Wednesday, May 9, 2007

ParaSox, Devon's Contest and More





There. FINALLY. A pair of socks! Yeah, the yarn's the same dye lot, and I'll show a close-up of the differences in the leg in a bit. There's also very nearly a whole ball left (want ball winder - NEED ball winder for birthday... someone tell Mark, please?!), but for my first pair, better safe than sorry. And yes, I'll be casting on in dpn tomorrow. Tonight, I'll eat dinner and email, and maybe cast on for my first hat, which will be for the Charmed Knits KAL. I'll be a good Ravenclaw and make my own colors first, mainly because it's time for something without green or pinks or tans.



I've been having a GREAT time chatting with some of the awesome knitters in my groups for the Spring Felted Bag Exchange and the Spring/Summer Dishcloth Exchange. Once again, I must tip my cap to the knitting community of the online variety. Kind, engaging, wonderful folks you are! So, in my efforts to be a good hostess, here are my answers to the questions *MY* great pal and hostess for the SSDE, Devon asked:



(Note: A little trick I learned checking my group's blogs yesterday... A visual tag helps find contest entries!)



What is one baked item you love making or buying and why?-


Tough, tough, and YOU know it, Madame Hostess!! Love making?? Grandma Vallie's Strawberry Cake, because the inlaws swear it tastes just like hers, and the compliments will sustain me for weeks.


What is one item you love to knit and why?-


Socks! They're challenging, small enough that Mugsy can still sit in my lap, and quick enough that I don't get bored.


Favorite outdoor activity and why?



Walking and/or playing fetch with Mugsy. I love being outside, and walking is about all I can still do. Sharing it with the only other being in my house who enjoys exercise makes it great fun!


and lastly --Favorite way to relax?



Yoga. Most recently, Zoe's meditation session at the end. (I always poo'd meditation, swore it didn't work for me, etc., but that's the problem with having a friend's little sister as my yoga instructor; she's very comfortable telling me to just try it, and I feel obliged to try.)



And continuing with the contests, SFBE's current offering:



Where you live, what signifies the beginning of Spring? A favorite flower blooming? Snowmelt? Pollen (Cough cough, gak, here in ATL, thanks) Post something up describing how you knew 'Spring had Sprung' for you!





The first sign of spring, that it's REALLY here, are the crocus. However, my favorite flowers to see blooming are daffodils. There's nothing like a sea of yellow, fluttering gently in the breeze. The spring greens of the new leaves popping out are beautiful too... And then there's BASEBALL! When TBS begins showing the Braves at least a couple of times weekly, spring's sprung, and summer isn't far away.




Now, back to the socks. Here's the close-up of the legs, with the significantly different patterns/colors. That's called "pooling" on the left, correct? Anyhow, I love them, and would wear them tomorrow if it wasn't going to be nearly 80 degrees again. Sigh. Monday and Tuesday of this week, I was wearing clogs and socks. Dang! All in all, I'm proud of myself, and I don't hate Magic Loop, Anne. ;) I'm not in love with it as a way to knit socks, but I definitely don't hate it, and will be using it on my next little felted bag.




Now, I must sing the praises of Knitpicks. Not just the outstanding Options, but their whole company. My order arrived today, and in it were four precious balls of Ambrosia, in grass and mulled wine. (Two each color.) I did not order this yarn, and ironically, had been discussing alpaca yarn (and other things alpaca) with my husband's uncle, with whom I also work. I called, expected them to send a "will call" ticket and the yarn would be on its way back to them, but no, the sweet gal in customer service only wanted to know which colors I had, and then said for me to enjoy them. So... now what?! What do I knit up with my free yarn!?












5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, dear lady, they're beautiful :)

Devonshire said...

Those socks look awesome! Note to self must get blockers. Also thanks for answering the questions. Stay tuned for part 2 of the contest after all answers are in. Don't you just love knit picks? Free yarm - yes!

Devonshire said...

So I cheated with the baking question - Strawberry cake - now that sounds divine!

meg said...

Woo, great job on the socks! First socks are the bestest. :)

Anonymous said...

Your socks look so great! You and Anne both are just full steam ahead...I don't think I can keep up!!!