More of the same

I liked making the Embossed Leaves socks so much (more below) that I wanted another pattern that has lots of dimension and is fun to knit. I chose Monkey (from the Winter 2006 Knitty). The yarn is Mountain Colors Bearfoot in “Thunderhead.” I haven’t used this yarn before (gasp!) and I reallyreally like it. These socks will be for my niece Rachel, who chose the yarn almost a year ago when we were yarn shopping in Maryland. She wanted gloves, but has decided that socks are good, too. Good thing for me, considering my current single-mindedness. So, Rachel, don’t hold me to a deadline, but tell me how long your foot is, and one day soon you might have Monkeys on your feet.

There has been more purging of the messes in my house. Yesterday I began on the closet, and by the time I was tired of it I’d taken four big bags to the dump, and another big bag to the charity bin. I had to make a couple of desperate calls to get permission to throw away certain things, but aside from those moments of doubt I did pretty well. Not only did I remove heaps of stuff from the closet, I consolidated as well. I’m not finished in there by any means, but at least I can see the floor now!

While I hadn’t intended to, I opened the boxes of Stuff that my nieces and my sister packed for me when we sorted our mother’s apartment a year and a half ago. They were in storage till last September, and they’ve been in my kitchen since then. While I had an idea what was in them, I had been avoiding the task of opening them up, not wanting to deal with the bittersweet emotions that I was sure I’d find inside. Well, girls, it sure was fun to see what you decided to burden me with! I love the one blue plate, and the silverware, and the old napkin holder. The three dogs are sweet, and so are my Dick and Jane readers. The bread knife and the cups and bowls are old friends I’m happy to have. But the rusty tin of old birthday candles?

:::

Here are my latest socks, finished and posing on the sock blockers that I resisted but am glad I ordered:


Embossed Leaves from Favorite Socks
(I like this book so much that I might join the KAL)
Yarn: Sundara Yarn, Petals Collection “Fall Foliage”
Needles: 2.75mm and 2.5mm DPNs
Modifications: Not a one
Time to knit: A flash — begun on 2/11/07, finished on 2/17/07

Yarn-Over Cable from Sensational Knitted Socks
(Who knew? There’s a KAL for this book, too!)
Yarn: Sundara Yarn, Petals Collection “Lenten Rose”
Needles: 2.25mm DPNs
Modifications: I used the stitch but made my usual plain old sock
Time to knit: on and off from 1/1/07-2/18/07

:::

I took today off — an extra day this week. I need these little bits of change in the work routine. I was concerned about one customer’s missing special order, though, so I snuck into the store very early this morning to re-send it. I was back home and in my comfy clothes by 8:00. It’s windy and bright, but very cold, so I’m perfectly happy to have this day to putter and knit and catch up on the PBS Mystery programs I’ve been TiVo-ing. I hope you are having the same kind of Perfect Day.

13 thoughts on “More of the same

  1. I’m glad that I bought the sock blockers, too – doesn’t it make a big difference?! Gorgeous socks.I’ve been slowly cleaning/decluttering a bit, and am surprised at how good it feels – when I don’t overwhelm myself by trying to do it all at once!

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  2. I was off today too … gotta love bank holidays!As always, I love your socks! Rachel is gonna love hers to. If she doesn’t, you can send them to me ::grins::I got my dad to make me a pair of sock blockers using wire hangers. I tried to get him to make several pair, but he only did the one. I’m still resisting buying the wood ones.

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  3. You are making me feel guilty being so industrious cleaning things out – and I’m the one who bought the book LOL And now that you opened the box you can have the blue plate special — 😉 It sounds like you had some wonderful memories in the box too. And I cannot believe you went out in the cold and wind when you didn’t have to . Me I stayed in and sat by the wood stove…

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  4. I’ve been slowly organizing and decluttering. There must be something in the air. It really feels good to clear off a shelf or see a bit more floor. The socks look nice. Bearfoot is one of my favorite sock yarns.

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  5. Oh doll, I loved the peek into the boxes. I love your sisters too, for picking out special things for you. And if you ever have any extra socks just oh, you know, lying about, well, I know a librarian who would be happy to wear them.:D. Doing some happy sock knitting myself these days.hugsb

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  6. I hope you love Bearfoot! Wait, no, I want to have all of the Bearfoot for myself, and if you love it, then there will be less for me, and and and. Bearfoot is a horror to wash, you know, and it crocks all the time, and everyone is allergic to it . . .Still liking Monkey? I’m wondering what socks to cast on next.

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  7. I am the intern coordinator where Rachel is working this semester. She will really appreciate the socks since she is working very hard in school and can just dream of knitting. She is a great young woman and we are having a fun time talking about you and your knitting expertise. I would love to actually see you knit sometime, since I cannot believe how much you accomplish! Rachel says it is amazing to watch the speed of your hands. I check on your blog each day and enjoy it so much. I will email you once Rachel passes along your address.

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  8. I adore the Embossed Leaves! You certainly are on a roll. I think about decluttering more than I actually do it. Too bad. I had a little set back on my last pair of socks, and had to frog them…long story, but I’m just itching to cast on the Sundara! I, too, have those unopened boxes. Maybe it’s time to empty them out?And today it’s warm and springlike! Hope to hit the beach after work!

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  9. Followed you over from the Petals Collection. So glad I did – your socks are so very pretty. I love those patterns and I love the yarns too. I just got the Favorite Socks book and have been eyeing that pattern. Great job!

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  10. I also got here from your Petals Collection post. Your socks are gorgeous! I really liked the sock blockers too… I’ll have to look into those 🙂

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