Knitting a skirt with 52 stitches on size 4's?

Ok, so here's my laugh of the day!

I'm on the train to work this morning and a woman sits down next to me a few stops into the ride. I'm casting on stitches (a second attempt from last night) for the "Boston Red Sox Socks" I've decided to conjure up for Matthew's Christmas present. The problem is that I'm alternating the red (K1) and white (P1) for the top rib and since I'm twisting strands, there is a lot less S-T-R-E-T-C-H to them. So the original cast on of 44 stitches on size 3's was a wash. I recast on 52 stitches with size 4's when this woman was sitting next to me. My thinking is that I'll be able to switch to size 3's and decrease a few stitches when I switch back to st st for the leg.

Here's the funny part...

So I drop one of the dpns and have to reach down to get it. I apologize to the lady for having to lean slightly in front of her. She strikes up conversation as follows:

L: Oh, that's ok, I always wanted to knit (*what does that have to do with me dropping a needle*)
Me: Yeah, it's a great thing to do on the train
L: My friends always made sweaters for boyfriends and the arms were always too long
Me: Yeah, that happens when you can't measure someone and are trying to surprise them
L: I can embroider
Me: (*silence*)
L: You look like you're concentrating (*uh, huh*) are you making something round? It looks complicated. A skirt?
Me: No, I'm making a pair of socks for my step-son for christmas
L: Oh, socks!


AM I MAKING A SKIRT???? That was the kicker!!! Yes, because I'm clearly knitting for Barbie or my thumb! Ha ha - too funny (*at least to me*) not to share!

Yes, the train sure brings out the weirdos sometimes :o)

...but I may buy a Knitting Machine!

My hubby has been bugging me to purchase a knitting machine for him since i can't remember him not bugging me. His grandmother used to have several of these gigantic things - and when she died - and he was married to his first wife - the family got rid of them (AND her stash of yarn). Well, I'm finally giving in and bidding on one for him on ebay - since I refuse to pay the astronomical amount that the chain craft stores are selling them for. If I get one, he'll love it. If not, oh well. I still think they're "cheating machines" anyway :o)

Yarnaholics Thought of the Day #4

I will not buy yarn today
I will not buy yarn today
As much as I feel I need to
I will not buy yarn today

I've got an abundance of yarn at home. Well, maybe not a HUGE stash - but a lot. And I've been REALLY trying to only replenish what I've used - so everything should always fit in the bins I have and not sit in boxes on the floor. Right now there's a box on the floor. I could probably organize the bins so I could get rid of the box, but nah, that's not happening any time soon. Part of the problem is that two bins are old, icky yarn. I'm actually trying to use some for christmas presents so I won't even need to see that yarn again - EVER! Alas, my gifts don't require all that much yarn so it's a slow process. And then I feel guilty - I SHOULD be using yarn I would wear for gifts, right? Why give the gift of second best? Well, most of the gifts are for kids - so what do they care? They'll probably lose the hats I'm making by the end of the winter, right? URGH

I will not NOT nOt NoT buy yarn today

Hope you don't either :o)

The Yarnaholics Thought of the Day #3

I will enjoy the monotonousness of knitting hats for christmas presents because it is therapeutic for my soul and well being. Spending time with yarn from my stash will be like hanging out with an old friend - and we'll have a good time!

Yarnaholics Thought of the Day #1

The Yarnaholics Thought of the Day #1

I will not buy yarn today because yarn is not as pretty (rewarding, funny, smart) as my friends.

Have a great - non-yarn purchasing - day!

UFOs don't go unnoticed

The textured sweater - believe it or not - has been laid aside - Honestly, I think it's bobble-overdose! I finished the back and am about 1/3 of the way done with the front (of the last color). Then the sleeves. I guess i'm not worried about the sweater getting back into my hands after my current project (SOCKS!!!) because I've tried it on and it fits nicely so there's no reason for me not to finish it. Perhaps it's also the back and forth using circular needles that are slightly too small - you would think i could have switched it up a little - but no, i'm lazy.

So now i'm knitting the Annetrelac socks from Interweave Knits Holiday 2007 Issue - oh how I love them - but that's a post for another day!