A Few Sheep Shy of a Farm

I’m working on the next sock pattern and I’ve got a little snippit of it to show you.

That is about half of a repeat of the pattern stitch. Actually, this photo was taken a few days ago and there is far more than that done on it now. I’m hoping to finish it in the next couple of days. Once I have it together we’ll have another pattern on Inspirations Yarn.

Tall Gal Knits has also supplied another sock pattern, this time its a toe-up sock with a cute little picot top. I have the sock and the pattern and just need to get some photos taken (got caught up in the deadline for the other project) and get the pattern together and we’ll have that one available as well.

Bathroom update

Today they removed the floor. Now its just an uneven dirt floor. He did, however, put the toilet back in there, on cinder blocks and plywood with a plywood path to it so its functional at least. I hear its going to be several days and a few decisions before anything more happens. I believe the next step will be some plumbing before the new floor is put in . . . at least it is moving, if slowly.

Just about time to give the little guy what passes for a bath these days and get him off to bed . . .

I just snagged this from S.E. since it looks like fun.

Everything I’ve already done/tried is in bold, things I plan to try in Italics and things I’m not even thinking about are in regular type . . .

Afghan/Blanket
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art (hey! all my knitting is art!)
Fulling/feltingKnitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

I’ve posted the latest sock pattern on the site, Moss Rib Socks. The pattern has 4 sizes (women’s small through men’s large) and I’ve written it to be done in dpn, 2 circs or Magic Loop. Its a traditional, top-down with a heel flap and classic round toe.

I like the simplicity of the Moss rib with the handpainted yarn and the ribs are very, very stretchy which I like in a sock leg. The ribbing on the top of the foot helps to give it a bit of flexibility for someone with wider than average feet, which I think will make this a good Holiday sock knitting pattern.

Here is the close-up of the stitch:

I spent last night’s reading time going through stitch dictionaries and think I may have found a couple more stitches that I like for socks . . . so I think there may be a few more sock patterns coming along in the near future.

I also heard back today from the wonderful test knitter who is working on a project for me that will be in Magknits in July. She’s just about finished and plans to be mailing me the item on Saturday if all goes well. I’m very excited to see how it turned out! And I really can’t wait until July to see it published!

Bathroom update

Today the guys removed the corner of the foundation of the house. Yes, really, the whole flippin’ corner of our house is gone. The dog could have walked through the hole if he’d wanted to! At this moment, they are mixing cement to pour a new foundation to replace the rather haphazard one that had been there. The whole thing is really rather frightening from a spectator’s perspective and only heightens the feeling that what we currently have is an “Outhouse” rather than what will be a bathroom. I’m told that today was the turning point from demo to construction. Let’s just hope they get done while the weather is warm, shall we?

Okay, gotta run, need to shop for something for dinner. . . .

Just in case you haven’t already seen this one . . . .

Laura over at Sugar Bunny Boulevard is organizing a drive for Afghan squares for the folks in Greensburg KS. If you have a few minutes in your knitting schedule, how about making a square? Directions for the size they are looking for ar on the site . . . and its a great way to use up some extra stash or some scrap yarns you have just hanging around . . . I’ll be casting mine on this afternoon . . .

I’m nearing completion on a sweater I’ve been working on for a while now. I cant’ show it to you as its being submitted for publication . . . but I can tell you I really, really like the way its turning out! And if all goes well, you’ll see it this fall. Please keep your fingers crossed for me . . .

Okay, gotta run, dishes to do and then time to seam the sweater . . .

The rain is really coming down out there right now. And the trees have finally leafed out so everything is this funny shade of wet, glowing green. Might make an interesting colorway actually

We’re off to playgroup this morning and have a plumber coming to move around pipes in the bathroom later today and then tonight is the playgroups monthy Mom’s gathering so its going to be a busy day . . . and I should try to actually do some housework in there somewhere. I’ve been doing mostly fiber stuff lately . . . working on designs and writing or reeditting patterns.

Yesterday I got the new sock pattern written up and I just need to take a picture of it . . . once the rain stops. I tried a few but I didn’t set up the tripod and they were blurry so no dice.

I’m working on writing up another pattern now that will be going out to a test knitter hopefully on Monday if things go well. Need to play with some of it on paper to get it “just right” first . . . want things to line up properly etc.

Well, time to go make coffee . . . the little guy really needs me to be on time for playgroup today . . . with being cooped up so much between me working and the rainy weather he needs this outing a lot!