Spring Fern Socks

Needles: Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Yarn: 100% superwash merino from WoolCandy on Etsy. Colorway: Swamp Monster
Pattern: Free pattern available from The Loopy Ewe

Raindrop Baby Socks

Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Wool: Leftover yarn from April Breeze socks. Araucania Yarn. Fingerweight. 70% Superwash Merino, 15% Bamboo, 15% Silk Colorway: Sky from The Loopy Ewe
Pattern: Eyelet cable (multiple of 5)
Rnd 1: P2 *Sl1 K2,PSSO,P2; repeat to last 3 stitches, Sl1, K2, PSSO
Rnd 2: P2, *K1, YO, K1, P2*; repeat to last 2 stitches, K1, YO, K1
Rnd 3: P2, *K3, P2*; repeat to last 3 stitches, K3
Rnd 4: repeat round 3

Fleur Baby Socks

Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Wool: Leftover from Crocus Socks knit in March; Fresh Fig Marzipan colorway from WoolCandy on Etsy
Pattern: Stitch pattern is baby cable rib

April Breeze Socks

Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Pattern:Summer Lovin a free pattern through Ravelry
Yarn: Araucania Yarn. Fingerweight. 70% Superwash Merino, 15% Bamboo, 15% Silk Colorway: Sky from The Loopy Ewe

Life is But a Dream Socks

Needles: Needles: Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Yarn: Swiss Mountain Sea Sock (51% silk 29% superwash merino, 20% seacell. Colorway: Salt Spray from The Loopy Ewe
Pattern: Merrily by IrishgirleKnits

This yarn is spendy, but oh! so soft and wonderful to knit!

History Of Hand Knitting (Book Review)

I was fortunate to get a copy of A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt (with a foreward by Meg Swanson) published by Interweave Press in 1987 through inter-library loan. There must not be too many copies of it available as mine came from an out of state library. This 248-page book was fascinating to read and includes many black and white photographs I've never seen before. It is an extensive history beginning with a chapter entitled Before 1500. Other chapters include Henry VIII to the Commonwealth, the Restoration to 1835, the Victorian age, the first World War and After, Some Local Traditions of the British Isles, the Americas, and Eastern Knitting. It also has an historical glossary, a bibliography, and an index.

Of course, it includes nothing about the knitting renaissance of the past decade or so and I was especially amused by this section on the end of hand-knitted stockings on page 161 which begins

Socks and stockings were the most frequently hand-knitted garments from the beginning of popular knitting until the 1950s. Today they hardly can be seen, and only the old can remember how to turn a heel without referring to a book. The cheapness of machine-knit stockings, especially when produced in low-wage regions such as East Asia, has finally banished the home-made stocking. Home-made stockings, partly because of knitters' habits, partly because men liked them, survived in dwindling numbers until about 1970. A few patterns only remain in print; and hosiery wool, through still spun, is not readily available. Stockings were always dull work. Today's knitter expects more pleasure from the craft.

Whew!

I'm taking the rest of the month off from knitting socks. I'm going to plan my flower garden, watch the birds, do some minimal housework, and maybe fondle some yarn.

Murder Mystery Socks

Needles: Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Yarn: Bought from La Joie de Fibres by Tricoterie on Etsy
Pattern: Plain stockinette

Spring Fern Socks

Needles: Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Yarn: 100% superwash merino from WoolCandy on Etsy. Colorway: Swamp Monster
Pattern: Free pattern available from The Loopy Ewe

Rain, Rain Go Away Socks

Needles: Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Yarn: Araucania Yarn. Fingerweight. 70% Superwash Merino, 15% Bamboo, 15% Silk Colorway: Thunderstorm from Loopy Ewe
Pattern: River Rapids. Free pattern from Ravelry.

A Loopy Groupie!

Yes, I received my latest order from The Loopy Ewe and am now an official Loopy Groupie! Here's a photo of Loopy (who I've named Louie) with the goodies I bought.



And here he is with all the goodies I received as a new Groupie! No, no Louie! Chocolates are not good things for little sheep to eat! Those are mine!



Here he's checking out my Flickr account!



Little Louie then took a break, snuggling the yarns I plan to use to knit my April socks. Ohhhhh....they are so soft and beautiful. Enjoy, Louie! And welcome home!

Oh, Baby! Baby Socks

Needles: Needles: 2.25 mm dpn
Yarn: Leftover from adult-sized socks
Pattern: My own, based on a basic baby sock pattern

Stocking Up on Books on CD

I'm taking a break from movie/mystery DVDs and on this evening's trek to the library stocked up on some books on CD. They include Ruth Rendell's 13 Steps Down; Like a Charm, edited by Karin Slaughter (an unusual book consisting of 16 interconnected stories) and J.A. Jance's Edge of Evil. The only DVDs I could find were Lucy Neatby's Knitting Gems. One is on beading techniques, lace basics with a look at charting, and useful tricks for serene yarn handling and the other demonstrates a variety of cast-ons, even more increases, fancy bind-offs, and daring rescue techniques. Should be fun!

Next week is Spring Break at the university where I work, so I'll only be at the Archives ref desk on Wednesday from 9am-3pm and that's it. The following week, however, brings the beginning of a new term and a very busy schedule for all of April.

Spring Forward Socks

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight [100% Superwash Merino; 360yd/329m per 4.5 oz. skein]; color: Footzey-Foo
Pattern: from Knitty

This was a fun and fast pattern and I plan to knit it again.