Darning a Sock

I had knit a pair of Jenny Socks out of Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Silk yarn. This yarn is beautiful. It is so soft, and has such lovely drape and luster.

It is not, however, a good selection for socks. The very things that make it lovely to work with, make for socks that will not stand up well to wear. And so, I ended up with a hole on the heel of one of the socks.

Rather than deal with this as I usually due (throwing it away), I decided since I have a darning egg, it was time I used it.

I gathered together the supplies I was going to need: the holey sock, left over yarn, scissors, a tapestry needle, and the aforementioned darning egg.

I turned the sock inside out, and slid the darning egg inside. I positioned it so the rounded edge was centered under the hole.

I cut off a length of yarn (I think it was about 1 1/2-2 ft.), threaded it through the tapestry needle, and began weaving it through the sock. I started both below and after the place where the yarn was broken, and, working from right to left, wove the yarn in using duplicate stitch.

When I reached the hole, I left loops for the stitches that were dropped when the yarn broke. My plan being to basically re-knit this section with the tapestry needle as I was weaving the yarn through to strengthen the area.

I continued doing this process, row by row, working the loops as I came to them,

until the hole was securely closed up. Then I turned the sock right side out to see how it looked.

It's clear that the fix wasn't perfect, but I prefer this look to the usual (and highly visible) method of darning, which entails weaving a patch across the hole.

The repair is not very noticeable when the sock is on, and would be even less visible inside a shoe.

Considering the delicate nature of this yarn, however, I think I'll keep them completely out of shoes and make them house or bed socks.

For any future repairs, I will consult one of these videos first so that my repair truly does end up invisible.

Book Review: The Misanthrope's Guide to Life (Go Away!)

The Misanthrope's Guide to Life (Go Away!) by Meghan Rowland and Chris Turner-Neal

Written by the authors of 2birds1blog, this book is a humorous look at human interaction, ways to avoid it, and coping strategies for when you can't. 

Misanthrope* (noun):
1. One who hates mankind; a curmudgeon; a loner.
2. The guy in your office who responded to your e-mail of baby photos with, "D-. Passing, but not college material."
3. A realist

The book opens by introducing us to the authors, giving a brief history of misanthropy throughout history, and then offers quizzes to help you determine if you are a misanthropist, and if so, what type.

We all have to deal with difficult people, but for some, the loathing runs deep. It's not just strangers that are a problem, it's any other homo sapien with a pulse. A plan is needed. One that contains multiple, creative coping strategies appropriate for any situation  a misanthrope may find themself in.


Frustrated with your coworkers? Find information about professions well suited to misanthropes, such as writer, trucker, and wilderness lady, as well as career choices to avoid. There are also tips for getting through the job interview, meetings management, surviving a conference, keeping your lunch hour to yourself, avoiding after work socialization, dealing with clingy coworkers, and more! I'm particularly fond of the section on "The Politics of Pooping: How to Get a Little Goddamn Privacy in the Ladies' Room", which offers tips like coughing and hacking to "mask all but the most volcanic sounds", timing a flush, and things to do while waiting someone out. All important coping skills.

Familial interactions got you down? Chapter 4 deals with "Sex, Love, and the Misanthrope" by offering suggestions on dealing with everything from your first encounter, to public proposals, to when a relationship goes down in flames. Who doesn't want to know how to avoid the "cuddle time", keep the wedding as small as it's possible to do while still being considered legal, and passive-aggressively end a relationship?

Chapter 5 covers parenting, with scenarios that start when the precious bundle of joy is still in utero, to finally getting them to fill the moving van. There's even a section on coping in the unlikely event that the misanthrope's child ends up in beauty pageants. I think the word "invaluable" best describes the section on getting out of going to the amusement park -- from getting someone else to take them, to convincing them the amusement park no longer exists, to alternative destinations there's something for everyone.

Other chapters on dealing with the family at holidays and keeping one's home as one's castle -- even if a moat isn't possible. For example, at Christmas: "Take the mistletoe down the minute you come in the door. You're a fully-grown adult Misanthrope, and you don't have to play 'Seven Minutes in Heaven' just because it's Christmas." Another favorite of mine offers this advice for dealing with door-to-door solicitors: "Take whatever literature they have and promise to return it with edits next week. Remember to check for mechanics and usage as well as content, always assign a grade, and try to leave helpful feedback". That should work.

Annoyed by the obnoxious strangers you have to deal with while on vacation or public transit? With chapters with suggestions for the misanthrope on vacation, in public venues, and on "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles", there is no situation that is missed. Everyone can benefit from the suggestions for dealing with other people's cell phone conversations, and the world would be a better place for it.

I found this book was well-written, funny, intelligent, and relate-able, even though by their quiz standards I don't actually qualify for the title of Misanthrope. I would recommend this book, especially to anyone dealing with difficult people, but with the caveat that it's not really appropriate for younger readers or those who cannot stand any profanity or vulgarity. Just keep in mind that the book is supposed to be funny, so not all of the suggestions should be followed. Some might, in fact, be a very bad idea or even illegal. Check your local ordinances and proceed at your own risk!


*This definition is taken from the book.

Petits Diamants

Last summer, I went into Michael's Arts and Crafts and saw they had Patons Stretch Socks yarn on sale, so I purchased several balls, each in a different color. My plan was to make one pair of ankle socks with each ball. I made some plain ribbed socks for the first pair, and these are the second.

The pattern is one I improvised, consisting of a lattice pattern on top, stockinette at the toe, heel, and on the bottom, and a 1x1 folded ribbed cuff. They are knitted toe up, with a short-row heel.

These I planned as very short ankle socks, and I definitely achieved that. If I were to do it over again, though, I would have made them a bit longer -- another pattern repeat and a longer cuff.

I really like the color of these (the colorway is Algae), but I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of this yarn. It's a cotton/wool/nylon/elastic blend that just doesn't have the softness or smooshie-ness that I like in sock yarn.

I have now knit several pairs of socks from yarns that are primarily cotton, and I find that I feel the same about all of them -- the cotton makes them hard on the feet. This disappoints me because wool is very warm, and I live in a very warm climate. I had hoped that the cotton blends would extend the sock wearing weather, and it does, but I find myself reaching for the wool socks first and saving these as a last resort. I also won't wear them if I'm going to be on my feet a lot. I think that wearing them is to the feet what knitting dishcloth cotton tightly is to the hands.

One positive is that I have found socks made from this yarn to be very sturdy and have had no issues with holes.

I really like the patterning on these, and the fit (apart from being a bit short) is perfect. I think I would knit them again, but with a different yarn.

In fact, I don't think I'll be making any more socks out of this yarn. Anyone have any ideas for other projects? I think I still have at least 2 balls in different colors.


Details:
Pattern Name: Petits Diamants
Pattern Designer: Brenda McCunn
Pattern Source: Not available (yet) -- I improvised this design
Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks in the Kelp colorway
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) Knit Picks Harmony double-pointed needles

Visits and Travel

Last week made it impossible to be on the computer for more than a handful of minutes.

Scott had a business trip to Dubai (I'm so jealous!), and the day he left, my dad arrived to stay for the week.

Scott's trip went well, I'm very happy to have him home again, and I'm so grateful for Skype. It enabled us to talk every day without breaking the bank, and the quality of the calls were amazing. It's also where all of my computer time went.

It was lovely to see and spend time with my dad, and I'm happy he came. He's been considering moving here, so we went and looked at some homes for sale. He didn't find anything that would work, and I honestly don't think he'll be moving, after all.

Things are finally getting back to normal around here now, and I have some project updates that I'm excited to be able to share about this week.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Monday!

O Mio Babbino Caro

Just wanted to share a lovely version of one of my favorite arias.



Lyrics:
O mio babbino caro,                                     Oh my dear father,                    
mi piace, è bello bello,                                  I like him, he is very handsome.
vo’andare in Porta Rossa                              I want to go to Porta Rossa
a comperar l’anello!                                      to buy the ring!
Si, si, ci voglio andare!                                 Yes, yes, I want to go there!
E se l’amassi indarno,                                   And if my love were in vain,
andrei sul Ponte Vecchio                               I would go to Ponte Vecchio
ma per buttarmi in Arno!                              and throw myself in the Arno!
Mi struggo e mi tormento,                            I am pining and I am tormented,
O Dio! Vorrei morir!                                     Oh God! I would want to die!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!                                      Daddy, have mercy, have mercy!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!                                      Daddy, have mercy, have mercy!

More WIPs Than I Can Shake A Needle At

I ended last year, and began this year, with so many works-in-progress (hereafter known as wips) that it is a bit overwhelming.

I just checked my Ravelry notebook, and I have a total of 10 wips listed there. I have another 5 wips that aren't listed.

Sadly, the only project I've completed is a pair of felted clogs for my dh.

Did I say completed?

I mean, finished knitting. They are now patiently waiting in my laundry room for me to get around to fulling them. And to be photographed.

I am finding myself making a fair bit of progress, though. On all of the wips. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to end up finishing several projects within a period of a week.

'Til then, I guess I'll just keep plodding along, and find something else to talk about.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Today is the official end of the winter holiday break. I hope everyone was able to spend the holidays with the people they love, enjoying one another's company.

As some of you may know, I listen to a lot of podcasts. They cover a variety of subjects, but most of them are craft related. You may also remember that I don't do New Year's resolutions. So, what do the two things have to do with each other?

One of the podcasts that I listen to is The Knitmore Girls. One of the hosts, Jasmine, does a theme for the year, as opposed to a resolution. I think this a marvelous idea. So I'm stealing it.

My theme(s) for 2012:

     Gratitude

     Thoughtful

     Diligent

     Living intentionally

Does anyone else have a theme or resolutions for 2012?