I really have to do something....

My basket is full of finished objects:

I should wash and block each piece
I should take pictures
I should blog about these knitted items
I should send the gift
I should already be preparing this year's Christmas  presents. Did you know Christmas was so close? (Thanks Annie for reminding us)
I should also write down the pattern for the test knitters (this is number one on my to-do list!)

I should do a lot of thing but I'm very slow....

Maybe the sweater episode is still too vivid...
(I also have a lot to do at my new work and in my new home. Having a new life is tiring.)

Found!!!!

My sweater was ........... in the freezer.
Ahem...

Yes, it's true. 

It was the only place I had not looked at.

And before you start thinking I'm completely crazy, I had a very good reason to store it in the freezer. A few days ago, I thought, maybe I had a moths attack on my beloved sweater (and everyone knows that a 3 days stay in the freezer will kill those undesirable hosts)

My only mistake is to have forgotten about it.

Now, you can laugh. Go on, I deserve your mockery.

Lost

Brown tweed sweater, long sleeves, contrasting hems
French japanese (Fonty & Noro)
Very warm and cozy,
Treated against moths (lavendar)
Loves to sleep in a drawer and be hand-washed.
Last seen on 18/09/11.
If found or sighted, please, leave a comment. 
Any idea?

A broken-hearted knitter

Can you believe it? I lost a handknit sweater!

I'm sure I haven't left it somewhere outside (it's to chilly to take off a sweater), nor at work....I'm almost sure I've never worn it outside since I arrived in this place (2 weeks ago)

I looked everywhere at home and can't find it....

Is it possible to lose a pullover in a 50 square meters apartment?

And it was my only sweater with long sleeves....

Moths (even an army) could not eat it entirely in 48 hours isn't it?

And it was tweed.... :(

Isn't it incredible? I'm completly puzzled.... :s

Monologue of the Knitter in a Yarn Shop

So I bought yarn. Yes. Again. Yes. It seems I can't stop myself.....

But you surely know what I mean? No? (Tell me I'm not the only one)

Last week, at Lil Weasel, Paris.

The Shop Owner: "Hello! What would you like today?"

Me: "Oh, nothing in particular....I saw this linen on the shop's blog, and I wanted to have a closer look...."

Then, begins the Monologue of the Knitter in a Yarn Shop: (abbreviated version)

Oh! this beautiful colored yarn! It's even more beautiful than on the pictures.

I have never tried pure linen...

Linen is great.

But it's a bit pricey.

I should crochet for my new home....I'm sure I'd feel more "at home" if I crocheted something for my kitchen.

It's pretty cheap, considering the usual pure linen prices...

And the yardage is great....

It's really a bargain!

What color should I choose? They are all so beautiful!

I should stick to only one. This grey is my favorite.

Oh wait! This yellowish green is lovely too!

Grey or Olive? Olive or Grey?

At this price, I could buy both.

But then, they might not match together....

Maybe I should also add a neutral color....

Let's see, 100 grams of each should be enough. 

100 grams is hardly half of a cone. If you don't buy a whole cone, it may not count as stash afterall....

The Shop Owner:"Is there anything else you need?"

Me: "No thank you, I'm done. I was just watching."

Oh, this new colorway of one of my favorite sock yarn! 

This blue is quite manly, and I have a gift to knit....

I don't really need to stash more sock yarn, but who knows what tomorrow will bring?

I don't have manly colors in my sock yarn stash.

Sock yarn does not count as stash.

Who knows when I'll be able to come back to Paris by the way?

If I buy this yarn now, I won't have to buy it later.

Me: "I'll have this skein as well"

The Shop Owner: "Ok. ## euros please. Thank you! Happy knitting!"

Me: Thank you! See you soon!

See? I'm weak.

Septembre/September: Baby Blue Socks for my Daddy

This year in France, Father's Day was in June. Since a long time, I wanted to spoil my dad with hand knit socks but I never dared to try. Knitting for my mum is easy (we are the same size) and I know her preferences. But this time, it was different. My dad has (very) big feet, with a (very) high instep, and has preconcieved ideas on hand knit socks (itchy, fragile, bulky, too hot...and so on) It was quite a challenge to choose the right pattern & size for him. I first bought the baby blue yarn (one of his favorite and best suiting color) and then chose the pattern.

Pattern: Retro Rib Socks, by Evelyn A. Clark, for "Favorite Socks" (Interweave Press)

Yarn: Main Color: Cascade Heritage Solids, Baby Blue 5651

          Contrasting Color: Shibui Knits Sock, Pebble 3001

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular, 2.75mm

Size: To fit US 10.5/Eur 44.5

Mods: Casted on 72 stitches (added one pattern repeat). 7" leg (18 pattern repeats) before heel. Slipped stitch heel flap: 48 rows (!) Picked up 25 stitches. For my size (which is also big) I usually pick up 19 or 20 stitches. Heel & Toe in contrasting color and slip stitches for both.

About the Pattern: Well, the Retro Rib is one of my favorite go-to sock pattern. Suitable for both women and men, it's easy, stretchy, and classic. It's the fourth time I knit them. They are great as a gift when you don't really know the recipient's shoe size.

You may notice that he is wearing his newest blue jeans for the photoshooting! ;)

About the Yarn: I chose the Cascade Heritage because it wears very well (75% merino, 25% nylon), is very soft and has great yardage. Shibui is soft and perfect, and will felt just enough to wear pretty well too.

Verdict: My Dad seems to be happy with them. He says they are soft, warm and very comfy. The fit is great, and I'm planning to knit him more. I even suspect that he had fun during the photoshooting! ;)

Bonne fête Papa!