Sock Woes

This post relects my recent sock challenges.

For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to knit STR-Lightweight with 2.00 mm (US 0) needles. Despite getting the gauge I thought I wanted, these socks will NOT fit the Witty One. They are too tight along his instep.

Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Sock

Designer: Nancy Bush

Source: Knitting Vintage Socks

Yarn: BMFA, STR-LW in Sand

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.0 mm (US 0)

I let my dad try them on, and he said he'd never wear them. He's so sensitive to wool that Mamaw used to line his wool pants when he was a kid.

I haven't completed the toe on the second sock because I may need to rework the length depending on who gets them. Since those are my size 4 feet inside those socks, I'm starting to think a woman with longer feet might appreciate them. Hmmm... I have just the friend in mind...

I really enjoyed knitting the first Winter's Eve sock, but I am not pleased with the way the beads zig zag on the cuff. I spent a long time seeking just the right color for the beads (which look much better in person than in this photo). Unfortunately, the beads which were the color I preferred were a smidge too big. I chose to use them anyway, and now they zig and zag. Argh!

Pattern: Winter's Eve

Designer: Sivia Harding

Source: BMFA, Rockin' Sock Club, Dec. 2006 Kit

Yarn: BMFA, STR - Lightweight in Mustang Sally

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.5 mm (US 1)

As I knit this sock, I kept daydreaming of beaded wristwarmers and beaded gauntlets. Since I have thousands and thousands of beads in my stash, I plan to spend some time this summer matching beads and yarn. I haven't begun my search for patterns, but I just might try my hand at designing a pattern.

OK, it's probably not fair to these socks to include them in my sock woes collection, however I have been unhappy with their lack of durability. I knit them in January, and they are pilling, pilling, pilling. I think the yarn is just not as hardy as my beloved STR.

Pattern: Monkey

Designer: Cookie A.

Source: Knitty

Yarn: Claudia's Hand Painted Fingering in Toast

I have another 2 skeins of Claudia's (in Pistachio) that I've already wound, and there were knots in both skeins! Now I have 4 small balls of yarn. I love Claudia's colorways, but I'm not impressed by her choice of base yarn.

In foodie news, the Witty One and I attended a great dinner at Roy's last night*. Roy and some of his top chefs flew into town to cook their special James Beard dinner for our gastronomic society. Not only was the food delectable, Roy and his chefs served properly sized portions (i.e., small)! My favorite dish was the terrine, however my taste buds delighted in all of the courses. Bravo!!

Have a lovely week!

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

* Actually, through the "magic" of Blogger, my post reflects a publish date of April 29, 2007. Truly, I posted it on April 30, 2007. I couldn't have met Roy on April 28, 2007, because he was in Waikiki opening yet another restaurant. The man is a force!

A Bit More Yarny Goodness

I dug through the drawers and knitting stash to find some of the items I have knit in the last 8 months. Unfortunately, I don't have photos of at least 3 pair of socks that I gave to family and friends. (I'll ask the recipients for photos...)

In September 2006, I saw Cat on Knitty Gritty, and I was inspired to knit her Möbius-shaped scarf. Though I knit the scarf for myself, the Diva has asked me to share it with her (and so it begins...). It does look quite lovely as a head scarf for the Diva. It is a lovely pattern and a quick knit. Best of all, the cashmere yarn is luscious!

Pattern: Möbius Cowl
Designer: Cat Bordhi
Yarn: Hand Maiden 4 Ply Cashmere in Paris

Here is the Diva modeling her Mermaid Mittens that I completed in February or March.

Pattern: Mitten formula

Designer: Ann Budd

Source: The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Soft Rock in Mermaid

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.5 mm (US 1)

I really like this colorway. It has a lovely sheen to it that isn't visible in the photo. I haven't seen this colorway listed on the BMFA site. Does Tina still dye it? I need to find out because I'd love to knit a matching hat and scarf for the Diva.

Though I made a resolution to knit only from my stash in 2007, I promptly broke that commitment during our trip to Los Gatos, California, in mid-January. Naturally, I had to pop into Yarndogs while we were there, and I found Wildfoote yarn! I was able to convince the Witty One that I needed some of this lovely yarn to knit HIM a second pair of socks. He agreed (Did he really have a choice?), so now he is the owner of a second pair of wool socks. I must say, though, that he has yet to wear them, and I finished them in early February!

Pattern: Garter Rib
Designer: Charlene Schurch
Source: Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Brown Sheep Company, Wildfoote in Tom Cat
Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.0 mm (US 0)

I got a kick out of the Diva helping her daddy get into position for the photo shoot.

This will be all for today. Blogger (or my computer) is acting very lazy today, so I think I'll go see what the Diva is up to...

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

No Posting, But Lots of Knitting!

Greetings from Atlanta!

I have been a very busy girl these last several months. I started my new job in early September, and I've been going 100 mph ever since. I am an organizational strategy consultant, and I typically travel each week to work with my clients. As a result, I get a lot of knitting done while flying.

I remain infatuated with socks and sock yarn, and I've knit quite a few goodies during my hiatus from blogging. Unfortunately, I seem to have forgotten to take pictures of all of my goodies. I will strive to do so soon. Until then here is a taste of yarny goodness:

Pattern: Esther
Designer: Stephanie van der Linden
Source: Socken-Kreativ-Liste on Yahoo Groups
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks That Rock - Lightweight in Stonewash
Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.5 mm (US 1)

I LOVE this pattern! Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your exquisite pattern. The picture above does not show how truly beautiful this sock is.

Also, I knit LOTS and LOTS of bibs from the pattern in Ann & Kay's book. I have LOTS more to knit, too. Just in the last month, two friends have given birth to a total of three boys!!! My friend with the twins is doing 4 loads of laundry a day. Poor thing!!!

I wish all of you a happy day!

Cheers,
Deb in Atlanta