Travelin' Tabloid

We went on the road with the Tabloid Socks



and enjoyed some nature



and paid tribute at the National WWII Submarine Memorial (Look closely--the sock is there.)



and then we came home.

Best Foot Forward

My personal Spring doesn't begin when the lilacs



or pansies bloom.



Spring begins when I shake off my wool socks



and get a pedicure



so I can wear toe-baring shoes.



This weekend, some car-knitting is on the agenda. Tabloid Sock will be travelin' again.

Another Taboid Sock heel hint: Something in this photo is another name for the type of heel I've chosen.



Pink bib will also be coming along for the ride.



Weekend Snit:
Well, it's more of a pout. I didn't receive Sundara's Petal Collection package this week. And all the super cool kids have!

The Return of an Old Friend?

I live in a shoebox in NYC. I look out the window and see other apartment buildings. One of the cats forgets which end belongs in the kitty litter box. My decorating style is haphazard chic. The downstairs neighbor bounces off the walls and screams at his whatever-induced visions.

I lounge around in faded yoga pants and unfortunate color-choice tee shirts. Though I'm a believer in Flylady, there's clutter both hidden and in full sight and some days it's tough to set the timer for even thirty seconds. I drink too much coffee out of an ugly mug. I read trashy mysteries. On the radio all day is 1010 WINS and on my ipod I listen to ABBA and John Philip Sousa.

There's been a pair of fingerless gloves for DH on the needles for three years. I tend to knit scarves and misshapen stockinette socks.

That's my reality.

But, then I have the parallel universe reality.

I live in a large, beautiful house. Acres of land with trees and colorful flower gardens. Many, many light and airy rooms that somehow are always magically clean. The antique furniture shines. Upholstered pieces are free of cat-hair. Classical music plays on the stereo. The neighbors come over to drink tea from bone-china cups and the women wear pastel linen dresses and straw hats. Romantic poetry can be found on my night table.

I wrap myself in hand-knit lace shawls. Exquisite sweaters and lace socks fly off the needles.

The now-defunct Victoria magazine fed this fantasy. When I received an issue, I would wait for just the right time to savor it. It wasn't a magazine to rush into. A setting needed to be created. Dim lights. Soft music. Yes, it was a love affair and for countless women when Victoria ceased publication in 2003 our hearts broke.

However, good news this week! Victoria is coming back in October 2007! Different publisher. I'm keeping fingers crossed that we'll continue to see articles dedicated to blue and white china and roses--lots and lots of roses. And we'll have tea parties in English gardens and learn how to prepare quince and read about women who start a wicker and lace business.

Victoria was a huge advocate for women to have A Room of One's Own. They meant this in both the intellectual and comfy-nested sense. For me, Victoria was my refuge. The place where I could dream and plot and plan. The space I needed to assess my life and try out different ideas.

I'm hoping the new Victoria will be like an old friend that I haven't seen in a while. A bit older who has broadened with new experiences --but, still the comfortable, welcoming friend.

Bib Break

Spring has sprung and babies are a-popping.

The Tabloid Socks are on hiatus for a few days



so I can complete some very twee gift bibs.



Eventually, the above mass of yarn will look like



I'm using Kay and Ann's



stitch pattern from the Baby Genius Burp Cloth for the bibs.
The yarn is Classic Elite Provence.

For those waiting for the Big Reveal of the Heel, sorry.

A heel's been chosen, but it still needs some tweaking.
However, here's a hint:

Two Socks in Search of a Heel

Very little progress on the Tabloid Socks



because I'm looking for a heel.

I've pored over every sock book and pattern I have.



And I've perused this sock website for ideas.

Voices in Head: What are you looking for?
My Actual Voice: Um, a heel. You know--a thing that turns.

Voices in Head: What heels have you used for other socks?
My Actual Voice: I don't know

Voices in Head: Are you thinking of knitting heel-less socks?
My Actual Voice: Perhaps

Geez, I have more sock books and patterns than actual socks knitted.



But, back to the heel quest.

Have a good weekend!

Tune in on Monday for a heel bulletin.

Tiptoeing Thru

Trees are beginning to bloom



and so are the tulips











And I'm still tiptoeing with Forest Canopy Shawl. Soon I'll have to decide whether to keep it a shoulder wrap or to add repeats and make it a larger shawl.



Need more tulip photos? Check out Yarnstorm's truly magnificent pictures.

Back on Track

My recent 6 hours and 50 minutes on Amtrak produced more knitting than I’ve been able to accomplish in a month.

Tinked back a row of the Forest Canopy Shawl:


It’s still looking like a pile of bleccch

After the successful tink and re-knit, I wanted to shout and sing “Alleluia!”

But, since I was in the Quiet Car and the conductor had warned us if anyone violated the Quiet Car rules he’d call the cops and have us arrested at the next stop, I decided I better not.

Though I think the “Successfully Tinking Lace On a Moving Train Defense” would have kept me out of Quiet Car jail.

Worked on the first Tabloid Sock



And to avoid the Dreaded Second Sock Syndrome, I also started the second Tabloid Sock



Plus I finally finished the Wearing O’the Green / Limerick / Camo Socks



I may be going to DC in a few days--6 more hours of train-knitting! YAY!