Coffee and Tea Gals

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2009-12-08T23:14:00.003-06:00

Dear Mandella,

We're in the midst of a major winter storm. It looks like we have about 9 inches of snow on the ground at the moment, and more is pouring on.

I was home from work on Monday due to being ill (stomach virus), and then today I was sort of OK and sort of not, but I didn't go anywhere on account of the weather.

The good news is that I finished the last of my Christmas knitting (a scarf for a nephew). As I was going through and organizing my knitting nest I found four balls of a soy/wool blend that I'm knitting into a simple scarf just for the sake of having some no-brainer knitting at hand.

The bad news is that I seem to have developed "tennis elbow" or some such tendonitis from a combination of lots of knitting and lots of computer work (i.e., using the mouse). My doctor said to rest it for 2 - 3 weeks. Is he crazy or what? :)

Hope you're warm & happy.

Love,

Judith

Grandma Knits Mittens

2009-12-06T11:23:00.002-06:00

This article (link) is from the Omaha World-Herald about a day-care worker who knit 85 pairs of mittens for little kids. Inspiring! :)

Socks Done

2009-11-29T10:53:00.002-06:00

I completed the Nubby Socks for my husband. As he'd already read on the blog that these were for him, and because I've been nervous about getting the size just right, I gave them to him last night. OK, that and I'd screwed up how I did the stitching on the toe decreases. I was working the 1x1 rib through some of the toe decreases, then changing to straight stockinette stitch. So, the 2nd sock as this short little bit in stockinette stitch on the toe whereas the 1st sock has a larger bit. Oh, well.

I'd gotten a bag of 10 balls of the Patternworks Bretton in navy. It was a great deal. I'll get 3 - 4 pairs of socks from these (each ball is 50 grams and it takes a little more than 2.5 balls of this yarn to get a sock done). The Bretton is a superwash wool with nylon so it should be durable.

Of course, I've started 3 or 4 other projects while I was working on these socks. I have more ideas than I have hands or time. Anyway, I'm thinking of trying to get another pair done for him before Christmas, but I'm not sure that's realistic. I need to finish up the scarf for my other nephew; it's past the halfway point, but I need to kick some yarny butt to get it done.

Nubby Socks (for men)

2009-11-23T17:40:00.004-06:00

These socks were made for my husband who likes to wear socks with his sandals, even in winter. Socks are knit from the top down and utilize a simple rib pattern over the top of the foot which allows for extra padding/comfort because that part of the foot is exposed while wearing sandals. The “Nubby Texture” pattern stitch is from Nancy Bush’s Knitting Vintage Socks.

Needle Size: US 4 / 3.5 mm (use dpns or circulars)

Yarn: 3 balls Patternworks Bretton (70% superwash wool, 25% nylon, 5% alpaca), 145 yd / 133 m per 1.75 oz / 50 gr ball.

Gauge: 26 sts & 32 rows Stockinette stitch = 4” / 10 cm

Sizes: CYCA Men’s Sock Sizes 10 / 11 / 12 / 14

Finished Measurements of Sample: 8” from top of sock to heel flap; 11” long; about 8” around (unstretched) –Men’s Sock Size 12.

Pattern Stitches:

NUBBY TEXTURE
Rnds 1 & 2 – K all sts
Rnd 3 – 1x1 rib

1X1 RIB
*K1, P1* repeat to the end

Start Knitting Here:

Cast On: 48 / 54 / 60 / 66 sts. Work 1x1 rib for 12 rounds.

Rnd 13: Begin Nubby Texture pattern stitch and work 15 / 16 / 18 / 19 times (45 / 48 / 54 / 57 rounds) – or as many as you prefer until sock is about 1” above where the heel flap is to begin.

Rnd 58 / 61 / 67 / 70: Work 2 rnds of K all sts (to balance the Nubby Texture pattern stitch).

Rnd 60 / 63 / 69 / 72: Work 8 rnds of 1x1 rib.

HEEL FLAP:
For sizes 10 and 12 only, move 1st stitch back to last needle (1st stitch of the round is now the last stitch of the round; 2nd stitch of the round is now the 1st stitch of the round). Work heel flap back and forth over first 23 / 27 / 29 / 33 sts as follows:

Row 1 (RS): *sl 1, K1* repeat to the last stitch, end K 1. (The slipped stitches are aligned with the purl stitches of the 1x1 rib just preceding). Turn work.

Row 2 (WS): sl 1, P to the end. Turn work. Work these two rows until there are 12 / 13 / 15 / 16 slipped stitches on each side of the heel flap. End after working a wrong side row.

TURN HEEL:

Set-up row 1 (RS): sl 1, K 14 / 16 / 17 / 19, ssk, K1. Turn work.

Set-up row 2 (WS): sl 1, P 6, P2tog, P1. Turn work. '

Now repeat the following two rows until all sts on each side have been worked, ending after a wrong side row:

Heel Turn Row 1 (RS): sl 1, K to 1 st before the gap, ssk (one st from ea side of the gap), K1. Turn work.

Heel Turn Row 2 (WS): sl 1, P to 1 st before the gap, P2tog (one st from ea side of the gap), P1. Turn work.

NOTE: On sizes 12 and 14 you will end the last two iterations of these rows as ssk and P2tog, respectively. That’s OK.

Sts rem after heel turn: 15 / 17 / 17 / 19

GUSSET & FOOT:

With right side (i.e., outside of the sock) facing, K all sts of heel flap, then pick up and knit 12 / 13/ 15 / 16 sts along the heel flap, then work 1x1 rib on the 25 / 27 / 31 / 37 sts of the instep/top of foot, then pickup and knit the same number of sts along the other side of the heel flap.

Arrange these 64 / 70 / 78 / 84 sts on needles as follows:

For dpns —
Needle 1 = 20 / 22 / 24 / 26 sts (sole)
Needle 2 = 25 / 27 / 31 / 33 sts (instep)
Needle 3 = 19 / 21 / 23 / 25 sts (sole)

For 2 circulars —
Needle 1 = 39 / 43 / 47 / 51 sts (sole)
Needle 2 = 25 / 27 / 31 / 33 sts (instep)

Working the sole/bottom-of-foot sts in stockinette stitch (K all sts) and the instep/top-of-foot in 1x1 rib, decrease 2 sts every other round as follows:

For dpns —

Rnd 1 (decrease round): K to 3 sts before the end of Ndl 1, K2 tog, K1; work 1x1 rib across all sts on Ndl 2; then K1, ssk, and K to the end of all sts on Ndl 3

Rnd 2 (regular round): K all sts on Ndl 1; work 1x1 rib across all sts on Ndl 2; K all sts on Ndl 3.

For 2 circulars —

Rnd 1 (decrease round, starting from the center of the sts on that needle): K to 3 sts before the end of Ndl 1, K2 tog, K1; work 1x1 rib across all sts on Ndl 2; then work the first half of the sts on Ndl 1 as K1, ssk, and K to the center.

Rnd 2 (regular round, starting from the center of the sts on that needle): K sts of Ndl 1; work 1x1 rib across all sts on Ndl 2; then K the first half of the sts on Ndl 1.

Work these 2 rounds until there are 25 / 27 / 31 / 33 sole sts (50 / 54 / 62 / 66 total sts).

NOTE: For sizes 10 and 12 you have 2 more sts total than you started with, but it’s OK because the ribbing on the instep/top-of-foot is pulling together any slack.

Then continue working the foot sts without decreases until it measures 7.5 / 8.5 / 9 / 9.5 inches from the beginning of the heel turn (or until it’s 2” – 2.5” less than the total length).

TOE DECREASES:

For dpns —

Rnd 1 (decrease round):
Needle 1: K to 3 sts before the end 1, K2 tog, K1
Needle 2: K1, ssk, K to 3 sts before the end 1, K2 tog, K1
Needle 3: K1, ssk, K to the end

Rnd 2 (regular round): K all sts.

For 2 circulars —

Rnd 1 (decrease round):
Needle 1: K1, ssk, K to 3 sts before the end 1, K2 tog, K1
Needle 2: K1, ssk, K to 3 sts before the end 1, K2 tog, K1

Rnd 2 (regular round): K all sts.

Work these 2 rounds until there are 26 / 26 / 30 / 34 sts remaining, then work only the decrease rounds until there are about 14 sts remaining.

Graft (kitchener stitch) the opening; work in ends.

Thanksgiving Feast

2009-11-26T20:00:00.002-06:00

OK, I'm stuffed. Officially.

Here's a recipe for Parmesan Crescent Rolls that my sister J brought over. Actually, she mixed the dough ahead and then baked them at my mom's. They come out very flat (not fluffy like dinner rolls) but they are heavenly!

She also made a very light and tasty whole wheat roll (I think that's the recipe, but if I'm wrong I'll adjust it with an amendment to this post).

My husband made two pork roasts. One was wrapped in bacon, the other was stuffed with apricots. But when he roasted the meat, he had it resting on a bed of small potatoes, baby carrots, chopped up parsnips, and apples that had been lightly tossed with canola oil. He got the idea from a recipe he found somewhere (it had you roasting a chicken on top of these veggies).

He also made sour cream pecan pie (a recipe from the Farmhouse Cookbook). My sister M made pumpkin pie.

*burp*

My Life in Projects

2009-11-22T15:01:00.002-06:00

Socks for Ed (a Christmas present)

These are knit on US 4 from Patternworks Bretton yarn. I used the nubby stitch pattern (K all sts for 2 rounds then 1x1 rib for 1 round) I found in Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks book, then changed to 1x1 rib about an inch from the heel flap. The rest of it is worked with stockinette stitch on the bottom of the foot and 1x1 rib on top. My husband likes to wear sandals, so putting the ribbing on the top of the foot will keep that part a little warmer in the winter. I've just started the toe decreases on the first sock.

Kernel Scarf from Knitty.com

A clever and fun foray into lacy knitting.

Kashmir Mittens for me!

Knit on US 4 needles from Prism Kashmir. I'll post the pattern later.

College Scarf for a nephew.
1x1 rib, knit with Berocco Comfort.

Feather & Fan Scarf

Knit with Jojoland Ballade (black) and a Prism kid mohair (Embers, I think the colorway is called) on US 10.5 needles. I thought I'd never get this one going. It took forever to figure out the best needle size, and there's no ripping back mohair because it catches on itself.

Top-Down Cardigan

This is from a Knitting Pure & Simple pattern and worked in Cascade Pastaza Paints on US 9 needles. I added in a bit of lace because I had to break up the monotony of the stockinette stitch. This was originally for my sister Mary, but it's too heavy for her considering where she lives. I might give it to my sister in Canada.

Yarnia

2009-11-17T19:58:00.001-06:00

I just knew it was a real place!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Deep, Dark Sky

2009-11-01T10:10:00.005-06:00

Dear Mandella,

The photo is looking west from my back yard last night (Hallowe'en). I turned off the flash and propped the camera on the deck, but the image is still a touch blurred -- the hazard of not having a tripod -- but you can see how well a digital camera captures light and the depth of color in the sky, unlike a film camera that needs special filters and aperture adjustments.

I am glad that Hallowe'en is finally over. It's not my favorite of the popular holidays, not because I think it's "satanic" or "demonic" (despite the blatherings of Pope Benedict) but because I've just never been a fan of horror films and ghoulish costumes as some people are. I admit it: I like Christmas and Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day -- those holidays that in general people like to celebrate with joy and love.

This past week I've been working on a pair of socks to give to my dear hubby for Christmas. I'm knitting them from Mountain Colors' Bearfoot sock yarn, which is a blend of 60% superwash wool, 25% mohair, and 15% nylon, and it's about sport weight. I purchased this skein a few years ago when we were in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The colorway is a deep, rich blue, but it's called "Purple Mountains." The pattern stitch is from one of the Barbara Walker collections. It's called "Seaweed" and it's a simple knit/purl combination. I'm working it up on US 2 (2.75 mm) and it's going quickly. Believe me, I had a hard time tearing myself away even to write this blog. I love it when something works!

Seaweed Stitch (multiple of 6 sts, worked in the round):
Rnds 1 & 2: *P4, K2*

Rnds 3 & 4: *P3, K3*

Rnds 5 & 6: *P2, K4*

Rnds 7 & 8: P1, (K4, P2) to last 5 sts, end K4, P1

Rnds 9 & 10: P1, (K3, P3) to last 5 sts, end K3, P2
Rnds 11 & 12: P1, (K2, P4) to last 5 sts, end K2, P3

When it's over the instep you have to add 1 purl stitch at the end to balance the pattern.

Here's the thing that's getting to me, though: I don't want to stop knitting it. I don't want to clean up my livingroom, I don't want to change the sheets on the bed, I don't want to do laundry, I don't want to go over to my mom's and sew, I don't want to go to work tomorrow, I don't want to do anything but knit and knit and knit. It's my refuge, an ordered and beautiful little world of one stitch after another, of silky yarn, of deep dark blue like the sky. That's where I want to live right now.

I'm having trouble getting the annual Christmas letter together. You've seen my previous ones, the successfully amusing missives about our otherwise mundane lives. I usually love writing these, but this year it's hard. What is there to say that hasn't been said? I'm working a lot, I'm knitting a lot, Ed still doesn't have a job, but we're happy and the pets are silly.

Perhaps it is the repetition of these details that I am trying to escape. Let's face it: the repetition of knitting patterns is boring on the surface, but it's a short enough repeat that we can see the pattern as a whole in our minds so the exercise of it is an exciting adventure as we watch it grow under our hands. Life, on the other hand, doesn't seem so exciting. The repeat of each week -- perhaps it's too long of a run? -- is wearing, and it's hard to see the whole in my mind.
Maybe what I need to do is to start knitting one of those huge lace shawls. It will be more like life as it really is: tediously long sections of pattern repeats that seem to go on forever.

Sorry. I don't mean to be depressing. Time to get off the cross (somebody else needs the wood, after all). My life is really blessed if I have the luxury of putting off housework in order to indulge in knitting a pair of socks which, after all, could be bought for maybe $3 per pair instead of what I paid for that skein of yarn.

Yep, I'm OK. I'm ready to head out into this day after all.

Hugs and good knitting to you!

Judith

Gauge Lies

2009-10-28T08:52:00.002-05:00

At left is a top-down pullover knit on US 17 needles. The pattern called for Brown Sheep "Burly Spun" yarn and a gauge of 8 sts to 4" in stockinette stitch on US 17 needles.

I held together three strands of worsted weight yarn and knit a swatch of stockingette stitch on US 17 needles. I got 7 sts to 4". I figured the looseness was due to knitting back and forth (instead of in the round), so I soldiered on.

When I checked gauge again (which was when I was nearing the point of holding off sts for the sleeves), I was astounded to discover I was getting 8.5 sts to 4". Thus, a pullover that was meant to be 46" around (finished measurement) turned out to be about 42" around. (It should have been about 40.8" around by stitch count, but that didn't happen, either.)

I am flummoxed. I am finishing the pullover -- it's using up odd balls of yarn in the stash and God knows it will fit someone -- but this is driving me a bit nuts.

I am, however, rather proud of the color transitions, all of which are accomplished with changing out the various strands of yarn held together.

Turbine Hat Pattern

2009-02-03T09:05:00.002-06:00

I call this hat a Turbine because the crown (where all of the decreases happen) comes out looking sort of like the blades of a turbine when you look at it from the top. If you just stand it up, though, and push down the top a bit, the whole thing looks rather like one of those fancy Jell-O molds. Oh well . . .

There are ribs all around this hat which make its size deceptive. When it’s collapsed (as in the photos) it looks thinner all around than it really is. The nice thing is that it will stay that way to fit a smaller head, but it expands beautifully to fit a larger head. As always, this pattern will work best with wool or a wool blend. I don’t recommend cotton, linen, or other such yarns because they really don’t have the stretch necessary to keep the hat hugging your head.

Materials — Jojoland hats:

US 3 circular needle, 16” long

Extra US 3 circular (for “magic loop”) or set of US 3 dpns to use when there are too few sts to work on one circular.

2 balls Jojoland Melody (each ball is 50g, 220 yards superwash variegated wool) of the same colorway (samples were done with MS26 and MS27)

Materials — Cascade 220 Hat

US 4 circular needle, 16” long

Extra US 4 circular (for “magic loop”) or set of US 4 dpns to use when there are too few sts to work on one circular

1 ball Cascade 220 Superwash (100g, 220 yards superwash wool)

Optional scraps of 2 other colors to knit 2 rounds each.

Gauge: About 6 stitches per inch. Don’t be fussed if it isn’t exact. The ribs in this design make the hat very flexible.

Cast On:

Jojoland Cast-On: Holding both strands together, knit cast on 108 sts. Join into a circle (being careful not to twist) and work 2 x 2 rib (K2, P2) for 18-24 rounds or until brim is about 2” – 2.5” long.

Cascade 220 Cast-On: If using the optional contrasting colors, start with a scrap of a contrasting color, knit cast on 108 sts. Join into a circle (being careful not to twist) and work 2 x 2 rib (K2, P2) for 18-24 rounds or until brim is about 2” – 2.5” long. If you’re using the contrasting colors on the Cascade 220 hat, work one 2 x 2 rib round in the first contrasting color, then work 2 rounds in the other contrasting color, then change to the main color.

OK, now all of the directions are for both hats:

Increase Round: *K8, Kfb* repeat all around. 120 sts total.

Knit the Hat: *K8, P2* repeat all around until work measures 7” from increase round.

Decreases:
*K6, K2tog, P2* repeat. 108 sts total. Work 2 rounds *K7, P2* repeat.
*K5, K2tog, P2* repeat. 96 sts total. Work 2 rounds *K6, P2* repeat.
*K4, K2tog, P2* repeat. 84 sts total. Work 2 rounds *K5, P2* repeat.
*K3, K2tog, P2* repeat. 72 sts total. Work 1 round *K4, P2* repeat.
*K2, K2tog, P2* repeat. 60 sts total. Work 1 round *K3, P2* repeat.
*K1, K2tog, P2* repeat. 48 sts total.
*K2 tog, P2* repeat. 36 sts total.
*P2tog, P1* repeat. 24 sts total.
*P2tog* repeat. 12 sts total.
*P2tog* repeat. 6 sts total.

Finishing: Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Thread tail on needle. Draw threaded needle through rem sts and pull tightly. Secure the cinch. Bury ends.

Abbreviations:

Kfb Knit into the front and back of one stitch (increases 1)
K2tog Knit two stitches together (decreases 1)
P2tog Purl two stitches together (decreases 1)

School Scarves

2009-10-21T16:35:00.003-05:00

Finished measurement: about 5.25” wide x 72” long (but you can make it longer if you like)

Berroco® Comfort worsted weight (3.5 oz / 100 g; 210 yd / 193 m): 2 balls of main color (MC), 1 ball of contrast color (CC)

NOTE: There will be enough left over to make a hat, so if you plan to do two scarves I’d go with just 3 balls of the main color and perhaps only 1 ball of the contrast color. I made one scarf for a nephew at University of Iowa (gold and black) and a scarf for a nephew at Iowa State University (red and gold), so I bought 2 balls of gold, 2 balls of red, and one ball of black. There was only red and black yarn leftover.

US 7 needles (straight or circular, whichever you prefer)

Gauge is about 20 sts and 24 rows to 4” square in stockinette stitch. It’s not terribly important because when you knit in 1 x 1 rib it ends up looking like flat stockinette stitch except that it won’t curl. In 1 x 1 rib, I get 30 sts (counting each knit stitch as 2) and 24 rows to 4” square.

START KNITTING HERE:

Cast on 40 sts with CC. Work 36 rows of 1 x 1 rib (K1, P1).

Change to MC. Work 2 rows of 1x1 rib in MC and 2 rows of 1x1 rib in CC until you have 18 bands of each color (72 more rows).

Next, work 1 x 1 rib in the MC only. When the whole scarf (laid flat and no stretching) measures 36 inches long (or whatever is half of the length you plan to knit it), mark that row as the halfway point, then keep working 1 x 1 rib in the MC until you can fold the scarf at the halfway point and it meets the stripe section.

Repeat the stripe section: Change to CC. Work 2 rows of 1x1 rib in CC and 2 rows of 1x1 rib in MC until you have 18 bands of each color (72 more rows).

Finish with 36 rows of 1 x 1 rib in the CC.

(PS - Thank you to Mark N. at my office who kindly modeled this scarf for me. He has a nice neck for modeling scarves.)

Bind off (helps to do it in pattern) and work in the ends.

Where I've Been

2009-10-18T23:49:00.001-05:00

Here's a fun little ap:

visited 22 states (44%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Happy Dog

2009-10-18T23:37:00.001-05:00

Chance, the irrepressibly content black Labrador,

at the dog park.

Aaah, Picture Uploads Successful.

2009-10-18T23:35:00.000-05:00

The Leg Warmers

The Shawl

The convertible mittens

Start-itis or Addiction?

2009-10-18T14:57:00.002-05:00

Blogger is having some problems, else I'd have uploaded some photos. Suffice it to say that I'm in the midst of a zillion projects once again, and none of them are the projects already on my overly long list of UFOs.

I finished a scarf for one of my nephews and have started in on a similar one for his brother, but no pictures for now since these are to be Christmas gifts.

In other news, I tried and tried and tried to knit a cardigan for my sister M but ended up pulling out all of my work several times because the yarn wasn't cooperating. It's a cotton/silk/acrylic blend. I've started up a simple shawl with it now and it's behaving quite nicely. It's a project started just to prove it can be done; now it will be set aside while I finish my Christmas list of projects.

Another started project is a blanket from worsted weight wool. I have some odd balls of yarn around. I tried several things with it -- mitered squares, pattern stitches -- and in the end it just wanted to be knit as single strands on US 7 needles. Egad, I hate when the yarn starts acting up! Yarn isn't supposed to be so bitchy and demanding!

One project in progress (finally!) is a pair of leg warmers for my friend Dr. T. I was going to knit kilt hose for her, then realized she'd never really wear them for competition. I was going to knit socks for her, but after she and I talked about it what she'd really like are leg warmers. Thus, they're in progress. I'm using the good old standby, the waffle stitch (texture, plus it's easy to keep track of the pattern) and I'm knitting it from leftover balls of KFI Cashmarino (about the same as Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in weight and composition). They're a lovely color of blue.

The Mrs. Gardiner gauntlet gloves have been frogged yet again. I'm just not satisfied with the pattern yet. All I know is that I want a claw cable going up the thumb. The hard part is figuring out what will go with that without numbing my brain.

Oh, and I've made excellent progress on the mittens with the yarn from my adorable and no-longer-Secret Pal, Mia. She sent some handspun that I've combined with a bit of Lamb's Pride worsted. They are becoming a pair of convertible mittens. The first is finished and the second is in progress (nearly done with the thumb gore increases).

And, after all of this, I had a lovely photo of my dog Chance.

But the Blogger software just isn't cooperating at the moment. Dang.

I've Been Busy

2009-10-04T18:39:00.004-05:00

Here's me working on it at my mom's house on the living room floor.

This took at lot of planning.

Detail of the phoenix center by maxecat.

Detail of the "stars" (sorry that it's a little bent here)

The Myth & Magic Quilt Top (about 76" square at this point)
Dragon by samtibbs. Unicorn by judyqeen. Phoenix by maxecat.
Spiderweb and potions by PotionMistress.
Potions by auntj.

Secret Pal Revealed!

2009-10-01T19:09:00.002-05:00

This is a mitten I've started knitting from the handspun that my lovely, no-longer-secret pal Mia sent to me in the second package. I started it off with some Lamb's Pride worsted, then went right to the lovely yarn she sent to me. These will be convertable mittens.

And here is the "reveal" package Mia sent: another cool bag (the cotton bag with the bird printed on it in pale green), two more handspun yarns, a lavender-scented candle, a little coin purse (which will likely hold my knitting markers -- you never know) filled with candies, and (I can hardly believe I'm writing this) a pair of socks! I am ever so magnificently spoiled by this last especially. No one has ever knit a pair of socks for me, so I felt absolutely overwhelmed. If ever Mia draws your name as a secret pal, prepare to be spoiled out of your mind!

Thank you, Mia! You are a lovely and kind knitting pal. I'll post pix of the mittens when they're done, and I might knit a hat with the other yarns. I don't know. Anything can happen, you know! :)

Bite Me, Baby!

2009-09-23T20:24:00.002-05:00

Ooooh, you've got to run over to The Bite Me Kitchen for some great recipes! I just printed off a great one for stuffed acorn squash (thank you, Auntie Meemo!).

Another UFO Completed!

2009-09-19T09:59:00.001-05:00

Socks:

Pair of socks (2 at the same time) from the toe up (about 3 inches in) on US 1.
Pair of red socks for my SIL Deb on US 2. ---DONE!!!!!!!!!!!
Pair of waffle socks on US 1 in sparkly Berroco sock yarn. First one is done; second one isn't started yet.
Pair of socks on US 1 worked in hand-dyed Louet Gems sport weight and a funky honeycomb sort of pattern. I'm losing interest already.
Pair of socks from the toe up (just one at a time) in Dream in Color with silver. -- FROGGED
Pair of socks for a college-bound nephew in Lisa Souza sport Merino superwash in the Mars Quake colorway. Worked in a simple 2 x 2 rib and 2 x 2 garter rib. Worked on US 2. -- DONE!!!!
Second Raindrop Sock needs to be worked from Purlie sock yarn in the Mardi Gras colorway (first sock was knit as a sample; it's about time I get the second one done).
Second Swag Sock needs to be worked from Purlie sock yarn (Appassionato colorway). Again, the first one was knit as a sample.
Second Swag Sock needs to be worked from a ball of Cash Vero DK. Still again, the first one was knit as a sample.
The second of a pair of socks from Cascade 220 Superwash on US 4 that utilizes a stranded rose pattern.

Scarves:

A lacy scarf on US 5. I'm about 5" into it.
A scarf from Misty Alpaca bulky. *DONE (back in July)*
Garter Linen scarf on US 9 in Manos del Uruguay silk blend. Nearing the halfway point. I think.
Lace scarf (Victorian Lace today Pattern) on US 6 with Jojoland Ballad. I've got about 2" knit.
Lace scarf (another Victorian Lace Today pattern) on US 7 with Mini Maiden in colorway Vintage. I have two repeats done of the first end border (see previous posts on this).
School Scarves -- Black and Gold 1 x 1 rib (my own pattern) -- about 1/2 done now.

Wraps/Shawls/Throws:

Diagonally crocheted wrap with leftovers from a Kaffe Fasset kit (long story) that's going to take forever. (Handed over to my mom for finishing. Um..... don't ask)
AB-Fab throw in colorway Misty Morning. Only through the one color repeat (56 rows), plus 8 more.

Pullovers/Cardigans:

Striped pullover that was to have been for my niece (she's grown out of it) on US 6. I have the back done and I'm slowly working up to the front. There are a zillion ends to work in.
A short cardigan in Cascade Venezia worsted on US 7 for my sister Mary. --- Frogged. It just wasn't working. Am now working the cardi in Cascade Pastaza.
Magnificent red pullover (mentioned earlier) from hand-dyed Louet Gems sport weight and fashioned with some Melissa Leapman cables. I'm about 6" into the back only which is pathetic because the back is the easiest.
Colorful cardigan for a grand-niece made on US 3 with King Tut cotton and worked in intarsia. I'm 1" - 2" away from dividing for the armholes and I'm not sure how I want to work it, so it's in stasis.

Other:

Washcloth on US 6. DONE (back in August).
Pair of gloves on US 3 from Cascade 220 superwash for my DH. In a bright royal blue. First one done, second one barely started (just past the cuff ribbing). The first glove is ... interesting. I think the fingers and thumb are far too big around.
A doily I'm crocheting from Austermann Step is about halfway done.

Any Fool Can Do It

2009-09-16T22:06:00.002-05:00

At last, we not only have a new Dan Brown over-the-top conspiracy novel, we have the Dan Brown Sequel Generator, courtesy of Slate.com. You just select a city for the setting and an organization which is hiding the conspiracy. The text generator will give you a synopsis.

Here's the start of my Dan Brown sequel synopsis (I chose Chicago and US Postal Service):

When celebrated Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to Wrigley
Field to analyze a mysterious ancient script—imprinted on a gold ring lying next
to the disemboweled corpse of the head docent—he discovers evidence of the
unthinkable: the resurgence of the ancient cult of the Destifori, a secret
branch of the United States Postal Service that has surfaced from the shadows to
carry out its legendary vendetta against its mortal enemy, the Vatican.

UFO List Update

2009-09-07T08:32:00.005-05:00

Socks:

Pair of socks (2 at the same time) from the toe up (about 3 inches in) on US 1.
Pair of red socks for my SIL Deb on US 2. The first sock is done; 2nd sock near the heel flap!
Pair of waffle socks on US 1 in sparkly Berroco sock yarn. First one is done; second one isn't started yet.
Pair of socks on US 1 worked in hand-dyed Louet Gems sport weight and a funky honeycomb sort of pattern. I'm losing interest already.
Pair of socks from the toe up (just one at a time) in Dream in Color with silver. -- FROGGED
Pair of socks for a college-bound nephew in Lisa Souza sport Merino superwash in the Mars Quake colorway. Worked in a simple 2 x 2 rib and 2 x 2 garter rib. Worked on US 2. -- DONE!!!!
Second Raindrop Sock needs to be worked from Purlie sock yarn in the Mardi Gras colorway (first sock was knit as a sample; it's about time I get the second one done).
Second Swag Sock needs to be worked from Purlie sock yarn (Appassionato colorway). Again, the first one was knit as a sample.
Second Swag Sock needs to be worked from a ball of Cash Vero DK. Still again, the first one was knit as a sample.
The second of a pair of socks from Cascade 220 Superwash on US 4 that utilizes a stranded rose pattern.

Scarves:

A lacy scarf on US 5. I'm about 5" into it.
A scarf from Misty Alpaca bulky. *DONE (back in July)*
Garter Linen scarf on US 9 in Manos del Uruguay silk blend. Nearing the halfway point. I think.
Lace scarf (Victorian Lace today Pattern) on US 6 with Jojoland Ballad. I've got about 2" knit.
Lace scarf (another Victorian Lace Today pattern) on US 7 with Mini Maiden in colorway Vintage. I have two repeats done of the first end border (see previous posts on this).
School Scarves -- Black and Gold 1 x 1 rib (my own pattern) -- about 1/3 done.

Wraps/Shawls/Throws:

Diagonally crocheted wrap with leftovers from a Kaffe Fasset kit (long story) that's going to take forever. (Handed over to my mom for finishing. Um..... don't ask)
AB-Fab throw in colorway Misty Morning. Only through the one color repeat (56 rows), plus 8 more.

Pullovers/Cardigans:

Striped pullover that was to have been for my niece (she's grown out of it) on US 6. I have the back done and I'm slowly working up to the front. There are a zillion ends to work in.
A short cardigan in Cascade Venezia worsted on US 7 for my sister Mary. --- Frogged. It just wasn't working. Am now working the cardi in Cascade Pastaza.
Magnificent red pullover (mentioned earlier) from hand-dyed Louet Gems sport weight and fashioned with some Melissa Leapman cables. I'm about 6" into the back only which is pathetic because the back is the easiest.
Colorful cardigan for a grand-niece made on US 3 with King Tut cotton and worked in intarsia. I'm 1" - 2" away from dividing for the armholes and I'm not sure how I want to work it, so it's in stasis.

Other:

Washcloth on US 6. DONE (back in August).
Pair of gloves on US 3 from Cascade 220 superwash for my DH. In a bright royal blue. First one done, second one barely started (just past the cuff ribbing). The first glove is ... interesting. I think the fingers and thumb are far too big around.
A doily I'm crocheting from Austermann Step is about halfway done.

Secret Pal 14 Package 2 -- It's Here!

2009-09-13T12:12:00.003-05:00

I have such a lovely and wonderful Secret Pal! In addition to the cool little bag (complete with a nifty tape measure that has both standard and metric markings but also looks fashionable *and* has a little button to lock the tape) and the stickers and the handknit washcloth (love that color!) and the hand-dyed sock yarn ..... Yes, she sent me some hand-spun yarn! I feel so special! I've never had anyone give me their hand-spun. Spinning yarn is something I absolutely know nothing about and haven't tried (doubt I will, either), so I feel so honored that she included this. And look at those wonderful colors! Ooooooh, I love them! I love it all! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! A thousand more Thank Yous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cascade Pastaza Cardigan

2009-09-13T12:09:00.002-05:00

This is Cascade Pastaza (lamb's wool and llama wool) being knit on US 9 into a cropped cardigan using the Knitting Pure and Simple top-down cardigan pattern. I'm working a lacy kind of figure in the sleeves (above) and I'll work some kind of pattern stitch when I join up under the arms. It will be a shorter cardigan than the pattern calls for, and I'll make 3/4 sleeves instead of full ones.

Alpaca Yarn

2009-09-13T12:08:00.002-05:00

My sister M in Albuquerque sent three lovely skeins of alpaca yarn from a farm in New Mexico. I dyed them to a medium turquoise color.

Two-Rib Socks - FREE PATTERN

2009-09-13T11:56:00.003-05:00

OK, following the "Basic Sock Recipe" these are a pair of socks for a guy. They were knit on US 2 with Lisa Souza Superwash Sport Merino in the Mars Quake Colorway. The gauge is about 6 sts per inch in Stockinette Stitch. It's an easy pattern:

CO 64. Work 2 x 2 rib (K2, P2) for 12 rounds, then K all sts for the first round of 2 x 2 garter rib (K one round, then 2x2 rib on the next round; keep alternating these two rounds). Work garter rib for 52 rounds, then work straight 2 x 2 rib for 8 more rounds.

Before working the heel flap, shift sts to the right by 1 stitch so that stitch #2 becomes the first stitch of the round. This will balance the rib over the top of the foot (so, over the top of the foot you will work the Offset 2x2 Rib as follows: K1, P2, *K2, P2* repeat to last stitch, end K1).

Work heel flap, then, as follows:

Row 1: sl 1, P2, *sl 2, P2* repeat to last stitch, end K1. Turn work.

Row 2 (WS): sl 1, P to the end. Turn work.

Repeat these two rows until there are 16 slipped stitches on each side of the heel flap.

Turn heel, then pick up 16 sts on each side of the heel flap while working Offset 2x2 Rib (as noted above) over the top of the foot and stockinette stitch on the underside of the foot, and while working gusset decreases on either side of the instep sts until you're back to a total of 64 sts.

Continue working foot with Offset 2 x 2 Rib on the top/instep and St st on the bottom until you come to about 2" shy of the foot length. Begin toe decreases (all in St st). Decrease 4 sts every other row until there are 32 sts remaining, then work decreases every row until it's down to a number you don't mind grafting.