Third Sock Attempt

It took me awhile to decide what pattern my third sock attempt should be. I knew I wanted to do toe-up since the last two pairs I've made were top down and they didn't fit me. I decided to go with the Leyburn pattern by pepperknit.

I figured that if the yarnharlot has made multiple copies of this sock, it must be good. I can confirm that it is indeed a rad pattern. It is easy and interesting. And pretty. Let's not forget that. I've made a few mods so that the sock would fit me better. So far so good.

Actually, the sock seems loose to me, but I'm thinking that I'm use to clingy polyester socks. I don't know what a good knit sock should feel like. This sock isn't baggy or anything. It just isn't suffocating my foot like other socks do. All you sock knitters out there, how are knit socks suppose to feel?

Sweating In The Sweater

I have officially finished my very first sweater! The pattern is The Fireside Sweater by Amber Allison. The pattern is written fairly well. But what I like about it best is how easy it was to modify it to fit me better. If you want super specific details about what modifications I made, check out my Fireside Project Page on ravelry.

I used Tui by Zealana. 70% NZ Merino, 15% Cashmere, 15% Possum. I asked kiwipurler to send me an extra skein because half-way through, it looked like I was going to need 11 skeins. I only had ten and I don't live in NZ. Of course I ended up using only 9 skeins. But I don't think I would have even bothered finishing the sweater if I hadn't had the extra skein. It was like a security skein.

The buttons are dark wood. I chose them because I wanted them to blend in with the sweater. All in all, I'm fairly pleased with the sweater.

Of course, in an entirely predictable turn of events, it is too hot to wear the sweater.

Scooter's Annual Damage Report

Scooter manages to damage himself once a year. One year he scratched his cornea after digging and then rubbing his eye. Another year he got two ticks in his ear. Then there was the time he got a splinter in his chin from running into the fence while he was yelling at the neighbor's dog. This year he had a sore spot on his foot that he wouldn't leave alone.

In an effort to avoid another vet bill, we decided to patch him up. A bit of Desitin, gauze, and some tape kept him from licking his paw.

Scooter is a bit picky about having clothing, or anything else for that matter, on him. I think it makes his fur feel funny. But after the cornea incident, we've developed a way to keep him from ripping off gauze or rubbing his eye.

We taped a baby sock with grippy feet (we have wood floors) to his foot. I must say, it subdues him quite a bit. He spends more time moping than he does nibbling on the sock. The added bonus is how funny he looks with a little baby sock on his foot, especially when I walk him around the neighborhood.

Scooter's foot has healed since the mopey picture was taken. No vet bill. Yay!

Five Stages

Last night I was chugging along with my sweater sleeve. Life was dandy. This is the closest I've ever gotten to completing a sweater. As I finished up the last increase, it dawned on me that the sleeve seemed, well... a little long. Then I reread the instructions, which said "repeat increases 5 times" Not 10 times like I did. This also meant that I had 10 stitches more than I needed. I went through the 5 stages in about 5 minutes.

1. Denial: 10 stitches. That's not too many. If I do lots of extra math the extra stitches won't matter. It's like ease, right? Maybe I can make the sleeve a bit shorter when I block it.

2. Anger: Why did I not notice the "five repeats" bit? What kind of dummy am I? The kind that can't read. That's what.

3. Bargaining: I'll do the other sleeve the same. The sleeves will match. All I need is to grow my arms out about two more inches. That's all. Two inches.

4. Depression: Why should I even bother finishing this sweater. I've never finished a sweater. Why will this be any different?

5. Acceptance: At this point I ripped out 40 rounds of stitches and started knitting again.

It's irritating, but I spent far too much on this yarn not to finish the sweater AND have it fit. Plus kiwipurler sent me extra yarn to finish the sweater. And I even bought buttons the other day. I will finish this sweater. It will be awesome. And I have regained the ability to read now, so I will only increase five times, not ten.

Panda Hat

I've had a few requests for a Panda Hat, so I used my Bear Hat pattern with Cascade 220 in colors 8505 and 8555 (White and Black). The ears are done using black for the inner and outer ear. I think it is rather cute.

A big thanks to my little brother for taking a moment to model the hat for me.

Biking Your Way To A Better Tomorrow

I thought I'd actually start tracking my progress now that I have the new bike. And I thought I would share the sheet with all of you as well. The more the merrier! Just click on the image to get to the picasa web page where you can download the file to make a full size print. The download button will be in the top right hand corner area.

Categories include the usual date/ time/ distance categories. I also added an average speed, a route name (if you have a name for a route), and a # of people that said Hi. One one ride I got three... but it was on the old bike.

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's biking nickname suggestions. (In my blog comments, on facebook, and a few from my Mum) You guys suggested The Black Panther, The Bandit, The Bear-Eared Wonder, John Matrix, Jane Matrix, The Knitting Ninja, Knit Maven, and Kninja. I ended up introducing my Mum to babelfish to see if any names would sound cooler in a different language. At which point we came up with "The Dark Rider". I'm rather partial to it. It's descriptive yet a wee bit mysterious. I'm still open to new ideas, or votes for the current suggestions.

Love Blanket

The other day I was reading a blog post on Needled called Generosity. Kate talks about how generous knitters can be. She was a recipient of a hand knitted blanket made by ten people that she didn't know. I'm sure every knitter who reads that blog was a wee bit jealous. (Although she very much deserved every bit of love that blanket contained) Fast forward a few days. As I went out to walk the dog, I saw a package addressed to me from my old employer (and friend). I put it inside and continued on. Scooter had a quick walk that day. As soon as I got home, I ripped the box open.

Tore past the tissue paper to find this. A hand crocheted blanket made for me! Especially for me!!! For anyone who knits/ crochets/ quilts, etc, you know that each stitch was done with that special recipient in mind. As soon as I saw it, I exclaimed, "It's a love blanket!" And boy do I feel loved in it.

It's huge! It's heavy! It's double thick! All the color work is carried inside the stitches.

Thanks so much Mrs. L! I think about you, your husband, and camp very fondly. And every time I look at the blanket, I'll be reminded how loved I am. (I also appreciate the amount of postage it took to send the blanket to me)