I knit, therefore I . . . blog?

So yeah, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?  There have been some ups and downs.  Last fall, we lost both my uncle and Pete’s grandmother (who had just turned 100 in June).  And last month, Pete was laid off, meaning we are both currently unemployed and job hunting.  On the up side, the holidays were nice, we are both healthy and happy, and some good opportunities have come our way.

As for knitting . . . . well, there hasn’t been all that much of that.  I was dealing with some wrist pain last fall that prevented me from knitting for more than five or ten minutes at a time.  That seems to have cleared up, although I’m pretty sure I have frozen shoulder now.  As painful as it is, I’m glad to find it doesn’t hinder my knitting as much as the wrist pain did.  So guess what that means?  It means . . . .




I finally finished a pair of socks!!!!  Yay!!!  I was originally knitting these for my ballroom dance teacher, but unfortunately we decided to take a break from our lessons before I finished them.  And now she’s left the studio, so if we go back she won’t be there anyway.  (And considering we have no jobs right now, going back is off the table for a while.)  So my “Socks for Juliet”  are now my “Socks (not) for Juliet”.

Here’s a look at the leg cable, and all of the sock info.

St. Brigid's Carnamoyle Stockings
Cast On: 16 November 2010
Completed: 6 February 2012
Yarn: Socks that Rock Heavyweight - Jasper
Needles: US4 (3.5mm) DPNs

So.  These socks.  They are pretty enough.  I love the cable pattern on the leg, but the seed stitch on the foot makes the whole thing a little too busy.  If I were to ever knit these again, I’d keep the ribbing on the foot but ditch the seed stitch for some stockinette.  That said, this pattern was such a mess that even with the corrections I found I needed to re-write and re-chart the whole thing anyway.  Maybe I was just too dense to understand the instructions?  Could be.  And the pattern was free so I can’t complain too much.  But it wasn’t my favorite.

Okay, no more ranting . . . . on to more knitting!!

Ketchup . . .

Well, it seems we are long over-due for some ketchup catch-up.  Although I suppose you don’t relish the fact that this post is peppered with lame little puns.

As you mayo may not know, I’ve been buying much more yarn than I’ve been knitting lately.  But at least I have finished one project.

I started these in August so I could complete a quick pair of socks for the Sock a Month knit-along.  The fact that they ended up taking me three months to knit really rubbed salt into my knitting wounds!

Little Pansy Socks (pattern is my own)
Cast On: August 2010
Completed: 14 November 2010
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Fixation Spray Dyed/Effects
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs

Now that this honey of a project is off the needles, I can move on to knitting some of the new yarns I bought at the fall fiber festivals.  But don’t worry, we can ketchup on those in another post. 

Not So Quick Socks . . .

Way back in February, I had been a slacker.  (Not to say I haven't been a slacker before, or even after, February . . . but for today let's let the rest of my slackerness slide.)  The end of the month was quickly drawing to a close and I hadn't even cast on a pair of February socks for Sock A Month 9.  So I did a very smart thing.  I dug out some pretty yarn and cast on a wee pair of socks, knowing that I could gift them to one of many new babies girls that would be arriving to my friends in the next couple of months.

February ended, and alas, the socks weren't finished.  March got underway, and the socks weren't finished.  March ended, and the socks weren't finished.  April got underway, and the socks weren't finished.  On Friday night, April finished up . . . and finally so did the socks!!!

Pieces of Eight Baby Socks

Cast on: 26 February 2010

Completed: 30 April 2010

Yarn: Zwerger Garn Opal Petticoat

Needles: US1 (2.25mm) DPN

Cute? Yes.  Fun?  You bet!  Quick?  Not so much . . . but that is entirely the fault of the knitter!

Remember that post . . .

that post where the last line read "I finished a pair of socks yesterday - let's see if I can get them posted before mid-April!" Well, it's mid-April.  And here are those socks I mentioned.  Bad, bad blogger.

Easy Aran Socks

Cast On: 20 November 2009

Completed: 31 January 2010

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool - Denim

Needles: US5 (3.75mm) DPNs

Quite honestly, I finished these socks so long ago I'm not sure what to say about them.  I remember I liked knitting the pattern.  And I can tell you they are thick, soft and warm - perfect for those cold hardwood floors in my house.   They go great with my blue Sock Monkey Jammies, and with my Blue Fleece Jammies with the Stars.  Which means I pretty much wore them non-stop in February and March.  Now that spring is here and my floors are warmer, I guess they get a little break over the summer.  At least they're finally get some glory on the blog!!

Finally, a finished pair of socks!!

You've probably noticed the blaring lack of Finished Objects on this here blog lately.  I blame the heat of summer for zapping my knitting mojo.  I blame the uncooperative Monkeys for slowing down my sock knitting.  I'll blame a host of other forces as soon as I can come up with them.

Luckily, the dry streak is over.  I have a FO.  Not only that, I have a sock FO!

Leftovers Baby Socks

Cast On: 18 September 2009

Completed: 21 September 2009

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Needles: US2 (2.75mm) DPNs

Well, okay, yes. They are baby socks. But they are socks none the less. And I'm not just trying to take the easy way out. I have a couple of friends who are pregnant, so baby socks are the perfect project to jump start my mojo.  Mindless enough to work on while watching the new Fall Line-Up on T.V.  Quick enough to finish in a couple of evenings.  And warm enough to keep the little baby toes toasty!

Sugar Free Socks for World Diabetes Day

www.worlddiabetesday.org

Today is World Diabetes Day, meant to raise awareness of diabetes.  In support of this, I'm dressed in blue, the official Diabetes Day color, and I have some things to share with you.  First up are some socks I knit for a dear Diabetes BlogPal to wear last month in a walk-a-thon.

Karen's Sugar Free Walk Socks

Cast on: 3 October, 2008

Completed: 19 October, 2008

Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino

Needles: US3 (3.25mm) DPNs

Needless to say, this pattern is near and dear to my heart.  And so is Crystal, so when she told me she wished she had a pair of these socks to wear on her walk, I didn't hesitate to knit them up for her.  It's a really fun and quick pattern, and a portion of all pattern sales is donated to the ADA.

Up next I wanted to raise you awareness a little.  I think my blog pals know more about diabetes than your average person, just from reading my posts.  But last week, my cousins alerted me to a misconception that I'm sure many people have.

As I pulled out my meter to test my blood sugar, someone said "It's really great that they have those new machines out.  You don't have to prick your finger anymore".  Yes, that is true . . . but there is a catch.  These "new machines" still need blood to run the test.  No, you don't necessarily have to prick your finger.  You can prick your arm.  You can prick your palm.  You can prick your thigh.  My family was surprised by this.  Watching the commercials on TV, which simply say you don't have to prick your finger, led them to believe your blood sugar could be read without drawing blood.  Maybe someday . . . but not yet.  As for me, I still prick my fingers, because the blood from your finger will give you the most accurate reading.

So, I hope I helped raise your awareness a bit more today. If you'd like to hear a little more, hop over to my diabetes blog and read today's post, A Day in my Diabetes Life. And if you see someone wearing blue today, ask them to tell you a little more about diabetes (and send them my regards!). 

Witch In A Blender

Okay, okay, I know it's been almost two weeks since Halloween.  But if you'll indulge me in this last catch-up post, I promise there will be no more Halloween talk until next October.

Trick or Treat Feet, which I posted about yesterday, was a swap.  That means, of course, I also put together a package for a secret buddy.  When the swap partners were passed out, I was delighted to find that I'd be spoiling Carole.  Pretty cool, since I've met her at various fiber fests.

After looking at her blog and peeking in her Ravelry notebook, I noticed she had already knit several pairs of socks in earthy fall colors.  So I knew I wanted  to send her something a little different.  After perusing Etsy, I found the perfect Halloween colorway and the socks were on the needles.

Unfortunately, when Uncle Jack took a turn for the worse, my knitting time and energies were funneled elsewhere.  I finished the socks late, took a quick picture, and sent them off with my apologies and some extra goodies.

Slipped Stitch Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks

Cast On: 9 October 2008

Completed: 2 November 2008

Yarn: RazzyTazzyKnits - Witch in a Blender

Needles: Clover Bamboo DPNs US2 (2.75 mm)

I didn't take a shot of the treats I packed up.  But don't worry, you can still have a peek.  Carole posted it all, and she's a much better photographer than I am!!

My weekend, in numbers . . .

6.3 - results of my A1C test at my doctor's appointment Friday morning!!  7.0 is good.  6.5 is better.  I've never been lower than 6.4, and it didn't last.  I wasn't sure I'd ever get back under 6.5, but I did it!!!  This is my best test result ever!

1.5 - number of hours it should've taken us to drive to Long Island for Pea's cousin's wedding on Friday.

5 - number of hours it actually took us.

45 - number of minutes we had to get showered and dressed before the luxury bus took us from the hotel to the wedding site.  (Somehow we made it)

2 - number of hours I lasted at the wedding before my migraine forced me to "lose" the few appetizers I had eaten.  (Not fun.)

0 - number of dinners eaten at the wedding, drinks drunk at the wedding, dances danced at the wedding.

27 - number of dollars it cost us to take a taxi back to the hotel so I could go straight to bed even though it was only 9:30.

dozens - number of family members we finally got to visit with at the post-wedding-day brunch on Saturday morning.  Luckily we made it to that.  The headache was gone, at long last, although I felt a bit hung over (and didn't even get to have the big party Friday night to make it all worth while!!)

3 - number of scary hours spent in the ER on Sunday  This time it was poor Pea and a weird "spot" on his tongue.  He has to go see a specialist this week, but it seems to be an icky side-effect to the acid reflux he's been experiencing.  (I'd tell you more, but it's too gross!)

34 - number of years old Pea turned yesterday.  We had a wonderful time celebrating this weekend (uuummmm, aside from the traffic and the migraine and the ER visit).

And last but not least,

1 - number of pairs of finished footies!!!

Pattern: My Own, based loosely on the Fetching Mitts

(but I knit the cables in pairs with one crossing front and one crossing back)

Cast On: 23 July 2008

Completed: 28 August 2008

Yarn: Elann Esprit - just one ball!!

Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) DPNs

Lazy days of summer . . . .

Actually, I haven't really been all that lazy. I've just been lazy when it comes to blogging. I've been working a lot on the house, off with Pea celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary (already!!! it goes so fast), and yes, knitting. Almost anything and everything except sitting in front of the computer. I guess that's what summer is all about, huh?

As for the knitting . . . . look, my "Shiny Happy Stripy Fun Socks" (with extra adjective added by Nancy) are done!

(Note: In my world, we pretend the neighbors don't notice and/or don't think it's odd when that girl takes pictures of socks in the front yard. We also pretend blog readers don't notice when an herb garden is more weeds than herbs. That keeps us very happy - la la la.)

Pattern: My fall-back generic sock pattern
Yarn: Happy Stripy Fun from Dye-O-Rama swap
Cast On: 31 May 2008
Completed: 23 June 2008
Needles: Knit Picks US3 (3.25mm) DPNs

Love 'em!!! It's far too hot to wear them, but I know they'll see a lot of action in the fall. They also have inspired me to try dying my own self-striping yarn. Well, no, that's not true. They've inspired me to THINK ABOUT trying to dye my own self-striping yarn. It is the Lazy Days of Summer after all . . . .

At long last . . .

the socks for my mom are done!!!!

Waving Lace Socks (from Favorite Socks)
Cast On: 1 April 2008
Completed: 31 May 2008
Yarn: Great Adirondack Yarn Co Silky Sock - Foliage
Needles: Knit Picks US2 (2.75mm) DPNs

I don't ever remember being so happy to finish a pair of socks. I'm not sure why this pair was particularly painful. Well, yes, they were literally painful when I started needing to do 9 - 12 fingersticks a day to test my blood sugars. But for the last week or so, the fingers seem to have adjusted. The socks just seemed to drag on forever. It's a great pattern, but I started craving some simple, self-striping sock knitting. (Yes, that's what my next pair will be.)

All in all, they were worth every LONG moment they took - and I know mom will love them. And if anyone is worth socks that seem to take forever, it's my mom!

Ugh. May.

Usually I like May. But not this year. Can we skip May and get right to June? Why? Well, the fact that it's May 1st means that in 25 days, I have to turn 40. I'm SO not ready to be 40.

So, to distract me from thinking about getting older, let's talk about socks. Another reason I wasn't looking forward to May was because I didn't think I'd get my April Sock-A-Month socks done in time. But luckily, around 9:00 last night I kitchenered the second toe!!

"Speedy Seal Rock Socks"
Pattern: My own generic pattern
Cast on: 21 April 2008
Frogged & Restarted: 24 April 2008
Completed: 30 April 2008
Yarn: Socks That Rock Mediumweight in Seal Rock
Needles: Clover Bamboo US3 (3.25mm) DPNs

Unless I've miscounted along the way, this is my 25th pair of socks. And I don't plan on stopping the sock knitting any time soon. If you're an avid sock knitter too, why not check out Summer of Socks 2008?

Jessica always does such a great job running this KAL, and this year promises to be the most fun one yet. She's got some wonderful contests planned and a bunch of great sponsors already on board. Sign-ups are only open until May 15th, so go join up now, okay? :)

Slippers and Socks

Yesterday was a very good day.

My first ever gift from the Random Acts of Kindness group on Raverly arrived in my mailbox. And as if that's not exciting enough, I was gifted with the thing I'd been wishing for the most!

Starfish sent me the patterns for Fiber Trends Felted Clogs. I've been admiring all the clogs I see around blog-land and have been dying for the pattern, but Pea and I are in a self-imposed "Quarter of Financial Responsibility" while we wait to see what goes on with his job. (Yes, we really call it that - often. Every time we want to go out to dinner or buy something fun). I've already wound up the yarn and will be knitting these tomorrow as Amtrak whisks me away to New Hampshire! I can't wait to have these on my feet, because our hardwood floors are still very, very cold.

I also finished a pair of socks. Thick, quick socks that will keep my cold little feet warm too.

Iris Schreier Toe Up Socks
Cast On: 23 February 2008
Completed: 10 March 2008
Yarn: Artyarns Handpaint Stripes - Colorway 136
Needles: Clover Bamboo US5 (3.75mm) DPNs

I knit the first one in a couple of days, then put them aside until March so I could use them as my Sock-A-Month 5 credit. I started the second one on Saturday and finished yesterday, and didn't even have that much time to knit. Working up thick socks on size 5 needles is a fun break from the socks on 1s and 2s that always seem to drag on forever. And I think the yarn is so pretty - pooling and all.

Finally, a FO!!

Before I get blathering on about my finished socks, I wanted to take a minute to thank each and every one of you who left me a comment and sent thoughts, prayers and energies to me, Pea and Charlie. I admit to taking a moping day last Friday, but since then we've been able to see that things aren't so bad. I'll continue to take the best care of myself that I can, do even more research on diabetic eye problems, and work pro-actively with my doctors to keep my eyes as healthy as possible. Pea is working hard to look for a new job, and we are continuing to hope that either a lay-off never happens or that he finds a new job before it comes to that. And Charlie is getting better. He seems to be having a bit of a set-back today, but I'm hoping it was just the damp and rainy weather making him feel a bit, well, under the weather! The sun is now back out, so hopefully he'll be his, well, sunny self again.

Now, what you've really come to see. A new pair of finished socks!

Pattern: My own generic 3x1 ribbed socks, 56 stitches
Cast on: 30 September 2007
Completed: 20 January 2008
Yarn: Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Multieffekt
Needles: Knit Picks US 2 1/2 (3mm) DPNs

What can I say? I love them. They almost match, except for a little part on the heel, which is because I fiddled a bit with my pattern on the second sock. Yes, it bothers the OCD part of me. Yes, Monk would reject them. But I guess I'm okay with the minor imperfection. See, I'm growing as a person (and a knitter!).

Ampersand

The socks I started the day after Rhinebeck have been finished for over a week. Why haven't I posted them? Well, I kept trying to think of a fun, witty post to go along with my new favorite socks. I tried and tried, but my fun and wit are no where to be found. So, may I present, in boring blogger fashion, my Ampersand Socks.

Ampersand Socks
Cast On: 21 October 2007
Complete: 16 November 2007
Yarn: Socks That Rock Medium weight in Garnet Dreams (bought at Rhinebeck)
Needles: US2 (3 mm) Knit Picks 24" Circulars

The pattern was great and knit up very fast. And this skein of yarn has broken my Blue Moon Curse. No breaks and no pooling! Third times a charm, and I'm sure my other two skeins will behave much better now that they see what pretty socks they could become. Hurray, I knew all those Socks that Rock fans couldn't be wrong.

My feet are in Cape Cod . . . .

. . . but unfortunately, the rest of me is here.

At least the socks I started on vacation are done.

Elongated Corded Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks
Cast on: 25 August 2007
Completed: 23 September 2007
Yarn: Knit Picks Sock Landscape - Cape Cod
Needles: Knit Picks US2 (3mm) DPNs

I really enjoyed knitting this pair. Okay, I probably enjoyed knitting the first sock more than the second, because I was on vacation when I knit most of it! In any case, the pattern is wonderful, as are the other patterns I've knit from Sensational Knitted Socks. That book is certainly a great investment if you are a sock knitter.

As I mentioned before, the yarn is discontinued. The first ball was wonderful and made me disappointed to know it was no longer available. The second ball was a bit of a different story. There was one spot where all but one ply was broken, so I had to cut the yarn and restart it again. (Grrr, two more ends to weave.) There were also two small spots where the yarn didn't get dyed. These pictures are a bit blurry, but you should be able to see two different colored stitches near the middle of each picture.

All in all, it's not a huge deal and won't really show unless I point it out to people, but it's still a little disappointing.

Covert Operations

Thursday night, Pea went out after work for a Happy Hour / Good Bye party for two co-workers. Since I had the evening to myself, I hunkered down with my favorite spy for some top secret knitting.

Click to make bigger . . . you'll be glad you did!!

Now, I have to admit, I've always kind of liked watching James Bond movies with Pea, but was never likely to put one on when I'm alone. But that has all changed now, thank you, Mr. Craig!! *drool* I'm surprised I didn't drop my stitches when he put on the tuxedo. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

AHEM, where was I?? Oh yes, 007 and I are sorry to say we must keep our little knitting adventure under wraps until Christmas, as the recipient may very well be staking out the blog. Those of you with special security clearance (not a family member or non-blog pal) can access our operation here or here. Remember, this is for your eyes only. Don't leak the secret, or we may have to eliminate you!

Zephyr Socks done

Summer seems to be zapping my mojo . . . both for knitting and for blogging. The results of my July Knit List goals will be laughable. But I did manage to finish a pair of socks . . . two weeks ago. It's about time I summoned up some Blogging Mojo and posted them, don't you think?

Zephyr Socks
Cast on: 18 May 2007
Completed: 14 July 2007
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock - Misty Moor
Needles: Knit Picks US2 (3.0 mm) DPNs

Although this pattern is well-written and easy to follow, I seemed to have some kind of mental block with it. These socks are full of silly mistakes. In the end, I think the mistakes won't really be noticed by anyone but me. I will probably knit this pattern again some day, as it was a fun pattern and I feel like I didn't really do it justice.

I loved the Cherry Tree Hill Supersock. It's soft and doesn't split and is a real dream to knit with. If I ever get to a point where I need to buy more sock yarn (not likely), this yarn is high on my list.

Back into the Blogiverse

My goodness, I certainly didn't intend to be away for so long. In the past week I finished my first web design class and started my second. I battled a horrid headache (maybe a migraine??) for two days. I worked on getting my last little domain problem ironed out (now if you forgot to put the "www" in front of mostlyselftaughtknitter.com you get a nifty little redirect page that will shoot you over to the blog. You can try it here, but don't blink because it should go pretty quick). I finally got my domain e-mail up and running - hopefully I haven't jinxed it now! Of course, I've spend many, many hours on Ravelry putting my stuff in (you were all right, it's SO addictive). And Pea is on vacation, so we've been trying to do some fun stuff. Whew, I'm tired just typing it!!

But I am back, and hoping you will forgive me. I have been knitting a little. In fact, I've got my little footies done!!

Little Pansy Socks
Cast On: 30 May 2007
Completed: 21 June 2007
Yarn: Cascade Fixation, Colorway 9518
Needles: Clover Bamboo US4 (3.5mm) DPNs

These were very simple socks, just 1 1/2 inches of ribbing, the Eye of the Partridge heel, and the foot. I love how they came out though. And they only took one ball of Cascade Fixation . . . with a mere three yards left. Talk about good yarn management. I named them Little Pansy Socks because the colorway reminds me of pansies. I plant my pansies when it's just starting to warm up, but still to cold for other flowers. And I'm wearing the socks when it's just starting to become too warm for wool socks, but still too cold for no socks!

I'm not sure I would call what I did "writing a pattern", but a couple of you were kind enough to ask for it. So I've written it up, and thank you so much for your interest!! I've posted a link on the sidebar to my new pattern page. If you are interested, click on over and download the pdf. And please, be sure to let me know if you have any problems!!

1 3/4 pairs of socks

I finished my Koigu socks a few weeks ago, but the missing blog-mojo prevented me from posting them.

Garter Rib Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks
Cast On: 18 February 2007
Completed: 18 May 2007
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM Colorway P612 209
Needles: Addi 40" US2 (3.0 mm)

I haven't had much opportunity to wear these now that the warm weather is here, although the mornings and evenings have seemed more chilly than usual. In fact, I had these on last night.

Of course, since it is June I decided it was time to break out the summer sock yarn. I grabbed a pretty ball of Cascade Fixation and just cast on, making the pattern up as I went. One is already done, and the second is past the heel. Oh the joy of footie socks!!It's the first time I've done an Eye of the Partridge Heel, and I think it's gorgeous with this yarn!! These should be another FO by the end of the weekend. Hopefully it will still be chilly enough to wear them.

MONKEY See, MONKEY Do

That's right. Everyone in blogland is knitting them, so I just had to knit them too.

Monkey
Cast On: 25 March 2007
Completed: 20 April 2007
Yarn: Mama-E's C*Eye*Ber Fiber Sock, Mermaids
Needles: Knit Picks DPNs US2 (3.0 mm)

I'll tell you, this pattern doesn't MONKEY around. It was very straightforward and easy to follow. Knitting these was more fun than a barrel of MONKEYS. Well, I'll be a MONKEY'S uncle, but these also count as my SAM3 April socks!!! Will I make it to the bottom of my April To-Knit List? Sure I will . . . . and MONKEYS might fly out my butt too.