Monday, November 27, 2006

Getting the spirit :)

Good morning everyone - I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend, those of you in the States anyways.  I would love to tell you about all the wonderful knitting I got done over the last four days - alas, I would be fibbing my socks off :)

However, speaking of socks…



Seed cuff sock



I wanted to play with seed stitch as a ribbing element and I think this short cuffed sock works nicely.  No doubt the concept would work even more nicely with sock yarn and teeny needles, but for now I’m pleased with this.  I usually make Dulaan socks on size 4 (3.5mm) or 5 (3.75mm) needles with worsted weight yarn (for a thicker and, hopefully warmer sock) and this makes a nice testing ground for new ideas.  Also, if what ever notion has sunken it’s great, hairy claws into my imagination doesn’t work out, well, not much time has been lost nor is there a great deal to frog :)

This was worked over a cast-on of 35 stitches (worsted weight yarn, size 5 needles) in a pattern of 5 seed, 3 purl to a length of about two inches.  Increase one stitch before starting heel flap.  Heel flap is worked in heel stitch over 16 stitches and once the gussets have been reduced down, the foot is worked over 18 rounds before starting the decreases for a standard wedge toe.  The whole sock takes maybe a couple of hours.

Autumn Seeds is still moving along.  I’ve gotten to the point where separating the sleeve stitches is getting close.  However, I’m not there just yet and at last count, the circumference of the sweater was 304 stitches.  Currently it’s taking me an hour to do the two-round increase pattern.  I did work on the sweater exclusively last night for two solid hours and got all of four rounds done :).  But, if I’ve calculated things correctly, I only need to do another 12 rounds.  At that point, I’ll separate the sleeve stitches and just go on with the body stitches which should result in quicker apparent progress.  I still haven’t decided what to do at the bottom of the body - I don’t really want ribbing - or anything which would pull in.  I have no waist to note and would prefer not to draw attention to my hips.  I’m considering a tunic-like bottom where the sides are split for about 4 inches and where the edges and bottom are done in seed stitch to echo the seed stitch panels of the body and sleeves.

We’re gearing up for the next holiday, lights went up yesterday afternoon!



Christmas lights



The picture bites, I know, but I wanted to share the lights and colors, they’re so pretty and cheerful :) It seems a silly thing to derive so much pleasure from.  Myria told me yesterday, that we could do more windows than the one in the kitchen.  That’s true, but because of the peculiarities of where our building is located and what’s around it, this is really the only window we can share with the outside world, and I don’t think of this lighting thing as being solely for our benefit.  Besides, one is enough and I suspect doing every window in the place would make it feel less special :)

I happened upon a moment of détente in the kitchen this morning.  I don’t know what caused it and don’t imagine it lasted much longer than the time it took to take the picture…



Goldie and Jade



Peace on Earth, good will to felines!  Ho, ho, humph.....

Babbled by Robbyn on 11/27 at 12:44 PM
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  1. Ooh, I love that sock!

    Posted by Rob  on  11/27  at  03:14 PM
    Location : at work (shhh, don't tell)

  2. Rob - Thanks :) I’ll never tell - promise!

    When I was struggling to learn how to use double-points so I could knit socks (not to mention the battle to turn the heel) I never would have imagined what a neat, concise canvas a sock makes for trying out new ideas.  Pretty cool!
    animal-smiley-085.gif width=30 height=40

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/27  at  06:56 PM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

  3. very noice sock, Robbyn! Reminds me, it’s time to extract a digit and get the tree up!

    Posted by nat  on  11/27  at  07:09 PM
    Location :

  4. Robbyn to the rescue - I was looking for a sock pattern using worsted weight yarn and I love what you’ve done with that sock! ;-)

    We put our lights up yesterday too.  It was a balmy 60 degrees rather than the usual chilly 32 degrees we get this time of year. Cheers!

    Posted by cheryl  on  11/27  at  10:47 PM
    Location : Tell me a Yarn

  5. Beautiful lights! I love that last picture. We see stand offs like that at least daily, what with 3 generations of cats constantly figuring out the hierarchy and territory. Too funny.

    Posted by Kathy  on  11/27  at  11:08 PM
    Location : Portland, Oregon

  6. Nat - We don’t usually put up the tree until the swecond week of December but you know?  This year I’d like to get it soon, SOON!  I want it up earlier so I can enjoy it longer :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/27  at  11:15 PM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

  7. Cheryl - It was cool enough here yesterday, but it’s pratically balmy tonight!  WE;ve got all the windows open - LOL!

    Thanks about the sock - I kinda like it too :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/27  at  11:26 PM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

  8. Kathy - Goldie has been with us all his life - some 12 years now.  Jade joined us about 2 1/2 years ago and they tend to exist in a sort of “armed truce” state most of the time.  They sure as hell don’t get this close to each other very often - not without considerable hissing and spitting, anyway…

    Kinda makes me nervous - like they’re plotting something… Heheh…

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/27  at  11:29 PM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

  9. Never, ever silly. I’m happy & grinning about the smallest things this year. I’m grateful that I’m able to enjoy the season without stress! It’s been killer other years but this year it’s smooth sailing. I’m counting my blessings, believe me!

    PS - I really like that split bottom tunic idea. That’s one of my favorite hemlines. :)

    Posted by Bron  on  11/28  at  08:26 AM
    Location :

  10. Bron - I’m tickled to hear you’re in such a festive mood as well and that things are sailing smoothly for you and yours.  I’ve been counting my blessings since I got off the damned cruise ship and there’s no end in sight!

    Pleasant passtime :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/28  at  09:50 AM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

  11. Great little sock.... I love the picture of the “kids”. They do look like they are plotting something.

    Posted by Maureen  on  11/28  at  07:55 PM
    Location :

  12. Maureen - They’re a pair of characters :) Individually, sweet, affectionate and funny as hell.  Together, well, they make me a little nervous!

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/28  at  11:43 PM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

  13. I love the seed on the sock cuff, very nice looking!

    Posted by aija  on  11/29  at  08:50 AM
    Location :

  14. Aija - Thanks!  It’s definitely something I want to play with some more, seed stitch addict tht I am!
    propeller.gif width=15 height=20

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/29  at  09:41 AM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

  15. Cute sock!  And yay for cheerful lights.

    Posted by Kat with a K  on  11/29  at  12:32 PM
    Location : Milford, NH

  16. Kat - I’m just a complete idiot for pretty lights :) Dad says I have been ever since before I could walk.  Of course I don’t quite remember back that far…

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/29  at  03:46 PM
    Location : Hunting sunny spots with the cats...

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