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Reasons

July 28, 2008 By grumperina

Reason for finishing the socks on the 17th but blogging about them 11 days later: moving. My 386-square foot apartment is crammed with boxes, empty and filled. My furniture is in in every corner and in all states of disassembly. I’ve been sleeping on my couch for about a week now. Stress levels are through the roof :(.

Reason for blogging about the socks now: moving. Everything must either go into a box, into the trash, into the donation pile, or bust! So, I must pack these up and send them off to grandma!

Pattern: Belle ร‰poque from 2-at-a-time socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. I knit the 72-stitch size (women’s medium) and changed the 1×1 ribbing (the look of which I never like) to 2×2 ribbing.

Needles: Initially, there wasn’t going to be anything “2-at-a-time” about my version of these socks: each one would be knit, in turn, using my trusty Susan Bates US 1 dpns, set of 5. But wouldn’t you know it, somehow the 2-at-a-time theme snuck in! Still not in the spirit of the book, which recommends Magic Loop, but I did have two socks going at once!

Yarn: Colinette JitterBug, 100% merino wool, moss colorway (#75). Such gorgeous yarn, such stinky put-up. The skimpy yardage resulted in two ankle-high socks and a whopping 3.3 grams of yarn left over. Bah.

Reason for not mailing the socks until the blog post went up: I wouldn’t mail them until I measured the gauge. And I wouldn’t measure the gauge until I was in the process of writing the post, because everything in my apartment is currently under the threat of disposal or being packed away – I’d never find that note ever again.

Gauge: 30 stitches and 42 rounds in circular stockinette stitch.

Reason for intermittent blogging until at least mid-August, if not later: do I even need to say it?

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Comments

  1. Elinor says

    July 28, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    Well, they’re beautiful socks in spite of the skimpy yardage and all the math! Good luck with the move!

  2. sue Treiber says

    July 28, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    I really like those!

  3. Barbara says

    July 28, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    Very nice socks,your grandma is one lucky lady.

    Happy moving–hope it is an enjoyable experience.

  4. Erin says

    July 28, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    I am SO with you on the packing disarray- The socks look great in their shorter state!

  5. susan says

    July 28, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    I really give you credit for blogging in the middle of a move. That’s real courage. I told my husband if he wants to move again he has to sell me with the house.

  6. Josiane says

    July 28, 2008 at 10:29 pm

    Those socks are really sweet!

    Good luck with the move! I just moved myself, and am now slowly unpacking, settling in, and catching up with everything, so I totally sympathize…

  7. Aunt Kathy says

    July 28, 2008 at 10:39 pm

    heres to a smooth move, and hoping that you find everything you need in the first place you look once you start unpacking.

  8. claudia says

    July 28, 2008 at 11:03 pm

    Good luck with all that. Better you than me.

    ๐Ÿ˜‰

  9. jen says

    July 28, 2008 at 11:39 pm

    what claudia said. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Liz says

    July 29, 2008 at 12:01 am

    Nice socks! Good luck with the move – we’re in the middle of one ourselves.

  11. nikki says

    July 29, 2008 at 12:12 am

    Your Belle ร‰poques turned out lovely! I hope the move goes by quickly and is problem-free.

  12. silverarrowknits says

    July 29, 2008 at 1:20 am

    The socks look wonderful. Good luck with moving. I can totally sympathize. I moved so many times in college that now I have resigned to living in my 1 bedroom apartment forever. What happens if I get married and have kids? I will rent the apartment next door for the kids.

  13. Charlene says

    July 29, 2008 at 1:48 am

    Those are very nice looking socks! I think the height of them is just right. Hope the move goes without a hitch, and you’re back knitting and blogging.

  14. StellaMM says

    July 29, 2008 at 3:39 am

    Good luck on the move to you both.

  15. Janie says

    July 29, 2008 at 4:23 am

    Your Grandma must have the best sock drawer ever.

    Hope the move goes smoothly for you both, a new marital home – how delightful.

  16. Carole says

    July 29, 2008 at 6:43 am

    You guys are moving? That’s exciting. I hope you aren’t going too far.

  17. quinn says

    July 29, 2008 at 7:30 am

    I will miss those socks! Bet your Gram will love them, though – lucky Gram!

    Good luck with the move…never fun, but worth it when you can look back from a comfortable distance ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. Mary K. in Rockport says

    July 29, 2008 at 7:39 am

    Those are about the prettiest socks you’ve ever made, in my opinion. Good luck with the move (hope you are staying in the Cambridge/Boston area.) It’s customary to have at least one unopened carton two years later, but I bet you’re too tidy a person for that. How is the cat taking the turmoil?

  19. Jenni says

    July 29, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Good luck with the move and (maybe a bit late?) congratulations on no longer being a grad student (I just noticed in the right-hand sidebar). Hope there’s some knitting time wherever you’re headed.

  20. Becky says

    July 29, 2008 at 9:17 am

    The socks are lovely! Good luck with your move. I remember one move I had where I had a stress headache literally for a solid week: I woke up with it, I went to sleep with it. I feel your pain. Moving sucks!

  21. Meredith says

    July 29, 2008 at 9:23 am

    Good luck with the move! I moved about a year ago, and it was months before I had everything unpacked. Well, truth be told, there are still things I haven’t done, like hanging pictures. But I feel the pain and frustration. I hope it goes smoothly!

  22. Cindy says

    July 29, 2008 at 10:38 am

    The socks are lovely and I agree with you on the ribbing. I have been using size 2 dpns but plan to try size 1 on my next pair to see which I like better.

    Best wishes on the move!

  23. Puttermeister says

    July 29, 2008 at 11:38 am

    I won’t address the moving issues since even thinking about thinking about moving gives me hives, but the yarn, however stingy in yardage, is beautiful with that pattern. I actually uttered an “oh!” aloud when the picture loaded.

    Beautiful marriage of yarn and pattern!

  24. anne marie in philly says

    July 29, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    good luck with the move!

    I hope you and mr. sweetness and your kitty are going to larger and brighter quarters.

    oooooh, with perhaps a fiber room especially for Y-O-U!

  25. maliarda says

    July 29, 2008 at 1:39 pm

    Beautiful work!

    Good luck with the move, and may it bring you clarity, comfort, and (ultimately) relaxation and joy.

    m

  26. tiennie says

    July 29, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    Those are great socks! I hope you two have a great move!

  27. kristin says

    July 29, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    I LOVE Jitterbug. I’m just knitting up my first pair of socks with it, and I think I’m using US 2.5s and the fabric isn’t too loose, and I’m getting a lot of mileage out of it. But still, it’s about 100 yards short of where I’d like it to be…

  28. Seanna Lea says

    July 29, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    Good luck on the move! I too am surrounded by boxes, but thankfully have a bit more square footage to store them all in (and Pods to get them out of my hair)!

  29. Diana - New York City says

    July 29, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    Best wishes in your new home, Kathy!

  30. Jennie says

    July 29, 2008 at 5:36 pm

    They’re beautiful. But the yardage is the reason I’ll never, ever buy Jitterbug. I picked up a gorgeous skein of subtly shaded purples and when I saw the tag, put them down with a hiss. No, thanks!

    I love the fagoting on those socks. Lovely!

  31. debbie says

    July 29, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Yark! Moving stinks. Hang in there. The socks are gorgeous.

  32. Knittripps says

    July 29, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    Good luck with your move! While I don’t enjoy moving one bit, I do like getting settled into a new place.

  33. Debbie says

    July 29, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    I do love the Jitterbug! I despise moving. Never again!!

  34. Mrs MJW says

    July 29, 2008 at 10:53 pm

    Oh wow, love that green. I HATE moving…but hope it goes well for ya.

  35. Nicole says

    July 30, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    Love the socks. Good luck with the move!

  36. Yvonne says

    July 30, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Hey, I’m moving too! I guess it’s that time of year.

    Hope your new place has more than 386 sq feet!

  37. PammieTaj says

    July 30, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    My only suggestion is to unpack when you get to the new place. Completely unpack. It’s the only way – you could end up like me with boxes still unopened and out of site from a move over five years ago! Yikes!

    As always, thank you for sharing the lovely knitting and lessons learned. What a blessing to have a grandma to knit for!

    blessings and peace, Pammie

  38. Marlena says

    July 30, 2008 at 1:45 pm

    Lovely color! I love the little shots of red.

    Good luck with your move. I so hate to do it, I plan on staying in my new place for a good long time.

  39. Beth in Seattle says

    July 30, 2008 at 3:29 pm

    Good luck with your move! The socks are fantastic. I made a pair of Sidewinders with the same yarn & colorway – my guage was closer to 32. Just a word or warning about laundering. I have found that this yarn has a tendance to shrink & felt (just a bit) when put in with the general laundry (the wash, they haven’t seen the dryer yet), so I’ve changed to hand wash only for this pair. That said – the colors are so beautiful and the yarn so soft, they are one of my favorite pairs.

  40. Norma says

    July 31, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    I love a woman who can live in 386 square feet!

  41. Sarah says

    July 31, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    Beautiful socks – good luck with the moving

  42. Bullwinkle says

    August 1, 2008 at 5:13 am

    Gorgeous socks.

    But really I had to de-lurk to say good luck with move. I’m a few months behind you (D.C., 720 square feet, 2 people and a dog) but I get it. I’m hoping you’ll post “after” photos – so I know there’s an end in sight.

  43. Kristin says

    August 1, 2008 at 6:17 am

    Good luck with the move – it’s always a nervewracking sort of time. Can’t wait to hear about the new place though – will it come with a craft room, or a at least a dedicated sewing corner?

    Oh, and the socks are, of course, fabulous. I wish my granny liked socks (she knits so she appreciates the works, but I don’t think she actually wears the ones I’ve made her. Their floor is quite slippery).

  44. Tracy says

    August 1, 2008 at 10:34 am

    Great socks! G-mom is a lucky lady!…

  45. Laura Neal says

    August 1, 2008 at 11:25 am

    Ah moving, it sucks! Wait until you get into your new home and unpacking is even worse! I still have stuff in boxes and I have been living in this house for 6 years! sigh! Love the socks, hope Grandma loves them as well, what am I saying, Grandma will love them as she loves all the socks you make her.

    Good luck with the move!

  46. Emily says

    August 1, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    Congratulations on the move! I hope you’re going somewhere good? At least a LITTLE more space? And the socks look great.

  47. KnittySue says

    August 2, 2008 at 6:37 am

    Good Luck with the move..I’m packing to move too. My knitting calms me in the evenings…hope your still knitting up something…I’ve lost 20# already just from the stress.

    Good luck and can’t wait to see you and Mr. Sweetness’s new digs.

  48. betzig says

    August 4, 2008 at 3:33 pm

    The socks turned out lovely. Moving is never fun but I hope you enjoy your new place. ๐Ÿ™‚

  49. Amy says

    August 5, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    Sorry my Sundays have gotten insane and I haven’t been able to see you in person, Kathy, but good luck with all of the in-process and impending move stuff!!! I know how stressful it is. Just remember: It ends. ๐Ÿ™‚

  50. Becky says

    August 8, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    I love these socks so much! I also have size 10 feet and 320 yards just isn’t enough for me, but The Loopy Ewe sells half skeins! So you CAN be generous with your legs and cuffs! I hope all goes well with the move and I will miss your posts!

  51. Carolyn says

    August 9, 2008 at 11:02 am

    I hope moving is going well – I’m missing you terribly at this point, but I so understand moving. If I were anywhere near (Portland Oregon isn’t so near) I’d lend a hand. I’m sending happy, smooth moving wishes to you!

  52. huldretime says

    August 10, 2008 at 10:40 am

    Ooooooi, this colour is absolutely perfect; just my kind! Do you have some more of it?

    European Greetings to MA,

    have been there and loved it!!!!

    Beatrice

  53. Laura Birek says

    August 12, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    Moving is always such a hassle! But the socks are beautiful and I love the color! Good Work!

  54. tina says

    August 13, 2008 at 1:37 am

    The socks are lovely, Belle is one of my fave patterns from Melissa’s book. Big hugs on the move—– my son just moved from Brooklyn into Deeper Brooklyn and actually has a back yard. He says it was worth the pain.

    It is eventually—— really, it is.

    Can’t wait to hear about the new digs!!!

  55. misa says

    August 19, 2008 at 11:06 pm

    Moving=death, or at least that what it feels like for me. Your socks are lovely.

  56. Darcy Watts says

    August 21, 2008 at 3:55 am

    I also have her book the socks are lovely so ids the colorway.Hugs I know as an airforce wife living out of boxes can be stressful.Darcy

  57. Chris says

    August 22, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    Please hurry up and move so you will have time to knit (and write about knitting). How long can it take to move 350 sq. feet of stuff?!

  58. obsidiankitten says

    August 23, 2008 at 10:12 am

    we just moved in June so i send huge hugs of sympathy!

    love the socks. i am in complete agreement about 1×1 ribbing — 2×2 looks great.

  59. Penny says

    August 24, 2008 at 3:13 pm

    They are really lovely socks! ๐Ÿ™‚

  60. sarah says

    August 25, 2008 at 7:17 am

    hope all is well! can’t wait to see what you’ve got going on! have a lovely monday ๐Ÿ™‚

  61. lkmemphis says

    August 28, 2008 at 11:07 am

    It’s been lonely out here without your insights, projects, advice, chat… Hope you’re well and settling in and all of that went smoothly.

  62. martha says

    August 28, 2008 at 9:03 pm

    MMMMMM. I”m beginning to get concerned….is everything OK? Are you just overwhelmed with boxes and unpacking? I send positive thoughts every time I check and there is no new post….

  63. SallyA says

    August 28, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    Come back, Kathy. I, for one, miss you. Did you have to move everything one piece at a time? I figure w/ a 300+ sq ft apartment you should be done and remembering your groupies! HA. Seriously, I hope the move is going/went smoothly and that you have lots of craft space in the new digs. Don’t forget us. –Sally

  64. Meg McG says

    August 31, 2008 at 8:29 am

    how are the new digs?

  65. Silvina says

    September 2, 2008 at 3:34 pm

    Me encantan!!!! Son realmente bellos. Congratulations (I don’t write english very well, excuse me).

  66. Darcy says

    September 3, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    The socks are lovely and kitty has some nice places to lounge about;)wishes for a fast unpacking.Hugs Darcy

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