Halfway Down the Stairs

I am finally getting around to a pattern I downloaded from last Spring's Sockupied.  This skein of Ruby Sapphire will be the passerine socks (cookie a.).  It actually is cast onto the needles, you just can't tell from this photo.

There is a lot of wishful planning going on here.  I am really off of my pace of last year - 2 pair/month - but things could change!  What do you think of this pretty, pretty Malabrigo?  Madtosh!  I am an idiot.  And lazy.

I have many pairs of socks on the needles.

Here is pair number two from the Cookie A Sock Club.  This pattern is entitled Haleakala Socks- and the pattern came in a straight and twisted version.  I went for the twisted version - look to see this pair finished first.  String Theory Caper Sock (they just put a bunch up at the Loopy Ewe, in case you're interested.  Yummy cashmere sock yarn.)

 This second pair is SKA March Mystery Sock by verybusymonkey.  Look for this pair to take a little longer because I had to wait for clues to be released.  Also, I believe this pattern was intended for solid color yarns, but I like to ignore directions.  The yarn definitely distracts from the very clever pattern, but I like them anyway.

There are two more pair on the needles, but they didn't get posed for their photo.  I'll show those to you later this week.

Pattern:  Gentian by Lisa Stichweh (free Ravelry download) Yarn:  Hazel Knits Artisan Sock Color:  Band is lost - it was a club color Needles:  US 2 - 2.75 mm  Started:  February 25, 2011  Completed:  March 9, 2011

Cliche?  Probably.  Polar opposite of green?  I don't know, I'll have to check a color wheel.

As you may have guessed, given my penchant for knitting socks, I jumped on the Cookie A Sock Club when it was announced.  (I know! Expensive!  I have forgone birthday and mom's day gifts for the year!)  Anyway, the first shipment arrived last week, and the patterns came via email around the same time.  It was a 25 page leaflet that included cookie recipes and two sock patterns (actually, two sock patterns and the second sock pattern had two variations!)  We only received one skein of yarn, some yummy String Theory Caper Sock (in the Solas colorway).  We did get a discount code from String Theory, and I promptly ran off and ordered a second skein of Caper (pictured above - in the Lotus colorway), so I could knit both patterns in Cookie's intended yarn.  Also?  Cashmere.

I have finished the first of the two patterns that I chose to knit:

Ripple Leaf Socks: 

Pattern:  Ripple Leaf Socks by Cookie A   Yarn:  String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Caper Sock  Color:  Solas  Needles:  US 1 1/2 - 2.5 mm  Started:  February 21, 2011  Completed:  March 9, 2011

It's funny to me; when I look at the older, hand-dyed yarn in my stash, to notice how I have gravitated away from the multi-colored yarns.  Don't get me wrong.  I am still happily knitting away with my variegated and self-striping yarns.  But I have some serious love for these shaded, single-color skeins.

And really, how could I resist a color named after a colorful cocktail.

Pink Squirrel anyone?

Yarntini MCN sock.  80/10/10 merino/cashmere/nylon, 420 yards.  www.yarntini.net

Maybe it's the needle size after so many socks on size #1s.  Maybe it's the slipperiness of the Addi needles.  It has taken me forever to get this far on this project.  However, I believe it still qualifies as a WIP!

I've taken to setting myself a goal of ___ inches, then I can knit some socks.

This is the Evergreen Vest by Deborah Newton:

This is from Interweave Knits Winter 2010.  I am making some changes to the pattern - mostly I am leaving the pockets off and I am going to lengthen it a little bit.

Should I show you an FO, or some pretty yarn, or the latest WIP?

All right, FO it is.

Pattern:  Nuppy Diamonds by Chrissy Gardiner Yarn:  Yarntini Variegated Sock Color:  Cosmopolitan Needles:  US 4 - 3.5 mm  Started:  January 21, 2011  Completed:  February 24, 2011

Note:  My first two pair of socks for 2011 took forever to finish.  I don't know why.  I'm already halfway through my second two pair.  Part of it might be the quantity of purling in this particular pattern.  They are finally done, and I love them.  I noticed a lack of pink socks in my sock drawer.  I know that I knit with plenty of pink, where do they all go?  I am suspecting my nieces of sneaking all the pink out of the sock basket.  Well, these are mine.  No sock basket for these!  Oh, and this pattern is part of the Indie Socks CSK - so this pattern will not be available to the public until July.




In the meantime, It's been hockey all the time  (watching) over here.  The Wild are hanging on, barely, but they've been fun to watch this year.  The high school is trying to battle their way into the State Tourney and the Gophers are trying to look like a good team.  Still, hockey seems to be the only option this year if you want to see your team win once in a while.