Balancing

I can't really remember the last week very well. There were some moments of delicious lucidity, such as a strawberry-rhubarb pie, and a just-right bike ride yesterday afternoon. It's officially summer by my standard; i.e. it smells like summer. Humidity and green things. I've been spending a lot of time working (summer means field tests) but the first test of three went down successfully over the last two nights. And because my software didn't need hand-holding, I got to knit during the night tests.

The Universal Toe-Up Socks are still a WIP. Doing the heel over 50% of the stitches makes the fabric bunch up over my instep, and that doesn't bode well. The second sock's heel is complete, worked over 60% of the stitches, and it's just right. (Maybe too just right? Are these going to shrink or stretch in the wash? Bah. If they do, then I'm two steps ahead of Christmas knitting.)

Speaking of Christmas knitting, I've started thinking about hats and mittens for the Four Nephews of the Apocalypse. They are four, two, one, and one, and they're deeply into all things vehicular. I think I'm going to try this Fair Isle Children's Hat and chart my own cars, trucks, bugdozers, and planes. I'll post charts here and any modifications I make.

The nephews' hats, and at least one other Christmas present, will require the acquisition of more yarn. This is something I've been trying to avoid in 2007 (there was a little incident in 2006 at the Classic Elite mill store in Lowell). So, here is a firmer resolution: for every ball of yarn I buy, I have to use 2 from the stash before buying more. One of the baby blankets is from stash (a giant ball of that fuzzy Sirdar-like stuff from JoAnns), and the other one was too (but I ran out and had to purchase more). The sock yarn is also from stash (cf. Classic Elite incident).

Balls used from stash: 2 (Ripple baby blanket is stash-neutral)
Intended for Christmas: 6-8 so far

That's 12-16 balls/skeins I'll have to use from the stash before buying new yarn (and the kit I bought earlier this year doesn't count. Yarn must age to truly become stash).

Perhaps 10 skeins of gorgeous cotton-rayon yarn will become a Clapotis for my sister, who will carry the color off better than I ever could. Definitely there will be some blankets for the Lowell Wish Project. People will be warmer this winter, and there will be karmic stash balance.

There should be a photo for this post, but you, my dear imaginary readers, will just have to imagine that the socks and tomato plants are both noticeably larger. It's warm tonight and it's time to unplug before plunging into another week.

Comments

[Caroline M]

I'm not an imaginary reader and I'm not the Harlot either (although I just came from there) but I do knit socks and yours are lovely. I don't go toe up unless I have to because I can't manage to get the heel in the right place.

My tomatoes need feeding, thanks for the reminder.

[Knit Mongrel]

Hey there! I came from the Harlot as well, and I just wanted to say that I love "delicious lucidity". Would make a great band name, no? I grew up outside Boston (you're in MA too, right?) and I miss it every day, so I'll be back for sure. Happy Tuesday!

[Rhonda the Stitchingnut]

Getting an early start on plans for Winter knitting is a good idea. Altho, I tend to keep changing my mind. So much to do & so little time. Speaking of socks & tomatoes ... I'll have to remember to take a picture of my latest socks once I've got tomatoes on the vine. Thanks for the idea! BTW, I came from the Harlot's blog also. Happy knitting.

[Korinthe]

My god you people show up fast! I just about stopped breathing for a minute there :)

This certainly does dispel the feeling of "too busy to post when nobody's reading anyway". Welcome!!!

[ccr in MA]

My first pair of socks didn't fit right either (well, the first one is very relaxed fit; the second one is much better). I'm currently halfway through my second pair, but after this I want to try toe-up, so I'll have to follow your progress and see how you like the pattern.

We're both from greater Boston, you and I, so I wanted to tell you, if you didn't know, that the Harlot will be coming here in August (the 2nd), to the Borders in Burlington. (See you there?)

And, good luck with the gardening!

I like your blog; I'll be back.

[Tracy]

"Yarn must age to truly become stash." I love this statement, very much love it!

[Korinthe]

Knit Mongrel, we live in Bedford. Been here about 3-5 years depending on how you count. Did you grow up nearby? It just about killed me when I read the Harlot's archives and realized she's been all over this patch of turf on an earlier tour, and I'd missed it.

There will be plenty more local flavor (ha) as One Local Summer kicks up! (http://www.pocketfarm.com/?p=504)

(I'm such a n00bie, I don't even know how to put links in the comments, or how to do that TrackBack thing... sorry)

[Korinthe]

CCR: YES YES! See you there! Thank you for mentioning it; I didn't know.

See you all in a few hours; I'm breaking my own promise not to log into TypePad from work. Again, welcome!

[Judith]

Glad we got the link from Harlot. Nice socks. My first (two pair) were large and make wonderful bed socks for cold nights. Next, too long--perfect for my daughter. Since then, it's all about me. Keep blogging.

[Pat DeLeeuw]

Hi, I too came over from The Harlot-and looky , you do have lots of readers!!!! My little blog(moohlahknits) never gets more than 2 comments! I can't even do the picture thing yet but I can knit(well, not up to my Grandmother's standards if she were still alive) and love reading blogs. We spend alot of time indoors in Michigan winters.
Your toe up looks great and the chicken hat is FABULOUS-thanks for the pattern.

[Kathy in KS]

I came here from the Harlot as well. I wanted to see what a blog that nobody reads looked like, since I'm toying with the idea of starting my own. I mostly need it to keep track of what I've made and for whom, so I can at least minimize the duplicate present thing. My first ever socks were toe up with the heel done afterwards, and the heel part fits funny. I love the colorway on yours. I'm waiting on some yarn I just ordered to start some socks to enter in my county and state fairs. And, for the record, I think "stash yarn" is only that yarn that you don't know what to do with yet. If you have the yarn and the project and they match, then that's just an un-started project. And it doesn't count as stash yarn. So, you may not have as much as you think.

[Cynthia]

See what happens when you comment on the Harlot's site. Especially with a challenge that no-one ever reads your blog! Nice to meet you!

[Jenn C.]

*wave*

Also came over from the Harlot!

From near Boston, but South Shore instead of North, just thought I'd drop by to say hi.

[Laura Sue]

Hi! I'm here from the Harlot, too and "The Four Nephews of the Apocalypse" is just the most brilliant line!

[samm]

Hi there! I just came over from the Harlot's blog as well, feeling that you deserve to have readers too! And you do! Cool, eh? I'm going to add you to my list of "those bloggers I enjoy", because I enjoyed your blog today. Gotta go find that chicken hat pattern....... I missed that...... and I love knitting things like that....... Great socks by the way! I love sock knitting. Glad to meet you,
samm from Ontario Canada who will be reading regularly now. So keep writing and knitting! :O)

[itgirl]

mmmmm. strawberry rhubarb pie.

[Holly]

Leave a line out there especially on Harlot, and we all come to call. And will come back.
And the Four Nephews of the Apocalypse is absolutely wonderful.
You could also think about vests for them. Put a number (1-4) on the backside (since the rest of the family might appreciate it) and something with wheels on the front.
My four lost hats faster than I could knit them.
-Holly

[Leslie]

Another Massachusetts Harlot reader... I'm in western Mass though (the good part, ya' know ;->). I've been 'trying" toe up socks for about a year now and although I have yet to find the perfect heel, I really like them so much better because I don't end up with little walnuts of left over yarn. So keep trying!

My best tomatoes ever were some mini yellow grape tomatoes. I'd snatch a few off the plants on my way to work and snack all morning. Too bad I didn't find any this year :(

I've added you to my Massachusetts Bloggers link and will check on those socks again.

[Kathleen C.]

Ditto everything from me... the Harlot link, the nephews line, toe up socks.
But not the tomatoes part... I left it too late and didn't get any planted. I'll just enjoy yours vicariously.

[natalie]

It's cold here in Scotland, any tomato plants (outdoor ones at least) wouldn't survive long. Summer seems to have happened in April and now it's about October. You are doing better than me on the toe-up front. I can (finally) do the toes but short row heels... Pah! Not a hope!

n

[Camilla]

popped over from Harlot's blog; heard you were bandying 'first socks' around. How great are socks? And toe ups, too. You are a capital K knitter in the making. The universal toe up pattern is not as much fun as the "Widdershins" (you'll find it on Knitty.com) I think Brooke C. Creel did a great job with clarity and it's NOT a short row heel. Also I love Judy Becker's "magic cast-on". It's linked in the "Widdershins" patt. Happy knitting...I'm sunburnt horribly today, so your 'plotting of Christmas gifts' just about made me pee my pants! Knit on, knitter! Cami

[Cheryl]

I found my way here from Yarn Harlot's blog, and read your posts. I must admit that the Chicken Viking Hat caught my eye. My husband teaches cross-country skiing to elementary school kids in winter, and he's always on the lookout for goofy hats to wear. I envy you the tomatoes; where I live in Alaska summer is too short and cool to grow tomatoes without a greenhouse. Besides, we have a neighborhood moose who jumps the fence and gets into the garden every few weeks.

[Tanya]

*grin* Ain't it fun to be found. :) I did a happy dance in my office chair the day I got my first comment. Love the colors in your socks and I'm very, very envious of the tomato plants.

[Sherri]

I came, I visited, and I added you to Bloglines so now you have an official reader! :)

[Sherri]

I came, I visited, and I added you to Bloglines so now you have an official reader! :)