when you're sick? For me it's all about the socks, but then again most of the time that's what it's about. A little over a week and a half ago N came down with a cold. He was fine after a few days. I on the other hand got the version that hung on for a full week and counting. During that time I decided I needed some comforting knitting and I cast on some socks. This is Socks That Rock lightweight in the Never On Sunday colorway. The pattern is Simple Skyp Socks (that link is a pdf of the pattern). The yarn is just yummy. I bought it when I was at Rhinebeck with Beth so it's full of memories including the fact that I was sick when I bought it. The pattern was a pleasure to knit.

It is simple to remember after a few rounds and looks fantastic. The pattern is written for men but I used the smaller size and size 1 needles so they fit my hobbit-like feet just fine. I love the way they feel and knitting the pattern was a joy. I wish I could say that I love the full result but I think this is one case where the yarn color and the pattern don't play well together. Not to worry though, when they are on my feet and feel so good I won't have to look at them.

Now that I can knit more than 20 stitches without stopping to blow my nose I am going to pick up the yoke sweater again. I got much of it reknit and it's time to put the sleeves and body on one long needle and get to work on the yoke. Get ready for version 2.0!

The urge to edit that photo* is strong but I will resist for a few reasons. 

When I completed the yoke of my sweater, before I completed the underarms, I tried it on and the yoke was way too big. It was totally fixable with a simple rip and reknit but after looking at this photo and thinking about what I had in my hands I decided a total rip wouldn't be a bad thing. Other than the yoke, the sweater fit pretty good. I just wanted to polish up a few things I'd skimped on. The biggest problem was the yoke though and I'm sure this time all will go fine. Yes, I did cast the exact same sweater on with the same number of stitches. Hopefully yoke sweater 2.0 will be a keeper. 

For me 2010 is going to be the year that I am happy with what I knit. I will knit things I like, that fit and that I actually wear. If it takes two or three attempts to get what I want so be it. 

*Repeat after me: Photos taken in bathroom mirrors are bad. (My head is not as giant as it looks in this photo. My hair is that gray though and it appears that the wrinkles my grandmother had are settling in on my face.) At least the mirror is clean:) 

Happy New Year!! 

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season. Ours was fine. We survived, just. I'm looking hopefully to 2010 to be a better year and please, not worse than 2009.

I have two new projects to show you. The first, which I don't have a photo of is a hat which N has worn to school. Photos and details to follow. It's the Elizabeth Zimmermann Fast Hat. It is an excellent pattern and as the name says: fast. I completed it in less than 2 days. The second is the sweater you see here. It's an Elizabeth Zimmermann yoke sweater knit in Patons Classic Wool. I am relieved to tell you that I am knitting it for me. You'll understand in a moment, first a story.

I have wanted to knit a yoke sweater for myself for a while. I wanted that sweater to be a masterpiece. To incorporate all the tips and tricks I've learned over the years. There was to be color work that didn't pucker, short rows across the back so the back didn't ride up, waist shaping to make the sweater fit my shape, and neck shaping so the neck would sit nicely. The colors of this sweater would fit my style but be something more. It would not be my standard cardigan with sensible buttons. 

I knit furiously up the body but with a carefree attitude. I knit a few short rows in across the back as I'd planned. When I was nearly to the length I wanted I started the sleeves. They didn't take long at all. Before I knew it I was putting the pieces on one long needle and knitting the yoke. I had pondered over the color placement and was pleased with what I had decided on but was willing to rip and reknit if necessary. Last night I completed the yoke and laid the sweater out on the bed to admire my work see how it looked and there was a hump in the front of the body. Not, it was more of a wrinkle. In my mind I was sure it just seemed that way. Once I started on the neck shaping all would be fine. I reached to smooth out the stitches and felt a bump and then another. NOOOOOO!! I had carefully centered the yoke pattern at what I thought was the front but no, it was the back. Those bumps I felt are the short rows, now neatly placed across the front of my sweater. 

2010 you better not be starting with me.

Look up your birthday* on Wikipedia. Pick 4 events, 3 births, 2 deaths and 1 holiday.

Events:

• 324 Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor.
• 1606 The Susan Constant, the Godspeed and the Discovery depart England carrying settlers who found, at Jamestown, VA, the first of the thirteen colonies that become the United States.
• 1924 The last Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost is sold in London, England.
• 2001 A record high barometric pressure of 1085.6 hPa (32.06 inHg) is recorded at Tosontsengel, Khovsgol Province, Mongolia.

Births:

• 1933 Cicely Tyson
• 1960 Mike Lookinland (aka Bobby Brady)
• 1967 Criss Angel

Deaths:

• 1848 Emily Bronte (b.1818)
• 2003 Hope Lange (b. 1933)

Holiday

• Roman Festivals- Opalia