Down to the Wire

School’s almost out. W00t! I honestly didn’t think I’d be looking forward to the end of school the way I am right now. It’s a long story, but I’m rethinking whether or not we want to be in public/formal school at all right now. We’ll take another look at things after the “summer” is over, and see if certain things improve once we’re away from the Fun Factory.

Enough about my whining…lets see some fiber things!

As of yesterday afternoon, this is what Zombie Sock #1 looks like. The heel went pretty quickly, and I think I like the garter stitch edging enough to try it on another pair sometime. I’ve also made it up to Sleeve #2’s cap on my mum’s sweater. I’m hoping to have it done enough for her to try on while they’re here (two weeks from now). I might make it…probably not finished, but with most of the hood done and the major seams/sleeves sewn up. With the modifications I’ve made, I just have to sew the shoulder seams and sew in the sleeves. Oh, and the ends. *shudder*

I think I have enough yarn spun up to complete the sweater, but I’m doing another three skeins just in case. I almost always underestimate the yardage when I’m spinning. Not this time, buddy. Oh, no. There’s plenty of fiber left in the tub; if I have enough, I’d like to dye some just to see how it looks. That was my original plan when I bought the fleece in the first place, after all.

Zombies (and feeling like one)

I’m almost done with the leg for Zombie Sock #1. See?

It’s going pretty well, actually. The combination of the dropped stitches every 6 rows and the knitting through the back loop (the designer recommends it to stabilize the dropped sections, and it really does help) helps to keep me focused. Which is a good thing, considering that we’ve all been pretty damn sick for the past week. School Girl is feeling better this afternoon, so she’ll be going to school in the morning. Which is also a very good thing. It’s not that I don’t like having her around, but it does make it easier to find some flute/piano time during the day. And if I’m going back to work, I’d damn well better find at least a bit of that between now and August…

I also got a little done on Mum’s sleeve #2, but you really don’t want to see that. It’s, well, just another sleeve.

Memorial Day: Stone Gardens

Today is Memorial Day in the US; the day when our country pays tribute to the military men and women who died defending their country. Here, it’s also the first unofficial day of summer. This means nothing to us this year because a)School Girl has 2 1/2 weeks of school to go (bet you can’t guess when she goes back, either) and b)we’re all sick. Again. But anyway…

Instead of a regular fiber posting, here are some pictures from the “ring of honor” at Littleton Cemetery. Enjoy.

DWK, US Army

And a couple of individual headstones. This gentleman died during the Spanish-American War:

This one, who served during the US Civil War, believed in having a friend (or two) for lunch…

Speaking of having friends for lunch, I’m halfway through the leg of Zombie Sock #1. More tomorrow.

Night of the Living Socks

I should just go ahead and admit…I kind of suck when it comes to KALs. I have no idea what it is. I know - I absolutely know - it’s all psychological. I do. But somehow I find a way to screw up just about every KAL I’ve ever signed up to do.

And then I find another shiny object, and I’m once again drawn in. Take, for example, the irresistible Zombie Socks. There’s a KAL for them on Ravelry, and I’m finding myself on a sock kick at the moment. Plus, how could you say no to zombies? You can, but not for very long.

I went and splurged on some pretty hand-dyed sock yarn from Knitivity just for them.

It’s really pretty - various shades of dark blue, violet, cream, white, and black. I can’t wait to see how it knits up. Unfortunately, lots of family members have been wanting to, um, help me wind it into a ball. The only time I’ve ever had this level of “help” has been with my handspun. So I guess that’s a good sign.

Time for Planting

This week is the first time it’s felt like late spring/early summer for more than 2 days in a row. So, of course, it’s time to get busy outside.

I’ve already started some things in the yard:

This is one of two tubs of peas that we’ve got going, and ready to be trellised. Hopefully by the time we actually harvest the peas, it won’t be too late to plant some pole beans in those pots. Which was what we originally planned.

And here are some volunteers from last fall. Every couple of years, the feverfew plant dies over the winter, and the following spring gives us plenty of volunteer feverfew babies like these. I really like feverfew. Chewing the leaves gives me a break from my periodic (sorry!) migraines, and the flowers are so pretty. Both School Girl and I love them. I’ve also heard that feverfew is a terrific companion plant for old roses (like damask or cabbage, not hybrid teas). Maybe next year we’ll test that and see what happens.

There are also plants to get ready for the ground as well:

the cherry tomatoes, at last, along with the Super Secret Seedlings that School Girl started at school a couple of weeks ago. We think they’re either lima beans, a radish, or peas. They’re probably not peas, as the leaf isn’t right. No, I didn’t think to take a picture - it’s not my plant. I’ll see if School Girl will take one this afternoon when she gets home.

Last but not least, there’s some actual fiber pics today. Ooooh!

The Stupid Easy Anklets, all finished, with the toes sewn up and the ends woven in. I’m also making a pair for School Girl. She’s tried on Sock #1 and pronounced it Not Itchy and Very Acceptable for summer hikes. So I’m feeling a little better…