Now, Let's See Some Socks!

I thought I submitted a nicely written post about my 13 socks (6.5 pair) from the last 2.5 months, and then ... the computer/Internet gremlins ate the post. ARGH! I will try to rewrite my incredibly witty post, but I fear I may not reach the heights I achieved with the first post. (LOL!)

As you know, I've traveled by many planes, trains, and automobiles during the last 2.5 months. With such time at my disposal, I gleefully have knitted many socks. I failed to take pictures of each sock, however I have a few pictures to share.

I have a favorite pair of socks now. I love, love, love the STR-Lightweight Rose Quartz (http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com) yarn I used for the Child's First Shock in Shell Pattern (http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/Vintage_Socks/). (2 socks total = 1 pair) Though I knit these socks for my mom for Mother's Day, I did not want to release them from my grasp. Thankfully, in my stash lies a second skein of Rose Quartz............

I knit another pair of STR socks for my friend Val. For her birthday in April, she asked for the STR-Lightweight in Mudslide knit in Jeanie Townsend's Cascading Leaves pattern. (4 socks total = 2 pair) I loved the pattern, and I will make another pair using it. The Mudslide was not my favorite colorway. Hey, they'll look good with Val's Danskos though!

Thanks to EvaLux16 (http://evalux16.blogspot.com/), I own(ed) as skein of the infamous 1776 yarn from Fortissima Socka. I knit a pair of teensy socks for my 3-month old neice, but I failed to take a picture. (6 socks total = 3 pair) After seeing those cool socks, the Diva asked for some of her own. (8 socks total = 4 pair) Here they are:



This morning I finished my Fishermen's Socks designed by Moni for the Sockamaniac Sockalong (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sockamaniac_sockalong/). Thanks, Moni , for a great design! I knit these in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Mint colorway on Addi Turbo Size 2.5 mm circulars. (10 socks total = 5 pair) Beautiful!



While in Europe, I knit a pair of Feather and Fan Socks for DD using an adaptation of the pattern for the Sockamaniac Sockalong (see above). (12 socks total = 6 pair) I loved the pattern, but I'm worried about the socks. They are showing wear already. Maybe I should have used smaller needles with the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Happy Valley. Instead of Addi Turbos in 2.5 mm, next time I'll try them in 2.0 mm.



Now, that 13th sock... I knit a great 13th sock as the first of the Cedar Creek Sock pair from the Rockin' Sock Club (http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com and http://sockclubkal.bradandkris.com). Unfortunately, I forgot to take my notes with me to Oregon when I knit away on the 14th sock. Well, er, I knit the heel flap way too long, so now the pair sits on top of my stash. (13 socks total = 6.5 pair) I'll rip that 14th sock next week. Really, I will.

Finally, I joined the Summer of Stash (http://soskal.blogspot.com/), and I promptly learned that my DGM, who is turning 80 in July, wants me to knit her a pair of lace socks in BLACK so that she can wear them under her choir robe at church (where they keep the air conditioning going at full blast). I don't own black wool! My stash has Charcoal in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport and Dark Navy in Regia. Dagnabbit! I've got to use an exception for my Summer of Stash pledge!! The Witty One says it's OK since that's all I'm purchasing. Whew!

Long time, no post. During the last 2.5 months, our family has experienced the highest heights and the lowest lows. We believe we are approaching a middle state, and we seem to be breathing a tad easier now.

The Highs: We traveled to BeNeLux and France in April, and the three of us experienced the quintessential "Trip of a Lifetime!" We exchanged homes with a wonderful family in Gent, Belgium, and we were able to live as locals in their lovely home and city. We were welcomed by their friends and family, and we cherished every moment. We also traveled to meet other new friends in The Netherlands and Luxembourg, and we visited old friends who now live near Waterloo. Oh, and we saw some pretty amazing art, architecture and landscape during the 3-week trip.

The Lowest Low: Upon arriving in Paris the day before The Diva turned 5, we received a message that The Witty One's mother had taken a turn for the worse. (She was diagnosed with Stage 3A lung cancer on January 3.) We discussed the situation and decided that Grandma would want The Diva to enjoy her planned birthday in Paris, so The Witty One made arrangements to return to the U.S. the day after the celebration. The Witty One did make it to Oregon to spend a week with his mom before the cancer in her brain prevented her from knowing the family. She passed in mid-May, and we three returned to Oregon for the memorial service.

Grandma, you will be missed.