Knitting Update

I've started working on a hat, just on a whim, to try some two-color work. I love it! I have to concentrate when I'm knitting so I can keep track of where I am in the chart, but it's really fun to see the pattern emerge, and I think I've finally got the idea of how to keep the strands going along the back. There is a broad cuff on this, and then you turn the work and do the body of it. I like it so far!






This is the sock I'm working on, when I don't have the ability to concentrate as closely as I need to for that hat.

And then there is this little red hat I made for Dulaan.



These are the roses from the bush in my front garden. Sorry the photo is so out of focus. I think my own vision is off this morning. Hmm, if that's the case, maybe it really is in focus and my own world is off?

The Harry Potter slipper socks are finally done! He loves the, too. :D I think they look pretty swell, actually. I don't like how I did the striping on the backs . . . but I'll work on that.










These pictures are from Boy Scout camp yesterday. We just went for the day. Simon should be able to advance in rank in June!


Samwise was trying to write! I was trying to get him while he was still holding it more securely but I wasn't quick enough.

New sock that I cast on with size 00 needles. WAY TOO SMALL! Even I, the queen of no gauge, can see that. FROG!











And here you see the sock, after having been frogged from the too-small needles, cast on to the size 1 needles. Much better. When I did this number of stitches (64 for those of you who care) on the #2 needles, the sock was too loose. It was the same line of yarn, too . . . so this #1 version should be right, right?

I really love the colorway! (note the real knitterly terminology . . .normal folks would just say "I love the colors!")

Now that I've mentioed it - why is it necessary to say "colorway" when saying "colors" works? One of you needle-hos answer that for me, would you?

more WIP news

I started a new pair of Sockatta yarn socks, and I've tried to post a pic but it's not letting me. Hmph. I've also been working on the endless baby blue baby blanket. BORING! But it will be sweet and wonderful when finally finished, so I schlogg on. I try to do at least 2 rows a day.

Ok - 'nuff said.

Weekly WIP update

Weekly update on my knitting! I've finally finished those toe-up socks. If you recall, I didn't like the way the first afterthought heel was looking, but after letting it languish in the jumble of the spareroom for a while, I've changed my mind and decided it's ok. So both are done now. I think I've just finished my first in a long series of Christmas presents . . . but I don't know, yet, who will get what! hehehe








The heel has 6 points of decrease instead of 4, and it's kind of cool to look at . . . also rather fun to do. I DO NOT likc picking up all those stitches from the waste yarn, though. BLAH! POX on picking up stitches! I doubt I'll do those afterthought heels again. Best to do them while you're knitting the sock IMHO - mostly because I'm lazy.






Next in the knitting line-up is the talisman bag. I actually finished this a few weeks ago to send to a friend who was having a scary medical procedure. I didn't want to post it before he got it, you see. You can see the purple heart I made from Sculpey, too. The pic is taken with a dime so you can see how very small it all is. These are really fun to make! I think I did this one on size 1 needles, but I bought these small needles in a set with various sizes and if they weren't different colors I'd be even more confused than I am! I never know what size I'm using. I cast on about 24 stitches and then just see where the yarn takes me. I like to design it to match the coloring on the yarn. Then I add the little beads and the string, etc.

Now for the Harry Potter socks. When Simon and I were buying all those Civil War soldiers for his diorama, I made him come into the LYS (just 2 doors down from Hobbyland!) and pick out yarn for a pair of very thick, slipper-like socks. After seeing Brow's HP booga bag, he decided on these Gryffindor colors. It's delicious bulky yarn, and I've really been enjoying these socks! It took me only 4 days or so to do the first one! Helps to not have much of a cuff, but it's so nice and thick it just goes like a breeze. I'm using #6 needles. I designed and worked the lightening bolt into the heel flap. Why aren't they done? I've lost one of my needles! I need to run by the LYS on my way to work today and buy another. DRAT! They've been dormant now since Tuesday. BLAH!





Do you see how I've worked his name in, too? On the other sock I'm going to reverse it so that you can read it from above while wearing it. It'll look upside down to onlookers. ;-) I love making whimsical things!

All the students sang some Civil War Era songs first. This is during Battle Hymn of the Republic. I got quite teary-eyed.

And this is Simon with his museum display on Sherman. Each student stood by his display and answered questions as the adults went around. It really was like a museum, with a docent at every exhibit! There were several kids with foods like Johnny Cakes and hardtack. Ick.

Do you see his fabulous diorama? I am really proud of him!

Simon and Sherman

We took this pic yesterday - the final piece on the big William Tecumseh Sherman report he did for school. This is on the Statehouse lawn downtown.
He is pointing, of course, to Sherman - Civil War General, father of Modern Warfare (ick). Notice how Si is wearing his Union hat? Golly, he's a cute kid.