Hitckhiker

 Finally, improbable as it seems, something that isn't socks! 

Still sock yarn though, but I decided this yarn was too pretty to be socks, I wanted to be able to see it, so I made a Hitchhiker. I've been meaning to buy this pattern for years and finally decided to JUST DO IT ALREADY!

I only managed 41 scallops with 100g of Knit Picks Duo Gradient yarn. DON'T PANIC. It's not the end of the world.... this time. Or, at least, I'm not aware of any hyperspace bypasses in the works. If anyone knows otherwise please let me know. I know where my towel is though so I'm not overly worried.

Pattern: Hitchhiker by Martina Behm
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Gradient Duo in Ice Sculpture
Needle: 3.0mm
Gauge: 21 stitches and 54 rows = 10 cm in garter stitch (theoretically, I haven't actually measured)

I considered posting some Vogon poetry in order to memorialize this project but I decided that, since Vogon's write the third worst poetry in the universe, it was a little too risky. The comments are your risk to take.

Current Weather

-11C with snow showers. Fall is definitely over. It was nice while it lasted.... About 6 weeks.

First Fall Socks

 The Summer of Socks is over but the socks continue. This yarn comes in three long colour changes but I decided I wanted to break up the yellow in these socks so I made the cuff, heel, and toe yellow in each sock.

Pattern: Improvised Basic Sock
Yarn: Knit Picks Knit Picks Stroll Gradient Duo in Rocket Ship
Needle: 2.5mm
Gauge: 41 stitches and 46 rows

Ahab
Ahab continues to recover from a lumpectomy last week. He's stuck wearing a t-shirt (my Dad sacrificed a t-shirt for the dog) for a few more days at least. It's better than the cone from last time but he still isn't a fan.

Current Weather
2C and cloudy. Fall broke yesterday, it had been really nice for weeks, but on Thanksgiving Monday I found snow on the deck in the morning. It melted by late afternoon but still..... 

And this morning the air was distinctly frosty when Ahab and I went for our morning meander around the block.

Last of the Summer of Socks

The first day of Fall is on Tuesday, two days away, so these are the last of the Summer of Socks. In total there were eight pairs of socks in the Summer of Socks. That's actually a lot of socks. And if I go back to the first of the year I have knit 12 pairs of socks. And with more to come, it's looking like a productive sock year.

Love the colour of these, which works out well since they're for me.

Pattern: Improvised basic sock
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Heritage Prints in 58 Twelve
Needle: 2.5mm
Gauge: 41 stitches and 46 rows

Health
I continue my efforts with the treadmill, I'm up to half an hour a day at 3 miles per hour most days; there are shorter days and slower days but for the most part. Not much to most perhaps but a good effort for me.

Current Weather

17C with periodic clouds. The wind shifted today and blew some of the chocking smoke from California, Washington, and Oregon away. It's expected to shift back in the next day or so bringing more smoke here.

Socks

 It's not quite Fall yet, and more importantly it still feels summery even though the light is now distinctly autumnal, so these count towards the Summer of Socks. Not sure if the next pair will make it under the wire or will be part of the Autumn of Socks. Assuming the sock mojo continues.

The black dye ran a bit on my hands as I was working the toes, it actually looked a bit like my fingers were rotting off but fortunately I'm not diabetic so I did not panic when I noticed it. I will rinse them really well and wash them to hopefully get the dye out before they dye my brother in law's toes black. I must remember to warn him about the possibility.

These duo cakes do not create identical socks, or at any rate, the two colourway's I've worked with both have not. Both this pair and the pink socks for my Niece definitely stripped differently. I'm not worried about it, fraternal socks are fine as far as I'm concerned, but if you're expected matching socks from this yarn you might be disappointed.

Pattern: Improvised Basic Sock
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Gradient Duo in Pet Rock
Needle: 2.5mm
Gauge: 41 stitches and 46 rows

Health

I continue to engage with my Frenemy the Treadmill, we're up to half an hour most days. Feeling fitter than I have for a long time so calling that a win.

Current Weather
23C and cloudy. High today was around 27C.

The Summer of Socks Continues

Another pair of socks drips from the needles in preparation for ...... wait for it ..... winter. But we're not talking about winter yet so here are the socks.

Pattern: Basic Sock

Yarn: Knit Picks Hawthorne Hand Painted Reel in Skyline Stripes

Needle: 2.5mm

Gauge: 41 stitches and 46 rows

I think these will go to my sister in Scotland. Which obviously means I also need a pair for my brother in law and my Wee Niece. Oh, the trials and tribulations of a knitter.

Current Weather

21C and partly cloudy. Today's high was over 30C. HEAT WAVE!

Socks

 It's been a summer of socks so far. After finishing these I immediately cast on a pair for my sister in Scotland, which means I will have to do socks for my brother-in-law and my Wee Niece too. Oh, the agony! :-)

Pattern: Basic Improvised Sock

Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Gradient Duo in BFF

Needle: 2.5mm

Gauge: 41 stitches and 46 rows = 10 cm

Health

Managed a new personal best with my Frenemy the Treadmill of 30 minutes. Felt like I could have gone longer but I don't want to hurt myself. I turned 44 earlier this week and exercise and me have not been pals for years; got to take it slow.

Current Weather

19C and sunny. Bit of  a break from the heat, I just hope this doesn't mean summer is over.

Stripey Vest

This started off to be a sweater but I got lost on "sleeve island*" and ended up making it a vest. Hope my Wee Niece is OK with a vest. She's getting this in addition to the Wallaby Jumper because she seems to like hand knits from her aunt. How long this will last is anyone's guess. I'm taking advantage while I can.

Pattern: Improvised

Yarn: Caron Cotton Cakes in Lavender Fields and Lilac

Needle: 4.0mm & 4.5mm

Gauge: 19 stitches and 25 rows = 10 cm

Health

Have managed to continue to do 15 minutes every day on the treadmill (my new best frenemy) except if I do something else active like a Scent Hurdle tournament or a walk with a friend.

Current Weather

31C and sunny. Hooray for SUMMER!

* encountered this term on the River City Yarns podcast