JessaLu Knits (and Spins!)

Yep, I jumped on again. It seems to be a habit for me - I like to play the cool aloof knitter but the ‘pattern of the moment’ always seems to make its way onto my needles.

Anyway, I promised to show you what’s in the bag:

The Spring Forward socks [raveled] seem to go almost as quickly as the Monkey socks, it has somewhat the same amount of rows in the pattern repeat (20 for SF only 10 are one way and 10 are reversed…does that make sense?) so you’ll be going along and think, “well, I can finish the last five rows of this repeat” and then you get there and you think, “well, I can do the next 10 rows since the last 5 went so quickly” and before you know it, you’re at the heel.

Which, on this pair of socks, I’ve knit two times so far since I hated the first one so much I couldn’t live with it. The first heel was a regular slip-stitch flap heel (with no give) and the second is a modified partial-flap short-row sherman heel (with no holes and lots of give for my fat ankles - yes, cookie, I said they’re fat. shut up. ;op) which makes me *way* happier than the original heel. It also uses way less yarn so hopefully I won’t run out before I hit the toe… ;o)

Also, thank you all for your nice comments on my bags - wonky and otherwise - they are very much appreciated!  I’ve had a couple of people ask if I’ll be selling them and while it’s something I’ve considered doing, I’d have to make a significant upgrade regarding what I use to sew them together, which isn’t going to happen anytime soon.  You see, for my regular ‘everyday’ sewing, I use a c1938 Singer model 15-91 which doesn’t do zig zag stitch easily (it does go backwards, thank the GSD, unlike my other antique Singer which only knows forward stitching) and from what I’ve gathered, I need to be able to use a serger or zig zag stitching on the inside corner seams in order to have a nice clean bag on the inside.  I just don’t feel comfortable selling something that isn’t 100% up to my own standards so for now, the bags will have to stay on the sidelines.  However, If you know anyone who has the zig zag attachment for an antique Singer drop me an email…we’ll talk.  ;o)

In other knitting news, how about I share what I purchased from the Loopy Ewe for my birthday.  I used the two gift certificates gifted to me by my ‘rents and my sister:

As usual, click to see the ‘magic’! ;o)

Another birthday gift I received?  Four of these:

Not as fuzzy, but hopefully they’ll help with the lovely swaying sensation I experience while the camper is being towed.  I’ll do anything to keep from puking (vomit free since ‘03!), even spending yarn $$ on tires.

I also received the new Civ IV for the DS from Dobby and Whipping Boy and a new computer mouse from RR that has the cool new micro receiver thingy and a table for my laptop.  The mouse?  Love. it.  The man knows the second best way to my heart - technology.  ;o)

…I do that.

I wanted to share what is currently at the top of the WIP heap:

Elfine’s Socks [raveled] knit in Shibui Sock - I’m up to the ankle and having a helluva time getting the pattern to fall into place. Right now I’m two stitches off and ready to light the entire pile on fire. Good thing I like the Shibui too much to torch it - although, I will be making things go boom on Friday and I will have a flare in hand and who knows? Something might slip… ;op

I’m also working on a pair of Tesserae Socks [raveled] in Sereknity Options superwash. This colorway is ‘Vineyard’ and I am totally in love with it. The pattern is working out well, too. These socks have nothing to worry about. ;o)

Both of these projects are my current contributions to Summer of Socks ‘08 [rav group].  I’m actually knitting socks this time around and not just helping read blogs!  Yay!  hehe

My progress so far:

The New Hottness offered to model today. ;o) I have about 4 inches to go and I’ll be done with the body - then it’s on to the sleeves! I’ve slowed down a bit since it appears that I have suffered a knitting related injury - my Left wrist hurts like hell. I’ve had a brace on it since Saturday and it’s feeling better but I’ve decided to take a little mini-break from the knitting. Trust me, it’s hard. I *want* my sweater! (I guess this means I’m a product knitter…at least, this week.) ;o)

There was one thing I wanted to clear up from my last post - yes, Dobby gets two proms. Her school has one prom per year for both the Junior and the Senior class. One reason why this can work is that there are only about 50 kids in each class - unlike RR’s high school which had 2,000 kids in the graduating class (he only had one prom). Last year, she was on the Prom committee since the Junior class ‘throws the party’ and the Seniors enjoy it. This year is the ‘big’ year - a limo and everything! Trust me, there will be pictures. ;o) Sorry for the confusion!