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!