Thesockladyspins

During the arctic outflow conditions January 12 thru the 18th I finally wore the handspun socks I made for the Sock Summit 2009. Had thought I would just keep them as a long ago memory but when temps hit into the 30° below zero F range decided warm feet were far more important than memories. Will wash in Eucalan and put away for another brutal arctic blast. Friends Gail Dickson, Val Saadatmandi and Vicki Robinson met at St Distaff spinning day in Monroe, WA., and that day they all had on socks that I had made. Very much liked seeing the pix. Vicki in the orangerinos, Gail in the hot pink and Val in the multi colored with black stripes. The current socks are for Jean in Oregon, first sock is finished, second sock almost to the heel, she wanted identical, knew that was going to be a chore for me, came close. After starting last pattern sequence I discovered that I was missing two rows in pattern number four. Would have been close to 20 rows to go back with sometimes four colours in...

Supposed to be warming up over the next couple of days, with frozen water lines I can't wait. A mere -31°C (24° below zero F) this morning at 7:30am. I had furnace in the main part of the house running all night, and small heater in wool room set to 70° F. Sky right now clear so once sun comes over east mountains the passive solar heat should kick in gear (big windows facing south). When Puntzi hit -48.5 it was the 8th coldest spot in the world. I am lived here 45 years and have never seen temps this cold, now nearly a week. 1st sock for Jean well past heel, shall knit on it for a good part of the day while watching MSNBC impeachment news. Made a 13 x 9 pan of chicken with rice last night, so today will freeze half and still have enuff for tonight and tomorrow.

Another morning with temperatures in the -30 below zero F range. So cold am wearing the handspun socks I made for the Sock Summit in 2009, had put them away but figured now is the time to start  wearing them. Was fortunate to get a several bags of groceries via Dorothy Evans, they stopped at SaveOn on their way home from Kamloops, most important celery, for upcoming chicken soup. But house water needs to thaw before I can fill soup pot and simmer the chicken carcass. First time in the 45 years I have lived here that the water has froze. Weather by the end of the week is supposed to be back to normal winter temps, hopefully warm enuff to thaw water. This is the 4th day now that temps have been in the 30 below zero range, but Puntzi about 60 air miles away has been in the 50's below zero. Working on socks for Jean in Oregon, to the heel on first sock, not going to work on anything else until they are finished. Then the crayon colours for the Desert Mesa challenge. My colour...

Put everything on hold and made a pair of socks for Jeanies birthday, she always helps me carry stuff from KB room out to my car, what better way to say thanks. Took them to KB yesterday and with needles still at the toe had her try them on. small feet and I had guessed just right. Now that they are finished will go back to the socks for Jean in Oregon. Propane truck in this afternoon to fill my tank, they claim first time since Jan last year, don't believe it for a minute, no way could I go that long without a fill. With an upcoming arctic blast am glad its full, temps predicted to go as low as -40° Sunday night and that's when C and F go together, then -38°C or -36°F for Monday and pretty much same for Tuesday, KB and good food box for next Wednesday cancelled until warmer temps show up. Socks for E and Maela were sent and both fit. Just talked to Dorothy Evan and she is going to pick up grocery stuff for me on her way home from Kamloops. Much looki...

The variegated Merino I was spinning at Desert Mesa in October is finally finished (with a long time out while I was sick with the nasty cold or flu). Its in the plying queue. Now back to spinning the stuff I was after in August and September. These are the first two bobbins, bobbin 3 is full as well. With 3 I added a good bit of wool-silk mixes prolly ever other colour change, and still using the red Merino about every 4 colour change. Now on to bobbin #4, started on it December 15 and have taken a pix every day to show the progress. Bobbins 3 and 4 have a few brighter colours, once plied (prolly well into the new year), will be interested to see if it will be suitable for socks. Red is Merino-nylon, then lots of BFL, wool-silk mixes and some superwash Merino. Pix of the superwash Merino little bundles in last post. Didn't buy anything on black Friday or cyber Monday and if I never hear the words black Friday again I would be beyond happy, everybody and their two brot...

While poking around a few days ago I found a small bag of tiny Opal balls of yarn, have no idea when or where I bought them. Eventually will use them in socks of some sort. Should finish the second bobbin of the turq-yellow mix yet today. Then plans are to go back to bobbin #2 of the Scrappy Sock Bundles, bought another  mix of the wild & crazy stuff from Wound Up Fibres, if it wasn't so expensive I'd only spin this stuff. Post to Canada is the kicker cost almost as much as the fibre. Its superwash Merino and velly nice stuff. Have 3 pair of socks on the go right now, reds for Jean in Oregon, a pair of fatties (using up lots of odds and sods) and a pair of Monstersocks using more leftovers in blues & greens. Did finish the socks for Miss E (in kindergarten this year), again using up more leftovers. Tatla Lakes Christmas sale was last weekend, I didn't go but friend Dee did and was able to snag me 3 dozen eggs, I was down to just one egg. And if all goe...

Finished the various reds etc socks over a week ago now, have been letting my arthritic hand feel better before jumping into the next pair. I started the reds with ideas of having them finished for the MonstersockKAL that ended October 6th, not even close. But they did get finished. The next (and I hope the last pair for awhile) are for Jean V in Oregon, once they are finished I want to do something with the crayon challenge yarn from Desert Mesa. Got Jeans yarn into center pull balls today and will likely start on them while watching football tonight. On the left is the first pix I took, other is yarn in balls ready to knit. Added one new colour (which doesn't show up well) a burgundy purple. Click on smaller pix to show it up better (I hope). No way my fingers can figure out how to get pix side by side in same size. Had hoped to get to town tomorrow but weather is telling me no way. So will call prescriptions in and Bee Line will bring out. Can use my Visa to pay for th...