The Week from H. E. Double Toothpicks

Yes, indeedy, read all about it!
Started Monday with an ice storm which left cars frozen solid in driveways, and trees sparkling like icy jewels in the sunlight.
Then it turned COLD. Nasty, nasty cold. Not a week ago we were out in sweaters and running shoes, and now, well, it's winter.
My youngest, Ben, came down with a horrid cold on Monday and was home for two days. On Wednesday his class had a field trip to Harbourfront Centre in Toronto for a Drumming Workshop - way cool.
And it was. He rallied in the morning for the hands-on, playing African drums session. After lunch we were ushered into a small, warm room to make our own clay drums, and unfortunately, this proved too much for the kid. After finding a washroom with not a second to spare, we waited in the hallway until it was time to go home, and then I sat nervously beside him on the bus for the 40-minute ride, plastic bags at the ready.
He was fine, but had to stay home Thursday to recuperate.

Tanner had some excitement of his own on Thursday:
Before:

After:

The bad news is, his teeth are too sore for solid food, and tonight is pizza night, which leaves him SOL. The good news is, I can order Ben his usual small cheese pizza, and then I can get what I WANT for a change - mushrooms, anchovies, onions... mmmm... heartburn, here I come!
And I clocked in my first official FO's of 2007:

Project: Ball-Band Washcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Peaches & Creme, Fiesta and Peacock
Needles: 4mm
Time to Completion: approximately 2 hours each

and today I learned that that crazy Yarn Monkey is at it again - seems like Socks Wars just wasn't enough... the new challenge is for the Knitting Championship of the World...check her blog link for details...

did I sign up? Do you even need to ask?

So, for a week which started in the netherworld, I think things have improved nicely... happy weekend, all!

Well, it had to happen...

FOOTNOTE: HATS BY BEN
and the fact that it didn't happen until the middle of January is really, well, weird...



but the kids are happy, even about having their snowpants on, and it does feel much more 'right' now - I mean, this is Southern Ontario, for God's sake - we should be sick and tired of this stuff by now, and instead we're (read: I'm) kind of excited about it!

So as they tumble and slide and come in periodically for dry mitts, I am wrapped in domesticity - working on a Ball-Band washcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting - very cute, pic to come - baked beans in the crockpot, bread in the bread machine - oh my God, I am turning into June Cleaver!!!

Hell, it could be worse, I suppose... I could be turning into Wally or Eddie Haskell or something...

and thanks for all the very very kind words about my return here - I feel so much better I can't tell you (well, my constant blogging probably says enough), and I am just so very happy to hear from people again - yay!

I will leave you with this idea for a new hobby, should knitting prove to be lacking in challenge (HA! As if!) Any guesses as to what it's made from?

And now I may become annoying...

Now that this seems to be working (yes, I am touching wood while I type), I must thank my secret pal, Anonknit, for this most wonderful sampling of goodies:

LOVE the tape measure, and now I have one in each knitting bag, so I should never be unable to find one... right? Tea with an infuser, edible treats (there was also a box of chocolate/caramel biscuits, but, well, between the three of us... it didn't survive long), a Christmas decoration all wrapped up in a lovely tea towel - thank you so, so much!

And note, this came to me while my pal has been in the midst of a cross-country move, with 4 kids, during Christmas... need I say more?

I am currently working on a couple of sweaters for a gal who has opened a 'fiber arts gallery' in Michigan - beautiful yarns, nice, basic patterns - and am working on the boys' henleys in between - will put up pics of those later, as well as my much adored socks - plus Kelly just sent me her Sideways sock for assistance - I think it looks fine, but since I'm the one who made her try it, I'm more than happy to try to fix whatever seems to need fixing - although I don't see much at this point...

A season in photographs...

most creative cookie of the year: "Tiny Tim"
followed closely by "Super-Gingey"

mittens:
thrummed alpaca from Green Acres Farm
thumbless reversible joggers' mitts from EZ's 'Knitting Around'

mini-ornaments: and

felted clog slippers from Stitch Divas:

basic socks, made better than basic with Knit Picks "Gloss" (merino wool/silk)

felted baskets, which I LOVE and will make more of...

and the dogs protecting their Christmas gifts from each other -



just a small note: it is January 13, and so far , between the two of them, they have only actually finished one of these suckers. Charlie is perpetually carrying the second one around with him, banging into walls and cabinets and dropping it on things like the floor and our feet, but is not actually eating it. He is, in a word, neurotic...

Special thanks to Tanya, for all of your help with the pictures - it worked!!

There's no place like home...

Okay, okay... I went, I saw, I blew it - just couldn't get the hang of the new system at all, and it was totally sucking the fun out of blogging, which for me, up until my "move", it was. I mean, really, I just want to write, share some photos, and maybe hear from people.

After a month, I could write, and sort of share pictures - as long as you are comfortable with teeny weenies - but couldn't hear from anyone - and I thought being master of my domain would be much more rewarding...

so I have conceded defeat - I give up - I quit - I admit to being somewhat technologically challenged - and I'm back - and I'm hoping that in the near future I'll be able to upgrade here to the new version and have more things to play with...

but for now I am happy to be here, and hoping that things will work out - my next major task is to reformat my hard drive - third time in 18 months - and once that's done it should all be a cakewalk... right?

Knit-wise, I am working on the second sock of those Trekking socks which I love so very much - got through a WHACK of Christmas knitting, pics of which I will get up pronto, am still working on the boys' sweaters (no longer Christmas sweaters, but rather just 'sweaters') plus doing some contract knitting - YAY!!! Paid to knit!!! Truly, my ideal...

wow - the relief I am feeling at this moment is just huge - such a weight off my shoulders... moral of the story? The grass isn't always greener on the other side, although, for January in Southern Ontario, it's pretty damn green...

I'm moving...

not physically, but virtually - in an attempt to improve my blogging experience, I am switching services, and will now be located at http://unravellings.com -

there are still glitches to be worked through, but I am hoping to be fully operational shortly - so far I have figured out how to post, and am trying to upload pics - then I have to figure out what to do with the pictures once uploaded - but I'll get there...

hopefully you few, but exceptionally special, folks out there who follow my misadventures haven't given up completely, and will check out the new digs...

"If you follow me, all of your wildest dreams will come true." (Paraphrased from Pedro's election speech, Napoleon Dynamite)

Whew!

They fit - perfectly, I'd say - and the girls seem to like them, so all is good... Trisha's is the green, which I honestly wasn't sure about, colour-wise, but which looks really good on her - Sammie's brown Wallaby was more to my liking, but I think they both look great - perfect teenager sweaters...

makes me almost want one for myself...

Project: Wonderful Wallaby, by Cottage Creations, both size Large Adult (no web page that I can find, but if you google them you will find folks who sell their patterns, which are all wonderful)

Yarn: Patons "Decor" (75% acrylic, 25% wool - Rich Taupe and Light Sage Green)

(Interestingly, according to the pattern I would have needed 10 balls for each sweater, but I only ended up using 5 each - and I didn't forget anything or leave anything out - okay, so maybe I miscalculated, not the pattern...)

Started: September 14 and 15, 2006

Finished: November 16 and 17, 2006

Oh, did I mention

THE WALLABIES ARE DONE!!!!!!!

Last ends sewn in yesterday, pics to hopefully follow tomorrow, when I give them to my nieces...

God, I hope they fit!

Overzealous? Moi??

Pshaw! Sure, I may be a little, um, enthusiastic in my knitting goal setting. Okay, and maybe a little unrealistic. But I come from a long line of unrealistic enthusiasts, and it never seems to be daunting. Overwhelming, sure, but never daunting. Right, Mom?

So, I have decided to knit sweaters for my children for Christmas - KnitPicks' Henley Sweater pattern with their Shamrock yarn, one blue, one brown

A couple of felted baskets, again from KnitPicks (yes, I love KnitPicks - wanna make something of it?), into which I am hoping to pop small beaded purses, some thrummed mitts into one and felted, beaded slippers from Stitch Diva into the other...

plus a pair of Fleece Maiden thrummed socks for an upcoming birthday gift for one whom I know has cold feet (literally, I mean) -

I've also been thinking about hats or mitts for my nieces and nephews, or something cute and warm, but there are 5 of them, so it would have to be small-ish -

plus it had crossed my mind that it would be totally cute to have a mini-sweater or mitts decorating various parcels, which could then be put on the tree - I made some a couple of years ago and they were just adorable...

and I was of course hoping to throw in some stuff for me, too... but that will be in my next post...

Kelly and I are still working on our Sideways Socks, but so I don't move too far ahead without her okay, I started another sock. For me. And I love it. I mean, I REALLY love it:


Trekking XXL, colourway #108. Started November 13, waiting for my computer to download. This is my waiting-at-the-orthodontist, sitting-in-the-car, waiting-by-the-computer, supervising-homework sock. Lots of waiting around the last couple of days, apparently.

I think it's the homespun look of it, and the colours - but make no mistake, I am utterly enamoured with this sock. So much so that I am already stressing about wearing holes into the socks, and am contemplating buying another ball as back-up, for the next pair.

I am halfway through the first sock, and I am upset about the holes I have worn into it. Hmm, maybe this is one of those unhealthy infatuation/obsession things I've read about. With a sock. That isn't done yet.

Perhaps more evidence of that overzealousness... ya think?

again with the mailman

The guy must either love coming here, or just dread it, because of my overly enthusiastic responses to his deliveries...

in yesterday's mail, from my Secret Pal Anonknit:

first, it is necessary to admire the wrapping, and the card - handmade card, with my name on it, and the most beautiful calligraphy - I like to think I can do calligraphy also, but not like this...

check the bow wrapping the package - those are stitch markers, IN MY INITIALS - how absolutely wonderful! And I would be happy with this - handmade card, stitch markers, and tissue paper (yes, I am really that easy to please!) -
but wait, there's more!
Unwrapping the package revealed a stunning skein of Lorna's Laces - look at those colours... just yummy... a beautiful little bag, in which I shall keep my beautiful little stitch markers, and some wonderful smelling soap. Even my ten-year old appreciates this soap, and he is, well, a ten year old... and a boy, to boot!

I feel spoiled beyond words, truly, and can't thank you enough - what a tremendous week this has been, and what perfectly generous souls y'all are...

no more almonds for the mailman - sigh - but I will have to find some way to thank him - I'd knit socks but his feet are humungous, and I have given myself a whack of family Christmas knitting to do - oh, wait - maybe Socks of Doom? Those were a fast knit... yes, maybe he should get to appreciate first-hand some of the joy he brings me... please note, this is not a full-out committment, just a thought - the sweaters I want to make for my sons, and other assorted smaller gifts for friends and nieces and nephews? Those are committments...

in other news, I was at my younger son's school this afternoon for one of my many volunteer activities (and yes, I feel completely blessed that I can help out), when the doors were locked, and an announcement made that the school was in 'lockdown mode'. Now, there have been drills in the past few weeks, the thought of which made me uncomfortable, and so I assumed this was another one. No, this was in fact a real lockdown - a bank across the street was held up at gunpoint. Now, we live in a small, quiet town. We walk to the bookstore and coffee shop, the kids walk to their neighborhood comic store - real Andy Hardy stuff. School lockdowns? Bank robberies at gunpoint??? Not in our neighborhood, thank you very much. Of course, the kids are excited about the whole thing, but me? I'm just a little bit nervous... oh, they've caught the robber, and everything is back to normal... but now there's just a hint of disquiet in the back of my mind - where did I put those damned rose-coloured glasses of mine??

I love my mailman

I think anyone who has shopped online has likely developed a real affection for their mailman, a sense of longing and anticipation for his arrival, but yesterday afternoon I discovered the true meaning of mailman love -

not one, but two, count 'em, TWO, packages from my Sockret pal:
the most delectable bath stuff - bath crystals and soap, and - something new - a bath tea bag - mmmmm....
and then another package with gorgeous orange sock yarn from Knitpicks, the Holiday Knits magazine from Interweave, and the funkiest measuring tape (it's Pinocchio and his nose grows - I LOVE THIS!!) - oh, and my all-time favourite comfort food, chocolate covered almonds... all wrapped up with a Napoleon Dynamite card, which my kids are totally pleased with...

so picture me, last night, after a particularly difficult day... steaming lavender/tangerine scented water, glass of red wine, bowl of chocolate almonds... then into fresh-out-of-the-dryer jammies and my cuddly brown robe, a solid evening of CSI reruns and my knitting - I know, I am absolutely boring - some have even described me as an 'old maid'- but this was just the evening I needed - thanks, Sockret Pal, for making such a wonderful, thoughtful contribution...

the mailman also brought the latest installment of Socks that Rock, with lots of extra goodies in the package my favourite, by far (in addition to the wool, of course, which is beautiful!), is the card - you can see the front of it in the pic, lower right corner, the women wearing ammo belts of yarn studded with dpn's - the inside reads: "Swatches? We don't need no stinkin' swatches!" This variation of a quote from Treasure of the Sierra Madre, with Humphrey Bogart and Walter Houston, is one of my favourites, and I use it all the time, for all situations - how absolutely perfect!

so a lovely end to a shitty day, thanks in part to my mailman, who certainly deserves some token of my affection... maybe an almond... if there are any left by Monday...

Nick

This morning Tanner, my eldest son, and I went to a funeral. The funeral was for a friend of his, a 15 year old absolute gem of a boy. On Monday, without warning, he collapsed in class and died shortly thereafter. The actual cause of Nick's death has been identified as natural, but is still unknown. Our schools, and the community at large, have been in shock since.

The service today was lovely - the church was full beyond capacity, filled with teachers, teammates, classmates, and friends - the sadness in the room was palpable, and I did my best to bear up for the sake of my son, who was working hard to maintain his composure. The music, performed by the school's music teacher on piano and her brother on violin, was achingly beautiful, and so much more soothing than the typical strains of organ music. Pictures of Nick surrounded the altar: with his cat, cuddled with his sister, in a cub scout uniform.

My son knew Nick as a fellow Star Wars afficionado, and as the brother of Madeline, who has been in his class since kindergarten. I have known the family through my work at the school. It was Maddie who made me weep this morning in a particularly poignant moment, as her father visibly wept, and she laid her head on his shoulder, whispering. Her father kissed the top of her head, hugged her, and whispered something in return. I dissolved. I do again as I type.

My heart is leaden tonight - heavy with sadness for Nick's family, who will find themselves no longer a tight quartet once extended family return to their lives, but a trio. My heart breaks for Maddie, who will no longer be walking to school with her big brother, deep in conversation and utterly engaged. I wish beyond anything that I could do something for Paul, Tamara and Madeline, but this is of course beyond the capacity of anyone to mend.

My mother feels that as long as they have their faith, they will get through this. Me? Well, my faith has been shaky since my late teens, and this makes me question, question, question...

No answers, only questions.

We will return you to your regularly scheduled knit chat tomorrow. Thank you for your patience, and indulgence. Godspeed, Nick...

summer no more...

I know, I know, why am I bemoaning the end of summer now, on this second day of November? Because today it's actually cold. And grey. And my front trees are naked. And my front lawn is not. And I HATE wearing coats and shoes and all the other accessories that go with cold weather. So there.

I was ill much of last week - cold-like symptoms with bone deep, ass dragging fatigue, which is still lingering, making it hard for me to focus on things like reading, or even listening to books. I started a new one by Stephen King, Lesey's Story, and after an hour realized I had no idea what the hell I had heard. So I figure it's kind of like getting two books for the price of one, what with the rewinding and re-listening...

We did have a nice Hallowe'en - perfect weather: warm-ish, dry, a good breeze blowing up crunchy, dead-sounding leaves - and a gang of intrepid trick or treaters:

(in order of appearance: The Grim Reaper, Boba Fett of Star Wars fame, The Joker, and a skeleton).

Charlie tried to get in on the action, but showed remarkable restraint - more than I did, in fact... and Maggie really didn't care
I have been able to knit, which is truly a saving grace - finished the boys' Moccasin Socks
Project: Elizabth Zimmermann's Moccasin Socks (Knitting Around)

Yarn: Briggs and Little 'Tuffy'

Needles: 3.5mm

Started: October 15, 2006

Finished: October 25, 2006

made them each an Ear Flap Hat, in colours of their choosing (the white one has not yet been blocked) - I actually made the yellow one in one day (how Tanya of me!)

Project: Ear Flap Hat

Yarn: Paton's 'Classic Wool', KnitPicks 'Merino' (stash and odds and ends - I am so proud)

Needles: 4mm

Started: October 28, 2006

Finished: October 31, 2006
and now, on with the Wallabies (are you tired of hearing about them yet?) - I am nearing the end of the sleeves, and will then knit them onto the body, whisk right along through the hoods, and voila! My aim is to have them completed before our next get-together, in two or so weeks.
It's in writing now.

And then perhaps something for moi, before the onslaught of Christmas gifts, which I should already be tackling, I guess... but I need something warm and cozy... because baby, it's cold outside...

must warn.....others

not.... much time....to let....people ....know
Socks of Doom.... late yesterday..... ahhhhhhhhhhh....
(followed by the dramatic, yet subtle, final twitch of the foot which everyone who has every watched a death scene in a movie knows is the international sign of fatality)...

I Am Back!

Several days without a computer has taught me several things...

1. I get antsy - nay, dare I say, grumpy? - when I cannot go online.

2. Not having a computer makes it necessary for me to find other means of occupying my time (not that it's a challenge to find other things, of course... it's just that I am selective about what I do with my time).

3. Some of these other things include playing with my new sock blockers:



PLUS

EQUALS:
SO professional looking - I can't believe I didn't treat myself to sock blockers years ago!

and working on my Sideways Socks, with Kelly : currently on Row 25, and I can finally see how this might one day grow up to be a sock... (note to self: use plain backgrounds to photograph busy yarns);

and taking my sons to Dyment's Farm yesterday in nearby Dundas in the rain and mud and yuck, so we could pick pumpkins and climb through a hay maze and swing off a rope into a huge stack of hay (that is not a royal we - I neither climbed nor swung) and eat caramel apples (I did, however, assist with this);

and playing yet another round of Star Wars Monopoly, and noticing very clearly this time the difference in organizational styles, which truly typifies my sons:

This is how Ben "organizes" his money and property -

This is Tanner's area - need I say more?

So, yes, there's a lot I can do when going online is not an option... but it's nice to be back...

Somebody Stop Me!

I seem to be on a roll - finishing, mending - sort of wish it would extend to other areas of my life like cleaning, but, take what you can get, I always says (to be pronounced Popeye-style)...
some months back I reported on a hole ( first one ever!) found in one of my favourite sweaters, made a couple of years ago from Morehouse Farms merino -

I found the offense after a brief, rare instance of intense cleaning up which resulted in my pitching the last bits of this yarn, which is hard to replicate. I wrote to Morehouse Farms a couple of weeks ago to explain my quandry, and they very nicely sent me enough yarn to repair several holes, at no charge. I was absolutely blown away by the customer service, which is really a sad commentary on how my expectations as a customer have dropped over time. Really - I should expect great service, but when it happens, I am inevitably surprised and almost too pleased by it.

And I really shouldn't clean, because look what happens. All part of life's valuable lessons...

Then, I finally managed to make Tanya's socks the desired length, although I could not for the life of me get rid of the damned line where I rejoined the yarn. And I tried. Many, many times. I am sorry, Tanya, I'd like them to be perfect, and they're not - I don't think you'll be able to feel the line when you wear them, and it's on the sole of the sock so you won't see it - but I KNOW IT'S THERE, and it drives me nuts...

so next on the list, in addition to the Wallabies, which are now both having sleeves knit simaltaneously, is Opal sock yarn I sent to Kelly, of which I have a matching skein, the idea being that we are going to knit Sideways Socks (I'll find the link later) together (well, virtually together - she's in Wisconsin, I'm in Ontario) - but I want to work on them with her and she's finishing a pair for her brother, so last night I cast on Moccasin Socks from EZ's Knitting Around for the boys. They picked their own colour schemes from Briggs and Little's 'Tuffy' yarn (both blue soles, Ben's red on top, Tanner's green), and I oh, so cleverly am making one for each of them at the same time - that way, no one feels left out or slighted... and as an aside, this yarn is a little hard on the hands to knit and should wear like iron - hopefully it will soften up in the wash, although I am assured that they are, in fact, very cozy on the feet... maybe my feet are more of the delicate flower variety? (If you saw them you would appreciate the humour in that - size 10's, not at all 'pretty' or delicate - in fact, I have two webbed toes on each foot - hmmm, there's the image I want to leave y'all with today)...

Secret Pal 9 / Sock Wars

I can't help it - I love the secret exchange thing - from SP8, which was my first, I have made two wonderful friends, and had so much fun putting together packages and such - yeah, I'm doing it again -

so, questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love unusual, exotic fibres (quiviut, silk, bamboo, hemp, linen) in addition to wool, and am tending towards natural fibre most of the time - I am not a fan of 100% acrylic, although I am okay with wool/acrylic blends.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?I use a wonderful bag that my mother made for me, without a pattern save the vision in her mind, from fabric woven by one my favourite uncles, which has a myriad of storage pouches and holders - I will post a pic of it in a future entry.
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?I have been knitting for about 37 of my 45 years, and would put myself at the advanced level, I think.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?No, but what a cool idea!
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)I like clean, fresh laundry, soapy smells - also lily of the valley and light florals along those lines; not a fan of heavy, sweet scents.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?Do I have a sweet tooth? Do little boys like fart jokes?? Favourite sweet is/are chocolate covered almonds, but my real weakness is salt, especially chips and french fries.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?I crochet, have done weaving and pottery, love crafts with my kids, am always do-it-myselfing around the house. I do not spin well, but I love it and am determined to get it.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)I will listen to almost anything but loud, harsh, discordant sounds or rap- love old blues, old jazz, 50's rock 'n roll, classical, and then stuff like Green Day, the Ramones - I'm all over the place. And yes, MP3's are my friend.
9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?Fave is Orange - also like blue, yellow, red - I love bright things, particularly when it comes to socks - have almost no green to my name, but I don't dislike certain shades - also like white.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?I live with my two sons, ages 10 and 12, two big dogs, a rabbit, two rats, and several dust dinosaurs that rear their ugly heads from time to time.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?Like scarves and mittens, want to like ponchos very much but haven't been able to picture myself in one yet...
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?I ALWAYS have socks on the go, and like to make sweaters - my favourite type of knitting is anything cabled and complicated.
13. What are you knitting right now?I am halfway through two Wonderful Wallabies for my 14 year old nieces, and fixing a pair of socks. But I have big plans... the Rogue hooded pullover in wine wool from Black Water Abbey yarns, EZ's hooded Aran coat from Knitting Around, and then the Christmas knitting... dare to dream...
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?Absolutely my favourite type of gift...
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I use circular Addis almost exclusively, although I have recently become enamoured with KnitPicks interchangeable needles..., and occasionally bamboo double points and my new rosewood dpn's for socks or sleeves.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?I have both a winder and a swift. Whether or not I can make easy-to-pull centre balls with them is another story...
17. How did you learn to knit?My grandmother taught me during one summer visit to her home in Quebec - she had seemingly endess supplies of the ugliest burnt orange acrylic yarn, and wouldn't teach me to cast off, so by summer's end I had a long strip of orange that wound all through the house.
18. How old is your oldest UFO?I found a couple recently that are maybe 3 - 4 years old? Misplaced during a move, you know how it is...
19. What is your favorite holiday?If summer vacation counts, that's the one...
20. Is there anything that you collect?Yarn and books, mostly, although I also appreciate some of the outrageous labels on bottles of hot sauce - I may start gathering some of the more memorable ones.
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?Any hand-dyed yarns; more of the KnitPicks needles tips, and one day before I die I will get a fabulous knitting bag by Jordana Paige or Namaste or someone.... I subscribe to Knitters' and Interweave Knits.
22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?I would love to perfect, or at least be half-decent at, spinning, and am always looking for new ways to do anything knitting.
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?Oh, yeah, baby, hardcore sock knitter. I wear a size 10 shoe, and make my socks about 9" long from base of heel to start of toe, like them a little longer on the calf.
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) April 22

Sock Wars Update: I heard from my intended target yesterday, who says she received the socks - please bow your heads and offer up a moment of silence for Cpt. Anne Cash (aka Dina Jones) -

I have heard nothing from my assassin, and have had no socks in the mail, so I don't know if I've slipped through the cracks or am knitting on borrowed time...

Happy Thanksgiving, and Socktoberfest

*I'm not sure if my computer is just unhappy, but I have been trying for two days to load the pictures described in the post, and they just won't load - does anyone have a suggestion as to what the problem might be? The Blogger folks do not seem to reply to emails...*

Yes, Thanksgiving here this weekend - we did our big, wild family thing here Sunday, and I was so busy hostessing I didn't take a damn picture - not even of my littlest nephew, James, who is 9 months old and starting the "let me hold onto your hands and walk endlessly and no, I really don't care how sore your back gets" phase - his dad, my brother, is 6'4" or so, so you can only imagine the shape his back is in these days...

ah well, a good time was had by all, I think... we certainly had fun - I love having my family here... even though I would say my house is the smallest, I just find it very cozy and comfortable with my family, all 13 of us, here, and I really do enjoy lots of kids being around -

Thanksgiving Monday the boys and I booked off everything - FREE day!! So we talked about what we were thankful for...
Charlie is thankful for: PIC OF CHARLIE CHEWING ON BONE SHOULD BE HERE

Maggie is thankful for: INSERT PIC OF MAGGIE SLEEPING ON HER COUCH

Tanner is thankful for: THIS SHOULD BE TANNER'S FACE BESIDE 6 OF HIS LITTLE FIGURINES
(those are but a scant few of the infamous Star Wars minis)

Ben is thankful for: HERE WOULD BE A SHOT OF BEN PLAYING ROAD HOCKEY

and me? whaddayathink?...

Our menu was, well, eclectic, to say the least: turkey, cheeseburgers (which we were supposed to have a couple of weeks ago before a couple of us fell ill and had to cancel), french fries (and gravy!!!!), and pasta salad. And our centrepiece, designed by my own sons, incorporates the themes of a couple of fall events... care to make a guess what we're celebrating??

Kind of warms the cockles of your heart, don't it? (What exactly are cockles??)

Socktoberfest began on the first - having been in a profound funk the past week I missed the opening, but am getting my not-so-little butt in gear now, beginning with these questions:

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started 8, maybe 10 years ago, and was self taught, from a very basic pattern - most likely from the internet, but I honestly don't recall
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
They were made from Big Socks or Big Print, fit fairly well - a little baggy, but not uncomfortably so - I still have one of them, but the other did that molecular alteration thing in the dryer (yes, I put socks in the dryer!), and I never saw it again - might have reconfigured itself into one of those white sweat socks which seem to multiply but have no mates...
What would you have done differently?
I would have used smaller needles for a snugger fit
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I love Koigu and Shelridge Farms, and Socks that Rock, plus, well, honestly? I am a sock yarn slut - there, I've said it, so now you know... I have very little self-control when it comes to new sock yarns, and with all the hand-dyed, new fiber combinations I keep finding, there's no hope - I must succumb...
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I love doing both socks at once on circulars, but am equally comfortable with wooden DPN's - haven't crocheted any YET, and have never tried the Magic Loop...
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I like both, actually, and love finding different ways of doing heels and toes...
How many pairs have you made?
I have no idea - if I were to make an educated guess, I would have to figure maybe 30 or more? Probably more...

so there we are - a sunny, quiet Thanksgiving day that I got to spend with my two favourite people (four if you count the dogs as people - oh, and then there's the bunny and the rats) - well, I am just thankful to be here, with them, in our little house, surrounded by books and yarn and Lego and minis and light sabers and hockey sticks...

life is good...

FO, why donchya?

Of course, I am referring to Finished Objects - don't know what you thought I meant!

My Knitpicks yarn jacket is done but for the blocking and buttons, and it is the loveliest, cuddliest thing - light and lofty but very warm -

• Project: Not Your Mother's Jacket, from Sally Melville's The Purl Stitch
• Yarn: Knit Picks Suri Dream (colour:Cascades) and Wool of the Andes Bulky (Navy Blue) held together
• Started: September 25, 2006
• Finished: October 2, 2006
• Needles: 9mm (hard to handle, but LOVE those quick results!)

I hope I can do justice to the thing by finding the right buttons... oh, I just realized you can see my toes at either corner of the pic - I had to stand on the couch to get the best vantage point - the socks were a gift from Kelly... Kelly, you need a blog so I can point people in your direction...

Also in the FO section this week: Kelly's socks (well, really my socks, made with the yarn Kelly sent me which I was supposed to work on at the same time as she did but because of my occasional need for immediate gratification I went ahead and made - sorry, Kel) - but aren't they cute?

• Project: Popcorn Lace Socks
• Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta (cotton/wool blend)
• Started: July 27, 2006
• Finished: October 3, 2006

I photographed the socks lying on the back of another sweater for which I made all the pieces last year, but for some reason failed to put together. Oh, wait, I know the reason - I HATE putting things together... but it's just gorgeous - a Manos jacket from the Fall 2005 issue of Knitters' - so this week the pieces shall become one, and I'll have another new jacket...

I am back to my nieces' Wonderful Wallabies, and have fused both pouches to the bodies so the fun stuff is over till the sleeves - something almost annoying about kids growing and wearing larger sizes, and liking sweaters with copious amounts of stocking stitch knit in the round...

I am also working on Tanya's socks, making them longer - for some reason I can't pick up the stitches without it being very obvious that I have done so - I have picked up and ripped back 3 or 4 times now, and it's bugging the heck out of me - but I refuse to be defeated by a pair of socks...

we did survive hockey practice on Monday morning, although by 10am I felt that I had put in a full day and was ready for bed - Ben just kept on ticking till 8:30 that night - I don't know how they do it, but I wish I could remember - I must have been like that at some point, too... just like I wish I could remember what it was like to sit in a stroller and be pushed around to shop, or how it felt to be forced to take a nap - when was the last time someone said, "You need a nap, take a couple of hours and sleep"? I would pay for the privilege these days! Although, that being said, I seem to be unable to sleep during the day even when I do get a chance - lapsed Catholic woman guilt or something...

and finally, there was a package in the mail earlier this week that looked distinctly like socks - felt like them, it was the right sized envelope - so I had Tanner open it because I couldn't bear to face my Sock Wars death - big WHEW when we found this instead:

such pretty colours, and Miss Scarlett's fault... so I am still alive, and have no idea whether I'll be getting socks to wear, or socks to finish - oh, the suspense is killing me!

How thoughtless of me...

Thanks, Miss Scarlett, for pointing out the glaring omission in my last post - how thoughtless of me to forget poor Maggie - and here I was worrying about the boys getting equal photo time!
Her Highness, asleep on her couch - yes, she has her own couch - it's an old denim blue loveseat that no one else uses, and woe to those who try...

Tanner is 12!

Well, he was on Thursday - sigh... my baby

Let's see, what can I tell you about Tanner? He is very funny, has a great sense of the silly and ridiculous, and in the last couple of years has developed a killer wit. He is very verbal, good with words, artistic, has a definite flair for the dramatic. Tanner can be very focused (read: obsessed - hmm - where d'you suppose he gets that from?) when it comes to interests and hobbies (he collects Star Wars miniatures which number in the thousands, I think, and can rattle off each figure's statistics without blinking), and yet, can be so-o-o-o difficult to attract attention-wise when it's something else (like me speaking to him!).

Although as part of the twelve-year old mandate, he no longer offers a hug or kiss outside school (which is totally understandable), Tanner has a very sweet nature, as is evidenced by his great love of animals and family.

Nice kid, overall - next time I want to strangle him, I will read this and regain some perspective...

so Happy Birthday - hope this year is full of wonderful, happy surprises!

Hockey season starts this weekend around here, and both boys are playing this year. Tanner will have one game each weekend, no practice. Ben, on the other hand, will have one practice, and one game each week. It's the practice that'll kill us, I think - 5:50 AM MONDAY. Yes, that's right, that's A.M.. On a Monday. And that's when he's on the ice - we'll need getting up time, making coffee time, trying to find our way down stairs IN THE DARK time. I know kids around here do this all the time, but I just can't imagine how a 10 year old gets up at 5, skates for an hour, and does a full school day with homework without falling on his face at some point. I guess we'll find out...
Attached is a totally unrelated, gratuitous shot of Ben with Charlie, for the sake of equal time. If you have kids, or work with kids, or know any kids, you know what I mean...


In knitting news, I started the Not Your Mother's jacket last week - on the 25th - using two Knitpicks yarns - Suri Dream and Wool of the Andes Bulky held together - and I just love it! First, because it's super bulky, and I am using 9mm needles, it's knitting up ridiculously quickly - I have the back and fronts done, sleeves halfway there - I think I may actually wear this baby within the week! Second, I love the colour and texture of these wools together - I am already thinking about - gasp - making another one in browns and oranges!

Sock Wars: I am still alive, although every time the mail comes, if the kids are home, they grab it at the door without letting me see and make very sad sounds about my impending demise - just to watch my reaction! Cruel and unusual...

Thanksgiving this weekend, and my family is coming here - so this week will be some cleaning, menu planning, and as much prep as I can do - we tend to be non-traditional in our holiday menu selections, so who knows what we'll be feasting on come next Sunday!

Well, I will have to get done as much as I can today and get to bed early tonight - I am on practice detail tomorrow morning - and it's funny, I am usually up at 4 or 5, because sleep is not something I am doing well lately, but it's the thought of having to be somewhere not in my jammies at that hour - just thinking about it makes me want to go back to bed!