Set Adrift

One of the things I love about knitting samples is, other than the big pluses of getting a "sneak peek" at a spankin' new pattern and often getting to use yarns I wouldn't otherwise drop the cash for, it gives me focus, direction. The deadline charges my knitting and I actually get things done. I recently finished two sample socks for Gardiner Yarn Works, and once they were out of
the house, that old feeling crept up on me again.









Lazy River Socks











Walk in the Woods Socks


I feel I've been set adrift in a round boat with no rudder and no oars. Just spinning and drifting and listing this way and that. No focus, no looming deadlines. It's a strange feeling.

In an attempt to combat the perception that I never knit for myself, I've been plugging away at a couple of things for me, namely the Fire Monkey socks and Bianca's Jacket. But I keep getting torn away by one temptation or another... Not stuff for me, just flashes of brilliant gift ideas for others and the like.

The Shetland Triangle, last seen as an expanse of fluffy peaks, was gifted to the lovely and talented Emily (LYS owner extraordinaire!) for her birthday. Tears were shed and, as expected, it looks wonderful on her.














Pattern: Shetland Triangle, by Evelyn Clark
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas sportweight in ? baby pink (leftovers from some sample knitting)
Needles: US 6
Modifications/Notes: I think I knit one more full repeat than called for. It was a pretty easy pattern to memorize and a lot of fun to block since it knits up SO LUMPY!

I'm also plugging away on my pal's Sockapalooooza socks:

First time using Trekking, first toe-ups (successful toe-ups, there was a toe-up of which we shall not speak, and one toe-up sample that I don't count), and first shortrow heels (for an adult) Any suggestions on a stretchy bind off? Don't say EZ's sewn bind off, I've used it and I don't find it to be elastic enough (ie: it stretches, but doesn't have much memory, KWIM?) Should I do a tubular bind off, or are there any other suggestions out there? I'm almost ready to start the ribbing for sock #1, so any suggestions would be welcome! Thanks!

Jumping in With Both Feet

In an attempt to broaden my horizons a bit (and to liven up my languishing sock drawer) I signed on to participate in Sockapalooza 4. I have never participated in a swap of any kind on the internets. I guess I had a fear that my "pal" would flake on me. I have set that fear aside, as my pal has already contacted me and seems really geared up to knit some socks! As am I.

In celebration of trying something new, for my pal's socks, I have decided to crack into "The Museum." What's "The Museum?" you ask? Well... I have this little problem.

(no, not sock yarn in general, that is a little bigger problem, due to my belief that "sock yarn doesn't count")






I Love Trekking.












I love it a lot.

I want to take every ball of it I see home.

And put it in "The Museum."

You see, despite my heralded affection for the Trekking, I have not yet brought myself to crack into a single skein of the stuff. Not. One. Hence, "The Museum" was born. We loves the Trekking, we hoardes it, we pets it, but we do not knits with the Trekking. Yes, it's a sickness.



Until now. Today I have decided, as executive curator of "The Museum" that my pal will have socks. She will have socks knit from Trekking XXL color #100. And in the knitting, may my neurotic affliction pass.