Nothing like spending a few hours with friends knitting in a place that has pastries and coffee very close at hand. I met up with Heidi and Wendy at Rebecca's Coffee Shop on the corner of 30th & Juniper in San Diego for some chat and knit (Wendy also did some spinning). It wasn't too long before the conversation descended into quips about porn and x-rated knitted items. (we're fun like that) I brought my knewly (isn't that deliberate misspelling so knitter elite of me... ok nevermind) purchased Straucht hand carders and they both helped me a bit with my hand carding technique.
Spinning in public never fails to drum up some questions, and a gentleman entertained us for a bit with some marginally humorous anecdotes as Wendy spun up some delicious foresty green singles on her Lendrum. Laziness kept me from bringing my own to the shop. Come to think of it I still have to finish spinning up that thick thin single from the wooly balls I got from the Fiber Fest last month. (There's just something fun about saying wooly balls. Wooly balls!)
Ok... so I'm easily amused. At least I know and admit it.
I worked on the first sock of a pair of Marnie's Wyvern socks. Its a bit different from the other socks I've knit - the sole and back of the sock is ribbed which results in a very nice snug fit around the food and ankle. I would suggest that you knit a size bigger than you think you need if you are going to do the ribbed version. The combination of the rib and the pattern make it smaller than I would have expected. On the needles, the sock width is intimidatingly narrow. It looks more like a willy warmer than a sock, but when you try it on - magic happens and somehow it stretches to fit the foot quite nicely. I havent walked around on the sock yet so I cant tell you how the ribbing along the sole feels.
The pattern is lovely - not too complex, but interesting enough to keep your attention. The toe up construction is my favorite and there is no worry about running out of yarn depending on how long you make the cuff. I wouldnt make it too long without adding some shaping though as the narrowness of the foot could be constricting once you start going up the calf. I'm going to make them high ankle socks I think. With the lovely dragonscale pattern - it would look best in a solid color yarn but I actually dont have any solid sock yarn, so I did it in Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock yarn that I got from Jan Metzger on the trip up to the Village Yarn with Heidi, Wendy and Hillary. The pattern is not easily discernable in the photos, but you can see it nicely in person. If I were to do this again I'd probably do it in a solid color, and I am happy to report no pooling at all.
Needles: Addi Turbos Size 1 - 60"
Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Happy Valley
And no.. I still haven't finished that Clapotis. I wanted it big enough to be a wrap for my freezing office but my desire for size has made it even harder to complete. It's been relegated to the "knitting bag" (the Bermuda triangle of unfinished objects). Who knows - I might finish it someday but I'm not going to worry about it.
My sister just got a puppy. He is an American Eskimo and named Oscar.
Very very cute, but currently peeing all over her house.
MY dog however... no peeing over the house, and she is the mostest awesome dog ever.
One week and counting... Vietnam trip!
In more mundane news, I've become a Lost junkie. Rented Season 1 on DVD and I've found myself COMPLETELY engrossed by the storyline. I've spent past three days in a Lost marathon, up until the wee hours watching it avidly. Every character is quite multi faceted, soon as you start liking someone you find out something that isn't so flattering and the characters you love to hate (Sawyer) actually end up having a human side.
Except for Jack, he is hero material through and through - and a hottie to boot. I'd polish his stethoscope any day. Aside from Jack, I really like Locke. He's great in that "going postal crazy" sort of way.
I highly recommend anyone who's not seen the show to go out and rent Season 1 on DVD.
In movie news, I love me some Weasley Twins. That is all.
Yes she is! Such a good girl!
I don't think we helped with your handcards but it was nice of you to say so ;). I haven't used mine much at all and do need to practice--I will and maybe then I can help.
I think the socks look very cool.
Posted by: spaazlicious | Monday, November 28, 2005 at 09:23 AM
So sad that I missed out yet again. I'm really going to make it out to knit with you gals one of these days, it sounds like so much fun!
Just read your post about the lazer hair removal on your whoo ha. Eeep! I wonder if they can do that for armpits though. I really hate shaving my armpits.
Posted by: Jessimuhka | Monday, November 28, 2005 at 11:39 AM
I am with you on the Weasley Twins. I'm such a dirty old lady because of them.
Posted by: Yarn Abuse | Monday, November 28, 2005 at 11:40 AM
Sounds like you guys had a great time with your woolly balls. Sorry I missed out on the fun! I'm a new HP fan myself - just watched Azkaban last night and am on the 2nd book. Can't wait to see this movie!
On knitting - are you knitting a sock on a 60" circ? Is that that magic loop thing you mentioned? Soooo have to learn that....
Posted by: Hilari | Monday, November 28, 2005 at 01:59 PM
your socks look lovely. the patterning looks really cool. and i just saw the goblet of fire this weekend and it was fantastic. i admit i am in love with cedric. he's so beautiful. but the twins were awesome, as always. the even mentioned knitting!
Posted by: thuy | Monday, November 28, 2005 at 07:56 PM
ditton on the twins and both cute dogs :)
next time you hit Village in Solvang let me know, i'm only 45 min north of there!!
Posted by: Inky | Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 06:57 AM