Smatterings

  • Monkey socks = fun knitting

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    I had no idea that knitting the Monkey socks would be so much fun.  They’re the perfect counterpoint to the MS3.  I don’t know which to pick up first.  When I need a bit of simple, I pick up Monkey, and when I want to concentrate, MS3 is right there.  Monkey gets shoved into my backpack to be pulled out whenever, MS3 stays at home. 

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    I am changing a few things, like the heel flap.  I like the density of the slip st. version.  Those little stripes, what a lot of pleasure they give me.  Easily entertained. 

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    16 responses to “Monkey socks = fun knitting”

    1. Kate/Massachusetts

      Your socks are gorgeous! On my monitor the colors look so soft and muted – are they? What is the yarn?

    2. Sara

      Perhaps easily entertained, but I think it is wonderful to be delighted by details: they are always around us, available to the observant. It makes for a full, rich everyday life.
      Nice socks :), beautiful yarn.

    3. Tan

      Love your Dream Monkeys.

    4. Manise

      Cool monkeys! Is Dream really that dark? I also love seeing what color pops up next and how the colors play next to one another.

    5. Diane

      Oh, how nice. Lovely striping in the subtle shades.I haven’t tried that pattern yet, it’s on THE list. I’ve been working on the MS3, but haven’t had much time to cencentrate on lace this week.

    6. Birte

      This a such a beautiful color for yarn!

    7. Anne

      Those things are too damn addictive by halves. Fun, yah – but they suck you in.

    8. Beth in STL

      I love the sock yarn! I’m also currently bouncing between Monkey Socks in Lime & Violet yarn (on Knitpicks 2.5mm circs), and the MS3 in Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud. I’m about halfway through Clue #3. It’s been great fun so far, with no errors more than one row away (knock on wood).
      I just wish I could justify buying some of your wonderful laceweight; unfortunately the lure of a new house is putting the brakes on my yarn-spending for now.

    9. Nancyjane

      Have you tried the “Jaywalkers” yet? They’re even more addictive than the Monkeys! One of each on the needles now, and I got sucked into the MS3 frenzy, too. Watch my “Dishcloth Tag” box show up this week! This working for a living crap is really interfering with my knitting time! Love your colors!

    10. Lucia

      Those colors are fantastic, like a clear lake at sunrise.

    11. Dorothy B

      Pretty yarn. I like how the socks are looking. I’m working on MS3 too. I haven’t gotten past Clue #1 though. Not enough uninterrupted sit down and knit time.

    12. Laurie

      Love the lavendary bluey purpley smokey yarn.

    13. Leigh

      Very nice! I love the colors.

    14. Romi

      Okay. Now I’m finally cnvinced that I must have some! I love yours.

    15. Carol

      Your Monkeys are gorgeous! Love the color play on them!

    16. Reb

      I covet that yarn!!!

  • Lace, more lace, and lace wt. yarn

    Everything on the needles is lace.  I’m pretty stuck on it. There is the MS3 (clue 2 is finished, it has been a lot of fun so far), The Spring Things Shawl (this was my easy knit until I realized I’d dropped a stitch and it ran backwards a few rows, time to tink), and I think I can include the Monkey Socks (couldn’t you?).  Wings of the Swan is waiting in a bag next to my chair, partly finished.  And for once, all of the things I am knitting are using my own hand dyed yarn.  Two of the projects are beaded.  None of these are social, let’s talk and knit projects.  I’ve been using spindling for that.  Everything is very portable.  Perfect summer projects. 

    And… I’ve been dyeing.  This time it is Alpaca & Silk Lace Wt. I used this for my Shetland Shawl last autumn and now for The Spring Things Shawl.  So soft.  Lovely bloom.

    Here is what’s been cooking.

    Atlantic_as_2

    atlantic

    Moutain_ice_2

    mountain ice

    Woodland_shade

    woodland shade

    Silver_vase

    silver vase

    Watermelon

    watermelon

    Purple_finch

    purple finch

    Lt_berry_2

    light berry

    Buttercup seems to be missing.  I’ll get it posted with the next batch.  If this cooler weather is here to stay, I’ll continue with some of the Merino & Silk 2 ply that Indigo Moon spun for me before they closed their shop this spring.

    This gorgeous weather has me sitting outdoors with my laptop, posting.  Today, I love technology.. tomorrow, who knows.

    8 responses to “Lace, more lace, and lace wt. yarn”

    1. Carole

      Lace is a great thing to be knitting. I love your latest colors!

    2. Wanda

      I’m enjoying my lace right now too. It may be time to cast on for something new . . .

    3. cyndy

      The silver vase is amazing! well, they are all amazing…but the silver vase is double amazing…
      (sounds like you are enjoying the cool front that moved in!)

    4. Anne

      As always, simply stunning colors. Could you send some of the cool weather this way. Please????
      I am on a lace kick too. I had to put down the MS3 for a bit while I’m swamped for a bit here, but I can still work on the Victorian Lace scarf – that’s easier.

    5. Manise

      It WAS a wonderful day wasn’t it? After all that wet and humidity- simply gorgeous! Beautiful colors out of the dye pot I see! Hmmmm…

    6. Carol

      I always love your colors! Gorgeous.

    7. Fiberjoy

      LOL Each new colorway that appeared as I scrolled down jumped out as the favorite. Until I reached Purple Finch – wow, my colors! Do you know how hard long I’ve looked for yarn of similar color? How much of it do you have?

    8. Beth S.

      I’m surprised by how much I like Atlantic. It’s not my usual sort of thing at all… but, wow. 🙂

  • more socks

    There is more than MS3 going on around here. 

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    The second Embossed Leaves sock is done.  Check that off the list.  I had a great time with this pattern.  Not much remains of the original.  I added the picot edge top, used an Eye of the Partridge heel flap and discontinued the pattern for the foot.  A smoother sock fits and feels better in many of my winter shoes.  With temps and humidity into the 90’s, putting a wool sock onto my feet wasn’t something I wanted to do for long.  I need some sock stretchers. 

    Pattern: inspired by Embossed Leaves, IK
    Yarn: Ball and Skein Sock Yarn
             hand dyed in Mountain Spring
    Needles: Knit Picks #1 & #2 circs. ( I love these needles)

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    With my morning coffee, I went through my sock yarn and picked out Dream

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    Next up: Monkey!

    20 responses to “more socks”

    1. Cindy D

      I’m guessing from that gorgeous sock pic you are nearby……………….

    2. Lori

      I think those are the best embossed leaves I’ve seen yet! Really, really lovely! I’m gonna have to buy some of that lovely yarn very soon!

    3. elizabeth

      Pretty! I love the KP circs too; they’re fast creating a callous on my right index finger (after several jab wounds).

    4. margene

      Your colorway was perfect for Embossed Leaves!

    5. Beth S.

      Oh, Judy! What incredible socks! Those are some of the prettiest Embossed Leaves I’ve ever seen. I have to go home tonight and check the skein of green sock yarn I bought at NHSW–I think it may be the same colorway. If it is, I now know exactly what to do with it!

    6. Wanda

      I adore your Embossed Leaves socks. I really liked the pattern too, but couldn’t decide on a yarn. I’ve got some of your Sargasso Sea sock yarn and the colors are similar to Mtn Spring. I agree that a smoother foot fit better into shoes and is more comfortable to wear. What’s Eye of Pheasant heel flap? Is it the same as Eye of partridge?

    7. Pat K

      Beautiful socks! Perfect match for walking in the woods on Wednesdays or any other days.

    8. Susan Pandorf

      Watch out! Those monkeys can be tricky little buggers. I’ve had all kinds of trouble with mine. They’ve:
      been too big
      been too small
      spied on me
      faced unemployment
      descended into the depths of alchohol abuse
      cooled their heels in my fridge
      You get the picture, right? I advise a tight rein and an early curfew…
      Blessings!

    9. Kathy

      Those socks look fantastic — your mods are gorgeous and seemless. And Cloud will make great Monkeys — I really like that colorway.

    10. Laurie

      Beautiful! Your color sequences make a great sock. I like the KP dpns a lot.

    11. Manise

      Awesome socks! I have the same colorway in stash. Lichen and Rainy Day Blues would also make super Monkeys! I have those too 🙂

    12. Kim

      I love that pattern and yours are very pretty! I love, love that olivey green!

    13. Nancyjane

      I’m on my second pair of Monkeys. Love ’em. Just don’t show them to your non-knitting friends or they’ll want a pair. I’ll have to get some of yur yarn when I’m home in the fall.

    14. Carole

      They are wonderful!

    15. Romi

      I *love* those green socks! Yummy!

    16. Leigh

      Great socks! After reading the comments, now I’m curious about those monkeys.

    17. Marianne

      Really, really pretty socks Judy !
      Nice picture with the leaves backdrop !

    18. kate

      Judy – I was just reading on Kim’s (Woolen Rabbit) blog that she visited you in Littleton this weekend. Do you live in Littleton? That is where my family is from. It is where my roots are! I’m actually headed up there this weekend to visit my grandparents. I had no idea you were in that area!

    19. Carol

      Those are beautiful! Can’t wait to see the Monkeys!

    20. cyndy

      Perfect socks! Perfect backdrop for perfect socks!
      I too, am wondering about the Eye of Partridge Heel…and as always, love that picot edge top.

“Our lives are dyed the colors of our imagination.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

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