Dude, She Held My Sock!!

Got to see the Yarn Harlot on Friday night in Ann Arbor.  For the record, she is a teeny tiny rock star AND she's freaking hilarious.  A good time was had by all.

While the rest of you stare enviously at the photo, Kate is squinting at the sock Stephanie is holding and saying, "Hey!  That doesn't look like Salto!"

Ummmm....that's because it isn't, but I can explain.  Kate and I had a deal to start knitting Salto this past weekend.  But the problem was, I finished the ladylike cardigan on Wednesday night.



Well, mostly finished.  A couple of ends are left to weave in and I haven't bought buttons.  But the knitting was done with two days until the weekend.  Two days AND a winter sports awards assembly to sit through.  A new project was mandatory.

I thought about starting Salto early, but I didn't want to cheat.  A logical knitter would have gone back to the Rambling Rows afghan or maybe the long-dormant Denim Leaves pullover.  I've been called a lot of things, but "logical knitter" ain't one of them.

Instead, I grabbed the skein of Berroco Sock that has been taunting me from the top of my bureau for the past month.  I grabbed my new set of Knit Picks Harmony DP's, I grabbed New Pathways for Sock Knitters, and I hit the ground running.

It is my pleasure to present Ocean-Toes.  (Have I mentioned that Cat Bordhi is a genius?)



This pattern is somewhat intricate, requiring me to look at the instructions every row, but it is also really addictive!  The cuff flew by and the heel shaping is fascinating.  I took it with me to see the Yarn Harlot because I couldn't bear to put it down.



Dig that crazy heel shaping!!

While the rest of you are admiring the heel, Kate is squinting at the calendar and saying, "But it's Tuesday. (She's 16 hours ahead)  Surely she started Salto by now."

Well...sort of.  I attempted to swatch for Salto, and found that my gray handspun will not work.  It seems it "bloomed" in the soaking and hanging process and is nowhere near the fingering weight that the pattern calls for.  To get gauge, I'd need 000 needles and the socks would be so tight they'd stand up by themselves.

I found this rather discouraging, so instead of searching my stash for a suitable replacement, I sought solace in my spinning wheel and all knitting came to a temporary halt. 

But fear not.  I got my second wind today.  Suitable yarn has been located and a swatch is in the works.  And if I can get gauge, I may even show it to you.  Keep knitting, Kate, I'm right behind you!

Comments

[Kate]

Ummm, actually, you are way ahead of me. I'm still not entirely sure about the Araucania, so I went to Orange today to visit my LYS's (all two of them). My favourite, Caboodle Yarns, has plenty of sock-yarn, but none of it solid coloured. The other store is closed on Tuesdays (which I always forget until I'm standing on the step staring stupidly at the CLOSED sign). So I'm about to cast on with the Araucania, and see how it goes.
Right after I work the last five rows and the picot bind-off on the Lily cardi. Squeee! (I have the cutest little clasp for it - just wait till you see it!)
Oh, and I stared enviously first, THEN squinted at the sock. Just so you know.

[Kate]

Forgot to say before - lurve the Ocean Toes sock. I REALLY need to get me that book!!!

[Kim]

That is a FABULOUS heel! Are you attempting a different handspun for Salto?

[Karen in Toledo]

Dude, I took a pretty darn good photo of the two of you! AND the socks made it into the photo. LOL ;-)

[Pam]

I saw the Harlot in that god-awful storm we had in Minnesota on Thursday. She is a riot. Imagine, little old me standing between the Harlot and the Rainey Sisters. I was in knitter heaven!
Berrocco sock, you say. I may just have to get me some of that!