Death of a Sock...

Warning: this post contains violent images and may not be suitable for young children, knitters squeamish at the sight of unravelled yarn, and small pets.

Now you see it...


Now you don't!!



I know, I know...how could I kill a poor innocent sock in cold blood like that!! Was I mad?! Did Abby and Brandy both leaving me deserted finally drive me crazy. The sock wasn't hurting anyone, just sitting there minding its own business and then...oh the horror


I finally finished this seemingly neverending much hated sock...only to continue loathing it with all my being. I loathed it while knitting because it was a pain to knit...had to watch every second, easy to split the stupid yarn, hard pattern...but I thought it will all be worth it when it's done. It wasn't.

The sock has huge flaws, HUGE. I tried to wear it around to bond with it. I tried to place it in lovely settings that would show it to advantage. I even showed it to Brandy as if I liked it, remarking on its virtues and saying things like "I'm sure the extra space in the toe will shrink up a little when I wash it". But to no avail. The sock is too big while at the same time having significant skin show through and weird conditions like that should not be allowed to exist.



Perhaps I would have accepted it if this was the end of the project, if I could have given the sock to someone I marginally like and don't often see, if I could have moved on. But no, there is a second sock to make and, here's the kicker, I didn't write down anything I did on this sock while I knit it. So I'd have to investigate the hated sock to figure out what I did to make me hate it so much and then do it again!!! My moral "fiber" isn't that strong.



But up from the ashes we see...

Hope blooms eternal. We shall name the sock Pheonix (even though nothing about the new planned design has anything to do with that:-)


In other news, here's the orange sweater made from that Debbie Bliss Cathay I scored on our last yarn store crawl. I was able to make it using only the orange instead of the two colors together. I'm really pleased except that did make it a little short I think and thus the placement for the rows of purls stiches falls a little higher that I think looks right. But Mark and my mom both liked it as is. For awhile we had a little problem with the neckline rolling down in the front to show a bit more of jennyk than was intended. Elastic thread is a joy, that's all I'm sayin'.



Note: My next post will contain no violence of any kind unless something really bad goes wrong with the sweater innocently blocking on the bed in the background of the last picture. I think we all know what I'm capable of now so let's consider everyone fairly warned.

Anniversary Afghan

My parents were married on March 1, 1980. That means I've missed their anniversary by 4 months and 16 days...and counting. The afghan is almost done, as you can see. I need some input on the fringe: should I do tassels or knots? I can't decide...though I think tassels will be easier for some reason. Any ideas?





Apartment photos will be coming soon...

A home for socks...

As you know, I've had a lot of free time on my hands. This is unfortnately not true for my dad, who has spent the summer working full time, helping on the farm, and being the director of our annual Vacation Bible School as well as preparing the house/grounds for the big dual-graduation party. I guess after the party and VBS were over, he was feeling surprisingly generous with his time because I convinced him that he should design and construct some sock holders! Now, this first example is a special one he made just for me (notice the special lathe work).


The rest of them, from which Jen and Brandy will be choosing one for themselves, look more like this:


I have a variety of woods and stains to choose from - it's hard to pick from the pictures so hopefully when I see you again I will have them with me and you can pick one for yourself. As you can see, my sock is already snuggled into it's new home and is very happy to be there.
I was going to surprise you with them next time I saw you, but I just couldn't wait that long! Hope to see you soon!!!