09.26.07
Just a Catch Up Post
There have been quite a few things I’ve wanted to blog about, but time really has been escaping me. As usual, in between chores and errands, etc., I’ve been continuing to knit, crochet, and read. I also accompanied Andrew to a writers’ convention, which I thought was interesting. It actually inspired me to consider writing a story. Then I also attended a knitting presentation by Stephanie Pearl MacPhee aka The Yarn Harlot a couple weeks ago. Too bad I forgot my camera. But that presentation was also fun for me. Surprisingly, there were about 300 knitters who showed up to see her. Many of them brought knitting projects to work on while waiting and during her presentation. I brought along some socks to knit as well, heheh. Stephanie had a great sense of humor. It was nice to meet with people with the same interest–YARN. There are plenty of us knitters and crocheters out there! So beware! Then last weekend I hit the Gem Show in Santa Monica. I went two days, ha!
But just to pop in to say that I’m still kicking, I thought I’d put up some pictures of a few things that I’ve been working on. First is a picture of my second pair of socks I’ve knitted. This time I wanted to learn how to knit a sock from the toe up, instead of from the cuff down like the first sock I made. This is what it looked like in progress:
I finished one side, and started on the next side. Toe up socks are started on double pointed needles, then can be transfered to circulars. The above picture shows a tiny portion of the sock started and still on the double pointed needles. 
The next picture is after the socks have been completed and have been washed and worn a couple times already. I’m happy to see that they are holding up well. I wanted to use Andrew’s feet to model his first handmade socks, but he didn’t want to show off his hairy legs, ha ha! So I put them on my feet. They’re a little big for me, but at least gives an idea of what they look like on. 
Obviously, they are ankle socks, but now that I’ve got the mechanics down, I may start to venture out to longer socks and more patterns/designs. The yarn I used for this pair of socks is called Hot Socks Print by Grundl. It’s machine washable, 75% wool, and 25% polymid (I’m guessing that’s the German word for polyester?) I would like to say that it is a very nice feeling that my son is wearing socks that I made especially for him, and that he actually likes them! 
That certainly encourages me to make more for him. I got a few more skeins of this because they were on sale. So I’ve started another pair of socks in a different color, which is pictured below with one of my little crocheted critters. She likes to snoop around to see what I’m up, to, heheh.
I’ve got one sock completed and am almost finished with the second side. This sock is also worked up from the toe first. I’ve got it on two circular needles with two of my homemade stitch markers shown in the picture. So this is my third pair of socks, and I’m feeling confident to try to branch out and get more decorative. I’m happy to say that I have now completed one of my 2007 New Year’s Resolutions–to learn to make socks!
And finally, I’ve started on some granny squares for a scarf for myself. Not sure when I’ll finish this one because since Christmas is coming, I’ve got a lot of other projects that need to be completed first. But here’s a picture of some of my squares. I’ve actually finished more since this picture, but at least I can share these.
These are crocheted using Suss cotton yarns. I love her yarns, so really look forward to when this gets finished and assembled.
I wish I had taken a picture of the new yarn I got last Friday. I’m too lazy to do it now and upload. But suffice it to say that Yarns Unlimited had a great sale, and so I’ve got sock yarn to start working on Christmas socks. I’ve also been reading some books, so may comment on those later. And I’ve also watched a couple movies, which I may comment on later, too.
And that’s about all for now. Still got time to get in a few more stitches tonight, heheh, so off I go!
Marlakins
