It’s not just reading I’ve been doing. I have been working on my Celtic Dreams, too.

See?

I’m about a quarter of the way through the second full repeat of the cable chart, and the back is about 5″ from the saddle.

So, I’m definitely making progress. Not only that, I’m just about making gauge, which at least is something. I’m really trying not to complain too much or too often about the whole aran-weight yarn on number 2 needles thing. (No, really, I’m trying not to whine too much about that!) But even if I am, I’ve got to admit, it’s hard to argue with results.

The other nifty thing? Let me introduce you to my newest knitting toy. The Mini Kacha-Kacha row counter. You may be familiar with its big brother, which has been around for a while. I have one, but almost never use it–it slides off the arm of my chair, and is usually inconvenient. This new one, the Mini, has a hole you can thread a length of yarn or cord. It suggests hanging it around your neck but I figured it was at least worth a try to actually attach it to my work. So, I took a little bit of sock yarn, tied it to a stitch marker, and threaded it on my needle, three stitches in from the end.

It is a little heavier than a barrel counter (with which I do the same thing), but not horribly so. I would think twice before I’d attach this to, say, something fragile that I wouldn’t want to risk being pulled out of shape, but this yarn has enough heft to it that I figured it was worth trying. It doesn’t add any noticeable weight as I knit, either, which is important. And, oh yes, it’s got a little “lock” feature so I don’t have to worry about advancing the count by accident when it’s in my bag. Yep, that’s my new favorite knitting toy.

I took the day off from work today–a floating holiday–and ran errands this morning. The post office, to mail back my blue Cascade 220. The grocery store for stuff for Sunday’s family dinner. A quick stop (no, really) at the bookstore. Starbucks for some coffee and knitting.

And, oh yes, a stop at the DSW shoe store for Mom.

Don’t you hate it when this happens? You go into a store with someone else because they want to, and you’re the one the shopping gods smile upon instead of them? Because, Mom ended up not buying anything, but I got not one, but three pairs because the Clearance section was so very nice.

From left to right, that’s a pair of Cole Haan slingbacks with a rounded toe, green contrast stitching, and the strap is patent leather, for just a hint of light-catching shine. I’m not sure how often I’ll wear them, but they were beautiful and half price. Half price off the already discounted DSW price. How could I resist? The next pair of shoes are brown Nine West mules–a style I almost never even try on. I like shoes that feel secure on my feet, like they’re not going to fall off, and as a general rules, mules don’t inspire me with confidence. These though–also a great price–behaved quite nicely as I walked around in the back of the store, so . . . they had to come home, too. And the third pair? Well, I really needed a pair of sneakers–my feet are sensitive about too-high-in-the-back shoes, and so this is a sensitive issue for me–and these were really quite comfortable. Diesel brand, 70% off. And, um, so cheerful! I can’t believe I bought myself a pair of orange-and-pink shoes . . .

Oh, and my jeans really aren’t this short–I pulled them upward for the pictures so you could see the shoes. I’m really not this backward as regards fashion. I mean, I’m no trend-setter or anything, and I’m sure Stacy and Clinton could find plenty of things to say about my wardrobe, but I’m not that bad! Although, I wonder what they would say about handknit socks?

• Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning • Permalink:Cabley Goodness //