What can you do with 1375 yd of laceweight yarn in 5 hours?

This is what you get:

It took me 5 whole hours to wind the skein of Merino Oro into a ball by hand. I don't have a swift or ball winder and I have yet to justify spending money on that ... for now. I contemplated actually knitting from the skein, but the thoughts of undoing the mess of knots put me off that idea. I wanted to start Sarcelle, but I think I've had enough of this yarn for the night. Time to get some rest.

I can do this!

I'm back!!! Ok, so I was a little off estimating when I'm going to be able to post the pics. I fixed the computer myself (well, not really. I just uninstalled something so it wouldn't keep on popping up for no reason) and got my pictures uploaded.

Anyway, I present to you my VERY first pair of socks!

Pattern: Hedera from Knitty

Yarn: 1.25 Skeins of Knitpicks Essential in Grass
Needle: Clover Bamboo DPN in US0 (2.25mm)

No modifications. I wouldn't know what or how to modify anyway. The gauge is different when I was knitting the second sock. It came out a lot tighter than the first. Hopefully, a bit of wearing and washing will even it somewhat. The weather's still pretty warm, but it's supposed to be snowing on Friday and most of next week. These will keep my toes nice and toasty! I gotta think of a more creative way of taking pics of finished socks ... the socks look HUGE! But they're made to fit my size 7.5 feet. It's not THAT bad .... is it?

I got THREE packages of yummy yarniness today! One of them has been in the mail for like a month, and it took them an entire month to deliver it. What's up with that!?

From left to right:

• 3 skeins of Classic Elite Lush in Thistle
• 1 skein of Ornaghi Filati Merino Oro in Grey Heather
• 2 balls of Dalegarn Tiur in Rose Pink

I got them with projects in mind. The Lush is destined for the braided scarf on the cover of Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006 issue. I'm planning to knit it with this colour and white or pink and white. Haven't decided yet. The other skeins of Lush is coming in the mail from another yarn store. The Merino Oro is for Sarcelle. And the Tiur is going to be used for steeking in Eunny's Deep V Argyle Vest. I can't wait to get started! Now I just have to get school work out of the way.

Computer Problems

I have pics of my finished Hedera socks, as well as some yummy yarn I got in the mail. Unfortunately, the computer is not corporating with me, and I think I might have to wait till the weekend when my brother fixes my computer for me to post anything else. Besides, I'm swamped with work lately, so not much to share. Hopefully things will be better after this week.

Is it IE 7 or is it just me?

It's probably me. Computers hate me. All technology hate me. They don't need a reason to crap out on me. I wonder if anyone else has been having the same problem as me. I had just formatted my computer (well, my brother did, not me) and had installed IE7. I know that some sites don't support it yet, but not sure if that's the problem. Anyway, when I try to post a new post, it won't. Only the top header (where they have the Blogger logo is) changes to a band of white, and the bottom of the page remains the same as the page I'm currently on. Only way I can get around this is if I go back out to the Blogger main page and go back into my blog that way. Does that make sense? I'm not very good at explaining.

I've been such a bad blogger, haven't posted anything in so long. No FO pics today. I had spent the entire day cleaning my room. It was a total disaster zone, but now it's all nice and tiday. Wonder how long that's going to say. I don't have much confidence in myself, needless to say. I finished my Hedera socks today! I'll take some pics and post them tomorrow or Monday.

I had ordered some books on Amazon and it was waiting for me when I came home on Friday. Here's what I got:

1. Knitting on the Road: Sock Patterns for the Traveling Knitter by Nancy Bush
2. Knitting Vintage Socks: New Twists on Classic Pattern also by Nancy Bush
3. Socks, Socks, Socks: 70 Winning Patterns from the Knitter's Magazine Contest edited by Elaine Rowley

Do you see a pattern there? :P There are several patterns that I want to try out, but I need to get more sock yarn first. Since I just started knitting (again), I don't have much of a stash. In terms of sock yarn, only have 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock mentioned in the last post. However, I do have 2 skeins of Socks that Rock coming in the mail. I've read such great raves on them I couldn't wait to try it out! I personally don't like wearing wool as I find them itchy and scratchy. I think I enjoy the process more than the final product. The Hedera socks were alright, but I have sweaty feet (I know I know, a bit too much info there) and not sure if wool is the best fibre for me. Does anybody have any good yarn suggestions for me?

And I want to thank those of you that commented on my first entry! It's nice to know that my ramblings are actually seen by people! Ha ha.

Mail Call!

I had ordered 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Black Purl from yarnela.com on Sunday. Guess what was waiting for me in the mailbox!? It took less than 2 days for it to arrive. Talk about service! This is the first time I've bought Lorna's Laces (even though I have been eyeing them for the longest time!) and I just LOVE the colourway.

What's a knitting blog without some knitting, right? I present to you my ALMOST complete Hedera Socks in Knit Picks Essential - Grass. It's a first of many things. It's the first time I've ever knitted socks. It's the first time I've knitted in the round (on DPNS or circulars). It's the first time I've knitted anything other than scarves. I'm so proud of myself! LOL. Just an inch or so more till the toe decrease. I hope to be finished by the end of this week, but I left my darning needle at home in Toronto, so have to wait till the weekend to graft the toe.

In some knitting-unrelated news, I just got an advertising email from 7 for all mankind. There's this denim skirt that I really like! It's the perfect length, unlike the ultra short ones that seem to be so popular lately. Not everyone has mile long legs you know! But it's a bit pricey, so hopefully I can find a cheaper substitute.