Helpful

Why not just call it the figure 8 cast on? That I can search on Google. But a search for a tutorial on Middle East-wrap method of casting on was a big bust. The other night I seemed a little too groggy to follow the IK directions and need more help. Hello Yarn has, in my opinion, had more detailed directions here.

Very helpful indeed.

Donna, thank your for commenting the other day on my post about crabs. I wanted to answer your question about sizing, but was unable to link back to a blog for you. Not sure if it was late night woozies or blogger. So here is what I am doing about the size. After referring to the chart and doing a gauge swatch (reality, I measured the false start from last night before my dip in the frog pond), I am going to knit an Adult M at 8 sts per inch. Truth be told, like you I am a little worried about 72 stitches and the socks being too large. It makes me slightly dizzy just thinking about that many stitches . . . in 2x2 ribbing. My hope is that the ribbing will pull the sock snug to my foot making it all good. Never have I knit a sock at 72 stitches around. Yet I am choosing to forge ahead, trust the pattern (Ann Budd did write this one) and try my luck.

You know. . . now that I have posted that last sentence - I'm doomed.

The thing I enjoy about knitting is that it is fluid, always changing during the process. My knitting tends to be really fluid - as in too-many-trips-to-the-frog-pond-fluid. So Donna, for the short version, trust the pattern and try it at 8 inches. If it doesn't work, take a dip in the frog pond and start over. The water's fine, I've already been in.

PS ~ Mine are knitting up roomy (to say the least) in the toe and instep. But after I studied the photo for a few minutes, the socks pictured seem roomy and loose in the same area. If this continues up the leg, I will have to change to smaller needles because I have skinny ankles.

Cast On - Smashed On

Ok. So I'm giving the IK Summer 07 Middle-East-wrap method of casting on a try. For my first attempt, not too bad. I say first attempt because I am not totally happy with my work. Bumps, a hole and the M1 left and right are reversed - I think?! Anywho, I am starting over.

First, I am going to bed . . . it's 12:52 am (hence the crappy flash photo). Finally . . . I feel sleepy. It's said that lack of sleep can cause one to make careless errors. So what's my excuse when I am well rested?!

PS - so far, I love the yarn!

Sweet dreams.

Jr. Whitby

Pattern: Whitby from Knitting on The Road by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Louet Gems Sport Weight 100% Merino Wool in Pewter
Needles: US 2 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: June 6, 2007
Finished: June 21, 2007
Notes: I knit them toe-up because it was left over yarn from the adult Whitby's I did earlier. To get the size right, I had to slightly modify the cable and cuff.

Note ~ These are modeled by recipient, who had to be bribed with computer time to hold still for photos. When asked if he liked them I got a mumbled "yea, uh-huh." Well . . . "mumble, mumble, mumble!?"

Crabs and Shrimp

But no melted butter. On Sundays, RM and I will have a crab boil with gobs of melted butter. My little slice of heaven (unless you count the tequila with a beer chaser, but that's another thing all together). We eat and eat until it's uncomfortable. Naturally, I always have a stomach ache the next day. Could it be the shots of melted butter I tend to take with each bite of crab? Possibly.

So when I saw this yarn, I had to buy it. This Tofusies yarn was purchased during a trip to Threadbender in Grand Rapids (sorry, I couldn't find a website, so no link). My thought is to make a simple pair of k2, p2 rib socks with it. I have been reading Ann Budd's toe up article in IK's summer issue. Very different cast on method (for me) and a new way to do short rows have piqued my interest. But I already have four socks on my needles, so this will have to wait until I get a pair or two complete.

I Fought The Addi's

And the Addi's won.

Yea, Pamela guessed it. I broke down and purchased a size US1 Addi lace circular needle. With all of the press I have read regarding said needles I had to try them for myself. Here is my take:

1. Yes, the joins are super. Gotta give it to the Skacel folks, the joins are smooth as silk. No catching or snagging here.

2. The magenta cord is easier to see. It is bright and makes me smile. An added bonus is this cord seems to be very flexible, more so than the originals. Another two checks in the positive column. Since I primarily (who am I kidding? I have never knit any large lace projects) always use circular needles for magic-loop method to knit socks; I am very glad that the cord is so supple.

3. The needle portions are brass with a coating of resin. Ummm, I think I prefer the original nickel to the coated brass. Something about the brass seems to catch or grate on a minute level when the needles rub against one another. Upon further reading of other blog posts, apparently this is called drag. Well, I do not love it . . . but can live with it.

4. They are S.H.A.R.P. I have the hole in my finger to prove it. Apparently, I am a "pusher," meaning I push the needles back through when finishing a stitch instead of using more of a wrist action. While knitting and watching a tennis lesson today, I poked a hole right through the skin of my index finger. Ouch. I am taking a break from knitting for a few days and letting it heal. How the hell am I supposed to sit through LM's three tennis lessons and a golf lesson without my knitting?

Overall, I am pleased with the needles. Being $14.00 a pop, I had better be, right?

Bright, Sunshiny Day

I cast Marigold on last night during my shift at our local Hospice residence (I volunteer to answer phones on Sunday nights - it's very quiet). The yarn color way is Shasta Daisy that I first mentioned here. So fun to knit with! Now we can really say I stopped to smell the flowers! Don't you love how the colors seem to "pop"? As with the Mountain Laurel color way, when there is a change from the green, a very fun color appears only for a stitch or two. This intrigues me to no end; I look forward to these fleeting stitches on each round.

The Marigold pattern is clearly written. Pamela left no stone unturned and gives alternate directions for smaller and larger sizes. Kudos to her! So many sock patterns only give you one size, expecting you to know what/how to make adjustments for an alternate size. If you are like me, something like that can be impossible to fathom (my mind is really very simple). The lace chart she includes is clean and easy to memorize, but still gives you enough change to keep you enthralled with this knit (don't fret, she also writes out the directions for those who don't like charts!). All in all, I can't wait for my Marigolds to finish "growing."

I also have a new purchase showing in the photo. Any guesses on what it is?

Whew!

I knit more of JJ's Jaywalkers. The leg is almost finished, so things are moving along nicely. Since I'll be seeing JJ is July, my plan is to hold on to them and personally deliver the goods. This will be especially poignant, as she will be receiving them mid-summer . . . while in Arizona. My guess is they will not get worn during our visit.

Today was a milestone for me. I finished my first 10K running race! Will I do another? You bet! It was fun, a gorgeous morning and I finished almost 15 minutes faster than anticipated. Yea.

Upon my quest to be thin, the 10K race was a goal I set for myself. Originally, I thought that the training for this race would get me to my target weight. Well, let's just say, I am 24 pounds shy of the 30 pounds lost goal. But I can now run for 56+ minutes straight. Live and learn.

Knock, Knock . . .

Who's there?

Trixie.

Trixie Who?!

I know that is what you are saying to yourself right about now. Please know I am sorry for the "slight" delay between postings. Suffice to say, we have been busy around here.

I have started a few socks. Want to see pictures? Good, because here they are.

The sock on the right is a Rainy Day Sock, by Yuliya Sullivan from Magknits. I am using RYC Cashsoft DK in Shade 509. These are knit on bamboo dpn's US #4. The foot came out slightly shorter than I anticipated, so these will make a super gift for someone with say, a size 7 foot. I am loving the picot edge - all very lady like.

The sock on the left is a Jaywalker by Grumperina from Magknits. These are knit with Hill Country Yarns Sweet Feet line in Mountain Laurel (first mentioned here, here and a vague reference here) on Addi Turbos US 1 (or 2, I'm not certain, as I took a slight break and neglected to write certain, necessary details down - oops). I do know that the cuff and leg are knit for the larger size, but the foot is knit in the smaller size. It is my experience that this method makes for a nice fit on my foot. Since most everyone has knitted this sock in the past, you may or may not have found it to work for you. It is my hope that JJ enjoys this type of fit too, as it's too late now.

These are my version of a Junior Whitby for Boo-boo. Jr. Whitby is knit in the left over Louet Gems that I did my Whitby's in. The color is pewter and I love it. Needles are Addi Turbos, US 2. Too sappy to have matching mom & son socks? Yea, I thought so too. But I. Don't. Care. My reality - I don't have the space for a large stash (there was a substantial amount left) and this takes up room I could use for new yarn. On the up side, Boo-boo is not in love with them. So, Jr. Whitby's may morph into matching Auntie Trixie and nephew socks.

These were my peonies that bloomed this year. Pooh bear (my dad) helped me plant them a few summers back. In my opinion, peonies are one of the loveliest flowers of all. The colors and scent send me. My feeling to knit something in the exact color of this peony can not be denied much longer. Maybe I'll knit some Marigold's. Think how sweet my feet would be, especially if I used Sweet feet yarn!

Oh that last bit was bad - sorry.


Last minute addition - JJ, in no way is my vague post about Jaywalkers and Yeti sizes inferring that you have large feet. I frogged the yeti sized one and re-knit it. Your Jaywalkers will fit your really on the small side, normal, human, sized feet perfectly.