July 31, 2008

sock fashion show

In no particular order, I give you...

alice in wonderland, originally uploaded by alicethelma.
...my first pair of kneesocks which is getting lots of hits on flickr. I was even invited to join the beautiful socks group. What an honor!
Alice did get a little bit of pitch on the socks but we had a lot of fun. At the same session, I modeled the waving lace socks and while I'm not crazy about my feet, I have come to accept them.
I think I was the only person down at the pool wearing socks but I got to show them off right?


Earlier this month, I finished the self-titled river rock socks which are based on the pattern spring forward.
Unfortunately, the pattern can't be distinguished too clearly from the colors of the yarn, but I plan on remaking this pattern in a solid (in fact I already am). It looks complex but it's actually fairly easy. And don't get me wrong. This is a great merino wool and I would use it again in a heartbeat.


And way back in June, I started, and finished the lovely embossed leaves socks. 
A joy to knit, they took me about a week start to finish.

The yarn, called "Jitterbug" from Colinette is sublime. I think merino wool is my favorite and this particular merino was so soft and spongy in a lovely and irregularly dyed shade of pink that it just made the entire knitting experience simply fabulous.


We're off to Last Thursday. Ciao!

July 27, 2008

one more for the road


grizzly spring forward socks, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Yep. I started another pair of socks the other day. These are the pattern called spring forward and the same pattern I used for the river rock socks. The yarn is Essential in Inca Gold Tweed from the stash.

Well I have to admit that I'm getting pretty close to tapped out on socks although I did take time out today to go kayaking on Timothy Lake. I do promise a fashion show of all the completed socks of summer before July is finished. Oh yeah and here is a photo of the finished green leaf sock that I mentioned the other day.

When I finished the sock at knitting nite, Adrienne asked "What's that? A kid's sock?" In my zeal to conserve yarn, I did go a little overboard. Thinking it would fit Alice, it turned out child sized - maybe big enough to fit a five year old. I'm going to finish them anyway. And maybe, just maybe, make another pair for Alice. The embossed leaves pattern is so much fun. tee hee.

July 20, 2008

fickle


waving lace socks, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

yes I know. I'm addicted and I simply couldn't resist casting on another pair of socks. This sock is coming along rapidly and even tho' it's not a yarn I'm particularly fond of, the pattern is a lot of fun. The sock in the photo represents one day's progress.

(Note: the undulating rib sock has been scrapped and is now history.)

I'll show you what happened to the green leaf socks as soon as I can get the color right. I'm taking more care in matching the colors, or maybe just being more anal about it.

July 16, 2008

Still not sick of socks


green leaf socks, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

There are a few reasons that I'm stuck on socks these days. Beautiful patterns for one such as the lovely (and easy) embossed leaves from the book Favorite Socks pictured above.

Secondly, socks are small and in this hot weather that makes a big difference. When it's 90 degrees, you don't want a thick wool blanket or sweater on your lap (although I'm srsly jonesing to make a sweater soon).

Finally, there's the economics. Being on a budget these days, I'm trying not to spend any money on yarn. And even if I am tempted, socks are a smaller investement than say, a sweater. So far I've been using a lot of sock yarn from my stash, starting and stopping different socks and always hoping (and praying) that I have enough.

See if I don't come away with some yarn tonight.

July 12, 2008

the sock days of summer


socks of summer, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Yesterday I finished the knee socks for Alice (center) and that makes three pair in one month and seven pair for the year so far. I'm right on schedule! Not bad. Socks really do make fun (and addicting) knitting projects for summer.

Not one to bask in the glory for long, I quickly cast on for the undulating rib sock but I'm not so sure about this pattern...I can't decide if I like it or not. Luckily I used yarn from my stash which will eventually become socks for a deserving sister in one form or another.



Well that was yesterday. Today I went berry picking.

July 5, 2008

the bradster


silly bradley, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Celebrate goodtimes...c'mon.

Fourth of July Dinner, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

You may recognize my sister's table from Thanksgiving. It's a place of big family gatherings and yesterday we surrounded the table again for an Independence Day barbeque dinner. Today we celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary and tomorrow Alice and I are heading back to Washington. Our two weeks in California are up. We'll enjoy the rest of the summer in the PNW.