And then there were two.
Two finished projects! I decided that I need to wrap up some projects, and so I had a finishing frenzy this past week. First up: Sockapalooooza Socks!
Two stripey socks, almost identical twins.
My sock pal professed a deep abiding love for striped socks, so I found some stripey yarn in her colors at The Fiber Denn. In addition to being stripey, the yarn is extremely soft. Hooray! I knit these using the toe-up formula in Simple Socks, Plain and Fancy. These were my first completed socks to have short row heels (and toes). I lovelovelove the short row toe - LOVE IT - but I'm not sold yet on the heel, probably because I haven't totally mastered it yet. I am satisfied with the heels on these particular socks, but I think I can improve my technique.
Don't worry, sock pal, these are getting a bath in Soak tonight.
Finished in time! Hooray for Sockapalooooza! I hope she likes them.
And, Finished #2: a baby sweater!
EZ February Sweater.
I've been knitting this on and off for a little while, waiting for one of my pregnant friends to give birth so I could choose a recipient. (Yes, I have that many pregnant friends.) This one is going to little Ava. I used one skein of Cotton Ease and size 9s. I was hoping using bigger needles would make the sweater bigger, and honestly I'm not sure what size this sweater is. I'm going with the whole EZ philosophy that babies come in all sizes and it will fit her at some point....that works, right? This sweater is easy peasy, the pattern is easy to memorize, and it looks super cute. I want to try one of those crazy origami baby surprise sweaters next.
It's so satisfying to actually finish some knits after four false starts with The Impossible Knitted Skirt.
So, what else? This weekend, I read Harry Potter (sniff), watched Jacob play Resident Evil on the Wii (sooooooooviolent), took my dad grocery shopping (fun!) and played with the neph a little (Big Head Schmoo!). Bella got a new toy.
Schmoo's favorite toy.
Friday is my last day at my current job ... oh how I fear change. But it's good change. It is. Still scared, though. Guess I need to knit a whole bunch this weekend to calm my nerves...
Comments (38)
Yay for the new job!!! I can't wait to hear more about it--we must talk soon!
Posted by Hannah | August 6, 2007 9:21 AM
Darling, darling sweater! And I luuurve the colors onn those stripey socks--I'm sure your sockpal will too.
So mucho congrats and good luck on the new job--yay, you! :)
Posted by jess | August 4, 2007 5:00 PM
I fear change too! but most changes (especially job changes) have led to better things (less work, more money :))...it'll be good. That baby sweater is sooooo cute!
Posted by Lisa | August 4, 2007 11:59 AM
That is such a cute little sweater, great colour.GOOD LUCK with the new job.
Posted by Kylie | August 4, 2007 4:10 AM
Rockin socks. And that sweater is adorable.
Posted by Amanda | August 1, 2007 10:06 AM
love the stripey socks! and the baby sweater is gorgeous
Posted by eyeleen | July 31, 2007 10:54 PM
I really love the baby sweater.
Posted by Catie P | July 31, 2007 2:44 PM
I love your EZ February sweater- the colour is gorgeous. And wasn't the last HP book fantastic?!!
Posted by Julie | July 31, 2007 2:34 PM
Love the stripes! But I was a zebra in another life. the baby sweater is extremely cute. As for jobs and change, remember that there's always a learning curve. You'll do fine (after more knitting ;))
Posted by Mary, Mary | July 30, 2007 7:50 PM
I hope your new job is going okay. Congratulations--despite the anxiety of the change :) And the socks are yummy-yummy, as is the EZ sweater.
PS: I haven't forgotten about sending that wee "thank-you" gift that I mentioned *months* ago. I promise! I even have the card all written out...I'm just trying to finish off one last thing :)
Posted by kodachromeknits | July 30, 2007 5:51 PM
I just started the sweater last night. Yours makes me want to knit it faster! Adorable.
Posted by lomester | July 30, 2007 4:53 PM
Cute sweater. So you said it's easy, right? Looks complicated.
Posted by Stacey | July 29, 2007 4:05 AM
Love your blog. The FOs are lovely. Congrats and best of luck on the new job!
Posted by Karen | July 28, 2007 11:13 AM
That is SO the baby sweater I've been looking for! I'm not sure if I have the book -- is it from Knitting Seasons or whatever it's called? But I'm gonna get it.... FO's look great, darlin'.
Posted by Rachael | July 27, 2007 10:20 PM
Yay FOs! I loooove the socks. They're very Halloween-y. (hee. I said "ween-y")
Grats on the job! And the birthday!
I finished Harry Potter the other day--double sniff! Dude, I cried like 8 times.
Posted by HibiscuitsGirl | July 27, 2007 3:36 PM
Oh, great socks for your pal! I'm very excited by how perfectly they match up.
And I can't believe the FBS only took 1 skein of Cotton Ease. It looks fab. Definitely knit to calm nerves -- change can be good! :)
Posted by pamela wynne | July 27, 2007 2:57 PM
Hey, I've been reading forever, and just wanted to say congrats on your new job! And that February sweater is going to lure me into knitting one yet. I keep seeing them on blogs - yours is truly darling.
Posted by gaile | July 27, 2007 1:27 PM
Hello,
I'm new to comment but not new to your blog. I got tired of staying in the sidelines. I really like your socks. I have a fondness for green and black stripes. Would you say that knitting from the toe up is faster than knitting from the top down? Anyway, just wanted to cast a "hello" in your direction. Love your blog!
Posted by Lela | July 27, 2007 9:28 AM
Hooray for FOs! Both projects look great -- your sock pal is going to love her stripey socks!
Posted by Sarah | July 27, 2007 7:52 AM
Good luck on your new job, and have a great last day today. Change is good :-)
Posted by Becky | July 27, 2007 6:59 AM
I love the stripy socks! Mind if I link to them?
Posted by Faith | July 27, 2007 12:19 AM
Hey, congrats on finishing your sockapalooza socks! They look great, your pal will love them. The Feb baby sweater is adorable- I love the violet color!
Posted by allie | July 26, 2007 11:31 PM
The socks look great and so does the baby sweater. It must be the year for babies being born, as we have had about 5 born so far, and only a few to go over the next few months too.
Posted by Sue | July 26, 2007 10:37 PM
soak up the final day of your job. i'm sure it will be bittersweet -- just be sure to leave all sorts of nasty work undone for your successor!
doncha just love the EZ baby sweater? i've made two!
Posted by carrie m | July 26, 2007 8:46 PM
all the february baby sweaters make me wish i had a girl at times, they are just so cute. well, i already put my boys in legwarmers, maybe....no, no, not nice. i think you will love the BSJ, it is so fun to finish and fold and say, wah-la! to the recipient. make sure you show them prior to seaming if you can, they will be amazed.
Posted by mamie | July 26, 2007 5:32 PM
Both peojects look wonderful! congrats to you also!
Posted by adrienne | July 26, 2007 3:46 PM
Socks are so cute, very witchy.
Bella, she is berry berry bella. Congrats on the new toy you little monkey!
The new job will be great. Change is good.
Posted by Marnie | July 26, 2007 3:12 PM
The knitting projects look great! And happy dogs are A Good Thing.
Re the new job: take deep, calming breaths and just dive in. You'll be great! Best wishes for much success!
Posted by Janice in GA | July 26, 2007 2:44 PM
cute baby sweater! great socks - I'm sure your pal will love them.
And congrats on the new job - good luck!
Posted by Sarah | July 26, 2007 2:17 PM
May I ask where you got that EZ February Sweater pattern from? It's super cute and so girly :). Thanks in advance.
Posted by Mai | July 26, 2007 2:16 PM
hey!! CONGRATS ON THE NEW JOB! WOOT! great knits too!! I MISS YOU!!!!
Posted by Lara | July 26, 2007 2:04 PM
What a great little sweater!! Love the color too. :)
Posted by jessica~ | July 26, 2007 2:01 PM
You'll be fine! Change is good. My last day at my old job is Tuesday so we'll have some huge job changing knitter good karma thing happening. Don't worry, we've got your back. Congrats on the job btw.
Posted by Sil | July 26, 2007 1:29 PM
Ohhhhhh, I'm reading Harry Potter at an embarrassingly slow pace. I'm blushing up a storm right now because I'm the biggest fan-boy you'll meet!
I'm glad you finally got some more time to yourself. It's so great, after such a long time of "knitting'll have to wait" to be able to get so many great projects done. I'm super happy for you! It's a great feeling afterward as well, when the crazy builds up again, and you feel tempted to say, "work can wait!" to knit some more great projects.
I'm glad you got a chance to knit and enjoy yourself as much as you did. You're a very talented knitter, and we all love hearing from you... (but that's the reason you put up this blog, isn't it? ;D)
Have a great day!
Posted by Jomy | July 26, 2007 1:13 PM
That baby sweater is PRECIOUS. GOod luck with work - you'll be fine!
Posted by Tamara | July 26, 2007 12:44 PM
yes knitting is probably the answer. :) hee hee.
Posted by carolyn | July 26, 2007 12:40 PM
your socks are fabulous. the stripes are identical and perfection. i feel the same way about you about the short row heel. i'm not totally sold, either. meh. i'll give it a few more times i suppose and see.
i hate change myself but in the end, i usually find it's all for the better. :) so no worries (not too many, anyways)
Posted by Sandra | July 26, 2007 12:28 PM
Cheers to new jobs!! I start a new job Monday also. I am extremely anxious about it!! I dislike changes, but hey I think its good for my career, so what the heck. Very nice socks!! I have yet to try any, but someday I will! I LOVE the baby sweater. It?s so cute; all my friends are popping out boys though!!
Posted by Stephanie | July 26, 2007 12:28 PM