It Doesn't Happen Very Often

Buckle in kids; I don't have anything on the needles. I know I am a bit shocked myself!

And my knitting journal is caught up too!

Here is a cute picture of Burt and Melissa to help us cope with my knitterly failure to make a decision. 

I have yarn in many colors. I have tools of all sorts to work with. I have patterns for socks, sweaters, shawls, mittens, cowls and even one for a gnome! 

Do I have knitter's block? Have I found a cure for Startitis? Did my mind and wrists decide I needed a break? Will I be able to find my knitting mojo? Should I just go bake something instead?

How about I just pet my cats and take a nap?

Merry Christmas Eve

Well will you look at this. Looks like Burt's momma is going to have new socks on Christmas too. 

I finished the first one a while ago, the second one will be finished today. Christmas socks for the two humans in the house. Before you feel bad for Burt and Melissa they came with socks and have no need for silly human socks. 

We do not want your silly socks, Momma! But you better give us some Christmas treats!

Some New Yarn

I remember finding The Loopy Ewe way back in New York when I first started knitting socks. They started out as a store that only sold sock yarn and many of the yarns were independent dyers with color combinations I had yet to dream of. Or at least that is the way I remember it. As a new knitter I didn't know how yarn weight worked. I had gone to a few festivals but found them overwhelming. So many colors and textures, and I could have any of it. So I tried a few and bought some that weren't right for me. So finding a store that was right gauge for me without having to look everything up was wonderful.

Back in the day I listened to knitting podcasts and loved hearing about all the new things coming out. I especially loved hearing about dyers. Everything was new to me and I wanted to adsorb it all. 

Slowly over time I fell into and out of love with yarns. I found what worked for me and what didn't work. One of my new loves is Urth Yarns Uneek Sock. How could I not love stripey socks? So I took the plunge and ordered from the Loopy Ewe for the first time in years. 

Ok so we all know it was the rainbow socks that lured me in again. I loved knitting D's socks so much that I promised I could make myself some too. 

Did I ever show his socks to you? They are so bright and cheerful. I just love them and want some of my own.

And while I was shopping why not buy a new yarn to try? I can't wait to make something fabulous with it.

I forgot that Loopy Ewe throws in a treat.

Mellie thought they could have thrown in a few fishes for her to enjoy but resigned herself to some lap time instead.

Happy knitting to us all!!

 

Lookie Loo Merry Christmas!

Look at this I can say that I can knit a husband sized pair of socks in seventeen days, without hurting myself. I just need to check that they match in size. I'm pretty sure but you never know what happens when you're knitting happily round and round.

Sometimes I think the best part of finishing something is reclaiming all the fun stitchmarkers and tools you used in making the item. I sure used a lot trying to mark my progress on the socks. Although marking daily progress was not as important for the second sock. At least I didn't develop second sock syndrome., the inability to care about knitting the second sock.

Burt as usual was thrilled with me finishing a knitting project. 
 

Take It Easy

What did I learn earlier this year? There is such a thing as too much knitting, at least my hands and wrists think there is a limit. I walked right up to that limit and my thumb said TOO MUCH KNITTING! Luckily going to PT gave me some tools fix my foolishness. Knitting a man size pair of socks in ten days is not a good idea.

Hey wait a minute I had 20 days to get them done! I have a sock and the leg of a second sock done. I am ahead of schedule! Time to take a break and post some Christmasy kitties.

This house has a lovely balcony that we all agree is perfect for the Christmas tree, and Christmas kitties. 

It is the most wonderful time of the year!

 

Fozzy was my first bear true love

 OK fun fact I think I love Fozzy because he couldn't quite land most of his jokes. I thought it was quite funny when he would just wait for laughter that never came. Then about 15 years ago I was told I couldn't tell a joke to save my life. I was quite offended. I've always thought of myself as funny. And I am, but not when I tell jokes. I am not a joke person. Sigh! I have been told that I should do stand up comedy but not to tell jokes. 

Anyways we settled in for some group support sock knitting. 

And just like that we accomplished our first sock goal once we stopped thinking about it.

Burt was so exited by a finished sock photo shoot that he had to make sure the sock had enough orange fur on it. Such a thoughtful boy with fluffy pantaloons!

We couldn't rest on our accomplishments though. Here we are hard at work starting that second sock. 

Momma you're really not as funny as you think you are! Those people are right, just stick to your knitting!

Fozzy is Still Singing

Still movin' but maybe not right along?

I still have high hopes of Christmas but this pic shows progress as of the 8th and there is still a whole lot of sock to go. I should have the first sock done by end of day today to be able to keep on schedule. I was excited last night I measured and only had a few rounds to go till the toe started. The toe is usually quicker because you're decreasing every other round then every round. 

I measured again and realized I had my shorter foot measurement in my head. I have two more inches to knit before I start the toe. Gulp, I don't think I will make it. I hate knitting on a schedule. I wonder if I hadn't given myself this timeline would I have knit happily along without a care and just finished them with time to spare? At least I am enjoying having a little story to tell here. 

My kids are adorable as ever.

They are trying to break into the knitting inspector field of work. Mellie tells me the shawl is much warmer then the cold tile. Burt was pointing out I was never going to be happy with losing at yarn chicken with my bind off. I agreed and unpicked all 500+ stitches. I ended up binding off with my dark grey yarn instead. Whew. But that is a story to be told in January. I'm off to knit on a sock some more. 

As Fozzy the Bear would sing

Movin' Right Along

 

This was my progress at end of day on Dec. 7th. So I can knit more than half of a sock in three days without hurting myself.

Day one included a session at the library knitting group. The little green ball shows all the knitting done in day one December 5th. I am rather impressed with myself. I know I get into a groove sometimes but I've never really paid attention to how much knitting I can get done in a day.

The little chili pepper above it shows off how day two was not quite as productive. Interesting I guess library knitting group is good for me. In New York our knitting group was held at each other's houses and included lots of festive food. I guess noshing and knitting is less productive than sitting in slightly uncomfortable chairs. 

Day three is shown with two chili stitch markers one at the heel of the foot at the very top of the picture and one slightly higher in the row of stitch markers marking day one and two. Knitting a heel flap, turning the heel and picking up stitches to knit in the round again does not look as productive as round and round knitting of the leg. But it is what makes my socks fit well and stay put. Plus when you change direction in your knitting, it is so cool. I guess I just like taking that left turn at Albuquerque too much.

I'm cruising on the foot now but need to take a little time to make sure I am headed the right way in my Gnome KAL too. I am falling a wee bit behind in that. So I'll take a look at all that is happening there and report back when it is finally finished so I don't spoil anything. It is many little pieces at this point. 

Oops I Almost Forgot

My New York friend talked me into another MKAL (Mystery Knit Along). I know I do remember how long our last MKAL went on and on, well on my end at least. But this December one is for a gnome how could I resist? So I picked out some yarn I bought at last year's fiber festival. Look at those mini skeins, I never buy minis but these called to me and now I know why, for a winter gnome knit along. I've made it through a few clues when a thought hit me. 

I only have one second sock on the needles besides the gnome parts. I will break a Christmas tradition. I give new socks to D each Christmas. Usually it is not a big thing since I always have a few pairs on the needles. Sometimes I just save a pair to give till Christmas. Sometimes I am finishing them on Christmas eve. This year the realization hit me on the 5th. 

A man sized pair of socks in 20 days? 

I can do that! Or at least I can try.

I picked out some lovely yarn from this year's fiber festival. I should really knit some before next year's festival so I know how much to get then... 

I did find on knot in it but I'm sure I can work around it since the big ball is 94g and the small one is 15g which adds up to a generous 109g. Nine more grams than advertised.

I cast on and got to knitting.

In two days and a morning I've got half a sock, not too shabby. The green ball marks my progress on the first day. The chili pepper marks the second day's progress and the heel flap was done this morning.

I may just be able to carry on the tradition.

 

Half of a Pair

My knitting may have slowed but the socks are still happening here. I may have had to slow my sock knitting but it is not gone. Luckily if I take it easy my sock knitting and oh hey my plain old knitting can continue for a long long time

This lovely yarn is Lilliput simple sock yarn from an Oregon dyer bought on my first birthday there. I wish I had  bought more of this. It is such a nice round bouncy yarn. I can't wait to get it on my feet.  

I was shocked to realize when I bound off this sock I had nothing else on the needles. I guess I am successful at slowing down my knitting? Luckily I have the second sock on the needles and I joined another MKAL for a winter gnome. My first knit gnome, yay me.

But we managed to get the tree back up and Burt is thrilled. We have caught them cuddling in Gus's bed a few times. We do think more lights are needed this year. I'm trying to figure out how to put up lights on the front door. We have a beautiful metal door on our front entrance and I would love to outline the metal work. Good thing I have an excellent thinking cat to help me.

 

Mountain and Valley Wool Festival 2023

Ah, fall wool festival season I have missed you. I was able to attend a few wool festivals in Oregon but I missed my October wool show off season.

Last year they moved and renamed the Taos Wool Festival to the Mountain and Valley Wool Festival (MVWF). It was moved to Santa Fe. How convenient for me, I know how to get to Santa Fe.

I was going to link my post from last year but it was never written up because mom's life was ending. I was having a hard enough time just dealing with my emotions. At least I took a picture of what I bought so I can document here.

MVWF 2022

I have knit up one of those skeins, and spun up none of the fiber. But that is OK all of my yarny time is independent of the actual space time continuum, so I have not yet bought it and thoroughly enjoyed working with all of it, at the same time. I have used all the stitch markers I couldn't wait to bust them out. Last year I hit Yank Your Yarn first for all the delightful stitch markers and only found Noti Yarns by accident since they were the last stall in a barn I didn't realize had vendors in it. 

So now that last year is on the blog let's get back to the now that was several weeks ago. While Yank Your Yarn was on my list to buy from again, I only stopped in quickly to glance at her wares before heading off to my must see booth of this year, Noti Yarns. I was struck by her gorgeous colors, but only bought a skein since I was primarily a sock knitter last year. This year my hands and wrists decided they needed a break from sock knitting and I found true joy in knitting shawls. I kept kicking myself for not buying shawl yarn. I discovered the joy of combining colors in a way socks hadn't. I decided I wanted to have a palette. Plus her colors are named; Loyalty, Feisty, Lucky, Confidence, and Success. Who doesn't want to wrap themselves up in Bold, Feisty, Confidence?

Now you all know I have a messenger bag I love that I take to all the festivals to tuck my yarn in, well Ms. Noti Yarns thought I should show off her yarns with pride since I had so carefully selected my palette. Into a clear bag they went and I tell you it is a smart idea. I had plenty of comments about the colors I carried. I had to send my NY friend a proof of yarn/wool festival picture. 

I went back to Yank Your Yarn and got a few stitch markers and had a heck of a time picking which smart ass bag to bring home with me. In the end this one suited me the best. 

Zyarns had some amazing colors that I know will knit up into some amazing socks. Hey I haven't given up sock knitting entirely, I just slowed down a bit and that green kept yelling at me to take it home. I am a sucker for some neon green socks. I love them with all my heart!!!

Look at that haul that Mellie had to inspect. Good thing she is such a trooper. I'm already twitching to get some of it on the needles. I might have to let it marinate for a touch longer since I'm finishing a shawl and just cast on some vintage Oregon sock yarn. My NY friend voted to use some old yarn instead of new. Sometimes listening to your friends advice is hard, especially when you have such colors to pick from.

Happy Knitting!!!! 

Melissa: Self Certified Yarn Inspector

Mellie has declared herself my official yarn inspector. It does not matter if I wanted one or not I have a self certified inspector, end of story. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, get ready to see some poetry.

Here she is looking a bit as if my color choices are not the color choices she would have made.

Are you sure these will make shawls you want to wear? 

But then like a bloodhound she has picked up an intriguing scent. 

 

This one is nice but there is something deeper here, even more intriguing.

Oh yeah I'm on a trail now!

Warmer, warmer...

(Muffled) I found it! It is wonderful you picked the right stuff Momma!

Some shawls

Since my wrist and thumb revolted against me earlier this year my sock knitting has slowed quite a bit. I have given up on my knit 12 pairs of socks in a year and replace it with just knit what feels comfortable only as long as it is comfortable.

Which has lead me down the shawl road. I have found my larger than sock needles, cubic needles to be less aggravating for my hand. I also found quite a few shawl patterns that looked simple yet interesting. 

While I have not been knitting up a storm I have been knitting. I also discovered why this house has a bathtub. I kid I am not a huge bath person but it is nice to have a space to soak my woolies. 

Then of course you have the fun task of placing them perfectly so they dry in the right shape. I have blocking wires to make straight edges perfect but alas I am still me. Pat it into close enough for the right shape and I'm good. Burt however doubts my dedication to my knitting craft. 

Have faith my wee orange one I'm not leaving it like that, even I have higher standards than a pile of wet wool on a towel.

This would be the bed version of my blocking standard.  The great news about New Mexico is that blocking takes almost no time in the desert. We live with fans circulating the dry air all the time. 

And just like that I have a whole pile of woolies washed and waiting for that one cold day this winter. I will try not to wear them all at the same time. Although two of them work well enough together. 

Now if I can just talk to D's coworker that wanted to know if I take commissions because she would like a blanket. Blankets I don't do but have you heard about lighter wearable blankets we call shawls. I guess I do shawls now. Oh wait I always have.