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Sockssssssss

I adore hand knit socks.  They are so comfy.  They are so pretty.  They are practical and yet a luxury.  My only problem seems to be that they come in pairs and I am prone to second sock syndrome.   That fact is the reason I was so proud of myself for whipping up the Hermione's Everyday Socks using Hedgehog Fibers so quickly last spring.  The yarn was from an exchange years ago and I was doing my best to knit with stash yarn.  I had had my eye on the pattern for a while for its simplicity and I had just finished The Weekender sweater by Andrea Mowry and I was ready to knit something smaller.  Smaller doesn't necessarily mean less stitches though.  I read somewhere that the average pair of hand knit socks is around 17,000 stitches.  If you are ever gifted a pair of hand knit socks you should appreciate a few things.  First, sock needles are tiny.  Tiny needles plus a bazillion stitches means the gift giver really really likes you.  Second, its takes a lot of willpower to mak
Recent posts

Monogamy and Productivity

 For the last year I have mostly been a monogamous knitter.  I would power through one project at a time, fully completing it, weaving in ends, and blocking it before moving on to the next cast on, no matter how much I was jonesing for the next project.  This method is usually the most productive one for me personally.  Otherwise I end up with mostly finished WIPs waiting patiently for their ends to be woven in or seams to be sewn and they can languish for YEARS that way.   But after I finished the STRIPES! sweater I got cast-on-itis.  I had previously cast on a Love Note sweater by Tin Can Knits for my daughter but I didn't love the way the yarns were together and I felt like it would end up with enough itch factor that she wouldn't wear it, so it had been set aside waiting for the right fingering weight yarn to go with the silk mohair I had ready.  Once I had the * right * yarn it really began to fly but, of course, in the meantime while I looked for the right yarn I had a

The Casagrande Sweater - a test knitting journey

Before we really get into this. I'd like to mention that if you hang around long or follow me on instagram, you'll notice I do not have a museum quality house.  I have a lived in house with people and dogs and lots of life happening.  So, as you glance around at piles of throw pillows in the corner or things tossed on the foot of the bed, realize its a balancing act and I'm going to choose to go ahead and take pictures in my not perfect bedroom and just let it be what it is.   You may remember that in the fall of 2019 I was introduced to yarn pond and really fell down that rabbit hole in January of 2020 while I was on bedrest after hip surgery.  Last spring I happened upon a test knit call for a sweater so beautiful I just had to put my name in to test knit.  I had the privilege to be selected and was able to test knit the Casagrande Sweater  by Sharon Hartley .  Its a beautiful sweater with a keyhole back, a ribbon bow, and lacey sleeves closed with a box pleat.  It was a

Well, its sure been a year

      A  bit more than a year ago I posted about recovering from hip surgery and renewing my love affair with knitting.  I didn't yet know about what life would suddenly be like.  I didn't know I'd be doing physical therapy over zoom and working from home while my wonderful husband managed remote school for the kids.  Amongst the home cooked meals, the bread baking, the wondering if grocery stores would have milk, flour, yeast and other necessities, at least there was knitting to help keep me sane.       From a knitting standpoint, it was a productive year.  I made sweaters for myself, gifts for family, clothing for the kids.  I connected online with more knitters than I had previously and even started listening to knitting podcasts.  The thing I am currently missing the most is the in person knitting groups of my younger days.  Before kids I spent many an evening sitting at restaurants or in people's homes, knitting, talking, and laughing.  Always a lot of laughing.  E

It's been a while, old friend

Good morning Its a rainy morning.  Most things around town have been canceled.  I know I have to go to work later but right now I just want to think about yarn and knitting and curling up on the sofa on this rainy Saturday where people are stripping the shelves of stores and losing their minds. In January I had hip surgery to repair a torn labrum in my right hip.  The enforced downtime renewed my passion for knitting.  I have always had a need, a drive, to make things with my hands.  It often goes unsatisfied between work and the busyness of kids but its always been there.  But for almost two weeks I had so much time and I started to finish old projects that had been sitting around for years and new projects and test knits and I found new indie yarn dyers and connected with the community of yarnpond and the drive a need to create was fed and grew.  I find myself queueing more patterns than I can possibly finish, purchasing new patterns from independent designers and ordering yarn

Update!

I have a new post  up on the Babywearing Around Tulsa blog!  We had a great time with a tester wrap that travelled through last week. In knitting news I attended Fiber Christmas in July  at the Creek County Fair Grounds this weekend.  I got to see many of my fiber friends and even an old friend from high school.  It was great to get to hang out and even knit a while.  I busted out an Acorn Head in a squishy cream colored wool blend.  I'll need to get a picture up soon! Also gearing up for Gyspy Market in Kansas City this coming weekend.  If you are in the area come out to visit me!!  Event details can be found here.   I will be bringing along the wares of a few friends from make:Tulsa ; Blue Marble Market, Tulsa Teethers, Byrd Handmade and Weather & Noise.  Its should be a fun and exciting weekend and I am really looking forward to it.  I have spent most evenings the last couple of weeks busting out dryer balls as fast as I can!  In other super awesome news, but not kni

Miami Madness

Hey there folks!  Little E and I just got back from a great trip to Miami.  I had a work conference to attend but she got to spend her days lazing by the pool.  We were lucky enough to get to go early so I had a couple days to swim with her.  She tans so fast!  A skill I never had.  And she had so much fun there!  I think she is going to be a little fish like her momma.  I am going to miss the beach and the fabulous pools.  Walk in pools are great for tiny ones! While in Miami I did get some great knitting time!  It had been awhile since I had gotten to knit so much.  Originally I planned to work on inventory for fall but I decided to set that aside and knit a blanket for Little E's baby dolls.  She loves her baby dolls!!  This sparkly cotton should be right up her alley. Check out this cool kid!  She has grown so much.  I love this little outfit, it has a matching sun hat too.  :-)  And look at those tan little legs!  Crazy!    So much has been going on lately,