Mother's Day Cotton Slippers (Free Pattern)

Here is my Mother's Day idea. These cute slippers are made of Mission falls 1824 cotton, which makes them super soft, and adds a lovely texture. The worsted weight of the cotton, makes this project a really fast knit, so you will be ready on time. I added a decorative stitch, a lattice, to the top of the slippers. The lattice pattern was borrowed form Barbara Walker's Treasury of knitting Patterns. The slipper directions fit US sizes 7 to 9. You may wish to shorten the foot, or lenghten it. You can do so when knitting the center parts of the slipper.

Materials:
Mission Falls 1824 cotton, 1 ball cream, a ball lemon grass. 1 16 inch size US 6 needle.
Gauge: 4 1/2 stitches per inch
Throughout the pattern, lemon grass will be referred to as B, and cream as A.

SOLES: Make 2.

With B, cast on 10.
Knit 1 row, purl 1 row.
Then increase at the beginning and end of each right side row until you have 20 stitches. (You can place the increases 2 stitches away fom the edge.) Continue without increasing in stockinette stitch for 5 inches (not including the increase rows.) (You may adjust the length of the slipper at this point by knitting more than 5 inches or less than 5 inches.)
Decrease 1 stitch by knitting 2 tog at the beginning and end of each right side row until you are back to 10 stitches ( you may place the decreases 2 stitches away from the edge.)
Purl 1 row. BO on knit side.

TOPS:Make 2

With A cast on 10. Knit 1 row. Purl 1 row. Then increase at the beginning and end of each right side row until you have 20 stitches (you may place the increases 2 stitches away from each edge.)
You should be starting a wrong side row. Knit this wrong side row.
Then follow the lattice pattern:
R1: You will be on the right side. With B, K1, sl1 wyib, *K4, sl2 wyib*. Reapeat from * to *, end K4, sl1 wyib, K1.
R2: With B, P1, sl1 wyif, *P4, sl2 wyif, *. Repeat from * to *. End P4, sl1 wyif, P1.
R3: With A, repeat row 1
R4: With A, K1, sl1 wyif, *K4, sl2 wyif*. Repeat from * to *. End K4, sl1 wyif, K1.
R5: With B, K3, *sl2 wyib, K4* Repeat from * to *. End sl2 wyib, K3.
R6: With B, P3, *sl2 wyif, P4* Repeat from * to *. End sl2 wyif, P3.
R7: With A, repeat row 5.
R8: With A, K3, *sl2 wyif, K4*. Repeat from * to *. End Ss2 wyif, K3.

Repeat Rows (1 to 8) 1 more time.
The rest of the slipper is knit with A.
So with A, K6, BO 8, K6.
Knit each side of the top separately in stockinette stitch until each little side strip is five inches not including the front part of the slipper. (If you decided to shorten or lengthen the sole, you need to match the size of the strips. So if you knit a 4 inch center section for the sole, the strips should be 4 inches.)
On knit side rejoin the two strips as follows: K6, CO8, K6.
Pur 1 row. Knit 1 row. P1 row.
Decrease at the beginnning and end of each right side row until you are back to 10 stitches. Purl 1 row. BO on knit side.

Now with B, starting at he center of the heel, pick up and knit 60 stitches along the inside hole of the top part of the slipper(if you altered the lenght of the center sections, you need to adjust the number of stitches picked up. You should pick up 1 stitch for every other hole along the side strips. For example if you shortened the center section by 1 inch, you will pick up and knit a total of 52 stitches). Pay particular attention when picking up the stitches right above the lattice pattern, be sure not to grab the garter stitches. Knit in the round, in garter stitch (knit 1 round, purl 1 round), for a total of 4 rounds. BO loosely.

Seam top of slipper and sole, weave in ends.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Pattern is for private use only, and may not be reproduced nor used for commercial purposes. Copyright, Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.

Of writing, Boston, Petaluma, and Paris

It is sometimes hard to walk the blog line. Should you be personal, or should you not? Should your blog be purely a technical resource? I have often asked myself these questions. I enjoy reading blogs of both styles, from the Yarn Harlot, to See Eunny Knit.
Blogs are like books, they fall into certain genre categories, and all genres have merit.
I do not seem to follow one genre in particular, but rather pick from one and the other. At times I may be personal, at times purely focused on knitting. The beauty of the blog, is that you are free to write as you wish, not bound by a publisher's style, and that through your writing you may, everyday, throw yourself into the world.

I write in the early morning hours, and I often have no idea what I will be writing about, unless I have the daunting task of trasnscribing my gloomy working notes into a clear pattern. I get up, talk with Rolfe while he eats his breakfast, prepare his lunch, give him a kiss good-bye. I grab a cup of coffee, that I probably will partially spill, as I do every morning, and go back to our room, turn on the computer and start writing in front of the open window. And I usually have no idea at that point, what I am going to be writing about. What will it be today? My life is not full of fantastic adventures, it is a rather quiet life. My babies are not in diapers any more. My life is focused on homeschooling, the children, Rolfe, knitting and working around the house. So I just sit there, in front of the computer screen, my fingers ready, and I start typing. The first thought that comes to my mind becomes my first sentence.

This morning, I guess, I thought about why I write, and what I write.

Today is going to be another very hot day here in Boston. We went from wearing layers of clothing to wearing practically none! It was 90 degrees yesterday with stunningly blue skies. We slept with the windows open! And you know what was funny about this? I had forgotten, even though I knew it, that seasons could be so drastically different. Living in Petaluma, a small northern California town, I learned that one day is pretty much like another day, and who needs the weather channel over there. For about 9 months of the year, you know that it will be blue skies, and heat, and then for the reamining 3 months intermittent rains, that can at times get heavy.
Out here, in Boston, it is so much of a challenge, the change of seasons even catches you off guard. And within the seasons there is so much variety... Can you tell I like New England weather so far?
Maybe it is because it resembles the weather I grew up with in Paris...
Boston is very much like Paris, but the only difference is that in Paris I would not be spending my free hours today staining the deck and doing yard work. There are no wooden decks, and gardens there. In Paris, you get the true city experience! My friends, I tell you, I am definitely not a country girl! My mother once came back from visiting relatives who live on a tropical island. She was walking on Place de la Republique, and she caught herself breathing in deeply, happy, as she stood next to the only tree there, surrounded by the thousands of smoking cars stuck in traffic! The wildest animals I ever saw in Paris, were pigeons and French men, but that's a whole other topic!

Knitting Queue and Mole Work

Yesterday turned out as nice as the day before, warm and sunny, and it is supposed to be around 80 degrees today. I did some gardening yesterday, and am planning on doing some today. I am going to satin the deck this afternoon, but shush, that's a surprise for Rolfe.

Knittingwise, things are going great. I did knit for a few hours yesterday while at the Knitsmiths group, so part one of the Mother's Day gift is finished. I'll work on part two today, and I might do a part three. Here is a picture on the lovely Mission Falls cotton I am using for the project in ivory and lemon grass colors. The rose garden sock is on hold for the moment. The Harry Potter socks are third in the knitting queue.

I did find the perfect yarn for the Harry Potter socks at A Good Yarn in Brookline . The store has a great selection of fine gauge yarns that can be used for all kinds of socks! My son, Paul-Hugo has flute lesson close by every week, so every week we visit the store, and there always seems to be something new for me to knit! It did take quite a bit of searching to find the perfect yarn for the H. P. socks, but I am so happy with what I found, that it was definitely worth the effort.

You have no idea how hard it is to find a gold and a maroon in the same gauge. If a company makes a maroon then they don't make the gold, and vice versa. Then you think you've got it, you've found the colors, you look for another ball of the maroon so that you don't run out, and there are none left... Knittting is only 1/3 knitting, the other 2/3 are really mole work, as when you blindly reach deep inside cubbies and baskets, tunneling to find the right ball of yarn!

New England Time Travel

We had the best day ever yesterday. Rolfe rented a zip car for 8:30 a.m., we packed the kids, and headed for Old Sturbridge Village . It was nice and warm outside, in the 60s. A warm wind was blowing gently. The girls of the family were wearing flowing summer dresses. We took the scenic route, driving through one New England town after the other, with oohs, and ahhs for every beautiful house on the way. There were so many, that we did a lot of oohhing, and ahhing, and since I forgot my camera you will just have to take my word for it! The landscape was stunning, with rolling hills, trees everywhere, and the light was the same beautiful color I used to love back in Normandy.

We got to Old Sturbridge village by noon, and started walking through the village. The first and last time, till now, that I visited Sturbridge village, I was 14 years old and an exchange student. I still remember the beauty, the peace, spinning yarn and making molasses bread. I felt the same inner peace when we arrived, and found the same beauty I had found years earlier. We visited all the buildings, but the exhibits that were of particular interest to me were the fiber and needlecraft related ones.

I learned about a technique called yarn sewing. The technique was applied for decorative prurposes, kind of like rug hooking, but it was also used in knitting. I saw a pair of mittens with that particular treatment. The mitten was first knit, then pieces of yarn we sewn on, one for every stitch, leaving a short loop to appear on the surface of the mitten. The mitten was covered with these loops.
What an interesting technique! It definitely intrigued me, and I may have to give it a try.

The other knit objects I admired, were the handknit stockings. Imagine the finest wool, linen or cotton lace weight yarn, the thinnest dpts you have ever seen, the most even tension, and you've got incredibly beautiful stockings. I loved the simplicity, and purity of the stockings, and decided I'd have to get some lace weight merino, and try my hand at knitting a pair of socks at that gauge! I can see another trip to the yarn store in my future!

After four hours, the children were getting tired, so we decided to go for a little car ride before returning home. We ended up in Providence, RI, and saw an amazing neighborhood on the side of a hill, covered with historic homes dating back to the 1790s. My eyes were open as wide as they could, as I took in the lovely colors of the carefully restored homes, and as I admired their volumes.
If we move again, I want to live in an early American home... When the kids heard me say that, they all said, "we're not going to move again, are we?", and Rolfe said, "I knew you'd want to move again!"

We then drove off towards Cape Cod, and Hyannis. When I was 16, I visited my exchange friend Alexis. Her favorite thing to do at night was cruising down the main street over and over and over again. As A French girl, I was a little surprised by the habit, and being at time quite naive when it came to boy and girl interactions, I did not quite get the point.
Last night, for the first time in 21 years, I went cruising again. I am not sure people do cruising any more, but I went cruising. So there we were, in the family van, with two of the kids screaming they had to go, and couldn't hold it anymore! I am not sure I'll ever get cruising!

Well, today is Sunday, and it is Knitsmiths day, and I can't wait to go sit and knit with friends for a few hours. A perfect end to a perfect weekend!

Promises!

I have great news, Skye, my little pixie, who recently lost her first tooth, started reading yesterday. We were sitting on the couch, we picked a new reader book that she had not seen before, and there she did it, she read, "Dan sat in the van"! I screamed, "Skye, you're reading!" All the kids came running, and we all sang "Happy reading day to you", a reading version of happy birthday to you. She was so proud, and so were we. Rolfe brought a book back for her as a present, a Dick and Jane book. She started reading it last night with my help. She did not want to go to sleep, she wanted to keep reading!

I did not have time to arrange my yarn yesterday, but I did have time to realize that I do not have the yarn I need for my next sock project! How surprising, right? That means we will have to make the time to go the yarn store today. For these socks, I need very particular colors, a maroon and a golden yellow. I've given it away, have I not? It will be a Harry Potter sock of my own design.

I have very serious fans of Harry Potter at home. Alexandra just finished rereading the whole series for the "nth" time (I lost track of the number of times after the 4th), and told me yesterday, she might have to reread all the books before the new one comes out, just to brush up! Paul-Hugo is on book 4, and Sheridan is on book 3. Sheridan won't read the book at night because it scares him, so he reads in the early morning hours while I write.

I hear about Harry Potter all the time, and because the new book comes out in the summer, it will be too hot for a scarf, so socks will be easier to wear, in particular if I can find the right colors in a less wooly material. I am considering Fixation .

Meanwhile, the Rose Garden sock has a heel, and an almost finished gusset. The Rose Garden socks will be finished before I start the Harry Potter socks. Talking about finished patterns. Rachel, at the Knitting Pattern Central , added the Mini Sock pattern to her list of free knitting patterns. I love her site, and have found great projects, and inspiration there. What a great way to bring everyone's creativity together.

Lastly it is going to be Mother's Day on May 13, and I have been thinking about a great knitted gift. If you are thinking socks, you are wrong! The projects will be quick to make, and my goal is to have the pattern posted by the end of the week so that you may start working, and get the lovely presents ready on time.

Well, now that I have promised finished Rose Garden socks, Harry Potter socks, and a Mother's Day project, I'd better get to work!

Storms and Roses

The weather has been very stormy here since Sunday. When I say very stormy, this may be an understatement. Rain has been pouring, yes, but the winds! They hit the house, and make windows shake so much that I expect them to be pushed in! Needless to say, that it has been a little harder to sleep. I would not say I have been scared, no, I have been terrified!

I have to go to the post office today, and I have to drop the bichon at the groomer's. One thing is for sure, by the time we get home, he will not be any cleaner than he was when I dropped him there!

Let's talk about serious things, ie my knitting! I hope you will try the sock pattern for the Ostrich Fantasy Sock. I am still working on the Rose Garden Sock, and hopefully will soon have something to show you. I decided the sock would not have an all over pattern but rather that one pattern would become the focus of attention. I placed the pattern on the side, almost like a rose espalier. I am about to turn the heel, after I take care of the gusset I have to decide whether I want to extend the pattern in partial form down the foot. I told you I was thinking of adding embroidery to the sock. I am pretty sure there will be little delicate French knot roses, in contrasting yarns. The roses will be on the leg only, as I do not think it would be comfortable to have little French knots inside one's shoe.

Isn't the life of a knitter fun? Get up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and in the quiet hours of the early morning write about knitting, and share ideas with friends.

After I come back from the groomer's today, of course completely "socked", and we are finished with our school work for the day, I am going to arrange my stash in the living room's hutch, instead of keeping it in yucky boxes in the basement. Who knows, I may even knit something other than a sock!

Ostrich Fantasy Socks (Free knitting Pattern)

****NOTE: CORRECTION HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE STITCH PATTERN. (that will teach me to take bad notes as I knit!****

I spent some time going over my working notes for the Ostrich Fantasy Sock, and am now ready to share the pattern with you.
The stitch pattern, even though complex looking, is actually quite simple. It is repetitive, but not boring. I knit my socks on circular needles, but will add directions for the pattern to be worked on dpts. So if you've knit plain socks and feel comfortable, this a great pattern!




Ostrich Fantasy Sock

Materials: Fleece Artist , Merino 2/6 in Ruby Red, dpts or circulars in US1
Gauge: over stockinette 8st/inch

(Note that two sizes are provided a small and a medium (between parenthesis). The small fits a petite person, with ankle circumference at the joint under 8 inches, and the other number ankles at about 9 inches. If you are in between, I recommend the larger size as lace is tighter than the traditional stockinette, If you require a larger or a smaller size find a smaller or a larger multiple of 16 and add 1. You will cast on the multiple of 16, and add the extra stitch right after the rib section.)

Ostrich Feather stitch pattern (adapted to circular knitting from a Barbara Walker stitch):
R1-R3: Knit
R4: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End (SSK) 2 times , Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R5-R7: Knit
R8:(K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End (SSK) 2 times (, Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R9-11: Knit
R12: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End SSK (2 times), Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R13-15: Knit
R16: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End SSK (2 times), Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R17-19: Knit
R20: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R21-23: Knit
R24: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R25-27: Knit
R28: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R29-31: Knit
R32: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.

CUFF: Cast on 64 (80) stitches. Divide the stitches into 2 equal groups for circulars needles, or 16, 16,32 (20,20,40), for 4dpts, or for 5spts 16 (20) on each needle. Join round and knit in K2 P2 rib for 1 1/2".

LEG; In the first round after the ribbed cuff, increase 1 stitch to have 65 (81) stitches. (This only happens once, in the first round. After that just follow the stitch pattern knitting on 65(81) stitches. Repeat rounds 1-32 2 times (64 rows).

HEEL FLAP: You will continue the pattern on 33 (41) instep stitches,and knit the heel flap on 32(40) stitches. Knit row 1 of stitch pattern on the first 32 stitches, and take the 33rd stitch from the other needle. Knit the heel flap on the remaining 32 stitches. R1: (SL 1, K1) Repeat until end of row
R2: SL 1, purl until end of row
Reapeat R1 and R2 unti heel flap is a little shorter than it is wide.

TURNING HEEL:
R1: SL 1, knit 16 (20) stitches, SSK, K1 turn
R2: SL 1, purl 4, p2tog, P1, turn
R3: SL 1, knit to one stich of gap, SSK, K1, turn
R4: SL 1, purl to one stitch of gap, P2tog, turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches are worked.
Knit one row.

GUSSET:

For Circulars:Pick up and knit 1 stitch of every single slipped stitch on the side of the heel flap. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the heel flap and instep. Knit 1/2 of the instep stiches following row 2 on the stitch pattern. For circulars: Put both needles to rest, and transfer 1/2 of the heel stitches from one needle to the other. Go back to your working yarn,and with needle with open gap on the heel flap, knit the remaining instep stitches following row 2 of the stitch pattern. PLace marker. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the intep and heel flap, pick up one stitch for every slipped stitch along heel flap, knit 1/2 of the heel stitches. The beginning of your round should be at the center of the heel. Count your stitches. You should have equal amounts on each needle if you are using circulars.

For dpts: With needle#1 Pick up and knit 1 stitch for every slipped stitch along heel flap, one stich at intersection of heel flap and instep, with needle #2 knit instepo stitches following pattern, or if using 5 dpts, split the instep stitches over needle #2 and needle# 3, with needle 4, pick 1 stitch at intersection of instep and heel flap, pick up and knit 1 stitch foir every slipped stitch, knit half of the heel stitches. Decreases will happen at the end of needle #1, and at the beginning of needle #3 if you are using 4 dpts. If you are using 5 dpts, needle #1 carries heel and heel flap stitches, instep stitches are divided over needles 2 and 3, and needle 4 carries the other heel flap and heel stitches.

Knit to 2 stitches of the first marker for circulars or end of needle #1 if using dpts, K2tog, Slip marker. Knit in pattern until next marker, slip marker, K2tog, knit to end for circulars. For dpts, knit in pattern for the instep stitches, and decrease at the beginning of the last dpt.


SHAPING GUSSET:
Note: the instep stiches will follow the stitch pattern at all times. You will be doing gusset decreases on even rows of the pattern.
R1: Knit to 3 stitches of first marker or end of needle, K2tog, K1, (slip marker for circulars only). Knit instep stiches , (slip second marker for circulars only), (beginning of needle #3 or #4 for dpts) K1, SSK, knit to end.
R2: Knit even.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you are back to your original number of stitches (65 or 81).

FOOT: While keeping the stitch pattern going on the top of the foot, and knitting in stockinette for the sole,knit the foot until when trying the sock on, it is 1 1/2 inches away from the tip of your longest toe.

TOE DECREASES: Knit both top and bottom of toe in stockinette stitch.

For circulars:
R1: Knit to 3 stitches of first marker, K2tog, K1, slip marker, K1, SSK, knit to 3 stitches of next marker, K1, SSK, knit to end of round.
R2: Knit even.
Repeat round 1 and 2 for one inch, then repeat round 1 for every round until you have 8 stitches left on one needle, and 9 on the other.
Rearrange the stitches: K2, K2tog, K1 (that takes care of the extra stitch), slip next 4 stitches to other needle, K8, slip next 4 stitches to other needle. You may remove the marker. Your sock should not be in profile any more, but rather face you. Close toes using Kitchener stitch.

For 4 dpts: knit stiches on needle #1, renumber needles. Instep is on needle 1, and sole stitches are split on needle #2 and #3.
R1: needle #1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. Needle # 2: K1 SSk, knit to end. Needle #3 knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
R2 knit.
Continue for 1 inch repesting R1 and R2, then decrease every round. Take care of the extra stitch by repeat a decrease in the appropriate location while knitting an extra round. Place stitches on 2 needles and close toe using kitchener stitch.

For 5dpts: knit stitches on needle 1. Beginnning of round has changed. Renumber needles. Instep is now on needles #1 and 2, and sole stitches on 3 an4.
R1: Needle #1: K1, SSK, knit to end. Needle #2: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. Needle #3: K1, SSK, knit to end. Needle #4: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
R2: Knit. Proceed as for 4dpts.

Pattern designed by Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer inspired by a Barbara Walker stitch.
Copyright Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.
Pattern is for personal use only, and cannot be reproduced for commercial purposes.

Ostrich Fantasy Socks

I had a great weekend, full of knitting!
I finished the "Ostrich Fantasy socks" for Alexandra, and they look amazing.
Yarn used:Fleece artist , Merino 2/6, Fingering weight, color Ruby Red
Pattern: My own, inspired by Barbara Walker

The stitch pattern is easy to memorize, and follows the ankle and foot gracefully without any odd pulling. It was a very satisfying and relaxing sock to knit. The yarn is incredibly soft, has a beautiful texture, and is very agreable to work. The colors have great depth.

Alexandra wore them for the first time yesterday, and proudly showed them to the members of the Knitsmiths group. The Knitsmiths are a vibrant, fun group of knitters that meet in a bookstore in Brookline every Sunday. Alexandra and I joined them for the first time yesterday, and we loved it. I even sat next to a Smith college graduate, and we exchanged fond memories of our days there. There were hat knitters, sweater knitters, and of course lots of sock knitters. Stariel was there, she had just come back from sock camp and showed us the great Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock yarns she got at camp.
While I was with the Knitsmiths, I started a new sock using yarn I purchased at Mind's Eye Yarns , in Cambridge. The yarn is hand-dyed by the owner of the store, Lucy, and is a blend of Merino and Tencel. The color makes me think of leaves. So I decided to add an embossed leaf pattern to it, and I am toying with the idea of embroidering...

It is the Boston Marathon today, but the weather is a little too wet for my taste, and the wind pins you in place, so I'll stay home. The children are working on their respective school reports. In short, it is the most perfect day for knitting. "Rose Garden Socks" here I come!

Petrification...

This morning I have writer's block. I start a sentence and I delete it. I think I am going to write about one thing, but dismiss it as stupid and uninteresting. This picture of the petrified forest accurately reflects my thoughts at the moment. The scattered trunks are the sentences I threw away...I find the children noisy, and everybody is trying to talk to me at the same time.



I had a dream last night, that my basement had been transformed into a movie theatre, but the renovation was only partly completed...Hold on a moment while I read the play my son is writing about King Arthur, "Wonderful, darling..." Where was I? Oh, yes! The movie theatre was only partly completed, the ruby red rug did not reach the end of the room, and there were only a few rows of seats...Excuse me for a moment as I look at my son's lego sword, "Really cool Honey..." So there were only a few rows of seats, and a whole bunch of children came in, 6 of them, they sat on the front row, not leaving space for me and Rolfe... " Why are you crying honey? Sheridan give the doll back to Skye..."
No room for Rolfe and I? Sometimes I guess it does look like that is true. What do you think?!


So there I am, wondering what the hell is causing the petrification? The computer is sitting on a tiny corner of a table covered with the result of days of unattended accumulation. There I am sitting, trying to think what could be causing the block, and the reason is staring me in the face. The house looks like there was a nuclear explosion in it, and I am trying really hard to ignore the fact. I have to clean, but I don't want to, I try really hard to do anything but that, and in its mysterious ways, my brain freezes so that I cannot engage in any other activity! Damn brain! Forgive my language!


See the reason I don't want to clean is simple, there is the sock, Alexandra's gorgeous, luscious, poppy red, wavy, ostrich feather sock. I am half way down the foot, so close to the end. I could just forget about the mess and knit the sock. Indecision is the problem. I am petrified because I cannot chose to either knit or clean. So right now, I am pathetically sitting in the messy house with a sad unfinished sock!


Hey, I know, since I cannot clean , nor knit, maybe I'll just plant tulips! What do you think, Doc? Bad case of startitis?

DPTS or Circulars, That...is the Question!

Today was a hell of a rainy day in Boston, and to celebrate I decided to take the children out to visit a yarn store in downtown Boston, called Windsor Button. Before I continue with my very philosophical debate on the merits of either types of needles, I want to say a few words about this store. The store is huge, and has a great selection of yarns, from the simplest cottons, to the most luxurious silks, like sea silk, from the thinnest lace yarn to the thickest yarns, etc... They have enough of the yarns in each colorway to knit a big project, and I have to say they have a wonderful color selection. They also carry zillions of buttons. The part that delighted my children the most was playing in the huge button box, shuffling the millions of buttons. It turned out to be a little less fun, when they dropped many of them on the ground! The staff was great, even at that moment!

I did not buy yarn, because I was afraid the house might sink into the ground if I added just a single ball of yarn to my collection! Rather, as I was browsing the needles, I decided to purchase short bamboo dpts in size 1. Me buying dpts? Not only did I buy them while sober, I actually thought that it would be cool to try them out. So I rushed the kids to the nearest fast food restaurant, and transfered my sock to the dpts. By the time I was done with my bigmac, the sock was back on the circulars, and the dpts were returned to their package. It is always a good idea to carry toothpicks in your bag, isn't it?

I know the great Yarn Harlot hates knitting socks on circulars but there are many advantages to them. Nothing pokes you while you knit. I hate being poked. It reminds me way too much of when my violin teacher used to poke me with a knitting needle to punish me for wrong movements! With the circulars you only have two potential ladder spots. Not being a firefighter, I have no need for ladders. With the circulars, you do not drop 10 stitches at once when your lovely children decide to suddenly hug you before you even have time to yell wait, and put your knitting down. If I were Kung Fu I might love the thought of being able to break wood sticks at the touch of my fingers, but since I am not, I have no particular fancy for that hobby! Can you tell I am slightly partial to circulars?


As it was still raining, and the sock, the circulars and I needed some quality time after the dpt fiasco, we decided to make a stop at Borders. The children grabbed their favorite books, while I apologized profusely to the circulars, promised eternal allegiance to them, and begged them to treat me and the sock nicely!

Petaluma Knitters Rock!

If you are in the Petaluma area, and love to knit, why not join the yayayarndivas? They are a fun group of people that meet at the Aqus Cafe on Saturdays. They knit at all levels, and most of all they have a great time. You can find info on their group at yayayarndivas.meetup.com. I even joined the group, which on my part is a little bit of dreaming since I live in Boston. A few thousand miles, sheesh, a detail, as Lucy would say! Yayayarndivas, I will be with you in spirit!

Knit and Make a Difference for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children...

*****Note: Scroll down for mini sock pattern*****

Today, I want to write about something very special, and dear to my heart, and I am going to ask you for your knitting help.
When I was still in California, and working in my yarn shop, I met a wonderful woman named Kathleen, and her two daughters Victoria and Gabriella. Knitting brought us together, and then we became friends.

Kathleen suffers from progressive hearing loss, and because the condition can be inherited at birth, Kathleen had both girls tested, and the youngest one, Gabriella, tested positive. Kathleen has been a wonderful mother, creating the most supportive environment for her daughters, and working with school officials, and healthcare organizations to ensure her youngest daughter' s needs were met. In the process, she realized that resources for families of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children were few and far apart, and she decided to form a non-profit, DHH C.A.R.E.. She writes: " Being in the mainstream school like many hearing impaired kids they get scattered. Then there is no opportunities for them to get together for playdays and shared activities. Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, soccer, softball. All these activities that may seem simple would be great for these Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids. Along with these things we would provide services to family members. What their rights are as a parent with a deaf child. Getting ASL (American Sign Language) classes, getting help with going to the dentist, doctors office and many other services. Raising a hearing child is VERY different from a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. I know from experience." (Kathleen's brand new blog is http://kwc-adventures.blogspot.com/).

Kathleen and I were talking about fund-raising for her non-profit, and we thought that you could help. All you need is left over sock yarn, your favorite needles, and you can even help if you have second sock syndrome! You do not have to knit matching socks, just unique little ones! Kathleen needs you to knit miniature socks, and send them to her or to me. She and I will apply your donated miniature socks to greeting cards, and raise funds for the children, by selling the cards through yarn stores.
Just think how easy it is to help, and how, one more time, knitters can make a difference in the world! Kathleen, and all the children and their families, who thanks to you will receive the support they need, thank you for your help with knitting the socks, and passing the message along to as many sock knitters as possible.

I designed this simple top down pattern for the project. I am assuming you already know how to knit socks, but if you do not, or need more detailed guidelines, let me know through the comments.

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Materials: left over sock yarn, circular or dpts size1
Gauge: 9 stitches/inch

Cast on 20 stitches, and divide stitches over your needles. Join the round. Knit for 1/2 inch in K1P1 rib, continue in stockinette stitch until the leg including the rib section is 1 1/2 inch long.

Heel flap: Work back and forth in stockinette stitch on 10 stitches only, while slipping the first stitch of every row as if to purl. Continue until heel flap is 1/2 inch long.

Heel Turn:
R1: slip 1 as if to purl knit 5, ssk, k1, turn
R2: Slip 1 as if to purl, purl 4, p2tog, p1 turn
R3: slip 1 as if to purl, knit 4, ssk, turn
R4: Slip 1 as if to purl, purl till last 2 stitches, p2tog, turn

Knit one row.

Pick up and knit 1 stitch in every slipped stitch
along heel flap, pick up 1 stitch at the intersection
of the heel flap and the instep, knit the instep
stitches pick up 1 stitch at the intersection
of the instep and heel flap, pick up and knit one
stitch per slipped stitch along the heel flap, knit
the 1/2 of the heel stitches. Your sock should be in profile, with either half of the stitches of each circular needle, or split over three dpts, and the beginning of the round should be at the center of the heel flap.

Shaping the gusset with circulars:
Place markers to separate the 10 gusset stitches ( knit till 5 sts are left on needle one, PM. On needle 2, knit 5, PM, knit to end.)
R1: knit to 3 stitches of the marker, K2tog, k1, slip
marker, knit to end of needle, go to second needle,
knit to the marker, slip marker, K1, SSK, knit to the
end of the needle.
R2:Knit
Repeat R1, and R2 until you are back to your original
number of stitches which is 20.

Shaping the gusset for dpts:
Do the above decreases at the end of needle one, and at the beginning of needle 3, alternating decrease round and even round.

Foot: Continue to knit in stockinette stitch without decreasing until the foot
of the sock is 1 3/4 inch.

Toe decreases for circulars:
R1: knit to 3 stitches of the marker, k2tog, k1, slip
marker, k1, ssk, knit to the end of the needle, repeat
the same decreases on the second needle.
R2: knit.
Repeat row 1 and 2 until 4 stitches are left on each
needle. Break yarn and with a darning needle gather
the remaining stitches.

Toe decreases for dpts:
Rename needles: With instep stitches on needle 1, 5 sole stitches on needle 2, and 5 sole stitches on needle 3.
R1:
needle 1: K1, ssk, knit to last three, k2tog, k1
Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to end
Needle 3: knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
R2: knit
Proceed as for circular needles method.

Weave in ends.

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Send your finished socks to:
KWC c/o Sonia
9760 Brooks
> Road S. Windsor CA 95492

Traditions or Destiny...

Tradition, la-la-la-la-la---la--- as Topol would say. Destiny, destiny, no escaping destiny, as Dr. Frankenstein would scream.

In the Woody Allen fashion, if this were a movie, I would insert the inevitable flashback. I would appear as a child, surrounded by my father and my mother's family. The ones discussing the making of the sweaters, the others the selling of the sweaters, while my mother would pat me on the head, telling me I would not knit sweaters or sell them, because I was going to go to school. So there I was, dressed in an orange and yellow knit sweater, thinking that I could escape the power of the ancestors. Mind you, my mother's point of view, and rejection of all items knit, or made of wool could be understandable.

You see, my family miraculously survived the war in France, and like many other Jews, it took time for them to rebuild their lives. When my mother was about 6 years old, they decided they could go with the children on vacation. So they went to the northern beaches. Being Mediterranean Jews, North meant cold. So my grandmother got some nice old-fashioned wool, and knit the children some warm bathing suits. Imagine, my mother and her younger cousins, scratching constantly, because the wool was shall we say of the vintage sort, with the women of the family, blindly blaming the sand for the itchiness. They sent the kids swimming to get rid of the "dirt", and I think this is when my mother swore never to knit, and that she would break the traditions. The wool drank the water, half emptying the sea, and got so heavy that when the children got out of the water, the bathing suits had streched all the way to their knees. I can hear the voice of my grandmother "What did you do to the bathing suits, such good bathing suits, no more playing roughly in the water! Have respect for what you own..."

I did learn to knit. Whenever my mother would leave me with the ancestors, the knitting needles would magically appear, as well as the balls of yellow and orange. " Do you want Mamie to teach you how to knit?" So I learned. I developped sort of a double life, bookworm at home, knitter at my grandmother's. Even though my fate remained uncertain for a while,
like Dr. Frankenstein, traditions pulled me back in, but this time completely. I may not stand next to my knitted sock, yelling "it's alive, it's alive!", but I do run around the house, parading it, and showing it to every person I can, saying it's a...mazing, no?!

Between Boston and le Mont St Michel

Good morning Boston! This is what I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs in the morning on my deck as I take in my first breath of fresh air, and look in the distance. See, I stand on the deck in my pj's because I need a little help with the getting up at 5 routine. So one single breath of that CRIIIIISP morning air, and I am awake. Ok it is beautiful too, and it is worth the cold air, and I love the thought of greeting Boston every morning. Boston is not just a proper noun, it is alive. It has its own heartbeat made up of the thousands of hearts that beat in it, its thought is the thoughts of its people combined. Today, I know Boston will smile, because the sun has come back. Boston will smile at the Crocus that are starting to pop up everywhere like little colorful Jack in the box pantins. The city will laugh like thousands of children running and playing in the gardens and playgrounds, "she" will enjoy its lunch in the Boston Commons listening to the songs of the birds. Today, Boston will wear all its jewels, sparkling diamonds, glistening gold, deep saphires, all this over a simple garb, but I know that in a few weeks she will put on the most beautiful dress of emerald spring, adorned with jewels of pink tourmaline, citrine, peridot, ruby, amethist, garnet...
In a few weeks I'll take the sock and the children to the park. The children will play, run and scream, while the sock and I will sit together and enjoy the air, and the sun.
Actually, we may give it a try today, I feel like taking the children to the Boston Commons after school, and letting them run around duck pond and feed the ducks, while the lace sock and I make some progress in our work. The ostrich feather pattern is so much fun that I had a hard time stopping last night to prepare dinner, which meant that it was omelette night! But it was a fantastic omelette. I mean you really have to try this. The taste was just like the one of the mere Poulard's omelettes on the Mont St Michel.

So for now Omelette a la Mere Poulard:

You will need 2 eggs per person. Break the eggs and separate the whites from the yolks. Add a pinch of salt to the whites, and beat them into stiff peaks. Beat the yolks slightly. Pour the mixed yolks over the whites, and with a fork, gently incorporate the yolks into the whites, until the two are blended. You should have something like a light yellow egg mousse.
Take a non-stick pan, butter the pan evenly, warm it up, and transfer the egg mousse to the pan, spread it into the pan. Cook on a medium to low fire. Once the bottom is cooked, insert a spatula under the omelette, and fold one half over, continue cooking it a little, then turn it over. Et voila! You now are ready to enjoy "Une Omelette a la Mere Poulard". Serve immediately, with some delicious crusty French baguette, and some Edith Piaf, and I promise that if you close your eyes, you might even believe that you are in France on the Mont St Michel!

Let me know what you think.

Life Goes on...

There are a few reasons why I have not written in a few days. Some are more futile than others, but in general, it turned out to be a very busy, intense week.
First a futile reason: I have not been able to get up at 5 a.m. for a few days, which has meant that I missed the hour of calm before the troups wake up, and I write better when things are quiet. I don't have the endless chain of little complaints ranging from I'm still hungry, to, he took it, and he won't give it back, or I can't find my socks. I was just so tired. Today, it seems that I am back on track.
Then there are less futile reasons, and less futile reasons can sometimes be hard to talk about. One of our family members has been sick with anorexia for a while. This last weekend was a very hard one. I thought I did not have the strength to help any more because it was getting so hard. I don't know if you believe in God. I believe in a universal God, and I prayed so hard that he would give me the strength to continue, and that he would help my loved one make the decision to recover. Miraculously on Sunday, my loved one made the decision to heal, and work day by day at getting better, at accepting feelings, and oneself.
Anorexia is not an easy thing to talk about, and even though it touches at least 1% of the female population, you rarely hear about it from people. How often does someone tell you they have a problem with anorexia, or that a family member does? I always knew that there were socio-cultural causes for anorexia, but I never really realized how strong these pressures were. First, there is school, where they tell you every day of your life, that you should eat healthy foods only, (while serving you the worst foods for lunch) and exercise to stay thin, where some kids now receive "fat" report cards, and are labeled fat. What does that do to the child who receives the card, and to the others who are scared of getting the card? There is fashion. Each time, you go to the mall, you see these skeletal mannequins in the window displays. Trying the clothes on, is only a reminder of how you do not look like them, and should you not since they are the display? There are the movies, in which the beautiful sickly thin actress gets the handome good guy. There are the ads everywhere, eat this and you'll loose weight. The list goes on and on.
When you go food shopping, and you are waiting in line, the magazines there, are nothing but an endless reference to body image, and weight loss. The titles you read while you wait are: lose 10 pounds quick, how to lose your tummy, 10 wonder foods that will make you lose weight, 10 exercises for flatter abs. Then there are the the tabloids, who bombard you with their pictures of skeletal actresses, and the "unfortunate" ones who are comfortable in their average bodies.
Considering that women visit the supermarket at least once a week, if not more, and that they are often accompanied by their children, we can say that women, and children are bombarded with the message that FAT IS BAD, THIN IS GOOD, and TOO THIN IS EVEN BETTER.
Lately, whenever I go to the store, while I am waiting for the cashier to ring me up, I have started turning the magazines to not have to stare at the negative messages. We do not have to sit there and continue to let messages like these be pushed upon us. When I turn the magazine, I say no to the messages, I show my children that they too can say no, and maybe I am helping a few women in line say no.
I know all this is very serious, but it feels good to write about it, and share it with you.

Eventhough I did not write much, I did quite a bit of knitting over the last few days. I finished Paul-Hugo's birthday socks, and started on Alexandra's. I am knitting her socks with a luscious hank of Fleece Artist in a red poppy color, Alexandra's favorite color. It is a lace sock, with an ostrich feather pattern. I am designing it as I knit. I turned the heel of the first sock last night. I probably will knit quite a bit today, during and after our school, because the New England weather has once again tricked us! Spring was here to stay, temperatures in the 60s, sunny, lovely breeze, and then slam, 30s, snow, and sleet. You know how they say you can vote with your wallet if you like or dislike a store, well I am voting with my feet, and they will stay dry and somewhat warm at home in a strong show of disapproval for the current change in weather!

The last thing, but by no means the least important one, is that I am starting a new business, and it has everything to do with knitting. I am not quite ready to give you all the details as I am still in the preparatory stages, but should be ready within a few weeks. All I can say at the moment is that I thank all of you who wrote me e-mails asking me when and what I was going to do now that I was in Boston. You kept me thinking, and inspired me to start something new.

You know, all in all these last few days have been great. We have had birthdays, anniversaries, healing, and starting a new business. This is why I love writing, it makes me see the positive in everything around me. Whoever invented writing is way up there with the one who invented socks!

Happy Birthday Paul-Hugo

Happy Birthday to my big boy Paul-Hugo who is now 11 years old. 11 years ago you were born on April 2 at 8:23 p.m. 11 years ago and every year since, you have been my marriage anniversary present. 11 years ago was a very special day. Rolfe and I woke up that morning, and wondered as you were a little late wether this was the day. We decided Rolfe should go to work as usual. I walked Alexandra to school all the way down he hill. I was about to go do laundry at the laudromat,when you gave me a little warning sign that this was the day that you and I would look into eachother's eyes for the first time. I felt another contraction, mild, and then another 15 minutes later, and then another. I called Rolfe back. He came home, picked up Alexandra from school, and dropped her with our best friends Kevin and Larry. Contractions were now coming closer, but we waited a little longer. We went for a long walk around Alamo Square, and at about 4, decided it was time to go. We did not have a car at the time, so we walked from Alamo Aquare to Kaiser on Geary, by the time we got there the contractions were well established, and you and I got to work. I wanted you to come on April 2 because it would be my marriage anniversary gift to Rolfe, and I think you wanted it as much as I did, and at 8:23 p.m. I got to hold you in my arms and the world stopped for a moment while Daddy and I stared into your eyes. Happy birthday, my love.