Twinkies tip for the day.
When your mother is hanging the washing, if you do this

And this

And this

She has to stop and give you a scratch.

“What? No more laundry? Check Em’s floor, there’s bound to be some in there!”

Is there a specially choreographed dance we’re supposed to do when we have a finished project?

The beaded socks are done. I love them. (No, I haven’t blocked or seamed the striped jumper!)
Pertinent info
Yarn : Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in “River”
Beads: 8/0 seed beads, purchased from eBay
Pattern: Heartstrings Fiber Arts “Beaded Faux Cable Anklets”
A close up of the cuff.

Pretty, pretty!
I have rather thick ankles, so I had to play with the needle and sock sizes a little, but I’m very happy with the finished result. I wore them all day today, and they most comfortable indeed.
I have actually already started something else, because I needed some easy knitting for the dance comp the other day. I’m knitting something Em specifically asked for.
Be warned, there is Fun Fur involved.
The things we do for love.

Purple fluffy trimmed socks.
I’m making them up as I go along, but they fit “perfectly”, according to Em’s excited squeal. If anyone is interested in the pattern, let me know and I’ll write it up.
I’m using Filatura Di Crosa “Zarina”. It’s a sportweight yarn, with recommended gauge 26sts/4″ on 3.75mm (US 5) needles.
I love this yarn, and the slightly heavier weight “Zara”. They’re springy, soft pure merino wool yarns that are yummy to knit with.
I’m knitting it at a tighter gauge, roughly 30sts/4″, and it’s making a lovely soft sock. I hope it wears okay, Em is pretty hard on socks.
Oh, and the trim is Sirdar Funky Fur magic. I held it together with the Zarina, but I really don’t enjoy knitting with the stuff. I find it hard to count the rows, and I kept knitting into only one of the yarns, and accidently dropping the other. I only did 10 rows of it though, so it wasn’t too much of a hardship.
It’s knitting up nice and quickly, but of course not quick enough for Em’s liking, who wants them now.

Well, it definitely ain’t sunny and bright here at Casa del Random this morning.

Thick as pea soup, people. That pic was taken at 7.30 this morning, it’s now 9.30am and it’s still just as bad. And it’s cold.
I opened the back door for Twinkie, who usually goes bounding out first thing, and even she stopped at the door and turned and gave me her “What the f*&@?” look. I’m sure she wanted me to go out and chase it away, like I do with the birds.
Good day to sit and knit, I think.
The gloves are coming along, the flower on the first one is finished.

The colours aren’t as bright as they appear here, but I had to use the flash.
I’ve also been working on the second beaded sock.

I’ve only just had to join in the second ball. I always seem to get great yardage from Lorna’s Laces, and it’s just so yummy to work with.
The costume sewing goes on and on. I still have 48 or something left to do, but I have until October. Of course, I use that as an excuse to put it off, and then I fall behind again. The sewing machine is out in the kitchen, and it’s just too cold to sit out there some days.
While I was taking pictures of the knitting, I saw these little guys on the back fence.

Poor things, I told you it was cold!!
Twinkie thinks it’s a better idea to hide inside today.

I love those little front legs!

I got my knitting back!
I went to the doctors this morning, and the receptionist told me how lovely it was, and that she’d shown it to everyone in the waiting room when she found it.
However, not having the sock around gave me plenty of time to work on the Fair Isle gloves.

(Click for big)
That’s the front of the glove, and that’s the start of the flower petals you can see in the green.

(Click for big)
That’s the palm of the glove. Those “stripes” make up the pattern for the whole palm.
But I do have a bit of a problem. The gauge called for is 32sts x 32rows = 4″. I’m getting 32sts, but I’m getting 40 rows. So the width is right, but the length is a bit squishy. I’m hoping I can stretch it a bit at the blocking stage. Or that the recipient has little squat hands!
Emily is feeling much better today, and is going back to school tomorrow. Thank you for all the well wishes!

Emily has been sick with a cough and a cold for a few days, so I took her to the doctor this morning. To pass the time, I took my beaded sock to knit.
However, when I got there, I saw an old friend whom I haven’t seen in quite a while, so I chatted with her, and did no knitting.
Guess what?
Two hours later, I’ve realised that my knitting is sitting on the floor under my chair. At the doctors.
Now I’ll have to go back tomorrow to pick it up. Bah!