It's official.  I'm no longer a sock virgin.  In the last eight or so years since I started to knit, I was never convinced to give socks a go.  But Lady Socks, how you inspire!  I'm a convert, currently working on my second pair as for a gift (yes, socks have opened up a whole new realm of gift knitting), with at least four pairs in the immediate queue.  I say bring on the small, portable projects!   

Toe-up and short-rowed
I know I've only completed one pair at this point, but I simply can't see why people make such a fuss over toe-up socks.  Why would you bother making them any other way?  The magic cast-on is so simple, makes a nice, seamless toe, and you can try your socks on as you go (added bonus of semi-immediate gratification).  On the same note, why do anything but a short-row heel?  Now, I am definitely assuming that there are appropriate situations for employing different heel techniques or knitting top-down (I hope to be enlightened when I read Wendy Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up), but from what I've heard many knitters are just scared of trying these different techniques.  

Okay, we've already established that I'm an inconsistent blogger.  I do so want to be better, but it's very difficult, after a full day sitting in front of the computer doing things I don't want to do, to then return home and write about the fun stuff.  We'll say that my mid-year resolution is to improve on this note.  I've heard that it really takes weekly posting at a minimum to blog, and I'm just not there yet.  My Examiner.com responsibilities seem to trump those of The Drowsy Knitter and my even-more-neglected ReaderReader.  But, I started each of these with a mission, so attention they will get!

I'm inspired by the anticipation of yet another big order from WEBS/Yarn.com.  The Ladies and I have banded together once again to meet the $120 minimum that earns the 25% discount.  Unfortunately (fortunately?) we went way beyond the minimum.  My anticipated projects from said box of glory:

•  Fiddlehead Mittens by helloyarn.  I've been eyeing these for a while and have them planned in Rowan Scottish Tweed, with RYC Silk Wool DK for the lining.
• Mom and Dad socks.  I can't tell from the order history what I even bought, but I'm sure it's smashing.  Some his and hers socks are sure to brighten their holiday (yes, I'm starting now).
• Socks for me!  Pattern TBD.  I loved knitting with the Dream in Color yarn so much that I'm going to give their sock yarn, Smooshy, a try. 

Not overly ambitious, I think.  I'm still working on my Diminishing Rib Cardigan, but as it's beyond portable size it's taking a breather.  The arms are all that I have left at this point.  Of course, there's no rush now that it's practically summer! 

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the queue.  It's been a while since I've finished anything, though I'm getting close.  My queue is perpetually growing, and I know it's nothing compared to what some knitters have got going on, but I haven't been knitting for thirty years either. 

• Falling in Love socks:  one down, one to go.  I decided to do a twisted rib cuff, which looked great until I combined it with a tubular bind-off.  I wanted the stretch of that bind-off, but the tightness of the twisted stitches made it a painful process.  I'm not looking forward to a repeat.  I started the second sock today on my commute and hope to crank it out during this week's business trip.  I'm using Plymouth Happy Feet, which I find pleasant to knit but am not loving the variegation.  I should have gone with a colorway that was more uniform, as the purple pools too much for my taste, making it look like girl-camo.  Did I mention that these are my first socks? 
• Diminishing Rib Cardigan: just about finished with the body, and then on to the sleeves.  The best part about this sweater is the minimal amount of finishing.  I really should only have ends to weave in from yarn joins and a little blocking to do.  I've knit it up in the a dark brown Cascade Ecological Wool and it's very dense, just the way I like it.  I have high hopes for the fit, too, but we'll see.  I also hope that blocking will even it out a bit, as I think the variations in ribbing are a little sloppy.  I imagine it will look great on, but one shouldn't look too closely. 
• Cabled Blanket Coat: in my initial post, I remarked on the major undertaking this sweater is, with 19 balls of yarn in the closet.  Well, it really is a beast.  I've gotten a third of the way through the main body, which is essentially a giant cabled blanket with cast-off holes in the middle for arms.  I think it's reasonable to assume that this sweater will not be done before it's cold enough again to wear.  Also, it's the project I pull out when I don't have something else in hand (or that can be worked in front of the television).

There are a bunch of other projects in the queue for which yarn is already in the stash.  For the others, I am attempting to exercise self-control. 

• Chunky Merino Throw:  I finally received the massive backorder of Twinkle Soft Chunky, so I can get crackin' on this blanket.  My initial intention is to knit this for my mother, but we'll see how that goes.  I've never knit anything on giant needles (size 17!), so this should be interesting, to say the least.  I will continue to be inspired by Jared Flood's photos of this project.
• Blooming Cotton Scarf:  Here's another project requiring a ton of yarn, but it's just so pretty!  I'm planning on working this one up in greens.  Though not generally a fan of cotton, there aren't many yarns out there with so many shades available, so Tahki Cotton Classic it is.  With the WEBS discount, it shouldn't be too bad.
• A bunch of man gear:  meaning, I've got a slew of projects in my mind to outfit my man in wooly warmth.  A green Koolhaas hat, using the same Queensland Kathmandu Aran that I used for mine.  A cotton scarf using some sort of slipped stitch pattern.  He's slightly afraid of color, except some greens, so I'm thinking of a dark green and charcoal palette.  I think I can get his scarf out of the leftovers from my queued Blooming Cotton Scarf.  Then there will be some new mittens.  I'm thinking some really rugged big mittens under which he can wear slim work gloves, and then something for every day wear.  I initially made handwarmers because I didn't think he'd wear mittens.  I guess I don't know everything.  The best thing about this bit of the queue is that I have lots of time until fall rolls around again. 

I'm already tired of listing it out and this is the tip of the iceberg.  There are hats and sweaters and socks in my future, but I'm not sure which will be next.  I never feel that I have enough time to knit, and forget about the half-written patterns.  Designing takes even more time! 

I must confess: I've been a very bad blogger.  Bad writer.  Bad reader.  Semi-bad knitter.  I've been traveling so much for work that I'm just plain tired.  And the end is not in sight.  One more month and perhaps my brain will return.  You know it's bad when reading, writing and knitting are considered by my mind to be far too taxing. 

You also know it's bad when I'm considering watching Twilight for the second time in three nights.  I'm probably going to that special hell - you know, the one reserved for people who watch and occasionally pay for bad movies.  Here's the thing, though:  It's got replay value!  I've read all the books, and will only admit to liking the first.  But you can't eat just one, you know?  And then there's the fact that after book one I hoped Bella would die repeated and painful deaths.  Yet I saw the movie.  In the theater.  It was probably a good thing that we went a while after it opened or we might have had a lynch mob on our heels.  In fact, the whole audience was giggling throughout, so we were with a like minded crowd.  A friend mentioned that everyone looked constipated, so this may have colored my perception, but the expressions were priceless.  Jasper looked like Edward Scissorhands upon the application of purple-tinted foundation.  Edward had a perpetual "I'm gonna throw up" look about him.  And Bella was so "teen" it was surprisingly accurate.  Hell, I'm putting that baby back in the DVD player right now.   

On the knitting front, well, I gave into my urges and bought that crazy bright Manos that I've been eyeing.  I bought it in Texas, with no witnesses, so it's okay, right?  Apologies for the iPhone picture, but hey, natural light!

The days of point-and-shoot are over.  The days where everything looks orange.  Or blurry.  Or, just plain awful.  The upgrade had to happen or I might have been put off documenting my knitting forever. 

Behold the Nikon D80, a semi-pro DSLR equipped with a sweet macro lens to catch stitch definition in its full glory.  Or so I expect, once I figure out how to use the damned thing.  Years of serious black and while photography with film (you know, that purple-gray stuff that comes in rolls) has not equipped me with many transferable skills to the world of digital photography.  With a steep learning curve ahead, I anticipate sharing with you some top-notch knitting photography within a few months (best case scenario).  In the meantime, here are my baby steps.  And when I say baby, I really mean it: I needed assistance last night with the "on" function.

First, my Koolhaas hat.  One of the few projects I've endeavored on my own behalf, I have to say I'm in love.  With the yarn (Queensland Kathmandu Aran), the pattern (thank you, Jared), and the possibilities (family and friends will learn to love their Koolhaas hats, too).  I picked up a couple additional balls of the Kathmandu in a grassy green for my guy.  I'm hoping that the dense texture of this hat will tame his unruly hair in a way that the last hat gift did not. 

Pattern: Thumbs Up
Source: Big Fish, Little Fish by Jil Eaton
Yarn: Dream in Color Groovy in Blue Lagoon
Needles: US8 (two circulars)
Modifications: Knit in the round; picked up 4 stitches along thumb.  Next time I would add additional stitches in palm area for larger hand width.

Oh, mittens!  A phrase which should, perhaps, be a new obscenity.  Mittens!  Mittens, I say!

I had no fear of completing the swap mittens, and here they are.  I do fear, however, that they may be a little small.  They are stretchy, so I'll hope and pray.  Completed in just the nick of time, I did not have the chance to add the beading as I'd hoped.  They are still adorable and I'm so in love with the yarn that I may have to make a pair for myself.  My worry regarding the yardage was unfounded, as there is quite a bit left.  Maybe a cute kerchief is in it's future?  Or perhaps just going into the scraps bag.  I am confident that one day I will have a leftover yarn epiphany in which I devise the most brilliant and efficient means of putting the bitty balls to work.