a magical memorial day

When I woke up this morning, a little before 10 a.m., I lounged in bed, my favourite thing to do, and then I thought to myself, "What better way to spend my day off than learning The Magic Loop method for knitting socks!"

I pulled out:

• The Magic Loop book that I purchased last year.
• My KnitPicks 32" US 3 circular needle.
• A left over skein of Argosy Luxury Yarns Lotus Blossom (from my Spiral Boot sock)

I proceeded to, don't fall over, read the directions.
And then I, don't fall over again, followed the instructions.

I practiced and practiced and then decided that I would KICK it up a notch!
I wanted to learn how to cast on for a toe up sock using the magic loop method.

I flipped to the back of the book and began to read the instructions.
They didn't make any sense to me.

So I went to Ravelry to find a different cast on method for the magic loop and

1. Read my mesages.
2. Read the replies to my posts {other ravelers want to join my group!}.
3. Searched for Douceur et Soie yarn - was anyone selling their stash? because I need about 7 skeins of a mohair/silk blend for Lucetta and Rowan's Kid Silk Haze is a bit pricey.
4. Searched for Douceur et Soie yarn online - who sells it? what's the best price?
5. Remembered that I had originally gone to Ravelry to find a better way to cast on other than the Figure 8 method.
6. Searched on the Ravelry Wiki pages for cast on methods, didn't find anything.
7. Went to the Forums and searched for "Figure 8 cast on."
8. Found posts in the Magic Loop Group - people were singing the praises of Judy's Magic Cast-On.

I asked Dave to help me because I couldn't figure it out.
I went back to The Magic Loop instructions, and suddenly it all made sense!

I'm thrilled! I just pulled on the loose stitches to get them tighter and I'm swooning!

this time with flash

before I ripped, I checked to see how other ravelers' windowpane socks were going.

some VERY smart knitter used a larger needle

so as I was ripping and feeling sorry for myself, I got down to the last two rows before the ribbing and decided to pick up the stitches with a US2

I'm happy to say that things are going much better

it's still a little tight over my heel, but I'm going to continue

windowpane, take 2

finished, and R.I.P.

Finished: Warm Thoughts, Paton design,
Patons Decor in Aran and Chocolate
US 11
Mailed priority to my father on a Saturday, received on a Monday!


R.I.P.: Windowpane Socks
Interweave Knits Summer 08
Koigu KPPM in Charcoal and a pretty speckled yellow
US 1

won' t.fit.over.my.heel.

I'm on my last skein for the afghan for Norma.

I'm off now to find a new project.