Stress can kill. Or make you start a lot of projects

We all have seen how I dealt with the kitchen stress this summer.

School stress has been at severe levels for the past two weeks or so (really, all year), so you can imagine what I did last week. Besides the three new scarves, it is apparently sweatertober as well.



Wicked started in Malabrigo. Can we all say YUM? (Hubbo really wanted to know why my book was in the picture. 'Cause I'm reading it and knitting it! Duh!)



Union Square Market Pullover (three million stitches on eeensy needles - this one may take years).



Bristow (something easy for when hubbo's around and I can't work on his sweater).



Somewhat Cowl (because it's pretty)


Where are the folks in the white jackets?

I did finish some socks this week, but since it is o'dark thirty, and I have a four hour inservice tonight (after school - just what I want to do on a Friday), and all day tomorrow, and hubbo has a soccer game tomorrow night, it will probably be Sunday before I can take their picture. It's probably better that way - it will allow me to take pictures of everything else I start this weekend.

All crawled out

Home from the yarn crawl/shop hop, and moderately caught up with school work, so here's a quick look at my goodies from the weekend.



We left from Hill Country Weavers, where I managed to only purchase two skeins of Nature's Palette in a chocolately brown. Such restraint!


Our first stop was Yarn Barn in San Antonio. A large combo shop of needlepoint and yarn, we nearly destroyed the book and sale areas (there were about 35 of us). I managed to score an Interweave I don't have in the sale bin, along with seven skeins of Rowan Denim for the Indigo Ripples Skirt. And well, that Trekking couldn't be helped. It's orange after all.



From there we headed to Yarnivore in San Antonio. This is a small shop in a strip mall area, but it is clean, well-lit, and the owner was very sweet. I did manage to find more yarn here I needed (shocking, isn't it?) Some Kraemer Tweed (cotton acrylic blend) that is more pink than the picture shows, and a pretty pattern book.



On to Boerne, where our first stop was Rosewood Yarns. A new shop that is crammed with yarn, and we completely took over. I did restrain myself from yarn here, but I managed to find three patterns and a beautiful needle-felted notions case made by a women's cooperative in Nepal.



A short jaunt down the street, and we were at Ewe and Eye. A charming shop, filled up with toys, needlepoint, baby items, and yarn. The owners were lovely to us, and I came away with another back issue magazine I don't have, sock yarn for the hubbo (to make up for being gone all weekend, and spending money!) and a 660 yard hank of the softest alpaca I've ever felt. It comes from Switzerland, and has no tag, so I can't tell you about it, other than to tell you to call the shop and get you some. YUM. I'm envisioning a wrap to wear in my classroom. Hubbo wants me to make him a pillow out of it. Ha.

And that's it! We didn't get to Bluebonnet Yarns in Cedar Park, or Stonehill Spinning in Fredericksburg, due to the tight bus schedule. Ah well, just another excuse to do it all again next year!

Yesterday was a difficult day. Today is Friday.*

After a spectacularly awful week, I'm looking forward to running away for the weekend to the Hill Country Shop Hop.

Lots of knitters on a bus, seven yarn stores, and (hopefully) margaritas and mexican food Saturday night. Sounds great. See y'all on the flip side.

*One of my all time favorite books is Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, in which Lily has a bad day and her teacher tells her "Today was a difficult day, tomorrow will be better." When I said that to hubbo last night, he said "tomorrow will be Friday." TGIF.

Scarftober?

It's not all socks around here these days - several scarves have jumped on the needles this past week.



Out of the frogged Claudia's Sport - Isobel from Cider Moon's free patterns. I am really enjoying this, and it is working up fairly quickly.



Also from the failed Chevron scarf - Branching Out, restarted for the upteenth time. I'm finding it much easier this go-round.


And finally, I could resist the call of the Noro no longer. Two colors (for now) for a Striped Scarf. I love it. My only disappointment is that one of the colors has pulled apart on me FIVE times since I started. That's way too many freakin' ends to weave in for a scarf. It'd better stop it.

Socktoberfest!

Just a quick peek at what's on the needles sock-wise. I've got two single socks, and about 5 pairs of half done single socks. There are also two pairs in hiding somewhere I'm going to try to dig up. My goal for the month is three finished pairs. I think this is doable.

First up - finishing those grey socks for Hubbo's anniversary present!

Fall yarns are yummy!

One of my favorite things about fall is the new fall yarns. Especially the sock yarns (aren't y'all surprised?). I may have had to buy some, and hubbo may have picked some out.



For me - new Lana Grossa.



For hubbo - new Classic Elite Alpaca Sox. Aren't you shocked at the originality of his color choice? Totally different from the grey pair I'm currently knitting him.


I haven't cast on for these yet, but they are both calling to me.


In other sock news, it seems that Socktoberfest is nearly upon us. Last year I had a great time, and ended up with two new pairs of socks finished. This year my plan is "single sock-toberfest." I've got plenty of pairs of socks that have one sock finished or nearly finished. Plus, I'm hoping that by knitting wool socks I can will fall to arrive. Think it'll work? What are your plans for Socktoberfest?

Sweater weather?

I know I really shouldn't be complaining, after the mild summer we had, but can fall hurry up and get here already? It's been over 90 every day for over a week and a half. Luckily (according to the weather idiots), we're having a "cold front" today and it's only supposed to be 86. Brrrrrr. A breeze.

However, these warm temperatures haven't prevented me from starting a few new fall sweaters (nor have they enabled me into finishing my summer sweaters, but that's a topic for another day).



Several weeks ago, when I wanted something to just go around and around on, I started Devon out of Rowan Cotton Glace. I love it. I love the colors, and the stripes, and it's taking me FOREVER. But that's OK. I don't have to knit any sleeves!



Ariann out of Ella Rae Classic. Love the yarn. Love the color. Love the pattern. Not very far yet.


Buttony out of Debbie Bliss Cashmernio Chunky. I'm a bit nervous about this one, since it's really a "wing it" type of sweater. My fingers are crossed that I can pull it off. If not, I'm sure I can find another sweater to use this yarn for.



And finally, Jarrett (from Rowan Vintage Knits), for Hubbo, out of Ella Rae Classic. I've had a bear of a time trying to get gauge for this. I originally purchased Silky Wool for this sweater, but came nowhere near getting gauge (20st/4in) with it. After much perusing of the internets (and of Ravelry), I realized that 20st/4in is WORSTED weight gauge. Not DK/Sport. I swatched with the Ella Rae, he picked a color, and I haven't looked back since.
I'm trying to knit this one in secret for Christmas. I plan to work on it at the shop on the weekends, and when he's not around here (for example, I plan to go do a few rows before he gets up this morning). It may take me until next Christmas, but I am determined to get this done. Of course, last night he told me that he really liked this sweater Monk is wearing.

Practically the same people. He's so predictable.

I do have other grand fall/winter knitting plans, but this will have to do for now. I've got to finish some projects first!

Finally

The moment you all have been waiting for. The kitchen is (almost) done.


I apologize for the lack of pictures sooner, but we were having contractor issues (as in, he stopped showing up about the first of August), and I didn't want to rant on the blog.


More photos in my flickr set here.

If you need "before" reminders, look here and here.


We do have a big hole in the ground where the air return hasn't been moved, but the kitchen is livable. Praise God, and remind me that I don't want to remodel anything else.

Run-by Fruiting*

There has been almost zero knitting progress this week, owing to the enormous amounts of schoolwork I've been doing. However, I did run into Michael's yesterday (for cute Mary Engelbreit Christmas stuff in the dollar section), and happened to bump into the clearance aisle, where they had Lion Wool for $2.00/ball. Um? Deal? Yeah!


I may have purchased enough of the red to make the cute skirt on the cover of Folk Style (sans flowers),

and enough grey for a project TBD.

Unfortunately, having enough knitting time to complete either of these projects (not to mention any of those already on my needles) is not looking so likely these days. I did, however, have enough time to rip the scarf, per y'all's advice, but now I don't know what to do with the yarn. I didn't quite have enough for my socks last time, and I don't really want to buy another skein of yarn for each (especially at $24.00/pop), so I need ideas. If you're interested in swapping for it, let me know (via email, since I can't reply to comments - knitnlit AT gmail DOT com).

*Every time someone uses the title "Drive-by blogging" for a post, I think of this line from Mrs. Doubtfire. One of my favorites.

How many felted bags can one knitter make?

I've finished another bag, and another Christmas present! Yay!

Pattern: Sophie, from Magknits
Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino in their new stripey colors
Needles: Clover Bamboo 10.5 circulars and DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: um, early summer until the end of July. It's been sitting around since then waiting to be felted.
Thoughts: One of my favorite patterns, and one of the few (besides socks) that I knit over and over again. I do nearly have it memorized, which is good, since I have a few more planned.

The colors are much more vibrant in real life, but it's late and dark, so this is what you get. I'm glad I have another gift for the small pile. Time to crank it into gear - after all, there are only 99 days until Christmas!

Your $.02

Time to chime in people! I started this scarf several weeks ago in the full-on chevron scarf frenzy. I wanted to not knit an entire scarf in sock yarn, so I looked for something a bit heavier. Claudia's Sport caught my eye, but since the yardage is slim (as well all know, since I have teeny socks knit out of it), I didn't want to make it as wide (and well, with a heavier yarn, it would be hyouge if I knit all those stitches across). So I did some maths (aren't y'all proud?) and decided to sort-of halve the pattern.

Now? I'm not sure about the color combo, though I'll admit that not working on it for several weeks has made me appreciate it more.

So, what do y'all think? Color combo good? Bad? OK? I'm waiting to continue until I hear from you! Vote early, and vote often!

Sock-tacular!

I may have started a few new socks. In my defense, I did rip a few out this weekend as well.


Ripped: Knee High to a Grasshopper - I was trying to change this into a top-down pattern, and my skillz just aren't up to it right now. Ripped.
Monkey - Love the pattern. Not sure it looks great in this yarn. Ripped.
P-word socks - too small. Rippppppp



Started and ripped: Wandering Cable Knee Socks. Started, and decided that they were too small. Ripped, and I hope to restart soon.



Started: Monkey socks in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silkie - not much to look at right now, but soon....
Plain socks in Trekking, Sock-it-to-me, and Scout's Swag. Yum. Plain socks.
Smokin' Socks in Fearless Fibers. Love this yarn.
Embossed Leaves in Sweet Georgia. I've had this yarn in the stash for months, marinating, trying to save it, since you can't get it anymore (for now, hopefully), but the pull of the pattern I had purchased it for was too strong. One repeat in, and I love it. Yay!

WIPs - mini update

Just a quickie tonight....

I seem to have finally conquered the gauge monster on mom's sweater, and it is moving along. Now I just hope it fits!



Hubbo's granddad is in the hospital (he fell on Friday, the day before his 95th birthday, and they're not entirely sure what's wrong.) - and his feet are freezing. Felted Clogs (with Tech colors, of course) to the rescue! I'm hoping to get these done quickly, though I'd rather he get out of the hospital before I finish.


Why hubbo's photo thing keeps insisting on rotating photos I didn't want to be sideways boggles the mind.
And in random news, I got a cute new purse this weekend........at Big Lots, of all places. I tell ya, it really is my favorite store.

A mission from God

I'm on a mission this year. A mission to try new sock yarns. OK, at least BUY new sock yarns. I've been scouring The Loopy Ewe, snatching things up right and left. I'm trying not to buy things I've already bought, and/or used. (Except for Trekking. There has to be an exception to every rule, right?) I've been popping over to some of the smaller online sock dealers, checking out their wares, when lo and behold, I get my email update from Simply Sock Yarn, and they have the Dream in Color that the Ewe is always out of. Hmmmmmm, oooh, that's pretty, and that's pretty, and before you know it, I'm at free shipping (my favorite!).


Left to Right: Soft Touch Ultra Heathers (which I've been wanting to try for months), Dream in Color Smooshy (I can't remember the color name, but she's out of it), ShibuKnits in Peacock (this yarn is GORGEOUS), and Sleeping Dragon in Lipstick Lava (also GORGEOUS).

I was good, and tried to get mostly solids. I have a ton of varigated sock yarn, and while I love it, some of the more detailed patterns look better in solids or nearly solids. But my stash is woefully low on those. I found the remedy!

This is all lovely, and the only thing keeping me from casting on is, well, I'm not sure. I do have a few pairs of empty needles, but I'm trying to finish things up, not start new.

My credit card is all better, for now. But it may have taken a swipe today for something, but you'll have to wait about two weeks before I can show you that greatness. What's new in your stash? What's your favorite sock yarn? I need more ideas!

FO: Swirly Socks

Pattern: Generic top-down over 72 stitches
Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock in Ginsing
Needles: ChiaGoo 2.25mm DPNs
Dates: July-September 1, 2007
Mods: n/a
For: Me!

Thoughts: I'm not a fan of the pooling. I love the way this yarn looked in the skein and in the ball, but I just don't love it knit up. I have gotten over some of my dislike of the pooling, since the socks are a) finished and b) very soft, but I wish the whole sock could have been pretty and striped like the heel and toe. Even if the swirl had continued, I would have enjoyed it.


Another pair done! This puts me at 10 pair for the year, a bit under my goal of two pair per month (OK, a lot under). But with over 10 pairs on the needles, I'm hopeful that I can catch up.

And while we're accounting, I only managed to use up 6 balls of yarn in August, and I took into the stash 11. Who am I kidding at this point?

Strange, but true

Picture this: It is 8:15 Wednesday morning. I'm standing at my Elmo (it's this really cool thing like a combo digital camera and overhead - I *love* it), going over morning work, when I hear a snap. My students hear it too. I can tell immediately that my heel has snapped off. I give them an assignment, hobble over to my desk, and examine the evidence.



It is not pretty. I happen to have a hammer in my room, so I attempt to hammer back on the heel. I am unsuccessful. I go to tell the other 4th grade teachers my story, and amazingly enough, one of them happens to have an extra pair of shoes at school. Whew! I don't have to walk to lunch barefoot. Much fun is made on my behalf, and I go home barefoot, determined to find a shoe repair place, since these were my favorite shoes, of course.

Thursday morning. 7:30. I'm walking out of my room to go make a copy, when something on my shoe feels funny. No way. I've broken the heel on ANOTHER pair of shoes, a pair I specifically picked out of my closet, thinking "there's no way I can break this heel" (these are a pair with a large, clunky heel, not a little kitten heel like the ones I was wearing on Wednesday). Stand in the hall on duty with heel sort-of attached.
Attempt to fix with Elmer's Glue once class starts. Elmer's doesn't help. That same teacher, who doesn't have an extra pair of shoes today, has a glue gun. Glue heel on, but don't wear around my room, for fear of loosening it. Put on to wear to lunch. Seems to be working well! Leave recess, standing in line at the water fountain with my class. Turn to go upstairs, something feels funny. NO WAY IN HELL. Broke my other *&*^%#$#^*& heel. The other shoe. Carry it upstairs, and fix other shoe with glue gun. Wear to dismissal. Notice upon entering the building that my shoe is crumbling as I walk.


Am laughingstock of school. I've never broken a heel before in my life. Three in two days? What are the odds?

Worse news? Since it's now "fall," I can't find brown sandals anywhere. Unfortunately, it'll be 90 here for about another month. Hate wearing closed-toe shoes when it's hot. Considering going barefoot to school tomorrow.

Inspiration

A tardy birthday gift arrived today, but it was worth the wait.


The Vogue Knitting "Ultimate Sock Book." Candy for the eyes.

The book is divided into four sections. The first offers a small history of knitted socks, with pictures and information about the history particular to England and North America. Chapters two, three and four are full of technical information and directions for knitting the different parts of socks. Both toe-up and top-down socks are represented. Also included are diagrams of the different parts of the socks. There are also charts for the number of stitches to cast on for each size a la the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns.

The next section is about designing socks, and reads much like Sensational Knitted socks, without the organizing factor of having the stitch patterns with the same number of stitches grouped together. However, many of the stitch patterns are lovely, and I think they would look quite nice in socks. Following this is an almost-afterthought section on sock knitting around the world.

The remainder (about half) of the book is patterns. There are 25, and a good variety of colorwork, cables and lace. Unfortunately, all of the lovely patterns that appeared in Vogue last fall are included here, which is great if you didn't buy the issue, but a little disappointing if you did. I also think, and I could totally be wrong, that one or two of the patterns appeared in the earlier Vogue sock books. That said, there are about four patterns in here that I have my eye on.

Ultimately, if I had to choose between this book and Interweave's Favorite Socks that came out earlier this year, I'd go with Interweave. More beautiful patterns, even if you had purchased the magazines they were in, I think it's worth it to have them all in one book. And I find the Interweave patterns more appealing, perhaps because of their classic-ness and sensibility. I'm just not one for crazy colorwork socks. Won't wear 'em. And I won't wear short socks, which there are two patterns for in the Vogue book. However, this makes a lovely addition to my library, and I'm looking forward to having time to sit down and read it, especially the history section.

Oh, and if you want it - hubbo ordered it from bn.com, who said it was in stock (it still took a few days longer than normal), as opposed to Amazon which still has it as a pre-order.

Hit or Miss

I had three (mostly) wonderful packages in the past few days.


From Scout - Zuluknitty sock yarn (Love the colors!), from The Loopy Ewe - Seacoast Panda, and from the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Rockin' Sock Club.


I love the Zuluknitty. The Seacoast is gorgeous, but feels a bit acrylic-y. I'm hoping it softens with knitting. And I don't like the BMFA Sock Club yarn. It has a rust color in it. Rust is so not my color. I also don't care much for the pattern (an ankle sock with a fold down top). I knit my wool socks to keep my feet and legs warm in the winter. I don't have much use for shortie socks. I'll keep this in the stash and let it marinate for a bit. Perhaps someone else will like it more, and I'll knit gift socks. We'll see. It does look OK in the pictures I've seen of it just in plain stockinette, so that is a possibility too. I suppose it had to happen - out of the six shipments, I had to dislike one.

I may have accidentally tripped and slid my credit card through the internets. More on that news as it develops.

Quickie FO

I've had this finished with only the ends to weave in for over a week. I finally got around to it.



Pattern: Fetching from Knitty
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft Aran
Needles: Clover bamboo DPNs US 6
Mods: I did a plain bindoff, as I found the picot bind off too fiddly, and it seems to make the top of the mitts want to roll.
Thoughts: Another cute success! These are off to live at the shop as a sample. But I might need some, if it ever cools off around here.

Oh, and I did block my sweater, and it seemed to help, and I did wear it today for first day of school luck. It must have worked, as I seem to have a very good class.

To block it, however, I had to get creative, since The Girl was home, and I didn't have another room with a door that closed. How was I going to keep the cats from pulling all of the pins out?


When in doubt, go with cooling racks. Worked great.

Yay! A sweater that fits!

Pattern: Rusted Root from Zephyr Style.
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece - 2 3/4 skeins
Needles: Sz US 4 Susan Bates and Sz US 6 Clover Bamboo circulars.
Size: 36"
Mods: I cast on with the size 4s, and knit the ribbing at the top before beginning the body of the sweater, in order to avoid picking up all those stitches later. Worked out fine.
Thoughts: Could be a skotch longer. I'm hoping blocking will help solve this problem. It's about to be blocked, so I'll let you know how that works out. But otherwise, I really really like it! The fit is perfect, I love the lace detail, and the sleeves aren't too tight (something I always worry about). Would have been done much more quickly, had I only worked on it.














My apologies for the blog absence - getting ready for the new school year is exhausting. But I have some blog posts ready to go, so I hope to not be as quiet this week. Wish me luck tomorrow morning - 4th graders! Ack!