The sock is DONE!

One sock down, one more to go! But, it’s been kind of a boring knit. Oh well. I’m learning about socks, so I’ll keep truckin’ along. I tried on the one I just finished, and it’s so very soft, and amazingly comfortable. I highly recommend Jitterbug!

Speaking of yarn, I’m still waiting for the Habu Bamboo I ordered for Kiri. I love instant gratification, so waiting hasn’t been easy. It is, apparently, out of stock and the store is waiting for their shipment to arrive. Which is strange, considering the fact that I swear (I’ll even bet money on it) the website said there were 15 in stock when I placed my order. *sigh* Things happen. Maybe a whole bunch of people decided they were all going to order that exact yarn, in that exact color, from that exact website/store on the exact same day. Anything’s possible, right? Or, maybe there was a glitch in the system, so even though it said ‘x in stock’, it really should have said ‘out of stock’. Or maybe the mistake was entirely my fault, and I didn’t read correctly. Either way, their “fault” or mine, I’m not going to get worked up over little bit of a wait. Things happen. The company has a good reputation (as far as I know), and their communications with me have been friendly, professional, and apologetic. So… I’ll wait. Don’t get me wrong, I am very frustrated (I hate waiting, especially when it comes to starting a project that involves more than endless stockinette), but the frustration isn’t directed toward them or me or any specific person/store. Just the situation.

I hate waiting. Did I mention that? Now time for sock number two.

Pictures of the sock (finally)

I’m not done with the sock yet (I have about 20 minutes to an hour a day to devote to knitting, and I’m usually doing other things while knitting, so it takes me forever to finish the smallest objects. Just in case you’re wondering) . Anyway, here are the pictures!

Sorry about the poor photo quality. These were taken at a bar with dim lighting, and I couldn’t figure out the settings on my friends camera!

I’ve made a little more progress after taking thse pictures. I’m on the toe decreases now, so sometime in the next day or two, I will have an actual functional sock. It’s bigger than I thought it would be, but I kind of want it that way. I want them to be more like slippers than socks. The intent was to have something to wear around the house, so I don’t need to fit a shoe over them or anything. Plus, I don’t like to have tight things on my feet. I like my regular socks to be a little loose, too.

Today is Sweater Day, apparently.

In honor of Mister Rogers, RIP, the sweater gallery. Being a knitter and a loyal Mister Rogers fan (even into adulthood), I don’t know how this ‘holiday’ escaped me until now. And, of course, there’s a Ravelry group for everything. I present to you the Sweater Day Group on the Rav!

Knitting Scouts. Hmm…

I recently stumbled upon the Knitting Scouts page, where you can get knitting related “badges”. Seems kind of fun. The purpose seems to be more about promoting knitting in a positive light while not taking the badge thing too seriously, rather than “earning” badges based on skills and techniques learned. It’s more playful than competitive. Although, there are some skills-based badges available (is “knitting whilst under the influence” a skill? I think it probably qualifies, haha, but it doesn’t specify that one must knit *well* while under the influence… which really would be a skill! The way it’s worded on the site leads me to assume that I can knit with disastrous results and still qualify for the badge, provided the disastrous knitting was done while under the influence of alcohol). I like it. It’s fun in a “don’t take me too seriously” kind of way. One of the best kinds of fun!

When everything is going well, it all comes undone.

I cast on for the sock exactly one week ago. Things were going wonderfully. I turned my first heel without incident. All I had left was toe…

Then, my wonderful daughter (1 year old) thought it looked like an interesting toy. It’s entirely my fault, though. I left it within her reach, knowing how much she loves yarn. She didn’t damage the yarn, but she did unravel the whole entire sock! After untangling it, I started over. Now, I’m almost done (again). Just turned the heel (again, no mistakes that I’m aware of. I’m so proud of myself! Everyone keeps talking about turning heels as if it’s the anti-christ of knitting, so I was relieved to see that it wasn’t too hard), and now the it’s time to pick up stitches (I absolutely hate picking up stitches) and work on the instep. Over-all, it’s going well. I can’t say I love socks, but every knitter has to make at least one pair, right?

Socks and lace. I don’t even wear shawls?

I’m working on my very first sock ever… It’s the ‘Simple Sock Pattern’ on the ball band of the Jitterbug sock yarn (I couldn’t find an on-line reference to the pattern). It really is simple… really. Top down, knit in the round (a little 1 x 1 ribbing at the top, but after that it’s stockinette the whole time). I’ll elaborate on the socks later. On to the fun stuff.

I’m currently waiting on the yarn to arrive for the Kiri shawl (pattern and picture available through alltangledup.com for those who aren’t on Ravelry). It’s Habu Bamboo in a deep wine color. Very pretty, and hopefully fun to work with. It’s one of those projects I can’t wait to start, and every day I can’t start I get even more antsy. One of the times I literally stalk the mail lady while waiting for my package. She probably thinks I’m a little crazy at this point (not that she’d be wrong, but if she is a knitter, she probably understands). I wonder what I’ll do with Kiri when I’m done? I don’t wear shawls (I find them limiting – I like the things I wear to stay on even when I’m not holding them). I don’t know anyone else who wears them. But, they are so much fun to make! I’m addicted to lace. I suppose that makes me a lace junkie.

In search of a swift

I’d like to have a ball winder and a wooden umbrella swift. I’m attempting to shop on-line, but they all look the same? It’s as if all these websites have the exact same swift, but with different prices. I don’t know how to tell the difference between them! I need help. Guidance. I need for one to magically appear in front of me at no cost (ha! wouldn’t that be wonderful?). But seriously, I’m lost. A damsel in distress. Help? Anyone?

Knock Down Knits: 30 Projects from the Roller Derby Track

I see that a lot of people happen across my blog while searching for roller derby knitting patterns. To the roller derby knitters, I found something you might be interested in: Knock Down Knits: 30 Projects from the Roller Derby Track by Toni Carr. I can’t wait for the release date!

With its rowdy atmosphere, fast-paced jams, and heart-stopping pile-ups, roller derby is the fastest growing sport in the nation. This book will feature 30 hip designs by the Naptown Roller Girls of Indianapolis, who are aggressive skaters and avid knitters. Projects include an on-the-move felted skate bag, Dill and Brownie’s beer saver, and an arm sling. Other fun, derby-inspired patterns will appeal to innovative knitters searching for truly unique patterns as well as derby girls and their legions of fans.

Toni Carr (Indianapolis, IN), known as Joan of Dark #5 when she’s skating with the Naptown Roller Girls, is a passionate knitter and crocheter. Toni has appeared on the DIY show Uncommon Threads. She and her team have filmed an episode of Knitty Gritty that is scheduled to air on the DIY network in spring 2008.

Another source for those looking for Roller Derby patterns (both knit and crochet) is the Hard-Hitting Knitters group on Ravelry. If you’re not already on Ravelry, jump on the waiting list! Don’t wait for the site to be open to the public, as there’s a really good chance you will get your invite before it’s open.

Happy reading!

Bender Bending Rodriguez – Crochet pattern

I don’t know how to crochet, but I’d love to learn. I recently came across a pattern that is sure to help motivate me. A Bender amigurumi pattern.

I’m not really a Futurama fan, but my husband loves it. Needless to say, I’ve seen a few episodes, and freely admit to knowing more about the show than a non-fan would normally know. Bender, IMO, happens to be the one character that makes the show tolerable. He makes me laugh. A lot. If they had a Benderama show, I’d watch it willingly. Maybe I should petition someone (Fox? Is that the right network?) to create a Futurama spin-off with him as the main character. I would like that. I’m sure Bender would, too.

The soaker. Frogged. And the new knitter in my life.

I was determined to finish the soaker. Really. But as it sat there, unfinished, waiting to be seamed together, I grew to hate it. I hated looking at it. I knew I was going to hate using it. They say you should only knit something if you enjoy it. That it’s not about how much you will like and want the finished object, that it’s about the journey. If you don’t like the journey, you won’t like the FO. I would still love to have a wool soaker for my daughter. But the truth is, knitting the soaker wasn’t fun. It was discouraging. It was tedious in a bad way. I stumbled through it. I didn’t like the journey, and although I thought maybe the soaker would be the exception to the rule because I wanted it so much, I did end up hating it. It’s more of a resentment, really. This is the second project in a matter of months that hasn’t turned out very well. Why? It’s so frustrating!

I started on a new soaker a few weeks ago. This time, it was a pleasure! All I have to do is seam it, take a picture for the blog, and start using it.

On another bright note, my “knitting circle” (never thought I’d have one) is slowly expanding. One of my best and oldest friends is learning how to knit. I keep meaning to go to her place, or meet up with her somewhere, so we can knit together, but life keeps getting in the way. I hope she grows to love it as much as I do. We’ve known each other for 17 years. While you’d think we’d have so much in common after all this time, we really don’t. We have some things in common, but it will be nice to have one more area of our lives we can share together. Here’s to new knitters and old friends!