I Made Socks!

Okay, they're just tube socks, but I made them from yarn I spun myself. I started them weeks ago, maybe even a couple of months ago and then set them aside. Once I really got going, they were fast. I finished the first one this morning and the second one after supper tonight.

The pattern is a knit two, purl two rib, done on size 5 double pointed needles. To decrease for the toe, I knit two together, knit one until there were only six stitches left (two on each needle). I transferred them to two needles (three on each).

At that point, I found instructions on the internet for a Kitchener stitch done with knitting needles rather than a yarn needle. I'm not sure I did it right, but the toes are closed and I'm happy with them!

I'm one of those people who need plenty of practice when learning a new skill. And I have to take baby steps along the way* . I see making tube socks as a baby step to making "real socks". You know, the ones with heel flaps and gussets? Double pointed needles, you don't scare me anymore!


*Am I the only one who sees Bill Murray's face (from What About Bob?) when I hear the phrase "baby steps"?

Knitting on the Porch

I'm one of those people who love Daylight Saving Time. I know I don't actually get more hours of daylight, but I really like having more light after dinner.

A couple of afternoons ago, I grabbed my knitting bag (currently contains a sock in progress) and sat on my porch. It was warm, but not hot and the light was perfect. The big dogs kept me company, although I fear that my sock may have a permanent doggy kiss smell. Thanks for that, Abby.

In the first picture, you can see my chair, complete with project bag, iPod, and drink. The other picture shows my view, looking toward the river. The grass is still brown, but I think we'll start seeing some green peek through in the next few weeks.

This is just about my favorite time of year. How about you?

Computer crashes and other interruptions

I can hardly believe it's March already!  Where has the winter gone?  Don't get me wrong; I'm thrilled to pieces that spring is getting closer, but goodness, the time is slipping away quickly.

So, by way of excuses for neglecting my blog, my computer crashed in dramatic fashion in January.  I had been forced to keep it plugged in most of the time because the battery was going.  However, one day I thought, "You know, I should look into backing up my computer.  In case it crashes."  Yeah, just when I started to download the software to back it up, it shut down.  Completely.  As in, won't stay on for more than a minute or two before just giving up.

In the meantime, I've been using my husband's computer, but it's just not the same.  My plan is to get a new computer this month.  I'm not sure what I'm going to get, but I'm saving my pennies and hoping I can get something that works for me.

Also, I spent a lot of time getting ready for the Carolina Craftsmen Spring Classic craft show in Columbia, SC.  That was this past weekend and, although sales were a bit slow, I had a great time.  It has become a nice tradition for me to spend Friday with the wife of the Cousin-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.  She's a fellow homeschooling mom and I admire her courage in marrying my cousin.  She says we should have warned her, but I say, "No way!  We like you and didn't want to scare you off."

The second day, my daughter helped me in the booth.  She loves it and we had a fun day together.  Sunday, my sister-in-law went with me.  She can decorate a booth in her sleep and it looks fabulous!  Love to have her eye for detail!

On to farm news, Huey the Rooster is doing well.  I love to hear him crow.  He's gorgeous, a lilac Orpington.   We are also planning to add some new chicks this spring and possibly retire the older girls to the pasture with a chicken tractor.  That's not a plow pulled by chickens.  A chicken tractor is really a movable chicken coop.  That way, the chickens can have the protection of a coop while enjoying all the bugs they can eat on fresh grass every couple of days.

There are also two new baby goats in the pasture.  We were hoping for girls, but both are little boys.  They are just too cute!  I love watching them play and jump around in the grass.  We will probably buy a few girls this year, to help build up the herd. 

That's the quick-ish update.  How have you all been?