Socks 2 and 3 and the great big tree

I am not doing so well with my Socktoberfest goal of 5 pairs of socks. I should get four pairs done, but I just will not be able to get 5. :(

Any way, I do have pairs two and three done. Here is the FO pic for you all to gaze in wonder at. I had already worn the brown socks, but I didn't wash them before taking the photo. They may look a bit dirty on the foot.

My next question would be "Does anyone need any firewood?" Cuz we lost a really big branch (more like half a tree) during the high winds today.

There was no damage to the shed (seen in photo), and the tree is well away from the house. We do, however, have a very large mess to clean up. It is just a pain in the ass to have another thing to worry about.

Happy Knitting!

Book Meme

1. One book that changed your life: Man, that is really hard. Gone with the Wind was the first grown-up book I ever read. I found Interview with a Vampire in 1981 as I was entering my dress in all black before people invent the word *goth* phase. Jane Austin's books are always there when I need them.
2. One book that you've read more than once: I read most books more than once.
3. One book you'd want on a desert island: Either the Complete works of William Shakespeare, or if I am feeling really masochistic, I could use the time to slog my way through Ulysses again. I think I'll go with Shakespeare.
4. One book that made you laugh: The Stand by Steven King, don't ask. Here is an odd fact, I don't read books that make me laugh. I wonder why?
5. One book that made you cry: There are several. Angela's Ashes, Little Women, Frankenstein to name a few. I'll go with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I still get a huge lump in my throat when Cederic is killed.
6. One book you wish had been written: I don't have a clue what to say about this one.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Sister Carrie, I just read it for class, and I had to FORCE myself to turn the pages. I wanted to throw the book across the room.
8. One book you're currently reading: Lolita, it is for class.
9. One book you've been meaning to read: A Passage to India
10. Six people to tag: Eh, do it if you want to.

Look for a knitting update tomorrow (or the next day). I have been a busy sock knitting bee this week.

Happy Knitting!

Meme from Erin

1. FIRST NAME? Lesa

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Lisa Marie Presley, my parents were expecting a boy. Jeffery Lee was the only name they considered. My grandmother suggested Lisa Marie, who is a couple of months older than me, because she thought it was a nice name. Years latter, when my husband asked if I was really named after Lisa Marie Presley, my grandmother said, "no, that is just where I got the idea." For the record, my mother believes that "li spells lie."

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Tear up or a good blubber? I tear up often. I tear up at commercials for the phone company. I had a good bawl about a week ago.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I don't know. I can't read it.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Olive loaf, blaaa!

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Most likely.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? A blog is a journal.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yup, but I most likely shouldn't. I never knew why they were left in. They made me sick twice a year until the age of around 15.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? HELL NO!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? oatmeal

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not really. I wear a lot of clogs.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? yes

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate, but chunky monkey is pretty damn awsom.

14. SHOE SIZE? 8.5

15. RED OR PINK? pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My hair.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandmother who was the greatest person I ever knew.

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? faux faded blue Jeans, burgandy tee shirt from Gratty's bar and grill, black socks, and huckleberry sweater.

19. LAST THING YOU ATE? Peanut butter on toast with coffee, cling peaches in heavy sryup.

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Some guy banging around my basement fixing the furnace.

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? The deepest moodiest shade of purple.

22. FAVORITE SMELL? Roses, lavender, rosemary.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? The furnace guy who said he was coming to fix the furnace.

24. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? eyes.

25. FAVORITE DRINK? Rum and coke, milk, coffee (black two sugar)

26. FAVORITE SPORT? Football, only watching

27. EYE COLOR? Take your pick. Blue/green/orangy starburst thing, and a purple ring around the outside of the iris.

28. HAT SIZE? I don't know

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope, used to but only in one eye. I get a weird double vision when I wear corrective lenses (glasses too). It is hard to read a book when there are two of them.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? pizza.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I like weepies; I love a good cry.

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? fall

33. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? cheesecake

35. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it was for class.

36. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? The Daily Show.

37. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Laughing babies, children playing, my son's music

38. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Elvis

39. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Depends. I have lived lots of places. I went to New York when I lived in Florida. I go to Florida all the time from Indiana. I have been to Canada a few times.

40. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I am a damn good cook. I am also one of those disgusting people who can write a kick ass 10 page A paper in six hours.

Piddleloop Bag

First, how do you like the black? I love black, and it is Halloween, so I thought I would give it a go. I don't know if I will keep it. Black can be hard to read.

So, anyway, I was asked to post a picture of my Piddleloop bag. Yesterday, Blogger was being a turd.

I love, love, LOVE my Piddleloop project bag and all the little notions I keep with me. The bag has a long strap that I loop around my wrist while I knit in the hallway during passing period (I work in a high school). I have a tape measure, chibi with needles, scissors, steel crochet hook, a stitch marker that you can't see well, and a little booklet that has things like sizes and grafting instructions in it. This bag makes all my on the go sock knitting possible. Now, doesn't that sound like a Piddleloop commercial?

Happy knitting!

Socktober Fest WIPs

The weather turned on me this weekend. It was VERY cold here, and my furnace didn't work. We were a cold bunch huddled around space heaters trying to keep warm. Keep your fingers crossed that the repair bill isn't too bad!

On to more pleasant topics, Soctober Fest is going well for me. I am nearly done with socks 2 and 3.

The orangy sock is being made with the two circular method and a double wrap short row heel. It is made Meileevweit Multiringel (I hope I spelled that right). The brown pattern sock is Lorana's Laces Shepard Sport in Mocha. I thought both were *fally* and perfect colors for Sockotober Fest.

I was going to share my traveling sock bag, but blogger is being stupid. I'll just have to share that picture tomorrow.

Happy Knitting!

Poor Mitters

My poor little cat, Mittens (aka Mitters) had to vet today. The poor soul hates to leave the house, but she is trying to eat her tail off. So, now I am treating a cat for allergies! She had a rough day, but her scabby skin is doing much better now.

The good news, the vet was shocked to learn that Mitters is 9 years old. She (the vet) was sure the cat wasn't a day over 5. It is nice to know that the cat is healthy; just scabby. Since I have never shown a pic of my cat, here she is:

As promised, the Socktober Fest questions.

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started *trying* to learn about 5 or so years ago. I did fine learning to knit in the round. What confused me was turning the heel. I am largely a self-taught knitter, but my pal Jen did help me a bit with socks. Anyway, I played around with learning to knit socks for about 2 years (everything takes longer when you are teaching yourself). I knit my first pair of real socks 3 to 3 1/2 years ago.

The reasons I love to knit socks are:

1. There is a great deal of instant gratification when making sock. In about a week or so, I can have a lovely and useful hand knit item to wear.
2. They are a portable project. I just don't spend much time at home. I can knit socks anywhere. Thanks to the lovely bag I got from Piddleloop, I can knit socks while standing in the hall during passing periods.
3. They are budget friendly. Even the expensive sock yarns don't cut into the family finances too much. Unlike sweaters, sock rarely require more than two skeins of yarn.
4. Sock yarn is the perfect yarn souvenir. It is small, fairly inexpensive, and useful (unlike the gaudy crap that normally passes for souvenirs).

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
My first pair was a purple self stripeing pair made with Lion Brand Magic Stripes (can be seen here). They have held up well, but I lost one about a year ago.

What would you have done differently? I wouldn't do anything differently. Like all things knitting and writing, making socks was a process that I had to learn. I am very process oriented. That is why I don't mind taking so long to learn a new technique or finish something. I am not product oriented.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Fortissima, Sunshine Yarns, Kiogu are faves, but in practice, I haven’t met a sock yarn that didn't have at least *some* charm for me.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or Magic Loop method?
I haven't tried it yet. I was a firm DPN gal until this summer when I tried two circs, which is becoming my preferred method.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I am sick of flaps. They seem to interrupt my *flow* when knitting, especially on two circs. Short rows are my new favorite heel for the two circ method. I think that a flap is fine and no biggie on DPNs.

How many pairs have you made?
About 20 pairs of socks but if you count Sweet Mary Janes and Special Occasion Slippers about 40.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

It seems everyone is doing Socktober Fest. Since I knit lots and lots of socks during the school year (they are so portable), I thought I would join in the celebration. Plus, those witchy socks on the button are too cute!


I would like to finish five pairs of socks during Socktober Fest. I have the first pair done (to be fair, I may have cast on for these socks on September 28th). I posted the WIP photo Saturday night, and here they are all spiffy and finished. They are the plain Jane socks knit with two circs and a short row heel. The yarn is Fortissima Colori (which now comes in 100 gr skeins). Sly, who hates bright colors, calls them the clown socks.

Please note how perfectly these socks MATCH! I have never tried to make socks before. Too much of a hassle, and the couple of times I did try, disaster. Also, I am sure my knitting mentor, Molly Weasley, would prefer the lovely uniqueness of matching mis-matched socks. For those of you who don't know, Molly Weasley is a character in the Harry Potter series who knits wonderful things. Well, these socks match, and I didn't even plan to do it! And before you ask, those are my legs.

These were my "knit-while-out-of-the-house" socks. So, the orangy pair (see Saturdays' post) that were my "knit-while-at-home" will become my "out" socks, and I'll cast on new "in" socks tonight. I did manage to finish the first orangy sock this past weekend, so I should have a second pair of socks to show-off this up coming weekend.

I'll post answers to the Socktober Fest questions in the next day or two. Happy knitting!

I do actually knit sometimes ...

It has been a long while since I have posted any of my knitting. I finished the black and purple socks that were posted as a WIP (okay, it is just a picture of me knitting the second sock). They are in the wash now. I wear them all the time. I have since started two new pairs of socks, one for in the house and one for when I am out.

This is my "out-of-the-house" pair of socks. I have been experimenting with short row heels. This pair was my first attempt. I do have the little holes along the sides of the heels, but they are well lined up and are somewhat decorative. I LOVE the short row process. It seems much faster and easier than a heel flap to me. For these socks, I didn't use a pattern; I just played around a bit to see what would happen.

Here is my "at home" pair (now consider both pairs were started on the same day). I used the double wrap short row on this pair to get rid of the holes (check out this tutorial). I like the look much better, but it is a somewhat fussier method. I'll have to keep working at it a bit.

A friend recently told me she was expecting, so that means I HAD to knit something!

Just a couple of the little hats I like to make for babies so much.

Also, a bonnet made with Erin's free pattern. I think I'll be able to get a bootie to match, so look out for that!

Well, Monty Python's Flying Circus is on soon, so I'll leave you all with this.

Happy Knitting!

Two Post in a Row!

I know what you are all thinking, how come she is posting two days in a row? Well, Lisa (with an i) had a list of 10 knitterly things about her, and I thought I would use it over here.

10 Knitterly Things You Don't Know About Me (or maybe you do)

1. I learned to knit in a dream. It was during one of those huge spring snowstorms where everything shuts down for days. I figured I would use the fact that it snowed 2 feet in 12 hours as my excuse to knit since I wasn't going anywhere. The first day was a total bust, but that night when I went to sleep, all I could see were needles and yarn. The next morning, I picked up the needles again, and I had one of those light-bulb moments where everything makes perfect sense. I haven't stopped since.

2. I started knitting about 3 years before Stitch n Bitch. There were no hip, young books about knitting. Nobody knitted at that time except grannies who had huge stashes of Red Heart. So, I have always believed I was a bit of a trailblazer in this one trend.

3. I inherited my grandmother's knitting stuff when she died. I figured that if I didn't learn to knit (and put her things to good use), she would hunt me. . My mother, who gave me the knitting stuff, insisted that these rather personal items (that none of my aunts or uncle wanted to sell) should go to me because I would take the time to learn how to knit if I had them.

4. I am convinced that knitting is a major theme in Harry Potter. I believe that knitting will play a role in the downfall of Voldamort. I am serious!

5. I always have at least a dozen things on my needles at any given time. Sly believes this demonstrates a serious character flaw i.e. I don't finish what I start. I wonder where he thinks all those hand knit socks, scarves, shawls, hats, mittens, and sweaters come from?

6. The worst job I ever had was at a LYS. From the moment I said I would take the job until the day I quit, was the most unpleasant month of my life. I don't even know why I took the job; I hate (loathe, despise) working retail.

7. I knit plain things because I like them, not because I can't do fancy stuff.

8. I once knit my noodles with chopsticks before eating them.

9. My son has been wounded by my knitting needles. He has a scar.

10. I love to knit while watching James Bond movies, Mythbusters, and M*A*S*H.

Where the hell is my camera?

Just when I have pictures to post, I can't find my camera. Sigh, but I didn't want you all to think I have died or anything.

School and work keep me very busy. Right now, I am reading The Age of Innocence. What I should do is go out and rent that lovely movie with the fetching Daniel Day Louis. The book isn't bad, but I have read it before. It just isn't holding my interest this time around.

My back is much better, so I am back to running after students.

Since I can't find the camera to show you all the knitting I have been doing, I thought it would be fun to post a self portrait that my daughter drew. She is very talented.

It is a great representation of her. She'll kill me if she knows it is here, but I am a proud mom.

Happy knitting!