out there and gorgeous yarns in the stash not to. Hopefully I'll have at least one pair of socks done by next week. Happy knitting everyone! *Pip, here's your sneak peak at some special socks that are on their way to you!

Odds and Ends

Thank you everyone for your nice comments about Arwen! I don't think that I clearly showed my appreciation of the sweater itself. I DO love it; it fits great and the color was missing from my wardrobe. I think alot of my frustration was that I still cling to baby weight and it makes me more aware of how my clothes make me look. I love a pair of socks that knit themselves. The ones that you pick up every once in awhile and knit a few rounds, put down and ignore for a few days. Then before you know it, they're done. It especially helps when they're toddler sized! Yarn: Peterle Regatta 4-fach Ringeldruck Pattern: standard top down on 48 stitches While Royd was home, we popped into a grocery store that we hadn't investigated yet. Clearly, I need to get more "with it", since after only two minutes of being inside I honed in on a shelf of sock yarn. Score! Your standard Regia was present, along with some all acrylics and then a few balls of this brand I'd never seen before. I snatched up a few moulines and asked Connor if he saw anything. That's what he picked out. The picture does not clearly portray the retina searing colors, but he's quite happy with his first pair that aren't hand me downs. Yarn: Plymouth Boku in color 1 Pattern: Entrelac Scarf I finished this up last week but forgot to post about it. The original pattern had called for 4 balls of yarn. I ordered five since I was toying with the idea of fringe. As I approached the end of the third ball, I held it up and realized that it was more than long enough. Since I'm pretty short, I don't need a really long scarf and don't like them that way either. So I've got two more balls to play with and am thinking of a hat and mittens. Not in entrelac though (too matchy). At first I was turning the scarf and then started playing with knitting backwards. It was awkward and clumsy since I have a very funny way of tensioning my yarn. Essentially, I don't but it works just fine under normal circumstances. I had to figure out a way to throw the yarn when going backwards. This was hard since I'm not a thrower. Once I got into the second ball everything worked itself out and I was cruising. In other news, guess who's walking? He had taken his first steps when Royd was home (which was really nice) and has been practicing ever since. It's just a matter of time before the running, climbing and jumping begins. Man, do they grow up quick or what?