It's not like I am over the bug, but I did manage to get these socks knit and off the needles! And that calls for a big WHOOPEE in my book, because when you're as tall as I am, with a size 10 clodhopper and waaaaay too long from heel to knee, well, knee socks are a great investment of knitting time.
I have to apologize for the background but I knew I could not hoist my legs in the air against the usual black backdrop and make it look all nice and professional. I was doing good to get both legs off the ground for this shot! LOL!!! (and yes, there was some perspective adjustment so it would not look stranger than it does....)I had snagged two balls of Lion Brand Yarn last year at a discount store, $1.50 per skein. It is not my favorite for socks because it pills and I like all wool, or at least mostly wool, but $3.00 for hand knit knee socks won out. Yes, it was thicker than what I like. Yes, it's really BRIGHT. But still, $3.00. So I knit.
And knit.
And knit.
And knit some more, tried them on (I do toe up so I can gauge if they are going to be knee socks or not) and discovered I had a long way to go. A very long way.
Knit, knit, knit. Knit......knit......knit........
They were beginning to look like they would serve adequately for an adult giraffe! So after one last try-on, I said to heck with it and bound off the ribbing. This is a basic lace pattern that was free online, I think it is Bell Lace and designed for the Lion Brand yarn, but I knit with about two needle sizes smaller because the first two pair I knit flopped and grew when washed.
They definitely would fit a giraffe, and they weren't even knee socks.
So now to my nice stash of merino and nylon, and the fern pattern that I have wanted to knit for a long time....except they are on size 2 needles and I'm not sure I can see what I'm doing right now.
And I'm knitting toe up, and changing a few things; they won't be the clog socks because they will have short row heels......
You know, they may look nothing like the picture I have so admired! Oh well, that is sock knitting season at Chateau Lockard! Surprises abound!
Have a safe and happy Labor Day and if you're grilling out, think of me. Oh, for a home grilled burger........ <:-( .......yum........
Pax.
P.S. Last evening I did get the toes knit for the fern pattern sock. On the size 2 needles. The knit seems looser than what I am accustomed to, so we might be going down a size. Or maybe I should wait till one row of the lace pattern and see what happens.....I don't want floppy socks, especially out of GOOD yarn!
And I still don't think it will be a studio day today, though if I have to endure one more day of TV I am sure I will lose what is left of this thing I call a mind..... ;-)
20 comments:
Oh, these red, hand-knit (or shall I say 'self-knit??) socks are just the thing! They are fabulous. Glad you still have your sense of humor!
Anne - who taught you how to knit and sew? You are amazing. I love your new red socks, and being a tall person myself, feel your pain on knee socks that hit mid-calf. :) Keep knitting and resting! Feel better - xox Pam
Gayle----the socks pretty well are the color of my temper at the moment; tired of sick, tired of trying to keep up with the house and had *computer issues* this a.m.
Then I discover my reasonably new expensive sheets went through the wash and came out with spots of color missing.
It's gonna be one of THOSE days.....humor is all I have left!
XXOO!!!
Anne
Pam,
My grandmother taught me sewing basics, I almost flunked home ec in high school due to *expressing my disgust* with bad sewing techniques and ugly patterns (see, things haven't changed!), and the rest I learned from books. Tailoring, couture sewing, etc. Found good older books and just applied what it said.
The knitting I can say I taught myself. Mom tried, but she really couldn't knit. And I wanted to....bad. Again, books, which accounts for the slowness of my work, because I throw yarn as opposed to picking it for each stitch. Tried to relearn---nada.
And I love being tall other than kneesocks.....then I am wishing the height was distributed a bit different! LOL! Of course, that would look odd, eh? ;)
XXOO!!!
Anne
Wow!..what a great pattern, Anne!...they are wonderful...color and all!
How talented you are...afraid my knitting abilities remain only scarves! lol! and, boy..do i ever love doing scarves!...the new fancy yarns are so fun..and big needles...even plain knitting looks great..
its good that you had your socks to work on, during this time..
I bet the merino wool will be gorgeous...
I wish i was tall....Miss 5ft 2 here! lol!
gypsy
Everyone wishes they were tall till they have to buy clothes....you can always shorten. But when everything is too short in the first place....well....<:)
Yarn is sooo tempting! I have too much, love socks, love sock yarn. Bad combo.
The ones I'm working on now will be shorter, believe me!
And still fighting about sending the fabric back. They state they want a 25% restocking fee....I don't think so. I will turn it over to the CC company and let them fight it out. See if I hear back from them sometime tomorrow.
What a day....
And I love your new pic---are you going to use it? Sorry, the day you sent it I was too sick to do anything but deal with the blog.
XXOO!!!
Anne
Anne - you are a productive lady ...
take care - watch Jerry Lewis!
Teri.......I think I'll just iron sheets instead!!! :)
Or at least get the bed put back together...
XXOO!!!
Anne
Love the socks!!! Red is my favorite colour and chartreuse. You're talented. I learned to crochet in girl scouts (too long ago) and never made anything except a snow cap for my little brother...it doesn't snow here, but he wore it till he out grew it a week later!! LOL Just keep that "meanes" going, that's what helps me when I'm sick...I hate it and the disease knows it too!!!! You go now!!!!!!
Anne...You knit socks in a few days???? I love the pattern and the color.
Takes me weeks, if not months to do a pair. The pattern I use is rib down and I'm always afraid I'll run out before the toes are done. I need to start working on a new pair, I wear wool year around, and the ones I have are wearing out!
Oh yeah, I have a bad case of *Meanies* today, and at least I am somewhat productive!
When I get too nice, it's the couch and the new socks.......
You need to knit socks Georgina...I bet you'd swear so loud I could hear you up here!
Take care!!!
XXOO!!
Anne
Vicki, you need to try the toe up, on two needles, where they both are knit at the same time. It's hard at first, but then it is the BEST thing you could have learned! I love it and do as many as I can that way.
This was *big* yarn, thus, they went faster, and I had a lot of time to knit.......more so than normal.
Am working with some merino/nylon mix from JoAnns right now. Soft, not bad.
We need a Knit and Bitch day.....
XXOO!!!!
Anne
Isn't it funny how sometimes we wait til we are sick and on bed rest to try something funky and new? My sister is an avid knitter. I've not found a patience or groove for it yet though my heart desires to make an irish sweater again one day. I love your socks.. very funky, loud, sexy. Well done friend, well done. Tammy.... who really really hopes your feeling better. I slept in until 12:30 today from it all... ugh.
I knit one irish sweater and it was a gift.
NEVER AGAIN!!!
I think that's why I like socks; fun, as easy or hard as you want, not quick but little committment and reasonable to make moneywise.
I've a done a ton of work today, so I am better, but now I'm worn out and ready for lunch and the couch! HA! We're on opposite schedules. :) But hey, whatever works!
Can't wait to wear them with my Doc Martins and a shorter skirt and black tights!!!
Take Care!!!
XXOO!!!
Anne
Your socks look fantastic, and will keep you warm in the colder weather. Hope you are feeling better, so you can get back to your artwork. Nice that you were able to sit and knit, and accomplish a beautiful pair of socks.
Hey... I love your sox & guess what?? We are fellow "giants"!! I am 5'11" & I wear a 10 shoe too!!
My Daddy always said "you have to have a large foundation for a tall building"!! LOL!!
Hugs,
Marilyn
xxoo
Hi Bunny,
Those sock are very warm--it was humid when I took the pics and I thought I would have a fit before I could get them off! But I love hand knit socks for winter---so much nicer than what you can buy here, which are basically summer socks in winter colors....DUH.
Working on another pair with a diffeent lace pattern and a finer guage. They're doing okay too!
XXOO!!
Anne
Hey Mayilyn!
We're just a whole lotta woman to love!!!! That's what I always say!
When I was young, thin, and had no wrinkles, I used to model, both on ramp and for photography clubs (decent stuff!). I had so much fun!
The only thing I hate about size 10 shoes is trying to find something I like in the size.
And yes, I still wear really high heels. I don't care! ;)
XXOO!!
Anne
Great socks, LOVE, LOVE LOVE the colour. I see that non-sock knitters just don't get it still. Feel better, you!
Leslie, they are wonderful, but they are going to be for cold weather.
One day I was at the Dr. office waiting to check in (last Fall) and this guy comes in, looks ar my socks and says "WOW! Great socks!" Told him I knit them. He was blown away---"No kidding?! Those are beautiful!!!"
It's funny sometimes the reactions you get; I was wearing them with a dress and heels and they really looked sharp!
XXOO!!
Anne
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