sock it to me...

Don't want to be called un-australian, so here is Google's ode to today, that I think is rather cute:And on to the knitting...

Brenda's socks - this one spoke to me and said it would like to be an anklet. Or perhaps I was getting a little bored of the pattern repeat and wanted to make sure I would get a second sock out of me... either way, this make for an adorable sock.

And the merino-cashmere is oh so comfortable. I want to wear it now... all the time...

And Brenda - I love the way this pattern looks, it is satisfying to have one sock complete, but man, those cables are just hard work!

No... I haven't finished an xmas stocking - this is sock numero uno of the Sasquatch variety.

I used some kitchen scales to split the yarn into two equal sized balls, so hopefully I won't be wasting any yarn and these will be maximum length.

I am using Lana Grossa Mega Boots Stretch, and have to say it is one of the softest feeling commercial sock yarns I have knit with. It is a 6ply, but it feels cushier and thicker when knit up than the ONline I have used previously - perhaps this is the Lycra content of the yarn?

I also really like the way that the colour subtly changes through the spectrum as you knit and you get those gradual stripes. It was hard to get a decent photo of how the yarn changes colour, but trust me, it is gorgeous (in a socks-for-a-man-who-only-ever-wears-holeproof-heroes)

Here is the spotty ladybug sock, having made a complete recovery from the savage dog attack.

I also stopped in at Tapestry Craft to get new 15cm bamboo DPNs that Pierre will never, ever get to touch. (Does anywhere else in Sydney stock 15cm DPNs? How about ones with some really sharp points so that it makes cables easier? I really like the look of the knit-picks DPNs - but they aren't playing the game here in Oz)

And completely un-sock related, I have started the front of my loopy mohair trim sweater. So far it is exactly the same as the back....

proof somebody reads this blog...

Remember when I posted about calendars?

Well, it turns out that Lucy-lou was paying attention because when we did out mini-(early)-xmas when I was in Canberra last week, I got to open this:-


L-L mentioned that she would love to hang this calendar in her house, but it has a couple of naughty words in it not suitable for Dilby... or perhaps Grandmothers ;)

It turns out that while I live a little vicariously at her house with her doing the 'mum' thing, she lives a little vicariuosly at my house doing the no-kids thing.

My Mum, an avid cross-stitcher thought this was a hoot...

Oh yeah, and my (little/younger) big tough brother likes the calendar too. I may have to buy my Mum the books so she can make a "boo f@$!#ing hoo" sampler for him to hang just inside his front door (when you're a 21 yo male with a chip on your shoulder I believe you can get away with such cheek ;)

And while I am following up on previous posts -

The charts from Vogue knitting arrived a few weeks ago, silly me didn't blog it though.

Looking at these charts I am certain that if they shrunk down the front panel chart and had a creative lay-out editor they could have fit both charts on one A4 page in the mag. But then, I guess they might have cut out the cool article on knitting in the Potter-verse..

And speaking of Harry Potter, I finished the super-funkified-reversible-double-knit-weasley-sweater aka Dilby's xmas present this morning. No FO pics just yet (I am waiting to 'un-veil' it when I get back up to L-L's later this week), but in the background of this WIP shot of Brenda's socks you can see the garish orange flair that is the sweater under flash photography.

Yes, I finished the heel on Brenda's socks today too (it was a productive morning). My cables-sans-cable-needle are improving quite a bit, and I may even have the technique down pat by the time I finish the second sock :)

Sock and bunny crazy

So with all that sock yarn I have been purchasing lately, am I knitting any socks???

YOU BETCHA!!

(disclaimer: the first part of this post may look like it was posted by the yarn harlot)


(from left to right - all these socks are knit on 2.75mm needles)

1. Jaywalkers knit from handpainted yarn I stumbled across in Tarcutta during my last roadtrip (more on the Tarcutta craft shop with the next pic!). As previously mentioned, these remind me of a rainbow paddle pop, except for the "I survived Lord Voldemort" colourpooling mid calf.

2. Tuffers' second pair of xmas socks, knitted from WGTUP (Wendy's generic toe up pattern) in ONline supersock highland colours purchased at yarns galore.

3. RPM in the Knittery's Merino 4ply sock in "Wonder" colourway. These socks are incredibly thin (almost like stockings) and stretchy. They feel really delicate to knit. The pattern has been altered to be completed toe-up, short row heel, and with a mutliple of 9 minus 1 stitches so the spirals are all equal.

4. Tuffers' xmas socks #3 in Opal petticoat, once again WGTUP, but with a 3x3 rib ankle. These should be complete by the time I get back to Sydney.

5. (finally, eh!) Brenda's Pembrokeshire pathways socks in the Knittery's merino cashmere sock in "Waterlillies" colourway. This pattern is beautiful, easy to remember the repeats, but not "mindless knitting". These won't be going anywhere in the handbag or reserved for car knitting - instead, I am trying to do a couple of row repeats a day because the cables are annoying me. Luff knitting with yarn, however! It makes a nice soft yet dense fabric. Very cushy - can't wait to walk on it :)

And speaking of stumbling onto yarn in Tarcutta.... I made another pitstop there on xmas eve, and was very happy to find the craft shop open again. The yarn had been restocked, and I had difficulty not picking the baskets to take it all with me :)

I got two skeins of handdyed angora and one skein of a yummy green handspun merino/silk. The colour variations show up much nicer in the skeins, but I got so excited with the new toys and they were all balled up before I got the camera out... The one on the right is spring / summer colours, not quite as bright as it appears here, and the other is a stormy seas colour palate. I'm thinking a nice little hat with brim for the latter. The handspun will become a nice lace scarf/ mini-shawl (it's approx fingering weight.)

By-the-way, the handpainted yarns are labelled "Annie Gregg Designs" - I googled it and came up naught, so it must be a local fibre-artist. I think I may do a little investigating on a future trip to Tarcutta because these yarns are gorgeous. If you know anything about "Annie Gregg Designs" let me know :)

And onto bunnies...
One of my best friends has gotten three new six week old gals - one tan, one brown and one black, names Faith, Hope and Grace (no, I don't know which is which, but the names are oh so cute!) Pierre is completely fascinated by the bunnies, and likewise, they are fascinated by him. Last night he was running around the outside of the hutch and the gals were following him around on the inside of the hutch - completely fearless!
Here is P trying to get a closer look at these fluffy creatures that are actually smaller than him. He can pull off strange stunts when he is curious. (Those who are wondering, the Australian cattle dog in the background is Sam - he is interested in both bunnies and teeny tiny dogs)