Here they are, hot off the needles.

Crotalus Socks 081607

Crotalus Socks, my own design, knit with Stone Barn Fibers sock yarn in the “Ice Cream Sundae” colorway on 2mm needles.

Crotalus Closeup 081607

I am very, very pleased with these socks. I like the stitch pattern, and I do love the yarn. It’s lovely and soft and was a pleasure to knit. I do have some more Stone Barn Fibers sock yarn in my stash, so I’ll look forward to knitting that up.

It’s Q&A Day!

Isabelle had a question:

Question on your old post re: dividing hanks equally. When you say that you rewind to ensure consistent direction, you’re only referring to the colorway, right? If the yarn is a solid, not self-striping, or if it doesn’t matter that the socks come out fraternal, is it an optional step (knitter’s choice)? I just want to be sure that I’m not missing anything obvious.

Well, even with a solid or non-striping yarn, I still rewind so that both balls are going in the same direction. Just like when I knit a sweater, I knit from the same end on each ball of yarn.

Bonnie asked:

So for those of us who count on you not just for knitting wisdom, but popular culture insight as well, and those of us who didn’t know ‘cat slackers’ existed before you mentioned it the other day, is it worth catching the next episode?

My thoughts on Cat Slackers? Eh. I think it’s been described as being similar to The Family Guy but with cats, but I think The Family Guy is funnier. I’ll watch it again next week (Tuesday, 10pm on the ABC Family Channel here in the U.S.) and see what I think.

Elizabeth commented:

Ok, ok, so you don’t control your computer with your feet…But exactly how many hours a day do you knit? Because I know you have a real job, and a KOARC, and you probably have to make yourself dinner or bathe or drive every so often. Do you just posses super speed?

I do have a real job, I do make dinner once in a while, I play with Lucy, I drive, and I even bathe every day. The number of hours per day that I knit varies from day to day. But a good vague answer is: a few.

Ronnie commented:

I read whilst I knit , but how do you keep the pages open ? The paperbacks especially “close up,” I would appreciate any help on this .

Happy to help, Ronnie. Here is my high-tech solution.

Book 081607

Lastly, Brigitte asked:

Do you miss not knitting big items during the summer of the sock?

You know, I thought I would — but I don’t.

I think part of the reason for that is because I’m designing all my summer socks. That keeps things highly entertaining for me. Who knows? I may only knit socks for the rest of my life.

Oh yeah, that reminds me — I need to show you the new sock on the needles.

SIP 081607

Once again, I’m using Nature’s Palette sock yarn, this in the “Lilacs” colorway. I got this at The Loopy Ewe. It is gorgeous — much more lilac than the photo shows.

Lilacs 081607

I’ve already named this sock pattern. Anyone want to guess what I called it? L-B and Sheri, you guys can’t guess because I told you. Everyone else, leave your guesses in the comments. If someone guesses it, I’ll send that clever individual a prize.

Lucy knows too, but she will never tell. Not even for Wildside Salmon.

Lucy 081607

If I ever reach the point where I feel it is necessary to operate my keyboard with my feet so I can knit at the same time, would one of you please smack me really, really hard?

Thank you.

I think taking many quickie breaks from knitting to do things like operate a computer mouse or keyboard is one of the reasons that I don’t seem to suffer any wrist or hand pain from knitting. Change in repetitive motion. It’s a good thing.

Yes, I read while knitting, with the book propped open in front of me. But I stop knitting to turn every page as I read. No turning of the pages with my feet or any such nonsense for me.

Onward.

Hey! I wore the DKNY lace sweater to work the other day. This photo was taken upon my return home, after a long and tiring day, so do cut me some slack.

DKNY Sweater 081407

I came home from work today and found in the mail this extremely cute card from Roseann:

Card 081507

Roseann, that was the high point of my day! Thanks!
New! New! New!

Lookie what I got the other day.

Tote 081507
This is a Courtney Mini Tote from Moriah Ice Designs and it’s just about as cute as it can be. She will do custom designs for you, so you can configure your tote any way you like it, and pick from a number of fun fabrics. I specified that the handles be a certain length that is perfect for me to hang over my wrist and perfect they are.

This little tote is just right to hold a sock in progress and some other doodads.

Speaking of sock in progress, the second Crotalus Sock is progressing.

SIP 081507

I’ll have the pair completed for tomorrow’s blog entry.
Kittything asked:

When you buy a sock yarn that comes all on one skein (instead of two skeins = one pair) how do you decide it is time to start sock number 2? and not have too much leftover yarn when you finish?

To take the guesswork out of knitting two socks from one skein, I split the skein into two balls. I described in detail how to do that in this blog post. I’ve been doing this for a while now and it works great for me!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Lucy is chillin’

Lucy 081507

Today (on her way to the point she was making) Norma discussed in her blog post how it is that people can read what we write and misunderstand so much. Her answer is “skimmers.” I tend to agree. We are all guilty of skimming. I do a lot of blog-skimming. And I get emailed questions all the time that could be answered by looking at the sidebar of my blog.

And every now and then I get a doozy.

A while back I got an email from someone who wanted to know exactly how it is that I control my computer keyboard with my foot. Huh???? I emailed back and assured this individual that I do no such thing — I control my keyboard with my hands, thank you. I got the feeling she didn’t believe me and was left feeling slightly perplexed.

A couple of days ago I discovered where that mis-information came from. I was reading a discussion thread in a Ravelry forum that was a couple of months old — someone posted, just as an aside, that she wondered how “Wendy of Wendy Knits” has time to read her blog comments.

Someone responded to that post that “Wendy reads messages and email while knitting: she puts her keyboard on the floor and pages down using her foot on the spacebar (seriously).”

The “seriously” really cracked me up. I’m here to tell you that I do no such thing.

Romantic Hand Knits Book Review

Book 081407

I received a copy of Romantic Hand Knits by Annie Modesitt a little while back and finally sat down to have a look at it.

I’ve long held the opinion that Annie is an amazing knitter, but for the most part her designs are simply not my style, so I opened this book with pre-conceived notions.

I was pleasantly surprised. The book has 26 designs — tops, skirts, dresses, and accessories. All of the designs are thoughtfully and cleverly designed to fit a woman’s shape, and there is a wide range of sizing. While there are a number of designs I wouldn’t make myself, there are a few that I liked very much. A beautiful pair of lace stockings and some lovely opera length gloves knit from Cascade Fixation top my list of favorites. There are some lovely tops, skirts, and dresses as well. I recognized immediately the Cleopatra dress that Grumperina knit for the book.

The book is beautifully photographed and contains excellent schematics. There are sectins of tips to help you in the creation of these garments. I think my favorite thing about the book is that Annie has named each design after a classic movie that she loves. Clearly, Annie and I would have a great time at movie night, because they are all my favorites too. Who wouldn’t smile at a design named “Now, Voyager?”

Bottom line — if you like fitted knits with a vintage feel to them, grab this book. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

(Speaking of grabbing this book, I’m keeping it for myself, thankyouverymuch. No givsies-awaysies on this puppy.)

So . . . yeah . . . sock knitting.

Here’s the second Crotalus sock.

SIP 081407

(Don’t know what “Crotalus” means? Google it! No, it’s not a Harry Potter reference. I have yet to read a Harry Potter book.)

Lucy is off to bulk up while I go take a nap.

Lucy 081407

A number of you expressed interest/surprise in the comments that I am able to knit while (ahem) in an altered state of consciousness.

I never really thought about it. Knitting is such an automatic thing for me, I guess it didn’t cross my mind that I’d not be able to. So knit, I did. I can easily knit while lying down, btw. I have turned two heels while complete zoned out on the good drugs.

I finished the first Crotalus Sock.

Crotalus Sock 081307

The colors pooled a bit around the ankle, but that doesn’t bother me — I’m really quite happy with this sock. It’s nicely stretchy so it fits very comfortably. On the hoof:

Crotalus Sock on the Hoof 081307

It has crossed my mind that perhaps my sock creativity is enhanced by my level of pain and mental fogginess. My current health problem commenced on or about June 19. The Summer of Socks commenced June 21. Of the 11 pairs of socks I’ve made so far (well, 12, counting my current socks), all are my own design except for one. Hmmmmmm, I think I’m on to something.

Aside:

By the way, the only reason I’m not discussing my health problems in anything other than general terms is because I don’t want to hear any medical horror stories, well-meaning though I know they would be. No offense, ‘kay?

Thanks for the anti-nausea tips. I did google for nausea prevention tips first thing and have tried ginger, acu-pressure bands on the wrists, apple cider vinegar (the KOARC sorta rolled his eyes at that one), and acu-pressure on the appropriate part of the foot. All helped. A little.

I’ve got ideas for several more sock designs, too. Some of them I’ve charted and they are waiting in the wings. Some are floundering around in my fevered brain,

And at some point, all these sock patterns will be available — some as freebies, some to buy.

Speaking of freebies, the Cabletini Sock pattern is now available. Go to The Loopy Ewe Free Pattern Page and check it out. Woo!

Lucy Sez

Lucy 081307

“I must figure out how to work the remote control. Slacker Cats premiers tonight!”

Thanks for your continued good wishes about the state of my health. I did have an appointment with a specialist on Thursday and had a procedure done then that has left me quite loopy for the past few days. Said procedure will be repeated in two weeks. In the meantime I’m fighting bouts of nausea and dizziness and inability to regulate my internal temperature. In short, I’m a mess.

So I shall be brief.

I finished the Cabletini socks. Ta-da!

Cabletini Socks 081207

To recap, these are knit from Natures Palette fingering weight wool in the Odd Duck #4 colorway on 2mm needles. The pattern is my own.

Cabletini Closeup 081207

A new sock jumped on the needles. And of course Teddy stepped up to model the toe.

Toe 081207

This is Stone Barn Fibers fingering weight wool and the colorway is “Ice Cream Sundae.” I purchased this from The Loopy Ewe. Yum! As usual, I’m using 2mm needles to knit it.

Yarn 081207

Once again, I’ve doodled up a pattern. Here is the sock at this moment:

SIP 081207

And on the hoof:

SIP A 081207

The KOARC came up with a name for the pattern: Crotalus Socks. I think it’s perfect.

This is my first time knitting with this yarn and I like it very much. It reminds me of one of my favorite sock yarns — Claudia Handpainted. It’s soft with a good twist and is very pleasant to knit.

Book Giveaway

There were 467 entries in the giveaway for the The Yarn Girls’ Guide to Knits For All Seasons and the random number generator chose Tiffany W. as the winner. Congratulations, Tiffany!

And thanks to everyone who emailed an entry.

Lucy Sez

Lucy081207
“I’m conserving my strength in case I have to nurse Momma back to health.”