Cali loves my new socks. And so do I. These are one of those good fortunes brought by the unfortunate. Mom decided to make socks to keep her feet warm, so I dug out some Lorna’s Laces Shepherd worsted that was stagnating in my stash.
She popped these out in a flash, but they are too big for her. Awww … it would be sad if it weren’t for these lovelies being mine now. No worries, though, she has a smaller pink/purple one done already and is almost done with a full pair in Lorna’s Laces Tuscany that was also languishing in my stash. She just happened to finish up her pink sock while visiting me and didn’t have enough yarn with her to make the second sock, so I gave her another color. I’m so happy to see her knitting again after her carpal tunnel surgery in October. And I’m really happy to be the recipient of some toasty new socks!
I chose two projects to knit during the Olympics and am following others who are really meeting the challenge. My personal challenge is probably a bit more than I can complete, since life is still pretty busy around here, but the motivation is great. 
First, I pulled out my Nordic Sock Sweater and am pushing forward pretty well. I had done half the back, which included the bottom fronts and now the upper back and sleeves are done. I’m working on the upper front and am getting close to starting the front sleeves. It’s getting as big as a blanket on my lap. I have hope that this will be completed this year. The colors still keep me going through the miles of garter stitch.
The other project is a new one that I’ve been looking forward to starting. It’s the Bramblewood Vest, which has cable panels running up the front and back. The yarn is Berrocco’s Blackstone Tweed which is super soft, but it breaks pretty easily. I’ve gotten the hang of just how much I can tug on it, so it is going well now. This yarn is producing some softer cables, not real distinct, but I think I’ll like the rustic look.
The cables are a bit of a waste on the back since my hair will cover them, but I figure the practice will do me good for the front cables. The pattern has a different beginning that includes the fronts for a while, then they are left off to finish the back alone.
I don’t really expect to finish both of these projects, or either of them for that matter, before the Olympics are over, but I can live with that. The motivation to knit is what I sorely needed. I’m also signed up with Ravelry’s IntSweMoDo2010 (International Sweater a Month Dodecathon) which is an impossible goal, but I will do my best. I followed the 2009 version and was so inspired by all the lovely sweaters, I just had to join. The two sweaters I’m working on are for January and February, so I best get a move on it if I want to keep pace, or at least tag along a step behind. I’m already looking forward to casting on a sweater for March, but haven’t quite decided what that will be yet. My queue is long enough that it makes deciding the hardest part of the job! I’m open to suggestions. : )