The Knitter's Heart

About two years ago, I made a pair of Fibertrend's Felted Clogs for my mom and gave them to her for Christmas. Just recently she informed me that she had worn them so much that the soles now had holes. Take a look:


Hello. I am a handknit, and I am literally worn out. How cool is that?

Seriously, if you want to be the recipient of an unending stream of my handknits, wear holes in the ones I've already given you. Way to go Mom. So, despite my earlier claims of retiring this pattern, I promptly walked myself to a local yarn shop, picked out some Cascade 220 wool, cast on, watched the Olympics, and presto! a new pair of slippers were born.

New slippers, modeled by darling mother:


A lovely profile shot:


Details (same as the previous 15 pairs):
Pattern: Fiber Trends Felted Clogs
Yarn: Cascade 220 wool, about 2.5 skeins
Needles: Size 13s?
Comments: Mom, I will happily make you another pair should you also wear these out.

Wheeeee(l)!!!!

I just started two weeks of vacation. The first two months of intern year have really flown by. So, I'm on vacay, and Raul just started a month of trauma surgery - I last saw him when I dropped him off at the hospital at 4:45am yesterday morning. Pobrecito Raulito. Before leaving, he made me (really twisted my arm) promise to pamper myself while on vacation. So, I promptly went out and purchased a spinning wheel.(!!) I have long been fantasizing about owning a wheel, and now my dreams have come true. Take a look!


Isn't she beautiful?!

The wheel is an Ashford Kiwi, purchased here. I love the wheel and the shop where I bought it was great - they offer lessons, too, and hopefully, I will be able to squeeze in a lesson before my vacation ends. I haven't tried any serious spinning on it yet - I've just been reading up on handspinning and practicing treadling. Very excited!

So, with the darling husband working 12-14 hour days back home, the dog and I set out to drive up and down the state of California over the next week to visit friends and family. We will keep you posted of our adventures!

Sweet-tart Anklets

I have said this before, but it bears repeating - I love ankle socks. I think I have some subtle wool allergies that make wearing full socks a little unbearable at times, but ankle socks I can wear with gusto and pleasure. I wore this pair on call last week, and my ankles could breathe and were happy.

As a side note, I have become an Olympics addict. That's why there have been no recent posts. I can't get enough of swimming and gymnastics and beach volleyball. I just wish the programming started earlier in the evening, so I didn't have to stay up so late. Last night I pre-napped for the Olympics. Good strategy - will repeat. I have also been knitting like a fiend during the olympics and on my rotation (!), and I was able to finish the July installment of Rocking Sock Club socks in record time. Here they are:

View on 2 feet:


Gusset and such (with a strand of Flynn's hair for garnish):


Details:
Pattern - Sweet tart anklets by Marilyn Kaleikilo
Yarn - Blue Moon Socks that Rock Lightweight in colorway Goody Goody
Needles - Size 1 dpns
Comments - Quick and easy, and I have already professed my love of ankle socks, so no need to go there again. My first picot edge - love it!

So, I think it was when I was finishing the gladiator socks that I had a thought that went something like this - "I did a pretty good on these socks, but if I were on a reality show for knitters, I would probably get voted off." I then came to my senses - how boring would it be to sit around and watch a bunch of people knit, week after week, on a reality TV show? I really like knitting, and I'm not sure that I would even watch that. Do any of you watch Bravo's reality TV (ie Shear Genius)? So good.

Family is Good

I spent the weekend in my hometown. After being a way for 4 years, it's so nice to be less than a 2 hour drive from my family. They are wonderful. My brother got a new puppy, sorry no pics, I forgot the camera. Very much looking forward to future playdates with my dog and his!

Gladiator Stockings

Apologies in advance for the photos. My dear Raul has been putting in 80 hour weeks on his present rotation, and I had to handle this photo shoot solo. It's really hard to take pictures of socks while you're wearing them.

So, I saw the Sex and the City movie recently. I really like the movie, but I totally hated many of the shoes they wore. Those of you that know me, know that I am in no way a fashionista. I think I have been dressing in the same style since I was about 12 years old. I'm cool with that. I pay little attention to passing fashion trends. But I really have to say that I totally hate gladiator style sandals. Blech. After finishing these socks, I noticed they were a little gladiator-ish - the traveling stitches remind me of laces. I like these socks, but I still hate gladiator sandals. I will now stick my head back in the sand, continue to wear the same clothes I've been wearing for the past 10 years, and ignore all things relating to fashion.

Onto the socks!

View of both feet:


View from the back:


From the side:


Details:
Pattern - Cleopatra's Stockings by Yarnissma
Yarn: STR lightweight in colorway "Incredible Shrinking Violet"
Needles: Size 1 (2.25mm) for the foot and Size 2 (3mm) for the upper part of the cuff.
Comments:
I am so happy that I joined this sock club - it's really been a wonderful experience. I love getting a surprise skein of yarn in the mail every other month, and I've really expanded my knitting horizons with the patterns included with the yarn. This pair was quite challenging - knit from the toe up with a provisional crochet chain cast-on. A first for me, and not as difficult as I had expected. All in all, love the yarn and the pattern and the finished socks!