I’m posting drunk today. Go me!

I realised a couple of days ago that my exams were sneaking up on me, and despite knowing this I’ve been making more social engagments lately then I’ve done the rest of the year. The result is that I’m bussy, and when I’m not out with people, trying to cling onto what some people would call a life I’m reading for my exams.

Today I went to a housebreaking party (you know, the first one in a new apartment). We didn’t bring a potted plant, but my sweetie made gingerbread to give away. Then we got pissed and now, hours later, he’s sort of asleep beside me and I’m posting this.
Great day, and I got just enough buzz to feel really good about everything. Everything is fine with me right now.

I’ll be back tomorrow, hopefully without a hangover (my northern-norwegian drunkard genes should protect me from that, I hope *crosses fingers*)

Tags: alcohol, beer

I’m replacing my leather stuff with other things, bit by bit.



Not that I’ve been buying lots of leather the last couple of years while being vegetarian, but still. I have my winter shoes, my bag and jacket I never use anyway.

The jacket is going to be sold, it’s used once.
The shoes will have do their duty this winter, I’m not buying another pair of winter shoes right now, I can’t justify it.
But the bag is going today.
I went to the fair trade shop in town and got this (in solidarity with kamodsja). I’m definitly going there again, not only are the things tehy sell there fair trade, but I liked them for the design and the quality of materials used in the sweaters and the like. After all, I’m a knitter and somewhat crafty, good quality in fibers make me happy.

And in case anyone is wondering, yes, the bag is made out of laminated newspapers, with foreign letters.

Tags: leather, vegan, vegetarian

Exams are coming up in a few weeks and I’m getting really stressed out about that. I don’t have the energy to write a proper post today. Instead you get to everything about how I like to make my socks. Exciting huh?

I stole this from Jaimie that had taken it from someone else as well (I like tracking memes like that).

1. What’s your favorite sock yarn? (please note that the word ‘yarn’ is singular. Just pick one. I know it’s hard.)

I think it’s Opal. I love how it softens with wear but still isn’t worn trough by active use for four years. The only bad thing with it for me is that it contains wool. I’m not buying that anymore. And I will miss it when I’ve knit up my stash. But that will take some time, I’ve been hording it for years now.

2. What’s your favorite type and brand of sock needle?

Short (6 inch) bamboo needles made by a german company (of which name escapes me). I love them, and use them all the time.

3. Do you knit your socks toe up, cuff down, or sideways?

About half toe-up and half cuff-down. Most of my toe-up has been based around the widdershins pattern.

4. Do you knit both socks at once or just one at a time?

One at a time. I don’t want to have an extra ball of yarn or potential tangling when I stuff it down in my bag.

5. What’s your favorite toe and why?

The magic cast-on toe. My favorite technique as well.

6. Favorite heel?

Heel flap, with peacock or regular sl1 K1. On toe-up and cuff-down alike.

7. Do you prefer plain or patterned socks?

I do a lot of textured patterns, and a few lace socks as well. (I’ve done three pairs of pomatomus)

8. Who do you knit the most socks for?

Me. I’m selfish like that. But I recently started giving some away, how many pairs of socks are you supposed to have for yourself without feeling guilty? 20? 40? 60?

9. Do you darn your socks? If not, what do you do with them?

I’ve darned a few pairs, and I will have to have a darning day after I’ve taken my exams.

10. Do you only wear handknit socks?

I usually have on a pair of handknit socks, but for the thick socks I wear a pair of thin cotton ones inside. Most of my storebought socks are falling apart, and I’m replacing them with hand knit ones.

Bonus question: What pattern, if any, is your basic “I-just-need-a-pair-of-socks” sock pattern based on? Do you keep it written down or memorized?

2.5mm needles. 14 m pr needle, over 4 needles = 56 stiches
K2, p2 2 inches.
Knit 15 cm

Heel 14 x 2 sl 1 k1 rounds (14 long stitches is illustrated with a small drawing).
K 1 past the middle, ssk k1 turn
Sl 1 purl to 12th stitch p2tog, p1
Repeat until no stitches left on each side.

Gusset:
Ndl. 1: k to 3 last, ktog k1
Ndl 2 – 3: in pattern
Ndl 4: k1 ssk. K rest
Next round knit ndl. 1-4. Ndl 2-3 in pattern
Repeat until 14 st. pr ndl.

13.5cm from picked up stitches to toe.
Decrease until 5 st. pr. p. = st.

That’s from my very small knitting notebook. Translated from Norwegian, but it takes more place written in English. It’s written over 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches. It’s based on a yarnharlot recipe and every norwegian læste recipe I’ve seen, and I’ve both seen and done lots of those.

Tags: knit, lace, opal, socks, toe-up sock

On the way home after a long day (I have to get up before seven and got home about ten today) I listened to the latest episode of stash and burn that I had on my ipod. The picture gave me a little kick, lots of clapotis’, guess which one is mine, there is no prize if you guess right though… I’ve spent all my cash on cookbooks

A new episode of the podcast downloaded when I got home. That always makes me happy. It’s a great show.

Tags: knitting in public, podcast

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
First school, then a meeting (student politics) and then the fun; S’n'b.

A stitch’n'bitch in Oslo. yay!
I’m going, taking my current sock in progress and hoping it will turn out ok.
Thankfully I’m too tired to be nervous.

Tags: knitting in public