Knits

Ta da! I finished something! My Marigold socks are done. Finally. I actually started these back in November when I was in California as knitting to do on the plane between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The foot on the first one went quickly, but once I turned that heel, I had all sorts of trouble with losing stitches and the lace shifting a stitch or two. Once I got it sorted it was all fine. The second sock had several false starts (three I think), but once it got going it chugged along nicely. I could’ve had it done over a week ago if I had taken a couple of opportunities to knit on long train rides, but cramped conditions and a throbbing head meant I was more inclined to stare into space. Regardless, they are done and I’ve still got about 35 yards of yarn left. I might follow in Lola’s footsteps and start myself a collection of mini-socks for holiday decor.

[I'm a bit behind on my full page project details, but I'll try and crank those out in the evenings this week.]

Last Sunday night I decided I really needed something to put my Mp3 player in as the chamois it came in was beginning to get ratty and actually flake away. I got out some left overs and started knitting what was essentially a toe-up sock. First it was too small, then too big, and then I remembered (okay I never really forgot) just how much I hate knitting ribbing because I am so slow at it. My solution was to knit a garter stitch rectangle so that when turned 90*, it would be like ribbing, but even cushier. I knit the rectangle slightly too small so that it would be snug and then did a few rows at a 90* angle across the entire width a la the Log Cabin Blanket method. This left me with two sides to close up which I did with a 3-needle bind off. It was near-instant gratification. It could be a bit deeper (note the picture shows the Mp3 player intentionally pulled out of the “sock”), but overall I’m quite pleased with something so simple. I may go back and add an i-cord loop and button just to keep it a bit more secure.

The Fetching went down really well. The recipient was so pleased that she made everyone that walked into the office look at them. “Look what Shannon made me!” I think the gift took the sting out of me announcing I’m leaving a little.

Speaking of which, I think this weekend will be amongst my last before moving where I can really sit around and do absolutely nothing and not feel too guilty about it. I think starting next weekend I will begin to haul things out and make decisions on whether items will accompany me on this move or not. I’m probably being a bit early with all of it, but I know how manic it will get near the end especially because I have work commitments right up until I need move. And I like to be really organised about how I pack and put things together that should be together rather than having 30 boxes with a jumble of items which means I’ll also start packing up stuff I know I won’t need (and rarely access anyway) just to feel like I’m making a dent. A lot of people here seem to literally throw whatever is in reach in a box and pack all within a couple of days. I am far more systematic, making relatively detailed lists so I know what’s where hence needing to get started early.

Just a couple more things and I’ll shut up. I got to meet up with Erqsome again last week and fellow ex-pat K (actually all three of us are ex-pats of some flavour). Erqsome did knitting, I helped K unknit a row, and I think I knit all of one or two rounds because I just couldn’t hold conversation and knit at once. I’m hoping to attend an iKnit night in early-February so I should hope to see Erqsome there again and perhaps others I met when we all went to Get Knitted. Somehow my call for knitters in Durham has managed to actually make a number of people interested in meet-ups (one is being held next week I believe) so that’s great. I think the groups there that do/did exist tend to meet up during the day during the week (lazy ass students) so my plan is to have weekly meet-ups, but alternate them with a weekday evening and weekend day.

And finally, Ava of TwoBlackSheep has passed on a “You make my day” award to me. Awww. I’m supposed to come up with 10 blogs that I read that make my day. As this post is long enough, I’ll leave it here and think about the 10 blogs that I’ll pass on the good vibes to. Hey, that’s my first “award” for a blog. Awww.