Friday, August 31, 2007

Happy

This makes me happy:I finally just sucked it up and frogged the heel, added an inch to the foot, then reworked the heel. Much less painless than having a sock that made my toes curl up. And not in a good way.

This makes me happy:An old-fashioned bell for my old-fashioned bike.

These make me unreasonably happy: I mean, what 34-year-old doesn't need a pair of patent leather Mary Jane-style ballet flats?
And, friends? This makes me very happy:

My first attempt at colorwork. Yes, it is bigger on one side than on the other. Yes, the gauge isn't perfectly even. I'm still thrilled with it. It's a swatch for a little sweater that I will make for Rose. And if Rose's works out, I will make a matching one for myself. Happiness!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

One Year

This blog is a year old!


This time last year, Lena and Rose looked like this:

Just babies! Now they are "big girls" and so funny together.

A sample of dialogue from yesterday's visit --

Lena: (holds up a stack of colored wooden disks) "I made a birthday cake! Rose, sing 'Happy Birthday!'"

(both girls sing)

Rose: "That cake smells delicious!"

Lena: "It's a splendid birthday cake!"

At the time of this writing, Rose is supposed to be having a nap. I've already been upstairs three times to remind her of this. The second time was because she had reached through the bars of her crib to turn off the nursery monitor. The third time was because I could hear her jumping on the bed. Now she's up there saying "huevos con papas" over and over again. In different voices. High, low, slow. "Hueeeevoooos con paaapaaaaas." If it weren't so funny, I'd be losing my mind. She's been great with naps all summer; now Andy's gone back to school and it's like she's forgotten how to sleep.

In knitting news, I'd started another pair of toe-up socks and worked the heel too soon, which became obvious when I tried them on after starting the ankle rounds. I know I've got to frog it back, but I don't want to. So I'm at this stupid impasse with myself: I know the sooner I rip the heel out, the sooner I can get back to work on it and make the foot the right length, but I just hate the idea of going backwards. *Sigh* Well, I like to knit, right? I mean, it's my hobby. This just means I'll get to knit more.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Finished in August

These are the all-knit Monkey socks I started before our NYC trip. I borrowed the idea from Rachel at Sticks and Thread, who had borrowed it from someone else. It had occured to me, as I was knitting my first (normal) pair, that the pattern would look great if all the purls were replaced with knits, but her post really convinced me to try it.

Yarn used: Knit Picks Gloss in Cocoa. This yarn feels amazing on the feet. I've worn and washed them a handful of times already, and I am noticing a bit of fuzziness starting to happen where the socks meet the shoes, but nothing awful.

I also decided to use some leftover Lamb's Pride to learn to make mittens.

Not too bad, if I do say so myself.I had originally used this yarn to knit Coronet from Knitty, which I loved to knit and love to wear. Now I have mittens to match. There's even enough left to make a scarf, but I'm not crazy about the idea of a plain stockinette scarf in this heavy worsted, and cables would make it even bulkier. Perhaps a simple lace, I mean as simple as K2tog, YO, etc. for one row and knit the next, and repeat the two rows. Just something to create a loose, drapey fabric.

It's good to be home, and I'm trying to get back on track with the blogging. Here's one vacation pic: the obligatory Rockefeller Plaza shot.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

What kind of yarn?

This was kinda silly, and I'm not sure how the questions related to the end result, but it's eerily accurate. "Dishcloth cotton" also would have described me.









What kind of yarn are you?




You are Shetland Wool. You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a little on the harsh side. Though you look delicate you are tough as nails and prone to intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are widely respected and even revered.
Take this quiz!








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Thursday, August 16, 2007

Start 'em young

"Mama, can I knitting?"
"Sure, baby, here, I'll cast on for you"
"Oh, ganks. I love to knitting."
"I making you a sock, Mama!"

Friday, August 10, 2007

Here, not here

Dear friends,

I don't feel like blogging today. We got back early Monday morning and I haven't felt like blogging all week, but I wanted you to know that we weren't mugged and left for dead in NYC. In fact, we had a fantastic time, but I just don't feel like writing.

I'm good, everyone is good here at the Kilburns' home. I'll have pics and stories again soon. In the meantime, please to enjoy: