Okay, so…
I was going to start the April sock kit. However, the yarn is currently drying after an unfortuntate incident with a can of Coke.
Luckily, the June kit arrived yesterday, and so I’ll start with that. It’s appropriate. Find out why after the jump.
First up, probably the most frustrating socks I’ve ever knitted:
You can see them both ways. I like the version on the right better. I think the frustration was mostly me. Stress + tight cables = lots of snapped size 1 needles. Some sort of memorial service may be in order.
Pattern: Inside-Out Socks from Blue Mountain Fiber Arts Rockin’ Sock Club.
Needles: Foot knit on size 0 Inox metal needles. Not fond of these - I’m used to the length of the Brittany Birch needles, and metal doesn’t feel as good as wood, to me.
Leg knit on Brittany Birch size 1 needles. Lots of them. (Again, pretty sure this is my fault.)
Yarn: Blue Mountain Fiber Arts Socks that Rock, sock club colorway Monsoon
New techniques for me: Toe-Up socks, and short row toe and heel. Also used a sewn bind-off for the first time. I’m used to grafting toes, not binding off cuffs!
Next, a pair of socks that you may have seen in various incarnations. It took me almost a year to knit, due to depression and just being plain unhappy with them at any given time.Pattern: My default sock pattern, the Universal Sock PatternNeedles: Size 0 Inox metal needles.Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Black PurlNew techniques for me: None on the actual finished sock, but there was, at one point, a picot edge, so this sock is where I figured out how to do that, and a provisional cast-on.
And now the “And more!” part:I’ve spent part of this past week taking a class I’ve been thinking about for a long time. Springwater Fiber Workshop’s Introduction to the Spinning Wheel. And I’m in love.
Of course, my first skein of yarn is nothing to be proud of:
Second one is better, somewhat:
Coiled
Uncoiled
The orange bits in the second skein are from some wool that we learned to hand-card on. And as you may be able to see, the second skein is more consistent, but also filled with knots. There were quite a few points where I was underspinning thicker parts, and it caused breaks.
Also, the first skein has been washed and whuzzed, the second skein hasn’t. We did the first in class, and the second I’m waiting for the right time to freak out the neighbors. Something about swinging around a bunch of wet fiber is good for the soul.
But I’ve done some knititng! Who wants to see pictures?
Socks for Becky’s birthday. Which was in January. I still have to mail them out…
Regia Silk, size 0 needles, K3p1 ribbing. Not my favorite yarn to work with - it’s rather splitty to me.
Wicked in its finished state, allegedly. I’m seriously considering frogging it and knitting one size smaller.
Inside-Out Socks from the Rockin’ Sock Club. Yes, this was the February kit. At least I’m almost finished, and can start the April kit.Probably right as the June kit arrives.
More soon. Ravelry and new medication has me interesting again!
Originally uploaded by foogrrl.
This was painful, last night. But trying on the sweater after all the increases, there was no denying the fact that I was swimming in it.
Back to square one.
So, I have to come clean. I’ve been working on a large, ongoing non-knitting project for the past few months, and it’s helped get me through. It’s not quite ready for unveiling, but I thought I’d introduce the world to the knitter group.
Star Wars Galaxies pretty much drained me last year. So, wanting something new and less stressful, I tried Second Life. It’s a lot of fun, but as with any virtual world, there are bad characters, and places you probably shouldn’t go alone.
I’m Tina Blackflag in SL, and I do a bit of everything. I teach scripting, script, do a touch of building, and do some clothing design. I even knit! (Photos of that later).
Mainly, though, I shop. SL has woken the inner fashionista in me. So I thought I’d share a little photo gallery of myself in SL. The pictures are fairly old - need to take more of my recent purchases.
Pokemon goofiness, the world is getting back to normal.
Since we’ve established that, what do we think this is?
Well, I wasn’t at the point where the pattern says to put the project on waste yarn and try it on, but I couldn’t wait. I *knew* I had screwed up, and didn’t want to waste any more time. So, deep breath, shaking fingers as I transfer stitches, and then…try it on.
And…it fits. Really well, as far as I can tell. Of course, at this point it’s really just a small, odd poncho. But it will be okay. So here’s an work-in-progress picture for those who are interested.
Pattern is Wicked in KnitPicks Swish Superwash, color Dublin. I’m really enjoying the yarn. It’s very squishy, and I think I’ll really love the sweater when it’s done. I’m also absolutely loving the KnitPicks Options needles. They make knitting a joy, to me.
Knitting is enjoyable again. I’m on the fourth ball of yarn out of nine. Just sailing through this sweater, and I can’t wait to wear it. It’s the second in what I intend to make a yearly ritual. I will knit myself something nice for my birthday, every year. Last year it was the Jaywalker socks in the eye-blindingly happy colors. This year, the sweater. Next year? Who knows - I’m not going to hold myself back.
What do I like best about this project? It’s a sign that things are more steady now. I’m finding fun again. I’m learning to make myself happy. Important lessons.
You know what might make the best day, ever? Knitting on this while listening to an audio version of Karen Traviss‘ Republic Commando: Triple Zero. That novel has been better than comfort food for me this past year - it’s been comfort reading. Too bad there doesn’t seem to be an audio version.
Which just goes to prove that TD-0013 knows what’s good for the Imperial citizen. He’s from the Empire, he’s here to help.
These have actually been finished for a good while now. Pattern is Fetching from Knitty, worked in KnitPicks‘ Andean Silk. I’m pretty sure the color is Olive - of course I’ve lost the ball bands.
Yes, this was mainly a depression-lessening exercise. I’ve had one sock on the needles literally since I’ve started seeing the psychologist, and it’s worn on me. I keep getting to a point, becoming completely unhappy with it, and ripping it back to the beginning. I’m tempted to do so again, but for better reasons. Right now it’s plain stockinette, and I want to do something a little nicer with it. We’ll see.
In any case, I took some time and wandered through my stash to see if I could find some kind of inspiration. I had two balls of the Andean Silk, and they just seemed perfect to make something both useful and a little luxurious.
On a somewhat light note, I didn’t notice until halfway through the second piece that I was using three size 5 needles and one size 7. Normally I’m obsessed with being perfect (and yes, it’s getting a lot of work in therapy), but for once I was okay with “close enough.” That’s very good progress for me.
And now, I’m working on a large project for, well, the first time in ages. In fact, it’s the largest project I’ve started, and it’s for me. Currently in the “Oh, God, is it going to fit?” stage, I’ll post pictures after I know one way or the other. Otherwise I feel as if I’ll jinx it.
2006 was not a good year for me. Probably evident in the low blog volume. And, honestly, the lack of knitting volume. Anyone like a list of FOs for 2006?
- Jaywalker Socks
- Dublin Bay Socks
- One cotton dishcloth, in a revolting series of colors that I never wove the ends in on and have since lost
- Jayne Hat (My favorite project ever, honestly)
I spent the largest part of 2006 depressed. Don’t want to get out of bed, crying at the drop of a hat, life is miserable depressed.
I’m feeling a great deal better now, most of the time. I have wonderful friends who push me into taking care of myself. I have a great psychiatrist, and now an equally good therapist. And I have a loving family. (Yes. Yes I am tearing up while writing this. I’m so grateful for you all).
Not every day is better. I still have times where I don’t want to do anything, but they get less and less. Honestly, the thing I want to say most is this: If you are suffering from depression, or know someone who is, find a good doctor. I’ve seen a psychiatrist before, but not one that I really got along with, and that really hurt my progress. I spent six years with the worst parts of my problems undiagnosed, and on an incorrect dose of medication.
Something else that’s important to me: You hear stories of the horrors of anti-depressants. I’m not doubting they happen, honestly. But something I don’t think is often heard is when they help. Too often someone tries one (if at all) from their family doctor, has a side-effect, and gives up on the whole class of medication. Please, don’t, if you need help. The first one my family doctor put me on was awful for me. However, now that I’m on the correct dosage of the proper medication, it’s amazingly different.
I don’t want stigmas to interfere with anyone feeling better. You wouldn’t feel guilty about having the flu, you shouldn’t feel ashamed of mental disorders, either. So, to show I’m not ashamed, I’ll disclose my own issues.
For the longest time last year, agitated depression ruled my life and made everything else seem minimal. However, under that I have agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But I can and will learn to live a good life, even if it’s hard. There’s no reason not to.
For anyone. It just takes help. And there’s always someone out there willing to help. It’s scary to take the first step, but it gets better. Trust me.
*hugs all*
If there’s anyone out there still reading, there will be knitting content next post. Including my first FO of 2007, and my current WIP. Excited?
Okay, it’s been done for a few nights now, but with my current state of scatterbrained-ness, I just got around to taking a picture.
Hopefully it will go out to it’s intended recipient (and a very dear friend) soon!
Just made a large move. From one web host to another, and from MovableType to WordPress. We’ll see how it goes. But that’s why things look different now. I’ll still be playing with it for awhile.
Please, please, let the RSS feeds forward *this* time.