Zeneedle...needleart as life

Where Oh Where Can My (Sock) Mojo Be...the One with the Waggley Tail

You'd think a sock would be perfect travel knitting, but I think my sock mojo has been lost or it has run off and deserted me.  Both the Rattlesnake Creek Socks and the Flickering Flames were started early enough in March to be finished before the end of PS Fire, but without sock mojo...it was a no go. They are both great patterns and the yarns are to my liking, too....it's just that lost mojo.  If you happen to see it will you please send it home?  Maybe it's wandering aimlessly and unhappily alone...dazed and confused.

I'd love to start a pair of sock for the Earth Edition of PS  and I do did intend on knitting with STR Rainforest Jasper, because it would be a perfect Earthy project.  However, I'm not sure they'd be finished and it's silly to start a new sock with two neglected socks already on the needles. Maybe the mojo will get it's mojo on and find its way back to me.  Yoo-hoo! Sock Mojo...where ARE YOU?

My mindset at the moment is focused on lace and sweater knitting. Ravelry has been a big enabler help as I've been able to turn unwanted yarn into an enjoyable project.  The Louet Euroflax that had been haunting my stash (a long ago failed project, or two) was morphed into Rowan Calmer for a new Nothin' But a T.  NBT will be the next summer project, something quick, cool and easy.  In anticipation, another project is also coming to the fore, but a little restraint is needed to keep me from overwhelm.  The ideas and desires start coming in waves (could this be spring fever?), and only when CeCe is finished will I share more.

Zetor has been easier to pack around than either CeCe or Persephone, and so she is now getting more attention (and because I am SO fickle). The colors are PURE spring...the pinks, blues, and purples are like the flowers that never come.  April 1st was the coldest April day EVER in Utah.  Mother Nature did a good job of fooling us.  As with the sweater knitting, the next couple of shawls have made themselves known.  It takes real effort to keep them from the needles...they must wait and I must keep knitting as fast as I can.

A Very Beautiful Sunday

The sky was just that clear, the air warmer than it has been, but still on the cool side.  It was just warm enough to sit outdoors comfortably and enjoy the knowledge that spring is near and the days will be warming up.

What could be better than sitting under a blue sky, the first strawberries of the season and company of friends?  Kids played in the yard and everyone relished the chance to be outdoors without coats.   With the sun so bright I was happy to be the only  person wearing an Easter bonnet.  It was a lovely Easter Sunday, despite the early date. 

Since finishing EPS it's been hard to get back into knitting. I have been knitting, but haven't fallen in total love, throwing myself with abandon into a project...it's been a bit of a slog.  My head is still enjoying and reveling in the success of Elizabeth's creative genius and nothing has captured my attention in quite the same way.  I know it will happen and what's on the needles will become effortless and enjoyable as EPS fades into the background...but for now, I go through the motions without attachment. My emotions are not engaged, good or bad does not exist.

Non-attachment is sought for in Zen, but I must admit, that attachment to a project does create joy and the anticipation of what's to come as the process become product.  Without the swing of emotions a little of the joy is lost. No joy, no disappointment and so, when I had to frog the Flickering Flames sock, I just did it...no problem, no thought, to angst.  Of course, if I'd been in the right state of mind the frogging may not have happened.  I would have seen the fabric was too tight, too squished and that there was no way such a small sock would go over my foot. 

In the end, the beginning began again and the sock is now on the right track. The lace pattern is visible and the process of knitting with this fiery yarn is beginning to capture my imagination. 

It's back to the process of loving my knitting.

Neglected Rattlers

I truly believe in a "knitter's insurance project".   If a knitter has something to knit with them at all times, no matter where they're heading, there is little chance of being stuck and needing to wait.  If knitting is forgotten, SURELY a knitter will end up twiddle their thumbs and wishing for knitting to do.  This policy has held me in good stead for many years and holds true 95% of the time. 

Because of my obsessive tendency to knit only EPS, with a little Aspen Grove on the side, the poor Rattlesnake Creek Socks have been neglected.  That all changed when the easy bits of EPS were finished and I needed something more portable to carry around.

 

As I knit with  Mountain Colors Bearfoot, I realized its thicker diameter was too small for the needle size I was using. The sock was tight and it was hard to knit the cables.  I switched to the next size up, #2 DPNs and found the knitting easier and looser, which will hopefully hold true for the sizing, too.   I do love the soft, fluffy nature of this yarn and the vibrant, warm richness of the colorway, Ruby River, a perfect color for PS III.  At least leg one is now finished and I'm moving down the heel stitches toward the foot. 

Much of my knitting time has been spent in anticipation, and it's likely because EPS and the Rattler Socks have been on the needles longer than I intended.  Illness kept me from knitting on EPS in January and the goal of finishing by the end of February evaporated. There isn't any real reason to feel  behind, but I can't help but think of what I could be knitting now if my self imposed schedule had worked out.  Daily I work at setting aside this anticipation and reminding myself that there is no race, no reason for my angst. This is all part of the process of life, the ups and downs, the ins and outs.  It is all of a piece and I will move forward as I can.  This I must remember. 

However, I do have the yarn for my next sock waiting in the wings. Colinette Jitterbug in Fire!  Is this not the most perfect colorway for PSIII?

Three sock patterns are in the running:   Ripples and Waves, Primavera Sock and perhaps THE one, Flickering Flames.  How can a knitter not be looking to the future with so many wonderful patterns and yarns?

Could it Be a Tropical Weekend?

The beautiful, tropical Spring Things Shawl is finished and in hiding as a big mess of mesh.  Tonight it will go to the ball bath and bloom like Cinderella, as her lace softens, opens and comes to life.  The magical moment of lace blocking is just around the corner and a photo shoot is on the schedule for Sunday (which promises to be in the 40s and sans snow!!). It's an exciting time. (Yeah, you could say I don't get out much.) 

Hot Flash Monkeys have grown nicely during lunch break and social knitting, and they may heat up a little more this weekend.  I'm looking forward to the day they warm my feet (and sear other peoples retinas).  Knitting entertains me and watching how each stitch changes color, each row creates a pattern and each section shows off the yarn is so much fun.  This is why I enjoy knitting so much...each stitch is pure joy of process.

It may get fairly balmy around here with the addition of the funky, fabulous, red hot roving that's waiting with Emmylou...waiting for me to sit and spin! This is so much fun because it doesn't need to be 'perfect'.  The lumpy bumps of silk, and other fiber, create a very textured single and a yarn that's full of character.  This, again, is pure joy of process, a hoot to watch and create. 

In a comment to my post on NaSpiMoMo Redux, Rosa had a great suggestion.  Let's knit in March what we spin in February.  Are you game?   I can see the Lady Slipper batt becoming a fun scarf or shawl and expect it to tell me exactly what it wants to be when the spinning is done.  So, if you spin up several yarns in February for Redux,  pick one (at least) and let's continue the process.  SpinKnit!

Back to Socks!

Knitting mojo proved to be illusive over the last month.  While I had dabbled at lace here, knit mindlessly on the EPS there, nothing new inspired or attracted the attention.  Once proper care and good meds started to heal the body, the mojo found its way back…with a vengeance. 

Kim's yarn, along with Susan's pattern (Leaf Lace from Vogue Knitting Ultimate Sock Book), sat nearby ready and willing, so Friday afternoon when I was able, we took off running.   With little to distract, only rest on the agenda, I worked through the afternoon and evening.  Saturday afternoon and evening I did the same and the goddess of speed must have been with me as the sock was finished that night.

Every stitch was a joy and the sock a perfect marriage of yarn and pattern.  Kim's Woolen Rabbit Yarn is so beautifully dyed and I just love the way shades of green intermingle with the reddish brown.  The colors reminded me of a forest pathway and the way the leaves, twigs and mud mix together in an organic stew of color.  The yarn has such a lovely, soft hand and you can be sure, there will be more of this in my stash.

Susan's pattern is entertaining, yet quickly memorized for effortless knitting.  The leaf pattern on the front is charming, but the ingenious bit is the center stitches that organically twist to form a vine like stem.  The back of the leg is a simple, elegant, sturdy lace…a perfect fit for the design.  The second sock is off to a much slower start (I've been lacing along, too), but I do think a new pair of socks should be ready to keep my toes toasty this weekend.

Stay warm and enjoy your weekend!

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime!

Fini!  And not a moment too soon.  The process of knitting this sock was not as enjoyable as it should have been.  That means only one thing...it wasn't the yarn, it wasn't the pattern, it was ME. It's unexplainable, truthfully, as to why this was so.  It involved the usual 5 sticks, a string (I made myself), and a pattern that looked great.  It was a pattern, an entire process, I just couldn't get into and one that didn't improve over time....the looong time it took to knit this pair of socks. Only by working on getting rid of the negative, concentrating, meditating on what was good, did I get through the project.  Slogging WAS the process, as it turned out, and that's as it should be. Zen is always as it  should be, its all perfect.  It was a moment of ridiculousness which made what follows even better. Without  the 'ugly' there would be no beautiful.

Enter....Sublime (albeit in a ridiculous situation)...

Ceilidh Lace Socks, by Anne, from her own Wooly Wonka Fibers, in a beautiful, soft, shinny and luxurious bamboo superwash merino, colorway Seashells, sitting delicately on top of a big black tire. Knitting this sock has been heavenly...the process is easy, perfect and delightful.  Ceilidh was a nice companion as I sat waiting for a flat tire to be repaired (never leave home without your knitting!).  The nearby tires were the only thing on hand to use as a back drop for a picture and the were a nice foil for the beauty of the yarn.  Since it took an hour and half for the repair I knew the sun would be long gone by the time I made it home. 

The gods of all blogging my be conspiring against me for NaBloPoMo...work has exploded and I'm out every night this week (mostly fun).  I'll be doing my best to keep up with daily posts and, hopefully they won't be pictureless!

'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.

Lotsa Socks

Jane had a Show Your Socks Contest last year, and this year, she's reprising it with a twist.  It's very easy…just show the first sock and the last (latest) sock you've knit.  If you've just knit your first pair of socks they could be the same pair, right!?  If you don't have the first pair (my first pair was 1993-4), don't worry. Jane is being very generous with her interpretations of "first and last" and she's very generous with her prizes, too!  Did you know she's knit 93 pair, so far?!  I'm not sure how many socks I've knit in the past 13-14 years, but I don't think it totals that many.

Since the first pair I knit is no longer in existence, I've gone with the two oldest pair in my sock drawer.  Both pair were knit before I knew much about knitting socks in general and let's just say much has been learned since that time. The blue sock is from a mystery cotton denim yarn in a mystery pattern. The socks are hell to wear; hard, uncomfortable, stiff and almost painful on the feet.  The other sock is one I tackled before I knew much about two color knitting, but I did an OK job of it. It's the Finnish Sock from Folk Socks.  I have no idea what the yarn was, but it wasn't a good fit for the socks and I don't wear them much...thus they still exhist. It's a cotton/wool blend if memory serves. 

My newest (latest) pair is another pair of Monkey's (my third), in STR Mist, started while visiting with good pals, as an easy, peasy project.

Socks have not been my number one choice of projects lately...I'm feeling a little socked out, but there will always be a pair on the needles even if they don't get much attention.  However, I did knit several pair in the last few months and will enjoy wearing them now that the weather is cooling down.

From the top clockwise:  Monkey the First, Monkey the Second, Loksins!, Thelonious, Jaywalkers, and a simple Picot Sock.

Now it's your turn to show Jane your socks...go for it!

Eni Meany Miney Mo

Catch a socky by the toe...NOT knit it by the toe (you should know I'm completely inept at that). 

To get a handle on the sock problem around here I cast on for ALL three second socks.  Do you think that oughta do it!?  The goal is to have all three complete by the end of September and I'm wondering if  I should  knit on each one in turn or concentrate on finishing one at a time?   I could almost knit socks and lace forever more, but I do love a sweater from time to time.  Anyway...

In a fabulous feat of knitting prowess I was able to perrrrfectly match the beginning of the second Neapolitan sock...see how the picots are exactly exact!?  This yarn has a veerrry long repeat which went all the way down the leg and just past the heel.  With a big foot like mine, it really didn't take much to find the spot needed to start the second sock.

  I have decided to drop out of the SCFO because three socks on the needles is more than enough. Plus, it's time for someone else to get a pair of socks. Debi and Lisa, both told me I had to try Smooshy yarn and that took me down the rosy path to a stash purchase . I've been SO good, only shopping my stash (on Ravelry) lately, but Debi said Smith would love Vino Veritas (left) and I just fell hard for Gothic Rose (right), as I was looking through SSYC's Smooshy colors.  The next socks in my knitting queue (after the three for me are finished) will be two pair for Smith...a little guilt may be involved and yes, I did say 2 pair! One sock will be in a gorgeous Deepest Forest, by Fearless Fibers, and the other will be in Smooshy.  A good guy deserves good socks, eh?

Half a Pair Trio

What's got into me?  Has this ever happened? Three, that's three socks that have no mates. What we have here is not second sock syndrome...its delusions of grandeur!  Too many fun socks to knit, so little time (this seems to be my mantra for so many things lately).  The Neapolitan Sock (Trekking yarn) has been a kick to knit. Whenever I'm working on it in public (usually I'm knitting with other knitters) everyone has to comment on what fun it is and how it looks like ice cream or candy.  It's very eye catching and just plain fun. Last week I told you about finishing the first Shockwave out of my handspun and today I must tell you about my love for Ruby.  Ruby My Dear aka Thelonious is the apple of my eye.

Ruby has so many wonderful qualities from the tip of her toe to the top of her cuff. First let's look at thesubtle shading of reds in her yarn.  Judy did a smashing job of dyeing a red so rich and true with deeper reds in the undertones.  It really is exceptional. Smith proclaims often how much he loves the color. Not only do I love the color (and the texture) of the yarn...I love the pattern and the way the design travels around the leg and down the foot.  This sock has been pure entertainment to knit, even if I do need to refer to the chart often.  The lace pattern starts in four places on the cuff and travels diagonally down the leg, intersecting and then crossing over, to travel down the foot.  It's really ingenious the way CookieA adds and subtracts rib stitches to create the movement.

The ribbing is constant, yet changing, and helps to insure the sock will fit (pattern is in three sizes).  It's so cool to see the ribbing come and go, end and begin, as the lace panel works down the sock.  If you look at the front of the leg and the top of the foot you'll see the ribbing and lace fit well together.  Don't you love it?  I do!

I do believe the second Ruby will be knit before any other sock as I do so love this pattern and the yarn.  However, I have been thinking it's time for Smith's next pair of socks and tomorrow I should pick another yarn from my SCFO.  Hmmmm, whatever will I do?