I was going to post about the almost done crocheted socks I've been working on for a couple of days.
I try to make myself a pair every time I teach a sock class, so this is it for 2011.
But really, who cares about socks when there's a new crawler around?
Leanne showed off her moves today.
So.Darn.Cute. And Lily is jealous.
She thought she was going to be today's cute thing.
Finished the second basket tonight - 
I wanted it to be different from the first (got my wish) but I don't like it as well. For my second-ever twined basket, it's not bad though. 
Also finished another pair of crocheted socks. 
I found these partially done when I started reorganizing my stash and worked on them during the sock class I taught earlier this year. Finally got the ends woven in yesterday and photos taken today. 
And plan to wear them tomorrow.
I started these while teaching a crocheted sock class, not really planning to finish them right away, but they've caught my interest. I do love making socks. (details are here.)
It might also be influenced by the loss of one of my favorite handmade socks. 
I think it fell out of my bag on the way to class Saturday; and I think the kitten made off with it. She's started stealing my crochet hooks - out of my bag, no less - and chasing them around the house, like she does her ball. With the ball, it's cute. With my hooks, not so much. Hope this is just a phase for her. . . . And I really want my sock back.
My Baby Wolf came with Texsolve heddles when I bought it used in 2005. 
They've been ok but aren't the most fun to move around when warping the loom; push the top, push the bottom, repeat (and repeat) across the bar. 
With metal heddles, you give them a flick and they move out of your way. Texsolve heddles weigh less than metal, which was also a consideration since I use this loom for workshops.
Over two years ago I bought big-eye metal heddles specifically to put on Baby but never got around to it. It's a fairly big job for a newish weaver and I admit I was a bit intimidated. But last night I decided it was time. It took a few hours but look what I've got - 
so pretty and so easy to use. Wish I'd done this years ago. 
Guess who may get a second pair of hand-crocheted socks? Rachel texted me this photo tonight. 
Love seeing crocheted socks in the wild.
I finished a pair of crocheted socks for Rachel -
sure hope she likes them. (Details are here.) This is the first pair I've ever made for someone besides myself. It's not that I'm selfish (ok, maybe it is - I really enjoy wearing handmade socks) but they're a lot of work to do for someone you don't love a lot. 
I also Navajo-plied the first bobbin of 'Red Sky At Night' from roving I bought several years ago at Spinderellas. 
A photo that better captures the glitz and sparkle is here. My yarn counter doesn't work for crap, but I think this is about 225 yards of DK-ish yarn. I have another big bobbin ready to ply, plus another 3-4 ounces to spin. I'm hoping to get enough yarn out of this to make a shawl. I **love** the color and the sparkle.
We arrived back in California last night, just in time for yet another wet day. 
The weather in Colorado was beautiful - cold but clear, with snow falling just one evening while we were there. Things are crazy backward here.
Not only were we treated to rain today - and another power outage, this one lasting 'only' six hours - but hail was pounding down so hard I thought it had to be at least golf-ball sized. 
Er, maybe not. But really; hail in California? And clear skies in Colorado? In February?? I think Mother Nature is either confused or really, really p***ed off.
One of the benefits of longer than expected plane rides (our predicted 2 hour, 4 minute trip turned into over 3 hours when we encountered a stiff head-wind most of the way to Burbank) is plenty of time to crochet. I finished the heel flap, gusset and most of the foot on both of Rachel's socks. 
Just need to get her foot length - which I forgot to measure before we left - and I can finish the bottom half of these. I love how the stripes are almost matching. Can't wait to see how these look finished.
I've gotten a few things finished while we've been in Colorado. A pair of socks for me - 
using Opal yarn in 'Rainforest' and my usual pattern (I need to write this up and put it on Ravelry. I love my socks.)
A pair of Friendship Mittens for Rachel - 
using Rowan's Tapestry yarn, a 4.00mm hook, and this pattern.
And, of course, Addy's Tadah! hat. 
I'm still working on a pair of socks for Rachel (I've converted her to wool handmade socks!!) and my wool/silk shawl. Should be enough to keep me busy for the next 2 days or so.
I love making crocheted socks. Love.Them. 
This is my basic sock pattern - pieces of patterns from here and there that work for me - and is what I teach in my beginning sock class.
These took about 8 hours; I got both cuffs done last night while watching teevee.
And it looks like I finished them just in time. Our first winter storm is supposed to hit here later today, with nighttime temps all the way down in the 30's. (For California, that's really cold. Stop laughing.) 
At least my toes will be nice and toasty.
This is the first 'real' crochet hook (not a prototype) that Dick has finished. 
It's bubinga, ivory, and ebony. The handle is a little shorter than I like - the next batch will be slightly longer - but Sharon said it fit perfectly in her hand, so it went home with her. Dick has about 10 more handles done, just waiting for him to carve the hooks. Zebrawood, canarywood, tulipwood, bubinga, cocobolo . . . . not sure what others he's done. They look beautiful and the balance is fantastic. (Can you tell that I love them?)
The last part of the sock class was tonight. I was hoping we'd get through the gusset and foot, and at least start the shaping for the toe. That was a little optimistic. 
The heel turn and gusset took awhile to explain - those 10 rows are the hardest part of the project - but everyone made it through. And the socks all fit! 
I love all the different colors and types of yarn that were used. Custom-made, custom-sized socks, as promised.
Everyone promised to finish both socks and bring them in for me to admire. Can't wait to see them!
Vickie, Wenona, Ellen and I try to get together once a month to craft. We don't always make the 30-day interval; in fact, it's been about six months since we last met. But yesterday we were finally able to mesh our schedules and hang out for the day at Ellen's. 
Vickie's lockerhooking a rug with fabric left over from her quilting days; Wenona was crocheting the Martha Stewart 'Coming Home' poncho; Ellen was crocheting a prayer shawl; and I worked on a demo sock for tonight's class and got pointers on finishing my knit scarf. It was a wonderful day. Thanks, guys!
I didn't mean to take this long a blog-break. I usually write in the evenings while Dick & the kids are watching the teevee. The kiddies were gone most evenings during the holiday, so Dick & I sat in front of the fire and had our own personal movie marathon. We made it through all three Lord of the Ring movies, four Harry Potters, the first X-Men, You've Got Mail, and a bunch more. As you can probably tell from the titles, Dick got to pick most of the movies. As long as I had cats on my lap and crochet projects in my hand, I was willing to watch almost anything. (I nixed The Patriot - too depressing).
New Years Eve found us on the couch, wine glasses in hand, watching the big screen. 
(This was taken early in the evening. Marie does have a life & left shortly thereafter with her friends.) We even managed to bore the cat.
But I did get the samples done for the classes I'm teaching. My very first, OMG-what-have-I-gotten-myself-into class starts this Saturday. It's a three session beginning crochet class - and I have three students already signed up. I'm a tad nervous. I love crochet - and tend to be passionate when talking about it - and I hope I can convey that. The projects include a basic double-crochet hat (I thought the flower was a nice touch), 
a cotton washcloth, 
and a granny square and triangle shawl that I'm still working on.
And in February, I'm teaching a crocheted sock class. I hope. Only one person has signed up so far, but I'm pretty sure I can twist a few arms and get at least two more participants. (Right, Wenona and Sharon? Please don't make me beg.) 
If the sock class goes well, we're planning a sock-along at the store for both crocheted and knitted socks. I think it would be a lot of fun; hope I can convince others of that.
I finished these last night so I could wear them Christmas Day. 
This isn't the best photo, but it is closest to the correct color (on my monitor at least). The yarn is Wildfoote's 'Ragtime' and the colors are a blend of the deep reds, maroons, and purples of red wine. 
These are made from the toe up, from bits and pieces of various patterns. They're my longest socks yet - 10" from the top of the heel to the finished edge - I just kept going until I ran out of yarn. The leg pattern is a minicluster; 
I love the lacy look. And the short-row heel forms a really good, tight fit. Too tight. See the puckering at the bottom of the heel and over the arch of my foot? 
It's really a struggle to get them on. Sooooooo . . . after I wear them Christmas Day, I'm going to frog the legs, add a couple of stitches at the top of the foot, then redo the legs, and all will be well. In theory. I hope.
Christmas Eve Traditions
One of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions is going out to Camarillo airport and waiting for a well-lighted Santa and his reindeer to do a fly-by. Every Christmas Eve, for about 12 years now, a local helicopter company has 'helped' Santa with his rounds. Early in the evening, they fly a published route over most of the county so youngsters can see Santa before going off to bed.
Santa was moving fast tonight, just a blur to my camera. Over the years, we've missed seeing Santa only a few times; once when he was rained out and a couple of times when someone in the family was sick.
After the fly-by, we tour some of the local neighborhoods that go all-out with decorations. One of our favorites is the T-bird Santa 
(see Santa behind the wheel of the car? He's there every year.)
This house was nearby; the lights coming from the garage lead to a nearby power pole. It was an impressive display. 
Be sure to check out Addison and The Night Before Christmas.
