Frustration on the sock front!

For some reason, only known to myself, I have decided to make ALL my family socks for Christmas. That's 22 pairs, or 44 socks, as my husband kindly reminds me on a regular basis!

Anyway, I have completed one pair, for one of my four sister-in-laws, using the very tried and trusted Regia pattern, and gorgeous fyberspates yarn. I have started on another pair for my brother-in-law Martin, this time, excitedly, using a pattern from my new purchase, The Little Box of Socks. The twisted German cast on proved to be the first 'challenge', and as I started to knit, it wasn't looking good. Thinking I could 'get away' with it I carried on. Several silly errors later and after trying this very large partially finished (past the heel turn and way down the foot) sock on my beloved's foot I decided it wasn't to be... Ripped!

After several deep breaths, I have now started the socks again. I've gone down a size, the twisted cast on looks much better and I seem to have learnt lots of valuable lessons. I'll post a picture of the finished socks soon (hopefully).

Lazy Saturday

I've been confined to the house today with a sore throat and runny nose. This has been coming on for a few days but probably wasn't helped by a 4 mile run in torrential rain yesterday morning! Early worries that I may have swine flu have disappeared as am decidedly brighter by tonight. This morning's post brought some welcome additions to my stash in the form of Peaches & Creme cotton which I plan to use to make the 'Absorba' bathmat - of Mason-Dixon fame. The majority of today was spent drinking tea, watching cricket and knitting socks. I am trying to fight off the urge to start a new project and complete the socks as well as putting the finishing touches to my 'Willow' tank top.

This afternoon, between overs and sneezes, Sophia and I got the guest bedroom ready for my brother, Gruff. He is returning from a year of travelling and should be here lunchtime tomorrow! Sophia and I made him a Victoria sponge in honour of his return!

American Sock

I had hope d to finish these 'Stars and Stripes' socks in time for July 4th! Once again time has marched on and only one sock is completed! I must learn to complete a pair before moving on to the next ones - I seem to have an ever increasing pile of odd socks. This wool was purchased at Web of Wool and is a Socka Fortissima yarn. The pattern used was the ever faithful Regia pattern. Now to finish the other socks - father's day socks (very belated, I know) and a pair for my daughter's teacher! Surely a pair of handmade socks will be a welcome gift among the countless chocolates and bath products!

Potatoes!!!!!

Ok, admittedly this post has nothing to do with knitting in the slightest but I just had to share my excitement! Here is the firstfruit of my labour - my first-ever homegrown potatoes! This evening, whilst watering my raised bed, these two were pushing up through the soil. As I said, nothing to do with knitting, but a domestic art none the less!!