Coal Dust - nearly complete!

I've had a bit less time the last couple of weeks for knitting. Work was demanding, and I was more than usually tired from the last chemo treatment. I was getting a little done here and there, but it felt like slow progress, even though I'm pretty sure I knit about 1/3 of the socks in the last three weeks.

During yesterday's chemo, I got from that white speck you see on the lower sock, after the heel (it's a little slub of the yarn, I didn't put it there on purpose), nearly to starting the toes!

I'm rather pleased at having made such serious progress on these, after feeling like they might never go anywhere. If I get some good knitting time tonight, I think I can finish them off!

makin'

I've been makin' stuff, but most of it has to get to where it's going before I can show it off.
(shh, don't tell!)

Here's one piece I can show you:

an Ice Cream Sammich!

It's from the book Tasty Crochet, and it's been on my "make" list for ages. I finally busted out the hook, rounded up the yarn and stuffing, and put one together.

I'm thinkin' two things: what brand of ice cream sandwich has these dimensions? and, I should have made it square, so it could be a Fat Boy!

Pretty cute, eh?

Modifications: I never do a ch1 join when crocheting in the round - I just keep going. Also, instead of sewing the second cookie to the ice cream and then adding the edging, I used the edging round to attach the two parts, using just one loop (the outer one) from each part. I then put the edging on the other cookie (which was used as a starting point for the ice cream) as per instructions.

Thinking about it now, I could have done the edging while making one cookie, crochet only in the front loops that round, and then used those back loops to start the ice cream. Less stop/start. Hmmm. Might have to try that wrinkle on the next one. Which I might make more square.

Also considering figuring out my own pattern for one, with some different construction. I'm wondering if the ice cream would look better crocheted side-to-side, for instance. Like the outer edge on the "X". And of course, I should try to knit one. Because not everyone can do both, and we all want more fiber-foods, right?
Seems like all I have to do is start making toys, and my creative juices get flowing, and the next think you know, I'm making up my own stuff again. For instance, has anyone knitted pancakes? I see lots of crochet versions out there, but I can't recall seeing knitted ones. (I'll stop now. Sorry. Got carried away. Must be the lactose.)

Yarns: Vanna in Espresso and White

All My Chickens, Week 50, Cock-A-Doodle-Make-Do

I ran across this project while sorting old magazines. It's from a 2004 issue of Country Marketplace (which they don't publish anymore, I understand).

Pretty sure I have the right colors of felt on hand to make this one. I like the patriotic look.

more socks

I'm calling these ones "Coal Dust".
Second pair of missionary socks for Twin1.

This is how far I got while having Chemo:

This is how far I got later that night when I couldn't get to sleep:

Not bad for one day, eh?

The yarn isn't as soft to the touch as the previous pair, but I still think he'll like these. I know for a fact this yarn makes a very cozy sock.

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks 4ply in Gentry Grey. Pattern: Paul Atwell Socks

Mission Impossible Socks

Made this pair for Twin1 to take on his mission.

I swear, there are two socks here. Really.

He's always liked just plain black in clothing anyway, but of course an LDS mission requires dark, solid colors for most everything. (Except: white shirts, and almost anything for ties.)

I had to work on these in really good light, or I couldn't manage the cables. (Not that you can actually see them here. Just trust me.) But they were worth it.

Casting on another pair later today. His packing list says he should bring 2-3 prs of winter wool socks!