Joiner

I have succumbed. Supplies for the Larger Than Life Bag...

I decided to use cotton to make it extra sturdy. The fabric for the lining is corduroy. I paid only 1.99 per yard!

But first, more FOs.

First Completed Sock

Pattern: "Starter Stockinette" from Knit Socks!
Yarn: Cascade 220 The Heathers #2449
Needles: Brittany Birch Size 5 DPNs
Modifications: None (As if...)

This is my third attempt at a sock. My first attempt was the "Class Sock" from Sensational Knitted Socks. Then I tried an Ann Norling children's sock pattern. I kept getting hung up on the heel flap: the pearl bumps would end up on the outside rather than the inside. My friend AL recommended I try the pattern from Knit Socks! because the directions are step-by-step and very specific. Finally, a successful result!

At present, I do not intend to knit the mate to this sock. First, I undertook this project as a learning exercise for knitting socks. And second, worsted weight yarn makes for a very thick sock. I don't know that I would get much use for heavy wool socks where I live. However, I now feel confident to embark upon my next sock project: the Campfire Socks from Cider Moon...as soon as I complete a few more WIPs.

Update 6/5/07: AL, who has a new blog, talked me into knitting the other sock. I hope to cast on later today.

Twenty Years Ago Yesterday

Last night, as I was turning off the computer, it occurred to me that it was the twenty year anniversary of my high school graduation. If someone had told me then that in twenty years I would be a stay-at-home mom with two small children, and that I would be knitting and crocheting in my "spare" time, I would have told them they were crazy. There's a lot to be said for getting older.

I spent a few hours in the car yesterday (as a passenger, of course) and was able to make some progress on my sock. The end is in sight! My knitting and crocheting have lately been hampered somewhat by my being engrossed in reading Drums of Autumn, the fourth Outlander series book. I've had to remind myself lately that I knit and crochet for fun and that there is no need for me to put pressure on myself. It's hard being Type A.

Distractions

As there is very little knitting and crocheting going on at chez Kathryn Estelle, I thought I'd post a photo I took yesterday that I particularly like: eggs from my friend Debbie's hens. Aren't they lovely?

Bows and Arrows Stole

Pattern: Bows and Arrows Stole by Dot Matthews
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Pink-a-boo
Hook size: Susan Bates K
Modifications: None

One of the reasons I got so far behind on my projects is that I devoted the month of March to making this stole to wear with a pink dress I bought to wear to a family wedding. The dress is short-sleeved, and I tend to get cold in the air conditioning, so I was inspired to make a wrap. I looked at the patterns at Crochet Pattern Central and chose this one—even before I realized I had yarn in my stash that I could use! I really enjoyed the project and love how it turned out. Thank you, Dot, for a great pattern.

FO Quest

For the past several days, I have been feeling very anxoius to finish the many projects I have in the works, primarly because I am eager to begin new ones. It seems like every day I have the urge to cast on for another project (Yesterday, it was the linen hand towels from MDK.) However, I know better than to start any more projects when I have so many already in the works. Here is list of my current works in progress:

1. Classic Ripple Blanket from Cozy Crochet (Started Fall 2006. Haven't worked on it in months.)
2. Irish Hiking Scarf (Started December 2006) (See photo, above.)
3. Soft Waves Ripple Baby Blanket, a.k.a. Baby Tiger Ripple (Started February 2007)
4. Starter Stockinette Sock from Knit Socks! (Started March 2007)
5. Crocheted Triangle Shawl (Started April 2007)

And of course, there is the ongoing knitting of miters, which has progressed not at all in recent days.

Part of the problem is that I have all of these crochet projects in the works, but now I am very eager to just knit. Takin the "Oops" Class increased my confidence considerably, and I'm ready to try more challenging knitting projects.

My plan, for now, is to concentrate on the Baby Tiger Ripple (The recipient was born last Friday!), the sock, and the shawl. We'll see how it goes.

Art Appreciation

I was at an air show this past weekend when I spotted a young girl carrying around a granny square afgan. A friend volunteered for me to borrow her camera, so I asked to take a photo of the afgan. The girl told me that her grandmother had made it for her, and although you can't see it in the photo, the girl's name is embroidred on the bottom. My friend, who observed from a distance, thought it was a quilt rather than an afghan. Wow.