Speed Demon

Now, the following picture LOOKS like roughly half of a men's sock.

In reality, it is so much more than that. I dare say that it is a completed pair of socks.

This sock yarn began its life as a lovely Paul Atwell sock. This combination of yarn and pattern was so absurdly gorgeous, that both I and my father were enamored. That is a rare occurrence. However, I did have the sneaking suspicion that I would run out of yarn. I chose to ignore this gut feeling, and ended up in the middle of the gusset with half of my sock yarn for the WHOLE PAIR gone. Sadly, this was frogged. Half a sock.

Next, I decided on Earl Grey. I have knit this pattern twice, and I figured this would use far less yarn than that yarn-eater Paul Atwell. I was right, but not right enough. Halfway through the toe decreases, I weighed what yarn I had left. Just over half of the hank had gone. ^%@)$!!! I had knit all but the last few rows of a men's size 10 1/2 sock IN ONE DAY (please be impressed), and I now had to rip back past the foot, and heel, and gusset, frog half of a repeat of the cable on the cuff, and continue on. One and a half socks.

After that, I wound the yarn (without bothering to steam it this time), and knit knit knit until I finished the gusset on the third attempt. Another half of a sock. That makes two finished socks . Wanna look at that picture again?

I believe I have a pair.

 

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Many More Socks

Since coming to college, I have knit socks, socks, socks. Some are for Christmas, so recipients will not be mentioned!

Hermione's Socks, in Knit Picks Stroll, Sparkle Heather. I think these are some of the most beautiful socks that I have ever made! The stitch looks like beading, and this color is to die for.

Bow Ties Are Cool, in Stroll Scarlet, I think. Not my favorite. I was bored halfway through knitting them, and the arch is too high. I should have known better and knit it shorter, but now I know to follow my instincts next time.

More Upside-Down Leyburns. I'm so glad that I revamped this pattern for top-down. The fit is ten times better (though they are big on me, because they aren't for me),and I love a standard top-down heel flap and toe. I used Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in Cabin Fever. This color and yarn were great, complex without being too much, and very soft. I think it ought to hold up well.

Paul Atwell Socks, in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Fuchsia. I think Peppermint would be a better color name, but I have no complaints about this yarn. It's harder and rounder than the Sockittome, but the semi-solid colors are gorgeously blended. The red is a deeply saturated cherry, and the pink is almost as pale as I think it could be, while still be being considered pink. This pattern is a major yarn-eater, but I love the effect of the slipped stitches. It's similar to the Edwardian Boating Socks. Next time though, I want to stick to my usual toe with decreases every other row. The faster decreases suggested do make a nice rounded toe, but my feet just don't fit in it as we'll.

A crappy picture, but these are men's socks in Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in Tropical Storm. I didn't notice the purple bits until I started knitting, but I think the man in question can live with it. I like the random thin striping on these socks, and I still had plenty of yarn left over.

Currently I'm using some Trekking XXL. I don't love the colors, but the yarn was majorly on sale, and they will still be warm when they are concealed under my boots this winter. Pictures later!

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Christmas in July

Well, in August. I have officially begun my Christmas knitting early, knowing full well that this need to churn out presents won't last, and I had better take advantage of it while it lasts. Here is what I have so far...

3 1/2 pairs of socks. Not too bad, especially considering one pair is a men's 14. I plan on either socks or a hat for each family member, since socks for each would be ambitious on both the knitting and financial front. Here I present to you, Leyburns! In something Knitpicks, ball band lost.

(Recipients will remain anonymous...for now). Rogers! In Knitpicks Multi, Lucky Multi (I think).

(Both modeled by my lovely assistant, Isabelle). Thermal Waffle-y Socks! In Knit Picks Stroll, Fedora.

And finally, reverse-engineered-upside-down-Leyburns! Well, one of a pair. Knitpicks Stroll Multi in Sunset Multi.

In the midst of all of this gift knitting, I managed to pick up some gifts for myself online (not that it was that difficult). Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn!

Supersock in Winterberry, which I think is the coolest yarn name ever.

Super sock in Fuchsia, although I think it is reminiscent of peppermint.

Stockittome in Wild Cherry,

and Stockittome in Tropical Storm. I'm not sure about this one, but it has more purple in person, so the black and blue contrast isn't as strong as the picture shows.

On top of this, I still have more Knitpicks sock yarn in my knitting basket. The sad part? I don't know how long into the school year this will last me! I suppose I will just have to make a trip to Knit One in Pittsburgh once I get there...

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Awesome video

As I become more and more obsessed with lace shawls, it occurred to me that I don't know how to wear one fashionably. This video helped immensely! I highly recommend it.

That moment when...

You email your mom a picture of her finished shawl, and she comments that the picture looks like something "out of those fancy knitting books".

You then reflect on just how many pattern books you must have forced your mother to look at in order for her to be able to reach that conclusion.

You then decide that she is extremely qualified to make that judgement, and then tell yourself for some time just how very right she is.

Cavallo Point

My mom's shawl is done! I used a lighter yarn than called for, but it still blocked out a full shawl and not a shawlette. I hope my mom likes it!

The first and second pictures show the color the best. The yarn is silky soft with and a fantastic color. Actually, it was the only yarn I paid full price for in my order, and it was definitely worth it.

The pattern was a great travel knit. I memorized the pattern on the seventh or eight repeat, and I never tired of it. I was actually going to add a few more repeats since I had more yarn and liked the pattern so much. I followed the pattern in the end, and I would definitely use this pattern again.

Look what the mailman brought!

Ten skeins of yarn and an afternoon of wool winding.

I ordered two skeins of Knit Picks Gloss in Port, four skeins of Shadow in Forest Heather, and four of Alpaca Cloud in Smoke Heather. I see many a lace shawl in my future...once I finish all of these socks!