It has been way too long since I have had an update. Our internet is down at home and work has just been too busy to get much blogging done. It has just been one of those weeks.
Last week, while knitting amongst the very talented knitters in Salt Lake City, I was forced to confront the denial I have been living in over the last few weeks. The denial went deep and started with the assertion that this:
will fit my Toasty Toes pal even though i have to pry it on my feet praying that the fabric will hold as it painfully stretches over my heel. For some reason, the fact that I was able to get it on eventually and allowed me to forget the pausing and the slow cinching required to do so.
Unfortunately, the fit wasn’t all. I also have been ignoring the fact that in order to finish the toe of the first sock, I had to break into the second skien of Koigu. Um…why I didn’t at that point realize there is no way I will have enough yarn for the second sock I don’t know. I really was living under the hope that the second skien magically will have more yardage than the first. I am stupid. Unfortunately for me, I had to be outed as a dumb dumb at last week’s SnB in front of smart knitters.
My eyes finally opened and not wanting to send my pal socks that don’t fit, I went home and immediately went into full scale fix-it mode. I found another pattern I have been wanting to try and that I think my pal will be into, grabbed some awesome green yarn I bought from Plain and Fancy Wool at Estes Wool Market and cast on the next day. I have been knitting ever since. I am done with one sock and 80% done with the second.
Meet the Petticoat Socks from Weekend Knitting:
Here is me trying it on (it fits!)
These socks are SO comfortable and very…dare I say…toasty. I am pleased with how they turned out and hope my pal will love them–more than anything I want her to be happy. I am still morning the loss of the Lombard Street socks and I know those would have been great, but how great can a pair of socks be that take 10 minutes to get on…and with one having a missing toe.
So there is the knitting update. On a different note, today is my birthday. I wish I could live in denial about that but I am all too aware that I woke up one year older today. Just like that. I am 31. I know, not old but still, not super young. A good age I think but one that really makes me reflect on my life and the direction it is taking.
I will give you a full report on all the festivities (they started on Saturday) and on all the fun things my clever sisters have done for my birthday. But as a teaser, here is how it all began at 3:30 Saturday afternoon:
Intriguing no?
The following 27 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
OK, so I hope you take this in the spirit that I mean it (a very VERY flattering way), but I was talking about you to my brother in law in regards to our P&P weekend forthcoming and he asked if you were single (he’s sort of lonely right now) and I said that yes, but you were a bit older than him (he’s younger than me) and I estimated that you were like… 26 or 27, so HOLY CRAP! You don’t look AT ALL like you’re 31! I never would have guessed it
So happy birthday lovey! And I can’t wait to watch P & P with you this weekend! 
Perhaps I’ll make scones or some other delectible britsh treat. I’ve been thinking of making lavendar mint shortbread too.
M
Did I read this right–you’re missing a toe? Or is the sock missing its toe? Oh, I’m SO confused!
Bummer! But ya know I’ve always loved that Petticoat pattern and have yet to see anyone knit it. What’s up with that? Anyway, it is gorgeous and I love the color. I think these socks will be very well received!
Happy b-day! Mine was last week and I got all sorts of knitterly goodness including 2 skeins of Yarn Pirate, and a skein of STR. Hopefully you get some good stuff as well! Sorry about the sock disaster, but the second try looks great.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Erin, I hope your birthday is fabulous. And as someone who tried out 31 a bit before you did, it’s not so bad…I can’t believe we’re this old, though.
Enjoy every minute of your birthday. Wish I could be there to celebrate. And yes, I also wish we lived near each other and could talk each other through our ‘funks’.
Love ya!
Happy Birthday Erin!! I hope you’re having a lovely day. At 31 I couldn’t believe that I was that old, and now I look back and think,
oops, hit the wrong…anyway I meant to say, now I look back and think how young I was
You wore 30 so well I’m less intimidated about my turning it this winter. I have no doubt 31 will be just as lovely on you. Many happy returns!
BTW, you are a machine pounding out the Petticoat socks in so little time. They are beautiful!
Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. happy birthday dear Erin, happy birthday to you, you, you, you, you. Deep breath! You belong in the zoo! You belong in the zoooooooooooooooooooooooo, happy birthday to you! Sike!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope your day was fantastic.
BTW, petticoat looks good! So no worries, k?
Necia
I can’t believe you’re almost finished with the Petticoat socks. The knitting elves must be helping you… right.
And I don’t like to think of those of us who mocked you last week as the “smart knitters.” We’re more like the “mean knitters.”
Sorry we won’t see you tomorrow night. Have a great birthday.
Youth is wasted on the young. The Petticoats are lovely indeed, and your pal is lucky to receive them. And don’t feel bad about last week!!! You have to come back because I love sitting next to you. You simply cannot imagine the idiotic things that I have done while knitting.
Good choice. The new yarn and pattern are lovely!
Sad sock story. Look on the bright side–it could have been a sweater!
And happy happy birthday! Can’t wait to see the festivities.
A belated happy birthday!!
Beautiful sock — and happy (now belated) birthday!!!
Happy Birthday! I’ll be marking the same birthday in April so I know what you mean.
I can’t wait to see how you celebrated. You guys know how to do it right!
Happy belated birthday! I hope you had a kick-ass celebration.
And your sock looks gorgeous, so I’m sure your pal is going to be delighted. How can she not be?
Happy Happy Birthday!!! Hope you have a great one! Your pal is going to love her socks, really how could she not? ; )
Looking forward to hearing about your celebration! The thirties are great, really. I think it’s the decade where we decide if we’re going to remain young in heart and attitude, or if we’re going to throw in the towel and believe all the stuff society says about getting older, which is all lies.
Happy Birthday!!!
Love your blog and just wanted to tell you to enjoy your day, be good to yourself and don’t think about the number!!!
Claudia
Hou Oli La Hanau!!! This month is such a special one it’s birthday time for you! I’d really like to celebrate this happy day with you. Zippity eh! And Hidey Ho! There’s something I can do. I’ll sing a song that we all know. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! I’m sure if your festivities were as fun as Brianna’s then you had a rip roaring good time.
Sorry about the socks, but the new ones are smashing!!
Happy birthday, Erin!!!! We will have to celebrate soon!
Happy Birthday Erin!!!! What a wonderful time for a birthday, the leaves are changing and the weather is getting cooler. I hope you have a great day. Your new socks look great, your pal would be a fool not to love them! I haven’t seen you say anything about Glee in awhile, I was just wondering if you had given her up.
Happy Birthday, grrlfriend! You’re now truly into the best decade of life! The 30’s rock all over the 20’s!!!!!!
I love the Petticoat socks! They are georgous, and you’re amazing for knitting them so quickly. See you next Tuesday, when I’m back at SnB.
You and your sisters are so cute. I love hearing about the wonderful things you guys do for each other!
And I’m lovin the green socks. They do look toasty
I’m sure your pal will love the petticoat socks. I made them for my mom and she wears them all winter long.
happy birthday!!
and I think your new socks are grand.
wonderful story about knitting-denial. I too have paddled down that river (de-nial) many a time. Don’t we all imagine that knitting is magical?