Kicking Back

These four socks represent the fruits of my winter's knitting labors. I've tried several different sock patterns and by far this one is my favorite! There's quite a bit of stretch in this lace pattern, making the fit good even if the sock is a bit too small or large.

I love being able to have something small and portable I can work on while waiting in doctor's offices or in front of the television in the evening; that way I don't feel like I'm "wasting" time. The next pair will be cantaloupe colored in the same pattern. Twenty-eleven is definitely the year of the sock.

Pair Four

This pair is my favorite so far. The yarn is soft, not too stretchy and is a delicious mint color. The lace pattern was a challenge, but once I got the hang of it wasn't difficult. The fit on this pair is the best, also. My only complaint is that the leg part could have been a bit longer; I did have extra yarn but wasn't sure I would have enough to complete the foot if I knit them further up the ankle.

My next pair is going to be in a pink multi-color using the same pattern (lacy days clouds in Knit Socks!) and I will do an extra inch on the leg. The past 2 Christmases were Years of the Slipper; quite possibly the Christmas of 2011 will be the Year of the Sock.

Felted slippers ready to be wrapped as Christmas gifts.

Socks Appeal

The second pair of socks, which I'll hopefully finish up this weekend. I love the self-patterning yarn, it keeps things interesting because the pattern unfolds as I knit, I never really know what a given section is going to look like.

Yarn: Schoeller Stahl self-patterning sock yarn. Pattern: Classy slip-up on size 0 needles.

Sock it to Me

Technically, 2010 has been the year of the slipper. Although I started in 12/09, I went a bit slipper-happy and made some 10 pairs of felted slippers, thus completely wearing out the fun in that particular pattern.

My goal for 2011 was going to be to learn to knit socks. I've always fancied handmade socks and since I mostly wear clogs, exposing my own, I thought it might be a fun thing to learn. Joe bought me a book on sock knitting and I ordered a bit of yarn. I was ready to go.

Then came the surprise middle-of-the-night admission. Whoa! Nothing was packed, no bag of things to keep me busy and sane. Once again, Joe to the rescue: he brought in my new book and the yarn and I went to town. Since I was only in for a week, I didn't finish the first pair I started, but I did one sock and 2/3 of the second. I finished them up during Sunday afternoon football and now Joe's piggies will be super-cozy. Amazing! They actually look like real socks!

Pattern: simple ribs with 1 skein Northampton jade size 2 needles.

Time to Lighten Up

There must be something to do with either the alignment of the stars, the super-humid weather or a mid-summer slump. Everyone seems to be tense, on edge, and tempers are quick to flare. Instead of dwelling on this and trying to figure it out, I thought I'd ignore the issue completely and post about bamboo.

I found a great yarn that is 100% bamboo - who would have thought? I always imagined anything made from bamboo would be prickly, like wood-- but this fiber is truly amazing. It's soft and silky with a beautiful drape. I bought several skeins on closeout from a website and made a lacy wrap to wear with my plum spaghetti-strap dress, then I made this scarf. The pattern is one I found online, it looks more complex than it is, and I like the openness of the weave. I have several other colors: pink, tan and green, which I'm looking forward to working with. Christmas is only 4 months away and I need to get started!