Socks: December 2005 Archives
I guess I've just got a sock thing going in right now, because about 15 minutes after I finished up the Socks that Rock I cast on for Grumperina's Jaywalker sock pattern using a hank of Tess Designer Yarns Sock Yarn in the "Confetti" colorway that I bought from MS&W in May (I am just so proud of myself for using all this yarn out of my stash lately! I feel like a very virtuous knitter these days!).
When I started this pattern, I wasn't sure that I would actually keep going with it. Not because it is a bad pattern -- it's not. So far as I'm concerned it's well written and easy to follow. But the fact that it has an actual pattern/texture to it meant that there was a 50/50 chance that I would get a couple of inches in, get annoyed that it wasn't mindless enough and rip it out and go back to my straight stockinette mindless sock pattern. So far, the sock pattern is as advertised -- simple enough for anyone but interesting enough to keep a non-patterning sock yarn engaging. This picture was taken this morning, and this evening I added an inch or two more while watching TV. Given how far I've gotten in a few short knitting sessions, I think it's likely that I will not develop pattern apathy for this sock and might actually finish the pair.
Believe it or not, it would mark the first pair of patterned socks in my sock drawer knit by me -- if I actually get to the point where I have a pair. Which I give good odds since I love this yarn and it would break my heart never to see it become a nice pair of socks.
And right now, socks are about all I have the brain power to knit... seems like I always get a cold right before Christmas. It used to happen to me when I was in college every year after final exams and it is one of those holiday traditions, that, unfortunately, have continued on for almost 20 years... (wow...can it really be almost 20 years since I started college... I have just, officially, made myself feel old). I'm into the last phase -- where I am coughing like someone with end stage antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis so hopefully the end is near and I'll get to enjoy the actual holidays -- and work on some patterns that require some brainpower.
Inspired by having that lovely new pair of socks from Jan, I figured it was about time that I got my own current sock project finished up. Saturday evening I finished my delightfully fraternal Tiger Eye Socks that Rock Socks (the pattern for these socks is Lucy Neatby's basic sock pattern from Cool Socks, Warm Feet
Were I to knit with this yarn again (and I might if I can find one that is muted enough in color to be "man friendly" -- the husband loved how thick these socks were) I would probably use a size 1.5 needle rather than a size 1 to give them just a bit more flexibility -- and to stretch my yarn just a little bit farther. I did have a little bit left but probably couldn't have gotten a man-sized pair out of the two skeins I had knitting at this density.
Little by little I'm filling up my sock drawer with handknit socks. I'd love to think that there might be a day when that would be all I would find in there!
Aren't they lovely? These arrived for me on Friday evening from Jan as part of a little swap I participate in. This is the first pair of socks I've ever had made from Online yarn and I think they are lovely. Clearly Jan knows what my favorite colors are! They got their first try out on Saturday and are just wondeful to wear. Believe it or not, I've never knit myself a pair of socks that is ribbed all the way from the top to the toe. I may have to try doing it myself in the future, since these socks do a very nice job of conforming to the shape of my foot without being too tight.
I just love socks! I have lots of sweaters and scarves, but the knitted things I wear the most are definitely socks. And there's almost nothing better than special pair of socks knit for you by someone else. A big thanks to Jan for giving me a nice warm happy feeling on Friday evening that will return every time I pull these lovely socks out of my sock drawer to wear!
There's more basket adoration today. This delightfully tiny basket is just perfect for a special sock project. The wonderful liner zips at the top and has a handy little pocket inside to hold a few little notions that you might need while working on a sock -- tape measure, extra double point from a set of 5, a small crochet hook. It's just about the sweetest thing. Well, I guess it could be sweeter if I had actually bought it for someone else to put a sock project in. But when it comes to this kind of stuff, I just can't resist adding a little sweetness to my own life.
Currently in the basket are my Tiger Eye Socks that Rock socks. Very fraternal these socks will be (in fact, this is one of those pairs that if I hadn't actually seen the two original skeins, I might have though that I was knittng with two different yarns -- the second skein had a lot more white in it than the first one). No matter, I will enjoy them. They are delightfully soft and it's been a while since I've added a new pair of socks to my collection. And winter is here in full force now in Chicago -- a girl needs all the warm socks she can get. And now that I've turned the heel and am working on the instep decreases, it feels like I'm on the road home with these. So soon, not only will the socks rock, but my feet will as well!
