June Showers Bring More Flowers

So while I continue to acclimate to this strange summer weather, I take consolation in two things. The heat, humidity and rain that keep me indoors are tempered by the air conditioner Mommy bought me during her recent visit. And said inclement weather allows me to sit in said air conditioning and knit in unsaid comfort. And thus my Esther socks are finished!

Though my insatiable need for socks is not letting up, I am concentrating on other projects as well. Not only is the Be My Love/Monogram pillow almost finished, I am also making headway on Arietta and the Black Project. And I've been doing a lot of staring at the Icosa Ball Pillow. A lot of staring. Perhaps if I stare at it long enough it will knit itself? Or the elves will come knit it during the night? (It is made of sock yarn...) Or perhaps it's just a motivational tool. Regardless, I'm feeling the need to get back to it. Which means I am trying to set some boundaries for the socks. No new socks until one current sock is completed. And if any current socks are missing mates I must also cast on for the second sock.

Fortunately, over the weekend I not only finished Esther but also sock one of Marie Antoinette (pictures coming soon). Being a good rule follower, I immediately cast on for the second Embossed Leaves sock.

I am pretty pleased with my Esther socks. Once again I worked some blocking magic and transformed this

to this.
And here is the photo shoot:

Esther Socks by Stephanie van der Linden
US size 10
Needle size: US 2/2.75 mm
Yarn: Sundara Sock
Colorway: Pale Sky over Sugared Violet

Mods:
toe-up with Judy’s Magic Cast On
Short row heel
Picot Edge (as pattern) EZ sewn bind off

Oh, and did I mention I also cast on for Django?

Rude Awakening

A couple of days ago I got a PM from my sock sensei, Laura, letting me know that Cookie A's Ornette Sock pattern was finally on sale. "When," she wanted to know "was I casting on?" Somewhere between Cookie A's website and a glance at my bank balance I had the cruel realization that it was time to finish up what I had started before starting something new. How adult of me! But it's true. I currently have 16 WIPs and a snoozer to contend with.

The (seven) sock WIPs in alphabetical particular order:

Toe-Up Crusoe (Ravelry Link)

Dublin Bay (Ravelry Link)


Esther (Ravelry Link)

Flame Wave (Ravelry Link)

Marie Antoinette (Ravelry Link)

And lest we forget, the second sock of Monkey (Ravelry Link)

and Embossed Leaves (Ravelry Link)


Lucky for me, it appears Laura was mistaken. The pattern hasn't actually been released yet (though there are lots of test knitters.) There's still time!

Sockdown 2008

I'm antsy. I'm bored. I'm antsy and bored at the same time. Is it startitis? Is it pre-Pesach nerves; split between wanting to knit every waking moment because I won't be able to for 8 days and knowing I should not be knitting because I have cleaning to do? Perhaps it is that I want all my WIPs finished up but I want something new and exciting even more?

Well, I have a plan. Sockdown 2008.

I plan on knitting up 7 pairs of socks. Each pair from a different yarn company. Each pair with a different, unique colorway. Each pair with a pattern I hope will do the yarn justice. Some I have decided on a pattern for and for some I am still pouring over pattern books and stitch dictionaries.

The Contenders:
Hand Maiden Casbah
Right now this is the favorite. You may remember that I used it for my Oriel socks and that I am using it again for my Marigold socks. And that I am in love with it.

Here are the newest progress shots, taken this afternoon.

Sundara Yarn's Sock Yarn.

I'm using it for my Esther socks.

But I think it also deserves a second pair. Since I decided to try and convert this to toe-up (I say try because I am just on the foot section so far and haven't yet tackled the heel and gusset,) I wanted to keep to the pattern repeats as written. Which means I used bigger needles. And though Sundara recommends up to 2.75 mm needles, I don't I am creating a dense enough fabric. Since I won't really be wearing these out of the house I am not too concerned but I'd like to give the yarn a fair chance and see what I can do when knit to a tighter gauge, using smaller needles, like 2.5 mm. I have 4 other skeins of this wondrous stuff, but the two that are speaking to me right now are these:

Grape over Grey Violet, which I think would make a nice pair of Gentleman's Sock with Lozenge Pattern (Nancy Bush, Knitting Vintage Socks) or Sky (pattern still to be determined.)

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock
I have several colorways in my stash and have yet to use them, with the exception of small amounts for baby and wee tiny socks. I'm planning on using the Georgetown colorway for Pomatomus someday. But for Sockdown 2008, it's all about the Devon.

This is the thinnest yarn I have and calls for a 2.0 mm needle. But I did a bit of swatching on 2.25 mm needles and was happy with the fabric it created. And with my big feet, wider that I realized feet, it's a cast on of a whopping 100 stitches for the pattern I have decided on, Ribbed Lace (eight-stitch pattern) from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks.)

Blue Moon Fibers: Socks that Rock, Lightweight
STR may not be a new comer to Tante J, but I like the way it knits up and I have a couple of ideas kicking around. Like Bartholomew's Tantalizing Socks for the multi-color Lucy (Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters, from which I have poured over many times but have yet to knit something from.)

Shibui Knits Sock Yarn
I love the way this feels in my hands as I work on New Roommate's Icosa Ball (ya, gotta get back to that!) And I want that on my feet. This exciting colorway is Spectrum, and it's been in my stash about six months. I love it but want to do it justice. And now I know what it wants to be. A pair of Cookie A's Monkey Socks.

Definitely. Monkeys.

And finally.

Zen Yarn Gardens Squooshy Yarn in Velvet Rose.
I loved this when I first bought it and then I sort of forgot about it. Poor, poor, pretty yarn. What does it want to be? Suggestions?

Of course I will be working on these socks simultaneously. What fun would it be otherwise. And as I progress, I'll keep you up to date on the pros and cons of the yarns and their chosen patterns.

What a Difference the Sun Makes

So I didn't make it to the either the pond or the library today, but I did go for a bit of a walk. The weather didn't really deliver, but tomorrow promises to be a lovely 69° so I hope it works out. I did get some nice progress shots though.

You may have noticed that my picture quality has gone down since the big move. I've yet to find a room with really good lighting like I had at the old place. That in itself is quite amusing since with the exception of the front room where I kept my stash and took my photos, that place was quite dark and dreary. My bedroom should be letting in lots of sunshine but there is an issue with blinds at present: they'll go up but getting them back down again is close to impossible. DId I mention my room faces the street? Yes, I'll be keeping them down for now. So wasn't I pleased with today's weather and the opportunity to finally get in some good shots in natural light.

Here's Esther. I'm using 2.75mm needles which may be a tad big for this yarn (although Sundara recommends 2-2.75mm.) I could have gone down to 2.5 but converting this to toe-up may prove to be a bit daunting so working out the placement of stitches with the extra repeat just seemed too much. I have heard that the yarn just gets better and better with washing and it is lovely to work with. It's just this seems to be my most uneven stitch work. Ever.

As usual I am doing two at a time but because of the toe up doubts I wanted to do some of the pattern work on one sock before I started the other. So now I am playing a bit of catch up but as soon as they are both at the same point, its ML 2 at a time.

And Marigold. I'm loving it. The cashmerey softness of the Casbah is just intoxicating. And look, no pooling! Oh, Casbah, how do I love thee?

And again, second toe catch up then back to 2 at a time.

Tomorrow there will something new, though you've seen it before ;), and no, it isn't socks! But for now I'll leave you with some sock love.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

At long last, I believe Spring is here. I've seen the buds, I've seen the blossoms, on the trees and in the vases.

This was our table's centerpiece from Sunday night's wedding. I do love hydrangeas. New Roommate's mother graciously let me take it home. The colors were perfect for my room, pale blue walls with butter yellow curtains.

Tomorrow promises to be a lovely day, with a high of 62, and I plan on taking a walk to soak in the sunshine. It's about time to sign up for my library card and perhaps I'll take a walk around the lovely pond.

I've also been finding spring inspiration in my sock pattern and yarn choices. I've restarted *Esther, converting it to a toe-up pattern. I've never taken on such an undertaking so wish me luck!

And since my fingers are already missing the Casbah, I just cast on a new pair of socks, this time using the Dandelion colorway.

With a little knitting magic, they will grow into a lovely pair of Marigolds.

*This is a German speaking Yahoo group and you must join the group to access the pattern - however this, and many other wonderful patterns, is available in both English and German.

The Small and Large of It

I would call the Wee Tiny Sock Swap of 2008 a great success, as far as I am concerned. I received a lovely email from Vicki saying that she received and loved her little socks. Yes, socks, in the plural. Since I couldn't really decide which to send, I sent them both. With a nice little postcard of a 1920's Cloche I picked up in Victoria & Albert museum's Art Deco exhibition in 2003. Today I received my very own Wee Tiny Sock from Suzanne. It's adorable! It's made with Socks that Rock in Peaseblossom.

Can't you just see the fairy's flapping their wings around Bottom in Titania's forest bower?

My Oriel socks are almost done! I guess I miscalculated when I said I'd do two or three more pattern repeats. One was all it took. All that's left now is the ribbing and if I really hustle, I could have these ready in time for Shabbos! If not, I'll finish them up tomorrow night. Either way pics should by posted by Monday. And Sunday is New Roommate's wedding! She went back to her parents house last night so the next time I see her it will be in her wedding gown. I can't wait!

This sockitis thing is really serious. I have so many projects to do work on and I just want to knit socks. Even before I finish the Oriel socks I've cast on for a new pair. I am very excited. You see I've wanted to make the Esther socks by Stephanie van der Linden for a while.

I was just waiting for the perfect yarn. And my fingers have been itching to cast on with some of my Sundara yarn.


And I'm thinking this is going to be a perfect match.