Also

Today is my blogiversary!

Da Da Da

(It works better if you can imagine the dramatic music along with the da da da)

I finally finished the first sock of doommy doom doom, other wise known as Child's First Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks. It took me close to six months to finish this sock. I cast on the first time on June 14. After knitting the cuff the first time I decided it was too big and ripped on with 8 fewer stitches...
which caused the sock to get stuck on my leg when I tried it on after the gusset. So in all fairness, I've knit this sock twice in that time. But now I have one finished, so ...

That's right! I cast on for the second one! This photo was taken after I had completed two repeats on the leg. I now have 4 1/2 repeats out of the 6 I have to do for the leg. Good thing too, because I decided that I am going to give them to my sister-in-law for Christmas. She is taking care of 4 kids right now while my brother is in basic, so she definitely deserves some hand knit love for the holidays. The yarn reminds me of Monet's Water Lillies, which is her favorite painting, so it's perfect.

I also decided to make my dad a pair this year. The only knit item he has from me is the first scarf I made out of cheapo acrylic, so it's time he got something.

The leg is now about 7 inches long now. I am using Austermann Step in a denim colorway (my label says 20-200115, but that's not on the website. I think it's 21.7789-20). I am using size 2 needles, which is nice. Unfortunately I sat on my sock bag, so I broke one. I need to go by my LYS to pick up some new ones.

However, I'm not going anywhere tonight. It is snowing and yucky out. It has given me opportunities to wear my new hat, though. It's only a little bit itchy, right where it touches my forehead. It only covers about 1/2 inch, so it's not bad. Also, I could find merino itchy if it was on my forehead. It's my curse as a knitter - I don't like to wear winter hats. Since this one's so pretty I will make an exception.

Remember my mom, the crafty one? She felt bad for me because I haven't had a Christmas tree in two years. My cat likes to pull off all the ornaments, and Purl just likes to destroy things. So she made me one!

It's hanging right over my couch and is so pretty and festive. I think it's what put me in the mood to knit for other people this year!

Finally, some temptation. These ladies are enablers! I know the list is meant to be given to other people for ideas, but I just want to buy something from every store they listed!

As promised...

I went to the Blues game last night. We won, which was a good thing, because I needed that excitement to get me through the rest of the night. We took the metro-link, St. Louis' version of public transportation. After the game we went to a friends, who lives near the rink. We thought we had until 12:30 to get back to the metro stop, since the sign said the last run west was at 12:45. I assumed that the last train west would go ALL THE WAY west. At 12:45 we hopped on the correct train, only to be told at the next stop that it was the last one and everyone had to get off! So we were stranded at Union Station at 1 am. Luckily (it seemed at the time) one of the people with me got a hold of a relative to come get us. Only after we got picked up did we realize we may have been better off trying to catch a cab. Luckily everyone made it home safely, but it was a stressful night.

In knitting related news, I finally photographed Foliage!

I haven't worn it much yet, since I live in Missouri and we are having some crazy weather. In the last two days we went from 40 degrees to 70, back to 40. I took this photo this morning on my back porch with short sleeves on. It was comfortable out side in said short sleeves. Now, it is freezing out. Hopefully I will get more chances to wear the hat!

All in all, this is a good project. It took me less then a week to knit, used up stash yarn, was well written, and kept me interested.

Here's a shot on the progress on Oblique, as well.

I haven't figured out to lighten images or correct the color on my photo editing software yet, and didn't want to take the time to figure it out now. The top photo shows the true color better, but is just a little too dark. The bottom photo is lighter and shows the detail better, but looks gray as opposed to navy blue.

Well, back to knitting. Christmas is only 23 days away!

Good Times

I am working on two projects right now, both of which may end up being frogged. I think this decision will be one that waits to the last minuet, though. I have turned the heel and finished the gusset on the child's first sock (finally). I'm not sure if I like the way it fits, but since it's still on the needles I can't really tell yet, so I'm going to wait until I finish the toe to decide. I have also cast on for Oblique, which I love. The problem is that I don't know if this sweater really fits in with my wardrobe and style. I tend to wear really plain sweaters. For now I think I am going to keep knitting the back before I decide, because so far it's fun to knit.

I finished the hat, but between needing someone to take pictures and needing new batteries for my camera - no pictures yet.

Also - mainly because I need a picture - this was frogged. It was my first toe up attempt, and I don't think I did it right - there were some major holes by the gusset. It is not fun to undo a sewn cast-off. There was a lot of cutting and cursing.

It's Lorna's Lace Baltic Sea, which is apparently my favorite color way. Any time I find variegated Lorna's that I like it's this color way. I think I am going to knit Thrifty Knitter's Woodlawn Shawl with it, though it may end up being plain jane socks. We'll see.

The Proof

This is where I was on Foliage when I originally posted on Sunday.

This is where I am now. Just one more lace repeat and the ribbing.

After working on the same projects all summer long, it sure is nice to be close to finishing something.

Foliage

Hi! I've been knitting! I have no actual proof of this knitting, since I am at work and the camera batteries are dead, but I promise you I am telling the truth. I cast on for Foliage yesterday using leftover Lamb's Pride worsted in Raspberry. I love love love this yarn (plus I may be over-caffeinated right now, which could explain the enthusiasm). I originally purchased the yarn two years ago to make my mother a pair of Fuzzy Feet for Christmas. The pattern called for two skeins. I only used a little bit of the second skein to finish the toe on the second slipper, so I have most of the skein left. I am a little worried about the itch factor, since there is a little bit of mohair in the yarn and I tend to have problems with hats anyway, but the yarn is so dang soft that I decided to risk it.
I ripped the Little Red Riding Hoodie from Domiknitrix, which really didn't have a lot of progress on it. I decided that I really didn't need a knit hoodie, and since the whole grafting the pockets AND sewing in a zipper seemed a little advanced for me I decided to scrape the project. Now I have 12 skeins of Cascade 220 in navy. I think I am going to cast on for Hourglass from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I cast on last weekend, knit 6 rows, changed my mind on the yarn for the pattern, ripped out the 6 rows, then realized I didn't have enough of the other yarn so changed my mind back. I have yet to recast on. I will though. Eventually. Soon. I have wanted to knit this sweater for a while, because it is the perfect combination of casual-cozy and stylish, so I could wear it to work when I want to be comfy without feeling like I look like a schlump.
Work is still being done on both Orangina and the child's first socks.

Also, the blues lost last night. To the Blackhawks. This does not make me a happy camper.

Brotherly Love

My big brother left for basic training for the army on Tuesday (I was going to include a picture, but since I've never asked him how he feels about pictures being posted on the internet, I figured it might not be a good idea. I also wanted to post pictures of my ridiculously adorable nieces and nephews, but for the same reason I won't). I couldn't be happier for or prouder of him. He has four adorable kids and a wonderful wife. He has wanted to join the military since high school but for one reason or another never did. He is finally doing what he wants, and in the process was able to choose a really, really cool career path.