Socks and snowflakes

We got our first snowflakes of the season here yesterday. Nothing that stuck around - they were those huge, big, light flakes that fall beautifully from the sky. I loved seeing it, but am also thankful that the real snow is still weeks away. In the meantime I am happily knitting socks. I finished up the winter socks (pics below) and am now working my way through the embossed leaves pattern - these are gorgeous socks. This is a picture of the first sock perched up on the couch; a safe distance from little fingers that love to play with yarn. I think I will make a few pairs of these and keep them on reserve for gifts. They are lovely to look at and lovely to wear. Plus, what a great reason to get some more yarn!

Some observations on socks:

1) Socks are a quick knit, almost instant gratification, but I tend to loose steam after the first one is finished. The second one doesn't seem like a challenge, but at least it gives me a chance to fix any mistakes I made the first time around.

2) Having a second sock means that I am able to redeem myself - for any of the said mistakes in the first sock.

3) Size 0/1/2 needles seemed really small to me at first. Almost like they would snap like toothpicks in my hands. But once I got used to them it is hard to imagine that I ever knit socks on anything larger.

4) I thought it would take forever to knit something on needles that small. And while it does take more time (although not much) it makes a much, much, much nicer sock. The embossed leaves, pictured above, are on size 2.

5) The embossed leaves pattern is also the first time I knit with four dpn's. I've only ever made socks with three needles before. I love how you can fold down four needles for travelling - but it does make the sock more clumsy in my hands to start. It is difficult for me to wrangle all those needles and points in the beginning when trying to join the yarn. Any advice here?

6) Purple. Why are both pairs of recently knit socks shades of purple? I have no idea. None, whatsoever.

7) I love wearing hand knit socks. They are a true pleasure in my life. Self-indulgent? Sure. But I'm not complaining.

Winter Socks

We are almost done! I don't know why it has taken me so long to finish these. Maybe it was the great quilt distraction, but in any event I am determined to complete them! I think that I am going to give my sewing machine a break for a bit and return to the knitting needles to finish up some outstanding projects.

These are a k3p1 rib around the calf and along the top of the foot. The basic sock pattern is from the Ann Budd book. These are going to be comfy and warm by the fire this winter!

Fair Isle Knitting

I love, love, love this hat (second photo here) from zeitgeistyarns. How gorgeous! This makes me want to head to my LYS, redeem my GC and learn some tips on fair isle knitting. How, exactly, do you keep the different color strands from twisting up into eachother?! Any advice from seasoned knitters out there?

This hat is just the right inspriation for me to get going on this.

Ravelry

So I just found ravelry. I signed up for an account (username: attheendofthisrow) a couple of months ago, but really got into it the other night. It is a computer-loving knitters dream! I have entered a few projects so far, but I can see this becoming an obsession for years to come. I haven't started entering my stash yarn yet, but that might actually be a really helpful tool for keeping my yarn purchases in check, and those skeins that literally fall to the back of the closet front-and-center in my thoughts. The queue for 'to do' projects in brilliant too. I used to keep track of my ideas on a paper on my bulletin board, but I never kept enough info.; I always forgot a blog address, or pattern name and so just kept adding new projects. This queue keeps track of it all and the best part is you can link directly to other knitters that have finished projects with that same pattern to keep you motivated!

I also love having the instant feedback from other knitters, including designers. As an example, I posted a message on the pattern forum re: the mystery baby bonnet. Within the day I had received 5 responses that directed me where to go to get a copy of the pattern. I couldn't believe the rapid, and helpful response, I got to my question.