Really Corny

I'm working on a pair of socks, probably a guy gift, although I'm not sure how well these will wear. The yarn is Maizy from Crystal Palace. Can't seem to capture the color, which is more of a taupe than gray as shown.

This yarn is 82% corn fiber and 18% elastic nylon. It's soft, but really splitty and if you drop a stitch, it's unlovely picking it up.

I have two more skeins of this, in white. A pure white is not that easy to find in sock yarn, and that's why I got it, but I'm not looking forward to knitting with it.

And how many times have I tried making socks with two circs??? Quite a few, and I am still stubbornly old fashioned and return to the double points. Just can't seem to stand the dangle and tangle that you get with two circs.

Ravelry!

I'm on Ravelry as of a couple days ago. Haven't had time to get any of my information there; it's a huge black hole (another one) for me.

I don't know yet how to sign up for friends; my Ravelry name is keredding, and I'd love to have a few friends listed. So, be my friend if you're already on Ravelry!

Somehow I just keep thinking of Valentine's Day in grade school...what if I don't get any Valentines???? Or nobody signs up to be my friend on Ravelry? Ouch!

The '50s Convertible - and More Yarn

Yarn: Opal Socken Zirkus (Circus Socks? There are clowns on the label.)

Pattern: My own

Needles: #1 Quicksilver dpns

Comments: The color of these socks just reminds me of the 1950s. I call them convertibles because the tops can be folded down and still look sleek because the stockinette stitch then sits discreetly underneath the ribbing without adding bulk to the ankle area.

The yarn has a Shetland feel and look to it. It's very nice, but also very different from the Shi Bui or Socks that Rock yarn in that it doesn't have the tight twist that they do.


















Speaking of Socks that Rock yarn, somebody in this household was a very bad girl!

Shades of the '50s

Shades of the 1950s when pink and gray or pink and black were so very in.

I'm lovin' the shades in this yarn. But I now look askance at multicolored yarn since I read where hip knitters call some of it "clown barf." Who comes up with this stuff? I'm imagining clowns tossing up polka dots!

Is this clown barf?













This Shi Bui and Regia Silk are way too traditionally colored to be defined by such an irreverent term.












Speaking of irreverence, here's the reason I didn't use the tattoo from the August STR club above my socks. These old legs just ain't so smooth any more.

However, click the photo to take a closer look at the socks. They are so cute, if I do say so myself. I might make these in the white Regia Silk one of these days. Or in the Shi Bui. Or....

Summer of Love Lace Socks - Finished!

Yarn: Socks That Rock "Flower Power"

Pattern: Summer of Love Lace from Rockin' Sock Club August 2007

Needles: #1 Quicksilver dpns

Comments: This is one elegant sock pattern designed by JC Briar. Everything in the pattern flows smoothly, and I plan to make these again!

I followed the pattern exactly this time, but might change the heel next time since I don't use a slip stitch on most of my heels. It makes the socks a bit too bulky for my shoes. I suppose some day when they wear out at that point, I will wish that I had. Still, it seems to me that it would be easier to repair a plain knit stitch heel than a slip stitch. Any experience with this, readers?






And, as always, the yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts is a real treat to work with. It's beautiful, with unique colors, keeps its shape and is very forgiving if you have to frog it.

The only thing I would change about BMFA yarn would be to make the lightweight skeins at least 400 yards instead of 350.

And I must apologize for not blocking these beauties; I simply could not wait to show them off!

Wanted to add the temporary tattoo to my leg; maybe later. Maybe never.

Oops!

After finishing the second lace cuff (shown here), I could see a difference in the two. Apparently I made a slight mistake in the first one and, of course, that throws the whole pattern off!

So I am starting over on the first cuff. If any of you eagle-eyed readers see something else goofy, please let me know soon. I am going to try to get both of them to match and if there are no other problems, I'll move on to the next step.

Patience...

Summer of Love Lace Socks in Progress

I admit, I haven't been one to knit lace socks. They just seem too fussy and, well, a bit holey and not a bit Holy.

But I have been on an anklet kick lately, and when this kit from the Rockin' Sock Club came in the mail, I could not resist.

If you look closely, you will see the double points with the point protectors. That is how I knit this lace edging and then transferred it to the circulars. I know, I could have/should have used the circulars. What was I thinking (or not thinking). I may use them for the remainder of the sock, though.

If you are in the club and haven't started these socks yet, don't wait! They are more fun than I thought they would be and may push me toward knitting lace (egad).







And on the little bag front, I have to sew up the bottoms and felt them and then try to find some really nice ribbon for the closure. I have not yet found a satisfactory ribbon for these. I'm leaning toward satin ribbon

Any suggestions?

Red Anklets - Finished!

Yarn:Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton (41% cotton, 39% wool, 13 Poly, 7% stretch)

Pattern: My own, but I used the short-row heel from Cat Bordhi's video.

Needles: #1 Quicksilver dpns.



Comments: These photos are actually of the same socks. It's amazing how lighting changes colors. The color on left seems more true. I liked Cat's short row heel, once I got the hang of it. It might fit better in my shoes than the flap heel.



But oh my! Have you seen Cat Bordhi's new book? Really, it is quite amazing and I think every sock knitter is going to want one.

This is going to take a bit of time to digest and put into practice. I have some projects ahead of it, but have already started reading it.