FO: Circle Socks

It's been a while since I've made a pair of socks.  This is an odd thing since most of my yarn stash is sock yarn.  I should probably make more socks.

They are still my go-to for travel projects.  If I have a long train journey in store and I'll be hiking around a bit then I always have a pair on the needles.  It's much easier than having a adult-sized sweater shoved in my bag while walking hill and dale.  

I made these for a guy-friend who is generous and gregarious.  He's had us over for dinner more times than I'm comfortable with before making a grand gesture of thanks.  So here they are:  a pair of socks that he can wear with his crocs while out back brewing beer.

I started a basic toe-up, two at a time sock while on the train to Exmouth last month.  When I got to the heel I tried something new:  Fleegle's No-flap-no-hassle sock.  I really liked the heel it made- smooth and flat- and once that was done, I chose a pattern to compete the cuff- the Circle Sock, modified to work with my sport-weight yarn and stitch count.   It's a simple slip-stitch pattern that adds a little bulk and texture to the cuff.

I'm modeling them here, so they are much bigger than my foot.  I used a skein of Online Supersock Murano color, and they do look a bit like Venetian glass.   Except they are wool and sock-shaped.  Even though I don't know the recipient's dressing habits intimately, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't wear handknit socks with shoes, but he does keep a cold house and a no-shoes policy, so I think these will nicely fit the bill for house socks.  Sport weight yarn is a bit thick to shove into shoes, but they make a cushy and warm house sock.  It's also very durable- the superwash wool/nylon blend means this will last a good long while.  They aren't precious at all.

FO: Honey Cowl

Meow.

Ages ago, I fell in love with a skein of yarn. It's called "Kitten" from Tess Designer Yarns up in Portland. Cashmere Silk blends are easy to fall in love with. Ethereally soft, shiny and slinky with a gentle bloom, with lovely hand-dyed colors. I couldn't justify a splurge and I had to walk away just after petting until "friends" stepped in and dragged me away with my heels firmly digging up furrows of mud behind me.

So when a friend sent me a special care package with a skein of Kitten, I somehow managed to swoon and squeal with delight at the exact same moment. Epic.

What to do with this 325 yards of pure love and joy and happiness?

A honey cowl!

I felt that with yarn this special needs to be kept close, with no risk of it sliding off your neck to be tromped upon on the Metro, or forgotten draped across the back of a seat at the movie theater. A cowl with a simple stitch pattern was called for: it won't go anywhere.

I cast on 220 stitches and knit till the yarn was gone. It's lovely. It reminds me of said friend everywhere and anywhere I take it. It can be worn as one giant loop, or doubled up when it's particularly dreary out for a bit more warmth.

I will wear it always.

FO: Wayfarer Scarf

Wait...I'm a knitter?

Yes.

All the way from my home state came two skeins of organic merino.

Not all merino is created equal. This is the best I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Swans Island has amazing yarns. Soft, bouncy, itch-free, and warm. It's exactly what I want in a wool yarn. The price tag is higher than the medical marijuana users there, but who could resist the most delightful of raspberry pink colors? I, for one, could not.

I cast on for the Wayfarer scarf, a basic but classic Jared Flood pattern.

It alternates between lots of garter stitch and an undulating slip-stitch pattern. Not the most exciting thing to knit, but I love the way this yarn made the slipped stitches pop, and I was comforted at the ease at which this worked up.

It's snuggly warm and I actually look forward to going out on cold days because I get to wear this.

I made mine a tad longer than written since I had the yardage, and I just love the way it drapes as I give it the multi-wrap treatment. After several wears, there is not a pill to be plucked. If I didn't choose such a shockingly femme pink, this pattern would be totally appropriate for a man's scarf as well.