Category Archives: WIPs

A Folded Brim

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The hat I’m calling the Basic Dude Beanie is flying off my needles this week. I am at yet another kid lesson this week. Such is our life now. But at least I am passed the folded brim!

I ended up with roughly 8 inches of stockinette that folded in half for a 4 inch brim. I am now working up the main body of the hat. Just tons of roundy round stockinette that requires zero brain space.

I will do rounded “typical” decreases for this one to make more of a traditional hat. I know this coworker’s wife and I am thinking about asking if he has any patches I can add to the brim for extra flair. But we will see what is possible before I commit.

Happy Knitting!!

Spa Day

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I took some time for myself away from work and away from family this week. I scheduled a cool spa soak followed by a massage and then dinner by myself.

My Basic Dude Beanie came along with me on the trip. I managed to knit above the water and keep the skein dry in my bag. I am really coming along with the brim!

For dinner I wandered down to a Ramen shop where I got dumplings in chicken based ramen and fried wontons. I couldn’t eat anywhere near the whole thing but It was GLORIOUS to enjoy a meal and not have to parent anyone. I just ate and read my latest book.

It’s nice to find time to remember who I am aside from my output! Happy Self Care!!

Cast On: Basic Dude Beanie

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Golf lessons continue into the cooler weather of fall. This led me to want to start another beanie. My Punch Bug Vanilla Beanie is at the brim decreases and not conducive to traveling.

I had a single skein of Ella Rae Classic wool from a mystery grab bag I purchased. It’s pretty toothy wool and just 200 yards of worsted. Made perfect sense to make a hat. This time I decided on a folded stockinette brim. I am hoping this type of construction can help me maximize the full skein. No science, just gut instinct and going to knit until I get close on yarn.

The last hat was a little snug on the husband so I went up to 96 stitches on US 8s instead of 88. This should make it a better fit for a dude. I think this hat will go to live with a coworker who often works out in the cold at all hours.

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Emotional Support Socks

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To keep my needles warm, I cast on another pair of socks straight away after finishing my 2023 GFOA Socks. I went for an easy one and yarn that was already caked up. I had the full skein of BFL from 2020 AGirlandherwool advent calendar. Ravelry said I have 300+ yards left so that should be a good pair of socks!

I managed a wee toe cast on with FlexiFlip needles. I may switch to my 9 inch circulars after a bit. But I do find I like the flexible DPNs for cast ons.

Fall golf lessons have started for Jellybean so I get 3 hours a week of patio knitting while he golfs. Win win!

Happy Knitting!!

FO Friday: 2023 GFOA Socks

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My 2023 GFOA Socks are finally done and properly photographed!

Pattern: None, my own 68 stitch toe up vanilla sock with afterthought heel (Rav link)

Yarn: KirbyWirby Old Faithful Sock in Rose Apothecary Remix

Needles: US 1s

I used about 75 grams of sock yarn to make these. Which makes them roughly 340 yards worth of yarn. They come past my ankles and a decent amount up my calves. Should make nice boot socks!

These just turned out beautifully. I am super pleased with my neutral heel choice. It just fell so beautifully inside the rainbow progression. It’s still crazy hot here in Kansas so I don’t have much a chance to wear them yet but I can’t wait!

Reengaging Self Care

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Life has been kicking right in the yarn balls lately. And I haven’t been great at taking care of myself or taking time for myself. Last night we had no kid events and the hubs was putting the kids to bed so I secluded myself in the basement for the evening.

I have my 2023 GFOA Socks where I cut in my heels. And then I have a nice Cab Sav with do it yourself cheese and cracker. I literally bit off some cheese and then add a cracker, lol. And I put on a face mask and foot mask while I binged Only Murders In The Building Season 2.

Won’t solve all my problems but it sure was nice to take a breath for a minute! Happy Self Care!!

Two Rainbow Tubes

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I managed to finish both tubes this week on my 2023 GFOA socks!

They matched almost perfectly! My second cuff might be a hair short but its close enough. I have decided I am not going to use the rainbow yarn to do the heels. I have some plain grey leftovers that should work nicely.

I just need to dig out my DPNs so I can pick up stitches and cut in the afterthought heel. Happy Knitting!!

The Fourth Skein

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I did a little work on my Chromatic Yarns Chevron Blanket this week. Enough to have finished off the third skein and start the fourth!

I am still in the pink/purple section of my planned fade. Coming up after this should be some blues and greens. I LOVE these shades but it will be nice to work with something different. It’s just slow going and is not as motivating since progress is not immediately noticeable. Just have to remind myself this one is a marathon and not a sprint!

Happy Knitting!!

Diversity Training

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I volunteer on a local non-profit board and we are incorporating DEAI (diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion) into our framework. That included mandatory training after work hours. Of course I brought knitting! And then I got the giggles when I realize my project was rainbow and on “theme”.

This is my second tube for my 2023 GFOA socks and I’m SUPER close to the cuff on this. I got two whole stripes done in a 60 minute meeting. I do have to keep checking my first sock to make sure I am putting the increases in the same place for the second sock. It has been invigorating to feel connected back to knitting again!

Happy Knitting!!