Life is Sweet

Rob’s Socks

I finished Rob’s socks … yippee! These were my first toe-up socks, believe it or not. I used the Universal Toe-up Sock pattern from Knitty.com which includes a link to the “Magic cast-on” which rocks the house. When I first looked at the toe-up pattern, I could not wrap my mind around how it was going to work. So I just cast on to see what would happen. It was very cool to see that toe develop!

The yarn, which I’ve mentioned here before, is Austerman’s STEP, which has jojoba oil and aloe vera infused into the fibers. To me, the knitted fabric did not feel any different than any other sock yarn, but we haven’t washed them yet. I’ve read that the oils should stay in the fiber for up to 30 washings. We’ll see if it does any wonders for my husband’s feet!

Guilty pleasures

What can I say? I have a guilty pleasure that is almost too embarrassing to reveal. I love Hell’s Kitchen. It’s one those stupid FOX summer filler shows, allegedly “reality-based” (who really knows?) and full of screaming, freaked-out people.

The editing is so terrible that you never know, truly, how events really unfold. They splice and dice and create teasers to the next segment that never deliver. It’s truly horrible in every way. Including, the most horrible of them all, Chef Ramsey himself. The tyrant who presides over the show.

Evidently he is a perfectionist to the point of being painful to everyone around him … except the editing crew. I like to picture him standing behind the film editors, screaming at them to put this bit of film here or there. But I’m sure he doesn’t have anything to say about any of it. He is likely just as much of a pawn in the pseudo-drama as any of the “contestants.”

All this being said, it is the ultimate of junk food TV. Watch one episode, and you won’t be able to stop.

Jungle vines scarf

Jungle Vines Scarf
Materials: 3 balls of Crystal Palace “Cameo”
Size 10 knitting needles

Gauge: 16.5 stitches = 4″ in stockinette

(Scarf pattern is a multiple of 10 stitches, plus 2)

Abbreviations
K=Knit, P=Purl, YO=yarn over (bring needle forward as if to purl)
K2tog=Knit next two stitches together
SSK=Slip one as if to knit, slip another as if to knit, put left needle tip through two slipped stitches on right needle (from left to right), knit two stitches together
P2tog tbl=Purl next two stitches together through the back loop

Begin scarf
Cast on 32 stitches

Row 1: K1, * YO, K8, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 2: P1, * P2tog, P7, YO, P1, repeat from *, end P1
Row 3: K1, * K2, YO, K6, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 4: P1, * P2tog, P5, YO, P3, repeat from *, end P1
Row 5: K1, * K4, YO, K4, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 6: P1, * P2tog, P3, YO, P5, repeat from *, end P1
Row 7: K1, * K6, YO, K2, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 8: P1, * P2tog, P1, YO, P7, repeat from *, end P1
Row 9: K1, * K8, YO, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 10: P1, * YO, P8, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 11: K1, * SSK, K7, YO, K1, repeat from *, end K1
Row 12: P1, * P2, YO, P6, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 13: K1, * SSK, K5, YO, K3, repeat from *, end K1
Row 14: P1, * P4, YO, P4, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 15: K1, * SSK, K3, YO, K5, repeat from *, end K1
Row 16: P1, * P6, YO, P2, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 17: K1, * SSK, K1, YO, K7, repeat from *, end K1
Row 18: P1, * P8, YO, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1

Repeat row 1-18 for length of scarf

Bind off loosely knitwise. Secure ends.

To block, soak scarf for 10-20 minutes in Eucalen or wool wash. Gently squeeze out excess water. Lay flat on a towel to dry.

Printable version of pattern [Word doc]

Got me a job

Well, the search is over. I got me a job!

Thanks to an awesome former customer at the shop, I am the happiest new employee of CACI. I’ll be working at the Navy base, Bremerton. Probably after several weeks of training, I could explain what I’ll be doing. At this point, I’m not so sure myself. I know it involves databases and users and analyzing and processing. And, well, I have a lot to learn. But I am very excited!

I’ve had a really great break between closing the shop and going back to work. I’m so thankful for it. I feel like my batteries are recharged and I’m a human being again. I know I’m going to miss all of this time to myself, but it’s going to be great to be earning a living again. Now I can pay off the debt from owning my own business. (Thinking of opening a yarn shop? Talk to me first!)

Knitting progress

I finally got the ol’ camera out to record my knitting progress. I am really in need of a new camera. My display window completely died, so the only way I can review pictures is to upload them to my computer, which is a whole other pain in the ass! I do have a birthday coming up!

So the right-side picture is the Artists Coat, sans sleeves. I’m currently knitting both sleeves at the same time. For some reason, despite having done the pattern over and over, I keep making mistakes and having to rip back. Let me tell ya, ripping back on this pattern stinks! The pattern and yarn are from Rowan’s Classic Yarns line. The yarn, Luxury Cotton DK, is a gorgeous blend of cotton and silk. Love it!

My other WIP is sock #2 for the hubby. I’m knitting these out of Austermann’s STEP yarn which has jojoba oil and Aloe Vera infused in the fibers. I’m really enjoying the colors. I believe all of the STEP colorways are self-patterning. Very fun!