Ann and Kay over at Mason Dixon Knitting are hosting a sock KAL right now, lasting through the end of May. If you can use a little cheering on to finish a neglected sock WIP...or if you've been thinking of casting on for a new pair of socks...well, this is a great time to join in. There are quite a few people knitting their very first socks for this KAL!
Knitting had fallen by the wayside for me since the weather changed. I've been alternating between two states: first, shoulder to the wheel, tackling one necessary chore after another, and second, feeling so exhausted I don't want to move. It's not a good system, and it's not even effective in terms of getting things done, so this week I'm trying to be aware and to pace myself a bit more.
And knit.
I've missed he transition of knitting for a few minutes here and there during the day, or at bedtime; it's very mind-quieting and centering. So Monday night, I pulled out the WIP bag and finished these socks which had been languishing, toeless, for several weeks:
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And today, thinking of making a nice pair of summer socks for the KAL, I decided to kettle-dye a hank of 50/50 merino/tencel. I started the dye process on the stove but then let it go on for hours in a 180F oven while I got on with other things.
When Piper and I returned from errands and an hour-long (huzzah!) walk in the woods, the yarn was ready for a soak in a sudsy basin to remove any unattached dye. That's where it is now. I'll rinse it after evening chores and if it dries overnight, maybe I'll cast on a sock tomorrow.
Here's a funny thing: I want to recreate a pair of socks I made in 2009, but didn't make any notes. I can see what to do for every part except the lace stitch on the leg:
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| SeaSocks |
Maybe I pulled it from a Barbara Walker stitch dictionary; she published several thick volumes, and I've occasionally borrowed one from the library.
Does it look familiar to any of my knitting readers?
It looks like a repeating series of partial discs, at a diagonal.
If you click the caption, it should take you to the ravelry project page and the original image which is much sharper.
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One more piece of fibery news from the MDK blog, which has been one of my favorites for many years. This week Ann and Kay are having a giveaway for a substantial amount of Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere yarn.
'Nuff said?
Good luck!
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Great looking socks! I've only made a couple of pairs myself but I have lots of patterns in my wish-list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carmen! I look forward to seeing pictures of your next socks :)
DeleteBeautiful socks.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I had the thought that if I took sky diving lessons, and did my first jump solo, then I'd be cured of all my fears, no more anxiety. Didn't pursue that though. Now instead, I think knitting socks is the practical and scarier better choice.
I think you are right about that second part! And just as an added incentive for you: there are non-wool sock yarns, and some are "DK weight" which knits up much, much faster than the skinny "sock weight" yarns. The DK socks are thicker, but if you're using non-wool, they won't be hot the way thick wool boot socks would be.
DeleteLet me know if I can advise or assist in any way!
Not that I'm trying to enable, or anything...;)
Thank you Quinn. Next shopping I'll check out non wool yarns.
DeleteOh, I love those blue socks, very much...the ones at the bottom, too. But, I think the golden yarn is probably going to produce my favorite pair on this page! GORGEOUS - XOXO
ReplyDeleteBeautiful socks, both pairs. The stitch pattern looks very familiar but I do not exactly remember where I have seen it. I'm am quite excitedly waiting for your final pics of your dyed yarn.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like the color!
DeleteI do like your blue socks - the pattern is really nice, but they're blue (my favourite colour!). I have to get busy on a pair of socks for DH - he's the only one in the family that hasn't received his pair. By the time I get them done, the rest of the family will start clamoring for a second pair.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find someone who would cook for me in exchange for handknit socks. I can knit a fairly decent sock, but still...I'm pretty sure I'd be getting the better end of that deal ;)
DeletePerhaps the pattern is Waving Lace?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the American Beech photos. I came across a couple in the woods 2 wks ago and was fascinated but hadnt been able to identify what it was. They are way cool!
Glad you liked the beech snaps :)
DeleteThanks for the guess! Have you made Waving Lace? It is a very pretty pattern - I've knit it twice because it was so addictive.
Hi Quinn...while on FB, I tripped over to MD Knitting and saw that lovely cashmere yarn...lovely! I've knitted 1 sock in my life...somehow managed to knit it inside out backwards...a very real talent to be sure! On the needles, a cotton coral tri shawl for summer; perhaps after the last skein is knitted, I'll try socks again.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm wondering if my comment will go thru...on a laptop as the desktop is in shop.
Hey, look at you, all commenting on the blog and everything! ;)
DeleteAlso, I hope you entered the MDK cashmere giveaway!
DeleteQuinn, looking at your beautiful socks made me think of my own adventure with knitting. A neighbor taught me to knit (a little) when I was 10 or 11. I knitted three things: a headband, a Barbie dress (tube with armholes) and a turquoise slipper (yes, *a* slipper - I ran out of steam before I even started the second one!). I keep meaning to give it another try. Maybe next year ...
ReplyDelete