The socks that almost weren’t
And still may not be.
I have been working with this yarn for-freakin’-ever. Seriously. It’s a gorgeous, soft, squishy, lovely Malabrigo sock yarn in Stonechat. I love it. However, it has had an identity crisis over the last couple of weeks. It doesn’t know what kind of sock it wants to become, if a sock at all. It’s been terribly frustrating.
I’ve knit and frogged six different stitch patterns, ultimately ending with a boring 2×2 rib that I’m still not happy with, but I’m tired of frogging and reknitting this yarn. I am beginning to get a bad case of start-itis because of these Stonechat socks. There are no less than 8 sock patterns I want to work on, and a multitude of other projects I’m desperate to cast on, just to relieve me from this damn sock.
That’s right, after all this work and all its time on the needles, I still have not finished one sock. There’s a whole other sock to knit once I get this one done in order for them to be wearable. It may not happen this decade.
Our New Addition
I now have both a son and a daughter.
Camilla Rose was born via c-section at 8:39 am on Monday, February 16, 2009, after a 34 hour labor. She weighed 8 lbs 14 oz, was 21.5” long, with both head and chest circumferences of 14.5 cm, and a head full of curly black hair. Daddy got to cut the cord! We came home Tuesday night and everyone is doing really well.
She looks just like JR did as a newborn. We’ve discovered that she has my nose, daddy’s hairline & swirl, many of my facial expressions, and a preference for sleeping tummy to tummy on our chests.
JR is warming up to her, and will undoubtedly make a wonderful big brother. He’s been handling things really well, considering that his entire world changed in the blink of an eye. He is a bit clingier than usual, and gets worried if we’re out and he can’t see both me and daddy at the same time, but I’m sure that with just some patience, reassurance, and extra one-on-one time he’ll soon be our confident little man again. He’s recognizing that Milla is supposed to be with us wherever we go — the other day he came up to the bedroom and saw me sitting there, and before he would hug me or talk to me he wanted to know “Where’s baby?” and looked for her (she was on the bed next to me). As soon as he saw her, he nodded, and went on with his conversation with me. He of course still has his moments where he’d rather have us all to himself, but he’s just been wonderful. He’s taken to wearing daddy’s t-shirts around the house, and I fear that he may be coming down with a cold or something.
My BFF is driving up tomorrow to spend a week with us. She’ll be helping me out while John is recovering from the sinus surgery he’s having next week.
John has been amazing — he took great care of me while I was laboring, and has been doing all of the household stuff like cleaning, cooking for us all, changing diapers, and being awesome. And it’s just so heartwarming watching him with his daughter. I know he’s going to feel infinitely better after his surgery too, so we’re very grateful that M is coming to help us out.
Here’s our new sweet pea:
Camilla Rose
She’s named after my maternal grandmother and my mama. Mama, I know you’re watching over us. Thank you for the hat and the quilt. Thank you for everything. I hope I teach her all the wonderful things you taught me. We love you and miss you.
Camilla’s birth story
We just got home a little while ago — I convinced my OB to discharge me early because I was going nuts in the hospital. Labor started Saturday night, my water broke Sunday morning, and things were going textbook for a while. Then, by Sunday evening, I was starting to think that something in the universe was trying to pull me back but ignored it. Sunday evening turned into night, night turned into utter and excruciating pain and exhaustion (since I hadn’t really slept since Friday night), night turned into morning, and morning turned into the end of my dreams of a natural birth. Dilation had stopped at about 9 cm even though the contractions stayed on top of each other, and my anxiety was mounting though I didn’t know why. I hit the 33 hour labor mark, with membrane rupture reaching 25+ hours, and my OB said he thought it would be best to do a repeat c-section. I was furious, and devastated. I was also exhausted and knew somehow that he was right. I talked it over with my husband, got some cheerleading from the nursing staff, and agreed to the c/s.
Camilla Rose was born February 16th, 2009, at 8:39 am via c-section. She was 8 lbs 14 oz., 21.5″ long, with 14.5″ head & chest circumferences, and a head full of curly black hair. She was alert incredibly soon, and showed a loop of cord wrapped around her shoulder — that, coupled with her head/chest sizes, sealed the deal that she wouldn’t have been able to come out vaginally anyway, and has helped me come to terms with her section. She’s absolutely perfect, and has been winning over the heart of everyone who sees her. She’s nursing well, though she has a bit of an impatient latch and my nipples are the sorer for it. I can’t wait for my milk to come in.
I missed JR beyond belief while in the hospital (we had him with a sitter because JR would have been too upset seeing mommy labor the way I did, and because he would have gone nuts just sitting at the hospital) — he got to meet Milla, and is mindful of her tiny-ness, but not that convinced that he wants her around me. Little man still wants me all to himself, but is ever-so-slowly warming up to her. Daddy is absolutely in love with her, and has admitted that she already has him wrapped around her finger.
I’ve got some wonderful pictures, and will post them sometime tomorrow after I attempt to sleep between her constant nursing sessions. Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts ♥ ♥ ♥
Emmonak gets CNN national coverage
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/09/rural.alaska.villages/
Poor baby
My poor baby woke up this morning with a nose full of icky green boogers. He was feeling a little out of sorts yesterday, and I can see that today, he’s just not 100%. He looks like he feels icky but still wants to play, so he appears to be taking a low-key approach to things. I hope he gets to feeling better. Moreover, I hope I don’t get what he has right before I’m about to give birth. I hate being sick as it is; I don’t want to add going into labor on top of that. I’m sure I’d be downright unpleasant company at that point.
I’m coming up on my 30th birthday. I think that’s the first time I’ve written that out. I’ve been telling John that I’m going to be 29 for the next 15 to 20 years. I used to have a lot of hangups about turning 30. I still may have a few, but for the most part it just seems like another birthday.
I’ve also set up Buffle to be boarded at this kennel in Fairbanks, provided I don’t go into labor before Friday, that is. She’s got an appointment Friday to get shots and whatnot, and then the kennel told me (after I explained my imminent labor) that they would accommodate my labor and our dog. Thanks so much!
As for the about-to-be-born, she’s really weighing heavily on me. I had the hardest time sleeping last night because the weight of my uterus just seemed to hurt, no matter what position I was in. I still managed to wake feeling fully rested, despite the interrupted sleep, and I know that’s because we’re now sleeping on this gorgeous new king size bed we just got. It’s divine. We bought it Friday, then made a family field trip on Saturday in a U-Haul to pick it up. JR loved it, and Saturday was just a great day overall.
I had this total urge to clean the entire house yesterday and bake a million things, but just couldn’t muster the energy for it. John was beyond awesome and did a lot of the cleaning for me. He had also taken JR to the grocery store, where JR pushed around a little toddler sized cart. I wish he’d gotten pictures of it.
We’re really enjoying the last few days we have as just the three of us.
Sockapalooza
Download this pattern as a PDF!
Want a single sock pattern off which you can base a ton of sock ideas? Here it is! A mish-mash of sock ideas from a single, basic pattern!
Approximately 300-450 yards fingering weight yarn
Size 1 double-point needles, set of 4 (or one size smaller than needed to get gauge)
Size 2 double-point needles, set of 4 (or size needed to get gauge)
Sewing needle of some sort (I’ve used a dull-pointed tapestry needle that my yarn fits through)
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These socks are worked in the round from the top down.
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Gauge: 8 sts per inch in stockinette, in the round.
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Cuff:
With smaller DPNs, cast on 64 stitches over 3 needles (20-24-20). Work K1P1 or K2P2 ribbing for 1.5″ to 2″, depending on your preference. If you want a twisted rib, work a K1P1 rib, working the Ks through the back loop!
Leg:
Switching to larger DPNs, work in desired pattern stitch until entire piece measures 7-8″, depending on your preference. See leg variations below.
Leg variations:
Stockinette – knit all stitches. Makes for easy, fast, mindless knitting.
Garter – [knit one round, purl next round]
Ribbing – K2P2 and K3P1 both look great.
Seed ribbing – repeat this throughout: [1 round K2P2 or K3P1 ribbing, 1 round knit]
Basketweave – repeat this throughout: [K4P4 for 4 rounds, P4K4 for 4 rounds]
Cables – repeat this throughout: [*P2, K6* around for 5/6/7 rounds, *P2, C6F or C6B* next round]. May require stitch manipulation when you set up for heel/foot.
Moss – repeat this throughout: [1 or 2 rounds K1P1, 1 or 2 rounds P1K1]
Bamboo – repeat this throughout: [1 round (YO, K2, pass yo over both knit stitches), 1 round knit]
Heel: Short row heels are supposed to be awesome, simple, fast, etc., but mama once said that you make socks with a flap that you then turn so that’s how I do it. By all means, work a short row heel if that tickles your fancy! Otherwise, read on for how to work a flap & turn the heel.
Heel flap:
Turn your work so the wrong side (purl side) is facing you.
1: Purl across 20 sts from working needle, then 12 sts from next needle. You now have a total of 32 stitches working on the heel needles.
2: *Sl 1 st purl-wise, k1* across.
3: Sl 1 st purl-wise, p across.
Repeat rows 2-3 for a total of 28 rows.
Turning the heel:
1: Sl 1 st purl-wise, k 17, k2tog, k1.
2: Sl 1, p 5, p2tog, p1.
3: Sl 1, k 6, k2tog, k1.
4: Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p1.
5: Sl 1, k 8, k2tog, k1.
6: Sl 1, p 9, p2tog, p1.
Continue in this manner, working one additional stitch before decreasing, until all stitches have been worked. You will have 18 sts remaining. End with knitting across all sts.
Gusset:
Pick up 16 sts across side of heel. Knit 32 stitches from leg. Pick up 16 sts across other side of heel. Knit 9 stitches from first needle, and transfer remaining 9 sts to next needle. (25 sts on needle 1 – 32 sts on needle 2 – 25 sts on needle 3).
1: Needle 1: Knit across to last 3 sts; k2tog, k1. Needle 2: Knit across, maintaining any pattern you are working as already established. Needle 3: Knit 1, ssk, knit across.
2: Knit all stitches, maintaining any pattern on needle 2.
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until a total of 64 stitches remain (16-32-16).
Foot:
Knit evenly until you have worked 5.25″ (or 4.5” less than intended wearer’s heel-to-toe length) from picked-up stitches at gusset, maintaining any pattern you are working as already established on needle 2 if so desired.
Toe:
1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Needle 2: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Needle 3: K1, k2tog, k across.
2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat these two rounds until a total of 16 stitches remain (4-8-4). Knit 4 stitches from needle 1 onto needle 3. Graft stitches together.
Two Row Socks
Like so many other knitters out there, I love Stephanie Pearl-McPhee‘s One-Row Handspun Scarf pattern. I adapted that to work in the round for these socks. Enjoy!
Gauge:
8 sts per inch in stockinette in the round.
Materials:
Approximately 350-450 yards fingering weight yarn
Size 1 double-point needles, set of 4
Size 2 double-point needles, set of 4
Sewing needle of some sort (I’m using a dull-point tapestry/embroidery needle that my sock yarn fits through)
Cuff:
CO 64 using long-tail cast-on. Work 1×1 or 2×2 rib for 1.5″ with smaller needles.
Leg:
Switching to larger needles, begin pattern as below.
Round 1: *K2, k1tbl, p1*.
Round 2: K1, *p1tbl, p2*.
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until leg measures 7-8″ (depending on your preference).
Heel flap:
Turn your work so the wrong side (purl side) is facing you.
1: Purl across 20 sts from working needle, then 12 sts from next needle. You now have a total of 32 stitches working on the heel needles.
2: *Sl 1 st purl-wise, k1* across.
3: Sl 1 st purl-wise, p across.
Repeat rows 2-3 for a total of 28 rows.
Turning the heel:
1: Sl 1 st purl-wise, k 17, k2tog, k1.
2: Sl 1, p 5, p2tog, p1.
3: Sl 1, k 6, k2tog, k1.
4: Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p1.
5: Sl 1, k 8, k2tog, k1.
6: Sl 1, p 9, p2tog, p1.
Continue in this manner, working one additional stitch before decreasing, until all stitches have been worked. You will have 18 sts remaining. End with knitting across all sts.
Gusset:
Pick up 16 sts across side of heel. Knit 32 stitches from leg. Pick up 16 sts across other side of heel. Knit 9 stitches from first needle, and transfer remaining 9 sts to next needle. (25 sts on needle 1 – 32 sts on needle 2 – 25 sts on needle 3).
1: Needle 1: Knit across to last 3 sts; k2tog, k1. Needle 2: Knit across in pattern as established. Needle 3: Knit 1, ssk, knit across.
2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until a total of 64 stitches remain (16-32-16).
Foot:
Knit evenly until you have worked 5.25″ (or 4.5″ less than total length of intended wearer’s foot) from picked-up stitches at gusset, maintaining pattern across Needle 2 as established.
Toe:
1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Needle 2: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Needle 3: K1, k2tog, k across.
2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat these two rounds until a total of 16 stitches remain (4-8-4). Knit 4 stitches from needle 1 onto needle 3. Graft stitches together.
Baby Update, crafts, JR, and such.
Filed under: JR, crafting, entertainment, home, parenting, products, writing
I am 16 days away from my due date. I am as big as a house, and uncomfortable all the time. I am ready to get this child out of me. She is not yet ready to come out though. So be it. She knows when she’s supposed to be here. I do not. I will wait.
JR knows that something is changing with me. He constantly wants to be climbing on me, and I just can’t deal with it. I just want personal space. Poor little guy is in for a major shock when he suddenly finds himself sharing mommy and daddy. I hope he handles it well. I think he’s going through another growth spurt; he’s eating constantly. He’ll get to play with another little boy this Friday when we go to town; we’re going to have M watch him for a little while so that JR can get used to her and her son L. Hopefully he’ll have a good time and get comfortable with them.
We have almost everything we need for Milla’s arrival, except that I still need to sew together the ring sling and prep all of her diapers. My BFF Melanie is set to come up the last week of the month (also when John is having his sinus surgery). It’ll be great not only to hang out with her, but to have her help with the kids while John is out of commission. Besides, I don’t think I could handle having anyone else around the first month or two that Milla is here. If it were anyone else, I would feel like I would have to play hostess, whether that’s the case or not. I’m just not going to do that, so I’m glad that it’s just Melanie and John who’ll be around after baby comes.
As for my crafting, I’ve got socks for John on the needles using my pattern. I’m using this beautiful ShiBui Knits Sock yarn that I picked up last weekend at INUA Wool Shoppe. Isn’t that the cushiest looking yarn? I know I’ll be getting more.
I’ve decided that I want to make myself a snazzy, stripey sweater with my 1200+ yards of Patons that are back in my stash using this pattern. It’s not exactly what I want, so I will probably heavily modify it as I go. I have several other socks planned too, so you should just keep an eye out for me on Ravelry to see what I’m up to.
Let’s see… what else. Oh, I’m going to go insane if I have to watch The Wizard of Oz one more time this week. It’s JR’s new favorite movie. It was cute, the first dozen times. Now I want to rip all the stuffing out of the Scarecrow, then pull the Lion’s tail. We’ll see who has a heart now, Tin Man.
Hanks and Skanks
My awesome husband and I jokingly refer to skeins of yarn as “skanks.” We talk about them in terms of how “skanky” a yarn may or may not be. It’s been the backdrop of much silliness and such. We’re dorks like that.
This past weekend, the aforementioned awesome hubby bought me an early birthday gift: a yarn winder. I was absolutely delighted. I spent Saturday night winding approximately 4000 yards of yarn. Some of it was in a tangled heap that, without the winder, was going to be tossed out. Some of it started out as projects that were doomed to failure, then left to sit (and get tangled with other yarns). Some of it was new. Almost all of it is wool. Much of it is leftovers of other projects, and now I must find a pattern I like enough to let me incorporate the many colors together. I’m thinking a stripey vest or such.
Some of it is new sock yarn, destined to become a brilliant pair of black merino socks for my hubby. It’s squishy and beautiful and if it knits up as well as it feels like it can, it may become my go-to sock yarn. (It’s ShiBuiKnits Sock Yarn in charcoal, for those of you who may be curious about these things.) I also wound a gorgeous cake of Malabrigo sock yarn in “Stonechat” for myself, and can’t wait to get it on the needles.
Anyway, all the talk of yarn had hubby wondering the difference between hanks and skeins. I told him that skanks have already been balled.
Thus endeth the potty humor for the moment.
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