Recovering from the Holidays

I was all ready to write up a post in Blogger and it appears to be down. So, rather than squander the opportunity to blog, I’m writing it up in Word…

I completed my Christmas knitting in the nick of time. The stocking came out quite well. I am happy enough that I am in the process of writing up the pattern. As well as knitting up another sample because my notes aren’t worth crap. I know what I did, but couldn’t tell you how many inches long the leg or the foot is. These details might be important. I’m sure most knitters would appreciate it more specific information than knit until it is long enough.







But, after all of the holiday knitting, I am finally working on something for myself.



This is the Rowan Magpie that I bought on the cheap during a clearance sale at my LYS. Sadly, it is discontinued. I am finding that it snags easily, but I love the way it knits up. The pattern is my own and it will be a snug vest to wear over a button down shirt. I am planning a deep v-neck. I am surprised at the mileage I am getting from the Magpie.

I have added a button the the "It's not a Gift" KAL to sidebar. What a treat to do something for me...

What's wrong with this picture?

Hmm, the tension is a little wonky, but nothing that a good severe blocking can't fix (hopefully).

Yes, you there in the back.

What's that you say?

The heel flap is centered on the motif?

Ah, yes. The classic error of thinking one knows what the hell one is doing.

Obviously, late night knitting is not particularly useful in this household.

Oh My

So, Caleb and I were sitting down to a quick bite at Mickey D's because Eric is out of town and I noticed this.

I didn't do it. When pressed, he said that he did it at school and that the teacher didn't see him because he was being sneaky.

Good thing he was already due for a haircut!

Two days in a row!

Who would have thought, me posting 2 days in a row. What a concept.

The truth is, I felt guilty. I needed to take some pictures to document that the Christmas stocking is indeed progressing. I'm not lying.

I am also working on Eric's scarf, but it is a black scarf (what a man choice) in a diagonal rib pattern. Not great picture material.

I am an ebay trollop

I have been cruising ebay on and off looking for a reasonably priced swift. The one I made does not work all that well. It is better than sitting and winding off my knees, but the balls are oddly tensioned and generally need to be wound a second time. Granted, the ball-winder is not the best either, but they are a sadly matched pair.

Then I found this baby. Yeah, it is vintage, but I figure that it has to be better than what I currently have and besides, this is coming out of the money I earned at the craft fair. I had pretty much forgotten that I had placed a bid on it until I got home tonight. I was surprised to find out that I was still the high bidder, even with the ridiculously low bid I put in. Ever since, I have been hovering, waiting to see if I would get out bid. Which I didn't. Yea! A swift for $33.00 including shipping!

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The fair-isle Christmas stocking is proceeding. I forgot how nice Cascade 220 can be to work with. I have been using either the Knit Picks or Elann versions, which I find to be scratchier. I will probably publish this pattern for sale once the holidays are over and I can convert my cryptic notes into a full-fledged pattern.

I haven't had a chance to takes pics of it in progress yet...

Two Down

Granted, I decided to limit my Christmas knitting this year in an attempt to save my sanity and my marriage. (as usual, ignore the cankles, a horrible curse for a sock knitter.)

Details:

Briggs and Little Tuffy 75% wool/25% acrylic (There is a reason they call it Tuffy - this stuff is fierce on the hands) I used half of each of 2 skeins. I hate darning in ends in socks. Especially in a thick wool like this, I think it ends up feeling lumpy. I have enough left from each skein to knit another pair if I use the leftovers from Dad's hunting socks last Christmas for the heels and toes.

There is a K2P1 rib on the legs that extends down over the foot. The sole is in st stitch.

These were a fun and easy knit. But I really should remember to write down what I do for the first so I can attempt to replicate it on the second. Honestly, I couldn't remember if I decreased down to 16 stitches or 12 at the toes. From the looks of it, I have one of each.

I do so love knitting socks on a size 6 needle for a man with size 7-1/2 feet!

Knocking these off the to-do list leaves me with just one more gift to knit, a scarf for my sweetie.