Socks, More Socks, and a Poll

My Sockapalooza socks arrived!


Broadripple from knitty in Panda Cotton. They are so soft and silky, and this is a pattern I have looked at several times, but never made.

My pal was Sereknitty, and she also sent along some much-longed for Trekking XXL. Thanks so much--I am looking forward to wearing the socks once it's no longer 100 degrees every day and I start wearing socks again.

Now, for opinions. I started a new pair of Monkeys and they are patterning in the weirdest way. Big bands of pink alternating with bands of yellow and red stripes.

What do you think? Garish or gorgeous? I keep going back and forth on it myself, and I want to make this pair for a friend's birthday next week, so I need opinions, and I need them quick!

Oh! And a heads-up. I am editing the October edition of Yarnival, so start thinking about a post you may want to submit, or start composing that brilliant gem in your head, and watch this space for the submission call.

A Pair of Socks

Hey, I never said it was a matching pair!

These are the Monkey socks I am making for myself. So pretty. I love these colors, and the yarn works really well with the pattern. Yarn, by the way, is from WhiteWillow.


The other pair is the Waving Lace Socks for my Sockapalooza pal. Also from WhiteWillow. The color was supposed to be a blend of Tiffany box blues, but it looks more like a swimming pool to me. The yarn is so soft and when you put the sock on, it almost feels like slipping your foot ito a swimming pool on a hot day.

The downside is I'm not that crazy about the pattern. It seems rather bland to me, but I think my pal will like it. What do you guys think?

We don't do much gardening around here, as you can tell from the grassy state of the flowerbed in front of our house. But today we weeded the whole thing and pulled up as much of the stubborn roots as we could. We're still debating on what to plant there, but here's my visual representation of how I would like it to look:
Lastly, Oliver says hi!

WIP Round-up

I'm still working on Leo. I have one sleeve finished, and the second sleeve is started, I have the back finished, and am working on the front. Progress pics of this thing are so boring though, so just imagine miles of 5x3 ribbing, and you'll have an idea of what it looks like.

I also cast on yesterday for the STR Cedar Creek socks with my lightweight Lemongrass. Only one pattern repeat done so far though, so you don't get to see that either.

What you do get to see is my progress on my dad's scarf in the Karabella SuperYak:


And you get to see a teensy corner of a baby present I am making for my friend and old college roommate's new arrival, scheduled for July:


It's going to be so adorable when it's done!

And my plain old stockinette socks in Piece of Beauty's Boathouse.

And finally, a soon-to-be-started project, the Miter Square Blanket from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I have been rereading this book lately, and that combined with Cara of January One's gorgeous, seductive photos, have convinced me I need to start one of my very own.

I may soon be regretting this, as I understand the miter squares are addictive, and when you're done, you have tons of ends to weave in, not to mention all the seaming. But it just looks like such fun.

I bought one of every color my LYS had, but I know it won't be nearly enough for the whole project. But at least it will get me started. If you have any unwanted or un-needed full or partial skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic, email me. We may be able to help each other out.

That's all for now. Enjoy the weekend!

Scarf Review

***If you haven't entered my Blogiversary contest (see previous post), please be sure to do so. The prize is a gift certificate to The Loopy Ewe!***

I joined the International Scarf Exchange, and started my scarf last night.

I looked at lots of different patterns, but I just couldn't get past the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. And since I was too anxious to start to wait for Blue Moon to restock the mediumweight STR or for my LYS to reopen so they could sell me some Koigu, I started with the lightweight STR I had on hand--Lemongrass and Farmhouse.

So, tell me. How's it looking?

Also--FO Alert! I finished this pair of baby cable ribbed socks for my sister-in-law Cheryl. Just for no reason. Well, that's not true. She was COMPLAINING that I hadn't made her a pair yet...

The yarn is STR in Marbles.

Faux--matomus

Here are Sara's new socks. No, they aren't Pomatomus, but the pattern is somewhat similar. It's Child's First Sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.

This was a geat little pattern, and one I want to make again in a more solid color. Still, I think they turned out beautifully.


The yarn again--because I know someone is going to ask--is Lisa Souza Sock! Merino in Mombassa.

A Violent Frogging

Sara's Pomatomus...

Ugh...


Gasp...


Ack...


Yikes...



Ah, Liberation.



This project was just not being fun for me. It was, in fact, stressing me out. So I frogged it, and never again will the Pomatomus darken my needles! I think I may try instead for the Child's First Sock Pattern from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.


I bought myself two little treats today. The new issue of Interweave Knits and one skein of Artyarns Regal Silk. This stuff is luscious.


No, really amazing:



I thought I might just hang onto this precious little bundle and give it the occasional longing look and tender pat, but then I saw that Sarah's Yarns sells this stuff, priced quite reasonably. So I started thinking, hmmm, three more skeins and I could make a decent-sized and absolutely beautiful Clapotis. Definitely something to think about.


Of course, I would welcome all advice and suggestions on what to do with my beautiful silk.

I have decided it's time for me to give a sweater a shot. Not a sweater for me, but a sweater for Paul, who is seriously lacking in cold weather wear. Of course, the fact that I probably won't have this item completed until the trees are back in bloom and the tar is melting on the road is no deterrant. At least he'll be warm next winter!


We decided on Leo from knitty. I have the yarn choices narrowed down to three options, all of which would likely work equally well.


I like the Rowan Cashsoft Dk because it's washable, and would be so soft. The drawback is the not-so-great color selection, and the higher price than my other options.

ETA: Well, I went ahead this morning and ordered the Cashsoft for the sweater. And in the very same color pictured here! Please, no one come along and tell me how this was a bad idea.



The Peruvian Highland Silk comes in nice colors, and is affordable, but handwash only.

Ditto for the Queensland Uruguay DK.

Suggestions/advice would definitely be appreciated here too. This is my first sweater, ya'll! I have already ordered the KnitPicks Options set just for this very purpose. I am way excited to cast-on.

And in other news, Eric's Tony brought us a phalaenopsis in bloom to enjoy in our office. It's so beautiful. And speaking of Eric, drop by to leave condolences on the death of his cat, Sherby. He was a charming little cat, and I know he will be missed.

Knitting for Friends

Our friends Sara and Kris commissioned me to do some projects for them.


Kris wanted, what else, a pirate hat!



The colors she picked were so, ahem, muted, I had to add a bright red stripe to the lining, just for my own amusement.


Sara wanted some socks. And not only did she want socks, she wanted Pomatomus socks. Now, I know it's my own fault for showing her the pattern, but still, Pomatomus and I do no have a great history together.


Luckily, it seems to be going much smoother this time. I am ready to work on the heel of the first sock, and so far, no major problems. (FYI, the yarn is Lisa Souza Sock! Merino in Mombassa.)


In Progress:

Closeup:

Now, we all know knitting for others is its own reward, but a skein of Lisa Souza Sock! Merino certainly doesn't hurt!

Chaos

Below is a picture of my knitting table in its current state:



The large purple blob is my Christmas present in progress. It's a bottom up shawl-thing, which means lots of increases, and the rows are getting very looong now. The blue is the first sock in a pair of Hederas in Schaefer Anne for Knit Blue. And the multicolored is a simple 3x1 ribbed sock in Austermann Step.

I had wanted to make a pair of the Father and Son socks for someone for Christmas, but so far I haven't been able to figure out the pattern, so that may or may not happen.

Last week was busy. I was in Baltimore for a conference for most of the week, and this week will likely be even busier, with my husband's family coming into town.

My mother-in-law likes to keep everyone well-fed, so last night it was pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, bread, and brownie sundaes.

Tonight is catered BBQ, tomorrow is out to a Mexican restaurant. Then Thanksgiving lunch at my parents' house, Thanksgiving dinner with the in-laws. Friday morning up and shopping early, gift wrapping, Christmas tree assembling, napping. Saturday is a birthday party and departures, then Sunday will indeed be a day of rest. Except I have already made plans with a friend to work on some holiday crafts.

Keep me in your thoughts, ya'll!

And because I have been a bad blogger by not updating in so long, here's a yummy, drool-worthy yarn shop I want to share. You can thank me later!