I've actually finished something

The Monkey socks are done.
I should get into some sock-blocking, as it would most likely make for prettier photos.
But, well, I think washing and wearing is all I really need. Still there may be some important point I'm missing. I wouldn't be surprised.
And I am now working on the Spiral Boot Socks, enabled by the lovely Linnea.
They are meant as a birthday present for the wonderful girlfriend of one of my best friends.
And I hope I will have them finished on time. Which is in less than two weeks.
Right now I doubt it.
But then there's always Christmas.
Filcolana's Arwetta is by now my absolute favourite sock yarn.
It is gorgeous.
The colours are incredible, and it's soft and wonderful to work with - and not at all expensive.
However I am using the also very, very lovely Regia Silk for my not-Cashmere Lace Blouse. And it works wonderfully.
As always my ribbing looks odd and wobbly, but as usual I trust it will straighten itself out with a bit of careful and hopeful washing and blocking.
Otherwise I'll just ignore it and still be happy.
I love this lace pattern.
The first of the eight rows has me entirely confused every single time. And then I feel utterly brilliant being less confused the remaining rows.
Even if it's probably one of the nicest, simplest lace patterns there is.
Gauge is a bit fun for this one.
40 sts and 40 rws to 10 cm in ribbing.
30 sts and 42 rws to 10 cm in lace pattern.
And that made me think sock yarn.
And for once I wasn't completely off target.
I have stitch-gauge perfectly, and it seems quite right row-wise too, but I will check that again. Later.
I cannot wait to finish this.
Just as I cannot wait to finish Elizabeth I.
Or the black Elfin Bride.
Or the City Coat.
I want more arms. Or learn to knit with my feet as well.
Or maybe just learn to finish things before starting others.

In the meantime the weather continues its unsummery oddness.
Today we have so far had very heavy rain, a bit of thunder, and now brilliant sunshine paired with strong wind - and a rare glimpse of blue sky.

PED and WIPs, but no FOs

I have been tired.
And wondering if there is such a thing as Post Exam Depression.
I have enjoyed the past week of having nothing to do other than go to work, eat, sleep, knit, and play with the cats.
But I have felt like a flat tire. A pretty worn down flat tire.
I have spend as little time as possible by the PowerBook, although I have been playing around with Ravelry, which is a dangerous place.
Not only does it confront you (that is me, actually) with your bad case of castonitis but it also makes you want to knit everything, looking at and admiring the many wonderful and inspiring FO's.
And reconsider your own.
I honestly don't think I want to muck about with short rows and things in order to make the Waist-cincher top wearable and so I have more or less just given it up as a bad job.
But for now I've just put it aside.
Instead I have come quite close to turning the heel on the second Monkey Sock, and I have started my second attempt at the Elfin Bride, this time in a wonderful, luxurious black cotton.
And I have given Elizabeth I a bit more attention.
So far I've actually finished the sleeves, and have come nearly halfway through the back, and it all looks terribly dull in photos. But I have made stitch markers.
Using cheap split rings and beads from the Big Box of Things I once meant to use for something and then forgot about.
And maybe, just maybe, I have finally figured out how to use my bad, old camera.
The laundry room is still a big hole in the ground.
But I'm getting pretty good at doing the laundry in a bucket.

We all need someone to lean on

I have turned the heal of the first Monkey sock.
And I have such a crush on this yarn.
I don't know if it reminds me more of water over rocks or of pennies at the bottom of a wishing well. I rather prefer the latter.
Deadline for exam paper is Friday.
The Powerbook still shows all signs of being willing to work with me until the end. Humming happily and healthily.
Still I upload the paper to Google Docs every few hours.
But, oh, do I need to do a lot of checking and rewriting and .... thinking.
I'm slightly afraid that I have once again have jumped in at the deep end.
Trying to be brilliant mixing Cezanne and neuro-aesthetics may not have been such a good idea, after all.
I should just have done a nice, simple summing up of things.
But this is more fun.
In spite of the slight panic.
And I really shouldn't be knitting.

Monkey socks and .... cats

It's just too bloody hot outside these days.
And our little home under the roof is also just too bloody hot these days.
Luckily, or maybe not, the last exam paper is to be handed in Friday, and so I have an absolutely valid reason for sitting in a heap of books and paper on the floor in my pajamas all day, working and eating strawberries, while the cats take turns napping in the chair when not stepping across the keyboard.
And after the Waist-cincher/Boob-enhancer top fiasco (read: challenge I have yet to take up), I desperately needed a quickish knit with guaranteed success (more or less).
Monkey socks!
The pattern reminds me of water falling over rocks more than monkeys, though.
And the Opal Party has finally found its calling.
(Lured by the glamourous life of Linnea's travelling Jaysocks, The Party first wanted to become Jaywalkers, but since trips to Florence and German castles are not part of the pattern and could not be promised, becoming Monkeys was the next-best thing)
I have, of course, chosen to ignore the twisted rib, as I cast on for them at work yesterday, and somehow the word twisted escaped my attention.
Ordinary rib is good enough for me. Much less work.
(The Party first had a short stint as potential Pomatomus, which may or may not be spelled like that, but THAT was too much hard work, and not enough fun. For me. They are beautiful though.)