Trampoline Socks

It is rare that I am disappointed by anything in my stash. When I did a test-swatch with this yarn it seemed okay, but over a 60 stitch sock the patterning just didn't do it for me. Fortunately they weren't for me, and Chiquita loves them.

Pattern: Two at Once, Toe-Up Socks
Yarns: Skacel Trampoline & Patons Kroy Socks
Fiber Content: 70% wool/23% nylon/7% polyester & 75%/25% nylon
Suppliers: The Knitting Room (now closed) and Wisconsin Craft Market

Modification: I did a wedge toe with a provisional cast-on, as I tend to do.

Chiquita requested that the toes and heels be in different colors, so I dug around a bit in my bag of sock yarn leftovers until I found something that would work.

Besides not being crazy about the patterning, I also wasn't super excited about working with the yarn itself. I hadn't used it before, but it has a colored outer layer around a white core. I assume that means that this yarn had the wool wrapped around a synthetic core. Unfortunately I don't know that it lived up to its name, as this sort of construction did not result in a particularly springy yarn. It wasn't as hard on the hands as a pure cotton or synthetic either. It just sort of gets an "eh" from me.

Birthday Giveaway

It is officially my birthday, even if we aren't going to be able to celebrate right away due to thesis deadlines. But I am still giving away presents, and if you would like to play along just leave a comment. I will pick names at the end of the month.


This year there are 3 prizes: a skein of Mountain Colors Bearfoot, a skein of Mind's Eye Yarns Merino/Tencel sock yarn in an exclusive sock club color from last summer, and a copy of Knit Lit the Third. I will be drawing 3 names, and there will be 3 winners. International readers are welcome to participate, as I am willing to ship internationally. Good luck!

WWKIP '08

Taking a break from my writing, I spent a few hours at the Boston WWKIP Day event. I brought my Slytherin House Sweater that I started a few days ago to work on. I know a lot of people don't like stockinette sweaters, but working this in the round is the perfect answer to my knitting needs right now: mindless and soothing.


I have a photo of the WIP, though not of the group, as my camera batteries didn't last. It was a great turn out though, the best I have seen in the last 3 years!

It was nice to get a little sunshine and hang out with the knitters. All too soon though it was time to return to my articles and working draft. Le sigh.

Meme - aka no real content

I have been tagged by Ev of Strings 'n Things.

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was in highschool.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?

-find SEM images of my research surface in the literature
-write another page of thesis (today's focus is experimental background)
-go to the farmer's market
-pick up Chiquita from school
-find another recipe that uses pea tendrils (from the CSA share, we had some last night too)

3) Snacks I enjoy:

cheese & crackers, fruit, (low salt) tortilla chips and salsa

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

-create a scholarship for my highschool & college
-travel
-build a house off the grid

5) Places I have lived:

Massachusetts and Wisconsin (briefly)

6) Jobs I have had:

-produce clerk
-tutor, TA and lab assistant in Chemistry
-R&D intern for Gillette/Oral-B
-RA for a NASA PI
-grad student in Chem Eng

I am tagging Alexis, Britt, Erika, Rosemary, and SunnyNole.

A Surprise Package

I am feeling more than a little overwhelmed with life these last few days. (I have a bunch of stuff I want to share with you guys, but just have not found the time to do it. Soon!) So I was really surprised and touched by a random package I received in the mail this afternoon.


Even the presentation was so thoughtfully done. I knew who had sent it, but had no idea why. I read the note, and I admit I got a bit sniffly. I have been so caught up in thesis stuff, the end of the school year for Chiquita, and some assorted health worries, that this little random kindness took me totally off-guard.


Aren't they beautiful? They were a gift from SunnyNole, who I have been so happy to watch as she taken to knitting as if she was born to it. Only a few months ago she was knitting her first hat and now she is knitting her first socks. Thank you so much! Two of them are already in use on a House Sweater that I had just started yesterday. They are so much prettier than the safety pins I had grabbed from the desk for the same purpose.

Cream Square

Wendy Dorrel is asking for squares to make a blanket for a friend in need. I know how generous you crafters out there are, so it is something to think about if you have some time.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (~55 yards)
Hook: F / 3.75 mm
Pattern: Nellie's Easy Square

This is one of my favorite charity blanket square patterns, but this was the first time that I done it in a full acrylic yarn. It looks a little un-square, but should be fine once it gets seamed.

Home

May's theme for the CMP ATC swap was home. We have been really focusing on trying to live more sustainably, so the inspiration for this card was clear. A favorite quote from the Tick kept floating around my head while I worked on this card. (Yes we do try to keep down the amount of "stuff" but it is still a great quotable.)

"You can't destroy the Earth! That's where I keep all my stuff!!"water soluble wax pastels on cardstock

It has been far too long since I used these water soluble pastels. I am so pleased with the results, even if my technique could use a little work.