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Sue wears flip-flops and a sweatshirt. So, the next pair of socks she wants are the ‘tabi‘ socks that geishas wear. She likes the Gentleman’s Fancy Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks. We picked out yarn this weekend during her visit: Lorna’s Laces in Mineshaft. When my socks are done, I’ll get started on hers (I hope).

Note to Self: you seem to knit loosely. If the chevrons don’t make it smaller, please rip the Jaywalkers and start over with smaller needles. Ben doesn’t need girly-colored socks. They’re your colors, make them fit your feet! thanks, your id.

I started the Jays on size 0s. The first I actually started to work the pattern side with 1s keeping the soles on 0s.. Then I started the 2nd sock toe. (sigh) I need to remember to try these things on.. How can you tell how well they’ll fit when there’s only a tiny bit of toe? The smallest size calls for 64 stitches at the largest end of the toe (pattern calls for 6 more sts). I know that the Magic Stripes socks I made for Ben were about 72 sts and huge on me, so why would I think Lorna’s Laces would knit up that much smaller? Oh well. Just going to have to start over tomorrow.

I started the Embossed Leaves socks.. again. This time in Rowan 4-ply Botany that I’ve had lying around since living in UK. I really ought to make another adorable sweater for someone tiny.. hmm.. could make it really tiny for a new someone.. I’ve got 8 months to make it.. And, I’m sure I’ll get side-tracked and obsessed with making maternity clothes soon, too.

Anyway, I started this sock Thursday or Friday following the top-down instructions (maybe I’ll be able to figure out a way to make a mate toe-up?). I made the ribbing in size 000 and it’s perfect and I continued on to the pattern in that size: oops! So, I ripped it back and worked it in 00s, the 3 1/2 repeats are supposed to be 6 3/4″, but it was only just over 6″ and slightly too tight. RIP! Now, I’m using size 0s and I’m at 2 1/2 repeats. Seems the right tension, but I’ll know for sure when I get another full repeat done.

But, I keep thinking of the Jaywalkers… For some reason, they fascinate me. I’m more interested in toe-up socks because I like them tall (using up all the yarn is a good thing!), so the toe-up version at Natalia Knits would be fun to try.. I haven’t looked closely at the heel in the pattern, but I’ve got Denise’s bookmarked just in case. I think I’ll go decide which color of the Lorna’s Laces I’ve got sitting around that I’ll use and start them!

Sometimes I forget that the moment I find out I’m expecting I’m actually “a month” along. So, I say in my head, “It’s May.. May minus 3 is February” and I forget that means early February, not end of Feb. Really, according to LMP I’m due the end of January with Feb 1 being the last possible. I’ve never carried over, so is this to be the first? TJ was due 11/24, then the scan moved it to 11/21 and he was born 11/19. AJ was due 10/24 or 10/23 and was born 10/21. And BB was due 6/14 and born 6/11. So, I wonder what my Dad’s doing for his birthday.

There’s about 30 min until I have to leave to go pick up my weekend guest. So, what did I stay up until 4AM doing?

Did I:
A. clean the house until it shone so that she’ll be comfortable in the environment and not scared that the horrible goo stuck to the floor under the table is going to rise up and get her as she eats?

B. tidy up somewhat so that there are at least traffic ways through the mess in order that we can get from door 1 to door 2?

C. Knit/crochet on a UFO and then decide 8 rows shy of completion after working on it for 2 hours that the yarn just isn’t right for the project and that’s why I stopped working on it (besides the monotony of the stitch that still needed 100 rows) previously. Then, stop to “tidy up” by reorganizing the yarn so that my non-crafter sister won’t have to see it all piled up around the living room. And then, instead of ripping the whole project out, start crocheting an adorable baby hat from the end that needs pulling so that I didn’t have to waste another 1/2 hour ripping, winding, then starting it?

(black elastic used to show styles of ties.. must get ribbon. Shoelace in back to show how it adjusts to size, again must get ribbon!)
And it only took 2 hours!
Pattern: Simply Lace from Sophie’s Precious Bonnets (an Annie Potter Original)
Yarn: Sinforia

It was one of those discussions.. Where neither is really right or wrong, but both feel something is off.

One of the things that I looked forward to in moving to the Bay Area is that it’s only like a 7 hour drive down to see old friends and extended family. Ben’s a workaholic and it shouldn’t interrupt our life too much if I take the children down there for a work week once in a while (especially if he has a deadline or something). My high school reunion is coming up in August, but I’d hoped to go visit before then.

I made the mistake(?) of mentioning this to Ben a week or so ago. Last night, he told me that he feels at a distance right now.. (I have been trying to complete something before your “mystery guest” shows up, yes-no?) and that we didn’t have plans until August.. Yes, dear, you haven’t talked to me either.

So, I went to bed with the slight notion of being not allowed to go anywhere and that I’m under a form of house arrest.

Then, Ben called this morning from work. The key to the van was accidentally left in his pocket last night and had accompanied him to work.

Do I rest my case?

I’ve run across this Project Spectrum on a few websites and have been considering knitting along wih it. But, it’s the end of May and I haven’t yet begun the green. I do have a hank of Lichen Silk that I want to make into the Branching Out Scarf, but I haven’t yet begun. This would be my first scarf and first lace (unless I make lacy socks first).

Last night, I ran across this Butterfly Cloth pattern and thought that would work great for PS! I finished knitting it this morning (under 2 1/2 hours altogether).

My gauge has been so wonky! When I came back to the computer, I found a size US8 and a US5 needle together.. Did I drop one and pick up another size? I’ll just have to knit up another cloth to find out if knitting with one needle size (5 or will work better!

I mixed up Lemon-Lime (green) and Jamaica flavor (red) KoolAid and handed the paintbrush to TJ. He did a great job painting the background green, and he even mixed the 2 and painted a brown branch for the butterfly to rest on! Then AJ wanted to help and it got crazy mixed up from there.

Now he’s using the leftover KoolAid to paint his socks red and green.

I joined this knit-along because I’m working on socks mainly. They’re near-instant gratification in knitting. I have learned thus far that I must knit both socks at once or SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) hits me before I finish #1.

I’ve also decided that this will help me begin a (mini?) Nancy Bush Master’s Study as begun by Purly Whites, and miniturized by Nona. I haven’t decided quite how indepth mine will be, but I am working on a list of patterns to use - some from other sources as well, for I am a new knitter and gleaming from any of greater knowledge will improve mine own.

I must hit the hay. I moved my blog entries from my 360 account over here tonight and hadn’t planned on this entry quite yet.

I was sitting here, minding my own business, knitting on the SSSue Socks when I looked out the window and beheld:

Let’s garden with Mommy’s needles!

I’m not supposed to what??

The Sue-Socks are too big! They fit Ben’s feet! I could just cry! I want to rip them out and start over with a size 0! But, Ben hates to see me using Frog-Therapy like that.. Instead, I plan to give this pair to Ben and go to the yarn store again tomorrow, then lock myself in my room for the next 3 days. (Please forgive the giant pics, I’m still learning the new Mac). So, in all one’s glory, I present the Aran Sandal Sock (it was a dark image enhanced, forgive the odd color and my husband’s pale feet):

There’s a new word for you! I’ve gotten past the gusset on Super Secret Sue Sock #1 and am trying to get through gusset #2.. But, I’m feeling a pull toward a good gauge.. a small gauge.. socks for me.. (sigh) I must be content finishing these and Ben’s FT socks! I must practice project monogamy! It’s only like 5 more inches including the gusset on this one, and it’s Worsted Weight! Sure the blue socks are on #1s, but I don’t like loose stitches on socks.. And, it’s only 5 inches!

Ben’s socks are even closer, only about 3 1/2 in. on one and 1 1/2 on the other! Must leave computer and resume knitting.. Soon as BB’s done nursing. Maybe I’ll take them to the park.