I FOUND IT!

I knew you were worried.

Off to cast on Dad's second sock!

Random Wednesday

What a crazy week I’ve had so far. I’m being pulled in a hundred directions at the office, which is OK, but I’d really like a chance to breathe. On the other hand, I like being busy and having a lot to do so the days go by fast. Then again, we have approval to hire a p/t receptionist and I’m thrilled.

I had to change my mani and pedi appointment last Saturday since my brother was visiting. I moved it to last night. I went to the salon and the woman who I had my appointment with wasn’t in. I didn’t want anyone else to do my nails. It took me a long time to find my regular nail tech and I don’t want to switch. So I’ve been trying to call all day to see if I can go this evening after work. She always answers the phone, but today she isn’t. I’ve been told “she’ll be back in 10 or 15 minutes” three different times today. I don’t think she’s in again today. I wish they would just say that she isn’t there. So frustrating.

Anyway, this is what I’ve been up to since I can’t find the Fixation for my Dad’s other sock.

This is my Socktopia sock for August. My theme is Ebony and Ivory and I’m using Louet yarn.

I actually wanted the socks to be a surprise, but since there aren’t too many people who actually read my blog, I think I’m safe disclosing what they look like so far.

I also started my Football-a-long Pre-Season charity project. We’re making Sweaters/Hats/Scarves in our team’s colors for Cubs for Kids. Last night I finished the scarf. I used a basket weave stitch so the scarf wouldn’t roll. All it needs is some fringe. I’ll be making 2 sets, one for my pro team and one for my college team.

I have a funny feeling my nephews are going to want some sweaters for their bears (or whatever animals they have). Only those I’ll have to duplicate stitch the team logo on the front.

LOST

I was ready to cast on Dad’s second sock. I pulled my sock knitting tote out of my messenger bag for the single lonely sock photo shoot the other day so I’d have everything I needed right by my chair. Or so I thought.

The second ball of Fixation is missing. I can’t find the damn thing anywhere. I pulled everything apart and still can’t find it. The only thing I didn’t do was move the furniture, which I’ll do when I get home tonight. I was really hoping to get at least the cuff part done last night so I could work on the gusset today and hopefully stitch like the wind and get the sock finished last Sunday.

My brother was visiting from NC this past weekend. I could have sent the completed pair back with him (he lives 10 miles from Mom and Dad), but no. Now I have to find the 2nd skein. This never happens to me. It’s all I can think about. Where is that damn ball of yarn?

You know when I’m going to find that skein of Fixation? When I buy a replacement skein. Then it will miraculously teleport to the top of some yarn pile somewhere in the house.

I have to admit to ulterior motives with that second sock. I’ve had a particularly brilliant idea for my August Socktopia socks and I wanted to get started on them as soon as possible. The problem came when I was swatching the other day and realized that the two yarns I had on hand wouldn’t work since they are really different in gauge. Trying to finagle the math to get the sock to work was making my brain hurt. Other than those 2 skeins, I don’t have any solid color sock yarn, which I need for my theme sock. Odd isn’t it? So I ordered from The Loopy Ewe again. Twice in as many weeks.

You saw that coming didn’t you?

And what’s the point of ordering on line and not taking advantage of the free shipping when you order? So there’s more sock yarn than I needed coming my way. Why do I think that spending $30 extra to save on shipping is better than just spending the $5 on shipping?

At least I have some yarn to photo for Yarn Porn Friday which I kind of signed up for before I really knew what I was doing. But hey – it’s fun to play along and we all know I’m a joiner.

I had nothing to do with the disappearance of that yarn. I’m just guarding the property like a good watch cat.

CUTE!

Look what my Mom sent me. Not the best picture, but how cute is this knitting gnome thimble!

WiP'n It!

Before I can talk about my WIPs, I need to show you my finished Soleil. I'll be blocking it tonight so I can wear it tomorrow. I'm very happy with it. It'll be a wardrobe standard I'm sure.

Look what I've picked up again. Finishing Soleil really gave me the push I needed to get past the color work on my Tomato sweater. I should get past the shaping in the next couple of evenings and then onto the neck and sleeves.

I'm still working on the socks for my Dad. I finished one of the socks in Cascade Fixation and have yet to cast on the second one. I usually cast on the second sock right away to avoid SSS, but I'll cut myself a little slack since I finished it last night and then picked up Tomato instead of casting on sock 2. I'll start sock 2 tonight. I also decided that his second pair will be in the Panda Cotton I got from the Loopy Ewe a couple of weeks ago. I have the first sock on the needles too.
To close the chapter on Kidney Stone 2, I saw the doctor. They can't use the sonic blasty thing to break it up and so it will either stay in my kidney forever or travel at which point we'll have to address the situation. No fucking kidding! The good out of all of this is that I have officially "fired" my urologist. I'll go to someone else when and if the need arises. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Gratuitous Kitty Photo!

Do I get a treat now?

Late, Pictureless, WIP Wednesday

Why? Because last night in a fit of unexpected organization I pulled out my label maker and starting filing away all my loose patterns. It all started when I decided to search on line for knee high sock patterns and kept thinking that "I have that printed out already" and that I should look for it at home.

That proved more challenging than I thought. I have patterns all over; in every tote bag and every bag from work, in files and folders and in stacks on the end table, absolutely everywhere. So the two new expandable files I got at Target were put to use. Time flew and when I finally had everything in order and arranged the way I wanted, it was 10PM. So, no pictures.

But, I’ve been working on Soleil from Knitty. I’ve had my eye on this pattern for a while and when I went to a “please buy it all so we don’t have to count it” inventory sale last month, I splurged on Rowan Calmer. The color is “Tinkerbell”. Not to mention if you bought a sweater’s worth of yarn – 35% off. How could I resist?

This is the first time I’m using Calmer and it’s a joy to knit. It’s beautiful stuff. I’ll definitely use it again.

I’ve also been working on golf socks for my Dad. I haven’t got very far, and feel like I’ve been knitting the foot for ages. Remind me not to make any socks for my brother who wears a size 15 shoe.

Tomato is sitting next to my knitting chair and has been ignored for the last week. I’ve re-knit it back to the colorwork and then I put it down because the Calmer was next to it and it wanted me to cast on and I couldn’t resist. I’ll get back to Tom as soon as I have Dad’s socks done.

Unless I decide to start the mammoth project of organizing my yarn.

Kidneys, Yarn, and Socks*

First, thanks for all your well wishes. I'm in the process of getting the second kidney stone taken care of which means I've been doing a ton of running around for x-rays and whatnot. Soon this will all be a distant memory.

The sucky thing is that the time I took off and the time I will be taking off (there may be another day or two for stone 2) was originally slated for a trip to NC to visit with my brother and parents in mid-August. So I've been calling my days off "My Kidney Vacation". I'd have rather spent it at the beach in NC.

Since I was missing out on my vacation I ordered yarn to make me feel better. (It's a valid excuse. It is!) I was home last week when Loopy Ewe had their "sneak up". I missed it (damn pain pills), but there were still some goodies to be had.

note the Panda Cotton was cast on at lunch to try and I love it!

This yarn called to me. I've wanted Sea Silk in this color (Lily Pond) for a while, but I had this flash of insight while looking at it on line. I'm making knee socks with it. It may be a little insane what with my long legs and all. I also have to look for a pattern, but they may end up being plain vanilla stocking stitch because I don't want to detract from the color.


The Hedera socks are finished and I'm happy with them. I love the color and the pattern was fun to knit. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shephard Sock, color: Cool, knit on US 1 & 2 needles (cast on and 5 rows with larger needle).


And as an aside: I love Hells Kitchen. LOVE IT! I love when Chef Ramsey calls them donkeys. I giggle with glee. I was so incredibly delighted when he fired Josh and threw him out of the kitchen on the spot. Talk about someone who had the ego but not the skills. I was shocked he made it to the final 5. And - how much do you love that Chef is going to put Julia through culinary arts school? I've never seen anyone leave that show where he sang their praises on the way out. I wanted her to win, even tho I didn't think she would. She did so well making it to the last 4. I hope she's on the show again another season when she is done with her schooling and kicks butt!

* Oh Turtlegirl! I need alternate lyrics to Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.