I’m back!

Okay okay- so it's been a while since my last post.  About seven months...or 212 days to be exact.  A lot has changed since that last post...but the most important thing that has happened is that I completed my first pair of socks!!  Look look!  I have proof!

Completed: Diamond Gansey Socks

Pattern: Diamond Gansey Socks by Wendy D. Johnson
Needle: US 1 - 2.25 mm
Method: Magic Loop, Two at a Time

These took me the past nine months to complete!  It was not because the pattern was difficult (it was a joy to knit!), but my schedule was just so hectic.  My Aunt requested green socks, and though it has almost been a year later, they are finally finished!  Thank goodness she is patient!  Unfortunately, since there was such a huge time lapse, I do not remember much about the yarn I used!  I know that I acquired it through a trade from Ravelry.

I used the Magic Loop Sock Knitting Method, Two at a Time.  I am in love with this method of knitting socks!  At one point years ago when I was seven, my grandmother tried teaching me how to knit socks with DPNs.  I remember being so frustrated, accidently dropping needles, stabbing myself, and dropping stitches right and left.  She was the most understanding and patient grandmother ever, and she must have been optimistic to attempt to teach a seven year old sock knitting!  Years later, I still encountered the same frustrations with DPNs.  I also can not imagine knitting one sock at a time!  I think if I was to knit socks this way- I would have a drawer full of single socks because I would be too unmotivated to knit the same pattern all over again.  I love that when I was done knitting this pattern- both pairs were finished!

I am still a lazy knitter and did not knit a swatch.  So the socks are a bit bigger than I hoped.  I wear size women's US 6.5 shoes and my Aunt wears only a size US 5!  So...she will be receiving semi-slouchy socks.  I think I need to knit with size US 0 needles, but since I can afford another pair of circular needles at the moment, I'll just have to knit for larger feet.  So my "someone special" will be receiving some socks in the very near future!

I found these great sock blockers in a LYS a couple of weeks ago.  It was exciting to use them!  They are Bryspun, Stainless Steel Sock Blockers, size Small.  They were $16.50, but I thought it was a good investment, because I plan to always have a pair of socks on my needles.  I use to be a knitter that would look at knitted sock patterns and go ::scoffs:: "Who would wear knitted socks when you could buy them in bulk quantities at Target in several different colors!  Where is the practicality in that!"  But then I realized, as a knitter, the things we knit are not technically practical.  We knit hats and sweaters that are three, four, five-times more than something we could have bought in a store.  We slave over the stitches and needles for hours on end, and stare at our imperfections and uneven stitches.  Then, (well more in my case), we never finish the project or never even wear it in public.  ::sigh::

However, after finishing these socks and trying them on...I'm in love.  They are so comfy- and they don't even fit properly!  Warm, toasty, and just such a joy to knit.  I think the enjoyment of knitting socks, and having toasty warm toes or giving the gift of comfort- is totally worth it.  So I already started another pair of Gansey Socks from Wendy D. Johnson's Book, Socks from the Toe-Up! <3

On The Needles: Minimalist Cardigan

My Minimalist Cardigan is on it's way to being complete!  As of now I have finished the back, one front side panel, and I am 1/3 through the other front side.  I knitted most of the back discreetly during Music History lectures.  I really need to get over the dread of knitting a gauge.  At this point, I have no clue if it will really fit...at all.  But I will finish this project, seam it up, and take awful pictures of a deformed first knitted sweater!  I'm contemplating if I will want to FROG it all and then knit it again once I know if this size will fit or not.  We shall see if I am that CRAZY.  This has been a wonderful car, on the go, and mindless knit.  I'm an expert on the moss stitch now!

Well, I believe this is a good "starting back up post" for now.  I will be posting another soon, to document the extravagant stash buying frenzy I went through just a couple of days ago.  I am ashamed at my lack of self control when it comes to buying yarn at discounted bargains...but I suppose that comes with a knitter's territory.  ;)

Thanks for reading this, may your day be toasty and filled with love, as a pair of hand-knit socks.

Love Always,

~ Emilee