Frog, Monkey, Sock

This is the yarn I decided to use for the chevron scarf in June:I'd planned to make this my "vacation knit" when we went to Indy. But after about six inches, the blatant stripeyness started to make me crazy. So I decided to go for a more muted color palette and frogged it...Thank goodness I always pack several projects when I go on vacation!

Now, allow me to introduce you to the socks I'm making for my stepfather (whose Christmas present was never mailed to him by the artist we ordered it from, remember?). After trying a few different patterns and yarns, I ended up back with the Koigu charcoal/brown colorway:
The pattern is a basic slip-stitch ribbing, with 1x1 rib at the top and an eye-of-partridge heel. I incorporated Charlene Schurch's garter stitch edging along the heel, just for fun.

Also, instead of using the usual "K1" next to the gusset decreases, I decided to work a P1...it helps set off the trim little decreases and enhances the ribbing on the instep. These are some WARM socks! I stuck my hand inside to better see the pattern last night and was surprised at the insulating quality of this stitch...
Finally, I've found the right pattern for the right wool--You just can't go wrong with Koigu. Sock #1 is almost done, so I'll soon have an "on-the-foot" photo for you.

By the way, last weekend we went to an estate sale on Q Street near Dupont Circle...I'd been in the house before, when it was on the market (pale green marble wall in the hallway, gigantic old fireplace in the kitchen...lovely), and enjoyed this opportunity to show it to Chris. We picked up a handful of CDs, a pile of silk scarves, a long black wool coat with a black fur-trimmed hood/collar (for me--$12.00!), and a couple of little pictures...
"Monkey-on-a-feather," from Costa Rica. Strangely intriguing...

PS. I have a question: Would anyone be interested in the patterns I've been "unventing"? Over the past several months I've racked up a few patterns for items I've designed on-the-needles: Fingerless gloves, camera sock, iPod case, various socks, neck warmer, etc. Just let me know if you'd like me to write up the patterns. I'll be happy to share :-)

Frog, Monkey, Sock

Grand Prix Knitting

Today we're leaving for Indianapolis, home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix. So...what kind of knitting DOES one bring to a racetrack? Answer #1: Socks (2 pairs). I'm packing the Gentleman's Socks with Lozenge Pattern (which I'm making with the lovely Schaefer Anne yarn). These aren't a quick knit...The yarn is light fingering weight, and my brain is having a hard time grasping the pattern. Don't ask me why.

So, for mindless pleasure, I'm also packing the plain old stockinette pair I cast on this week, using Online (summer colors, wool/cotton/nylon). Not my typical yarn choice, but the colors are pretty, aren't they?



And--ta da!--my "major" project (though also somewhat mindless): The Chevron Scarf.

After much debating and playing with my stash, I've decided upon the Cherry Blossom yarn I bought from Sundara (love it...that chocolate color is so rich against the peachy pink) and the brown/charcoal Koigu I've been messing around with for a year. Funny: Last year at Indy I was working on Jaywalkers with it! But I ripped them out. Must have been Bad Yarn Karma (BYK).

We're off this afternoon..."leavin' on a jet plane," for 6 days in Indy and the best freakin' steak dinner in the WORLD at St. Elmo's Steakhouse. Their shrimp cocktail (shrimp in Indianapolis???) is TO DIE FOR. Honestly! And, of course, the lyrical rumble and whine of Formula One engines, the smell of oil and tires in the sun, and--hopefully--a podium that doesn't include Raikonnen or Hamilton ;-) Oh, Juan Pablo Montoya...Why did you leave F1? I'll miss you this weekend. Sigh.

Oh, by the way, here's a little something I whipped up one evening...It's a felted iPod holder, with room for the earbuds and cord. The closure is a crocheted flower "button" with I-cord loop. It's very water resistant, and strong enough to protect my Pod in the black hole of my purse. I'll post the pattern if anyone's interested.

Have a happy weekend everyone! I'll post some pix when I get back. A bientot!

Grand Prix Knitting