Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Big yellow orb

The oddest thing happened today. The marine layer burned back, and lo and behold, there in the sky was a giant blazing orb. I was so busy trying to figure out what all those shadows were out in the yard that it took me a few minutes to realize the ramifications of orb appearance, but I got there. Yarn photos!

First, the socks I've been working on.
I've finished the first one, and promptly cast on for the second (this is my hard and fast rule for avoiding second sock syndrome). I haven't gotten too far with the second, due to a distraction of which I will soon apprise you, but I will.
I absolutely adore the fabric of these socks. The hand is drapey and heavy, in the most wonderful way. I made them on the tighter side so they wouldn't sag.
They're knitted out of South West Trading Company Bamboo yarn, using size 2.5 needles. The pattern is Lacy Cable Socks, from Veronik Avery's book Knitting 24/7, which I really quite love. I am not finding this pattern as memorizable as I might (this is not surprising, given my issues with chart memorization), but I quite like the results; I should mention that I modified the pattern (of course) to be smaller, using only three repeats instead of four.

I bought two balls of yarn to knit these socks, knowing in my heart that 250 yards of yarn really was enough for a pair of socks for my (smallish) feet, but worried nevertheless that I'd run out. When I finished the first sock, I weighed it and weighed the yarn that was left in the ball, and saw that I would, indeed, have enough (plus a titch more). So I wondered what I might do with that second ball of yarn (note that returning it to the store didn't even really cross my mind; am I the only one with this problem?). I was wondering along when Anne told me she'd just finished this beauty. (Remember how I said that she is a font of temptation? See why I said that?) The petite size takes 275 yards, each ball of this yarn is 250, and I should have some leftover from that second sock, so, throwing caution to the wind, I cast on.
I'm almost done with the lace part at the bottom. I'm hoping I'll have enough yarn; I'm pretty sure I will, but it'll be a photo finish for sure.
That middle bit just charms me to pieces (as such things often do). The best bit is that once I get done with the lace (tonight), it's on to the garter stitch section, just in time for tomorrow's long fieldwork day up in Tehachapi; with luck, I'll know before I drive home whether I've got enough yarn or not. Keep your fingers crossed for me, OK?

17 comments:

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Great socks - such a pretty pattern

twinsetellen said...

Very nice sock - but it is the shawl that makes my fingers itch to knit it. I will try to do so vicariously until I get a couple of things off the needles - please show lots of progress photos!

Jane said...

What a lovely colour. We've had that yellow thing in the sky for about a week or so, we are beginning to get used to it

Lori said...

You're in blue mode! And such pretty shades of blue, too. I looked at my rav friends page before coming here and you had a flurry of blue projects. Must be because you missed the blue skies. Have a great trip to Tehachapi!

Laurie said...

Love the sock pattern, and the blue yarn really makes it stand out. Glad you have sun!

PammieJR said...

Those socks ROCK!

Nana Sadie said...

I wish I were as fast as you are! Geesh, I've barely got 2 rows of the first chart done on Les Abeilles!

(the socks are scrumptious, too, so now I'm off to look for that book)
Hope your trip is uneventful - especially with regards to the remaining yarn!
(((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

Love those socks. What a beautiful pattern. They look like fun to knit. The shawlette is going to be gorgeous too. Just happened onto your blog - am enjoying it!

Rachel said...

Lovely! I adore the color of this yarn and love your sock and the lace of the shawlette.

If you are worried you will not have enough yarn you can switch the garter to stockinette (my personal preference) or reverse stockinette which eat less yarn than garter - just an idea.

EGunn said...

That orb can be dazzling, can't it? I'm glad it obliged you with a picture-taking opportunity, though.

The socks look wonderful, as does the shawlette. I wonder if they'll make a good matched pair? I'll keep my fingers crossed for sufficient yarnage.

Mary Lou said...

Return yarn? What a shocking idea. Maybe exchange yarn... nice socks. And you are a speed demon with the lace.

staci said...

Your socks and shawl are lovely! That color is gorgeous!

mskazooli said...

OMGoodness, I hesitated clicking on the link for that "pretty thing" and then thought, oh, what the heck and you are KNITTING what I have been trying to resist all week. I have no resistance left. . . I may join you. . . please, ignore the other 8 WIP's. . . SIGH. . .

AlisonH said...

I love those blues, and the lace pattern just flows beautifully. Dancing socks! And a shawlette to match. Cool!

Gwen said...

Fingers crossed. (I'll read the next post, and maybe find out if it's enough. Oh, the drama!)

What a good use of the sun - knitting photos! I'm amazed the sun came out when you were actually able to take advantage of the Light.

RobinH said...

Those socks are utterly gorgeous! Perfect marriage of pattern and yarn. (The shawl is very pretty, but I'm less susceptible to them!)

Lynne said...

Hello - I'm back in Blogland!

The socks are gorgeous!