Basic Socks - Wild Yarns

I love self-striping yarn. I especially love it in socks. I change colors without having to carry several strands of yarn or weaving in ends along the sides of the sock. I have also fallen in love with this yarn.  It is Diversity from Plymouth Yarn and it comes in wonderful colors. I usually don't go for acrylic yarns, but I had to make an exception for this one. The feel is super soft and the colors are vibrant.  This color is called Violets, but I also purchased the yarn in Denim and Zebra.  I am working on the Zebra now, which is gray, white and black.

I decided not to match up the stripes from one sock to the other which is why you see two different socks of the same colors. But because with these bright colors, it just didn't seem to matter.

With self-striping yarns, I usually don't do a lace or rib pattern. A pattern seems to take away from the stripes -- or the stripes seem to take away from the pattern -- I'm not sure which it is.  Besides, this is what I work on while I take the train to work. I don't have to think about the pattern; I just knit away. My train ride is about 35 minutes, so I can get quite a bit done on the way to and from work. So stay with the basics.

I have been knitting all my life (I learned when I was 4 or 5 years old), so I am very comfortable with double pointed needles. It makes my project more compact on the train as well. Can you imagine my circular needles flaying all over the place on the train? I could poke someone's eye out!

I am working on writing up my basic sock pattern and will be posting it tomorrow. I know there are about a thousand patterns for basic socks out there, so you can use any one you want. Because of that, my pattern will be free.

Back to the needles.

Call it Mellow Yellow

Yes, I finally finished my yellow socks and I love them. Remember, this was the pair that I frogged (July 30, 2013) last month. The lace ribbing makes them fit nicely, and I love the whispers of orange popping up throughout the pattern. (Yes, Amber, this is the yellow yarn you bought for me.) I just wish it was cold enough to wear socks again. I do wear socks all year round, but I spend most of the summer in sandals, looking longingly at the weather reports for the first sights of snow -- or even a good cold front.

So I wear yellow on my feet. I don't care if my calves look jaundice. The lace pattern is called Sweetie Pie (check it out on Ravelry). However, I didn't follow the pattern once I calculated the number of stitches involved in the pattern.

Truthfully, I haven't followed a sock pattern itself in years. I'll do the lace pattern and I will even chart it out. There seems to be a poll going on Ravelry or my Yahoo groups and chat rooms about whether written patterns or charts are better.  I have the answer: Both. It shouldn't even be a contest. If you like the pattern and it is not in the method you prefer, buck up and make it work. Although I like the visual simplicity of a chart better than the written word, I never shy away from a written pattern. I will create my own chart as I working on a written pattern if I need to.

Knitting is a zen experience. It is my method of meditation, a path to my happy place. Don't let the fact you can't read a chart or you can't knit continental stop you from enjoying it. I always have several projects going because sometimes I am in the mood to concentrate on a pattern and  learn something new, and other times, I just want to knit a mile a minute.

Meanwhile, I am working on my next pair of socks.  I love these colors!

Back to the needles.

Neko won't sing "Soft Kitty" to me

What? You're sick? You still can't have my couch.

I am home sick with some kind of sinus thing. I had a fever most of last night because it is normal this morning. Now I would have thought that Neko would have loved to cuddle up to me when my temperature is 100.6. It would be like sleeping in the sunshine, right? But no, Neko's campaign of ignoring me continues.

As he gets older, I seem to be less and less important in his life. He still sits on Ken's chest when Ken is in his easy chair and purrs and purrs. It's almost embarrassing. No -- it is embarrassing for both of them. Ken, who was never a fan of cats until I forced his to get Neko, coos at him and speaks sweet nothings into fuzzy little ears. Honestly, Ken, people are starting to talk.

I don't care how hot your finger is,
I still am not going to kiss it.

It's not like I want Neko to sing "Soft Kitty" to me (yes I am a fan of the Big Bang Theory), but I thought he would have some sympathy for me in my hours of sniffling, coughing, and sneezing, but it is more obvious than ever that my purpose in his life is to (1) keep his food dish happy and (2) keep his litter box clean.

It occurs to me that if Neko was a human male, I would never put up with this abuse. But he still has my heart. Alas.

Someday, I hope to get a cat.

Sick? Big deal. Where's my lunch?

When the Horse Heads Back to the Stable

Now you are probably wondering what a horse heading back to the stable has to do with knitting, and in particular, knitting socks. Just hold on and you'll see my "logic."

Have you ever gone horseback riding? I talking about when you are on vacation and take the kids on the horseback riding experience. You are put on a lovely mare, usually named Misty or Betsy, who is 'very gentle.' The trail guide gives you some insight into her personality, saying things like, "She needs to know you are in control" or "Don't give her any extra rein or she'll take advantage of it." As you struggle up the trail, trying to keep the reins tight enough so Misty can't nibble the grass along the side, you wonder if this was a good idea.

Then you come to the end of the trail and it is time to turn around. Suddenly Misty is filled with energy. Her step is livelier and her head is higher. It takes half the time to get back to the stable because she just can't move fast enough. You try to slow her down a bit because you are afraid you might fall off her back. She can't wait to get back to her trough of oats. All too soon, the adventure is over.


As I was finishing my gray socks last night, I thought about Misty and her race back to the stable. That's kind of how I finish socks. I don't think I have ever not finished the toe of a sock in one sitting. Once I see the stable (or in my case, the end of the sock), I get my second wind and have to finish it then and there. I can't put those last rows down for any reason. If I can't finish the toe in one sitting, I don't even start.

By the way, the pattern is on Ravelry
at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gilly-socks

So last night, it was 10:30 and I needed to decide if I wanted to complete the sock. However, I got a whiff of the stable and I had to go. My stitches were livelier and my head was high, and I can't move fast enough. I am afraid to slow down because I might fall off (hmm, maybe I am afraid my stitches would fall off instead).

I guess that would make the kitchener stitch my trough of oats.

Back to the needles.

The Yellow Pair of Socks is History

These yellow socks will soon become history. It appears that I don't have enough yarn to finish both socks. I am about to frog the sock and start over. Now before you feel bad for me, please don't. I don't really like the lace pattern anyway. The leg part bags and I just don't feel that they would fit right.

I started to watch the ball of yarn go done dramatically fast, leading me to believe that maybe I wouldn't have enough. So I stopped on Sock 1 just before the toes and started Sock 2. I only finished about half the leg and decided to call it.

I love the color, so I am going to start over with another pattern -- maybe more of a rib pattern than a lace. I haven't decided yet.

The good news is that the green pair are a complete hit. They are just snug enough without being tight and I love the lacy pattern. Now all I need is some cooler weather so I can wear them.

Well, back to the needles -- and the ripping.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Several years ago -- I think in the late 1970's -- there was a fad of 'doing your colors.' You would be draped with a variety of fabrics around your face (without makeup) and see the effects of this color on your skin.  Then you would categorized as a Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. I have mine done back then, and discovered a couple of interesting facts.

First, I should just live in purple, which I think I already do. Look in my closet and you will see the entire range of purples from Barely Lavender to Deep Wine. Scattered in is also a variety of blues and blacks, with some reds and pinks. One of the ways to determine your colors is to look at your closet and see what colors you are most comfortable in. There is some theory that we all know what is best for us. If that was true, my life wouldn't be ruled by chocolate.

Secondly, I discovered the color that was lacking in my closet: any shade of yellow. I saw what happened to my skin tones when anything with a yellow tone was put next to my skin. My face turned that same ugly yellow cast. It didn't matter if it was a lime green, peach, or orange (noticing a lot of references to food in my color descriptions. I must be hungry), I look like I am beginning to suffer from liver failure.

But I really love the color yellow. I even have a couple of pieces of yellow in my closet. And that is where they stay. I might put those sweaters or t-shirts on occasionally, but within minutes I end up hanging them back up, and putting on my Colorado Rockies purple t-shirt.

So what can I do? Easy -- make socks! Feet are a long way from my face and I don't care if my feet look a little jaundice. So here are my green socks. I just finished my lacy green socks and I am casting on my yellow socks (yes, Amber, I am finally making socks from that neon yellow yarn you got for me.) Stay tuned to see the socks as they go along.

Back to the needles.

Time for Socks

It has been so hard to get back to writing on my blog since I went back to work. Therefore, it is even harder to keep up on my knitting. Even my kitty looks at me wondering where I am all day -- not that he treats me any better when I get home.

I am knitting during my lunch hour at work, so I have been taking small projects along every day. I was working on a hat, but somehow, I just can't get into it right now. While at home, I want to work on sweaters. I have three different sweaters going right now, but I just can't deal with all that wool on my lap. So I pulled out my sock needles.

Now, one of the things that I don't need is more socks. I always tell people that I haven't purchased a pair of socks in 20 years, but I have spent more on socks than anyone they know. A couple of years ago, I was knitting socks like crazy, and my stash still contained the yarn for about 50 more pairs. About half of the stash I inherited from my Mom and sister-in-law, but I still have lots and lots of sock yarn of my own.

Of my 30+ pairs of socks I have knitted, this one is my favorite. I took the front Celtic pattern from one of Barbara Walkers' pattern book and built the rest of the sock with plain stockinette. I think I made this pair about five years ago. It is one of those patterns that you have to pay attention to while you are knitting, but during the quiet lunch hour, that shouldn't be a problem.

So today, I am putting my sweaters aside until the weather cools off a bit. Colorado has been so hot lately that being outside is not pleasant at all. I will get back to doing some socks in some unusual colors.  More to come.

Back to the needles.

When Does It Get Too Hot to Knit?

The entire western part of the United States is suffering with one of the worst heat waves in history. Temperatures were close to 100 degrees yesterday and there are places west of us that have even higher temperatures. Since we don't have air conditioning, it is really miserable. We used to have summers here in Colorado in the 80's with an occasional 90 degree day in mid-summer. Now we have more and more days in the 90's and the lack of air conditioning is becoming more apparent. And like I have mentioned before -- I really, really hate hot weather.

So what to knit on days like this? Usually I can handle hats or socks because they don't cover my lap while I knit. However, I have this overwhelming desire to knit sweaters right now. I am working on a blue hoodie in a worsted that I want to work on, but I can't stand the idea of it on my lap -- the sweater is done and I am working on the hood so there is a lot sweater below.

So what should I work on when all I want to work on is heavy sweaters? I have an entire room full of yarn downstairs begging to handled, so maybe I need to go look for some sock yarn and a fun pattern. Hopefully that will get me inspired. In the meantime, come on snow!

The February Sweater is Done!

Yes, it's done, but with temperatures in the 90's, I will not be able to wear it for a few months. I wish I could have made it about six inches longer because the sweater ends right in the middle of my hips -- not exactly the best place to end.  Once I finished the casting off, I had about four yards of red yarn left. 

Although it looks okay on me, I have to admit that if I tried this sweater on in a store, I probably would not have bought it. It is a little too bulky for an already bulky figure. But I love the color and I look good in red. 

I was ready to start on a project with some of the yarn I purchased at the Wool Festival, but as I was looking for some needles in my craft room, I ran across a sweater I started a couple of years ago. I was overcome with the desire to finish it. It is already about 75% done, so it would be a short term project. I am working on it, even though I still won't be able to wear it until the fall. I think I will put a hood on it too because I have plenty of yarn.

Back to the needles.

Hello My New Yarn and Welcome to my Stash

Last week was the Estes Park Wool Festival in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado at the foot of Rocky Mountain National Park. I know lots of people go to see the llamas, alpacas, rabbits, sheep and goats, but I straight go to the vendors' barn.

The dark blue and green variegated yarn is a worsted that I am going to use to make a  hoodie sweater. The grayish blue is a wool and silk blend, and is going to be used to make a lacy pullover. The dark pink is also a wool and silk blend and will become a lacy shawl. The bright blue lace yarn is probably going to be a scarf. I just loved the color so much that I had to buy it.

This year, my husband Ken came with me and we met up with some friends, Eric and Margaret and their baby Oscar. Eric has been my son Dane's best friend since grade school, so I have always called him my 'third son.' I guess that make Oscar my pseudo-grandson, and he is just adorable!  Margaret is the knitter so we touched and pawed and stroked yarn all day. Margaret is into making baby sweaters. Go figure! I go through the entire barn before I purchase anything, I brought three patterns along that I want to make. Now I just have to find the time to actually do the knitting.


As much as the new yarn is calling me to start, I vow to finish my teal shawl before I cast on more sweaters. Considering it is in the '90's, and it is only June, I have lots of time to finish them.