Not too much to report here, I’m just cruising along in full summer mode. There’s been yarn dyeing, grass mowing, rose bush pruning, book reading and even sock knitting. It’s really quite lovely.
On the sock knitting front, I’ve been itching to cast on Anne’s hand-spun, and I finally snagged a copy of Knitting Vintage Socks to help in picking a pattern. I had looked through this book once before, and was a bit scared of it since I hadn’t knitted socks at that point, but wanted to give it a second try. Well, why didn’t I do that sooner? Cause this book is amazing. I think it’s possibly the best compilation of stylish men’s sock patterns that I’ve ever found. There’s not a single pattern in the book that I don’t want to make either for myself or as a gift.
I love this book so much in fact, that it makes me fancy myself an Englishman, wearing fine suits and sipping tea, all whilst wearing some very fine looking socks. Then all I’d have to do is get into trouble and hire a butler, and I could very well star in a remake of Jeeves and Wooster! That would be quite fanciful, don’t you say old boy?
Needless to say, I think that the Gentleman’s Sock with Lozenge Pattern will look great with the handspun, don’t you think? I haven’t even gotten to the leg yet and I’m already in love. The simplicity and texture of the purl bumps on top of the ribbing is just genius. Absolute genius. The handspun is soft and squishy, with a wonderful sweet smell (what did you wash it in Anne?). I’m enjoying every stitch, and know that I’ll be very sad when it’s no longer on my needles. (Although it will be on my feet!)
In dog news, Dallas and Emma now refuse to talk to me without their agent present, because they now insist that they are internet celebrities. See, I submitted their baby hat photos to Meg at Cute Overload, and lo and behold, the pictures were accepted! If you don’t know what Cute Overload is, you should check it out…it’s most definitely the Slashdot of all things cute. (If you don’t know what /. is, then I’m afraid I have no other analogies. You’re on your own.) So if you’re now a reader because of Cute Overload, thanks for stopping by! Hopefully I’ll finish contract negotiations with the dogs soon, so that I can use their tremendous modeling skills for future knit related photo shoots.
Speaking of baby hat wearing dogs, I have some pictures of the actual baby hats in their new environment. Here are the hats, being modeled by little Samuel and his older sister Lucy. Aren’t they adorable?
In fact, this baby knitting thing is so satisfying, I think I might be doing it more often for my friends. Just don’t tell my Mom ok? She’ll give me the “you need to give me Grandchildren!” speech if she knows I have baby knitting fever! Haha, just kidding Mom, don’t hurt me!
I love that book. I’ve knitted a couple pairs from it for my boyfriend; in fact, I’m currently working on a pair. I think, though, he would wear anything I knit for him, even if it were a hat made with my first learning-to-knit stitches. Anyway, the sock is looking beautiful! Such a great color.
I can’t decide if the kids or the dogs are cuter…
Great color for the socks! :) Then again I love greens. And definitely cuteness overload. They are sooo adorable.
The first time I looked at that book, nothing struck my fancy. But then every time I see a sock someone has knit from there I think “Wow, I need to make those”!
ahh… the Gentlemen’s Socks. That was the first pari I knit from that book. I made a pair in Koigu, which I gifted to a wonderful deserving friend who adores them. The only problem with this is that he now drops hints that he wants more socks. Mine were also a green based yarn.
Enjoy!
(going back to knitting another sock from that book now).
Quite!
I did find your journal through Cute Overload, but I stayed for the knitting.
I mean to get my own copy of that book sometime.
I’m laughing at thinking of your mom hurting you. lol
Man, those shnauzers just keep getting cuter! Oh wait - sorry…
Seriouisly, how angelic are those kids. :-)
Cute Overload (in my brain I call it Cute Overlord) is great. Thanks for the tip. Have you seen “Cute with Chris”? Also hysterical, and cute.
hi adam!
oh yeah i meant to tell you about the wool soap! it is meadows wool wash that is available from louet. i use the patchouli scent, but it also comes in cedar, lavendar, and pennyroyal. this is the finest soap i have found—a mere teaspoon does a whole load of socks and leaves them with a wonderful moth-repelling scent. i also store my washed yarns in the cedar closet david created just for the yarn boxes.
You need a smoking jacket and a pipe (even if you don’t smoke it) for lounging around in your gentlemen’s socks!
Ha ha! Congrats, Dallas and Emma, on CO- and I say definitely get an agent!
The handspun socks look soft and squishy, and I love that shade of green. I haven’t posted any pics yet, but I did start my Yarn Nerd Monkey socks, and they’re gorgeous. But what can I say, I’m a sucker for green!
the hats look adorable on their rightful owners, but i missed the precious dog pics! the socks look delicious. can’t wait to see them finished. i don’t do socks yet, but have heard great things about that book. will have to check it out when i get tired of knitting baby items–which may be a while as it’s very fun and rewarding!
I do love that book! Will be glad to see what you knit from it - I know it will be fab!
the “plain winter sock” (or whatever it’s called) is one of my faves. i’ve made 4 pairs, i think. i love that book!!
wow, dallas and emma are moving up in the world. i hope they don’t let their fame go to their heads. i can already see emma now…her beard all rumpled and crazy, acting like a diva and demanding evian in her water bowl ;).
That is my go-to book for knitting socks for my hubby — it truly is a fabulous compilation. Can’t wait to see that pattern knit with the handspun!
Yowsa! That handspun sock is lookin fine!
Those sweet little kiddos look adorable in their hats! Speaking of grandchildren…you know how much I want to be a grandma, but I’d prefer that you get married first! If you don’t do it in that order I may have to hurt you. Love the socks…they look even better in person. Someday I may finish the sock that has been hanging around on my knitting needles.
Love ya~
that book is full of great patterns! i just started a sock from it too, tonight.
you’re a lucky knitter to have some handspun from anne. LUCKY! … and goblin green, no doubt!!!
have a peaceful weekend =)
Hey there, I’ve been lurking on your blog for awhile and I can’t believe this is my first comment. Anyways, I am loving how your sock is turning out - do you have a 10st/in gauge? The yarn looks like it would be a bigger gauge, but that might just be the picture. I wanted to knit those socks for my husband but 9 or 10 st/in will be the end of me.
Also, mothers will ALWAYS ask for grandchildren even after you give them some!!!