Noro.....a Rainbow on the Needles...

......and a pip to knit, being one of their one ply types, but gosh, the color is worth the trouble. I did not even try to bother with color correcting the pics; the shades are so luminous that I don't know where to start. Truly, the color is much more intense than pictured. The yarn is beautiful in person.....no other company can compete with it. I have lusted after their yarns for ages, but cost always held me back. It is not inexpensive.
I remember the first article I read about it, the photos of the fibers being readied for carding, the Japanese asthetic in color blending. I was in love; L-U-V!!!
And fairly broke, so, no Noro for me.
However......finally, years later, Simply Socks has a SALE (the magic words for any woman!). And Noro was on SALE.

Okay, fess up time. I bought this at half price, have two other balls in different colors, will no doubt use them for socks too....just not now. I want to see how these wear. I chose ribbing for the back panel and kept the lace on the front; I wasn't sure about long term strength. And the lace has a lot of yarn overs, which are thin is some areas......me visualizing the worst, a thread breaks.....things unravel...I unravel!

Spinners know the travails of one ply; it twists back upon itself in thin areas. When I spun, mine was always over twisted and I had all these little knotty messes. I only had a few with the commercial yarn but you still can't be harsh--it has to be handled carefully. I think, though, after a good wash that they should be fine. 100% wool, so minor felting should occur, thus locking the fibers. (just nod your head *yes* and agree with the crazy lady with the sharp needles)

I have a bamboo blend yarn on the needles now and it has NO give what so ever. All I can say is it is soft. Have doubts about the amount of ease when finished.
This is my "sitting on the couch behaving" work. By December, I should have enough socks knit for ten centipedes. Even centipedes with my size feet...nervous energy put to good use. And the stash diminishing. Well, not that much but I can see yarn I forgot I bought, and now wonder WHY.......
The best part is when I get to knit socks from the leftovers. I like those the best--all mixed colors and solids and quirky! Like I need help in that department. HA!
So that's my contribution to the creative end of the gene-pool today; at least for the most part my legs didn't show...... ;-) Thank heaven I didn't have to post the "pasty leg alert" this time!
Have a good one and someday maybe I'll share my little cussing-fit story of doing that picot edge from the toe up. (totally backwards---it is much easier when doing cuff down! like you're supposed to)
I bid you warmth, good yarn, and above all else....

Pax.

A link for mini Christmas ornament stockings:

http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/free_knitting_patterns/2007/06/knitted_mini_ch.html

An easy way to learn without lots of committment of money and time......

Fun With The On Line Studio Tour And Another Welcome!

Good morning everyone!
I was going to go without a photo today (posted last evening from DHs computer) but decided to share another of the sunrise pics...in fact, the sun is not even up here yet!
I had to mention how much fun the on line Open Studio Tour was, how I could have spent much, much more time at each blog or website and how I have noticed that it has connected more of us! I have a WELCOME this morning for another new follower, Janet Happy Girl! Like my header says, sometimes a miracle happens Janet, and I actually get to post some ART! LOL!!! Or I post pictures of my parakeets, and that's when I am desperate for blog fodder! (though I noticed you are a *birdy person* too!)
It has been fun seeing more of us connect, more people have their blogs visited, just more GOOD out there.
I wish I could say I had a favorite from the studio tour, but I liked different things for different reasons...I guess the one thing that was so encouraging was seeing how many artists are recycling furniture and other items to meet their creative needs, and putting their real efforts (and cash!) into their arts. I was struck by the good and inventive use of articles that normally would go into a landfill to serve as holders, storage, etc. I think, even if a lot of the country hasn't caught on, Artsy people know the value of reuse. We are, officially (because I say so!) trendsetters! We knew that, of course. ;-)
I had to give myself some down time yesterday and am still knitting the Noro socks, but they are soooooo close to done. That has been like knitting a rainbow. Plus it's feet up, off the hip, snooze on the couch, and it's a win-win situation though it gauls me that I'm not going at my usual 100 MPH pace.......grrrrrrrrr........oh well, sometimes one has to give in.
Anyway, congrats to all of you who put studios up on your blog and welcomed us in, and thanks to those of you who came to visit us; it really means a lot!
Now I'm off to see what mischief I can find for the day. Hope you all have a productive time and enjoy the new friends you have found!
I bid you.....

Pax.