These are the first socks that I knitted for myself after taking a class in sock knitting at So Much Yarn.  I made the leg very short as I have very large calves and all store-bought socks fall down and look terrible.  I hadn't even a clue about leg shaping when I knitted these.  I've worn these a lot over the past several months.  As soon as they're washed, they're back on my feet.  Not knowing much about yardage needs, I bought two skeins.  I didn't even use all of one skein since the yarn comes in 100g skeins of 400m each.  I might try something like Jaywalkers for the other skein.

I'm finding that I like really bright colours for my handknit socks.  The socks I buy are usually black or blue to blend with my shoes or trousers.  But that would be so boring to knit with.  Give me something with pizzazz!

I reshaped the toe on the left foot.  It took me a couple of weeks to get around to washing and blocking the socks.  George isn't crazy about the yarn.  He thinks it's a little too rough, but he did wear them all day today.  Maybe the yarn will soften up after a couple of more washings.

I don't think I'll do the Pointed Toe again.  It really doesn't fit George's feet.



You can see the Dutch Heel here.  It's also called the Horseshoe heel and does resemble that object.  I think it cups George's heels nicely, but I'll have to ask him what he thinks.

These socks are the Lichen Ribbed Socks pattern out of Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.  I'm knitting them in Knit Picks "Simple Strips" yarn which is 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon.  I really like the colours in this yarn. 

I had actually completed these socks and then decided the heel flap was too long for my feet.  I've ripped one sock back and made the heel flap only 24 rows long rather than the 30 called for in the pattern.  Now to reknit the heel and foot, then I'll rip back the other one.

Right now I'm working on a basket weave scarf.  I'm using the scarf to practice my continental knitting.  I learned to knit English/American throw-style, but after all these years my right wrist has started to bug me a lot.  So far my tension is all over the place.  Part of my problem is that I hold my left fingers a little too straight.  I'm trying to get myself to bend my fingers more and relax them, but I think that's going to take awhile.

One thing I have discovered that I really like is Norwegian purling.  You can check out a small video of it here.  Scroll down to the "Alternative Methods" section.  I love not having to move the yarn to the front to purl.  There is an extra movement to do this, but I find it a lot easier than regular continental purling.

I'm interested in trying the combination knitting developed by Annie Modesitt, but I think I'll work on learning western continental first.  I feel like a brand new knitter and don't feel like doing much knitting right now, because anything I really want to make right now I would have to do throw style.

Enough for now.  I'll try to post some actual photos soon.

Yes, I've been lazy about updating my blog.  A lot's been going on.

George & I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary on Saturday, May 6th.  We had 4 people over for dinner and then told them it was our anniversary.  George made Aghan Chicken, cooked on a rotisserie over a charcoal fire.  He also grilled some tomatoes and red bell peppers directly on the coals, and grilled some asparagus which he then doused with balsamic vinegar.  The final dish was the cooked up onion and spice marinating sauce from the chickens.  Dinner was delicious and we finished it with a Black Forest cake that one of our guests brought.

On Sunday May 7th, George & I took the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train.  We did the brunch trip.  We're glad we finally went on the train, but we're in no hurry to go again.  The food was alright, but we've had better.  I've since been assured by people who have been on the dinner trip that the food is great.

Last night (May 9th), we went to see Cirque du Soleil's performance of Varekai.  It was wonderful and different from the original show as developed and shown on the series "Fire Within".  Some elements were still there, but a lot was new to us which made it fresh.

Well... I've been a little ill and a lot injured.  I picked up some kind of headcold or something that caused me to miss work last Thursday 4/27 and work only 3 hours on Friday 4/28.  Meanwhile on Sunday evening 4/23, my right foot started to hurt.  As the week went on, it got worse.  I saw my podiatrist yesterday and he took x-rays.  Good news - no fractures.  Bad news - he thinks I've torn a tendon.  I'll be in a walking cast for the next 3 weeks while we see if that helps it heal.  I'm in a lot of pain and last night woke up at 3am because of it.  I was back in bed by 5am and the alarm went off at 7:30am.  I'm now exhausted and in pain.

On the knitting front, I finished the small basket and felted it.  It's looking pretty good.  I took the 3 baskets to my knitting class last week.  Lauren and I agree that I need to run the largest basket through a hot wash again after I fasten the handles on more securely.  I did a much better job with the handles on the medium and small baskets after seeing how the handles on the large basket turned out.

I re-did the toe on George's left sock and he's much happier with the fit.  Now to wash and block them slightly.  And to get him to wear them out of the house.

I started another pair of socks, this time for me.  I've finished the first sock and last night I started the second sock, and with being up for two hours in the early morning, started on the gusset already.  The 2nd sock will likely be done tonight or tomorrow evening.