wip: domino socks, and oh, cubital tunnel syndrome!

So I've been bad. Remember that nagging wrist/elbow pain I've been complaining about lately? Turns out it's Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. My ulnar (read:funny bone) nerve has been compressed for so long that it's inflamed. I often can't feel my pinky and ring finger anymore, and sometimes it's meant dropping mugs full of tea from the numbness. GAH.

I can owe this to my fulltime jobs--my day job of digital painting, exacerbated by my 8+ hours a day spent knitting for the shop.

Ok, here's how I've been bad. I've been sneaking a few rows in anyway. I know I shouldn't, but I guess the painkillers have made me a little bit brave(You warned me, Michelle, but it's so tempting!). And thanks to that, (my elbow is cursing me) this little sock has grown, just a little bit more. It really can't be that bad anyway, right? Given the right posture, less pressure on my inner elbows and a looser grip it's can't be as bad as it was before. I'm going from 8+ hours to 30 minutes max(punctuated by breaks), that's got to count for something.

On the other hand, I've also been pretty good! Besides following through shop and concept design commitments (with my good friends Ibuprofen and frequent breaks), I've had to practice filling my day with things other than my businesses.

Part 1 of my July reading list, Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, was finally finished. I'm not gonna lie, that book fucked me up. Even from the get-go, when I realized I was going to care about Kath, Tommy and Ruth, I knew I was in for it. If you're down for being devastated, this is definitely the book for you.

What I'm getting through now is Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone. What is known so far is that there are some very complete and relatable female characters(at least for their time) to look forward to, as well as a juicy mystery plot. Beyond that I have no idea what I'm in for, which is exciting.

And tv shows! Hannibal S2 is compelling but often hard to watch, and Stargate SG-1 is UGGGH FANTASTIC. Some more marathons of friend-recommended shows are on the horizon as well. I just have to lock up my WIPs so I'm not tempted to 'make use of my hands' while watching.

Overall, I'm trying to feel pretty optimistic about this RSI. It definitely dispelled my dejection to have learned what I've got before it was any worse. Nerves take annoyingly long to heal, but I'm grateful to know that a behavioral recovery is within my currently weak, numb-pinkied grasp.

Linking up with Ginny's Yarn-Along.

wip: Ribbed for Him Socks

I spent the last few weeks working through about 400 grams of yarn to finish those pairs of socks for Jason (and one for me~). It was one Hunter’s Sock after another—that memorized routine which, admittedly got a little old after a while.

It was hard to keep interest but the work paid off! We've got three nice new pairs in rotation (meaning, hopefully his high rate of wearing holes will go down), and my little traveller's stash shrunk quite a bit. I’d show proper photos of the finished socks, but I’m proud to say they’re either happily in use or waiting to be washed. I’ll make a little FO post about them later. :]

What’s going on now? Next to commissioned art, hiking and dining, I’ve been working through A Clash of Kings (read: dodging TV spoilers like an ace), and having a blast with Marie Godsey’s

Ribbed for Him pattern. It’s a new functional knit ribbing pattern style I love. The variegated yarn has me stopping often to show Jason how awesome these spontaneous little stripes are turning up on these little things. ugggggh the colors…!!!! I don’t think I’ll ever tire of variegated and self striping yarn.

The badass yarn currently being transformed here is James C. Brett’s Woodlander DK in Shade L5. The scheme brings cozy fires, flannels and of petrichor to mind. Manly pajamas too for some reason. My kinda thing.

I can't understate how much of a nice departure this is from the last three pairs of socks I knit. I'm expecting this project to be a comfy staple in my sock collection and am super excited to see them finished.

yarn-along vii

On the needles: A finally-finished semi-secret gift sock project! (just too excited not to share a too-close hard to read photo of!)

Also still reading Game of Thrones! Not much to report on that, just really enjoying every Tyrion and Arya chapter as it comes. Having this book in digital form makes this book a lot less intimidating to read I find, and a hell of a lot easier to carry around to read in line at the post office. I also found a paperback version of Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let me Go at a trunk sale, can't wait to give that book a shot soon. All I've heard of it is that it's ridiculously tragic and beautiful and takes place in some orphanage somewhere, so I miiight have to prepare mentally for it first.

This post is made alongside many others in Gsheller's Wednesday Yarn-along!

Click-through the image for more information on this yarn-along, and let me know if you decide to join!

mailtime!

It's a real treat to be surprised with gifts in the mail! Earlier this year,  I received an adorable package from the wonderful Emma of the handmade shop TrinketsnTreats (which is on vacation currently, but do keep an eye on it, her work is precious!)

In this well-wrapped package was one of her lovingly handmade bat keychains, made with (if i recall correctly) a cruelty-free polyester felt, making the toy both vegan friendly and moth proof (such good news!) I also received The Craft Library's Knits for Fab Feet and Cosy Toes, a little book full of adorable sock patterns I can't wait to try. There's this one sock pattern with a little pocket you can place a hand-knit teddy bear in, god ugh that's too cute!!! The socks themselves seem to all be knit in a very fine gauge, so I'll have to finish a few wips before diving into these projects.

 Also! Just a few days ago I received a message from the lovely Triona of Triona Designs letting me know that I won her giveaway for the Knitpicks Bulky 2013 Collection pattern book! This is the first knitting-related giveaway I've won, so I was really excited!

The patterns inside area absolutely beautiful. I fell in love with the Maddie Hoodie the moment I laid eyes on it, and will definitely make one of my own soon.

Have you received any surprise gifts in the mail recently? Let's talk about it in the comment section!