Lisbeth is faced with decisions

Yesterday, Seth’s student loan disbursement check finally came in.  It was a little more than we had expected, and we decided to spend a little of it on some fun stuff before we threw the rest into our emergency fund (I’m still working on creating that, Mom, and then I promise we’ll start a retirement fund).  Seth got Mario Kart for his new-to-him DS, and me?  I got yarn. 

I ordered two colorways of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock, ⇐ Pebble Beach and Lapis ⇒. 

Grumperina’s assessment of the yarn is pretty complimentary, and she seems to know what she’s talking about, especially when it comes to socks. 

Right now I’m working on two pairs of socks.  The first, from Nancy Bush’s Knitting Vintage Socks (can’t remember the pattern just now, sorry) is for my brother-in-law.  He requested wool socks to keep his feet warm while he bikes to school.  I’m making them from some Lion Brand Woolease Sportweight in Blue Mist, a dark blue-green heathery color (hmm…hadn’t realized they were discontinuing that yarn.  Probably why I got it on sale, though, huh?).  They’re really think, since I’m making them on 2s.  I’m just concerned they’ll be too small for him.  On the other hand, if they are too small, I’ll keep them as slipper socks, and make a different pair for him for next winter (this one is quickly fading, after all).

The other pair I just started last night, bored with the pair above.  I dug out some  Sockotta yarn in an old colorway, and cast on. I began playing with what sort of ribbing pattern I wanted, finally figured it out, and then decided it would be really cool to implement it at the very beginning of the toe instead of waiting until all the increases were finished.  So, of course, off the needles it came, unravelling into a curly mess, and I started again. As soon as I had knit one round plain, I jumped into the ribbing.  I’m pretty happy with it - it’s not a regular pattern at all, although there is a sense to it.  So far, it looks really nice.  Even Seth was impressed - and I had to drag his attention away from his new game to get him to look at it.  No photo for now, but I’ll take and post some later tonight.

I’ve started walking to work lately (you can see my route, if you’d like), and I think it might be something I stick with.  You know, unlike posting with any regularity.

The walk is about 2.8 miles from beginning to end, and it takes about 45 minutes. Not too shabby, and it means I’ve got 45 minutes of cardio every day without me having to think about doing anything special.  It also that I burn less gas each day, and that I get to listen to NPR in the mornings again (I’ve missed getting to keep up with the news.  I know I could just listen to it at work, but once I get here, it’s difficult to get anything done and still be able to actually hear/process what I’m hearing on the radio).

Of course, it means that on days like today, I get to walk 45 minutes in 29.7°F weather.  That’s sort of cold, espcially on my legs.  The way we bundle up is sort of funny, if you think about it.  I mean, we have thick socks and heavy shoes, wool coats and polarfleece gloves, earflap hats and long, thick scarves, but not many people add ski pants to that ensemble (unless they are, well, skiing).  I guess that most of the time, we don’t cover our legs more because it just isn’t as necessary.  But this morning it would have been nice.  The only parts of me that were reliable cold during my walk were my legs and my chin.  So I guess I can add legwarmers and some sort of a balaclava to my knitting list.