Socks, shrugs, and wonderful days.
I found my favourite sock needles! Not before I ordered replacements, of course, but that’s just fine–means I’ll be able to have a couple of pairs on the go at once, like I used to. Being able to switch back and forth as the mood strikes me helps with the inevitable second-sock syndrome.
Instead of transferring my pink socklets from their DPNs to my newly-found needles, I sorta started a new pair since I was craving something more interesting than plain stockinette. No-purl Monkeys, in Fleece Artist merino, with the cuff/leg knit on bigger needles to better fit my fat ankles.
Despite a) putting a moratorium on sweaters until autumn; b) not having done the finishing work on my Nederland vest, I’ve been really wanting to knit another garment of some sort. Honestly, I’ve been seriously considering frogging my first sweater (a cropped cardigan in Noro Silver Thaw) and knitting something I’ll wear more often. I’m thinking of the Two-Toned Ribbed Shrug from Fitted Knits–I have a ton of cute sleeveless tops that coordinate nicely with the colours in the yarn, and I’m not always comfortable with leaving my upper arms bare. Plus, since it doesn’t even come close to closing in front, I can choose a smaller size that’ll be wearable now and yet not be too big in a few months’ time.
This post is taking me forever to write because I keep pausing to knit on my sock.
It was my 30th birthday a week ago (eek); I didn’t really do anything on the day itself, but later in the week I enjoyed the gift of the house to myself. I got to relax and recharge more than I’ve been able to in months, and really, I may have spent more than a few minutes on the floor with the cats in a patch of sunshine. I took the car-loving felines (leaving the car-hating ones to their sunny naps) with me when I picked up lunch, and they rolled, purred, and showed off so much in the drive-thru that the cashiers offered them little creamer cups as treats.
I carried my wheel upstairs and spun all afternoon, in front of the big window overlooking the bay, and in the evening I cooked something fabulously spicy and flavourful for myself, a sharp contrast to the bland, boring suppers I’m usually stuck making when I’m not home alone.
I crashed into bed early, and at sunrise the next morning headed to Moncton. Spent the whole warm, sunny day there, visiting favourite places and shopping with birthday money, only heading for home well after dark. I wish I’d been able to take some photos, especially of the crocuses and daffodils in bloom downtown, but I’d neglected to bring my camera.
The crocuses are starting to come up here, too–there are green shoots and purple buds sticking up through the bit of snow that still covers the garden. The snow is deeper, elsewhere, but the garden is on a slope and recent rains have washed it almost clean.
On a final note, I’ve started listening to audiobooks rather than watching TV while I craft. They don’t count toward my 7900s challenge, but my brain prefers them to endless reruns. My sock might not see much progress this afternoon, though, because I’ve been listening to The Hologram’s Handbook, both written and read by Robert Picardo. Apparently I cannot laugh like a lunatic and knit at the same time.
