Mission: Possible

I had a crisis of confidence, and I wasn't sure I would make it out of the first round. But my Sock Wars target has met her maker!

Alas, poor Stinky Socks.

Sorry about the poor lighting, but the weaving in of ends kept me up past midnight. And really the socks aren't two different sizes, it was just the angle the Cap'n was shooting from. But I think Stinky Socks will like her final blow. She had a great e-death scene!

Haven't heard yet from my assassin, and had a bad scare this afternoon when the postman knocked on the door, but it was a package for Slim. I expect my death blow any minute.

Need to get some sleep. Unfortunately we're traveling this weekend, so the posts will be light.

No Doom and Gloom Here

Our internet was down for a day, and the whole time I went around saying, "I'm not dead yet! I feel much better."

I still have not heard from my Sock Wars assassin, but my target has been sweet enough to leave me emails and a blog comment. Go check out her blog and ogle her pretty sock yarn.

I'm up to the heel of my second Sock of Doom and I hope to have it done and in the mail tomorrow. Cashsoft is nice and soft, and very cushy, but I WILL NEVER knit another sock from it. The gauge is right, but my tension is really wonky and is giving me fits at the heels. Not to mention I made a mistake at the gusset last night and had to rip back four rounds, and the sock would have ended up thrown across the room behind the TV in a fit of pique, but the Cap'n saved it. The yarn splits terribly and I had to pick up each loop individually with a crochet hook and put it back on the needles. What a PITA.

(But P.S.: Isn' t the Cap'n awesome? He sat with me after he got home from work and helped me get the last few uncooperative loops back on the needles and the Socks of Doom moving again. He rocks.)

We've got a sick kiddo in the house, so we'll have to see if a Post Office visit is in my future. Last night he had a 103.7 fever and he's still out of it today. The doctor this morning did not think he had an ear infection, but said it might still come out. I think he's picked up a virus or something from the other germy kids at the park. Whatcha gonna do. He's made it 15 months incredibly healthy, so I'm grateful. But I will be glad when my happy little boy is back.

I have had a ROCKIN' 30th birthday. The Cap'n has a ball winder on order for me, and brought home Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham. It's one of those books where easily half of the designs would look ridiculous on me, but yet I want to knit almost ALL of them. The photos are gorgeous and I am kvelling over the Fair Isle pullover knit on the bias.

Cap'n's family sent me a gift card that I used for Debbie Bliss Celtic Knits, as well as one of these. (?) I also got a gift card to buy some prego clothes for later when I get huge, too. And I still have gift cards to Barnes and Nobles and Knit Happens to use.

OK, so now is reader poll time: What yarn would you buy if you didn't have to worry about price? I am very, very tempted by some silky Alchemy yarns, but then isn't this the perfect opportunity to justify some cashmere of my very own? Decisions, decisions.

FYI, we are now decorating with yarn. I'm not going to say it's because we're out of yarn storage under the couch.

I'm just sayin'.

Thank you, Rie, for my wonderful birthday yarn!! I love it. (FYI for readers, the pink/green/cream is a superwash self-striping and the blue/green/purple is rayon. I already have a plan in mind for that one!)

When is a WIP not a WIP?

Answer 1: When it is not on the needles

That there, folks, is one big pile o' knittin' a'waitin' for blockin'. The sweater is off the needles (for now) and is about to be spray blocked. Carrie has thrown down the gauntlet to finishing the sweater and no amount of taunting will throw me off track! Haha! (How did she deduce my vulnerability to a race?)

Blocking, however, will kill me. Why, oh why, did I not have the good sense of some *people* (ahem, again, Carrie) and block each piece as I finished it??? Ask me how long it will take extra bulky alpaca/wool to dry, go ahead! I DON'T KNOW!! But I'm guessing near forever.

Nevermind. Onward and upward. Now that it's actually starting to look like a sweater, I want to wear it already. And did I mention it's fall?

Answer 2: When it is about to be pulled off the needles and completely frogged

Last time it appeared on "As the Needles Turned," the Bamboo tank top was being looked forward to as a fun summer piece to actually be worn in the summer. May I refer you to a calendar? It's September. And the tank top hasn't changed much since this photo in July.

I have to admit, I got a little discouraged. I reached 12 repeats out of 14 on the lace border then measured it to realize, duh, I haven't got gauge. I knit so tight, I know that whatever the pattern calls for, I automatically should go up a size. But for this one, because I'm stubborn, I started in with a US4. So it's to the frog pond for the bamboo to be knit up next spring when I'm closer to being a normal size again.

Answer 3: When it is on the needles but you disavow all knowledge of said project and only work on the not-a-WIP when you are alone and not around *someone* keeping track of your WIPs with a goal of reducing WIPs

Mwah-hah-hah.

In other WIP-y news, Slim got a gold star at the pediatrician's office. He weighs a grand total of 21 pounds, 4 ounces. For those of you counting, that's still in the 5th percentile. But he's about 31 inches, which is exactly average for height. So Slim keeps his nickname.

Still not walking, but the doc said she thought he would be sometime in the next few weeks. There's nothing apparently developmentally wrong with him, he just doesn't care to walk. I told her, he can crawl over to his bookshelf and sit for 10-15 minutes just flipping through his books and "reading." If I ask him to bring me the fish book, he brings me "One Fish, Two Fish." If I ask him to bring me the dog book, he brings me "Go, Dog, Go."
So I'm not worried. He'll get around to walking one day.

Baby 2 is also still growing swimmingly. I go in next week for another appointment with the midwives.

But now for a new WIP! The Sock Wars pattern just landed in my inbox.

Death to Stinky Feet!

Knit or die!

Excitement! Must Share...

Number One:

I get a call this a.m. from my mom and stepfather, who are visiting friends in Germany:

"You would not BELIEVE the yarn store we found."

Eek! I think I'm getting sock yarn. I don't even know what brands are popular in Germany, so I hope it's one that you can't find over here. Love it. Neither of them knit, but I took my mom to visit my LYS when she was here, so she knows what I like.

Number Two:

I am finally licensed to drive in D.C.

We won't go into the trauma I've had over this, but suffice it to say, I'm keeping my maiden name for now. Until I can change my passport, then update my Social Security card, then hop three times on one foot, then jump over the car I'm planning to drive, then run around the block backward, then...well, you get the idea. Let's just say job creation in D.C. starts with bureaucracy.

Now off to Slim's 15-month appointment. I had a dream he only gained one pound, so let's hope I'm wrong.

Finally! Gauge!

Sock Wars, look out!

I finally got gauge on a US7 set of Brittany needles. The pattern called for US5s, but I got the same gauge with 5s and 6s. I didn't even know that was possible...

I called the swatch done when I ran into a KNOT in the freakin' Rowan Cashsoft. Now that would have really peeved me if I was in the middle of my assassination and ran into a KNOT. Grrr.

So I still have exactly the same amount to finish with my sweater. Sigh. And I just remembered today that I have to block it. Duh. This is going to take a little longer than I have.

And I won't be able to get to SnB at Eastern Market this week, unfortunately. Well, it's not too bad, actually. I want to go knit, but instead, I'll Stitch and Pitch (OK, a little late for this season). Cap'n's work gave him two tickets to the Nationals vs. the Braves right around the corner from us, so that's where we're headed Wednesday evening.

The sweater is NOT going with me. Any suggestions?

I'm proud to say I only have three WIPs: the sweater, the never-ending baby blanket and the Magic Loop socks. I'm going to bet it'll be the socks...

One Down, One to Go

I promised myself I wouldn't blog again until I had an FO to show you. Luckily, that didn't take too long.

"Tripping the Welt Fantastic" Socks
Yarn: Heirloom Jigsaw 4ply (75% wool, 25% nylon), color 29
Needles: Boye US2, 2.75mmm (set of 4)
Pattern: Sensational Knitted Socks
From: Yarns Unlimited, Bloomington, IN
Started: May-ish?
Finished: Sept. 14

This was my first self-striping yarn, so I got excited and cast on for it right away on the first needles I could find while I was still in Indiana visiting family. And that's how I discovered that I (heart!) 5 dpns. Knitting with only 4 dpns was a real pain.

Gauge? I'm sorry? What? I cast on 60 stitches, and should have gone up to 66. These go on my Size 10W feet, but the YOs are r-e-a-l-l-y stretched out. Carrie just made some the exact same size for her much smaller feet, so mine are going to have to be gifts.

These are also my first top down socks, and since I had no idea how much yarn I would need, I only did 5 pattern repeats on the leg and foot. Which means I have enough yarn left over to probably make a third sock. Sigh.

Also I don't dig the garter stitch cuff. For some reason I found it to be pure drudgery on the first sock, and that's why SSS set in. It took me forever to cast on for the second sock.

Also, Kitchener stitch. Enough said.

Just kidding. I was so THRILLED (annoyed as shit) at all the OPPORTUNITIES (hellish moments) practicing my Kitchener stitch. Making the forethought heel (the bullseye pattern on the heel is one of the best things about the socks) meant I had to Kitchener the heel and the toe. That's 4, F-O-U-R, grafts. Ugh.

Sorry about the blurry pictures. Would you like to see one of the reasons why?

Slim learned how to nod his head yesterday, and thinks it's hilarious when I say 'yes,yes,yes,yes" really fast. He nods along until he gets all confused and just starts nodding and shaking his head all at once, around and around in a circle.

All that's left before Sock Wars is The Sweater. One sleeve, one collar and making up to go. Wish me luck.

3 Years Later...

Okay, knitting ladies (and gents), I know you'll be jealous. How many of you can say that your non-knitting spouse/partner/s.o. will sit next to you on the couch at the end of a long day of work and discuss the construction of your first sweater? And in such detail that his/her suggestions help you figure out a puzzle you hadn't been able to decipher by yourself?

How many out there have someone who will make yarn color suggestions better than you would have picked out yourself? Who encourages you to hire a babysitter and head out to SnB each week? Who will, without coercion, pick up your sock knitting books and pick out patterns he/she likes? Who BUYS you yarn more than once without any special occasion and without hints?

Who out there can say they are so lucky??

ME!

Happy 3rd anniversary, honey!!

(Plus, he's hot.) (And smart.) (And funny.)

In other news, Slim was an absolute angel today and allowed me more than an hour at the Eastern Market SnB. I had to leave when Margaret arrived, but Bryna and Marisa were still there to keep the yarny chat going. I had so much fun, I want to make it a weekly habit.

We also made an outing to Springwater Fiber to get the necessary arsenal for Sock Wars. I bought a 50g ball of Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK in Blue Boy because that was called for in the pattern, but the updated yardage given today is more than in a 50g ball of the Cashsoft. I remembered them having only one other ball of the Blue Boy, so I wanted to get it today before it disappeared.

Okay, I'll admit it, I also acquired a little something else. I couldn't help it! It spoke to me.

Doesn't your yarn whisper to you?

It doesn't?

Oh.

(Nevermind.)

A Bit of News

I've delurked on a couple of cool blogs and blurted out the big secret, so I thought I'd better share it here before you hear it someplace else...

Baby #2 is on the way.

Slim will have a little brother or sister come March 10. They'll be only 21 months apart. Aaiieeee! Are we insane?

I've been feeling tired, but mostly good. Just like with Slim, I really haven't had any morning sickness and so far I haven't run into the sciatica pain I had last time. Baby #2 has had a good heartbeat and passed his/her nuchal translucency test, so hopefully everything will continue along smoothly.

I've been desperately trying to avoid startitis on a number of baby things, both for new Baby and Slim. I have the Stripz pattern from MinnowKnits that I've been wanting to start for Slim before he grows out of the amount of yarn I bought for it (yikes). Wish I'd read this review first before getting the Manos Cotton Stria that the yarn shop recommended. I also have Miss Bea's Playtime from Rowan with a lot of cute sweaters that I think the babies will look good in.

But baby things will have to wait this fall. Instead I'm am arming up for:

Alright, yes, I am a slow knitter. In fact, this business about comparing SPM (stitches per minute) on some blogs has really annoyed me. But what I lack in speed, I make up for in enthusiasm. Wanna hear my Sock Wars song?

Okay, click here to hear the original version. But here's my version for you to sing along with, if you're a hard core knitter. We're going to "knit right to the wire!"

So I'm armed up with Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK in Blue Boy. I've still gotta swatch it, and I'm going with US6s, knowing my propensity to knit (ahem) tightly. Then I think I'll be ready for D-Day on Sept. 22 (the day before my 30th birthday!).

But before now and then, I'm busting my butt to get a couple of other projects finished, since I'm making the optimistic assumption that I might be in Sock Wars til it ends in November. I want to get the second Welt Fantastic sock done so I know I'll make my September Sock-a-Month 2 commitment. I hauled during nap time today and made it through the heel. This is what the couch looked like after:

Kitchener stitch bites. Hard. That's Knitting Know-How, Sensational Knitted Socks, Vogue Knitting, Knitting Vintage Socks, and Stitch and Bitch (from back to front), in case you were wondering.

And I still hate Kitchener stitch. These socks call for two grafts, one at the heel and one at the toe. Mine look particularly like ass. I'm not even going to show you the first sock, but here is the heel of the second.

And here is the Figure 8 cast-on from my last pair of socks.

This is why I dig the toe-up. The Welt Fantastic will be my first top-down pair out of 5 so far. But I know I need to expand my repertoire, so I'm sure I'll just have to kiss up to the Kitchener stitch like everyone else. Besides the Sock Goddess doesn't really do toe-up, so if I want to take on her patterns next, I'll just have to suck it up.

And the other project, you ask? What else is going on in Chez Muthaknitter? "The" Sweater. That's what. If you have recently joined our regularly scheduled programming, it is The Swearer (HAH, Freudian slip!) -- Sweater -- the Cap'n would like to see me in before my belly gets too big to fit into it. Especially considering I started it last January. See archives for prior enthusiasm about it.

I have the beginnings of Finishing Angst (TM), and besides, it's big yarn on big needles, and that makes my hands hurt after awhile. So it goes. Only one sleeve and the collar to go. Then the yummy Annie turtleneck is mine.

Phew. Back to knitting.

Summer in the City

There are many things I like about living in D.C., and just one that I don't.

But what I love is that there are so many cool things to do that are free. On Thursday, Slim and I ventured down to the Kennedy Center to catch a free show at the Millenium Stage. Guess who?

John McCutcheon. (Dad and Karen, I kid you not.)

I was introduced to his hammer dulcimer playing on family vacations, and love his folky music. In an hour show, he played piano, guitar, mandolin, hammer dulcimer, banjo and fiddle. It was awesome!! He does great music for kids and has a new CD out that is a collaboration with poets and authors.

I was going to try to get a photo of Slim and John together, but by the time the concert and CD signing was finishing up, Slim was more than ready to go. He was a perfect angel for the whole show, so I didn't push it.

This is Slim at the fountain outside the Kennedy Center in a pose that I see quite a lot of, particularly lately, but other people who are used to enjoying his lovely moments do not. Mouth open, (imagine screech or grunt here), pointing very determinedly at whatever he wants, many things of which he is not supposed to have.

He's making a lot more word-like sounds, but still not walking. Sigh. I know that I will look back on this time with fondness, remembering how easy it was when he wasn't moving under his own power into many more things he shouldn't be into, but....when is he going to walk?

Soooo other cool things about living in D.C....today Slim and I went to the Museum of American History to see it before it closes for two years for renovations. We took in the Star Spangled Banner and Slim got the biggest kick out of the America Moves exhibit with trains, cars, trucks and motorcycles. If it's got wheels, it's good.

What don't I like about living in D.C.?

Well, it's been a year, and I still miss NC. I gotta admit it. I miss friends and my job and the whole vibe. I just felt like I was on top of things there, and there are still some days (maybe it's the kid?) where I just struggle to keep up here.

But I'm hoping to meet some cool new knitting friends soon! I went to last Wednesday's first meeting of an SnB at Eastern Market. The Cap'n would love for me to have other people to blather at about yarn....

Speaking of, this is a knitting blog, right? I'm almost done with the leg of the second Welt Fantastic sock, and since I'm trying project monogamy for a while, there's not much else to talk about. Blah. But hopefully I'll have a pic in the next couple of weeks. That'll give me sock for September for the Sock-a-Month KAL. Yay! Unless I start knitting faster, I'm going to have trouble keeping up with my monthly pair of socks commitment.

And the Cap'n has pointed out that cooler weather is coming, and the sweater is still languishing. First sleeve is started, so must get on that...

Haha!! I'm typing this as I listen to Cast-On. I'm rather behind, so I'm only on Episode 28. Knitta Please by Mike Bryant just came on. It's a hardcore gangsta rap song about our craft. It is hilarious!

Knitta Please!

Hats Off!

An action series:

I don't wear hats, Mom.

Can't we give it to someone else?

Here, you want it back?

Yep, that's my boy. And my latest FO.

I started a baby hat awhile back with the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Rainbow. I was trying for something lacy and airy, but it wasn't working out well. I wasn't sure how much yarn I had left after making Elongated Corded Rib socks (example to show the pattern) for my stepmother, so I was trying to be cautious.

So I ripped it back the Thursday before our trip to Indiana for Sarah's wedding and started over with the wonderful Lucia's Top Down Spiral Hat pattern. I (heart) this pattern! It's simple and easy and makes a great fitting hat. Perfect airplane knitting, too.

But of course...I ran out of yarn in Indiana.

Dum, da, da, dum...yay for Yarns Unlimited! I ran out right before the rehearsal and found some great Cascade 220 in a perfect John Deere green color. Slim actually picked it out. Nancy, the lady at the shop, was showing me the colors they had that might match the Lorna's , and Slim grabbed for the green and put it up to his cheek. My sweet little yarn snob!

So I was able to add green ribbing and a green/variegated pompom to finish off the hat in a week. It is wild to say the least. I went ahead and made the hat 96 stitches around (what can I say? we have some big heads in my family) and the colors pooled like crazy. It looks variegated in the top at the increases, tie-dyed around the body of the hat and finishes off with green ribbing. The (semi-) still shot:

Slim has a new habit: screaming. Screeching, actually might be a better term for it. I think he's getting in three more teeth, including two top molars. And he took a couple little baby steps today, not a complete walk, but almost. So I think the fussiness is a combination of both of those breakthroughs. It's been a challenge.

Other news is brewing...but more when I'm not so tired...

FFO

That's for Finally Finished Object!

The fall-colored socks are finally done. I really love the stripey goodness. This non-flash picture actually captures the colors quite well. The one sock has an orange-red band that is quite a bit brighter than the other sock. It came from the third ball, where the colors seemed brighter.

Yarn: Schoeller + Stahl Limbo in the 2539 "Hummingbird" colorway
Purchased at: Yarns Unlimited in Bloomington
Started: June 1-ish?
Finished: August 15

I used about 2-1/2 balls, and have quite a bit left over of the third ball. Maybe enough for a baby hat.

Pattern again was the "You're Putting Me On" toe-up socks with a Figure 8 cast-on and a Garter Rib leg from Sensational Knitted Socks. They're quite large, and hopefully will make a nice boot sock for the intended recipient. They are practically knee highs on me.

I am working on the second Welt Fantastic sock, which is actually my first top-down pair. I really am trying to branch out in my sock-making skills. There's the top-down Welt Fantastic and my Magic Loop Caribbean Blue two-socks-at-one-time already on the needles. I feel like I should try short row heels next.

I am drooling over Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks and Knitting On the Road, and I really want to make one of these next. I can hear the Cap'n suggesting that I finish my other UFOs first, but it can't hurt to dream, right?

Ain't Droppin' It

Y'all. I just had to let you know that last night, knitting on the Metro as the kid slept, I was able to rescue 6 dropped stitches without a crochet hook. Just me and my Boyes.

I had to tell someone, because the three other people on my train car didn't seem all that excited. Don't know why.

Slim and I had dinner last night with Grandpa B from Indiana, who is in town for a conference. Wore the little boy slap out, and I wasn't able to get much knitting done except for the little on the way home.

Grandpa is coming over for dinner tonight, but I still intend to finish those fall-colored socks before we leave out for Indiana on Thursday for sis's wedding. There will be knitting progress pictures! THERE WILL!!

Now for the big question: Which knitting project(s) should I pack for the trip?

Day. Made.

Scene is a busy city intersection where three roads intersect and several crosswalks lead from island to island where grass goes haphazardly. I'm walking the dog with the kid in the Snugli backpack, which conveniently comes with a side pouch that can nicely hold a ball of yarn. I'm working on the Garter Rib socks (v. easy pattern) as we're on our way to the park.

A woman about my age in the passenger seat of a Jetta stopped at the light rolls down her window. I can see some kids strapped in the back seat. She shouts at me, as she pumps her hand in the air:

"I know that's right! Multitask, Mom! That's right!"

My day was made.

It was a good day today. I got a chance to catch up on sleep this afternoon when the boys went to an outdoor city pool. Then the family took a walk down to Eastern Market to shop for dinner tonight.

Knitting progress photos soon!

A New Addition

I have been incredibly remiss in introducing a new member of our family. He's small, he's cute...he's June!

(Not June)

It's actually incredibly difficult to get a photo of a Betta fish in a small "Lavarium" tank. The Lavarium is an aquarium shaped like a lava lamp with different colored lights. Groovy.

June (he's named after Slim's birth month) is the same colors as the Betta pictured above. Quite beautiful blues, purples and reds. I'd like to find a yarn the same colors as June. This one looks nice! And cashmere too!

June lives on the bedside table next to Slim's crib. For a few weeks, I don't think he knew June was there. But then, one day after he woke up from a nap, I saw him cruise over to the end of his crib, stick his hand through and pat June's tank, saying, "aaah laa baa laa ah-ah-ah."

I think that means, "Hi, fish. Have you had lunch yet? Because I haven't and I think Mom should really get out of bed and feed me again."

50 Things About Me

Well, Numero Uno, before the list starts: Garter stitch in the round sucks. Hard. But I went ahead and cast on for the partner to the Welt Fantastic sock. Love the pattern, hate the garter stitch cuff.

I'm also making progress on the fall-colored socks with the Garter Rib pattern. I've turned the heel and am ready to start the leg pattern. It's so easy to remember, it's perfect Metro/waiting room knitting. So I don't feel as under much pressure with it. I think I'll be able to finish it by the end of the month for my KAL.

So on to my list. I saw this over at Knittin' Mom's blog and thought I would give it a go. Haven't done anything like this up here yet.

1. FIRST NAME? Virginia
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I am named after both of my grandmothers.
3. LAST CRY? Okay, I'm a sap: Last week when I saw a commercial about a kid going away to college, and I thought about Malcolm going away to school. You may now point out the fact that he is only 1 year old.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yep.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Bologna.
6. KIDS? Just the one. So far.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so.
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I mostly blog and write in the kid's daily book.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Yeah, right. I'd never do that. (ha)
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Tonsils, adenoids, and all of my wisdom teeth!
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I would sky dive, but not bungee jump.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cracklin' Oat Bran.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no. (oops)
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Abso-freakin-lutely.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate chip cookie dough
16. SHOE SIZE? 10 wide after pregnancy.
17. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Worrying too much. Obsessively, SOMEONE might say.
18. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friends in NC.
19. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? If anyone reads this and wants to shoot it back to me or post it on their blog, I'd love to read it.
20. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black track pants and no shoes.
21. LAST THING YOU ATE? Spinach empanada and fried plantains.
22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? South Park.
23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Cerise.
24. FAVORITE SMELL? Cotton.
25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? The Cap’n.
26. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Intelligence and sense of humor.
27. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? She’s a great KAL hostess!
28. FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Coke.
29. FAVORITE SPORT? Yoga
30. EYE COLOR? Blue-gray-green.
31. HAT SIZE? Gigantor – 23 inches around.
32. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.
33. FAVORITE FOOD? Ethiopian. Yum.
34. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy endings, always.
35. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATER? Capote. I highly recommend it.
36. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Green
37. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall.
38. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses!
39. FAVORITE DESSERT? Magic Shell on top of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
40. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? My sisters?
41. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? The Cap’n
42. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Trawler by Redmond O’Hanlon.
43. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't have one.
44. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Mr. and Mrs. Smith
45. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Classical music
46. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? The Stones
47. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Guatemala
48. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Walking the dog, carrying the baby and knitting a sock, all at the same time!
49. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Charlotte, North Carolina
50. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I scammed it, and you can to!

Let me know if you do it, too. Now I'm off to bed!

Nothing Beats Good Sox

The weather has finally cooled off a bit, but I'm still not overly motivated to work on the Sweater That Shall Not Be Named. Bulky alpaca/wool is a challenge even in an air conditioned apartment.

So I'm all about the socks. Not to mention that 3 of the UFOs hanging about are socks, and I can't touch the Cap'n's Debbie Bliss gift until the UFOs are ALL done, so, hey, I'm feeling the sock love.

I went ahead and joined up on the Knittin' Mom's KAL to get motivated on finishing up the socks I've started. Check out all the other participants' socks on her page. Plus I like her thoughts about breastfeeding and high MPG cars!

Speaking of boobage, (I know, you're saying, we were?) the boy has mostly stopped breastfeeding now that he's chowing down on 3 meals plus snacks a day. He had a little milk today, but generally he is even able to fall asleep without it. There are some times when he needs to be cuddled extra, and I'm more than happy to do so, just so he knows that even though the milk isn't flowing, the love is.

OK. Back to work on the sox. Must. Knit. More.

Ooh, Zippy

So yesterday, I had to get to a doctor's appointment, and Oren had to take the Orangemobile into work early. Que un problemo, right?

Hello, Zipcar!

What a nifty little concept. All I had to do was activate my card, and in less than 5 minutes I could reserve a car for the same day. I got the Scion xB "Bapka" that lives near the Potomac Avenue Metro station. If I want, I can even reserve a car back in our old hometown. And the 3.5 hours cost us just $30.

When we were still car shopping, I wanted to check out the xB, but after driving the xA and being incredibly disappointed, we didn't bother. And I am glad. The xB feels Grand Canyon big on the inside, but it feels like it has even less pick-up than my Honda Civic CX did. It is sooo sloooooow. But Bapka was a great alternative to the Pathfinder.

A sad story: Oren bought the Pathfinder not long after we started dating, and it's been everywhere with us, including to Ocracoke for our wedding and Maine for our honeymoon. But it has what the mechanic calls "a rust condition" and is no longer drivable. Tomorrow I'm going to try to get the paperwork together to donate it. Bye, bye, Nissan. We've loved you.

All the other bloggers are talking about the heatwave, and I don't have much else to add but: DAMMMNN. It is hot. It's too hot to knit at the park while the kid plays, as Slim and I have been doing each morning, but I am going to try to do more knitting inside where it's cool.

A Fiber-y Day

Today the family made a trip over to the Textile Museum here in D.C. It was the last day for the "Seldom Seen" exhibit of materials in the museum's collection that have either never been exhibited or haven't been seen in years. Here's a sampling.

The pieces in the collection were thought-provoking. Such a fantastic variety of textiles from around the world, woven, embroidered, looped, etc. The mantle of the shaman from Peru particularly sticks in my mind for the unusual embroidery.

In the interactive room, there was even a chance to spin, except that the spindle was missing its hook. Harumph. But on the other hand, probably a good thing. There would literally be no place to sit down if I took up spinning too. And where would I keep the sheep?

Speaking of knitting, I finished the first fall sock, and being a good knitter, promptly cast on for the second sock. I hope it won't take me as long to finish. I'm going to join the Sock-a-Month KAL so I'll be motivated to work through all my current WIPs and stay focused on going through the stash.

But to distract you from slow knitting, a kid picture:

He's teething, and is a real bear sometimes. I shouldn't complain, though, because he is still incredibly good-natured, considering. Are all parents as fascinated by their kids as we are? He's making new noises, practicing more lu, wu, blu-type sounds with his tongue and lips, and it is hilarious. Sometimes I wonder if he's going to talk before he walks.

Must go. Falling asleep typing. The little early riser is up every day by 6am.

Yarn in a Bag

I'm going to start by saying my husband rocks. He cooks, he cleans (occasionally), he rubs my feet, he buys me yarn.

Whoa, I know what you're thinking out there, Yarn Hos, but you need to step off. Don't make me pull out the pointy needles...

So knowing my obsession, the Cap'n surprises me last weekend with 8 balls of Debbie Bliss Cathay in medium blue and cream. Go ahead, click on the link, the only experience missing is rubbing it up against your cheek.

It's cotton, it's silk, it's sin in a ball.

And it's in a bag right now in his closet.

That's right. I'm banned (!) from using it until I get my other projects finished. What kind of sadistic person hands a fiber snob some of the most lovely yarn ever spun, says "it's all yours," then takes it away??!?!

The Cap'n.

It's supposed to be "a motivator" to get past my Knitter ADD. It's supposed to be the fiber carrot for this slow knitting donkey. So until I finish up some of the other projects (OMG, there's too many!!), no dreaming about the Picovoli. No thinking about the Cathay pattern book. Forget the cute Mimosa tanktop. I can't yet use the leftovers as a cute little belt.

It's good thing I love him. Otherwise yarn makes a nice garrote.

Actual Knitting Content!

Hello! All apologies for the excessive exclamation points! But really! Actual knitting content!

So I was going back over the blog for the last month or so, and I realized that there were too few yarny pictures for a knitting blog. And I love yarn. And I have been knitting, albeit slowly, so I figured I would provide some updates.

So this is the first of a pair (I hope!) of Garter Rib socks from the Sensational Knitted Socks. I love this stitch pattern. Charlene Schurch is a genius. I'm about to start a regular K2P2 ribbing at the top because I don't know how much the Garter Rib stays up by itself.

(OMG: I just saw a promo for the Animaniacs on DVD! I LOOOOOOVE that show. Must. Have. DVD. "What are we goin' to do tonight, Brain?" "Same thing we do every night, Pinky: Take Over the World!")

This is a flashy, close-up photo of the stitch pattern and the colors. It's a Schoeller + Stahl yarn, Limbo, in the kolibri (any German speakers out there?) colorway. I have really enjoyed watching the colors change as it goes. It is, I believe, a 3-ply yarn where one of the colors changes at any time, so the stripes fade into each other really well. The wider than usual yellow/orange band is where I joined the second ball.

I bought three balls of it at Yarns Unlimited in Bloomington when I was there in May. I'm using Brittany US Size 6s, so think boot socks when you imagine these. The wool is so soft and warn. It's going to be wonderful to wear. Since I knew I would be knitting boot socks for one of the men in my life, I figured I would need more than the recommended two balls. I don't think I'll use the three balls completely, but probably most of them. And these are... wait for it... wait for it...

Christmas presents. Wha? Are you still there? Did you hit your head when you fell over? I'm not saying who these are for, and they might be the only ones that get done, but whoo-hoo me!

And these?

Magic!

Loop!

I'm hoping to cure the SSSS (Severe Second Sock Syndrome) I'm in by knitting two socks on one circular with Magic! Loop! I *Heart* Magic! Loop! And the yarn...I want to eat it. Maybe it'll help settle my stomach. It's Claudia Handpainted in Caribbean Blue. I've used this yarn previously for the Chocolate Cherry socks, and it's gorgeous.

FYI, the Chocolate Cherry socks still await blocking, but now that Wendy says she doesn't, they may go to their new home without. Not that a certain someone needs any kind of wool socks in this kind of weather.

I'm trying to keep my spirits up on the Caribbean socks by reminding myself that I'm getting two done at once, becuase they are moving sooooooo slllllooooooooowwww. Again, I can't tell you who these are for, but again...Christmas presents. Yay me!

I knit on these for a little bit while on the Chinatown bus up to NYC while Slim slept. Slim was a good soldier the whole way there, even with an unexpected stop in the Chinatown in Philly. We ate, read books, played ball and he napped while I knit.

And I'm proud to say that I must be looking citified because when we reached New York, I'm getting the stroller set up to put Slim in, standing in the middle of the busy Chinatown market, and a college-age kid who got off the bus after me comes over and asks, "Do you know the way to the Metro?"

You bet I do, kid. You bet I do.

Slim and Momma on the Chinatown bus to NYC