Wednesday, May 16, 2007

One Sock, Two Socks...

Ta-da! As you can see, I finished my socks. Although I didn't get to attend my final class on the subject, I was able to find my way through the pattern instructions and finish the toe(s).

Can you tell anything about them? For instance, can you tell that they are HUGE?? Let it be a lesson...CHECK YOUR GAUGE. After I had made it through most of Sock #1, all the way to the toe-decreases, I finally checked my gauge. Instead of the 8 stitches = 1" that the pattern called for (with sock/finger-weight yarn and size US2 needles, which I was using), I had a roomier 7 stitches to the inch. Oh well, they're still pretty...and they'll make great slouch-y, lounging socks, won't they? And, you can bet your last dime, I'll check my gauge on the next pair I knit!

What a weird week I'm having. Mom's at Jack's for a visit (so, no caregiver duties for me)...and, Thomas is actually home mid-week (between Kansas City and Effingham), so I'm not really sure whether I'm coming or going! Shouldn't I be heading to St. Peters Senior Center...or the doctor's office...or somewhere? Nope. Not this week. Hmmm....

Checked the Farmer's Almanac to see when was the best time to plant beans and cucumbers...found out that would be today...New Moon. So, I soaked some seeds and set up the bean fencing in the garden...loosened the soil with the cultivator...and, got 'em in the ground before sundown. Also, removed suckers from the tomatoes...which are growing very well. Now, I need to weed a bit...then mulch with a layer of paper, then a layer of hay. Hopefully, I can make that all happen before vacation...and before my back knows exactly what I've been up to.

The irises are almost bloomed out, and I must say that I'm sad to see them go. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the colors...the variety...the abundance of blooms this year. How about one more iris photo before their season ends? This one is in the back yard, at the edge of the pond and the edge of the deck. Isn't it a gorgeous yellow? And, it looks this brilliant in "real life," too! I've marked the plants because they'll need dividing next year, and I would love to start this color in a couple of other places in our yard...as well as give some transplants to Maredith.

Never fear...now it's time for the daylilies to begin their show. Buds are forming everywhere! It'll be a few days, but the curtain should go up for the first blossoms by this weekend.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Turn the Other Heel

Check it out! The new LYS (local yarn shop, in yarnaholic-speak), Knit and Caboodle, got its new sign recently! So, now you won't be in danger of missing it when you are on Main Street in St. Charles, MO. I just love going inside this place...the variety of colors and textures are almost overwhelming. I always want two of these...four of those...no, wait...gimme a dozen of them! Connie (the owner) is just a wonderful person, and she deserves success with this new venture of hers. Support your LYS!

And, on that note, I am doing my very best to provide support to K&C, beyond the obvious method of trying to purchase some of everything she has in stock. I signed up for the first Socks Class on Monday nights and have just finished Class #2. We made and turned the heel and shaped the gusset last night, using a different stitch than called for in the pattern (replacing a plain stockinette stitch on the heel with a S1, K1 on the RS, which is supposed to provide a stronger heel for the finished sock.) Hurrah! Now, it's on to the toe!! [Here's a photo of the newly-turned heel on my sock, which is being made with a neat self-striping fingering weight yarn in (what else?) purple, teal, and green.]

Yes, I had made several stockings last Christmas, so the instructions weren't new or daunting this time around, but I wanted to learn how to adjust patterns for fit and to see if my technique was correct. With Christmas Stockings, you don't have to worry about fit, but with socks...that's pretty important. Plus, working on these tiny US2 double-pointed needles is a challenge, especially for someone with fat fingers like me.

Have I told you that the irises are beautiful this year? Oh yes, I think I've mentioned that a time or two. It bears repeating: the irises are beautiful this year! Thomas suggested that I go around with my camera to document where the different colors are located, since we haven't been diligent in marking them or tagging the transplants. This photo is of a pink one and yellow & white one growing around the bench in the front yard, taken after a brief rain shower. Today, a frilly purple one has joined the parade, just to the right of where this picture was taken. I wish I knew the names of all of them...perhaps I can find a book with pictures, and I can match ours up. Meanwhile, I think I'll just enjoy them...and I invite you to, too!



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