You asked for it.....

Pictures of my finished lace leaf socks, with tiny Scout feet. It's really hard to get pictures of stuff with her around. She's fascinatied with the sounds the camera makes.... add failing light and.. well.. me trying to take pictures of my own feet, and you get some interesting pictures. Here are the two best photos.

I love this sock pattern and will make it again. I started on some simple stockinette socks at the same time, and they are still not finished. Too boring. These were much more fun. Click for big.

I also started on my next big thing... I went with your votes, and started Rogue. I am loving this pattern too. It was a little intimidating at first because the instructions say for those 'experienced' with 'advanced cables' . While I've had lots of experiences, the vast majority of them had nothing to do with cables. However, once I started it became clear that this pattern was written by someone who is experienced with advanced cables and also with communicating clearly. Very clever pattern, very clearly written. I was not sure I wanted to deal with the optional pocket on the front, (just because I wasn't sure I wanted to deal with figuring it out) but I finally decided that I would really like to have a pocket on the sweater, so I decided to just try it. It turned out to be as simple as the rest of the pattern and kinda fun too. So far, so good. Here's my progress so far....

The curly part on the bottom is the hem and will be turned under when the sweater's finished. That's the completed pocket in the front, with the sweater progressing up behind it. As soon as the sweater is up to the top of the pocket you knit it into the front. I'm describing it badly, but it's just the best way to do it without having to sew it on later... I hate sewing seams, so this sweater in the round with minimal finishing seems delightful to me! ( I still haven't sewn up the Manos sweater I completed in Jan.!)

I also like that the shaping is happening in the cable panels up the side, so no boring shaping to deal with every 8 or 10 or 12 rows, which I almost always cruise through a couple times and have to tink back to fix. Cables require a little attention so I haven't just knit past anything, yet. There's a bit left to do, but again so far, so good.

And then there's the yarn... Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed. I just love this yarn, it just feels great while you're knitting it. So all in all, I'm enjoying this project. There's a reason tons of knit bloggers have made this sweater. If you'd like to join the Rogue knitting throngs go see the GirlfromAuntie and get a copy of this pattern.

*WARNING* long Librarian rant ahead....

In other, not so great news, the Oklahoma House passed HB2158 last night. This thing is going to give me a stroke. I really didn't think it could get this far. Intellectual freedom is a good thing, really, it is! Censorship bad. Isn't that how it is where you are? Information and ideas are good, choice is good, segregation and censorship bad. Are you with me?

I'm having a difficult time believing that the state government believes that they, not a childs parents, should decide what children in Oklahoma read. State censored reading lists, in America. Aren't we the ones going around dropping bombs on people to promote this thing called Freedom? Ok, bad example, but isn't that one of the things the US is supposed to be fighting against? Taliban-like control over human rights and freedoms?

Maybe my husband is right, if this bill becomes law libraries should just not comply and let the state close the doors. People would be appalled and horrified and pissed. But I think people should be appalled and horrified and pissed now, at the mere suggestion of this measure. grrr.

If I bang my head on my desk again my nose is going to be completely flat. I'm running out of aspirin, I know many of the house reps email by heart and the state house switchboard lady is starting to recognize my voice. Sorry for the rant, but Librarians are a little touchy about intellectual freedom and the bill of rights and all those silly things that are the basis of democracy. I swear Canada looks better to me every day.

So to help with the blood pressure I'm going to have a little drink, work on my lovely sweater and see if Turner Classic Movies has anymore Busby Berkeley movies on tonight. That should just about drown out any thoughts of backwards ass Oklahoma government.