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.

Don't worry

Dear friends,

Yes, it's been a while... and it will be a while again, as Andy and I are going on a little trip to NYC. Without the baby. (blinks back tears) But we know we are going to have a great time, and she gets to spend the whole week with her Mimi and Papa, not to mention her cousins, so she won't even miss us.

Anyhow, I finished an all-knit Monkey, and it looks great, but you'll have to wait until we get back to see it because I've been too busy getting ready to go to take pictures of it. We're taking the train, not flying, so I'll probably have the second one done by the time we return.

See you in about a week!

Briefly

The bathroom has tile. I have a pair of Monkeys.We've got the final Harry Potter book.I'll see you all in a couple of days.

One Monkey done

Isn't it pretty? I can't believe how excited I am about a sock, for cryin' out loud. It took me a week to finish this first one. That's the shortest it's ever taken me to knit one sock. Must be the pattern.

I found this link to a knitter who used all knit stitches in her Monkey, and it looks amazing! Aren't they lovely and swirly and smooth? I'm going to borrow this idea for my next pair. Which I'll probably start as soon as this pair is done. I'm ill, I tell you.

A good time was had by all at the Wyandotte Street Art Fair this past week. The weather was just perfect. It was cool, breezy, and sunny. We saw two artists who really impressed us. One did Chinese-style paper cuts, and we bought this from her:

The other was exhibiting several really outstanding works of art, and this was his business card:Craig M. Linderman. Please check out his stuff -- it blew my mind. If you can find the one entitled "Face It" (it's under pen and ink), take a look at it. That was my favorite. I may have to order a print from his website.

Also had good, good friends visit from out of town. Monica and her family, including little Luke, who came to be deeply loved by Rose in a very short period of time.
Here they are bonding over Rose's Sesame Street toy. A very good time was had by all.

Feelin' the Monkey love

I have to say, when I started blogging, I never would have imagined typing the title above. Ahem.

But I SO am!Why does an interesting pattern seem to fly off the needles, while a similar length of stockinette feels like it takes days? In the meantime, here is Kiri with four repeats of the second chart. This will likely be the last picture I'll be able to take of this shawl all spread out, unless I buy a longer cable for my Options.

Our new tub (under its blankie) and walls. Tile should be going up soon -- I'm starting to get excited!

So much to share

but so little energy.The pair of toe-up socks are finished, and I am pleased. I like the short-row heel, and I like the striping pattern. These are supposed to be for my sister, but I am very tempted to keep them for myself. Yarn: Steinbach Wolle Strapaz Cotton Effek. Started: April ?, 2007. Finished: July 7, 2007. Pattern: Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock.I cast on for a pair of Monkeys right away. I've been daydreaming about these all through knitting the second toe-up. I don't usually hop on the "popular knits" bandwagon, but Cara has been an effective evangelist for these, and I really do think they're cute socks. I'm using Regia Bamboo, which feels beautifully soft and springy in the skein.

Tagged along with my parents to Ikea yesterday. Holy cow. I haven't the words (or, again, the energy) to describe that crazy store. I wasn't going to buy anything. How all that stuff got home with me I'll never know.

Then Andy and Rose and I attended CityFest this morning, and, well, City Knits is right there. Honestly, how could I help myself?

That's Cascade Ecological Wool up above, and at 478 yards per skein, I'm expecting to get two sweaters out of those four skeins. Below is a selection of sock yarn; two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in pewter and some Brown Sheep Wildfoote. I've never tried either, but I've heard lots of good things about Lorna's Laces, and I've never been unhappy with any Brown Sheep yarn I've ever tried.

So much more to share, but I'm so wiped out from all the shopping and the constant battle with the construction dust. We have a bathtub and walls now, though!