How did this happen?
My knitting was going so well, and then this happened. Using the same pattern and a row counter so I wouldn’t lose place; how did I end up with one sock 3 inches shorter than the other? It can’t be true. No way. Yep the second sock is too small. Guess this means a “ripping” good time tonight.

Socks just seem to give me problems. Other’s just whip right along and make beautiful socks. Me… I try a simple “easy” pattern and what happens? Either I end up with an orphan sock (never finish the match) or I totally mess it up and end up with two different size socks. I have sock books and a zillion sock patterns, but for some reason no matter what I do, I never seem to get it right. Is this just me or do other’s have this problem?

You’d think with my recent knitting problems I wouldn’t take on an adult sweater project; let alone one with two color pattern. My daughter “T” lives in Tennessee. It’s not only sweater weather almost year round, but she works in a hospital and it’s always cold. She loves cardigans. I have 8 skeins of Encore DK in cream and 9 in sort of a wine color. Figured I’d put them to good use. I just love this yarn. It’s so soft and easy to work with. I started the sweater last night, with luck T may get the sweater before Christmas.

Next week is my granddaughter Aurora’s 6th birthday. Not to say my daughter “M” spoils her kids, but they do seem to have lots of stuff. This makes it hard to buy something for the kids. To make matters harder, they live in Florida. Not a lot of sweater weather there. I did knit her a vest in blue and white. The kids love to do arts and crafts, so I picked up a lot of stuff at Hobby Lobby. She should get the package the first of next week and I even wrapped the birthday gifts. I’m really bad about putting presents in a box, not wrapping them, and not identifying who they are for. Well, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Knitting Wednesday went great yesterday. I showed the group how to decrease and still keep their yarn over pattern. We used the yarn over increase practice piece from last week.
Explanation: knit two stitches together, yarn over needle, knit two stitches together. You end up with 3 stitches on your right needle. It took some getting used to, but they all got it in the end.

We even had a return guest appearance from a missing knitter (AW). She’s working on her garter stitch dish cloth. I kidded her about finishing it before Christmas, but she’s got the knit stitch down pat. She just needs to find the time to work on the dish cloth. AW has a full life, but she’s determined to knit.

Yes, I told the group about my sock issue.

As you know, I’ve cleaned up my “Knitting/Craft” room. I’ve been working at keeping it clean. During the clean up I put all the finished objects together in a plastic bin. Today I finished a vest for granddaughter, Aurora, so I went to put it in the bin. The bin is overflowing with recent finished items. Gee, does that mean I’ve been knitting.

Pulling out the items to organize them, I noticed that I have finished quite a few Surprise Baby Jackets (Elizabeth Zimmerman’s pattern). I’ve made them in worsted weight, double knitting, and sock yarn. These photos show only a few of the sweaters. I really like that pattern. Other than trying to remember to count when needed, this is a really easy knit.

I took my most recent SBJ to work and asked the knitting group to try to figure what it was. Some of them got it fast. Some got it after they saw the button holds, but they all were amazed at the design.

This pattern is a great way to use up left over yarn and such a rush when you see what it looks like when you finish. There are so many different looks to this sweater; it all depends on the yarn, needles and colors used, not to mention how you place the stripes.

I can see more SBJ in my future.

PS: The photos were taken on the walkway around the pool. As sunny as it is today, the water is still to cold to swim.

1979 Brawdy Wales. This is the first sweater I knitted. Doesn't Missy look so happy? I don't think she liked the sweater.

1991 Kingsbay Georgia. I think she liked this one better.