A Single Sock

Socks come in pairs. It's a known fact. You knit one, you really do need to knit another in order to wear them. That is where the hard part comes in. That dreaded second sock syndrome (or SSS as us sock knitters love to call it). The first sock is new, exciting and full of adventure. By the time you finish that first sock and are ready to start the second, the pattern is probably memorized (or close to it) and you know what to expect. The notes are all written and the adventure seems to be lost.

A few brave knitters this summer begat the Single Sock Liberation Movement. Be proud - only knit one sock! A great idea. Some took the idea and ran with it, creating seas of single socks to be paired later. I was secretly envious. Never could I abandon a pair halfway through. I would never go back. I am one of those cursed knitters who must finish what I start in a relatively compact time frame lest the project meet it's demise with my ball winder. My mindset doesn't really let me "pause" in the middle of a project. I just can't do it.

When a single sock swap was proposed, I thought about it. Only having to make a single sock - what a wonderful idea! Jumping on board, I already knew which yarn I was going to use. One of my favorites that I got at Sheep and Wool this year. Once I found a pattern and figured out one little hiccup, I was on my way. It came out beautiful.

(forgive the crappy flash - the season of no light is here!)
I really like the toe on this sock. Short rows then a three needle bind off on the top! Very different!

I hope my swapee likes it as much as I do. The pattern was really nice to knit - enough to keep my interest without being laborious. Now, I just have to pack up this lone sock, the rest of the yarn and a few goodies and ship it off to it's lucky recipient. Christy, Pam and Megan have all done their half pairs as well. There are some amazing socks waiting for mates out there!

I have loved looking at everyone's Rhinebeck posts. Unfortunately for me, the big Cape Cod agility trial falls the same weekend every year. We already made our hotel reservations for next year. Looks like I'll be sticking to the Maryland festival for now. Not such a bad thing.

The Winter 2007 Interweave preview is up. Nice, nice, nice......

Working Through

Seems like the lack of knitting mojo is taking over (seems like I'm not alone). I love to sit and knit when I have the time, but time seems like the one thing that I don't seem to have. This past week I have managed to make myself sit down and do some knitting despite the million other things on my constantly rotating to do list...

After figuring out my kafuffle with the original version, I now have the right chart and it is working up beautifully. My first lace. Not bad! The pattern is a challenge, but fun. I am halfway down the foot and hoping to get some lunchtime knitting in today. It may sound like I'm rushing to get it done, and I am. This sock has to be mailed out by November 1st. But, a better reason is that I am doing some test knitting for Anne. Tight deadlines mean I only have a few weeks to finish a sock for her. With a 3 day agility trial and a new puppy in the house, that could be a challenge!

Yes, you heard right - new puppy in the house! The decision has been made - welcome the newest member of the clan!

How could I resist? For some reason, we had a connection since the moment he was born. For the past few weeks I was going back and forth between him and Hint. It was very hard - both had great attitudes, looks and seemed to really like me. In the end, after the temperament testing, I decided on Ace. He comes home with me tonight! We are still not sure if his puppy coat will shed out and become black or not. If it does, he will end up in the show ring - turns out he is the best moving puppy of the bunch! If not, he will be my next agility guy. Training has already started - we worked for a few minutes each day on learning what a clicker was (I am a huge endorser of clicker training for dogs - it's a positive reinforcement system that works great and fast. It is how both Tucker and Otis were trained for obedience and agility) and wearing a leash and collar for the first time. It will be really exciting to see him learn! This is my first puppy - we adopted both Tucker and Otis when they were already past this stage, so I have a lot to learn as well! Training an agility dog from the start is much different than training a pet type dog. Instead of discouraging any rough or aggressive play like tugging and growling, I am encouraging it. He already tugs like a maniac and is retrieving a toy when I throw it about 80% of the time. For agility you want a pumped up, revved up dog - he has a great start!

One puppy, Gracie, went to her new home yesterday. It was kind of sad seeing her go, but watching how excited her new family is to get her was really great. She is going to an agility home as well, so we will see her around for sure! A few of the puppies are flying to their new homes, so they will be leaving next week. The others are leaving over the next week or so. It will be strange to not have to count 8 little heads all the time!

My other agility star did really well this weekend - Tucker got his Excellent A Standard title! We move up to the highest level for the trial on the Cape this weekend. I am really excited. This is one of my favorite trials of the year. The location is amazing and the hotel we stay at is right on the water. The dogs can swim and play on the beach. I can't wait!

Back for Now

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Life has been a little crazy! Between the new vehicle, the puppies and getting ready to leave for an agility trial in New Hampshire this weekend, time has not been as plentiful as I would like.

I picked up the van yesterday. It was a rainy, misty cold day. Not the perfect day to be bringing home a brand new vehicle, but it didn't matter. I love it. After working at the kennel last night, I got home and transferred all my "stuff" (aka lip balms, hair elastics, hand lotion, parking pass for work, gum, mints, extra leashes, poop bags, pen, paper and band aids) into the van. It has lots of nice cubbies and holders for all sorts of stuff. Yesterday, I got some thick heavy duty rubber floor mats along with a good supply of bungee cords to secure in the crates for the dogs. The crates will go in when I get back from New Hampshire. Time was running out last night and I just didn't have time to do it.

This should be quite a road trip - we are bringing not only Tucker and Terri's dog Razz, but ALL the puppies! Gracie is going to her new home right from the trial on Sunday. Next week Fog leaves. It will be really hard to see them all go, but they have some great homes. Today they get temperament tested, and on the ride up to New Hampshire right after, Terri and I plan on making some decisions as to who we will keep (she hasn't decided either!).

On the knitting front, the Victorian Lace Socks (those are one of my favorite finished pairs) now look like the pattern. Turns out I had the wrong chart stapled to the pattern. Go figure. I finished the heel flap and am moving onto the gusset. The yarn is wonderful. The color subtly shifts from red to burgundy to a darker maroon color. It is beautiful! This is my way of easing back into socks for Socktober. The pattern is wonderful to knit - it is keeping my attention, but isn't so laborious that I have to stare at the chart. Plus, I only have to knit one - the person I'm swapping with will knit the other. No Second Sock Syndrome in sight!

In the Hood (or not)

Even after a day of having a fan and fresh air, the hoodie was still damp last night. Not only that, but I had to use the self timer. Oh well. I tried it on anyway both without the hood, and with the hood pinned on. The sleeves are long (I made them that way) and the cuff folded over. Plus the whole thing is still a touch damp, so it's hanging a little more than usual) What do you think? (sorry for the goofy face - I hate using the self timer!)

With Hood

No Hood

Using a self timer in my house always invites trouble. Me just standing there for 10 seconds waiting for the thing to go off makes Tucker crazy.

I'm kind of leaning towards putting the hood on....just gives it something extra. What I do love about the hood is it is actually big enough to be usable!

My new sock got some knitting time yesterday also. I really like this yarn (Spirit Trail Fiberworks)and how it is knitting up. Just a touch of subtle semi-solid variegation. I can't figure out what the pattern will really look like yet. I have seen finished socks, but mine doesn't seem to look like those.

Here and here are great shots of the pattern. Yeah. Mine looks nothing like that. I think I may see some frogging in my future....

The puppies are getting big. And cuter.