Friday, September 16, 2011

Socka to me....

I love this yarn - wool, cotton and a little hint of poly-something-in-Italian (nylon?). Warm, soft and (I assume) hard-wearing, it knits just as if I'd thought about the striped pattern it makes all by itself.
I'm really enjoying my adventures in The Land of Sock-Knitting. I'm a long way from flawless double-moss stitch and perfect tension ....and we won't mention my kitchener stitch.... but I love working within a new form, learning new things. I love that I can feel my brain sparking up new connections as my knitting repertoire expands. But mostly, I think I'm in love with making fabric from yarn.... and I love that sock fabric takes shape pretty quickly, especially when the socks are for a small girl. Of course, I should be doing something about meeting a looming magazine deadline, but after a couple of frustrating sewing days, I'm in need of a bit of stitch-by-stitch meditation and therapy.

The satisfaction of seeing something coming together (instead of seeing something being unpicked more than it's sewed and having to photograph every step 65 times from each angle...and then having to unpick again.... and re-shoot....) is where's it's at, man.


(Just sayin'....)

13 comments:

Fiona said...

Great yarn and - from someone who's never knitted a sock in her life and the idea scares her silly (it's the getting two to match bit which freaks me out!) - they look pretty good to me. I'm sure your wee girl will love them - especially in that colour way!

Unknown said...

Cute socks. I've never knitted socks before. How long do you think until the small girl is knitting her own?

Kate said...

You have now officially become my knitting hero!!!!!
Socks!!!
I am super impressed. Socks are where I have always been heading, the ultimate.
But I have just finished my magazine deadline so maybe I should have a look at some patterns too....
have a wonderful weekend. x

A Peppermint Penguin said...

you can do anything.

If I didn't like you, I'd hate you!

cool socks.

Missymaomao said...

Have you ever tried some of the locally produced hand spun and dyed yarns?

Sue from Hawthorne Cottage farm up here in Ballarat dyes and spins the most amazing yarns.

I buy my yarn direct from the Hawthorne Cottage Farm shop which is open by appointment only. I love the thought that I have actually met the sheep and that I'm supporting a local artisan and farmer.

Sue has a stall at the Victorian Arts Centre Makers Market every Sunday where she sells wool, tops for spinning and felting and products made from her fleece. Her tea cosies are to die for.

I'm currently knitting socks form Sues hand dyed sock yarn and I love it.

You can visit Hawthorne Cottage online: www.hawthornecottage.com.au

Just read though this and it sounds more like and ad than a referral, sorry about that but I just couldn't read another blog about your lovely knitting adventures without letting you know about Sues wool.

Lynne said...

"Polyamide" is the English word for the compound we call "Nylon", which is a brand naame (belonging to Dupont, I think) like Glad Wrap or Hoover; which, as you know, Aussies use for cling wrap and vacuum cleaners regardless of their brands!! ;-)

Enjoy the socks. To avoid Kitchener stitch, try them from the toe up; you can even try them on as you go! Use Judy's Magic Cast on and Jeny's Stretchy Bind Off (both from Knitty..com)

Tas said...

Oh, pretty, pretty socks!

I have yet to even find out what Kitchener stitch is...but I have a pattern lined up that requires it so I may find out very soon.

Catherine said...

I love self-striping sock wool (not that I can knit socks yet)! your socks do look fabulous. I really "get" what you're saying about the stitch by stitch meditation... I've needed some of that too (I'm doing it via my new found love of crocheting!) xo

Marty said...

Socks are addicting, aren't they? I gave up on the Kitchener stitch and found a toe-up pattern that is much easier on my blood pressure! That yarn looks yummy!

Tania said...

Cripes. Did you say DOUBLE moss stitch? Like I didn't hate single moss stitch enough. Makes kitchener stitch sound like a walk in the park...

PS. You are one world class procrastinator (prolific even when indulging in avoidance therapy).

Fer said...

Geez that's looking good! You doing magic loop method too? Very clever!

Andrea said...

Socks are some of my favorite things to knit - besides bags. They are quick to finish - therefore quick gratification. Just found your site a while ago and LOVE it. Can't wait until your book is out in the USA!

Katherine said...

I swear that sock yarn is about as addictive as good chocolate. Must look away from your pretty yarn before I find myself ordering some online...lol

Great to see how much you've got your yarn on these days. I think that my needles will be back in play since our weather has slipped to the other side of summer. Definitely fall here now. It's cold enough that I just put flannel sheets on the bed - didn't like the shock of cold from the regular ones at bedtime. ;o)