I was so pleased with myself going into the weekend... I was getting some of those unfinished projects taken care of! I felt for certain that I would get some major work done on Mom's second sock and the front of Pebbles.
And then I did some shopping and got a serious case of Startitis. Here's the spoils from the trip:
After a long dry-spell, Julie and I got out and got a chance to do a little yarn store exploring. Since my mom was in town, she came along with us. The first stop was a little store in Evanston, Close Knit. Close Knit was probably the first yarn store in Chicago that I went to. They're a nice little store, and carry a large selection of Brown Sheep and Dale of Norway yarn. I enjoyed looking at all their shop samples, but only came away with a skein of Sockotta in color #75 -- bright rainbow colors that I couldn't resist. Of course, when I got home I just had to cast it on.
I don't know if it is supposed to form those lovely zig-zags or if that is just a fortunate accident, but the yarn is definitely cool stuff. My goal for this pair of socks (for myself!) is to try out a short row heel. I'm using Michelle's sock pattern with a few less stitches around (60 instead of 80). And for anyone who hasn't tried out the Twisted German Cast-On for starting top down socks, you don't know what you're missing. It makes a lovely edge -- and for once I didn't have to cast on to needles 2 sizes larger to get an opening stretchy enough to put my foot through.
The next stop on the trip was Caroline's Fine Yarns of Winnetka. I was both inspired by this shop and disappointed. The store samples are lovely and the yarn collection is definitely exotic. I would have loved to have walked away with one of their neat kits. This was one of the first times I was able to lay hands on yarn from Prism and from the Great Adirondak Yarn Company. The disappointment for me came in the prices. Now, I am perfectly aware that Winnetka is not part of the "discount" part of Chicagoland, but the prices on some of this yarn was $3-$4 more per skein/ball than in other places I've been. Julie and I both left with circular needles, but no stash additions. Nice, artful shop, but I like to get the most for my money, especially when times are uncertain.
After Caroline's and a latte at a nearby Caribou Coffee, we still had time to hit one more store -- Knitter's Niche in Chicago on N. Southport. This store has a totally different ambiance -- no artistic, designer shop displays, but tons of wonderful fiber. And Mary Anne is the kind of person who makes you want to come back -- and inspires you to think for yourself. Before we left, Julie and I both had more goodies in our bags. Here's an upclose picture of the incredible Zen that I picked up for a spring scarf:
Now, you're thinking that starting 1 sock isn't too bad... but after seeing Julie's incredible felted daypack, I new I needed to start one for myself. No pictures of that (it doesn't look like anything yet) until I make more progress. So on Sunday, a day where I also managed to finally find a dress for my brother's wedding, I started two projects. And that Zen is calling to me...
i wouldn't want to deny you the pleasure of these purchases for all the unfinished projects in the world. i loved julie's bag too. my latest batch of colors from threadbear are on their way. lucky knitters we.
Is it Spring? I've got startitis too! I'm halfway through the shawl and I'm itching to start my Mission Falls Tank -- not to mention the cardigan with that cool tweedy stuff I got at Knitter's Niche!
It's really cool how that Zig-Zag actions is happening on your socks!
I love your Zen (and am jealous)! I have 3 skeins of light gray for a tank and do not like it now that I have seen your color. I can't wait to see your finished scarf.
You had fun !
These things lift our spirits and and satisfy our creative needs. Nothing wrong with that !
Lovely yarns,and those socks will be fantastic.
Hey, you are my first test knitter. Let me know how it goes. Like I said in the pattern, these socks work for me, but not everyone may like them. Please be kind. FYI (I don't know if you've already taken this into account), you may have to adjust the number of stitches that you decrease to for the heel and toe since you've decreased the total number of stitches. I think the general rule is decrease to 20% of the total stitches for the heel and 25% for the toe. You may have to play around with the numbers if you need the heel to be less pointy or the toe to be moreso. 20% for the heel usually works for me, but I've just knit a pair were I probably could have gotten by with less.