Sock-o-rama

Hi all!

Had a nice long weekend and am trying to make good on my promise of two pairs of Father's Day socks. I have mastered to two circular needle method of knitting socks and am almost finished with sock #1 for my DH. I also, have this lovely Trekking XXL to knit up for my Dad's pair. Not a very good pic but this colorway has different hues of dark blue to pale blue and a nice tan color. It is working up beautifully on 4 double points, but I'll switch to circulars as soon as I can get some more. I found Susan Bates Stainless steel in a size 2 "16 at AC Moore for $4.98 - a far cry from the $14.50 at the LYS for Addi Circulars. I would have loved to have those, but can't afford to spend $30 on circulars right now. Hmmm....expensive needles or more yarn and less expensive needles?....hmmm....think I'll go with more yarn and less expensive needles. No point in having Addi's but no yarn.
Anyhoo, Please answer this question for me:) How many hours to knit a sock/pair of socks? Would like to semi plan how long it will take me on circulars vs. doublepoints. Just wondering:)

Good day to all and Go Canes!!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Memorial Day weekend. When we lived in the NC mountains,
the local folk called it 'Decoration Day.' They would have potluck dinners and 'decorate' the gravesites of loved ones with flowers, wreaths and ribbon. All of it seems so far away now. We lived in Western NC for a sum total of 10 years. But, we were forced to move back to Raleigh when Hal (DH) got sick. I still miss my life there sometimes. The mountains have a way of melting away stress. Sigh....

On to knitting; the circular needle sock project for Father's Day is moving right along. I have to say, I'm loving this method of knitting socks! Also, I am enjoying Cat Bordhi's book. I'm looking forward to trying the Bavarian Twisted Stitch Sock. It uses Libero Sportyarn which is lovely. Hopefully, I can find some locally.

I was wondering for myself and also, if any of you know, approximately how many hours it takes to knit a sock. I have not kept track of my time on this project, mainly because I take my knitting everywhere I go and knit during any snatch of idle time available to me. Also, I do not wear a watch. (That doen't help matters much)

All of the pieces of Baby Bolero are done. I have only to block and stitch together. I'll post a pick when it is ready.

By the way, The World Cup starts June 4th with the US playing June 12th. They are ranked 5th overall, from what I hear. I don't think the other teams will look forward to playing us again.
This is a awsome 'Don't Tread On Me' symbol from the Revolutionary War Flag. It is now part of a limited edition team uniform.

I knit, therefore I am....

As proof of that, there's this...











And more recently, this....


The jaquard print is Trekking XXL. I love the colorway. They are my Dad's Father's Day Socks.

The multi cotton/wool blend for my DH is Regia Cotton Color, and did you notice? I've mastered the two-circular-needle method of knitting socks! I am hoping it will save time as Ms. Bordhi says in her book. She said that knitting on circulars eliminates about 300 pauses at needle interchange....we shall see. I am just glad that my brain didn't melt trying to read the instructions. Moebius aside, and despite what I've heard, she seems like a sane enough person, and very clever, too!;->

I actually transferred this sock-in-progress from double points to the circ's. Seems to be working fine. My kitty, Spike, thinks they look great!



He's 12 years old and still hanging out with us... pretty easy going as kitty's go.

Socks Soar

Just ordered Cat Bordhi's book "Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles." Appearently, there is not a copy to be found in all of Raleigh or Cary. So, I ordered it from Quail Ridge Books. I have to admit that I have avoided Cat Bordhi for some time. I mean, have you seen the needle quiver..."Magical Moebius Needle Quiver..." Sounds innocent enough, doesn't it? But, boy, that thing is a yarn, waddy, messing thing waiting to happen, I'm sure of it.

Yet, whenever I have read (in the blogosphere, of course) anything written about Ms. Bordhi's patterns, they have been complementary; most recently, here and here.

So maybe this book can get me over my fear of Cat Bordhi patterns. I am hoping to find her the genius everyone seems to think she is.

In case you were wondering....

(And I know what you were thinking) I did *not* finish the Baby Bolero for a variety of reasons. In the first place, we had two doctor appointments yesterday from 12pm on. We finished at 3:30. I'm sorry, but I think it would be rude to knit whilst someone is trying to talk to you and your husband about family and issues. Besides, I would have had to keep looking at the pattern and that's no good either. Also, I ran out of yarn. I know, I know....should have bought enough when I purchased it.... One. Skein. is the name of the book. One. Skein. But, no harm, no foul--the yarn shop has more. I saw it when I was there last week looking for an extra ball of sock yarn I'll need later.....
Anyhoo, I did manage to finish one sleeve. That leaves one more sleeve left to do and then the blocking and piecing...piece of cake.

By the way...check out the cute kitty counter at the bottom of my page! I love it! You can find more here.

Please Excuse the Chaos!

Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know this is the 2nd time I've changed templates, but, I figured, since everything else is helter-skelter in my life, why shouldn't my blog be? Seriously, I wanted a template with a background so that I could change it (once I figure out how to do that). I have a lovely one found here. Anyone who has a clue, please give me one!;->

As for knitting, I am finishing Baby Bolero today, I am. And then it is on to Father's Day socks. What's that you say? You mean, I didn't tell you about the two, count-em, two pairs of socks I'm knitting for my Dad and DH for Father's Day? I really do make trouble for myself, don't I? What's that you say about do the same thing, get the same result? I didn't quite get that....

Anyhoo, I think that things are slowing down a bit, now. Emma's preschool is done for the summer and Sam and Ian are gearing up for exams. Still no word on the movie roll for Sam.
Hope we hear something soon. He did finish shooting Southern Gothic. He had a blast and made some new friends. It's very satisfying to have one of your children find their niche in life. Sam has worked very hard and I am proud of him for that. William (my 8 yr old) informed me last night that he thinks he can be both a soccer goalie and a clay artist, because when he isn't playing soccer he can just work on his clay creations. Go, William!

Well, I better get on to Baby Bolero. Don't think it'll take too long...I just have the sleeves and edging to do. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!:)

Ang

Here is a link for Grumperina's needle case how-to. The whole thing is made very inexpensively with a placemat. Think of the possibilities! Her instructions are precise and have nice pictures to help the process along. Enjoy!

Ang

Pass the Jack, please.....

I've been knitting my little heart out over the last few weeks in between periods of sheer chaos at my house. My youngest daughter graduated preschool, my oldest met with the Marine Corps at our house, my 18 yr old was back and forth between Raleigh, Charlotte and Wadesboro shooting his first film, "Southern Gothic," (no website yet so no link) and I found myself wandering around Wilmington not knowing where the hell I was supposed to be.(Don't ask) The next few weeks aren't looking any less dysfunctional, either, by the way. Sam's Graduation and Emma's 5th birthday are on the same. day. Sheesh! (Emma is convinced that she is already 5 and cries tears every time William reminds her she is still 4. Which he does often, of course , because he's 8. Fun.)

I am thinking of putting my head in a vice just to relieve some of the pressure.

But... my knitting does continue, despite all the hand wringing and cussing on my part and, miracle of miracles, I continue to enjoy it. Go figure. I can't say this for much else in my life, save maybe the Jack Daniels under the sink. That's losing it's charm as well since I'm too poor at the moment to buy more and am not yet willing to prostitute myself for the funds.

So, please send happy thoughts my way as often as possible, and maybe a lovely sky or two, Sandy. I am going to need all the help I can get.

Ang

Sock and Sam

Well, the 2nd Mother's Day sock was completed and my mother was thrilled with the pair! Here's wishing all of you Mom's out there the best for this Mother's Day!
Wanted to let you all know that Sam's audition went well. He met the writer and director for this film and let them know how much he wanted the part. We shall see. There is often other criteria than talent for parts like these. We are hoping for the best!
I am now working on Sonnet for our KAL and the Baby Balero from One Skein. Also, I am looking into working as a Unpaid Claims Specialist. Anyone out there in the blogosphere working with Medical Insurance? I figure that I can take only as much work as I can do, what with Hal (DH) being sick, and all. (Also, may allow xtra knitting time;->Hope springs eternal....)

Have a great Day!

Ang

All Pray Together!

Sam has a new audition today in Wilmington, NC for a Feature film. The script is awesome and he is very excited. I need everyone to pray hard! All the other parts have been cast. This is the final part and would be a great one! So everyone wish him luck. I'm so proud!!!
Go Sam!

Warsh Rag Deluxe!

Here is a lovely dish rag I am knitting from the Peaches and Creme yarn label. Love this pattern! Once you go through all the steps once, you can repeat the pattern over and over without referencing the pattern and there are lots of possible variations. You have to love the cost of this cotton yarn, too.... $1.27 at my local Wal-Mart. This one is done on a size 8 needle with a different yarn, TLC Cotton Plus in Sage and White. I believe you can also find this pattern in Mason Dixon Knitting.

Ang

One, two, three, knit, two, three....

Mother's Day Sock complete and the other one is on the needles...no sweat. I figure if I knit every minute of every day from now 'til Sunday, I should have no trouble finishing the second one. Wouldn't you agree?

Wish me luck! Seriously, any input on how long it should take me to knit one sock using fingering sock yarn w/64 sts. at cast-on and 9 sts./inch? (I can't believe you actually think that I would keep up with my actual knitting time while knitting the first one...I mean, who do you think I am? ) Don't answer that!

Ang

Reader's Corner

Reader's Corner is mine and my husband's weekly hangout in Raleigh. Located on Hillsborough St. near NCSU, this used bookstore has been in business for more than 30 years. They sell used books, DVD's, textbooks, records, and rare books. My husband collects books and whenever he is AWOL, you are looking at his hideout(like I don't know where to find him). The figure you see standing in front of the outdoor bookshelves is him. Outside books are 10 to 25 cents and there is a pay box in the door using the honor system for payment. The staff there are helpful and once they get to know you, will tell you what has come in of interest. There
is also a Reader's Corner in Asheville, NC run by the daughter of Reader's Corner, Raleigh. If you are ever in town and need some reading, look no further.