Black Hole of Gift Giving

The socks I blogged about in the last post have been finished and sent off to step-daughters. The girls have had them about 10 days and I have not heard from either of them. There were other Christmas gifts in the box for the eldest so at least it is not that she doesn't like just the socks. We had spent Christmas day with the youngest and she had admired the blue and green socks. I offered them to her and she seemed to want them. Before mailing the first pair, I started a pair of Chevvy's for her. Now I am wondering if that was a little optimistic. Well, she has small feet, no one else I know can fit into these so I guess I will finish them and send them on into the black hole of gift giving.

I have enjoyed knitting Chevvy by Jody Pirrello It is a pattern in the new book: Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol Sulcoski. The sock yarn is Team Spirit by Lorna's Laces Shepards Sport. I went down a couple of needle sizes to get gauge. This has been a quick and enjoyable knit. It reminds me of Jaywalkers. I never liked the way the cuff flowed into the Jaywalker pattern. The designer has solved that issue by using short rows between the cuff and the sock and between the leg and the foot. It made me read the pattern line for line and count carefully but it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to the fit of the sock and flow of the design.

The Sideways Cardigan was finished in time for DD to take it back to college with her. She selected the pattern and the yarn but seemed very uninterested in the knitting. I really wasn't sure if she would wear it but has told me she is pleased with the results. I did meet gauge but the yarn would not stay bocked out. I finally gave up and got out the iron and steam blocked it. No photos of the finished object but it is a rather popular item, I am sure you have seen it. If not, here is a Ravelry photo. I really enjoyed this knit. The construction is very interesting. I love to learn something new. The use of i-cord on the ribbing created a very nice finish. I definitely will be using (in fact have used) this technique again.

At work last Friday I got the itch to cast on something new. I guess I must have seen a photo of a sweater on Ravelry. I honestly do not remember how the fever began. Anyway, decided that I wanted to knit Amused, a design by Jorana Paige in the winter Knitty. I started cyber shopping and then remembered that a goal of mine this year is to be very fruggle in my yarn purchases. When I got home Friday evening, I ransacked my stash and found some Rowan RYC Cashsoft Aran. It is a little lighter in color than I wanted but it is the correct weight and I have enough so I cast on. This has been a very quick and easy knit. I love that it is seamless.

It hasn't hurt that I have had an unusual amount of knitting time this week. DH has torn his Meniscus (knee). A shot of cortisone on Friday provided some relief but he spent the weekend with his leg raised. I decided the only decent thing to do was to sit at his side and keep him company. That way I would be available to fetch and tote. Monday was MLK day and we continued our routine as our schools were closed. Tuesday we had the great snow storm of '09 and left work at 12:30. Wednesday morning we had a 2 hour delay because of the black ice. This work schedule has provided much knitting time. I have part of a sleeve and the collar to go. Who knows, dare I even suggest, this might be completed this weekend!

I knit on with trepidation. I am either going to love or totally hate this sweater. I am not sure that my short and rounded figure is going to be able to carry off this much ribbing but we will soon see.