Thank you all so much for the anniversary wishes. We both like the idea of taking a new photobooth picture, but alas, all the directories I looked at on where to find a photobooth are sorely out of date. I’m toying with the idea of making my own makeshift photobooth though. We had a nice, uneventful day yesterday – which frankly, are the best kind in my opinion. I cooked dinner Friday night – best breaded chicken cutlets I’ve ever made – I really like my new stove – and yesterday I went swimming with G in the evening. I never go swimming in the pool at our house so it was a nice present for him. Tonight we’re going out to dinner for G’s birthday – he asked me to wear the very fun outfit that I wore to AC and I will happily oblige. I was just thinking I’d love to wear those shoes again.

While G was recouperating from his very stressful work week, I finished the legs of my knee highs:

Dude! I’ve got legwarmers! Can I just tell you? I’ve never seen Flashdance. I was thirteen when it came out and I’m pretty sure I was allowed to see R rated movies at that point (which oh my god today’s Rs would’ve passed for X back then) but somehow I never saw it. Thankfully, the video still survives so I can watch that and pretty much feel like I’ve seen the movie. Did you know that three different people did the dancing in that audition sequence – and none of them were Jennifer Beals? Crazy!

I’ve got my next pair of knee highs all planned out. I may even cast on for them today, since I think it will be a little bit until I finish these. I have to get the new fiber, spin it up, then knit it. And I want to finish spinning the blue merino I was spinning before I get to the fiber for the socks. I don’t have enough bobbins and I want to FINISH something. My brother and his girlfriend stayed the night Saturday and Jen is a knitter and I was showing her stuff and taking out some unfinished things cough:SHORTROWS:cough and I was immediately smitten all over again – with finishing that is. So I’m not going to start spinning for these socks until I’ve finished spinning what’s on the bobbins.

Besides, I’m liking this knit the leg, knit the next leg – then do the heels and the feet. Maybe that’s the key to avoiding SSS.

Off to be domestic for my baby’s birthday. This time I’m going to try really really hard not to fuck up the laundry!

I left the house yesterday.

I also did some work – I really really did. But most of the time, when I wasn’t trying to keep myself from falling into a coma from this armegeddon type heat, I knit my magic socks. Yesterday I said I loved them with the intensity of a burning star exploding through the universe – that was putting it mildly. In this world, there are few things I love more than my Sock Hop American Pie Knee Highs. Look at this fabric!

I may never knit anything other than handspun again. Seriously. I want a sweater made from this. And the pattern I’m using? FANASTIC! The sock fits beyond perfectly. I have so much more confidence in the whole decreasing/increasing getting things to fit area. Like maybe I could make a sweater and figure out all the numbers and have it fit perfectly. Like my sock. Which hugs my calf in a way that should really be illegal. Especially in this heat.

So, I pretty much knit on the sock yesterday – with some work interspersed between decreases. I’d knit a decrease (five rows) and then do some work. Then knit a decrease, etc. until I was pretty much decreasing and not working. I’ve got one decrease left to get me to my normal 64 stitches – somewhere somehow (not a big surprise, trust me!) I messed up either the math or my decrease counting because my hatch marks say 15 decreases and the way I calculated it I was supposed to have 17. So we’ll see what happens when I knit the second sock. As of today’s weigh in, I’ve got 1 oz of yarn left and I’m not quite to the point where I will be ready to start the heel. I think I’m going to knit until the heel, and then start on the the second sock. I doubt I will knit that as fast as I knit this one – even though I will still be loving the socks like a schoolgirl alone with her Tiger Beat – but knowing that I will be waiting on yarn to finish them will probably slow me down a little. Teyani and I have discussed a few options – but some may take longer than others, so we shall see.

I DO believe these socks are magic. They may not give you a boob lift (for that you might want to check out Norma’s t-shirts) but I believe that by their mere proximity they helped me last night.

I’ll set the scene for you. It’s 10:51pm. G asks me to pick him up from work since he misses me and the big project is keeping us apart. Still feeling guilty about not getting off my ass to get the mail the other day, I put on clothes that cover all the important spots, flip flops, grab my sock and my keys and head out the door. It’s 11pm and I can barely breathe once I’m in the outside air. Oppressive is being kind. I get in my car and turn the airconditioning on – which by the way works GREAT! I had the heat on by the time I was out of my parking space. I head into Manhattan. I haven’t driven the dream machine in a while so we’re getting reacquainted.

When I get out of the Lincoln Tunnel the temperature thingamajig on the dash reads 101°. Seriously. It drops down to 96° by the time I’m at 40th and 8th. I’m doing the usual NYC dodge and burn with the taxi cabs when I hear the half siren behind me. Blurp. Blurp. I look out the rearview mirror and don’t see anything. No lights. No nothing. The blurp blurps get louder and I pull over to let whatever’s blurping go past. That’s when I realize I’ve just been pulled over by an undercover cop car. Right outside the New York Public Library no less. The shaaaammmme.

One very young very uniformed officer comes up to my window with his hand on his gun. The other officer stands on the other side of my car with a flashlight beaming into my face. Disconcerting to say the least.

“Why were you swerving like that?” says young cop.

“I was trying to avoid potholes.” Seriously – have they driven in Manhattan?

“You weaved in and out back there.”

I kind of shrug my shoulders. I sort of know what he’s talking about. This fucking cab was pissing me off and I pulled around him and sort of made my own lane. There were 400 cars in line in front of me. I couldn’t have been going that fast.

“Can I see your license?”

I start rummaging through my bag on the seat next me – I can never find anything in there in a GOOD moment let alone with a cop with a gun and a flashlight making me sweat. I find my wallet and pull out my license. In the meantime the Spiderman glove that somehow made it into my bag drops into my lap.

“Is this car registered in your name?”

“My husband. Well, it’s a lease.”

“Can I see the registration?”

I pick up my wallet again and start looking for the registration. I scroll through all of my old driver’s licenses and finally get to the registration.

“Why do you have so many driver’s licenses?”

“For the pictures. The old pictures. They’re all the same license.” I hand the cop the licenses. He hands them back without saying anything. He takes my license and registration and goes back to the car.

I’m sitting there cursing myself. I cannot afford a ticket. Funny thing – I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt. I feel naked in a car without it. The minute I pulled over and knew I was being stopped I took off my seatbelt. Isn’t that weird? I guess I thought I was going to have to get out or something. While I was sitting there waiting, I put it back on.

A few minutes later they come back to my car – hand on gun, partner with the flashlight – and the young cop tells me to drive more slowly and more safely and sends me on my way. No ticket. As I pull away, I see the flash of an addi turbo in the streetlight. The sock. Protecting me. I believe in magic.

I haven’t left my house in two days. That’s not really even close to a record for me, but yesterday I didn’t even venture to the lobby to get the mail. G was pissed when I remembered at midnight last night (incidentally, when he got home from work) and had to go back down to get it. Today, I might have to go out, even though it’s likely the hottest day of the heat wave, but I’ve run out of Mini-Wheats. I think the milk still has another day, but without Mini-Wheats, what’s the use?

You know, nothing says start another project like laying out all your unfinished projects and taking a picture of them all together so that’s exactly what I did.

Knee highs, in Sock Hop yarn, American Pie colorway. I love them with the intensity of a burning star exploding through the universe. The only thing is that I am increasingly worried that I won’t have enough yarn so I am weighing the remaining yarn after like every three rows. It’s a little bit crazy. I’m toying with the idea of emailing Teyani and asking if they have any undyed matching roving and spinning up some white stuff to use on the toes and the heels. Or trying to find a blue that sort of matches for the toes and heels.

I found this website yesterday that gives directions for making knee highs – you just have to fill in all your numbers, and Margene was gracious enough to walk me through the math. I don’t like math – especially knitty math. I would love to take a class on knitty math. I’ve already started the decreases on the sock and I’ve got 1 7/8 oz left. I was trying on the new sock with my just finished sock hop sock on my foot and I was trying to use 3/4 oz for the “new” part up my leg and have 2 oz left for the rest of the sock – the part that matches the old sock. But I’ve got a ton more stitches on the new sock, although no ribbing and I suspect ribbing takes up more yarn than straight stockinette, but I’m still worried. As I said, I love these socks more than anything and I know my heart is a fickle bitch, but that’s how it is.

And even though I’ve gotten like a third of the sock done (or god forbid LESS) I think they look super cute and dare I say sexy on my leg. I can just tell they are going to look damn fine when they are finished and I’m going to wear them around my house with G’s old work shirt on and I will be cute and fine and SEXY. Like ten years younger sexy.

And then maybe I will get back to losing some weight and do stuff around the house more and clean and cook and be ambitious about finding new photography work and make some money and clear my head of obsessive thoughts and be all zen about my life and then one morning I will wake up and slip on my fanfuckingtastic socks and I will suddenly have the courage to unfreeze those totsicles and get pregnant and have the perfect life.

God I hope I don’t run out of yarn. There’s a lot riding on these socks.

The move went well in that all the stuff from the old house is in the new house and no one died. Success! There was another Ikea incident that I’m not going to tell you about because when I talk or think about it I get simultaneously weepy and irate. So consider yourself lucky.

Anyway, I don’t know what you people do when it’s 2841° F (that’s 40° for you metric folk) but I knit socks. Preferably handspun wool socks!

How funny is this? I totally forgot what this colorway was called and when I was saving the pictures I remembered – Sock Hop HEATWAVE! HAHAHAHAHA!

I really really like these socks. (And when you’re done telling me how FANTASTIC my socks are – go tell Yahaira! She made the same ones! I LOVE IT!!)

So much so I started a new pair yesterday. I was reading The Yarn Harlot the other day and she mentioned this pattern – Widdershins – from the new Knitty – it’s toe up socks WITH a heel flap. I’ve tried a short row heel and frankly, I don’t like it. I’m a flap girl. So I tried this toe up thing – if I can have a flap, why not? I spent the WHOLE day, and when I say the whole day I mean pretty much the entire time I was awake, trying to do these socks toe up. I tried the Magic Cast On – at least five times. I tried Wendy’s short row method like ten times. And I wound out the day with Purly’s YO method. Suck. Suck. Suck. So at about 7PM I said fuck it and started the sock top down. Sometimes you just have to know when to say when and not reinvent the wheel. I like how I knit my socks – I have a formula that works FOR ME – so I’m going to stick with it.

The YARN! Let’s talk about the yarn I’m using. It’s Sophie’s Toes Sock Yarn from Emily Parsons, who, by the way, just happens to be a TV Star! (I saw the episode and Emily was great – her quilts are breathtaking!) When all the prizes were rolling in for Spin Out, there were a number of yarns that I had never seen before – they were all wonderful – but Emily’s new sock yarn really stood out for me. The yarn was nice and soft – and the colors were phenomenol! She’s been dyeing her own fabrics for quilting for quite awhile and decided to branch out to dyeing yarn. The colorway above is called Favorite Jeans and I tried to show it, but there’s a faint hint of purple in there. It’s beautiful. After knitting and ripping a million times the yarn is almost too soft, if that’s possible. At least maybe for socks. Here are the other two colorways I bought:

That’s Campfire on the left, and Garden Party on the right. Beautiful stuff.

I’ve been thinking a lot about socks – having a new pair on my (very airconditioned) feet yesterday made me remember how much I love them – so I thought I’d take out all of the unfinished socks I have floating around.

In a complete coincidence, this picture works for Scout’s new UFO meme.
These are not my only UFOs – not by any stretch.

That’s four singles, five on the needles – actually six if you count the one I started yesterday and I have no freaking clue what I’m going to do with all of these. Well – I know I will (eventually) finish the two jaywalkers – the pink picot edge pair mate is already started. The others, well, your guess is a good as mine. I’m not in love with any of them. In fact, I’ve been really inspired by Melanie’s socks lately – I just love the simple goodness of them. They seem like they are squishy comfortable and just the thing you want on your feet when it’s finally cool.

Truth be told, I think I’m going to start yet another pair. I’m loving these sock hop socks so much, I think I want to make some more – this time – almost knee socks. In American Pie. I had so much left over from the heatwave socks, it should be no problem yarn wise.

* (Love is Like a) Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas

Last night G picked me up at the train station and I hopped into the driver’s seat. Man I love our new car. It is SO MUCH FUN to drive. We took the long way pretty much everywhere, having fun getting lost, and ended up at Houston’s for our favorite ribs. I don’t care if they’re not authentic or whatever the rib experts might say, they are the best ribs I’ve ever had. The meat melts right off the bone. The bbq sauce is tangy and sweet with just a little kick. They give you a shitload of ribs. Everything about the meal is perfect from the salad to the fries and coleslaw and lemonade. Ribs at Houston’s never fail to disappoint. (Thanks M!)

Then I was back in the driver’s seat and we were heading to the brand new Tpike exit right near our house that has a sick ass hairpin turn preceded and followed by two great straight aways. Except for early in the morning, barely anyone uses the exit so I was able to swing a uie so we didn’t have to pay the toll (and also ride it twice.) On the second straight away I got the car to 95. G was encouraging me to hit 100, but I was nervous. Once the car gets it’s first ding and I’ve settled into it, 100 mph will be a thing of the past. The car is only slightly less practical than the Acura Legend we used to own; I’m pretty sure we can’t fit a baby seat in the back. (No. I’m not pregnant.) But luckily for me the same car comes in a station wagon. 😉

Have no fear. All will be revealed soon. Suffice it to say I know what my “J” will be.

Fun, crazy times at my sister’s. She getting ready to put her house on the market so things are in upheaval – but I got to spend some quality time with all the kids – alone and together. My sister’s new house is GORGEOUS and I’m equals parts jealous and ohmygod moving is the most stressful thing ever. I was glad to help a little bit at least.

I did manage to get in some knitting time. Voila! A finished sock!

Well, actually, almost finished. I don’t like the toe and am about to rip it for the third time. I’ve grown used to at least 12 stitches at the toe to kitchener – blame the jaywalker – and the toe right now is too tight and pointy for me. So I’ve got to go back and add a few rows before I start decreasing.

I LOVE the sock though! These are going to be super toasty in the winter. I knit the ribbing on Addi 2s and the rest on Addi 1s and the fabric is nice and dense and soft and they’re just beautiful. I can’t imagine knitting anything other than stockinette with this yarn, as I hate ribbing in general and especially in socks and I wouldn’t want a pattern to take away from the beauty of the yarn and the stitches. I did engage a teensy design element though:

I don’t like when stockinette socks just go right into the toe from the foot without stopping. Let’s call it Gold Toe Syndrome. I love when you stop a pattern then do the toe in stockinette. It just looks like the way it’s supposed to be. So I added a garter stitch ridge to my toe on the row before the decreases. I kind of like it. Nice delineation without interfering with anything really. It’s like only I know it’s there. 😉 I never claimed to be sane.

And look at what was waiting for me when I got home!!!

More Sock Hop Yarn from Crown Mountain Farms and Teyani! LOOK AT ALL THAT BARBERPOLEY GOODNESS!!! From left to right we’ve got Pink Cadillac (um hello? Bruce?), American Pie and Say A Little Prayer. I beg you to click on the picture so you can see it bigger. This yarn is just amazing. I’m thinking I need one in every color for sure. I’ll be casting on for my second Heat Wave sock today. Or maybe one of the new colors and I’ll do my patented alternating color second sock thing. (Teyani mentions on the blog that they’re currently out of stock, but you can send her an email to inquire when it will be back in. Patience! This stuff is awesome and completely hand made. Can’t rush genius!)

Today should be a great day. I’m expecting my yarn for my squares and my Amazing Lace project. Oh and check back later for a HUGE annoucement. I also hope to have the Ombre winners sometime soon. Got to get an email out to Ann and Kay. Thanks everyone! Have a great day!

*My use of this movie quote in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM endorses the movie, or said star of the movie, because in reality I think he’s a wacko that’s been brainwashed by the aliens he professes to know and really an anal probe is being too kind.

Yesterday I spent a very lovely afternoon in the company of my Ann and Kay. As you can imagine, there was much laughing. Apparently laughing is essential on the Core Program. It’s got like negative points. We got lost in the rain in Soho, did some fabric shopping (I’m not naming names but someone might be turning on us knitters) and had an osh. I want you all to know that one of my companions called my squares crap, while the other gave me a heady thumbs up on my progress. Again. I’ll let you decide who’s who.

Kay had to leave us so Ann and I killed some time walking the space of one block in 45 minutes (that girl is S L O W!) We found some cool stuff at Girl Props. I tried on a WAY cool tiki girl necklace and Ann found some piggy barettes. Ask her to model them for you. Then we hit Kid Robot where I bought Ann this super awesome piggy car. Ask her to show it to you.

After all this hobbling about, it was time for the main event! Wendy Knits was reading at The Point! It was great to see Wendy again – I think she’d agree that I was in a MUCH better mood last night than I was in Maryland and it was super fun to sit and knit and meet people! Wendy was wearing her Grape Arbor Shawl which might just become a must knit. Beautiful! I might have talked her into Rhinebeck too. Blogless Margaret greeted me like a dear old friend and I’m embarassed to say I didn’t recognize her name from the comments. I read every comment I get and appreciate them all, but sometimes it’s hard to remember everyone! I’m sorry Margaret! Thank you for laughing at my blank stare! I got to meet the famous Bakerina Ann’s always talking about! Fabulous girl. I got to talk to Snow! On the phone! (Gotta love the Internet!) There were lots of others and again, I’m sorry if I can’t remember everyone’s name, but it was great knitting with all you girls. We’ll have to do it again soon!

One of the best parts of the night though was watching my socks grow! I’m in LOVE!

I had ripped them out early in the morning because I’m an ass and I never remember that while I like the leg of the sock on 1s, I like the ribbing on 2s. But I was quickly on my way and I can’t stop knitting these socks! It’s the only thing keeping me sane(ish) while I wait for my squares yarn! Look at the stripey rusticy goodness! Can you stand it?

The yarn reminds me of the Trekking that everyone loves so much only a million times better. First off, it’s tons softer. These socks are super cozy. I was so surprised when I tried it on last night. The fabric is nice and dense and I love the natural irregularities of homespun. I’m hoping when I get back from my sister’s I’ll have a finished sock. That’s the goal at least.

I love it so much I went home last night and bought three more colorways. Thanks Teyani! You’ve got a wonderful product here!

Oh yeah. And we got the new car. 😉 Ask Ann. She’ll tell you all about it. I’m off to the train station! Have a good weekend!