Post? Oh, hell no. No way would I even try to write 365 posts in a year. For one, I simply don't have that much to say, and for another, I assume y'all have something better to do. But this is the last day of the latin calendar year, and for that I figure I might throw in a little something of interest – something y'all can read while you're primping for all of those parties.
Speaking of which, did you know you're getting a whole 'nother second as a late gift? No, really. I can't make this stuff up. Of course, I wouldn't blink, lest you miss this priceless bit. My goodness -- what shall we do with all this time?
I wonder how long we're going to go on with such an inaccurate time measure as the standard calendar before someone decides to make another major shift. Three, four hundred more years?
do you knit at all anymore?
Changing the subject again, I see. Okay, fine. Don't even pretend to be enthralled with my foray into deep philosophical thought.
deep thought. you. heh.
Just getting my toes wet at the pool. And yes, I do knit. Still. Lady J is richer by a pair of socks, thankyouverymuch. I did finish the Spring Forwards, and I am still thrilled with the pattern. I may well knit it again. I do not have photos of the finished item, because I threw them at her just after weaving in the ends
you threw them at her?
Yes, I did. She was on the other side of the room. I didn't mean threw as in "dodgeball." More like threw as in "tossed." Can I finish now?
yes, yes, go ahead.
Anyway, I tossed them to her and she wore them immediately thereafter. And I didn't have my camera with me. So take my word for it that they're done and lovely and all that. I'll post an in-progress photo later on so that y'all can see what I'm talking about. Maybe Lady J will send me a photo of her own feet in said socks. I'll leave that up to her, 'cause some folks think that sort of request is weird.
still don't know why you couldn't have gotten up and handed them to her like a normal person.
And people think I have issues. Whatever. The details for this project were:
Pattern: Spring Forward, from knitty.com, Summer '08.
Yarn: Yarn Love Scarlett O'Hara in "Darling." Bamboo/superwash wool/nylon blend.
Needles: US 1 Addi Turbos, magic looped.
Notes: It's a lovely yarn, and the way the yarn was painted made for a nice blend in the pattern. (You'll have to take my word for this.) I'd use it again, I think, but for not for socks. A little too soft and drapey. Personally, I like a stiffer fabric with some springback, and this didn't do it for me. The recipient had no such problem and was more than pleased with the way they felt on her feet. Ergo, this is really a non-issue.
but wait, there's more!
My niece's Christmas scarf (rav link). Also greatly appreciated -- she put it on and was still wearing it when we left, experimenting with how it looked best. (She's 9. I don't want to see her fashionista self at 16.)
Pattern: my own, but it's really just a stitch pattern pulled from the Harmony Lace & Eyelet stitch guide: the Lacy ZigZag. I cast on 44 stitches and did the math from there, leaving a four-stitch garter selvage on either side. Then I added a matching garter border on each end and some fringe. 60" long not counting the fringe, which turned out to be just the right length for her.Yarn: sKnitches Kettle Drum in "Recycle." Bamboo/wool/nylon blend.
Needles: Clover bamboo straights, US 6.
Notes: This was a good use for the bamboo blend. Soft, silky, drapey, and with that nice sheen. I loved the way this semi-solid yarn was dyed -- the color variations were so subtle that you weren't sure if it was the yarn itself or a trick of the light with the way the pattern worked. It blocked out beautifully. (Got to use my new blocking wires! Woot!)
and if you order now…
we'll throw in this bit of trivia:
No, wait. I'm not going to give you the answer. I'm going to make you give me the answer. Yeah. A contest of sorts. Heh.
Tell me what year the ball was first dropped and from all the correct answers, I'll use the random number generator and draw a winner. Then I'll send out goodies, not all yarn-related but possibly including fibery stuff (don't worry, I'm not going to ship you stale Christmas cookies). Now, for the purposes of this contest the right answer means what I think it is (and I looked it up on the innernets, so it must be true.)
Happy friggin' new year, y'all. Celebrate safely and watch out for all those kooks on the road.







