2007, the Rest of the Year

The back half of 2007 was quite productive.

July
No pictures didn't mean no progress. With 7 posts in July I was surely busy with something. Besides computer hell! Readjusting to life int the US, exposure to real knitting books (through the courtesy of the Marin County Public Libraries, the final installment of Harry Potter, work on Arietta and attending my first real-world knitting group with the ladies of Uknitty at the Mill Valley Starbucks most Sundays kept me busy, indeed. Not to mention my Ravelry invite!

August

Ravelry changed my world and I was a true devotee. In addition to uploading everything I had to the site, I met up with some Ravelers in San Francisco and went on my first Yarn Crawl. Knit wise, I added the Tooth Fairy pillow for my niece and nephews to my ever growing list of FOs. I work on Arietta, of course, and started another Argosy: no. 6! I also found time to leave the beauty that is Marin County and move to NJ. The reasons were many and may not make sense if you aren't acquainted with my lifestyle, but they made sense at the time, and still do.

September

As I tried to settle in to my new, albeit temporary home, I looked forward the the new year, and all that it entails. Rosh Hashana was spent with family in Edison and I made my first dishcloths as a house warming present. I continued with gifts for the kids and my finished Miss Kitty Kat for my nieces 5th birthday. I also began my love/hate relationship with socks. I also put away Arietta for the duration of winter.

October
Yom Kippur and Succos took up much of the month, as did the birth of two little cousins. Tiny knits were called for in celebration: Saartje's Bootees and High Energy Baby Socks. Rounding out the footwear them were my Felted Clogs and my acceptance of the Jaywalker fiasco. (Either I am very devoted or a glutton for punishment, but I've got those babies back on the needles!)

November
Hat season officially began, and lesson were learned about big heads, lots of curls and relative hat sizes. Another toy was created but has yet to fly off to CA.

Odessa, Chevron Hat, and the Golden Snitch.

December

The final month of 2007 was prolific indeed, knitting many accessories, most of which were presents and were modeled by the lovely New Roommate. Lots of hats, a successful pair of adult socks and the journey back to scarves, starting with Tudora. I also made Koolhaas, an Unoriginal Hat and her pale, twin sister hat Foo Foo on You, as well as Odessa sequel: Odessa II, for the bigger head. I also discovered Lynne Barr's Knitting New Scarves which accompanies me into 2008 and many projects to come...

Of course, 2008's first FOs were started in 2007: Peacock Picot socks, H-J J's Very Exciting Gray Clogs, and Flower Power Mittens as well as some of the current WIPs that I've been holding back on like New Wave, Jeanie as well as Argosy VI (alive and kicking) and a couple of newbies...

Mini Me

Could it be? I finished a pair of socks! Baby socks, but still. A PAIR. Knit to gauge!!! Magic Looped!!! Oh happy day!

These are going to Baby Rosie, my newest cousin in London. I hope her mummy will be pleased.

Pattern: High Energy Baby Socks by Jodi can be found here.
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential in Multi Meadow
Needles: 2.75 mmm; Knit Picks Fixed Circulars.
Gauge: 8 sts = 1"

While the socks are mainly stockinette, (time was running short and I was looking for an easy knit!) what clinched it for me was the cuff detail. A picot edge and eyelet between a two garter ridges. Very cool. I just can't do plain!

Of course it took a while until I found these. First there were Saartje's Bootees (the one in LL Georgetown found in my previous post.) But I have yet to start its mate. I started having palpitations for fear there wouldn't be enough yarn to make my Pomatomi (Pomatumuses?). I ordered another hank but the dye lots were so different I could NEVER pull it off. So the little mate will have to wait until socks for Tante J are complete.

Next I decided a pair of baby Jaywalkers would do nicely, a sweet little sock that could also work as a trial for the Hi-Jinx Junky's Jerusalem Jaywalkers. Well I finished one but really, they should called Toddler Jaywalkers, not Baby.

Here is the first one, made in LL Sherbet. The perfect colorway for a Rosie, no?


I am very happy with the result but I just felt that I wanted to send a present that wouldn't have to sit in a drawer for the next year and a half. And as I said, I was in a hurry. Perhaps they will be a Chanakuh gift next year. But it was good experience and I am more confident about the "big girl" size I have yet to finish. I just hope they won't be too tight.

Which brings us full circle to the Jaywalkers. This is such a well known pattern. I figured that must be because everyone loves it so. The perfect choice. So do you think I checked Ravelry to see what others had to say. No. Bad Tante J! Many people had frogged theirs and totally given up. So it wasn't just me! This is a tight knit! I'm glad I stopped when I did and went up to 2.75 mm needles. Look for your self:

Original pair - they should be measuring 4"!

dense, no stretch

Bye, bye original pair.

Now compare this to the new pair, knit on bigger needles:

4"!

nice and stretchy!

So here's hoping that they retain their added strethiness and cradle the Hi-Jinx Junky's toes instead of cutting of their circulation! Oh, do you see I am now officially a 'Magic Loop'er. No more late night stabbings!