So what did I do with my week? Well, not much that would be considered exciting. I'll spare everyone the details of my exploits trying to convert Non Deterministic Finite State Automatas (try saying that 10 times fast) to Deterministic Finite State Automata in Java and go straight to a much more fun topic: my first completed sock (done on two circulars)!

There's not too much to write home about with this sock. It's done in dark blue Mission Falls 1824 Superwash Wool. The leg portion is in K2P2 ribbing. And he likes it a lot. His comment: "It seems like a lot of work -- but it does feel nice and warm!" So I guess he likes it. I'll probably start the next one today. Maybe by next week sometime he'll actually have a pair! This sock is not the thing of beauty that I would like it to be -- in particular, after picking up stitches after making the gusset, but only on one side, there is an area where there's a little more airspace than I would like. Anyone have good suggestions to make sure that the little corner area doesn't come out like a hole? I can always use a little yarn to fill it in (it won't be noticeable at all on this sock because of the color) but I would like to know how to do it the right way.

I also have an update on a much more interesting sock project (at least to me) -- my Opal (from Emma) sock:

I just love this yarn and working on the small needles (size 2s). I keep trying this one on while I am working on it and I can't wait to have a pair.

One surprise that came out of the whole sock measuring process is that either I have big feet or John has small feet. His foot length is ~10-1/2" and mine is not quite 10"! Seemed really strange to think that he and I have feet so similar in size. After I measured mine, I actually had to go and put mine next to his to see if it was really so close!

I am thinking that I would like to try a short row heel on John's next pair of socks (with that lovely grey Opal from Emma). Anyone have any suggestions for good patterns/instructions?

Finally, here's the start on what is my first Fair Isle project (for my class) -- Fingerless Gloves from Carol Rasmussen Noble's Knitting Fair Isle Mittens and Gloves. I'm going to be knitting up the fingerless gloves with the Snowflake pattern -- only three colors so it seemed like a good one to start with. For once I decided not to get too far in over my head and stick to something simple. I've decided to try to do them on two circulars instead of on double points. These are being done on size 1 needles with Jamieson's 2-Ply Shetland. I've never knitted with Shetland yarn before, and I find it quite different from the wool I've worked with in the past. Very neat to see how it grabs onto itself and holds on! Makes it much more obvious how steeks would stay together after working with this yarn.

I'm (obviously) not up to the Fair Isle part yet. I'm hoping to get to the color work this weekend, but I have another special project that needs to be finished up for someone's very upcoming birthday.