the blue blog archives: another sock? what's this blog coming to?!

The beginnings of Retro Rib socks in Lorna's Laces China Blue for me. This time I'm doing the whole pattern, since I have a nice solid color yarn to really show it off. I've allowed myself a little handicap though: I'm using Lorna's Shephard Sport on US4's so the socks won't take an eternity to knit. It's making the knitting easier, but I'll have some number crunching to do when I get to the heel. Until then, I'm enjoying the pattern immensely.

Yes, despite the snow (another snowstorm? what's this spring coming to?!), we drove down to Ikea for some fun and buns. B even got to visit Smaland. You know what that means - one boy potty trained, one to go. Another one? What's this motherhood thing coming to?

posted by alison at 9:24 am | in people who make socks...

Comments

The China blue yarn really shows off the exquisite design - good choice. Another baby on the way????

Posted by: leslie at March 24, 2005 9:27 AM

Big congrats to Benny on his big boy status! And way to go Mom! One down and one to go! Lovely sock!

Posted by: Kathleen at March 24, 2005 9:31 AM

You know, sometimes I get so caught up reading about all the knitting you're getting done that I forget you are doing it all while being a mom! Even while POTTY TRAINING. Woah. Kudos to you, lady.

Personally, I think being buried in snow might be worth it to have an IKEA nearby. But you know, the grass is always greener and all that.

Posted by: susan at March 24, 2005 9:37 AM

If you want to have a mini meet-up at IKEA next time you're down here, just send an email.

Posted by: Lauren at March 24, 2005 9:52 AM

Someone was obviously blue with envy over the fabulous socks I received!

Posted by: Julia at March 24, 2005 9:56 AM

so, how did your potty training/Smaland incentive idea go?

Posted by: Leigh at March 24, 2005 10:16 AM

So, I'm wondering how S. took this. Motivated? I sure hope so!

Posted by: claudia at March 24, 2005 10:23 AM

I think you are an IKEA addict. I am sure that we can create a 12-step program for you.

And I love the colors of your new sock.

Posted by: mia at March 24, 2005 10:35 AM

That would explain the "Welcome to Ikea, Alison, S & B" sign I saw from I-95 :-).

Posted by: Colleen at March 24, 2005 10:51 AM

Ha, ha, Colleen!

Hey Lauren, they didn't have something in stock that we really need, so I'm thinking next week!

And S was really good about his brother going into the playland alone. We went upstairs together and he helped me pick out a little bookcase for him to have next to his big armchair in the living room. But once we picked B up and S saw how cool it looked in there, he immediately started asking to use the potty. We'll see how long that lasts....

Posted by: alison at March 24, 2005 11:13 AM

Hey, I have been planning to do the retro ribs in some Lorna's Laces Sport as well (trying to do a little stash-busting). I don't suppose you could send your crunched numbers my way in the name of laziness on my part?

Posted by: Nicole at March 24, 2005 11:18 AM

I received the most beautiful Retro Rib socks from my Sockapalooza pal, Dawn! I absolutely love the pattern and am about to start a pair myself using my left over Sockapalooza Lorna's Lace sock yarn.

When I potty trained my oldest son, I tried the candy jar in the bathroom technique -- use the toilet and you get a piece of candy. Only, I found myself eating a piece each time I used the bathroom -- hey moms have got to reward themselves sometimes!

Posted by: nona at March 24, 2005 11:27 AM

That's a lovely yarn for that sock pattern! It really looks nice.

Posted by: Andrea at March 24, 2005 12:15 PM

I love the Retro Rib socks! Too bad I missed that issue of IK! And the blue you chose is so pretty. I love to get the swedish meatballs and soft serve ice cream at IKEA....yumm!

Posted by: Evelyn at March 24, 2005 12:16 PM

Boo Hoo! I want an IKEA! And is that sign for real? Cinnamon buns for $1???? And I thought things were more expensive up there!
Congrats on the potty training progress. That always feels so good!

Posted by: Wendi at March 24, 2005 12:26 PM

The sock beginning looks great. There are so many great patterns for socks it's not surprising that we all get sucked into knitting them. Way to go mom! Maybe the 2nd time through will be easier (seems like a good time for optimism if nothing else).

Posted by: Vicki at March 24, 2005 12:48 PM

Congratulations on the potty training! I don't envy you having to do it all again, though hopefully peer pressure will help? Is it peer pressure when it's your twin? I love the china blue and I for one and am enjoying watching all this sock knitting. Er, sorry if I got the priorities of this post in the wrong order...

Posted by: jo at March 24, 2005 3:23 PM

Funny you should mention IKEA.... Last time we went there, Erika was almost potty trained (that was months and months ago) but not quite tall enough. Now she's both and I just told her about the fun playroom at IKEA. That's all she's been talking about so we have to go within the next few weeks. Hope the "peer pressure" works.

Posted by: Uli at March 24, 2005 4:18 PM

Ah potty training. Now there's something I don't miss! Still, the Ikea playrooms are a good incentive.

Posted by: Mary at March 24, 2005 5:13 PM

I guess now would be as good a time as any to admit that when you were last in NYC I slipped you a sock-knitting mickey. A little homemade concentrate of Lorna's and Koigu right into your coffee when you weren't looking. Sorry about that.

ahem.

Posted by: da brooklyn sock mafia at March 24, 2005 11:20 PM

and i thought i was the only one who knit and has an unnatural attraction for IKEA...and by next fall there will be one in Massachusetts...the socks look great by the by...

Posted by: sharon at March 25, 2005 5:58 AM

Yeah, isn't Smaland great? Ours often has face-painting and stuff on the weekends. Alex would go every week if we let her... if we could afford a trip to IKEA every week. Hard to go without spending a bit more than you planned... Good luck with training son no. 2! Life without diapers/pull ups is grand!

Posted by: Karen at March 25, 2005 8:18 AM

There's an Ikea close enough to drive to with two small children in the car? Good heavens, I had no idea!

The sock is fabulous. I'm going to have to dig up that issue of IK.

Posted by: Beth S. at March 25, 2005 10:27 PM