Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Close, But No Cigars

The title refers to my race with the Falling in Love socks. It’s sort of a silly self imposed challenge that I could finish my hand spun socks made from Spunky’s April fiber club before I received the fiber for May. Well folks, I was thisclose to making it. As a matter of fact I had just started the ribbing when I got the package in the mail. Oh well, at least I got my first pair of socks made from my own handspun which is the reason that I wanted to learn to spin in the first place. Well that and the best enabling buddy I’ve ever had. *begin flashback* It was a Friday, I was surfing the net minding my own business when she IM’s me a link to these socks in all there craftastic glory. I vowed on that day that I would one day make a pair of socks using my own unique handspun and the rest is history *end flashback* . Without further a due, The socks that describe my relationship with spinning…

Falling In Love Socks

Pattern by Anniken Allis

Started: May 8th

Finished: May 24th

Yarn: My own handspun (yay)

And look at that, they’re fraternal. Gotta love it. I ended up doing Maia's heel which I now will use for all my toe up socks. It was a lot of note taking but I think it was well worth it.

I tried to not immediately cast on for another pair of socks so I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary. Not really out of the ordinary because it seems to be spreading through the blogisphere like Monkeys but as Maribel would say, I’ve crossed over to the dark side.

Since you already know I’m a sheep, it was either crochet some granny squares or a ripple. I chose the latter. It will be a baby blanket eventually but I think I may have to put it on snooze for a bit. I was going full speed ahead when I started but somewhere along the line I lost steam. Plus, crochet eats up yarn like a mofo. Now I realize why acrylic is the number one choice. I’m using Caron’s Simply Soft which is my absolute favorite acrylic yarn. This blanket will eventually be donated to the charity knitting circle at my job so I’ll only work on it when I’m there.

In the meantime, guess what? I cast on for another sock and not just any sock but a Jaywalker. And not just any Jaywalker but my very first Jaywalker. I don’t know what I was waiting for but I can see how this pattern can become very addictive. I casted on around lunch time today and here’s where I was this evening around seven.

I love knitting this sock. I purposely chose some yarn that’s been languishing in my stash for quite a while. I don’t know what I was thinking when I chose these colors but they really are not something I would normally choose but they seem to be coming along great. By the way, the yarn is Regia just in case you were wondering. I’m sure I’ll be done with this one in no time. I may steal Nancy’s idea and do a poll for what socks I should cast on next (even though she called me dirty names). It is the Summer of Socks after all.

Well that’s all. Oh wait, I have done a little spinning. Here’s a lone skein that I spun up due to idle hands.

I received the roving from a swap with Faith. I don’t have any specs on it at the moment but I’ll let you know as soon as I do. I should be updating my shop this Friday so keep a look out for that too. When I do, I’ll add my hand picked items to the side bar of this blog. And while you’re there, you should check out Allena’s shop also. She’s planning some great stuff for her shop and I can’t wait to see her ideas come to life.

Happy Knitting

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your Falling In Love Socks. Handspun socks are so great. And, I am so excited to see that you used my heel. Awesome!

The yarn for the Jaywalkers is great too. I am an earth tone grrl though. It works very well with the pattern.

I am trying to resist the crochet mania. It is getting harder every day.

Vera said...

Knitting, crocheting, spinning. You are busy, and everything is looking great.

Anonymous said...

The socks are beautiful...and that heel is perfect.

You go on those Jaywalkers (I have yet to make a pair!).

LOVE the ripple--I really want to learn how to crochet, so many knitters are doing both & I love it.

WandaWoman said...

The falling in love socks are just gorgeous! Out of your own handspun too, beautiful! Those new socks are looking good too, that's Regia Patch Antik, a line that came out about 3-4 years ago. I know b/c I have some and knitted up socks from it.

Shameka said...

The falling in love socks are wonderful. I am not too far behind you, although I have to give you the speed knitting title. I am about to finish my heel, after having to frog it to fix a mistake. I like those Jaywalkers too. I am torn now, because now I don't know what sock to make next. I bought sock yarn for a specific pattern and now you are messing with my head. You are a bad influence Chante. Who gave you permission to confuse me with pretty patterns? When are we ever going to finish our sweaters with this sockpalooza that we have going on???

Nancy Wetmore-Mathews said...

Love those Falling in Love socks and your Jaywalkers are beautiful although I've sworn to never make them again.

Glad to see you outed yourself. That ripple is even prettier in person and Caron Simply Soft is my favorite acrylic too.

Hey when you cross over to the dark side you have to expect some name calling;)

margene said...

Your socks turned out beautifully! I haven't yet broken into my handspun but your socks inspire!

LaBean said...

YAY Handspun socks! Ain't it cool? And Jaywalkers are the bomb too. It's one of the best patterns(if not THE best) for using up the striping/jacquard yarns.. and I've got a crapload of those...

The handspun is nice. I need to get back in the spin of things.. Have you heard of the Spun Stitches KAL? Email me about it.

Deborah said...

Oooh la la!

Anonymous said...

Why is it that my bloglines just alerted me to your post. So, I'm your best enabling buddy, huh? I bet you tell all of us that! Lol. I love your socks. I love the fact that they are in your own handspun at that too! Ugh, I wonder if I'll ever cast on for the mate to mine. I knew you would love the Jaywalker, once I got it going, it flew off the needles. It's like mindless stockinette with a twist. I think the yarn choice works great! Aw, you joined the ripple mania huh. I haven't worked on my ripple since I was at your house. I'll prolly wont' work on it again until I return. Tomorrow I will post the earrings you and I collaborated on. I wear them everyday!

Faith said...

Hm, that yarn looks almost the exact color of baby mice! Not what I had in mind- so lovely though! It looks so fluffy plied.

Maribel said...

wow...someone was bold to come out and admit to the world that the crocheter was you. We still love you..but I didn't like making those jaywalkers, more power to you.

HPNY KNITS said...

i like your spun yarn. nice soft color!

theShizzKnit said...

Your socks are fab! I am making a pair of Jaywalkers right now too.

theShizzKnit said...

oh and ty for the B&N info :)

Knitting Ewe said...

I am in total awe - you knit a whole pair of socks from your own handspund yarn! "I'm not worthy- I'm not worthy!" Congrats!

juuli said...

I love your handspun!