A Notion to Knit

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Two little swatches . . . so, I knit these up this weekend and washed them.  But, I forgot one little thing, I didn't measure them before washing them (I've had a lot on my mind plus not sleeping well lately).  See, one little bitty thing!  When they first came out of the washer, I panicked because they looked exactly alike and I hadn't marked them differently.  One is knit on US#5s and one on US#6s.  After drying I realized I can tell the difference but what to do about no reference point from before washing?  They definitely shrunk, but I'd rather just guess where they were from memory.  That's just asking for trouble, right?  Anyway, the ivory colored Berroco Cotton Twist is going to be a Fiery Bolero, but the pink and orange is also Cotton Twist.  I'm very close on my yardage in the ivory so I didn't want to take a chance on swatching with the yarn. 

Here is one more picture of the socks that I received from my Sockapaloooza pal.  I wanted to post a clearer picture.  They are just a touch redder in person but the picture is a very good likeness.  Such warm and cozy socks!

rant, not knitting related

the title was a warning . . .

trivial as it may seem, this annoys me a lot - when i read in comments or blog entries where people talk about not being able to wear handknit items in texas (often alluding to it being hot year around in the entire state).  i find that usually one of two things applies to the people writing these things, either: 1) they are only familiar with one part of texas (which by the way, i've yet to find any knitbloggers from north texas/west texas and by the way, i consider dallas to be east texas) often because they are transplants not from there or 2) they are from texas, but live in south texas or the gulf area and just generalize.  as i said, this is just a rant but it annoys me to no end!  i grew up mainly in north texas, as in 10 - 15 miles from the oklahoma border, and experienced winters that were in general (aside from odd years like this past one) so much colder than i have here in oregon (not too far from the coast).

someone may say something to this, though i don't think i have any texas readers, so i will say just one more thing.  i realize that their are parts of the state where it is warmer year round, i've lived throughout the state - my point is it's not everywhere.  it isn't a desert, which DB expected until he went there. *a whole other pet peeve - i've actually been paired with someone before that blogged about how ugly texas was but had only seen a small part they drove across once.

this rant came to be because of a blog i commented on today.  i read something of the like in their comments and decided i had to say something finally.  and that my blog was the more appropriate place.

hopefully, i haven't ran off anyone with my insanity for the day.

knitting is happening.  pictures tonight or tomorrow.

*so anyway, i know i live in oregon, but that is still a home of sorts.  i feel much better, i hope you're all still there.

So, So Late

*Sockapaloooza Jaywalkers complete and shipped off.  And yes, they are a different sock yarn than I showed awhile back.

Stats:

Pattern: Grumperina's Jaywalker   

Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Merino DK      

Needles:  US#3 dpns      

Mods:  I attempted to give leg shaping, hopefully it worked, by decreasing halfway through the leg length to allow for a closer fit in the ankle area for my sock pal.

   

The color of the yarn is more like this  than some of the pictures look, a pale pink.  This was the first time I'd used any Debbie Bliss yarns.  I loved how soft it was but found the splitty nature of it to be frustrating.  Once I finally was sure about this pattern, I still ended up ripping out each sock part way to fix loose loops from splitting.  (Maybe a little too obsessive?  Anxious?  Worried?)

I hope my sock pal likes them and they fit.  Knitting needles crossed!

*Sorry for the not so great picture but I was in a hurry and it's dreary/raining outside.

my sockapaloooza socks, made from

my sockapaloooza socks, made from artyarns ultramerino4. they are very comfy, in relation to fit and yarn. thank you sock pal, Jen. I also took a picture before unwrapping them, i'll show that later.

It's Really Me Here

I know, I've been very absent.  Please bear with me. 

On a short update though, I received my Sockapaloooza socks last Thursday.  I like them and they fit great!  A picture will follow.  -I'm still working diligently on socks for my pal but believe they will go out Wednesday rather than today as planned.

I may resort to mobile blogging just so I can get something in here in the next few days.  Something will be new though.