An interesting problem

So I discovered one major problem with sock knitting. When I try them on while I am still working on them to make sure they will fit, I don't want to take them off to finish them. Even when they are half done they are too darn cozy!

 

 

Socktastic

I finished my first pair of socks a couple of weeks ago and they are amazing! I find myself wearing them, washing them, pulling them out of the dryer and then wearing them again. They have seriously been washed four times already.

The yarn I used was Premier Yarns Serenity Sock, a wool, bamboo, nylon blend that is totally washable. The pattern is from the ball band, which is called Silky Soft Socks (also downloadable online) and I used Size 2 needles.

I'm pretty pleased with the results, although I would make a few changes next time. I was a little uneven picking up stitches and I will definitely use a 1.5 needle for the ribbing. (I ordered a set of Hiya Hiyas to make my next pair. So excited about this - my first set of "nicer" needles!) I may even use them for the whole sock, but that depends on how my gauge is working out.

Speaking of my next socks, this gorgeous yarn is going to be my next pair.

It's Opal sock yarn in their Vincent Van Gogh color line. I picked the ever classic Starry Night. I also loved the Cafe Terrace colorway but unfortunately that was out. I cannot wait to turn this into socks.

I am working on a few other things as well. I started a Serina cardigan. I had done a gauge swatch for it a few months ago but I was off so I didn't start it then. I finally got around to making a new swatch that actually met the required gauge so I cast on. It's an easy pattern but boy did I struggle to get it started. I'm currently on my fourth attempt, which is going better than the previous three but still a little rough. Hopefully it will get smoother as I progress. I'm also working on a secret project to share later.

 

Work in progress Wednesday

My foot is wrapped in a wonderful pillow of softness right now. That has to be one of the weirder sentences I've ever written but I can't think of any other way to describe my handknit socks. I tried it on so I could see how it was fitting so far and it feels amazing. I think I'm hooked on sock knitting!

The pattern is Silky Soft Socks done with Premier Serenity Sock yarn on size 2 needles. There are definitely a few mistakes - the ribbing is a little loose and it's a little wonky where I picked up the stitches on one side. But I think practice will resolve the issue with picking up the stitches. I made need to switch to a smaller needle for the ribbing next time. I also plan to cast one next one as soon as I finish so I don't end up with second sock syndrome.

 

2012 recap and 2013 resolutions

2012 got off to an interesting start last year. We ended up in the emergency room with J having scratched his cornea an hour before his birthday party. So far 2013 has been a little tamer...

Last year definitely had it's high points. E and I went to Hawaii for the first time to attend his brother's wedding. The wedding was gorgeous and the whole trip was amazing. We also took the kids to Disneyland last month (I'll write about that later).

C started Kindergarten this year - I can't believe I'm the mom of a Kindergartener. He also played on a basketball team for the first time this year. J turned three and is a lot fun. He'll be starting preschool this fall!!! I also gained a SIL (the wedding I mentioned above) and a nephew.

Work was crazy busy at some points this year. Unfortunately blogging sort of fell by the wayside at times because of that. But at least my job is really interesting.

I also worked on my resolution list. In late 2010 I heard the idea of creating a list of things to do rather than one or two big resolutions. In my opinion there is a greater chance for success that way, which makes me want to push on instead of quitting when I slip up. So I created a list for 2011; I had a good experience so I created one for 2012.

I didn't do that hot on my list - only 7 of 16. Some of the misses weren't total failures however. One of my goals was to read five books - I'm 2/3 the way through the fourth one. I also wanted to make caramels; I tried but they weren't edible unfortunately. Another goal was to learn a new cast off. I didn't do that but I did learn how to add an I-cord border on my turtle. I'm also working on my socks but didn't finish before the new year.

Now that 2013 is here, these are my goals for this year:

Eat more veggies

Lose 10 pounds (9/2/13)

Blog more

Learn entrelac

Learn a new cast on

Knit a cardigan (6/8/13)

Crochet something

Make homemade bread

Make caramels

Make truffles

Organize the pantry

Build a sandbox

Garden

Use my sewing machine (9/2/13)

Read five books (All Wound Up - 1/4; The Story - 2/25; Cocktails for Three - 3/11; Revenge Wears Prada - 6/17; A Mile in My Flip-flops - 9/2; Smart Versus Pretty - 9/15)

Learn how to play guitar.

There are a few repeats from last year. I really need to eat better so there are the first two goals. I also want to expand my knitting skills again. I felt like I took such a huge leap this year and want continue. I also want to expand my crochet skills. (Really my ultimate goal is to open up the Ravelry pattern database and be able to do anything listed but I'm aware that's a long way off.)

I want to try new things in the kitchen too so I added a few things there. Getting organized is another goal. And while the guitar thing seems a little random, it's really not. I bought a guitar a handful of years ago but never really got started. Then I had little kids and no time. Now I'm still busy but the kids are getting older and the opportunity may be there this year.

Hopefully these are realistic goals. I'm aware that I won't hit all of them but it gives me something to shoot for. Happy New Year!

 

Growing candy canes

My sister and I sometimes like to get the kids together and do a seasonal craft. Last week we got the kids together to do something Christmassy. She found a fun craft for them - growing their own candy canes.

First we took peppermint candies and added them into cups with "dirt" (crushed up Oreos) to cover them.

Then we sprinkled them with magic dust (colored sugar)

And waited for them to grow

The next time we saw them, they had begun to sprout (add in broken candy canes)

A couple days later they were fully grown!

The kids got such a kick out of this activity! And it was easy to do too.

 

Christmas Stocking part 2

Before Christmas I finished another stocking - this one was for my other grandma.

I'm more pleased with this one than the last one I did. My tension was a little better on this one than the last one. Plus I think the pattern is really cute - it's A Fair Isle Christmas. The great part about the pattern is the ability to mix and match. It comes with three main patterns and three borders so you can pick and choose but all of the combinations look like they would be cute together. I used up more of the stash acrylic and size 7 dpns for the project.

I also knitted a few ornaments this season to go with gift cards for C's teachers. Unfortunately in all the hubbub I forgot to take pictures. Now I'm finally moving on to something for me. I'm back to my socks - I had ripped them out and moved down to a smaller needle size. It's going a little smoother now. Hopefully I'll get pics soon.

 

Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas! We had a very nice Christmas here in Arizona. Our church had an absolutely amazing service filled with songs and focusing on how we can be lights in this world. Very uplifting and a great start to the weekend.

I think the boys both enjoyed Christmas this year. They got to see all of their cousins and I think they enjoyed their presents too! We also had a fudge making contest at my mom's - I won! I made a white chocolate peppermint fudge with chocolate chips. It was delicious. I also made my peanut butter balls, a peanut butter cream cheese ball and s'mores scones for my Christmas baking.

Unfortunately because I was having so much fun I didn't get too many pictures but here is a couple from the weekend.

J and me

Yes he is in shorts in that picture

The award winning fudge and my peanut butter balls

And a little treat for me (Opal sock yarn in their Van Gogh color way - this one is Starry Night)