Despite the fact that my clothes dryer decided to go South on me today it's been a pretty good day. I slept in for a change, enjoyed some nice freshly ground coffee when I got up, and have pretty much spent the day loafing.
I'm working on some pink baby booties for a husband and wife trucking team that I know who are expecting in December. She said she thought it would be cool to have the baby wear a pair of booties made by a fellow trucker.
As I am not much for using other people's patterns I am just figuring these out as I go. The basic construction isn't much different than a sock for the most part, it's just the thickness/stiffness that's a bit different (for the most part). I am making them toe up and seamless as I hate to seam. The biggest challenge is making them the right size for a baby. As I've never made them before I am pretty much just guessing as to how big they should be. Worst case the baby will grow into them as I'd rather err on the side of a little too big as too small to be used at all. I'm figuring they'll probably be about 3.5 inches long at the sole when finished. I'm hoping that'll be about right.
I am using the Turkish cast on for the toe, which is seamless and forms a perfect little pocket for a toe. It's an ideal sort of cast on for using the Magic Loop small diameter knitting technique and makes a damn fine looking seamless toe for socks or in this case booties.
I am also working on dinner for tonight. I picked up a nice chuck roast at the store and am making a pot roast with it. I make mine on top of the stove in a large pot as opposed to putting it in the oven as many prefer. I just think it comes out more tender that way.
I put the roast in the pot in three sections, added some bay leaves, oregano, salt, pepper, onions, green peppers, and water. It's now simmering on the stove and already is filling the house with the nice smells from the spices I added. After about 3 hours I'll add some red new potatoes, washed and quartered, and let it simmer for another hour and a half or so until the potatoes are done.
Once the roast is finished I'll have that along with some green beans, corn, and freshly baked dinner rolls.
I made a pitcher of sweet tea which is in the fridge chilling to go with the meal.
Yum, yum.
Damn, now I'm hungry.