Still Starting Socks!

As we covered a few weeks ago, I (like most people) only have two arms. I also have but two feet (again, like most people) yet I keep knitting new socks.. in fact, I cast on this pair just a few days ago... 

Perhaps it's the lure of single skeins, that occasionally come with too much personality for a whole sweater...

Perhaps it's the lure of a small project that can be worked on literally anywhere (though never in the bathroom, I do have limits) ...

Oil changes take awhile...

Perhaps it's the fact that's socks were my first knitting love! This pair has cables AND tiny, tiny beads, and I LOVED knitting them (in 2009)! 

But the most likely reason is probably that socks wear out...and although darning is satisfying, it's just not as much fun as casting on and knitting a new pair! 

So, here I go, here I go, here I go again...knitting socks and taking names while I get the oil changed.  What are you doing for fun today? 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

The Agony of de-feet

Sometimes, when you're working on a project, everything turns out all hunky-dory! Like this "Happy Spring," crochet banner I've started for my office! FYI, I only have N and G left, so it's actually almost done! 

Also almost done is the third pair on a trip of stripey socks, using one of my favorite commercially produced self-striping yarns,  Felici (by Knitpicks.com).

Unfortunately, as you can see, there is something wrong with my second striping skein of pinks...and sometimes this happens with Felici. It usually starts with a knot (which is where the trouble started onion this one), then the yarn changes. 

I've seen Felici shorten stripes, skip a stripe, or even change the order of colors, after a knot...but this is the first time I've used a skein that appears to have been mishandled by the dyers (mechanical or otherwise) after the knot.

I was a little upset when I first noticed the mistake. Truthfully, I'm still in a little agony now, but I'm probably not worked up enough to reach out to Knit Picks about it. I do love it when my handknit socks match perfectly, but I have not stopped loving Felici...and as I said before, knots do happen with this yarn...so I'll probably just finish these socks before moving on to the next pair. These pink stripes are not a gift, and they will still be comfortable and pretty, so no harm, no foul. I've got bigger fish to fry. 

After all, I live in northeast Ohio. Have you seen the news about northeast Ohio lately? This is my favorite of all the info graphics I saw on FB this week...lol! (Not sure who the OP is, but shout out to my buddy Karen for sharing on her profile!)

Yeah, 4 seasons plus a meteor in one week...and I've also heard that Bigfoot may be on the loose, so I'm just gonna stay inside and play with yarn this weekend. I hope you also have solid plans for the weekend. If yes, drop a comment to let me know what they are! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Surgery Number ... I've Lost Count

So the 12th day of Christmas was Monday, which would make today the 20th day of Christmas...but, technically that's not a thing. However, today is the 19th day since my little procedure, and I am counting that as a definite thing! Thinking back to my hysterectomy in 2012, and my hip replacement in 2015, this back surgery of 2025 has been the best of the three! 

There has been relatively little napping, my stitches look good, and the worst part of this recovery was probably the allergic reaction I mentioned last week. Now that the intense itching is past me, I can revel in the fact that the last 20 days have allowed me to knit not one

not two

but 3, that's THREE!, full pair of self-striping, Christmas socks

PLUS five tiny gnomes!

The gnomes are currently meeting to discuss what I should cast on next...and now that I'm off the heavy-hitting meds, I'm also working on getting approval to return to work soon. Although getting back to work will ultimately cut into the knitting time, the paycheck will make me feel better about all the yarn I own!

I mean, we all knew I'd go back, if only for the socialization I'm missing...gosh! I hope I remember how to act around people. I don't want to have to go back to puppy school...wait, that's a story for another day, isn't it? 

Anywhoo, I'm recovering well, knitting much and doing my best to follow doctor's orders, so I can continue. Prayers and good thoughts appreciated! What's been your biggest challenge this week? Drop a comment (or send an email) to let me know how I can pay for you...

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Sleepy Saturday

I am sleepy! 2024 has started busy, and there have been some hard moments already. Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a dear woman, and you know how these things sometimes wipe a body out? Well, I am wiped out. I slept until 9:30am, that's like 11 hours, which is about 5 hours more than I usually sleep! 

To combat the sleepy, I may just take a nap. Or I may just keep working on some super-simple socks. By the way, if you've been considering one of those "slap bracelet," sock-sizing rulers, they are very cool and useful! But mine is not as accurate as I'd like, I am sad to say...

I wear a women's size 10US shoe, but I normally knit a size 9 sock (my feet are not super long, but wide). To test this ruler, I measured to the knuckle of my big toe, as usual. Then I held up the rule to my sock/foot, and it measures a size 7...I'd need to knit about half an inch more to reach the size 9 line. (Also, FWIW, I also thought the ruler on the back was an inch off, until I realized that the markings start at 1", not zero. So that was definitely user-error...ugh!)

So, clearly, I need a nap. If you also need a nap, please take a nap...and enjoy the long weekend, if you have one. 😴 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Uncharted

The Swiftie socks are done, and I have traded them for some far less complicated, uncharted knitting!

These lines are not blurred, and my charts are all finished. Yay!

Hmmm, our coffee table used to be empty...but somewhere between the crocheted pony-bead lizard and super capes, I seem to have lost control. Even the pig looks a little judge-y in that last shot! But, after all that charting (starting with pen and graph paper, ending in computer spreadsheets and docs with all the words) I am glad to be moving ahead to simple stripes and squish in my knitting. 

The pattern is not "out there" yet, but I hope to get everything uploaded this week. It will look a little like this when it is available...watch Ravelry if you're interested. 

And if you're not interested...here's a fun, new book I bought this week! 

A children's book by knitting designer Anna Hrachovec, this one is every bit as fun as the cover suggests! Even if you don't knit, the photography and text are super fun, and most everyone knows at least one kid who likes fun. Right? (You can find it HERE, and also on Amazon...)

There, I've finished socks, bought books and started stripes. Drop me a comment and let me know what you're up to this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Oh! And New Glasses! Yay!

Perplexed, but Not in Despair

Happy Saturday, friends! I've been working my needles harder than usual, and coming up with unwearable results, so lol! My granddaughter requested some very specific socks, and I am so excited to come up with something for her...in fact, I have already finished the first sock! It is stranded color-work, which means even the inside of the sock is mesmerizing!

But, and I knew this was happening as I kept knitting, it will never fit a human foot! 

Too long, too skinny, too tight!

I could let this distress pull my knitting soul into the pits of despair, but I have chosen instead to use sock one as a learning experience. I will have to knit at least two more socks, but I have learned that I need larger needles...and I should start right into the colorwork at the toe. I've actually already started (see photos above and below), and it seems to be going well, so yay! 

For what it's worth, I am pretty sure that I said the exact same thing about that first sock, but I was dead wrong. Murphy's Law abounds in stranded color-work. Well, it does, on my knitting needles anyway! Lol! 

I promise you finished photos when I get there, and I am thinking of writing this pattern up (since I have already gone to the trouble of 10 charts!), but that's probably a little ways down the road. So, what can I give you for free today? Well, what about photos of fall at our favorite park...

And on the path, beyond the pond, in the apartment complex next door...

And boys with their brothers, and their builder robots, and Pop Pop, and the tire swing!

It has been another full-and-good week. I have recovered from the discouragement of sock one so completely that I have not only started sock two (of 3 now, lolz), I have also cast on a special request pair of baby booties for a friend of my daughter's, as this knitter is wont to do!

I know, this is just yarn. Isn't it pretty, tho?

I encourage you to pivot perplexed moments into learning lessons, rather than allowing them to drag you down to despair, because life is much more enjoyable with a positive attitude! Remember, if you have a choice between laughter and tears (and I know, sometimes there is no choice, but sometimes there is), seek the smiles!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health and smile often!

Finished, Started, Finished, Still Knitting...

I've finished another pair of socks... 

So I've started another sweater...which I have also finished now! (Happy dance, anyone? No? Just me? Okay! Hahaha!)

So, I've started another pair of socks...

Which is good, because it's Lakeside Weekend for Cleveland Knits West, and socks are a perfect take-along project! So, I've packed this sock, and the start of its mate, along with a little yarn for the next project(s?). I hope I've brought enough for two overnights...

Oh, and somebody had a birthday party, his first! It was too much fun, and I am thankful for wonderful extended family and in-laws to celebrate with on these occasions!

Wherever you are, I hope you are finding some joy and also some solitude to refresh your soul. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

My Left Foot

As I have aged, I have noticed certain...things about myself. For instance, I have one slightly sexy foot. Please Note: This is still a family-friendly blog, and I promise not to deviate with this post...but I do have one foot that is definitely more attractive than the other, which gives me pause when I take sock photos. 

When I started sock knitting, I would routinely pop my newly finished socks onto my feet for photos without a second thought. Somewhere along the line, however, arthritis has settled into both of my big toes, and my right foot is no longer capable of the standard "pretend-this-foot-is-in-a-stiletto" pose. I won't show that foot off, not in a sock and not out of a sock, so you'll just have to trust me. But I will show you my sexy, left foot.

Before you rush in to comment that this is neither a very sexy foot, nor is that a stiletto, please know that I am in possession of these facts. But my left foot is definitely my best foot, so I'll keep it forward...

...or I'll pose it awkwardly sticking straight up, while I lie on the floor for the best angle...

...and then I will agree with you that yes, sometimes knitters are weird. Lol! But having just watched The Greatest Showman with some of my favorite knitting friends last night, I will embrace my odd because this is ME!

You know what else is me? Photos. Shameless photos of next generations. Generations who have two sexy feet (for now...I think arthritis runs in some of our families) and beautiful smiles that I wish I saw more often...

...and generations who still smile easily (even despite the pre-teen status of the very tall one on the left)!

Yes. This is me. This is Pretty. Knitting and taking pictures of people...and of tiny knits, occasionally arranged into sculptures with the help of my current favorite 7-year-old!

You may be right...I may be crazy. But I just might be the lunatic my family and friends are looking for! The lunatic with one sexy foot. (Sorry Mr. Joel!)

I hope that you and your sexy feet have found your place to shine and the people who celebrate you, even though they may not understand or agree with all of your opinions and oddities. If that sounds like a pipe dream, I encourage you to find yourself and then find your "tribe," the village that will love you and let you be you!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Apparently, gnomes love bananas!

I Got Your Back!

My quest for the perfect self-striping sock yarn for my Bright Axis sweater took me to an unexpected place this week. The land of canes and steroid packs for hip and back pain...

Don't worry about me too much, I'm fine...but I am moving a little slower. I'm not sure what I did exactly, but that hip pain that concerned me (please let my hip replacement be okay, and it is, whew!) was determined to be muscular, lower back pain. It was severe for a couple days, and I am eternally grateful to good friends who "had my back," so to speak! (Thanks for the fancy, flowered cane, Ruthann! It is just what I needed for physical and emotional support this week!)

With my extra down time, I shopped all the self-striping yarn dyers I love, and happened upon a perfect match sock set in the "Sesame" colorway from Must Stash Yarns! I've been lusting after this colorway for years, and just happened upon it this time...super yay! I mean, just look!

Some of the girls at our Thursday CKW Knit Night were having a "winding party," so I brought my new yarn (and my cane) with me, and look how perfect it's going to be: 

While I waited for Thursday, I worked on a new sock for one of our granddaughters in KP Felici. Sunset is the colorway, stunning is the sock!

All that knitting and planning has been therapeutic, and I am getting back to my old self! I am also getting ready to find my way to Sesame Street on my Bright Axis! Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? These boys are excited to help me, as long as Sesame Street is at the bottom of this snowy hill! Lol...

Hahaha! One of them is way more into winter sports than the other, but they both love to be outside, in general! Pop Pop loves to be outside, too, so he's got their backs! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!