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Update summer 2021: blog has a new name! Please visit me at https://thepowerofquiet.blogspot.com/

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Socks!



My socks are back on track! Turns out I had missed a decrease on one sock on one side, so my number didn't add up. I had to pull everything off the needles, rearrange, and recount in order to figure out what was going on, but I only had to reknit one round. Yay! I'm using a pattern for Two Toe-Up Socks on a Single Circular Needle, so when I finally am done, the pair is finished - no second sock syndrome.

I was going to post a link to the pattern, but I can't remember where I got it. I've googled everything I can think of and it's not coming up. As I look more closely at my printouts,I think I used a basic toe-up two-at-a-time on one circular needle pattern, and substituted in the iron heel instead of the heel that was written in the basic pattern, which is why it's not coming up on the search. The information on the iron heel can be found here: http://pencraftco.wordpress.com/category/completed-projects/socks/  The sock itself is fairly plain, with stockinette sole and 1x1 rib for the top of the foot and everything above the heel. The heel shaping gets a little tricky, and the decreasing above the heel (to decrease the gusset stitches away) is every 3 rounds rather than every 2 rounds. I'm having to focus more on this heel, but it is likely because it's the first time I'm trying this technique. I had to really focus on the standard top-down heel flap the first couple of times I knitted socks but they're old hat now. I'm hoping this heel will give me a good fit. It's also supposed to wear well, ergo the name "iron heel."

I may even find some time to knit some more on these socks this week: we have prom gowns for both girls (borrowed and second-hand), work is settling back down to manageable levels, and AP tests are over! Not only that, we had a beautiful sunny warm day today for Mother's Day and my wonderful husband grilled me dinner and the kids cleaned up afterward. Life is good.

Shelley in CT


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

So tired...

It's spring, the flowers are blooming and the weather is lovely (when it's not raining) so why am I so tired? Well, Jessica and Aya have AP tests that they have been studying for during the past couple weeks (with the obligatory teenage angst), Jason has track practices and meets and a part-time job that he needs to be driven to and picked up from on a regular basis, we've had another AFS (Aya's exchange program) mandatory event that took place way over on the other side of Connecticut, that took 2 hours to drive to and 2 hours to drive home from (yes, I did carpool to make it easier), and proms for all three are coming up and we've had to help rent the tux and are still hunting for gowns to buy or borrow, not to mention shoes, wraps, flowers, etc. Work has been busy too, especially since our biller quit with no notice and I ended up helping fill in (learning on the job!) and am pitching in again to help the office staff get our books up to date before statements go out this month. Jessica is volunteering for AFS (as an experienced exchange student), and is needed at an orientation this weekend on Mother's Day, to which I will end up helping her drive because it's too far away and in a big city and she's just not ready for that kind of solo driving yet. Did I mention that that one is scheduled for Mother's Day?? Aya has dance rehearsals for a big spring performance this month, also, I might add, with a rehearsal on Mother's Day. Did I forget anything? In order to stay sane and attempt to ease the stress of all that we have going on, I have given myself a break and wisely ignored the housework (if I ignored the cooking of dinners the children and husband would rise up in revolt). Okay, enough kvetching, just had to get that off my chest.

Soon the AP tests will be over, we'll have everything ready for the proms, which will be enjoyed by all, and the kids will finish school and we just may be able sit back and maybe relax for a day or two before something new pops up on the schedule.

I have gotten virtually no knitting done, and haven't progressed at all on the baby quilt since the last post. Maybe on the prom nights I'll be able to get back to the sewing machine. Once again, this will require excavation of the office/craft/sewing room in order to physically reach the sewing machine. The socks I have been knitting have a big mistake in the decrease section above the heels. I've been knitting them toe-up, two-at-a-time on one long circular needle, so taking them off the needle and ripping back will involve keeping careful track of both socks so I can put them back on the needle at the same section of both socks. That's going to take more energy and thinking than I've been willing to give to my knitting lately. My cardigan sweater just needs a good try-on so I can decide where the buttons and buttonholes should go, and then I can finish it up. That's hung me up as well. Guess it's the brain work that I'm avoiding.


In other parts of my life, I seem to be taking after both of my parents these days. I've been working as a bookkeeper for the past year, and my mother did bookkeeping for many years; and recently I was asked to lead some runs for the spring/summer outdoor activities program run by the gym I used to belong to. My dad has always been leading and organizing races and running groups for almost as long as I can remember, so now I can take after him too. I was very flattered to be considered an experienced and serious enough runner to lead a group. And I get free gym access out of it. My first run is on May 19, and I've already tried out my route to check my mileage and my turnaround points. I'm starting easy with a flat 5-mile route that runs along the ocean and through part of a state park. Hopefully a few people will show up so I'll have some folks to lead. Wish me luck.


Send some positive mojo my way and hopefully I can get back on track. I'm hoping to finish up the knitting projects that are close to completion. I should probably write it into my schedule, a dedicated knitting-at-home day.

This Saturday is shopping with the girls. Send me some good thoughts for that as well, I'm going to need it.

Shelley in CT