knitting update

Here's an update on my UFO's now FO's:

• Finished my "yes we can" socks, yarn from Mama E's C*eye*ber fiber on etsy. Really nice colors! these were my first toe-up socks. Once I got used to knitting with the two circs, it went quite smoothly. I actually like starting the socks at the toe much better, as I can try them on for size while I'm knitting them. I like learning new techniques. I hate getting stuck in old ways, just doing them because that was the way I was taught. Like going from the inchworm method of spinning most people do--not even a short draw, as they let the twist go into the drafting triangle--to the long draw, and then various modified versions of that.
• The second pair of socks I used Trekking XXL color 165. I LOVE the color scheme! I made the sock pattern up, combining the toe-up technique, ribbed instep, short row heel, then an OXO pattern from a sock book for the top. Adding the ribbing gave more arch support. The OXO pattern in the book wasn't technically accurate--it was missing one part and was more like an X morphing into an O. The O is supposed to be nestled into the arms of the X, so the pattern needed a repeat. Top of the O, then bottom of X, then top of X, then bottom of O.

Chris Blogs!

Finally! I've entered the age of blogging. I'll be working on the design of this in the next week or so, and I'm excited to share my talents, creativity, interests, and of course, photos of my life in Vermont with my partner Jeff, our rescue kitty Tigger, and my spinning, knitting, and gardening.

My blog title is the same as my name on Ravelry. If you don't know about it, and you are a knitter or spinner, check it out! I learned about it from Kyle, a super nice fellow knitter in California, whose blog I stumbled on a couple of months ago. You can learn more about Kyle at Kyle Knits.

On the right is Tigger. Mr. Spoiled, Mr. Anxiety-boy. Our rescue kitty. He thinks he's a dog, so we call him doggy-kitty! He follows us around the house, and when we call him, he comes running/trotting like a dog. He's sweet, although he doesn't want to sit on our laps, he has to sleep right next to me. I.love.him.