theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Yes — I finished a pair of socks. Item number 10 from the “widows and orphans” is no longer without a mate. Here is a photo taken before I grafted the toes (I was checking the fit). The socks are currently soaking in lavender-scented Eucalyn. As you can see, they are fraternal, not identical, twins. There was no discernible repeat, so I just knit the yarn as it appeared without worrying particularly about matching.

I also finished another sock (it only took about a day). It’s a lace anklet pattern from Hand Jive Knits, using their yarn. The colour name is Indian Paintbrush. I actually scanned this sock instead of taking a photograph; that’s why it looks a little odd.

This yarn is similar in look and feel to Koigu. It gets amazingly soft when blocked. The second sock is already on the needles and I am finished with the cuff. I knit this sock with a star toe (as the pattern suggested), which is a nice easy toe for anyone out there (Wendy?) who has had trouble with grafting.

I realize I haven’t responded to my sister’s post about our mother’s knitting. The oddest thing, to me, is I don’t remember ever seeing our mother knit. She was, as Susan said, an expert seamstress. I always associate her with sewing and not knitting, and unlike Susan I don’t have any garments that she knit for me (although I am sure she probably did knit me a few). But those pieces that Sue photographed are very nice and show wonderful workmanship.

Who would do this? What kind of monster would create so many lonely socks and gloves?

It’s never on purpose. Really. It’s not. Here is the current wall of shame (actually my living room table) complete with explanatory notes (aka excuses). (The photo will enlarge if you click on it.)

Clockwise from the top:

1. Ah, yes. These are for my husband. The yarn is Opal — a very nice sock yarn. I first made a bull’s eye heel, but it doesn’t work for his feet because he has such high arches. He needs a more traditional heel flap. So, I ripped out the heel, did part of the heel flap, and got — uh — distracted. But I only started those in January or early February so I don’t feel too guilty. Yet.

2. The very first sock I ever made. I’d finish it if I could find the rest of the yarn.

3. This is perhaps the saddest case here. I finished this pair and wore them proudly. It’s a nice cotton/wool blend — perfect for summer. Alas — the mate misappeared in the wash. I have no more yarn and have never seen this colourway since. It’s not my fault!!!!

4. Eric’s glovelets — a famous fingerless glove pattern. So close and yet . . . so far.

5. Beautiful lace socks knitted in Koigu. I think the colour looks like melted ice cream. This, too, was an early pair. I knit it on two circular needles. The pattern is from Interweave Knits. The mate is cast on. And has been for nigh on to two years. I think.

6. A lovely glove don’t you think? Out of self-patterning sock yarn. But they were for my son and I never thought they fit him all that well. I knit these without accounting enough for where his little finger is placed on his hand. And he’s only grown. So . . .

7. Another Koigu sock in a rare solid. This is a really beautiful pattern that you can’t see unless it’s “stretched.” The cuff is actually knit on this one. There’s hope. I love them.

8. More fit issues. I may rip down to the start of the fingers and fix these ’cause I really like the colour.

9. This yarn is from Socks that Rock. It’s lovely to work with and a little heavier than the others shown. Instead of zeros (size 2.0 mm) I knit these on 2.25. I felt as if they were flying. Well, at least the first one. I just finished this one recently and its mate’s cuff is finished as is the beginning of the lace pattern. (Again, unless stretched you don’t really see the openwork on this — it’s a ladder lace pattern.) I’ll definitely finish these. I promise.

10. I just finished this sock today and its companion is already cast on! This is Lana Grossa’s Mega Boot Stretch shade 703. I love this yarn.

11. Camilla gloves in Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk. I lost momentum, but they are lovely and I do want to finish them.

Well see — that wasn’t so bad now was it? And I DO finish pairs of things sometimes.

I’m terrible about starting projects and then, um, leaving them to marinate for a little while.

This is especially true of socks. I love knitting socks. Love them. Well, at least the first one. Tomorrow I will post a gallery of all of my one-off socks in search of relatives. I’m trying to shame myself into completing the pairs.

I guess if I am being honest I should post photos of my orphan gloves as well.

Welcome!  I hope some of you from my knitting group choose to visit the site.  It will have a lot of information about me that you already know.  After all, you spend time with me every week sharing my favorite activity.  Our knitting group has brought me hours of friendship, laughter (lots of laughter!), and inspiration.  I look forward to the next time even as I leave.   So welcome and feel free to post comments about whatever you choose.