In my spare time. . .

I have a lot less spare time than I used to. In my single days, I knit in the evenings. Every Thursday night I did kickboxing and painted my nails. I worked out an additional one to two times per week. On the weekends, I worked on my house, and worked in the yard, and rode my motorcycle.



Nowadays, when I get home from work, I am caring for children while I cook dinner, start laundry, and do the dishes. When Bugaboo goes to bed, I pick up toys, fold laundry, etc. On the weekends, I catch up on everything that was undone during the week. Unless we have plans, then I just start the week behind.



Does anyone know how long it will take to knit a pair of socks when you average 32 minutes of knitting time per week?



Like the new knitting model? He makes everything I give up worth it.


Today it is all about the losses. . . and the gains.

New Toys

My birthday was last week, and I received some nice new toys. Some spiral DPN holders, and a new sock knitting book, and sock blockers.

And a new techie toy: a Dell netbook. I remember the laptop I took with me to college. Back when laptops were new. It didn't even have a mouse, but neither did desktops way back when. They have come a long way baby since then. This handy little device is super tiny and light, and it is even pink. :-) I am typing on it right now. Can't download pictures (yet), but I will figure that out soon.

I have been working on Grandma's socks too. It took two days to finish casting on, but I have been zipping along ever since. Two socks on two circular needles, simple ribbed pattern. I have about an inch finished. That doesn't sound like much, but considering how much time and energy I have to devote to knitting these days, it is huge progress.

Today, it is all about the new toys.

Socks for Grandma

I can't find my camera this morning, so pictures will have to wait until next time.

I started my mother's socks a few days ago. Toe-up, a make-it-up-as-I-go general idea in my head, and detailed notes so I can replicate the finished product in a second sock.

Then, the other day, my mother mentioned that my grandmother wants me to make her a pair of socks. Now, don't get me wrong, I consider that a compliment to my knitterly abilities. However, agreeing to knit socks for a 93 year old woman carries a lot of pressure. THESE socks can't be procrastinated. THESE socks can be put aside in favor of the newest yarn, pattern or technique that captures my attention. THESE socks have to be finished, without undue delay. I am not sure that Mom and Grandma really understand that knitting a sock in sock yarn is not a small project, even if it is small in size.

SO, the first hurdle was easy. I already had the perfect yarn. My grandmother loves pastels, I had some Opal Petticoat, that I had frogged from a previously unloved project. Last night, I hunted down two Size 2 circulars, so I can knit both socks at a time. I also rinsed the yarn, to get the kinks out from its previous life. This mornimg, the yarn in nearly dry, and I can wind it into a ball. I hope to start knitting today.

Because with a toddler and newborn in the house, I have so much free time.

Today, it is all about the pressure.