A Classic Sock

Socks-

A Classic Sock
Originally uploaded by magknits218

Something finished to post about-finally. These were my throw in my bag and take along socks for several years. Clearly, I don't get much time to knit when I'm out and about. I actually finished these last Sunday, but just got lazy about taking the photo and posting. They are just a basic sock pattern from Nancy Bush that I got on a handout at a yarn shop years ago. I think the pattern is also included in Folk Socks.

I also finished re-re-knitting the toes on the socks that I finished the end of September.

Minnesota Wild-

What an up and down season we are having. It seems if we are scoring our defense suffers and if we can't score then neither can the other team. I won't even comment on the last game. Still very upset on the outcome.

Today is Wes Walz Day. I forgot to get my post done to be included in his scrapbook. Bummer, but I guess I had some responsibility to get a dinner done seeing as it was Thanksgiving. I hope to get some pictures. It will be a very emotional day for all Wild fans and I hope the boys don't let that affect their play too much. It seems that these type deals are usually bad luck for the home teams.

Pre-season and minor socks progress

We arrived during warm-ups so this is one of my first pictures of the season.

The crowd was a bit thinner than usual because of the Twins game, I imagine. They gave sporatic updates during the game and had it on in the concourse. Lots of people standing in clumps watching.

My thoughts:

-It's pre-season. In the post game, JL mentioned that the team hasn't worked on their special teams yet. Considering that they did pretty well on the PK. The PP not so much.

-Benoit Pouliot really seems to have stepped up his game. Granted it is pre-season and they aren't playing the A squad team, but he looked more confident. Not overly great on the faceoffs though.

-Krys Kolanos won some defensive zone faceoffs which seems kind of rare with us.

-Nik Backstrom looked solid

-Owen Nolan looked pretty energetic for an old guy. My husband was like, is he a new guy. Clearly my husband does not pay close attention to the NHL.

-Stephane Veilleux is so energetic it makes me tired just watching him. One problem though was when his helmet got knocked off he should have stayed with the play or gone to the bench.

-Mikko Koivu had a short handed break away that went just over the top of the net.

There were a few others that looked promising.

The officiating in the second and third periods was not good. How's that for tact? And I mean in general, not just against the Wild. Almost like they got a call between periods or something.

Socks-

NO pictures because I'm working on the socks that will not end. I have finally made friends with the yarn (Panda Soy) and the pattern is memorized but they are taking forever. I want them to be done so I can start something new.

I'm a slacker!

I haven't been getting things done. No blogging, not finishing up knitting projects-all the things that I would like to do. Life has a way of getting in the way of things one really wants to do.

Here is the progress I have made since the last time I made a post.

I finally finished the July 2002 socks-Yankee Doodle socks. I had to reknit the second sock because the gauge was all wrong. I was in denial and I paid for it. Although it doesn't show in this picture, the two socks are different colors. I don't know if this is because I knit one twice or is just a factor of different balls of yarn.

I have also been working on the May socks from http://www.theknitter.com/

I really wanted to get these done before the next month's socks arrived, but I failed. Last night, I spent several hours trying to figure out if I made a mistake in turning the cables that run up the side of these socks. I haven't looked at them yet today-I'm being chicken or prudent depending on your point of view. Actually I am almost done with the leg-I just haven't gotten any newer pictures taken. My camera has been taking summer adventure pictures for my daughter.

Minnesota Wild-

Last night I found out that the Wild traded the negotiating rights for Brian Rolston to the Tampa Bay Lightening. Not too sad, as he isn't one of my favorites, but I'm beginning to get a bit nervous at wondering what the future holds for next season.

Spring has finally arrived!

Such a long winter this year. My daughter came home for the summer on May 5th, and it snowed the day before. This weather seems to have taken a harsh toll on my gardens. The lavendar and the roses seem to have bit it for sure. Some of the other perennials are not looking too healthy either. But as usual, the crop of dandelions is something to behold. Soon I will be taking up my valuable knitting time for working in the garden. On the other hand, if I have the energy, I will be able to sit and knit or read in my gazebo.

The startitis bug is hitting hard. I can't seem to stay with one project for very long. I also had these socks almost finished for 3+ days before finally weaving in the ends. That's sad. These are the April selection from the Sock of the Month club from http://theknitter.com/

The pattern is May Basket Socks and was a very easy knit. Usually I have a lot of trouble remembering a pattern and have to look at it constantly. This pattern I actually was able to memorize and that really made things move along faster. Here is a close up of the stitch pattern.

Minnesota Wild-

Off season bits of info-Niklas Backstrom and Mikko Koivu participated in the IIHF World Championships for Team Finland. Backstrom got a shutout in the Bronze Medal game yesterday. Brent Burns was named the most valuable defensive player of the tournament. He played for Team Canada which won the Silver Medal.

Current projects:

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Shadow Socks

Luxury Socks Club from http://TheKnitter.com

May 2007

Yankee Doodle Socks-SoTM June 2002 also from http://TheKnitter.com

April Update

I have decided that tax month really sucks the fun out of life. I have been so busy between that and the hockey playoffs that it seems that I have no hobby time left. I have gotten some knitting done regardless.

I finished these socks (March SoTM from TheKnitter.com)a few days back and finally got a picture taken today. This was my first venture into knitting two socks on one circular needle. It worked out okay with a few minor setbacks. I really like this yarn (Trekking XXL)



I have cast on my next set of socks again on the one long circular. Pictures to come when they get a bit longer than an inch.


Wild-

Obviously a disappointing end to the season. I was really proud of the way the team played and I feel that they deserved better. Mikko Koivu and Brian Rolston were in my opinion the two best players for our team. It was awesome to be there for the 3 home playoff games. Will get 'em again next season.

It will be interesting to see what the team looks like next fall. We have quite a few players that are going to be free agents and I imagine the face of the team will be quite different.

Sunday

Current SIP-

I finished knitting both the legs of the Ariel socks last night. This is a picture of the leg on my arm so the lace shows up better.



Progress for today-I have one of the heel flaps about done.

Wild-

It was a rather slow moving game last night. But we finally got a win in regulation, so I'll take it. Players of the game were the members of the checking line-Branko Radivojevic and Stephane Veilleux, most particularly. And yes, I had to look up how to spell Radivojevic.

Gaborik has a shaved head. He claims it is because he got a bad haircut. Why do I have trouble believing this? After all, I imagine he pays a fair chunk of change for a cut. I'm sure he doesn't take his chances with a budget barber. He looks pretty weird. (He got his 200th career goal though.)

Next game is against the Avs on Monday night. We had to sell the tickets for this one. Number one spot in the Northwest division is on the line. Could be some wintery weather coming in town that night so I am a bit relieved not to have to drive.

My progress and a hockey favorite

The latest progress on my pair of socks. The other socks is only six rounds behind this one. This is through 2 repeats of the pattern. The leg is finished after doing the first 18 rounds of the pattern again. Maybe by Sunday I will be on to the heels.


Wild-



J.P. Parise did "Let's Play Hockey" at the game last night. I favorite of mine from my younger days, I always enjoy it when they have North Stars players. And, yes, I am still bitter about the North Stars moving to Texas even though I love the Wild.

The Wild played well in the first period. At random times during the rest of the game it seemed as if they were taken over by the "Orb of Confusion" which I realize is a random reference to SpongeBob. It is really disturbing how much they sit back when they get the lead in a game. It just seems to happen again and again. They seem to try to be too cute with the puck and make all kinds of stupid mistakes. And I won't even get into how badly they are doing in the shootout.

Next game: LA tomorrow evening at 7. Please bring your A game for a win in regulation!

Current Sock Progress et al

Ariel Socks
Originally uploaded by magknits218

This picture is a bit out of focus or my eyes are blurry. Either could be the problem.

They are coming along pretty quickly. I ripped them back and restarted them using a size 2 so they don't have to stretch quite so much. One of the balls of yarn has had two knots in it so far. I hope that will be the last of it.

Wild-

The Canadiens are taking it to the Devils tonight. I hope that this results in massive demoralization so they play poorly on Thurday night.

There was an article in the paper this morning about Wild prospect Benoit Pouliot. Sounded to me like he is lobbying for a job. If he wants to play with the big boys he better show some consistancy and put some points on the board. I wonder what it will take for him to understand that.

Sounds like Belanger will be out for awhile. This is extremely unfortunate because he had been playing well as of late. That part that really, really sucks is that he was hurt blocking a shot and we didn't even win the game.

Finished socks and an open letter

A Little Twisted Socks the October 2007 SotM from TheKnitter.com, Designed by Debbie O'Neill

My first pair done for March. I am being positive and hoping that I get at least one more pair done this month.

Open Letter to the Minnesota Wild-

As a member of the Team of 18,000, I would like to ask a question.

What is the matter with you? Is it too much to ask that you can win a simple game against a non playoff team? The worry has been coming on for awhile, but now I wonder if we will be using the playoff tickets that we are getting set to pay for. It makes me very sad. All this potential...

I can see the frustration on the coaches faces. A few guys are stepping up but for the most part, it is only one or two in any given game. You need to work hard and quit looking for someone else to carry the load. I challenge any one of you to look yourself in the mirror and be able to say that you are giving 100% effort. A few years back, this team made the playoffs for the first time. It was a team of for the most part little known players who were playing their hearts out for the other members of the team. Well, you are better known now for your skill, but don't have the heart of that team. Remember what it means to be a teammate. Play with some heart, some pride. Stop letting us and yourselves down. NO MORE MESSING AROUND. Be men and do your jobs.

That is all.

Signed,

A sad and frustrated fan

Second pair of the year and another win

My second pair for January



These socks were the May 2002 Sock of the Month from TheKnitter.com. (I need to figure out how to do links again. Sigh) I really enjoyed knitting them, and I hope that no one notices that there are different numbers of cables on the two socks.

Wild win, 5-1

This picture was taken by my son during the warm ups. I figure that he has a better chance of getting down by the glass without being stopped. I need to work on his technique, although I must say that Mikko Koivu never seems to stop moving. Ever.



Great game. We weathered the first period, in which I felt we came out pretty flat. The scoring exploded in the 2nd with the first 3 goals by the Wild coming in quick succession. That was it for Giguere who pitched a very toddler like tantrum.
Butch scored the 4th goal right before the end of the period. Corey Perry scored one for the Ducks which killed Backstrom's shut out. Bummer. And our final goal was a nice job by Sheppard to stick with it and not give up. All and all, a very satisfying night!

Random-

This is the last thing one would ever expect to see when walking in to a hockey arena.



Apparently, the rodeo is in town this weekend.

First socks of the year & a Wild win

These are my first socks of 2008. I actually re-made them for a friend of my daughter. I had knit them with the two toe deal for wearing with sandals. After getting the thumbs down from the aforementioned daughter and thinking I would never wear them that way, they just hung around waiting for a purpose. A friend of DD saw my blog on her computer and asked if I would make her some socks. I undid the toes and ripped them back for length and then re-knit them with regular toes.


Wild-

First period: (0-0)Pretty boring. Could've used a cup of coffee to stay awake.

Second period: (2-0)Much better. Especially since we started scoring. First goal was a beauty by Pavol Demitra. Second goal by James Sheppard, his third of the season.

Third period: (4-1)The Wild's third goal was a bit strange. Belanger threw what looked like a soft shot toward the goal, and it went in. Josh Harding got an assist on that one. Finally, Gaborik got his 25th of the season. The Coyotes killed Josh's shut out on a goal by Doan. To be fair, it was a 5 on 3. Nick was in the box for tripping and then Burns made a rather reckless play that resulted in him being sent to the box for tripping as well. Score came with 2 seconds left in Nick's penalty. It was sad.

Three stars of the game:
Third Star: Gaborik with a goal and an assist
Second Star: Demitra with a goal and an assist
First Star: Harding with an assist and 27(?) saves.

Next game is at home versus the Flames on Wednesday.

No pictures, but cookies and a Wild win

Socks-

I didn't get the pictures taken today-obviously. I did get the second toe taken out of the toe socks and started doing the new toe. Also worked a bit on my October SOTM socks.

I did, however, bake 3 batches of cookies.

Wild-

Despite being seriously outshot, the Wild managed a nice win. Goals by Foy, Gaborik(2), Bouchard and Parrish. Glad to see them continue to score. Tied with Vancouver and Calgary for first place in the division. Next game is Sunday night at home against the Coyotes.

I can't believe it!

Knitting-

I am making slow but sure progress on several projects. I will take some new pictures tomorrow in the daylight.

The latest is a re-do of a pair of sandal socks that I made for myself. This was a class project and I didn't ever wear them. A friend of my daughter at university expressed interest in hand knit socks, but did not want the separated toe deal. I am ripping out the toes and making the more traditional toe.

WILD-

The hockey gods are active today.

1-The Wild has been sold to the former owner of the Nashville Predators, Craig Leipold.

2-Marion Gaborik has been named to the All Star Game.

3-Dominik Moore has been placed on waivers to make room for the return of Mikko Koivu. I hope this move doesn't come back to bite us. I was expecting Matt Foy to be the one that would be put on waivers.

4-The Wild beat the Red Wings. 6-5 Unbelievable! It took the shoot out to do it, but at this point who cares.

Last post of the year

A monkey off my back and it's been there awhile. By my best recollection, I have had these socks in the works for 4 1/2 years. And they are done! I can start the new year off with a clean slate.

Wild-

This was a disappointing game. I thought that the team played pretty well overall. I hate to be pointing fingers, but I feel that a couple bad turnovers by a certain player contributed mightily to this loss. Game 5 of 6 with my daughter. I will be sad when she goes back to school. She is a fun companion.

Christmas and surgery and Mothers in Law, oh my!

My daughter came home from college. Yay! She got here on December 16th. And, of course, the rush was on to get ready for Christmas. The day after Christmas, said daughter, had surgery on her left wrist and elbow. Not too much time for fun and games. Also, the husband has been spending a fair amount of time in Wisconsin taking care of health issues with his mom. All this cuts into my knitting time a lot.

I do not have current pictures of the socks I am working on. I have put the "A Little Twisted" socks on hold for the moment and am working on the "Cascading Leaves". I need to have these done before the end of the year.

Wild-

Edmonton Oilers tonight. I need to get some pictures taken before this game. It is game number 4 of 6 that my daughter gets to see on her winter break. I don't know that she will be feeling up to too much photography though. Have to see what I can manage. The Wild should be able, if they show up, to win this game without too much difficulty. Nice to see Eric Belanger has been picking up his game of late. And I am hoping family favorite, Mark Parrish, is at the beginning of a goal scoring streak. Since the Oilers are one of my favorite teams, normally I cheer for them. But not when they play the Wild. Let's Go Wild!

Current project update

As is typical, there is some forward progress and some in reverse.

This is the February socks from the Luxury SOTM club. Name is Cascading Leaves Socks. Very nice yarn-a blend of alpaca, merino and silk. Seems to be knitting up quickly, which is a plus. I am getting a bit worried that I will run out of yarn. The ball is getting pretty thin.





And for the reverse, my first attempt at the October SOTM (A Little Twisted Socks)from this year. I have ripped them out and will reknit them with a 3 mm needle instead of a 2.75 mm. I was getting 7.5 sts/in. and need 7. I can see now why my mom always tried to work on dark colors during the daytime hours. My eyes are having a difficult time focusing on this at night. This is why I am working on the other socks-easy to see. This pattern includes instructions in doing the twisted stitches without a cable needle. After a few tries I kinda got into the groove of it. Works pretty slick.


Wild-

I watching the Wild/San Jose game. Looks like a repeat of the Detroit game. We are being schooled. What will it take to get some offense going? Last place in faceoffs and Power Play pts. Far down the list in shots and a couple of other things that escape me at the moment. Basically we spend all our time trying to keep the other team from scoring instead of trying to score. Seriously getting ugly.

Sad Day in Minnesota

Wes Walz retires

Sounds a bit melodramatic, but it is indeed a sad day for Minnesota Wild fans. I wish Wes all the best in his future endeavors. He was the heart and soul of our team for the first seven seasons and I hope that players in the future will look to his example. Class act, gave his all for the team.


Red Socks



This is a picture I took before I started to work on these again. I was about 4 rows into the heel flap. I am about an inch and a half or two from the toe now. Snowy day-good for knitting. When I take a finished picture, I will try to get the cables to show up more clearly.

Time flys (not necessarily having fun)

I have been busy knitting not blogging. I finished 2 and almost 3 pairs of socks this month of November.

The top pair have been hanging about for 3 or 4 years. Done mostly except for the final finishing. Plain laziness on my part. I don't even have anyone to give them to anymore since my daughter has long since grown out of them. Oh well, I'm sure I will find them some feet.

The other pair is the September Sock from the SoTm Club from

It is called Secret Love Socks. My first attempt at an afterthought heel. I will be anxious to see if I need to do any adjusting in that area for the future.

I am almost down to the toe of the third pair of socks. I started that pair in a class I took 4 years ago. It is quite a bit more complex and I spent as much time trying to figure out where I was in the pattern as I did with the knitting. Finished pictures soon.

My wrist is not happy.

Wild-

I think that I will choose to ignore the poor games we have played and focus on the more recent ones. Tonight we played pretty well. Not as well as on Wednesday IMO, but we ended up with the win. Seems to me we spend an awful lot of time passing and not enough time shooting, but what do I know.

Fall Has Arrived

After quite a warm fall, we have had frost several times this last week. Again tonight I hear. Time to get some yard work done in preparation for what I hope is a snowier winter.

I am making okay progress on my next pair of socks. Doing both at the same time again this month. I also hope to get at least one more pair that is lacking a single sock done this month as well.

Wild lost again last night. Came out well at the start, but acted like someone let the air out of their tires in the second. Got a head of steam toward the end of the third, but was too late. Bad penalties didn't help and of course our arch-enemy Mick McGeough. Next game, Calgary at home on Saturday. Rumor has it that the boys were taken to task about their work ethic at practice today. Will be anxious to see how that affects them tomorrow.

Crazy Over You

This title could apply to my socks and the game.



I really enjoyed working with this yarn-Panda Wool in the colorway Circus. I worked the socks using two sets of Crystal Palace bamboo dpns. I actually finished them on Sunday evening.

I started a new pair today. I will add a picture when I make some progress.

Hockey-
The Sidney Crosby show. I think the main benefit of being at the game was not having to hear about him the whole night. Not our best effort. Kim Johnsson left the game and did not return. I still haven't found out what his status is.

And then to see the Oilers lose the game to the Red Wings with less then 30 secs. to go. Not the night for my teams.