Busy, Busy… and a New Sock Pattern

A sampling of what’s been going on…

Nick and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on October 6th.  It’s hard to believe it’s been a year already.  We celebrated with a quiet evening and a fantastic dinner.  Because I’m a big geek, I uploaded a new design for our family blog to celebrate.

My best friend Melanie came to visit this past weekend.  It was SO good getting to spend some time with her.  We did some of the Nashville touristy stuff and I taught her to knit.  (She’s going to kill me for this picture because she has her face all twisted in concentration, but I think it’s fun.  Heh.)

She had tried knitting in the past, but I guess it never quite “clicked” with her.  I dragged her to the knit shop and coaxed her into giving it another shot.  Lucky for me, she was willing to try.

She sent me this picture from her cell phone yesterday at her lay-over during her flight home.  I think she’s making great progress!

That’s an in-progress Dumpling Bag that she’s working on.  ‘Cause who the heck ever insisted that your first project had to be a garter-stitch scarf anyway?!  Pfft.  Looks like she’s doing great to me!  And talk about learning a ton of skills in one shot — knits, purls, i-cord, increases, decreases, and knitting in the round.  Whew!  Now I just have to get her onto Ravelry… heh.

AND…

I published a new pattern!  I’m calling them my Zig-to-the-Zag Socks.  You can find it on my patterns page or on Ravelry.  It’s a free PDF download.

The pattern is a really simple one.  It’s basic cuff-down with a heel flap and a very simple zig-zag lace pattern.  I wanted something very simple to use with self-striping yarns (such as this Knit One, Crochet Too Ty-Dy Sock shown in the picture).  Typically I knit self-striping sock yarn into plain socks, and that got boring — so this was my middle ground.  Just enough pattern to keep things interesting, and not get lost in the stripes or take away from them.

Anyway, if you happen to try this pattern, be sure to send me pictures and any feedback!

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Free, Easy Crochet Pattern and My Spinning Wheel

Crochet Dish ScrubbersWhen I got home from my Easter vacation home to see my family, I posted about my grandma teaching me to knit her “famous” dish scrubbers. I finally got a chance to type up the pattern to share with you all. You can find it on Ravelry and you can download it here: Grandma Rita’s Nylon Dish Scrubbers (PDF).

I just added it to Ravelry on Friday and 15 people have added it to their queues, and 23 have added it as a favorite! That’s so exciting. I hope soon people will share pictures of ones they’ve made because I’d love to be able to show my grandma next time I go home for a visit. I’m sure she’ll be tickled to see how many people enjoyed her pattern.

It also makes me want to design some things myself. I’ve been experimenting with some things, but of course I always have so many things on the needles that it’s tough to find time, I guess. (And besides, I’m still a relative beginner with this whole knitting thing! — Maybe advanced-beginner?)

I’ve been working hard on finishing my spinning wheel…

Progress on Finishing my Wheel

I’m using Minwax Polyshades (stain and polyurethane in one) in “Bombay Mahogany”. (I’m a sucker for red-colored wood!) Most of the pieces in the photo I’ve just finished 1 coat on, except the treadles — they have 2 and you can get a better idea of the color from those. I think it’s going to be really beautiful. Unfortunately, the weather just isn’t cooperating at all — it’s cold and damp and the pieces just aren’t drying fast enough. *sigh* But hopefully it will be done soon. I can’t wait to start spinning!

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