Wow - the new year came and went pretty darn quick. And it's not like I've been super busy with parties like some of you. We've just... been. You know, here and there, existing -- doing "stuff."

But I did finally get to washing and blocking my final FOs from last year.

Oh, sure. I've told you about some of these. There's the pink scarf that I finished this summer, but I never washed/blocked it. (And now that it is cold, I'd like a little softness against my neck.) The Noro wrist warmers were discussed here, along with the start of the EZ baby surprise jacket. And the pair of JwaT socks that I finished just before the holidays (despite the publish date).

New to the mix is the finished EZ baby surprise jacket, which I think turned out fabulously. The colors are amazing and so cheerful, and the pattern is genius. I still need to get buttons on and sew up the sleeve seems, but then it is ready to go. (Go where, you might ask? I plan on donating this and other items to the Dulaan Project.)

There's also another pair of socks. These socks were knit during my last contract job, and I'm calling them my Dixie socks. While working at said job, I was introduced to a group of knitters that met during their lunch break and one of the ladies is named Dixie. Dixie admired my sock projects, knit up some of her own while I was there, and inspired another knitter to try her hand at socks, too.

During a few of these visits we would be gifted with yarn by another coworker. She would literally bring in large garbage bags full of craft store yarns! Sock yarns one day, then baby yarns, then bulky yarns -- crazy! So I picked up some of this Magic Stripes yarn, and knit these almost entirely during my lunch breaks.

Specs:

• Yarn: Lion Brand Magic Stripes in 'Purple'
• Needles: size US#2 Addi circs (3.0mm; 32") for the leg and heel, and size US#1 Crystal Palace bamboo dpns (2.25mm) for the foot
• Pattern: K3,P2 rib for leg, regular heel flap, stockinette foot, star toe
• Notes: I liked the ribbed fabric on the 3.0mm needles, but it would've been too loose for the foot (makes for an uncomfortable wear). That is why I switched needle sizes. Plus, that gives me a more snug foot on a section with no ribbing. This was my first time doing the star toe, and I like it. I didn't think I would, because you don't kitchener the toe closed but decrease down to 4-6 stitches and draw the hole closed. But I don't feel it with my toes like I expected, so it's all good in my book.

All said and done, I knitted 11 pairs of socks and 3 singles (swaps) in 2006. Not too shabby. I will continue knitting socks, but will it continue to be my obsession? Who can tell.

Tomorrow I'll share with you one last FO of 2006: my Melody shawl!

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