Updates and pictures from our trip are coming soon. It's been a busy week at work. Until then, Here's another sneak peek from the Friendly Socks book that's due out this month.
This pattern is called "Do the Math" and is a recipe for making socks in any size for any feet, using any yarn. Don't let the name scare you -- I'm the most math-phobic person I know, and if I can do it, anyone can!

Goin' Camping!
This may be my last post for a few days. We're leaving next Wednesday on the BigYellowBike for a trip to New York state. We'll be meeting up there with a bunch of other GoldWing riders to do a little riding and camping.

We'll be gone for about a week, and will stop and visit friends on the way there and back. I am eager to get on the road! We're looking forward to seeing some familiar folk and meeting lots of new friends.

My sister will be here to take care of the dog and cats and to see that all is well on the home front. I have a lot of sorting and packing to do before we leave, beginning with choosing my knitting for the trip. I want to finish a pair of socks I'm working on (Online Supersocke) before we reach our destination. I hope it's not too windy to knit on the back of the bike!

If you're out and about and see the BigYellowBike pulling a camper with a teal-blue cover, that will most likely be us. Honk and wave! I'll see you when we get back.

If you've been reading here since the beginning, you've seen this picture, ca. 1983, of our son and me. In honor of Mother's Day I'm re-running it. Happy day to all who are (or have had) mothers.

It's a....
Little Thor(ina)'s parents had their ultrasound Monday. They are not ones who appreciate surprises (there's NEVER anything under their Christmas tree, because neither of them can stand to wait), and really, really wanted to find out if it's a boy or a girl. They were very hopeful that the baby would cooperate and show them.
The baby is doing beautifully: very active, has all the requisite limbs and digits, and is just the size for this time in the pregnancy.
I knitted two tiny socks, one pink and one blue. I gave them the appropriate color when we got the news... Guess what ? I still have this one:








In other knitting news, I've finished a test sock for The Book, made progress on the moebius, and started (twice) a tiny Aran sweater for the baby.
I bought some lovely Cascade 200 at the LYS the other day in dark red, navy, and tan for heavy, striped winter socks, as well as a skein of Meilenweitt self-patterning sock yarn in the same colors. I don't know...those colors just seemed to call my name!

Reading for the Soul...
A post at the Yarn Harlot's blog led me to Lene. Go there. Read. Refresh your soul. Knit something beautiful. Lene will be leaving the blogging community for a journey, and won't return until May, but she's left us archives to read. I shall be reading them.
I've made a button in my sidebar. It's the one with the funny little dog and the unreadable title: "Dances with Wool."

Friendly Socks: New Book Sneak Preview!
Well, the word is out. I have joined with a group of other sock knitters and we will be publishing a book of patterns to be called Friendly Socks. You can learn more about it by going HERE or by clicking on the Sirius Knitting Publications button to the right. Scroll down to Laura's Sunday, April 2, entry.

You may recognize some of the names involved: Laura Andersson, Debra Barker, Debra Chinn, Bonnie Franz, Susan Lawrence, Judy Rice, Nancy Wild, and Becky Yoder (that's me). We're all fairly active members of various online knitting groups, and all have published sock patterns.
Friendly Socks will have a variety of sock patterns, tips, tricks and techniques to encourage the beginning sock knitter and challenge the experienced one.

The sock shown is called "City Hearts" and has a panel of hearts accented by tiny beads running up each side of the leg. This is one of my designs that will be in the book. Other previews to come: check back later! Three years ago, when I first learned to knit socks, I would not have dreamed that I would be publishing my own patterns one day.

In other news, my Haley's Roses pattern is done at last. You can click on the link or hit the "BusyBee Designs" button in the sidebar to buy the pattern or to learn about my great-niece Haley and the terrible disease that ended her life. All the proceeds from the sale of the pattern will be donated to Lunch for Life, an organization that raises money for neuroblastoma research. You'll find links at the BusyBee Designs blog.

That's all for now, folks. Have a great day!

First Progress...
I finished the first four rounds of my moebius last evening, and it wasn't bad at all. I found that I have difficulty counting (no surprise to those who know me), but other than that it went pretty well.
Now I have to put it on a back burner for a few days while I test a sock pattern for a friend. Watch this space for further updates!

Am I Crazy???
Well, maybe! If I wasn't already, I'm sure to be by the time I finish this.
I went to open knitting night at Ewe-Nique Knits in Goshen, Indiana last evening and decided I needed this. I've been wanting to try a moebius scarf. I remember showing my Cub Scouts how a moebius loop works many years ago, and it fascinated me as much then as it does now.
I can't remember what I was looking for in the pattern binders when I was distracted by the Fiber Trends Moebius Shawl pattern. I'd already picked up the ball of Trekking yarn. Next thing I knew I was looking for a needle. They didn't have a 40" size 7 in stock, so I took a chance that the 32" size will work.
I sat down at the table and began casting on...387 stitches later, I read the next step. I needed another needle! I had one at home, so decided to work on my socks-in-progress, and take the next step in the comfort of my own living room.
Yep, three hundred eighty-seven stitches. In fingering-weight yarn. Following a lace pattern. Fit me for the white coat now!

Baby Steps...
I finished these wee sockies last night while watching "American Idol." The tiny ball of yarn is all that was left from one skein of Opal Prisma after knitting a pair for myself and a pair for Thor(ina). I might have been able to squeeze out one more stripe, but I like the proportions of these, plus I didn't want to have to frog because I'd run out of yarn.

Thanks, Marguerite and Sarah for your comments on the last post about my Sunny Socks!

Some Early-Spring Sunshine
...and a sunny pair of socks, too.
I finshed these a week or so ago, but haven't had a chance to post a picture. They're a little looser than I'd like (my fault for adding too much ease to the pattern), but I love them.
The yarn is Opal Prisma and the pattern is unpublished. I knit the socks on size 0 or 1 needles, can't remember which.
I'm using the leftover yarn to knit a pair of socks for little Thor(ina). They're nearly finished and I should have a pic up soon.

We had a lovely weekend: dinner with friends Friday evening, made a road trip Saturday to visit a friend who'd had surgery (he's doing just fine, thanks), had a visit from my Canadian brother and his girlfriend Saturday night, and played in a euchre tournament Sunday. I've included a Wikipedia link for those of you who have never heard of the game. It's a staple in this part of the world, but Rich and I had to teach a lot of non-midwesterners how to play when we were newlyweds living in North Carolina.
Going off to finish my baby sockies now.

A Quick Edit...
Thor(ina)'s parents were here tonight for supper, and I'm supposed to tell you Nici had a sonogram not an ultrasound.
Lambrequins are, indeed, the padded, fabric-covered boxes that attach to the frame at the top of windows. They are different from cornices because lambrequins have padded, fabric-covered 'legs' that extend downward from the box.

That's all, folks!

A Little Knitted Sunshine
I've been knitting...really! Here's proof. A great remedy for gray March days in Michigan, and the perfect BigYellowBike yellow. I'm nearly through the gusset decreases.
The yarn is Opal Prisma and the pattern is an unpublished one, with a few adaptations to fit me. Sorry I can't share it, but I'll let you know when it goes public.
I've been working on another pair, too, the green ones in the not-so-great picture on an earlier post. Gotta start baby-knitting soon!



I received some pictures from Nancy Wild, who's testing the Haley's Roses pattern for me. She chose a beautiful dark blue and cream for her test, and they're just lovely! I need to make a few changes to the pattern, and then it will be ready to go.

First Week at Work
No pictures today. My first week on the new job is almost over. It's been great, but tiring. Monday I learned a little bit about my actual job, but the last three days I've been working in the sewing room, packing orders. The idea is that it will make me more familiar with our products, but what I've really gained is a whole new respect for the people who produce them.

These folks are hard workers, and the work they turn out is amazing. They clock in at 6:00 am, and leave at 2:30 pm, some stay until 4:00 pm and work Saturdays to catch up. I can't imagine spending eight or nine hours a day sitting at a sewing machine or operating a cutter or staple gun, but they do it with relatively little bitching and moaning. I folded and packed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of bedspreads, curtains, and pillows since Tuesday morning, and very few needed any fixing. I lost a couple of pounds, and gained more than a few aches and pains. Whatever they're paying these folks, it's probably not enough! Next time you buy new curtains for your home, take a good look at the craftsmanship and spare a thought and a good wish for the people who made them for you.

Tomorrow: 'lambrequins'...I think they're the padded, fabric-covered thingies that go at the top of the windows. I'll let you know when I find out.

A Picture of Our Grandbaby!
Nici had her first ulstrasound today. Thor(ina) isn't big enough yet to see if (s)he's a boy or girl, but they saw ten fingers and ten toes (all in the appropriate places) and everything is right on track. The baby is very active and has a strong heartbeat. (S)he danced and waved at Mom and Dad.
This is so cool! I wish we'd had an ultrasound when I was pregnant for Nick, but in those days the technology was very new and they only did that if they suspected a problem.
Edited 3/29/06: Sonogram photo removed

I went to open knitting night at Ewe-Nique Knits in Goshen, Indiana, tonight. About a dozen women were there, at all levels of knitting skill. It was a lovely evening!

Their grand opening is later this week. Stop in and check them out if you're in the area. The store is owned by a very nice group of ladies who are trying hard to build it into a first-rate yarn shop. Be sure to check out the floor in the restroom!

We went to Ohio to visit our friend Peggy over the weekend. I finished a sock and got a lot done on another that I finished this evening. Peg and I learned silk ribbon embroidery while we were there. I have visions of beautiful baby things dancing in my head...little dresses with ribbon-embroidered embellishments, and tiny matching baby shoes...just what I need: another hobby!

Benefits of sleeplessness...
...so I'm performing my normal stupidhumantrick of waking up every two hours during the night and I decide (sigh) I might as well get up and do a little 'net surfing until I'm sleepy enough to go back to Zzzzz-land.

I was running through my list of Yahoo! groups to see if there were any new posts and found that the March issue of the Opal Chatters' Newsletter is up (see sidebar for a button linked to info on joining). I've been Blogspotted! Every month three bloggers from the group are chosen to be spotlighted (spotlit??) in the newsletter and each receives an Opal yarn prize from Soxie. I can hardly wait to see what she sends me. Thanks, Dearie!

I bet I'll have some visits from fellow Opal addicts, so will post THIS link to my archives. Scroll down to October 4th to see my very silly "Ode to Opal" and a picture illustrating my shameful addiction. Hello, OpalChatters!

So, why the odd sleep habits? Stress, I guess. In the past ten months, I have had four-count-'em-four different jobs, and will begin yet another new job this coming Monday. I have changed jobs more in that time than I had in the previous EIGHTEEN years, and this from a person who hates-despises-avoids changes at all cost doesn't really care for change much. At the same time there have been some family problems causing me great sadness and frustration, as well, I suppose, as the continuing goofiness of the "M" that happens to all women around my age. Ah, well, all will be better with time.

In the good-news file, Baby Thor(ina) is growing apace. DearDaughter-In-Law Nici has been experiencing the tiny flutters that signal the baby's movement and is feeling less tired these days. I did some Grandma-shopping this week, hitting the winter clearance sales in the KMart baby department. I loves me them little baby duds. Cute little shirts, sweet little pants, adorable little snowsuits!

Back to bed for a couple more hours.

Comments...
Thanks, y'all, for the good wishes on the new job! I'm very excited and more than a little nervous.

Nancyj said: We love stopping in Shipshewana...Shipshe is a great town to shop! This is the second time I've worked there. The first time was in the late 80s-mid 90s. I managed a cluster of shops on the north side of the feed mill, called Quiltmakers/Shaker Legacy/Depot St. Shop. Later they added a Christmas store, too. Shaker Legacy was my favorite. We sold beautiful custom-built Shaker-style reproduction furniture that was built in an Amish woodshop north of Shipshe, and my husband built some here in his woodshop, too. Lovely, lovely stuff, in cherry, oak, and maple. Sad to say, those shops are long gone now. I can still weave traditional Shaker chair seats, though, if you ever need it done!

Jayne said... I love your cat (a siamese was my first ever cat and I am so tempted to get another one -...It's an odd thing about that cat. There are no Siamese on the place, and never has been one anywhere near, as best we can tell. We live in the house that was my grandparents until they both died in the 70s. There was a barn cat here named Cherryl Kitty (named by Grandma after my sister, who rescued the cat and brought her out to the farm in the mid-70s) when we moved to the farm in '79. She had a couple of litters every year, and a few litters had kittens with Siamese markings in yellow, grey, or tan. We've never kept one long enough for it to breed, but the markings keep showing up in Cherryl Kitty's descendants! It's funny how we never get a pretty gray/brown/white tiger like Cherryl Kitty any more, but we keep getting these.
The kittens with these markings are usually born a sort of dirty-white color, and the markings begin to show when they're a week or two old. As they get older, the colors get darker. Hershey is the first one we've kept this long -- people always want the 'siamese-y-looking' ones, so we end up giving them away. When Hershey was born I laid claim to her and wouldn't let anyone take her.
Time to go clean something or knit something...hmm...I wonder what will win out???

I have news!

I have a new job! I love my job in the store, but have no benefits: no health insurance, no paid holidays, no paid vacation, no lunch breaks (yes, I said no lunch breaks -- weird, huh!). The store is beautiful, the owner is very nice, but I need to have insurance, at the very least. Rich currently carries me on his job's insurance, but what if something happened to him?

So I applied for a job with Artisan Interiors in Middlebury, Indiana, and I got it! The pay is better, and I have all the aforementioned benefits. I'll be starting March 6th. I'll be doing order entry and customer service. I'm very excited, and more than a little nervous.

We had visitors... friends from the GL1800 Riders' Forum came up on Saturday and we did tourist stuff. They brought their son and daughter-in-law along, and our kids joined us, too. We did some shopping in Middlebury -- two words: Knudsen's Caramels! -- had lunch at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, then went to Shipshewana to see some of the shops there.

We stopped in at the shop in the Davis Mercantile where I work and the 'kids' tried out our life-size resin pig statues:

Nick & Nici and Jeff & Tammy with pigs...cute!

We had a great time, made some plans for camping and riding together, and shared a lot of laughs. You really do "meet the nicest people on a Honda!"

There is knitting: I have a couple pair of socks on the needles, and am re-knitting another for a pattern picture. I've started a baby blanket for little Thor(ina) and bought yarn for a little snowsuit-like-thingie, too. Yes, I fell off the no-stash wagon, but it was on sale!

Just checking in...
No knitting pictures to show, so here's one of Dash and Hershey napping. This was taken last summer, and Hershey has gotten much darker since then. Well, I guess it's kind of a knitting picture, too. That mess in the background was my first exploration into the Haley's Roses pattern.
Gosh, I guess it's been about a week since my last post. Sorry to worry you, Chelle! All is just fine here. The smoking cessation is coming along nicely. Rich says he's down to maybe 4 or 5 a day, and I haven't had one since Saturday. The meds they have him on for the acid-reflux thing are working well.
I didn't sign up for Olympic knitting, but have been knitting while watching the games (off and on...Rich does still control the remote, LOL). I did some swatching for grandbaby-knitting, and have been working on a new pair of socks in Opal Prisma yellow.
The most wonderful baby bootees book came for me this week, via inter-library loan (thanks, Decatur library!). 50 Baby Bootees to Knit is by Zoe Mellor and the patterns are adorable. And speaking of booties/bootees, one of the shops in the suite where I work is now carrying these. They're Robeez baby shoes and booties, and are they ever cute (but pretty expensive). Little Thor(ina) might get a pair, though!

ER...our very own reality show!
When Rich came home from work last evening, he said he didn't feel good. I asked him what was wrong, and he shrugged. When pressed, he said, "My chest hurts."
Well, you can imagine, that brought things to a standstill. It seems his chest had been hurting for several days, and he just hadn't mentioned it to me.
Long story short, we headed for the hospital. Rich insisted he felt well enough to drive! He spent the night there in the Chest Pain Observation Unit, and had a stress test this morning. The good news is that he has acid reflux disorder, NOT heart problems. The REALLY good news is that his heart is in wonderful shape: the ER doctor said Rich should take the images they got during the stress test to our insurance company and demand a discounted rate because he has absolutely no sign of heart disease.
The bad news is that his chest X-ray shows the beginnings of emphysema. We will both be quitting smoking...

The good thing about hospitals is you can knit there for very long periods of time while you wait.
These Jaywalkers are finished. I kitchenered the toes in the ER while waiting to see if they were going to keep Rich overnight.

The generic make-it-up-as-I-go socks in the really lousy picture are begun. I started them this morning while waiting for Rich to finish his stress test. The yarn is vintage Lady Gault from Kroy. It's very, very, very fine, almost laceweight. It's nice and soft, though, and a lovely color of green...I believe I have had carpet this color of green in every house I've ever lived in!

Haley's Roses (new cuff)
Here's the new version, finished, and a closeup of the cuff. I love the stitch definition of the Lang Jawoll. The roses actually look a little like roses!
I think Jawoll is my new favorite sock yarn.