Socks, Socks, and More Socks

I have been on a sock kick lately (with a random hat mixed in).  I am still working on my mom's sweater for Christmas, but it's nearly done.  I hope to complete it next week.  I have been putting it off for several weeks - not sure why since I only have one more sleeve to go.

Here are my recent projects!

Socks for Jack for Christmas.  I used my standard sock pattern for these.  It's such an easy pattern and I am comfortable with it.  

Yarn Credit:  Plymouth Diversity

Colorblock socks - I used my standard sock pattern but the colorblock was my creation.

Yarn Credit:  Berroco

I have been seeing patterns for colorwork and wanted to try it.  After a couple of YouTube videos, it looked easy!  And it was easy.  I just need to adjust my tension so that it's not so tight on the inside when switching colors.

Marching Alpaca hat

Yarn Credit;  Berroco

Another pair of socks.  Just looking at this picture, I realized that I needed to do something different.  I made the socks too small and I am seeing a lot of ladders in my stitches.  I have corrected this issue and knitting is always a learning process.

Yarn Credit:  Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock

Here is another shot of the same sock.  Crazy how the colors look so different in different lights.

After reading online about a sock heel that is supposed to change your life, I wanted to try it.  You make a cardboard form of your foot for measurement.  I knitted my first sock and I LOVED how easy the heel was.  It took less yarn as well so I could make the cuffs of the socks longer.

Well guess what?  It didn't fit!  Turns out that when I made the cardboard form, it was measured wrong.  After some adjusting, I fixed it.  Below is the first finished sock custom for my foot.

Pattern Credit:  Fish Lips Kiss Heel

Yarn Credit:  Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock

Oh look!  Another sock!  Knitted for Cal but it's slightly too big.  I will attribute that to the fact that he was wiggling so much when I took his measurements.

Yarn Credit:  Regia Colorways 

That's it for now.  I will have a picture of my mom's sweater hopefully soon.

Randoms

I don't have a whole lot of updates but I thought I would share some recent happenings in our lives.

* The boys had a blast on Halloween.  We went to my in-laws' and ate pizza before heading out to Trick or Treat.  We went to about 12 houses and that was plenty.  Here is my special forces soldier and my Elmo in all their glory:

* I have been trying to finish up my Christmas knitting. For some reason, I am procrastinating this year on finishing my mom's sweater and to make my sister's gift.  I have all the materials but just am NOT motivated.  I will do a post soon about all the things I have whipped up lately.

* Speaking of Christmas, I have been worrying about how I am going to buy all the gifts we need for people.  With money being tight this year and us trying to pay down debt, I have spent many a night worrying.  Yesterday, I followed up with someone who owes me a substantial amount of money and they will be paying me this week!  That has greatly reduced a lot of my stress and worry.  I have a few things tucked away for Christmas already but this will help me buy almost everything else.  

* This will probably sound contradictory in light of my money worries, but Jason and I went away for our anniversary.  It was budgeted and we did it fairly inexpensively.  We rented a condo on the Oregon Coast for $69 a night, which is completely reasonable.  It was very important for us to spend some time together sans kids and we had a really good time.  We slept in (7 am for me, ha!), ate really good food, saw a movie, relaxed and spent time with each other.  In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often forget to talk to each other and have good conversation.  Date nights are far and few between so this was much needed.  Here are a few pictures:

This was the shot right outside our window.  What a view right?

The view outside our room at low tide

* I applied for a new position at work.  I interviewed several weeks ago but now I am waiting on some further information from my client - the client also has to interview me in order to approve the promotion.  It has been a month and I am getting anxious.  I wish I would hear one way or the other so I can work on looking for another position if necessary.  I don't discuss my job on here hardly ever.  I love my job.  I can't say that enough.  However, my boss is.........not good.  I won't say anything further about that.

That's about it for now.  I am very much looking forward to Thanksgiving next week.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!