It's amazing what I can get done

when everyone else is out of the house. Dwight took E and D on a really long hike. I think it might be around 6 miles total. E has made this hike a few times before, but this is the first time for D. On previous hikes, he rode in a backpack.

While they were away, I managed to sort through my patterns and figure out plans for a few yarns that I have. I vacuumed the house--thrilling. I made lunch and ate it in peace--hahaha! I sewed a dress for E. The last time I made a dress for her was two years ago. That's because those still fit the year after I made them. Maybe this one will last two years also. The dress is nearly complete. I just need E to try it on, so we can figure out how long the straps should be. I could go off of her measurements that I have, but I'd rather her try it on. I've already made a few adjustments to the pattern. I usually have to cut out the fabric in one size for width and a larger size for length.

Back to knitting...I finished these socks last Thursday. I took these pictures yesterday, but didn't get around to resizing until today. I figured out why flickr wasn't recognizing my exif information. When I saved the resized picture in Photoshop, I used the "save for web" option. That one saves the picture without the exif info.

The new Knitty came out. It makes me want to throw out my sweater plans and make more socks. I love all of the socks. I like a few of the children's patterns too. I really want to work on a sweater, so the socks and other patterns will have to wait.

One down, another to go

The first Cablenet sock is complete! It feels a bit looser than the socks I normally knit, but I'll live with it. My think my cast-on was too loose on this sock. I've started the next one already and did the cast-on much better this time around. I did the piquant heel. I love the way it looks. I'm usually a short row heel person, but this heel fits good too. I changed the toe to be less pointy. I'm happy with this one and I can't wait to finish the pair. My mind is wandering to other mini cabled socks. I'm not too fond of large cables on socks, but these mini cables are perfect for me. And while I was outside taking pictures, I took a few pictures of the scenery from the front porch.

I really like the photo on the left. That is what our porch looks like when some of the snow blows onto the porch. I like how it fades from complete snow to the wood. The blue chair is one that Dwight made a few years ago from a pattern out of ReadyMade magazine. The picture on the right is one side of our front yard. The little roof you see is the roof of the well house. The little tree on the left is what we use as our outdoor Christmas tree. We planted that the same year E was born. I've always liked the way those trees that lean over the sidewalk look with snow on them. The sidewalk didn't do it today, but when it's a little warmer while it snows the sidewalk gets a patchwork look to it. The snow will stick to the weeds between the stones, but the snow on the stones will melt.

I will conquer this sock!

I attempted Cablenet twice during Socktober and it didn't work out both times. I usually don't swatch for socks, but I should have for this pattern. The first time, I followed the pattern sizings and needles size recommendation. I knew that one wouldn't work. I didn't get to the heel turning and knew it would turn out HUGE. The second time, I went down in pattern sizing, but used the same needles. It ended too big. I frogged it and hid the yarn away in a box. After doing all of those shawls, I decided it was time to attempt the sock again. I'm determined to get this right. Plus, I'm stalling on starting my first sweater. ;-)

This time, I used the smallest size in the pattern and used size 0 Addi turbos. It looks like it will fit this time. I love how the sock is turning out so far. I'm not usually a bright pink person, but I think pink socks will be fun. I love all of those intertwining cables. I wonder how those little cables would look on a sweater? This yarn is a Cherry Tree Hill solid. I can't remember the color's name and can't find the label. The color in the picture to the left is more accurate than the picture up above. I need to work on my Photoshop skills to get the pictures closer in color.