I have always leaned towards superwash sock yarn, mostly because it is easier for me to throw my handknit socks in the wash with the rest of my clothes. I usually pull them out before the dryer and lay them flat to dry, but sometimes not. So far this has worked out great. The first two pairs of sock I ever knit we not superwash, the first pair got felted in the washing machine by mistake.

The second pair of ankles was knit out of Knitpick Sock Garden. I have worn them maybe three times, always handwashed  very gently in cold water. But the bottoms have completely felted themselves from wear.

Bottoms:

Inside:

This is what the tops look like, all nice and unfelted:

Has anyone else had this happen? Am I just extra sweaty and warm? I don' t really see the point in buying any handwash sock yarn anyway, but this really settles it for me. I don't want to spend a week knitting a pair of socks only to have the bottoms to become thick and uncomfortable. Is there some plus to handwash yarn (sock only) that I am missing? Does it wear longer?

I guess it is ok, I am more of a superwash kind of girl anyway.

Want to see what I have been working on?

Just a little tease until next week.  I think I just wanted to prove I have been knitting, even though I haven't been posting. Don't want to get myself kick out of the Knit Blog world. Lets just say I have been knitting so much my arms are starting to hurt. Next on my plate... I think I am going to go with the Somewhat Cowl.

Copying Amber this morning. Wanna play along too? Turn on your mp3 player, put it on shuffle and press play. Write down the first ten songs that pop up. And don't even think about skipping the embarrassing songs. Here are mine:

1. Run Thru- My Morning Jacket

2. Time- White Buffalo

3. The Gift Horse- The Jealous Sound

4. Your Secrets- Belle & Sebastian

5. Falcon Settles- Rogue Wave

6. Better Living Through Chemistry- Queens of the Stone Age

7. Ride a Black Swan- Zwan

8. Major Awards- Starflyer 59

9. City Boy- Blood for Blood

10. Compliments- Bloc Party

Now I wanna see your Random 10. But don't bother if your gonna cheat and leave out New Kids on the Block!

See I am avoiding posting my knitting, but there is a reason. Just a little while longer...

Have a great weekend!

More goals, this time more life related then crafty...

13. Cook at home more, pull out my cookbooks. I want to be inspired in the kitchen more.

14. Purge, this is huge. I am not a pack rat, but I need to learn to live with less. I have yarn and craft supplies I need to get rid of too!

15. Back up my blog!

16. Start bringing my own mug to Starbucks, for my once weekly treat.. (ok maybe sometimes more than once a week)

17. Get in to Podcasts, so many great ones out there.  What are you favorites?

18. Read more! Start listen to audio books while knitting, if I can't pick up a book. Gimme a book suggestion!

19. Take a walk everyday, good for me and good for Vito. Take my camera too!

20.  Buy an External Hard Drive, I need to move the 30+ gb of music off my iMac. Along with all my pictures. This will make for a much happier iMac.

21. Switch over completely to earth friendly cleaning products.

22. Eat vegan for one meal a day or one day a week. Since going veggie, I eat a lot of cheese!

23. Again, return emails faster. I need a system! Also my links are out of control, I have an account at both del.icio.us and ma.gnolia. Anyone have a better solution?

24. Use what I have

25. Don't take on projects and obligations I won't follow through with!

26. Relax.

My Dad sent me this today:

"Be not afraid of growing slowly.
Be afraid of standing still."

So yesterday was the first day of spring. Though it is still rather cold and rainy here, It is nice to know changes are on the way. I have been thinking a lot about the projects and crafts I want to pick up or start working on again.  Knitting, which is my favorite, has kinda over taken and I haven't felt very crafty otherwise. So again it is list time. I won't be setting aside my knitting, mostly I need to just prioritise. I can't get more hours in the day, but I can watch less tv, internet less, and use my time differently.  I know when I am creating I am happier.

on to the list of things I want to do:

1.  Take pictures daily. Carry my camera with me. Use it. Hopefully take a photography class.

2.  Start bookbinding again. I could use some small books to carry around lists in my purse. I really miss paper crafts.

3. Use my Gocco. Incorporate it into my bookbinding/paper craft.  Stop being afraid I am going to mess it up.

4. Draw more. I gave this up in highschool but I miss it now. Even if it sucks at least I am doing it.

5. Get a better grasp on Photoshop and Illustrator.

6. Use my scanner, for archiving, picture and drawings. Taking advantage of it could start with me plugging it in.

7. Not super "craft" orientated.  But, reply to emails, quicker. And really get my links organized.

8.  Start a birthday calendar, send handwritten notes.

9. Journal outside this here blog, which goes along with drawing.

(oh my I can't believe I forgot these)

10.  Bust out the sewing machine. It is covered in dust. I have things, like jeans that need to be fixed along with fun things. I  wish I would have joined isew iknit, so I would have had some motivation.

11. Really for serious plan my first quilt. I love these.

12. Order blanks for my button maker, I miss the fun times I had with it!

ah, I am feeling a little craftier already. More to come.