Staying Fresh

It's been two weeks since my last post. But I guess I didn't have that much to report last week, so I just decided to leave it for a week. I hope everyone out there in blogland has had a great last couple of weeks!

You may remember from a few weeks ago that I was working on an experiment in sock lengthening. I am very happy to report that the socks had a successful operation and are fully recovered! See for yourself - you can barely notice the extra little stripe and even then, that will usually be covered by shoes.

Spring Stripey Socks

The socks are still a little loose, something I will have to remember on my next pair of vanillas. I guess everyone's feet are different after all!

The last few posts I have mentioned wanting to knit Creme Brule very badly. I even went as far as to download the pattern.  As I prepared to cast on, I pulled out the yarn and realized that Ravelry's numbers were greatly off - I had half as much yarn as I thought! And I have no way of aquiring more. So both the yarn () and the pattern are going back into my stash until a later date.

Luckily for me, I had a backup plan, and pulled out my Tahki Ripple yarn. I have mentioned the Diamond Tee before also, and it made a good back-up plan.  I pulled out the yarn (which I had enough of...phew!) and needles and promptly cast on.  As I have been knitting, I have discovered that this pattern is so weirdly knit - you start flat with the back shoulders than add on the front shoulders THEN connect them all and finish the body. I am done with all the shoulder panels and ready to connect - but still a little confused. I think in the end it will be worth the extra brain power though.

Blue Diamonds in Tahki Ripple

In the world of art (not that knitting isn't art, and I will fight anyone to the death who says otherwise), I finished up my first summer gouache painting yesterday. This one has gone through many transformations to get to this point, but I am finally happy with it. Let me just say that back lighting is so hard. I still don't think I have it down here, but I vow to continue practicing. I do really like the colors I chose for this one though!

Weekly inspirations:

Knitting: MySister'sKnitter has yet another amazing KAL starting up. This one is for sock weight yarn (but doesn't have to involve knitting socks). I will probably join in, I just really want to finish my Diamonds first. But if you are interested, you should pop in and say Hi! It's such a fun group of knitters.
Art: The Smoky Hill River Festival was this past weekend. I didn't take many photos or I would share more. But I did manage to purchase some amazing art! I had a bit of extra money and decided it was my time to invest in actual art. I purchased an amazing KS Sunset print from Justin Marable and a 3 panel abstract set from Shawn Wolter
Food: This past week I was trying to find yummy lunch items that filled me up. I decided to make deli sandwiches which involved Farmer's Market tomatoes, organic lettuce, natural turkey breast, veggie blend cheese, and  hummus on homemade wheat-seed bread. Let's just say that I just about died when I took my first bite. I'm doing it again this week!
Life: I have been meeting with a personal trainer at my YMCA the last 2 weeks. She's got me doing circuits and it's definitely killing me but I am seeing an improvement.  This week she also asked me to start counting my calories...Wish me luck on that one. 

I hope that everyone has an amazing week! I have a feeling mine is going to be a whirlwind of busyness, but those are the best kind! 

~Lisa

Sockupied

Happy Monday all! This post is a day late, but no worries, I was just busy all day yesterday.

If you read my last post, you'll know that I was in the process of moving back home. Well the good news is that I am officially back home and all unpacked.  The bad news is that I am officially back home. Living under my parents is a bit stressful after living alone so long.

Luckily, I've been keeping my self occupied lately, or should I say Sockupied? I got quite a bit done on the knitting front and it's all about socks :)

Road Trip Socks - Berroco Comfort Sock

First up is my "Road Trip Socks", started on my way to Colorado last month.  Between two trips to Manhattan for moving and a couple movies this week, I was able to finish these up at last.  But go figure, I made the foot too long (anybody have any secrets to the perfect food length? I always get them too long or too short). But it was easy fix, involving folding the toes in and sewing them. And you can't even tell.

The yarn used was Berroco comfort sock, and gradated, sorta striping yarn.  It's 50% acrylic, 50% nylon and is very squishy.  But it also seems static-y and I have a feeling that it's going to fuzz up a bit as time goes on. I will keep you posted on my thoughts. This is the first time I've made socks without any wool in them.

Remember these cuties? They were my favorite pair of socks ever, what with the colors and stripes and squishyness. However, after wearing a couple of times I realized that the foot was too short (see above comments about foot length). I haven't worn them since and have been just letting them hang out in my project bag. After finishing my road trip socks, I decided I needed to do something to make these wearable that didn't involve ripping out a whole sock. Thus the above solution was born! 

I decided to separate the toe from the foot very carefully.  And then even more carefully, I put all the toe stitches on needles (I didn't lose ANY!) and added about 1/2 in (1 stripe). I then grafted the toe back onto the foot and tah dah! Longer sock! I don't have a photo yet to show you and I only have one done, but rest assured, it worked like a miracle and was definitely worth not ripping out the whole sock. 

Weekly Inspirations:

Art: Being back in Salina is exposing me to the (although somewhat lethargic) art scene here. One local artist I think is spectacular is Debbie Wagner. She is the founder of the KS figure group (which I may join, we'll see) and also an amazing pastel artist. I saw some of her figure work last night and it was stunning. 

Knitting: What's my next project? Well I am pretty sure I need a new summer top, and Creme Brule is screaming my name. Especially if I use my lovely turquoise yarn. 

Cooking: Last night we needed a side dish for our salmon, and these garlic parm potatoes fit the bill. I minched fresh garlic for the first time to use in these and it definitely made the difference (compared to that stuff in the jar that I usually use). They were loved by all, even my ever picky sister.
Life: Last night The Indigo Girls performed at our local theater and I was able to get two tickets for under $50. What a night! I have only been listening to them as of recently, but I really was able to enjoy myself. Such a relaxing, entertaining show. If you haven't heard of these gals, they are a folk/country duo that is simply amazing. 

Power of Two, by the Indigo Girls

And one last shout-out to my baby brother, who is TWENTY ONE today! WOOO!

~Lisa