This is not a post about tulips, but it’s never wrong to start with a picture of tulips, regardless of the subject matter.

I straightened and organized my sock drawer. And then I straightened and organized my sock yarn drawer. And then KnitPicks had a sale on sock yarn, so I bought even more sock yarn (the sale is still going on for a couple more weeks, I think). I do like always having a sock on the needles, because first of all, they are so portable, and I can just keep them in my purse. Second of all, I love handknit socks. Third of all, sock knitting is (generally) therapy for me when I’m stressed. And fourth of all, many of my socks are starting to look pretty shabby.  I can and will repair them as much as possible, but sometimes there is a point of no return. I’m also on the lookout for the ultimate sock yarn, so all my sock knitting is also in the name of science.

I started a pair of toe-up socks recently, using Knit Picks Stroll (Tonal, in Thunderhead). The only other time I’ve knit socks from the toe was, weirdly enough, for the first socks I ever knit. I used Wendy’s Toe-up sock pattern and I think a sport weight yarn (this was pre-Ravelry). And then I never knit one again. I don’t remember it being terribly difficult, and it was a heavier yarn and a plain sock with a ribbed leg, so I don’t think it took all that long. I think I just found patterns I liked that were cuff-down and I was comfortable knitting that way.

I was looking for a sock pattern to knit a couple weeks ago, and came across this pretty pair. I love the lace and didn’t let the fact that the pattern started at the toe deter me at all. By the time I got to the heel, I realized that I really don’t enjoy knitting from the toe up. I vowed to press on, though, because these socks, they are so pretty! So I slogged through the heel and started up the leg. I tried them on and they were a little long in the foot, and the heel flap seemed a little tall. But still, I kept going, because I am not a quitter! Then I sat down last night to do just a little more, because it seems like every quarter-inch of these suckers takes an hour. I pulled on the cord to pick up my knitting and ooops! I had pulled the needle right out of half the sock.

I thought I could be stoic and brave

, and get all those k2tog and yo stitches back on the needle. I’ve certainly done it before. After a few minutes, though, in perhaps a tiny fit of hatred and frustration, I pulled the other half off its needle and ripped it out completely.

It was such a relief. I immediately cast on and knit a cuff, and I’m going to try to just knit the same lace from the top. It may not work, but I’m going to give it a couple inches, and if not, I’ll do some other lace-y cuff-down pattern, and I will enjoy every bit of it. Am I alone in my love of cuff-down sock knitting?

I made a sock for Fall:

The other one is underway. Mr. Lucy was laughing at me for taking a picture of one sock, but I was excited and had to share. It’s my second pair using the Embossed Leaves pattern, which I just like so much. The yarn is Lorna’s Laces and the colorway is called Aslan. I may have bought this yarn just because of the name. I’m not much of a beige/brown person, but this colorway is actually quite pretty. I wonder if I can rake my rug?

Last weekend I decided to join up with the Apartment Therapy Fall Cure, and cure my guest house of all its ills. I made a lot of progress. I got rid of four big 3-drawer plastic bins. They were ugly and they took up a lot of space and they weren’t working. As I was clearing out the drawers I kept coming accross fabric that I had totally forgotten about. Now it’s all arranged on shelves and I can easily see what I’ve got. I’m such a sucker for organizing gadgets, but just because something is made to get you organized, it doesn’t mean it actually will. I’ve thinned out my fabric quite a lot, but there is still so much! I’d better start using it. Here is a progress picture:

The main thing I want to get done, after I get all the junk cleaned out, is to paint everything white, and then I’m going to hang some curtains in front of the bookcases to finish everything off nicely. I’m sure I’ll be showing more progress photos as I get things done. The TV may also get a new table and I have some other ideas percolating as well.

I’ll leave you with some current chicken portraits:

That’s Fuzzy in the first picture, and then one of the Silver-Laced Wyandottes and one of the Rhode Island Reds. They are looking like little chickens now, I’ve started calling them chucks at Yvonne’s suggestion in the comments a couple entries back. I think that’s a perfect name for them and it makes me smile. They are starting to make little clucking noises, although they still peep a lot. They like going outside and scratching around and they love the lettuce and cabbage leaves that I bring them for treats. So, the chucks seem to be thriving :o)