FO: Oak Ribbed Socks

I have been participating in the Ravelry Sockdown since last August. The Feb project I chose was a new heel that I hadn't done before. I used the pattern, Oak Ribbed Socks from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks. This pattern included a French heel, which was new to me. It also had a round toe, which I don't believe I've done before. However, it is similar to how I have finished off some mittens in the past.




The yarn was Ranco Multi by Arauncia. I ended up liking the colorway more than I thought I would. I liked that the colors are very well blended. No striping or pooling whatsover. I am wearing the socks right now and they look pretty good with my jeans.

I liked the pattern. Heel didn't seem to different from ones that I have done before. Here is what it looks like:


I wasn't sure how I would like wearing the socks with the round toe. However, they feel fine. This is actually a great toe shaping if you don't like to kitchener. You just knit until there are 8 stitches left and they pull the leftover yarn through and you are done! This is what it looks like:

FO Frenzy Interrupted

Just as I was starting to make some progress on all of my WIPs, I got sidetracked by a package from Knit Picks. I had ordered some lace blocking wires. Then in order to get the free shipping I added some yarn to make the Cozy shawl from knitty.com -- 8 balls of Andean Silk in the Cinnamon colorway.


So instead of working on my WIPs on Friday, I cast on for the shawl. It took a little while to get going because I was surprised to discover that I don't have any size 8 circular needles, other than those from my Denise set. My current size 8s were being used for a scarf that I am trying to finish. So instead of patiently waiting for me to finish the scarf, I used the ends in the Denise set to put the scarf on hold and cast on for the shawl.

I honestly thought this was going to be a project that I had to slug through, but I was pleasantly surprised that I really like the pattern and the yarn as well. I decided the project would be even better if I bought some Addi lace needles to use. I rationalized the investment since I only have the Denise size 8s and I plan on doing a lot of worsted weight scarf knitting in the future. Plus these are my new favorite needles. So on Saturday I made my way to the LYS and bought some needles and only needles, even though I was tempted by all the new sock yarn at my LYS.

By Sunday I had gone through one and a half balls of the eight that I have for the project. Hopefully this will be a quick knit. I am planning on using this as an everyday "blankie" for myself -- something not so bulky as an afghan, but will work to keep the chill off of me as I am sitting around the house.

Valentine thoughts

Happy Valentine's Day. Over the years I seemed to have lost my enthusiasm for this holiday. I think the reason is that since I've had kids it is a lot more work than it used to be. I need to help them get ready for their big parties at school, buy/send cards to the grandparents as well as get something for the kids and dh as well. My husband usually remembers me with a little something. The picture above is of the flowers he bought me last night for today. I only got him a box of chocolates, which makes me feel a little guilty, but I'm too tired to worry about it.

This year I am especially bummed because I spent time getting my 4 yo son ready for his daycare parties and he has been sick with a fever all week. I am trying to work at home in between his cries of "Mommy I've got a booger", at which point I need to rush to the couch and wipe his nose or take away a used tissue. The valentines that I prepared for his party are sitting in a bag on the counter. Since I doubt he will be going back to school until next week, I'll probably end up tossing them. Oh well.

The good news is that I can get a little sock knitting in on the side while I wait for my files to download on my work computer. I hope to finish my "chewy socks" sometime today and I'm already planning on what the replacement sock project will be and which of my stashed yarns to use. This is definitely the highlight of my day for now -- if my Knitpicks package arrives in the mail today it would cheer me up even more.

FO Frenzy

I have decided that I am going to get my FO's out of the way once and for all. A quick finish to my Malabrigo sweater did it for me a few weeks ago.

There was another project that was languishing in my knitting bag as well. I called it my brown scarf. I finished that last Friday too. I will publish additional details once I take pictures of it post blocking. It is in the picture of above.

There are three big projects left. My Tangled Yoke Cardigan, the Trellis Scarf and a plain scarf I am making for myself with yarn my DH surprisingly gifted me for Christmas. These could be quite the challenge as they do take awhile to complete.



It seems like I always have two pairs of socks on the needles as well and they seem to get most of my attention.