FO: Lacy Rib Socks

These socks were started in July, finished a few weeks ago, and have been hanging out in my gym bag, for some reason.  A few days ago we got a little bit of sunlight, and I quickly took some photos.

Pattern: Lacy Ribs Socks by Wendy Johnson, from Knitting from the Toe Up
Yarn: Knit Picks Imagination, in a forgotten colorway. 60% merino 30% alpaca 10% nylon.
Needles: US 1.5 (two circs)
Mods: purely length.  The stitch pattern was easy to memorize.

The color disparity between these two balls is a little hard to see in this photo, but the sock on the right is much duller than that on the left.  Plus, I have also recently discovered that this yarn USED to be designated a machine washable yarn, and has now been re-classified as a handwash yarn only. Bummer.  I would have made a hat out of this had I known.  These socks were going to be a gift, but not anymore! They will have to live with me.

This pair of socks doesn't count towards my Sock stash knitdown participation, but I am glad to have gotten them done anyway.  One less project on the needles.

I have already cast on for another pair of socks, and as an added bonus the yarn was purchased at Rhinebeck in 2009 when I went with my mom, my aunt, and my sister.  If I do go to Rhinebeck again this year I want to be able to buy some yarn without thinking of the stockpile of yarn from Rhinebecks past.  So I need to knock out several pairs of socks with Rhinebeck yarn, and a few hats as well, to be honest.  But, to be completely honest, I have yarn from the Fiber Fiesta in Albuquerque (2003 or 2004), and the Taos Sheep & Wool Festival (2005).  Ouch.

Yeah. Better get on that.

A little foot Obsession

I can't wait for the snow and ice to clear a bit so I can wear my new oxblood colored heeled loafers. ($2.99 at World Mission Thrift) They look well matched with my other heeled loafers, don't they?

And while I am no longer on track to be a librarian, I think the 'Librarian Chic' label will always stick with me.  I wish I fit into my vintage wool skirts (some even have kick-pleats!) but they will have to wait out another year.

I still haven't found a replacement for my grey cardigan. I am living in, at the most, 20 pieces of clothing right now and I feel like I am clinging onto the desperate edge.  I need to find some warm clothes soon!

1.1.11

The year has started out fairly productively.  Since P is on call this weekend I have to provide my own entertainment today.  So far I have cleaned the kitchen thoroughly, made lentil soup, done a few loads of laundry, converted my hanging files from 2010 to 2011 and weeded through my cookbooks.

Odd years seem to be kinder to me than even ones, and I am hoping that '11 will be MY year.  You hear that World? IT IS MY TURN.  MINE. And I don't care if I sound like a three year old.  The world likes balance, and I am due.  And while you are at it World?  Don't forget my friend, F. She is more than due.

That is 400 yards of warp.

This year is going to be about Less.

* less me
* less mess
* less stash
* less stuff
* less waste
* less procrastination
* less advice**

I am taking on several Less challenges this year:

* Sock Stash Knitdown - I will be using 12 skeins of sock yarn this year, either knit as socks, or other projects.  I also bought an Xmas gift for myself - a 25" Schacht Rigid Heddle Loom.  Great way to use up sock stash!

* Cold Sheeping - Gah, the last few months have been difficult, but I am back on the wagon.  I am not buying yarn until April 2011, and then I will re-evaluate my stash and probably re-up.

* Project 333 - Living in a reduced wardrobe of 33 items.  I participated this past fall, and while I had to make some adjustments as the seasons changed (hello! cropped leather jacket does not cut it when the windchill is 5 F outside.), I enjoyed the simplicity of it.  I have a major piece to replace in the next week - a simple grey cardigan. My last one got a hole in it within 2 weeks of the beginning of Project 333 round 1.  I continued to wear it.  Then my nephew spit up all over the shoulder. And the baby spit won't come out. I am calling this lightweight grey cardigan officially DEAD, and so I am on the hunt.


** I am always happy to read about "self-improvement" but after a while all this advice just WEARS on me.  So I am going to follow my own common sense and stop relying on the ideas of others.