Frogged ... Priscilla's socks

After finishing 1/2 of the ribbing for the second sock and going to bed, I'd decided I'd had enough. Ribbing was too loose -- top part on number 2 needles, obviously for someone with wider calves than me. The rest of the sock was fine on number 1 needles.

Also don't care for knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for the entire top part of the sock ... bbbb-or -ring. Realized I need "fancier" patterns to keep my interest. So, I'll start the Hedera socks from Knitty Spring 06. I'll add an inch to the leg part to make it a little longer for me though.

It looks like a tighter fit which I think I will like better. The size I chose for the Priscilla socks was just too big, believe it or not. So, some lessons learned. And, I forgot to mention, the dye lot on this Koigu is not even -- there are some splotches that show up and this is NOT varigated yarn. But it is such a "comfortable" yarn to work with.

Our (temp) neighbors

Local silver beauties

The amulets usually have red coral stones, so this one is even more beautiful and unique.

Many Kazakh women wear a silver cuff bracelet that belonged to their mother or were given to them by their mother. This is new, with a typical Kz ornament design.

When you have a back ache ...

John's favorite position at home these days

Progress on the Koigu/Priscilla Dream Sock

Am nearing the toe for the Priscilla socks -- finally mastered the heel. Aak .. she says the toe is done just like the heel. Joy. It's been a good sock to work on though: it fits fine, but I like my socks much more snug, so next time I'll go down a size or down a needle size. But that means I have to buy some 0 dpts -- probably have some in my things that are still packed but who knows when I'll get to those. Must ask Larissa the knitter in PA if she has found any knitting supply stores since she moved up here from Almaty.

Must also learn how to do the Russian Join as I didn't have time when I needed to start another skein (these are large sized socks).



And no, that is NOT a hole in the heel in the photo ... some light problem.

The wool is lovely, and although the sock is "big" it will be warm in the winter to bum around in without shoes, or fine over a sock liner in boots. So ... to finish the toe and then work the other sock. A good "mindless" project to pick up and put down when you have 20 minutes to "do nothing" in between going off somewhere.

POST SCRIPT: have decided to wimp out on doing the toe: I'd have to work 2 "heels" and then knit them together -- forget it. I'm opting for Nancy Bush's heels in
Knitting on the Road -- seems to have worked for her every time!

NEXT socks will be a toe up pair to learn the progress, and then onto the Grapevine socks!

Mail Call for the Yarn Stash

and 4 balls (see above) of already wound BMF Socks that Rock.

Seeing the colors on the internet and seeing them in person are not always the same. I obviously need some more solids to fill these in better -- we'll see.

more Douceur et Soie from Yarn Market or Patternworks for the ever-ongoing Orenberg shawl.

September 11, 2006: 5 Years Later

Reminds me to be thankful for many things.

On the Needles: Priscilla's Dream Socks and Short Row Hell

I'm on my third try of the socks with the yarn-over short row heels -- all so I can improve enough to be worthy of the Grapevine socks!

Have found a few sites on the internet: Purlwise and Alison Knits and
Purly Whites (which I just found after I decided to move on, holes and all) ... I am sure there are even more places. Practce, I guess, and sew up inside. Picture to come.

POST SCRIPT September 12: Have now frogged the short row heel 4 times. This next attempt will definitely be a "take it or leave it" job. You have to laugh: lots of internet searching for tips for short row heels + yarnovers -- seems I am NOT alone in not mastering this. One Blogger even went so far as to call it "The Smell of Fear." We can't be all wimps ... or huge perfectionists, but it is frustrating!!

On the needles - Orenberg Shawl

(pictures from my old blog)

Astana -- Where We live

Let's try this new Blogger Beta -- here goes!

The "Lego" building

the "Zazhigalka" -- the cigarette lighter

the Mosque
in our neighborhood

The Baiterek (Tree of Life) monument

Moving ... to Blogger Beta and Astana

The old Blog just isn't cutting it anymore ... gee, so that's why Blogger Beta got invented. I'll eventually transfer some things over here. We also moved to Astana from Almaty in mid-August, to a temporary house while we wait for the CMR to be finished.