So since finishing my nice red socks, I have been thinking about making some short ones like this.  I really like ankle socks, especially for wearing with my indoor slipper shoes at school when I'm wearing a skirt.  It is apparently not the best idea to wear my indoor slippers without socks, but with tall socks I would just look like a goof (correction: more of a goof).  So I am going to try to replicate these. 

I have some more of the same yarn that I used before in a different colorway, so I think I will use it to work on a pair of these.  But how to make such a cute little mini-cuff?

When I unfolded it, it turns out it is just like a mini-heel turned in the cuff.  I think I can do this!  I will probably add a few stitches before I turn the cuff heel so that it isn't too tight, but up to that point I'm just going to use the same sock pattern I used before.  Will I have time tonight?  Maybe!

I was really busy, messy and feeling generally discombobulated for most of July, but now that I'm home, and I got a new bookcase (which give me a place to "organize" the crap that had taken over the rest of the apartment), I think I'll be in the right mindset to get back to my regularly scheduled knitting.  I might even try to seam up Lucky! 

Posted by Molly at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yay!  I finished my socks!  I love knitting!  I used Wendy's Toe-up sock pattern and it was great.  The heel was so easy compared to the pattern I've used in the past, which involved picking up eensy weensy stiches around the heel.  I think I used Lucy Neatby yarn (does this exist?) but I'm still on vacation and left all the specs at home.

See that luxurious carpet that I'm dancing on?  This vacation in Hokkaido was like a preview of my trip home, because my brother lives in an awesome western-style house with nice carpeting, overstuffed couches and CNN!  We're flying back to my steamy home far, far away from here, but not before I spend today relaxing around the house, watching TV and enjoying the cool breeze.  Not to mention enjoying my wool socks in the last cool weather I'll be feeling for months. 

Next up, winding the last skein for my shawl and knitting my way back to Mie!

Posted by Molly at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I ran away from my Lucky wrap.

Last night I packed my bags, and I calmly folded up the half-seamed beast, the half-finished neckband, and all those ends--not to put into my suitcase but--to put in the closet where it will stay for a few weeks.  I like Lucky, but I am a bit frustrated with the seaming.  I should have left one stitch on the outside of my decreases, but I didn't, and the process is slow.  Not to mention I have had minimal free time in the last few weeks.

I didn't felt my oven mitt, either.  Looks like it might be a post-wedding gift after all.  I am liking the idea of bringing it home with me and just tossing it in my mom's washer.  It would probably never dry in the insane humidity anyways. 

Since my knitting was stressing me out this week, the only thing I could do was run almost as far away as possible and meet my brother in Hokkaido!  The weather is cool, and even though I've only been here for about 4 hours, I think I could get used to this. 

I've got socks and a boring (read stress-free) shawl to keep my busy while I'm not behind the wheel of a car.  I might even hit up a coffee shop tomorrow just to sit and knit.  What a novel idea!  I'll post pictures sometime...

Posted by Molly at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I finished knitting my oven mitt.  Now all I need to do is felt it.  I'm going to start the hand-felting with the test pouch on the left, but I really have no idea how to felt something without the help of a handy washing machine.  Does anyone have any tips or links to share?  Advice is welcome!

Posted by Molly at 12:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Maybe, for stretching one WIP over the longest period of time.  Just maybe. 

Viewing one Star Wars film=finishing one Lucky side tie. 

Everything is blocked and ready for seaming... just need to finish the neckband and find the time to sew it together.  Are you feeling the anticipation?  I am, and so is my friend Teddy.  He doesn't even knit!  At least I know there's someone else out there ready to see this being modeled soon. 

Maybe I'll show you my new bangs too. 

Posted by Molly at 05:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Finished and blocked left and right front pieces not pictured.

Proof that:
a.  I finished my Lucky sleeves.
b.  My apartment is actually clean enough to spread out all this stuff on the floor and not have any mess in the picture.
c.  I need a bigger blocking tatami mat-type-thing.
d.  I have miles and miles of neckband to knit before I sleep (or before I go to Hokkaido, rather).
e.  All of the above.

I started this oven mitt from Felted Knits for my friend who is getting married at the end of July.  I have had this yarn for a while, and decided to make this for her about a year ago.  Why, again, did I wait until now to actually start this, especially when I don't have hot water in my washing machine and it will ultimately be a huge production to actually felt (and one that will ultimately finish on one of the two days this year that my brother will be visiting me IN JAPAN?)?? 

I need to RELAX but the 20 or so mosquito bites on my legs and feet are making me EDGY!*  At least this is a good reminder that knitting on big needles is fast and easy.  I love it!  My Lucky wrap is so close that I can almost taste it, but I will have to remember to have one sweater-ish project as well as a colorful fast-knit project going at the same time. 

Will I ever finish either of these projects?  Don't change that dial!!

*Do other people get big welts and bruises around their mosquito bites?  Is it possible to be allergic to mosquitoes or is my apartment just surrounded by some kind of super breed?

Posted by Molly at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)