Monday Already?

This weekend went by a little too quickly and here we are at Monday morning already. Well, only 5 days until the weekend! 🙂

I didn’t knit too much this weekend since we went to see Pan’s Labyrinth at the theater on Saturday (it was fantastic!) and then yesterday I spent most of the day reading. I started The Terror by Dan Simmons the other night and I’m totally engrossed. It combines naval historical fiction with a supernatural thriller. Great combination for a cold wintry weekend read.

As for the knitting, I did finish the first Marmalade Citrine sock and I’m already on the foot of the second one. The mediumweight Socks that Rock just flies off the needles! I did knit a little on the Phoebe sweater, but I’m just not sure if I’ll continue. I’m unsure whether it is the yarn or what, but I’m not really into the project. I think I may stick with knitting a few winter accessories for a while. And socks. I do love to knit socks… 🙂

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Hooray for Friday!

This has been one very long week and I’m very happy the weekend is nearly here. Work has been somewhat busier than usual so I’m looking forward to a couple days away from the office.

I’m now in the gusset decreases of the first Marmalade Citrine Sock (Socks that Rock mediumweight in Citrine, Marmalade pattern). The heel flap looks terrific! The slipped stitch pattern is knit over the whole flap. Pretty nifty.

I’m in love all over again with the yarn. I am pretty sure this was the first Socks that Rock I ever bought and even though at first I thought the colors were too cheery for mid-January knitting, turns out they are perfect to brighten my mood. Oh, and why do I ever knit with any other yarn? I just love the mediumweight Socks that Rock so so much (I use the word “love” a lot when I talk about this stuff, don’t I?).

Wednesday night we had a terrific Group knitting night. It was one of the first times in over a month that almost everybody could make it. One new person as well as six regulars were able to attend! Welcome to the group, Tamra (hope I’m spelling that right – I’m bad at names and spelling them). I’m so happy we were all able to make it. I had almost forgotten how much fun it is to be with all those wonderful women. Plus Lynae brought her daughter’s Girl Scout Cookie order sheet – I love those cookies! 🙂

To celebrate getting through a month of neck problems I did treat myself to a new bag. I’m normally not one to go for Vera Bradley patterns. They just aren’t my style (though I do like the one Liz brings to group). Well, I saw that there were some new prints and I was immediately taken with Pink Elephants. It’s the breast cancer awareness pattern for the year so 10% of proceeds will go to the Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Foundation for breast cancer research. And it has pink elephants! Love it!

I got the bucket tote which is just the perfect size for the Phoebe sweater I’ve started (Not much to show on that one. I’ve completed the bottom ribbing and an inch of stockinette. Pictures to come when there’s something to see). I’m so tempted to get all the little matching accessories with the elephant pattern, but I really need more knitting accoutrement like I need a hole in my head (I have another Offhand Designs bag on special order…). I had almost ordered a Lexie Barnes Flo bag the other day, but then I decided I would really like have a bag that was a little less conspicuous as a knitting bag so this Vera bag fit the bill! (And it has pink elephants!)

In neck pain news, I saw the neurosurgeon yesterday and the good news is that I don’t need surgery. Yea! I do need to do 6 weeks of physical therapy, but I kind of expected that. The doctor said that I need to stop participating in any sport that causes jarring, so no more bowling for me. 😦 I’m pretty bummed about that since I really like to bowl (I’m a good Midwestern girl). Oh well. I’m also not supposed to ever run or jog unless I’m on an elliptical or treadmill. He said I was doing well though and I really do feel better. Bummer that our bodies fall apart. 😦

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Getting into the swing of things

With the holidays and the neck problem I just haven’t been knitting nearly as much. Well, I have been knitting, but I haven’t been enthusiastic about it. Perhaps I have a lingering fear that the knitting is what caused the slipped disc though according to the doctor that is unlikely. Whatever it is, I’ve just not been as into it lately, but I think that time is ending.

I liked those Jingle Bell Socks I knit. And then I saw a cute sweater pattern on Knit Picks and went ahead and ordered it. It’s the Phoebe sweater. I really like it. So, the other night I decided it was time to do some spontaneous project knitting and I made my swatch. The pattern calls for Knit Picks Andean Silk (which is lovely), but I had some Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Evergreen languishing in the stash so I’m going to give that a go. Last night I only got an inch of the ribbing done, but I have a feeling this sweater will go pretty quickly once I get going.

The Marmalade Citrine sock is coming along nicely. I have almost finished the leg of the first sock. Looking forward in the pattern I see that the heel flap will have a slipped stitch pattern that matches the leg. Should be fun. I’m very happy with how this pattern looks with the yarn (Socks that Rock in Citrine mediumweight). The color is so light and airy. It makes me think of lemons and cantaloupe. 🙂

Happily, I’m feeling up to going to Knitting Group tonight. I haven’t been able to go since before the holidays! Who all is going tonight?

***Knitting Group is tonight (Wednesday) at the Borders’ Cafe in Wilmette (corner of Lake & Skokie). We meet from 6:30 until 8:00 and any yarn enthusiast is welcome!***

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