Finished socks

Here are the finished socks. I think these came out much better than the first pair. The only thing is that there is a wider maroon stripe on one sock (my left foot in the photo--obviously, my ankles are crossed) that makes it look as if the socks don't really match. Not that I care, LOL! I'm just so glad to have them done.
I'm already working on two more pairs.

Oh, and we woke up to about an inch or two of snow this morning. My squirrels and birds are grateful that I've throw seeds and peanuts out for them! I wouldn't want any of my backyard babies to go hungry!

Another crocheted hat

Here's another hat I made. This one is adult-sized. BTW, it doesn't look it, but it's lavender, not gray.

I'm getting closer to finishing the socks and will take a picture soon. Had to take a break from crocheting yesterday because the arthritis in my shoulders was really acting up. I picked them up again today and did two more rounds on each.

I also did another row on a baby afghan I started last year. Will post a pic of that soon, too.

This morning I made French toast out of a loaf of Challah bread I found when cleaning the freezer a few days ago. I make it in the oven, which is faster than the stove. Tasted really good and there are enough leftovers for another breakfast.

I took the ends of the loaf and put them in the Magic Bullet to make crumbs. Then I crushed up potato chips left in the bottom of a bag (Mike likes chips with his burgers) and mixed them in the crumbs. I added chili powder, cumin and a little cilantro. I've got some cut up boneless chicken that I will dredge in this and fry. Then I'll either freeze the chicken or we'll have it later this week in tacos.

My inspiration was the show "Chopped." It's a contest where the cooks have a basket of strange ingredients that don't seem to go together. Think: cornish game hens, peppermint candies and bulgur. Somehow, they have to create a dish using everything. The elimination rounds follow a meal: appetizer, main, dessert. I love seeing how creative people can be. They do manage to pull it off.

However, interesting as it may be, nobody in this house is ever going to be served cornish game hen with a bulgur-peppermint rub!

Baby hat

I'd like to have a box of hats and scarves to donate to charity next winter. Here's a baby hat I made.

I've found that all these hats start by crocheting in the round to a certain diameter, and then crocheting evenly (in other words, not increasing) until the hat is done. Once you get that circle done, you can do just about anything with the rest of the hat. It's a good way to practice fancy stitches. I think this is a ripple stitch with a simple ruffle made with triple crochets.

I'm continuing to work on the socks but have to say I made a big dumb mistake last night. I started to make the heel and, as I usually do, kept trying to socks on after each round. I couldn't figure out why it was so tight over the top of my ankle.

Turns out I missed a whole section of the directions! Which means I had about half the stitches I should have had. I do have a reading comprehension problem, despite being a writer, so I have to check things off or mark where I want to start next time I look at instructions. I have so many marks on the instructions (this being my 3rd attempt) that my eyes just wandered.

Fortunately, I figured it out and now they're coming along nicely. I even bought more yarn for 2 more pairs of socks! I hope to get good enough at them to make them without having to read directions. It's the way I work best--hands on and practice, practice, practice.

Sock progress

I have no idea why this is underlining!

Anyway, did a few more rows on the socks. They're coming along nicely. I love how this yarn stripes so evenly.

Okay, now I'm getting underline and boldface. Can't seem to turn either one off.

I was going to show you a picture of me wearing my finished jacket, but it really does need a belt and I look fat in the picture, anyway. So I'll post it when I actually have a completed outfit to show. But it's ready to wear when it gets warmer. Not too long...it is 57 degrees here today!

BTW, do you like my St. Pat's pillow case? I just slipped it over a pillow that has cardinals on it. I also made an Easter one that will go on next month. Why buy pillow forms when you've got pillows you'd just throw into the attic, anyway?

Started New Socks

I found this sock yarn on clearance at Michael's. I like the colors although they are very 'autumn-y.'

I gave up on the socks I started with baby-weight yarn because they had NO stretch. Somehow, the worsted weight ones worked out okay. They're too thick for shoes but will be 'wearing around the house' socks.

I have to get back to those but ran out of yarn with just the toes to finish. No kidding. And, of course, they were out of the color. I think I might just put purple toes on them (they are a teal color) just to finish them. I'm not out to impress anyone. I'm doing this because it's fun.

For these new ones, I'm following the rules a little better. I'm doing them entirely in single crochet. I've actually gone a bit further than this picture, with the top ridges all done and about half the calf done. I hope to get to the point of turning the heels by the weekend. I try them on every three rows or so to make sure they fit. I hope if I keep working steadily on these I'll have them done in a week or two. For me, that would be pretty good timing!

Windy/Rainy

The wind outside is nuts and the rain is pouring. I think most of the snow will be gone soon.

Just to prove there is hope for the future (that is, spring really is coming), I heard birdsong this morning. The birds flock to eat the seeds we throw to them, but they don't sing. At least, I never hear them sing in the winter.

But this morning, despite the rain, I heard a beautiful call. I think it was a cardinal although I couldn't seem him. My guess is that he's calling to a lady friend. Maybe it's nest-building time!

Since I found my socks book yesterday, I was able to do the heels on the socks I'm making this morning, while watching "Bones." Next will be the instep, then it's smooth sailing until I'm done.

Finished!

I just finished the pair of socks I started about a year ago! The last 25% went by really quickly. I'm sure I'm like a lot of people when I say I'm motivated to get something done when the finish line is close.

As I said in a previous post, I sort of 'get it' now. I actually started a second pair last night, even before these were finished. I divided the yarn I have into 2 balls and I'm alternating between each sock so they will be done together. Can you believe that in one evening I've already gotten them to the heel part? Okay, full disclosure: for these I'm using medium weight yarn and a slightly larger hook. They may end up being slippers if they are too thick for shoes, but I'll have fun with them.

The pair above are from the booklet "Paton's Stretch Socks: Sweet to Your Feet." Honestly, I got impatient with the tiny little single-crochet rows. You can see where I switched to half double crochet. You (the handful of faithful readers I have) know me--I never make anything 'exactly' the way it is written out.

BTW, yesterday was my 55th birthday. Mike and the kids took me out to a Chinese Buffet. And...they bought me a NOOK color! It is awesome! I've already downloaded things onto it. LOL, I can even read this blog on it, since I can get on the internet.

My first download? "Food Network Magazine." I also found a slow-cooker cookbook for about a dollar. How cool is that?

BTW...is it sox, or socks? Oh, never mind--"sox" gets a squiggly line.

The end is in sight

The end for the socks I started about a year ago, that is! I'm about 2 rounds away from decreasing for the toes.

The second one has gone together a lot more quickly than the first and I'm really starting to 'get it.' Now I can't wait to start another pair. I've learned a few things along the way. For instance, no matter what the pattern tells you, it's a good idea to try on as you go to make sure the sock fits. I had to tear out about five rounds because the sock was waaaay too big around. Now it fits just right.

I think I've said this before, but I'm jealous of anyone who can knit or crochet a whole pair of socks in an evening.

I need to go out and buy yarn for some projects, including a baby blanket I started a few months ago (and put away to make Christmas things) and the white and pink baby outfit. But it is 13 degrees outside and I'm not sure I want to go anywhere. Brrrrrr!