It's Love!

Thank you all for sharing in my enthusiasm. I'm so glad I finally took the plunge (and shelled out the bucks!) to buy my wheel, because I'm getting so much enjoyment out of it already. I hardly picked up my knitting needles over the weekend -- and probably ignored my husband -- because I spent so much time at the wheel. So much time, in fact, that I was having some bum numbness issues. I still need a lot of practice and have a lot to learn, but here's my first handspun on my own wheel (this shot is for you, Kristie!):

This was more of the huge bag of natural BFL from my learn to spin kit. As you can see, it came out rather bulky (so bulky, in fact, that there are more singles to be plied that wouldn't fit on this bobbin!), but it served its purpose of letting me practice my technique and get to know my wheel.

I have some prettier fiber up next that I picked up at Natural Stitches on Saturday:

This is 8 oz. of Louet Northern Lights wool top, in a colorway called Toffee. I predrafted the entire thing (yes, it's one long, continuous length of fiber!) and now I'm in the process of splitting it in two lengthwise to be spun into singles. Now I see why people skip the predrafting process -- it takes a while! I think it'll be worth it, though, when I can just sit down and spin continuously.

The one thing that's left to do with my wheel is name it. I think a wheel ought to have a name, don't you? I do think that, what with parts with names like "mother of all," wheels probably are girls, so I guess she needs a name. The Mister is supposedly thinking up a name, but you fibery people might be better. I'm thinking something eccentric and original. Thoughts?


Yvonne tagged me for a meme. I haven't done one of these in a while, so here goes:

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 (or more) pages. Atonement by Ian McEwan

2. Open the book to page 123 and find the fifth sentence. And spineless. (Yes, that really is the entire sentence!)

3. Post the next three sentences. He went over it again and it looked the same. There was no way out, he would have to speak to her. He put his hand over the bell push.

4. Tag four people. Well, I'm usually among the last people to do these things, so if you haven't done it yet and want to, consider yourself tagged!

Stripe-iness

There is something very satisfying about finishing a pair of socks, even a very simple pair.

Pattern: a variation on my basic stockinette sock pattern
Yarn: Lang Jawoll Color Aktion (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon), colorway 132.0209, less than one skein
Needles: two 12" US 1 (2.5 mm) Addi Turbo circs
Started/Completed: January 22/January 30
Mods: Cast on 65 sts to work a 3x2 rib for the cuff, lengthened the cuff to 2", and lengthened the entire leg length by an inch (for a total of 8")

I'm not sure what it was about this colorway that appealed to me, other than the blue stripes, but these socks are fairly subdued and will be great for work.

I used the reinforcement thread (a spool of which is included inside the skein) for the heel flaps and heel turn but not for the toes. The reason for this is simple: I forgot to do it on the first sock and was too lazy to rip back, so then of course I had to do the second sock to match. I felt I needed it more in the heel area anyway, though, and I'll be watching these socks to see if there's any difference in how they wear. For now, the heel feels a little cushier, and the area of the short rows on the heel aren't as thin as they normally end up for me.

I did like this yarn. It's no different from most superwash/nylon blends, but the skein is extremely generous in its yardage (a plus if you're making man socks!) and very affordable.

I have another FO that was finished last night, but it's still damp from the blocking and really deserves a good photo shoot, so you'll have to wait a day or two for the big reveal (though I'm sure you can guess what it is).

Before I sign off for the evening, I have to thank Kristie for naming me for a "You Make My Day" award. Thanks, Kristie! The way this thing works is that if you're named, you're supposed to name 10 bloggers in turn who make your day. I'm always loathe to single out people this way, because what if you're one of those people who aren't included? I never want to offend anyone, and truly there are more than 10 blogs I read that make my day -- might I suggest you click over to my blogroll and visit a few of them? I promise you won't be disappointed.

Finished: Lenore, and Details on My Sock Obsession

Lookie here! I finally managed to finish a pair of STR sock club socks before Pat!

Pattern: Lenore by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (October 2007 Rockin' Sock Club shipment)
Yarn: Socks That Rock lightweight (100% superwash merino), colorway Lenore, one skein
Needles: one 32" US 1 (2.5 mm) Knit Picks circular
Started/Completed: October 26/November 4

I absolutely love these socks, even though they're a bit on the snug side (they're 60 stitches around as opposed to my standard 64). This was the first shipment in the sock club where I loved both the yarn and the pattern. It was easy and fast, and I really only had to pay attention to the first 22 rows.

Did I mention that I re-upped for next year for the sock club? I wasn't going to -- not because I didn't want to, but in an effort to save some more money -- but then The Mister offered to get me my membership as my Hannukah/birthday gift. You can imagine how quickly I said yes.

As long as we're discussing socks, Amy tagged me for a socky meme, so here goes:

1. What’s your favorite sock yarn? (please note that the word “yarn” is singular. Just pick one. I know it’s hard.)

Thanks to the sock club, I'm going to have to say Socks That Rock. It's soft, it holds up well (or it has so far), and the colorways are always gorgeous.

2. What’s your favorite type and brand of sock needle?

My most-loved needles are my 12" US 1 (2.5 mm) Addi Turbo circulars. I've used them so much, the silver finish has worn off in several places. Lately, though, I've been quite enamored of my 32" US 1 Knit Picks circular for magic loop.

3. Do you knit your socks toe up, cuff down or sideways?

Most of the time cuff down. I see the appeal of knitting toe up to maximize yarn usage, but the cuff is never comfortable and the socks never fit quite as well as cuff-down socks.

4. Do you knit both socks at once or just one at a time?

One at a time. I knit one pair both socks at once and hated how un-portable they were and how much time I spent detangling the yarn.

5. What’s your favorite toe and why?

Just the standard wedge/wide toe, for the simple reason that it fits my toes the best.

6. Favorite heel?

I'm a heel flap and gusset kind of girl. It may take longer than a short-row heel, but it fits oh so nicely.

7. Do you prefer plain or patterned socks?

Depends on the yarn. For a really busy variegated yarn, a simple stockinette is usually my preferred pattern. But patterned socks can be such fun to knit, as long as the colorway doesn't compete with the pattern.

8. Who do you knit the most socks for?

I'll admit it: I'm a selfish sock knitter. Most of the socks I knit are for me. But I knit a fair amount for The Mister as well.

9. Do you darn your socks? If not, what do you do with them?

So far, not yet. I've only had one pair wear out thus far, and I just haven't gotten around to darning the holes yet.

10. Do you only wear handknit socks?

In the winter, mostly. It does depend on what type of shoes I'll be wearing -- handknit socks just don't go well with tennis shoes. Considering how many socks I've knit in the past year, I'm hopeful that this winter I'll be able to wear handknit socks pretty much any day I want to.


Bonus Question: What pattern, if any, is your basic “I-just-need-a-pair-of-socks” sock pattern based on? Do you keep it written down or memorized?

Although it's almost identical to the Yarn Harlot's basic sock recipe, I perfected my own standard stockinette pattern way before I read Knitting Rules. Mine is 64 stitches, all stockinette with a 2x2 ribbed cuff and a wide toe. Easy peasy and fits my foot perfectly.

I'm sure this has worked its way around to most of the sock knitters I know by now, so if you want to do this meme and haven't yet, consider yourself tagged! Just leave me a comment about it so I can read your responses!

I tried to come up with a clever title for this post ...

but I couldn't. Will you settle for some knitting content instead?

Last night I decided on my Central Park Hoodie for my Hurricane Knitters knit night project. I felt like I'd been neglecting it; I hadn't touched it in a week, not since I cast on for the Seamless Hybrid. After knitting Cascade 220 on US 5s, I realized how much faster the knitting grows when you knit Cascade 220 on US 8s. Here's the back, approximately 3/4 complete:

I just love this yarn. It's a heathered shade, so there are subtle color changes that in no way approach pooling:

Knit night was a blast. I think Roaming Tigger (or, as we're now calling him, Taliban Tigger) had the best time. We had a big crowd -- so big that we added a table not once but twice to our original grouping. So big that those of us at one end didn't really get to talk to the people at the other end because they were too far away. We're all hoping the newcomers join us again.

I am anxious to finish the back to the CPH, but first Kenny tagged me for a meme. It's the Eight Random Things About Me meme (stop me if you've heard this one):

1. For a period of about six years (middle and high school), I refused to wear pink. My mother was shocked when I came home for Thanksgiving my freshman year of college with a pink sweater.
2. For many years, when I was sick or couldn't sleep, I'd watch Little Women -- on VHS.
3. I have a birthmark on the inside of my right calf. It's a little red rectangle.
4. I minored in art history and classics in college; my last class for the classics minor was an introductory course in ancient Greek.
5. I've had two articles published in scholarly journals.
6. I'm still bitter than I never had a sister.
7. I love Indian food, but The Mister won't go near it.
8. The one book I can read over and over again? Pride and Prejudice.

Technically I'm supposed to tag eight people for this meme, but I'm going to buck the trend. Instead, why not leave me a comment with a random fact about you?

Shocking!

Last night was the monthly meeting of the Hurricane Knitters at the Waterworks Barnes & Noble. We were a smaller group than usual, although Yvonne came to join us and Julia came back for a second time and we had a newcomer, Alice. Jenn and Betsy were there as usual, but we missed the company of Donna and Jen (although we suspect Jen was probably having a better time in England).

The real shocker of the evening? 40 GUY DID NOT SHOW UP! Although I left about 9 pm, Jenn told me that some of the group was there until closing and he never made an appearance. We may have to go on a non-Wednesday night and see if he's acutally gone or if he's on to us and is avoiding knit night.

Now, back to blog business. Donna has tagged me for a meme. Here are the rules:

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Alright, on to the eight weird facts ...

1. I hate to drive, but I love being a passenger on car trips (more knitting time!)
2. I have a scar just above my nose and next to one of my eyebrows from when I had chicken pox when I was four years old.
3. I sleep with a stuffed elephant just about every night (or at least when J isn't home). I use it as a pillow that I stuff under my chin.
4. I am perpetually early. It seems to run in my family, as my father is the same way. However, this works out, as J tends to run late -- so between the two of us, we're usually on time.
5. As far as music is concerned, I have a weakness for Italian pop. My favorite is Eros Ramazzotti, and I've bought his CDs in such far-off locations as Disney World, Canada, and Israel.
6. I eat cheese just about every day, including in the sandwich I take just about every day to work for lunch (hummus and swiss on a bagel).
7. I am allergic to lilies.
8. I once bit down on a crayon. I was in kindergarten and was coloring on a piece of paper taped to the blackboard. I guess I was really into it and must've had my mouth open and rather close to the crayon, because when the girl next to me bumped into me -- CHOMP. To this day, I can't stand the smell of crayons.

So, who to tag? I'm not sure I have eight people to tag, since so many of the bloggers I know have already done this meme. I guess I'll tag Becky, Rebecca, Jen, Amy, Amanda, and you (if you haven't done this one already).

On tap tonight: watching the season finales (The Office, Grey's, and ER), finishing the first Grasshopper sock and casting on for the second, and downloading some podcasts.

Finished: Baby Socks AND An Interview

Pattern: My own (I'll post it here if there's any interest)
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon), colorway Gulfstream, leftovers from a skein used for another pair of socks
Needles: bamboo US 1 (2.25 mm) dpns
Started/Completed: March 23/March 27
Recipient: Baby Oliver -- welcome to the world!

Baby Oliver was born just last week to some friends of ours and upon hearing the news of his arrival I immediately went into baby-knitting mode. I'd knit a hat for his older brother about a year and a half ago; never being one for the matchy-matchy look in children, I thought this baby should have a different knitted garment. I knew I could whip up a pair of socks in just a matter of days, so here they are. I used leftovers from some other socks, which is my normal way of dealing with sock yarn scraps. At first I tried to use what was left of the Knit Picks Memories my Sockret Pal sent me (which I used for my Monkey socks), but alas, there was not enough. So the first half sock in that colorway was ripped and these were cast on.

This pattern is just a basic rib/stockinette combo. These are probably on the large side for a newborn, but at least I know he'll grow into them some day (and when he grows out of them, his mom can keep them as a reminder of how small he once was!).

Now, I bet you're wondering, just what is this interview alluded to in the title of this post? If you've been reading the blogs long enough, surely you've happened upon this meme once or twice. A blogger asks another blogger five questions, to which he or she must respond on his or her blog. Said blogger then often asks his or her readers if any of them would like to be interviewed and the cycle continues.

Earlier today I read Miriam's answers to her own interview questions and asked her to "interview" me. Here are her questions (quite good ones, I might add!) and my answers.

1. What is your favorite sock pattern?

Wow, that's a toughie right off the bat. It's hard for me to pick an absolute favorite sock pattern, because there are so many that I've enjoyed and so many I still want to knit. If we're going strictly by the number of times I've knit a pattern, then my most popular would be the Jaywalker (three pairs for me) and the Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock (two pairs for J, one pair for me, one pair for my dad).

2. How did you get your name? Are you named after anyone? Is there a story behind it?

In the Jewish faith, it is tradition to name children after relatives who have passed away. Usually the Hebrew names match up, but often the English names begin with the same letter as well. I am named after a Celia (whose exact relation to me I always forget) and a Dina (one of my great-grandmothers on my father's side). An interesting side note to this is that my parents had planned to name me something completely different -- Lauren Rebecca -- but dropped that idea after they mentioned the name to my grandmother and heard complete silence at the other end of the phone line.

3. How do you knit? English, Continental, combined? And who taught you to knit?

I have always knit English (i.e., I'm a thrower) but have been teaching myself a bit of continental in order to do stranded knitting two-handed. For years I was also knitting combined, even working the stitches properly so they weren't twisted, without realizing it. It was only in the past year that I realized what I was doing, and only in about the last six months have I started wrapping my purl stitches the more traditional way.

My aunt taught me to knit when I was about 7 or 8 years old, with some horribly fugly orange acrylic yarn and aluminum needles. Although I can't remember, I presume she taught me to purl as well; the rest of my knitting skills I've taught myself through books and the help of the Internets. I had a very weird role-reversal moment over Thanksgiving, when the aunt was in town. I took her to one of my LYSs to get a circular needle and showed her how to knit in the round -- she'd knit with circs before, but never connected her stitches to make a tube. (Next on my list is showing her how to make socks!)

4. What is your favorite food?

Another difficult question for me, as I love food and have favorites for different moods. Generally I prefer savory comfort foods with lots of spices. I could eat pasta every night of the week, especially with a good tomato sauce and crusty bread. One of my favorites has always been eggplant parmigiana, although lately I've discovered that it doesn't really love me back. I also love Indian food, but I rarely eat it as J does not particularly enjoy ethnic cuisine.

5. If you could choose one (and only one) yarn to knit with over and over again, what would it be?

Isn't this question akin to asking a mother to pick a favorite child? There are so many yarns I love to knit with, and so many I've yet to try. If I could pick only one, however, it would be a sock yarn, as socks are, hands down, my favorite item to knit. Of the yarn with which I've had experience, I would say Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock is my favorite, although Socks That Rock is fast becoming a serious contender. Ask me this question again after I've gone through a few of my STR skeins and the answer might be different.

Now, would you like to be interviewed? Leave me a comment and I'll e-mail you five questions to answer on your blog (don't forget to leave me your e-mail address if I can't readily find it on your profile or blog!).

J: A List in One Letter

I have been tagged for a meme by Cara, who has given me the letter J. The meme involves getting a letter and then listing 10 things/themes/ideas/etc. that are important in your life. So, without much knitting content to share with you at this juncture, here is my list!

1. J - My J Meaning my wonderful, caring, always supportive fiance. He is truly my best friend and my soulmate. I wouldn't know what to do without him. Which brings me to ...

2. JDate I think I've mentioned it here before, but J and I met online, through this particular site. Pittsburgh's a small enough city that we probably would have met eventually if we hadn't had the Internets, but meeting online was apropos considering that J's gotten to where he is professionally online. When asked why he decided to give online dating a try, he always says that he met his first business partner online, so why not a wife? And this brings me to ...

3. Judaism I don't consider myself a very religious person, but my faith -- and, most importantly, its traditions -- are very important to me. It was essential to me to find someone with the same background as a potential mate, which was my reasoning for signing on to #2.

4. Joel -- Billy Joel Along with the Beatles, one of my all-time favorite artists. My very first CD, which I received on for my 13th birthday, was River of Dreams. I've seen him twice in concert, once when he performed at my college to tape a special for A&E. I'll never forget that concert -- I was in the ninth row in an auditorium that holds about 1,100 people. It was set up as Behind the Music-style show, with questions from the audience sparking discussions of the artistic process and performances of the songs that resulted. One of the most incredible moments (which never made it in the TV special, I should add) was when a friend of mine, himself a talented musician, got up and asked if, in the spirit of the master class, he could perform a song he wrote for BJ and get his feedback. He then proceeded to go up on stage and play a song all about how BJ had been such a huge influence on him artistically and how much he admired him. I don't think BJ was too pleased with this guy upstaging him, if only for a couple minutes, but the crowd just loved it.

5. Jeopardy! My favorite game show -- so much so that I've been known to answer questions in other games (like Trivial Pursuit) in the form of a question. It's one of my life goals to appear on the show, and I actually auditioned last May. I'm still waiting to hear from them -- they have another four months or so before I can take the contestant test again!

6. Jane Austen (Okay, technically she would probably be filed under A, but this is my list and I'm making it work, okay?) My favorite author, who I'd wish to be if I could live another's life. Or rather I wish I could have lived in her time, when people still corresponded with actual letters and had serious conversations and spent time doing pleasurable things like reading and embroidery. Although I've been known to say I have many favorite books, if I were completely honest I'd say Pride and Prejudice is at the top. I've read it many times and feel the need to reread it regularly. As it happens, I am watching my favorite film version of it as I write this post!

7. Jeans I like getting dressed up as much as the next girly-girl, but if I ruled the world, I'd wear jeans every day. I have almost an entire drawer full of denim. I own several different styles, but my favorites are Gap Long and Lean.

8. Java I am completely nonfunctional without my morning coffee -- you can ask J if you don't believe me. On weekdays I have two rather large cups before I leave for work, and on weekends I either brew my own or get a large cup at Panera. I like my coffee with lots of skim milk, but will drink it black or with sugar if only cream is available. My favorite flavor? Hazelnut. I've also been known to enjoy an espresso or two in the evening or when in Rome (or Florence, or anywhere in Italy, for that matter).

9. My last name Yes, I know what you're thinking: that doesn't start with a J! I'm not revealing my full last name for the sake of maintaining my privacy and anonymity, but suffice it to say that it does indeed begin with a J! Over the years many people have treated my first and last name as one continuous word. Although I'm planning on changing my name after I'm married, I have no doubt that there will still people who will call me by that one-word combined name.

10. Jaywalker This was the sock that started it all for me. Although I started off last year by knitting J a pair of socks, these Jaywalkers were the first pair I knit for myself and they officially started my obsession with socks. These aren't exactly my favorite socks, as they're handwash only and a tad bit big, but they have a special place in my sock drawer and my knitting memories.

See there, you did get some knitting content in this post!

If you'd like a letter for this meme, leave me a comment!