Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Finally Some Knitting Content!!

It's a good thing my husband recovered from his bee sting reaction quickly because he's been spending the last several days taking care of me. I don't know if it's the flu, but it kicked my rear end hard. I'm feeling a bit better today, though still a little weak, and I promise I'm not trying to annoy everyone in my house when I can't decide whether I'm hot or cold. I'm behind in housework (though hubby and The Girl did a lot for me over the weekend) and blog reading (curse you, Google Reader!) and I totally missed Mailbox Monday yesterday (I'll do a double post next week), but at least I wasn't too sick to read.

Anyway...Diary of an Eccentric started two years ago to be mainly a knitting blog, but since I turned my focus to books, there hasn't been much knitting going on. Actually, I think the only clue that I knit is my blog header. But my fingers were itching for the needles and wool, and I recently finished my first knitting project in about a year:



I knit these socks for Serena for her birthday (and in the pictures below, those are her lovely feet modeling them). They were supposed to be part of her Christmas gift, but it had been months since I'd knit anything when I started these in December. Let's just say I was a bit rusty and made a lot of mistakes. About 10 rows from finishing the toe on the second sock, I dropped a stitch down a dozen or so rows to fix a twisted stitch (something I'd been known to do in the past without freaking out)...and it all went to hell.

I kindly told Serena that her annual pair of socks was on hold. I put down the needles and backed far, far away for fear I would make another mistake or throw the unfinished sock out of the window, needles and all.

But over the past month, I decided it was high time to finish these suckers, and lo and behold, I was able to unknit about 12 rows, fix my mistake, and finish the sock without any major problems. Thankfully, Serena loves them! I absolutely love knitting socks, but I don't do it for just anyone. ;)

Here are the Aqua Jaywalkers details if you're interested:



Pattern: Jaywalker by Grumperina

Yarn: 2 hanks of Claudia's Handpainted Fingering 55 (45% merino wool, 55% silk) in Teal Party

Needles: U.S. 2 (Susan Bates, aluminum DPNs)

Started: Dec. 2008

Finished: Aug. 9, 2009



The Jaywalker pattern is my favorite sock pattern (Serena's too). I've completed two pairs for myself, and two other pairs for Serena.

I finished up these socks as part of Dewey's Knit-a-Long.

Now I think I'll go take a nap...

20 comments:

Lisa said...

These look much more comfortable than the ones my great-grandma used to knit me!

bermudaonion said...

Those are wonderful! Do you need to know my shoe size in order to knit me a pair? LOL

Serena said...

I do love these socks and they are worth the wait! I cannot wait to see what the next pair is. I think I only have jaywalkers from you...and I see you like the title I gave them!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Anna, very sharp looking! Love the colors too.

My daughter and her friend are having their 1st knitting book published in Spring 2010 with Interweave Press. The title will be New England Knits.

She amazes me with all she has created; a self taught knitter of just 3 years.

Kaye said...

Wow, those are gorgeous. Not a project I ever had the nerve to even attempt. I'll stick to afghans. You really picked out a nice color yarn too. I like the variegated look.

Unknown said...

I love the yarn colors. Serena is a very lucky lady, and fabulous sock model too!

Hope you continue to feel better!

Kristen said...

I am very much not a sock person (barefoot all the way) but these are cool looking. And my daughter, who is a sock person, would adore them.

Sandy Nawrot said...

I couldn't knit a freaking string, so I am impressed with you! And what lovely feet!

Staci said...

Those are fantastic!! I would love to be able to knit those!

Dawn said...

Wow! ;O) They turned out great! Glad to see your needles aren't retired! I would go crazy without picking mine up for that long!

Hope you're feeling better soon Anna! ((Sending Get Well Hugs)) out to ya!

Bonnie said...

Love the socks that you made for Serena, they look very comfy too and pretty! I want to learn to knit socks but haven't gotten beyond knitting scarves yet!

Hoping that you are feeling better soon. Glad to hear that your hubby is doing better after the bee sting reaction. We carry an epi-pen everywhere as my son has many food allergies. He was allergic to bees but had a recent sting and no reaction other than normal pain and swelling.

Anna said...

~Lit and Life: Thanks! All I have from my gram are crocheted blankets.

~Bermudaonion: :P

~Serena: I already have the yarn for your next pair. Maybe I'll actually have them finished in time for Christmas! LOL

~Diane: Thanks! I will have to check out that book. Sounds like it'll be a good one. I love Interweave publications.

~Kaye: What's funny is I think afghans are intimidating!

~Janel: I can't take credit for the colors. Serena actually chose the yarn. I'm feeling much better today, thanks.

~Kristen: I'm not much of a sock person either, but I enjoy the challenge of knitting them, and they definitely come in handy when we're sleeping in the tent!

~Sandy: Thanks! And I bet Serena is glad you like her feet. ;P

~Staci: Thanks!

~Dawn: Thanks! Actually seeing all your completed projects gave me a nudge back toward the needle. :)

~Bonnie: Thanks! Everyone is feeling much better, thank goodness.

The Bookworm said...

Glad youre both feeling better.
Those socks are great!! Love the yarn.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

CP said...

Really, really pretty! Love those socks and the color.

Marie Cloutier said...

those are adorable! :-) you make me want to learn to knit!

Anna said...

~Naida: Thanks!

~CP: Thanks!

~Marie: Thanks! I hope you decide to pick up the needles at some point.

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

I'm so impressed! My knitting hasn't progressed beyond rectangular scarves :)

I'm sure Serena is enjoying them!

Anna said...

~Dawn: Thanks! I'm sure I'll be seeing them on her feet quite often once the cold weather comes. Seriously, socks are easier than they look!

Esme said...

These look great-we have to exchange knitting patterns. I bought a great book, yarn and patterns last year in Salem.

Anna said...

~Esme: I'd love to see some of your projects!