It’s Getting Cold

We did get to Wichita Thurs. Had fun at the Exploration Place! Wish I could get the pictures uploaded from here.

This morning it was about 60F. We drove up to New Kirk and went swimming. By the time we came back out, the clouds had thickened and sprinkled and it had dropped about 15F degrees!

AJ was born 4 years ago in the UK (yesterday in the UK by now -haha!). She's excited about her party tomorrow. Her birthday buddy (littleA turned 5 today) is out of town today and they like a joint party. I baked close to 4 dozen cupcakes, most of which are going to the party. The children will get to frost and decorate their own.

Jump in a Lake

What did you do today?
My friends Becky and Nancy invited us over for lunch and a hike. There's a nice trail right in town by the lakes that I hadn't known was here. When we were done tromping through the woods, Becky's children were asking to swim in their pond, so we just headed across the road to the lake and the children all waded in.

Semi-nudists that we are ;) I had AJ take off her dress and just wear her pants rolled up as shorts and her little shrug-sweater. BB wanted her dress off, too, which was fine. Then she wanted her pants rolled. Then she wanted her pants off. So, she ended up swimming in her undies - all the better to have 2 children with clothes to change into afterward! Barb is so prepared that there was a towel in the car, so TJ stripped to his skivvies and sat on that.

Last week, we had gone to CO to visit my parents and Gramma, and sister and family. Gramma's lost quite a bit of weight since I saw her last in January. For all the stresses on their lives currently, they're doing well.

Sean has school off for "Fall Break" this Thurs & Fri, so we may drive up to Wichita.

Intu-what-tion?

HELP!! I'm trying out an old pattern free on the net called "Knitted Sock, Adapted For a Child Three Years Old." I've gone through the half mile of ribbing and am to the pattern. It alternates a lace pattern and knitted rows. The 3d row is *wrong*.

The sock is 96 sts:
'1st' round works a multiple of 12 (stays 96),
'3d' works on a multiple of 17 sts -keeping a multiple of 17:
K1, Tf, K2t. K1, Tf, K3t. Tf, K6, K2t. Tf, K2. Repeat.
which I'm reading as: k1, yo, k2tog; k1, yo, k3tog; yo, k6, k2tog; yo, k2.
'5th' worked on multiple of 12 again, and
'7th' works on multiple of 12.

I'm thinking eliminate an extra knit stitch on '3d' and keep all other rows multiples of 12 somehow. Does this sound about right? 8 repeats on lines '1st,' '5th,' and '7th,' and 6 repeats on line '3d.' Has anyone actually made this sock?

Oh! I think I just found my mistake! I can't read!! Seriously, though, should I reduce the K6 to K5, or just drop the last st from the end of the repeat?

Dear Sue,

I've been working hard away at knitting up these socks for you. I've been watching oh so closely as the colors pool and swirl and do odd things. I remembered that you wanted them shorter, but hadn't read ahead in the instructions before beginning them. There's calf-shaping for the original 8.5 inch legs and you only wanted 6 inches. Well, I had to finish the shaping to get to the right stitch count for the heel/foot area.

I know your like a fashionable Diva. I don't want these socks to be a total and utter disappointment to you. If you don't like them now, tell me.
(and I'll keep them ;))

Isn't that swirl cool? (my toes look funny because they're curled on the edge of the coffee table)

And, check out the children:

This is TJ's version of botany class. He keeps an eye on the garden and brings in good eats. Here, he's slicing up one of our bell peppers to share with the girls and me.

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My “Sock History”

Lolly posted on her blog that we should share our sock history to help others understand where we are in the craft.

* When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I started making socks this year (late winter/early spring 2006). In fact, I started knitting just last fall/early winter so that I could make socks! I'm self taught from books and internet. I certainly wouldn't have figured out SSK on my own from the descriptions in the books! Thank you, internet!

* What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

My first sock was a practice/infant sock from Knit Socks!, was too small for my current children, don't remember what happened to it.. no mate..
My first pair was for my son. He wants me to make his future socks to his knees (a boy after my own heart). He wears them first when he sees them in his drawer. Time hasn't told how they'll hold up, but well I'm sure -they're Lion Brand Magic Stripes.

* What would you have done differently?

Nothing. I'm happy with how my first turned out and I seem to learn new things with each new pair. That makes me rather happy with knitting them.

* What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

My LYS carries Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn. Mostly variegated, so I'm going to have to search for yummy solid yarns (I'm more of a solid kinda gal)

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

I have crocheted socks before, which is why I learned to knit. I like my socks to hold my feet, the crocheted ones just seemed too loose. I also love knee socks, so making my own is my goal.

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

I prefer the fit of the flap socks. I like picking up gusset stitches and reducing.. It's fun :)

* How many pairs have you made?

About 13 that I remember (flickr has most of these). The crocheted pair, 2 for BB, 2 for TJ (same yarn, but first pair had afterthought heels), 1 for AJ, 3 Sock Wars (only 1 was a game pair), 2 for Sue, and 3 for Ben (striped pair never photo'd when finished).

I've got 2 or 3 pairs on needles now. For sure, there's the Arrrrgyles (for me, now) and the Gentleman's Fancy Socks (for Sue). I'm hoping to finish leg #2 of the GFS tomorrow and post a picture of the fascinating swirling! Maybe Sue won't like them and I can keep them..

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WIP it Wednesday

In less than a week, we shall be flying. What sort of toy should I have on the flight? Instead of finishing a WIP, I started a new thing: a cradle-purse for one of the girls. I had the cream acrylic from fixing a blanket my friend Becky-in-OK's mom had made. The *ahem* variegated is from my step-Grandmother-in-law. She likes lots of colors.

I've decided that I don't like the bottom of the bag. I'd rather it be rectangular or oval (like booties or slippers) so that it will sit well on a flat surface. I realize that it's a 'cradle' pattern, but I think I'll make a 'moses basket' style.

In the Darkness

Lat night was long and late. Ben got on WoW and I didn't feel like joining in the game. I wanted to go to bed. Somewhere this little voice says to wait for him and I generally listen. (sigh)

Having a deadline looming seems to get me in gear to finish things, though. I looked at my poor ironing board. It's piled with projects that have been begun and left undone.
I finished the buttonholes on the lighthouse shirt I'm making for Ben (OOP pattern) and started sewing buttons on. Where are the buttons? I'm 3 short. I know I had enough when I started this thing a year and a half ago!
I sewed the next areas of bias tape for my new apron (McCall's 3979).
I sewed the pleats for the dress that I'm making by using a skirt pattern for border prints and attaching to a nursing dress bodice. I still need to cut out the bodice, but the skirts ready.. Maybe I should just make it into a skirt..?
I machine quilted on the ABC quilt and found little cuts along the bottom and in the W. Drat that toddler with scissors!
I looked at the aprons that are only awaiting pockets. I looked at the green fabric waiting for me to cut it out as a dress. I looked at TJ's cloak -I need to undo the stitching on the hood (stitched together wrong way) and then resew the hood, attach it and edge/hem the cloak. I looked at the nightgown pattern from which I want to make nightgowns for the girls. I looked at the piles on the floor that need shelves.
I just kept quilting till the needle broke. Then I went to bed. It was after 4AM. Note to self: pregnant people need more sleep.

One Last Thing…

Before I forget again! I tried the ISoD's matching pattern, arm warmers -of Doom- (that's the "Rules Discussion Forum," topic: "How to Handle This Situation" page 3, second post from top on my screen). Lots of people recommended Fetching from knitty.com, so I merged the 2 on this pair and came up with Wrist Warmers -of Doom- ("General Chitchattery" forum, topic: "Where's the Wristwarmer Pattern", first page, third post by myself, currently last on the page). Ben even tried them on for me to be happy that they wouldn't be too tight on someone else!

Little Things

Last week, we planted some seeds in the garden. Give it a little time and water and it's amazing what happens! The salad is starting to spring up like crazy -we'd just scattered the seeds and now are slowly thinning it to give room to grow; yummy!


And, the peas are poking out their little heads!


In the late morning yesterday, we had the first rain of the season.. Well, the first rain since Spring! The girls pulled out their coats and Wellies and had a blast!


I've missed the rain so much! It's already chilly. I had one set of flannel sheets that fit my bed, but none for the children (there is one set for the crib, I think.. but none for the beds they sleep in now). So, I ran off to Target to check the selection. NONE. They have jersey and they have some nice smooth sheets, but no flannel. So, I walked to the other end of the mall (yes, Target is a 'department store' in the local mall) and visited Linens N Things. They have Eddy Bower flannel sheets and right beside them they have some other label (maybe I should read it) flannel sheets for 50% off. Same original price, just half off. I was planning on buying a set for each of the children's beds, but at that price, I grabbed 2 each! I may have to get another set for my bed.. with a baby due in "winter" I may have to change my sheets more frequently.

Ben found a good price and bought the plane tickets. I'll miss him so much! The children and I will be off to visit family and friends starting next week. I'll have to dig around and see if I have more nice cushy yarn to make socks for Gramma! I've started a shawl that I'll probably bring to work on in transit (crochet hooks gets less worried looks from fellow travelers than 5 DPNs), and I've got a few other projects to tuck into my bag for at Mom's and MIL's.
signing off for tonight.

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Purple Socks

(before closing toe to be sure they weren't too long)

I've made a third pair of ISoD socks , I just mailed them before 5PM this evening. I picked up some DK yarn called "Magic Garden Buttons" at my LYS ("made in New Zealand for Naturally Hnd Knit Yarns"). It's 83% pure NZ wool and 17% 'polyester effect' yarn -that's the little color spots, they're actually a ply of the yarn. This yarn is really soft! I was a little unsure about the poly yarn near the toes, some people are more sensitive to rubbing in that area, so I decided to use the red from the stranded heel for the toes, too. I have no idea the brand this yarn is, it's been aging gently in my stash since UK. I am pretty sure that it's 100% wool and was supposed to be a hat. Some yarns are just destined for socks.

These qualify as my first pair of Socktoberfest socks, and I'm putting this under the SockWars category because these are actually for 'AuntGerry' who has yet to figure out her assassin and isn't sure that anyone is targetting her yet. I'll be going out of town shortly and don't know if I'll be able to make socks for the victims of dropouts when the game's done. And, you can never have too many pairs of socks!

Kiarapanther has done an awesome job of assembling a list of participants sans email-addies! I'm hoping posting this link will allow others who perhaps have yet to find the forum (which is a requirement of participating!!) to get over there and update the other players.