In the true spirit of Socktoberfest, I finished my “Knitbrarian” socks.

yarn: Fleece Artist merino (received from Megan “Knitbrarian”)
sock 1:
started: October 2, 2006
completed: October 12, 2006
sock 2:
started: October 13, 2006
completed: October 29, 2006

I finished knitting them last night and sewed up the toe this morning just in time for the yarn store opening. The grand opening was quite a success, there were times when the store was so full, it made it difficult to move. It really helped that there was a write-up about it in the local paper this morning.I’m off to work on Bryan’s Christmas stocking. Hopefully, I’ll be teaching a class on the stocking at the store in December. I’m knitting this from a pattern that I wrote several years ago and I just want to make sure the pattern actually works.

Does October really need to end? I’m not quite ready for November yet. November means the craziness of the holidays and the dark nights of winter. And the end of Socktoberfest. I think we need a mitten fest or something. Well, on to other projects. For some reason, I always underestimate the time it takes to make anything. If all goes well, I will have Bryan’s stocking finished, a significant part of the Cider House Rules vest and the Rose and Wine Mitts completed before the end of November. Oh, I’d like to make a pair of mittens for Bryan somewhere in there, too. See what I mean about underestimating my time?

First socks first, even though I had to take a break from the “Knitbrarian” socks to knit the Lorna’s Laces sock. The first “Knitbrarian” sock was finished before the Lorna’s Laces sock even entered into the picture. Since I finished the Lorna’s Laces sock, I’ve been working on the second “Knitbrarian” sock. My goal is to finish it by the end of the month. I know that’s not a rule of Socktoberfest, but it’s a personal goal I set for myself and I want to stick to it. I’m more than half way through the cuff of the second sock and will soon be approaching the heel.

Yesterday, I was all set to show you the great Lorna’s Laces sock that I finished, so I charged up my camera and then off I went to meet with the owner of the new yarn store in town with sock and napkin rings in hand. So needless to say, I have no photos of either item. I can always take a photo of them in the store, which is what I’ll have to do. The sock is so wonderful and will be so warm. The Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted yarn knits up so quickly, I finished the sock in three days. Having small feet helps in that department. Now my dear sock will be on display at the store for six months and I’ll get it back to wear, just in time for Spring. Oh well, it gives me six months to finish the second sock. This Sunday is the Grand Opening of the new yarn store and I’m giving a mini workshop on the napkin rings that I designed, they’re really kind of silly but cute at the same time.

Since I’m teaching a sock knitting class starting next week at the new yarn store I’m making a teaching sock. I had made one before and couldn’t find it anywhere in my apartment, so I started another one last night. It has all of the parts of the sock in a different color.

Trust me, I have been doing other knitting that’s not sock related. Last Wednesday, I started the Cider House Rules vest for Bryan. So far I have about eight inches completed on one of the front panels. I started with the front panel to make sure that I’m right on the measurements since I was not going to knit the vest on size 3 needles to get the gauge, so I made some adjustments for the vest on size 5 needles. It doesn’t look like much right now except a blue piece of a vest.
I’m not sure I’d even wear them, but I really love the Wine and Roses Mitts (scroll down to almost the bottom) that are in the Winter issue of Interweave Knits. They happen to be designed by one of the Midwest Knitters blog ring members, JoLene Treace. I like them so much that I’m actually starting a Wine and Roses Mitts KAL (knit-a-long), as if I needed another reason to keep myself busy.

The last two mornings I’ve been sewing in ends on the Hobo sweater. One piece was blocked yesterday and the second piece is blocking today. I have no idea when I’m going to be able to sew it together. I’m sure I’ll find time but at this point I’m ready to be finished with the sweater. Maybe a bit of time off before I sew it is best, but we’ll see how I feel about it tomorrow when I have the morning off.

Since it is Socktoberfest and I’ve been knitting this fabulous sock with the Fleece Artist sock yarn, I had to share a photo. Trying to find a place to take the sock’s photo without kitties jumping all over the sock needles was difficult, as soon as I picked it up off the coffee table, both cats were following me around. Chloe’s feet appear in the photo and as soon as I took it she attacked the sock. The cooler weather has made them really crazy today. Now back to the sock, this is amazing yarn. It’s definitely doing it’s job of putting me in a more fall mood, the weather is forcing me to accept that it’s fall. A high of 45°F tomorrow is quite forceful.

This weekend, I’m officially starting my library application again. We’re traveling up to the Chicago area to for me to interview a librarian. She’s known Bryan for quite a while and we’re going to take her out to lunch after the interview. This year’s application is going to be even better than last year’s and since I’ve been working in the library, I feel like I have a much different approach to it this year. It’s a long process, I won’t know about my acceptance until mid-March, but I want to get started just so that I don’t feel rushed.

Well, the new yarn store opens here on October 29. I’m going to be teaching a sock class in November. I’m so excited, it will definitely be a lot of fun. The fun part about a new store opening in town and knowing the owner is I get to give my two cents about nice sock yarn. I’ve recommended the Fleece Artist yarn that I’m using right now and I think she’ll also be carrying Lorna’s Laces. Oh, the temptation! I’m in such a sock mood lately, maybe it’s the month and the cooler weather.
Last week, we saw a film called The Science of Sleep by Michel Gondry. If you liked Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I highly recommend you check it out. There’s also some cool knitting related things in the movie, some neat sweaters and something I want a knitting typewriter/machine, sadly it only exists in the movie. While I was watching it I thought, wow think of the sweaters if you could just type your way through. Fair-Isle sweaters would be an absolute breeze.

I wasn’t sure if it would happen but I finished Hobo two days before the personal deadline I’d set for myself. Friday night, I finished knitting it after knitting over 80 rows of the sleeve on the second piece. It wasn’t looking so good about a year ago for this sweater when it truly had me in tears, after ripping it out and restarting it I had hopes for it. Tonight, I’m working on sewing in the ends on one of the pieces and I’ll block it, then Tuesday I’ll block the second piece and put it together later. I would have loved to block both pieces together but I just don’t have the room. I’ll definitely be using the blockers that my mom gave me last year. When it’s all put together, I’ll definitely post photos.

October seems to be an auspicious month for my finishing major projects. Last year on October 7 I finished the Barbara shawl after three years. My next big project is the Cider House Rules vest for Bryan in Rowan’s Wool/Cotton “Ship Shape.” It’s a beautiful color and will be perfect for Bryan. He’s really excited that I’m finally starting this for him. We’ve been talking about it for over a year. Who knows I may be finishing next year in October. I’m sure Bryan would prefer it finished before then. If the Barbara shawl and the Hobo sweater have taught me anything it’s that I absolutely can’t have too many big projects going at once or I’ll just put them away and they’ll be neglected. That’s not to say that there won’t be project interruptions. Now if I could just get myself to work on the Crazy Green sweater, which has been truly neglected for more than a year, partly because it’s not that fun to work on, it’s just not working out the way that I thought it would and the idea of sewing in over 90 ends on just one piece doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest. It looks really cool but I know it’s going to be a bit too big on me. It may be another sweater that I rip out and restart.

With the weather getting cooler and my toes thankful for handknit socks, I’ve knit just over four inches of the Fleece Artist sock, which I’ve decided to call the Knitbrarian socks since she’s the one that sent me the yarn. It’s such lovely yarn to work with. Another inch or two and I’ll be working the heel!

This morning, we registered for the Midwinter ALA Conference out in Seattle. I’ve never been to Seattle and I’m excited to go. Any other knitters going to the conference or live in Seattle? I’d love to meet up with some of you.

In the truest spirit of Socktoberfest, I had to start a new pair of socks. I know, I know, I said I would try to finish the “Go With the Flow” socks before starting another pair but the Fleece Artist yarn that knitbrarian sent me just couldn’t stop calling my name. (The photo truly doesn’t do the colors in this yarn justice.) I couldn’t hold myself back, it was complete insanity. Yesterday between the time I got home from work and leaving to teach my knitting class, a whole hour, I cast on, started the socks and watched an episode from the first season of Six Feet Under. I have about one inch completed on the cuff. This yarn is beautiful and is so lovely to work with. It’s perfect color for this time of year, maybe it will get me more into a fall mood. I’ve really been fighting the end of summer, September seemed to be a week long and I’m just not ready for it to be fall yet. Last fall was so rough for me and the idea that winter is just around the corner is making it difficult for me to accept that fall is really here. Usually this is my favorite time of year and I can’t wait for the leaves to turn but not this year.

I’m so excited, I’m now finished with the body of the Hobo sweater and have started the last sleeve. I’ve never been so happy to get to row 337 in my life. I normally don’t knit sweaters that have 470 rows. The last time I got to the sleeve on the first piece, it was just a matter of a day or so before I finished the piece. Once I finish this piece, it’s just a matter of blocking it and sewing the two pieces together. I’d originally set a goal for myself of October 8 to completely finish the sweater, sewing and all, but I’m thinking as long as I’m finished knitting it by October 8 I’ll be happy. (Chloe just can’t stay away from this yarn, I can’t blame her, it is cashmere and silk.)

Yesterday at work, a woman who is opening a new yarn store came in and wants me to be part of her grand opening in late October. She also really wants me to teach some classes. Until the first of the year, I think I’m only going to be able to teach one class because of my other class commitments. I would really love to teach a sock class or a finishing class for her. I’ll keep you posted.
Just a small accomplishment that I want to share. This past weekend, I was riding my bike instead of taking the car a few places. Yesterday, I decided I was going to ride my bike to work, which is three miles from our house. I figured if I could ride three miles round trip, I could ride three miles one way. So I set out yesterday and it took me about half an hour to get there. I gave myself an hour, just in case. Then after working the circ desk for five hours, I rode home, which is a bit more challenging trip since part of it is up a slight hill. We live in a really flat town and the slight hills aren’t really noticeable except when you’re on a bike. I called Bryan before I left the library just in case I wasn’t able to make it all the way home and I needed him to meet me with the car somewhere. I felt so proud of myself when I rode into our driveway, I figured I was going to challenge myself and see if I could do it. Six miles on my bike in one day is the furthest I’ve ever ridden in one day. This morning, I fully expected to have tight thighs or just feel a bit of soreness from my ride yesterday but I don’t have the slightest soreness or even tightness. I guess standing all day at the desk helps.

I just found this on Lolly’s blog and I thought I’d add it to this post since I just started a pair of socks just for Socktoberfest.

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I learned to knit socks in a sock knitting class in January 2001.

What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?
My first pair was in Jo Sharp’s DK Wool. They have held up but they are still quite large for me. Too bad they don’t fit Bryan. They are so warm that they are great for those brutally cold mornings.

What would you have done differently?
I would have checked my gauge and tried them on as I was knitting. They were for a class and were there for me to learn, but I would have liked them to fit.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I’ve loved Regia’s sock yarns, they are perfect for gifts and easy card. I also love hand-dyed yarns, it’s so amazing to see how even the same dyelot can be so different. The socks from hand-dyed yarns are so special in their own way, no two are ever alike.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I used to knit with dpn’s because I felt two circulars were “cheating” until I tried the two circular method. Since I tried the two circular method, I’ve knit all of my socks that way, except two which called for needles that I didn’t have two circulars in that size. Socks really do seem to soar on the two circular needles, depending on the pattern. :)

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I’m heel flap all the way. The one pair that I’ve made with short-rows, the holes bother me and I’m afraid the heel won’t last.

How many pairs have you made?
Thirteen pairs of adult socks and four pairs of baby socks. (see list below)

Adult socks:
1. First socks, January-February 2001
2. Regia Striped socks, February 2001-November 2004
3. Socks for Grandma, November 2001
4. KU Socks for Susan, February-March 2002

5. Socks for Grandma (She never got to wear them. She tried on the first sock and died two days after I finished sewing the toe, my mom was going to give them to her the next day.)
6. Socks for Bryan
7. Bonkers Toe-Up socks, March 2002, reworked March-April 2005
8. Retro Rib socks, April 2005
9. Bryan socks, April-September 2005
10. Socks for Jessica (SP6), October 2005
11. B’s Dad’s socks, November 2005-February 2006
12. Lilly socks, February-April 2006
13. Fixation socks, April 2006
Baby socks:
1. Socks for Sammy (same as Sayer’s socks), May-June 2004.
2. Baby Socks for Sayer, March 2004
3. Baby socks for Katherine, November 2001-Feburary 2002

4. Baby socks for Emma, March 2001