Poor Neglected Blog

Okay- so I wrote a post yesterday and was trying to put in pics, when the computer decided to flip out. So I didn't come back on and finish and post. So, today you get a post that is today and yesterday combined. All the writing in black is from today, and all the blue-green is from Friday. Hope this goes better.

Yeah, I've been neglecting the blog. Can't be helped though. I've been sidelined with influenza. That's right - not the flu that everyone gets and complains about, but the flu that caused a pandemic once upon a time. And let me tell you - you don't want it. I have in the past (and including this year) opted to not get the vaccine. Why? Because when I got it in college - it made me feel crappy for a week. But that crappy is nothing compared to the crappy of this week, so next year I will be getting my flu shot.

I've been told that there are people in suspense, wondering if I managed to get a sock done for last week. Technically - the second Monet sock counts for last week because I didn't finish it until Monday. But I also finished the first Waving Lace sock during the Super Bowl (yay the cheaters lost!), so that means I finsihed two socks last week. Surprising too. There was a bit of drama with the WL sock.

After last post, I kept knitting and knitting, and turned the heel and stared the gussets, and thought, "Hmm, let's see what it looks like on.." Yeah, no. Definitely too small. So I pondered for a while. And thought of continuing and just gifting them to someone with smaller feelt. But I love the color and the pattern, so I opted to frog and redo with size 2's after careful swatching. Lesson of the week: swatch for everything, including socks.

So the first one was done Sunday, I started the cuff of the second one that night. Managed to get most of the leg done during Kaylee's nap and late basketball practice on Monday. And then didn't knit again until last night. That's how horrible the influenza is folks - it's capable of putting me out of knitting commission for 2 days. But, I managed to focus enough last night to turn the heel and work the gussets. Here's the progress:

The doctor isn't allowing me to return to work until Monday - due to the fact that I work with HS kids and she doent' want to start an epidemic. She didn't really want to hear that I probably got sick from one of the kids in the first place. So - my plans for the weekend - finish the ND sweater. I'm not really supposed to leave the house, so what else do I have to do? The second sock of course will get done as well, and beyond that we'll see.

Remember to practice good hand hygiene - it's your first line of defense. That's my PSA for the month.

Last night I finished the second Waving lace sock. That brings my sock total for the year to 8. Woohoo. And then I decided to start he next one. Because, like I've already said, I may have a problem. It's the Master Sidestream pattern from "New Pathways" in yarn from Spritely Goods called "Arizona Ironwood". Granted it may look like this is meant to be a Valentine's sock - it's not. I love this colorway it's so pretty. But I hate Valentine's Day. I won't bore you with the rant. So these are my February sucks socks. It's not much yet, and the colors aren't coming through very well - but it's Feb in NE OH the light sucks.

The Post from Yesterday

Yeah - totally meant to post this yesterday, but... the puter decided that it did not want to let Norton work. Don't know why. Still not working - have some other kind of spyware working at the moment. So, here goes. What have I been doing? Working. Big surprise right? It's a busy week. Games every night except tomorrow night, but Elizabeth is coming into town and tomorrow is the only chance to see her. So my schedule is booked. Yay fun. And did I mention that I'm fighting a cold. Yeah, even more fun. But anyway, I've been knitting (also a huge surprise). I finished the Monet socks. And they are so wonderful. Totally mad scientist, and wonderful. There was a scary few moments, I got the toe of the second sock and had this much yarn left.

So I sat there knitting and praying and checking the yarn every row, or needle. Very scary. But all was well and I ended up having a little left over. This is seriously the closest I've ever been to running out of yarn on socks. Don't like the feeling. Especially because when I looked at the skein photo at the Loopy Ewe the other day, the green was much lighter and closer to lime green than the skein I have. So I definitely would not have been able to match dye lots. But it's okay.

So then, I had to cast on another pair. I'm coming to the realization that I may have a problem. Not there yet, but maybe. So I got out my "Clara's New Shoes" yarn from dkKnits on Etsy and cast on the "Waving Lace Socks" from Favorite Socks. Here it is:

Notice anything different? Yep, these are being knit on 2 circular needles. The first time I've done this. Yay. New technique! And, I'm using the Norwegian method of purling - so very happy with it, for the first time, my knit stitches before purl stitches are not all wonky! Will definitely use this way from here on out. Note: I don't think that the color will ever come out in the photos. But it moves from pale pale pink, to ballet pink, to blush to a warm tan. So great. Definitely capture the essence of ballet slippers without the satin sheen.

And now just for fun, I finally saw Kaylee - the first time since Christmas - and gave her the tam that was modeled so wonderfully by mom if you'll all remember. Too big, but so cute.