Thursday, May 31, 2007

Slow Start

I really wanted to hit the ground running, but I got stuck catching up with all the little things that kept getting put off for the last few weeks. Like the mountain of laundry piled up in the basement. And the kitchen floor which hasn't felt a mop for a few weeks. And the inch-thick dust in the living room. And stocking up on such things as, well, butter, bread, and milk. That, and spending half a day on the phone with the Large Health Insurance company that doesn't seem to feel the need to employ humans to deal with customers' phone calls has kept me busy for the past few days.

But I did manage to take a side trip to the yarn store--it was only a little out of my way! The Tofutsie yarn is so soft. The package says it contains Chitin, a fiber from shrimp and crab shells, which is supposed to be naturally antibacterial. Okay. It is knitting up just wonderfully however. I am trying the Jaywalker pattern from Grumperina. So far, so good.

I have no immediate plans for the Panda Wool, but it is so soft I may just keep it around to stroke once in a while. The label says it is bamboo and wool.


And these socks have been patiently biding their time in the work basket, waiting for the final toe grafting. Knitters always claim that the reason they put off doing the dreaded Kitchener stitch is because it is sewing, rather than knitting. But I'm a sewer, right? I have absolutely no excuse. And the Kitchener stitch isn't really THAT bad. I finally got around to these yesterday because I needed the needles to begin the new sock.

I am driving up to visit my parents this weekend. My sister is flying down from New Hampshire at the same time, so we'll all be together for a nice visit. No kids, no husbands! My sister and I haven't seen each other for a couple of years, so we'll have a lovely time getting caught up. Somehow, just talking on the phone and e-mailing doesn't feel as real as BEING there, if you know what I mean.

I've got the new socks to work on and I'm taking lots of hexagons, just in case there is sewing time. The posy quilt just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

11 comments:

Rose Marie said...

To help me graft the toe, I greatly enlarged a photo instruction so that I can easily glance at it when I'm doing the sewing. Also, if my stitches end up too tight, I just press the graft part lightly with an iron to soften up that part of the sock.

Your socks look great and I like the wool that you are using.

tami said...

I love all of your socks. Socks are so much fun with all the new striped yarn.

Paula, the quilter said...

Here's a blog to look at: http://techknitting.blogspot.com/
she has some tips and tricks that are great! Love your sox.

Libby said...

Have a wonderful time catching up with your sister. All that chatting will be the perfect opportunity to do the handworks that you are taking along *s*

Ms. Jan said...

I love your socks! I'm a newbie at knitting and socks and can see how you could get addicted to the yarns. =)

atet said...

Love the projects you have to take with you. Someday I will be organized enough to do that when I travel as well!

Anonymous said...

The jaywalkers are looking great! I love the hexagons too. I have the instructions for kitchener printed out and have to refer to it step by step each time, but since I'm easily amused, I still get really excited that it works lol.

meggie said...

You have lots of lovely things on the go! How nice to spend time with your sister & mother.
Your socks look very nice!

Marla said...

I wish I could get myself to work on my GFG. I have fallen in serious hate with it.....

CONNIE W said...

Wow the socks look fantastic. I still have hopes of learning to knit (when?) and someday be able to turn out a sock. And your posies are so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Knitting socks can be just as relaxing as handsewing, if you ask me (just finished off socks for June). I love your book present. Seem to be a very good guidance. I'll look into your blog again soon. (and by the way; My husband has family in Dover, New Hampshire) Just had to mention it *s*. Wish you the best week! p.s I would love to see more of your garden as well :o)