Tell 'Em, Grumperina

In the past 30 minutes I've been tortured by the yummy images of multicolored self-striping sock yarn.  The brands parading in front of me seemed incredibly beautiful and unattainable:  Noro Kureyon and Lorna's Laces, among others.  Unattainable because at their price the socks should last a lifetime.  Of course no single pair of socks lasts a lifetime.

I began my sock knitting career with crochet cotton.  It feels great for this climate, save for the fact that I have to sew elastic into the rib.  I'm willing to live with that, since we get pretty colors in the local brands anyway.  Last Monday I began with baby merino, and the feel against my skin is incredible.  While I have to keep a firm grip on cotton to make sure the gauge is consistent, I hardly have that resistance with merino.  The natural elasticity of the wool made cabling fun.  And what looks strangely narrow before blocking is actually a good snug but stretchy fit.  In cooler locations, of course.  I can't imagine wearing it here on a regular basis despite its seductive softness.  Well, I haven't tried, but you know what I mean.

I'm not allergic to wool, and I feel really sorry for people who are, because it makes a really warm fabric when you need it, and it's all natural.  There are natural alternatives of course, such as cotton and bamboo and soy. But for socks? Just when I'm so in love with sock knitting and can't sleep for fiber lust! Guess who expresses most of what afflicted me:  Grumperina.  She surveys the LYS landscape for yarns fitting the requirement of her inflammable feet -- NO WOOL PLEASE -- and does a fantastic job reviewing and testing them.  Read on.  I love reading blogs that give both information and an idea of the spirit behind them. 

This doesn't mean we'll never get good sock yarn in the Philippines.  I just have to ask Ma'am Lilli to get me some.  Good thing, as Grumperina pointed out, there are other alternatives to wool.

Technorati Tags: socks, knitting, yarn, Grumperina

Knittipina Report 001

This last week was my little niece's birthday week, so things have been a little topsy-turvy around the house.

Incredible Joie was a little freaked about the tainted Chinese milk business, so instead of crafting or blogging this week she has been madly researching distributors of infant milk brands here in the Philippines. As a result, Lilo's birthday party is milk-candy free (no White Rabbit, folks *sadness*).

Our Tita Nora D. passed by the house recently, visiting from LA. She's leaving Manila in November, so that gives me time to make some cable rib merino socks for her grandchild. The 3yo Pavel is German-Filipino, son of our close friends Annie and Ingo, who are based in Germany but are spending Christmas in LA. According to Annie Pavel's feet measure 6.5" from toe to heel, which would make his socks a child's medium (according to Ann Budd's book). Since baby merino is the only sort of appropriate sock wool available locally, I'm using olive green. (My other baby merino yarns in the stash are in pale pink and cream, and Joy's using her cream one for Annie's crocheted scarf.) As of this writing I'm 75% done on the first sock.

It's a weekend, and I'm enjoying my dose of TV series, so I would need some mindless knitting to keep my fingers occupied, right? When I started this blog I wanted to make a free-style tank dress for Lilo, using a buttery yellow Cannon crochet cotton. After an inch or so I realized it would be a drag to knit two sides, sew them together and finish them off with a crocheted border. So I frogged it. Then I cast on again and tried a circular knit this time. Only I used circulars that were too long and it became a drag to Magic Loop something that's supposed to be 30" in circumference. Yes, there's a reason why Magic Loop is recommended for SMALL circumference knitting. I frogged it again. All this frogging was frustrating but also part of the learning process: a knitter should find the most efficient technique for whatever he/she is knitting. Good thing I remembered my 16" Milward circulars, and they were the very thing for the project (although the bent ends ala Boye and the join really annoy me).

By now you must be wondering, what pattern am I using? The pattern should be what's most efficient. Ordinarily it is, but I wanted TV knitting. Which means, right now, no pattern: just knit a basic tank-dress, using stockinette and some shaping, and then embellish later with crochet or crocheted appliques. Why the crochet and crochet appliques? This is for Lilo, this is sister-bonding crafting. Incredible Joie does the crochet. She can embellish the plain vanilla knit dress with whatever she likes. Give it some personality. A mom knows her kid best. That's how we divide the work. We were able to do it the first time around with Lilo's coral babydoll blouse.

The ballet slipper project is temporarily shelved because of the Pavel socks.

Amy is requesting local knitters to make hats and scarves for Mongolia, to be sent through her sister who's coming home from San Francisco in February. I have never knitted a hat before, but maybe it's about time to learn. Besides, we're going to Baguio end of January, someone in the family might like to wear a hat there too. Amy would like everyone to check out WarmWoolies.org, a charity knitting site whose latest campaign is to send items for orphans in Mongolia. I don't have a lot of wool, actually, but it says in the guidelines that you can use acrylic for a baby blanket.

This is definitely an eye-opener for a lot of knitters like us outside the US. Knitting for those close to you is an expression of love, but knitting for people you don't know really extends the boundaries of love. Of course you only knit what you can, how you can, but think that a worldwide effort gives your participation a bigger picture. Isn't it great that you can help people and enjoy your hobby at the same time! Of course critics will say, why don't you do that here at home first? So many people have been victimized by floods and storms! Baby steps, dear readers. One day Amy and the rest of us will learn how to do it properly for here. Let's say right now donations get too politicized for our taste, and knitters might get frustrated and fatigued. Baby steps.

I have also started moderating at a local tech forum where I have been an active member for some time now. I'm not an IT professional, by the way. But I think there is a role for intermediate-level tech users who have ventured into areas where newbies fear to tread: software tweaking and hardware configuration. People who save money by doing the easier things themselves. We're relatively easier for newbies to approach, don't you think? I'm one of three such mods trying to attract more participants into the discussions: first-time gadget owners, parents choosing gadgets for their children, more GIRLS. The tendency is for these kinds of forums to be populated mostly by guys, but we're going for more balance. These days, GEEKY IS HOT! My current role model: blogger Gina Hughes, the TechieDiva.

Over the past few nights my guilty pleasure has been reading the books that I recently got. My fellow Pinoy Raveler Jinky and I were discussing fun topics like size conversions, yarn substitutions and dyeing, and out of curiosity I tried to find out how we could do things here in Manila. We don't have a lot of wool available to local knitters, but then I aim to find out other unpublished sources. I won't be deterred by the idea that I can't make something because I can't find yarn or needles to produce the right gauge. The size conversions, however, was a great discussion, because it led me to re-examining The Knitting Fiend online knitting calculators. Going over my books I realized that getting Debbie Stoller's Stitch n' Bitch Nation (apart from Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks) was one of the best investments ever. Why? She simplifies knitting as a process and makes sure crafters have a RELAXED, practical, and fun approach to knitting. A lot of knitters are discombobulated by the math involved in adapting sizes different from what is in the patterns (if other sizes are not provided specifically). They get wistful or tense. I was one of them. If I were you, I'd read and re-read the chapters before the actual patterns. Debbie Stoller, you just removed the woolly gauze from my eyes!

Sisterhood in Stitches

Ines J. told me once, "You're so lucky, you have a sister to knit with!" Joy doesn't knit though, she crochets. "Oh, that doesn't matter," she said, "at least you have someone WHO UNDERSTANDS. Someone who knows why you do what you do. Why you buy yarn. I have been knitting for so long, my son is already in his 30s. But sometimes I wonder if my husband knows the difference between knitting and crochet. He just calls everything 'gantsilyo'." Ines, mind you, makes beautiful things.

You know that situation where you both love to knit and blog? Where you want to do one and it prevents you from doing the other? I actually put off joining Ravelry for 3 months just so I could knit something and blog about it. Joy's been (st)itching to blog about crochet but could never get around to doing it because she was busy actually crafting. I invited Joy to contribute to this blog. Which means that while I'm knitting you can read her blogging! While she's crocheting you can read my blogging! Best of both worlds!

Eventually, I'll get her to join Ravelry (and the madness that comes with tool/fiber/pattern lust)!

How's that for bonding?

WIP: Prototype Ballet Slipper

Like I usually do on weekends, I surf Ravelry and other sites for free patterns within my skill level that appeal to me. Now that I basically have top-down basic socks well in hand, I wanted to try other shapes, like Pocketbook Slippers by Lisa Vienneau and Allison Barrett. The pattern is also available here. My feet are small and narrow, and while I haven't actually started that particular pattern, I also wanted to learn knitting toe-up basic socks.

The toe-up pattern here is a mishmash of things I've learned, which I wrote to fit my own foot. While I haven't done things scientifically (as in specifically write steps down row by row as I knit them, counting and all -- I only have a shorthand index card) I can at this point give you a basic outline if you want to modify something for your own foot.

Pattern Outline:

1) Magic cast-on from Knitty, using an 80cm circular needle.

2) Toe increases.

3) About an inch of stockinette rounds from toe increases. Or your preferred shoe entry depth.

4) Divide instep stitches into 3. Knit first third with first dpn, bind off middle third, knit last third with next dpn, place heel stitches on last dpn. Dpn 4 is the working needle.

5) For instep stitches, your selvedge will always begin with a slip 1, whether knitting or purling. Knit or purl heel as usual.

6) As you work try on the slipper. Slipper body should reach up to an inch before your heel ends. Leave stitches on instep dpns unworked.

7) Round heel shaping as usual.

8) Heel flap either plain or reinforced depending on your preference (not a very deep one for my foot).

9) When it's time to join the instep stitches to the heel flap, you will notice a gap that forms between the heel flap and the instep stitches. To address that, knit together (or skp) the last stitch on the heel flap and the first stitch on the instep needles nearest. Knit 1. Turn. Knit across and do the same thing on the other side (instead of skp, p2tog). Purl 1. Turn. And so on. Just keep doing this until you knit the last of the instep stitches and are working with only 2 needles instead of 4.

10) Bind off back of slipper. Instead of cutting the yarn, do a single crochet beginning from the last bind off loop. The single crochet will go around the selvedge of the slipper.

11) Use bright contrasting yarn, add details. Present crochet chain is 18". If you want it to go around the ankles, I suggest you crochet 30".

This slipper is made up of exactly one small ball of choco brown Red Heart worsted weight acrylic yarn, plus some contrast color for decor. It took me just under 4 hours. I had to knit AND unravel AND write shorthand, and do finishing carefully. Maybe less if I memorized it already.

Notes: For my foot cast on should be about 10+10 stitches on a circular. This one is 12+12, which makes for a wide square toe. Body stitches follow a 20 instep +20 heel total.

Rewriting as I blog before the lunch break. Will do the other slipper tonight after dinner. With the 30" chain to go around the ankle. Joy wants to wear it at the Little Gym when she plays with Lilo. Just to feel like Gymnast Mommy. As for Lilo, I still have to trace her foot. Hers will be a princessy pink.

I want to try the same thing with mercerized cotton, possibly 3 strands together. So excited!

To End The Confusion

To those who emailed me expressing an interest in the Tita Ting Basic Socks Pattern: I'm sorry I can't give it to you because it isn't mine, and I don't have permission to. I don't even know where Tita Ting got her pattern to begin with. I only have it as the student of Ines J. at Dreams. As for the Ann Budd pattern, I paid for it, and will have to keep to a lower living budget after the bookbuying mania of the recent Manila International Book Fair.

However, I can do the next best thing: give you some links to very similar FREE patterns made available to us on the net through of the generosity of their owners.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Grey Socks

Knitting Socks by Yarn Harlot *I prefer this one*

To convert this pattern from 4 dpns to Magic Loop:

1. Divide total number of cast on stitches by two. For example: 30+30 = 60.

2. When you join the round, the yarn tail should be on your right. This first half of the stitches (30) would correspond to the first 2 dpns (14+16). The second half of the stitches on the other half of the circular form the heel. These would correspond to the 3rd dpn (all 30 on 1 dpn), with the 4th dpn as working needle.

3. If it makes it easier for you, place markers on the circular needle where each dpn needle is indicated so you remain in place on the pattern.

4. Try for an even tension/gauge, particularly on the joins, so you don't have ladders.

5. When working with crochet cotton, use a 2.0mm needle for the 1x1 rib cuff and switch to a 2.75mm needle for the sock body. The bigger needle creates a soft fabric and a wider stretch. The smaller needle addresses the ankle elasticity.

6. I don't care if people say it's cheating, but sometimes I sew a row or two of transparent elastic in the 1x1 rib. Cotton doesn't stretch much, folks. Good thing mercerized cotton doesn't shrink further. But it is nice and snug!

For those who don't know Kitchener stitch yet, click here for the video tutorial. There are also very good videos for other techniques on Knitwitch.com. I like the clear demonstration, simple language and summary of the techniques. I knit Continental and the Knitwitch knits American ("throwing") but the important thing is to watch not the hand movements, but the needle tips, where they go, and where the working yarn goes.

Other tips and tricks can be found in one of my favorite sites, Knitting Pattern Central. The free patterns directory can be found here.

You can also generate a custom sock pattern using Violet Green's Custom Sock Pattern Calculator. Just find a fiber with the right gauge. I found this in the blog QC Tester Hobbies: Sustainable Excellence (which also has links for other knitting patterns, cooking and other hobbies we all likely share). I think the surfing around is addicting enough. Don't forget to actually knit something!

You can also check out the other sites listed in my sidebar :) Why don't you join the international knitting community Ravelry and get access to other knitters and their projects? Knitter General's Warning: more fun and craziness as you get around.

Ningning's Candycane Ankle Socks

Note: Photo taken in fluorescent light without flash to give you an idea of the actual color.

Ningning went to Honolulu last month, and asked me if she could get me anything. "I hope it's not too heavy," I said, "but could you manage a book?" I wanted Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks. Yes, I could have ordered it on Amazon for less, but it would have taken forever to arrive.

I promised the pinkaholic Ningning a pair of pink socks, and had just the right Cannon crochet cotton, in white-pink-red gradient (#S0016). Ankle socks too, because nobody seems to wear longer socks in this climate except school kids.

Leisurely knitted, I finished one sock on the Saturday afternoon of Sept. 6. Ten days later (ie., last night) I managed to finish the second sock. No second sock syndrome, I just had a million things going on in between. I practically knitted this pair without looking at Ines' handwritten version of the pattern anymore. A portion of the second sock was knitted while waiting in line at the dentist the other day.

It was actually while reading Ann Budd's book that I realized that what I'd been calling the Tita Ting pattern (the original of which I thought was from Lion Brand) was practically word for word Ann Budd's. So when I registered this project in Ravelry I filed it under Ann Budd's Basic Socks. I know it's probably a Chicken and Egg situation, but let me clarify: Tita Ting's version was written for Magic Loop while Ann Budd's was for 4 dpns. I resist knitting with dpns only because I lack practice, but a thorough reading of the patterns from the book led to numbers clicking into place in my head. Now I (think I) know how to convert from dpns to Magic Loop...

Ningning -- many, many thanks for getting me the book, and I hope you enjoy these socks :)

Nanay's Apple Green Ankle Socks

These are my first completed pair of ADULT SIZE knitted socks using crochet thread. I posed them with Elmo and Moo to give you an idea of scale; they fit a woman's size 6-7.5 foot. This follows a basic sock pattern from Tita Ting, but which can be found free on the internet in different guises.

They were actually meant for Mimi, but in my knit-and-frog delirium over the last few weeks I was unable to finish them before she left for Hawaii. However, my mom took a shine to them, as the color evoked youth and gardens, the latter being her recurring source of creative happiness (much as mine is knitting).

One reason why I wasn't able to finish them in time was that:

1) Crochet cotton doesn't stretch very much, even with a tight 1x1 rib in the cuff. Sock yarn, which is a wool-nylon blend, has that elastic give. While I have some merino in stock, I really wouldn't use that for a first try. Besides, cotton is really cool on the feet here in Manila.

2) It was only last Saturday when I discussed my issues re reinforced heel flap mistakes and tight/loose cotton ribbing with my teacher Ines. The reinforced heel mistakes were easily corrected. Then Ines taught me the ff. solution to the ankle cuff:

Needles: US size 1 (2.0mm) and 2 (2.75mm) circular knitting needles (here I used Knitpicks)

Gauge: 32 sts across and 40 rows for 4x4" square for larger needles

Cast On: If sock body is for example a total of 30+30 = 60 st st around on size 2 circular needles/dpns, cast on 90 st on size 1 needles and distribute as for Magic Loop/Cat Bordhi 2-circ method or dpns.

Row 1: *K1, P2*, repeat * until end of 45 sts per circular needle. (For dpns, you divide the heel sts evenly as long as your Row 1 repeats per needle ends with the P2.)

Row 2: *K1, P2tog* repeat * until you have 30 sts left on each needle.

Row 3: *K1, P1* repeat * and knit other rows as for 1x1 rib until you have the desired cuff length.

Sock body: Switch to larger needles for the rest of the sock pattern.

I think what this does is to prevent the cast-on edge from being too tight, but allows the cuff to snugly fit the adult ankle. The technique provides even more give for finer gauge cotton, such as DMC Petra crochet cotton #8. Ines uses Petra for baby socks, which is finer than local brands and requires finer needles.

Et voila:

Obviously, I am the model, as my mother is off to a local Red Cross meeting, where she is a director. I wish there were more light in the photo, but it's the monsoon season... The humid-but-cool weather is a perfect reason to wear cotton! So happy with these. My feet are narrow and flat, but my mom's feet have a higher instep and are just a bit wider across the widest part of the toes, and they fit her quite well! She was a bit alarmed at the lack of elasticity in the cuff, but soon discovered that folding half the sock inside-out and putting the socks on by gently pulling them up the heel worked beautifully.

Material: Cannon crochet cotton size 8, in apple green (shade # MB767) at PhP 25/ball (mall) or just over PhP 21/ball (or PhP 260/box of 12 wholesale). I recommend that you buy 2 balls, and knit a complete sock from each ball so you don't have to make joins if you're not confident about weaving in joins invisibly. Actually you could make 2 socks from one ball, but for an adult women's size 6 your second sock will require a join from the second ball just about where you start decreasing for the toes. I did this, but I had to weave in ends on a side decrease so that I don't feel or see any "double thickness" running across the upper side or underneath. I think I did pretty well.

Care: Ines recommended a mild bath soap or laundry bar such as Perla. Turn socks inside out. Apply soap. Gently squeeze out suds as you handwash. Rinse well. DO NOT WRING. Roll socks in a towel to absorb excess water. Shape and let dry flat. DO NOT IRON.

The Knitted Dalek

Now I've been a big Dr. Who fan (Tom Baker from the early 70s, Christopher Eccleston & David Tennant from 2005 to present, haven't seen the others) since childhood. Today, while reading about Stephanie McPhee's recent lecture tour of London in her Yarn Harlot blog I saw... A KNITTED DALEK!!! By knitter Alex. How talented is that. BBC fandom for you.

For those who aren't familiar with the long-running BBC science fiction series and its characters, Daleks are a war-crazy race of beings that look like little brains encased in thimble-shaped body armor. Sort of like R2D2 crossed with Pinhead from Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" movie. Daleks can usually be heard dementedly exclaiming "Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!" in a really annoying robotic quaver while its sides are bristling with projectile weapons or ray guns. Classic! Vintage camp! (And much, much better than the Holy Guacamole Batman 60's show starring Adam West! Superior to the robot in "Space Family Robinson"! OK, you can tell how old I am now.)

In the Time War between the Daleks and the Time Lords, the two races virtually exterminated each other and their home planet, leaving Dr. Who as the last of his kind. So he travels through through Time and Space in a blue police call box with whoever is his lovely, spunky, and compassionate human companion of the moment, trying to save Earth and other worlds from the destructive onslaught of Daleks and other villainous aliens.

Trust a London knitter to make an amigurumi out of that villain. What's next, a knitted TARDIS?

Joy's Multicolored Ankle Socks

Now these are my first adult worsted weight acrylic basic ankle socks, requested by Joy. I'd long been thinking acrylic would be too thick or hot for the local climate, but later realized they make perfect cushioned sport socks! Joy was intending to wear them to the Little Gym, whenever she accompanies Lilo to her weekly class.

Needles: Addi Turbo US size 4 (3.5mm) 80cm long circulars

Material: Red Heart worsted weight acrylic yarn, shade # 08327 (the 255m big ball) by Coats Manila Bay, PhP 70/ball (Carolina's Megamall). One big ball can probably make a pair and a half with a bit left over. Or almost two pairs, if you add one small 18g ball of the same shade.

Pattern: Tita Ting's basic socks pattern similar to this one. The pattern I followed was based on Ines' foot size, which is around a women's 6.

It knit up pretty quickly, being an ankle sock, about 4 hours in front of the tv after dinner? And I wasn't even in a hurry. That time even included unravelling mistakes. Great thing is, same size fits Nanay and me too. Joy got other unlikely colorways for me to make unique looking socks for her. Pictures of future socks as they finish!

Knitting Everywhere: Starbucks Baywalk

While having coffee with TDM, who met some colleagues nearby, I brought my first practice adult sock. That morning I'd already started on the cuff and heel turn in the car. While waiting for his meeting to finish I managed to finish and fit the sock! One Chinese lady and her daughter were fascinated, and asked me lots of questions. I wish there were more knitting friendly cafe's here in Manila!

Next time I'll make sure my ASUS V80 is fully charged. This sorry photo was taken with a Nokia 6120 and it doesn't handle macros or depth of field very well.

Knitting with Bamboo

I found some 14" bamboo straight needles at Dreams one Saturday, and since they were reasonably priced (under PhP 100/pair at Dreams, vs. PhP 36/pair in Divisoria -- the difference of which compensates for transport and parking costs) I got them in 4mm, 5mm and 6mm.

I tried knitting with them using DMC's lovely Senso crochet yarn (cotton-rayon spun) in green (cotton) with variegated lavender-to-turquoise-to-white (thinner rayon). The result looked like a summer lawn sprinkled with tiny flowers. And I discovered few things:

1) Stitches don't slip off because of the traction on the bamboo surface;
2) Therefore I can knit American/English style (with thread coming from right hand) without too much thinking!
3) Knitting is slower but I am enjoying not hearing the metal "clinking" I get with straight metal needles.
4) The points are a bit too round for me, but that's not too bad.

And so... I embarked on another crazy mission, which was to buy sets of bamboo circulars on eBay in 29" and 32" lengths. For USD 19.98 per set, and international shipping of USD 2.98 per set, it's not too bad. Comes out to roughly PhP 69/circular. I bought from an American knitter seller rather than one of those Shanghai or Hong Kong-based suppliers because I wanted to avoid communications issues (like Joy had with Joyce Supershop in HK). I also had it posted directly to my home address because people at the post office here are unlikely to steal bamboo needles.

Although I must say, the cooking chopsticks I bought in Unimart look like a US size 10 (6.5mm). And the ultra thin barbecue sticks that we like come out to a US size 1 or 2 (2.25-2.5mm).

I really wanted the bamboo for travelling. But when push comes to shove, I'll bring the barbecue sticks, hahaha!!!

Beginnings of a Knitting Library

Yesterday at the National Bookstore Mid-Year Booksale at their main branch in Gateway I came across the ff. knitting gems, all for the shockingly low price of PhP 300 (approx. USD 6) and below!:

By Debbie Bliss (really popular kids' knitwear designer):

Easy Knits
Baby Style
The Baby Knits Book

Also in the same price range were:

Erika Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies and

Lily M. Chin's The Urban Knitter

and at 40% off I got: (now reasonable at PhP 600 and below)

Debbie Stoller's Stitch N' Bitch Nation;
Annie Modesitt's Romantic Hand Knits and
Sharon Turner's Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design

Prior to this year all I had to my name was a Reader's Digest Needlecrafts Book. I think it's important to expand my learning this way. If these books weren't on sale they would be out of the reach of most knitters (especially the hardback trade books). Our family will go to the Manila International Book Fair next week, and I'll see what I can get for a reasonable price there.

On my wish list, the classics:

Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns series (particularly the first two); and
Elizabeth Zimmerman's books

And the wishing goes on.

Knitting Everywhere: At The Dentist's

I took my dad to see my dentist last Thursday. While he was having a tooth extracted I whipped out my Susan Bates 2.75mm dpns and tried to knit 40 sts around evenly. My first attempt was the night before; it was full of holes and ladders. I ripped it out and started the whole thing from scratch.

It's kind of difficult to knit Continental while holding 4 spiky objects. But I was determined to give it a try. With knitting, the more often I practice the better I get. Better as in less holes. Since I got into sock knitting I wanted to try the different methods. So far Magic Loop is the most efficient method for me, although I want to try Cat Bordhi's sock knitting on 2 short circulars.

I was at the clinic for 2 whole hours and didn't gain much headway. Dr. Elaine was enchanted at the idea that I knitted baby socks. My 1x1 rib on the dpns looked like they could put an eye out or two. I put it away and took out the Knitpicks circulars and actually finished a quarter inch worth of work by the time my dad was settling his bill.

We have a follow-up appointment next Monday. Hopefully I'll have something easier to do and more glamorous looking in my bag by then.