back in the saddle

Wow, has it really been a month since I last posted? The blog break wasn't intended, it just sort of happened. I have been very busy over the past month, and when I had a chance to sit down in the evenings to post, I just couldn't muster up the energy. PumpkinMama wrote a post recently, pondering the effect of sites like Ravelry and Flickr on blog posting. I would say that for me, they have both reduced my desire to post here. I start out by uploading my photos to Flickr, and then updating my projects in Ravelry. By the time I'm finished with that, I feel like I'm showing a project in triplicate, and have lost interest. Flickr is so easy, because I can upload the photo, write a short description, and be done with it. Blogging is much more complex, with all the thinking and typing, trying to be clever and interesting, and then there's all that linking. I find it usually takes me at least an hour to finish a post. You can't tell that from reading it, though, can you? :) That being said, I'm not ready to give up blogging, because I really like the community feeling I get from writing here and reading other blogs. I'm not really into message boards (too many tempers flare over seemingly innocuous comments), and find the commenting on blogs to be a much better way to communicate. I know I'm terribly inconsistent with responses to comments left here on this blog, but please know that I do read them and appreciate that you take the time to leave a little note. They mean a lot to me.

So, onward to the knitting. The past month has been very busy. I've finished a few small projects, all gifts, but I feel like the big projects keep dragging on because I can't stop myself from casting on for something new every two days. I'm close to finishing a cardi I started back in August, but have to wait for the buttons to arrive in the mail for an official finished object. I'm up to the armholes on my Tangled Yoke cardigan, have several socks on the needles, a Tomten jacket in handspun for the Princess*, and I just started a Central Park Hoodie at the end of last week. Clearly, my knitting plate has been very full. Not much spinning action lately, on account of all the knitting I want to get done.

Click the picture to be taken to Flickr for the details

I'm trying to be good and start finishing up some of these lovely projects before I get tempted to cast on for yet another new project. I don't have any holiday knitting to do, but we are headed to the US to visit family for Christmas, and I'd like to finish at least two of these projects before we leave. Then comes the fun of deciding what I'll bring with me to knit en route. Of course before that, there's packing, kenneling the dog, arranging transportation to the airport, and the fear of traveling overseas by myself with two small kids to worry about. But why get ahead of myself?

While I'm already posting, I figure now is as good a time as any to show the two pairs of socks I finished over the last month, both of which were given to friends as gifts.

Pattern: Child's French Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: ShiBuiKnits Sock in Bark
Needles: 2.25mm Susan Bates DPN
These socks were a gift to a good friend of mine who moved back to the States last month. I was so sad to see her go, and wanted to make her something nice as a going away gift.

Pattern: Making Tracks by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: my handspun, spun from Funky Carolina merino/tencel roving in Berry Dark
Needles: 2.75mm (US 2) Bryspun DPN
I made the mistake of converting this pattern from toe-up to top-down. I much prefer knitting top-down socks, and thought I had plenty of yarn to finish these socks. One of the benefits of knitting toe-up socks is being able to knit the entire foot, then knit the leg until you run out of yarn. I lost this benefit by converting the pattern, and it was a nail-biting finish. I had one yard of yarn left over, after grafting the toe closed on the second sock! These socks were a birthday gift for my friend Tonya. She loved the pair I made her last year, and I knew that she'd love a new pair for her birthday this year.

That's what I've been up to, at least as far as knitting is concerned. I also have a whole bunch of yarn and roving to list on Etsy, but haven't managed to find a good block of time to get that done. I'll let you know when I get around to it. I hope you all are well!

*I've been struggling with how much of my personal life I want here on this blog, especially stuff about my kids. I've seen so many people have their children's photos stolen and used for questionable purposes. I know that for the past three years I've used my kids names here, but from now on, they will be known as the Princess and Zippy. Silly, perhaps, but it makes me feel a little more comfortable.

Comments

[Beth]

Princess and Zippy - I like those names! They're much more imaginative than the E that I use for my daughter. :)

Your projects are all so lovely! One yard left on those socks - that was indeed a close finish.

[Carole]

It's always good to hear from you. Get busy finishing those projects!

[Leah]

Glad to see you back!

All of your knitting is gorgeous! I especially like the CPH colors! The socks are luscious too! The Child's French Socks would have been hard for me to part with. I have a pair knit for me by Karen from Needles and Wool and I just love them.

[PumpkinMama]

I always use aliases for the kids on the knitting blog, but not on "their" blog, just due to the traffic difference. I don't envy you the solo travel with the kids, but am glad you'll be with family for the holidays. Are you New England bound?

[ami]

I know what you mean about feeling like you're posting in triplicate- and I agree- I'm not giving up my blog any time soon. Your knits are beautiful as usual.

[Elemmacitlur]

Gorgeous knits! And I think that you're right in wanting to protect your kids regarding to their names and pictures on here. :-)

[patti]

Your knitting is so beautiful. I really love the tomato socks- so pretty! It sounds like you have been very busy, indeed.
I agree with you on the flickr/ravelry thing. Add to that that I only have about 2 readers of my blog, and it makes it very easy to delay posting!!!

I hope your travel goes very smoothly. If you are flying Lufthansa, they kept little card games and stuff for the kids and it helped up when flying with Luc.

[Teyani]

I am so happy for you that you & the kiddos are getting to head to US for the holidays. that will be extra special (and hopefully the grandparents will be spoiling them and you completely while you are there) *smile*

I totally understand the feeling of triplicate posting - it takes lots of work to do a post AND Ravelry AND flicker. Yet, I won't give up blogging just yet (and I hope you don't either. Blogs just feel so much more friendly to me than the forum chats on any site....
nice to read about what's goin' on with you. Your knit projects look gorgeous.. Safe journeys and joyous holidays.

[Karen]

Isn't it amazing how fast a month can go by without blogging? I totally agree about your thoughts on blogging less. Updating in three different places takes a lot more time than just one place.

How exciting you are going to be with family for the holidays!

You have a lot of beautiful knitting going on!

[Jan]

I'm so happy you're going home for Christmas Rachel. I know you'll be much happier with your parents and other friends and family and you'll be less lonely and depressed.

As far as casting on for new projects, if I were you, I would cast on for as many new ones as you like. Then when Travis gets home in February, you'll have more peace of mind to sit and enjoy them through to the finishing process.

I really like the names Princess and Zippy for your kids on your blog. My son's nickname was Zippy when he was young and when we went to Wonderland, we had a really beautiful t-shirt created for him with 'Zippy' on the front in purple, grey and black. He wore it 'til he couldn't wear it any more (grew out of it).

I've been worried about you with Christmas coming, but I'm not worried any more because I know it'll be really fun for you. Wishing you all the best.

[Macoco]

Princess and Zippy are great names. ;) You've been so busy - I love both of those socks.

[KERI]

I'm not a big fan of message boards either- and I do enjoy the community of blogging. I have thought a lot about how ravelry has changed the dynamic of blogging and the community - it takes a significant amount of time to keep up with everything and it's not just the posting either but also the photos and the commenting in so many places! =)

Glad to see you're still around, all your finished projects are so pretty!

[Faith]

All of your projects are so beautiful! I especially love the French Socks. Now I want a brown pair too! I might have to knit it a second time in a similar colorway.

The purple tweed of your CPH is just gorgeous. It makes me want to go work on mine. Too much Christmas knitting though! Oh well. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!

[Nubiancraftster]

wow you were one buys lady. I love all your project choices especially the child's first sock. Fabulous!

[Dina]

No holiday knitting for me either (I have Finals next week). I love all the colors of your current projects. They made me smile, especially with all the crappy weather we've been getting. I would be hard-pressed to decide on which one to pick up! Such beautiful socks, too. Lucky recipients!

Enjoy your holidays back home. I haven't flown alone with the kid yet, but I do know many airlines handout activity bags for children. I think the Princess and Zippy will do just fine :)

[jessica]

What beautiful things you have been working on! Love both socks, so pretty!

[Panhandle Jane]

I think you're making a wise choice about your children's names and pictures.

Please don't quit blogging. I love the sort capabilities of Ravelry for looking things up, but I definitely miss the sense of personality that comes from reading blogs. I also find that my blog makes me reflect about my life, something that I should do more often.

[Erica]

Everything is beautiful! Lovely projects and great colors! I wish this holiday season to be happy for you this year.

[Geraldine]

The yarn you've used for your CPH is to die for...just yummy, one of my fav colors!