Sock Block

Nope, not sock blockers or sock blocking. Sock Block. One might compare it to writer's block.

I have too much sock yarn. Some of which I will never knit, like the umpteen balls of sockotta. But right now I need a pair of socks for my carry around project. So I did the entire cuff of a Friday Harbor Sock in my beloved Copper Beach Collinette Jitterbug. Wrong needles (too big) and wrong cast-on number (too small). I feel like Goldilocks here. I can't find just right for this yarn. And just for fun, let us not forget that the jitterbug is a little stingy with the yardage. And I have big feet. Shaddup. I'm 5'10", if I didn't have big feet I would constantly be falling over.

But wait. There is temptation in the house. Two skeins of this beautiful heathered Shelridge Farm sock yarn. Turquoise & smoky purple heathered. Beyond gorgeous. My wonderful secret pal Llamabean sent it to me. (Yes, I know. You want pictures. Tell my camera that. I think she ran away and joined the circus.) But seriously, it's so beautiful. And the only reason I'm not knitting that right this minute is that it's in skeins and I don't have a ballwinder.

Other things I should be doing instead of looking for a pattern for my jitterbug include: final review for my American History Exam, packing, packing, doing laundry, and possibly scratching all my skeeter bites from this weekend camping.

I have good news!

I worked on my Icarus shawl last night for awhile. I went from 80% done to 86% done. Which means I could totally finish it up this Friday! Of course I need to prioritize a few other things. But it's alright.

If the sun comes out today, I swear I will take some pictures. Maybe even interesting ones.

The tentacles of bad luck....

The tentacles of bad luck reached out and grabbed me. Yesterday, was of course, Friday the 13th. I don't believe in that nonsense. And I got through the day just fine, thank you.

Until I went hunting for my camera (which I found) and the last bag of knitting stuff I took to the store yesterday (which I did NOT find).

I threw a bag of knitting stuff away. My vera bradley notions case is gone. Along with some very precious notions and presents. And I can't remember all of the projects I took the the yarn store yesterday, but I'm pretty sure I threw away a couple of projects.

My husband is really good about taking the trash out. So that bag has already hit the dumpster. For a 13 building, 300+ unit complex. A dumpster that compacts everything very regularly.

Did I mention I live in building 13?

Fridays are for finishing?

Yesterday I made a plan. The early hours at the yarnstore seem to be slow, so I was on a finishing mission. You know, all those projects that are "nearly done"? Not to be confused with nearly dead.

So I finished stuff. I finished the daffodil, by putting some stitches in the petals for some artful arrangement. Now all it needs is a vase. I finished the first of my joyful socks. And then I finished my ballband washcloth.

Yes, I know you want pictures. I'll get to it. As soon as I can put on some pants (they are in the dryer) and go down to my car.

I also did ALL of the knitting for the blooms bracelets. Who knew knitted bobble balls like that could be so much fun? They are felted, and now all I have to do is add the decorative stitching. It's gonna be very cute.

So do you think next Friday I could finish up Icarus? Time to pull out the old shawl percentage calculator and see how bad off I am.

Issues. I got 'em. Oh yeah.

I seem to have cast-on-itis. I know that isn't a word. Saturday I cast on for the pick up sticks daffodil kit. I also got the blooms bracelet kit. I finished the daffodil and would show you a lovely picture, but I left it at my LYS.

I did finish the 1st Fancy Silk Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks. It's really pretty. It's also at the LYS.

I cast on this morning for a Monica from knitty out of some long-held cotton ease. It's going really quickly. Especially since cotton-ease knits up at 4 spi.

Did I mention that I have issues? I'm absolutely dying to cast on for the blooms bracelet. Dying I tell you.

I'm a few repeats away from finishing my version of the Happy socks. Well, only the first one. I seem to have contracted a BAD case of SSS (Second Sock Syndrome). Bad.

Things I'm insanely close to finishing:

Baby Cardigan - only needs buttons
Perdita - only needs buttons
Ball Band Dishcloth - needs like one more repeat

I really need to get my knitting ducks in a row. Quack.

Secret Goodness

More later. Too pooped to blog.

Lack of natural light..

It's too late to take a picture of my beautiful fancy silk socks. I modified the pattern to 72 stitches and I lined things up better. They are coming out awesome.

In other news, I was denied admission to a knitalong. I went back to the yahoo page to see if I had missed something. You know, how some groups will have very specific things they want you to do when you try to join. Didn't see anything. The page doesn't say anything about it being "invite only" or "not accepting new members". In fact, 20 new members were accepted this week.

I'm perplexed. Did I do or say something to offend someone? Maybe. Although in general I try to be rather non-offensive. Or is it unoffensive? Maybe the fact that I don't know the difference has pissed someone off. Maybe it was a mistake? The e-mail said the decision was final. Although I must admit, I'd really like to know why. Even if someone just e-mailed me back to say f*ck off, it would be nice to know. So hey, if you're reading this and you know why I was denied admission to the "Vintage Socks Knitalong" drop me a line. Throw me a bone.

I think the general pissy-ness that I'm feeling regarding this means it's a very good time to back away from the computer. Midol anyone?

Is feral the right word?

My husband has been gone less than six hours. The kitchen is um, littered with empty grocery bags. It's a quarter to seven and I have no idea what's for dinner. I have 70 plastic envelopes that need 20-30 worksheets counted out into them for tomorrow at 8am. And I have a 2 page paper on St. Martin & the Beggar due, along with a presentation for tomorrow. The envelopes and the papers should have been prepared days ago. The rest of it, I think, is the fact that without the man around, the boys and I are quite likely to just live like wild people.

And dagnabbit, I already have a chip in my manicure. That I got yesterday.

I had about 3-4 inches of Nancy Bush's fancy silk sock from Knitting Vintage Socks, but I had to rip it out. It would not go over my heel. Lorna's Laces doesn't really work on bigger needles, so I've modified the pattern. As soon as I have a few repeats in, I'll have a picture.

Not a picture of the kitchen of course, a picture of the sock progress.

MIA: Knitting Mojo, Mine

So today I took the boys to the park for a playdate with a bunch of other kids. We had a fantastic time. I packed my toe-up sock. You know, the one I'm working on for the class I'm teaching? Oh wait. Did I tell you about that? I finished one session of a toe-up sock class last Saturday. I need to have the heel flap finished by the next on April 7th.

I gave the sock away.

Let me repeat that.

I gave the sock away. The in progress sock. The Lorna's Laces Baltic Sea Shepherd Sport yarn on a size three 40" brand effing new addi needle.

I gave the sock away. Fortunately the person is gonna give it back. But the person is on the other side of town. I put the sock in a ziploc this morning, and put the ziploc in a paper grocery sack with handles. The sack that was full of scrapping supplies I had offered up on freecycle. I thought I had put it in the other sack. I was wrong.

So now my mojo is all confuzzled. I have that tank top for the shop to work on. I really need to whip that puppy out. But instead of working on that tonight, I scoured the internets for the perfect pattern for some long-neglected yarn. The beautiful terracotta Misti pima silk. I didn't find the perfect pattern. And now my neck hurts from sitting at the computer too long.

I think it's time to go to bed before something else bad happens knitting wise.

A little harsh...

This is boring life stuff, no knitting stuff. Forewarned is forearmed.

"I kinda hope she doesn't call back."

I typed that. Yesterday. And here is why.

In January of 2003 my divorce was final. A couple of months later a group of work-friends in Ohio had a girls only divorce party for me at my house. The ex-friend was the "ringleader". I started dating. The EF cheered me on. On Saturday, December 6th, I spent the day at EF's house scrapbooking. The man, who had watched the boys all day, picked me up, drove us downtown to the ginormous Christmas tree, and proposed. The EF was happy for me.

In the next month or so the friendship fell apart. I was in an extremely stressful position at work, and planning a wedding. All of the sudden I realized that I wasn't wanted in the group. I probably had missed it for awhile. I was totally overwhelmed. But when I called EF on it, the explanation I received was vague. The only part I remember is something about me complaining about my work when everyone on my project was getting all sorts of perks. Perks like pizza when you had to work til midnight for no OT. Like I said it was strange and vague. Some of it was about the man and the fact that I wasn't around anymore. But mostly I wasn't around because I was working in a separate building and never got to take lunch. And lunch was the biggest part of when we spent time together as a group.

The man and I got married. Only one in the group offered congratulations. Not the EF. Come April the man got the job offer here in Florida. About a week before we left I stopped in and talked the EF. We didn't speak of whatever had happened. I'd been close to the EF since 1998 when she threw my baby shower. So we had a final lunch and said goodbye on semi good terms. Since we moved here I've called every couple of months. She would always talk and chat, but never called me. I was lonely for such a long time here that I never noticed that.

When we went to OH in November of last year I called her beforehand. We were gonna do lunch. When I arrived in OH I called again and suddenly she had no time to see me. I offered a couple of days, but she was "busy". I understand busy. But no time I offered was good, and she made no effort to suggest a time. We went to the office, saw her in passing. The boys hugged her but she just looked at me like I was a stranger. I finally got the message.

So yesterday she calls. Nearly 4 months later. And this is why "I kinda hope she doesn't call back."

And the beat goes on...

I think I might be getting sick. But for the love of all that is holy, I hope not. I have a cold sore and I'm losing my voice. I've missed nearly three weeks of classes. I'm still not sure how that will all pan out. Calculus I'm auditing, so I'll just catch up as fast as I can. Programming I'm golden so far, even though I've missed three weeks of lectures, I've gotten 100's on my last three programming assignments. But then there are the histories... Art & American. Art I might be able to still squeak out an A with extra credit. Vigorous extra credit. But I think I'm pretty well screwed in American History. It's so not my strong point, and I've already missed so many points. *sigh* I might have to drop it. But life goes on and so must I.

In other news, March seems to be "out of the woodwork" month. My ex-SIL who I used to be best friends with, but lost touch with for reasons other than divorcing her brother sent us her wedding announcement. And called. And then another ex-friend called today. The last I saw her was in Ohio when she didn't have time to even hug me hello. I wasn't home for the ex-friend. Which is good. I kinda hope she doesn't call back.

I must share that the women at my LYS are my lifelines lately. Whenever life is kicking my ass, all I have to do is pop in there to feel welcome and happy. And they are all so vibrant and happy and funny - oh man, it is one funny group of girls. The very worst part about considering this move to TX/NM is the fact that I would lose these people. It takes me so long to make friends. Oh well. Such is life.

February Lemonaide

Life has been handing me lemons. Broken arms, 105 (!!!!!) degree temperatures, flus, coughs, colds.... Lemme just tell you, the OTC cold and pain medicine folks are making a fortune off of me. Fastman is getting a motrin/tylenol rotation every three fricking hours to stave off the fever. I'm missing classes at an alarming rate. But life goes on.

Fortunately, there is some sugar. My secret pal has been spoiling me rotten. Two wonderful packages already and a steady stream of e-cards. Such a nice respite from the hell that has been February.

Despite the fact that my boys have been sick and broken, they are always joys. Right now strongman is digging out supplies to dress up like Zorro. And at the emergency room this morning, Fastman snuggled up and patted my arm like I was the one who was sick.

But that doesn't mean that I'm not counting the days til March comes.

Fellers and idiots...

A very cute and very British man arrived at my door today. But instead of getting all worked up about the UPS guy, let's see what he brought!!!!

Time for reinforcements. My professional present openers. And yes, they will open your presents for you as well. Of course this is fastman with the huge red cast. "Mommy! Your favorite! Yarn!"

Next we see zombie eyed strongman. Fighting off the flu and a fever. With a book I've been dying to read. Thank you SP!

This is the entire amazing loot. A subscription to Vegetarian Times. Um, how did my SP know I let my subscription lapse? The Tenth Circle. Some anti-bacterial handsoap (presumably to keep away the flu germies!). Trekking XXL. An adorable little notebook purse. A purple argyle (!!!) journal. And a chibi. Oh wait. The idiot part of my title. Hanging off the book is a gorgeous handmade bookmark that I couldn't get a pic of because it's dark and the flash reflected off of it. I thought it was a necklace. And spent 15 minutes trying to figure it out. Then I read the note. So glad you referenced the bookmark. Otherwise... well the idiot would still be chasing her tail.

Trekking up close and personal....

The bigman had his own idiot moment last week. After making a big deal about V-day and after I bought him stuff, I got only stuff from the boys. But look... pretty peach roses last night!

And then we have fellers. As in fellers cakes. Cakes that no woman can aid in the creation of. For the Cub Scout blue & gold banquet. Bigman & fastman made this beach scene complete with fruit rollup surfboards. (Everything has to be edible!)

Bigman and strongman made these tiki heads carved out of poundcake, iced and flocked with graham cracker crumbs. They won judges choice.

This weekend it's off to the Northeast Florida Highland Games. That is, if strongman gets better. Otherwise just bigman (dh) and fastman will go. Send healing vibes our way!

What makes the world go round?

Well, I got an awesome little package from my SP with nummy treats for me and Rufus. I took pictures, but they all turned out *really* bad. And that's saying something, because most of my pics are sub-par!


This is Rufus, complete with happy tail-wagging action because he's about to get an SP treat. That is the ONLY pic that is even viable. Oh well.

In other news, fastman broke his arm again. Actually he didn't break it, a girl in his class broke it for him. But this mama bear is trying to practice forgiveness. Um, yeah. Fortunately it looks like he won't need surgery this time around. We see the orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday morning to confirm.

Tonight is the blue & gold banquet for cub scouts. Hopefully the pics of the boys with their feller cakes will turn out. Basically they make cakes for a contest with no mama help. My kitchen may never recover. DH helped fastman make a beach scene complete with surfboards, and strongman made a set of tiki heads. It's hard for me not to help because I used to make cakes semi-professionally and sell them. But they really did a very good job. Oh, did I mention the banquet has a luau theme? Yep, should be fun.

Valentine's Day was a bit of a letdown. The man made a big point of asking what I wanted. Said he wanted to celebrate this and our anniversary (leapday) big this year. Ok. So I bought him some Glenlivet, among other things. He took the boys shopping and got me some Scooby candy. ????? I mean I love Scooby, but this was not quite what I expected. I didn't even get a card. And this is a man who usually is crazy happy with the cards. *sigh* Maybe we're just settling in. Thank goodness I bought myself a Michael Buble CD - gotta love that man.

In knitting knews, I have yarn to knit up a sample for the yarn shop.

Artyarns Regal Silk and Crystal Palace Kid Merino - only one skein each. Now this tank may never grace my figure but it looks fun to knit!

The UFO's are invading...

I swear, I had really good intentions for there to be pictures today. But life intervened! And life is more important than good lighting or getting my nails done. And my nails are a big fat mess.

So I joined UFO Resurrection. And we all know I have a lot of them. And so many things I'm dying to knit. Note to designers - stop. Stop for five minutes so I can catch up without having to be distracted by all the pretties. Everytime I turn around, there is a new pretty demanding my attention.

So my UFO that I've been working on in January is... the Sandy Cardigan. And it will be the 1st finished object of February. Really. It's so freaking cold here right now. Well cold is relative. And yes, this born and bred buckeye is freezing her patooter off in 42 degree weather. I'm such a wuss. So I need to finish this puppy up. It's lovely, it's warm, it's the envy of all my knitting friends.

Saturday night is midnight knitting, so I will take it and work on it. Like crazy woah work on it. Really. I will. I'll try. Really.

In other news if you can spare a prayer or a thought... some friends of ours just had a baby girl. Quite prematurely. She's only 1 pound 2 ounces? Is that even possible? I'm hoping that was a typo in the e-mail I received. I remember how tiny the boys seemed when they were born. And they were 9-1 and 8-8. I can't even imagine a baby that tiny. At dinner strongman remarked that the carton of sour cream weighed a pound. So unbelievable.

The perils of dieting...

So I went to the grocery on Sunday. Basically we were out of everything. So I stocked up. 3 bottles of the organic ketchup (no hfcs!) instead of one; double of all the basic ingredients like dried beans, etc. 100% whole wheat tortillas, pitas, breads, all the good, healthy food I need to follow our plan (YOU on a diet).

The cabinets are overflowing, the refrigerator is stuffed to the gills, and it makes me very happy. When I was single, I was freqently faced with a very empty kitchen. I did the best I could and fed my boys *way* better than I fed myself. But now, thanks to the man, there is always food in the house. Good, healthy food.

So why is it that all I want right now is a block of Ritter Sport? Target has them. For $1.89. And even though it's freezing (for Florida standards) I am so tempted to drive out there and get myself one.

What I really need to do is get over it and figure out what's for dinner tomorrow night and do some straightening. Ugh. Why is it so fricking hard?

Happy Feet

And happy inspiration. I have this oh so lovely sweet tart sock yarn (Trekking XXL 134) and it needed the perfect pattern...


The toe is the "easy toe" from Sensational Knitted Socks. The heel will probably be from there as well. The pattern is modified from the lace pattern used on Magknits happy socks. Hers was a strange repeat (11 sts) and not carried on the foot. I have Mary Janes to show off cute foot patterning. In general, I've not loved self-striping or self-fair-isling yarn, but this is turning entirely too sweet. The trekking is not super soft though. Maybe it will wear like iron?

The post with no title.

I finally got some semi-decent shots of my parents' extremely late Christmas presents. So here you go...

And a picture with some detail...

The Irish Hiking Scarf, in Lamb's Pride Worsted, 2 skeins on size 8 addi turbos. This made a scarf just a bit longer than 6 feet. And the Embossed Leaves Socks from Winter '05 IK in Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Sierra. This yarn is delicious by the way.

I *think* I'm usually more eloquent in my posts but right now every fiber of my being hurts. My grandfather passed away. He was nearly 88. And I can't go home for the funeral. So yeah. That's about it.

Happier things later.

My hair is strong.

I know this because I just spent some very unpleasant time getting it out of my vaccuum cleaner. Untangling and other grossness. I hate this particular task. But until we can afford a new vac, I have to do this. Otherwise my vac has no suck-power.

I have to start blogging again. I joined the newest Knitty SP and with no blog, my spoiler will have nowhere to stalk. So I blog.

In the good news department, I finally finished my parents' Christmas presents. Now I just need to block them and mail them. Yes, I am a horrible daughter.

In the other good news department I got a very part time job at my most beloved lys. The 1st and 3rd friday of each month. I start this Friday. I'm pretty psyched.

And for the 3rd good news item, I found the perfect sweater for my Jaeger Shetland Aran yarn. Perfect! I swatched last night and it is beyond gorgeous. Just perfect. The Vogue Cabled Cardigan #19 from the Fall 2006 VK. What is it with me and #19?

Pictures coming soon. I swear!

A pre-emptive resolution...

I will blog more often. I have an el-jay which is very, very angsty. And this poor neglected place in the interwebs. So this will be my lifeblog. Knitting, and college, and happy stuff, and a few sad things.

I cleaned the office today. And I found a lot of wips. I even *gasp* threw some wips in the trash. Like I cut them off the attached yarn and trashed them. It felt good.

The number one (and two) wips are presents for my mom & step-dad. Which of course are gonna be late. But I'm about 75% done on an irish hiking scarf for him and some embossed leaves socks for her. Once those are done I can tackle the wip pile.

3. Ball-band dishrag
4. The revived dead bride (VK Fall '05 #19 Lace Shawl)
5. Icarus
6. Via Diagonale
7. Splash Scarf
8. Sandy Cardigan
9. Fuzzy Feet for the man
10. Cozy

See? I pared it down. Mostly by frogging and tossing though. I've finished a few pretties and I will post pictures of all in the next couple of days.

So in the wise words of Kermit the Frog, I bid you happy holidays...

"I don't know if you believe in Christmas. Or if you have presents underneath a Christmas tree. But if you believe in love, that will be more than enough, for you to come and celebrate with me."