Hot Cocoa* Week #4

I completely missed #3. There just wasn't time to blog. I am starting to catch up though. I packed up 3 large bags and M made a trip to the Goodwill. Another friend stopped by and I sent her home with 2 smaller bags.

What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

Growing up, my Dad's parents lived in North Texas and we lived in L.A. Every summer, we'd make the drive that has been made famous by the movie CARS. It was 24 hours driving time. My parents would leave here at 8pm so that we could make it through the hottest part of the desert in the dark. A/C just wasn't what it is today. We'd sleep while Dad drove. I loved watching the lightning storms in the middle of NewMexico/Arizona. When the I-40 is pretty much the only thing, you can see forever, and the lightning lights up the whole sky. I think that with in car DVD's today's kids miss all the beauty God created that's just outside the window. I can't wait to take a big road trip with my little ones. (And we won't have a DVD player in our car. Audio books are great for family listening. And right now, my kids are thrilled with Paws N' Tales. As they grow, we'll start to explore Adventures in Odyssey.) So far, my kids make the trip to No.Cal. -7hours- without a complaint. They love the trucks on the highway, hawks, cows...it's amazing what they see that my eyes would skip over.

Catch Up?!

I'm not sure if this will really have me back up to date. And even then, I'm only caught up on this blog. The rest of my life is still 2 weeks late. I guess, what should I expect, I was born 2 weeks late (1). And ever since then, I've had this thing about being on time...or better yet early. I walked at 9 months (2). I was spelling as soon as I could talk...OK, my first word was C-O-K-E...because I wanted soda from my dad and my parents spell talked thinking I wouldn't get it...so why do M & I spell now in front of our kids (3). I've rushed through so many things, only to get myself back to being 2 weeks behind. I think I should call it a wash...and just give up.

Here's my soon-to-be-felted-tulip. I knit this in December, and finally photographed it 2 weeks ago. And then that time warp kept me from getting the photo to my blog. This will have to count for my Friday Flowers since it's raining too hard to go outside and take pictures.




I've been tagged for more things than I remember right now. I know that some people find tags and memes obnoxious. I don't. In fact, I'm truly flattered. In school, my friends called me Barbie...thin, blond, California Girl with a boyfriend who drove a brand new Mustang (M). I didn't see what they saw. I was still afraid of not fitting in. I think that's why I love getting tagged, it makes me feel special to someone (5). Isn't that all we really want. It's like not getting picked last in P.E. Also, in my whole life, I never won anything except a french fry radio that didn't really work...Until Now! The radio was in some raffle at a McD's. All students who had participated in the jog-a-thon got a free lunch. I put my free lunch coupon into the raffle after getting my meal and won a radio shaped like an order of fries. Seriously that's it. And now, just since the beginning of the year, I've won at Allison's blog (oh, wait...that was just before the New Year). Michelle's blog. & The marshmallow contest. Should I go buy lottery tickets? I've never bought a lottery ticket before (6)? Or, maybe just enter another contest. Miss Me, my first upstream swap pal is having her bloggiversary...and her first contest. Go here to enter. I seriously can not believe I've won so much. Maybe this is just a hint that 2008 is going to be so much better than 2007.

Now...will getting caught up here help me put away my Christmas decorations? They are in a giant pile...I just can't get them into the tubs that they came out of. How is that? The only new thing was a Christmas tree skirt. I might have to give in and buy a new Rubbermaid. That's not going to fit my system because I label my containers and the new Christmas container would be out of sequence. (7). I am a dork. Guess that's why I worried about fitting in. Just don't tell anyone about my alphabetized CD's. (Hey...that could be #8)

If you're a careful reader...you noticed the numbers. There's my Random 7 for Dorothy (rules are at the bottom). And...I've been awarded the YOU MAKE MY DAY award by Julie and Krissy. How cool is that for someone who likes to be tagged?! OK...I'm not tagging anyone right now. I started this post last night, but I was falling asleep. So, I had to finish the links this morning. And, if I take anymore time my kids might have a mutiny.

7 Random Facts Meme

Here are the rules, and they must be posted to your blog. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again!

Morestripes

Pattern: MoreStripes
Yarn: Tonalita by Trendsetter 3 balls each...the colors are on Ravelry.
Needles: US 7's throughout.
Begun: August 2007
Finished: January 2008

Notes: It really didn't take that long to knit. It took me that long to get my sewing machine out to work the steek. Someone on ravelry said she frogged the ribbing at the neck to make it lay flat. I was a bit worried after I read that, but I love the way it rolls. Especially at the back of the neck. I only knit 6 rows then bound off on the wrong side.

I wish it was a bit longer, but after I loose 10 pounds it will hang longer. I made it to match the size under my bust, like the pattern calls for, knowing that I still have a bit of roll around my belly from kid #3. That will go this year. It WILL! So, I give you these artsy front shots because the straight on front shot looked horrible with all the horizontal stripes. I'm pretty impressed with my self photography. These shots came out better then when I had M take some in the yard.

And the Viking Ship necklace...that belonged to my Gram...who taught me to knit.

Felt Fridays?

For weeks now, I've had the intention of showing you a felted flower on Friday. The weekend M & I were away in December, I took my flower kit from Ursula to the beach. Sure seems appropriate for her too given that I was engaged in her fiance's hometown. Anyways, that was a fun, quick knit. I finished the tulip that weekend. And it has been awaiting it's trip through the washer for too long. So, do I have that ready today....NO. I wish I did.

Instead, this is where I give a basic update and you pretend there are photos. Some year when I catch up...I'll add posts to document the FO's.

MoreStripes: Finished January 12th. I wore it to church the next day and no one said a thing. I'm not sure if that's a good thing...because it didn't look 'homemade' in a bad way. But, that could have been because it looked horrible on me...all those horizontal stripes when I need to lose a few pounds. Doesn't matter. I LOVE IT!

Felted Bowl: I finally knit one. I think that's how I originally found Beth. But, I digress. It was super quick. And so fun. And not another felted purse. (Not that I don't love the ones I've received, but I've knit so many I've run out of people to give them too.) I see more of these in my future.

Purl Critter: I'm not showing a photo...so I think it's safe to say what fun knit I'm working on for my Hot Cocoa Swap Pal. I'm using a sock yarn...bet you can't guess which one?!

M's Hat: (ravelry link) I have a basic pattern to start from, but this is a cloche not a beanie. And I don't think M will look good with the eyelet row. But, I'm so glad I found this pattern. I've CO and frogged 2 times. Now, I've CO and knit 12 rows, and I'm going to have to frog again. The hat only 'stretches' to 20". And I say 'stretches' because it doesn't stretch. This hat would be snug on 6...his head measures 20 1/2". My head is only 21. But, M's head is 23". His hair is thinner every year, and I think soon, he'll need hats to keep warm in winter. So, I'll keep working on this one even if I don't finish it in time for our cold days this year.

My Jaywalkers: I'm ready to start the heel. I enjoyed knitting these when I didn't need to check back with a pattern. I wish all my knitting could be from memory. I'm just not there with socks yet.

So, I need to CO for something else. These are projects I have the pattern AND yarn for. Do I revisit my KP&S V-neck? Do I start my Lily Cardigan? Or, do I CO for a cute little bag. (My MIL gave me the Disco Lights for Christmas.) I'll still work on the socks and the hat and the critter, but I need something with substance since my MoreStripes is a FO.

And...Look what I found in my yard. It was such a suprise. I totally forget where they are planted from year to year.

Hot Cocoa* Week #2

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, super wash or heavier cottons?

I didn't really think about that until this question. Last summer I was knitting in cotton for babies...and this winter, so far I've been working on hats. I'm not much of a planner, so what I'm making is usually what we need right now.

In other news...I did submit some marshmallow critters to the contest. Thanks Lesley for the great idea. That turned into a fun activity for the kids. I served them Hot Cocoa, and I just happened to find a great book at the library; Cocoa Beans and Daisies: How Swiss Chocolate is Made. It was fun, the left page takes you step by step through the Cocoa harvest in Africa. The right page talks about the Swiss Cows that eat daisies...and the part that milk plays in Swiss Chocolate. In the 2nd part of the book, the ingredients combine. The next day we made a chocolate "fondue" from scratch...using the unsweetened Cocoa powder (they tasted that too). Then they were dipping the marshmallows in Chocolate. I've noticed there are other HS moms in the swap. I hope I get a chance to find you all and check out your blogs.

How Creative Are You? and other stuff

You Are 82% Creative

You are an incredibly creative person. For you, there are no bounds or limits to your creativity. Your next creation could be something very great... Or at least very cool!

How Creative Are You?

I've seen this a few times. And this morning...this is all I've got. So, I thought I'd try it. Last time I did one of these I couldn't get it to my blog. See, I'm creative, but I don't know how to work this little blog. I worried that I wouldn't be creative...then all those years trying to be a designer were a waste. Whew. Made it through that one.

I'm attending a new Bible Study at church...it's just 8 weeks for this one. And I know it will be good, but I'll be thinking A LOT. I know that I often just proceed through life without thinking. So, this will be a challenge for me. I took this class before (in 2002). And during the middle of the class was when I found out that I was expecting our #2. I'm sure that I missed out on some good stuff because I was so freaked out...I had a 7 mo. old and I was pregnant. What's not to freak out about. So much has changed since then. Now I'm a mom to 3...and I've lost my Gram and my Dad. M's mom is waiting on biopsy results...life could change drastically again with her report. So, I'm curious to see how this process will change/affect/help me. I'm also excited for the opportunity to grow. It's funny that comments were about how much stuff I've done. I guess I did do a lot of stuff. But for me...it seems that most of that happened before 23. And definitely, truning 30 has been hard for me. I'm not 30 now...that was a few years ago. But, I still feel like I've not recovered. I stayed up late one summer night talking to a few girlfriends about that. I still don't feel like I have a grasp on what made that change so hard. Our #3 was born just before my 30th. I'm sure that had the biggest impact. I was this girl that didn't fear a thing...I traveled...I shared my faith with abandon...I hid Bibles in my luggage to sneak into communist countries. Now, I have a hard time going to church. The stomach bug seems to live in our church nursery. I dread dropping off my little ones. I try to have my mom...or M's mom watch them so I can limit their time at church. Crazy, right? But, maybe it comes from my 2nd trip to China, the one where I came home with a parasite. The 15 hours sick on a plane from Shanghai. The endoscopy to take biopsies of my intestine and stomach when I was still sick 6 months later. I had lost 35# before I returned from the trip...back when I was 23 that was weight I didn't need to lose. M and I were dating at the time (while I was gone that summer he bought my engagement ring). He picked me up at LAX and said that if I wasn't with my group...he wouldn't have recognized me coming off the plane. Eventually, with a coctail of antibiotics and prilosec to keep the antibiotics down...I was able to return to eating. But, right now...I wonder at what cost. If I were to make a list of my last 6 1/2 years...I've changed diapers, and I've wiped...bottoms, the floor, the counter, sticky fingers, and food off the walls. I had my job as MOM, but I didn't have me.

I typed the above on Tuesday morning...but time got away from me...so now it's Wednesday, and we're home from our Co-op and the kids are napping/resting/reading.

I wouldn't trade time with the little people in my house for anything. But, to find that carefree girl I once was... Oh, how I wish I knew where she went. I hope I didn't leave her in China. I'm not quite ready to go back there. Which is really funny, because on that trip I was to be making arrangements to live there for 3 years. (I was in China twice for 10 weeks each) SO...I'm doing this study, then I have a workbook I'll go through...and then we'll see. This year I have so much growing to do. If anyone is interested in the titles of the books...go ahead and email me. I'm on a hunt to find my spirit of adventure again.

Oh...and I had to add the word verification. I got my first comment spam today.

It was an exciting day at our house...

Someone who reads this blog will recognize this candy wrapper. And the astute will notice the small object on the wrapper.

And the one who recognized this yellow wrapper, will appreciate that it was my middle child who ate this candy.
The tooth was really loose, but he was afraid to yank it out. I gave him candy...what else would a good mom do? Then he tried to show 2 how loose his tooth was, and it fell out in his hand. Too bad I didn't get this on video. He wanted to send this in for $10,000 on AFV.

Just trying to get back into the swing of things

This year, it seems like Christmas (and the months preceeding) totally knocked me off my feet. January will be over, and I'm still trying to find my rhythem. There are still Christmas decorations up. The kids want to be done with school for the year. I'm cranky because of how behind I got with housework. I wanted to finally update here, but I can't get the photos off the card. So, I found this today and I'm excited to see what I've done.

01. Seen the Grand Canyon : Many times. We'd drive from So.Cal to TX every summer growing up and often stoped by the Grand Canyon.
02. Swam with wild dolphins:
03. Climbed a mountain: Used to Rock Climb too.
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula and many other things in my entamology class
07. Taken a candlelit bath
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise In California, In Boston, In Moscow, On the Black Sea, In Beijing!
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables there’s nothing quite like walking outside to pick your dinner just before eating it.
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars literally
20. Changed a baby’s diaper...almost done. I've had a little one in diapers for the last 6 1/2 years.
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Eaten alligator
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope...M loves this...we have a telescope at our house...but it was super fun to see the stars from our friends telescope in Havasu where there aren't so many lights to dirty the sky.
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse ...or maybe that was a solar eclipse...I'd have to ask M. But he bought a special filter for the telescope so we could view it. We were looking at the "sun" about 3pm from our front yard. A father and daughter were driving by and stopped for a view too.
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Been to Austria
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country Russia & China...actually at the DD disco in TianJin, I got pushed up on this platform that lifted like an elevator...and they handed me pink feather fans to dance with...oh, the joys of being the ONLY blonde. See #36. I'd never see most of these people again. And my friends took photos.
44. Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs Doesn't everyone do that? =0)
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sang karaoke top four favorite karaoke songs? YES! Why was college so fun?!
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud...Oh my gosh...Howdid I forget all this stuff? In college I was on staff at a local summer camp. Once a week, they would flood a field for a Mud Bowl for the High School students. One night about 15 of us staff played football in the mud in the middle of the night. Deer ended up showing up and scared us out of there. Probably not the smartest thing to do when there are bears in these mountains. Did I mention that our flashlights were the ONLY light? We got in trouble the next day...but it was so worth it.
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China 3times!
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken RIGHT NOW!
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married (8 years and counting…)
73. Been in a movie In HighSchool, I was an extra for a Focus on the Family movie.
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced--Not even an option
76. Gone without food for 5 days ...Parasite from the 2nd visit to China. When they say don't eat from street vendors, they mean it.
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest...In 1st grade I was a Christmas Tree for Halloween
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Been in a marching band
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently (Chinese...not quite fluently, but good enough to suprise people. I'm so out of practice...I should have kept up with it)
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (in process now)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over.
101. Driven on the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Ridden on a boat down the Danube River
108. Piloted an airplane...No, but I did get to ride in the the cockpit from Moscow to Frankfurt on a Luftansa flight. That was 1993...so much has changed in the world that would never happen again...but it was so cool to see Poland from the sky.
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Dyed your hair
115. Shaved your head--No but I've always wanted to
116. Caused a car accident Cheerleaders standing with firemen at a major intersection to raise money for Jerry's Kids. Some boys totally weren't thinking and drove into a light pole.
117. Been elected to public office
118. Skipped all your school reunions so far...but we're working on a 10 year for college friends this spring.
119. Built your own PC from parts
120. Gone back to school
121. Read the Iliad and the Odyssey High School
122. Ridden a horse
123. Eaten Kangaroo meat
124. Had stitches and staples
125. Toured castles in Europe England and Scotland.
126. Had your picture in the newspaper
127. Eaten sushi
128. Sold your own artwork to someone you didn’t know
129. Published a book
130. Written poetry
131. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
132. Fired a rifle, shot gun or pistol
133. Had major surgery C-Section
134. Had a snake as a pet My college room-mate had one...in my house.
135. Gone on an African safari
136. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
137. Visited more foreign countries than US states
138. Visited all 7 continents
139. Lived in a foreign country for more than a year
140. Been swimming in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the British Channel and the North Sea not the BC or the NS
141. Been to Niagara Falls
142. Lived on both sides of the Mississippi river
143. Sang in a foreign language in front of an audience. I won't say I was good, but it was part of my Russia trip
144. Been to the Berlin Wall
145. Taught a child to read
146. Been a DJ

This list suprised me with how much I've done! =0) Sometimes, for me, it's hard to see beyond the dirty diapers to HOW GREAT my life really is. I'm so glad I did this. It was just the boost I needed today. How about you? Let me know if you post this list.

Maglia!

I wanted to do this post justice, so it's taken me a bit of time to gather all the links. In between loads of laundry and such.

Allison (my FFBE downstream) had a contest for Christmas knitting stories in December. I won! On Friday, a terrific package arrived at my house. Now, Allison really knows how to put a package together. First, check out her notecards. Her own yarn photography printed at shutterfly. How cute is that! I think I need to order some yarny cards of my own. That's the background behind the soak, super cute post-its, and the row counter. I really needed one of those. I'm constantly counting my purl ridges because I fail to keep track. I need to get better at that.

And then the yarn! She sent LuLu's Lamponi. Check it out at this etsy shop.

2 tried to claim this yarn as hers, since it matched her hat. If she would just stop growing, then I would make her socks. But, her feet will be another size by the time I have a FO. That's what happens when you're almost 3. I actually found a cute pair of fingerless mitts done in sock yarn that I'm thinking about.

And my title, Maglia...that's the blog title of the yarn dyer. It's Italian for Knit. I learned something new. Look at definitions and translations of KNIT here.

Hot Cocoa* Questionaire

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug? In a big mug. With my kids. I don’t really care how it’s made, but I treat the kids to cocoa with mom and it’s the best time of our day. We really should do this more often.
2. Marshmallows or whipped cream? Both.

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet:
1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors? Right now my favorite has to be Araucania. I bought a few skeins of Nature Wool in Chunky Multy. Wow…the colors! All of them. Nothing NEON though. I'm addicted to felting, so wool is always good. I've tried silk, and alpaca, and bamboo, and soy. I'm game to try something new. Just not tofutsies. See the allergy questions.
2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)? KNIT
3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new? I do have addi’s and bamboo and plain metal needles. I like them all for different purposes. I always like to try something new.
4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions? Probably not. I only have one CUTE set of stitch markers. And my kids must eat darning needles because I can't find them when I need them.
5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)? An organizer for my circular needles.
6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification)? A hat. Just recently I’ve made 2 Sideways Shortrow Watchcaps.

Miscellaneous:
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter? We don’t really have “WINTER” in Southern California. But, I love to curl up with a fire in the fireplace and my knitting.
2. What is your favorite animal? A sheep. My Gram collected them. And 2’s name means lamb. Or a Dala horse. I remember them from my childhood, but I don’t have one of my own yet.
3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'? YES! It’s a good thing I don’t live where there are more gloomy days. My mood is definitely affected by the hours of sunshine.
4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs? Color. I got a new PotteryBarn Catalogue in the mail this week and it’s already full of spring colors. I want to add bright blooms and images and pillows to my home. It’s a great way to cheer things up. Of course, my budget doesn’t allow me to redecorate my home on a whim…so, what can I knit up that will bring happy. (Can you tell that it’s gloomy and rainy as I type this?)
5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring? Flowers blooming.
6. What are your favorite treats? Dried Fruit and Nuts. Chocolate.
7. What is your favorite board game? We have this great game we bought a few years back…What were you thinking? It’s so fun. Especially with a large group.
8. Do you have any children (furry or human)? Boy 6, Boy 4, Girl 2!
9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about? Shellfish: that means no Tofutsies for me.


I'm so excited for this swap. I'm already knitting an extra for my pal's box.

A fresh start

I frogged my entire sock #3. I just knew that something was wrong and I couldn't proceed.

I remembered seeing a Jaywalker with a picot edge over at JanuaryOne last year. I thought I'd try that since I hate knitting the ribbing at the top of socks. I searched her archives, and found that Cara got this idea from her friend.

I cast on again...and realized that Mistake #1 with my first attmept at Jaywalkers was using the wrong needle. I got 2 32" circs from my MIL for Christmas. US #1 and US #2's. I need to be using the #1's...and somehow grabbed the #2's. I only noticed this because of my notes in my previous blog entry.

The hem wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I had CO with the #2 so that the sock would be stretchy at the top. I almost forgot to change and the 1st row is knit with the #2. I didn't want to get up and check the computer again, so I knit the picot from memory. When I revisited those sites for the links here I saw an OOPS. I did a K3, YO, K2tog. I think I like it though. And there is no way that I'm ripping this sock again.

I had knit 6 rows after the hem when I though my sock was looking funny again. I kept thinking about how Cara said she knit 20 repeats before starting the heal. I though...why does she call each row a repeat? I looked at the pattern. Mistake #2! I had knit every row with the pattern! I was supposed to knit one plain row in-between each patterned row! I had to rip out those 6 rows...but I was able to save the cuff.

I'm now 9 REPEATS (18 rows) into the sock. Here's what it looks like. When you actually follow the pattern...your zig zags aren't quite so steep.

Well, at least I'm learning. On this sock #3, I've learned 3 new things. Judy's Magic Cast-On from Knitty, Knitting Magic Loop (I looked at a video from KnittingHelp), and a hemmed edge. Who knew that a sock could teach one so many lessons.

Socks #2 & #3

So original. I know. I decided I'd number my socks, just in terms of keeping track of their photos. And you get my creative title.

Sock # 2 is the Orange Kitty sock. It is not yet a finished set. It is a sock. I was able to try the sock on all 3 of my small ones. First 6...it's too snug.


Then 2...she's the most willing wearer of knit socks...but these are still a bit big for her...and she doesn't stand still for photos.


Finally, on 4. When I went down in needle size, these were too tight for 6 so I made the length based on 4's measurements. They fit him great.
Now, I just need to convince my kids that socks are good to wear. It's warm here, so socks are optional most of the year. And I have to order the boys to wear pants when we're going outside. Otherwise they're comfortable in shorts...in January. So, I'll knit the 2nd sock, but these may become part of an Advent calendar. I saw the one at Garnet Hill, and thought it would be fun to make.

Sock #3 is a toe-up Jaywalker (ravelry link) in Austermann Step Boysenberry. The yarn was a Hanukkah gift to me from my MIL. I love the way the colors are working out in this pattern.

I thought I'd try something new. Or 2 things new. I'm knitting this sock toe-up. My others (#1 & #2) have been cuff-down. And I'm trying magic loop. My others were on DPN's. I got new needles for Christmas 32" US #1 and US #2's. So, I read up on Ravelry...and thought that I could use my #2's even though they were 2.75 and not 2.5mm because people thought these were tight socks and I have wide feet. On the toe-up link from Ravelry, I'm knitting the 2nd size. The knitting is going faster than I would have imagined. Even when I had to rip back a few rows because I tried knitting at the Dr's office and shifted the pattern one stitch. But, I'm having a problem. See these bumps...

Will those go away? Do I just ignore them, because if I'm wearing a shoe they'll be hidden? Is it because the sock isn't tight enough for my foot and it's not stretched out enough? Did I do something wrong? This was really hard to photograph, but where the dd's meet the toe of the sock there's excess fabric. Am I being too hard on the sock? These bumps aren't huge...but I see them. If you're a sock knitter...or if you know a sock knitter...especially one who's knit the Jaywalkers...I could use some help. Do I start over? Would this not be a problem if I knit top-down? Do I just ignore them and continue? These socks are for me. And they're only my 3rd pair. How can I really expect perfection just yet? Anything else?! I'll work on something else today...and com back to these when I know what to. Thanks for your help.

Healthwise: The Dr's appointment I was knitting at...mine. I was at my 3 month check up with the orthopedist. He wants to know when I want to schedule surgery. He said I can wait. I figure June will be better. My mom is a teacher and will have more time in the summer to help with the kids. And, I won't be trying to teach post-op. It's frustrating. Here's a link I found last night when I was looking on the computer for options. It's funny that I have a Dr, yet I check the computer for suggestions. I'm thinking I'll try the exercises on my own along with the ones my Dr. suggested (can't afford a babysitter to go to physical therapy 3x a week) and then see where I am in May. Maybe I'll be able to postpone the surgery...at least until I'm 40. There's just no reason I should be falling apart at 32. Then again, this is the same knee I injured in Softball (Jr. High) and Drill Team (High School) and on the trampoline. All 3 were pretty big injuries. One involved a full leg brace for 6 weeks.

My First FO of 2007

The Koolhaas! I finished it while watching the Rose Parade.

Koolhaas Hat by: Jared Flood

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran: 2 balls

I didn't make any changes to the pattern. M thinks the hat is a bit big. Maybe it would be smaller in a different yarn. But, I could have gotten away without the extra repeat for a Men's size. This hat isn't for him though...so I'll just pray it fits the recipient.

Now, M has requested a hat. He saw this hat on someone else last week, and today I found it on the internet...thank God for google. It's a NorthFaceBeanie. I found this one, and I think that it's doable. I have some Zoom yarn that would be nice. So, I looked in one of my Gram's old Stitch books, and found this...

So...I think I might need some help. How am I going to do the decreases at the top of the hat. After knitting the Koolhaas, and seeing Jared's genuis at work...I should totally email him. Ok, I just can't do that. But, it would be cool. I also found this... Scroll down and read The Rules. Maybe this will help me when I try to make the decreases work. I might just be crazy. M said..."Well, when you get the one color pattern down, then you can try the 2 color hat, because that's what I really want." If those hats are still available somewhere I'm sure it's worth the $25. Because, isn't that a brioche stitch at the ribbing, and then the same cable pattern but with a bobbin of color for every 3 stitches. I'm not sure I love him that much. Not that I don't love him...but why can't he like something simple. My brother wants the Sideways Shortrow Cap I've knit 2 of...that's easy. Anyways, is there anyone out there with crazy skills that would like to knit along with me...and we can work together to figure this out??? Ok...maybe that was to crazy to ask. I do have another question for sock knitters...but I'll save that for another post.