Liz in IN asked in the comments:

That’s some nice knitting chart software, with cute little S1K2TPSSO symbols, and everything! I looked on the “help” page and didn’t find anything. Would you share the name of the s’ware?

Certainly! It is Microsoft Word.

No, really.

I’ve been using tables in Microsoft Word and the free Aire River Knitting Symbols font for my charts for sock patterns. If I’ve got super-large charts (like for a lace shawl) I use Microsoft Excel.

Summer 2008 Socks

I completed the Summer 2008 Socks. As a rare treat, the KOARC modeled the second sock for the blog.

Ain’t he a prince?

I then went through the process to select a yarn for my next sock.

I started another sock, but will save it for tomorrow’s blog fodder. Can you stand the suspense? Here’s a sneak preview:

Lucy is an integral part of the process.

The yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy Sock and the colorway is “Lunar Zazzle.” Say it with me:

Lunar Zazzle!

Now I’ve got to get going — I’m meeting a long-time blog buddy for lunch.

. . . my headache.

Even Little Loopy was fed up with the noise at the office today. See?

He spent the day like that.

Before you start accusing me of abusing poor Little Loopy, let me point out that he is actually much safer at the office than at home. I took him to the office when I caught Lucy looking at him with interest. She was no doubt thinking that he would make a fine kitty toy.

In non-noise-related news, I am turning the heel of the second sock.

That can mean only one thing:

There’s a new sock design looming on the horizon. And I’ve decided that this one will be a doozy.

I think the level of dooziness will make this by necessity an at-home sock project, so I’ll also start an easier commuting sock project.

Book Giveaway

The Random Number Generator has spoken. The winner of my extra copy of How to Eat Supper is Stephanie.

Thanks to everyone who offered a recipe. They will provide inspiration for me for quite a while.

Thanks!

My dad asked me to say: “Please send my thanks to all your readers for all the great birthday wishes in English as well as in Swedish.”

Lucy sez:

Momma is such a killjoy, taking Little Loopy away from here.

That’s because Little Loopy came to work with me.

He was a big help with some tasks. He did some photocopying for me.

He was less helpful when it came to boiling water for a hot beverage.

You see, the pot was too heavy for him to lift.

You can tell that blog fodder is thin on the ground when I resort to posting photos of Little Loopy frolicking at the office, can’t you?

In other news (and speaking of Loopy), Sheri placed another big order for my new patterns, so I’m working to get those done and shipped to The Loopy Ewe, so they should be back in stock soon. I’m so flattered that you all like ‘em so much. Thank you!

Sock the Second

I am knitting along on my second Summer 2008 sock.

Because I will be spending the evening stuffing patterns in plastic sleeves, I will likely have little progress to report tomorrow.

(Channeling Forrest Gump) And that’s all I have to say about that.

Recipes! Boy Do I Have Recipes!

You guys have been awesome, leaving recipes in the comments for Monday’s post. If you haven’t left a recipe yet for a chance to win a copy of The Splendid Table’s How to Eat Supper, you still have some time to do so. I’ll pick a winner for the book tomorrow afternoon and announce it in tomorrow’s blog.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my Dad’s birthday. The big parental birthday extravaganza is a week from Saturday (for both my dad and my mom, whose birthday is the 30th), so there will be much more celebrating to come. But if you would like to wish my totally awesome Dad a happy birthday in my comments, please feel free to do so.

Lucy Sez:

Happy birthday, Grandpa!

Thanks for all the recipes all y’all posted on yesterday’s post — keep ‘em coming. Dude, I think I need to get a crock pot. Note to self: google crock pot reviews.

After our deluge yesterday it has cleared up nicely today and the sun even came out. After decidedly autumnal temperatures, I think we are back to spring weather for a while.

And I have finished the first Summer 2008 Sock.

This was great fun to knit. The stitch pattern is a snap to memorize and it is easy to knit. The fabric has a tendency to bias slightly, but the presence of one purled row in the pattern sequence helps to keep it on the straight and narrow. And on the foot, the biasing goes away.

This is a very stretchy pattern, so it is very forgiving, size-wise. It’s also –

- – - -

Okay, I got distracted there and lost my train of thought. I have no idea what I was going to say. The world may never know. Such a loss . . .

Hey, if you wanna finish that sentence, do so in the comments. Feel free to get creative.

I was going to tell you that my five new sock patterns (Alana, Costa, Spring Fling, St. Louis, and Twisted Logic) went up for sale at The Loopy Ewe today. But FPS, they are all sold out! I’ll send Sheri more soon, in case you had one of them on your wish list. I’m so flattered that they got such a warm welcome. It’s always a little scary sending your babies out into the world.

Okay, I need to go cast on the second Summer 2008 Sock.

Lucy is in a pensive mood . . .

Actually, she is probably just wishing I’d stop shoving the camera in her face.

We are getting a *bit* of rain here today. I spent some time today googling for used arks for sale.

Lucy and I thank you for all your good wishes on “Lucy Day.” It hardly seems like it has been five years since Lucy came to live with me. She was in quite an affectionate snuggly mood yesterday. But then, she usually is.

She’s come a long way from the frightened, timid kitty I first met five years ago!

The pattern for the Unnamed Sock has been sent off to Gryphon, along with the sock itself. I’ll be sure to let you know when the pattern is available for sale at The Sanguine Gryphon.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .

It’s a new sock in progress. What a surprise, eh?

This is being knit from ShibuiKnits sock yarn in the Orchid colorway (color #4201), on my ubiquitous 2mm needles. The pattern stitch is easy and fun to knit, and nicely stretchy, too. And it looks good in variegated yarn, so what’s not to like?

I’m calling this pattern “Summer 2008 Socks.” While it is not a particularly creative name, it is appropriate, because this pattern will be a freebie available only to the members of the Summer of Socks 2008. The pattern will be written in at least 3 sizes to make it as versatile and appealing to as many people as possible.

If you haven’t yet signed up for the Summer of Socks 2008, you still have time — sign-ups close May 15th. So hustle yourself over to the SOS ’08 sign-up page and get yourself signed up. Note that you *must* have either a blog, a Ravelry account and/or a Flickr ID to join.

Speaking of Socks

I revised my Sportweight Gusset Sock (pdf) pattern to cover a range of 4 sizes, from small to extra-large. It can always be found by clicking on the “free patterns” tab at the top of the blog.

Hey Grandpa! What’s for Supper?

I recently got review copies of the book The Splendid Table’s How to Eat Supper. I’ve really been enjoying delving into its pages. Not only does it have many drool-worthy recipes, but lots of good tips and basic information.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the look-out for recipes for stuff that is yummy, healthful, and relatively quick.

Would you like a copy of The Splendid Table’s How to Eat Supper? I’ve got one to give away, as I received two copies. Here’s what you’ve gotta do to be entered in the drawing for a copy of this book:

In the comments for today’s entry, leave me a recipe (or a link to a recipe) for an easy and healthful dish — it can be an appetizer, soup, main course, side dish, dessert — pretty much anything. Leave this comment by 5pm Eastern time on Thursday, May 15. I’ll choose a winner at random from among the comments.

Don’t be alarmed, by the way, if you leave a comment and it doesn’t show up right away. If there is a link in your comment, it might be held in the spam filter, but rest assured, I do check the filter a couple of times a day and release all non-spam comments. Sort of a catch and release kind of thing.

Lucy doesn’t understand the concept of catch and release. She is all about the catch. But not right now. Now she is all about the nap.