SOCK LOVE

When there is downtime at work (and there has been a lot of that over the summer), I am allowed to knit at my desk.  I've been working on my Promise socks mostly and the new lab assistant really liked it. She told me that she does know how to knit, but she just hasn't been interested in socks.

Now she's knitting socks with her daughter.

She told me that she was impressed with my socks and it would be a great project for her daughter to do for an upcoming 4-H competition.  In order to help her daughter, she is working on the same sock pattern ahead of her so she can offer help.

How awesome is that?  Mom and daughter knitting socks and spending time together.  I told her that I would be happy to help with anything they needed.  It makes me feel warm and fuzzy when people tell me that my knitting inspires them to do something creative.  Another good reason to knit in public.

SPINNING

In other news, I'm trying to spin again.  I own an Ashford Traveller and have for about five years.  After several falase starts, I think I'm starting to get it.

This is undyed Romney.  I'm told it's a great beginner fiber.  My single is starting to look more even. When I started, it was much more thick and thin than this.  Maybe after more practice, I'll try out some dyed top I have.

MORE HATS?

Of course!  Jake is sort of a hat fiend.  It makes up for his fear of wearing socks.  I haven't made him one yet this year and I always knit at least one so he has something new to wear to MAGFest.  Here is the latest creation in progress.

We agreed that a plain stockinette hat would be best and would allow the colors to stand out.  I may put some icord on top.  He gets a kick out of that.

Enjoy Nugget...

He loves you!

One of the themes for the May Sockdown on Ravelry is cable or or twisted stitches.  I just bought both Sock Innovations and Socks From the Toe Up from Cookie A. and Wendy Johnson respectively.  The sock pattern on the cover of Sock Innovations is called 'Kristi'.  It's hard to resist not knitting a sock with the same name as me (Kristina really, but everyone calls me Kristi).  It fits the theme of the Sockdown and looks pretty challenging, so this is what I'm going to be knitting for the next couple of months.

Still on Rogue and the mystery project, but I always need something portable.

I'm so indecisive on the yarn to use...

I asked the folks at Ravelry and decided on the Acero on the lower left.  Acero is from Brooks Farm.

For whatever reason, the yarn looks really washed out in this photo.  It's more of a denim color.  I purchased it at Maryland Sheep and Wool a few years ago when I went with my mother.  At the time, Acero was called Limited Edition I.

In other news, I did score some Numma Numma from The Loopy Ewe last Monday.  That order got me into the Loopy Groupies club, so I got fabulous goodies with the Numma Numma.  Photos forthcoming.   I'm feeling extra tired and lazy today since we took Nugget to the dog park.  I'm supposed to be practicing my speech about the Mars Science Laboratory....but no.  

Nugget had a great time wandering around and sniffing trees at the park.

Nothing much to report about knitting since I've been spending my afternoon studying for two exams tomorrow.  I did manage to get not one, but two skeins of Handmaiden Casbah sock yarn mailed to me.

Yarn4Socks was having a 'stash stimulus' sale yesterday which included their Casbah yarn.  I decided to treat myself and pick up a skein; I thought I deserved something nice after getting 100% on both my algebra and chemistry exam this week.  I had never tried it before.

Incidentally, I had also signed up and failed to get a spot in The Loopy Ewe sock club.  They always offer a consolation kit for those that didn't get a spot.  I got an email from them telling me that this new kit was ready.  They could have picked any kind of yarn to use.

They picked Casbah.

I can't complain about that.  They're also including a pattern from Wendy Johnson just for this kit...and surprise extra.  I didn't have to pay or it either;  I used the rest of the gift certificate my mother gave me for my birthday.  Two skeins of Cashbah, a Wendy Johnson pattern and extra goodie for about $20 total. Good day.

In lieu of any knitting photos, here is a cute picture of Nugget.

Before I get into anything else, I'd like to respond to TF about the way I laid out my sock blockers in a photo for a previous post.

You're right, it does look like a penis when the blockers are laid out like that.  Your comment made me giggle. However, I didn't intentionally do it; I just liked how it looked symmetrical. Should I keep doing it? :)

Anyway, last Friday I turned 30 years old.  I didn't cry or go through some sort of denial.  I welcomed thirty; i have a feeling I'd be taken more seriously when I say I'm in my thirties. Besides, people are always surprised when I reveal my age.

My husband says that we'll take a road trip soon to celebrate.  He couldn't get Nugget boarded in time to go this weekend  He says I can choose to go to Chicago, St. Louis, or Indianapolis over the weekend.  I have yet to pick which city I want to visit.  I haven't been to any of them.

St.  Louis is a strong choice, especially after my mother gave me a gift certificate to The Loopy Ewe.  It would be really neat to go see the elves that package up all of the orders.  The problem is we would have to drive out of downtown to get there.  Otherwise, I can't decide on which city I want to visit!

As for other fiber related gifts, I received a really cute pair of Serendipity needles with sheep on the end.

The same person also gifted me a skein of Deluxe Worsted LP yarn in the Autumn Equinox colorway.  I am thinking this might make a nice short row hat.

Now I just have to figure out how to best spend this lovely gift certificate.  I was thinking about some Casbah yarn, but I wonder how it wears.

We need to get a peg leg for Nugget's pirate toy.  He ripped the poor pirate's leg off.

Nugget wishes everyone out there health, happiness, and lots of steak for the holidays.

I will be flying back to Maryland the day after Christmas to be with my family and then with friends at MAGFest.  I should be back by January 5th.