how to drive your loved ones crazy in 3 days or less

Insist on knitting a sock of questionable appeal during group watching of international sporting events, and suspenseful movies, too. Punctuate the most engaging parts of either by saying " wow, this really is pretty ugly, isn't it?"  and  " does this look like something I'll wear?". When it is suggested that maybe you'd be happier knitting something else, insist that you want to get 'er done. Even if it'll need a mate.

Then when  finished, try it on, maybe as Apolo Ohno waits for the short track finals starter horn. In response to the look on your loved ones' faces when you ask them to agree with you about how unappealing the sock is, say " Really? You think they're THAT bad?".

Oh don't go feeling sorry for them. They drive me crazy too. Besides, I've moved on, I'm knitting my new Felicity now and oh am I happy with this yarn. It feels like velvet knit up, isn't that weird?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Navajo Churro sheep on the reservation, Arizona.

Announcement to the local sheep peeps: I'm the lunchtime book author presentation at the Scranton Library in Madison CT this Thursday, 2/25  from 12:30-2:30. It's a slide talk about working on Shear Spirit, cleverly titled: She Shoots Sheep Shots.  Bring your knitting! Bring your lunch ! No charge! Detail here

still knitting

Though you'd never know it from the lack of my talking about it, some sock action. 

I'm doing another book with Joan Tapper,  I should remember from last time: working on a crafts/knitting book is in inverse proportion to how much crafting & knitting time you have for yourself.  Oh, the irony. 

When I received this yarn (ignore that link! edited a few days later, I found the ballband, its Dyenamics Yarn, I think in the colorway Farmers Market) in a swap , the knitter relieved of it was, well, truly relieved. She assured me she was tired of the colorway, showed me mittens & socks she'd knit from it, gladly waving buhbye. She may have gone so far as avoided further eye contact, in case I changed my mind and handed it back.

I think I understand. While I am loving the Wesh Traveling Sock (ravelry link) pattern, the colorway is doing the opposite of growing on me. It's sort of like dulled down Wonder Bread.

This here? My carrot on a stick yarn, Manos Rittenhouse, it is merino, plied and it will be a new slouchy hat, as soon as I get the sock done.Or, maybe sooner.

• • • • • • • • •

ps. There's a contest at JessaLu's blog celebrating her 5th blogiversary.  Go check it out,  give her a high five. As I read her entry, a thought trickled in, I checked my dates. This week is mine, too.  Really? Five years?

some kinds of wonderful

Most days, I don't mix my photography work life with my knitting life. On Sunday, I'll mash it up good and dish it out. I can't think of a better way to spend the day. edited to add: the Photography for Knitters workshop 9/13 I'm referring to was wonderful, what a great group! full report & photos soon.

The kindness of knitters wonderful: five pair of beautiful handknit socks donated for the fundraising auction at AIDS Project New Haven. They're going to be offered as a group, a luxury item, handknit socks for the week.
But let me show them to you individually, and at the same time prove that if you need a distressed surface , my yard is your go-to location.

From Sunflower Fairy, who brought a beautiful new little boy into the world this week , congrats, Heidi! The pattern is Charade, that's a Ravelry link since the designer at I May Be Knitting a Ranch House seems to be blogless now. And here's where Sunflowerfairy talked about 'em.

These from Rebecca/Archiknist. Last year I watched her crank out 52 pair of socks, cheerfully. At least whenever I saw her at SnB she seemed cheerful. Maybe she was sitting at home cursing yet another set of heel flaps, who knows? She talked about these here but didn't say what yarn she used. I can tell you they feel great, and love those contrasting toes & heels.

DariaSen , that's her nom d'Ravelry, whipped these out. She has the most amazingly even, tight tension in her stitches. Socks for a rainy day. Thanks Daria !

A glowing pair from CostumeChick. They're a Wendy Johnson pattern, see the deets on CostumeChick's Ravelry page. This is the first time I've seen/touched this yarn, it knits into lovely sock fabric. Reminds me of Trekking - but fuzzier. Mmmmm. Great choice Val!

And in the long distance charity knitting category, my friend Irish Ann. She sent these from the UK when I posted about the APNH auction. Ann & her hubby Mike are New Haven SnB regulars when they're on this side of the pond. Thanks to them I've discovered a fondness for mulled wine. (Come back we miss you!)

I firmly believe socks look way better photographed on feet but with these beauties all blocked out and ready for presentation at the fundraiser, I didn't want to besmirch them. Not that I wasn't tempted.

You'll notice none were knit by me. Guilty !

Last bit of wonderful, from our annual 'hood 3 day banging end of summer fest

I am not sure what the theme is here but she was passing out real true-life wishbones along the way.

what isn't there a blog for?

Are these not positively pleasing purple socks? I'd love to take credit for them, but it goes to Cookie, that goddess of pink (and other) sockness. And, whew, I should say goddess of laceness, take a peek at what she's been throwing off the needles.

I started preparing a post proclaiming purple pair perfection. I thought it'd be all clever and alliterative, but after a search for more P words, I discovered , it's been done. And not just in one post, that is a link to blog devoted to a year's worth of P word posts.

I procrastinated in showing you this pair, which arrived on the, ahem, heels of the other ones she sent me last winter. It's chilly here in the mornings, so I'm still rocking the woolies for a few hours a day (I'm an early riser).

For some silly reason she thought the others weren't up to snuff so she sent these. heh! Good deal for me! Having all her warm colorful socks augmenting the paltry posse I've knit totally made my winter bearable.I have to admit I am especially fond of this pair. I try to save them for special days. The color, the fit, the feel, the craftpersonship.....

You'd need to ask her, but they look like broken rib stitch, toe up, and the yarn, I think she said, is Malbrigo sock.

That Cookie does a beautiful toe.

p.s. Socks in Portugese? Peugas !