Still flames...

Going very, very slowly... but I'm committing to at least 2 complete rows per day so I'll get there sooner or later!
Here's how they look now.

Heel	Instep

As promised

Here's Caitie in her new poncho. Picture courtesy of my Dad.

Progress on the fluted bannister socks

No chance last weekend, and now there's no light when I get home from work. Here's a picture anyway.

I really like this pattern. It's easy to remember and knit and goes really quickly.

In other news, Caitie tried on her new poncho and it fits great. Just a few minutes before she had been complaining that everyone had a poncho but her! I also taught her to knit again. She's a real pro at the long-tailed cast on, but still shakey on the knitting. I left her with some acrylic worsted weight and some size 10s. Maybe she'll practice. I'll try to post a picture of her in it, but my camera's batteries went kaput and I had to rely on Dad's pictures.

Cool hit map trick

Pointed out by MonkeyMagic
It clusters and maps the IPs of visitors. Pretty cool. You'll see a huge cluster where I am, let's see who else?

Where are visitors to this page?
(Auto-update daily since 15-OCT-04)

If you'd like to get it yourself look here.

Found some wooly nylon

After many discussions on Socknitters about how to reinforce socks made from non-sock yarn, I decided I needed to get some wooly nylon for the socks I'm making from merino. I went to Joann's (I know, I know, but I wasn't buying yarn, I was buying wooly nylon). Anyway, they were really busy, what with two employees outside smoking, a brand new employee having a line of 5 people waiting to have fabric cut and the other employee with a line of 5 people at the register, so I just kept looking around. I found serger thread, but I wasn't sure. Then... at ankle level, in a bin, I found some... in HOT PINK! Argh. I dug around squatting there and finally pulled out a spool of hunter green. I wanted to get black so it would go with everything, but oh well. It's actually pretty cool but I'm not sure how easy to knit with it will be. As soon as the tension is off of it, it fluffs up like my hair in August! I also need to pull some off onto another spool so that I can continue to do 2 socks at a time. So how much? hmm.

Progress on the flames

Whoa. These are slow. I guess I'll work on these more tonight after I finish casting on the fluted bannister. If you can see the chart in the background, the first like 10 rows are pretty much just a couple of light colored stitches here and there so I'm going to do them in duplicate stitch. I'm still going to run out of navy yarn.

Don't the flames almost look like tuning forks?

Some good ideas

While my DH and I were running around the mall last night trying to find me shoes for my conference presentation today (and no, I didn't find any, all I wanted were some brown suede with a cute rounded toe and like a 2.5" heel, is that so hard?), I saw a poncho at Banana Republic that looks kind of like what I had in mind for my MIL's. When I went online to link to it, I found that they list ponchos as a top trend, and have a whole page on them (which is apparently what's making my browser crash so beware). I really like all of these designs. I guess I will put fringe on the one I'm making. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate for an adult poncho.

Swatching 6 Sox #3

ARGH! I did this post last night before I went to bed and apparently IE died and it didn't get posted.

Anyway, this is for the 3rd of the 6 Sox Knitalong. It's actually only my second and I'd like to do the to the clover when I get a chance. This pattern is called fluted bannister and I'm trying to make it for a man so I went digging through my stash. I ended up swatching this very soft 100% merino that's in a beautiful deep green with blue in it. I can't get a good picture at night so I'll try again on the weekend. This swatch is done flat on size 2 addis. The bottom is just plain knitting and the top is the pattern.

I'm going to add a wooly nylon (yet to be purchased) to the whole foot so they can be worn around the house.

In other news, I'm about a foot in on my MIL's poncho (cool) and am about 12 rows from starting the flames on the flame socks. The new pattern is posted for the Deutsch knit along and it's a beautiful slip stitch pattern. Now I'll have to find 2 more yarns in my stash!

My parents are awesome!

I just got back from a nice dinner out with my parents -- a belated celebration of my birthday. They gave me this snazzy little digital camera, extra storage, extra rechargeable batteries, and a nice dinner out.

Also, upon request and without any raised eyebrows, I got Dad to bring me this:

Now you may say, why on earth did she get her Dad to bring her a log? Well, it's actually cedar that's cured to perfection -- nice and stinky to keep the bugs out of my stash and off my new cashmere sweater (thanks FIL!). My DH will cut it into little chunks when he gets the chance. Much fresher and better than buying the little packaged blocks at the store.

I got my Dad's foot measurements, too, so maybe he'll get a little surprise for Christmas.

My DH gave me the cutest B-day card ever!

I think it's wishing me a clean birthday, LOL.
The envelope was great, too:

Swatch for my MIL's Poncho

This is the indiecita alpaca held two strands together. I tried first using one strand but it was only little tiny stitches and just didn't look like I had imagined. I then tried 2 strands on size 5 straight needles but that looked a little tight so this is using my nylon size 6 circ. I tried using my Denise but the point isn't too pointy so it was harder to to the sl1-k2tog-psso maneuver. Normally I like their shape and feel much better but for this project they were causing a little frustration.

Time now to consider the dimensions of the poncho. I'm doing the two rectangles version, but for someone a little more voluptuous topside than me. Holey Moley from Knitty seems to be a nice shape so I'll use those dimensions: 18"x34". In my calculations, the front will be 25" long, so that should be adequate.

Oh, yeah. You might be wondering about the pattern. I got Barbara G Walker's (first) Treasury of Knitting Patterns through ILL. This pattern is called Lace Cable or Germaine Stitch. It's from page 275.

Finished Caitie's Poncho

I think it turned out well and it is unique. The proportions of the rectangles weren't exactly right so the neck was a little too big. I could have picked up stitches and knit around, but I decided to knit a couple of 18"x2" strips and sew them in.

That actually worked really well. I was talking about this at the Stitch n' Bitch last night and the yarn rep who was there said, "of course, you never want to go smaller than 18"x25" rectangles." Well she didn't know I was knitting for a child, but I looked around for proportions when I was figuring this out and found 1:2 to 1:3. Hmmm. She's saying 1:1.4. I ended up with like 1:2.5. The fringes are 6 strands each wrapped the long way around a CD case. I didn't even weave in some of the ends - just made them more fringe.

Here it is on. Keep in mind that I'm a lot taller than the end user!

All these pictures were taken just about in the dark so that explains the wierd colors. It's actually this really pretty cranberry. It's really warm, too. I was happy to get it off my lap!

Had a great time at Knit Out DC 2004

It was a bit smaller than I expected, but luckily Kim found me pretty quickly so we hung out and chatted the rest of the day. The fashion shows were the best part. The ones from the yarn companies weren't as cool as the ones from the shops. Some of the shawls were amazing! I also got to see RosebyAny (and DH), Knittens (and BF?), and Lauren. Lauren took a group picture.

The weather was fab and I found out about a ton more LYS that I need to visit! Hmm, my birthday is coming up...

Knit-Out DC

I'm definitely going, either taking the metro from GR or NC. Looks like a lot of fun and some time knitting on the train. Say hi if you recognize me from the picture from the previous post. I really don't look that scary in person!

Me looking a bit demented in my new FO

I finished the striped little cardigan. It fits great. I'm not so sure about the buttons, but they are there to stay now. This was actually a pretty complicated project. A few lessons learned:

1. I really do hate weaving ends in on cotton, so a cotton striped sweater is not so hot an idea
2. I really do like sweaters done using Fee's ideas from the Sweater Workshop but maybe the applied button band is slightly more attractive
3. When you're doing the raglan decreases in ribbing, when in doubt have another knitted stitch on the front side, always use k2tog and SSK instead of going back and forth with the purl equivalents
4. I can make a sweater that fits (although now I want to lose weight)
5. Duh, do an even number of rows of each color, weave the colors in on the sides like in fair isle, but only with a knit stitch
6. Socks are still more fun

This picture was taken in very low light and I didn't ask the DH to fix it.

So I *am* crazy...

I just joined another knit-a-long. A sock knit-a-long. That's pretty crazy alone with how busy I am (working 1 full time job, 1 part time Sundays, and perhaps teaching at my LYS), but here's the real kicker: the knit-a-long is auf Deutsch. That's right, in German. I had 1 semester in college (I know how to say I've got a book by Kafka, I'm flying to Vienna at 11, and that I want a beer) and a class when I was in 8th grade.

So everyone's going to help me and I'm going to use the web translators. We'll see how it goes! Here's the link to the group: http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/mustersockenknitalong/. Ah, the universal language of knitting. Perhaps I should do French first since I am actually almost fluent in it. But I'll take this opportunity.

Geez. I apparently accidentally posted this on my library blog by mistake. ACK. Oh, well, maybe nobody saw it?

I LOVE the new issue of Knitty

I want one of everything but I AM going to make blaze.

A book review (trying something new)

Debbie Stoller
Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook
*****

I'm trying out a new trick. I really do like this book, though. It's not too serious yet it pretty much teaches you all you need to know to knit.

A poncho for my niece.

She's 12 and I think this would be a great b-day present. Gee, I hope she doesn't read my blog? Anyway, I'm making it out of this fuzzy cranberry-colored acrylic that is also from the stash. It will be warm and durable this way. I've tried several patterns and I'm going with the two rectangle approach. I tried to do point up, but that didn't work with my stitch pattern, then I tried a couple of other things... no luck. So, I finally made a little paper poncho (who suggested this on their page? sorry for not giving you credit!) and figured out the dimensions.

I'm using the lacy zigzag (Nov 1 from the perpetual calendar) and size 10.5 or 11 needles. My rectangles will each be 10" x 30". Here's a progress picture. It's actually going very fast but it's hard to take a picture of it since the batteries are about gone on the camera and it's very dark.

New Addi's and 365 stitches calendar

I finally spent some of the gift certificate that I got for being in a focus group in the beginning of June. Now I can do more socks at the same time! Woo-hoo. I had only DPN in size 1 but now I have a pair of 24" Addi turbos in size 1 (2.5 mm). I'm thinking about doing the pattern for the flames socks using them although they are slightly larger than the Brittanys that I've used for the rest of the sock. After all, my gauge will no doubt change anyway since I'll be doing Fair Isle for the patterns. I like to live dangerously.

I also got the stitch a day calendar. Yes, I know there are errata, lots of errata... but I like having the stitch pattern on the little easel. It makes me happy. I'll definitely use some of the stitches in the ponchos I'm planning. I had better get started on those! Maybe some socks, too.

Finished Making Waves

This was a great little pattern. I learn something new every project I complete. I talked to my stash angel (Jill) and she says the yarn is Harrisville Singles. 100% wool. I washed my socks and added some pantene conditioner to the rinse water and they still feel pretty rough, but that's what sockliners are for.
Here's a review of what I did from my post to the SixSox list:
I started from the toe up and did 2 socks on 2 circs. I used40 stitches on the instep and 32 on the bottom of the foot and have the pattern going from the end of the toe increases all the way to the cuff. I did the upside down flap heel over 32 stitches (from the "you're putting me on" pattern) and then continued for about 4 rows on the back in just plain stockinette. Over these rows I increased to 40 stitches so I had 80 stitches around which was plenty for my voluptuous leg. I then did the pattern all the way around and finished with a 2x2 rib and then stretchy bind off.

Progress on the little cardigan

I've joined the sleeves and have started the raglan decreases. I hope I have enough buttons. It will be interesting to see how this ends up. I re-knit the sleeves at the same time using 2 circs the way I do socks. If you think keeping track of two balls of yarn is tough, try 6 -- one of which is still attached to the body of the sweater. I ended up not taking this project anywhere because getting it in and out of the bag made for a hopeless tangle. I just love these buttons. My LYS proprietor, Carole, helped me pick them out and they're perfect.

Here's a close-up of the buttons (I have 6 total):

My poncho for my MIL?

I just love this poncho that Lizzi designed. I was thinking about a similar design for my mother-in-law but actually now that I think about it maybe my idea is completely different! I want to do it in a worsted weight Alpaca on larger than normal needles for an airy fabric, with a cable design up the front bordered by YOs. The shoulders might also have YOs. Hmmm. Still, Lizzi's given me some ideas! I don't really want to do fringe on the bottom, though, so I'll have to think of a way to edge it without having it roll. hmmm. Ideas? Maybe I can pick up stitches along the edge and do a border? But not lace, of course.

Closer views of the toe-up heel flap

The seeds quickly tossed yield results...

But only for the early birds...

Updates: Making waves, little striped cardigan

Making Waves:
Well, I ended up putting the second sock on a piece of scrap yarn to work the heel of the first sock. Turns out that I could have gotten away with leaving them both on because I ended up putting the extra stitches on spare DPN. I think I'll rewrite the instructions on how to do this heel using 2s2c methods (well, plus an extra 2 DPN, but they don't have to be the same size or anything). I've been late to work almost every morning this week trying to get a little more done on these socks before I leave the house in the morning. I'll post some heel pictures.

Striped Cardigan:
I finally was able to get cool buttons at my favorite LYS (woo-hoo). I'm not ready to put them on yet, because I finally decided what to do with the sleeves. I frogged both of them all the way back. The row gauge was as messed up as the stitch gauge. I might try two circs, but they won't be the same brand or finish. Someone at my SnB suggested sleeveless, but this is for work so not really my thing.

I may become a teacher!

I am so flattered! The owner of my favorite LYS asked if I would be interested in teaching a sweater class. Sure I would. Will I confuse the people beyond recognition? Dunno. Willing to try. It will be a beginning sweater class with a small group. To start this fall.

Progress on Making Waves

I knitted on these all weekend. Mostly because my other WIPs are all dead in the water. I'm still waiting for the graph of the flames for the DH's sock and trying to figure out what to do on the sleeves for the little striped cardigan (they're too small, the gauge is all different on the metal DPN I have for the sleeves, of course). I'm doing the heel from the "you're putting me on" socks for the first time so we'll see how that goes. I think I'll pretty much have to slip the sock that's not being worked to stitch holders because of the way you pick up stitches from the front of the sock.

In case anyone is wondering, this pattern is not available on the open internet yet. You have to be a member of the Yahoo group. It's been submitted to the Socknitters DYOS 2004 so you might look for it there.

Stash Catalog: Paton's Cotton

This is a 100% cotton dk yarn. I have 11 50g balls of this "gold", 9 of a nice rust, 2 light yellow, 2 light peach, 1 kelly green.
I'm thinking about making something like the Ottoman-stitch sweater from Talbots from the rust.

I also have 11 assorted balls of Unger Pima, also 50g each. There are 4 black, 3 melon, 3 cream, 1 pink. Don't know what to make out of these.

These things are all from the immaculate stash. Thanks Jill!

Stash Catalog: Mayflower Marina

I have 20 skeins of this cotton (?) yarn. It's actually Danish and Hilda from my SnB was able to translate the label for me. The gauge is 28 stitches on 3mm needles = 10cm. As you can see its kind of a nice olive. It will make a nice summer sweater or even twinset.

Mark's Flames Socks

So the point of these socks is that they'll look normal in shoes, but in sandals or bare foot you'll see that they have flames coming up from the toes not like athelete's foot (ha!) but like a hot rod car paint job. I kind of thought the top would have some flames, too, but no, we're just doing the toes.

There have been many, many little problems with these socks. He wants them to go up 10" on his legs, but not st. stitch, with ribbing all the way up. Ok. Wants a finer texture of the sock (ok so size ones, hmm, I'll have to use DPN instead of circs, crap.). So then my gauge was between 7.5 and 8 (so like 84 stitches around). So now I've knitted past the heel turn and am almost out of yarn. Ack. I have a total of 4 skeins. I'll start using the second "denim" skein but then I'll have to buy another one for the second sock. Also, just measured the gauge again so M could draw out his flames on graph paper... it's now like 8.5 st per inch. ACK! I'd like to have him try it on, but I really don't want to take it off the needles and it keeps falling off as it is now. I'm enjoying the knitting and it is more portable to be on DPNs (for walking around I mean, not as good in the bag).
For scale, my DPNs are 5" long.

Making Waves Swatch

Maybe you can see how pretty this is going to be from the swatch:

I was worried about the durability but a member of the knit along said they would probably be ok. They also feel very rough, but the yarn was originally intended for weaving and hasn't been washed. I washed the yellow swatch and it felt better. If all else fails, I'll wear my sockliners under them. The sockliners are polypropylene thin socks that I think were purchased to wear under my field hockey socks. I guess that makes them pretty durable since I've been out of field hockey for about 13 years! If I ever see the silk ones again in a store, I'll probably buy a couple of pairs. They keep you from getting blisters, too.

Six Socks

I'm a joiner, what can I say? I joined the Six Sox Knit-Along about a week ago but am just skipping to the second sock. Unfortunately I won't be eligible for the grand prize (if you post WIP and FO pictures in the correct folders, you get entered into a drawing - if you do all of them, you get entered into the grand drawing). The SAM classes do a sock a month and this is a sock every two months so that seems more reasonable. I wish I'd signed up a couple of months ago!

The sock for August/September is "Making Waves" designed by Pam Ordnier. It's a really cool sock with 4 stitch cables that make a wave texture. I did my swatch and will post that soon. For now, you'll just get a picture of the yarn. I'm not sure it's that appropriate for socks because it's 100% wool, single ply, and a little rough. I think it will be softer when washed and I'm going to hold some thread along with when I do the heel. The color doesn't really come through in this picture but I'm using the green color. It's really a mixture of blues and greens with some yellows. Kind of like a pond that's covered in algae (I'm so poetic). I'll use the yellow and pink for future projects.

Eileen is such a role model... look how far she's gotten on hers. See, she got done the first one in June! Bravo!

BBC NEWS | UK | Crafty sheep conquer cattle grids

"Hungry sheep on the Yorkshire moors have taught themselves to roll 8ft (3m) across hoof-proof metal cattle grids - and raid villagers' valley gardens.
The crafty animals have also perfected the skill of hurdling 5ft (1.5m) fences and squeezing through 8in (20cm) gaps. "
Rolling sheep are probably responsible for my tangled knitting yarn!

Stash Catalog: Donegal Tweed

This stuff is georgeous:

So many different colors, not enough for a sweater... hmmm. 100% wool.

Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting

Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting Compiled by
Craft Yarn Council of America April, 2003
(pointed out by LII)

The publishers, fiber, needle and hook manufacturers and yarn members of the Craft Yarn Council of America have worked together to set up a series of guidelines to bring uniformity to yarn, needle and hook labeling and to patterns, whether they appear in books, magazines, leaflets or on yarn labels. Our goal is to make it easier for consumers to select the right materials for a project and complete it successfully.

Here's a cool site to look up yarn weights and metric needles.

Stash Catalog: Harrisville Shetland

I have a bunch of little balls of various colors of this 100% wool yarn. I so want to try "feral" knitting and now I can. Woo-hoo. This is a swatch out of two of the colors I have a lot of. I also was able to practice various yarn holding methods. This is in the round on 2 size 2 Addi circs.

Stash Catalog: Mink-Wool Blend

Isn't this beautiful? It's about 1.5 pounds of 50-50 mink-wool blend. It's probably lace weight. Can you imagine a shawl out of it? mmmmm.

Stash Catalog: Alpaca

100% Alpaca. About 10 different colors. About 6- 50g skeins of each.

The story of the immaculate stash...

This is the story of the immaculate stash; that is, the stash without the SEX (Stash Enrichment eXpedition).

In June, a angel named Jill R. came down and asked if I would be interested in some of the yarns she needed to get rid of (the annunciation?). It seems that Jill is a weaver of beautiful and varied fabrics. She's been in SABLE condition for a while and her DH said some of it has to go. She marked it up for a yard sale but decided to offer it to me instead. (YES!) I thought I would get a couple of bags, but she brought 6 huge rubbermaid tubs of all kinds of neat goodies.

I'm taking pictures and will be cataloging some of my goodies here on my blog. I've been swatching like crazy, too, so I'll show those. My first project out of the new yarns is a short sleeved cardigan out of the Crystal Palace Cotton Flamme yarn. It's similar to the ones in the Tricoter book but I'm doing it in the round a la Fee. Still need to buy buttons. Here's where I am so far:

Matt's sock, a swatch

This is a swatch of the pattern (pdf) for one of the socks of the month last month for the Yahoo Socknitters classes.  I really wanted to knit these socks but time got away from me.  Now the yarn's going to be used for the flame socks : (

It's Wildfoote done in the round on my #2 Addis.

I, I'm still alive... for the very first time...

Sung.  Anyway.  I'm now going to be part of the KR Webring, so I guess I better get some pictures up!  I was going to hop in the bathtub with all my new stash and get my DH to take a picture but I haven't done it yet.  Maybe tonight?

I'm still here

This blog may look abandoned, but it isn't! A few knitting things going on right now: 1) donation to my stash of a ton of yarn (from alpaca to mink to cotton) 2) swatching of said donated yarns 3) a short-sleeved cardigan of a bumpy cotton yarn 4) still... the flame socks for Mark 5)a lace attempt using 840yds lace weight linen rayon blend (can you say knit, tink, frog, repeat?)

I'm hoping to get my own digital camera this fall, but until then it's using the DH's and having him upload the pictures. He does a great job and even does the color correction and cropping thing, but it will be nice to do it on my own.

The Celtic Knot is hosting an Sn'B every Wednesday this summer!

I will not make them all, but here's the schedule:
6/23 Loose Ends (bring UFO's for help sewing them up, weaving ends, etc.)
7/7 It's all about me. Bring something you're knitting for yourself
7/14 Christmas in July (they'll play appropriate music)
7/21 Beach Party (bring stuff to make margaritas)
7/28 Standard SnB
8/4 Carole's birthday (there will be cake)
8/11 Stash bingo - complicated, call her for info
8/18 Awareness night
8/24 Back to wool

We're welcome to bring snacks. There's a 10% discount for purchase during the SnB but there's no obligation. They're all from 7-9 at the old town Ellicott City shop.

My first felting attempt

I took the rest of the mitten yarn I had left (cascade 220) and knit a cylinder on 10.5 needles. I made a little flap from garter stitch and sewed up the bottom. I tucked the corners in. I then put it in my washer on heavy duty hot/hot. Every once in a while for the first little bit, I fished around with tongs. After a while, I got involved in the book I was reading and stopped checking on it. It's really, really felted. Kind of cool. I formed it into the shape I was looking for and let it dry. Now I have to figure out a closure (button or snap?).

The pictures of the finished sweater

I love it, but it is a little warmer than I had hoped. I wore it to work last Tuesday and was way hot. That and I really do have to block the bottom in so it doesn't flare. Besides that, it's great.

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > Online Shopper: Fellowship for the Fiber-Fixated

5/27/04 by Jean Rutter (free registration required)
Finally a nice article about modern knitters.
Pointed out by Jane on KR.

Woo-hoo and oh no, almost finished the v-neck sweater

It's not too big, it fits perfectly, the shaping is great. I just need to weave under the arms and tuck in all the threads (which is no small feat because the #$^* yarn had knots in every skein). Woo-hoo because I totally went from scratch. And boo-hoo or oh no because I'm now completely out of yarn. Aaack.

I'm going to take a little of the leftover cascade 220 from the mittens and try a little felting. Gee that ought to take me about two days.

Maybe it's back to acrylic for me. : (

Progress on the v-neck, 3/4 sleeve, seed stitch trim sweater

I finished the body up to wear the arms join, and one arm to the same place. I'm now working on the other arm. The body seems to be magically growing so what was once fitted now may be quite large. Sigh. I swatched a bunch and carefully calculated.

My Fortissima Colori Socks

I finished these in time to wear them last week to MD S&W. Here's a picture from the top:

Knit Knite

A bunch of Marylanders from KR got together last night at the Columbia Border's. It was great. We did a little chatting and a little knitting and my dh was able to read to his hearts content in the car repair section. Here are links to some of the attendees:

• http://RoseByAny.blogspot.com
  
• http://EiKnit.typepad.com
  
• http://PixieStikzKnitz.blog-city.com
  

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

Wow! I can't believe how big this festival is. It was huge. I'm not sure I saw everything or felt every fiber but I sure tried. I got to pet some llamas, an alpaca, an angora bunny, and some sheep and goats. Baaaaa. Baaaa.
I want to learn to spin and buy one of each fiber. I want my own goat, too, and maybe a couple of fuzzy bunnies. You would think I was 5 years old.
My dh was funny-- at the sheep dog demonstration he said, "listen to how quiet the handlers are and think about all the people in our neighborhood running around and yelling at their dogs!" He's right. It was quite impressive.
BTW- it's raining big time now, I'm glad it started after I got home! I hope those poor sheep don't shrink!

Done the Socks

Now I have to photograph them. hmm. They fit pretty well, but I wish I had done them on my size 1s. I wanted to try 2s2c toe up with the Queen Kahuna cast on so that limited me to my size 2 Addis. The fabric isn't quite as tight as I would have hoped. I ended up frogging the bind off after it was way too tight on my rather voluptuous leg. I then tried Peggy's stretchy bind off and it worked like a charm.
I wore them all day today while I walked around the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival and they felt just fine.

Socks in Progress

I learned how to fish around in the center of the ball to find the end! I pulled for a while and the patterns of my two skeins just weren't matching so I went ahead and started. Now I guess I'll have fraternal twin socks. You can clearly see from the picture, though, why they didn't match. They're wound on the skeins in opposite directions! Someone on one of my lists complained about this. Why, why, why? They're the same dye lot. ARGH! Oh well I still think they're pretty cool. Plus, I did Queen Kahuna's cast on and it worked pretty well so that makes me happy. I'm making the instep and leg in a 4x2 rib so they fit well. It worked on the socka socks.

Front Cover of the new Lion Brand Catalog

What the hell did she do to her jeans? Bizarre. Especially around the fly. I won't copy the picture here, but it's worth looking at. I bet the poor dog is pissed off about the sweater its wearing.

Just because you have the yarn doesn't mean you have to use it!

Progress on the coral seed stitch sweater

I'm at the first set of decreases for the waist. I'm taking the measurements off of a Jones New York sweater I have that I love. It starts at 41" around and goes to 39" at about 7.5". The rh seam shows in this view, but it doesn't look too bad. The real thing I'm concerned about is weaving in all the yarn ends.

Lace Attempt

After reading all kinds of information on knitting lace on KR, I thought I would try some. (hristina from London posted a great site with links to tons of patterns. I picked a cool swirl leaf doily.
OK, so the knitting was cool, but I remembered that I didn't like knitting with pure cotton, especially on bamboo needles. I was adding a few rows at a time while at my computer, but I finally got so confused and lost that I just pulled the needles out. I decided to take a picture before I pull out the whole thing. Maybe I should have bound off? It is pretty cool, and I can't see the errors now.

Back to the sweater: how I'm doing the hem

I finally figured out where my DH stuck the pictures I made of the swatch where I worked out the hem.
Here's a view of the back. See how it's pretty tidy. No stitching required but it does take a little bit to unzip while you knit.

Here's a view of the front.

It looks a little more refined in the cotton fleece. I'll take more pictures this weekend.