Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wednesday Sock Update

My sock knitting seems to have stalled and my hope is blogging about my sock knitting on Wednesday will prompt at least a bit of knitting through the week.
My plain sock is almost to the heel on the second sock but the Clerkenwell socks has been totally ignored. I do know why. The cable graph is the kind that my mind can't seem to get around. Occasionally I have this problem with a graph even though I usually prefer them for any kind of cable or lace knitting.

I actually took the time to write out every line of the graph but I think I have to do this again, since I took a look at it today after not working on the sock for a few weeks, and I totally can't understand what I wrote. Doh!

So that will be in the works today. Probably a better use of my time instead of knitting as I am still having problems with soreness in my right hand.


I'm on jury duty watch this week. My number hasn't come up as yet. I am in the 1000's and they called up to 600 yesterday, so I will probably have to go in tomorrow or Friday. I hate the sit around and wait aspect and not knowing how to plan the week. Every one is in the "I'll call you after 6:00pm to see about kid watching and Weight Watcher meetings" mode. Plus there is snow forecast for the rest of the week, so that means schlepping around in boots and gloves and such. Ugh.
Took a look at the Clerkenwell pattern and think I am going to modify it. Make the plain part with cables rather than the curlicue cables in the front. I just don't think they will be worth the effort with this dark blue yarn. Plus this will motivate me to restart knitting them. Love the colorwork.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

More Slips and I Don't Care




So New Year's resolutions have gone out the window and I don't have even a little bit of regret.

I bought new yarn, started new projects, signed up for another 4 classes and I am very happy with all of my decisions.

I blame it on the miserable non-spring we are having. Cold, cold snowy days. The robins and mourning doves are looking at me with miserable expressions, although I noticed an incredible chorus of beautiful bird-song this morning when I let the dog out.

My class project is going well. I have just the last half sleeve to knit. I put the back and front together and I think this is going to be a really nice sweater. Easy knitting! The class is going to meet on Sunday to work on the sweater some more, even though the class is over, so I will save the remainder of the knitting for then. We have a very nice group and we are all taking four more classes together, which will extend into June. There is a tee top, a lacy cardigan, a shawl and a ruched top that I am looking forward to making.

Of course, all the knitting on cotton that I was doing in an attempt to get the back and front put together before the last class and trying to get some more done on my February Lady Sweater gave me a sore hand. I think I knit all day last Wednesday because the snow storm we had ALL DAY LONG was making me crazy. Plus I didn't have to go out at all, kids had off and mom was home. I don't think I moved out of my knitting chair the entire day.

I gave my knitting a rest on Sunday night and Monday , too. But I really want to get back to my February Lady sweater soon. I love the yarn, the color and the way it is working up.

I just need to repeat "I will not overdue" take breaks and make sure I do some stretching.

Instead of knitting while I watched the kids yesterday, I took along some blocks to put together for the Cream Bedspread.

Here they are blocking. I have enough done to put another row together and it is really beginning to look like I am at the end of a very long tunnel.


Or at the very least, I can see the light far off in the distance. Once these four blocks are put together, I will have three more rows of four blocks to go. Sixteen blocks per row times 3 rows is 48 more blocks to sew together. But if you look at what I have already sewn together, it almost looks like a bedspread.

I think I will continue to do the sewing up as I stay with the kids. That will give me a definite time frame to work on this and get it finished.


I had to order two balls of Wool of the Andes for my Fair Isle cardigan that weren't in stock when I placed the original order and decided to add some of the new Aloft


yarn from Knitpicks and OMG, is it wonderful. So soft, and the colors are lovely. I haven't tried to knit with it, although my fingers are itching to start.


I really need to knit some lace, so pulled out the Juno Regina and some lace yarn and put it in a project bag. Not sure when I will start this, but the call of the lace is very strong.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spring?

We are having a snow storm. Not a little spring snow. Nope this is the nasty, snowing-all-day, blowing-all-over-the road, have-to-shovel-the-driveway, all-after-school-activity, middle-of-January type of snowstorm. Because the grands have half a day and their mom took off, I don't have to go anywhere, which is great!
Ironically, I am using this free time to work on the pretty green cotton sweater I am knitting for my Sunday afternoon class. Just doesn't seem like there will ever be a warm enough day to wear this!
The patio is filling up again.

But it made a pretty pattern, didn't it.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Preparations

Getting ready for the arrival of DD#1 with the 4 kids and husband and dog. They are coming on Thursday and leaving on Friday. We are having a St. Joseph's table on Saturday with a niece and nephew's family. 24 people for dinner. Wow!
I have already made the sauce and lentil soup. I am making pizelles today and cleaning bathrooms and such. We will make the artichokes on Friday, cleaning and stuffing 24 artichokes should go quickly with the four of us doing it. That is, assuming I can find 24 artichokes at the grocery store. Cooking all of them will be a bit of a challenge, but I'm sure we will figure it out. Fritatta, con Sarde (sardine sauce), St. Joseph bread, hard boiled eggs for the plain sauce, cream puffs and sfinge for dessert. Should be good.
Not much knitting going on but a lot of cooking, eating and visiting!