Thursday, September 8, 2011

An Update? Really?

Are you surprised yet? I hope someone is, because I am! It's been so long since I updated pictures on my computer that I had forgotten how to do it. Where have all the brain cells gone (sung to the tune of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?")? I used to have some, right up until I went to college ... never mind. Anyway, I was successful at figuring out what I knew a while back, and here are some pics.

Keagan was the recipient of my first baby sweater. Do I have a picture of him wearing it? NO! Nikki has it somewhere, but she's a little too busy to bother right now. All I have is this knitting-complete-but-not-really-finished picture. You'll have to trust that it was finished and Keagan wore it and looked terribly cute (of course). I was amazed at how easy it was to knit. No kidding! I even knitted little button holes that worked. I feel smart every time I look at it!


Socks have been a big item for me since I started knitting, so I have to show you the few pair that I've completed. This first pair are top-down socks made of wool.


By the way, the pair I had started when I left you a year ago (the post before last) were finished and have been worn by the man in my life (there has to be something better to call him) for a year. He wears them and tells everyone that I knitted them. I think that's a good thing.


Next up are some toe-up socks. My first pair of this type worked out pretty well. The yarn is wool and a little bamboo, so they're very soft. They're mine ... heh, heh, heh ... and I'm very happy with them.


The lovely camo socks below were also toe-up using the same pattern as the pretty purple ones, but I had an issue. I knitted them for the man in my life (really ... new name needed), but they won't fit over his heel! The only way I know to fix this problem is to pull the bind-off out and bind off more loosely. Or should I pull out the ribbed part, add some stitches and re-bind off loosely? Staci, queen of knitting, if you're reading this, please give me a hint. I thought about screaming and ripping them to shreds just tossing them in a drawer, but they're a wonderful blend of wool and cashmere, so they're stupidly expensive incredibly soft and cozy. The color ... eh, not so great for me, but someone loves them. Suggestions about how to handle the too-small bind-off would be appreciated. I suppose I could take them to the LYS where I've spent a crapload of little money on yarn and ask for some help.


Finally we've arrived at some stitching. I finished the Ewe & Eye & Friends Small Sampler #6 and personalized it for a happy anniversary. I used the recommended DMC threads and 40-count Sandstone, and it turned out great. Oh wait ... I used an overdyed floss for the alphabet. It's hard to tell in my bad picture, but I satin-stitched the insides of the leaves and put my own stuff in the cartouche, including a queen-stitched heart. I used to think these pictures were all clickable to make them bigger, but that hasn't worked lately. Figuring it out doesn't fit into my plans for the evening. ***Edited: The clicking does work! Holy cow! As usual, I'm in the dark.***


That's enough stuff for now. I've got some stitching to do! Next time I'll show you what I've been working on but haven't finished (evidence of ADD).

Tomorrow would've been my mom's 75th birthday. The special day reminded me that a few of you have asked about my dad. He's doing rather well, despite the case of Shingles he has. If, like me, you've had them, you know that isn't a happy way to spend your time. He's been dating, which is fine but weird. I could tell you stories, but you'll have to wait for my book to be published (don't tempt me). Life changes often, and we adjust in whatever ways we can, right? For those of you who have asked about him, thank you. That was extremely kind of you to remember him.

TGIF tomorrow! Is it just me, or do these short weeks seem long? Enjoy your weekend and make some fun.

13 comments:

Patti said...

The Small Sampler #6 is so cute and I love your additions!

When I saw the letters "ACDB" at first I thought you messed up the first 4 letters of the alphabet, then I realized they are initials....duh! : /

I love that little sweater and all the socks!

staci said...

Awesome socks and sweater!!!

So with those socks...I would pick out the bind off, slip the stitches onto waste yarn and make sure that it fits over his heel. If it does then I would just redo the bind off~~either use needles a size or two bigger or use a sewn bind off because it's pretty elastic. If it doesn't, then you may have to rip back the sock and use bigger needles...or gift them to someone that they fit and knit your guy different ones ;)

Siobhán said...

I'm glad to hear that your dad is doing well! Dating--isn't it crazy?! My mother started dating maybe 5 years or so after my dad died. She started dating a guy similar in age to her, who liked to ride motorcycles with a group of other retired people. My mother then started riding with him. My MIL, who is a pisser (I'll just say that to be nice), constantly waxed on and on ad nauseum about how she would haunt FIL if he dated after he died, marriage is forever, etc. No amount of "my father would want her to be happy" got her to shut up. So, the first time MIL and FIL visit us in the US, my mother and the boyfriend show up at the door. MIL comes outside, her mouth hanging open, at the sight of my mother and the boyfriend who, you guessed it, arrived on the BF's motorcycle. My mother hops off the bike still wearing her helmet, and while going in for the greeting hug & kiss with MIL, bonks her in the head with the huge motorcycle helmet. My MIL only stopped talking about that recently, because the event was eclipsed by my mother's then-husband (she divorced him last year) supposedly drinking a lot of whisky at my kids' Confirmation party. This was more of a grievous offense to MIL than being bonked in the head by a motorcycle helmet because, of course, the whisky consumed was MIL's favorite and she had hoped to consume the entire bottle by herself. Yeah. Fun times--and the kids always laugh at the idea of Granny getting bonked in the head by Nana's motorcycle helmet. LOL Anyhoo, sorry, big tangent there... I'm so glad that your dad is doing well. Big hugs to you--anniversaries are always hard.

The socks and the sweater look great! My friend knitted my eldest a sweater when she was a baby and it was one of the few baby clothing items that I kept.

Love the stitching, too! Congrats!

Margaret said...

Great to see a post from you! Love all your knitting -- that sweater is so cute! The socks are great too. Bummer about that pair that won't go on for your man. Love your EEF finish too. It's good to hear your father is doing well. Isn't it strange when a parent has a dating life? My father married again after my mom died so I understand!

Giovanna said...

Ooooh, I love that EEF! And lovely knitting too - congrats on everything.

barbara said...

WONDERFUL to see a post from you! And your knitting is fabulous!

Anna van Schurman said...

I remember feeling so pleased with myself the first time I knit a working buttonhole. On a sweater for my cabbage patch doll. (I was in college.) It gave me delusions of grandeur about my knitting capabilities for a while. Regarding your man:
Gentleman Caller (GC)
Manfred (This comes from my grandmother calling her boyfriend her "man friend." My family is just weird.)
Swain. What a good word.
Beau
Escort. I like the pay-for-play overtones but I've got a weird sense of humor (see Manfred).

Katrina said...

Glad your dad is doing well in spite of the shingles, hope they clear up soon!!!! Gorgeous knitting and I love the little EEF piece :-).

Jen said...

I love the tulip pattern, your sweater turned out so cute! Love those socks too.

Brigitte said...

Ohhhhhhh, that's terrific to read you again. Welcome back!!!
Your stitching is so great and I can easily imagine how cute your little grandson looks in this sweater.
Anna's suggestions for the man in your life should help you to find a name for him, LOL.

Ellen said...

Welcome back, miss your postings!

Lovely sweater and socks! I am not good at knitting, can only knit and purl lines.

Love that EEF's sampler!

Hugs,

Deb said...

Oh how beautiful all your knitting and stitching is, Doris! I haven't been by for a while, so had to catch up with you. I've missed you! Will be by more often.
Hugs,
Deb/LavenderRose

Measi said...

Hi Doris! It's great to meet you. Thanks for joining the WIPocalypse for next year - I hope you'll feel inspired with all of your crafty projects and make some satisfying progress.

I've added you to the participants list and to my blog reader. Happy crafting!