Saturday, February 10, 2007

Can You Tell What it is Yet?
Yes, I am knitting a large ginger beard. Not really. Here is (are?) the beginnings of one of my twin shawls. This was after only a couple of days, and before I was distracted by some hand-painted Opal sock yarn. I have now knitted three-quarters of a sock, but cannot report further progress on either shawl.

I am now unable to put my sock down and will most likely finish it before picking up on the shawls again. Here is the sock (a couple of days ago):

The stitch is Stansfield #10 from Sensational Knitted Socks. The colourway is Midsummer Night's Dream. The colours are so much darker than I expected - nothing like the bright colours in the photo, but this happens, I suppose. Sometimes it takes something like this to make you realise what it is that really pleases you. These dark colours are quite striking if you look at them close-up, but I now know for certain that I prefer something lighter (not usually pastel, though), brighter and - dare I say it - more feminine.

I had trouble deciding which stitch to knit the socks in, too. About ten rows in, I still wasn't very happy with Stansfield #10. I don't know why. Maybe it's too austere when combined with this colourway. Thing is, though it's not making my heart flutter, I do feel the pattern shows the yarn off quite nicely. This yarn is lovely to knit with - it's all springy and has a lot of body. I do really like it, but can't help feeling that the yarn and pattern combined were really meant for a man. And not a flibbertygibbet thing like me.

Soon, I will tell you about the shawls, and the "issues" I have. Oh, things just aren't tickety-boo knitting-wise, at present. I feel as though I've made some errors of judgement. However, as all knitting is good knitting, and, it's the journey that counts, etc., it's okay.

Before I go, I am so ashamed of not thanking you all for your lovely comments on my Edwardian wotsit. So, thank you, all of you.

18 comments:

  1. you are amazing with the lace! I am on row 13 of my rather simple pattern and already spotted 2 major mistakes. I am not frogging but admire your lace!

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  2. your on a role with this lace! and how is it that socks are SO distracting? the yarn just sits there, looking at you and then you start knitting it and before you know it you're turning the heel. sock yarn has magical powers.

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  3. You look like you're joining a folk band :D
    Actually I really like that sock. It *is* a Midsummer Night, and the pattern is lovely.

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  4. I love the beard! It must be a good sign if the lace even looks good as a ginger beard!

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  5. Hey that looks like a Beard of Bees!

    I just love the sock - sad it isn't really doing it for you - but it's making me, glad, glad, glad I just ordered SKS yesterday :)

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  6. Are you auditioning for ZZ Tops ? LOL Bet you don't remember them any way :)
    Great lace again , you put me to shame I really want to get on with mine but stuff gets in the way . Now I love that sock , what's wrong with it ?

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  7. You know, I like that sock! And you remind me of when Hugh F-W made felt on one of the River Cottage programmes .....

    I'm also checking in to say how goregous the Edwardian wotsit is. I wish I could knit one lace repeat a day instead of always moving on to something else.

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  8. I think the Midsummer Nights Dream looks wonderful in that stitch. I can feel my heart fluttering from here.
    The lace looks amazing too.
    I also find it hard to know what I'm going to like until I've knitted some of it, and then the urge is to plough on because you don't want to waste what you've done.

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  9. So you're a gnome, great disguise.

    The sock looks great, you are such an accomplished sock knitter these days, the colour is lovely although I am "girley" colour person I guess.

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  10. Looking forward to seeing your shawl finished. It's looking good so far - keep going!
    I agree about the colour of the socks - its a great colour but I think I like paler colours. Just looking in my stash there are several really lovely skeins of Fleece Artist Merino- but they are dark...maybe it's the feeling of Spring round the corner or maybe its that socks work better in lighter colours

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  11. I love that sock yarn. It looks great knit up in that pattern too.

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  12. I am sorry to read that Charles does not like the hat you knit for him. It's called Ocean, what's not to like? His snowman was very dashing, by the way.

    Two more shawls *and* socks -- I am so impressed. I like the colors in the current sock (from what I can see on my monitor) but I can see how you would prefer something lighter too.

    I hope you are all staying warm in this snowy wet weather! We had an ice storm today and everything is coated in ice pellets. I'd rather have the snow. :)

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  13. Great beard ... look forward to hearing about your progresses with the shawls.

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  14. Why is it that if I don't read for a little while people get mad spurts of creative energy and produce tonnes of lovely goodies? I love the socks, hat (can share the 'won't wear' anguish from Emily!) snowman, shawl and beard - which circus will you be the bearded lady with? LOL! A great novel way of showing a WIP! Can't wait for FO's now!

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  15. The lace is looking good so far, and I really like the colour of the sock :)

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  16. Hi Alice
    Hope you are okay,saw you post on Framkie's blog and thought I'd pop in and say HELLO :) & to say I am thinking of you
    Take care

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  17. Oops Kath is staying with us and we were talking about you and I posted uner Kaths name bymistake LoL BUT we are both missing you :)

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