Meet Sockee

These socks are just too cute to be mere "socks", they are affectionately known as "sockees" around here. (OK, technically just "sockee" but you get the idea.)

For your viewing pleasure:






They don't make a great visual impact, at least not with my lack of photographic skills, but trust me, these are a pleasure to knit. First, the Felici yarn is soft and a dream to knit. I haven't done much ripping (yet--let's keep in mind that the heel is still in my future) so I can't attest to how well it holds up to that torture. The pattern is "Gentleman's Shooting Stocking" from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.

After I finished the Sockapalooza socks, DH decided to be more vocal about his own desire for handknit socks. He picked out the pattern from the book and I thought for sure that I would hate it since the purl/knit comb changes every row. I thought I would be annoyed and wouldn't be able to find a rhythm. How wrong was I? I am loving the pattern--so easy I have memorized it and its also easy to read the knitting so I always know exactly what my next stitch should be. The colors of the yarn are lovely. They are manly but not totally muted (that red is nice and bright) with color changes just often enough to keep me interested.

Can you tell that I'm loving this knit? My MIL has hinted that my FIL would absolutely love a pair of handknit socks. Since these are practically flying off the needles, I may actually try to make him some in the near future. (He's consulting in Canada for a few months and needs all the warmth he can get.)

The only other project that has seen any action these last few weeks is currently nonexistent. You see, I'm a knitter, a knitter who suffers the bitter cold of obnoxious AC in my office. I feel like I should be able to knit something to keep the chill off rather than resorting to something so pedestrian as buying a sweater. I pulled out the lovely alpaca I purchased at Stitches East last year, wound it into cakes and looked for a center panel pattern in Victorian Lace Today that called to me. First, the number of stitches were too few, then too many for a comfortable width. I finally got the number of stitches right and worked the 12-row pattern. Well, it looked OK but the real problem was all the shedding. Shedding is not ideal for a shawl that is going to be used almost daily with business clothes. Sheesh, its bad enough I probably have dog hair all over my pants on a regular basis. Sadly, the alpaca has gone into storage, awaiting its ideal project.

Next, I moved on to some cashmere (from Colourmart), that I had in my stash. Warm, check, not too heavy, check, does not shed, check check. Despite having a swatch (from some previous experimenting), I could not get the width right. After a couple of tries, I pulled the yarn off the needles and called it a day. I broke down and bought an "office sweater" yesterday. (hanging head in shame)

Dork, right here

The sockapalooza socks are done! That's right, finished, blocked and mailed. What's that you say? The pictures? Aak! I was in such a rush to get them out the door, I completely forgot to take a picture. If my pal posts one or sends me one, I'll link to it.

I have moved on to socks for hubby. I maybe bought a Nancy Bush book and some Knitpicks yarn. hee hee. My MIL wants me to make socks for my FIL, but I told her that first I have to finish some for hubby. Maybe I can get to him in time for the holidays.

I'm taking another quilting class so that has been taking up quite a bit of my time. Its a sampler so I've learned lots of cool techniques in a short period. Unfortunately, I was trying to use up a bunch of fat quarters I picked up at a sale so I'm not so sure how I feel about the finished product. I'll have to get back to you on that. Worst case scenario, the doggies will have an expensive quilted blanket.

Not having access to my personal sites and email during the day is really slowing me down--we won't talk about how many unread posts are in my bloglines. Plus, I'm trying to work out at least a few times a week so this is the first time I've been on the internet in days. How do you guys do it? Work, partners, sometimes kids and school and trying to exercise and have a balanced diet...it wipes me out just thinking about all that.

Next post will include pictures and more knitting, I promise (for real this time).

Technical difficulties

My computer is experiencing some "troubles". Hubby should have time to fix it this weekend and then I can give you the full update. Until then, know that there has been knitting and quilting. The second Sockapalooza sock should be done by this weekend--been knitting on it during all my training at the new job so I'll be turning the heel soon.

I'm taking another quilting class. This one is a techniques class so the focus is really on using different skills for each of the blocks. I'm using some rather, um, interesting fabric choices. In fact, I'll let you judge for yourselves. I will say that I won't be insulted if you guys don't like it.

Happy knitting!

And so it goes...

I've been working on new socks for my pal.




The lighting isn't great--I tried both indoor (top pic) and outdoor (bottom pic) photos but neither really does the color justice. The blues are a little softer in real life. Its also hard to see the pattern (Diamante).

I should be done with this sock before my trip and there should be plenty of knitting time during my travels to finish socks #2 by Mon. or Tues. of next week. Then I might turn my attentions back to Norberta.

This pile represents the back, front legs and back legs. I still have to do the wings and spikes that go down the back.

Non-Crafty Quickie

Life is crazy. I made a new friend almost a month ago. She mentioned that there was a position opening in her office and I should apply. I blew it off because I just met her and it seemed odd that she was pushing for me to apply, and I do like where I work. (Of course, I don't like being commission only and driving 1.5 hrs each way 3 times a week. The other two days I work from home.) As you know, I went out of town and was hanging out with friends, this opportunity didn't even register. Well, when I came back I talked with her again and she, again, mentioned the opportunity. At the same time, the owner of the doggie daycare asked if I had any interest in coming back and I got an email from the local college saying they might need instructors for the spring. It felt to me like there were some serious "signs" (karma, destiny, God--whatever you happen to believe) that I needed to look at other opportunities. Anyway, I submitted my resume on Wed., they called Thurs., and I had my interview on Fri. The guy offered me the job on the spot. I was completely unprepared.

After a weekend of heavy deliberation, I decided to go for it. I gave notice at my current job and officially accepted the new job. The best part, the office is less than 5 miles from my house. If I get lucky and get mostly green lights, I can be at the office in about 10 mins. door-to-door. The second best part, its a salaried position with a national company (future possibilities of moving within the company).

Because that isn't wild enough, I found out yesterday that a good friend was killed on Fri. I'll be going back home to see everyone next week so I'll miss my last few days at my current job. Its not like they can fire me, right?

Craziness.

Sockapalooza 4 Package

My sock pal rocks! Check out my care package:



Starting from the bottom left, Wavy Socks, some slipper socks, some tea, a Magic Towel, Reindeer Droppings (candy), leftover yarn from the Wavy Socks, a cool postcard of my pal's town (she lives above the Artic Circle!!), a cute cat card, bamboo Addis, and cool packaging in the background.

My Wavy Socks:





cuff detail:

(how cute is that "hand made" charm?!)

Bonus slipper socks:


I can't wait for things to cool off enough to wear those slipper socks around the house. As if this wasn't impressive enough, she dyed the yarn herself. The blue is a great heathered color that really works well with the texture of the Wavy Socks. I really love them--thank you Jaana!

My hubby is very jealous but at least I can share the tea with him.

{happy feet dance}

Where have I been?

This pretty much sums up last week.

Before that, well, how do you balance work, life, and crafting? Apparently my crafting falls at the bottom of the list and blogging is below that. Driving 1.5 hrs each way to work is really exhausting. I know you're tired of hearing it, but it means all I want is to sit on the couch, semi-comatose when I get home. I haven't even made a real dinner in weeks.

Since, I was out of town there was (of course) time to knit during the plane ride. I worked on the Sockapalooza 4 socks for my pal. I almost finished sock #2 on the plane ride to MD.



Yeah, that would be me running out of yarn before even doing one repeat of the cuff pattern. Argh!! Now what?! Well, I couldn't do anything while I was out of town but I do have a lovely back-up yarn and pattern. I guess I'll be doing some serious catch-up knitting this weekend. I have already forewarned my pal that her socks are still in progress. Socks or bust-that is the motto for this weekend.

Since the Sockapalooza socks were a no-go, what did I do? Cast on for a new project of course. Inspired by Pam, I started my very own Norberta. (I also ripped out MS3 and started again. I've only gotten through clue 1 so nothing exciting to see there.)