FO Monday!

Pattern: DK’s Dimple Sock Pattern, 64 St Version with 8 inch leg
Yarn: 3 balls Lana Grossa Cool Wool Big, #659
Needles: US 3 & 4 (3.25 and 3.5 mm)
Recipient: DH

Notes: I can’t convey how awful I found it to knit two pairs of the same sock back-to-back. I won’t ever choose to do that again. However, I thought the pattern was going to be sold through No No Kitty Yarns and then she closed her doors before that happened. So, I felt it necessary to knit the pattern again in a yarn that would show off the stitch pattern a bit better and knit in a yarn that was still available. DH had been asking for more handknit socks and specifically a thick pair. With his birthday approaching it seemed the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. While I finished the second sock on his birthday I was mean and told him he couldn’t wear them until I had the opportunity to get photos of him modeling them in natural light…

I was excited to knit them in orange during this brown-filled season. I really enjoyed knitting with this Lana Grossa yarn and can’t wait to see how well it holds up to wear and washings. I think DH’s request for the feet of his socks to be 1/4 inch longer than my socks made for a bit snugger sock than I would recommend. Next time I’ll make his foot about 1/2 inch longer than mine before starting the toe decreases. For one, he isn’t the best at keeping his toe nails trimmed so if they are the tiniest bit too short I’m afraid he’ll pop his toe right through there. Not to mention his feet are more than 1/4 inch longer than mine. Yes, I have larger feet for women (size 9.5) but they aren’t my sister’s feet (size 11). But, we’ll see what happens. It isn’t like this pair of socks took a ton of time.

I do also have the pattern formatted and ready to go so if you want a pair of dimples for yourself or someone you love you can order it now! There are 5 sizes from about a 4 inch up to an 11 inch ankle so you should be able to make one for everyone you know who needs to keep their feet warm. Plus, the DK weight makes them great for clogs and are a quick knit (I’d say the average knitter could complete a pair in one week of dedicated evening knitting). I’ve included directions for a patterned clog heel (the multi-colored Dimple) or the standard heel flap (the solid color). It is written for 5 DPNs, but if you are familiar with the magic loop or 2-circ method you should be able to adapt it pretty easily.

EDIT: I forgot to give you a peek at the sock wrapper that comes with this design…

Dimples for Everyone!

Okay, okay. I know, you are all quite sick of the Dimple sock progress reports. Well, I am anyway. This is the LAST time I knit two pairs of the same sock in rapid succession. Gah! Boring! I know you also saw more or less this same shot in the other yarn previously as well. Though I do have to say what a difference a yarn makes. You can *see* the pattern so much clearer in this solid colored yarn.

I know many are bored with solid color sock yarn. I tend in that general directions myself, often going for at least a heathered or more kettle dyed solid when possible. But I have enjoyed this yarn and have no doubt I would have enjoyed it to the bitter end if this wasn’t sock number FOUR! :-) If now has me obsessed with having orange socks of my own, but I suspect I’ll hold off and knit one of my hand dyed varieties for myself first.

I’m roughly half way. I’m pretty sure if I put my mind to it and my butt to my chair with my iPod and my line up of saved television shows on the DVR from last week that I’ll be set. I do have to run an errand and I have a lunch date today. But it can be done. I get an inch completed in about 30 minutes when determined so definitely doable.

I’m so excited! I have TWO lunch dates this week with knitterly peeps! Wheee! You don’t know how exciting that is for someone who works from home and whose husband is trying to work ten hour days on top of a fair commute time.

Though today is pretty good day to be mostly at home knitting like mad because DH made Havarti cheese last night while I was at SnB. I have to remove it from the brine (which isn’t a big deal and I do that many times when he makes Gouda as well), but the Havarti has to dry at room temp and because it has to dry and it is so fresh yet I have to turn it every two hours! All day! Someone, please remind me of this fact when I am complaining next Christmas about not having anything to do with the holiday gifts we are giving, okay?? Between turning cheese every two hours and designing the labels for the cheese and liqueuer I think I’ve had a significant impact on the output, dont’ you???

Okay, I gotta go run to Target. I have only an hour before I have to remove cheese from the brine and then it’ll need turned right as I leave for lunch. Can’t get off the schedule..

For Paper Crafty Knitters and Spinners…

Have you seen the fun fibery rubber stamps from Kaspareks? I haven’t bought rubber stamps in at least a few years, but I may just have to order some…

If you aren’t into paper art, you can get a few of their designs on T-shirts, mugs, tote bags and more as well! The selection is of the cutesy variety for my tastes, but still unique for the knitting related cafepress stuff I’ve seen available.

On Dimple: I *have* cast on and I *think* I can be done for DH’s birthday on Wednesday (it might take until that evening when we have a casual get together with a torte from a local Bavarian bakery) but I did finally cast on. But this weekend has been a rough one and energy very low so progress has been slow. If is funny, I don’t think of knitting as taking much in the way of energy/effort but if I’m exhausted that’s what I am and I may think about knitting, but rarely actually do so. *sigh*

For those asking, the pattern should be released early next week, Feb 1 at the latest.

Off to water aerobics. I have to say I’m proud of myself for still dragging myself to class even though what I’d really like to do is crawl back into bed and sleep some more… That is how I felt all last week too and I didn’t miss a day!

Orange You Glad…

I’m not talking about PodCasts again today??? LOL!

Check out all this orange in our closet… It isn’t even all of it as there are least a few pieces I can think of that are currently in the laundry hamper.

I’ve been asked the intelligence of knitting orange socks for DH. Does this explain that it is indeed A-OKAY to be knitting him orange socks??? Yes, some of that stuff in the photo is mine. But, that only means that if he ends up not wearing them I can obscond with them, take back the toe a titch and wear them myself. So, no matter what they will get worn with love!

Notice the sock on the top? I finished that last night. I was lazy over the weekend until Sunday when I knit almost the entire leg. Well, I knit from the beginning of the leg pattern through half of the heel flap. I’m thinking I should have #2 done sometime this weekend so we can do a photo shoot. That of course means I won’t quite make the FO Friday, but I guess this is 1/2 FO Wednesday which isn’t too bad!

Tonight is DH’s writing group so I’ll be going to TAM this evening after supper! Well, that is if I don’t fall over dead before then. I’ve been terribly, terribly exhausted. To the point that I’m getting a little concerned and will want to keep an eye on it. But, nothing gives me a little more energy than socializing with witty and intelligent knitters.

FO Friday - Dimple Done!

Pattern: Dimple soon to be available from Designedly, Kristi
Yarn: 1 Skein No No Kitty Kona Superwash in Graffiti (discontinued), DK Weight Merino
Needles: US 4 & US 3

I’m not big on pink. I would have never chosen this colorway myself, however, I think I will have a lot of fun wearing these with basic jeans and t-shirts etc. They are bright and playful. I prefer the second sock better as it has a bit more orange in it even though they came from the same skein. I had just 1.5 yds of yarn remaining. These have a 6 inch leg and my shoe size is 9.5. It was a close call!

DH wants his Dimples to be longer so I made sure to buy more yarn, but our ankle sizes are almost identical and he likes his socks a bit snugger than I do so the foot just needs to be about 3/4 inch longer than mine. I’ve done about 5 rows on his. I was *exhausted* yesterday.

In other news, I’ve joined in on the 200SOX Kal! I’ll get one of the following buttons added over to the right as well as return my KAL section to it’s previous state before I upgraded the blogging software later today after water aerobics and getting the chilli going in the crock pot.