Pooling WIPs
I’ve been a bad blogger lately, but we’ve had company. M’s sister stayed with us for several days. We had a good time. We all took lots of pictures with M’s sister’s great camera she just bought for her trip to South Africa and Botswana (she leaves for Africa Saturday!). We all forgot to download the photos to my computer before she flew away today. Sigh. We even toured a chocolate factory. M and I live about an hour from Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory. Our tour guide was not the best; she was rather disgruntled and couldn’t answer many questions, but the tour was totally worth it for the smell alone. The whole place was permeated with a warm chocolate aroma. It wasn’t over-powering–just really cozy and wonderful. All the workers seemed very happy.
I have done a little knitting. The lace scarf was playing least in sight as I am debating giving it to M’s sister. I did modify and finish the thick-and-thin mitts, so those are waiting for a FO post. I found my wimple, which I had “lost” by putting it away as though it were already blocked, so now I can block it and have another FO post. But as for WIPs, this week the socks rule.
Pete’s second sock is almost done, and it is striping and pooling very much like the first, so the pair shouldn’t look too odd:
&ot
Once I had turned the heel on Pete’s second sock, I felt it was fair to start Nancy’s birthday socks. I really like the Lorna’s Laces Mother Lode colorway. I debated what pattern to use. I was determined to use an extant pattern and not just make something up, as that seems to be all I’m doing lately in terms of socks. I have Loksins from Cassie, but I want to use a more muted colorway for those, so I tried the Undulating Rib sock from Favorite Socks. Nancy has shapely calves because she runs, so I thought I should change needle sizes part way down the leg (the pattern also instructs one to do this). I really liked how the pattern was working out on the larger needles. I was quite pleased. And then I changed needles down one size. The pain. The agony.
All the gold is on the OTHER side! It looks oppy (to use a favorite term of Mom’s). I can’t give this as a gift. With the second ball of yarn, I tried an alternative pattern: Stansfield 196 from More Sensational Knitted Socks. I looked at the chart and then knit it “from memory.”
So, this isn’t really Stansfield 196, but it may be acceptable. I’m not far along enough to decide. What I don’t understand is why everywhere on the web the stitch patterns by Lesley Stanfield are referred to as Stansfield (including sites that sell her book, showing the cover with her name spelled out). It took me a devil of a time to find her book, but I now have a copy. Very nice.
Well, I must make weighty sock decisions. It would be wrong to knit myself a pair of Loksins in the meantime, wouldn’t it?Ā Sigh.Ā Where’s the chocolate we bought?
I’m sympathizing over your dilemna…two great stitch patterns. However, I’m inclined to go with the Stanfield 196. Thanks for the reference…I may have to look into that same book.
I like slightly mis-matched socks! Maybe you should re-tour that chocolate factory…
Brenda- Let me make it simple for you: it is never wrong to knit yourself anything! You do so much for others- there is no room for guilt in knitting.
I would gain weight just smelling the chocolate!
Fancy chocolate and casting on new socks are the cure to many delimmas! Don’t worry about the others – they’ll get finished sometime.
Well, at least the pooling on the pink & black socks looks great… I am jealous about the SB tour – mmmmmm….
I completely agree with Lorraine-it’s never wrong to knit yourself something. AND you do knit alot for others, too. So, just to make sure that you got it-there’s no guilt involved in either knitting or chocolate-EVER!
WHATYOUHAVECHOCOLATEOMG!!!!
OMG.
Oh, and the socks look perfectly fine to me! And I think you should absolutely start a pair for yourself.
OMGCHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!
Wow, the pooling did go crazy when you switched needles! I thought that maybe you had changed yarns when I first saw the picture š
You have every right to knit yourself a pair of socks! Most people don’t spend their free time making gifts for others, and you can certainly take a break!
“The pain. The agony.” – This made me chuckle, though I take no pleasure in your pain. Assuage your suffering with Loksins and chocolate.
Wow, that chocolate factory tour sounds like fun!
That pooling after the needle switch is disturbing. I think the Stanfield 196 may be the way to go. As for Pete’s socks, I think they look great! If they were absolutely identical they’d lose the charm of handknit socks. The chocolate factory tour sounds divine!
I think the yarns you’ve chosen are beautiful, as usual. Hope you’re able to sort out your “sock woes”! You have some beautiful patterns there! Of course, chocolate always makes things look better (well, alcohol, too!)
I really like the pool-y socks. Great colors! š That’s interesting about the Stansfield ones. I guess maybe I should read part of the sock book before picking out a pattern next time. š
What’s so wrong about knitting yourself a pair of Loksins? What a few wips? Please tell me, how can I enable you in the most effective manner? š
I wondered why there were so many “Stansfield” patterns. No idea about the extra “s” in her name, but that’s how it is in More Sensation Knitted Socks.
Love the socks, as always! Hope you are having a good weekend! š
I agree with Lorraine. It’s always okay to knit for yourself!
(((hugs)))
That Motherlode colorway (which is one of my favorite Lorna’s!) needs a nice wavy stitch pattern, like Feather and Fan, to show off its beauty. I have yet to encounter a variegated yarn that that stitch couldn’t tame!
A slip-stitch pattern should work well too.