Languidly Knitting

2008. Really, already? I really hope anyone who keeps up with this blog reads on an RSS feed monitor because I’m terrible about updating.

I spent the first day of the new year cleaning. I cannot decide whether that is an auspicious sign or not. I’ll be optimistic and say it means I will have a cleaner house by the end of the year.

I think I kept one out of my four or so resolutions last year. In lieu of introspection (my navel is probably linty because I never gaze at it), I will barrel on to this year.

Alex’s 2008 Knitting Related Resolutions

1. Post in the blog once a week. Fifty-two posts in one year; it’s possible.
2. Finish up Christmas presents by February (more about that later)
3. Finish up UFOs such as the Norwegian Stocking, Angie, Salina
4. Stash controlling diet (more about this later too)

I’ll leave you with a picture of pretty yarn. More Zen String Serendipity Fingering, which has been officially crowned “Most Numerous in Alex’s Stash.”

November (Poseidon) and October (Morocco) Zen String Sock Club

Happy 2008, everyone! Best Wishes!

Every time I leave my blog alone for a couple weeks, I get a couple spam comments. It makes me feel loved.

Ahem, anyway. It’s November 29, and I am so very close.  You’ll have to come back tomorrow to see if I have an FO post.

I’ve been stranded on Sleeve Island for a while. I guess the problem with sleeves is that landmarks like increases happen every 12 or 14 rows, compared to the body which is increased or decreased every 6 or 8 rows. When I see I have 3 rows to go before the next landmark, when I’ve knit eight rows already, it’s disheartening. And to do it twice!

Slow sleeve progress.

So, for the past three days, I’ve abandoned the poor second sleeve and played Wii Sports. It’s only November 12, after all. I’ve got plenty of time…right?

I’m not sure who exactly decided to designate November as the month for finishing one giant project, but I’m not one to complain. Any impetus to finish a sweater is fine by me.

I’m doing pretty well, if I say so myself.

Back piece of Salina blocking.

I’m blocking as I knit, to save time and to assure myself that the back wasn’t too small. The unwashed gauge plus curling stockinette sides made it look tiny.

Random notes:

• The water was red-orange after I washed it, which is weird because the yarn is purplish-brown.
• I have a new necklace (and finally figured out a use for the sample loops from the Loopy Ewe).

Socktober’s not over for another 45 minutes according to my clock (Central Daylight Time). I’m sliding in under the wire here…

Scrunched Monkeys! It’s very ’80s, I think.

This is how the sock starts off when I put it on.

I actually finished these about two weeks ago, but put them through the wash before pictures because I wore them for nearly two days. Love these socks!

Monkey by Cookie A
Source: Knitty
Yarn: Zen String Serendipity Fingering in “Reflection” (September 2007 Sock Club color)
Needles: KnitPicks 32″ 2.25mm (US 1) circular
Notes/Thoughts: I love, love, love them. The color is not one I would normally have picked for myself (like cotton candy, according to Devon), but that’s what a sock club is for. The yarn itself is fantastic: beautifully soft, yet sturdy.

Oh, and I said I was going to give these to my boyfriend’s mom? I changed my mind. Hee, hee. It turns out she doesn’t like all pastels (only certain peaches and yellows), so they’re mine, all mine! I’ll churn out a different pair for her in December, with more appropriate colors.