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.
Hi, I've come over from the 'Harlot' as well! I totally identify with your smell appraisal of the seasons. The first smell of spring makes me high and catching that first whiff of autumn, for me, is sad. I'm a cyclist also, it looks as if you have some pretty country to cycle in. Bye for now!
Posted by: Rita | June 20, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Comments from TOKYO!
I had to bribe my brother with a knitted hat to get my first comment on my blog -- and I have wondered for ages if people are lurking, or if I'm writing to the air! You're being read, and all the way from Tokyo, even.
Posted by: K. Kay | June 20, 2007 at 02:06 AM
And another hello from here! I'm very impressed that you've already started you Christmas knitting. With over 6 months still to go that's serious organisation.
Tee hee - see what happens when you say you don't have any readers; I hope you get swamped with lovely comments!
Posted by: Carie | June 20, 2007 at 06:31 AM
any I'm another one who has popped over from the Yarn Harlot's blog and intends to visit again :-)
I'm not a knitter (I'm a Textile Artist and Life Model) but I just had to read about your first socks and I adore the colourway :-)
Posted by: Lesley | June 20, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Another Harlot fan here! This time, from Pennsylvania. Nice to meet you. I like your stash-plan... for every new ball you buy, you must use up two from the stash. I might have to try that.... I have so much--I bought an existing stash many years ago from a woman who was trying to make it all go away. Now, it's my issue!
Posted by: TinaB. | June 20, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Strawberry-rhubarb ... yum, my favorite!! I've just mastered my first toe up socks after many many attempts to do master the short rows. Nice to meet you in cyber world!
Posted by: Sharon | June 20, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Another blogger from Harlot's blog. I am definitely going to keep checking your blog. Great socks!
Posted by: Jill | June 20, 2007 at 09:52 AM
Another Harlot-comment-reader here. I L-O-V-E that chicken/turkey hat in your archives! I really need one of those!
Posted by: Amy Lu | June 20, 2007 at 09:54 AM
I came from the Harlot as well. I love your blog. I'm putting it on my favorites list.
Keep on blogging. I'm seriously contemplating that hat!
Great socks, but watch out, they're addictive!
Posted by: Panhandle Jane | June 20, 2007 at 10:26 AM
LOL, I'm coming from the Harlot's site too, but mainly because of the MA connection. I grew up near Concord and got such a pang of homesickness when you said it smells like summer. It totally took me back! I haven't been back to visit for a summer in almost 10 years and while I don't miss the humidity at all I really miss the lush green that we don't get in N. California. I've added you to my feeds, good luck with your blog.
Posted by: Jenifair | June 20, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Yes, we do show up fast. I too have a blog that only one person has read so far... me... oh, and Rachael H. (the Harlot's PR person I think she is). It made me feel "known" and "loved" if only for a moment. I wish people would read my blog. I like yours. What do you do, may I ask?
Posted by: Rhonda Drakes-Blais | June 20, 2007 at 01:30 PM
My husband is a "solutions developer" - in short, a very good programmer. Up there on the "most sought after" scale. I've just opened up a home daycare and will be quitting my insurance job - last day is July 13th (I posted what brought me to make that decision on my blog). Knit My Grits was an easy title for me. Remember Flo from "Alice"? She used to say, "Kiss My Grits!" at Al the cook all the time. That's where I came up with it.
Posted by: Rhonda Drakes-Blais | June 20, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Ha! to you! We are here to read what you have to say! Very nice blog, keep up the good work. I'll try to keep checking back.
All the Best to you!
PS: go to my blog, I found one of those free counters. It's at the bottom of the opening page. Click on it, and you can easily get one yourself. It will give you an idea as to how many hits a day you're actually getting. Comments are not the only indicator! I get an average of 3 to 4 comments, but almost 100 hits/day.
Good luck!
Posted by: karin | June 20, 2007 at 07:07 PM
I'm another visitor from the Yarn Harlot. I, too, just started blogging, and find it's very addictive. I think your turkey hat is a riot!
Posted by: Nightowl Knitter | June 20, 2007 at 07:32 PM
post a comment like that on the Harlots page and you run out of imaginary readers... the real ones come piling in...
Welcome to comment overload -- I'm going to troll for picture heavy entries now...
Posted by: Helen | June 20, 2007 at 09:40 PM
Loved your visit to my blog -- such a nice comment! And I'm going to take Karin's advice and put a counter on my blog, too!
Posted by: K. Kay | June 21, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Hello! Lots of people coming to see you now!
Christmas knitting already, well done for being organised. x
Posted by: Lin | June 21, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Look at the comment boom from your comment on the Yarn Harlot! LOVELY socks, LOVELY photos and interesting posts! You have the makings of a very successful blog here. Best wishes for happy knitting and a long and satisfying blog experience. :)
Posted by: Laura | June 28, 2007 at 03:24 PM