My First Lorna's Laces Socks

I've noticed that I've been wearing these socks a lot this winter.



I made these before I started blogging. I think it's been about two years now. These socks still look new. I got the pattern from this book called Stocking Feet published by AnniesAttic.com. I just used single crochet for the foot.

I was very proud of them then and still am now. I ran out of yarn on the left foot and could never find the same colorway again. Even though the fabric resembles that of a fishnet, they are still very warm and comfy.

Gift Knitting

My hobby is exactly that, mine. I use it to deal with a lot of stuff in my life , a lot. I think this is why it's so hard for me to make gifts for people. Now, I know there are some out there who pretty much gift their projects exclusively. I applaud you for that, I really do. But for some reason, I just can't let mine go that often. Now last year I wanted to create a scarf that I thought was beautiful, the Forbe's Forrest from Scarf Style. It contained intricate detail but was masculine at the same time. "This would like nice on my brother," I thought. And therefore, he became my muse. As soon as I was done blocking I shipped it off to him and he loved it. And then a few years back there were these chunky chenille boas that I couldn't stop crocheting. They were soooooo easy, I thought that all of the ladies that I love should have one. They loved them. My step mother even kept making requests for me to make them for her friends. This got old. My mom called me the other day and asked me if I could make a scarf for her. "What kind of scarf?", I asked. "Oh, just something basic", she said. "You could probably go right over to Target to find something pretty basic for less time and expense", I replied. There's other examples that I could share, but I'm sure with these few you get the point.

Now, when I tell someone I'm going to make them something, I keep my word. But, I do not like people taking away from my crafting time for their own selfish gain. Or, like Little Man, and I think maybe my Mom just trying to take my crafting time, period even though you don't really want or need it. Little Man is notorious for this. I'll make him something and he'll rarely wear it claiming some strange imperfection when he really wants to say that he prefers store-bought. Then why the hell did you ask me to make it for you?! Just so you know, I did offer to make my mom something more unique and less basic. Her other suggestion was a mohair sweater with a flop in the front. I think she used to own something like this back in the day. Imagine her shock when I told her one big hand full of mohair was about $9. My mom is like a size 22/24.

So, maybe all this is why when I made a genuine attempt to knit up some socks to fulfill my secret Santa obligations it all went horribly wrong. Now, these socks were supposed to be for a man who I estimate must wear about a 10 1/2 shoe. I used the Universal Toe-Up formula and determined that the socks should be worked over 64 stitches with 12 unwrapped at the toe and heel. Why, pray tell, did I then get something like the following?
Yep, they're turning out nicely, but that is my foot people, and I don't ever wear anything larger than I woman's 8 1/2. I tried to knit some socks for someone else, and ended up with some for myself. Oooops. ;-) Maybe it was that shot of Remi in my coffee.

But then, after Christmas, I started feeling guilty. Of course, the new babies are getting bigger, and after reading Shameka's gifting progress. Ughhh! I really want to finish their sweaters by New Year's day, but then my one and only gift, the one from my from my secret Santa is the Stitch N' Bitch Happy Hookers book. Oh, a wonderful publication indeed. Those bunny slippers are looking soooooo good right now. And little man would probably enjoy that Jolly Roger sweater if I could convert that skull and cross bones to an Oakland Raider. What to do, what to do.

I must decide quickly. Teddy Bear has just excused herself from the queue by objecting to these adorable ballet slippers I thought would be perfect for running around the house in. "Mommy, can you please take these off me. I don't like them." Huh, then why am I waisting my knitting energy on you then? Hmmm, I think I'll use this yarn for my Fat Bottom Bag.
Any advice?

So, hopefully the main problem with the pics is just that I needed new batteries. Hopefully. And hopefully today you'll be able to appreciate the beauty of my yarns the way I do. I've completed the quick project with that reddish-gray stuff. My mom laughed at me because I took the socks and hat back after I finished with them. I told you what happened with the hat. I just want to keep an eye on them while they're being worn. Ahhh, making hats and socks are so satisfying to me cause your kids need this stuff.

Have you checked out the latest knitty.com? I've already devoured this cute Monica tank that was supposed to be a party gift for a party today. I'm sorry, but I don't feel like making the 1.5 hour drive. And now the top belongs to HP. They probably wouldn't have appreciated it anyway. And yes, we are going to be wearing it with a tutu. I'm going to make a denim and chocolate one to wear with jeans. I was just using what's left over from some Bernart Softee Baby from those blankee making days.

Also to be worn with a tutu is this soon-to-be kimono. This will be made with Tess yarn that I got from the Stitches convention. This is my first project with yarn that I got from that convention. I got myself a ball winder and had a lot of fun with it. You CAN NOT use it with this yarn. The yarn lable says that you need a "real live person or a swift." I didn't try either of the kids, and it took me about a week to untangle the mess. I'm already impressed with working up what looks like yards and yards of ribbon. So, I'm over the tangle. The worked up fabric feels great, but sliding the yarn between my fingers is uncomfortable.

That silk that I bragged about kept breaking on the ball winder. Grrrrrrr. I'm going to complain to the maker. If they don't compensate me some how there will be hell to pay.

When my boy was tiny, whenever we were about to leave my parent's house my dad would whisper something in his ear. I would demand that he tell me what he said and would even threaten him with capital punishment. But, he would still say with that cute smile, "I'm not telling." Well, take a look at these colors. Clue: Almost every primary color in 100% Peruvian wool, HP will be starting pre-school soon.

I'm not telling!

Whew. What a lovely weekend. Look what I found.


This was one of my first major projects many years ago before my kids were even thought of. I guess I was crocheting for some imaginary baby somewhere. I knew how to select the right size yarn, with the help of the then Straw Into Gold store associate. But didn't know how much yarn to get. It wasn't a big deal since no one was scheduled to wear it anyway. But nevertheless, a shame it's never been, never will be worn. By the time I went back to get more yarn, still before the kids, the store had closed. It later evolved into what's now known as Crystal Palace Yarns.

This weekend I went to Stitches West. It was so much fun. You were not allowed to bring your camera into the event, but here's my post card to prove I was there. I have a girlfriend who makes fun of me because of my yarn fetish. I'm telling her that I know she wishes she could knit/crochet.


My goal, as usual was to score some major deals. Many vendors had what they called a deal, but not enough for me. Here's how I made out anyway.

I got these skeins of sock yarn from the Bay Area Knit Co-op for $7.95 each. I call this a bargain cause it feels the same as those $12 sock skeins. These will be my first conservatively colored pair of hand knit socks.



I couldn't resist this ribbon yarn. From a maker called Tess. The Baby Kimono that it's designated for is simply delicious. This was my impulse buy. I couldn't resist.



I wore my new socks to the event. They came from this free toe-up pattern on Knitty.com, but shame on the designer for not including a stretchy bind off. I used this one with a one by one ribbing. She also advised that I use a needle size one size smaller than what the yarn called for. I can see why. Comfy socks, but a little to baggy for shoes. However, when I took this advise on my next sock, it fit much too tight. Not "the tighter the better", but still a good pattern that I'll continue to use.



Remember this yarn? It used to be a hat. A had that wasn't worn much at all.

On the Stitch and Ride to San Jose (the Capital Corridor). We were given very cool goodie bags that included some tools, a nice pattern book, and even some bamboo/cotton yarn. Just one skein that I have no idea what I'm going to do with.

And finally, my find of the day that made all of the walking around worth it. ..

What amounts to about 800 yards of luxurious silk made from The Village Spinning and Weaving Shop for a mere $24. I've never used any of their yarns before, but this beauty is going to be the sexy tank that makes everyone jealous. Those people even had the nerve to be selling buffalo yarn. I guess that can't be any worse than the vendors there that turned dog fir into yarn.

I also made some pretty cool friends on the train up there, which was great cause I was planning to spend the whole day by myself. Thanks you guys.