And Little Bits of Parmesean Cheese

It is snowing out today. I'm not sure what it is about the snow that makes me want to blog more, but there is definitely something. I can't be the only one who noticed how often I have snow pictures, etc. And really, it doesn't snow all that often here. While I haven't been blogging as much as usual, I have been knitting, so I have lots to share.

I'll skip the snow pictures today. (Yeah, you're welcome.) However, I can't not share this one. Keegan noticed about half an hour ago that it was snowing, and became all excited as kids often do with snow. The flakes are huge, fluffy and fat. They look surreal, and even I am excited about it. When I checked the mail, I wanted to run out and put my arms up and spin around...those kind of fat flakes. So Keegs looks out, becomes all crazy and rushes in to tell me it's snowing. And that I should look out the window (like I didn't notice--it's been snowing for a good hour or two) because I'll see it. "When you look out the window, it looks like we're in a real snowglobe!" Ah, I love that kid. How sweet? And really, who couldn't use a little time in a magic snowglobe? I know I could.

Oh, and he said it also looks like we're in our regular house, and little bits of Parmesean cheese are falling. Go ahead, laugh it up. I sure enjoyed that little gem.

As far as knitting goes, I've been doing lots of small stuff and one big thing. Last weekend we went to visit my Sister-in-Law, Mo (you may remember her from the comments as "Motorious") in New Hampshire. Lots of fun was had. Naturally, I made use of the hour and half drive by knitting. I made this tiny sock for my new sock blocker keychain from the Loopy Ewe.



For perspective, I put a key next to it...



Then I realized that the keyboard on my laptop might have been a decent marker by itself. Better make some more coffee...

The tiny socklet is pretty cute, no? I love it. When I finished my Van socks I had a little yarn left, so I used some for the mini guy. Keychains gotta keep warm, too. Here are the finished Van Socks in TVyarn Fried Green Tomatoes fingering by White Oak Studio.



They are actually a little loose on the blockers, so they're a little big on me, but I still love 'em. They are very cozy for wearing around like slippers, and I'm head-over-heels for the colorway. The only problem is that I have to wait for Jana's next sock club to start, and I may not make it that long. Also, can I tell you how good if feels to be able to tell Brian that I made socks from both the sock club shipments? Amazing. He's happy. I'm happy. I got to sign up for the new one. Sweet.

More small stuff...



The reason these two look so happy is that I finally finished their hats. You might remember the incident with Spencer's pompons? Well, I made new poms today and sewed them on. Hopefully they will remain in tact. We shall see.



You can see one of them here, and I swear to you that a second one exists and is attached on the other side. This hat screams of Spencer's personality, you know?

And poor little Keegan, he's been waiting months for me to get some bells and secure them to his fair isle hat. The wait is over.



He's pleased as punch. And yes, he did wear it for a good hour after I finished attaching the bells. Inside. Plus, I took a minute (finally--have I no pride in my work?) to hit the ribbing at the brim with some steam to crease it at the proper spot. That's been making me crazy forever. Needless to say, I have one happy boy on my hands. As an added bonus, I can hear him coming, kind of like a cowbell. Nice.



Last small thing: Java socks. I can't remember if I posted any pictures of these at all yet. These are Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in DK weight. This colorway, Java, commands my attention. I adore it. So many other colors in it besides the main chocolate brownish color...teal, burgandy, golds, and olive greens. So pretty. I made up a plain sock with ribbing on the cuff and top of the foot--toe up. Loving them so far. I've finished the first one and started on the second, but this picture is from a little while ago.



Finally, the big thing: Brian's sweater. Knowing this sweater's history, you won't blame me for not wanting to jinx myself. I can't risk saying anything good about it or anything that sounds like confidence. At all. I will say that I do not hate it as much as I had. And that it looks like a real sweater now. Nah, that last bit was too risky.

Here's after I frogged the sleeve and cast back on:



You can see that there is a whole sleeve and a second one started, right?



Since then, I haven't had to frog back at all!! Things are going so-so.

This morning, I have to put the project in a bigger tote bag instead of my trusty knitting bag. This puppy is seriously growing. That's not really a good or bad thing to say, right? It's pretty neutral? Hope so. Much better fit for this good-sized project.



A couple of days ago, I nervously put the body and both sleeves on a large circ and started knitting the whole deal in the round. Wow. Scary, particularly with this sweater's history. (I've learned to respect the sweater.) I've been doing the raglan decreases and here's where I'm at today:



I'm maybe 16 rows from finishing the decreases and starting the neck. It's getting bigger. We love how it's turning out! It looks like a sweater.

Just to balance everything out and not tempt the fates...I'll share the things that are bugging me:



Armpits. And not for the expected reasons that armpits might bug a person, either. I just don't love how stretched out and weird they look. EZ said to put these stitches on scrap yarn and weave them in later. This caused them to stretch and get funny looking while I was getting started joining the parts together, though. Can you see it, too?



I'm curious why you wouldn't want to just weave them in the first place? Like before you join the body and sleeves? What do you think? I'm guessing she had a reason, but I'm perplexed. Hopefully they'll even out a bit during the finishing process.

Ps. I think Brian is getting rather anxious for his sweater.