As you can see, I have actually made progress on the spiral stripe sock, though it's really only thanks to my knitting buddy. She has encouraged me to bring knitting along when I hang out with her. Admittedly once I get going, I really enjoy getting into the rhythm of it and wish I was doing it more often. The hard part right now seems to be getting it out of the plastic bag I keep it in and actually pick up the needles. What with the new job I started six weeks ago and the beginning photography class I'm taking, there does not seem to be much time left for fiber arts. My library book stack at home, which used to be full of titles by Debbie Stoller, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Nicky Epstein, is now full of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and John Hedgecoe. I would really like to combine my love of food and cooking with photography, as well as the complexity and beauty of knitting as well. If I get particularly inspired, I will try to post some of the black and white pics I develop and process for the class.I've given myself a rather modest knitting goal of completing these socks before the weather gets cold. I think I'm almost ready to start my short row heel. If I can get there, I can at least have anklets.
In household news, my husband's interest in homebrewing has been rekindled. Not quite as labor intensive as knitting, but still a respectable hobby. He started his first homebrew in many years last weekend. The urgency to start manufacture was provided by our lovely cats that decided to bite into the bags of malt syrup and yeast. This was really the trial brew anyhow; the kit for this first beer is a stout. The ultimate goal, however, has been an Belgian Abbey-style ale. In particular, one of his absolute favorite beers at the moment is Brother Thelonius by North Coast Brewing Company in Mendocino. This beer and others similar to it are about 5+ times the cost of Natty Light, making homebrewing a potentially more economical option. (Potentially I say, since homebrewing like other hobbies "requires" all sorts of fun and shiny accessories to aid in the production process). Anyway, it's fun to see my husband jazzed up about this. Perhaps one of my upcoming knitting projects will be customized beer cozies or a keg insulator.
