'Tis the Season of....

Rock-tober!!  Sock-tober!!

Sweat-ob-er!!  (Ok, that's not so poetic, but the knitting has been mostly about sweaters this month.)  Instead of telling you about sweater knitting, I'm complaining about sharing the other knitting in my life.

The sock pictured is for Smith and he's a bit anxious for the pair to be finished.  The knitting, however, just isn't going very quickly and I think the reason why is the metal needles.  They are hard to handle, mainly because they have no give and, in turn, make my hands ache.  Knitting socks just isn't as much fun on metal as it is with bamboo.  Sadly, I don't think it's a good idea to change mid-knit, so I'll stick it out.  This will be my last pair of socks with metal needles, however.  I do love the way the colors spiral down the leg and the lack of pooling at the heel...the stripping is much more  handsome and now, it spiraling down the foot.  Let's hope the second sock works the same way (and that I don't run out of yarn).

The other project that's going v.e.r.y slowly (and not only because it doesn't get much attention) is the Portrait Scarf from Knitting Classic Style.  I'm totally in love with the yarn, hand-dyed by Anne for Wooly Wonka, but the lace pattern is fiddly on 4 needles. Knitting lace in a tube isn't exactly easy and decreasing for one section, increasing for the next, which creates the undulating affect, makes it even more fiddly.  The construction is ingenious and will make a gorgeous finished product...but the process isn't as much fun as I'd like it to be.  This knit will be about the product (which I want very much) and I will survive...the scarf will thrive.   

Another thing to love about October is Rhinebeck!  I'm seriously sad that I can't be there this year (2008, here I come!) to hang out with 'my people', fiber grrlfriends from near and far.  Fresh memories of our wonderful vacation to Arizona are the only reason I'm not in a state of tears. I can't help but think about EZ's words "Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crisis."  And while this isn't really a crisis...I will Knit On!  For those of you not heading to Rhinebeck...you'll get the sweater report tomorrow.

Comments

[Carole]

Love those socks for Smith! And the scarf thing looks pretty, that color will be great on you.
I will miss you SO much this weekend!

[bellamoden]

Wow, I'd not seen the portrait scarf before (I think so anyway) and it's a neat concept! I like it.

The sock striping is definitely cool!

And neener! Getting to have a sweater report tomorrow is a very good thing ;)

[Beth]

I have some socks in those STR colors - they're some of my favorites to wear. Yours (well, Smith's) are beautiful.

[Manise]

You're not being at Rhinebeck seems wrong! I will miss you! Need anything that I can send you? Let me know.

[DebbieB]

Wow, that portrait scarf is seriously gorgeous. Don't give up - persevere!

[CindyCindy]

I love Smith's sock. The scarf is lovely and I won't be going to Rhinebeck either. I'm really sorry the metal needles aren't working for you, but if they make your hands hurt then most definitely they have to go.

[Anne]

I'll be here for the sweater report! The socks are looking great - what fun stripes; he'll love em!

[Lizzy B]

I too am sad I can't be at Rhinebeck this year. Next year though? I'm there too! The sock is really fun looking and the scarf will be lovely.

[Hillary]

I hadn't seen that scarf pattern before but it's a beauty.
I'm not going to Rhinebeck either so i look forward to the sweater report.

[Jennifer]

I have the same trouble with the metal dpns. I just knit a pair of socks with Bryspuns DPN's and had a much better experience. The plastic has more give but is sturdier than bamboo.

[Birdsong]

Fiddly... what a great way to describe it! I am slowly working on a stole from Kidsilk Haze and that is just the word I was looking for. Tell Smith the socks look worth the wait. No Rhinebeck for me, either, so we can knit together in different places and not feel so left out:)

[Stephanie]

I'll be here for the sweater report. The socks look great, but I totally agree on the metal needles. I'm anxiously awaiting the Knit Picks harmony needles, but they're still not available (until next week).

[Peg]

Nice sock! I am NOT going to Rhinebeck. I could buy a whole lot of yarn with the cost of travel from here on Vancouver Island to Rhinebeck. I am off to a Knitter's Retreat on Quadra Island next weekend, so that will be my Rhinebeck!
Look forward to the sweater report! I will knit on with confidence. Peg

[Chris]

*fingers crossed for sufficient yarn and favorable color behavior*

[Wool Winder]

Is there a CR fan in the house or did you have to borrow the hat? Love the socks and the scarf! I'd be tempted to switch to bamboo needles on the second sock.

[knitnana]

I'll be here to read your report - had hoped to go to Rhinebeck (way back in January when I was first planning it) but realized it's at the wrong time of year for my business...
:(
Anyway, love the socks! But I agree about metal sock needles...
(((hugs)))

[Margaret]

Wonderful autumn colors in Smith's sock! Love it.

[marie in florida]

lloking forward to the sweater report

[Sarah]

That is a seriously interesting scarf. I love the color and the lace, and am anxious to see it finished. Sorry your metal needles are hurting. Those are cute baby pumpkins!

[Jocelyn]

I have a colleague who is making that scarf as well. How about a 16" circular instead? I forget how many you are supposed to cast on - maybe it's too few to make the join...

[Marcia Cooke]

I'm glad to know that about the metal dpn's...I was all set to order some! I'll stick with my bamboos, especially on the guy socks. As for Rhinebeck, I'm still on the fence about going this year, but I've gone for six years and have seen it get more and more crowded, pushy, frantic and, well, like Maryland! I might feel different if I were able to go for the weekend and stay at the hotel and be there for all the extra-curricular stuff, but as a "day-hop"? Enh. (You know it's bad when I can't think of a thing to buy, whether "need" or "want"!)

[Wanda]

I'm so not going to Rhinebeck, so I'll look forward to your sweater report. Hmm, I am finding that I am starting to like knitting with metal needles, but my choices are limited b/c I like wooden needles but I have a tendency to break them and that gets costly. I also like my Pony Pearls but the plastic aren't as good for lace patterns for socks, but otherwise I love them too. I might give the Knit Picks wooden and metal dpns a try.

[ruth]

I'll go to Rhinebeck for you. Well, actually, I'm going for me!
If I had the money, I'd go to all the major wool festivals in the country. Talk about a major yarn hop!

[Beth S.]

I have that same sock yarn, and was tempted to try Jaywalking with it, but I like the way yours looks in ribbing! :-)

Next Rhinebeck for sure. Though I am sort of hoping to finagle a trip West sometime next year (we want to see the Grand Canyon, etc) so maybe I will get to see you even before next Rhinebeck! :-)

[deb]

Oh good, there is something besides Rhinebeck talk to look forward to tomorrow. Thanks for being there for us Margene!

[Nancyjane]

Interesting about the metal needles. I actually prefer metal needles for size 1 & 2 dpn's. Bamboo always feel as if they're going to break on me. I'm changing all my larger needles to bamboo and wood though. I just "invested" in a couple of pairs of Lantern Moons for myself. I could be spoiled forever.

[Cookie]

I'm with you on not liking the metal needles. I gave up on that idea after I bent one... or three. *L*

Gorgeous lace! It's going to look wonderful on you.

Finally, something to look forward to since I'm missing Rhinebeck, too.

[kathleen]

Love those socks. Wish you could drive up for the day with me and my mom.

[--Deb]

We'll be thinking of you!!

[Cayenne]

Fun to see you last night and I loved the sweater you were wearing! Do you have it on your blog or on Ravelry somewhere? I'm glad you are staying here. I really like reading your blog and maybe I'll see you at SnB next week.

[liz]

Handsome socks (I almost said pretty and then realized that might be a no-no ;>).

[sandy]

Tis the season for Sandy to miss Margene. The ride home won't be as wonderful this year, I can tell you that!

[Laurie]

We'll raise a glass. And remember how fast the next one rolls around. Truly.

[Kim]

Smith is the best of guys and those socks are truly befitting! We will miss you in Rhinebeck more than you know, but we also know that you will be with us in spirit!

Rock on!