Phew! Made It Out Alive!

Christmas was a little bit scary, as it often is in our family. Mom II (Wendy Mom, Mother-in-law, etc.) has a HUUUUUUGE pile of gifts waiting for us every Christmas. For me, it all started our first Christmas together - which also happened to be our first MONTH together! I figured that I so would not be involved in stuff, just observing everyone else's gift hoarding. Well, I was wrong. Wendy had bought me a ton of stuff to open on Christmas, no matter that she hardly knew me at that point (I had only met her a week or two prior).

I have never felt not a part of the family's crazy and silly traditions. We have had years where there were treasure hunts (at the end of which lay each of our "big" presents), years of "only" little gifts and a Visa gift-card, years of tons of huge things, years of tons of "little" things. This year was a wonderful year of quiet appreciation for the family that we are. We all shared many things that were off of lists, but we each also spent the time to find something more individual and special to the recipient. It was really wonderful time together.

It's also a sad time knowing that our family structure will be changing a bit over this next year (and not in the best of ways). My sister-in-law will be leaving the family on mutual terms with my brother-in-law. I'm sure that they will remain friends for a little while (at least while they're going through the finality of their process), but I think that ultimately, this is the best step forward for each of them. They will eventually be able to move on with their lives in the ways that are most healthy for each of them individually. I'm proud of them for acknowledging something that is so difficult and painful. I look forward to seeing them both heal and find more comfortable places in their lives once again. Until then, I am sending them my most heartfelt hugs and support.

On a less serious note, I have finished a pair of socks. :) I have a pair of Christmas socks to post and I'm glad to show these pictures since they were taken in Hawaii. Yes, it is so difficult to have to take pictures of socks when you're in a place where you just don't want to wear them. Sigh. I have a tough life, don't I? ;) Aron modeled these for me since they are much closer to his size than mine. These are for my brother-in-law. I also made a pair for my sister-in-law (see post below titled "Monique's New Days") because I felt that they would both need comforting little hugs often over this next chapter in their lives.

I really liked these, but I'm not so sure that my brother-in-law did. I think that the two recipients of socks this year are a little subdued in their responses to gifts, though, so that may be why I wasn't sure if they liked them or not. :) Aron liked them and wanted to call them the Matrix socks (good name since they totally look like the green computerized font falling down the screen).

Pattern: Harris Tweed Socks by Ali Green
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Yarn in DF Green, 2 skeins
Needles: 1 47" Addi Turbo circular needle (I'm loving this technique!)
Mods: Toe-up, crochet cast-on and short-row heel, increased to 64 sts? (can't remember exactly)

I highly recommend making a pair for someone. In fact, now is the best time so that you can be caught up when next Christmas rolls around!

Maggie's Spiced Days

So this is not only the second pair of lace socks but this is also the second orange-y pair. I am almost positive that Maggie won't like all of this orange much, but we'll see. I do think that this pair is technically more rust-colored. It has a lot of other beautiful fall colors, as well. If you've never tried Emily Parson's Sophie's Toes, it has to be one of my favorite sock yarns. It feels a-maz-ing!

Pattern: New Year's Day by Dipsey Doodle (yes, back to back)

Yarn: Sophie's Toes by Emily Parson in Pumpkin Spice colorway (yummy!)

Needles: One Addi Turbo US2 42" circular (my first time using a circular for socks)

Mods: Toe-up (my first pair of finished toe-up socks!); short-row toe and heel; I alternated the directions of the cables for each sock

Monique's New Days

Monique, my sister-in-law, will love these socks. She loves these colors and I think that the pattern will be perfect for her.

Pattern: New Year's Day by Dipsey Doodle

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM colorway #453

Needles: 5 US2 bamboo dpns

Mods: eye of partridge heel, short-row toe, cable directions alternate for each leg.

I love this pattern and look forward to using it again. In fact, I'm currently attempting it in a toe-up version on a circular needle. Pretty so far!

Maggie's Monkeys Are Done!

Maggie will be getting socks from me soon. Yeay!

Even though she has many other people making her some beautiful socks, I'm thrilled to be able to put some more warm socks on her feet! :)

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A. (doncha just love it?!)

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM color #145, 2 skeins (African Sunrise? Well...)

Needles: 5 bamboo US2 dpns

Mods: My usual eye of partridge heel, short-row toes, and I skipped the "ktbl" that's mentioned during the gusset (by accident)

Please feel free to stop by Sockin' it to Maggie to check out the other great works going on. And make sure to leave some great comments for that talented group of people! ;)

Words Can't Do 'Em Justice

These are going to be quite a pair of socks!

I'm knitting these for Maggie, who supposedly loves bright and fun colors. While these were in my hands, they looked like a great idea. I thought that the Monkey pattern would do the yarn great justice. Unfortunately, however, the African sunrise that the yarn was supposed to remind me of soon became forgotten when I started to feel a little woozy. The bright colors are quite a bit when you're spending a lot of time looking at them (i.e. knitting them). Nonetheless, they should at least draw a giggle or two out of Maggie when she first sees them... I hope!

Maggie Needs Socks!

I'm not sure if any of you have read about Maggie, but she is a young lady who needs some handmade socks. Maggie is a seventeen-year-old who has had to face some pretty serious medical obstacles. Though I'm told that knitters can not fix everything (despite our best efforts to keep trying to do so), we can certainly knit up some socks for her. Lucky us - she loves hand knit socks. Please visit Kelly's Sockin' it to Maggie page for information about dates, sizes, and other information on where to send your beautiful gifts of love and support. :)

Grassy Penllyns

I am giving these to a wonderful dear friend... who is a little more than flakey right now. She just moved across the country - today! Well, technically, she started the trek. She is actually spending a week of sightseeing on the way there so she has a little flexibility. Unfortunately, these cute things will be housed with me until my flakey friend is situated in her new home since she was unable to make time to visit with me before leaving. Well, she's the one missing out. ;) I also made a Soft Drawstring Pouch from Last Minute Knitted Gifts to house the socks in. I used one skein of Bluesky Alpacas' Alpaca Silk in the Sapphire colorway. I love this little bag. Perfect sock bag! Oooh - lucky Christmas recipients! ;)

Pattern: Penllyn by Wildhorse Farm Designs
Yarn: Painted Skeins Superwash Merino in Grassy Jeans colorway

Needles: 5 US2 dpns

Mods: Eye of partridge heel, short-row toe

I just love this pattern. It's so simple and has such great results - I'd make this pattern again and again. :)

Fall Will Be Here Soon...

So what are the signs in my household that Fall is arriving soon? When Crimson, Blazing Foliage, and Autumn Harvest are sitting on the doorstep.

Mmmm... so yummy! Yarn by Emily Parson of Sophie's Toes. Color choices by me. So was it coincidence that the three colors that I chose reflect the upcoming change in seasons? Nah. It was just hopeful longing.

A Funky Pair

Yeay! They are complete!

Pattern: Shock Wave

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in Red Wagon colorway

Needles: 5 bamboo US2 dpns

Mods: Eye-of-partridge heel, short-row toe.

Red Wagon Has Become Shock Waves

Yes, I know - I wanted to follow the advice of some of you who posted recommended patterns for this yarn. Well, I sort of did. Dave was so wonderful about his recommendation that I pick a simple and subtle pattern with not a whole lot going on, like the Dublin Bay pattern (it has a simple lace pattern just on the sides of the legs). He then found the Mad Color Weave pattern and threw it my way. I thought that the finished sock in the Mad Color Weave pattern looked beautiful so I planned on using this one with my Red Wagon. Unfortunately, my laziness kicked in after studying the pattern for a little bit. I decided that it was just too complicated for me at the moment that I decided to cast-on. So, I did still follow Dave's advice - I found a simple pattern that has really easy repeats to follow (I can do it with my eyes closed, now), but that shows enough texture in the fabric to really show off the beautiful and fun colors of this yarn.

Pattern: Shock Wave (using 64 sts)
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Yarn in Red Wagon
Needles: 5 - US2 Crystal Palace bamboo dpns (is it just me, or do ALL of their needles split and splinter?!)
Mods: I made the M1's in the pattern more lacey by making one with the right needle, slipping the loop onto the left needle, then knitting that off onto the right needle again. I know that some people just make one and leave it on the right needle like it's the new stitch. Also, I used an eye-of-partridge heel, again. I added a short-row toe, as well. I just can't stop using those dang toes! I just love 'em.


I have really enjoyed using this pattern. It creates a very nice bias fabric so that even though it looks similar to stockinette (in that it doesn't have any purls), it is surprisingly stretchy. I highly recommend it for busy yarns that you might just fall back on stockinette for. It shows off all of the colors so nicely.

I've finished the first sock and I'm almost done with the leg of the second sock. I'm also trying to somehow pull a Birch out of my butt before September 2nd. I'm going to see my mom right before she travels to Italy for the first time. She had told me that she didn't know what all of the fashionable 50-something women wear in Italy. I, of course, thought of knitting her something beautiful that she could easily just throw around her shoulders or into a suitcase. Hmmmm... considering the fact that I've finished one repeat and might just have to rip that back (What?! With Kidsilk Haze?!!!!), I don't know how far I'll get. Sigh. If anyone wants to sell me their finished Birch, just email me. ;)

Well, I should be receiving some Hand Maiden Sea Silk in Mom's favorite color (periwinkle) by the beginning of next week. I have it as a back-up in case I decide that the Montego Bay Scarf is what all of the stylish and fashionable Italian 50-something women are wearing. ;)