There has been a little sock knitting so far this Socktober... 
The second hubby blue and yellow sock has a leg and most of a heel flap....
The second JJJ sock has a leg and a tiny beginning of a heel flap...
There has been darning of holes in old, well loved socks... only one row had broken here, so I was able to graft the hole closed and duplicate stitch a patch to strengthen it. 
This one had a sizeable hole, so I had to try out a traditional darn for the first time. These socks appeared earlier this year, but somehow haven't made it onto the blog. I dyed the roving, spun the yarn, and knitted these myself - nearly the whole journey from sheep to foot. They're so lovely, but quite fragile - merino isn't really made for sock wear. 
...but you have to love the pretty colours! What's really taken up my time this week, however, is a bit of redecorating:
This is the spare room, repainted, with a new light and fresh bedding, all clean and nice again ready for guests, now that our lodger has moved out. We like to put an eclectic mix of books on the shelves to keep people guessing... and do you see that?
On the bottom shelf? It's a mad little idea I had.... guest knitting. Hopefully everyone who comes to stay will knit a row or two, and slowly a scarf will grow. It's simply 45 stitches of garter stitch, on 5mm needles in some gorgeously soft malabrigo. Mmmmmmm.....
Waiver: I did receive special dispensation to cast this on by my hubby, and have spent no more than 20 mins doing a few rows to get it started. I promise! You don't need to jab me... ow!
Someone can always find a place to snooze, no matter how grey it is outside. I was wondering why my clean washing is always covered in cat hair... I may have discovered the reason. But the real reason it's such a happy blogiversary? I've got a job!!!!!! Yay!!!!
The interview prep may have cut down on knitting time, but it was so worth it! It's amazing - I went for this job, and didn't get it - but then the Head said that they were really impressed with me and really wanted to give me a job, so I got a maternity cover placement instead! 2 terms, full-time (the advertised position was 0.7) and I can finish my NQT year! Yippeeeee!!!! There may even be a permanent job available at the end! I've been jumping about squealing since 10pm last night when I got the call. Yay!!!! My new school rocks!
... a very silly picture of me with the latest ski hat design for my brother still in the prototype stage. Fleece hat with knitted and felted dreadlocks. Need to knit more, though. And they need to stand out from the head better. Hmmm....
French class tomorrow evening. Washing, cleaning, shopping, cooking, washing up. Sleeping (not enough). Changing the bed. Hoovering. Having a bath. Feeding the cat. Going to work, damn it!
That's why this second sock still isn't finished! But it's getting closer... and closer.... isn't it?
Socktoberfest is rolling on, and so are the orphan socks: slowly slowly they creep towards getting finished, and crossed off the list. I'm still doing loads of decorating, so the knitting time is quite limited at the moment. The blue and yellow socks are driving me absolutely flipping crazy (wool/nylon blend, which I hate the feel of, on 2mm needles, to fit my hubby's huge feet!), but I have finally managed to turn the heel and pick up the gusset stitches, so it's back to being the handbag knitting and should creep along down the foot steadily next week, if I get some work...
The first third of the stash has now been through the freezer twice, for 48 hours each time, with four days to thaw out in between - It is now being carefully inspected and returned to its former storage: these wire drawers under my desk. It's a system that's quite vulnerable to moth attack, as they can get at the wool all around, unlike my fibre stash, which is mostly in airtight plastic boxes. It fits into the available space, though, so I'm not thinking of changing it just yet. I'm just investing in moth-repellant cedar balls and I'm going to keep a closer eye on it in future.
It is a good opportunity to tidy up, as well. All of the messy half-used skeins of Lamb's Pride bulky have been wound into neat balls - this has been a couple of half-finished projects, but they've not turned out well - I'm now thinking maybe a madly bright rainbow adult tomten jacket? Not allowed to start it yet, though...
I have several jumpers' worth waiting to be cast on: rowan tapestry and some purple wool I picked up at Wonderwool Wales...
Red variegated wool blend I picked up at the same time as the purple. Lots of knitting to do, and there's still an awful lot more in the freezer and waiting downstairs!
Oddly, despite having knit waaaay more socks for myself than for anyone else (I'm just selfish that way), i haven't finished a pair for me in quite a while - so it's lovely to have some fabbie new socks to cheer my feet up as it turns colder. Happy feet! (Mine, not a dancing penguin).
Side by side... next time I'll definitely try this pattern in a semisolid colour. I love these, but it seems a pity to have spent time on a pattern that you can barely see.
See? In this blocking pic, they could almost be plain stockinette socks. I'm definitely pleased with the way the Jitterbug knits up on the 2.75mm needles though - I may make myself a pair of monkeys with this combo sometime. Not now though: not allowed! One UFO down, 5 to go before the casting-on ban is lifted!
The second JJJ sock has a leg and a tiny beginning of a heel flap...
This is the spare room, repainted, with a new light and fresh bedding, all clean and nice again ready for guests, now that our lodger has moved out. We like to put an eclectic mix of books on the shelves to keep people guessing... and do you see that?
On the bottom shelf? It's a mad little idea I had.... guest knitting. Hopefully everyone who comes to stay will knit a row or two, and slowly a scarf will grow. It's simply 45 stitches of garter stitch, on 5mm needles in some gorgeously soft malabrigo. Mmmmmmm.....
Someone can always find a place to snooze, no matter how grey it is outside. I was wondering why my clean washing is always covered in cat hair... I may have discovered the reason. 
