Last January I embarked on a new adventure: to complete 12 pairs of socks in 12 months.  I am pleased to say that I accomplished this goal.  A couple of months (most notably December) I scooted across the finish line just barely in the nick of time.

Sock mug shots:

I have been continuing with my 12 Socks in 12 Months challenge, though I have been very neglectful of posting my progress.  My camera is broken (permanently, I think) so I’ve had to resort to using phone pics.  I apologize for the photo quality.

My August socks were knit from Yarn Chef Minestrone (merino/nylon blend) in a lovely self striping colorway called Yucca.  I used the Lace and Cable Socks [ravelry link] from Wendy Johnson’s Socks From the Toe Up book, and knitted them on two 2.0 mm circular needles.  I omitted the eyelet pattern on the top of the foot and also did a short row heel instead of the one suggested in the pattern.

My September Socks [ravelry link] were a fun project.  They were knitted from Ancient Threads‘ Sockittome, a merino/nylon blend dyed with logwood purple, cochineal, lac, and quebracho black.  The pattern is one I improvised and I worked a delicate three stitch cable down the sides, although the cables are hard to see in this picture.  Much of the knitting was done on the road between St. Louis and Indianapolis as I visited my expectant sister twice in September – once to help her move to her new house, and again for the baby shower.  I’m looking forward to being an aunt again!

I’m still working on the toe of my second October sock and plan to finish it up today.  More finished project pictures to come!

Life has been crazy and hectic of late, but there has been a bit of knitting going on behind the scenes.  I am proud to say that I finished my July socks just under the wire with only three days to spare.  Whew!  I chose to knit the Kai-Mei pattern again [ravelry link] because I liked my April socks so well.  The yarn colors this month are a bit out of my normal wardrobe comfort zone, but they were so cheerful and summery I could not pass them up!  Also, I am meticulous obsessive freakish and made sure the stripes matched. 

Pattern: Kai-Mei from Sock Innovation by Cookie A
Yarn: Zitron Trekking, color 1000
Needles: Size 0 DPN

For my August socks, I’m finishing up a pair that has been languishing since May.  I do not have any in-progress pictures, but I finished up the first one a couple of nights ago and am starting the second sock.  The yarn is Yarn Chef’s Minestrone in Yucca – and it’s self-striping to boot! The stripes on these will also match…at least I hope they will.

I’m still here and still alive…just too busy lately to stop in for a post.  Earlier this month I was loving the cool autum feeling of our weather this summer.  Now we are back to St. Louis standard summer weather: hot, humid, and sticky.  It’s perfect weather for knitting in the air conditioning and dreaming of crisp autumn air.   I recieved the new fall IK in the mail last week and several items caught my eye.  I raided my stash and found some yarn I had been hoarding for years: Classic Elite Renaissance in a lovely mottled blue/green shade.  I should have just enough to make the Slanting Gretel Tee.  If not, I may require professional help and/or institutionalization.

I cast on Saturday while helping my husband set up a computer lab at work.  We were there until after 10 p.m.  It was a very long day, and went something like this: Knit a few stitches, get up push buttons on several computers, wait and knit a bit, repeat…  I knit a gauge swatch before I started, I promise!  I got gauge on the first try, so I merrily cast on and began knitting.  27 rows later I decided to check my gauge, just to be sure.  I was not even close.  The sweater was 9″ larger in circumference than it was supposed to be.  I put the sweater away.  Sunday afternoon I ripped the whole sweater out.  Monday I began again with smaller needles.  So far, so good.  I do love the color of this yarn, although it is difficult to photograph.  (Please excuse my photography, btw…my camera is not working and I’m having to rely on my phone’s camera instead.)

So…what’s on your needles?

Life at our house has been crazy of late, leaving little time for blogging.  Today I am trying to take time to catch up on things I’ve neglected.  There has been knitting behind the scenes.  The shawl I meant to wear to my brother’s wedding is nearly finished.  I did not wear it to the wedding after all.  A week before the wedding, I tried on the dress I was planning to wear.  I had only worn it once and was looking forward to wearing it again…such a gorgeous dress!  However, I discovered the dress was now several sizes too big!  I lost some weight over the past year and never stopped to consider that the dress might not fit.  So, in a fit of shopping frenzy, I looked madly for a new dress.  (Anyone else have trouble finding clothes for small sized petites?)  I found one in the nick of time, but  since the shawl I was knitting did not match, I tossed the project aside.

I am keeping up with my 12 Pairs in 12 Months sock challenge.  I finished my June socks on Monday.  I did footy socks, which means I had to knit two pairs to get credit.  Today, in a fit of inspiration, I got an idea for a sock pattern.  I charted a pattern, jotted down notes, then promptly cast on.  Details will be forthcoming when I actually have a knitted sock to show.  I am also planning baby knits…my little sister is having a girl!

Today is also Benjamin & I’s 9th anniversary!!!  It is still hard for me to believe we have been married for nine years.  He is still my best friend and my favorite person to spend time with.  Our plans for tonight include dinner and a quiet evening at home.  We were at a gathering last night, and are spending time with family and friends the rest of the week, so an evening in sounds like a nice respite.