Morning....I'm Late......Not Enough Coffee.....

I finally have been released from the hellish grips of the Groundhog Day socks! Last night, I decided enough was enough and even though I had extra beige yarn, off the needles they went. This has been one of those knitting projects that I asked myself repeatedly "WHY?????" did I start them.

It was odd, because when they first began, they knit quickly, at least through the foot area. Even turning the heels went pretty quick, and that was considering I am not fond of short row heels (double wraps too). But then when I started the leg......oh dear. Obviously the Universe of Knitting decided I was being punished, and it went slower.......and slower....and slower....

One interesting thing on the yarn and pattern; on the sole of the sock, you can see what the basic stripe would be, which was okay but not overwhelming for me. Yes, I probably would have worn a sock with that stripe.

But with the addition of a very, very simple lace pattern without too many holes (for stability), the yarn coloring becomes transformed into something much more interesting! When I did the first couple of rows after the toes, I was struck with how pretty the coloring was, just because of the addition of a bit of wave.

I apologize for the quality of the photos but, hey---it's morning, I'm still trying to suck in enough coffee to get the internal organs functioning properly and NO, my
contact lens are not in yet......

Now, does anyone really NEED four pictures of their own foot on their blog? Probably not!!! However, after the murderous task of knitting these puppies, here they be.

I don't think they are particularly interesting photos, but perhaps it will be a visual reminder of why I should knit on larger needles, or knit shorter socks.....
Now if I just did not have such long legs to require such long socks, life would be easier, I suppose. :)

Absolutely delicious yarn......

This is yarn to fight over......check out Yarn Exhibitionist for a chance to WIN this skein! Now, if one of my gentle readers wins it, there will be a scuffle as I will *visit* and demand sharing...... ;) ......(ahem!)

Seriously, I love the color and texture and want, want, WANT this!!!

I guess, after art, my passion is knitting, or at least the one at the top of the list at the moment. I used to spin, but had to keep my numerous diversions somewhat under control. So I envy hand spun yarn. There is nothing like the feel of the fiber going between your fingers and thumb, being coaxed into a single ply before your eyes, and then the delight of plying a couple of colors! It's magic, and falls into the dyeing fabric catagory. If I got started I would get nothing else done.

So go over to Yarn Exhibitionist and check out the luscious fiber!

I order you.......now.....no excuses... ;)

And yes, last evening while Iwas taking a breather between projects and a nervous breakdown, I was knitting on the Groundhog Day socks as Leslie so aptly named them! They just go on and on and on and I get no where. Like I am in this sock-hell-loop or something, waiting to get it right. Go figure! Seriously---I knit and knit and knit and there is still yarn left---when will it stop???

And that's the pin-up for the day Kiddies! Drool at will! Just not over your electronic appliances......

Short and sweet........

Should you, gentle readers, be wondering WHY the author of this blog would post a popsicle, it is because that is ME. After an hour plowing snow, I have extremities that don't feel right. In fact, when I came in the house, I had as much snow on ME as I had plowed outside. The Abominable Snowgrump.

I, to put it bluntly, am frozen.

And I have to work, as in sew, so thawing out better be in the cards soon!

Better post tomorrow......when I am warm and fuzzy.

Or at least warm. At my age, fuzzy is frightening. ;)

P.S. I got my small painting I was working on pretty much finished yesterday. And one heel knit into the Jack Sparrows and the second heel probably half way there. WHOOOOOO---HOOOOO!!!! Those will get posted as soon as they are off the needles and on my tootsies!

Sock-It-To-Me

FINALLY.
The Size O needle socks are DONE!!!!!
What sheer joy and relief to get these stinkers off the needles. It seems the socks I like the most are knit on miniscule needle sizes---I think there is something wrong with me. Leslie's socks on her blog are knit on
normal, human sized needles that allow quick progress.
This is the new Coats and Clarks sock yarn; I picked up three balls when I got it to have enough for knee socks. And with the length of my legs, that's a lot of yarn! Had a tiny bit left, so their measuring on the skein is pretty accurate. It knit well, seemed pretty consistent in size and while not super soft it appears to have constructed a good sock and be a good value for the money. If you don't care for stripes, you won't like this; it stripes pretty consistently.
I can't recall if this was recommended for a size 3 needle, or 2, but I would go with a 1 or O for a nice, firm sock that will hold up to wear. This was also the first toe-up I did with the slipped stich heel, which I prefer. All in all, it went okay. Was a bit confusing since I was trying to combine two patterns but each sock that I knit has some sort of lesson and imperfection in it. Also did a picot edge cast off for the top, which now needs some elastic run through it so it doesn't stick out like a ruffle...... >:( ......I did have enough sense to cast off with size 1's, for that extra bit of stretch.
The oddest thing is taking pictures of your own leg, first thing in the morning, when you can't see straight. Or hike the old gam up that high for that matter.
Now to the "Jack Sparrow" sock pattern...........
I need Pirate Socks.........
I really DO..........