Distractions

In an effort to distract myself from my Jaywalker quandary, I decided to cast on for the Sunrise Circle Jacket using the giant Irish spools of yarn.


Note the ruler in the pencil-cup on the right. That’s right, this spool is a good 12 inches tall. Irish yarn does not mess around.

And on the left side? My favorite mug, a gift from a good friend.

You still have time to cast your vote on my Jaywalker quandary! Help an indecisive girl out! UPDATE: Voting is closed, thanks!

Quandary

I have always been a docile person. Happy to please, content with following direction, I tend to coast through life with little argument or stress. My teachers always gave me “E” for “excellent” in behavior. I was voted third friendliest in my high school. My most recent performance review at work includes the phrase “a pleasure to work with”. This easy-going attitude is useful in most situations, but is a constant challenge when it comes to my crafting, especially knitting.

After ripping back a few rows and a whole heel, I thought the worst was over with my Jaywalker socks. I chugged along happily, my only modifications being a short-row heel and making it toe-up instead of cuff-down. I started the foot at the larger size of the original pattern (78 stitches around) since my foot is pretty wide. The foot itself was actually a bit loose, which I didn’t mind, so I figured keeping with size would be fine for my normal-sized ankle and leg.

But now I am at a crossroads with these socks. The foot fits fine now that it has a bit of pull from the heel to keep it snug. It slips on like butta. The heel is fabulous (if I do say so myself).

But the ankle! Oy, it is so freaking tight! I have to grunt…

…and tug…

…to get it on. Once it’s on, it’s fine. It feels snug but hey, it’s a sock, it should fit snugly, right?

So here is my quandary. My docile nature is telling me “Keep going, trust the pattern and the yarn, the process of knitting will be soothing to your senses.” But then my latent, seldom expressed, independent streak comes blaring in with “These don’t fit! You will hate these socks every time you see them.”

And I hate to admit it, but the pooling is starting to bug me. How can yarn sing so harmoniously with a knitting pattern to produce this…

…also hit so many sour notes?

So I need your help. What should I do about these socks? Please cast your vote at the link below!

What should I do about my Jaywalker socks?

Voting will close next Saturday, March 3rd, at midnight Pacific time. Thanks for your help!

Eye Candy Friday – February 23, 2007

Kid Tested, Mother Approved

Mom wanted her subtly-requested Scholar Collar to be in a neutral color so that she can wear with her work clothes. Something in black, beige, or red was preferred.

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m not afraid of bright colors. Trying to balance the request of my dear mother with the limitations of my self-imposed Knit from Your Stash 2007 rules proved to be a challenge. I thought I might have to break down and go yarn shopping (note the exemption for just such an occasion), but deep deep down in my stash I found something that might work.

I wasn’t totally sure it would fit the bill since it has a lot of dark brown mixed with the beige, but I decided to start knitting so I could show her a swatch during my visit to Dallas. She approved it on the spot. Whew!

This is Lion Brand Al-Pa-Ka, a wool-alpaca-acrylic blend that is now discontinued. It’s made from one dark brown strand and one beige strand twisted together. The two twisted colors knit in garter stitch end up looking like a moss stitch. Brainless knitting that looks more complicated? Yeah, I’m down with it!

There are three balls in my stash so I should have plenty for this project. I have had this yarn in my stash since 2001. Yep, that’s right, 2001. Thank goodness my mom approved it for her Scholar Collar, because it is time for this yarn to get off its lazy but and do some work!

I Heart Mr. Hipp

This post is a few days late, but sweet nevertheless. Despite his moaning and groaning about balls of yarn all over the house, I believe he secretly loves being married to a knitter.

The proof is in the pudding. Ever eco-minded, Mr. Hipp presented these lovely gifts to me on Valentine’s Day.

Nature’s Palette fingering weight yarn in “Spring Grass” and
a tree-free card.

He could not help but inject a bit of Mr. Hipp humor with the card. Note the wording at the bottom.

This yarn is so soft and squishy. And it’s completely within my customized rules for Knit from Your Stash 2007. The green and yellow blend so prettily together. Here is a close up for all of you yarn-porn fiends out there.

This yarn may just have to join the Green Socks Knitalong. Hmnm, yet another project for another day.

P.S. If you’re interested in getting yourself (or a loved one) some eco-friendly yarn, head over to Earth Friendly Yarns. It is definitely worth checking out!