Comparisons and New Beginnings

After last weekend's journey into the dark side of human nature, as evidenced at garage sales, and the dark side of religion, well illustrated at the Necedah Shrine, we're back solidly in the comfort zone--talking needlework. And what a relief!

Yes! I have finished knitting to show. But Lucy had to get in on the act and made it a bit hard to get pictures.


I kind of gave up on the artsy on-the-foot shot.

These socks are the Garter Rib, from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.


I predicted a Halloween finish when I started these last January, and I wasn't too far off. The yarn is Trekking XXL. I love this yarn, although it's fine and makes for a lot of knitting in a sock. It may have taken me more than a few months to make these, but you know what? They were made entirely in FOUND TIME--doctor's office waiting rooms, car trips, meetings. Accomplishing something tangible like this in odd bits of time--that's pretty much priceless, I'd say.

Here's a shot of my first pair of Trekking socks, knit last year on US 1s.


Being lazy, I decided to make the second pair with slightly bigger needles to see what I could get away with. US 2s.

I have to say I like the socks on the size 1s better--softer and denser.


With the size 1 needles, it's necessary to cast on 72 stitches, where with the size 2s, I could get away with 64 stitches. In any worthy endeavor, extra effort pays off, I guess.

And I have started a new pair.


These are the Waffle Rib, also from Sensational Knitted Socks. I bought this artisan yarn (Sandy's Palette Sock) at Mineral Point last spring. This is a heavier yarn than the Trekking. perhaps I could have gotten away with size 3 needles, but I've learned my lesson. These are 2s. I predict these will go fairly fast (although with me, "fast" can be a relative term...). I have a library conference coming up in a couple weeks and I plan to knit my way through it.

But wait--there's more! Last weekend on the Necedah trip, I started Caroline's wedding shawl.


This pattern is called Shoulder Shawl in Syrian Pattern and it's from the book Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. This is my first venture into Rowan Kidsilk Haze--a mohair silk blend that is gorgeous but scary stuff. Fine and thin and slippery. If I have to do much unknitting on this, Tonya will hear the caterwauling all the way over in Paris.

So far I LOVE it--it's like a pile of soapsuds in my lap. Wish me luck. If I can acquit myself well on this, I'll have more courage to cut into that wedding dress fabric.