Did you see Grey’s Anatomy last night? I was in the process of making myself something to eat when I watched the first 7 minutes. Needless to say I wasn’t hungry after that. (I won’t ruin it for those that haven’t watched it yet.) It was about as bad as last season’s “pink mist” incident.

I’ve spent the last few days just trying to finish up my book submission and work on my socks. Since I’ve decided not to show any more socks until they are a finished pair, I have nothing to show. Maybe I’ll have something to show on Monday. Until then have a great weekend!

I’m about to do something so sensible that I think I maybe going insane.

I bought all of this yarn which arrived at my doorstep Saturday. I love Aurora 4. Luv it. The problem is that none of the colors are what I expected. They are all darker than they looked website of the store I ordered from. If I had checked the Karabella site I would have seen the true color. Too bad I didn’t think of that first.

I’ve been thinking that I could make it work but I would definitely have to return the blue. But the more I think about it, the more disappointed I get. I love the yarn and was trying to make it work in my mind but it’s not. Now comes the crazy. I am going to return all of it. Crazy I tell you, just crazy!

What tipped my hand?

All of the other projects that I want to work on. Subtraction in this case is much better than addition.

I got the urge to start something new and different last week. Sweaters and socks just weren’t meeting my needs. I needed something outside my usual. I opted for the Swallowtail Shawl from the Interweave mag. The plan was just to start it and then put it down until November to finish it. What I didn’t know is that there is some magic to the making of a shawl.

It’s interesting how something that starts with 3 stitches can work it’s way to this.

The way it grows is intriguing. After a few hours I didn’t think I had much but I was half way through. I will say that the closer you get to the end the longer it takes. 230+ stitches is a lot more than you think. Overall the pattern was easy as long I paid close attention, but there were some purl-5-togethers that were a pain.

It’s a very pretty shawl and I think the recipient will like it. I’m not one to wear shawls but I do think, in the future, they will be great for gift-giving.

Short-row trick

For those that have asked, if I get some good daylight this week, I’ll take some pic to show my short-row trick.

Lolly has initiated a round of storytelling. The story which we must tell is the history of our sock-making. I prefer to think of it as “her-story” and not history. So here is my sock her-story.

* When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

My mother first started making socks and I didn’t see the big deal in it. Making socks seemed like a wasted and expensive effort. It wasn’t until I came across a pair of socks Wendy made that peaked my interest. I liked the yarn and with that yarn the only thing you could really make were socks.

* What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?

I started my first pair of socks at my sister’s graduation in June 2005. I read a few tutorials and gave it a go. Short row heel footies. I finished one didn’t like the holes in my sock so I never finished that pair.

My first finished pair were out of some Knitpicks yarn my secret pal Sarah gave me (the red socks below). The are comfy and warm and have held up well. The yarn does tend to pill though.

* What would you have done differently?
I still had holes in the heel so I practiced my short rows on scrap yarn. I came up with my own little trick to eliminate the holes.

* Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Short-row definitely. I like that it looks more like a store-bought sock. I don’t like picking up stitches, so heel flaps are not an option.

* What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I like Claudia’s Handpainted (the brown footies above) and Knitpicks sock yarn. I really like the colorways of Koigu but I’m not so in love with the yarn itself.

* Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I don’t crochet much so definitely no crochet socks. I tried 2 circulars but stumbled upon the magic loop method by accident. I like working with dpns most. I’m trying some bamboo dpns but prefer the Bryspun plastics.

* How many pairs have you made?

I haven’t made many pairs but last year’s Socktoberfest really got me going. I’ve made 7 pairs total. I’ve made the 4 pairs pictured above. This pair out of some self-striping yarn I dyed myself.

One pair for my sister for Christmas

And this pair that I just finished for my G-ma

I mailed these off yesterday so I’m hoping that she’ll like them.

I’ve even started another pair for her but these will be for Christmas.

And here’s one more pic just for Gray La Gran. She bought the same Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport at the LYS and wanted to know how it knits up.

It has a great feel and will definitely be warm. Lorna’s Laces is known for it’s flash and pool effect. It looks like a swirl that snakes up the sock which isn’t too bad.

Hey there e’rebody. Happy Monday. I have just a few more days of sick leave and then it’s back to work for me.

My latest pattern is up at MagKnits.

It’s the Susy tunic/vest.

I named it after Audrey Hepburn’s character in Wait Until Dark . She wore some nice sweaters in that movie and I was watching this while I was making it.