the blahs....again

I've hit a time of knitting/spinning blahs. I'm pretty sure it corresponds to my work schedule since it always seems to hit during the week after I work the weekend. It's like my body just wants to physically shut down for a few days.

So there has been little to no progress on anything. Here's the current state of the projects.

Rivendell socks - Being working in DiC Smooshy in Happy Forest. The yarn acts completely differently than what I was expecting. I was thinking it would be a little thicker and "smooshier" like it feels in the skein. But once I started knitting with it, it seemed a lot thinner and more prone to splitting. Bizarre. I'm still working on the patterned part of the cuff, but once I get to the plain part these should just fly.

Turquoise Monkey socks - Done in STR lightweight in Turquoise. I'm 4 repeats into the leg of the first sock. These are what I take to work with me, so they're seeing the most action these days.

String shopping bag - Worked on this quite a bit on Monday. I'm getting close to finishing the bag part of the bag. How close? I don't know.....I'm too lazy to dig out my tape measure to find out.

Llama fiber - Haven't touched this since the first night I sat down to spin on it. Maybe this weekend in between studying for my CRRN certification.

I forced myself out of my malaise tonight and did two loads of laundry and a load of dishes, so maybe I can break myself out of the funk.

Forgive me, Betamor....

.....for I have sinned.

I used fake potatos in my lefse. I knew as I was grilling these tonight that my great-grandmother and my maternal grandparents were probably rolling in their graves. But it's getting to that hotter time of year and I promised E that I would make lefse. This is just easier than boiling and ricing potatos.

And here's a blurry picture of the Purple Rain monkeys.

done!

The Purple Rain monkey socks in STR were finished yesterday morning after work. So that makes 4 pairs of Monkey socks in a row. I really really want to cast-on another pair, but I've been pulled in a new direction.

I had been waiting for Rivendell by Janel Laidman to come out as a pattern. A Lime & Violet listener had pointed these socks out to me when they were available as a monthy sock club offering. The pattern is finally for sale by itself and will also be included in Janel's soon-to-be-released book.

Tonight, after I got back from E's, I dug through my stash to find yarn for these wonderful socks. Because I am nothing if not a LotR geek. Finally settled on DiC Smooshy in Happy Forest. And to get in the spirit of things, I popped Fellowship of the Ring in the dvd player. *sigh* Ah the college memories that come flying back with that one. I'm only 9 rows in, but I can tell I'm going to love it already.

Off to knit more and let my geek flag wave.

ETA: Three hours later and I'm ready to kick Lord Elrond in the head. The pattern for this sock said it was "stretchy" so I used US 1 1/2's instead of my usual size 2s. Ummm yeah. Couldn't fit the dumb thing over my foot. So it's been frogged. The leg will be knit on 2 1/2s and the foot on 2s. And I'm not going to bed this morning until I'm back to where I was!

bits and pieces

I did a little more rock moving today. Got a second piece of ground cloth down, but don't have it completely covered with rock yet. The whole process would be quicker with a wheelbarrow, but I'm too cheap to go out and buy one. Plus now I'm working on the part of the rocks where a lot of weeds have been growing so I'm having to pick through the rocks by hand rather than just scoop them up with a shovel.

After I came inside, I sat down to watch Deadliest Catch and knit a little. Managed to turn the heel of the second monkey sock in Purple Rain STR. Now I think I'm going to go pick up the stitches and start the gusset before I get back to studying for my rehab nursing certification.

My achin' back...

Who's brilliant idea was it to move the rock behind my house to the dirt area under the deck? Oh right! It was mine!

Next time I come up with some hare-brained do-it-yourself idea.....remind me of today.

I've moved a 4'x6' area of rock from next to the house to right behind the lattice work I've got on one side of my deck. And there's still a LOT of rock to move and a LOT of dirt to cover under the deck. But I'm taking a dinner break.

Why?!?

Why is it that when the weather is beautiful and I want to sleep with the windows open, then that is the time that my neighbors feel the need to mow their lawn?!?

I understand that I work nights and my sleep schedule is completely opposite of most normal people, but why should I be punished by having to close my house and turn the air conditioner on just so I can sleep? If I didn't think they would call the cops and report me for a noise violation, I'd be tempted to breakout the lawn mower at 3 am and see how they like it.

Grrrrrr....

It never ends...

Woke up early today and managed to mow down the jungle that was my yard. This weekend is going to be spent moving the rocks along the back of the house to their new home under the deck. Then I'll be able to plant the new daylillies along the house where the rocks formerly lived.

Knitting has continued. I've got about 6 inches out of 12 done on my first shopping bag. Turned the heel of my first Purple Rain monkey sock. And that's it.

Laundry must be done tonight or I will be going to work naked tomorrow. Not a good look for me.

And now I'm hungry. Go figure.

Socks!

Another pair has fallen from the needles.

Monkey socks in STR lightweight in Seastone.

Without flash.


With flash.


That's all for now since I'll be out of town for the weekend.

So I've been thinking....

As I was walking around Wally World in my work-induced sleep-deprived state this morning, I realized that I was going to be bringing home even more plastic bags. I've been planning on making some bags to carry with me to the store but I've just never gotten around to it. Just then, I happened to wander by the craft/fabric area and on one of the end shelved was the big cones of kitchen cotton. For a little over $6 each. Hmmm....

I bought two cones. Because sometimes when I go grocery shopping, I buy a lot of stuff.

That means tonight will be devoted to my second Monkey sock in STR Seastone and to starting the first of what will hopefully be many reusable shopping bags.