A little old, a little new....

As FKD transitions into 2006 we have a bit of the old and a lot of the new!

For something new, like all the other cool kids on the block, I joined Anne's ABC Along because it sounds like so much fun!!

The plan is once every 2 weeks, members will post pics that have meaning to them and their lives that correspond with the letters of the alphabet. In a year's time each participant will have shared 26 bits of themselves. To start my 52 week journey I bring you.......

A is for ALLIGATOR!!

Now in the interest of veracity, I did nick this suitcase wannabe off google BUT living here in South Florida it is not uncommon to see these guys just strolling around! And I don't mean in the zoo or off an airboat in the Everglades. After all, I live this close to one of the largest swamps in North America and since Florida is built on this guy's house, sometimes he exercises his squatter's rights! I've seen dudes like him in a local park, in a canal on the Intercoastal Waterway and once on a golf course!!! And more than one family pet has gone missing from a backyard :( So welcome to wild kingdom, SoFla style!

To ring out the old, here is the last FO of 2005....The Corded Rib Mesa Footie for fluffy footed me!

Specs:

Socks that Rock yarn in the Mesa colorway on size #1 (2.25 mm) Crystal Palace Bamboo DPN's
Pattern: my own variation on the Elongated Corded Rib Sock from Sensational Knitted Sock by Charlene Schurch and my own Eye Of Partridge Mini-Flap Short Row Heel (isn't that heel so pretty?)

I'm really pleased with these socks because the fit is superb, love the colorway and the yarn has so much "boing" factor! Thanks again, Utah Grrls!! :)

Here's a very special 2005 gift.....Look what my good friend and super knit bud Agnes sent me......

This adorable swatch PIN that she made!!! Isn't this the cutest? She's so generous AND just crazee about the P-Man, how could I not love her? Thank you so much Agnes!!

And what was the lucky Jan. 1 project started at Chez FKD? Why, more socks of course!! Since new years are for new beginnings and expanding one's knitting bag of tricks is always a good thing I decided to re-visit toe-up socks using the Turkish Cast-On. After all, I was voted *Best Tutorial* so I figured I should actually walk the walk, ya know? I LOVE this cast on!! LOOK how pretty and perfect......

I'm also using yarn new to me (Mountain Colors Bearfoot -- YUM!!!) and a technique pretty new to me, Magic Loop. I actually used one needle for the Turkish Cast On instead of two (it's easy!!) so I'll go ahead and stick with the magic loop for the whole sock. I still prefer DPN's but Magic Loop would be my second choice :)

Here's a look at more sock progress. It's Bearfoot in the Northern Lights colorway on a #1 (2.5 mm -actually US #1.5) 40 inch Addi Turbo in Mistake Stitch Rib. I love this yarn, so sweet on the needles! The color is so delicious and rich....and so smooth to knit....so good!


As always, a P-Man pic for the fans....I call this his "I am the pampered Master of all I survey" look....and he IS!!!


I'm still working on my Market Square Bag (tier 8) and haven't decided on the color for the Lacy Aran that's next in the queue altho Valencia is the front runner so far!

So what did you cast on for luck in January 2006?

Addendum: CHIBI SHOUT OUT....As an avid sock knitter I am EAGER to get my hands on the new ORANGE Chibi with smaller needles for things like socks :)
I've had no success finding them on line and have no LYS....anyone know where I can get one?