Cop-out post

Since my knitting projects look much the same as the last time I posted, I'm going to do what all good knitbloggers do when blog fodder is lacking. I'll share a photo of some pretty yarn.
This is the first shipment of the Fearless Fibers "Seven Deadly Sins" Sock Club. On the left is "Wrath," and on the right is "Gluttony." "Wrath" is a vivid red with shots of yellow and orange, while "Gluttony" looks like milk chocolate and caramel. (I knew I could count on Deb to come up another great brown, but I was pleasantly surprised to find one in the first shipment.) Now all I need to do is decide on a worthy pattern for each.

I'm looking forward to a long and lazy weekend. I have today and Monday off from work—that's a lot of knitting time! With any luck, I'll have some finished objects to show y'all next week.

Found: Knitting mojo

Much knitting progress occurred this weekend. I've all but forgotten last week's mini slump. Exhibit 1: Reknitted Drunken Bees sock, with second sock started.
I'm so glad I swallowed my pride and reknitted this on size 1 (2.25 mm) needles. The sock fits perfectly now...like it was made for me. Ha!

Exhibit 2: Baby sweater started. I finished the back on Saturday evening.
This is of course Trellis from Knitty (Spring 2005). So far I'm finding it to be heartbreakingly cute. The yarn is Knit Picks Swish DK in Moss. It isn't exactly a traditional baby color, but I've never been one for pastels or brights. (What can I say? I'm dull!) Now, I don't remember much of the '70s, but this color is giving me flashbacks. It isn't quite avocado, but it's awfully close.

The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn and a size 7 (4.50 mm), but I'm getting gauge with this DK yarn and a size 4 (3.50 mm) needle. Swish DK seems to be slightly heftier than the average DK, but even at that, I'm really surprised about the looseness of my knitting. I even washed and blocked this piece just to be sure of my measurements before knitting the rest of the cardi.

Oh, and the first shipment of the Fearless Fibers Seven Deadly Sins Sock Club arrived on Friday. I love the yarns, but I'll hold off posting a photo for a couple of days. I'd hate to ruin someone else's surprise!

I came, I saw, I dyed

On Saturday Angeluna, Susan (defiantly blogless), and I spent the day at Heritage Arts. Originally the plan was just to go down and check things out, but then Angeluna brilliantly arranged for us to do some dyeing while we were there. Here's what I came away with.
The blue skein was my first attempt, and I'm not thrilled with it. It's too bright and too yellow. I was aiming for something much darker. There's a strong possibility that I'll end up overdyeing this one. More than one person at knit night on Tuesday commented that "those aren't your colors" (as in, "we've never seen you knit with anything like that"). What can I say? I'm chalking it up to the enthusiasm of a first-time dyer. (Naturally it can't be that I have the color sense of a common warthog.)

However, I love, love, love the second skein! It's right in keeping with my current obsession with autumnal colors. Yeah, this one deserves a close up.
The proof is in the knitting, though. This lovely skein may knit up into a hideously ugly pair of socks. But you know what? I don't think I would mind.

I've gotten shockingly little knitting done this week, so now I'm off to figure out where I left my knitting groove.

The blues

Blue socks must hate me, I think. This one is too small.
Technically it does fit around my leg, but it's a bit more snug than I would like. I will frog this now with the knowledge that I will be happy—eventually—with the decision. I'm mainly irritated with myself for knitting six inches of sock leg before finally admitting to myself that I need to go up a needle size.

And this sock is too big (despite the fact that it is shorter than the first sock).
Damn the Professor's skinny legs! And no, the socks are not made from the same blue yarn, hence my belief that my favorite color has somehow turned against me.

Clearly I must take action. The knitting gods must be telling me to start on a green baby sweater.
Oh yes, and big thanks to MLE for nominating me as a Rockin' Girl Blogger. I feel so unworthy!
Now, I know I'm supposed to nominate other RGBs, but honestly, I can't keep track of who has gotten this already. Needless to say, if I read your blog (and I read a lot of blogs), then I think you rock.

I've got new socks!

My Sockapalooza package came on Friday! Many thanks to Sally (sans blog) for her hard work and thoughtfulness.
In addition to the gorgeous socks, Sally sent me a sheep tape measure, an adorable sheep note card ("Maaaa, can I be a sweater when I grow up"), a postcard, and a couple of items relating to her home in Kentucky (including a card from the local yarn shop—very important information for any traveling knitter to have). Do you want to see how well the socks fit? You know you do.
They're perfect! The yarn is extremely soft and has a slight sheen. I assumed there must be some silk in it. Sally tells me the yarn is TOFUtsies, so it's actually soysilk that adds the bit of shine. It's lovely stuff—and a great choice for anyone who lives in a warmer climate.

Now, I've made many pairs of socks in the past year, but this is the first pair of handmade socks I've ever worn that weren't made by me. I feel so privileged to be the recipient of the product of another knitter's talent. Thanks again, Sally!

(BTW, the Sockapalooza socks I made arrived safely at their destination. The Knitted Bookworm tells me I fretted needlessly over the color difference.)

There is another pair of new socks in the house.
Yarn: Trekking XXL, color 90
Pattern: Undulating Rib by Ann Budd, from the Interweave book Favorite Socks
Needles: size 0 (2.00 mm) DPNs
Modifications: I only used the undulating rib pattern for the cuffs of the socks. The I continued the K3, p1, k1, p1 ribbing down the rest of the sock. This idea was one I shamelessly ripped off from the Yarn Harlot.
I'm thrilled with the way these socks turned out. I even dig how one sock has slightly more muted colors than the other one. The socks clearly go together, but each one has its own personality. This pair will be put away to be gifted at a later date.

Since the Trekking socks were my only WIP, I have of course cast on for something new. Here's a sneak preview.

Fearless Fibers Superwash Merino Sock Yarn, "Prosperity"

Letdown

Remember a while back when I complained about having too many projects going? I realize now that those were good times. With Print O' The Wave and Thelonious both finished, I'm feeling a bit deflated. The problem is that I didn't have anything waiting in the wings. There are loads of things that I would like to knit, but I haven't yet decided what I want to knit most.

What to do in a situation like this? Cast on some plain socks, of course. Well, mostly plain socks, anyway.
Trekking XXL is my favorite of the mass produced sock yarns. I've read complaints about it being too thin and too splitty, but my experience with this yarn has been nothing but positive. Splitting hasn't been an issue for me, and I actually prefer my sock yarns to be a bit on the thin side. I won't claim it's the softest yarn in the world, although it does soften up considerably upon washing.

I find the random stripey patterns endlessly diverting. The browns, oranges, and greens in this yarn are perfect for my mood too. Even though it's only August, I'm already dreaming of autumn. Ah, I feel better now.