Time Warp Socks and Don't Sheep Get Hot?

Hey -- it finally happened. The entrelac socks are finished. I feel like I worked on them FOREVER. Two months. That's a long time in sock knitting land.

They are tight. Entrelac doesn't stretch well. But since I spent an eternity on them I will MAKE them fit. Of course, once they are on, I may be wearing them awhile since I can't get them off, and since it will be 102 degrees here today, I pried them on for a quick photo and then pried them back off. They can stay in the drawer for awhile.

I've gotten myself some new reading material. I finally got my copy of Irresistible Gifts to Knit from England (notice my chicken as cover girl?) and now want to make everything on every page.

Carey brought me two books (aren't sisters great!). One was a mother's day gift (although I am not her mother, so she scores extra) and the other a "here have this". Either way, I'll take it.

The Harlot book is of course, funny so far, and I like it better than her last one. The other book is knitting with fine gauge yarns, and they have some nice designs. Especially these legwarmers/leggings that have cables and are very pretty. I do not need legwarmers. It is 102 degrees. But they are nice. Anyone with cold legs out there? I need to stick to knitting chickens and such things one does not have to wear.

Next on the knitting agenda is to finish my scarf I have started and find something else to knit. Here is where the ADD kicks in. I spent some time this morning thinking "Oh, maybe I'll make a pair of socks with the Cherry Tree Hill that has been staring at me for a few weeks." Then I think I'll knit them plain, then I decide that's too boring, then I look at patterns on Ravelry awhile, then I think "Ooo, how about lace?" Then I go look at the yarn from Stitches, then I see my Socks That Rock, then the cycle repeats itself. Verdict, nothing. I have basically rotated the yarn a little.

I have learned from this so far is that Ravelry is the best thing ever. I need a Ravelry for every other thing in my life. Ravelry for Librarians, for moms, for cooks (not that I cook, but it would be handy). All the possibilities are right there in front of you, linked to everything. FABULOUS. Now if I could just make a decision.

Felt Flying from the Fingers

Here is the felt needle case I made. It is approx 3 x 4 inches (hard to tell in the photo). It was fun to do embroidery again, it had been a long time since I did that.

Knitting tends to take over the urge to do anything else. I do enjoy working with a needle, in many forms.

This is from the book, Felt Wee Folk by Salley Mavor, which is a very interesting book. I am not really into fairies, but the handwork in the book is really exquisite. It makes me want to make a bunch of little felt dolls with acorn hats.

I went to Ancient Pathways today. No, I did not buy any yarn. (I did fondle a few skeins). I was there because Meg called me that Lace Style had come in.

I never said I wouldn't buy any knitting books. I LOVE knitting books. Everywhere you look in my house you see either knitting books or knitting magazines. Can't help myself. It's a disease I don't want to recover from. There is something delicious about the potential of a knitting project, and a good book is full of them. Lace Style follows my favorite book Scarf Style. I really admire the books from Interweave Press. They do a quality job.

I also came home recently with their new sock book, Favorite Socks. Another book full of potential. I wish life could be long enough to knit everything I have on my wish list.

I guess I will have to take it one project at a time. Or at least a few at a time.

Grace tied her own shoes today. Sat down and worked through it. Once her mind was made up, she sat down and did it. Hooray!

New Year Knitting

We celebrated the New Year here -


City of Alcatraz and

Lombard Street

It was very nice. Dined at Mooses and Joe DiMaggio's in North Beach (very good) and had ice cream with Maurice's Aunt Vera at Ghirardelli Square (soon to be a time share).

Yes, of course I went to Imagiknit. Could I pass that up? Here's the goodies I walked out with.

Some koigu for some socks, some hand dyed alpaca for something lucious (I thought the color combination was unusual and nice), some Debbie Bliss for Grace some mittens, some Noro Daria for a purse from Grumperina, and the cutest knitting needles with funky knobs on the ends. And some size 0 DPN's for good measure. And a little something I found for Tracy. Hmmm....

I had fun there.

I also knitted in the car, but still having trouble seeing the black giant sock. So I worked on my Lucy sock, and hooray, finished it! I will buckle down during good daylight and get the black sock done soon. Promise.

Then I have to do Lucy sock #2 and go back to the Trekking sock that needs a friend from before Xmas. THEN I can start something new. Next in line immediately are the mittens for Grace. She requested them, how could I say no? I should have done them for Christmas if I would have had an extra month that would have not have been a problem.

Speaking of Christmas, I forgot to tell about what Santa brought me--

Some Socks that Rock (I did mention that but here is the photo of the Rocktober colorway) and some new books. I LOVE knitting books. The cable book is by Melissa Leapman. I am taking her cable class at Stitches West. The Victorian Lace book author is going to be the opening speaker. I am counting the minutes until I am there.

What did you knit this weekend?