Sock Princess

IT’s ME AGAIN

Sock Princess — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:32:17 +0000

Just realized it’s been almost a year since I updated the blog. Thank goodness I’m still around to update.
Lets see now, the girls are 11 and 13, growing like weeds and giving their dad fits. I just smile and tell Dave that you pay for your raisin’. Little Michael is now 2 and also growing like a weed. His eyes are much better than we could have expected. We are so blessed.
On the knitting front, I’m still plugging away on socks but have ventured out to knitting cowls and super fun hats by Woolly Wormhead. I swear I’m going to attempt a sweater someday. Well, I have actually attempted sweaters but they are in the secret room for unfinished projects. (the basement)
Spinning is taking up most of my time. I bought a LadyBug wheel from Bryan and really love it. Poor old Gertrude (the 70’s Ashford Traddy) now sits in a place of honor by the fireplace. She’s quite content there, happy not to be moved away from her spot. The Kiwi still gets lots of use so there are no hard feelings among the wheels. If I could just learn to love the second process of spinning (washing, plying etc.) I’d be a happy camper.
We’re off this weekend to Pittsburgh to keep Michael while Jeff and PJ get a nice weekend alone.
If you don’t hear from me for a few weeks, remember I’ve been keeping Michael for a weekend. Takes several weeks to get over that.

CUTE, CUTE, CUTE

Sock Princess — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:32:48 +0000

Spring has sprung today and all the little sheep are in a row. Susan E. made this darling picture. It’s felt and lovely stitch work. I have another project of hers but I’ll show you that later. The picture doesn’t do it justice. She’s got more if anyone is interested.
All of you know my Duncan. He’s been really ill lately but he’s back on track and doing much better. It’s been a rough few weeks. For those of you who don’t know my Duncan, he’s my little Westie. His brothers have been very helpful in taking care of him. My Vet is a genius. All the boys love him.
We have not seen our Michael (he’s a real person) since Christmas in California so we’re headed to Pittsburgh to see him and steal all his kisses. His dad keeps telling us he’s not the same little baby who loved to be held. I’ll bet I can still steal all those baby kisses.
Keep your fingers crossed we don’t get more snow or rain . I’ve had about all I can take.
Knit on

THE FIRST ONE BITES THE DUST

Sock Princess — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:37:23 +0000

It’s a sad day. My first hole in a pair of socks I’ve knit. The amazing thing is it’s not the first pair I did. Certainly have not worn them more often than the others. I decided it must be the yarn. Since I can’t remember the brand, I can’t complain about how quickly it wore out.

The KnitWits had a sock exchange last week. I’ve never seen so many grown people squeal and shout with delight. Maybe I don’t hang out in the right circles or don’t watch porn but this group had a great time. Everyone was thrilled with their socks and it was fun to get a pair you didn’t have to knit. If you’ve never done a sock exchange with friends you have to do it. You’ll have a great time.

That’s all I’ve got. I was going to post more pics but couldn’t get the blog monster to cooperate.

Knit on

CAN NIGHT COME ANY FASTER?????

Sock Princess — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:16:06 +0000

If only night would get here faster and I could go to bed and cover my head until dawn tomorrow. I realize I don’t have major problems in my life and I’m very thankful for that. Yet, when you have a day like I’ve had you wonder how your friends and family who do have major problems can cope. So, please forgive me for whinning but I must vent.
#1. The boys had a date with the groomer. They hadn’t been since before Christmas and they are a little smelly. Oh lets be truthful about this, they reek. Three little westies with long hair can’t go too long without an appointment with the groomer. By the way, they have the best groomer in the world. She’s willing to take all three on one day. Bless Terry. Anyway, any of you that know me know that I do not do snow and ice. To most people the roads were fine but to me death loomed at every turn. At 7:15 I load the boys in the car and away we go. I’m pretty positive we’ll die on the way but we did make it. What did we find when we arrived you ask? Terry was closed, not because of the weather but because it’s her regular day to be closed. Yes, I had the wrong day………So, home we went. #2. Little Mac who doesn’t get to go to the groomer and really doesn’t care too much about where he poops and pees, insisted on going outside. Now the big boys manage just fine, they have hair but little Mac has very little hair and was raised in Texas so he can’t take too much cold. I put paper on the screen porch for him and he’ll usually go there in the winter. Oh no I tell you, he had to go in the backyard. I checked out the kitchen window to check on him and I saw what appeared to be a baby seal on the driveway looking like he was going to be clubbed at any minute. I was sure it was a rerun of a National Geographic. My Mac had managed to get his feet so cold he couldn’t walk. I ran to rescue him and then warmed his little feet. Want to bet he pees on the paper next time? #3. Later in the day I find out that baby Michael has a stomach flu and we may not get to have his 1st birthday party as planned. That might be o.k. when you read #4. I remember driving to Pittsburgh one year ago in a blizzard. Mike swears it was just snow but you know me and my weather thing. #4. My Duncan has a bad tooth so we go to the Vet tomorrow to have that checked out. I hope it’s a tooth and nothing worse. Another bet as to how much that is going to cost? I say at least 400.00. He’s worth every penny I have to spend but I do worry when they have to put them under. He’ll be fine I’m sure. Since we’re going to be out of town, I’ll have to take him with us as I’m sure he’ll be on meds and can only eat soft food. #5. Little Mac was sitting on my lap, his usual place, and pulled about 20 stitches off the needles. I’ve been so careful with that shawl and I’m so proud of myself that it isn’t in the basement yet. I’m pretty sure the neighbors heard my screaming. I got the stitches back on but I know I have a mess at the beginning. I’ll put it down and worry about that another day. So as I said, I don’t have major problems, but, these minor ones have gotten me down today. Knit on my friends and I’ll hope for a better day tomorrow.

WELL, NOW I’M PISSED

Sock Princess — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:00:16 +0000

This is my fourth attempt to get a picture of the dang Nomad Hat and Scarf on this screen. It the pics are of something else, enjoy them. I’m not trying again. If they are two of the same thing-it’s not your eyes.

SPIT-DON’T LOOK—TURN YOUR HEAD–I HAVE SINNED

Sock Princess — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:42:59 +0000

I always insist that to be a “real” sock knitter you must use dp’s. I’ll tell this to anyone who will listen and those that won’t. I suppose I feel superior to those four or five pointy little sticks that have a will of their own. I have learned to make them behave. I seldom drop stitches off the end, note I said seldom. I love my dp’s and my collection should prove that.
Now, I have too many dear friends who will only knit socks with circs. For years I’ve been pretty sure they were crazy. I just don’t understand the joy of knitting socks when you don’t have to push and pull on those little pointed sticks. It seemed so simple to just pass your stitches from one needle to another without fear of jabbing yourself with the remaining needles. To prove myself right, those who know me well will understand this fault I have to be right, I cast on socks on circs. SPIT don’t look!!!!! It was kind of fun. Once you get the hang of which needle to knit on it was a breeze. I just patted myself on the back and knitted down to the heel and turned it. Now, this is where the tale turns sad. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to pick up those gusset stitches. Carol M. does it one way and Gerry does it another. I’m going to have to try both ways and see which works for me. I still contend that the dp’s are my way to go. But, don’t say that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. I’m living proof that little phrase isn’t true. I can now say I knitted socks on circs. Next, toe up.
Just finished my Nomad hat and scarf. Love it, love it. It’s knit in Misti Alpaca handpaint chunky. The project was easy to knit but it took three skeins at $21.00 a skein. Maybe next time I’ll use less expensive yarn.
Until next time—knit on…..

ARE THESE CUTE OR WHAT!!!!!

Sock Princess — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:55:56 +0000

Miss Susan a.k.a. Susan English made these darling slippers for my baby Michael. They are just too cute and I can hardly wait to go over to Pittsburgh in February for his birthday so I can see him in them.
Susan felted sweaters for the slippers and did the most beautiful blanket stitch trim that you’ve ever seen. The stitches are just perfect. Mine tend to wander from size to size. Susan, a huge thank you from Michael and from his Grams.
We (about 9 of us) started the Grandma Shawl. The pattern was written by Beth M. after seeing a shawl that Ruth T. had that belonged to her Grandmother. I’m still deciding on yarn but Carol M. is flying along. Have a feeling I’ll be the one that everybody rolls their eyes about. My ADD will kick in after about 10 minutes and then I’ll have to go to something else. Keep your fingers crossed for me, I may be done by next winter. I really think I’ll finish this project, I love the pattern. We cannot thank Beth enough for all the work she did with the pattern. THANKS MISS BETH.
So, knit on

NOW HERE’S THE QUESTION

Sock Princess — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:36:48 +0000

When is a paper plate too dirty to recycle? Yes, I must know. Mike decided that the plates we used tonight were too dirty to recycle so they had to go in the regular trash. Am I missing something here? The man is going to drive me totally insane. I recycle anything that can’t jump out of the can. I’m a good green person. Having said that,we shouldn’t be using paper plates at all but there are days when I refuse to load another dish into the dishwasher. (now just how stupid does that sound?) Poor me, I have to load a dishwasher. My mother used to remind me daily that there were poor children in the world that didn’t even have a dishwasher. (She actually said food but that’s beside the point.) Anyway, I used paper plates and they are now in the regular trash, not the recycling.
The socks I finished today are Socks That Rock in Farmhouse. Love, love, love that yarn.
Well knitters, knit on and I’ll spend my time wondering exactly what is too dirty to recycle.

SOCKS THAT ROCK REALLY ROCK

Sock Princess — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:33:30 +0000

Just finished two more pairs of socks. Both are done with Socks That Rock from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I love this yarn. It’s not the softest stuff in the world but you simply cannot beat the colors. Another favorite is Hill Country Yarns. That could have something to do with the fact that she is an indi dyer from the hill country of Texas. They also have wonderful colors and names that only Bling Bling Gerry and I can appreciate. There is one more yarn that I’ll kill for and I’m not telling you what it is. It comes up on the internet and is gone in less than a hour. Beth M. knows what it is and she better not tell either. Lets just say it’s handspun and hand dyed and I have LOTS of it. When I give up knitting socks I’ll let ya’ll know what it is.
Happy knitting

WHAT A CHANGE

Sock Princess — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 03:21:21 +0000

As many of you know, we went to Palm Springs for the Christmas holidays. Both boys and their families were there. The trip was a great idea. We had mostly warm weather (too cold for poor old grandma to get in the pool) so we could explore the entire area. Jeff brought his Geocache equipment and we had great fun tromping through the desert foothills. If you aren’t aware of this little game, check into it. It’s a lot of fun and kept the girls busy for hours. Thank goodness for Jeff. He teaches school so he’s right at home with a bunch of screaming little girls. Jeff and David did ALL the cooking and Karlee and PJ did all the cleaning so I was in hog heaven. I just sat and enjoyed all my grandbabies. Makena is 12, Kennedi and Morgan 10 so they aren’t my babies but they still let me love them. Michael is the only baby left but I didn’t get to hold him much. He’s up and about and the girls and Aunt Karlee kept him busy. We had a wonderful time and plan another trip in two years when it’s our turn to have the family.
The pic is of my babies and I’ll include Mike in that. (by the way, he has a new name given to him by Miss Morgan, Papa Grande. He just loves it.