Layin' Low

I was getting ready to leave for work this morning, and taking Piccolo for a short walk up and down my street, the stinging in my foot was so intense that I scrapped my plans to travel south. The place I planned to go to is huge, and just the walk, or in my case, hobble, from the parking lot to the building was daunting. So, a lot of time was spent on the sofa with an ice pack. I think last weekend really took it out of me, and I need to get a little more healed because the Man and I are planning on attending the Michigan Fiber Fest on Saturday. I'm hoping I can talk him into the same hotel we were in last year. The socks in progress pictured are knit using Socks that Rock in the Farmhouse colorway, using heavy weight, because I'm kind of an instant gratification girl when it comes to socks. So, I'll start on some of the wrap up of my Stitches Midwest experience. I took three classes, one with Nancy Bush, and two with Nancy Marchand. I was surprised at Nancy Bush's revelation that she doesn't wear hand knit socks. How sad for her. Looking at Knitting Vintage Socks in a critical way, I realize that she stayed true to the history of the garments, but some would not be practical to wear today. For example--cashmere bed socks. Her recommendation was to put them on after getting in bed, and take them off before your feet make contact with the floor. Who lives that way? In class we made a sample sock with a Welsh heel--it was a nice effect, but considering the beating my socks take, this heel seems like it would wear out quickly, so probably will not make it to my sock wardrobe. I crashed and burned in Nancy Marchand's class, Beyond Basic Brioche. I couldn't get past doing the two color method to ever try shaping techniques. I don't know it it was because I was tired, or uncomfortable, but I just couldn't get it. I did the simple one just fine. Nancy M. provided sweater patterns in both classes, and the one from the basic class is something I would consider making. I haven't downloaded the photos from my Market purchases yet, but lots of fun was had in there, and considerable damage done. One place really got me good. Rovings. Rovings! Love them!