Comfort in the Familiar

When things are up in the air and seem hectic and unorganized, we find comfort in the familiar - be it a dinner we've loved since childhood, a cozy blanket or even, in my case, socks. I have been trying to start a sock for my sister. I've tried the Herringbone Rib Socks, but the pattern and I just didn't click. I also tried the Stansfield 304 pattern, but no luck there either. Things just were not jelling and it was getting frustrating. I finally took a deep breath and went back to what is comfortable and familiar. For socks, that means only one thing - Nancy Bush. I pulled all the books by her I had out and thummed through them. After showing my sister a few options, we settled on the Gentleman's Shooting Stockings. The texture in these socks is wonderful.

It's more of a texture than a pattern, so I think the variegated yarn is going to work ok with it. It's knitting up nice and cushy, and Naomi would like some longer almost knee socks, and with about 500 yds on the skein, I should be able to do that. I have knit so many of Nancy Bush's patterns that the language, her pattern style and everything is just so familiar and comfortable. It feels good. Eventually I hope to knit most if not all of her sock patterns. I'm making my way slowly through them!

Today is also an anniversary of sorts. Four years ago today I learned to knit! It's truly amazing how much I've learned and how many fabulous people I have met both on line and in person. A hobby that has really changed my life! From my first project to the most current, I have to say I have learned something from each of them. Here's to the next four years!

Three

June 1st marked the third year of this here little blog. I can’t believe how fast time has gone by.

Looking back, I realize how much has changed since I started. My knitting skills have increased tremendously. Pretty much everything I have learned, I learned from the internet. Helpful people answering questions and making suggestions. It all shaped me into the knitter I am today! I gained the confidence to tackle stranded socks, and the knowledge to shape sweaters to fit me, not just follow the pattern blindly (though sometimes that is just what I need!). My winter wardrobe has increased quite a bit these past years. I've also enjoyed knitting for my friends and family. Hubby especially enjoys all the socks I have knit him. I look forward to knitting many more pairs for him!

Friends are something I never really thought about when I started the blog. Then I began commenting on other people's blogs I liked. People that shared maybe my style, or shared common interests other than knitting. I never would have thought that some of those people would turn out to be wonderful, amazing "real life" friends! I couldn't be more happy to have discovered all the fantastic and brilliant knitting minds out there – and, it turns out they are great people too!

I thank all you bloggers out there for enriching my life in little bits and pieces every day. Reading your blogs, seeing glimpses of your “other” life as well as your knitting and crafting projects all fuel my creativity. It is one amazing community!

Everyone who reads – thank you. I know the posts have been a bit sparse lately, but I’m hoping to resolve that soon. I do read and reply to every comment left here, and genuinely appreciate the time you take to visit! So, enough with this mushy stuff, THANK YOU!

Humble Beginnings

This week has been quite sparse in the posting front. Life really seems to have gotten busy, and with the beautiful weather we've been having, knitting time has slowed down a bit. The second Heart Crook sock did get a heel yesterday and I'm really hoping to get the leg done this weekend at the trial in New York. We'll see.

I did have a nice little reminder pop up in my email this morning. My little blog turns two today! From my goofy first post to the mountain of comments on both the Urban Half Zip and the Turkish Stockings it has been quite a journey.

I wasn't really sure where this blog would take me, or if I'd even really commit to writing it. But, here we are two years later (wow - time really flies!) and I have made countless friends, many who I have been lucky enough to meet in person, but some who I rely on the "tubes" of the net to communicate with.

My knitting has evolved quite a bit since that first entry. My first few sweaters (Banff, Top Secret, and Dolman Updated) were big, boxy knits - I do still wear Dolman on occasion, but the yarn has felted a little and it is that rough, tweedy Rowanspun that needs another layer to be worn under it. Eventually, I made the Hourglass Sweater and Smocking on the Move - both a little more form fitting, and both are worn quite often. My knowledge of shaping as well as how to pick the right size pattern helped make more comfortable and flattering sweaters.

I didn't make my first sock until June of 2005 - Very Tall Socks knit two at a time on two circulars. I don't mess around. After those became a mess (see , I decided to take a step back and just learn sock construction. Two pairs of BMG Footies flew off my needles and I was hooked. Socks of one kind or another have been on the needles ever since.

Colorwork jumped into my bag of tricks with a simple hat back in March of 2006. Another addictive knitting skill! Somehow, my hands took to that two color knitting very fast. Since then, colorwork is always on my mind. I'm not sure I'd ever make a Fair Isle sweater - a bit warm - but socks, hats and mitts - they are ever present. This sweater really caught my attention though. I could see something simple and pretty like this coming off my needles in the future.

Most of all, a big thank you. This blog and my knitting wouldn't really exist without all of you. All the comments, tips, tricks and things that make me laugh - every single one has meant something. All the things I have learned have been from the internet or books - this is truly an amazing community and I am honored to be a part of it!

(I promise knitting content and pictures next week!!!!)

Semiperfect Number

Quite the huge milestone was reached here at ye old blog yesterday. Tonni dropped in to take a took at my Turkish Stockings. She was nice enough to leave a comment, and lucky her - it was number 100! The most comments I've ever received before were the 47 for the Urban Aran Half Zip. Even that was overwhelming to me. This, well this is just simply amazing.

The number of people stopping by has far eclipsed anything I ever would have thought. I truly am touched and honored with all the comments and compliments on the Stockings. (blush)

So, in order to mark this momentous occasion, Tonni has some new sock yarn coming her way!

Oh - on the post title - 100 is a semiperfect number (even though I think it's pretty darn perfect!) which means that it is a natural number that is equal to the sum of all or some of its proper divisors. My little factoid for the day....

Milestones

Funny, when I usually make up my calendar book for the year ahead, I flip through last years to copy over all the important dates and events - this way I don't tend to forget too much. When I put all the January dates in, I came across a pretty momentous one. Two years ago today, I learned how to knit!

It's one of those things where it seems like I've been knitting forever, but then again, it seems like just yesterday when I learned. I met my knit-bud Heather that night, we became fast friends, and have stayed that way ever since. I feel like I have come so far as a knitter (maybe now I'm a Knitter with a capital K?). My first sweater (Top Secret from Knitty - horrible FO pic here) I do still wear on occasion though it is way too big, and made from an acrylic blend. I then moved on to my first socks (yes, those disastrous "Not So Tall" ones!) and then my first truly challenging project - Hope from Rowan. I had never cabled before, or followed a chart, but I am a jump in and do it kind of person, so with the help of tips out on the internet as well as the Knitters Review Forums I made my way through and got a great FO (I will re-do that picture one of these days!).

Intimidated no more, I just went for every project that looked interesting. My motto was, "if I can knit and purl, I can do it!". I gained confidence and consistency as a knitter. I attended my first Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and was totally overwhelmed. And, totally hooked.

Then, it was 2006, the year of the sock. I had done my first pair of socks and once I got through the first heel turn, the construction finally clicked in my head. I wanted to try again. I made several pairs of ankle socks to work on heels and toes, then moved on to cables and twisted stitches. 2006 was truly my year of the sock.

Socks in 2006

I also learned knitting with two hands for colorwork as well as better sweater finishing and customizing skills. It was truly an amazing year. For this year, I'm hoping to not only learn new skills, but refine my current ones. Cabling without a cable needle, and maybe knitting continental style.

The internet has been my safety net and my sounding board. You guys have been there through my disasters and triumphs and were always there to answer my questions, and give great advice. I have met many of you in person, and made some great friends. For you, I am truly thankful for this past year as a knitter!

PS - The front of Urban Aran is done and blocking! I ended up adding 2 purl stitches at each side of the front and I think it will be just fine...once again, the knitblog community to the rescue!