Propagating

So, I must let you all know that I have been busy hooking a poor, unsuspecting 10-year-old girl into our fibery fun. I taught my boyfriend's daughter how to knit last weekend.

I tried showing her the continental method, which I favor, but she ended up latching on to the English method, which I showed her when she was having issues with the other. She picked it up so quickly and loved it so much ("This is fun!"), that I had to strike while the iron was hot and I promptly took her to the craft store where I bought her a beginner book and the called-for yarn and needles for a garter-stitch scarf. The colors she picked are great, we modified the amount of c/o stitches (see? already letting her know that patterns are merely guides), and away she went. I haven't spoken to her since the weekend, and her dad keeps forgetting to ask her how she's doing with it, but I'm hoping her knitting is continuing apace, and that soon she'll be ready to learn purl. If not, well, at least she tried it.

Speaking of her dad, here is how his socks are coming along:

Yeah, I'm pretty burned out on them, but I'm soooo close to a pair of socks.

But I unearthed some socks in progress I had apparently started in May 2006. And, since these were for ME and were close to being done, I took a break from Matt's socks and actually finished something:



I LOVE my socks! They're comfy and fit me perfectly. Of course, I didn't write down how many stitches these were, but I think it was 56. They're Regia Stretch, and I am exceedingly happy with the yarn, and I'm on a FO high.

I'm feeling so good, I've been tempted by the beauteous Autumn Rose fitted Fair Isle 3/4 sleeve sweater designed by Eunny Jang. I would like it to have full sleeves, and I'm seeing that the best deal I can get would bring the price tag of the yarn & book for this pattern to about $96.00. So, I'm passing (for now), and am entertaining ideas of starting the "U-Neck Sweater" I was eyeballing at the end of last year. At least I already have the pattern and yarn for it.

Or, I could start an A-line swing coat in chunky wool which would go pretty quickly. Or, I could do the Aran Coat ala Meg Swansen from "Knitting Around", as I have the yarn, the book, and the video for it.

Or maybe I should force myself to plug along on my poor Honey's socks and let him know the joy that is perfectly-fitting, hand-made, love-induced knitted socks.

Ummmmm..

Okay, okay. Yes, I realize that it's been now four months since my last (lame) post. However, I do have knitting to show you:



Um, now I must explain myself. This is a pair of socks in progress, at the point where the heel has just been completed and I am now sailing up the cuff in 2x2 rib. They seem quite long, do they not? That's because they are for a size 13 foot.

Now, I realize that in my last post, I was thanking my lucky stars that I was not planning on knitting for a size 13 foot. Well, let's just say that now I AM thanking my lucky stars that I am knitting for a size 13 foot. Irony is great.

So, these socks have been my WIP for the past 2 months. I hope to have them done soon. I then plan on making a hat for myself which has a hole in the top for a pony tail for when I go snowboarding. I have issues with goggle placement.

And, this is the only knitting-related purchase I've made in many, many months:



Yes, I succumbed to the new Knit Picks Harmony needle set. I haven't yet knit with them (I'll use 'em on my hat), but they feel very slick and warm and they are just beautiful! I'm so happy with them, even though they only go down to size 4.

OK, so I won't make any promises so that your expectations will remain low, and therefore the chance of disappointment is lessened when I don't post for another few months. But, hopefully, I'll keep my act together, and you'll see a pair of finished socks soon...