Knitting In The North

Welcome, Socktober!

I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of October, so that I could participate in Socktoberfest!  After watching people turn out amazing socks in previous years, and hearing that Through The Loops was planning to offer a Mystery Sock pattern this year, I knew I was in.

If this is Greek to you, please allow me to explain!  Socktoberfest is a month-long sock knitting celebration, and the Mystery Sock is a new sock pattern, kindly offered at the blog Through The Loops.  The Mystery Sock pattern is released one piece at a time, over the month, so you have no idea what you're knitting until you're done. This is a great practice for me, since I can get a little crazy planning things out ahead of time.  (Striving for "perfection", you know?)  Last year, my planning-brain balked at the idea of a pattern like this, but since this is the year I embrace imperfection, I'm doing it, even if that part feels a little uncomfortable.  Because uncomfortable can be good, right?

I'm knitting my pair out of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, which has been marinating in my stash for several years now.  I'm loving the way it's knitting up, and am already eagerly awaiting the next step in the pattern.  It's not too late to join, if you want to!   
 

Making Progress

Even though life has been so busy lately, there has been knitting going on.  I'm slowly getting there with my Good Stuff socks.  I'm using 2mm DPNs, and finding it much rougher going than I do when I use my usual 2.5mm needles.  Also, to keep the gorgeous striping action, these socks are knit on less stitches than I usually use, so they're long and skinny.  They will fit, though, and I found some amazing clog-type shoes at the thrift store to wear them with, so I really should get busy.

In contrast, Liam's Baby Sophisticate sweater is flying along!  The pattern sizing only goes to 6-12mths, but it's a fairly standard top down coconstruction, so I added a few increase rows before I separated the sleeves.  I can't wait to see Liam in this, it looks so much like a tiny smoking jacket - so sweet.  I'm using Knitpicks Comfy Bulky in the Planetarium colourway - it's such a soft, squishy yarn.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it wears over time.

Even though we've had the most amazing summer weather ever, I've surprised myself,  finding my thoughts turning to fall of late.  I've been thinking about upcoming sweaters, Christmas knitting, starting a fire in the fireplace...  Mmmmm, I can almost see the leaves turning! 

Do you have big winter knitting plans?

Using the Good Stuff

 

I realized the other day that I've fallen back into a bad habit.  I have a collection of beautiful sock yarn, but I leave it in it's box, waiting.  Stuart gave me these beautiful rosewood DPNs last fall, but they've stayed in their pretty little tin.  Enough!  I tell myself.  It is time to use the nice things. 

I have to give myself permission to work with beautiful materials, and there is a part of me that is afraid to, as if what I create with this yarn, these needles, will not be "perfect" enough to justify their use.  Sigh...  Imperfection...  The good part of this is that I recognize it now, and can take steps to change my thought processes.

Yesterday, I pulled out the pretty needles, and one of my favourite skeins of yarn.  I cast on for a pair of toe-up socks, sitting at the computer watching a tutorial for the Magic Cast On until I figured it out.  

It's raining here, and I can think of nothing I'd rather do than throw a loaf of banana bread in the oven, and then curl up with my sock, my nice needles, my pretty yarn, and a good cup of tea.  I remind myself: self-care is important.  How are you taking care of yourself today?  

Again With The Tuesday

 

After more bitterly cold weather over the last week, the temperatures are on the rise again, and the snow has returned!  I'm always happy to see the snow come back, as it's so good for me to get out and shovel.  Plus, if it warms up as much as they're promising, I'll be able to scrape off some of the ice that's coating my driveway and walkways.  Ah, the pleasures in a Canadian winter...

This week, I'm taking care of myself by... finishing my socks, the first FO of 2009!  I grafted the second toe last night, and quickly gave them a soaking and blocking, so they'd be ready for photos (and then wearing) this morning. 

Particulars:

Pattern - Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock, from Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Yarn - Regia Spirit Color, in Nightshade, 2 balls

Needles - 2.5mm DPNs

I made no modifications to this, although the cuff is perhaps a bit shorter than called for...  I get bored on the leg.  Still, they are exactly what I wanted - a simple, wear-with-jeans around the house kind of sock, for me, me, me!  I was surprised, upon blocking, how much this yarn softened up.  My most worn pair of handknitted socks were knit from Paton's Kroy, simply because they require no special treatment of any kind.  I think that what I need are more and more socks, so that I have at least a week or two's worth, and then I could wear only handknit socks, all the time!  And it seems like this is just the year to do it.

   

An exciting new treat - I was doing some blog reading last night when I found this recipe for Cocoa-Peanut Porridge over at Handmade Homeschool.  I instantly stepped into the kitchen and started a batch, which I enjoyed thoroughly (although I did have to share with Katie & Brian).  It was requested for breakfast this morning, again!  If you like chocolate and peanut butter, check it out, it's well worth a few minutes and a few ingredients.

Care Taking

I came across an interesting blog the other day, called Aprovechar, that really sparked a line of thought for me.  The writer is focusing on Taking Care of Herself in many ways, including healthy eating and exercise.  As I read back over some of her previous posts, it all suddenly made sense to me - if I can change my mindset in regards to, specifically, my eating and fitness, how much easier would I make things for myself? 

Instead of groaning that I need to get on the treadmill, or forcing myself to start my day with exercise, what if I gave myself a chance to take care of me?  What if I looked forward to it?  What if, during my day, I asked myself, "What can I do to take care of me, right now?"  It could be a simple as drink a glass of water, or walk away from the chocolate, or spend a few minutes stretching (it might even be, Eat the Chocolate!).  But I feel better when I do these things, so perhaps, just perhaps, I could start enjoying them?

I'm taking care of myself in some other ways these days, too.

   

My Stitch 'n Bitch meets at a local Starbucks, and I've been eyeing this cup up since before Christmas.  I didn't buy it, because it felt too self-indulgent to spend $10 on a cup that I certainly didn't need.  When I finally changed my mind, and told myself that I can do something nice for me, even if I am imperfect, the cups were gone.  So disappointing, and a good lesson learned about seizing the moment.  However, there was a reprieve - Stuart & I were shopping in a different part of town, and noticed a Starbucks; I ran inside, and there was my cup!  It's such a nice treat.

 

Also in the caretaking category, I finished the first of my Vanilla Socks!  I'm so looking forward to wearing these...  In fact, I think I'm off to cast on the second sock now.

What are you doing for yourself these days?  Take Care!

Summer Socks

Even with the detour for baby knitting, I managed to finish my little ankle socks yesterday.  I am quite pleased with these, and have plans to knit another pair out of a ball of Regia Cotton I have from my stash.  As I was knitting, I wasn't sure I liked the TOFUtsies yarn that much, but it grew on me, and now I'm looking forward to finding some more (but not until next year, of course!). 

Particulars:

Yarn: TOFUtsies, not sure of the colourway.  I weighed the ball once I was done, and I have 59g left, so I could easily knit two pairs of these from one 100g ball.  Which is good, because I'm pretty sure that when my mom sees these, she's going to want a pair herself.

Needles: 2.5mm Brittany DPN.  These needles are 5" long, and I am in love with them.  This is the perfect length for me and sock knitting, so much so that I'm thinking of cutting down some of my longer ones.

Pattern: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Vanilla sock pattern.  I knit four rounds of 1x1 ribbing, 3 rounds of plain stocking stitch, and then went to the heel flap.  For me, this makes a perfect fit.

Gentle Arts

I was in an agony of impatience all weekend - the library called Friday evening to say my copy of The Gentle Art of Domesticity was finally in and processed and ready to be picked up.  (Please forgive the lack of links - Typepad has very rudely changed everything on me, without asking my permission, and I will have to take some time to figure out how to add links.)  However, they were closed because it was a holiday long weekend here in Canada, and I had to wait!  That's just mean.

This morning, off we went to pick it up, as well as a book called Cheesemaking Made Easy, by Ricki Carroll (after reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver, I've become obsessed with the idea of making cheese.  It's probably just a nesting thing, but we'll see.)  I hadn't really thought of baking at home as an art, more of a necessity for all the hungry little mouths in my house, and a craving dampener for the large pregnant woman.  I like the idea, though, of gentle arts.  It brings to mind a sense of peace and pleasure in the process of all the things that we used to do because we had to, and now do because we choose to.  Like baking brownies for an after-school treat, with the help of a Very. Busy. Two-Year-Old.  And like knitting socks.

I finished the first ankle sock during our afternoon quiet time, and have cast on for sock #2.  I know that this should be fairly obvious, but I was overcome with delight today by the realization that ankle socks knit up super fast, since they're half the size of a regular sock.  Plus, I can get two pairs of socks out of one 100g ball of yarn!  Thrilling stuff, I tell you.  Or else, I need to get out more.

Returning to Earth

Sometimes, with knitting, the timing of things just comes together so perfectly, you know it's meant to be.  I finished the Returning to Earth socks tonight, just in time to send them home with my sister after Sunday dinner.  She just graduated from university, and starts a full-time job as a Social Worker tomorrow morning.  She's a little nervous, and I told her I hoped that these socks would help keep her grounded on her first day.

Particulars:

Pattern - Garter Rib Socks, from Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn - Returning to Earth, hand-dyed by the amazingly talented Ruth

Needles - Brittany birch DPNs, 2.5mm

Notes - I knit these socks over 56 stitches, using a very basic pattern.  I didn't want anything to compete with the wonderful colours in the yarn, and I am happy with the way they turned out.  Not only do I love them, but my sister loves them,  and that makes me feel great.  I've always loved the Garter Rib pattern, and still plan to knit myself a pair one of these days.  For now, I'm quite content with my place in the knitting universe. 

Progress

One down already!  Okay, now, for me, this is super fast knitting - you've gotta be proud of me!  A whole sock finished in less than a week?  Woo hoo!

I'm just starting sock #2, which I imagine will be finished by next weekend, and then I will once again return to The Cardi.  Or, I might cast on the blanket and hat I've been meaning to knit for Liam, since he shows signs of arriving at any moment.  (Don't get too excited - my kids seem to enjoy toying with my brain.  They've all done this - they get everything started early, and then we play the contraction game for a month or so, until the poor Doctor finally gives in and induces me just to get it all over with.  I still have 6 weeks until the Big Due Date, so I'm sure I'll be sitting here 6 weeks from now, feeling just a tad bit cranky.)

I had my sister over yesterday for a visit, and she totally fell in love with the sock.  I was just knitting up the toe and grafting while we chatted, so I had her try it on, and it is of course a perfect fit.  You know what this means, right?  I'll be buying some different yarn from Ruth for special socks for myself, because these babies are going away for my sister's next birthday.  (She also made me brownies while she was here, which in my mind totally earns her a pair of socks.)  Ah, well, I kind of had a feeling it was too good to be true.  The socks I knit are almost always destined for someone else's feet! 

Happy Thought

Here's my happy thought for the day!  This lovely yarn arrived just this afternoon.  I was on my way out the door to pick up the big kids from school when I saw the package peeking out of the mailbox.  I thought it was some boring astronomy thing for Stuart, and was so excited to see this instead that I took along with me in the car, cutting at the packaging with my tiny Swiss army knife at red lights!

Now I'm in a quandary trying to decide on the perfect sock for it.  I really, really want to cast on for it Right. This. Second., and can't decide between a simple stitch pattern and a plain ol' vanilla sock.  I will admit I have a great weakness for vanilla socks, but have a serious problem with ladders that I'm always afraid will show itself when I least expect (or want) it.  Maybe garter rib?  Hmmm.  Much to think about.

The thermometer has taken a nasty, sick, disgusting dip, and we're looking at freezing temperatures all this weekend here.  Yuck.  I recently borrowed a copy of The Bountiful Container from my library, and have become enthralled with the idea of planting a succession container garden.  Much more manageable than the big garden (which, if Stuart has his way will be given over completely to potatoes, and maybe a few viney things like zucchini) considering my rather large belly, and still productive, frugal(ish) and fun!  Sigh.  I guess next weekend will have to suffice, I really can't see Stuart filling pots and dragging them up onto the deck for me to plant, nor do I have any desire to be sitting on the deck in freezing temperatures.  I'm a bit of a baby that way.  How about you?  Any big weekend plans?