Ladies and gentlemen, mesdames et messieurs, come one, come all — get your chance now to witness some veritable Knitting Magic!
Magic Loop socks (one sock on one long circular needle) in Sweet Socks yarn:
My last pair of socks was using the Magic Loop, but then I fumbled around a lot on picking up stitches for the gusset, and even resorted to using another needle on the second sock’s gusset. This time, armed with Cooper’s help and The Magic Loop booklet by Bev Galeskas, I was able to pick up those stitches with my one long circular and continue on. It really is magical! It’s so cool! You gotta do it to understand, I guess.
Another form of knitting magic, entirely new to me, is the Turkish cast-on. Using Regia 6-ply Tweed, I just started another pair of socks, this time two at once and toe-up — my first time for both techniques. I used Deb’s awesome Turkish cast-on tutorial to produce this seamless toe. If, like me, you’ve never done the Turkish cast-on before, check out her super-simple step-by-step procedures.
It’s way too cool! No seam to bug your little toesies!
And for my next trick, I shall perform Magic-Loop-Two-at-Once-Toe-Up-Turkish-Cast-On socks. Hold onto your seats, ladies & gents.
STASH ENHANCEMENT
From Amy, via Destash, I bought four skeins of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in pale blue, destined to become a shawl of some sort, possibly the Birch. (Better photos here.)
Some hand-dyed merino sock wool from Jessica in color “Dusk.” Its true color is quite a bit darker than the photos. The colorway reminds me of Socks that Rocks’ newest “Monsoon” colorway which I’ve seen all over the web lately. Quintessentially Pacific Northwest colors!
On a personal note, time seems to have slowed down for me lately, mostly because I am going through a lot of personal growth in addition to changing my meds yet again. I’ve had some icky side effects from meds so I’m hoping this new med will be the right one; but withdrawal symptoms are difficult (even though the pharmaceutical companies claim these drugs are withdrawal-free!).
I also went to the first weekend of intensive group counseling work, and it was indeed INTENSE, very difficult, and extremely rewarding. I can see this is going to be a gruelling but effective process. I feel lighter already from the work we’ve done together. The presence of the group — being witnessed by others who are also working on their issues — makes for a truly supportive environment. I’m excited to see what comes next.
I almost forgot to say we bought our tickets for France!!!!!!!!!! I leave August 1st for three months. Now that I’ve got the ticket, I guess it’s really happening. I can barely believe it! 
