FO Friday: Pikachu and Hermione

Happy Friday!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here and, as a result, I've been a little lax on posting for FO Friday (and WIP Wednesday and Stash Acquisition Saturday).

But, I've got a hot minute so it's time to post a few FOs :)

Link to Project Page

Pattern: Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder

Time Frame: started November 14, 2016; finished January 28, 2017

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Fresco Y Seco (less than 1 skein)

Needles: US #1 (2.25 mm) circulars (four sets - one set had 2-32" and the other was 2-40")

Size: 64 sts (average size)


Modification(s): I don't know if these are really modifications but here are things I did differently: Jeny's Stretchy CO over two needles, k3xp1 ribbing for 25 rounds, 12 pattern repeats on the leg (and 18 on the foot because I have US9 clodhoppers), double gusset heel decreases .....that was about it for things I did that may or may not have been different. Otherwise, I think I followed the pattern.


Thoughts: Since this is the second time I've made these socks, they seemed to go a bit faster. Actually, I just looked...the first pair took me 8.5 months to knit. These took two. Why did they go faster? Probably because I wasn't so scaterbrained about the socks but maybe also because I was knitting both socks at the same time (two different sets of circular needles). That made some of the changes a bit easier. I might make these again. We'll see.

Double Gusset Heel Decrease

Leg close-up

Toe pic!

Pattern: Pikachu Hat by Jessica Hansen (no links - I couldn't find any)


Time Frame: started February 3, 2017; finished February 10, 2017


Yarn: Uh.....I really should look at the ball band. It's an acrylic from a big box store (Michael's or Joann's - I forget which). I know it's not RHSS. I want to say it's either something from Loops & Threads or Bernat. I cannot remember. Anyway, yellow and black.


Needles: US #5 (3.75 mm) 16" circular and US #8 (5 mm) 16" circular and DPNs

Size: Um........we'll talk about this in a minute


Modification(s): The original is supposed to be knit flat and seamed, which I was not about doing so I changed the number of stitches used, and obviously changed the decreases to accommodate. Other than that, there weren't really any modifications...maybe a few small things on the ears. Also, the original called for DK weight but I used worsted.

Thoughts: A friend sent me this pattern because Stormageddon and Little Man love Pikachu but......there are some important things missing or that caused me some issue. Firstly, the pattern is written entirely in metric, which isn't exactly a problem (our rulers and such have both) but it kept tripping me up. It's not the fault of the designer. But I expect it will trip up many American knitters. Secondly, she uses some non-standard abbreviations (g-st for garter stitch, for example). It's also never explicitly stated that it's knit flat until you get to the point of seaming up the back...nor does it explicitly say that you're supposed to join in-the-round. I suppose you could argue that everything is implied if you read through the pattern beforehand (but really, who does that?!). Also, the directions for the face are a little ambiguous. I mean, there are measurements for how big everything should be but she keeps referring to an illustration, which is missing (though there is a photo and maybe that's what she meant). In the end, it turned out really cute but I had to do some intuitive knitting for this project. I also had to do some fancy work to make the face work.

When I make it again (because this first one went into Little Man's classroom's basket for the school auction and I have two boys that love Pikachu), I'll probably do a few small changes like how I attach the face and the sizing and such. I may also go up a needle size. It's a little stiff. It's not so bad that you can't wear it but I think it probably needs some flexibility for kids.

Ignore my messy bookshelves in the background

My handspun from Frene Creek Farm still isn't dry so that's going to have to wait a week or so. I will say that it turned the water blue during the first wash and the water was green after the second wash. But, it looks lovely and squishy so I'm going to have to show it off soon :)

I'll be back tomorrow with a few acquired items......oops.

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #48

Happy Sunday!

I'm heading into my 48th week of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects. It doesn't quite seem possible that I've been paying attention to something for that long, but apparently the numbers don't lie :)

Anyway, let's get to it!

FINISHED OBJECTS
1. Claudia: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 9, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 25, 2012; finished March 5, 2012
8. Habitat Hat: started April 10, 2012; finished May 8, 2012
9. Mini Sweet Girl's Pumpkin Hat: started May 31, 2012; finished June 4, 2012
10. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012; finished August 4, 2012
11. Sassy Girl's Simple Baby Cap #1: started August 4, 2012; finished August 5, 2012
12. Double Bump Dishcloth: started August 9, 2012; finished August 11, 2012
13. Go Pack, Go!: started August 18, 2012; finished August 22, 2012
14. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started August 25, 2012; finished August 26, 2012
15. Little Granite Dishcloth: started August 27, 2012; finished August 28, 2012
16. Alternate Andalusian Dishcloth: started August 29, 2012; finished August 29, 2012
17. Not-Too-Scruby Dishcloth: started September 7, 2012; finished September 14, 2012
18. Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket: started September 12, 2012; finished September 24, 2012
19. Plain old boring "normal" dishcloth (no project page): started September 22, 2012; finished September 28, 2012
20. Raglan Hat: started September 28, 2012; finished September 29, 2012
21. Nolan for Nellie: started September 28, 2012; finished October 1, 2012
22. Garter Stitch Scarf: started October 5, 2012; finished October 5, 2012
23. Chunky Scarf: started October 6, 2012; finished October 8, 2012
24. Hypnotic Dream Dishcloth: started October 3, 2012; finished October 11, 2012
25. Matt's U of AL Beanie: started October 11, 2012; finished October 14, 2012
26. Christmas Elf Hat: started October 17, 2012; finished October 22, 2012
27. Sweet Girl's Hippo: started May 10, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
28. Susan's Hat (mini): started October 25, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
29. Little Man's Sweater: started October 23, 2012; finished November 13, 2012
30. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012; finished November 20, 2012

I finished up Hermione's Everyday Socks this past week! I was a little worried at the very very end, though. I was all ready to do my Kitchener Stitch on the toe and get them closed up and discovered after doing about three stitches worth that I cannot read properly. I tried to tink back and fix it only coming to the realization that I couldn't figure out how to tink back to fix my mistake so I (very bravely) pulled out my needles, attempted to rip back a row, and put the stitches back on the needles. I say that I attempted to rip back: it didn't rip too well. Soooo....I think I got it fixed and I wound up with 14 stitches on each needle and rather than muck it up even more or try to figure out what the hell I'd done, I just said, "screw it," and Kitchenered my toe. So far, nothing is unraveling so I'm going to assume I caught all the live stitches. I have not properly photographed my socks yet...but they've had a thorough soak in Soak and are drying on my sock blockers. They fit as perfectly as I think they'd ever fit :) So, I suppose that means I'm going to have to owe you another FO Friday. 

Speaking of Little Man's Sweater.....::sigh:: It does not fit him very well. In fact, I'd venture a guess that it's actually too small for him. I'm going to attach the buttons and I think it's going to make it's way to Maryland for Sassy Girl...and she can wear it in a year. I'm going to take some measurements before I do that, though (including double checking my gauge).  

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
1. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011
2. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
3. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012  

So, this means that my WIP list is down to three! I spent quite a bit of time with Little Man's Giraffe this week. I've made the balls for the horns and tail and am working on attaching them to their respective appendage and then to the body. I suspect that this will be done by Christmas. 

I also worked on my Vanilla Socks, though I didn't get too far. It's just a lot of stockinette in the round so it can get a little boring. Oh well.

All that's left......

PLANNED HATS (at least 1 more - 12 total for the year)
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Ogre Babies!
3. NIN Hat
4. Godric's Hollow Hat
5. Bergen Street Tuque 

I still haven't fully decided which hat I want to work on yet. 



Anyway, we had friends up from Los Angeles for Thanksgiving this past week. They came up on Thursday and left yesterday morning. We did the usual holiday stuff (turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc.). We went to the Mythbusters Exhibit at the Tech Museum in San Jose on Friday (instead of the insanity that is Black Friday) and then we had a traditional Wisconsin dinner: grilled bratwursts (beer soaked, of course), potato salad, pasta salad, and homemade pickles. 

Woo-hoo!

I hope that this week isn't quite as crazy as the last week or so has been, what with people visiting and all. I imagine that things will go much smoother. 



That's all I have for you this week! I hope you all had a lovely week and holiday (for those of you in the US) and that this week is just as lovely!

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #47

Happy Sunday, kids :)

Now that we're officially getting into the "holiday season," things are going to get a bit hairy around here and posts may show up on days other than Sunday or, perhaps *gasp* not at all. We shall see what the next few weeks bring.

It's been raining for the last few days here the Bay Area. The temperatures aren't bad but you throw in the rain and it's a bit chilly. It's not necessarily cold but you have that kind of bone chilling thing with each little splatter of rain. It kind of bites because I want to wear my shorts because, frankly, it's warm...but then the rain comes and the splatters make me cold...and then I get on MUNI and I'm warm and wet from the rain so I get sweaty. It's not a nice combination. I think I need to invest in an umbrella and a rain coat. I don't have either, apparently. I thought i had, at least, an umbrella but I can't find it. I probably have one and it's probably in storage, along with my rain coat. ::sigh::

Anyway, we're not here to read about all that....it's Sunday and that means it's time for my Self-Imposed Year of Projects :)


FINISHED OBJECTS
1. Claudia: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 9, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 25, 2012; finished March 5, 2012
8. Habitat Hat: started April 10, 2012; finished May 8, 2012
9. Mini Sweet Girl's Pumpkin Hat: started May 31, 2012; finished June 4, 2012
10. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012; finished August 4, 2012
11. Sassy Girl's Simple Baby Cap #1: started August 4, 2012; finished August 5, 2012
12. Double Bump Dishcloth: started August 9, 2012; finished August 11, 2012
13. Go Pack, Go!: started August 18, 2012; finished August 22, 2012
14. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started August 25, 2012; finished August 26, 2012
15. Little Granite Dishcloth: started August 27, 2012; finished August 28, 2012
16. Alternate Andalusian Dishcloth: started August 29, 2012; finished August 29, 2012
17. Not-Too-Scruby Dishcloth: started September 7, 2012; finished September 14, 2012
18. Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket: started September 12, 2012; finished September 24, 2012
19. Plain old boring "normal" dishcloth (no project page): started September 22, 2012; finished September 28, 2012
20. Raglan Hat: started September 28, 2012; finished September 29, 2012
21. Nolan for Nellie: started September 28, 2012; finished October 1, 2012
22. Garter Stitch Scarf: started October 5, 2012; finished October 5, 2012
23. Chunky Scarf: started October 6, 2012; finished October 8, 2012
24. Hypnotic Dream Dishcloth: started October 3, 2012; finished October 11, 2012
25. Matt's U of AL Beanie: started October 11, 2012; finished October 14, 2012
26. Christmas Elf Hat: started October 17, 2012; finished October 22, 2012
27. Sweet Girl's Hippo: started May 10, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
28. Susan's Hat (mini): started October 25, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
29. Little Man's Sweater: started October 23, 2012; finished November 13, 2012

You'll notice that I finished Little Man's sweater...for the most part. I'm still working on seaming the arms (which takes more concentration than I have time for most days), I need to attach the buttons,  and I have to block it. I'm hoping that it grows significantly in width and length when I block it because it barely fits Little Man right now and it's supposed to be sized 4T (for a four year old). My gauge was on when I started so I don't know what the problem is. Perhaps gauge lied. It often does that. I'll find out after I get it seamed and blocked. I can always make it again using larger needles and different yarn. As it stands, if this one turns out to be too small, I know a little girl that could use a handknit sweater from her auntie (though I'll have to tell her mom several times that it's handwash only). 

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
1. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011
2. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
3. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012
4. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012 

I'm kind of amazed at my WIP list. I only have four projects going right now, though admittedly I haven't worked on my Vanilla Socks for awhile. But still....only four WIPs right now. And, let's be honest, Little Man's Giraffe, Hermione's Everyday Socks, and my Icarus Shawl are all almost done. 

Aside from the sweater, I spent some time with Little Man's Giraffe and Hermione's Everyday Socks this week. I need to make the three balls for the tail and horns on the giraffe and then I need to learn a new crochet technique...which will be funny since I don't exactly crochet in the first place.  I've looked at the video several times and I think I'll be able to do it. I also need to attach everything to the body. I think I'm going to wait and do the hair last so I have the horns, ears, tail, and spots placed properly first. 

I'm still working on Hermione's Everyday Socks, too, but I'm not finished. I was busy seaming the sweater. I did work on it in the car on our way to San Mateo a few days ago but it got too dark to work. Oh well.

PLANNED HATS (at least 1 more - 12 total for the year)
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Ogre Babies!
3. NIN Hat
4. Godric's Hollow Hat
5. Bergen Street Tuque 

And, of course, I still have one hat left for the year. ::sigh::





Other than knitting, the only thing that's been going on around here is cleaning. We're having friends up from Los Angeles for Thanksgiving...them, and their two children (ages 4 and under a year). So...cleaning needs to happen. The counter in the kitchen needs to be cleaned off and we need to find semi-permanent homes for some of the things on said counter. We need to organize the third bedroom a little better, including stacking bins of yarn and getting rid of some things. I think we're also planning to shampoo the carpets in there because of spilled beer and beer ingredients. I also need to vacuum and pick up the bathrooms and our bedroom and Little Man's bedroom...and most of it needed to be done yesterday and today. Some of it can be done between now and Thursday but the big stuff needed to be done over the weekend. Oh well.

Anyway, I hope you've all had a lovely week and weekend :) 

Missed It Monday

I feel like yesterday's Self-Imposed Year of Projects update was a little......brusque. Perhaps that's because I wrote the post a few days early and didn't have time to go back and edit it properly. Or perhaps it's because I didn't have much to say. Or not.

Whatever.

It's time for Missed It Monday: a day to talk about all the things we forgot to mention over the weekend :)

First of all, I've completed a couple things...not that I've picked up a camera to photograph them properly but that's not the point.

I finished the first of my Hermione's Everyday Socks. I actually finished it on Friday and neglected to mention it on yesterday's post. It fits exactly as a sock should fit...and that Double Gusset Heel gives me heel a little squeeze that I'm rather fond of.

I've also been on a designing kick...which means I've been on a knitting kick. I've been wanting to work on some different stitches so I've been making dishcloths. I've finished one dishcloth (yesterday afternoon) and I started another one using a different stitch pattern.

I'm debating on what I want to do with the finished dishcloths and/or the patterns involved. I'm thinking of making a 12 pattern collection and selling it via Ravelry or Etsy (or both) for $4 or something. I have no idea. Or maybe a bigger collection. And then there are the actual finished dishcloths...I suppose Christmas is coming up.

I have no idea what started this kick other than I was looking for some more instant gratification. I can make a dishcloth in a couple hours, depending on how detailed the pattern is. I also have a bunch of cotton yarn that I need to do something with...

So, I've finished a dishcloth and a sock. That's pretty good for me.




In other non-knitting things, Little Man probably has allergies. He hasn't been sleeping well, is all congested at night, and is fine during the day. I had him to the doctor on Thursday and she's pretty sure it's allergies. ::sigh:: Poor kiddo.

We went to San Mateo on Saturday night for dinner at The Melting Pot. It's the nearest one. Our 3rd wedding anniversary is on Wednesday so we went out to sort of celebrate. We can't celebrate as much as we'd like because we have Little Man with us and we had a good 45 minute drive but we still had fun.

Puppy is getting neutered this weekend while we're gone. We haven't told him, yet...not that he'd understand. There's not really any point to breeding him because he has no champion lineage...even though he's a rare liver & white Brittany. And he's been trying to hump here and there and we just don't want to deal with it. So while we're on our cruise, he'll be getting fixed. I bring him in on Thursday afternoon and we'll pick him up on Tuesday sometime.

I think that's about all that's going on in my little neck of the woods (corner of suburbia?). I hope you have a grand week :)

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #19

Happy Sunday, my dear loving minions readers.

I'm headed into my 19th week of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects. I think everyone else is somewhere in the mid-40s in terms of numbers of weeks but I started six months later than everyone else. So there.

Anyway, onward to the updates (and there are some updates!).

FINISHED OBJECTS
1. Claudia: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 9, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 25, 2012; finished March 5, 2012
8. Habitat Hat: started April 10, 2012; finished May 8, 2012

Did you notice?

There it is, in all it's blocking glory. My Habitat Hat. For my review about the pattern and yarn, see my FO Friday post.

I'm almost back on track for my 12 Hats in 2012 challenge. I just need to start a new hat for May.....

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
1. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011
2. Icarus Shawl: Started March 15, 2010
3. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit Socks: started January 23, 2012
4. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012
5. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012
6. Sweet Girl's Hippo: started May 10, 2012

There isn't much going on with these, other than finishing the hat shown above. I'm on the "other side" of the pink with the blanket (translation: I'm back to green again) but I haven't worked on it much. I've got maybe five repeats in the last third. So...that means I have in the neighborhood of thirteen repeats plus the border. That's not too bad. I've also been avoiding trying on the Honey Badger socks like the plague...I don't want them to not fit and I'm going to be sad if I have to rip those out, too. Hermione's Everyday Socks have made it to the gusset decreases (well, of the first one). I'm doing a Double Gusset Heel instead of regular gussets. I threw a lifeline in before I started it in case it doesn't work out as well as I would like. If it doesn't work, perhaps a Gusset Heel is in order........or maybe just regular gussets. We'll see how it all goes. I wound up starting Sweet Girl's Hippo late Thursday night...and I'm just working through it little by little.

Anyway.......


PLANNED HATS
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Ogre Babies!
3. NIN Hat
4. Brandon Ribbed Beanie
5. Godric's Hollow Hat
6. Raglan Hat
7. Bergen Street Tuque
8. Nolan
9. Simple Baby Cap #1
10. Candy Cane
11. Little Pumpkin

I'm trying to decide which hat I want to make next and I'm thinking of either the Simple Baby Cap #1 or Little Pumpkin. If I make Little Pumpkin, I should probably make two (one for Sweet Girl and one for her baby sister - to whom the aforementioned blanket will belong). I want something that's going to go more quickly than the Habitat Hat did because I'm a little behind...so smaller and not so fiddly is good. And the hats should go to Maryland with the rest of the box.

OTHER PLANNED PROJECTS
1. Freeport Vest
2. My Little Slug
3. Shaun (as in Shaun the Sheep)
4. Curly Snake
5. Penelope the Empathetic Monster
6. A new version of my Vanilla Socks, perhaps in a worsted weight...

I'm also trying to decide on a project for Ravelympics 2012. Or projects. I'm on TEAM TARDIS (yes, I'm a Doctor Who nerd, get over it). Part of me thinks I should just stick to something on the above lists but I'd like to tie Doctor Who in somehow. I'm thinking of adding Bigger on the Inside and then finding appropriate yarn, just for Ravelympics. I probably have something in my stash....maybe. I'll have to check. Or I could just order some yarn in the "right" color.

Any ideas?

Oh, totals....I almost forgot...

FOs: 8 projects
WIPs: 6 projects
Planned: 17 projects...maybe 18 projects....
TOTAL: 31 projects...maybe 32 projects...


There you have it. Update #19 of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects :)

WIP Wednesday :)

Given that it's Wednesday morning, I feel that I should show y'all something that I've been doing. I mean, I've been saying that I've been working on this and that but I haven't actually shown you anything.

And that makes me feel guilty.

But only a little.

Anyway, here's what I've been working on:
1. Mama's Vanilla Socks: (started December 6, 2011) - I've worked a couple rows of this but I'm still working on the leg portion. It's nothing fancy and I haven't photographed it.
2. Little Man's Giraffe: (started May 11, 2011) - I think once I get the blanket finished (mentioned below), I might pull this out and finish it. There really isn't a lot left...I just need to sit and finish. I'd like to finish this before I start working on Sweet Girl's Hippo (this takes you to the pattern page, not the one I've made)...the only reason I mention the Hippo is that they're from the same book.
3. Icarus Shawl: (started March 15, 2010) - I'm sad to say that this has been on the needles for two years. TWO years. I'm nowhere near finished with this. Part of me keeps thinking that I should frog it and release the yarn to a better home...but I really like the shawl and the yarn is very fitting for it. Anyone have any thoughts about this?
4. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit Socks: (started January 23, 2012) - I haven't worked on these. I had every intention of working on them this past Saturday at Knit-In but, silly me, I left the pattern in the car. Oops.
5. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: (started February 21, 2012) - This one has made some progress. I started out with six skeins of Knit Picks Swish Worsted in the Dublin colorway (for a total of 660 yds). Once I got going, I realized there was a possibility that I was going to have to either buy more and pray that they were in the same dyelot or I was going to have to find a contrasting color. And then Husband lost his job...so an order from Knit Picks was out of the question. On to a contrasting color, I guess.

Originally, I had thought of white but after some thought, I decided that might not be such a good idea on several levels (starting with the fact that it was for a baby who was going to do every manner of bodily function on it at least once, but probably several times, over the course of it's life). While I was working on this blanket and getting closer and closer to the end of the third skein, one of the ladies I was knitting with suggested that maybe I should use a pink for the contrast instead of white...but it would have to be the "right" kind of pink. Unfortunately, I don't own pink except for already mapped out projects (like the aforementioned Hippo)...so that meant a trip to the store. Because it's for a baby, it was going to have to be something that was either superwash wool or some other machine washable item. The Swish is 100% superwash merino.

I wound up choosing Loops & Threads Impeccable Solids in Soft Rose.

Impeccable Solids in Soft Rose

This photo is a bit......well, it's too dark, for one thing. But, there you have it. They come in 268 yards/skein. I only bought one because I figured that I'd only need about 220 or so to make the blanket look balanced (if that makes any sense?).

Anyway, I finished up the repeat I was doing and figured that I would be unable to make another full four-row repeat with what I had left of the third skein. So......I started with the pink.

The colors together

I don't think it looks too horrible...I mean, I'm not a fan of pink but it could be worse.

Extreme close-up!

Neither color is turning out correctly in these photos but it was the best I could do. Sorry.

What do you think about the color combination?

6. Hermione's Everyday Socks: (started March 6, 2012) - I spent a good portion of Saturday at Knit-In working on these. I wasn't exactly happy with my needles, however. They're metal so they're not snapping but they are warping like crazy and I can't have that either. So, after working on them on Saturday (and getting through the tedious 20 rounds of 1x1 ribbing), I switched to two circulars. I had purchased them for this purpose and I'm quite pleased with how things are going.

They're not as bright as this photograph is making them out to be but with the chocolate brown background, the only way they would show up at all was with the flash on...and then they turned out way too bright. *sigh* They are, however, very blue...there's a good hint of green (which is good since the color is called Emerald), but they really are more blue than green.

I'm probably going to do some alterations to this pattern because it calls for 18 four-row repeats (which is 72 rows)...plus the 20 rows of ribbing. I'm not sure I need socks that long. I'll probably do 12 or 14 repeats (either 48 or 56 rows)...maybe. Who knows. We'll see when I get that far. I may also alter how I do the gusset decreases. I'm toying with doing a double gusset heel or single gusset heel decrease on these. Or maybe I'll do a band heel. I haven't decided yet.

Anyway, those are my WIPs for this week. Aren't they lovely?



Husband should be back soon from his trip to San Francisco. He's been gone since Saturday afternoon. His face-to-face interview was Monday morning. He *should* hear something later today. I asked how his interview went and he said it was okay...the manager is hard to read. I don't know what that means. Part of me really wants him to get this job.......and then there's the part of me that doesn't want to spend the next two months packing up the house. I'm not averse to moving across the country or starting a life in a completely new place but I'm not crazy about packing up the house.

I'll try to keep you all updated :)

And, for your viewing pleasure: Little Man wearing my Snail Hat.

Look at all my teeth!

Do you like my mama's hat?

For more WIP Wednesday fun, visit Tami's blog.

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #10

Here we are again..........Sunday morning. And, as a typical Sunday would entail, we have another Self-Imposed Year of Projects update. This is my 10th update. Yes, kids, we've been doing this for 10 weeks now. We're 20% of the way through...

Let's see how things are going, shall we?

Finished Objects (hoooooray, these are done and off my precious needles!)
1. Claudia Hat: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 19, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2011; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 23, 2012; finished March 5, 2012 - I did have a question about this hat: how on Earth did I photograph it while it was on top of my head, from the top? Well.....I have an iPhone and it has this neat little feature where you can sort of "flip" the camera around so that it operates like a mirror on the actual screen. So, I did that and held my phone up over my head. The result was the hat on top of my head.

WIPs (I want my precious needles!)
1. Mama's Vanilla Socks: started December 6, 2011 - just hanging out in a project bag...
2. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011 - the yarn, partial project, and the book containing the pattern are all in one spot! Hey, it's not much but it's progress...
3. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010 - let's not talk about this one...
4. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit Socks: started January 23, 2012 - I had every intention of working on these yesterday but I kind of forgot the pattern in the car...and I was working on other things.
5. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012 - I'm nearing the end of the 3rd skein of yarn and it's looking like I'm going to have to do something about the middle. We now know that Sweet Girl is having a "little sister" (which is what she's been telling us since December) so the suggestion was made that I should make the middle stripe pink or purple. Personally, I'm leaning more toward purple but that's because it's more "me"...but this isn't for me...it's for Sweet Girl's new baby sister (due in July)...but I suppose if I could find the right shade of pink, it might work. Thoughts? Ideas? The original is Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Dublin. I'm thinking that the Swish Worsted in Amethyst Heather would be the best choice...the pinks don't look quite right for it. Or white. White is always good.
6. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012 - I spent a good chunk of yesterday at Knit-In working on these...I'm doing the actual pattern now, as opposed to the 20 rows of 1x1 ribbing that these start out with.

Planned Hats (I have plans? Really?)
1. Odessa
2. Hermione Hearts Ron
3. Habitat - I have pulled out my skein of Shelter for this (but I haven't wound it)
4. Ogre Babies!
5. NIN Hat
6. Pup Tent
7. Godric's Hollow Hat
8. Brandon Ribbed Beanie
9. Raglan Hat
10. Bergen Street Tuque
11. Nolan
12. London Beanie
13. Grumpus
14. Simple Baby Cap #1
15. Candy Cane
16. Little Pumpkin

Other Planned Items (because, really, hats aren't all I do!)
1. Freeport Vest
2. Hippo - I have pulled out the two skeins of Shalimar and wound them into center-pull balls (but I need to find the inner strand because the pattern calls for two strands held together)
3. My Little Slug (need to purchase)
4. Brooke Baby Afghan
5. Mossy Jacket

So, drum roll please........the totals stand thusly:

Finished Objects: 7 projects
WIPs: 6 projects
Planned Projects: 21 projects

TOTAL: 34 projects

I think I'm making some good progress...





In other random things going on, the Madison Knitters' Guild had their annual Knit-In yesterday at the Bishop O'Connor Center (which is also where we hold our monthly meetings). There were lovely vendors (and I visited every single one - I'm not saying I purchased something at every single one, but I made a point to visit) and, I'm told, lovely classes. I didn't take any classes. I wasn't sure I'd be able to as I wasn't sure if I'd have Little Man with me or not. Turns out that I was able to have a few hours to myself, thanks to my friend Sherri. She watched Little Man for me for a few hours so I could have time to myself. She has two kids of her own and her oldest adores Little Man (and vice verse) so it worked out quite well. I spent a good portion of time knitting on my Hermione's Everyday Socks and my Pine Forest Baby Blanket...but mostly on the socks.

On the "Husband finding a job" front, he has left for San Francisco, by way of Chicago. He had an early flight this morning and rather than drive down at 2am, he left yesterday afternoon (after we had dinner and such). He's flying out this morning to San Francisco and he'll be flying back to Chicago on Tuesday. He won't get in until late Tuesday night, though, so he's going to stay overnight in Chicago again and come home Wednesday. So, I'm on my own for a few days. The company is partially reimbursing him for flights and hotels and are paying for his travel from the airport to the hotel to the interview and back again. I hope things go well. Considering that he's had four or five phone interviews with this place and they're flying him out, I'm pretty sure he'll be offered a job.

While Husband is gone, I'm having the local Buy & Sell shop come and buy some of my grandparents' antiques from me (and Bob knows I have plenty of those!). That's tomorrow morning. Tuesday morning, I'm taking Little Man to one of the local daycares for a tour and spiel about the place. If Husband gets this job, Little Man is going into daycare for a couple months so I can pack up the house mostly uninterrupted. I don't want to do it but I know I can't pack the house with him here. I think that's all that's going on...

Anyway, photos of Little Man from Sherri (from yesterday)...

I really have no idea why Sherri put him in the washing machine but he didn't seem to mind it...it's not like he could climb in himself (yet).

Apparently wood chips are yummy...

Wearing a hat that isn't mine...oh well.

Ohhhh...tetherball.

Sitting on the bridge

Auntie! You wore me out...I sleepy now...

By the time I went to pick Little Man up, he had been playing at the park for almost three hours, had eaten a couple times, and loved every minute of it. And then he crashed at Sherri's...

I hope you all have lovely, lovely weeks ahead of you :)

Happy WIP Wednesday

It's Wednesday and in this part of the universe, it's WIP Wednesday.

No, I really don't have anything to show you...I mean, there will be photos involved but nothing showing off what I'm actually doing...which is fine. I'll just let your imaginations run a little wild (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more...)

Anyway, on to the WIPs...

1. Mama's Vanilla Socks: stared December 6, 2011 - no progress. They're on needles; I've looked at them; I have not worked on them.
2. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011 - he's been shuffled around but I haven't physically pulled him out to work on him...I still need to find the book.
3. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010 - no progress. It hasn't moved out of the bag since I put the pattern and yarn together. Oh well.
4. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit Socks: started January 23, 2012 - I pulled them out and looked at them...but I didn't work on them. Sue me.
5. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012 - this has had some work but nothing spectacular. It's still going. I'm still on the third skein and I haven't decided if it's going to be long enough yet.

Now, for those of you keeping track at home (or those of you that are somewhat familiar with my WIPs due to my weekly Self-Imposed Year of Projects updates, like last week's), you'll notice that there's something missing.......

You'll have to check back on Friday to see...maybe...I haven't heard back from the designer.

But, that's not all...because I have another FO, it means I get to start a new, shiny project. I decided to start work on Hermione's Everyday Socks. The Sun Valley Fibers group on Ravelry is having a KAL and the only rules are that you have to have started between March 1, 2012 and May 15, 2012 and have finished by May 31, 2012, and you have to use Jeanette's lovely hand-dyed yarns. You can make socks, a shawl, a hat, mittens, sweaters, whatever...I chose socks because it kills three birds with one stone: I work on something from my Self-Imposed Year of Projects, I use up something in my stash, and I get to participate in a KAL. There are a couple of us doing these socks so it will truly be a KAL.

If you remember last week's Self-Imposed Year of Projects update, I mentioned that I was thinking of using my Sun Valley Fibers merino/nylon in the Waterfalls colorway. Yeah...I didn't pull that one out. I actually pulled out two skeins of Sun Valley Fibers yarn and made a decision after I had them out. I pulled out two skeins of merino/cashmere/nylon, one in Emerald and the other in Purple Magic. I looked at both of them for a moment or two and decided on the Emerald.

Purple Magic - I swear, it's not black!

Emerald - yes, it really is this blue!

The main reason I decided on the Emerald instead of the Purple Magic is because my Honey Badger Socks are purple...and I needed something different. Simple, right?

So, I still have six (6) WIPs...just not all the same ones.

And now, for some photos of Little Man. He's adorable and he knows it...

This is cute, right?

See, now he knows what a camera is and he'll do his "cheese face" for pictures. He's silly.

Please note that he is holding the nunchuck for the Nintendo Wii. Husband has been playing some Zelda and Little Man wanted to be like daddy...and the one remote wasn't enough. We had to attach the nunchuck so he'd leave daddy's alone.

By the way, Shrek The Third is one of his favorite movies. He'll sit and actually watch a good portion of it. It's funny. He decided to lay on his tummy for a little while and watch Shrek. Like I said, he's a bit silly...

Anyway, for more WIP Wednesday fun and frolicking, visit Tami's Blog :)



Oh, and for those of you that have been wondering and asking and all that: Husband has had several interviews since he was "asked to leave" the district...and a phone call from said district practically begging him to come back as a consultant.

He has interviewed for a couple of positions here in the Madison area, had a couple of phone interviews and a face-to-face interview in Chicago (the face-to-face was yesterday), and had a couple of phone interviews for a company in San Francisco. They're having him fly out for a face-to-face interview on Monday.

And that phone call from the district? Yeah, let's just say they had no idea how much he was taking care of...and the new people cannot figure it out. There's a lot more to it but this is a public blog and who knows who may find it...