Eastburn Adventures

. . . try, try again.

Truer words were never spoken as applied to the dreaded, cursed, FINISHED Monkey Socks! I am so happy these are complete, but I have to say I'm going to miss them a little. Let's recap, shall we? I cast on for these in Knit Picks Felici in Pebble, with no recipient in mind (I've now decided they're going to Ginger - she knows this, but has to wait). I had to learn the Figure 8 cast on (Kate says the Turkish cast on is better; I'll try it next time); I had to learn Magic Loop; I learned toe-up and two-at-a-time; I did my first short-row heels (although I did them at least 8 times before getting it right); and I learned the E-Z sewn bind off from Zarah. Oh, and 8) I learned to read a chart.

It wasn't just the heels that gave me fits, either. The Figure 8 cast on was re-knit at least 5 times, including after I was finished with the toes and starting the pattern when I realized that not having matching stripes was going to drive me crazy. So I frogged them and found the repeats in the yarn and started over. I was stalled in Boston when I was ready to start the heels and lost internet access in the dorm so I couldn't research tutorials. Even after binding off today, I put a sock on the sock blocker and discovered I'd missed a dropped stitch. I learned a new skill - picking it up (several) rows down, and creatively weaving in a piece of waste yarn to secure it. (I wasn't about to frog back at that point - sorry!) It's really not that noticeable, even if I do say so myself. See? It's the very center of the darkest brown.

And because I'm so proud of these - check out my short-row heel! No holes! Once I got over my apparent learning disability, they really aren't so bad - and I may actually try them again. (I still love a good heel flap, though!)

I also splurged with my allowance and ordered the complete set of the new Knit Picks Harmony Options Needles and DPN's. I'm so excited to cast on a new project with these, but I'm not sure what to start. I know I have Christmas knitting to do, but I also have my 2007 Knitting Resolutions to make (which didn't include Christmas knitting). So, I have decided to cut back on my previous list of gift knitting - what gets done, gets done, and I'm not going to fret. My only non-negotiables are Lola's hat, and socks for Robert and for my sister, because I promised. (Although that's really only because I have a devious plan to get Kathy hooked on sock knitting!) All in all, I've really done a pretty good job with my resolutions. We'll see if I actually get Lizard Ridge and my sweater finished this year - those are my two big projects hanging out there.

What's next to go on the needles? There's so many great patterns in my Ravelry queue to choose from - I don't know - maybe a Wisp for a brief diversion before jumping back into socks? Anyway, I'm back from my last business trip of the year - Denver - and home for a while, so I should have plenty of time for knitting.