It Helps to Upload the Pictures First

I’ve been meaning to get a new post up, but for some reason I keep forgetting to upload the pictures from my camera… I mean really, how hard is that?

Maybe I’ve just been kind of lackadaisical lately?

So, with out futher ado and unnecessary apologies, here’s what I’ve been up to knitting wise:

I finished the little striped socks for my grandson Improvised pattern using Poems Sock yarn (958) done in 2x2 stripes using both ends of the ball; size 2 (2.75mm) needles

I also finished the Blue Honeycomb Mittens, which are practically unneeded now.

Pattern: Honeycomb Mittens by Jean Newstead from Homespun-Handknit (one of my “workhorse” books) Yarn: Lambs Pride Worsted in blue magic and Twilley’s Freedom Spirit shade 506 Needles: Size 7 dpn I could have knit these in two nights instead of the two months it actually took. I just had too many other things on the needles in between. Oh, and just in case you needed to know… Curbberg day 7 (And there’s snow in today’s forecast… hmpf!) I’m off to try and finish another something. Happy Knitting Nana

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We're getting another snowfall to add to our recent collection. It's a good thing that I didn't have any plans to leave the house today. So I'm going to make the most of the opportunity, because I have another set of empty needles to fill up! May I present my latest pair of finished socks… the Blueberry Swirl Socks

Pattern: Harris Tweed by Ali Green Yarn: Gypsy Girl Creations Fingering Weight in African Violet Size 2.5 mm Knit Picks harmony dpn Started November 28; Finished December 8, 2008

I showed these in the blog once before when I was indecisive about whether or not to keep going on the first sock with the ugly fat lightening bolt flashing that was happening, or to frog it. Ultimately I did frog the sock and start over. The second attempt at the patterning produced a more pleasing swirl and even though they are not identical, the look is one that I am happier with. The pattern might be a little on the wild side, but the color which is a very saturated true purple is so pretty, that it doesn’t matter. I hate that, try as I might, I can’t get purple to photograph well. You might have noticed that photography in general is not my strong suit, so any suggestions big or small, would be appreciated. I tried to capture them in what little light was available as the snow started falling this morning, and here’s the result:

Still not exactly the right shade, but closer than the indoor shots.

But that's beside the point....

I just baked a fresh batch of cookies and poured myself a hot cup of coffee… So now that I’ve wasted a good part of the day on the computer, I’m ready to spend the rest of this snowy day knitting.

I’ve still got about half of DD#1’s sweater to knit and a hat or two for the PADs project. Oh, and I’ve picked out the pattern for my next pair of socks, but you’ll have to wait until I cast on to actually see what I picked out! Stay safe and warm!

S’No Exaggeration.

I don’t want you to think I was exaggerating about the amount of snow we got this week. The weather services 'official' total for our city was 13.5 inches. (Not counting the dusting we had this morning). But that’s just counting what fell… The real measurement is here:

The piles of snow that amass once the plowing and shoveling are done. Note the position of the street sign relative to the top of the mound.



And apparently Mother Nature does not think we have enough. That is if you can believe that Doppler radar forecast. *Sigh*

But enough already; I’m trying to remain focused and upbeat. If I can’t go out, I still have plenty of yarn and needles and patterns… endless possibilities.

I’d really only be hard up if I was stuck snowed in somewhere with just one project.

I can’t show the progress on the secret swap sock, but I can tell you that I figured out a timesaver for that pattern… you’ll just have to wait until the swap package is sent off… so until then, you’ll have to settle for this:


The Annetrelac sock is up to 5 repeats of the rectangles. I’m switching off between the two pairs to keep things interesting and to make sure I finish them both before the end of the month.

BTW… the maintenance crew finally showed up and has begun to shovel the snow off the front stairs. (All that is left of what DH didn’t already do) Please, please, please finish the path to the mailbox .... (Oooh, be still my heart, they are putting down salt too!)

Snow Bound

I’m sure I’m probably the millionth or so upper Midwest blogger to post about the incredible amount of snow we got in the last two days, but I just thought I’d show you the view from my deck this morning:

I don’t know the official totals, but I think it was somewere over 14 inches... to give you an idea, the city plow only came thru once, and because our maintenance crews haven’t been here yet at all, it took both me and DH shoveling for half an hour to get a path wide enough just for him to get the car into the driveway and pull in the garage. I guess I’ll feel that tomorrow.

On the upside, not being able to go out is great for knitting … the I Love Gansey socks are now a complete pair. These socks are kind of hard to photograph, so here’s a view on the blockers and one on my feet.

There was literally no way I was going anywhere today. DH called me from work and told me not even to try. As if I would ….

After my chores were finished, I hunkered down with my good friends; Holly, 'Fred' and Cat (sigh) and spent time knitting. I have a couple of projects going so I worked on each a little bit, first my entrelac socks then my secret pals socks… which are a secret, so I won’t reveal anything about the yarn or the pattern until she gets them… but I have learned a new technique and am getting practice using the magic loop.

So wherever you are tonight, stay safe and comfortable and wish us the best in being able to get out tomorrow!

Safe and Warm

We survived the weekend. On Saturday we got this: Which wasn’t quite as bad as it could have been; snow, but not as much ice as was forecast; it rained on Sunday, it wasn’t warm enough to melt the snow, but it didn’t get quite cold enough to freeze everything, either – now we just have crunchy snow.

Zelda tested it out for us and reported it to be uninviting

Saucey stayed in.

Oh, and I got this:

my swap package from the Harvest Sock Swap. My partner Sharon made the “I Love Gansey Sock” in a nice sage green color. She also tucked in several other nice goodies. Some yummy sock yarn from the "a swell yarn shp" site and another pattern called Falling Leaves; some leaf shaped chocolate and a cool little tote bag that comes all folded up inside a little mini-tote. Perfect for keeping in my purse so when I go to the store for just a couple items I can use it instead of taking home another plastic bag.

On the knitting front, the hoodie is almost: That is it’s a complete sweater minus the hood and pocket. With gauge issues behind me, this turned out to be a very quick knit. The only part of the pattern I changed was that I knitted it mostly in the round instead of flat as the pattern calls for. I switched to working back and forth for the raglan shaping only because of using two colors. I worked the color sections like intarsia. Otherwise in one color I would have just worked in the round right up to the neck shaping. Hopefully I’ll have a finished picture to post in the next day or so.