Harry Potter Sox

Done.
Fini.
The End.

Lookin' good, huh!  And lots of fun -- even if I did have to weave in all the ends from the color changes.

They belong now to Grandson Sid.

Heel Back Border

That title sounds a bit like dance steps, maybe for square dancing?  Each noun refers not to the next step in the waltz nor to the end-up-here spot on the dancing diagram.

Instead, these words are a way for me to quickly update you on the three major items in my knitting bag.  (Note I said "major" which means -- no surprise, huh! -- I have a few more in the beginning stages, thinking-about-them stage, the matching-pattern-and-yarn stage.)

The Harry Potter Sox.  Both heels are done.  Finishing the gusset on sock 2 and making my way down the foot on sock one.  I really enjoy working the socks individually on dpn's, but with two sets of needles I can keep up with myself on sock 2.  Great motivator.  The yarn is Heritage Superwash by Cascade and I love, love, love this yarn.

The Luna Cardigan from Cascade Yarns.  The designer, Vera Sanon, deserves a special mention.  She has a note about shaping with lace patterns that really helped me to create neck and armholes while keeping the lace on track.  You know how sometimes it takes just the right combination of words to hit the neuron in your brain?  Well, this one worked for me.  Many thanks to Vera.  She's got lots of designs on Ravelry, so check her out there.  I am using Cascade Sierra for this cardigan, though Cascade Luna is what the designer used.

Working my way up the left front.  Back is all finished.
I've used every stitch holder I have, including a set of
the sloppy cord Kollage needles.  Stitches on holders
are waiting for 3-needle bind-off at shoulder, and then neck
ribbing, all after blocking, of course.

The Bernat Mystery Afghan KAL uses a wonderfully soft acrylic, Waverly by Bernat.  Square by square I'm making my way.  Sewing and knitting and weaving in ends.  I pick up the border when I want something that shows quick progress.  It's a 14 row repeat and not difficult.  But still, it seems the box has more yarn left than has been knitted.  Sometimes I think the yarn skeins conspire when I am not watching, creating more skeins and more tangles.  I try to remember the glass is always half full.

The green strip is the border (right edge) and the bit of
light blue triangle will become another square.  The little ball
of pink is all that's left of that wonderful color.

You're thinking:  "That crazy lady could finish at least one of these projects if she'd just stick with it.  But NO she has to float from one to the other, doing a few rows here and then a few rows there."

Yup, and for good reason.  The dark yarn in the sox is too dark to work at the end of the day, even with a good Ott light.  The lace pattern requires 150% attention which I don't always have.  The afghan has some simple stitches and patterns that are often very relaxing.

So I drift back and forth, like someone learning a new dance.

Heel Back Border

Repeat

Spring Virus

I've got a bad case of sock-itis this Spring. I am almost certain there is no cure.  Pesky viruses seem to be immune to anything we try, including chicken soup.  I'm well enough to knit, thank goodness, so the virus will undoubtedly continue unabated.  You don't hear me complaining, do you?

Every virus attacks at some time with a wizard spell from Harry Potter, eh?

These for grandson.  Yellow House Yarns in Puyullup, WA , USA
helped me find the right burgundy.  Both are from
Heritage by Cascade, Merino Superwash.
Yummy.  Needles are US1

Then there's the mondo yarn and mondo needle socks for wearing around the house.  Would keep my feet warm but gave them to daughter, though grandson is the one who wore them home.

Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky with their slipper sox pattern.
Pattern called for US13 but I stepped down to US11
to 'get gauge.'

These using Paton's Kroy, probably a discontinued shade, since this is from stash.  Frogged these when I thought I might be able to avoid the virus.

Started here, with plain pattern, and US2 but decided
to frog it.

Here's where I am today with the Kroy socks, using a pattern from Favorite Socks -- 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave.  This one is Retro Rib Socks by Evelyn A. Clark.

I've switched from Magic Loop for sox, to don's and on the advice
of Yellow House Yarn owner Megan, have purchased two
sets of the sizes I use.

Here's the two of them as I work my way down the leg of each to arrive at the heel flap.  Sometimes the virus attacks with a double dose.

Lots of sticks!

And finally, a close-up of the wonderful rib pattern, which shows even in the variegated self-striping -- and it's funner (yikes, bad grammar!) to work, imo.

Nice ribbing.  The single knit column is Ktbl every other row.

As you can see I have a serious case of this particular virus, so I reckon the only cure is a) starting yet another pair of sox (using stash which keeps the guilts away and the dollars in the pocket) and b) staying inside with plenty of liquids while I knit.

Let me know if you have other suggested 'cures.'

Meanwhile, I'll be sure to get plenty of rest while I'm knitting.