Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Cloudy day blues

Blues, simply because I've moved back into my color comfort zone: after all those pinks and reds, I give you blue and green! Not that I didn't love my dip in the warm colors, and I know I'll be back, but it feels like coming home.

Despite my slow start on the cuff, I've been zooming along on the Eleanora socks:

The pattern looks tricky because it's full of charts, but after the decreases at the top, it's just continuing in pattern - detailed textural pattern, sure, but look how nice it looks!

I realize that it's based on a Renaissance sock, but to me it seems more medieval. Maybe wishful thinking, but since I study the Middle Ages, I'm going to keep on thinking that.

At the same time, I'm working on a sort of brainless sock for the BikeJerk. He picked the yarn and the pattern, which is more than he'll usually submit to in the summer - he usually just says he can't think about socks until the fall:

The yarn is Austermann Step, which is enjoyable to work with even if I find myself skeptical that there's really Aloe in there. What are they? Magic? The pattern is very liberally adapted from the Parachute pattern in More Sensational Knitted Socks - I replaced the yarn-overs with make-one-stitchs to make it less lacy, and then found that the written instructions don't make the pictured pattern! The center of the pattern is a double decrease, but the written instructions give the wrong one. So I changed that too. It was a bit frustrating, but I'm calming down. As I should, now that I'm past the heel and just doing ribbing...

And finally, an unsatisfactory picture of some handspun (this is becoming a tradition, no?):

It's alpaca from Spunky Eclectic, in Macaw, spun to fingering weight. It was a dream to spin, and the singles were so even and strong that I could have skipped plying...except that there was altogether too much white. I cannot abide white, so I plied. Still pale, but not white! Whew!

I'm off to contemplate my birthday (this weekend!)! I'm a little worried because it's supposed to be raining on Saturday, which is the annual summer BBQ and birthday party (Tinapalooza is the BikeJerk's name for it, of which I entirely approve), but it's still my birthday, and although I'm past the age where people are supposed to be excited for their birthdays, I love it beyond all other days. Yay!

11 comments:

Carole Knits said...

The Eleanora sock is smashing! Happy almost birthday!

Anonymous said...

Tina! WOW! That first sock photo at the top is fantastic. I love the sort of striped effect with the pattern repeats in between. Excellent yarn choice, too.
Happy Birthday this weekend. We'll work on getting you some clear skies for Saturday.

peaknits said...

The elenora rocks!! I may have to put that on my "to do before I retire" list. The second sock is a nice pick too. The handspun is gorgeous - you have been a busy Tina! Have a grand birthday!!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous socks! Nice job!

Zarzuela said...

Wow! The socks are stunning! Beautiful job. And I love your spinning. It looks great! I'm doing some alpaca now myself, but I'm having a hard time spinning it evenly.

Jessica

Anonymous said...

Wow, those Eleanora's looks beautiful.

Knitterary said...

Those Eleanora socks are incredible! I love the cuffs on them.

Enjoy Tinapalooza!

Sockergirl said...

Nice blue Elenoras, will they be done in time for the birthday bash?

Thanks for the notes on the parashoots. I am curious how you fixed the pattern to work for you..

See you around. :)

Joan said...

That Eleanora is amazing!! Looks so easy (NOT).
Summer is perfect sock knitting weather, isn't it?

Karen said...

The Eleanora socks look amazing! Very Pretty!

Your handspun alpaca looks great too! I hope you have a great birthday this weekend!

Meghann said...

GORGEOUS socks!!! They are just amazing. Happy Birthday!