fullofstitches.com Blog

RRRRRRRRRRrip-it!! Oh, it’s a cute froggy sock!! So, I’ve decided that I’m going to just rip out the Jaywalker and start over. I screwed up on the toe and with all the gusset length issue(s) I finally read Judy Gibson’s instructions.. And since I haven’t figured out what chart A is… I ran off to the link for her original toe-up sock, which has a link to Kim Salazar’s sock… which has a link.. (j/k)

Basically, I’m supposed to work the even foot part to 3-3.5″ shy of the measurement of my foot. My last attempt was closer to 4″ and although I’m going to go ahead and turn the heel (a new experience - I’ve only done the shortrow heel on toe-up socks before) so that I have a better idea of how long the foot has to be and what the heck I’m doing! Also, since my knitting is getting a bit tighter with practice, I’m going to go up from 000s to 00s for the next attempt.

This will a) get me a better fit for my socks, and b) allow them to be counted toward Summer of Socks (which I won’t win anyway, but I may as well contribute to the totals). So, 4 weeks after SoS has started, I’ll be ’starting’ my first pairs of socks!

In the meantime, I’ve started my sister’s (top-down) Gentleman’s Fancy Socks from Nancy Bush’s Knitting Vintage Socks in Lorna’s Laces “Mineshaft” - I love it. These will be adapted to tabi socks because my sister only wears flip flops outside of work. She will love and adore these socks and someday beg me to darn or replace them. She may even go and find yarn to give to me to hint that she needs more than one pair come “Winter.” Having wool socks on as she wanders the sandy beaches of SoCal will keep her toes toasty. “Winter” in SoCal being enough to chill a person used to temperate climes, but nice enough to anyone visiting that they think Californians are weak and cold-blooded.

Actually, I’m a Tuesday’s child, BB is a Friday’s child, but it’s Tuesday, and I’m sure I’m full of something (that was taken, hence the URL became Full of Stitches)..

I hadn’t mentioned the injuries for the weekend in yesterday’s post. My wonderful mechanic had a knee injury! It happened while they were hauling the hay, the hook swung into his knee. Didn’t look broken, but it sure swelled by the end of the day! Thankfully, his wife is a vet’s assistant, so he’s well cared for . Poor dear, I hope he’s made it through the workday okay. And, Sunday evening, BB was playing in the dust (what else do children do in the mountains?) and managed to step on a stinging insect - most likely a wasp. I was keeping an eye on her through the window, took care of something, turned back and couldn’t see her. Usually, she’ll be in sight somewhere in no time, so I went out to check - wouldn’t want the unlikely event of a passing hungry mountain lion to run off with my child! I quickly went out and around towards where she had been playing and found her holding her toe and fussing next to the boulder. She probably stepped on the insect on a plant there in the shadow of the boulder.

Onto the knitting.. This picture was taken on Friday after I’d ripped and reknit the sock.. and before I’d ripped and reknit the sock. The sock looks about the same today.

I’m a little frustrated with it and I think I finally realized why today. My previous 4 pairs of socks have all been knit 2 at a time. Currently, there is only the 1 singular lonely toe-up Jaywalker. So, I’m thinking that I should grab the other needles and get the second Jay started so that this one wont be so lonely and I can experiment with length, etc, on 1 and just fill in the gaps on #2.. I do so like having a pair when I’m done.. and I think this is holding me back from turning the first heel.

I left the camera in the car!! And my wallet..

So, no pics this post, but hopefully I can post one or two later. There weren’t many of the weekend.. because I left the camera in the car! LOL

We went to visit my favorite mechanic, drove up there Saturday and just got back this afternoon. He’s had our van for the last few weeks (had the car before that), and did we ever miss it! The van rides so much smoother now! It had bad front shocks and a rattle in the back. All better!

Ben and his Dad moved hay Sunday morning and finished just in time to get ready for the party.

It was my nephew Z’s birthday Sunday (which is part of why we chose this weekend to descend on FIL and family). Yesterday, Z’s birthday party was at the lake. The children had fun swimming all afternoon (only minor sunburns!) and we were shown once more how totally fearless BB is. She just wanted on the boat and in the tubes and to swim if someone was holding her, and to go as far as she could if no one was! AJ’s much more conservative and kept to the tubes. They each had a ‘frightening’ moment when they went under, and each promptly went right back in - good girls! TJ took a tube and swam out to the island with Z’s cousins. They had a lot of time exploring and using the rope swing and such.

I ripped back all the work that I hadn’t yet posted about on the Jaywalker. I had started the gusset what seemed like too soon, ripped it out, knit even too far and did 3/4s of the gusset, figured out the row gauge and that it would be *Way* too long, ripped it back to a half inch further than the original gusset try and started the gusset again. Didn’t actually knit much Sunday, just in the car on Saturday. And, since I drove the car back today, I haven’t knit yet.

Oh, and I don’t have the camera because we drove straight to Ben’s work and switched vehicles. I drove the van home and the car will be at work till whenever Ben decides it’s a day. Since he didn’t get there till 1PM, it may be quite late! I usually expect him to get home about 10-11 hours after he leaves.

I’m going to sneak off and read my August Birthday buddy’s blog now to get a feel for what to get her.. This should be fun, it sounds like she’s getting married soon!

What day is your birthday?
Aug 22

Are you crafty?
I guess.. I just like to have something to do. (I crochet, knit, sew)

Would you enjoy things like: Buttons, ribbons and embellishments?
Probably not.

Do you dye your own wool?
Only have done it with KoolAid.. Don’t really have time at this point

Do you like to scrapbook or make homemade cards?
Like to, yes, have time, no.

What small project would you be interested in making?
{Socks, hat, baby items, shrugs etc} sound good

What are your favorite scents?
I’d tell, but I’m usually allergic!

Do you like stationary and cards?
yes

Do you like hand lotions or soaps?
no - scent allergies..

Do you like to sew or embroider items?
yes, I’m about to start smocking for my girls.

Do you like beads?
Like? Or would I use them? No, wouldn’t get much use (unless the girls got to glue them!)

What kind of mail-able snacks do you like to eat?
I’ve never mailed snacks.. Nothing sugary (like candies)

Do you like to wear costume jewelry? Necklace, earrings, bracelets etc.
No

Do you like to play cards or board games?
Yes, when we can play without the girls taking all the pieces all over the house!

What are your favorite colors of yarn?
I like deep rich tones. (I’m an Autumn - red hair, pale skin) I take my knitting to the park and use nice bright sunshine.

Do you like solid, variegated, heathers, or self stripping yarns?
Prefer solid, heathers, some s-striping, but don’t like pooling.

Do you like kitchen magnets or key rings?
No.

Do you like picture frames?
Yes, generally 4×6 because that’s what size photos are printed as

Do you like to make/or use stitch markers?
use - yes, haven’t made time to make them

Do you collect anything?
children?
yarn, fabric, pattern books, etc

Do you have any allergies? Smoke, food, fiber, pets, etc..
Scents! Did I mention that yet? Scratchy wool - the nice stuff is usually fine

Do you have any hobbies?
me? crochet, knit, sew, garden, hike, baking

Do you like scented or unscented candles?
both.. lol

Are you a fiber snob?
Yes (cry), I admit it! I’ve come to hate most acrylic/poly!