
Yarn: Austerman Step 01
Pattern: My Standard Toe Up Short Row Heel Socks
Needles: US 1
Simple socks are about all you'll find on my needles right now. They can be easily knit while I watch John play Skyrim or while I am participating in a conference call or webinar where I am not a significant participant, but need something for my hands to do to keep me from checking my email and not paying attention all together. I started these socks some time ago... maybe in early 2011 when it was chilly out. Even though this yarn is a commercially dyed self-striping yarn, I'm excited about it: it's Austerman Step, the yarn that was impregnated with jojoba oil and is supposed to be moisturizing for your feet.
After Z was born, my skin when from just being sensitive to a full blown eczema*. With help from a good dermatologist and a lot of Zyrtec it's under control, but the dry Chicago winter weather is still hard on my skin, so I'm always looking for ways to make it feel better. I've never figured out whether I'm wool sensitive or not, but since most wools do amp up the itchiness factor, I've been weeding most of them out of my life in favor of the softer merinos, silk and cotton. Those fibers (except for merino) aren't common in sock yarn so I'm looking forward to seeing if this one keeps the irritation down but still gives me warm winter feet.
*I don't get rashes so much as I feel like I want to itch the top layer of skin off. And I love the irony of being an immunologist with an overactive immune system...

Yarn: Katia Triana
It took me a little while to identify a good pattern. I've had my fill of ribbed scarves, but still wanted something with an interesting texture. I opted for he must do scarf of 2008:
I cast on the suggested number of stitches and knit through the entire skein -- and the scarf length and width were on target for a small person. 
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