Not Knitting? Never

I wanted to show you the needlepoint project that I unearthed from my craft closet. I've done a little bit of work on it since excavating it last Sunday. The reverse Byzantine stitch on the right side is new. I need to pick out the pink bit at the 9:00 position. It is not centered in its diamond.

This is a picture of the pattern cover. Just so you know where the work is headed.

I am still knitting. I haven't given it up. I couldn't. The needlepoint is not very portable. Socks are totally portable. I am working on two pairs of socks for Spartacus. One pair is nearly finished. I lack a few more rows on the instep before starting the toe decreases. On the other pair I am mid-instep on the first sock.

All this is going on in the middle of Christmas activities and back to back cub scout meetings this week. Our gingerbread house is complete. I have one more present to buy and several to ship to Texas.

It's all just a whirlwind.

Still Thinking (now with new Action added!)

So I am still thinking about doing some needlework instead of/in addition to knitting.

Yesterday, as I was digging out my supply of Christmas cards, I started also looking through my old needlepoint and cross stitch patterns/supplies. It's not that far a stretch, they reside in the same closet. I have a lot of Christmas cross stitch. I also have lots of designs from the 90's. I have every cute Debbie Mumm cross stitch bow ever printed. I am embarrassed to say how much country cuteness I have. I'm thinking this crap is outdated and should no longer take up space in my house.

What I did find though, are some very interesting crewel work pieces from the Arts and Crafts movement. I have a couple of Frank Lloyd Wright inspired designs, some Mackintosh designs and some others. Crewel work is a challenge for me. So I am not sure that I am ready to tackle those projects.

The treasure that I did find was a half-finished needlepoint piece. It is inspired by a Frank L. Wright window. The canvas is still on stretcher bars. The floss was located in the bottom of the floss tub. All the directions are still with it as well. I think maybe it is a sign. I should probably finish this piece.

But then again, maybe I should just start a lace knitting project.

Ambivalence, thy name is Pixlkitten

So I've Been Thinking...

...which is not always a good thing.

I think I would like to try some needlepoint or counted cross stich for a while instead of knitting. Or in addition to knitting. I used to do a lot of needlework (in the years that I was not knitting). Is it possible to do both a knitting project and a needle project at the same time? Can I give all my attention to both?

This is at a time when I don't feel I can give all my attention to anything I am doing. I feel so scattered.

In order to do some needlework I would have to get out all my supplies which are sort of buried in my closet. That would take most of an afternoon by itself. Then I would have to look through it all and decide on a project. I promise I will not go out and buy a new needlework project. I am not buying much of anything at all right now. I am trying to use up things I already have. I am not even buying Christmas cards this year. I am using up the old ones I have. This means no picture of the Family Pixlkitten this year. You might get a picture of a teddy bear. With a bow. From the 90's. I told you they were old cards.

But should I start with the needlework? Knitnurse's friend, Icehouse, has got me interested. She does some really gorgeous work. I have some old projects that should be finished. I have old projects that I bought, but never started.

I also have six tubs of yarn to use up.

Oh, the ambivalance.

Thirty Days of Knitting

Here, as promised, are my finished socks for NaKniSockMo.




Pattern: Lacunae Socks by Anne Hanson of Knitspot
Yarn: Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! in the Oil Beetle colorway
Needles: Knit Picks Options 2.5mm/US 1.5 24 inch circular
Timeframe: Nov. 1 to Nov. 13
Impressions: I have written before about how much I enjoy the combination of Bugga! yarn with Knitspot patterns. These socks flew off the needles! Just a joy to knit and a good project to revel in after 2 months of garter stitch baby blankets.


Pattern: Kites Socks by Anne Hanson of Knitspot
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in the Nyame colorway
Needles: Knit Picks Options 2.5mm/US 1.5 24" circular
Timeframe: Nov. 13 to Nov. 20
Impressions: While not my favorite project of the month to knit, these are the socks that I prefer to wear. This is the pair that I had to partially frog after I knit one more half repeat than necessary.

Pattern: Holidazed Socks by Anne Hanson of Knitspot
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Medium weight in a rare gem colorway
Needles: Knit Picks Options 2.5mm/US 1.5 24" circular
Timeframe: Nov. 20 to Nov. 29.
Impressions: I initially got this pattern as part of the STR sock club. This pattern is currently available at the Blue Moon website. I was not impressed with the pattern until the Yarn Harlot knit some in a medium-value colorway. The patterning is much more visible with lighter colors. The original has a darker yarn with more variegation. I prefer these. STR can have serious pooling especially around the gusset. I do see some pooling in these, but not as much as I normally see.

Done and Done

30 blog posts in 30 days...check

50,000 knit stitches made in 30 days...check. Actually, more than check. Check plus, if you will. I finished sock #6 last night. I don't have the exact stitch count, but I am pretty sure I am way over 50,000.

Car battery replaced after stalling out at the school when I was picking up Spartacus...check.

GothSacks mailed to Saskatchewan (again, those Canadians love GothSacks) on one of the busiest postal days of the year...check.

Laundry washed, dried, folded and put away...check

Christmas tree decorations on the tree...not so check.

5 out of 6 ain't bad.

Pictures of all the finished socks will come tomorrow. Waiting at the auto shop took up most of my blogging time today.

We're Back!

We started the morning here. Gathering new material for GothSacks.

We stopped by here to add to Hisself's collection of Nero Wolfe, Campion, and Ngaio Marsh stories.

We had lunch here before heading back home.

Just a warning. Do not mix Lebanese food with Tex-Mex.

Especially, do not mix Lebanese food and Tex-Mex and then take a long drive.

It's a good thing there was only family in the car.

I'm not here - I'm not there

First I went here.
Then I went here.
Then we ate lunch here.
We spent the afternoon here.
We at dinner here.

Pictures when I get back.