Chery Knits

More Socks

Since last Tuesday, I have been very, very busy.  I am trying to get into a routine of not working and knitting all the time!  Ha, ha!  The moment I completed the previous purple socks, I cast on for the Foxy boa for our granddaughter.  Took about 35 minutes to knit a 4-stitch I-cord boa.  We will deliver it after school's out, today.  I will take the camera and try to get pictures.

Next from the sock yarn stash, Regia Mini Ringel in dark brown, rusty brown, peach, tan, and blue for my husband.  Hot off the needles, barely with ends woven in, he had them on and wore them the whole day.

Crazy Stripes on a Crazy Striped Rug

There is a problem with these socks, the yarn had a KNOT!  The sock on the left has a missing peach stripe on the ankle.  My husband was consulted, he said 'keep on knitting' and so I did.  He claimed these sock were warmer than a previous couple I had knit for him.  I thought the yarn was more 'wooly' and scratchy than others.  Didn't even get to give them a bath before they were worn.

So, what to do??  I cast on another pair of socks.  This time for me.

These are made with Regia 4 Goal Color #5399.  I loved the color, reminded me of something... what?  Caribbean, South America, birds.... Toucans!  So, these are my Toucan socks.  Completed in 48 hours, with time out for laundry loads, one dinner out, church on Sunday morning, cooking the best lentil soup on Sunday afternoon, and football.  I knit while watching football, of course.

What's Next?

I have a few things in mind:  a shawl, more socks, a secret gift (already started), a pile of dishcloths for a friend.

Purple Pictures

Finally some sun.  I completed these socks last night, they were so fun to knit.  I plan to wear them tomorrow, of course!

We took our granddaughter to the yarn store today.  She picked out Plymouth Foxy for a boa/scarf for her birthday.  Leave it to an almost 8 year old to spend all my money!  Bought her a skein of blue worsted and a pair of needles.  We are going to begin knitting lessons again.  The last go-round was not too successful.  The needles I gave her were too sticky with the leftover yarn she was knitting.  I have confidence she will be knitting quickly. 

Have a good evening.

Purple Socks

I have two very small balls of yarn to complete the ribbed castoff for my purple socks.  I have really enjoyed knitting with KPPPM.  These socks seem thicker and more sturdy than other socks.  Can't wait to wear them.  Pictures tomorrow during the daylight.

Retirement

I don't have to get up and leave the house for work at the crack of dawn or before.  Seems kinda strange.  I will miss walking to the cafeteria for tea with my friend, Ardith, and knitting with her after lunch every day.

I am trying to pace my activities so I don't get overwhelmed.  There are so many things I want to accomplish.  One is a severe update to this blog, FOs are missing from the Photo Albums.  Stash sorting and inventory seems appropriate, too. 

I need to rework and rechart a Dale of Norway pattern to fit a different gauge and yarn for my husband.  And a hat for a gift must be on the needles very soon.

Have a nice Monday.

Blue Stripes

I have a FO!  The blue stripe socks are done, blocked and pictured.  I finished the ribbing on the second sock tonight during dinner.  A friend asked me today if I had anything to donate for a silent auction.  Hopefully someone will bid a lot of money for these socks and have warm feet!   

I have been lucky with the matching stripes.

There's more sock yarn where that came from... the stash.  I started my purple socks tonight.  My brother sent me some Christmas money, I bought yarn, of course!  Koigu KPPPM P430 purple for socks, the light purples are a little washed out in this picture. 

Purple toes:

Two more working days and then I'm free.  We had rain and thunder today.  It's been misting for about three days and our forecast is for snow.  Time to stay home and cuddle up with the yarn and needles.

Have a good day.

Another Day

without pictures...  I have turned the heel of my second striped sock and started up the leg.  I'm doing these socks separately on two circs.  And, the stripes are matching!  Some yarns seem to be better about color spacing.  Usually I want my socks to match identically instead of fraternally. 

In response to your questions..

Karen, I am a programmer/analyst for an insurance company.  My previous job was for a auto supply parts company.  Before I started programming I was an assistant/secretary type person.  I love computers and wanted to improve my skills; I applied for a programmer trainee position and was accepted.  Night school was in my life for a while.  It's been a good fit for me and I have enjoyed programming. 

Dorothy reminds me that I will be expected to knit more and that means posting more pictures.  I surely have fallen down in that department lately. 

Liz, my husband retired 2 1/2 years ago.  He has been patiently waiting for my time to retire.  We have lots of plans that include family, friends, fishing and hunting, and most of all knitting.

For all of you who wished me well, thanks.  I'm still floating on air hoping I don't crash.

Relaxing Weekend

It's so nice to have relatively little stress in your life.  I don't think I've laughed or been this relaxed in a LONG time.  This week, I will be cross training and documenting for my last project at work. 

Saturday, I completed the knee-hi socks for my sister.  They are ready to ship.  When she receives them, I will post pictures for you to see.  I am really pleased with how they turned out.  Almost wanted to keep them for myself, but I have 3.1 ozs of the yarn left.  I'm going to make myself some socks, too. 

I picked up the sock I had started for demonstration and finished it today.  Started the second one immediately.  I want to start knitting on another pair from the yarn I bought with Christmas money from my brother.  They are Purple!  I wear a lot of purple shirts, but don't have any purple socks.. for a little while longer.

Gumbo

The other day, I cooked a chicken in the crock pot.  Today I made gumbo.  I love okra and onions.  Added carrots and celery, garlic and rice.  No tomatoes or green pepper this time.  It was just fantastic! 

Carol gave me a Soup recipe book.  I love soups and plan to make at least one new soup each week.  Think that will leave more time for knitting?

Have a good week.

I Did IT!!

I'm a free woman!  I turned in my resignation today, effective Jan 15.  I will be unemployed and retired.  My husband and I have been planning and working for this day for a l-o-n-g time.  It's finally here!

I plan to turn off the alarm clock and quit wearing my 'work' clothes.  Jeans and sweaters sound fine to me. 

No resolutions for the new year, but I do have some goals:

• Organize and inventory the stash.
• Plan knitting projects.
• Complete the UFOs... there are not a whole lot of these, but enough to list it as a goal.
• Update and post on my blog more regularly.

We plan to do some travelling very soon.  Visiting our families in Colorado is first on the list.  As usual, I will be stopping at every wool shop on the way and while there.

I'm so excited!  I have to calm down and knit a while.

Keep on Knitting

Another slow weekend with constant knitting and football!  I began a pair of socks for my sister; knit two multi-directional scarves for a friend's two daughters.

Would you like to see what my sister has been up to??

She knitted this little sweater for her granddaughter.  The buttons are really cute, too.

Knee-High's

I have turned the heels and started up the long legs of the socks for my sister from the Christmas Eve purchase Fortissima Socka in a taupe tweed-type #2085.  I cannot find a color swatch online and I know I cannot take a good picture this late in the day.  I should be able to complete them this week... there's football on tv Monday and Tuesday.

My dishcloth pile is getting low, gotta knit some more, too.

Happy Monday.