Today is the parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. I was in the Capitol last April but missed all the blossoms because of dreary weather. I've had this Sundara sock yarn since then (offered as a special anniversary release of her popular "Cherry Blossom" colourway) and am happy to use it finally for some short socks. I'm reserving half of the skein for a sweet baby knit.
Thor had a dental cleaning today! Operation fresh breath complete. I came down with the flu on Friday and haven't made it out of bed since. This is bad stuff. I *think* I might be able to go in to work tomorrow, if I don't lose a lung in my sleep. Meanwhile, goofy dog and pre-plague knitting...
Sea Wool Fleece Artist Sock Yarn
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Uptown Boot Sock-in-Progress for Andy
= Quality Lunch Hour
This weekend showed a glimpse of Spring in New England--longer, warmer days...nevermind that it may not reach 20F tomorrow.
On Saturday my first installment of Sunshine Yarns 2007 Sock Club arrived! Dani was inspired by farmers' market produce to create this color named "Fresh." A nice preview of the vegetables I am looking forward to this growing season. It feels great to support a local artisan (and super to get a surprise yarn package in the mail).
I'm also very fortunate this year to be able to split a coveted Appleton Farms CSA Share. Starts in June!
In the meantime, anyone have suggestions on a pattern for Fresh socks?
p.s. Still no entries on the button contest. Don't be shy, I'll feed you yarn!
Uptown Boot Socks
Pattern by: Jennifer L. Appleby
Interweave Knits Winter 2003
(also in "Favorite Socks" book released by Interweave 2-2007)
Yarn: Fyberspates Bluefaced Leicester Sock Yarn
Needles: US2
Notes: I finished these easily within a week. I used one skein of handyed BFL almost in its entirety and loved every minute of this yarn. It's thicker than fingering, so not appropriate for every sock project. Very spongey and seems more sturdy than merino even though it is atleast as soft. Well-written pattern. I enjoyed the all-over cable pattern and think I've stumbled on the key to future *pairs* of socks. The pattern must be easily memorized with a bit of activity to ward of SSS.
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I actually knit more garments than socks but sweaters are more difficult to photograph. Here's a sneak peek of a cardigan I am currently knitting.
Maybe I'll catch some photos of my finished sweaters in the wild while I'm in the White Mountains this weekend. I even have Monday off!
Yarn: Sock Hop Handspun Superwash Merino x2skeins
Color: Good Vibrations
Needles: US1 dpns
Pattern: FA ballband pattern modified for tall socs
Notes: I finished these socks yesterday...started them on my trip to AZ in December but set them aside for schoolwork. I have a fair amount left over, so I will make kneehighs the next time (American Pie in the stash) but these are custom length for my calf-high green fluevog boots. Handspun rocks!
The first sock of this pair spent a long time languishing with the other single socks (and mere cuffs) in the drawer until I needed something to help me procrastinate on my final exam paper even further. I finished them last night and wore them to sleep!
Yarn: Alchemy Sanctuary x2 in Dragon (70% silk, 30% wool)
Needles: US2 bamboo dpn
Pattern: Fish Tale Socks by Marilyn Webster for Alchemy
Comments: These will be wonderful to lounge around in but will disintegrate if I try to wear them too often in shoes out in the world. I didn't alternate skeins so the two socks are distinctly different handpainted shades of the same colourway. My first short row heels & toes--I like how the process of knitting doesn't get interrupted by gusset/flapping but I'll have to try it again with regular sock yarn to see if I prefer it for workday socks. The patterning is fun, especially for heavier socks.
Sock Hop Tall Socks
The green sock knitalong has arrived conveniently on the heels of my "green period."
I'll eventually get around to photographing/documenting my 2006 knits including the completed Central Park Hoodie and the Sienna Cardigan, which I have a hard time not wearing every day.
For now I'll leave you with a view of my socks-in progress drawer.
