Christmas Greetings...

...from Elly and me.

Why I Haven't Blogged Lately...

I was at a conference for nearly a week in Palm Springs, California...



...where they have cell phone chargers on the sidewalks.

And I have been working non-stop on these:

I made about 30 of them from the pattern that came with my sockblocker keychain. They're so adorable--and they have everything a full-size sock does: cuff, heel flap, heel turn, gussets, toe decreases. Everything! I have one to tie on a package for everyone on my list.

And the rest I made into a garland:

Exhausting.

Snow Day!

Holy moley, we had a snowstorm yesterday, ya'll. I'm talking 10.5 inches of snow. In Tulsa.

And it's even weirder because on Tuesday the temperature was near 80 and on Wednesday, it started out in the 70s, then steadily dropped all day long. Yesterday it didn't even make it out of the 20s.

There is some knitting content at the end, but I wanted to share some pictures of the snow.

This is the tree across the street at 10 am yesterday:


And again at 4pm yesterday:


And again from this morning:


Some of you may remember seeing my treeman earlier this year in a rainstorm. Here's how he looked in April:



Well, here's how he did in the snow.

At 10 am:


At 4 pm:


And this morning:


He's so good at illustrating weather conditions!

Elly loves to romp around in the snow, but with the temperature well below freezing, it was time to bring out her sweater:


And a picture of snow-covered branches, just because it's pretty:


And now for the knitting. I have been working on the Lovely Lavender Lace Shawl from Nancie Wiseman's Knitted Shawls, Stoles, and Scarves.

I have been working on it for months, it seems like. With the snow falling outside, I finally finished it, and now it's ready to be wrapped and stored under the Christmas tree. Where the cats will scratch at the ribbon and sleep on it.

Blocking:

Fluttering outside:

FOs--But Not Knitty Ones!

I was browsing Etsy the other day and came across these adorable stockings. The only problem is they were too small for my purposes.

So, since I am far, far, far from being an expert sewer, I consulted my friend Sara, who does some quilting and thought she would be able to help figure out these stockings.

Well, it took six hours yesterday, but here they are:



Detail photo of the heels:



And a detail photo of the cuffs with buttons:



Cute, huh?

Well, this last week, as predicted, was extremely hectic. But it was absolutely a good week, and it was great to see everyone and spend time with Paul's visiting relatives. I am looking forward to some peace and quiet at home though!

Because my parents and Paul's parents both live here in town, we have two Thanksgiving meals. We somehow manage not to eat a whole lot at either, so it all works out just fine.

First Thanksgiving:


Second Thanksgiving:

Chaos

Below is a picture of my knitting table in its current state:



The large purple blob is my Christmas present in progress. It's a bottom up shawl-thing, which means lots of increases, and the rows are getting very looong now. The blue is the first sock in a pair of Hederas in Schaefer Anne for Knit Blue. And the multicolored is a simple 3x1 ribbed sock in Austermann Step.

I had wanted to make a pair of the Father and Son socks for someone for Christmas, but so far I haven't been able to figure out the pattern, so that may or may not happen.

Last week was busy. I was in Baltimore for a conference for most of the week, and this week will likely be even busier, with my husband's family coming into town.

My mother-in-law likes to keep everyone well-fed, so last night it was pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, bread, and brownie sundaes.

Tonight is catered BBQ, tomorrow is out to a Mexican restaurant. Then Thanksgiving lunch at my parents' house, Thanksgiving dinner with the in-laws. Friday morning up and shopping early, gift wrapping, Christmas tree assembling, napping. Saturday is a birthday party and departures, then Sunday will indeed be a day of rest. Except I have already made plans with a friend to work on some holiday crafts.

Keep me in your thoughts, ya'll!

And because I have been a bad blogger by not updating in so long, here's a yummy, drool-worthy yarn shop I want to share. You can thank me later!

Knit Blue

I decided to start a KAL for Democrats after seeing so many knitters in blogland expressing their excitement and enthusiasm over the Democrats' sweep of this week's election.

Posts like this, and this, and this and this and this were so inspiring, that I wanted a place where we could all gather and talk about knitting, show off our blue handknits, and share in the jubliation of being back on top after so very long.

So join in the fun and we'll play it by ear. This may be a month-long thing, or we can keep it going for the next two years, or beyond.

Just email me if you want to be included, and I will add you as a member.

Let's have fun with this and get knitting, blue-style!

Ah, Election Day

I apologize to those of you who may not like political talk on a knitting blog. But bear in mind that my degree is in Political science, and I freaking LOVE Election Season.

And yesterday was a great day for the Democrats! At last.

My law partner Eric and I participated yesterday, as we always do in the days leading up to an election, by volunteering for the Democrats.

We started the day bright and early--scratch that, it definitely wasn't bright at 3:00 a.m.--by driving through pea-soup thick fog to a union hall to pick up signs to be distributed at polling places.

After peppering three polling places with a variety of signs, we headed on downtown to pick up more signs to be distributed throughout precincts in North Tulsa.

By 9:00 a.m., we had placed approximately 500 signs around town, and we went back to headquarters and spent an hour putting labels on campaign brochures before getting our next assignment, which was to visit 120 houses in a North Tulsa precinct to enocourage people to get out and vote.



Five hours later, we completed that task and spent the next two hours making phone calls to registered Dems reminding them to vote.

Then, it was time to party! Pizza, wine, MSNBC, and the Daily Show/Colbert Report Midterm Midtacular.

And then a couple of more hours for me, watching the evening's triumphs on MSNBC.

I'll leave you with some wise words from my brother-in-law Eric:

AAaaahhh, what a beautiful day to wake up a democrat.
Sun is shining, projected 80 degrees today, gentle winds, the birds are chirping, flowers are blooming....and what is that smell?? Is that... FREEDOM?

Ah, I love the smell of freedom in the morning.

What's in it for you republicans?

Well, let me tell you...historically speaking the stock market has always done much better when congress and senate gridlocked the Prez. Something about stability.

First on the agenda: Immediate surrender to the terrorists and Iraq. Then we'll look into mandatory gay marriages for all. From there, we'll push on to teaching evolution to all the newly pregnant schoolchildren after doubling the tax they pay on their school lunches.

Break out your rapture pants, the dems are in control!!!

ETA:

Ah, this day just keeps getting better and better. Goodbye, Rummy!

And for some knitting content, a brief glimpse at my Christmas gift project.

Believe it or not, I don't have any socks on the needles, although my second Fleece Artist Unst needs starting. I am enjoying the above project so much that I just haven't done it yet.

Don't Forget to Vote!

Happy Belated Halloween

Just wanted to share some photos from the BooHaHa parade last Saturday. Our house is just off the main street where all the activity happens, so we get a primo spot for watching everything go by, and we usually have people come over for good parking and no-hassle entrance and exit from the scene.

Like our niece (the redhead) and a friend:

And our nephew:

The view from the end of our street:

Dogs on parade!:

Our spooky Jack o' lantern:

As far as knitting, I am finally out in the Sock Wars. I got a pretty pair of Socks of Doom from kraftykat via Emily. So I am yet another casualty of this international war, and looking forward to watching how it all plays out from the sidelines in my cozy new socks.

I am working on a Christmas gift project, which I am enjoying a lot. It's a pretty pattern with pretty yarn, the Rowan Yorkshire Tweed I showed off a few posts ago.

Finally, my sisters-in-law Kim and Cheryl have started blogs, so be sure to drop by and leave them a comment. Those first few comments, especially from strangers, are so thrilling!

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

Jaywalkers the Fourth

I wanted to post about more stuff, but I am feeling ill, and don't have the wherewithal to do an elaborate post. I wanted to get these socks up though before Socktoberfest ends.

So here they are, my fourth pair of Jaywalkers:


Pattern: Jaywalker by Grumperina
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock--Girly Stripe
Needles: Knit Picks dpns, size one (those things are faaast!)
Started: Monday, October 23
Finished: Friday, October 27
Gifted: Friday to my sister-in-law (Hi, Kim!)

Terrible photo, and obviously unblocked socks. I just didn't have the time.

Socktoberfest FO

I finished my Embossed Leaves socks in record time--four days. These were made on size 2 dpns with Lisa Souza Sock! merino, the softest sock yarn ever. A woman I used to work with now works for the March of Dimes, so I made these beauties to donate to their silent auction event next week.

I will definitely have to make a pair for myself.

As for other Socktoberfest activities I have:
--finished my husband's socks (see previous post);
--finished one Fleece Artist Unst;
--started another pair of Socks of Doom for my Bunko group prize;
--acquired the yarn and pattern for the Father and Son Socks from IK Fall 2006.

And from the yes-we-have-a-bale-of-hay-on-our-front-porch department, this Rowan Yorkshire Tweed will be turned into a Christmas gift. I may post periodic mystery progress photos.

What happens when you transport hay in the back of your car:

My Husband's Been Socked!

I finally completed my husband's first (only?) pair of socks.

Plain old stockinette stitch socks, 2x2 ribbing. The yarn I used here is really spectacular. It's called Heritage Handpaint and it's a wool/mohair blend I won months ago on Jae's blog. Thanks, Jae!

This yarn had the most gorgeous colors, and a beautiful sheen. Even though the pattern was boring, the yarn kept me interested.



The weather tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50's, so I think I got these done just in time.

I've still got my Fleece Artist Unst on the needles and I am about to start on a pair of Embossed Leaves I'm donating to a silent auction event on the 28th. Yikes! Beautiful mostly solid seafoam green Lisa Souza Sock! Merino. This stuff is soooo soft, ya'll.

Kicking Off Socktoberfest

To celebrate Socktoberfest, I cast on for and have been working on Unst from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road in my gorgeous rose Fleece Artist. I love, love, love this yarn; it may be my favorite sock yarn thus far. More Fleece Artist, please!

Wow, I just noticed that the contrast between Unst above and my first pair of stockinette socks below really represents a huge increase in my sock-making skills. Yay me! Although I am still making pink socks; I just can't help it.

Edited to answer Lolly's Socktoberfest questions:


1. When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class? What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

I made my first pair of socks just this spring. My friend Sue patiently and thoroughly taught me, after really having to work at it to convince me to give it a try. My first pair I made for myself from Cascade Fixation, just simple stockinette socks that I really have not worn that much because I don't wear socks often in the summertime.

2. What would you have done differently?

Nothing. Sue was a great teacher and gave me all the foundation I needed to run with the whole concept on my own.

3. What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

I liked Koigu less than I expected. I really enjoyed working with Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, and as mentioned above, I am loving my Fleece Artist. I have some Socks That Rock in my stash that I haven't touched yet, but based on everyone else's experience with it, it'll, well, rock.

4. Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

I use DPNs, although I am dying to learn both two circs and Magic Loop. I have tried learning myself with the Knittinghelp.com videos, but they're not working for me, so I need to find someone local to show me.

5. Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I've only ever done the heel-flap, which I like. I like the way it looks as compared to short-row heels.

6. How many pairs have you made?

I have made 9 pairs (including three pairs of Jaywalkers!) since around April of this year and I am working on pairs 10 (one sock complete) and 11 (one sock almost complete).

A Worthy Opponent

My Sock Wars target sent me photos of the actual moment of her Sock Death and I just wanted to share them here.
Thanks for being such a good sport, Emmy, and I really hope you enjoy your Socks of Doom...

Suggestions Needed

I got this amazingly gorgeous Fleece Artist Sock Yarn from The Loopy Ewe, and I need YOUR help to find a pattern for it.

I'm thinking simple cables or perhaps a nice lace. Leave me your suggestions, please!

Also, OKC knitters, I'll be int own on the 3rd and 4th next month for the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Superconference, so if anyone would like to take me yarn shopping one of those evenings, email me!

Socks of Doom

My Socks of Doom are complete, kitchenered, and ready to be posted to the UK. Sorry Emmy!

They are a bit oranger than this in real life, and unwashed and unblocked. Such niceties tend to fall by the wayside in times of war!

Waiting...

I thought I'd do a post while waiting for Sock Wars to begin. The pattern and dossier on our targets are supposed to be emailed out sometime today, so I am anxiously awaiting the information so I can get started. I just don't want to be "killed" right off the bat.

I had to go up to Chanute, Kansas, (my birthplace!) yesterday to take care of some things involving my grandparents' estate.

It's about a two-hour drive from Tulsa on a mostly two-lane highway and you always get stuck behind a farmer on a tractor going really slow.

It was rainy and chilly out yesterday, and I drove the whole way through intermittant rainshowers and sprinkles. I love that kind of weather, but only when I'm cozy at home. While driving, it just makes me sleepy.

I know that western Kansas is flatter than this part of the state (and, if you have Google Earth, take a look at western Kansas. What is with all the circles? If anyone knows, please tell me!), but, having grown up in Kentucky, it still amazes me how very flat is it out there. I do find this landscape very intriguing though, and it was beautiful yesterday under gray skies, and just the slightest tinge of fall colors.

The Curse of the Black Purl, or, Arrrgghhh! The Horror!

Thanks for all your kind comments and knitterly concern regarding my treatment at the hands of the local LYS. Thanks also for the encouragement on the We Call Them Pirates hat.

As I stated in my earlier post, I started the hat on Friday, September8th, and finished it on the following Sunday. Yes, two days. Very fast knit.

Anyway, the whole project started badly with the black Telemark yarn I ordered from Knitpicks. After I placed my order, I got an email saying that particular batch of black Telemark was recalled because of a failure to perform a final rinse of the yarn, which could result in bleeding colors. Well, we don't want that! So I waited another week for a replacement to be sent.

I have to add here that I absolutely hated the Telemark yarn. Both the black and the white were very splitty and scratchy. Even though I was using the supposed bleed-free black, my hands still ended up stained black every time I put the hat down. And the area mauled by my dog turned a dark gray from the black bleeding onto the white.

But I am getting ahead of myself!

I finished the hat, and, despite my best efforts at a swatch gauge before starting, the hat was too small for its intended recipient, my husband. A cursed project, indeed.

On Tuesday, right before I left to go to Knit Night at the library, I discovered that my dog, Annie, had been proceeding under the misconception that the hat was a chew toy. Seriously. The culprit's photo is at right. Note the evil glow in her eyes.

Now I have a gash in the rim of the hat that looks utterly unfixable to my eye.

Luckily, there's Knit Night, so I took the injured hat with me, but no one there was able to offer any suggestions other than, "Just do the best you can with it." (But I appreciated the sympathies and commiserations!)

So that's what I did.

Repair site, inside:

Repair site: outside:

I did the best I could with it, as advised.

Since it's too small for my husband, I decided to give it to my nephew, the only other pirate devotee I know:

This experience has not dampened my enthusiasm for the pattern though. I have already ordered enough yarn to make TWO more hats, including a pink and green version for myself. No Telemark this time though!