Checked

So my idiotic self decided I didn't need to check the fit on the Tardis socks because I'd done a gauge swatch before I started. I didn't really deem it necessary to try on the WIP until this point:

where I determined that my first foray into intarsia didn't go very well and my tension was off, and the socks were so tight around my ankle/calf that my foot went numb. The lettering is almost unreadable and the sock itself is definitely unwearable. I think part of the problem is that the white yarn was mystery stash yarn and was a bit thicker than the black and the Tardis blue yarn that it was contrasting. That meant that the spaces between white letters were way too small to be noticeable. And to give myself some credit, it was my first try with intarsia and I thought it looked great...when I wasn't wearing it.

In other knitting news, I've done 6 pattern repeats on DM's lacy throw (and my nerdy self calculated that this is exactly 29.54% complete). It still looks pretty much the same though, so I think I'll post another photo at the halfway point. It's coming along nicely- it isn't taking nearly as long as I thought it would.

I also started a pair of plain stockinette socks for Chris for Christmas (try saying that 3 times fast). The yarn came from Tuesday Morning of all places. I had heard they sold good yarn, but when I went in to check I walked every aisle and didn't see any at all. Then I wandered in with DM looking for something entirely different and the yarn just materialized in front of me like magic. And it was all awesome. Anyway, it's Wisdom Yarns Marathon Socks Phoenix (I think they specify the city in which the colorway was dyed) in the colorway Salt River. And it really does look like a salt river when knit, check it out:

I also picked up some more Marathon Socks, this time dyed in the Twin Cities I guess, for Jeff, Chris's husband:

He'll also be receiving a pair of plain stockinette socks. One day, when I haven't got quite so many gifts to give, I will make a pair of patterned socks in the two-at-a-time toe-up method. I'll also make myself a Haapsalu shawl, or maybe try Ravelry's Queen Susan shawl. One day, you know when pigs fly and all my dreams come true and they finally come up with fat free cheesecake that doesn't taste like crap.

I tested out some turmeric dyeing for Erin's bolero and the smell seeped through NB's entire house (she and I collaborated on this experiment). Here are some photos:

Not my favorite color, but definitely Erin's, so it'll do. I'm planning on dyeing the other skein as part of the hand dyeing competition in the Ravellenic Games, then entering the bolero as part of the sweater competition. Maybe I'll do a pair of socks as well, but that might be overstretching my abilities.

Promised

Pictures as promised:

 This is really overdue, but this is the best FO photo I have for Erin's Owl Socks. I think the color, combined with the fierce Florida sun made it insanely difficult to get a good picture of the stupid things.

 Obviously the last four are of the same object. That's DM's afghan, and the paperclips indicate the number of pattern repeats, which at most recent count numbered 5 and 1/4.

This is my FO of the day. Crochet hat for Stevie. Finally, a finished Christmas present! Born of the spark of inspiration created by my last post, this will go directly into the Christmas box. When I find a good place to store said box of course. There isn't room at NS's and the rain keeps making its way into my car and destroying or moldering my possessions. And that's enough about my personal life for one post.

Motivated

So this is the game plan for Christmas:

1. DM's afghan

2. 3 pairs of Tardis socks, one each for me, NS, and NB

3. A pair of socks each for Chris, Jeff and Jen. I've looked into a few different patterns, but if I'm pressed for time I might just give them all plain stockinette socks.

4. A pair of wristwarmers for Renee (I might send a pair I already made for myself last year that turned out a little smaller than I meant them to. Fortunately, she and I share the same favorite color).

5. Bolero for Erin using yarn dyed with tumeric

6. A hat each for Michael, Katie and Stevie

7. A toy for Stevie's baby boy. I haven't a clue what kind of toy yet though. Something monkey-related probably.

And here are my goals for July:

1. Finish one more pattern repeat in DM's afghan. (I've already done almost 4 this month and had to start carrying my gigantic knitting bag to the daycare for naptime knitting) because by my calculations, I need to do at least 3 pattern repeats a month to finish by December, which would probably mean casting off at 11:59 p.m. on the 24^th.

2. Cuff and hopefully a whole leg on one Tardis sock. Dream big, right?

3. Stevie's hat (crochet) probably in Caron Simply Soft colorway Ocean

4. Dye yarn (Patons probably) for Erin's Bolero. Maybe knit a swatch.

5. Simple knit beanie for Michael. Also in Caron Simply Soft in the colorway Ocean. Can you tell I'm trying to get rid of that?

I guess I just wanted to post this to motivate myself to get through these presents. I do tend to underestimate myself, so I'm sure I could manage all this in this month. I'm excited to see how many FO's I can get done so I don't have to worry about them at Christmas time. 

Sorry about the depressing lack of photos. Until my phone or my camera decide to cooperate, I can't really upload anything. I'll try and work it out and post some of those photos tomorrow

Sunshined

So a few weeks ago now, I was nominated for the Sunshine Award. And of course, I had absolutely no idea what that meant, but have since found out that anyone nominated should write a post about it, answer some questions, and nominate others. For those who don't know, the Sunshine Award is given to bloggers that inspire others so needless to say, I'm thrilled to be nominated! Thanks to the amazing gings for nominating me!

So here are the questions:

• Favorite Color – Green
• Favorite Animal – Cat
• Favorite Number – 3. I was born at 3:33 A.M.
• Favorite Drink – English-style tea or lemonade
• Facebook or Twitter –I use Facebook, but I'm not really a huge fan of social media. I also have a Tumblr that I rarely use.
• Your Passion – Knitting, friends, Doctor Who, not necessarily in that order.
• Giving or getting presents – Well I love both, but I think I prefer to see that look on someone's face when you've given them exactly what they wanted but never expected to get.
• Favorite Day –I think I like Saturdays best. Sundays are a close second.
• Favorite Flowers – Oriental lilies and magnolia blossoms

I'm supposed to nominate 10 other bloggers for this award, but (no joke) every one of the blogs I've read has already been nominated, so I'll just say that nearly every blog inspires and brings sunshine to someone.

In other news, I finished DM's birthday socks on Wednesday and they were all ready for her birthday. NS's mom Jen requested a pair of socks for her birthday in July so I'm working away at those- two at a time, toe ups again since that's my new favorite method- but I really do have to start working on DM's Christmas afghan and the three pairs of Tardis socks I'm supposed to finish by Christmas as well. Plus all the Christmas gifts I'm meant to be giving. I really should take an inventory again and set some goals for myself. Next post, maybe. I promise pictures and maybe July's monthly goals since I never did one for June.