FINALLY! Cast-on Socks!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Above are a few of the little It's the Balm Socks (from Simply Notable) I knit up for holiday gifts. They were kind of a test knit to see if:

1. I liked knitting with sock yarn &
2. I could understand sock construction

The construction uses an after-thought heel and after reading this post about them, I KNEW they were for me!
Even though the socks are little, they were INCREDIBLY fun to knit up! Suddenly sock yarn wasn't scary. In fact, it was actually enjoyable to knit with! I was AMAZED at this discovery! I decided that, after the gift knitting was finished......I WAS CASTING-ON SOCKS! Two at a time & Toe-up!

So......yesterday morning, I printed out instructions for Judy's Magic Cast-on, then CAST-ON! I'll be "winging it" without an "official" pattern. After the toe increases were complete to the size of the foot (64 sts), I began a k2, p2 rib on the top of the foot. After the waste yarn goes in (for the after-thought heel), I'll continue the rib around the leg portion of the sock. Finally, I'll cast-off with a sewn bind-off (which is VERY stretchy). Anyway, that's my plan!

Here's the first day of progress:

I'm pleased with the results so far! Socks aren't nearly as SCARY as they sound!

A Christmas Swap at JCCF

One of my FAVORITE groups on Ravelry is JCCF. It's a great group of ladies who knit and crochet afghan blocks to make blankets for injured rodeo cowboys and cowgirls in conjunction with Justin boots Cowboy Crisis Fund.
In October we began discussing a soap/washcloth swap (If you've never participated in a swap, I HIGHLY recommend it). Being the swap junkie that I am, I committed immediately! As November grew close and we would soon begin the process of questions of preferences for the swap (things like favorite colors, scents, treats and various other goodies we would receive in our swap package) it happened. I came home from work and my hubby informed me our old computer had crashed. It had no power. None. What-so-ever.
I did NOT want to miss a swap. I had to figure out a way to participate even WITHOUT a computer. I contacted Wendy. She happened to be the only person I had a hard copy address for. That's mostly because she is the one we send our blocks to.......She's the one who sews them all into BEAUTIFUL blankets.
Long story short......Wendy got me in contact with my swap partner Jennifer. Through a series of text messages Jennifer and I were able to  complete our swap packages. Here's what I sent to Jennifer:

 

 

 

A knit washcloth, scrubby mitt, vanilla & honey soap, a sock ornament with lip balm, a ball of yarn ornament, a tin with knit labels, M & M's and a magnetic list pad.

 

 

Then, here's what Jennifer sent me (and, I have to say, I LOVE this package!):

 



A crocheted cloth (nice work Jennifer!), SEVERAL types of soaps, a massage bar, peppermints, lotion and the CUTEST little knit Santa ornament you've ever seen. Which, now that I look at the picture, is not there for some reason. I can fix that though.........

Not the best picture, but, isn't he adorable? Anyway, thank you, thank you , thank you Jennifer! Also, a big thank-you to Wendy for your help in this swap!

In conclusion......a couple pieces of advice. Join a swap & maybe jot down your addresses in something old fashioned like an address book. Just in case something happens to your computer!