Close, But No Cigars

The title refers to my race with the Falling in Love socks. It’s sort of a silly self imposed challenge that I could finish my hand spun socks made from Spunky’s April fiber club before I received the fiber for May. Well folks, I was thisclose to making it. As a matter of fact I had just started the ribbing when I got the package in the mail. Oh well, at least I got my first pair of socks made from my own handspun which is the reason that I wanted to learn to spin in the first place. Well that and the best enabling buddy I’ve ever had. *begin flashback* It was a Friday, I was surfing the net minding my own business when she IM’s me a link to these socks in all there craftastic glory. I vowed on that day that I would one day make a pair of socks using my own unique handspun and the rest is history *end flashback* . Without further a due, The socks that describe my relationship with spinning…

Falling In Love Socks

Pattern by Anniken Allis

Started: May 8^th

Finished: May 24^th

Yarn: My own handspun (yay)

And look at that, they’re fraternal. Gotta love it. I ended up doing Maia's heel which I now will use for all my toe up socks. It was a lot of note taking but I think it was well worth it.

I tried to not immediately cast on for another pair of socks so I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary. Not really out of the ordinary because it seems to be spreading through the blogisphere like Monkeys but as Maribel would say, I’ve crossed over to the dark side.

Since you already know I’m a sheep, it was either crochet some granny squares or a ripple. I chose the latter. It will be a baby blanket eventually but I think I may have to put it on snooze for a bit. I was going full speed ahead when I started but somewhere along the line I lost steam. Plus, crochet eats up yarn like a mofo. Now I realize why acrylic is the number one choice. I’m using Caron’s Simply Soft which is my absolute favorite acrylic yarn. This blanket will eventually be donated to the charity knitting circle at my job so I’ll only work on it when I’m there.

In the meantime, guess what? I cast on for another sock and not just any sock but a Jaywalker. And not just any Jaywalker but my very first Jaywalker. I don’t know what I was waiting for but I can see how this pattern can become very addictive. I casted on around lunch time today and here’s where I was this evening around seven.

I love knitting this sock. I purposely chose some yarn that’s been languishing in my stash for quite a while. I don’t know what I was thinking when I chose these colors but they really are not something I would normally choose but they seem to be coming along great. By the way, the yarn is Regia just in case you were wondering. I’m sure I’ll be done with this one in no time. I may steal Nancy’s idea and do a poll for what socks I should cast on next (even though she called me dirty names). It is the Summer of Socks after all.

Well that’s all. Oh wait, I have done a little spinning. Here’s a lone skein that I spun up due to idle hands.

I received the roving from a swap with Faith. I don’t have any specs on it at the moment but I’ll let you know as soon as I do. I should be updating my shop this Friday so keep a look out for that too. When I do, I’ll add my hand picked items to the side bar of this blog. And while you’re there, you should check out Allena’s shop also. She’s planning some great stuff for her shop and I can’t wait to see her ideas come to life.

Happy Knitting

I'm a Sheep

I bet you already knew that. I was tagged by Faith so I feel it’s my duty to give the public what they want. Everybody’s doing it, so I’ma doing it too!

Rules:
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their 8 random things and post the rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and post their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. I am obsessed with the color green. No really. I get all giddy when I see the color. I wore green so much in college that my friends told me it seemed like I never changed my clothes (I in fact did change my clothes everyday, thankyouverymuch)

2. When I was young, I had dreams of performing with the Dance Theater of Harlem. I did join a dance company during high school but I started too late and lacked the dedication to really pursue a career. I also danced with the first class of the Fieldston Young Dancemakers company. I still have my tap and pointe shoes lingering somewhere in the back of my closet.

3. Although I’m a native New Yorka, I have lived in Rhode Island and Texas at some time or another.

4. I graduated with a BS in Accounting from a culinary school (Go J-Dub!)

5. I might deny it later, but one of my favorite shows is Degrassi: The Next Generation. I grew up watching the original on PBS and I just tuned in originally out of curiosity. They’re still covering those hard to face realities. ( I like Beyond the Break too)

6. I’m a big pansey when it comes to movies. I cry at the drop of a hat. I still cry at that part in Dumbo when his mothers trunk is hanging out the cage and she’s swinging him and singing….Oh my goodness, I’m getting all choked up just thinking about it.

7. My boyfriend says I’m bossy even though I don’t think I am. I just told him that things would be a lot easier if he just did things the way that I want them done.

8. I love wearing mismatched socks. I may bypass this rule for handknit socks but most of the time, my handknit socks turn out fraternal so no worries. Sometimes I'll wear matching socks to appease my family and friends. Usually on my birthday, but the other 364 days, my socks do not match and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I’m not going to tag anyone for this meme but feel free to post it on your blog if you wanna. Just let me know in the comments so I can go check it out.

On Knitting

I have been working on my socks and here’s a progress shot.

Actually, I’ve done a bit more than what’s pictured. I was trying to finish by tomorrow but this tonsillitis slowed me down a bit. They still won’t take them out no matter how much I beg and plead. I knew I was gonna get sick because it only happens when I have fibery events to go to. I was supposed to head up to Webs for their tent sale but you guessed it. My tonsils had other ideas. I’m in such a rush to finish these socks because I want them done before my next Spunky club fiber comes in. I just turned this into a personal contest for no apparent reason, just because. I think it may show up some time next week so I’m knitting in hyperdrive right now. I’ll let you know if I made the deadline.