It seems my default knitting, at least these days, is socks. And while the knitting itself might not be completely thrilling in the moment, I end up with hand-knit socks, which is a definite yay!
I think I finally realized that the reason I probably sound so ho-hum about so many projects lately is just that I haven’t really had any challenging (other than perhaps challenging my endurance) projects in over a year now, since before A was born. I’ve had a couple that weren’t the simplest, but they were hats. Small projects that, even with setbacks, didn’t really count as challenging because they were so short-lived. Maybe if there were more of them, they’d add up to … challenging (apparently I need a thesaurus today), but since there were really just one or two, they didn’t count.
I’m ready to get back to some projects that tease the mind, that engage my brain! And I think I know at least one thing I’m going to do to accomplish that. But first, here are those socks.
These Blue Latte socks (as I call them) were begun in desperation. We were on a road trip, and in my restraint I’d only packed yarn and needles to cast on for a pair of simple socks. But the yarn and needles, in combination, were disastrous. This yarn, which I’ve now attempted half a dozen pattern and stitch count combinations with, pools in a way that drives me completely bonkers. I can’t stand it. No idea what I’m going to do with it. But that’s a story for a different day. So anyway, after being stuck most of the way to our destination without knitting, after attempting everything I could with what I had for that aggravating yarn, I went straightaway to buy more cooperative sock yarn once we’d reached our destination. But this yarn seemed like it needed a pattern, not just plain, so I cast on for the pattern I’d most recently completed, since I’d retained it in my head well enough to get going.
So that’s how I ended up making these socks — using a pattern I’d already made, which is quite rare for me. They’re good socks. But let me tell you, fourth sock syndrome makes second sock syndrome look like a weenie.
Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks A good, simple, pattern, but I’m not likely to make again, at least not any time soon.
Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX in cadet colors
Notes: 64 stitches, star toe; photos are pre-blocking
These are just basic socks, but they’re still fun, I think. I didn’t think attempting a pattern with this bold a yarn would be smart, or worth my time. Mostly stripes, but with a few waves/scallops thrown in. Vibrant and fun!
Pattern: Um, just a basic sock. I calculated for the stitch counts, but this is in my head.
Yarn: Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett in exotic ember
Notes: I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of stripes.
What have you been working on lately?
Head over to FO Fridays and Fiber Arts Fridays to see what other people are up to in the fibery world today!
