Socktober or Bust
I did it! Socks for Socktober are finished! Smith is one happy man. It was touch and go, right down to the last minute, so to speak, but the socks are ready to wear. They look great, feel great, but were not great to knit. The main reason was the metal DPNs and my habit of keeping a tight grip on the needles. My arms ached for hours after the finish line, but a good stretch put them back in the pink. (I love that website!) I'll also be destashing my set of metal DPNs and buying another set or two of bamboo...bamboo, I love you.
Smith is now a fan of medium weight STR and he thinks the Tigers Eye colorway made very cool lookin' socks, too. (Too bad he wasn't around for the photo shoot.)
In a delusional state I had hoped to finish the Pretty in Pink Portrait Scarf by November 1st. From the way things are going, it's unlikely it will be finished by the end of the year. Slippery yarn on metal needles (circular) makes a fiddly process. Originally, I thought the smaller sections of the scarf needed to be knit on DPNs, but Jocelyn, in a comment, thought the whole project would work on circs...she was right. The lace has enough give to fit around the circular, however, the only 16" circulars I have are Addis...and it's working, just slow.slow.slow.
Speaking of the end of the year...after NaKniSweMo and the finish of Scoop du Jour, there are a few items in my queue I'd like to work on in December. Mostly lace shawls (yes plural) and a sock. But, to start next year off fresh I'd like to finish up anything hanging around. Now, I'm of the mind that if I stop knitting, and don't get back to it, the project should be frogged or finished and not languish for longer than a few months. That means the second Strawberry Fields handspun sock must be finished...off the needles, right away. It is the only thing left hanging, its time has come!
Worthy goals, hard to accomplish. Perhaps you inspire me to set goals in the first place!
Posted by: Laurie | October 30, 2007 at 04:21 AM
The socks look great! I wish I only had one thing hanging around on my needles. I would love to finish what I have by the new year but I just don't see it happening.
Posted by: Kelly | October 30, 2007 at 04:28 AM
Smith's socks are wonderful. Did you get the entire pair out of one skein?
Posted by: Carole | October 30, 2007 at 04:44 AM
I really need to adopt the knit or rip attitude for my WIP's. I'd have 3 pairs of new socks that way- and they're so close to finishing too! Never realized that Portrait was a knitted lace tube.
Posted by: Manise | October 30, 2007 at 04:45 AM
"...to start next year off fresh..." Yikes! It's just around the corner, isn't it?
Smith's socks look great! Congrats on a successful Socktoberfest!
Posted by: Vicki | October 30, 2007 at 05:15 AM
My colleague is a little ahead of you, and I can tell you that the plodding pace will be worth it. It's a gorgeous piece.
Posted by: Jocelyn | October 30, 2007 at 05:21 AM
Only one project?! Wow. I should finish up the things that await only one thing or two and start the year with a clean slate.... here's to hoping! I'm impressed by you... truly. One?!
Posted by: bellamoden | October 30, 2007 at 06:07 AM
Terrific. You get so much accomplished. Give yourself a big pat on the back.
Posted by: Judy | October 30, 2007 at 06:09 AM
gorgeous socks!! how did oct get away from me with out any?? oh yeah, um i guess i got my nov/oct mixed up - so much for NaKniSweMo - well maybe I can squeeze in a pair between here and then!
Posted by: margaux | October 30, 2007 at 06:19 AM
ERP! It is almost the end of the year. What happened to it? You'll get it all done. The pink fluff looks amazing. Are you doing knit unto others again?
Posted by: Stacey | October 30, 2007 at 06:38 AM
I love those socks....SF. Smiths are cute too but I am just a sucker for those colors!
Posted by: Kathleen | October 30, 2007 at 06:40 AM
Great guy-socks! That's exactly what I do for the men in my family: 2x2 rib, extended down the instep! And thank you for saving me some money on metal dpn's...guess I won't be buying those! Love me my bamboos (Crystal Palace are my faves, Plymouth next). Would that I only had one UFO in my closet!
Posted by: Marcia Cooke | October 30, 2007 at 06:44 AM
Talking about the end of the year. It's making wonder what happened to 2007???
Posted by: Amy Boogie | October 30, 2007 at 06:48 AM
The socks turned out fabulous! You are very virtuous to set such a high standard for UFOs... my role model in fact. I am paring down the number steadily, though.
Posted by: Birdsong | October 30, 2007 at 07:09 AM
Smith is a lucky guy...those are great socks! Oh my, you are already looking towards the end of the year and I still can't get my mind around the fact that summer is over...eek!
Posted by: Kim | October 30, 2007 at 07:30 AM
I really should knit John a pair of socks. Smith's look great!
Posted by: Wool Winder | October 30, 2007 at 07:32 AM
Smith must be very happy to have his socks done. I'm sure he loves them. And the portrait scarf may be going slow, but it's sure pretty!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | October 30, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Great sox photo! I'm on my 6th WIP since July and it's so great to have all those FO's and free needles!
Posted by: Nancy J | October 30, 2007 at 07:51 AM
The socks look great. I am sure that they will be well worn.
The strawberry fields sock is so pretty. Hurry up and get the next one done so you can wear them. ;)
Good luck with your goals.
Posted by: Tonia | October 30, 2007 at 08:25 AM
Great socks!! Wow, only that one sock hanging around?! That's impressive.
Posted by: Chris | October 30, 2007 at 08:39 AM
That's actually an idea worth considering. If something's sitting around that long without being finished, is it because the love was never really there in the first place? There comes a time when one must evaluate and either get on with it or send it off to a merciful frogging. Too much stuff laying around unfinished can be a drag on the spirit. Smith's socks are great. Lucky guy!
Posted by: Pat K | October 30, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Great goals. I can't wait to see the shawls in your queue. I'm sure that they'll be wonderful.
Posted by: Hillary | October 30, 2007 at 08:46 AM
Smith's socks are gorgeous! (If you can say that about man-socks)!
Posted by: Leah | October 30, 2007 at 08:50 AM
The mere fact that you only have the Strawberry Fields sock left as a UFO impresses me no end. Wow. I love the sock personally and am looking forward to its mate. And, the scarf? Simply ethereal.
Posted by: CindyCindy | October 30, 2007 at 08:58 AM
I love that website too (even though I never really use it, because I am lazy.) The socks are awesome. It is even more awesome that you got to knit your man a pair of socks in a non-boring colour. I will show them to Brad and see if he likes (who am I kidding? tolerate is good enough) them. If so, you may have a copycat knitter on your hands. Daddy needs a new pair of socks.
Posted by: Katherine | October 30, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Congrats on your Socktoberfest socks! I'm determined to finish mine too- wish me luck!
Posted by: Nonnahs | October 30, 2007 at 09:47 AM
The Tiger's Eye socks are awesome. Lucky man you have there. And please, do NOT rip the strawberry fields socks. I love them so much! If you can't finish them right away, give them a stay of execution. Let them hang on just a little longer. Think how happy you will be to wear them in February. Clemency for the strawberry fields!!
Posted by: Roxie | October 30, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Wow, I so admire you - only one UFO left hanging?
Great sockies - lucky Smith.
Posted by: christine | October 30, 2007 at 10:05 AM
I am also of a mind to finish things or return them to stash. I am going to give one of the Harmony needles a try as an alternative to my metal needles. I still love my metal needles, but would like another choice for when something different would be better.
Posted by: Sarah | October 30, 2007 at 10:45 AM
Very nice socks! I love those Strawberry Fields colors.
I too am in finishing mode, but I just took on another charity project -- luckily a short-term one. It may put my hands into a cramped state also -- I promised 10 squares by the weekend.
Posted by: Lucia | October 30, 2007 at 10:57 AM
congrats on yet another wonderful completion - great looking socks :-)
I'm in the "finish it up" mode too - we'll see what comes flying off the needles soon.
Posted by: Teyani | October 30, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Smith is a lucky man to have such a lovely pair of socks.
Do you like the Addi needles? I have some of the lace ones and just don't care for them. I like how my Options feel much more.
Still loving that Strawberry Fields sock.
Posted by: Cookie | October 30, 2007 at 11:39 AM
For the Pretty in Pink scarf, use magic loop - it's not just for socks! It works for sleeves, mittens and even tams.
Posted by: NZ | October 30, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Love the socks - sorry you don't like your metal dpn's - I have my mom's and they are my favorites. Second would be my Addi Lace of course - which I use for socks too.
Posted by: Julie | October 30, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Nice socks for Smith. Mostly, I use bamboo DPNs, but sometimes, I like my nickle plated ones. It just depends on the yarn.
Posted by: Vera | October 30, 2007 at 02:33 PM
Yay new socks! And man-socks, too... we all know that takes extra effort! ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. | October 30, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Great socks! Thanks for being a part of Socktoberfest ;)
Posted by: Lolly | October 30, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Oh his socks are really fabulous!
Posted by: Scoutj | October 30, 2007 at 06:11 PM
Smith's socks are really cool!
Posted by: tiennie | October 30, 2007 at 06:42 PM
Those are some snazzy socks for Smith...hey say that 3 times fast :)
Posted by: Debi | October 30, 2007 at 07:34 PM
Smith is gonna be stylin' in his new socks!
Posted by: Norma | October 30, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Bamboo is indeed the way.
Posted by: claudia | October 30, 2007 at 08:12 PM
Smith's socks are great. Very nice. Good going on finishing up your socks. Can't forget about Strawberry Fields, just the second sock to go!
Posted by: Wanda | October 30, 2007 at 09:21 PM
Aw, heck, girl, y'all had another 24 hours at least. They turned out great. Paul's socks have conveniently disappeared again, but I feel a little guilty because this is the right time of year to knit brown socks.
Posted by: Tan | October 30, 2007 at 09:25 PM
ohhhh, that portrait scarf is beautiful - is it as soft as it looks?
Posted by: debbie | October 30, 2007 at 10:39 PM
VERY handsome socks - I can see why he likes them.
I think I am set. Cathy is organizing her stash and you are clearing the decks of projects, so to speak - I just need both of you over here for a week to organize and finish up some projects for me.
Posted by: Anne | October 31, 2007 at 07:27 AM