I’m hoping this isn’t a serious fashion faux-pas. The wannabe-fashionista in me says it is — but the avid knitter in me just plain doesn’t care! These things are GREAT! Clear-freakin’-clogs! I mean, after all the work a person puts into knitting socks, you want to show them off, right? So how perfect are these?! You have no idea how excited I am to wear them and show them off. I had seen them online but I was able to pick them up tonight at my LYS (The Neighborhood Knit Shop). I was psyched!

Speaking of my LYS… our sock club starts our next project tomorrow night. I’m psyched for that too. The pattern is still a mystery. I found out that the yarn is some sort of special edition or new type of Tofutsies. But again, I won’t get to see it till tomorrow night. Oh the anticipation!

In other (random) news, Miss Gidget got a new kitty-toy tonight. It’s a Whisker City Play Cavern Scratcher and she absolutely loves it. Gracie, on the other hand, thinks it’s totally overrated — but makes a descent chin-rest:

She has a name! Yes, the kitty finally has a name — Gidget.

Yes, we went the cheesy route and have started naming our pets with the letter “G” — we have our puggle, Gracie and now Gidget the cat.

Anyway, in honor Gidget finally getting a name, I’ve decided to post some links to kitty-themed knits that are good for stash-busting. If you know of more good free patterns, please feel free to share them in the comments!!

I found lots and lots of fun knitted cat toys that are perfect for using up scraps of yarn:

• Bumble Cat Toy
• Whale Cat Toy
• Snakes for Pets
• Feline Dim Sum
• Wendy Knits Catnip Mouse
• Knit Felted Catnip Mice

If you have a bit more yarn to use up, you might consider knitting up the Kitty Pi cat bed, also from Wendy Knits.

If you’re feeling especially brave, you could attempt to clothe your cat. Perhaps in a kitty turtleneck or a mandarin-collared sweater. Personally, I can’t see myself risking the scratches I’d get by trying to cram Gidget in one of those sweaters. But I might give this cute bowtie (in pink!) a try.

So, what better way to spend a Saturday evening than knitting up Christmas gifts?

My weekend has been a quiet one so far. I’ve not been feeling well lately so today I made a point of going to the grocery store and buying some fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. I’ve not been eating well at all (lots of takeout) so I’m thinking maybe getting some more balanced meals into my system might help.

That and I’m trying to cut back on the caffeine… *shudder*. We’ll see how that goes.

I got an e-mail the other day from my LYS about our sock club. Our next get-together is this Tuesday. The e-mail newsletter didn’t say what the chosen pattern or type of yarn is — but the clue was “Fiddle n Bow”. Is that a type of yarn? (I’ve not heard of it, if so…) Or maybe a pattern? I’m going to have to check Ravelry! Ha ha. I’m excited though. I’m probably going to head up there on Monday to pick out my yarn ahead of time and hopefully pick up the pattern in advance so I can familiarize myself with it.

Most of our sock club knits their socks using the magic loop technique. I tried it on my last pair for sock club, and I’ve decided I still prefer DPNs. I typically use 4 DPNs, but sometimes I switch to 5. It’s mostly dependent on my mood. I’ve never tried the two circular technique before. What’s your favorite technique for sock knitting?

Kitty (who still doesn’t have an official name) supervises my sock knitting…

I tell you, The Loopy Ewe is an addiction! This is my 4th order from them, and I’ve now purchased enough to get a $25 store credit as a reward. (Yipes! … And YAY!) I’m holding out for some Wollmeise. (*squee*)

Anyway, from left to right, we have:

- Dream in Color Smooshy in “Cool Fire”

- Misty Mountain Farm Jubilee in “Sunset”

- Yarn Nerd 850 MHz Merino in “Ting!”

My copy of Sensational Knitted Socks also came in the mail today, and I’m extremely eager to look at it! I’ve been doing a lot of sock knitting for gifts for the holiday season… but I really can’t wait to make myself another pair too… *sigh* Eventually!

First off, I have to show off my new Ravelry beta shirt!!

It arrived in the mail today along with three Ravelry buttons: a “Hello my name is” button with a Ravelry logo (with space to write in my Ravelry username), one that says “Where my stitches at?” (same as the t-shirt), and one that says “A daily dose of fiber”. How cute!

For anyone not yet on Ravelry — what are you waiting for!? Honestly, I completely marvel at the fact that it was completely designed by one programmer. The site is so feature-packed and I have yet to hit any glitches on it. I really admire what they’ve done with it and I can’t wait to see where it goes over the next few months.

Anyway…

What I actually wanted to post about today are Lantern Moon’s Sox Stix. They’re my new love.

Sox Stix come in sets of 5 double-pointed needles in an organza bag. They’re available in sizes 0 through 5 and in three materials: blondewood, rosewood, and ebony. Aside from the lovely feel of the wood, what makes these DPNs special is that they’re only 5″ long, making them much easier to navigate when knitting small socks.

The downside is the pricetag. The price ranges with the material, blondewood being the least expensive at $22.25 and ebony being the most pricey at $24.50. So unless you have an unlimited knitting budget, this is probably going to be a special treat. However, if you’re an avid sock-knitter, it’s easy to justify at least one set in your most commonly used size. With the lovely organza bag, they also make a very pretty gift for a fellow-knitter (especially with the holidays upon us!).

I have purchased two sets (sizes 2 and 3) in the ebony and I absolutely adore them. They have just the right amount of slip and grip, and the ebony wood is very sturdy and doesn’t warp. I absolutely adore mine.

I’m feeling very tired and run-down tonight, so I’m grateful it’s What’s on your Needles Wednesday. Makes for an easy post, ya know.

First up: my Irish Hiking Scarf.

I cast it on last night. I’m using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in “claret heather”.

I freakin’ love it. As promised, here’s a photo that shows the color a bit more true-to-life. I’m so impressed with how it’s turning out.

Then there’s my “Cold at Work” shawl (photo). It’s on hold till the rest of my Schaefer yarn comes in. *sigh* Looking at it, though, I’m considering frogging it and starting over. It’s too “pointy” — I should have increased on both ends every row, instead of every other row, I think. Grrr.

Lastly, I’m still working on Christmas socks: this pair and this pair (for two different family members). I was working along pretty steadily on my socks till I got sidetracked with the Irish Hiking Scarf. As soon as the scarf is done, though, I’ll probably get back to finishing these.

And finally, just ’cause she’s cute, here’s a picture of kitty:

It seems with the change over to daylight savings time, autumn has also arrived in Nashville. Winter feels close on its heels. This morning, while I was walking a couple blocks to grab a pumpkin spice latte, I realized how cold it really is out there. I pulled the hood on my cardigan up, but the wind went right through the loose knit.

I decided it’s finally time to break down and admit that winter is right around the corner and that I’m going to need to go buy a new winter coat for work.

I also felt silly as I walked to Starbucks, realizing I’m a knitter and there I was caught with no scarf, no mittens, and no hat in 40-degree weather. So I’ve also determined its probably time to put down the sock knitting temporarily to knit myself some winter-wear.

A few weeks back, I purchased some Knit Picks Wool of the Andes yarn in the “claret heather” colorway. It’s been living in my stash, waiting to be knitted up into the Irish Hiking Scarf. I think I’m finally going to bust it out and get started. (Good excuse to finally learn how to do cables, I guess!)

I’m envisioning getting a nice dark, charcoal gray peacoat and having my lovely reddish-purple Irish Hiking Scarf, a matching set of Lola flip-top mittens (from the new 101 Designer One Skein Wonders), and a hat of some sort.

*Squee!*

But now, just how to balance the whole needing to knit Christmas gifts versus wanting (needing?) to knit myself some goodies to keep warm now that the weather is changing… hmmm. I sense quite a few WIPs coming on.

Nick turned 25 today. (Happy birthday, honey!)

He asked for a brown Jeep cake (to match his Jeep CJ-7). So I made one. It’s not too pretty, ha ha, but it’s exactly what he wanted.

We had dinner at Prime 108 in Union Station downtown. Our friend Alan is a chef there. We had sushi and rock shrimp tempura for appetizers. Nick had duck and my mother-in-law and I had fish. Then for dessert they brought out a giant platter with chocolate mousse cake, spiced pear cheesecake, and crème brûlée. Oh. my. gosh! It was all absolutely to die for. I’d never tried crème brûlée before, and I absolutely loved it. The pear cheesecake was amazing too.

Needless to say, no one had room for Jeep cake when we got home.

We did put candles on the cake and sing “Happy Birthday” even though the cake just went back in the box afterwards.

Nick opened his cards. He got a couple giftcards and some money to go shopping with. (’Cause what do you get a guy who doesn’t even know what he wants!?)

Now we’re just hanging out watching the Monday night football game on DVR. (Go Pittsburgh!)

Hopefully Nick had a good birthday. I know his mom and I did!