Of Socks and Books

Before I get into the meat of my blog I wanted to show you a package I received in the mail last week. Inside was a pattern for a baby blanket.
If this is how my mail looks before the government starts going through it I hate to see what it will be like when they do. Hopefully yarn and patterns will not be considered terrorist level threats.

I have started the test knitting socks for Warm Woolies. This is how far you can get in one day.
Toe through the afterthought heel and onto the leg.

And the next day you just might have this:
I like this sock. 1. It's toe up. I love toe up. 2. It had an afterthought heel which I had never done before but fully enjoyed learning how to do (P.S. I think if you actually follow directions you will a) not run out of yarn on the heel and b) not have a super pointy heel like I did, though I'm holding out hope that it will block out a little.) 3. The heel and toe are knit on smaller needles making them sturdier. Simple. Genius.

These are actually a really nice fit for me in all except the toe where it's an inch too long. Which is good because my feet are exactly 9 inches long and these needed to be 10. Perfection. Except that pointy heel....blocking, my hope lies in thee.

On Sunday I went to Woodstock to hear a book reading by the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
Standing around pre-talk with all her books. Crazy to think they are all humor books on knitting. What a niche!
During her talk/reading.
Post talk getting goodies.

I would have liked to have gotten a chance to go by The Whole Nine Yarns (the LYS who was hosting the event) but I waited until the end of the line to go through and get my book signed and get a picture of this:
Stephanie with my current socks in progress, the Warm Woolies test socks (and proof that the second sock has indeed been started).

The Yarn Harlot is always great fun to have a visit from and she did a nice little talk and book reading. I'll hopefully get the chance to go out to The Whole Nine Yarns because it seemed lovely in the 10 minutes I was in there picking up my ticket and a bottled water. For now I'll be knitting on the socks, finishing a sweater, and starting a baby blanket. The light at the end of the tunnel is that tomorrow is my last day of teaching with students for this school year. My summer break will almost be here!