No Turning Back

Updates to Knitting Photos

I uploaded new photos to my knitting photo gallery. I am in the midst of making my first project with the technique called stranded knitting. Basically I'm knitting with two colors... in the same row. I know ... whoa .... slow down there Pam ... that's crazy talk. But it's turning out so awesome.  I'm kind of addicted to this.

I am learning the technique and doing this project through my LYS (local yarn store) Village Yarn & Fiber in East Rochester. The store is great. (Juli - I didn't meet your friend yet. All in good time I'm sure).  Since I'm doing this through a class, I feel pressure to make sure I'm not behind when I go back for the second and final class next Saturday. But since I've been so addicted, I've been knitting for several hours almost every night since Saturday. And I am way ahead of schedule. I'm such an overachiever.

You can link over to the knitting projects on the sidebar, or if I whimsically change the blog design again in the future, you can find the photo album here.

This project is going to be a winter hat! I don't have a picture from the pattern, but in a few short weeks I'll have the finished project! And I still need to put in finished pictures from some other projects (like the lovely cable scarf that I wear almost daily).

Something to Pass the Time

While Santa continues to work hard in the off-season for me, I think I'll knit one of these next.

SOCK-tober Fest Rolls Along

So I finally have some pictures to share for my sock work this month. First, I finished the bright and colorful first sock from the sock knitting class. We all decided we weren't fans of the pattern or Miss Lucy Neatby, the so-called sock guru. Her pattern sucked.  Sucked. Sucked.  The sock isn't measured quite right, but I continue to be amazed at the final patterning of the sock.

And tonight I finished up the itty bitty baby socks that I am gifting soon.  Very soon, as I hope she hasn't outgrown them yet. I think  I'll make another, larger pair just to be sure.

After that - on to more socks for me!  Whee!

SOCK-toberfest is ON!

Thanks to Juli, I have learned of the underground movement for Soctoberfest! And what perfect timing!

Although I am highly, highly motivated to knit 24/7, I just barely finished my sock knitting assignment for tonight. Unfortunately I worked most evenings last week so I didn't get in as much time as I had hoped. And then I had a little trouble with the pattern when I started the heel, and it was Sunday night so I couldn't get any help from the store. But I think I figured it out properly. In any case, the latest updates are on the Photo Album here.

Tonight is the second of three classes and I surely won't have as much "homework" as I did this first time. I wanted the leg to be a bit longer, but my hands were cramping too much from holding those teeny tiny needles for so long. And I wanted to make sure the heel flap was done in time for tonight (finished just shy of midnight last night - phew). I'm having a little trouble envisioning when I'll wear such bright colors, but I'll have to come up with something to show them off!

I finished my heel flap last night while watching The Bachelor. He's not as smarmy as I thought he would be. But I hardly classify him as the "Roman god" that one of the girls thought he was. From the previews, it does look like it will be an interesting season. There could even be a wacko stalker in the bunch.

The answer to the mystery package that arrived last week can be found here.

And finally, congratulations to Megan and Andrew and welcome to Kiera! Remember, no peppering on the court.

Sock Class Part One

So yes, I'm up far, far too late tonight. I had my knitting class tonight and it was all I ever hoped for. Knitting socks. Knitting in many colors. And knitting with a yarn that creates its own pattern. I can't explain how it works. No one knows. But it's fantastic!

Here are a few pictures of the yarn color and needles.

I am using size 1 needles for the first time. It's like knitting with toothpicks. But I am enjoying the challenge.

I wish I could show you progress to date. However right before leaving the class I decided to start over because it just wasn't up to my standards. And I was not able to work on it tonight because I had other work to get done that couldn't wait any longer.

But tomorrow at noon (the specified start of my 45-minute lunch break), I get re-started!

Catching up on a Tuesday

First, mad props go out to the following folks for pushing their own personal limits and participating in the Rochester Marathon this weekend:

Amy Z
Shannon R
Laura F
Ron C
Hanna N

I helped at one of the water stops on Sunday. Race day was awesome. Perfect weather. My friend Mary came with me so it was fun to have a friend to hang out with too.

Little tip though - if you ever are handing out Gatorade, be prepared for stickiness! I took one for the volunteer team and did the sticky Gatorade duty. My fingertips still showing some remnants of the yellow stains.  But it's a small price to pay. At least it wasn't rainy or cold. Cold sticky Gatorade - ew.

We were at mile stop 23, so we saw all the half-marathoners, the last relay leg, plus the full marathoners, so I got to see all my friends who were running, plus everyone else. Essentially about 1700 people. You are all amazing.

I strongly encourage everyone to volunteer at these kinds events, particularly the smaller races. Aside from all the work done on the scenes, they are always in need of extra people on race day.  If you have ever participated in a race,  you know what I mean.  Take 2 hours out of your day and help out. Seriously - you can make such a difference. And sometimes you get a free shirt too.

PS - extra mad props to kirsten for above-the-call-of-duty volunteering over the past few weeks. Though our paths didn't cross this weekend, I know you were instrumental in the success of the marathon!

OK, enough of the PSA schtuff.

On my own racing front, I will be participating in the Black Diamond off-road duathlon in late October (2 mile trail run, 10 mile off-road bike, 2 mile trail run).  I really need to get running every day. Gosh if I didn't have to work, I'd have lots of time for that =) as well as my other favorite pastime right now (see next).

Second - I cannot convey how excited I am about tonight. I am going to a sock knitting class at Wild Wools. Although I have already knitted one sock all by myself (with a little help from Juli and Knittinghelp.com, the best online resource for new knitters), I can't wait to see what we're going to do tonight. I hope I get to make a pair that's from a pattern and not just one color all around.  I would definitely need some guidance if working with a pattern.   

But I am still SO excited about tonight! The day cannot go by fast enough! I think I'm also pretty psyched because this means I will HAVE to knit for the next two weeks until the next class - yay!!

I did already start the matching sock to my purple rag wool sock. And folks let me tell you, it is already way better than the first one. I am getting better at making the stitches tighter, as well as not accidentally increasing or decreasing.  I'm tempted to undo the first sock and re-do it so it will be even better! 

Stay tuned to tomorrow's post for the exciting details of my sock knitting class.

My first sock is complete!

I finished knitting my first sock tonight! Or actually very, very early this morning. After a few restarts tonight, I finally finished the toe part. Too excited to sleep right now. I know I will regret this tomorrow, but I don't care.

Yes there are a few beginner mistakes to fix but those are easily blended in. And even better, I put the sock on and it actually fits me! Ah the whole point of making my own socks - so I can make them to fit my bizarre feet shape. Yay!

Now the challenge is to make the matching sock the same size as this one. I eagerly await the feat. Ha. Ha.

More pictures here!

Turning a (heel) corner

My knitting was on hold for a while in the past few months. Too much going on for the most part. But today, the first of this Labor Day weekend, is miserable outside. The remnants of Ernesto have swirled their way to upstate New York so it's quite windy and rainy. A perfect day for getting housework and cleaning done. Or procrastinating the household duties and knitting!

In the past few weeks I made some progress on my socks. I have finished the "leg" portion and am about to do what they call "turn the heel." I'm not quite sure how to do this, so I am about to rely on my knitting CD and other references. All I know is that when I got assistance from Wild Wools Yarn shop a few months ago as I started my socks, the kind helper said "Come back when you're ready to turn the heel." So need(le)less to say, I'm a tiny bit afraid to take the next step.

So is a picture of my progress to date. In case I totally bumble the next stage, these will pictures might get me back on the right track.

More photos are available on my Flickr account. If you wish to see them, please email me for access. I have made the pictures private to family and friends only.