Confused

830am: Outside there is a HUGE weird strange blueness. There is also a peculiar lightness. Could this be what sunshine looks like? Sadly there are still those gray clouds but maybe sometime today they will clear.

Edited 11am: Darn it. Those gray clouds and the fog are winning. The lightness and blueness seem to be gone again.

Edited 2pm: There is that blueness and lightness again. Its almost like the sun and the gray clouds/fog are having an arguement. Even as I type the gray clouds are moving back in. The gray clouds are winning the day but the sunshine is having its moments. Maybe tomorrow will be cheerier?

Rosy Pink

My socks are finished. The Mighty Zetor is finished. The sky outside has been so dark and rainy that any chance for photos just hasn't happened. Hence dog pictures three days straight.

I'm pretty overwhelmed by my inbox at the moment. I managed to get through of all of the March emails and some of the April emails last night, but I suspect that it might just be time to give in and say THANK YOU to everyone who sent such nice comments about all the stuff I finished in April. THANK YOU to everyone that sent Chris and I well wishes on the wedding. A huge THANK YOU to each of you just for being you. I really value my knitting friends which is why I try to answer all the emails. I think April has just been too busy and crazy and rather then let it overtake me I think this is the best way to go. So THANK YOU ever so much for being such cool people.

Rosy pink today because Kathy suggested pink next and I have to do two pinks because there is this gorgeous shade and there is the pretty shade that is pale pink.

Sleeps

Hi dis Gus. How's going? I's been busys make sleeps. I sleeps on floor. I sleeps on chair. I try sleeps on mom lap but she say no. She say "leg sleeps", but I not know what she talk bout. I think she just be mean to me. I sleeps on mat now stead.

I likes sleeps, specilly on foggs rainy day. Sleeps good. I reals want sleeps bad too, but moms make clicky sounds right in face. Stop make clicky sounds? Pease! Loves all you. I sleeps more now. Loves, Gus

Abby Girlie as a Girlie

Miss Abigail at about 8 months old at our old house. She's such a crazy girlie. She loved that couch and I wonder if she wonders what we did with it that she can't sit on it anymore.

Wee small craft update. My second sock is at the heel. The quilt has been basted and is ready for me to decide how to quilt it. I'm trying to decide if I want to quilt it outright. Probably in straight lines since I'm not very skilled at the curve thing yet and this isn't staying in my house. If I want to tie it, which I think would be super cute, but wasn't sure that it would be good that way for a baby quilt? Or if I wanted to do a combo. Any thoughts?

Speed Quilting?

This quilt is crib or lap sized. Its 45x54 without the binding. Its meant for my boss's first grandchild. She's due in May so I thought I ought to get moving on this if I was going to have it done anywhere near on time.

Things are slowing down on this now. I have a lot of ironing to do for the backside before the basting, quilting and binding bit. That's going to take a bit, but so far I'm really enjoying this process.

Also I just realized about 30 minutes ago that I totally forgot to block the mighty zetor shawl. So as soon as the dogs are up from their naps (in the room where the shawl is currently) I'm going to run upstairs and block it so I can show it to you really really soon.

Quilting

I spent most of the day working on this quilt. Its a crazy nine patch using up bits of fabric that I had at least enough of to make a nine inch square.

Each little square is 8x8. There is a cool nine patch block tutorial at AllSorts which I found today via Google.

I'm working on cutting strips and such for the edges of the squares right now. I'll be sewing that up as soon as they are done.

I had a couple of helpers this afternoon while I was laying out squares for the photoshoot.

I did get the first Target sock finished yesterday actually this morning very very early.

Doesn't it look rather like an eyeball??

Ankle Thong?

She called it an ankle thong in the pattern description and really does it look like she's wrong?

The picture above is pretty close to the actual colors. Sure is interesting looking though isn't it?

Also I took this picture last night after I took the pictures for the blog. Isn't it lovely? Its given me an idea for a pair of socks but that pair is a bit down in the queue sadly.

Working On

The Mighty Zetor is finished. I'm going to block it tomorrow so hopefully you'll see that early next week? Sunday? Something like that. I've finished the second set of socks to test knit my design I can't show you yet. So what's next?

I am entranced with these socks. Though I need to start them over because I want a slightly smaller needle because Chris and I are in agreement that they are very very loosly knit on my normal needles.

I'm also planning to cast this yarn on for a pair of socks soon. The yarn and the pattern have been waiting for ages.

And my next lace project yarn is ready for the needles as well. Bring on the summer sunshine.

We spent the evening playing

I have more emails in my inbox then I can possibly think about. I'm going to get it cleaned out this weekend. So expect me to fill your inboxes. Or at least to say hi.

Rather then doing anything boring the dogs and I decided to play the crazy game. There aren't any rules other then acting crazy. I played with my camera too. These were taken on the "pet" setting. I don't like the flash so am not that fond of these as images but I LOVE the expressions on the dogs faces and it certainly captures the memory well enough.

Isn't Abby crazy? Notice the only one missing is Ozzy? He's hiding behind the couch but as soon as I would try and go over there he'll disappear.

My girlies.

Aren't they cute? I guess you guys knew that...

I love this last one of Abby. That is some serious shaking.

PS. I am "watching" PBS (also known as letting the TV make noise to calm down the dogs a bit after crazy game) and Ocean Adventure with Cousteau just came on. When the announcer came on and said adventure Abby got so happy and ran to where her leash is. Guess she knows that word now. Usually I use it to mean going to the park in the Mini.

Ok a new pattern it is!

Bamboo Socks

Pattern: Bamboo Socks (see pattern below - made up by me as I went along) (my ravelry project)
Materials: .9 skein Bird in Hand Sock Yarn in the colorway Spring Green, Peach and Pale Yellow (about 360 yards at a gauge of 8 stitches per inch)
Made for: Me
Needle: US1.5 32" Addi Turbo Circular
Start Date: 15 April 2009
Completion Date: 20 April 2009
Size: 11m

Pattern: Written for magic loop. If there is desire I can probably spend more then the 30 minutes it took to write this up and actually make a PDF and maybe make it available on Ravelry. Do you guys think I should write this up??? Also kind of wonder if someone else thought of this but I didn't bother to check. I just let the yarn knit itself...

Um I should also say that this hasn't been test knit so if you knit it up and find an error or weirdness please let me know!

Cast on 64 stitches in ribbed cast on for 2x2 ribbing or use your favorite cast on. Begin Leg.
Rows 1-25: K2P2 across
Row 26: K across
Row 27-45: P2K2 across
Row 46: K across
Row 47-60: K2P2 across
Row 61: K across
Row 62-70: P2K2 across
Row 71: K across
Row 72-75: K2P2 across

Turn work. Continue on second needle for heel flap.

Slipped Stitch Heel - Repeat 16 times.
Row 1: k2, p to end
Row 2: p2, *k1, sl 1* to last 2 sts, k2

Heel Turn
With wrong side facing,
Sl 1, p 16, p2tog, p1, turn
Next row: sl 1, k4, ssk, k1, turn
Next row: sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn
Next row: sl 1, k6, ssk, k1, turn
Next row: sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn
Next row: sl 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn
Continue until all stitches have been knit. Finish on RIGHT side row (knit across all stitches if needed.) (16 stitches I think!)

Next Bit - I had nothing to do with the creation of this, so full credit goes to Erica of Dreams in Fiber for this gusset which rocks and which closes the hole at the join everytime! Erica tell me if you don't want me to use this here. I just basically followed your directions so I wasn't sure what else to put here.

Pick up the heel flap sts.
Using the needle holding the heel stitches (ndl 1): pick up 16 garter stitches along the heel flap, pick up 1 or 2 extra st between the heel flap and the instep (to close the gap), place marker, k across 16 instep stitches in pattern (see below for continued sequence to follow). Switch to the other needle (ndl 2).

Using needle 2: continue across second half of the instep stitches (16 sts) in pattern, place marker, pick up 1 or 2 extra st between the heel flap and the instep (to close the gap), pick up 16 heel flap sts, continue to knit across 8 heel sts.

Gusset:
Set up Row:
Needle 1: k across the heel and heel flap sts until you reach 2 sts before join, ssk, slip marker, continue to knit across the instep stitches in pattern.
Needle 2: k across the instep stitches in pattern, slip marker, k2tog, k to end

Decrease Rows:
Row 1: Needle 1: k to 3 stitches before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, knit instep stitches in pattern
Needle 2: k across instep stitches in pattern, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to end
Row 2: Needle 1: K to marker, slip marker, continue across instep stitches in pattern
Needle 2: k across instep stitches in pattern, slip marker, k to end

**Repeat these 2 rows until there are 16 sole sts left on each needle.**

Redistribute stitches so instep stitches are on needle 1 and sole stitches are on needle 2. Continue knitting instep in pattern and sole in stocking stitch until 2 inches shy of the toe.

Pattern for instep: (follows from leg at row 76)
Row 76: K across
Row 77-85: P2K2 across
Row 86: K across
Row 87-100: K2P2 across
Row 101: K across
Row 102- 120: P2K2 across
Row 121: K across
Row 122-145: K2P2 across (or until 2 inches to toes)

* Advice for longer feet. I have very long feet and found it looked nicest to Repeat rows 61-75 again, while working the gusset (i.e. as part of the instep), before continuing to Row 76 and on down the foot. This added about an inch and a half. Advice for shorter feet would simply be to stop sooner or to add a row or two to each set of ribbing and leave off the Rows 122-145. Hopefully that all makes sense.*

Toe:
Row 1: decrease on each needle as follows *k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1* (30 stitches remaining on each needle)
Row 2-3: K across
Row 4: decrease (28 stitches remaining)
Row 5-6: K across
Row 7: decrease (26 stitches remaining)
Row 8-9: K across
Row 10: decrease (24 stitches remaining)
Row 11-12 : K across
Row 13: decrease (22 sts per ndl)
Row 14: K across
Row 15: decrease (20 sts per ndl)
Row 16: K across
Row 17: decrease (18 sts per ndl)
Row 18: K across
Row 19: decrease (16 sts per ndl)
Row 20: K across
Row 21: decrease as follows *ssk, K12, k2tog*(14 sts per ndl)

Cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to kitchner final stitches closed. Usually about 12 inches for me.

Gus Gus

Hi! My names Gus. Gus. I lots cute. Moms loves me. She play wit me nights. Abbys too. Byes evybodys! Now Moms PLAYs!!!

Gus and I decided that I just don't have time to blog the finished project that I was intending to blog tonight (who can resist that face??) because he and I need to play a little ball and maybe take a little nap (him not me) so therefore I am just too busy. So tomorrow night a finished project and a new pattern for you! Tonight lots of fetch, a bit of tug, a little chewing, and something called napping...whatever that is...

Sunshine of Your Love

Pattern: Garter Stitch Scarf in Two Directions (made up by me as I went along) (my ravelry project)
Materials: 2 Skeins Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop in Sunshine of Your Love
Made for: Me
Needle: US7 32" Addi Turbo Circular
Start Date: 10 April 2009
Completion Date: 15 April 2009
Size: 60" x 6"

Notes: Love this scarf. The Sock Hop yarn is SO soft. Its warm and squooshy and its going to get a lot of wear next winter. I really had only one issue with the yarn. If it is fingerling weight, also known as "sock" weight. Why is it knitting up like DK or actually really worsted weight? This yarn would have made such incredibly THICK socks. I wanted to make socks but I don't like socks this thick so pretty garter scarf it is.

I cast on 240 and knit for 32 rows. I cast off with a sewn cast-off ala Elizabeth Zimmerman. I really really hate it but its extra good and stretchy and a regular cast off just wouldn't work with the stretchy garter. Then I picked up 32 stitches along one end and knit in the other direction until half the remaining yarn was gone. Cast-off again in the sewn cast-off. I did the same on the other end. Wove in the ends and called it a day. Isn't it fabulous and rustic looking. I love handspun in garter stitch.

Not sure what else I should tell you about it. I cast this on the day we drove down to Austin for the wedding. Knit on it over the weekend and at lunch for a couple of days this last week. Easy and mindless seemed the way to go when your going to be at a wedding.

Oh yeah. I used up ALL the yarn. This is what is left and I actually ended up using a couple of ends to finish the cast off of the last edge because I didn't leave enough to do it with the working yarn.

Also I love how the scarf looks in color and in black and white. I love the rustic look of this scarf.

Random Photos

Yesterday waiting for a treat or better yet some petting...

:: :: ::

The front garden is in bloom with more then roses now (though the rose bushes are totally and completely filled right now too).

There are others coming in soon that have yet to bloom but these two are so lovely.

:: :: ::

The back woods are a gorgeous shade of deep green. I love looking back at this gorgeous color.

:: :: ::

Bulldogs in the backseat on the way back from the wedding. The white thing in front of them is the bag my wedding dress is in.

:: :: ::

An abandoned barn just barely away from my house. Almost home. After the wedding. One day maybe I'll drive down this street when it isn't so busy and try to really photograph this building.

Yay!!

Robyn sent me an awesome birthday present!

Vesper Sock yarn in pumpkin spice. I've never tried Vesper and I'm excited to have my hands on some so I can! It looks most like this picture below and not the one above. I remember commenting a long time back on her blog that I really liked this skein. She remembered! How awesome is that.

She also sent along a cute orange glass ring, a set of a non-dangling stitch markers (so useful for socks!) and a really cute stitch marker that says Bea.

Such a wonderful birthday gift. Thank you so so much Robyn!!

Gus and Abby wanted to say hi too.

Green Bean Pair

This is the last of the finished projects from Christmas and the wedding that I can show right now. There is still the actual project called Green Bean that I can't show because it hasn't been published yet. Also there are going to be three (3!) pairs of a certain sock pattern that I have been writing sometime in the future once its been "published" in a sock club. But neither of these things are for a little while yet. There are also a couple of projects in the works that I haven't had time to post since I've been showing all these other things finished SO long ago!

Pattern: Fetching from Knitty (my ravelry project)
Materials: .8 of a skein of Moda Dea Silk n Wool Blend in pea green colorway (So very very soft and cushy!)
Made for: Mom
Needle: US#6 Addi Turbos 32"
Start Date: 13 February 2009
Completion Date: 15 February 2009
Size: Size in pattern as written.

Notes: I knit these to go with the Green Bean. I wasn't sure what to do with a random amount of leftover yarn and I felt like I wanted something else to pair with green bean. My brain kicked in and said how about mitts! (I think a lot of people have been knitting mitts that I have been seeing around.) This yarn was the right gauge for the fetching mitts and so I started knitting.

It seems like a lot of people leave off the picot edge but I thought it was cute so it stayed. I did however add one repeat of the cable to the hand and the wrist so as to make these have a little more coverage. Even with my mods these were a SUPER quick knit.

The creep factor is pretty high for this photo shoot. I removed Laci's arms and positioned them how I wanted. Its creepy but at the same time fun because the pictures wouldn't have turned out nearly so well had I left her arms attached to her torso. At least I managed to get the arms on the correct sides. I did not however manage to get the Holga right side up. Ah well. One can only ask for so much...

Another image because I couldn't decide what to post even though I am pretty much out of what to say about them. I hope they are well loved in their new home.

Prosody

Prosody:
Noun

1: the study of versification ; especially : the systematic study of metrical structure
2: a particular system, theory, or style of versification
3: the rhythmic and intonational aspect of language (I like this one best)

There is something rhythmic and appealing to the language of knitting. We make the same shapes and patterns and stitches over and over again. The order we make them gives them their meaning and purpose. Sometimes we just have to follow the rhythm and keep going. In this case this scarf allowed me to pick up and leave off easily while working late, when my mind was on so many other things in January and February. It was a little bit of rhythm in the craziness of my long and eventful days.

It also reminds me of that song as a kid where the words of the second and onward verses were simply written as "second verse same as the first" and you would yell/sing that sentence really loud and then start the song over. Now I can't figure out what that song was but I'm up to three verses.

So this is my song for my father and brothers.

Pattern: One Row Scarf by the Yarn Harlot. (my ravelry project) Times three.
Materials: 1.66 skeins each of Dream in Color Classy in Tea Party, Grey Tabby, and Black Pearl
Made for: Dad and two brothers
Needle: US#8 Addi Turbos 16"
Start Date: 1 January 2009
Completion Date: 15 February 2009
Size: 34 stitches by 500 rows. For a total of 51000 stitches. I'm writing this because I hadn't really ever though about how many stitches to make up a scarf. Not to mention that the black scarf was fully knit into two other patterns before I finally decided this was the way to go and started my knitting rhythm.

Notes: I've knit this pattern before of course. Love it. Its mindless knitting for me. Excellent traveling knitting. Might not replace the sock for me but super fun to do anyway. I didn't really make any changes other then to add a few stitches. I also didn't block or pin them out. I simply washed them and let them dry flat because those wonky ribs and twisted stitches are part of what makes this pattern so interesting and appealing to look at for me. I wanted to keep that effect. I am going to note that I had to wash and microwave the yarns with some vinegar as they were not colorfast and were changing the colors of my fingers as I tried to knit them.

I knit three mostly because I wanted one for both of my brothers and for my dad. I have something else in mind for dad too but it needs more planning and more time and so its being held off for a future date. My thought was that the black would go to my oldest brother, the red to the other brother and the gray to my dad. Not that they can use the until next winter anyway, but at least they will have them ready.

WIllow

Once Chris has processed some wedding images I'll put one up with my dress if you can see it in the images. The natural color matched my dress perfectly and was just shiny enough to be extra special. In the mean time I have images taken in the car on the way to the first reception location and a couple from the backyard yesterday afternoon. Of course I can also get back in my dress and do a little photo shoot if we didn't get any good images of the shawl during photo time...

Pattern: Myrtle Leaf Shawl with Willow Border from Victorian Lace Today. (my ravelry project)
Materials: 2.7 Skeins Indie II in Natural from Little Knits. Matches the ivory of my dress exactly.
Made for: Me
Needle: US7 32" Addi Turbo Circular
Start Date: 13 December 2008
Completion Date: Knitting finished 31 December 2008, Blocked with ends woven in 15 February 2009
Size: 7 feet by 21 inches

Notes: I made no adjustments to the pattern. I just knit and knit and knit until it was done and beautiful and all I could possibly hope it would be.

(This is actually the purl side of the shawl. Still so pretty!)

In fact I bought the book because I really really really wanted this shawl as my wedding shawl once I had seen it. Its simple and beautiful and just classic enough to seem heirloom without looking dowdy or old. Happily I expect that I'll wear the shawl for other events too but I'll probably save it for special events. We have enough of those that I'll get to wear it but not so many that it will start looking old and worn too fast.

Wedding Roses for Kitzy and Izzy

Wedding pictures will happen sometime. There aren't a whole lot because the three main photography people in the family were in the wedding. Also its been requested by certain people that I not post their images so I'll have to filter them even further. I'm planning to write up a post about the wedding day soon though its not done yet. In the meantime I have a bunch of stuff to show still so the blog will be busy with projects.

Pattern: Rose from Mypicot. (my ravelry project)
Materials: Some random merino, mohair, nylon yarn I think I bought to make frosting on a cupcake for my mom and this is what was left over. (Actually there is still a bit left so I'm sure this will pop up as something again.)
Made for: Kitzy and Izzy
Needle: 3.25mm crochet hook
Start Date: 20 February 2009
Completion Date: 20 February 2009
Size: About 2.5 or 3 inches across.

My maids needed roses for their hair. I had a hard time finding something I really liked in enough quantity for the girls to have two a piece. These are really beautiful, super easy, and I'm really pleased with how they came out. These might have been the roses that I picked for the bouquet project if I thought there were that many crocheters out there.

I added bobby pins to the back of each. Blonde for Kitzy and bronze for Izzy.

The Mypicot site is an excellent crochet resource for translating from US terms to British terms and vice versa. Definitely recommend it.

Something Blue

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Penny in your shoe.

Pattern: Willow Garter. My own. (my ravelry project)
Materials: Small bit of leftovers from my wedding shawl. Indie II from Little Knits.
Made for: Me
Needle: US#3 Addi Turbos 24"
Start Date: 20 February 2009
Completion Date: 21 February 2009
Size: Bigger then it needed to be. I figure that just makes it fuller.

Notes: There were actually 3 versions of garters before this. I just didn't really like any of the patterns that were available. When I tried them I was just so displeased. I decided that I should invent my own. So I used the willow border stitch from my shawl and made some eyelets for ribbon. I'm really pleased with how this turned out.

I'm hesitant to make a pattern for this because I stole the stitch from my shawl and therefore from the Victorian Lace Today book. Also I am really pleased with my ability to just make up a pattern as I went along. That way I got exactly what I wanted.

I forgot to account for the stretch of lace when I blocked it so I did make it a bit bigger then needed but I figure that just makes it full. It was very full on Laci's leg but frankly her legs are a lot nicer, smoother, and skinnier then mine so there is NO way I would be showing off my leg for you. Frankly I'm more modest then that anyway.

Something Borrowed

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Penny in your shoe.

I'm not actually for sure what this will be. I think Chris' Mom is bringing one of his grandmothers broaches for me to wear pinned into my dress. I hope anyway because I don't what my borrowed will be if she's forgotten. So I'll show a picture tomorrow of whatever this ends up being.

Also YAY TOMORROW IS THE DAY!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!

Something New

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Penny in your shoe.

I bought this to go over the top of my veil. The area there is very plain. I thought this would make it a little more beautiful without being too much.

Something Old

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Penny in your shoe.

Years and years ago my great grandmother embroidered and crocheted these hankies for my grandmother. They are a beauty unto themselves which I think speaks for itself.

My grandmother passed them on to me some years ago and I'm so happy to have these and to carry the love of these two women with me on this special day.

Purple

I know. Two in one week. This is a cop-out on posting for the evening. I give you PURPLE.

More little knitting

Here are some pictures of garter stitch to hold you over. Chris and I are trying to find a hotel tonight since we are switching our reservations to be closer to my parents house. Its a bit more difficult at this last minute then we expected. Who knew so many people traveled on Easter?

Blue

I can't remember if I've done blue yet or not but it seemed like a really good day to go ahead and do it given yesterday's loss.

I'm having one of those days where there is a bunch of stuff floating around in my head, but none of it is coming together to form concrete ideas.

I'm working on an idea for a small quilt for my bosses first grandchild and then immediately after another small quilt for his second grandchild. The first will be a girl and is due to arrive in May. The second at the end of the summer (late August I think). I actually work indirectly with the father of the second baby too. I'm not sure what it will be yet. I'm excited about the quilts though and I'm hoping to actually get started on them during the last two weekends of this month and get at least the first finished. I'm hoping to use the squares/rectangles from the corners of the small bags for the first quilt. Just the more feminine patterned fabrics. I tried to find a picture online but can't find exactly what I am thinking of. I have a vague hope that the second baby will be a boy because I have a fun idea that might be more appropriate for a boy.

I also have a new sock pattern floating around in my head waiting for me to make it take shape. I really need to finish the one I am working on for Robyn's sock club first, but the idea is forming in my head already. Soon. I haven't started another sock since frogging the sock for Madness. I've just been pretty busy so I've been working on a small scrap project which is actually also a pattern I've been thinking about which I'm trying to make happen. I think I worked out how to do what I want at lunch today. Just a lot of testing now. Experimenting. Other then that I've managed to knit another repeat on the shawl. So I've done the neck and two pattern repeats for the body. Its slow going because I'm finding it easier to work a full repeat when I work on it which means I really need an hour and a half or two hours. Obviously that isn't easy to find in my normal day to day life.

Other things in my head right now are not craft related, stuff like weddings and upcoming appointments and the blah blah blah of normal life. I think I like the crafting thoughts best.

I'm off now to go experiment, read some, and play with my puppies who are right now begging for attention. (Also the picture of Abby wearing the e-collar in the above mosaic is old. She hasn't done anything to herself to need one again. So no worries.)

30

I'm happy and sad today. There isn't another way to say that. I'll start with the happy bit.

I attempted to take my own picture today. I know I could have asked Chris but what fun is that? More fun to face the mirror and use it to line up the photo in the view finder. Stick out my arms and snap a photo. So this is what 30 looks like for me. Somehow it feels just the same as 29 did. Imagine that.

Everyone came out to say hi to me today. Though they did a lot of sleeping other then when I woke them for photos. Lazy bums. They did enjoy dog "ice cream" and cat treats with dinner tonight.

Even Chris has hung out with me most of the weekend! NOT working. Amazingly sweet of him. We carried the dogs upstairs and watched Quantum of Solace this afternoon. That was a really good movie. I like Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Chris always makes stupid/silly faces when I take his photo. So there's nothing to post there because I am nice enough not to post him looking not so good. Except for that butter knife up his nose because really if your going to do that you might really deserve that to be on the internet. I'll post another of me. Not the greatest photos but this should answer everyone's question about what I look like. Though I've posted a picture of myself before too. I'm looking forward to seeing what this decade brings.

Now for the sad. Everyone remembers Miss Ashley from our trip to Santa Fe? She passed away this afternoon. It was sudden and somewhat unexpected. I say somewhat because she was at least 11 if not more. She'd slowed down in the last couple of years. This afternoon she was sick and Kitzy's boyfriend took her to the vet. Before the vets could figure out what was wrong she had passed. She was very very loved and will be very very missed.

Dilemma

I'm having issues. I really like the new pattern for Sock Madness. I think its interesting and its fun to knit. Maybe not the best way for me to take a dip into doing colorwork, but why not? Here's what it looks like. I'm acutally a little farther then this now. Down the heel, turn, and nearly down the gusset (so 12 rows into the foot).

So if I like this one and its fun and a good pattern then what's my issue? Well I haven't got a use for a double thick sock. It got to 20oF at the coldest here. It also only did that one day out of the whole winter. Usually we are more in the 40s or 50s. So not that cold. So basically this sock isn't wearable for me. So mostly I feel like I am wasting time because I know I'll rip this out and I really like the combination so I'll end up reknitting it with stripes or something. Why not start that now? What do you guys think I should do? There is also the option of knitting them Laci sized and then ripping them out after the photo. Though that doesn't solve the wasted time dilemma.

The other part of this dilemma that I seem to have forgotten to mention when I first posted this is that I signed up for sock madness and basically I feel like that means that I should see it through until I am out due to being slow. Not just because I don't have a use for a pattern or dislike a pattern. So that makes me feel like I should keep going. Two parts of me are warring.

ETA: Nevermind. It doesn't really fit. Its very very short for the length I like socks. Its quite tight and the heel is so loose that its full of holes. Also the ribbing (done at 72 stitches) is WAY to loose. It keeps falling down so I get triple thick socks where it doubles over the patterned stitches. So I think I'm just going to frog and call it a bust.

PiGs iN MuD

This is post 700. Can you believe it?? I figured it should have a finished project. That seems only right for celebrating.

Pattern: Plain Jane Sock by Me (my Ravelry project)
Materials: About .9 of a skien of Sunnyside Ellen Louet Gems Fingering in colorway Pigs In Mud.
Made for: Me
Needle: 2.5mm 40" addi turbos
Start Date: 29 March 2009
Completion Date: 3 April 2009
Size: 11m

Notes: Not a lot to say on this one. Just a very very basic sock pattern and less then creative photography. Its pretty though and the striping was certainly a cool surprise.

Also I love the heels and don't mind a bit that the stripes don't line up.

Since Abby decided to be unbelievably cute this afternoon I have a dog picture for you too. (As though she really has a choice to be cute or not. Ha.)

Can you tell I'm taking it easy this week??

More dogs. Do you think they want something? More posting tomorrow when I have some time in my day.

Been Knitting

I've been knitting instead of posting or reading blogs tonight. Imagine that. Getting a lot done. My sock is now done. On to the second but first I think I'll do a bit of a shawl repeat. Here are some dogs.