i know it’s only a little, but i’m past the cuff and starting the third stripe. Whew. The colors are nicer in real life. i used my iSight camera and it just didn’t capture the colors well.

I’ve been a total knitting slug. I don’t want to be or mean to be, but I am. I knit everyday, but I am so out of my “groove” that everything is slow and painful. Ugh. I’ve been working on a pair of socks for forever and I can’t seem to get past the cuff. Of the first one. Oy. When I hit my stride again (which will likely be sometime after my husband gets home from Iraq) I’ll be better about updating here.

I will not consider my stash large EVER AGAIN. Check out THIS blog entry from last summer. 

The green is another of the flower power pattern found on knitty.com, with a change in color scheme and yarn. I used Bernat Cotton Tots yarn instead of a super wash wool. the white one is similar to the flower power pattern, but inspired by a Daisy Top hat pattern. Kind of a combination of the two, plus some changes that i decided would make it better.

I got some Cascade Fixation in the mail today! Very interesting yarn! I chose it because it is cotton and has some elastic in it. It is really stretchy. It’s going to take some getting used to. I have to not stretch it while working with it. I’m sure I can figure it out, but it will be an adjustment. I have only used super wash wool for socks before (okay, well, that and some acrylics for baby socks.)

Can’t wait to see the socks knit up in them! It’s so “thick” and squishy! Of course, I had to start a gauge swatch. I started with size 3 dpns and have gone down to zero…. And it’s still bigger than the pattern calls for. Tomorrow my 00 and 000 needles should arrive. I guess I can try those, too! I really hope I can get gauge. If i don’t, I’ll have to do math!!!!

Oh, and I ordered the yarn from Simply Socks Yarn Company.  VERY speedy delivery!!

I am suffering from knitting monotony. K1, P1, K1, P1…. seed stitch. For forever. And that’s ONE PANEL out of 7. Ugh. It looks great. No doubt about that. I absolutely love the look of seed stitch. I love the feel. I love the thick fabric it creates. I am so BORED with it! Almost-Zen knitting on this size of a project is really Anti-Zen. I’m getting cranky. What was I thinking??? I’ll be so glad when this is over. I think I’ll tackle some nice socks (Rainbow Striped with individual toes a la Family Guy for my oldest boys) and a NOT monotonous Aran afghan. If I ever finish this!

I’ve added a couple of pics of one of the hats.  more to follow!

Please check out my new page.  Tab is above,  “Hats for Norah”.

Edited to add pics! (as requested!)

I am making a baby afghan using 4 different blues and and off white. It is made up of 4X4 inch squares. I have used garter stitch, seed stitch and a square knit on the bias. I would like to figure out a lacy type of square to add to it. I tried one, but the holes are just too big for my taste, so I need to try again. I plan to randomly join squares of different stitches and different colors and put an off white border around it all.

I have been looking at the different squares together and I think it’s going to come together nicely! I hope the baby’s mom feels the same! For the ease of the mom of the little guy I’m knitting for, I chose soft, easy-care Caron Simply Soft. To give the afghan a bit of thickness to give some warmth and a bit of cushioning, I’m using 2 strands held together and size 8 needles. I really think it’s going to be nice!

I finished the hat and booties on time.  Of course I was ‘late’ to the shower anyway beause of the kids, but it was a lovely shower with great food.  I really had a good time!  Thanks KC and V!

Now to see if I’ve learned my lesson and really move on with the other knitting I have with a suspense date.  And stick with it through completion without adding more to the queue!