tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304010482024-03-07T04:47:23.362-05:00fiber jinxthe rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-18187531376879865302007-02-08T16:41:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:53:36.381-05:00adieuWhen you get right down to it, Blogger and I are all wrong for each other. We hardly call or write each other anymore. Recent events have driven the final nail into the coffin of our on-again off-again relationship.<br /><br />In short, we're trying something new.<br /><br /><a href="http://fiberjinx.wordpress.com/">http://fiberjinx.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br />Peace out!the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-68001459262439249742007-02-05T13:16:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:31.777-05:00perplexedIs it a bad thing when you realize it's Monday again and you've forgotten what you did last week? Like, did the calendar even experience a Thursday back there? Or did we all skip ahead in some Groundhog Day related disaster that will soon become our unholy nightmare?<br /><br />And a cold nightmare at that. Magustopher's pond froze over for the first time this winter.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTYfgNhAe2hNUSfYuREgr-Ymi4txbCoPuBwY-FT5puAPm1faqlHEdy_cIZKzv6eH5PY2hJmeSgLiN13oJ3HIV0shhw41icD5p9qP1ENl6wG9wA5yItoqPjCJ6gkEn_8EzZ4SXjg/s1600-h/01pond.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028119982207391042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTYfgNhAe2hNUSfYuREgr-Ymi4txbCoPuBwY-FT5puAPm1faqlHEdy_cIZKzv6eH5PY2hJmeSgLiN13oJ3HIV0shhw41icD5p9qP1ENl6wG9wA5yItoqPjCJ6gkEn_8EzZ4SXjg/s400/01pond.jpg" border="0" /></a> He's confounded by it all. Meanwhile, I appear to be keeping myself well occupied in defense of the frio. I've started some projects, like <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTargosy.html">Argosy</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJr5nsHYRF8qWKI1nqEDt3DE_A_IB5qq8rhUtM945-9_Cw234lihkZ86OJtLNy7n-XFK_i1lk4RzKrzgbSjHGtzB_4OR-qxCqHTRoVPga8nXz5KgIc-pb-uVrzRkSYG0cbt7fA/s1600-h/2arogsy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028119209113277682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJr5nsHYRF8qWKI1nqEDt3DE_A_IB5qq8rhUtM945-9_Cw234lihkZ86OJtLNy7n-XFK_i1lk4RzKrzgbSjHGtzB_4OR-qxCqHTRoVPga8nXz5KgIc-pb-uVrzRkSYG0cbt7fA/s400/2arogsy.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm loving this scarf so far, and I'm also enamored by the idea of <a href="http://www.masondixonknitting.com/">expanding this pattern into a blanket</a>. Maybe it's just the cold weather, but visions of hats, mittens, and scarves have been dancing in my knitty head lately. As well as socks. Of course socks.<br /><br /><br />The aforementioned cold makes the use of sock blockers muy bueno for photography. Finished, and for quite some time now:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sxwlqMVDakcLJCCiFop14I9WjkELQLxXkPJaKA_oLUD9Xh_Iz-6wRl5K5LWfPrLB13hMRNL2ZVza5_9XxmNEgZeTQO5qirWJwIzMjNL2Q0rFmY308NjyhyusfrQsRjTWaG1vsg/s1600-h/3madder.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028119213408244994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sxwlqMVDakcLJCCiFop14I9WjkELQLxXkPJaKA_oLUD9Xh_Iz-6wRl5K5LWfPrLB13hMRNL2ZVza5_9XxmNEgZeTQO5qirWJwIzMjNL2Q0rFmY308NjyhyusfrQsRjTWaG1vsg/s400/3madder.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pattern: "Madder" and "Oak" Ribbed Socks by Nancy Bush, in her book Knitting Vintage Socks<br />Yarn: 1 skein of Lorna's Laces in the Jungle Stripe colorway<br />Needles: Size 2 Addi's, 2 circ style<br /><br /><br />I started out with the Oak ribbed socks, and decided I didn't like the heel and toe. Thus the switch to the Dutch or "horseshoe" heel and the star toe of three points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ_YDgHWdQzenP0X2A32Eh6VN-uygdEGp3s6BNb2CYfMelC718N4nTSzKZDX5Gdq1MpBZVo27H-q2hh030kVTrqsYgQopkpVpXnAdlyCc6kIOVeCzO8YtDGS_kYue0V_B0-iHHA/s1600-h/4heel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028119217703212306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ_YDgHWdQzenP0X2A32Eh6VN-uygdEGp3s6BNb2CYfMelC718N4nTSzKZDX5Gdq1MpBZVo27H-q2hh030kVTrqsYgQopkpVpXnAdlyCc6kIOVeCzO8YtDGS_kYue0V_B0-iHHA/s400/4heel.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dutch heel close-up:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwH3rc-S9m3g9MOoQEd9od_TrAqIf8Wx9O1-0wsJBQEa9ArlV3gR7oLTa83Z_mQImL34oL7GtWXcjOOF1IoNjfvNz5PhPW-sPaPMEoNQmUyOfkVBF5Ti3CoDx_5RrdR2IzSm2mw/s1600-h/5heel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028119217703212322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwH3rc-S9m3g9MOoQEd9od_TrAqIf8Wx9O1-0wsJBQEa9ArlV3gR7oLTa83Z_mQImL34oL7GtWXcjOOF1IoNjfvNz5PhPW-sPaPMEoNQmUyOfkVBF5Ti3CoDx_5RrdR2IzSm2mw/s400/5heel.jpg" border="0" /></a> And one of the points of a star toe:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnSZCzob37vLIGCtUF7CvmIGMmwlx73grVySvqXimMWt9nztg6c9Sexlb224CkIbMsR7Hsuq8BDfnh3w5P8ikvcbkKWve3iluPk0M9FNeGMnx2P6Uqetx3mRZmjgAFdOD7ND2mA/s1600-h/6startoe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028119221998179634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnSZCzob37vLIGCtUF7CvmIGMmwlx73grVySvqXimMWt9nztg6c9Sexlb224CkIbMsR7Hsuq8BDfnh3w5P8ikvcbkKWve3iluPk0M9FNeGMnx2P6Uqetx3mRZmjgAFdOD7ND2mA/s400/6startoe.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's no secret I'm a fan of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green">green</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple">purple</a>, especially combined for sock yarn action. Thus it follows I'm a fan of green and purple socks. <p>Also, I'm still a fan of the German Heel and the Flat Toe. This all hinges on my fickleness, and the fact that I'm going to be learning how to toe up some socks. I think people with large feet should know how to knit socks toe up to save oneself from frustration.</p>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-62678743239888053932007-02-01T13:58:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:32.064-05:00continuumBlog called on account of snow.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEgCD9H7em8wXjQ9LKfSMFkusalud2tFznu62nYjPTPvqgvXMktWqpVM7vzmGaksvqNIrZ1fSvlZDar-CN6Ph5i4NL9sNmWZtlnWdzWZ8FbHtPcWgF6sPwOjPdXAAyllgxUAMUA/s1600-h/snow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026642466212926690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEgCD9H7em8wXjQ9LKfSMFkusalud2tFznu62nYjPTPvqgvXMktWqpVM7vzmGaksvqNIrZ1fSvlZDar-CN6Ph5i4NL9sNmWZtlnWdzWZ8FbHtPcWgF6sPwOjPdXAAyllgxUAMUA/s400/snow.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bet you didn't see that one coming.<br />On a totally unrelated subject, cold weather is muy bueno when sporting a new pair of <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTfuzzyfeet.html">fuzzy feet</a>, perhaps knit out of two strands of Cascade 220 in an orangey Fours variety of colorway, held together on oh, say, size 10.5 DPN's and felted without mercy.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOjlcmt9k6DXpyhmLs48tKOFxxSkY-v7z8yCVWS2Wg0cle3SLHOx1A7-kTnxiP1Yv7b5_78MZ4emmIiogaPZFuhCzT-0Qvw9OAnRfRy1yUonPhzLHGUb3LyfiaDW_FEpVKesZ6A/s1600-h/fuzzyfeets.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026642251464561874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOjlcmt9k6DXpyhmLs48tKOFxxSkY-v7z8yCVWS2Wg0cle3SLHOx1A7-kTnxiP1Yv7b5_78MZ4emmIiogaPZFuhCzT-0Qvw9OAnRfRy1yUonPhzLHGUb3LyfiaDW_FEpVKesZ6A/s400/fuzzyfeets.jpg" border="0" /></a> I heart John Mayer.</div><div>That is all.</div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-38513757143026863782007-01-30T15:10:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:32.258-05:00sombrero<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxw6yvVTIxZpKz6Tbgz2Rz74psZwgckkiEBX_dCZ6itgNwp0ALtQSahmNXY2zRbxoAJn36OaxASMnXEsw_u1wC8cdbv3XHzuz34u__LqmcaQ68vQaqpseuivyNIDuHShSHl1tog/s1600-h/norohat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025919045990278642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxw6yvVTIxZpKz6Tbgz2Rz74psZwgckkiEBX_dCZ6itgNwp0ALtQSahmNXY2zRbxoAJn36OaxASMnXEsw_u1wC8cdbv3XHzuz34u__LqmcaQ68vQaqpseuivyNIDuHShSHl1tog/s320/norohat.jpg" border="0" /></a> A hat!<br /><a href="http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/patterns/silk_garden_beanie.html">This pattern.</a> A great one.<br />Knit with Noro Silk Garden, colorway... 86?<br />Size 6 16" Addi's.<br /><br />It has a job, and that is to keep heads warm. And warm it keeps them in my 62 degree office.<br />Lots, lots, LOTS of things done. And I'm too lazy to get bundled up to walk outside and take decent photos. Also, there are some guys in the backyard digging a hole. Gonna skip that crazy scene.<br /><br />However, and this was of great interest to me, <a href="http://www.januaryone.com/archives/2007/01/janice_and_marge.php">Cara had a crazy situation </a>with her current knitting project. Go, read, and learn how to dominate your knitting as well.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-26063302308151864802007-01-26T12:50:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:33.292-05:00boodleI've fallen behind on rambling about the things that are done around here. Isn't that some kind of switch? Usually I have nothing to talk about, especially the people I must bore every single day.<br />Anyway.<br />Two weeks ago I broke out the dye pot and experimented further with the "hot pour" method.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT8IAwj_pnnsEEdPzvnaXnJA9iE2GMz42ekqDXIQeIC2jsK-cfkUeyWYwErFJlw8yCc9Q3Exc2C6K436liaibVt4LqGVSY_t3rILRLSLecQf3I94qbJIJt0lkMb1OV3porGKsxA/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024398636157429218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT8IAwj_pnnsEEdPzvnaXnJA9iE2GMz42ekqDXIQeIC2jsK-cfkUeyWYwErFJlw8yCc9Q3Exc2C6K436liaibVt4LqGVSY_t3rILRLSLecQf3I94qbJIJt0lkMb1OV3porGKsxA/s400/1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYYb2-YgvoRpsOyI9YmhQo4OARu1e4AqM94NIKJyEpkjnCPp9q928QykePrtrTqRPJR1FOEIKA9i77527urbWnxgn7XDIfIk_7Y7GUs6LvOhnydHGCC4a9ObMOKDy8WWfhCIfGg/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024398292560045506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYYb2-YgvoRpsOyI9YmhQo4OARu1e4AqM94NIKJyEpkjnCPp9q928QykePrtrTqRPJR1FOEIKA9i77527urbWnxgn7XDIfIk_7Y7GUs6LvOhnydHGCC4a9ObMOKDy8WWfhCIfGg/s400/2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb5rcEQpcEDaG8aXTAx5kFuswsDPHPWzZmI4qqMSS43jpHkmYrZad0xc9_Db_zP-QqNrasSrmu9XgIzd-tPyhV6SyiTbVnp35EPMi0CZ2mzN8t4dsyZBTcvYvkPE4wAsmPNoYaQ/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024398292560045522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb5rcEQpcEDaG8aXTAx5kFuswsDPHPWzZmI4qqMSS43jpHkmYrZad0xc9_Db_zP-QqNrasSrmu9XgIzd-tPyhV6SyiTbVnp35EPMi0CZ2mzN8t4dsyZBTcvYvkPE4wAsmPNoYaQ/s400/3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRcrnbkK2MEUEm4SeGZm3VP8UWn3m4cOv7DQtrOyT33we-sTJoVKTFDIgyfrAutyVjOAKLuRMkfMxdQ4A2RNnC8pA63zXZ6y9yOxDxEGfxiaQEASV3EGK1KO39jN1n6l5ERYDmg/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024398146531157410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRcrnbkK2MEUEm4SeGZm3VP8UWn3m4cOv7DQtrOyT33we-sTJoVKTFDIgyfrAutyVjOAKLuRMkfMxdQ4A2RNnC8pA63zXZ6y9yOxDxEGfxiaQEASV3EGK1KO39jN1n6l5ERYDmg/s400/4.jpg" border="0" /></a>Now I'm going to work on spinning some of this up. </div><div>Happy Friday.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-73669112719610156732007-01-24T17:32:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:33.485-05:00chapeauNot Whitemane's. Cuter. At least, I think so.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW11uHZyZwgol0FQSYkQiy1oRzc2H-dyBN_Xiv8Fi5iKPVC-VXcqIam2j19glq0NbcIlg3Fnkb6QmSBTqriOkIR5WCd8kr2sN4PzfkoZSZarP2nzk4_gwIwspGkw3YS-x3enTrrg/s1600-h/hat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023729531792319890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW11uHZyZwgol0FQSYkQiy1oRzc2H-dyBN_Xiv8Fi5iKPVC-VXcqIam2j19glq0NbcIlg3Fnkb6QmSBTqriOkIR5WCd8kr2sN4PzfkoZSZarP2nzk4_gwIwspGkw3YS-x3enTrrg/s400/hat.jpg" border="0" /></a> This was mr. rachface's second requested item-a hat to keep his head and ears toasty in the long awaited cold weather we're finally having. I knit it up out of my handspun. And not just any handspun, but my very own, very first handspun-plied no less.<br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvnaZFEuYVy9R9HR0eaiVy43j1qZP54wbbz6hCmoCMUHsEsJ74_cIXMLDN5DGq6P2E3X5cuOHqn4JheNjQ6HhDFBujlH3tliDqFhS55vhs6JD2vPugqyu3w5VtRopO5Oz-c6DrA/s1600-h/sts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023729359993628034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvnaZFEuYVy9R9HR0eaiVy43j1qZP54wbbz6hCmoCMUHsEsJ74_cIXMLDN5DGq6P2E3X5cuOHqn4JheNjQ6HhDFBujlH3tliDqFhS55vhs6JD2vPugqyu3w5VtRopO5Oz-c6DrA/s400/sts.jpg" border="0" /></a>I heart it in its own way, akin to a hat we might know as <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=19076.20">Jayne's</a>.</div><div>There is no pattern. I swatched (!), cast on 2.5 stitches per inch of his head and rounded up, giving me 60 stitches. Then I followed the decreasing on <a href="http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/patterns/silk_garden_beanie.html">this pattern</a>. Roughly, as the stitch count was somewhat different.</div><div></div><div>Speaking of that pattern? My head was cold at work, so I pulled out the circular needles and ball of noro I carry around in my pocket for such times and knit a hat. Yes, I carry random balls of yarn around for impromptu projects. Hayley knows what I mean. I haven't taken a picture. But my head is warm.</div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-8479746423564161532007-01-19T14:40:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:33.605-05:00observanceSo here it is, January. And I've been a knitter for a whole durn year.<br /><br />The idear first came to me when my friend countered my crocheted blanket with her knitted scarf.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2QitbdSTmlTapS3OLoJi2RrCvvPWRnlTydR0xbl-qjNO2miZCUR6_xaaKjySugUhZqw6aProEULaunD0KUP9RNUoklYqMeBDGOM3UJlt0RbkhkBKLVFtu2zdyjzGBf8U3J__8g/s1600-h/blanket.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021836644530913778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2QitbdSTmlTapS3OLoJi2RrCvvPWRnlTydR0xbl-qjNO2miZCUR6_xaaKjySugUhZqw6aProEULaunD0KUP9RNUoklYqMeBDGOM3UJlt0RbkhkBKLVFtu2zdyjzGBf8U3J__8g/s400/blanket.JPG" border="0" /></a> And to clarify the matter, I am no expert at crochet. I can chain and double crochet enough to granny square and ripple blanket, but that's as far as that yarn ambidextory goes.<br /><br />Learning to knit became a clear intention after a coworker described his new hobby of model aircrafts and asked me if there was a hobby I enjoyed.<br />Oh, the destruction he has wrought.<br /><br />I learned to knit from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Experience-Book-Knit-Stitch/dp/1893762130/sr=8-1/qid=1169236398/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-8953288-0947637?ie=UTF8&s=books">Sally Melville's book</a> and by watching Lily Chin demonstrate on Knitty Gritty. This was the first episode I ever watched. I took it as fate.<br /><br />I promptly burned myself out on scarves and didn't knit for a few months, until I read the Knitty review of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mason-Dixon-Knitting-Knitters-Patterns-Questions/dp/0307236056/ref=pd_sim_b_5/105-8953288-0947637">Mason Dixon Knitting</a>. This book changed my knitting life.<br /><br />Once I figured out how to knit anything on a circular needle, I stopped buying straights and I have yet to regret it.<br /><br />I have knit more washclothes than all other projects combined. Most were given as gifts.<br /><br />I'm a thrower. It is faster for me to throw than pick, as odd as that may seem.<br /><br />I do know how to knit continental, just not very quickly. I plan to become faster as I knit the Fair Isle.<br /><br />I have since discovered that most women in my family have at one time or another participated in some variety of fiber art. It makes me feel like I'm that much closer to them.<br /><br />I knit socks on two circulars, and to be honest, prefer the Addi Turbo over any other needle (crazy sharp Knit Picks included). They are not too blunt for my taste; I have knit a shawl with a p5tog nupp that they handled just fine.<br /><br />I have discovered a great deal about GAUGE and knitting too tightly/loosely. ALWAYS knit a GAUGE swatch. And ALWAYS wash it the same way you would wash the finished garmet. When yarn is spun, extra air is hidden inside the wooly fibers. You just never know for sure how the fabric will behave until it has been wetted, throughly dried, and (ZOMG!) blocked.<br /><br />I've discovered that learning something new isn't always as difficult as it may seem. If I can learn to knit, so can anyone else that sets their mind to it.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-42219401824179181602007-01-17T14:35:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:39.127-05:00explicationFAIR WARNING: This post is all about some pictures.<br /><br />The following is an account of how I figured out how to get rid of those crazy holes between the heel flap and the gusset in the socks I knit when picking up stitches. It is also a step in my own personal clarification on heel/sock creation. You may find your idears differ from mine, and that's all groovy because not everyone can agree on everything, savvy?<br /><br />To illustrate the bane of my sock knitting existance:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg3otQIOwl95HFiIqN-0jBNSXvtnRkVJeAZTBK8vAk8zj80mH54T9NXa6lA1znZBM0aouqQkzZx-SxxwkAabGrKtspWnRFM8QjqByJ4JlG7mhLcEMuHXSxLpTX_GFYyAtbb9u1g/s1600-h/1hole.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021109485092864434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg3otQIOwl95HFiIqN-0jBNSXvtnRkVJeAZTBK8vAk8zj80mH54T9NXa6lA1znZBM0aouqQkzZx-SxxwkAabGrKtspWnRFM8QjqByJ4JlG7mhLcEMuHXSxLpTX_GFYyAtbb9u1g/s400/1hole.jpg" border="0" /></a> That hole should not be there. As these are only like the third or fourth pair of socks I knit, I never really paid too much attention to this issue before. In the last couple of socks, I have set out to stop this chaos.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnyXIus6gHlBsUljl6jgzi-yCaw6jqxGkC5i5SQydPRjUOitkBdmnMd76z6EJ506nF51gLx7lRqC1UuiMau5bQOvMGPQHIFv5lSeEkfoHjql4Ia7dh3jynXdlKP-nsvp-emzobw/s1600-h/2nohole.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021109489387831746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnyXIus6gHlBsUljl6jgzi-yCaw6jqxGkC5i5SQydPRjUOitkBdmnMd76z6EJ506nF51gLx7lRqC1UuiMau5bQOvMGPQHIFv5lSeEkfoHjql4Ia7dh3jynXdlKP-nsvp-emzobw/s400/2nohole.jpg" border="0" /></a>A good execution of the new "no hole" method I cooked up.<br /><br />To begin with, I never understood why pattern directions would tell you to work the heel flap until you have (for example) 15 slipped stitches and then tell you to pick up the same number of stitches on each side. When I executed these instructions I would have already worked a setup row (or two or even three) and then had a couple of extra stitches on the side along with the number of slipped ones called for. I would wind up with baggy heels and about 18 stitches on each side, causing extra decreases and a looser sock.<br /><br />What I tried this time was counting all heel stitches on the side, including those worked in the set up rows. When I had 15, I turned the heel. This gave me a shorter heel and a better fitting sock.<br /><br />We now join our sock already in progress to illustrate just what it is I'm talking about. <p>These are your slipped stitches on the gusset, from the back:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z70-p6jKczl-0cnrFOlQGlF5eAJNBRysrGkbB-MuU28st7CmX-mQDUCmrwB7fgVIZUZVoiRIPFcuLEJwugELMFU6R-636woIZw_TP443ghkob7DG_9NE-y4O6jdnI6uFlbFhdg/s1600-h/3heelflap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021109489387831762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z70-p6jKczl-0cnrFOlQGlF5eAJNBRysrGkbB-MuU28st7CmX-mQDUCmrwB7fgVIZUZVoiRIPFcuLEJwugELMFU6R-636woIZw_TP443ghkob7DG_9NE-y4O6jdnI6uFlbFhdg/s400/3heelflap.jpg" border="0" /></a> And the front:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-juD3z33NzYXJoLT80TB74CT-prxgwwT9aonlmLecjON0OYvPtm3S3iaPBAIiKiucuLeECGj58S18nphmrZYMiLhTyvU9f_3xqyoyUJVNqNrVs44k9kNdtvH9sn51DMthq9Qjw/s1600-h/4slippedstitches.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021109489387831778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-juD3z33NzYXJoLT80TB74CT-prxgwwT9aonlmLecjON0OYvPtm3S3iaPBAIiKiucuLeECGj58S18nphmrZYMiLhTyvU9f_3xqyoyUJVNqNrVs44k9kNdtvH9sn51DMthq9Qjw/s400/4slippedstitches.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once you've knitted your heel flap with the appropriate number of <strong>stitches</strong> slipped on the sides (not necessarily rows) in this case, 15, turn your heel of choice as usual. Knit across the last row and you'll be faced with this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1fh1dPyuWJktanSks391LCXH8SZ9PD2FHsaY23WwGvrkptDBwkW69ZqADbeQYwEisUZXFxEniJkFuJKyWTEnZuL3op-ffr5VlykcGUTZ2TOd0NAPtIHw4bjV8z1EA0oxwchhvA/s1600-h/5more.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108737768554850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1fh1dPyuWJktanSks391LCXH8SZ9PD2FHsaY23WwGvrkptDBwkW69ZqADbeQYwEisUZXFxEniJkFuJKyWTEnZuL3op-ffr5VlykcGUTZ2TOd0NAPtIHw4bjV8z1EA0oxwchhvA/s400/5more.jpg" border="0" /></a> For this sock, there were 15 stitches to be picked up on each side. To tighten them up I twisted them as I picked them up and knit them, per Nancy Bush in her book, Knitting Vintage Socks. </p><p>A quick tutorial for twisting picked up stitches: Insert left needle into front leg of stitch:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbezZZXacrV75D7iQIMk40UQ9Lmf9qhwF5ajssrjpqPYJxyrP-qFnnZtD7q8ermiCu8JaQzMhZGl_bxCKgbUExAgg0duj_XeT-lAB3N87FBuJrixCqOsaVI0CIg9i42vHeUqIvQ/s1600-h/6putokbl.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCF68KVin5ruMOUqGH6aJMMQadXoDHsVB7KL-iFXp4MpyVGobH3mQ9e6FqzpAQ2lC0V1fKk9bZhETVGNCHve00fMD8x99MN4f1Hv2ylEwrbc6hIvQ_kR80uAmYEEv_EzBMbzCZQ/s1600-h/7tokbl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108742063522178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCF68KVin5ruMOUqGH6aJMMQadXoDHsVB7KL-iFXp4MpyVGobH3mQ9e6FqzpAQ2lC0V1fKk9bZhETVGNCHve00fMD8x99MN4f1Hv2ylEwrbc6hIvQ_kR80uAmYEEv_EzBMbzCZQ/s400/7tokbl.jpg" border="0" /></a> Place right needle through the back loop<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNTdFfLP7bqQ7-wULxSPSsmaloB6mE2Vmfqh7T2xQzr_n3LF0HlvnXU4bWUyqc7OoFBia5qDvzG7px_wa0NeL6fI7atAVVYtJRJkiR2N101kE6bm1_1-VFJdB1AMp5MXm9iL0ew/s1600-h/8tokbl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108746358489490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNTdFfLP7bqQ7-wULxSPSsmaloB6mE2Vmfqh7T2xQzr_n3LF0HlvnXU4bWUyqc7OoFBia5qDvzG7px_wa0NeL6fI7atAVVYtJRJkiR2N101kE6bm1_1-VFJdB1AMp5MXm9iL0ew/s400/8tokbl.jpg" border="0" /></a> Knit off.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ijJLWS1E0GDk9vGDOeJgRuaZvX9KUs7JNfsW6DFwQfy2EYVXdLYIZR0SZ0T5IU8qRVwNl6XiIjCSSFSPDl7IXXwXgkRoKw65c_fm-4WSorZyN4c2ZH7F_YDl4x6bIyK357G8sA/s1600-h/9tokbl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108746358489506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ijJLWS1E0GDk9vGDOeJgRuaZvX9KUs7JNfsW6DFwQfy2EYVXdLYIZR0SZ0T5IU8qRVwNl6XiIjCSSFSPDl7IXXwXgkRoKw65c_fm-4WSorZyN4c2ZH7F_YDl4x6bIyK357G8sA/s400/9tokbl.jpg" border="0" /></a> Easy peasy. You could of course just knit them off without twisting, or pick them up in whatever manner you are accustomed. Knitter's Choice, as Elizabeth Zimmermann says.</p>This is what they will look like as you work down the heel:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D1d8i8vuQ4qunSnwrshgRplXYeDq309V87Io0hJbpOexaEDFfNgkhzxdcLbxMpi7DJg78FXrq2OjFHHqGWAHCaQYhOl7_QosUbaWJoiG-nBQIheRkNl3UTafr900QPTL591O9Q/s1600-h/10twistedsts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108424235942162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D1d8i8vuQ4qunSnwrshgRplXYeDq309V87Io0hJbpOexaEDFfNgkhzxdcLbxMpi7DJg78FXrq2OjFHHqGWAHCaQYhOl7_QosUbaWJoiG-nBQIheRkNl3UTafr900QPTL591O9Q/s400/10twistedsts.jpg" border="0" /></a> Purdy and tight without giving you stress and strain. <p>Now we are reaching the top part of the flap and what I call the "corner", the area between the knitted heel flap and the instep stitches held on other needles (either one circular or any number of DPN's, depending on your choice of poison). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cRB0WwdZmCrpHUQgJeivJDBIi5o0d4WzGrgFkjcR-jK6nRQ4Y1fn0P76ZhwnovTYjS358r7O5EkOvjHnnv3c0tQEj3Hgvq_MvJs9I-gQZBJGJlhDmXD0NHYfI4-_nuN9hxlGkQ/s1600-h/11corner1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108428530909474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cRB0WwdZmCrpHUQgJeivJDBIi5o0d4WzGrgFkjcR-jK6nRQ4Y1fn0P76ZhwnovTYjS358r7O5EkOvjHnnv3c0tQEj3Hgvq_MvJs9I-gQZBJGJlhDmXD0NHYfI4-_nuN9hxlGkQ/s400/11corner1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Notice the lowest strand between the two halves of the sock, the purple one:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sqCJeFgIk9H2n8W2-1Ju9Ri-3xPvC3dfTSGHmeIRFYBRZ3nxRL9L_RU2_EC19HgQ7tBCcdNGnegkAxh5r-AnTppjJ6mdyE09aQJ8rVa5OORPyVoetIZ9j7-3fwzbLTuXUJruIA/s1600-h/11corner1b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108428530909490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sqCJeFgIk9H2n8W2-1Ju9Ri-3xPvC3dfTSGHmeIRFYBRZ3nxRL9L_RU2_EC19HgQ7tBCcdNGnegkAxh5r-AnTppjJ6mdyE09aQJ8rVa5OORPyVoetIZ9j7-3fwzbLTuXUJruIA/s400/11corner1b.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the strand we are looking for. Not to knit into, like I once was told, but to knit next to. Study the first picture and the white V on the left the purple strand runs through, the knit stitch that the arrow covers in the second photo. This is what we are going to pick up and knit into, treating it like another slipped heel stitch and our number 15.</p><p>Another view of the strand:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPylrvFDdEqmXCFcr7iK8awr-Pbu13Svf8O3m5Jg7vWqo2AOGeTxVNgIWv2lsQvNcNj19C3Hdb4kUfjx-Nf1I4B5P3Fp7-k1yI6nb5Hbh5M9jOjjoBdOmJbSQLiwU2KUk4OEuzsw/s1600-h/12morecorner1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108432825876802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPylrvFDdEqmXCFcr7iK8awr-Pbu13Svf8O3m5Jg7vWqo2AOGeTxVNgIWv2lsQvNcNj19C3Hdb4kUfjx-Nf1I4B5P3Fp7-k1yI6nb5Hbh5M9jOjjoBdOmJbSQLiwU2KUk4OEuzsw/s400/12morecorner1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Again, we will be knitting into the white knit stitch the purple strand runs through, treating the strand as if it were the normal ladder between two knit stitches. </p><p>The astute among you might realize that treating the two halves of the sock this way is basically the same as if it were a knitted row because we will be continuing to knit across the top of the sock on stitches that are right next to each other in the row. The even more involved might notice that if we were trying to line up the stitches as if they were in the same row, we should pick up the stitch below the one I am about to instruct you to. I did try that first and was not please with the results. If this paragraph confuses you, then ignore it and keep going. It's easy, I promise.<br /><br />Take up your needles and prepare to knit into the stitch. Note how the white V lays in this photo:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbJY2cH8dBAx6B9TMTlSAsTZ-_JAMNVVUL2YsE3odb4LiW37tjLRIpqQ63LPkK8pexPGD5aQecoSbmlqX9QW8A_1l2awnz-vZgUpLtCjxquBHVC6YMaY-9Q46-YnlMp7YbS67jw/s1600-h/13morecorner1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108432825876818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbJY2cH8dBAx6B9TMTlSAsTZ-_JAMNVVUL2YsE3odb4LiW37tjLRIpqQ63LPkK8pexPGD5aQecoSbmlqX9QW8A_1l2awnz-vZgUpLtCjxquBHVC6YMaY-9Q46-YnlMp7YbS67jw/s400/13morecorner1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Pick up the stitch using the left needle and twist by knitting through the back of the loop, as you have done in the previous 14 stitches.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ7dMJcdG59Uwaai7L38kqI3z8D6qUMSRndQ66lAjyFh_4CZTeglJbFFqr38tlUY2ztwIvQFxUuWkfsl8TuwMiyIqdRWACyNGqDAaAvm74WPFSsLs_bW9xvxOOE431VT7p3kApg/s1600-h/15pickupc1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108102113394898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ7dMJcdG59Uwaai7L38kqI3z8D6qUMSRndQ66lAjyFh_4CZTeglJbFFqr38tlUY2ztwIvQFxUuWkfsl8TuwMiyIqdRWACyNGqDAaAvm74WPFSsLs_bW9xvxOOE431VT7p3kApg/s400/15pickupc1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WOkjpxAgzvPsejvXgDKzrrfjLxTlimAWWFs9-EUstA9_80e75lf2_cmYZRbtdQhd-hwSsCHp-LXUajlM7xqAhZFTZgHi1R94ZuyoNu44yHTyKfUuGtwhZtCed3_eIYk8fy0UHw/s1600-h/16morepickup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108106408362210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WOkjpxAgzvPsejvXgDKzrrfjLxTlimAWWFs9-EUstA9_80e75lf2_cmYZRbtdQhd-hwSsCHp-LXUajlM7xqAhZFTZgHi1R94ZuyoNu44yHTyKfUuGtwhZtCed3_eIYk8fy0UHw/s400/16morepickup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiqwEucBzHRDsDqqt4z212XyjcPs-u3EWibx1Ozlt0H7UCdy97zU9wemJzG67PNJ1xypKtbCOk55NKQc3ugu5SnvCBtOIFK8ZVB7sQA4eXWoANty3GrRY3zm14HWpls48Sg1OJQ/s1600-h/17ktbl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108106408362226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiqwEucBzHRDsDqqt4z212XyjcPs-u3EWibx1Ozlt0H7UCdy97zU9wemJzG67PNJ1xypKtbCOk55NKQc3ugu5SnvCBtOIFK8ZVB7sQA4eXWoANty3GrRY3zm14HWpls48Sg1OJQ/s400/17ktbl.jpg" border="0" /></a> You will be at the end of the heel flap and ready to knit across the instep of the sock with the stitches not worked with the heel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeiDxftg65I49dtl-ir1DSGakp4llhTkIWcMgwqTj3ifJcEym1R5qFwFJdLKZ2jrNYpVh4jgwUgOloXj4kfAW2UtyONshcTq06nU-pZqu9I9xIDxjUFSzCAUqGY28ht4oOoAtUQ/s1600-h/18moveoffneedle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021108106408362242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeiDxftg65I49dtl-ir1DSGakp4llhTkIWcMgwqTj3ifJcEym1R5qFwFJdLKZ2jrNYpVh4jgwUgOloXj4kfAW2UtyONshcTq06nU-pZqu9I9xIDxjUFSzCAUqGY28ht4oOoAtUQ/s400/18moveoffneedle.jpg" border="0" /></a> Do so, working in your sock's pattern. </p><p>Something to note: IT IS OPTIMAL to twist the two "corner" stitches, even if you don't twist the others. This tightens them up and prevents the hole we are trying to avoid.<br /><br />Now we are ready for corner #2.</p><p>This one will be a little bit tricky at first if you are using two circulars and like to keep the sole and picked up side stitches on the same needle like I do. I push all the stitches on the needle to one end so I can use the left needle to once again pick up the stitches and knit off onto the right needle. If you use DPN's I think you would start with a fresh needle. Of course, I have no experience with this, so don't quote me on it. The other option using two circulars is to use the needle that holds the instep stitches to pick up the second side. Do what is comfortable and makes sense to you.</p><p>Moving on. Examine your second "corner" carefully. This time we are looking for the green strand.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbu0WL86ul2trWhV3HLy-yZDmq2XRl3PHoXlh3fzbp5vOnUj6GzHdB1gGU58DonItLsGhls__uwXBEsgaRCYlAnJKYMFB-Tws1HbeOPchGB6l2KZQtvajmnvVrtUnl7N_x1HmEw/s1600-h/19corner2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107616782090354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbu0WL86ul2trWhV3HLy-yZDmq2XRl3PHoXlh3fzbp5vOnUj6GzHdB1gGU58DonItLsGhls__uwXBEsgaRCYlAnJKYMFB-Tws1HbeOPchGB6l2KZQtvajmnvVrtUnl7N_x1HmEw/s400/19corner2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here is another view. Again, we are looking for the green strand to find the stitch next to it because that is going to be the one we pick up.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_hJC47QjWE3gFXhcnVhWbwNVc2mm3pRrlM0_GcnizWyFs42lqu7DigQ_xXCdUGQDFPfKmY0y-_ovBDQe0I_XIcXJj9afRe26x4AHkIuI9HG5jaf7y9fGlOkGcqtfhpqVWGh4rQ/s1600-h/20morecorner2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107621077057666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_hJC47QjWE3gFXhcnVhWbwNVc2mm3pRrlM0_GcnizWyFs42lqu7DigQ_xXCdUGQDFPfKmY0y-_ovBDQe0I_XIcXJj9afRe26x4AHkIuI9HG5jaf7y9fGlOkGcqtfhpqVWGh4rQ/s400/20morecorner2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH9tfgcKNiYfLpiEaCkJOStNv6lsWQK7n2dmbGSH9jc6JEgsC_80xwdZT0-eYqIuSTi0ei8FFd4dhXE04eX_xDLLuS2GTQ5gHHc9CucKyN1dEy54wCkGGm6bRDrNkOL96hRuIhA/s1600-h/20morecorner2b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107621077057682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH9tfgcKNiYfLpiEaCkJOStNv6lsWQK7n2dmbGSH9jc6JEgsC_80xwdZT0-eYqIuSTi0ei8FFd4dhXE04eX_xDLLuS2GTQ5gHHc9CucKyN1dEy54wCkGGm6bRDrNkOL96hRuIhA/s400/20morecorner2b.jpg" border="0" /></a> Follow the green strand to the left, or up, and take note of the blue knit stitch the green strand runs through. This is our first stitch on the second side of the heel flap. Pick it up. If you have a hard time getting it with the left needle, use the right needle and then transfer it to the left before knitting and twisting it, as I've shown below.</p><p>Pick up with right needle:<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZvK5doFUTVi4BGBu5T4JLuhEOTiy3cU_JdeMt-jIgPuB0oRvnARAy3BlRXFgs2nhSL9WocI5l3DXevoVF6aF2w7G4BWywgxS-iOywuP-mDA7Ex99ZO8BHjA-C5O-62P4clPBWw/s1600-h/22pickupsts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107277479673890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZvK5doFUTVi4BGBu5T4JLuhEOTiy3cU_JdeMt-jIgPuB0oRvnARAy3BlRXFgs2nhSL9WocI5l3DXevoVF6aF2w7G4BWywgxS-iOywuP-mDA7Ex99ZO8BHjA-C5O-62P4clPBWw/s400/22pickupsts.jpg" border="0" /></a> Switch to left needle and knit into the back:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLaGVPAxoHwwnHjOtNnbWsOvylqMVdb05fRo6L2iZpoXJAQLv-3TFqEo5CnbUoqzCDtYTK3xRv-zdGt6fyhTL-4mmMDvgbBz969fcW13RqGGu3RU5RUqoY2M9T8GY_iM3jykhYA/s1600-h/23ktbl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107294659543090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLaGVPAxoHwwnHjOtNnbWsOvylqMVdb05fRo6L2iZpoXJAQLv-3TFqEo5CnbUoqzCDtYTK3xRv-zdGt6fyhTL-4mmMDvgbBz969fcW13RqGGu3RU5RUqoY2M9T8GY_iM3jykhYA/s400/23ktbl.jpg" border="0" /></a> Knit the stitch off. Note it will be a little loose. This is okay, but make sure that you twisted this stitch and reknit it if you must.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGM3rGQ2jwd4lfMZ9m9-7B76q7RpHzSCRFSkYIeHVySzUj_aU_6Seou2MsdlYRaENchnJugPdjNsqROt5TVARYsaM10UXfYfh9wt-MwjnInJiiTO4u3HZHlskLNhTNLtefg3zQg/s1600-h/24knitoff.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107298954510402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGM3rGQ2jwd4lfMZ9m9-7B76q7RpHzSCRFSkYIeHVySzUj_aU_6Seou2MsdlYRaENchnJugPdjNsqROt5TVARYsaM10UXfYfh9wt-MwjnInJiiTO4u3HZHlskLNhTNLtefg3zQg/s400/24knitoff.jpg" border="0" /></a> Continue down the sock.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRqxBHpGKlAPSNHZdCqJODJHkuCsojaKnvWguYnsUQEZkzsEVCKUFgKefbPE5yzPGwa3_LNxC9lWwl1d8faYWx8Yyn7LjPZiye8mTQ4REnEBcSjaSeZ0QHHFpjbfV94edIl8H4g/s1600-h/25keepgoing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107298954510418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRqxBHpGKlAPSNHZdCqJODJHkuCsojaKnvWguYnsUQEZkzsEVCKUFgKefbPE5yzPGwa3_LNxC9lWwl1d8faYWx8Yyn7LjPZiye8mTQ4REnEBcSjaSeZ0QHHFpjbfV94edIl8H4g/s400/25keepgoing.jpg" border="0" /></a> And that's it. You've reached the heel from the second side, which should look something like this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7kw9bAYrpGzegOe3rP1UJRs5U2J8FkPIlOFLgnn4CvMPKclBwp7drhpZY00RkHBRtTm4iHdu8Kn_oyhh0jTKo3no_s9yXblyHGboxwKavAyVeCms5y3FjusKWMpJivmZB3ldlA/s1600-h/26roundjoin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021107303249477730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7kw9bAYrpGzegOe3rP1UJRs5U2J8FkPIlOFLgnn4CvMPKclBwp7drhpZY00RkHBRtTm4iHdu8Kn_oyhh0jTKo3no_s9yXblyHGboxwKavAyVeCms5y3FjusKWMpJivmZB3ldlA/s400/26roundjoin.jpg" border="0" /></a> And after a round of plain knit before you start your decreases, your picked up stitches will look like this:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-pD21ucNdqHItZiB4080vxnrIK6628SxPuXWwKPyvbTOJIb4rcWS1FY6eDl-csoAWdMZIHgl_HDuj-YjxwMhyphenhyphenSF4DKFsyZV1FQD1EpWFxpQIPbXPl_BTknQw04Xr_kGeJS7grg/s1600-h/27twistedstsside2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021106968242028498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-pD21ucNdqHItZiB4080vxnrIK6628SxPuXWwKPyvbTOJIb4rcWS1FY6eDl-csoAWdMZIHgl_HDuj-YjxwMhyphenhyphenSF4DKFsyZV1FQD1EpWFxpQIPbXPl_BTknQw04Xr_kGeJS7grg/s400/27twistedstsside2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here is a shot of the first knitted "corner":<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2nwDd1sLatU2ltcnjbBSm6f69CfTqDRB7o0kWuJPin_bNuv-4gAPmYt162oe-q2sTbaCyMexBdTX_7rYfxHsLkkCKQdrmM1MrAj35VeP2Du39M8Qjr9ySmrSPuZJUWmBWnRaYQ/s1600-h/28side1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021106972536995810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2nwDd1sLatU2ltcnjbBSm6f69CfTqDRB7o0kWuJPin_bNuv-4gAPmYt162oe-q2sTbaCyMexBdTX_7rYfxHsLkkCKQdrmM1MrAj35VeP2Du39M8Qjr9ySmrSPuZJUWmBWnRaYQ/s400/28side1.jpg" border="0" /></a> And this is the second "corner":<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBf7eWOCUGAtH8jQV_ZQHmCpMlbTaXOo0-qyR4SWSM3qBCEEdDwVgscBMDp1z74a22yZdJOouquQClJjNNJdfzQBb9HkemN6ljaHSYipxdZFeGoM1S7uYTTD1pTlR4TVzpX3I5Q/s1600-h/29corner1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021106972536995826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBf7eWOCUGAtH8jQV_ZQHmCpMlbTaXOo0-qyR4SWSM3qBCEEdDwVgscBMDp1z74a22yZdJOouquQClJjNNJdfzQBb9HkemN6ljaHSYipxdZFeGoM1S7uYTTD1pTlR4TVzpX3I5Q/s400/29corner1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Resulting in this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0-VPuDwFf7UzrI0n1_z9zsjMtijTOQcq9OmUfcWa1vDofzwAE-4BOG55t1gluZBtbNu0ffWimOMOMgS6iJztoFMLa3K8XNWXPCLNS_AKpmjq6BqMD2kfTseiTeMFRhifJCyz1w/s1600-h/30nohole.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021106972536995842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0-VPuDwFf7UzrI0n1_z9zsjMtijTOQcq9OmUfcWa1vDofzwAE-4BOG55t1gluZBtbNu0ffWimOMOMgS6iJztoFMLa3K8XNWXPCLNS_AKpmjq6BqMD2kfTseiTeMFRhifJCyz1w/s400/30nohole.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzN_7Gv2BHO_w_4wurXtHIZ0EFyxVucRvyVWLdIUiFtQ8mwK-md7-jY9HDaK97rW12U-WOjUnDyCfCToe8Iove8XXRs0FFxcNxQ8o2DPY0INrU-XTgjJAOgBllQ8OTySEjTEhNQ/s1600-h/31nohole.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021106976831963154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzN_7Gv2BHO_w_4wurXtHIZ0EFyxVucRvyVWLdIUiFtQ8mwK-md7-jY9HDaK97rW12U-WOjUnDyCfCToe8Iove8XXRs0FFxcNxQ8o2DPY0INrU-XTgjJAOgBllQ8OTySEjTEhNQ/s400/31nohole.jpg" border="0" /></a> A sock sans unnecessary holes.<br /><br />Questions or comments? You can reach me at fiberjinx AT yahoo DOT com.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-32311148040731153322007-01-16T15:21:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:40.417-05:00testingAnkle socks make for quick knitting!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020727310312931186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RmfuJ_W1wEcliu2jjJf-Jar3qwGlFWjqAeTfHraz-qWnlJSvj5mEgnDcGVEGo5dVFJ1aqyehIiF36DpSobTI8mXpKj7icSDPIHtkh4_CUegs17wA8SHOswRiuF3vaGT9kEJDow/s400/yarrowsocks.jpg" border="0" />Pattern: Yarrow Ribbed Socks by Nancy Bush, in her book Knitting Vintage Socks<br />Yarn: About 1 skein of Lorna's Laces in the Hawaii colorway<br />Needles: Size 2 Addi's, 2 circ style<br /><br />Gratuitous sock on foot action: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZtZqEClx32Ir_A697PjKkHk99H3ooV-_0h67KGJuL4_OUKQxSO9AgBLzBBcGGOyCv-VYE98WPThNwOMrAZOoMwuPUQblxAOXWkVxmH4G_jR11Pjy9EXYIJu9svOoEeNg4pkmxw/s1600-h/2yonfoot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020727142809206626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZtZqEClx32Ir_A697PjKkHk99H3ooV-_0h67KGJuL4_OUKQxSO9AgBLzBBcGGOyCv-VYE98WPThNwOMrAZOoMwuPUQblxAOXWkVxmH4G_jR11Pjy9EXYIJu9svOoEeNg4pkmxw/s400/2yonfoot.jpg" border="0" /></a>I attempted a "French Toe" this time, and it looks quite, um, interesting... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04bj7pVvR8DUa2m4gY_YFr1Pac3otfu1IIGX3dxiCzmiPUBIxYb6a9-VUHPC-mWYseT6awZSe4fzju9NLojPlfmDUVPql2fm-xJmCl5Y0XO5XCwoOVwCncZvrY5t4lp1lrDvdFw/s1600-h/3toe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020726919470907218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04bj7pVvR8DUa2m4gY_YFr1Pac3otfu1IIGX3dxiCzmiPUBIxYb6a9-VUHPC-mWYseT6awZSe4fzju9NLojPlfmDUVPql2fm-xJmCl5Y0XO5XCwoOVwCncZvrY5t4lp1lrDvdFw/s400/3toe.jpg" border="0" /></a>And a German heel, which is my new favorite heel because it's wider than the standard short row variety I've seen. Oh, and no holes in the gusset:<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfA0k8xbLva84w8EddedGElZzlcvS0kOU2pQ4TQa1a2CcLD3JHBM7c6ReNkpiGc5cJ3SN6L03nFfgfi6jiB-owXqiYAD0MHfcPF-WwfCBYCvYa164HssL2kcjG_LcCXTlUbGmsQ/s1600-h/4gusset.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020726855046397762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfA0k8xbLva84w8EddedGElZzlcvS0kOU2pQ4TQa1a2CcLD3JHBM7c6ReNkpiGc5cJ3SN6L03nFfgfi6jiB-owXqiYAD0MHfcPF-WwfCBYCvYa164HssL2kcjG_LcCXTlUbGmsQ/s400/4gusset.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm excited about figuring it out, can't you tell?</div><div>And I'm prepared to share!</div></div></div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-42591775303494344142007-01-12T14:07:00.001-05:002008-12-09T07:36:40.843-05:00chimericalI've begun the odessy of socking.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8htac39qdULqXEwSbmcmjBf7uehEzyAoV5syGYdPxp3UwkoqidifY3WN3EI-zIavAkajksVwqw4IxCZueCD8SlTvvnYWNX1HtSz4A-YTNktYzHECg_NDOXryu3qW6nX-PGA-Oig/s1600-h/1sock.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019225068191743794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8htac39qdULqXEwSbmcmjBf7uehEzyAoV5syGYdPxp3UwkoqidifY3WN3EI-zIavAkajksVwqw4IxCZueCD8SlTvvnYWNX1HtSz4A-YTNktYzHECg_NDOXryu3qW6nX-PGA-Oig/s400/1sock.jpg" border="0" /></a> I've tried a new heel, toe, and even figured something out: How To Avoid The Hole In The Gusset When You Pick Up Stitches.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYYuaZjCuffo0c49YsqEZFh7qatsrJ9nb6q7YNa9sMrUgD85a08W6-vr4SOQPVSUtBpI-w3PD50LsJsn-4a85iVw2WttmNLzZ_y13pjHNZVooJ6mqaspq1Jf_0AleZ7TvjviW4g/s1600-h/2stitch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019225003767234338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYYuaZjCuffo0c49YsqEZFh7qatsrJ9nb6q7YNa9sMrUgD85a08W6-vr4SOQPVSUtBpI-w3PD50LsJsn-4a85iVw2WttmNLzZ_y13pjHNZVooJ6mqaspq1Jf_0AleZ7TvjviW4g/s400/2stitch.jpg" border="0" /></a> For serious! No hole!</div><div>You can bet I've already begun work on a dissertation explaining how this is done.<br /><br /><div></div></div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-13341332480619460852007-01-09T10:23:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:42.394-05:00indisposedHoorah for weekending. I was elbow deep in dyed fiber, took the first mall trip in I can't even remember when, and spent 48 hours saving Hyrule. With help from the cats.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdG6bSDMPymnkVknJQSUdBzb_0GkXZyFc0ZqTSYliGkqvL9NPSkggFs-RouFzOOnpEF1y4VCd0UHTwGn-tZ18WKn09lYDHG8qQW1imzEEwO8nEs4u87UJtf-WFEgiOn8oVXbmeQ/s1600-h/kay.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018116887693795762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdG6bSDMPymnkVknJQSUdBzb_0GkXZyFc0ZqTSYliGkqvL9NPSkggFs-RouFzOOnpEF1y4VCd0UHTwGn-tZ18WKn09lYDHG8qQW1imzEEwO8nEs4u87UJtf-WFEgiOn8oVXbmeQ/s400/kay.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L_Dk29AMNXKVwt9OUEaiO_I_3vJFFcwrzWG8xY8iKEFVuBOGpGSd9YwQ1KF9mXEYF6XOD2IsEtOfB07pXnADpQbjgLAx3RGHyeIWaWwZHC53behnvwk7ybUL2oEXnrNRfkrZNg/s1600-h/zo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018116677240398242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L_Dk29AMNXKVwt9OUEaiO_I_3vJFFcwrzWG8xY8iKEFVuBOGpGSd9YwQ1KF9mXEYF6XOD2IsEtOfB07pXnADpQbjgLAx3RGHyeIWaWwZHC53behnvwk7ybUL2oEXnrNRfkrZNg/s400/zo.jpg" border="0" /></a> 2 points to the Hubs for learning to operate the camera.<br /><br /><div><div></div>I also finished the new monkey socks:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRetS_rDQ9imvcLWx_3CmLt4LfOaoqW3QRsW5DniAzXM1gc1WhdHE2oDdfV2mrLBDPSO0ijy5O5cpXYlQFusRW3a5IuRpE40gGBh7xe0dbrkJ_efTRuN-I2J5MLh6K2yFzDb00Fw/s1600-h/2monkeysockss.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018116531211510146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRetS_rDQ9imvcLWx_3CmLt4LfOaoqW3QRsW5DniAzXM1gc1WhdHE2oDdfV2mrLBDPSO0ijy5O5cpXYlQFusRW3a5IuRpE40gGBh7xe0dbrkJ_efTRuN-I2J5MLh6K2yFzDb00Fw/s400/2monkeysockss.jpg" border="0" /></a>Same specs as prior, Claudia's Handpainted in the Purple Earth colorway.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z0N6BsPixxvMuFZlq0ZBlS8ByPUJh13sT3VLv4R0Ve7VUjjPnu-yRz_LEUHGc3h8S0VJZPLey1t-xDz89kpLLOpSHVyhj9Y6e8NjxOrUDpVyZ2tcFOhryOOWDp9Z4noP-8pfFA/s1600-h/3onfoot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018116471081967986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z0N6BsPixxvMuFZlq0ZBlS8ByPUJh13sT3VLv4R0Ve7VUjjPnu-yRz_LEUHGc3h8S0VJZPLey1t-xDz89kpLLOpSHVyhj9Y6e8NjxOrUDpVyZ2tcFOhryOOWDp9Z4noP-8pfFA/s400/3onfoot.jpg" border="0" /></a>These are the best fitting socks on me I have knit to date. I call them the spooky socks for the colors, and because I knit these while watching season 1 of the X-Files, grafting the final toe during <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Erlenmeyer_Flask">The Erlenmeyer Flask</a>. Through reliving this series after so many years, I've realized some things.</div><div>1. In 1993, cell phones were amfek HUGE.</div><div>2. Scully is a really one dimensional character.</div><div>3. Mulder is more crazy than I originally gave him credit for.</div><div>4. He is no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bones_(TV_series)">Seeley Booth</a>.</div><div>5. I continue to heart the series despite its shortcomings. But it could have been so. much. better.</div><div></div><div></div><div>During this review of important episodes, I ripped back what I had started on a <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTpomatomus.html">potato</a> sock. Or whatever you wanna call it.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWblbuv7LtvieD5bDx6vhmYtc6RGnhvAqSGzTkvaU7UDX5IyuVzBnE_EjxZbzrnhCZWYb9G2kmYDAn_MDqySBY8EfU_j87McDmHb78_uUGGNmQCbFLpZ9GpaleLglnIW2BXjEmQ/s1600-h/4potato.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018116410952425826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWblbuv7LtvieD5bDx6vhmYtc6RGnhvAqSGzTkvaU7UDX5IyuVzBnE_EjxZbzrnhCZWYb9G2kmYDAn_MDqySBY8EfU_j87McDmHb78_uUGGNmQCbFLpZ9GpaleLglnIW2BXjEmQ/s400/4potato.jpg" border="0" /></a>It took three times to get through the first repeat and in all honesty, I just wasn't feeling it. Maybe I'll come back someday. In the meantime, I found some <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTfallingleaves.html">falling leaves</a> to distract. And once I get my size 2's back, I think I'll make with another pair of Monkey.</div><div></div><div>Where are my size 2's, you ask? Why, knitting a sock, of course. </div><div><div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBRLu-9wZVyH5bwmFvMxnBjOV2Bk79qjpvLVNifqZ76U-0mCzRyK2sK4w9ZOP0g36rI_L87ifIrQxUTzh1mcDpDIYLvWJL2bua9r0Na-7s-bfvPUhr47WexEVNA4fB_sJLZ8T7A/s1600-h/5yarn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018116294988308818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBRLu-9wZVyH5bwmFvMxnBjOV2Bk79qjpvLVNifqZ76U-0mCzRyK2sK4w9ZOP0g36rI_L87ifIrQxUTzh1mcDpDIYLvWJL2bua9r0Na-7s-bfvPUhr47WexEVNA4fB_sJLZ8T7A/s400/5yarn.jpg" border="0" /></a>On two different size sets of needles, no less. Which one will triumph? Only time will tell.</div></div></div></div></div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-82083967603882153542007-01-04T14:40:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:43.201-05:00uniqueThis is timely.<br />I was just commenting to the Hubs the other day about what a limited edition, very rare kind of special person I am (I have the <em>best</em> illusions of grandeur). Then I made a discovery.<br /><br /><div style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><table style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" width="350" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="FONT-SIZE: 16px; COLOR: white; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(0,102,179); TEXT-ALIGN: center">HowManyOfMe.com</td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 1px solid; FONT-SIZE: 14px; BORDER-LEFT: black 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: white; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: white; TEXT-ALIGN: center" width="120"><a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://howmanyofme.com"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 1px; BORDER-TOP: black 1px; BORDER-LEFT: black 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1px" height="100" alt="Logo" src="http://extimg.howmanyofme.com/extimages/howmany-logo.png" width="100" /></a></td><td style="BACKGROUND-: center;font-size:16px;color:white;" ><span style="color:black;">There are:</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;color:red;" >0</span><br /><span style="color:black;">people with my name<br />in the U.S.A.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #0066b3; LINE-HEIGHT: 180%; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />This is clearly inaccurate, as I exist.<br /><br />Moving on.<br /><br />Knits finished in '06: Socks!<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxUPAwCgqTTsACf4yTgE5JPZgwH1ETj7gcuDIrHpnZsxrmrDvTmisvo8O_Na6shyphenhyphendUQGHkgFLa__oK1Def2Ah0FApLlPvAOwsnKT7ZGti1qrA9XSZ4IMt9rw89t6wrcfV4jFPuw/s1600-h/1socks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5016268665466116018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxUPAwCgqTTsACf4yTgE5JPZgwH1ETj7gcuDIrHpnZsxrmrDvTmisvo8O_Na6shyphenhyphendUQGHkgFLa__oK1Def2Ah0FApLlPvAOwsnKT7ZGti1qrA9XSZ4IMt9rw89t6wrcfV4jFPuw/s400/1socks.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pattern: <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Monkey</a> by <a href="http://www.knitanon.com/blog/">Cookie</a>.<br />Yarn: 2 skeins Claudia's Handpainted sock yarn, Spring Break colorway.<br />Needles: Size 2 Addi's, 2 circ style.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR15ke7yCJkQESaUHyGh2jCPAYGfION9cEgHUTcLc6lcZlQvc2AEBRYwZh3frXNwI0UzEMbNSMeUSmaoBsYbBZKCw9Vc54MG3vEQFs5S2Dl9GL-0FXnUyrTAjYzIE3G9a_Pjj47A/s1600-h/2feet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5016268558091933602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR15ke7yCJkQESaUHyGh2jCPAYGfION9cEgHUTcLc6lcZlQvc2AEBRYwZh3frXNwI0UzEMbNSMeUSmaoBsYbBZKCw9Vc54MG3vEQFs5S2Dl9GL-0FXnUyrTAjYzIE3G9a_Pjj47A/s400/2feet.jpg" border="0" /></a>These socks are comfy, squishy, cozy, and I heart the lace pattern. Took six repeats to get down my monster feet, but I was still juiced enough that I'm nearly done with a second pair. They are also inspiring a shoe shopping trip in the near future.<br />Hey, must use the handknits, right?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkj8rUiD41jh7itK7soVYZPKJte2tVw4_ob3GkF-LD-pPQNvUmeaxwzhtg1st4Yxn3EuQYyGxRTX8eYv_0L6qwisjmT3kXI1guGCKJP_l_UddEoxE9vMonrvwvwDoGJvBbsQuWw/s1600-h/3stitch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5016268446422783890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkj8rUiD41jh7itK7soVYZPKJte2tVw4_ob3GkF-LD-pPQNvUmeaxwzhtg1st4Yxn3EuQYyGxRTX8eYv_0L6qwisjmT3kXI1guGCKJP_l_UddEoxE9vMonrvwvwDoGJvBbsQuWw/s400/3stitch.jpg" border="0" /></a>I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like moments of time are knit into the items I create. All I can think about when I wear these guys is a crazed trip to Richmond and a marathon of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bones_(TV_series)">Bones</a> with one (1) awesome variety of person. Go team! </p><p>So I'm looking for another sock pattern. I'm hoping there is one either already in my grasp or that will be headed my way soon to inspire me. There's more yarn that I would like to admit in the sock stash at the moment (my civic duty!) and I am in the mood for fancy footwears. I have the personality and the gumption for obsessive, repetitive pattern knitting if I really dig the pattern. And while the idea of plain stockinette socks make for speedy ideas, I'm wondering if there isn't something else out there I would like just as well.</p>It's looking like 2007 will be the Year of the Sock at this casa.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-29964764855253950952007-01-02T10:37:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:44.413-05:00exegesisI had me a little visitor this morning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIZucx1P1REJ0h2GR5dzijWFRS21qEirIV_pZM77W9rdzqRqsRkqGvrNbzEEElXe33JfUwSggtNRzM6q8qBwRD6KQHyFTgAJQcBGvlBvNjtu4l6dJK2m_npikBPDsrXCSFPsLJg/s1600-h/1squirrel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015466185186596738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIZucx1P1REJ0h2GR5dzijWFRS21qEirIV_pZM77W9rdzqRqsRkqGvrNbzEEElXe33JfUwSggtNRzM6q8qBwRD6KQHyFTgAJQcBGvlBvNjtu4l6dJK2m_npikBPDsrXCSFPsLJg/s400/1squirrel.jpg" border="0" /></a>Apparently my hydrangeas are actually good for something besides growing giant green leaves-nut storage.<br /><br />As we are ringing in the new year, I should probably give the last projects of '06 their due.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMd35PhZ7Z_iHFKsh5a8xBOYVWy09Bjru6z35A2KkO2ZK7_9T-vWFW7yMZua1fcUa8Mp5s4P3v3tKpqVg1UpgnrDt3mCI-zhBsYrQR2QaBnO7IuVrntcDo1ejo5YpJVsr59AxpOA/s1600-h/1scarf.jpg"></a><br /><div></div><div></div>Scarf!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVATl391ry3AD6OJA0w0HxrCv1DP3ks-7bUyRGktmR1JlAFeuOgJHn9VGD7uSCFIWO7ZsD3-kH9TaLoQgoJfPKBOCXqMCTCnuK4yI1Mqy9daVgOM_uP5z67t3E2fduRMX0KBx_A/s1600-h/2scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015465734215030610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVATl391ry3AD6OJA0w0HxrCv1DP3ks-7bUyRGktmR1JlAFeuOgJHn9VGD7uSCFIWO7ZsD3-kH9TaLoQgoJfPKBOCXqMCTCnuK4yI1Mqy9daVgOM_uP5z67t3E2fduRMX0KBx_A/s400/2scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a> Pattern: Shifting Sands by <a href="http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/">Grumperina</a></div><div>Yarn: Most of 4 balls of Noro Silk Garden, Colorway 208</div><div>Needles: Size 5 straights<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm-m47BpK2F2T2qi-XX9nwDDesU7uD8cC2HHX2zWfDRlVVN8kasc3STBx8qrtOw_lptRdPHfLqf80zLmGDNPklbQic4QGrR4PRMLYCNyuoODMbun3aAfwr-8IBm-qpmEDnUAU-w/s1600-h/3scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015465656905619266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm-m47BpK2F2T2qi-XX9nwDDesU7uD8cC2HHX2zWfDRlVVN8kasc3STBx8qrtOw_lptRdPHfLqf80zLmGDNPklbQic4QGrR4PRMLYCNyuoODMbun3aAfwr-8IBm-qpmEDnUAU-w/s400/3scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRu-Xp41T0RUapv0Q5gAmXFVNixfsoZCcTu4pSztybzXNhVi_Ju2p6WDl94nt-LOGC52NBktCVRbt9tNooHAqgc9Djx-KMhRt373b6yJA_E6RfcgbeO0cSdQ6Dzb13zgQQac7aQ/s1600-h/4scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015465553826404146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRu-Xp41T0RUapv0Q5gAmXFVNixfsoZCcTu4pSztybzXNhVi_Ju2p6WDl94nt-LOGC52NBktCVRbt9tNooHAqgc9Djx-KMhRt373b6yJA_E6RfcgbeO0cSdQ6Dzb13zgQQac7aQ/s400/4scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a>This scarf rocks, the end! I heart the pattern, and even the reverse side.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJs1aEyFsg4_pw1pkMcHUE6FeE4uGQDYntGeOx7ZOgKgV0IfwmpmeI2ZueSDyG6KcA0FhpeAPaJlelhdC5NOCckTniQGpGmu-3-jOZJB_LOeLkZxLIzewN535Grp4jt-Hqnkx9w/s1600-h/5scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015465347667973922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJs1aEyFsg4_pw1pkMcHUE6FeE4uGQDYntGeOx7ZOgKgV0IfwmpmeI2ZueSDyG6KcA0FhpeAPaJlelhdC5NOCckTniQGpGmu-3-jOZJB_LOeLkZxLIzewN535Grp4jt-Hqnkx9w/s400/5scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a>4 balls and a 37 stitch cast on brought the length up to roughly my height-ish (oh so technical like, yes?) which is 5' 10" on a non slouching day. This was my first experience with Noro but will not be my last. How can you resist a yarn like this? Subtle color melding, streaks of saturation, slubs that make you proud of your own handspun...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZSEgSxeISIufaJwamp6SdILpkrkf6248UGes7B5gmF8XPMNNLsIAl_Vv0aAODj4ZaQjTjufb7yF7CDacTFv133NmmQOzL1QxZxpyzxT3U04VwbcAlINXavtmTO_SvCRlu_2KsA/s1600-h/6scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015465261768627986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZSEgSxeISIufaJwamp6SdILpkrkf6248UGes7B5gmF8XPMNNLsIAl_Vv0aAODj4ZaQjTjufb7yF7CDacTFv133NmmQOzL1QxZxpyzxT3U04VwbcAlINXavtmTO_SvCRlu_2KsA/s400/6scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div></div><div>As far as New Years, there was fondue, lots of spinning, and drunken horse riding (whilst playing Twilight Princess, not the real deal). The end of my year was spent with awesome people doing fibery socky things. I can't possibly think of anything else that could have topped it. </div><div></div><div>Something else joining us in the new year is the <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/">Blue Moon Fiber Arts</a> Rocking Sock Club. Yeah, I finally drank the Socks That Rock kool-aid. I consider this a birthday present to myself. And I'm holding off on buying more yarn (totally must have sock yarn excluded, although it really, really has to rock my socks so to speak) until after May and the destruction that will be the Sheep and Wool festival.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Going to finish up another sock now. The final pair completed last year is forthcoming. Probably after I get through season 1 of the X-Files.</div><br /><div>P.S. Highly recommended at this time: Eri Sugai's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mai-Eri-Sugai/dp/B000054A5A/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_b/105-8953288-0947637">Mai</a>. I'm replenishing the Amazon wishlist and adding <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007X9U6K/ref=wl_itt_dp/105-8953288-0947637?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1RD2F5IHTGTYM&colid=21EB9WWA24G70">Kaori</a> to an upcoming order. There will be discussion.</div></div></div></div></div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1165076191098440522006-12-31T23:15:00.000-05:002007-01-01T14:25:41.463-05:00the countdown begins anewA blank canvas is always exciting, isn't it? A fresh sheet of paper waiting to be scribbled on, a new ball of yarn waiting to be knit, a whole new 365.25 days waiting to take us to new places.<br /><br />I have more intentions this year as I try to continue to discard the perfectionism and bad habits I sometimes succumb to. As far as knitting goes, this is what I plan.<br /><br />-Learn the differences between Fair Isle, Intarsia, and attempt the dreaded "Steek".<br />-Delve further into dyeing my own roving.<br />-Socks. Lots of them.<br />-Practice spinning. Learn a range of techniques.<br />-Knit a sweater that fits, designed for me by me.<br /><br />Last year I only intended to learn how to knit. It's hard to believe I've been at this for a short several months and have come as far as I have. Most credit is due to my friends, and the inspiration of the online knitting/spinning community.<br />I am eager to see where this year takes us.<br /><br />Happy New Year!the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-46124836716540252772006-12-22T12:25:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:45.454-05:00eye cookiesFor Your Consideration<br />Eye Candy Friday.<br /><br />First, it must be stated that dual action Kitchenaids are a thing of beauty:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61RCRlm8mGCz1cDCAdmKhjYzJiPBPfFMk04sv-egsMBELWJ5N2HYICMyMDwpiWY5WIFRo8reIGKqGZmYyGN6y0THYJFN0dgomxlg3ETpOMVrvWdz2CKJKcN7XXL_ZVpzINer4fA/s1600-h/1mixers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011407219858179474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61RCRlm8mGCz1cDCAdmKhjYzJiPBPfFMk04sv-egsMBELWJ5N2HYICMyMDwpiWY5WIFRo8reIGKqGZmYyGN6y0THYJFN0dgomxlg3ETpOMVrvWdz2CKJKcN7XXL_ZVpzINer4fA/s400/1mixers.jpg" border="0" /></a> Add two knitters hyped up on coffee and yarn fumes and you get what Hubs coins the "Bake 'n Bitch".<br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Vrnm7yiCwquJ_fV2fEYddnNs5HgdlUPltxzfZEKK6MXR3dbxLYZ2Uer4jljqgVDQ9ukf4u7AuVYOrSlKqj2EmkzTrwN_R3j7K090j10sboV8UYBibYkzPLIw1nt9jol33_TKA/s1600-h/2baking.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011407138253800834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Vrnm7yiCwquJ_fV2fEYddnNs5HgdlUPltxzfZEKK6MXR3dbxLYZ2Uer4jljqgVDQ9ukf4u7AuVYOrSlKqj2EmkzTrwN_R3j7K090j10sboV8UYBibYkzPLIw1nt9jol33_TKA/s400/2baking.jpg" border="0" /></a> The money shots:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB4vC85J4dlwHBhabg-NbDnMZh2IvKrzp_CfliXDb6DQWdXUJFzCtgQUTFU-wtcJnz4skLdSR4oIkQq_9JZfTfZRpVswprmTb1VjJ04V_rZTq6dMNclU2aFy8ipEkT8VapZPaVQ/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011407060944389490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB4vC85J4dlwHBhabg-NbDnMZh2IvKrzp_CfliXDb6DQWdXUJFzCtgQUTFU-wtcJnz4skLdSR4oIkQq_9JZfTfZRpVswprmTb1VjJ04V_rZTq6dMNclU2aFy8ipEkT8VapZPaVQ/s400/3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaRP_eTjfgrXaBYa82FOSfv7l0M98JwYAX5w2Kc5cBFINCccWmsYc8c82K8egxf2W9J5nV_lpXH4HPLpzUKcWKAQeLXJPawT0KWU41neqVMoacaN7Oo249f2bP_BFtGwMPl04hA/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011406983634978146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaRP_eTjfgrXaBYa82FOSfv7l0M98JwYAX5w2Kc5cBFINCccWmsYc8c82K8egxf2W9J5nV_lpXH4HPLpzUKcWKAQeLXJPawT0KWU41neqVMoacaN7Oo249f2bP_BFtGwMPl04hA/s400/4.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8yAI-lIQ04sXQ482QKB9400II9xrINei6ljNZWyYQfZ1uGPLFICwp_qEZ8RfN3ONG711H84-d9M0FsHzB5lIVhUPKL0hTZaaeEtpn1A5DXx_RWTpRgQtBt8EH2UCscCdC5Gmjg/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011406910620534098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8yAI-lIQ04sXQ482QKB9400II9xrINei6ljNZWyYQfZ1uGPLFICwp_qEZ8RfN3ONG711H84-d9M0FsHzB5lIVhUPKL0hTZaaeEtpn1A5DXx_RWTpRgQtBt8EH2UCscCdC5Gmjg/s400/5.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoRoroDoy_MBHAW_G7TbpJ7d0ONFrSQxDMKefqrpNDKNDQTihsiYOnBUCpayR3huk19jw-onNabM6LHidzOautkM8G4-4X6mIND19OSGyaaHQB8Wd8UHXwe9CpuD1vMMmLgQ36w/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011406820426220866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoRoroDoy_MBHAW_G7TbpJ7d0ONFrSQxDMKefqrpNDKNDQTihsiYOnBUCpayR3huk19jw-onNabM6LHidzOautkM8G4-4X6mIND19OSGyaaHQB8Wd8UHXwe9CpuD1vMMmLgQ36w/s400/6.jpg" border="0" /></a> The fiberous eye candy must wait for now. The day is gray and cloudy (don't you just love winter? I missed this weather) and will not do it justice. So I'm off for the weekend. Have a very safe and happy whatever-holiday-you-celebrate! (Merry Christmas!)</div></div></div></div></div>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-78517786102981264872006-12-21T15:09:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:36:46.955-05:00finito!First, huzzah for the ol' blogger. I think a new facelift has been a seriously long time in coming.<br /><br />Second, the socks be done, yo!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeGKT90OmSED1cwSFXbhA8LurLt7djGLRNTZUcQYBBx_rymuoq6iz0s-Q2d0maKuRnC0bL1lda9Wu9xMSPsIorc3DjVON0WMemNqol0ojSV5sElp8Fr9lP135dbiNpmiDI0G7TA/s1600-h/1feet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075772936979762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeGKT90OmSED1cwSFXbhA8LurLt7djGLRNTZUcQYBBx_rymuoq6iz0s-Q2d0maKuRnC0bL1lda9Wu9xMSPsIorc3DjVON0WMemNqol0ojSV5sElp8Fr9lP135dbiNpmiDI0G7TA/s400/1feet.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wait, lemme see that toe action again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kOXOWPCaoVZ55sHD7wF2YKU9L3Gb0ZsmeVOQRJwMBDUSUlsBPG_7DHR0_o1cjEvT_zPpLdP0ywsoS8QAiKmA2Ko9uajeFApDQS1vhTUzInFN2f5Jo4-ZPnUUFtFgSAE1pzT6gg/s1600-h/2toes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075708512470306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kOXOWPCaoVZ55sHD7wF2YKU9L3Gb0ZsmeVOQRJwMBDUSUlsBPG_7DHR0_o1cjEvT_zPpLdP0ywsoS8QAiKmA2Ko9uajeFApDQS1vhTUzInFN2f5Jo4-ZPnUUFtFgSAE1pzT6gg/s400/2toes.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ahhhhh yeaaaaah, that's the stuff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLIsZn-dwRjVl92hdVEeSvaOeJ0hcEdZfANmQQSr06sB4z6b68w839Yw4pk-X5zoaiePUt7PEmgcpq0XvnvZa5xQVIs8h2d5j-rT2zbwa4xomaKmsSjOmYOqUXPTHLAbhsvI3DA/s1600-h/3sox.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075635498026258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLIsZn-dwRjVl92hdVEeSvaOeJ0hcEdZfANmQQSr06sB4z6b68w839Yw4pk-X5zoaiePUt7PEmgcpq0XvnvZa5xQVIs8h2d5j-rT2zbwa4xomaKmsSjOmYOqUXPTHLAbhsvI3DA/s400/3sox.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pattern: Gentleman's Shooting Stockings from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Vintage-Socks-Classic-Patterns/dp/1931499659/sr=1-1/qid=1166732196/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7256912-4519259?ie=UTF8&s=books">Knitting Vintage Socks</a><br />Yarn: 2 hanks Lorna's Laces in "Pinstripe" (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon, 215yds/57g)<br />Needles: Size 0 Addis, 2 circ style<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6c4pwiAI7AS1F5THR4J8ozrHeryl6ZhD5q8ks3shU4PJi0VVyQcDxa-v62HTkpOHiA6mVqQaeX94W_wY8hq9hGtCG-w79bkQPttg06qR40ue7ylX9rlJ_ibLQsUN4PbQqU-lKw/s1600-h/4close.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075566778549506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6c4pwiAI7AS1F5THR4J8ozrHeryl6ZhD5q8ks3shU4PJi0VVyQcDxa-v62HTkpOHiA6mVqQaeX94W_wY8hq9hGtCG-w79bkQPttg06qR40ue7ylX9rlJ_ibLQsUN4PbQqU-lKw/s400/4close.jpg" border="0" /></a>Fear that stitch definition. Per Nancy's suggestion in the book, I twisted the stitches picked up on the heel flap:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdN5WUnMGxlB_8tHfeFyEFjVotI6MDr7eei_IpgL6RbHZXTxy2MEmizhE63lGEZmM1hL5dF1giTxZOod8OdFCIMnxswJIrzhCspdSof55AV_UbYa5rIeMaaLAG-c7ZPdZKR2KKg/s1600-h/5pickup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075506649007346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdN5WUnMGxlB_8tHfeFyEFjVotI6MDr7eei_IpgL6RbHZXTxy2MEmizhE63lGEZmM1hL5dF1giTxZOod8OdFCIMnxswJIrzhCspdSof55AV_UbYa5rIeMaaLAG-c7ZPdZKR2KKg/s400/5pickup.jpg" border="0" /></a>Muy bueno!<br />I'm a fan of Lorna's now. The plain stockinette was plenty squooshy and soft<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOemDrqeTDQ5vBM6cZJH2XILbqjVYXJ-JxlhHRt3eb7VAwCQLLGG3WVPiRFLQPa8YVrIpEnGou2v8RkfTtGiCsqYXztATLhjFfTUkm6hMkvQGPB-jTgE-AKs40J_QQsbYGjd24eg/s1600-h/6heel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075442224497890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOemDrqeTDQ5vBM6cZJH2XILbqjVYXJ-JxlhHRt3eb7VAwCQLLGG3WVPiRFLQPa8YVrIpEnGou2v8RkfTtGiCsqYXztATLhjFfTUkm6hMkvQGPB-jTgE-AKs40J_QQsbYGjd24eg/s400/6heel.jpg" border="0" /></a>And the ribbing is stretchy and springy without loosing shape.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2IENfSMtcK4MaXuufXXUWB1IpE0CxmG-LVr9XH-u7AdxAOehbXQWIOkDsfpxITbRAKBMGj9GXD5SyL-ZnU_sGw83vvz6jv1LR6fqfTszUJ5daCsakEaT0BM-gJnBLz9-ZoOnWw/s1600-h/7leg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075373505021138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2IENfSMtcK4MaXuufXXUWB1IpE0CxmG-LVr9XH-u7AdxAOehbXQWIOkDsfpxITbRAKBMGj9GXD5SyL-ZnU_sGw83vvz6jv1LR6fqfTszUJ5daCsakEaT0BM-gJnBLz9-ZoOnWw/s400/7leg.jpg" border="0" /></a>I find I'm a big fan of the long ribbing thing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-blyOzvgs1y36Z4CU8fkqfxeMSUrYi9ACcZh4V_TaIlk9YSwe6HtjsqYi4k7lOZk-Qdf4fiyyfvpdynpJ5WP7Ojlbb48-tdeQG9WNiHAzCuMMHkPd6vppT7OI3YD2SIAVfH3Qw/s1600-h/8top.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011075317670446274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-blyOzvgs1y36Z4CU8fkqfxeMSUrYi9ACcZh4V_TaIlk9YSwe6HtjsqYi4k7lOZk-Qdf4fiyyfvpdynpJ5WP7Ojlbb48-tdeQG9WNiHAzCuMMHkPd6vppT7OI3YD2SIAVfH3Qw/s400/8top.jpg" border="0" /></a>In summary: I heart these socks! Funny thing about me and socks is I have always knit them inside out and didn't know there was a difference. Meaning, I have knit them in a counterclockwise fashion so the "right" side is inside the sock as it is knitted. I didn't even realize the could be knit in the clockwise direction until I tried it on the second sock. Thus, the pooling is a bit different on the two.<br />Pooling does not bother me in the least; I am indeed a fan of handpainted yarns and believe things just are the way they are. I read somewhere that weavers of yore felt the same way. If they ran short of a color and had to dye more they didn't let the fact that the new fiber was a shade different bother them but embraced the handmade item for the way it was.<br /><br />I think more people should feel the same! Handcrafted items are to be treasured. They are your personal expression of art and interests.<br /><br />Now, to wrap these up for the father-in-law.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1166554026118893512006-12-19T13:40:00.000-05:002006-12-21T16:13:17.807-05:00snippetsWe're just a few days from Christmas and, as usual, I'm late to the figurative party and short on time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/231313/sprev.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/629394/sprev.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/148026/cprev.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/882678/cprev.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I hope to be able to discuss recent accomplishments soonish.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1166121190131199592006-12-14T13:18:00.000-05:002006-12-21T15:34:25.235-05:00dubietyI wish I had a better excuse, but it should come as no surprise that a certain something has been keeping me from yarns and needles the last two days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/517994/1link.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/509624/1link.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's a ploy, you see. They dragged and dragged out the release of my beloved Hylian, first days, then months, then an entire year. Then they release him mere days before final Christmas gifts need to be completed before I can (finally?) get to some self indulgent knitting. I have discovered that this is the plot to drive me insane.<br />And don't you believe for one damn second that it's not the case.<br />Of course, had they delivered such an item as was planned last year per /whispers of old friends, there is a serious possibility that this whole knitting thing wouldn't have seemed like such a good idea at the time.<br />Then I might not be in this predicament, but I would not have the things I do today.<br />So I trudge back to the sock (which is so <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> blue) and continue the labors of love.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/883922/2sock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/354663/2sock.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I am extraordinarily elated over something that I am not at liberty to speak of just quite yet. I can only infer that it has most decidedly lifted my holiday spirits to unfathomable heights.<br /><br />This is all my self control will allow me to transmit at this moment. I can not even be coerced into photographing all the crazy wacky things that have been created in the last two weeks, and I heart me some one on one time with the camera and this amazingly beautiful weather.<br />Yeah, that bad.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1165867293371263232006-12-11T14:47:00.000-05:002006-12-21T15:35:04.889-05:00shazamThe Top Five Things That I Feel You Must Know This Instant:<br /><br />1. I am ready to knit <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">these socks</a>. I want to knit these socks so badly I am a breath away from throwing everything currently in progress to the wayside to wind sock yarn into balls and cast on this very second. I made a sock yarn aquisition on Saturday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/528252/11handpaint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/868477/11handpaint.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/33251/11handpaint.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/33251/11handpaint.jpg" style="'width:300pt;height:200.25pt'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\RMW\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/484380/11handpaint.jpg"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a>and I have been staring at it since, desperate to finish the socks, scarf, and two hats I have ongoing at the moment to cast these on (oh did I mention the hats? Yes, there's two).<br /><br />2. If you didn't get it from above, the new <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/index.html">Knitty</a> is up. Some very kewl patterns this time around. I think I'm going to have to knit one of <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html">these</a> (yes, after the hats. And socks.) And definitely a <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTnorberta.html">dragon</a> (I mean, "If I Had A Dragon" was one of my favorite books), and a <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTsheldon.html">turtle</a> or two in many colors. (Isn't he shiny? He's even got his own <a href="http://sheldontheturtle.blogspot.com/">blog</a>). There's also a <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTstarskyjr.html">mini starsky</a>.<br /><br />3. If you have the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Sisters-Sock-Workbook-Designing/dp/1931499160/sr=1-1/qid=1165867682/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2492681-0907815?ie=UTF8&s=books"><i>Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook</i></a> (and I hope you do if you are into socks and the knitting of them) You might be interested to know there's a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931499691/ref=wl_it_dp/103-2492681-0907815?ie=UTF8&coliid=I13L8A6HRO378D&colid=21EB9WWA24G70"><i>Twisted Sisters Sweater Workbook</i></a> in the making. I am as excited about this as I am about some cherry flavored Italian ice. Which is you know, a lot.<br /><br />4. Prohaps even mas exciting is another book that I will verily obtain, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580176585/ref=wl_it_dp/103-2492681-0907815?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1SKSY3ZMUZOZ&colid=21EB9WWA24G70"><i>Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off</i></a>. It's coming out in March. Is that even possible? She just finished writing it. No matter! This strengthens my chances of meeting up with <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Madame Harlot</a> during bookbookbook 4 tours.<br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?colorid=10&sku=124%3a10&">My new bag</a>. It's roomy, carries everything I need and still has space for a sock in progress. And <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Away-Me-Norah-Jones/dp/B00005YW4H/sr=8-1/qid=1165867851/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2492681-0907815?ie=UTF8&s=music">new cd's</a>.<br /><br />The house is semi clean, the laundry is mostly done, the cats are sleeping contentedly, and I am surrounded by yarns of all manners. I've done the best I could to resist, but the rest will have to wait.<br /><br />Random Fact For Today: Kiefer Sutherland’s full name is "Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland". Oh, the magic of wiki.<br /></p>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1165259383469703052006-12-05T14:57:00.000-05:002007-02-05T14:02:38.899-05:00anticipationAdvice: Taken.<br />Attitude: Readjusted.<br />Knitting: Back On Track.<br /><br />Apparently, I do take requests. This weekend, between shopping, treasure hunting and other insanity, I whipped up two (2) slippers sized specially for the Hubs.<br /><br />Pre Felt: Way Too Large For Me<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/164054/01ffprefelt.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/423936/01ffprefelt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />That would be a seven inch cuff on these babies. Another custom request.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/397801/02ffprefelt2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/593286/02ffprefelt2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Zoë was very interested during the drying process. Wet wool is very, well... wet. Time allotment for drying is muy bueno.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/702382/03ffzoelooks.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/472464/03ffzoelooks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It took two trips through the "heavy" cycle of the Maytag and one through the rinse. I think it came out well. Even then, one was an inch longer and had to be felted some more. Lots of old towels went into the making of these slippers. Literally, in the wash with the pillowcase of wet wool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/645879/04fffeltclose.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/317149/04fffeltclose.jpg" border="0" /></a>Post Felt: the "Armored Boot" winter fashion<br />(I can't describe how amused he is by the form they took. It has to do with EQ, I think...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/577633/05ffpostfelt.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/852968/05ffpostfelt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTfuzzyfeet.html">Fuzzyfeet</a> from Knitty!<br />Yarn: 1.5 skeins each Cascade 220 in Navy and Some Kind Of Green (Tags lost to the stash, i.e., forever.)<br />Needles: US 10.5 Clover DPN's.<br /><br />I held two colors of yarn together when I knit these for extra thickness and for super matching of the bathrobe, a blue and green plaid. I tried them on myself and they are very warm.<br />Mission accomplished.<br /><br />While knitting these I realized that I'm a moron. Not that this is news to anyone. I was so sure I had never knit anything like this before. Then I remembered.<br />I've knit socks before.<br />I've knit socks on DPN's.<br />I've knit this pattern before.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/536411/06ffmine.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/805474/06ffmine.jpg" border="0" /></a>Green? Very. Comfy? Verily.<br />These babies, circa January 2006, come complete with rounded toe because the directions of "graft together" meant "break the yarn and thread through remaining six stitches, then pull close and weave the end in like hell on the inside" to my newb knitter mind, vice the kitchner graft I maimed with the second pair.<br />I kinda like it this way.<br /><br />I was at a loss for what to do next, so I pulled out <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTstarsky.html">starsky</a>. Yeah, it was that bad. I set out with good intentions. All I have left to do is finish the last 12 inches or so on the belt, sew up the sleeves and attach them to the sweater, and knit the collar onto the body.<br />Then something new came into my life.<br />I can't even begin to tell you how happy it makes me. I'll attempt to show you. But trust that the picture doesn't do it justice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/161322/07loveisscarf.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/673164/07loveisscarf.jpg" border="0" /></a>The yarn is Noro Silk Garden, Color 208, Lot A. The scarf pattern is Shifting Sands created by and available at the blog of the one and only <a href="http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/">Grumperina.</a><br />I must have cast on six different scarf and stitch combinations before settling on this. That's how excitable and nervous I am about using this yarn. Also, I wanted something that was moderately reversible. Imagine how delighted I was at discovering I like the back side to this pattern just fine. It's really the color that does it for me. And the cable pattern totally roxxors and is super easy to do without a cable needle.<br /><br />All I want to knit right now is this scarf, until it's six feet long or I run out of yarn, whichever comes first. But this is not the time for selfish knitting. Christmas is coming. And I have stuff to knit for other people. I think?<br /><br />I'm too lazy to go to the hardware store, so I'll knit up some socks for my father-in-law. I visited a new to me yarn store and picked up some more Lorna's Laces for such a purpose. I'm thinking something vintagey. Published in a book by a woman. Possibly named Nancy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/274524/08popsocks.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/577723/08popsocks.jpg" border="0" /></a>Yes, these will do fine.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1164916181334935842006-11-30T14:16:00.000-05:002007-02-05T14:01:48.741-05:00wanderlustFrom soft, kiddie approved egg cartoney goodness<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/965085/eggy.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/502774/eggy.jpg" border="0" /></a>to cat approved size<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/255230/cattriangle.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/920095/cattriangle.jpg" border="0" /></a>to peaked, colorful softness<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/756093/shetlandtriangle1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/281889/shetlandtriangle1.jpg" border="0" /></a>the shetland triangle does not disappoint.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/278790/shetlandtriangle2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/823752/shetlandtriangle2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pattern: Evelyn Clark's Shetland Triangle from Interweave Knit's <a href="http://scarfstyle.blogspot.com/">Wrap Style</a>.<br />Yarn: Less than 1 skein KnitPicks <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420128/yarn_display">Gossamer</a> (100% Merino, 440yds/50g) in Caribbean.<br />Needles: US 6 Addi Turbo circular<br /><br />This thing practically fell off the needles. And it amuses, yet does not surprise me that it's almost the same size as the Swallow Tail Shawl.<br /><br />The varigated yarn might have been a little too much, but I chose this yarn for the colors it had, reminiscent of sea glass. This is a gift to a special friend who loves the beach and its colors.<br />Now it's done, ready to be wrapped for christmas. And I'm just sort of floating in the myriad of project choices.<br /><br />-The Super Duper Serially Top Secret Project (<span style="COLOR: rgb(204,51,204)">SDSTSP</span>) is already halfway done. Yep! It's crazy awesome so far.<br />-Victorian Lace Today. It's here. It's fabulously full of pretty, pretty pictures. I can't decide. It's like taking a kid into a penny candy store and telling them to pick out one item. Overwhelming.<br />-I could finish starsky. I <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">should</span> finish starsky. I don't know. I keep looking at the sleeves as they are, looking at the arm holes, looking at the half constructed sweater, then back to the sleeves. Frog? Forge ahead? It requires thought, which my brain has no ability for today. Technical writing can suck the will to live out of you through your sinuses.<br />-I can't believe tomorrow is December. I can believe it's taken me this long to realize that spinning wheel + spinning wheel oil = easier spinning. I can be so. damn. slow. sometimes. I have half a hunk of brown corridale waiting next to it, and some blue mill ends from the most amazing roving source evarz. It looks inviting. Did I mention it's a dream to treadle now?<br />-There's some Cascade 220 wound in a ball with DPN's hanging out of it. Hubs requested some felted slippers. Who am I to deny mr. rachface the one knitted item he's actually asked me for so far?<br /><br />Uncertain. But I do know whatever it is I end up doing there will be two small attention seeking creatures all up ons.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1164761677948549382006-11-28T19:51:00.000-05:002006-12-21T15:36:55.406-05:00foible<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/577465/lornas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/965942/lornas.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Remember how I said before I don't buy yarn unless I have a project in mind? I promise that is still the case. No, really.<br />Be assured that no innocent bystanders were maimed in the process of this acquisition.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1164660220438060392006-11-27T14:59:00.000-05:002007-02-05T14:03:33.119-05:00denouement<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Knitting, And Things Relating To It</span><br />Wherein we learn that the Swallow Tail Shawl has been knit, weaved, blocked, and hidden for three days so that it might not be discovered inopportunely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/79565/shawl1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/674864/shawl1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pattern: Evelyn Clark's Swallow Tail Shawl pattern from Fall 2006 Interweave Knits.<br />Yarn: Less than 1 Skein <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420127/yarn_display.aspx">KnitPicks Shadow</a> (100% Merino, 440yds/50g) in Sunset.<br />Needles: US 4 Addi Turbo circular<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/740678/shawl2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/40682/shawl2.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's a quick knit; mostly simple; lovely to play with. I look forward to knitting it a second time, as soon as I figure out what I want for myself.<br /><br />Also completed:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/752666/walkers.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/290010/walkers.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pattern: Grumperina's <a href="http://www.magknits.com/Sept05/patterns/jaywalker.htm">Jaywalker</a> for Magknits.<br />Yarn: 2 skeins Claudia's Handpainted Yarn (100% Merino, 175 yds/50g) in Black Walnut.<br />Needles: US 1 Addi Turbo circulars<br /><br />You may recall the first was done <a href="http://fiberjinx.blogspot.com/2006/10/i-made-it-up-in-my-room.html">some time ago</a>. I may not have finished with others for Socktoberfest, but I did discover along the way I heart knitting socks. And through some twist of nature (and alcohol), my father-in-law determined that not only is his foot the exact same size as mine, but wearing handknit socks could be described as "sex for your feet". (Also, these socks do not <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">feel</span> like they have mistakes in them. He's quite upset I wouldn't let him have the screwed up pair.)<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Turkeys</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/349991/antipasto.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/988058/antipasto.jpg" border="0" /></a>This year I am very thankful that I did not have to wake up at the crack of dawn to be at work for the mall rush at 4 a.m.<br /><br />Now that "mall employee" is behind me (and a four letter word), it is my turn to exact revenge on retail workers... by sleeping in until noon and then scoring a yarn swift for 60% off.<br /><br />Also learned this holiday: chugging a glass of milk after several cocktails is not conducive to a good time.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Things That Are Leafy</span><br />Rescheduled or not, this (indoor) <a href="http://www.carbonleaf.com/">Carbon Leaf</a> show was astronomically overwhelming. I don't think I could have asked for a better spot than front and center.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/925258/barry.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/600108/barry.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you were there, I apologize for the excited chattering before/during/after the show (and to the stealmonster, who was forced to deal-at least the strangers had a headstart). If you were wondering, the glazed over expression and the drool were not anything to be concerned about. I was within reach of Barry, as he proved twice. An invading army could have pulled a Red Dawn on downtown and I wouldn't have budged. It was worth having my car milkshak'd.<br />In summation, the show was crazy awesome. As are the (surprisingly sweet) band members.<br /><br />Lest you think this had nothing to do with knitting, you can get it on good authority that the only music I have listened to since September the 12 has been such levels of awesome as seen here. They are inspiring my knitting/spinning/dyeing (oh, there is so much to discuss).<br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,51,204)"><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,102,204)">Leafy, tambien:</span></span> The "<a href="http://scarfstyle.blogspot.com/">Backyard Leaves</a>" scarf that I'm going to knit when I get to Richmond and get me some Debbie Bliss. Because I met a ball of cashmerino this weekend. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">And it will be mine.</span>the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1164141426170125792006-11-21T15:25:00.000-05:002006-11-21T15:52:39.043-05:00exultationHurray, huzzah, huttah... it is the small things in life that brings us the most joy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/1600/897612/shawl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2906/3260/400/162938/shawl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Swallow Tail Shawl by Evelyn Clark is complete. If you live on the eastern seaboard then you understand that the weather is very much not good at the moment, what with a coastal storm spinning off shore and all. Thus, pictures aren't really optimal at the moment.<br /><br />Coming Soon: Yarn for a Super Duper Serially Top Secret Project (<span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">SDSTSP</span>). Apparently, said yarn is coming from England. I had not expected this. But it does not deter me. (Any hope that the end result will have a penchant for crumpets or an accent are also not swayed, despite the whole inanimateness of it all).<br /><br />I am motivated and excited about what the knitting future holds for me, past the completion of the Jaywalker socks (turning a heel) and two last Christmas gifts (mmm lace). I checked out the Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop videos from the library and finally watched them. I was completely blown away by how motivational and simple her outlook on knitting was and loved the homemade feel of the show. And her books carry on the same voice. It's encouraging. It's inspriational. It's great! She got me thinking. And I think I have a plan.<br /><br />But for now, there are preparations to be accomplished for a day of Turkey. I'm off for the weekend-hope all will be well for you and yours.the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30401048.post-1163706282791258482006-11-16T14:12:00.000-05:002007-02-05T14:04:04.857-05:00ominousMe, with idears.<br /><br />I've made it through the second "budding lace" chart on the shawl and am prepared to start the lilies. I am overly excited about this shawl for very good reason that will be discussed later. There's not much to say/show now besides more wadded up wool. Really, it's not that interested to anyone but me. My husband has made that pretty clear.<br />Yet I've been accepted to the <a href="http://swallowtailshawl.blogspot.com/">Swallow Tail Shawl Knitalong</a>. Perhaps they might understand the gushing.<br /><br />I knit this shawl all last night and since I broke up with Lost recently we tried out Bones (Yes uhm hi? David Boreanaz is male lead in said show? Where the hell have I been?). Anyway, knit I did, all through this and into the questionably repulsive episode of South Park last night, when we encountered some numbness in the elbow area. Thus, progress is halted, at least until much later this evening. I've been thinking about other projekts.<br /><br />Meet my crappy backyard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2906/3260/1600/backyard%200601.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2906/3260/400/backyard%200601.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>To make a long story short, summer in VA this year was like, 9 thousand degrees. Hubs and I only have a threshold of maybe 2-3 thousand. Thus, we ignored yardwork in favor of fall and cooler weather. This spot of land needs to be either taken out or transformed into something a bit more... manageable. In summation, it's all mine.<br />I got a book at the library yesterday. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dyers-Garden-Growing-Natural-Fibers/dp/1883010071/sr=8-1/qid=1163706431/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7928116-4795266?ie=UTF8&s=books">A Dyer's Garden</a> is delightful, concise, and urges me to grow a garden. I can see this happening for two reasons.<br />1. A 2007 intention is destined to be spending more time outside beyond the walking/running that's already going on.<br />2. I love roving and spinning and fleece and making yarn and am totally into the idea of making crazy colors, carding things together, and otherwise discovering the mechanics of the things that currently hold a grip over my squishy brainmeat. Dyeing is currently second on the list of things needing to be discovered.<br />Hell, we could make it December. It's still '06 right?the rachfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938318932697573408noreply@blogger.com1