Toe Up Side Cable Socks for Delaney

I am constructing a sock for my dear daughter, so in an attempt to be able to make a matching sock, I will share the pattern. LOL...that should make sure I can find the specifics so she will have TWO socks!


Toe-Up Side cable socks

I use the Turkish Cast On and started with 16 stitches on each needle. If you like a 'pointier' toe, I would begin with 12 stitches per needle...it really depends upon your toes!

Knit two rounds. (I keep track of the beginning of the rounds by pinning on a small gold safety pin.) You will be increasing every other round until you get to your desired circumference. The number of stitches depends upon your sock yarn and needles, so for the Lorna's Laces and size 2 needles, I will increase to 60 stitches.

I have been using Magic Loop for many of my toe up socks, but double points or two circulars would work just as easily...it is all personal preference! Simply have the stitches divided so half of the stitches would be the front of the sock, and the other half the back of the sock.

Increase Round: Knit half the stitches (*knit 1, increase one (k1fb), knit to the last 2 stitches on the needle, k1FB, k1*), then knit the back.
Knit Round: Knit the next round.

Continue these rounds until your sock circumference is obtained. (I just love having my kids try these on...but I do try to not have my children do this in a public place. It is tough, but I do try to not embarrass them too much!)

Once the number of stitches has been reached (60 for Delaney's socks), knit in the round until the sock touches the 'vertex' of her foot/leg. Now comes the magic of turning a heel...and that magic will require photos. I'll finish these directions with photos...that will help!

Friday's Feast

Here is another 'feast!' Dig in!

Appetizer
What is your favorite beverage?

My favorite beverage is a cup of tea. My mood would determine the type of tea, but I definitely love tea!

Soup
Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.

I have a cooling rack for the laptop, a dragon named Marshmallow (given to me by my children), and a photo of my two kids hanging out in a tree. There are quite a few papers also...but they have no special meaning.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?

I would say I am a 9. To be a 10, I would have to stop telling the telemarketers that my husband wasn't available when he was just in the other room. Sorry, I'm a bad kid, what can I say?

Main Course
If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?

In Montana, we have a deep connection to the land. This connection includes naming towns after physical characteristics. Great Falls was named after the many water falls along the Missouri River. Charlo was named after an Indian Chief from the local tribe. Our closest post office is located at Whitlash. It only gets mail Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the window is open until 1:30 each day. Still, it was supposed to have been named Whiplash (riding broncs or perhaps the bumpy stage coach ride), but a typo has been on the books ever since.

Dessert
What stresses you out? What calms you down?

Desserts are only stressed in reverse...and I am more familiar with it that I would like. I'm stressed by everyone seeming to feel I have enough time in my day to do some task, which might not be a bad task IF it were the only one I had to do. Unfortunately, it seems as if there are at least 20 such people/tasks all hitting at the same time. I just want to teach.

What calms me down? I'll be knitting...lots.

Senior Wrestler

January 3rd was Senior night at Chester's only home wrestling match-up. This year is passing too quickly!

The Semester is OVER!

This lovely rose is from Senior Night in Chester. Family photos will follow shortly!




Last year, our school switched to mark the passing of each half of the school year with a party lovingly referred to as 'Semester Tests.' As if the idea of having one day of the week set aside for each of the main 4 subjects, it was my luck to have the last day be designated as Mathematics Day. Luckily, there were still enough brain cells in my dear students heads, and we made it through this interesting time together!

Guess what the mail brought today? I received an envelope from my Hot Chocolate Friend! Inside this adorable knitting card was a tracing of a sock blocker...Oh Boy! I have been dreaming of such a treat, and now I have one. I've shown it to my children so they will be helping me get to cutting out and then we will decorate!

This weekend we will be going to Chinook for Friday then Harlem for Saturday tournament. The paperwork for District and State tournaments got mailed in today...my how time flies!

Here are a few items I managed to knit at last week's tournament in Choteau!




Oh, I forgot to mention...I love to drink tea!

Hot Cocoa Swap

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?

I use a big mug with store bought or home made mix, but I always add either milk or whipped cream. The extra smoothness of the milk or whipped cream (aka Cool Whip) just adds the finishing touch.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?

Whipped Cream please! Oh, Ice Cream is also good.

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet
1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors?

Golly, that is like asking my favorite pie...aren't all of them good? I have been playing a lot with knitting socks as well as scarves, hats, and mittens...so sock yarn and worsted/dk weights are great. As for fiber, I like to use alpaca, wool, and wool blends...but there are always fibers I would love to try! Colors? I like strong jewel tone colors and contrast. Pastels just aren't me.

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?

I knit...but I can crochet if I need to!

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?

I love the warmth of bamboo/wood needles BUT not if I'm working on fingering weight yarn (as with my socks or lace). For those projects I like Knit Pic needles. I'm always game to try something new!


4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?

Healthy supply? I live 30 miles from the nearest gallon of milk, and 2.5 hours from any LYS or 'shopping' area, but the trip there means I don't get there when the LYS is open. I have some stitch markers...does that count?!


5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?

I would love a tracing of a sock blocker. My son would make a pair of them for me...which would give him a project for Art class, and give me a wonderful memento!

6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification)

Calorimetry has been a recent favorite of mine. I don't need a pattern anymore, so it is a good wrestling meet knit!

Miscellaneous
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?

I am a member of a wrestling family, so I spend most of my weekends sitting at these meets. In the Winter...I like staying WARM!


2. What is your favorite animal?

My kitties!

Edited to include: I"m also a huge fan of dragons...but I was thinking more of the animals in my home when I posted this.

3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'?

It sure feels like it this year. Ick!

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?

How about a movie marathon complete with knitting? That sounds fun! Of course, I'm open to suggestions...

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring?

Lilacs. That flowering bush is the true feeling of spring.

6. What are your favorite treat?

Caramel corn has been my weakness lately, but dark chocolate is always a good thing!

7. What is your favorite board game?

Othello! I do like Backgammon also...but I can't get anyone to play with me. They will play Othello, though!

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?

I have a son who is a senior this year, a daughter who is a sophomore, and then 2 kitties and a dog. I have a good vacuum!

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about?

I have no allergies to chocolate or fibers...so we are good to go! Oh, this is going to be fun!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
When was the last time you received a surprise in the mail, and what was it?

I got a Christmas Card from a dear friend I hadn't heard from in ages!

Soup
If you could have a summer and/or winter home, where would you want it to be?


I would want it at Dayton...and we have it! We just need to get electricity and plumbing...but hey, it was Grandpa's, so it is SPECIAL!


Salad
Pick one: pineapple, orange, banana, apple, cherry.

Cherry...please.

Main Course
Describe the nicest piece of clothing that you own.

I have a beautiful pants suit...too bad I never wear it.

Dessert
If you could forget one whole day from your life, which day would you choose to wipe from your memory?

June 19, 2007...period.


Somehow, my first posting was from an old feast...so I Have 2!



















Appetizer
It's another Friday Wrestling Tournament...so I'll post this while I wait for Rick to get done feeding.



Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.

I would like to get electricity at Dayton and I would like to clean out the basement by selling extra items on ebay.

Soup
With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?

Is it a bad thing that my first thought went to Marvin the Martian? I can't think of the traits we would share, but he was first to mind!

Salad
What time of day (or night) were you born?

Although Mom can't be specific, she does say I was born in the early morning. It was daylight...but as it was summer, it could be around 7ish?

Main Course
Tell us something special about your hometown.

I moved a lot as a child...so I don't feel as partial to a town as I could. My hometown (by choice) is special because it has heart. The community cares deeply about the members of this county. Sure, we may pick on each other...but no one else should attempt it!

Dessert
If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?

A letter from my dad would be priceless. Hi Daddy!

December Knitting...all thanks to stress!

Delaney's first Calorimetry was from a vintage cotton yarn, so another is in the works for a winter version. Until then, she does like this one!




Vicky gets an Edgar Ascot...or scarf-let either way I ran out of yarn!




Garrett's knee socks are coming along...but they weren't done by Christmas time.




My Malabrigo skein has become a fantastic hat! Thank you Lela, I love it!



Mountain Colors Edgar...this is for ME! I will be making a hat and mitts to match, but they will come later.

Belated MEME: GROSS posting

Ah...although it may have seemed I was ignoring being tagged (Thank you Wendy!) I was really just trying to think of the 8 things I would need to share. This isn't going to be easy, but here goes!

1) Most of my Gross postings will come back to this main fact: I have lost the majority of my sense of smell. The Ear-Nose-Throat Specialist tells me it is probably due to a virus, but I find that is usually the culprit when doctors just don't know.

2) Like Wendy, I wake up with some nasty post nasal gunk, but mine never seems to go away. My nasal cavities tend to become infected easily unless I keep it as clear as possible.

3) Breathing through my nose is asking me to suffocate. I'm sorry if I snore...really!

4) I usually get the job of cleaning the fridge, toilets, cat box (we only have one when the temps are below zero), and or any other sticky job...remember I won't smell it until the job is done...if at all.

5) I can't stand bumps. Any bump tends to attract my fingernails, so I always try to keep a band-aide with me.

6) Crud, I need 3 more. Hmmm...well, guess who gets to clean up if the kids or the animals gets sick? You know why right?

7) There are certain smells which are still 'there' for me. Unfortunately they aren't normal smells. I know when someone has been drinking, smoking (yes, that too), working in the shop, and if you got cut while in the shop. Electrical wiring is also a smell I catch, but I can't say it is one I want to smell while on a trip!

8) Once I start scratching, it is hard to stop. In this winter dry weather, I don't even want to think about it!

OH my, now I need to tag 3 people. Hmmm...well, I hope Grammieknits, Luvs2knit, tuabella will play!

Our Tree!

As Garrett is recovering from his wisdom teeth extraction, Delaney and her dad went up onto the switchbacks to get our Christmas tree. Once it was here, we placed it in the family room...which meant the table had to be moved first. (Garrett and I took care of that.) The kids decorated it up with lights and their ornaments, while I contributed the gold beads. As we applied the finishing touches, both kids were thinking about next year when Garrett will be away at college. OH my, we will have to get more decorations for him at the after Christmas sales!

Last Week was the CMR Wrestling Classic

So my family spent Friday through Sunday in Great Falls. Friday was full of excitement as schools from all over Montana came together so their wrestlers could see who would be the best of the many different classes. Not all of our CJI wrestlers could be on the mat, but Garrett, Bradley, and Ian were. Garrett wrestled 135, Bradley was at 119, and Ian began his wrestling career as a heavy weight. This was a tough place to have as your first match ever. My photos will be forthcoming!

Friday's Feast

I"m off to a Wrestling Meet first thing Friday, so I'll post this late Thursday Evening. Perhaps we could find the mean of my last late post and this early post?



Appetizer
Make up a word and give us its definition.

My word will be Crat. It is most useful when the wrestler crams their opponent to the mat.

Soup
What is currently your favorite song?

Any song which covers up the humming of my classroom's florescent lights. I can't stand that sound!


Salad
What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?

I wish for healthy parents...that would make my Christmas perfect.

Main Course
Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.

Cinnamon and Vanilla...they remind me of baking with Great Grandma Rosie. I miss you!

Dessert
Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?

We should all work to make the world a better place...I just don't understand Paris Hilton or Britney Spears.


Enjoy the feast! And Go Hawks!

Hot Chocolate!

This Cocoa Swap looks like it should be a great way to bring a smile to my face. My dd will enjoy getting everything all together also.

Belated Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What was the last game you purchased?

Othello! I even picked up one for my classroom AND another for a gift later. I love that game.

Soup
Name something in which you don’t believe.

I do not believe a person's mathematical ability has anything to do with their ancestors. I understand there are many people in the world who would like to blame their parents for a calculating error, but genetics just can't determine a students ability, or lack of ability, to do math.

Salad
If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?

Trac Atkins...I just heard his interview on Crook and Chase...he seems honest in his answers.

Main Course
What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?

Don't step too close to the edge of the earth...you really can fall off. Recently my world seems to have blown up, BUT it is up to me to climb back on, tighten the straps, and hold on through the buzzer. (NRA is on in Las Vegas...yep, we aren't down there! Let the bull riding begin.)

Dessert
Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.

Hmmm...I had always dreamed this would be a bathroom with a huge tub, candles, boston fern, and a kitty cat. Recently I have begun thinking a rocking chair and my knitting would be all I need to relax. Oh, perhaps some tea too!

Christmas Quiz!

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

My favorite ride would have to be the go carts! Give me speed and a corner...yeppers, that is fun!

Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?


You will find me alongside the edge of the group knitting away on a project. The more stressful, the faster I will be knitting.


Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

Ah...this conversation couldn't be with just anyone as I wouldn't enter into this conversation with just anyone. So my scale would range from 10 to non-existent...depending on the person!

Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?

I did not get a flu shot...nor have I ever gotten one.

Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

Ah...I can find a gray area in this question. I tend to have the tv on, but I'm not normally watching it. I like the background noise. Still, I will probably make it a point to sit in the same room as the tv for around 8 hours a week. That is usually where I find my family, so I do make it a point to visit!

Betty's Birthday!

I tried to have this done on Betty's birthday, November 6, but I finished it one day late. My wishes were on time, though!



Smile Birthday Girl!



Smile pretty Betty and Richard! I'm posting this for Cassie, so she can see her grandparents while she is traveling around the world. You can see her latest adventures at Adventures of Pookie and Bo Diddly.

Whoduknit Trick or Treat - Thank you Deb!

I am so far behind, I do believe I am being lapped. First I was going to write about all the fantastic treats I received, while planning to put the images up later. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the camera...now I have the camera, and I can't find my previous post. I could have swore I saved it...

Alas, you can see all the beauty, but the details will need to be filled in...I'm actually at home tonight!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?

Plan? Is that possible?

Soup
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?

I watched Y&R...and as I had today off from school, it was VERY good! (Our Volleyball girls are in tournaments today, so the teachers did our parent/teacher's conferences Monday and Tuesday evenings. I"m pooped!)

Salad
If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?

Dark Sage Green. It would actually match the kitchen...I like how it shows off the colors of the woodwork and texture on my walls. I should share that the texture includes the head mounts of the antelope, deer, and pheasant my family seems to be so proud of...I just need to figure out how to vac them!

Main Course
Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.

My invention/idea is for the transporting of all the necessary electronic cables/cords between home, work, and the apartment. Those nasties sure can get tangled up without my container!



Dessert
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.

Yarn, books, and a new printer!

Deer Season 2007

I'm afraid my dear son will have an unrealistic view of what hunting really is...you saw his antelope, well, he did it again with this deer. There as some major excitement in his eyes as he came back from the field without a rifle and or hunter orange. Still, he had good reason to be excited!

2007 Teacher's Conference - Belgrade

I'll be adding the details ASAP!