deja vu
things may seem a little too familiar, but I promise that I didn't mess with the colors to fake out a new fo. hell, the computer I'm on right now doesn't even have ps installed! (computer problems have been haunting me for the last week or two, hence the silence)
pattern:dragon skin stitch
yarn: woolarina handpaints sock (old yarn base)
needles: 2.5 mm circs (knit picks)
date started: ?
date finished: 10/24/06
I think amanda was either going to kill me or have a heartattack if I didn't post about these since they are for the toasty toes swap. yeah, you didn't know I was in it did ya? (btw, amanda, your e-mailbox is full!).
I partly didn't blog about these because progress was slow and because I think the recipient would have figured me out pretty quickly. I 'happened' to have some purple yarn in my stash that would be perfect for her and this stitch pattern makes for some nice fitting socks, another request she had.
I mailed them off this morning along with some goodies, I just hope they fit and that she doesn't mind handwashing socks! let's just say I didn't think about that part when I casted on. this is woolarina's old yarn base, I saw that now they have superwash sock yarn, which I've had for over a year I think. I love the colors and the way this stitch makes them move around. I have two complaints though, besides being handwash only, one being that the yarn was splitty and the second being that it had a weird feel to it. I'm not sure how else to explain it, other than it left my hands feeling sticky and sweaty. it might have been lanolin or maybe it was soap from the dyeing. not sure here. I gave them a bath in some hot water with soak wash and that seems to have done the trick. the water turned purple but the yarn didn't fade at all.
I must admit that while finishing these up the thought of a "sock break" crossed my mind. I think after I knit mates for the two socks I have on the needles I'll be socked-out for a while (I'm probably lying to you!). I'll be moving back to sweaters pretty soon. those sweaters are going to have to wait till after this weekend, I'll be hanging out with one of my best buds this weekend. there's a rumor a certain hipster will be joining us this saturday or sunday - we'll see if it'll actually happen (that's right, that's a challenge- we already have bets going!).
as an aside (and way more important than my socks):
I received an email from offhand designs letting me know of their wheelchair fundraiser. larisa's (the owner and designer of offhand) niece, kyann, has a form of ms and she needs a new electric chair with a power tilt seat - this will help support her upper body and take pressure off her spine periodically. insurance will only cover a portion of the $12,000 cost but maybe if we all donate a little bit they'll reach their goal (I think it's 2500 and right now they're at $850). to make it even harder to resist (you know you want to help out already!) offhand is giving everyone who donates a clutch, bag, or tote of their choice. so if you wanted to try out one of their beautiful bags anyway, this is a perfect way or maybe you can get some holiday shopping done early. really I just want them to reach their goal as soon/fast as possible, do you guys think we can do it?!
Comments
Those look great! The color works well with the pattern.
Posted by: Jessica | October 26, 2006 04:46 PM
Yeah, I too consider a sock break pretty much every time I finish a pair...but a couple of days later I'm like a junkie on cold turkey. Must knit socks. These are beautiful!
Posted by: Steph | October 26, 2006 04:50 PM
Ooh those are lovely - and that IS a nice heel!
Posted by: jillian | October 26, 2006 04:57 PM
Pretty, pretty socks! I can't wait to see what else you're planning to knit this fall.
Posted by: Casey | October 26, 2006 05:15 PM
Beautiful socks (and the picture's pretty fabulous too). And thanks for the heads up on the fundraiser.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 26, 2006 05:27 PM
Perfect timing for a post :) Glad to see one! and the socks are really great! They will make your pal so happy. I am looking forward to getting back to sweaters too, but a sock will always be close!
Have fun with L and S this weekend!!
Posted by: Lolly | October 26, 2006 05:48 PM
A sockie break! That's what I'll be taking too.. do you think people will believe me? =) Told you those socks rock!
Posted by: Angela | October 26, 2006 06:02 PM
They're lovely! I'm glad you gave us a teaser post although I was fine just knowing they were being knit :o) My ISP inbox is wacked out -- I've emptied it a gazillion times even if there are only 7 emails in there and things still bounce. Back to gmail!
Posted by: amanda | October 26, 2006 06:15 PM
great charity idea! and i totally lust after those bags at the point :) hhmmmm..
love the socks! you should really write up a pattern for them. i think that they would look great in STR or any other variagated yarn!
Posted by: gleek | October 26, 2006 07:15 PM
Those socks are SO cute! I absolutely love the colors!
Posted by: Nonnahs | October 26, 2006 07:29 PM
Very nice!!!
Posted by: Amy | October 26, 2006 09:49 PM
hipster?! says you! :P
hey, where the hell is chinatown in philly anyways? can i actually get anywhere from there once i get off the chinatown bus? let me know.
Posted by: Sandra | October 26, 2006 11:05 PM
I love those colors! And the pattern really looks great, I love how it's so subtle.
Posted by: Aimee | October 27, 2006 04:39 AM
Computer problems? I feel your pain.
Posted by: colleen | October 27, 2006 07:50 AM
Those came out wonderful. I love the color and the way it travels along the stitch!
Posted by: stacey | October 27, 2006 08:47 AM
very very beautiful, i also love the moody lighting in the first shot, very cool.
Posted by: Liz | October 27, 2006 01:26 PM
a sock break!? love the heels on those socks!
Posted by: brooke | October 27, 2006 01:33 PM
Great dragon skin socks - they're lovely. And I'm hearing you on the sock break. I definitely needed one!
Posted by: diana | October 29, 2006 03:58 PM
Love the sock details! I hope you are kidding about the sock break, though lately I've been jonesing for lace...
I hadn't heard of Offhand Designs before. Now I'm coveting the circular needle organizer in Morocco. And wishing I had been more on the ball with that whole "Accessories" section of PureKnits. Those sold out Misocrafty bags are super cute!
Posted by: Cookie | October 30, 2006 12:05 AM
oh how i wish that i could have seen you guys! my luck has not been so good as of late. let's plan another day in the city, very soon.
Posted by: carre m | October 30, 2006 06:52 PM
I know I'm an awful blog friend, but I am stalking you & I love love love watching the amazing things you knit :D I keep re-reading all your older entries and darn you, I miss you! :C :D
Posted by: Amanda Woodward | October 30, 2006 10:22 PM
They are lovely!
And I wanted to say, pureknits has the fastest "service" ever... my Malabrigo got here in record time and is even more soft and scrumptious than I'd heard tell. Is it bad that most of it is for me? ;)
Thanks so much!
Posted by: jennie | October 31, 2006 10:24 AM
such pretty socks! :)
yeah, the old (not superwash) yarn we did... I just didn't like either! and handwash socks? Ugh. What were we thinking!? Glad the color is okay- sometimes the pinks/purples like to bleed a little. :| Our current yarns are sooo much better to knit!
Posted by: paula | October 31, 2006 10:48 AM
Those socks look great!
I had such a great time hanging out with you guys!
What a great cause too! I have been thinking about your offhand designs bag since I got home!
Posted by: Leah | October 31, 2006 02:36 PM
Gorgeous.
Posted by: Mary | November 1, 2006 03:20 PM
Stunning!
Posted by: Chris | November 11, 2006 11:20 PM