Here’s a pic of the finished socks for # 1 Son. I managed to get them washed and blocked last night.

He wore them today, so I guess he likes them.

I managed to get six of the seven hanks of Noro Kochoran wound into balls last night. Two of the hanks had no knots in them, and the other four had one knot apiece. Not too bad. Since I don’t like surprises in the middle of my balls, I untied the knots and started a new ball. Most of the knots were toward the middle of the hank, but one was only a few yards in. That left me with a weird little ball that I guess I’ll use for my swatch.

And, speaking of swatching, I hope to get that done tonight!

For anyone who was wondering, #1 Son agreed that his fingerless gloves could wait. He’s not likely to need them for a few months and I can whip them out in a weekend or so. I promised him I wouldn’t forget. I’ve already got the yarn!

The socks for #1 Son are finished, washed and blocking even as we speak. I’ll get some pics of them soon and post them. I used the Queen Kahuna cast on and Queen Kahuna stretchy bind off from the Crazy Toes And Heels book. I’m not sure I’ll use the cast on again, as I prefer the figure-8 cast on, but the crocheted bind off worked out OK and I’ll use it again.

Now I’m winding up 7 hanks of Noro Kochoran into nice, pretty center-pull balls. By hand.

I’ve got to get one of those “new fangled” ball winders…

I’ve selected my next knitting project. I wanted something a bit more adventurous than another pair of socks, and I think this sweater, called Sensational Shirttail will be just the thing.

I found this in The Best Of Knitter’s Arans & Celtics book. I like to wear big. slouchy, comfortable sweaters. This pattern has enough cables and moss stitch to be interesting without having so much pattern that it requires a great deal of thought. And, on size US 10-1/2 needles, it should knit up fairly quickly, thus satisfying my short attention span and almost guaranteeing that I can get it finished before it’s cold enough to wear it.

Of course I required a great yarn, so today I headed over to All About Yarn to see what I could see.

And this was what I found!

This is Noro Kochoran in color # 31. It’s a yummy blend of 50% wool, 20% silk and 30% angora, and is hand dyed in Japan. On my monitor the picture is fairly close to the correct color, but is maybe a bit dark. The major color is sort of a greyish sand, with rust, white, blue, grey and brown. It should go with anything.

Now I just have to find the perfect buttons!

Click either of the pics for the bigger version.

Didn’t your mother warn you if you don’t stop that you’ll go blind?

Anyone else find this amusing?

OK. I’ll admit it. I’m a Lost addict. So of course I skipped the finale of American Idol in favor of the Lost season ender.

So… Just who are The Others and why have they taken the boy? Will the raft guys make it back to the island? What the heck is that monster? A Morlock, maybe? eeewwwww How did the French woman’s ship get so far inland? What does Lock know that he’s not telling? And what is at the bottom of that shaft…

It’s going to be a long time ’til fall.

I should have known something was up when I could barely keep my eyes open during Revenge Of The Sith. Granted, it wasn’t the best movie ever, and it was late at night. But on the way home I was so exhausted I wouldn’t have been safe to drive.

Sunday found me still in bed when K called at 10:00 AM. That’s way, way later than I usually get up. And I was in bed by 11:00 PM, exhausted.

Thinking it was just the usual problem, I downed handfuls of Advil. But it didn’t help. Monday I had no breakfast. I bought lunch, but couldn’t eat it. By the time I left work, I was freezing cold and felt shaky. I forced myself to eat dinner, on the theory that would make me feel better. haha. I spent all Monday night regretting that decision. And the last two days I’ve spent in bed.

Today I feel better. The fever is gone and I’ve been able to eat.

What the heck was that?

And… no fair! I’ve had enough icky things strike me this year.

I have managed to get a little knitting done, in between naps. I’ve turned the heels on #1 Son’s socks and I’m about 2 inches up the ankles. I want to get the socks and his fingerless gloves finished because I have another sock project I’d like to try out. And then I’d really like to tackle something a bit bigger. If I start a cardigan in June, I might be able to finish it by the time the cold weather sets in again. Maybe.