This and that

I’ve begun several projects that haven’t made it to the blog yet.

First up, another pair of socks for office knitting.  Longtime readers may remember this pair, knit in spring 2009:

The pattern is the descriptively but boringly named Undulating Rib Socks (Ann Budd, while very clever, is not fanciful, at least when it comes to pattern names) from a great collection, Favorite Socks.  I loved these socks.  Loved the simple yet effectively textural pattern, loved the yarn (Dream in Color Smooshy), loved the color (Spring Tickle), which is green with flecks of brownish orange, just like real leaves.  But this yarn came into my life before my current sock yarn philosophy.  Yes, friends, it is 100% superwash merino, and the heels busted gigantic holes that couldn’t be fixed because the yarn was dissolving in front of my eyes.  Much sadness.

I’ve decided to knit a replacement.  Same pattern, but different yarn.  I’m using Shelridge Farms Soft Touch Heather in color Willow, which is fairly solid in color but much stronger than Smooshy (15% nylon, superwash wool but not merino).  Short time readers will recognize this yarn, from which I just knit a pair of mitts.  When I knit those mitts, my hands hurt.  My usual 2.0mm needles seemed too small for the yarn.  The yarn was labelled “light fingering” but to me, it seemed more like sport.  So for these socks, I went up to 2.25mm needles and am MUCH happier.  I initially cast on 60 stitches but ripped it back and began again with 54.  These socks will fit me now.Sorry about the color in the photo.  A storm was brewing and there was no sun to bring out the beautiful yellowish-green color here.  I have made a modification.  On the rounds where I need to increase from one stitch into three, I am using a different technique.  Do you see the difference between those increases in the first two pattern repeats (closest to the cuff) and the later ones?  I think the one specified in the pattern leaves a bit of a hole.  It wasn’t so apparent at the finer gauge, but it shows up here.  Anyway, I’m ready to put a heel on this sock.

In other knitting news, this has begun:Know what it is?  Garter garter garter garter garter… YUM.

I haven’t had much time to spin this week, but I’ve done this a few times: I’m using my power drill to move the singles from the wheel bobbin to the storage bobbin.  Fun!  I’ve made 5 of these now.  24 to go.  I’m not at all sure I’m doing it well, but I am certain that I’ll be better on bobbin 29 than I am right now.  There will be learning.