Quick but long overdue update

I have been meaning to do an update for a really long time but since the summer, my life has been filled with constant chaos, turmoil and also a lot of fun.  I'll get into all of the BS another time but in an effort to start getting back on track, and in the seasonal spirit of giving, I wanted to share a few projects I recently finished for very dear friends of mine.

 

Diane had an unfinished pair of tubes that she needed 1 heel fixed, 1 heel inserted and 2 toes inserted.

 

In addition to some of the repair work, I had to find matching yarn and both Diane and I were very impressed with the results.

 I am proud that I have now have acquired so much experience knitting socks that repairing them is a joy.  I can fix other knitters work.  These were machined tubes.  I had to match the tight stockinette with 00s.

            

You can see in the photo below where I had to add an alternative MC yarn to the bottom of the heel but since it's on the bottom, no one will even see it. 

For my next project, Diane gave me some sock yarn and a pair of already knit socks that she wanted me to use as a template for size and style.

 

The MC sock yarn she choose is a favorite amongst locals, the now defunct, once based out of Mechanicsville, Urban Girl Yarns, RBG colorway.

Man, it literally takes twice as long to knit socks for other people because I am so accustomed to knitting them for my children's size feet.

Personally, I'm not a fan of afterthought heels.  I find picking out the waste yarn to be tedious and time consuming and they don't give me enough heel support but what Diane wants, Diane gets.

Some might also say the same about a hand-sewn hung hem.  I knit mine Norwegian Selbu mitten-style.

If you have the patience, this type of hem is worth it for a thicker, warmer pro-finish. 

Finally, Angela is now a grandma and I knit these little bad boys for her new grandson!  Knitting them brought back so many memories of all of the baby and toddler socks I've knit for Xena over the years.  One of the greatest things about knitting is all of the memories locked in every stitch.

I haven't forgotten about Rhinebeck.  That will be my next post, after the weekend.  Stay tuned.  There are going to be some very big changes in my future!