Ten on Tuesday

Carole got me thinking about making a to-do list for Ten on Tuesday.

1. Rearrange files, get another filing cabinet
2. Unpack scrapbooking supplies
3. Order some recent photos on Snapfish
4. Go to ACMoore to get some new scrapbooking adhesive
5. Take a long walk with the babe!
6. Work on Wisteria
7. Go to book fair tonight
8. Don't forget to get cash for allowance/books/craft store (maybe I should move this one up, hmm?)
9. Buy hubby new shoes at LLBean
10. Mail old receivers back to satellite company.

... so there ya go. Nothing too exciting, but very typical Tuesday stuff. So what's on your to-do list?

It's the last day of March! Can you believe it!? It's going to go out like a Lamb here in Maine... in many ways. Smooth sailing? At least for today.... I'll take it.

Ten on Tuesday

Carole got me thinking about making a to-do list for Ten on Tuesday.

1. Rearrange files, get another filing cabinet
2. Unpack scrapbooking supplies
3. Order some recent photos on Snapfish
4. Go to ACMoore to get some new scrapbooking adhesive
5. Take a long walk with the babe!
6. Work on Wisteria
7. Go to book fair tonight
8. Don't forget to get cash for allowance/books/craft store (maybe I should move this one up, hmm?)
9. Buy hubby new shoes at LLBean
10. Mail old receivers back to satellite company.

... so there ya go. Nothing too exciting, but very typical Tuesday stuff. So what's on your to-do list?

It's the last day of March! Can you believe it!? It's going to go out like a Lamb here in Maine... in many ways. Smooth sailing? At least for today.... I'll take it.

Friday. Sunshine! Spring? Maybe!

Friday. Sunshine! Spring? Maybe!

Portland Head Light

Saturday was super foggy but still comfortable and we were all eager to get out and do some exploring (like we do every weekend). We ended up at the Portland Head Light again which is one of our favorite places here in Maine. The grounds around the lighthouse are extensive and have a great network of family-friendly paths so we like to go hang out at the park and explore. It was a perfect day. I thought I'd share a little video so you can get a feel of it as well.

Portland Head Light

Saturday was super foggy but still comfortable and we were all eager to get out and do some exploring (like we do every weekend). We ended up at the Portland Head Light again which is one of our favorite places here in Maine. The grounds around the lighthouse are extensive and have a great network of family-friendly paths so we like to go hang out at the park and explore. It was a perfect day. I thought I'd share a little video so you can get a feel of it as well.

Sweaters on the brain

Spring must not be too far off, because like every year when warmer weather is soon to be here, all I want to do is think about knitting wool sweaters.

I am still working on my staghorn pullover. I tucked it away for a long time but pulled it out yesterday and did one repeat. I've thought about frogging this sweater a few times just to knit something else with it, but I'm determined to do less frogging this year. When a project is getting stale, I'm just going to tuck it away for a while to see if I want to come back to it. I'm very glad that I didn't frog this sweater because I have put a lot of work in to it and it is really a beauty.

Recently I won a drawing for some ultra-luscious yarn. Libby was having a de-lurking contest and I was the lucky winner of 12 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha in the most perfect shade of robin egg blue. I haven't figured out which pattern to do yet, but I have several that I'm considering. Maybe Something Red by Wendy Bernard, possibly Ingenue from her book Custom Knits... we'll see. I ordered the book on Amazon last week and it still isn't here. I'm hoping to find some inspiration.

I'm also knitting a top-down sweater for my 9-year-old son using red mercerized cotton. I have to say that I really dislike knitting with mercerized cotton. I'm hoping it will soften up with a wash when I'm done so my son will like wearing it. I also just finished a top-down for the babe.

As far as other patterns... I want to knit the Hand-to-Hand Aran by EZ using something wooly and luscious like Berocco Ultra Alpaca in purple or gold. The Cable-Down Raglan by Stefanie Japel has held my attention for a long time... I'm thinking Cotton Fleece in a pretty lipstick red. Also, I'm thinking about joining the next KAL at The Knitting Experience. They're going to be knitting Pioneer from the latest knitty. I'd modify it to have a little more ease and not be so form fitting. I'd also extend the sleeves to 3/4 length with the crochet border on the sleeves as well. I think it'd be a lovely spring sweater. I'd love to do it in a cotton blend -- maybe creamy yellow or a coral color? Something super springy.

I have sweater-brain!

Sweaters on the brain

Spring must not be too far off, because like every year when warmer weather is soon to be here, all I want to do is think about knitting wool sweaters.

I am still working on my staghorn pullover. I tucked it away for a long time but pulled it out yesterday and did one repeat. I've thought about frogging this sweater a few times just to knit something else with it, but I'm determined to do less frogging this year. When a project is getting stale, I'm just going to tuck it away for a while to see if I want to come back to it. I'm very glad that I didn't frog this sweater because I have put a lot of work in to it and it is really a beauty.

Recently I won a drawing for some ultra-luscious yarn. Libby was having a de-lurking contest and I was the lucky winner of 12 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha in the most perfect shade of robin egg blue. I haven't figured out which pattern to do yet, but I have several that I'm considering. Maybe Something Red by Wendy Bernard, possibly Ingenue from her book Custom Knits... we'll see. I ordered the book on Amazon last week and it still isn't here. I'm hoping to find some inspiration.

I'm also knitting a top-down sweater for my 9-year-old son using red mercerized cotton. I have to say that I really dislike knitting with mercerized cotton. I'm hoping it will soften up with a wash when I'm done so my son will like wearing it. I also just finished a top-down for the babe.

As far as other patterns... I want to knit the Hand-to-Hand Aran by EZ using something wooly and luscious like Berocco Ultra Alpaca in purple or gold. The Cable-Down Raglan by Stefanie Japel has held my attention for a long time... I'm thinking Cotton Fleece in a pretty lipstick red. Also, I'm thinking about joining the next KAL at The Knitting Experience. They're going to be knitting Pioneer from the latest knitty. I'd modify it to have a little more ease and not be so form fitting. I'd also extend the sleeves to 3/4 length with the crochet border on the sleeves as well. I think it'd be a lovely spring sweater. I'd love to do it in a cotton blend -- maybe creamy yellow or a coral color? Something super springy.

I have sweater-brain!

why the cost of living is so much here....

the cost of living in Maine is OUTRAGEOUS, people. Here is why... the take-out food is incredible and the yarn stores are a-plenty. Seriously!? How can 'they' expect us to get by when the food and the fiber is so irresistible!? ;)

We're fortunate to have the best food in the world right here in our town. The babe and I split a cinnamon roll from Maine Bean once a week when I pick up a pound of the best coffee evar. (Sebago Sunrise) Gilbert's Chowderhouse has the best fish nuggets and fishy fries... Eric and I split an order for lunch on his day off. Rose's has the best pizza in the world... seriously... oh how we've missed New England pizza the sauce is tangy and the crust is perfect... thin but still chewy.

There are plenty of ethnic restaurants around, too. We have to shoot for pleasing the whole family hence the fish and pizza. But I'm eager to try some Thai which is my favorite... Thai Paradise in Brunswick keeps catching my eye on my way home from Purl Diva and The Knitting Experience.

I'm so over the whole Dunkin Donuts thing. We loved DD coffee when we lived in CT years ago. I was excited to be near a good, cheap cuppa coffee again but I'm not to thrilled with it anymore. I prefer my own from home I guess.

Starbucks is downright awful out here. I think they put one less shot of espresso in their Grande... I've only had a couple and don't care enough to go back to find out.

Also -- the grocery stores are amazing. The organic produce sections are huge and very affordable. The chicken - ohh - the chicken! I know I talked somewhere about how bad the chicken seemed to be getting in Iowa. Here the split brea sts are huge and juicy and cheap! $1.99 for 5 huge brea sts!? However, the ground beef is suspect. I didn't like GB much to begin with. I've considered getting the meat grinding attachment for my kitchenaid and just grinding our own but it just seems so unsanitary (like there would be some possible part of the gadget I wouldn't be able to clean), and like a chore. Honestly, beef could slip off of our regular menu in this house and no one would really care.

I wasn't as wow'd by Whole Foods as I thought I would be. The take-out section is huge and if you can catch it when everything is fresh I'm sure it's great but everything looked skinned over and like it had been sitting out for hours and hours... not exactly appetizing. The brick-oven pizza looked good though and they had a section for custom burritos which also looked tasty. All of the specialty counters are amazing -- the bakery, the coffee roasting station, the chocolates, the cheeses, the fish section was amazing, too. It just didn't feel like an ordinary grocery store where I'd shop on a regular basis... not that it matters because it's a half hour away from me anyway. It felt more like a destination -- a homemakers amusement park maybe!? Haha. I did get some good granola, a super cute fair-trade bracelet, organic mangoes and some of their own honey lip balm which I lurve more than Burts Bees.

Also -- there are so many farmer's market signs everywhere... I'm excited to visit all of these. I'm eager for warmer weather because I think that this entire area is going to change so much. It'll be so different from the overwhelming snow-covered tundra that greeted us here not even a month ago.

... and don't get me started on the yarn stores! I have been to many and wow. I'm overwhelmed by the abundance of fibery goodness out here. Knitting and all fibery culture is so much more mainstream out here. Yarn stores abound and everyone knits it seems. I still haven't found a knitting group but honestly I'm not really actively looking right now. I'm content with knitting on my own for now. I am looking forward to all of the fiber festivals coming up in the warmer months. I also really want to learn how to spin. I've been entranced by spinning wheels and the zen of it all for a long time... maybe a wheel for my birthday? We'll see. I'm kind of intimidated by all of the spinning stuff... and I can't keep up with my knitting as it is.

Beachy kind of day... sort of!?

Today we had the best day! We headed up to Fort Popham/Popham Beach which became my favorite place on earth a few years ago when we were on vacation here. It was surreal to just BE there today! Here are a few photos from our walk...







It was a crisp, bright spring day... that is for sure! I was amazed at the difference in the wind from the river side by Fort Popham and when we turned out on to the seaside Popham Beach. Such fun! We all cannot wait to get back out here this summer. It's a good hour drive (at least) from our house, but I don't care. I know we'll be out here all the time. It really is paradise.

After Popham, we headed in to Bath for a Subway lunch and then continued down to Reid State Park. We weren't there long before a snow squall crept up on us and turned us in to walking snowmen. It just blew up out of nowhere and by the time we were in the car and dried off, it was done.



This was another incredible beach that we're going to spend a lot of time exploring. I'm really feeling like we may need a lifetime to explore everything we want to out here. Who knows... maybe this is going to work out after all.

Still though... big time homesick feelings strike without notice. They bolt through the house and hurt when they hit... but quickly they go away again. They'll simmer down. We are having fun. We do love it. But oh, we miss home so much it hurts.

I don't want to end this on a sad note though. We're adjusting and have high spirits. We all have each other and that's that matters now. Besides, despite missing home... we're just having so much fun!

hello poor, neglected blog.

I really should update more often. I will work on this.

Photo taken today at Reid State Park... snow squall! There were crazy people surfing in this weather today. More fun photos to come...

Worm Moon

Mar. 10, 10:38 p.m. EDT -- Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. - via space.com

Technically this photo wasn't taken on the 10th. I took it this morning from my bedroom window upstairs looking out back. I opened the blinds and the moon said "Hello" and reminded me that I still needed to post. I did take some photos on the 10th, but they turned out to be big glowy cloudy blurs so this will have to do for this month. I love making a point to see the moon each month. February | January

I'm a big believer in the lunar cycle being something to live by. Just think about how connected the phases of the moon are with the earth's rhythms... there are many examples. Its even a good basis for decision making based on waxing, waning or the full moon.

I know you probably think I'm batty now... but being aware of the moon and its phases and living by them is quite harmonious. I'm going to try to do some research and post some links to what I'm talking about for next month.

Next month I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more spring when I look outside on the night of the full moon. Winter is beautiful, too, but I'm ready for a little green and not so much white.

Worm Moon

Mar. 10, 10:38 p.m. EDT -- Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. - via space.com

Technically this photo wasn't taken on the 10th. I took it this morning from my bedroom window upstairs looking out back. I opened the blinds and the moon said "Hello" and reminded me that I still needed to post. I did take some photos on the 10th, but they turned out to be big glowy cloudy blurs so this will have to do for this month. I love making a point to see the moon each month. February | January

I'm a big believer in the lunar cycle being something to live by. Just think about how connected the phases of the moon are with the earth's rhythms... there are many examples. Its even a good basis for decision making based on waxing, waning or the full moon.

I know you probably think I'm batty now... but being aware of the moon and its phases and living by them is quite harmonious. I'm going to try to do some research and post some links to what I'm talking about for next month.

Next month I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more spring when I look outside on the night of the full moon. Winter is beautiful, too, but I'm ready for a little green and not so much white.

Happy birthday, dear Baby!

My baby boy is two years old today! Can you believe it!? I can't believe it's been two years! It's been absolutely blissful being the Mom of this boy. He's truly a joy. He's such a laid back boy! Easy going, silly, fun, SMART, sweet, snuggly, an awesome sleeper, and fruit and veggie eater, he idolizes his big brother. He's fit in to our family so well. He can call all of us by name... Mama, Dada, Gakey, and he calls himself Baby. He loves cookoos, nanas, gogurt, bapples, nines and chee. He says all kinds of words, but my favorites are nigh nigh and I-woe-woo. He gives kisses and nuggles, he loves legos, and all the treasures hidden in his brother's room. He also loves looking for sea glass at the beach and is actually pretty good at finding it. He loves to be read to, play in the snow, go for walks, color, and dances to any tune he hears.

Here is a photo from his first birthday... we spent it on the beach in Hawaii... he had an ice cream sundae for his birthday instead of birthday cake.

This year we live in Maine, we're enjoying a sloppy, snowy, wet day. A quiet day overall... just the way he likes things. He's always up for a car ride, but his favorite place to be is at home with all of his creature comforts.

Our wee one was born March 11th, 2007 at 9:04 PM via Csection.
He weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and 20 1/2 inches long.

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet Baby! We love you!

Happy birthday, dear Baby!

My baby boy is two years old today! Can you believe it!? I can't believe it's been two years! It's been absolutely blissful being the Mom of this boy. He's truly a joy. He's such a laid back boy! Easy going, silly, fun, SMART, sweet, snuggly, an awesome sleeper, and fruit and veggie eater, he idolizes his big brother. He's fit in to our family so well. He can call all of us by name... Mama, Dada, Gakey, and he calls himself Baby. He loves cookoos, nanas, gogurt, bapples, nines and chee. He says all kinds of words, but my favorites are nigh nigh and I-woe-woo. He gives kisses and nuggles, he loves legos, and all the treasures hidden in his brother's room. He also loves looking for sea glass at the beach and is actually pretty good at finding it. He loves to be read to, play in the snow, go for walks, color, and dances to any tune he hears.

Here is a photo from his first birthday... we spent it on the beach in Hawaii... he had an ice cream sundae for his birthday instead of birthday cake.

This year we live in Maine, we're enjoying a sloppy, snowy, wet day. A quiet day overall... just the way he likes things. He's always up for a car ride, but his favorite place to be is at home with all of his creature comforts.

Our wee one was born March 11th, 2007 at 9:04 PM via Csection.
He weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and 20 1/2 inches long.

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet Baby! We love you!

Maine Maine Maine Maine

We're finally in Maine. I just typed out a detailed recap of our crazy move out here but it's so long I decided to summarize.

- we moved ourselves, 28 foot uhaul + trailer for Eric's car, me behind in the minivan with the boys and the houseplants.
- we got lost off the interstate in the middle of the night in the mountains during a snowstorm.
- Tommy and I both had the stomach flu... on the road!
- When we finally got here on Monday morning, Maine was cleaning up after a big snow -- 25" here.
- We found a house we love and can't believe we live in Maine!
- The first night we were here we heard moose in the woods behind our house.
- Tommy and Jake BOTH got the stomach flu again once we moved in!
- Tommy got terribly dehydrated. I sat with him on my lap on the couch yesterday and we didn't move for many hours. We watched Garfield cartoons on the laptop. All I wanted to do was get my baby back to healthy. It worked. I was very worried and almost took him to the ER many times.
- Today we needed to get out of the house for a while so wandered aimlessly around the area and are just sort of in awe that we actually live here now.
- It sort of feels like we now live in a foreign country.
- I'm overwhelmed by all of the knitterly goodness here.
- I went to Whole Foods today and loved it.
- I went to Purl Diva today, met Ellen, got yarn to make felted slippers.
- The ceramic tile floor in my kitchen is VERY COLD.
- I still have no groceries in the house other than pedialite and paper towels.
- I still haven't unpacked my kitchen.
- I still have no idea where the towels and pillows are (kind of important)
- I still have no idea when things will start to feel normal again
- My house is filthy from top to bottom.
- I miss Iowa. My friends. My family. My house. A lot.
- But Maine is going to be a wonderful adventure for my family.
- I'm overwhelmed by everything but just biting off things a little bit at a time.

That is all for now.

Maine Maine Maine Maine

We're finally in Maine. I just typed out a detailed recap of our crazy move out here but it's so long I decided to summarize.

- we moved ourselves, 28 foot uhaul + trailer for Eric's car, me behind in the minivan with the boys and the houseplants.
- we got lost off the interstate in the middle of the night in the mountains during a snowstorm.
- Tommy and I both had the stomach flu... on the road!
- When we finally got here on Monday morning, Maine was cleaning up after a big snow -- 25" here.
- We found a house we love and can't believe we live in Maine!
- The first night we were here we heard moose in the woods behind our house.
- Tommy and Jake BOTH got the stomach flu again once we moved in!
- Tommy got terribly dehydrated. I sat with him on my lap on the couch yesterday and we didn't move for many hours. We watched Garfield cartoons on the laptop. All I wanted to do was get my baby back to healthy. It worked. I was very worried and almost took him to the ER many times.
- Today we needed to get out of the house for a while so wandered aimlessly around the area and are just sort of in awe that we actually live here now.
- It sort of feels like we now live in a foreign country.
- I'm overwhelmed by all of the knitterly goodness here.
- I went to Whole Foods today and loved it.
- I went to Purl Diva today, met Ellen, got yarn to make felted slippers.
- The ceramic tile floor in my kitchen is VERY COLD.
- I still have no groceries in the house other than pedialite and paper towels.
- I still haven't unpacked my kitchen.
- I still have no idea where the towels and pillows are (kind of important)
- I still have no idea when things will start to feel normal again
- My house is filthy from top to bottom.
- I miss Iowa. My friends. My family. My house. A lot.
- But Maine is going to be a wonderful adventure for my family.
- I'm overwhelmed by everything but just biting off things a little bit at a time.

That is all for now.

Lacy Confections and Moving

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Lacy Confections and Moving

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Snow Moon

Feb. 9, 9:49 a.m. EST -- Full Snow Moon. Usually the heaviest snows fall in this month. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some tribes this was the Full Hunger Moon. - via space.com

Kind of ironic that this is the Snow Moon and we have hardly no snow on the ground. I stood out front in short sleeves and took this picture tonight. We're having unseasonably warm weather here... a rare midwinter treat here in Iowa. We actually had a thunder shower this morning!

This is the last full moon I'll be looking at in the Iowa sky for a while. Next month it'll be from our new home in Maine! Exciting times. Beautiful moon.

Snow Moon

Feb. 9, 9:49 a.m. EST -- Full Snow Moon. Usually the heaviest snows fall in this month. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some tribes this was the Full Hunger Moon. - via space.com

Kind of ironic that this is the Snow Moon and we have hardly no snow on the ground. I stood out front in short sleeves and took this picture tonight. We're having unseasonably warm weather here... a rare midwinter treat here in Iowa. We actually had a thunder shower this morning!

This is the last full moon I'll be looking at in the Iowa sky for a while. Next month it'll be from our new home in Maine! Exciting times. Beautiful moon.

socks socks more socks please

Can you believe I actually fell off the sock bandwagon a while ago? Well, it was short lived and I've been knitting socks at a pretty good pace lately. What helped get my mojo back? My current stash of handknit socks is dwindling fast! I'm down to nervous levels... less than two weeks worth of handknit socks. ;) I know I know. But with having several of my favorites bite the dust lately, I had to kick it in to high gear.

Here are the socks that have been retired....

1. Cascading Leaves / Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino: One has a large hole in the bottom.
2. Garter Rib / Scarlet Fleece: They've both almost worn through on the bottom. These will forever been in my sock drawer for sentimental reasons -- I wore them during my csection.
3. Child's French Socks / Apple Laine: They've become bristly scratchy and have felted a little too much.
4. Diagonal Cross Rib Socks / Dream in Color Smooshy: They've worn almost all the way through on the bottom. These aren't even a year old. Once again I'm very dissatisfied with Dream in Color. I will be making a point not to buy any Dream in Color again.

So there you have it. It's a fact of a sock's life... they will wear out. It's okay. But I'm making an effort to use more durable sock yarns with a much longer lifespan. Lately I've knit...

These basic socks using Regia Canyon Color #2800. I love this colorway and the funky striping. I haven't added a finished photo of these but they're done and are already on heavy rotation. I knit the cuff with 2x2 ribbing on size 2 needles, and the heel and foot on size 0 so they're extra tightly knit resulting in a super warm sock which is necessary around these parts. Then I knit...

These are my first stranded socks. The pattern is Laila's Socks from the book Folk Knitting in Estonia, by Nancy Bush. The pattern is super easy and really moves. I used Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock in Vinca Minor and Vanilla. Size 2 needles. They're a smidge too big but with proper washing/drying, they'll snug up just enough. I've figured out that I LOVE knitting stranded socks! There will be many more pairs in my future. Last but not least...

These are the Journey Cable Socks by Sivia Harding. I'm knitting the size medium, fingering weight variety. I used size 2 for the cuff, size 1 for the heel and instep, and may switch to size 0 for the foot after I get past the instep.

I love the cable on this sock and how it ends on the heel flap and instep. (the photo on the right is of the heel flap). I also am loving this yarn. It's Tess' Designer Yarn Super Socks & Baby which I bought at Tess' shop in Portland, Maine this past summer. It reminds me of our trip to Maine, of Tess' technicolor shop of yarny goodness, and I love the red color. I haven't knit a pair of red socks in a long time (perhaps never). It's an enjoyable knit that's moving right along.

All of these socks that I have been knitting have a high nylon/wool ratio... at least 80/20. That means that they'll all wash well and hold up over time which makes me happy.

What's next for my sock knitting? Well, nothing too adventurous ... I'm craving another pair of Monkey Socks and I have a lovely variegated Araucania Ranco Multi that I think would be a good match. That is probably what I'll bring with me to the knitting retreat this weekend....

Yes! My group is having a knitting retreat! Amanda and Kara have been organizing knitting fun for us for months now. This is the third retreat that our group has had. They're a great time! The retreat is being held at a local hotel. We're going to knit and socialize for three days straight! What a great respite from the winter blahs. We're all so excited!

socks socks more socks please

Can you believe I actually fell off the sock bandwagon a while ago? Well, it was short lived and I've been knitting socks at a pretty good pace lately. What helped get my mojo back? My current stash of handknit socks is dwindling fast! I'm down to nervous levels... less than two weeks worth of handknit socks. ;) I know I know. But with having several of my favorites bite the dust lately, I had to kick it in to high gear.

Here are the socks that have been retired....

1. Cascading Leaves / Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino: One has a large hole in the bottom.
2. Garter Rib / Scarlet Fleece: They've both almost worn through on the bottom. These will forever been in my sock drawer for sentimental reasons -- I wore them during my csection.
3. Child's French Socks / Apple Laine: They've become bristly scratchy and have felted a little too much.
4. Diagonal Cross Rib Socks / Dream in Color Smooshy: They've worn almost all the way through on the bottom. These aren't even a year old. Once again I'm very dissatisfied with Dream in Color. I will be making a point not to buy any Dream in Color again.

So there you have it. It's a fact of a sock's life... they will wear out. It's okay. But I'm making an effort to use more durable sock yarns with a much longer lifespan. Lately I've knit...

These basic socks using Regia Canyon Color #2800. I love this colorway and the funky striping. I haven't added a finished photo of these but they're done and are already on heavy rotation. I knit the cuff with 2x2 ribbing on size 2 needles, and the heel and foot on size 0 so they're extra tightly knit resulting in a super warm sock which is necessary around these parts. Then I knit...

These are my first stranded socks. The pattern is Laila's Socks from the book Folk Knitting in Estonia, by Nancy Bush. The pattern is super easy and really moves. I used Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock in Vinca Minor and Vanilla. Size 2 needles. They're a smidge too big but with proper washing/drying, they'll snug up just enough. I've figured out that I LOVE knitting stranded socks! There will be many more pairs in my future. Last but not least...

These are the Journey Cable Socks by Sivia Harding. I'm knitting the size medium, fingering weight variety. I used size 2 for the cuff, size 1 for the heel and instep, and may switch to size 0 for the foot after I get past the instep.

I love the cable on this sock and how it ends on the heel flap and instep. (the photo on the right is of the heel flap). I also am loving this yarn. It's Tess' Designer Yarn Super Socks & Baby which I bought at Tess' shop in Portland, Maine this past summer. It reminds me of our trip to Maine, of Tess' technicolor shop of yarny goodness, and I love the red color. I haven't knit a pair of red socks in a long time (perhaps never). It's an enjoyable knit that's moving right along.

All of these socks that I have been knitting have a high nylon/wool ratio... at least 80/20. That means that they'll all wash well and hold up over time which makes me happy.

What's next for my sock knitting? Well, nothing too adventurous ... I'm craving another pair of Monkey Socks and I have a lovely variegated Araucania Ranco Multi that I think would be a good match. That is probably what I'll bring with me to the knitting retreat this weekend....

Yes! My group is having a knitting retreat! Amanda and Kara have been organizing knitting fun for us for months now. This is the third retreat that our group has had. They're a great time! The retreat is being held at a local hotel. We're going to knit and socialize for three days straight! What a great respite from the winter blahs. We're all so excited!

NaKniMitMo

Last month I participated in the 'National Knit Mittens Month' Knit-along on Ravelry. I followed along with the message board for the group. I enjoyed the ongoing discussion and all of the fabulous and inspiring mittens that everyone was knitting.

I knit two pairs of mittens for the KAL...

Herringbone Mittens

pattern by Elli Stubenrauch

(ravelry details)

This is a free pattern that I've wanted to knit since it was released by Ms.Elliphantom on her blog a couple years ago. I love the overall pattern... it's really made up of just two different rows. There's a great rhythm once you get moving. What I really love the most about these mittens are the thumbs. I just love the structure and the way the yarn striped up. I knit these using Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted which was a delight to knit up and resulted in a velvety, sturdy, warm fabric.

What I'd change if I knit these again are the cuffs. I used size 4 needles on the 1x1 ribbing and size 6 for the body of the mitten. The cuffs are very loose and unruly. They just sort of buckle and don't do their job. They don't have the structure to stand up to the sturdy double-thick pattern of the colorwork.

I probably could go down a few more needle sizes for the cuffs, but if I were to knit these again I think I'd do something different like a double-thick seamed cuff or something. The cuffs really have kept me from wearing these very much which is a dissappointment. Maybe I'll try to retro-fit them somehow.

All in all I LOVED this pattern. I've attempted stranded mittens many times before with NO success! These were the first ones that fit me well and were fun to knit.

Bella's Mittens
pattern by Amanda
(ravelry details)

During the first weeks of January, I read the Twilight book series hot and fast. I saw the movie. I gushed like a schoolgirl with my knitting friends about all things Twilight. It was a lot of silly fun! My friend Amanda is the one who initially got our group hooked on the Twilight series. She is the one who wrote up this pattern for the mittens Bella wears in Twilight the movie. What better way to round out our obsession than to knit these mittens!?

I used size 9 needles and Knit Picks Cadena in the Mist colorway. I also did two less cable repeats up the arm. They're super warm and cozy. Plus, they've already outlived the novelty of the Twilight series for me!

NaKniMitMo was a lot of fun. I enjoyed combing over what seems like hundreds of mitten patterns to knit. I don't knit a lot of mittens on a regular basis so this was a good opportunity to devote some time to all things mitten. I've already picked out a couple patterns to knit next year.

NaKniMitMo

Last month I participated in the 'National Knit Mittens Month' Knit-along on Ravelry. I followed along with the message board for the group. I enjoyed the ongoing discussion and all of the fabulous and inspiring mittens that everyone was knitting.

I knit two pairs of mittens for the KAL...

Herringbone Mittens

pattern by Elli Stubenrauch

(ravelry details)

This is a free pattern that I've wanted to knit since it was released by Ms.Elliphantom on her blog a couple years ago. I love the overall pattern... it's really made up of just two different rows. There's a great rhythm once you get moving. What I really love the most about these mittens are the thumbs. I just love the structure and the way the yarn striped up. I knit these using Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted which was a delight to knit up and resulted in a velvety, sturdy, warm fabric.

What I'd change if I knit these again are the cuffs. I used size 4 needles on the 1x1 ribbing and size 6 for the body of the mitten. The cuffs are very loose and unruly. They just sort of buckle and don't do their job. They don't have the structure to stand up to the sturdy double-thick pattern of the colorwork.

I probably could go down a few more needle sizes for the cuffs, but if I were to knit these again I think I'd do something different like a double-thick seamed cuff or something. The cuffs really have kept me from wearing these very much which is a dissappointment. Maybe I'll try to retro-fit them somehow.

All in all I LOVED this pattern. I've attempted stranded mittens many times before with NO success! These were the first ones that fit me well and were fun to knit.

Bella's Mittens
pattern by Amanda
(ravelry details)

During the first weeks of January, I read the Twilight book series hot and fast. I saw the movie. I gushed like a schoolgirl with my knitting friends about all things Twilight. It was a lot of silly fun! My friend Amanda is the one who initially got our group hooked on the Twilight series. She is the one who wrote up this pattern for the mittens Bella wears in Twilight the movie. What better way to round out our obsession than to knit these mittens!?

I used size 9 needles and Knit Picks Cadena in the Mist colorway. I also did two less cable repeats up the arm. They're super warm and cozy. Plus, they've already outlived the novelty of the Twilight series for me!

NaKniMitMo was a lot of fun. I enjoyed combing over what seems like hundreds of mitten patterns to knit. I don't knit a lot of mittens on a regular basis so this was a good opportunity to devote some time to all things mitten. I've already picked out a couple patterns to knit next year.