The more things change

What is my password to this blog? Is anyone still out there? What have I been doing for the past two years? Some questions just can't be answered. I can -- and do -- live in a space of not knowing. And fortunately, I found my password, which I promptly changed since it was essentially …

This Month’s Socks

Despite the title of this post, I'm not aiming for the Sock of the Month club. But regular readers know that I've just about always got a sock on my needles. I started my latest pair -- the first of 2020 -- on January 2 while on the first leg of the return from our …

Help Needed for Too-Short Sock

So I've got a bit of a sock dilemma. I made the leg of the first Lord Varys sock too short. The most likely reason is that I was sick of checking the pattern chart each round and wanted to get to the heel -- my favorite part of any sock. Don't misunderstand: I'm pleased …

WIP Wednesday: Not What You Expect

Work in Progress (WIP) is shorthand among crafters for a current project, something that you're knitting, sewing, painting, making. The understanding in sharing updates on WIPs is that progress is being made -- that you're another step or so closer to finishing. #WIPWednesday is a chance to share such progress -- for example, a sock …

GoT Socks?

I'm not a convert to toe-up socks, but learning several new techniques -- and practicing my ripping out and reknitting skills -- made the Frasier Fir Socks worth the effort. The tree (or is it a branch?) detail along the leg is particularly charming. I may incorporate it into a hat some day -- or …

Student Socks

If you've been reading this blog for even a short while, you know how much I enjoy teaching others how to knit. And I really love when my students -- who by now are friends -- send photos of their latests projects. Like me, Judy spends a lot of time with her elderly parents, often …

Striped Socks in Pairs

I don't set New Year's resolutions, knitting or otherwise. Occasionally, I'll send an intention, often vague, into the universe -- "try not to worry so much" or "live more mindfully" or "don't buy new yarn until you've used at least as much from your stash." Just kidding about that last one. But even though I've …

Scrolling with Socks

When I finished the helix striped hat, I realized that I didn't have another project ready to cast on. This shouldn't have been a surprise since I'm the one who decides. I knew I hadn't selected what to make next, but somehow, I was a tad surprised. Go figure. So I did what I usually …

Socks Received

Kevin's first final exam of his senior year is later today -- fluid dynamics (or is it dynamic fluids?!) So I was relieved to learn that the good-luck socks I mailed earlier this week had arrived -- and more importantly, that he was glad to have received them. I know, as my wise sister-in-law would …

WIP Wednesday: Socks in a Flash

On Monday, after learning that Kevin's first final exam will be this Saturday, I raided my stash of Christmas socks and mailed a pair to him. As he knows, the academic benefits of handknit socks haven't been scientifically proven, but it certainly can't hurt to have your feet wrapped in love and know that you've …

Smoother Sock Toes

Learned how to make a smooth, seamless toe for knitted socks.

Something New Every Day

My first attempt at learning to crochet gave me new appreciation for the challenges of my beginner knitting students.

New Normal for Now

I'm happy to report that Mom's been home for a few weeks and has regained her pre-pneumonia strength and balance. It helped that she was quite fit before she was hospitalized and that we walked with her around the hospital floor several times a day whether she wanted to or not. Last week, we introduced …

Duo of Finished Objects

I try not to set too many knitting goals for myself, but sometimes a knitter has to do what she has to do. And I must admit that I'm quite pleased to have achieved my vacation knitting goal of completing two projects. Since they had a true deadline -- birthdays are exact dates after all …

Socks on a train

Has anyone seen June? It was just here, but now it's gone! Patrick and I had a marvelous weekend in New York City, the highlight of which was seeing Hannah perform in her first cabaret. More on that in a future post. For today, here's the start of Monkey Sock #2, heading east along southern …

Monkeying Around

Based on comments from my last post, there's a lot of folks who'd like to see more of the Monkey Socks (or, given the state of my progress, the Monkey Sock). Socks are my go-to knitting project, especially when I'm traveling since they're easy to stuff tuck into a bag. So a couple of weeks …

New Knitter Pride

Some WIPs (works in progress) on a Wednesday: Not all of the students in my Knit 101 class are true novices, but every month or so, a brand new knitter walks through the door. Chris and Justin are the most recent, each with their own motivations for learning a new craft. Ten-year old Chris arrived …

Traditions and travels

The house is quiet again as Kevin and Michael left this morning via plane and car after being home for the past few days. As is my tradition, I baked the lamb cake, using the metal mold bought by my Mom more than 60 years ago in Boston's North End. I tweaked the recipe a …

Some Things are Never Finished

When my children were very young, I didn't knit much. I thought I didn't have enough time, which is bizarre because there's the same amount of time in Every. Single. Day. If I'd been honest with myself, I would have realized that it wasn't a matter of time; it was my perception of time and …

WIP Wednesday: Socks and Sunshine

Having lived most of my life in New England, I'm accustomed to cold, snowy winters. I generally try to avoid the broadcast and social media hoopla that surrounds storm predictions and round-the-clock coverage during the actual "weather events." My attitude generally is "It's winter. What do you expect?" Does it really matter whether the wind …