FO: Lateral

So, on Vampire Diaries last night . . . I kid, I kid.  Though there was one part during which my jaw dropped and I sat with my mouth open for like two whole minutes before I realized what was going on.  If you watched, you know what I am talking about.  If you are behind, catch up please, I want to discuss!

This week's FO has been keeping my feet warm all week because, surprise, the temperature dropped back into the thirties again.  I had thought March would be our salvation from cold, but it looks like not even the prospect of April will be able to save us.  Luckily I finished these socks over the weekend and was all set to wear cozy cashmere blends on my feet.

Lateral is my third project from Cookie A's latest book Shapes + Form.  It is a simple pattern, but it looks lovely and it was nice to knit a Cookie A sock without being married to the chart.  Despite its simplicity it does have that Cookie A feel that I have found runs so consistently throughout all her patterns.  I did sub in the heel from Hermoine's Everyday Sock as that is my current favorite.  I find that it fits the shape of my heel well while still having durability that seems to cope well with how hard I am on my socks.  I also just love how the garter stitch looks when it is picked up for the gusset.  Something about it is just so charming.

This was my first skein of Tempted and I love it.  It is her Lil' Luxe Grrl, which is a MCN blend with just under 400 yards, in the Oasis colorway.  I found this skein on destash on Ravelry for a very good price and have hoarded it for months.  I have worn these socks twice this week and they have been super cozy -- totally decadent for socks.

For more lovely FOs, head on over to the links on Tami's Amis!

A Weekend in Purple Fairyland

It is finally March!  The temperatures have plunged back into the thirties and there is the constant threat of more snow (seriously, I love winter, but more?).  So far March has been a lot like February, but with a lot more purple.

I know I went unexpectedly off the radar for a bit, but it was with good reason, I promise you.  This weekend was the first in a year-long series of children's theater productions that will help benefit the place where I work.  As part of the deal, we set up a merchandise booth at the theater and sold all sorts of fairy-tale inspired items to little kids and their grown-ups who came to see a modernized interpretation of Rapunzel.  It was an absolute blast and I got to dress up my normal work clothes with various crowns and a lot of purple nail polish.  I do not think I realized until I sat down to paint my nails just how much purple polish I own.

I wish I had taken more photos of the table, but we were so busy that by the time I thought to do so we had sold almost everything.  All weekend we kept having to return to our store to look for anything that might remotely relate to the show so that every child who was able could purchase some sort of souvenir.  By the end we had two rubbermaid totes of a few crowns and stuffed animals and that was it.

Rapunzel the Giraffe was a big draw

Because I was there the majority of the past three days I did get some knitting done.  The Lateral socks made a comeback and I finished up the first sock.

I was not able to try them on as often as I normally would, so I started the toe decreases a little late and ended up with a wider toe box.  The yarn is so lovely, however that I don't think I will care.  I stopped at my normal length to avoid floppy fabric and it seems to fit just fine.  We will see after I finish sock number two.  Which may be a while because I finally got moving again on Twigs and Willows.

More on that tomorrow.

Not the Happiest of Socks

These socks have a bit of a sad tale.  On Friday my father, sister, and I drove up to Pennsylvania for the funeral of a dear man.  Robert, known to this part of the family as Uncle Bob, was a dear man who was like a grandfather to us.  He was a missionary in The Philippines until his two year old daughter contracted Polio, and then he took care of her, succumbing the disease himself.  He was a writer, a World War Two vet, and a brilliant pianist.  In a word, he was amazing, and served as a wonderful positive influence on the world.  When Uncle Bob's wife Margie died two years ago we made this same journey and I cast on a pair of socks.  Since I have recently found myself with a free pair of needles I decided to start another pair.  It may sound a little strange, but for me it was a calming and meditative way to survive the nine hour journey.

This (Lateral) is the third pattern I have knit from Cookie A's Shape + Form.  I just cannot seem to get enough of her patterns.  Unlike her more well known sock patterns, Lateral is fairly straight forward and easy to memorize, but it is that simplicity that makes it so appealing at a time like this.  The yarn is Tempted Fiber Arts in the colorway Oasis.  I am loving the way the variegation is taking to the pattern.

I am changing the heel, subbing out the more traditional heel for a garter eye of partridge.  I recently learned this from the Hermoine's Everyday Sock pattern and I think this may be my new favorite.  I like the way the eye of partridge wears with my shoes and the garter stitch flows into the rest of the sock in a way that seems like magic.

I am hopeful that this will turn out well.  I know some may find it distasteful to be knitting a pair of socks in memory of my uncle, but it gives me a constructive way to go through this mourning period.  Like when I knit a different hat every time my father was in the hospital.  It channels the nervous energy and when I come out the other side I will be able to remember the honor guard who brought us all to tears in a bit more tangible manner.

For more uplifting WIPs, check out the gang over at Tami's Amis.