Life, Knitting and the Pursuit of Roller Coasters

Not only am I keeping up with NaBloPoMo in some capacity however lame that may be, today’s post marks #150 for me (proof that prior to NaBloPoMo I was slacking. That seems like a really small number for a year and a half of posting). But it’s a milestone, and deserves some sort of recognition.

Here’s where my list stands.Dad’s Socks:  Almost halfway done. I’m slowly progressing down the foot of the first sock, looks pretty much like it did the last time.

Brother’s Socks: Haven’t cast on again yet, they’ll get their place OTN soon.

3 pair of women’s socks (recipients deliberately kept nondescript):

Pink Monkey Socks: done, just finished today.

The other two pair haven’t been designated yet but will shortly.

Mom’s scarf: same as before

Sari silk scarf: same as before

At least one or two more scarves to be determined.

A couple hats that haven’t been started yet.

Undetermined pairs of gloves/fingerless mitts/mittens: One pair finished a month ago. Others not yet started, may be made to match the scarves.

I’m slowly shaking this, the drugs had me a little more active today.

The joys of being sick and living alone. Apparently, I’m still supposed to eat and drink things. The cats still expect to be fed and have a clean litterbox.

So, I used most of my energy today to get to the grocery store. We will all be equipped to stay alive until Thanksgiving now. Then I’ll relax and turn my survival needs back over to my parents for a few days.

The Doctor on Friday said I should be ok to work tomorrow, so I’m going to give it a try. No guarantees on that one though.

My lungs are still jumping out of my chest, I have one cozy cat and another who’s decided to alternate between spastic and annoying and cute and cuddly all day long. Guess which one she chooses at 5 in the morning?

I’m just really hoping the meds kick this soon, I’m miserable right now.

That cough/cold didn’t get any better so I went to the doctor’s today. I’m glad that I decided to go though since it’s not just a cold. I’m the brilliant owner of a nice case of pneumonia. Fortunately, I went in early enough to catch it before it gets too bad. Expect a few more short posts while I work on getting back to healthy.

I’ve made it 15 days into this experiment so far. Unfortunately this will be another short, photoless post. The head/chest cold that’s been trying to attack me all month decided to finally jump up and latch on with full force today. At least a day of sniffling and trying to keep my lungs inside my chest on the couch has led to plenty of knitting and Tivo catchup. Dad’s sock is halfway down the foot and the second Monkey will get it’s heel tonight.

Welcome to this addition of “Look, it’s the same sock, now with new improved heel and gusset!”

Ok, to be honest, the first Monkey sock is nearly finished. It will get it’s toe before I head to sleep tonight and if I’m feeling ambitious I’ll cast on the second. Staying home this weekend should get that pair checked off my list. The scarves are pretty much looking the same as they were before. I haven’t been picking them up as often as I should; instead I’m giving socks more focus.

I spent most of Saturday and the last few evenings getting dad’s sock to the gusset. Can someone refer me back to this post the next time I decide to make socks on size 0’s for a man? These will be a worthwhile finished object, but damn are they a slow knit and not the smartest choice for me to make on a deadline knit with a to-knit list a mile long.

And the knitpicks essential? It’s knitting up into a nice fabric, but splitting like mad which just seems to slow them down that much more. I’m paranoid I’m going to run out before the toe which admittedly is the only thing keeping me knitting as fast as reasonable because I want to know sooner rather than later. I can always toe in another color if needed or make a last-minute extra skein order if I catch it soon enough.

Rose in the International Rose Test Gardens in Portland, OR, 2004

Carousel Horse in Vancouver, BC, 2004

Gromit

Texas Cyclone (R.I.P), 2005

Lily

Cuddlebugs

Will you forgive me for another empty, pointless post?

First, I neglected to acknowledge Veterans Day yesterday. To any and all who do or have served, thanks.

Second, I feel like I need to put something resembling a real post in today since last night’s was such a cop out. I’m trying to avoid the “Look, it’s the same sock only now it has a heel” post that the knitting is giving me though. So, I think I may delve into either meme territory or just some in-depth and/or history for the next few posts. If there’s anything anyone is curious about or would like to see me extrapolate on, fire up the comments. If this is the dullest thing ever let me know that too.

I do feel like I’ve not given the coaster hobby as much focus in the blog as it has in my life. I’ve alluded to it, I’ve mentioned some of the trips and events at a fairly high level and I posted my wooden coaster poll ballot for this year last week, but I’ve kinda kept the coaster stuff to the forums I frequent and haven’t brought as much of it to the blog. I’m not really even sure where to start extrapolating on it though (which is probably why I haven’t given it much focus). Anything in particular anyone wants to know or know more about?

And for just that little bit of extra random, I am going to resort to a meme. Sock related natch, and it appears to have originated back at this blog.

Sock Meme!

1. What’s your favorite sock yarn? (please note that the word ‘yarn’ is singular. Just pick one. I know it’s hard.)

I’m still in what I would dub the experimental phase. I’ve knit close to 20 pair, but I don’t think any two have been in the same yarn yet. If I have to choose, I’d go with Sundara’s sock yarn. The socks I made with hers are one of my favorite pair, and I have another colorway that I haven’t knit up yet.

2. What’s your favorite type and brand of sock needle?

I’m pretty partial to my crystal palace bamboo dpns at this point. I’ll probably give some of the knitpicks dpns a shot next year. I’ve never really had any interest in 2-circs or magic loop although I’ll probably get around to learning eventually.
3. Do you knit your socks toe up, cuff down, or sideways?

I prefer cuff-down. I actually really enjoy grafting, and I have an easier time figuring out heel and toe placement. I like the idea of toe up, but they just feel slower to me.
4. Do you knit both socks at once or just one at a time?

One at a time.
5. What’s your favorite toe and why?

I like a regular wedge decreased at the sides grafted toe.
6. Favorite heel?

I prefer a heel flap and I’ve enjoyed the visual and reinforced nature of an eye-of-partridge pattern to a flap. Short row heels don’t seem to fit me right and feel fidgety to execute.
7. Do you prefer plain or patterned socks?

It depends on the yarn. I love handpainted and variegated yarns, but I love a good patterned sock too. I love the patterns that can handle both a complex yarn and a little interest in the sock, but I stockinette is great for mindless knitting too.
8. Who do you knit the most socks for?

Myself, although mom’s collection is slowly growing.
9. Do you darn your socks? If not, what do you do with them?

Mom has walked a hole into one of her pair, and I’ve made some attempts to mend them. I fortunately haven’t needed to mend any of mine yet, but until they’re too disintegrated to fix, I’ll mend what I can.
10. Do you only wear handknit socks?

I have enough pair that if I kept on top of the laundry I could only wear handknit socks. When I did my big closet purge, I pared down to a very limited number of non-knit though. I have a few solid trouser socks because I don’t have any desire to knit myself plain black socks, and I kept a few pair of novelty socks and athletic socks, but I’m otherwise right there with mostly handknit socks.
Bonus question: What pattern, if any, is your basic “I-just-need-a-pair-of-socks” sock pattern based on? Do you keep it written down or memorized?

I have developed my own memory for stockinette socks on both size one and size two needles that I can pull from memory. I’ve also committed the jaywalker and monkey sock patterns to memory and have pulled both of those into my arsenal of standards on a couple occasions.

Oh, and to keep this really random…  Craft linked to this really neat blog on their blog today, and I’ve been entranced by it all afternoon.

Sunday post? check.

I think this may be the new definition of pathetic as it related to blog posts. But, I’m meeting my commitment despite the lame format. I apologize. Profusely.