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.