GASP

Last night I was crusing along on Ene, thinking it was possible for me to get through Chart 2, not just Chart 1 over the weekend. I was enjoying the mental break that is Chart 2. Then terror struck as I pushed my bunched up stitches down onto the cable and the cable popped out of its join.

GASP.

I froze.

I very gently put Ene down and walked away. Took a few deep breaths. Found some sock yarn and prayed that I was going to be able to catch the 30+ live stitches that were now hanging in midair. If not, I was going to have a meltdown.

Thankfully I was able to rescue the stitches. Whew! I shudder to think what would have happened a few rows earlier when I was doing YOs.

I emailed Knitpicks, hoping that they will replace it. I found a couple of other blog posts out there about the same thing happening to other people.

[I wanted to take a picture, but my husband has the camera and he is 250 miles away.]

Speaking of my husband, he let me know last night that his feet are cold and where are the new slippers I promised? Whoops. Better get on that.

A little bit of Ene

I started Ene's Scarf from Scarf Style a little over a month ago. Geez, it's taking a long time. It would have helped if I didn't have to start it three times. Thinking you know how to read a lace chart and actually having the ability to do it are two different things! Ene is now about twice the size shown in the picture. My goal is to finish Chart 1 by the end of the weekend, should be no problem.

I bought the pattern for Ariann and am trying to resist buying some yarn for it until I make some significant progress on Ene, otherwise I will NEVER finish it!

This weekend I'm relaxing, relaxing, relaxing, aka knitting, reading, cooking. Starting with the Chicago trip, I spent the next 14 days sleeping in 6 different places and I'm ready to just sit on my butt and go nowhere!

Fun with friends, aka Bookburning

Last weekend I gathered with some friends to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the start of graduate school. The four of us hit it off immediately (easy to do when you are forced to spend HOURS together studying, drinking, teaching, studying...). Two hit it off so well they eventually got married.

Graduate school in chemistry is no picnic, especially when you are "required" to purchase $105 books that you will never use. We were young and naive. Selling the book back to the bookstore at the end of the quarter would have gotten me about $7, if I remember correctly. All four of us kept this particular book. Last Saturday, one copy went up in flames.

The title? Theromodynamics. Appropriate, don't you think?

Socktoberfest: The History

Here's my personal sock history.

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started knitting in Nov. 2004. Sometime in the next couple of months I was reading my MIL's Martha Stewart Living and there was an article about handknit socks. I thought the self-striping ones (Regia) looked really cool. I went out and bought my own copy of the magazine and got to work. I went to a toe-up sock class for my second pair of socks and it was not worth my time or money. I learn better on my own.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

Here's one of the pair of Martha Stewart Socks. They have held up wonderfully. The yarn is Regia. I almost hyperventilated at the store spending TWELVE WHOLE DOLLARS to buy yarn for socks. I thought I was crazy.

What would you have done differently?
Nothing, really. Looking back, I'm surprised that these socks were such a success. I didn't have any problems at all and they fit me well.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I like Bearfoot, but find it a little itchy to wear. I liked knitting with Cherry Tree Hill, but haven't worn the socks yet. I have some Lorna's Laces in my stash that I'll probably have to use next and from what I've heard, I'm going to loooooove it. As you can see, I no longer have a problem spending money on sock yarn. I got over that pretty quickly! I've yet to find a sock yarn I don't like.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
Susan Bates aluminum DPNs. Love them.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I think I'm more of a flapper.

How many pairs have you made?
Just five. I wish I had more! #6 may be finished this weekend.

Chicago

Sunday we went on a walk downtown Chicago.
"The Bean" was my favorite. I could have stayed there for hours taking pictures. But we had to hurry along so we could see the Sears Tower.

From below:

From the 103rd floor:

I know you're really here for the knitting content. I present the Aran Braid Sock. I really like it, but I think I'm going to run out of yarn!

Socktoberfest: The Sanity-Saving Sock

Last weekend I went with my in-laws to see "Wicked" in Chicago. It was fabulous! If you get a chance to see it, GO! I always liked the Wizard of Oz; as a kid, the yearly showing of the Wizard of Oz on TV was a Big Event.

I had to drive by myself from the cities to Madison, which is a long, long drive. Luckily I got to ride from Madison to Chicago and my Trekking sock was along for the ride. We were stuck in traffic for a LOOOOONG time and my five traveling companions all were on the verge of a meltdown, but I just kept knitting away, unaware that anything unpleasant was going on. Happy Socktoberfest!



When I got back, this was in my mailbox! I won a comment contest over at Bulldog Knits on my birthday. I've been reading Amanda's blog since I joined the Cover Your Head Knitalong last fall. You can see the M&M package did not stay intact long enough for the photo-M&Ms are my favorite, and I've never tried the dark chocolate ones before. YUMMY! And look at those adorable stitch markers and bulldog card! Thanks, Amanda, and happy birthday to you!


Coming soon: Chicago photos and progress pics