Use your imagination

The snow has been melting, so I ventured out today and went to my LYS to get some yarn and DPNs to make squares for Larissa's test-along for her upcoming book. Lured by the subtle colors of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Baltic Sea colorway, challenged by the almost toothpick size of the US2 DPNs, I printed the pattern and cast on. I dutifully did a swatch to check gauge, then frogged it and started the pattern.

WOW! I really can knit with toothpicks small DPNs! (I have big hands, so this is somewhat surprising.) The first few rounds were a bit awkward, but as the piece grew, it became much easier to handle. I've finished one square, but I can't show it to you because I lent my camera to a friend. More about that later. As the title of this post says, you'll just have to use your imagination for now. :)

I felted some more cranes for the Knitnotwar project, too. I have six ready to go now, so getting ten done by the deadline isn't going to be a problem. I'm using leftover wool from other projects, so there are red ones and white ones and blue/green/yellow ones as well. Seann has posted a link to a picture of mulitudes of these cranes hanging in a shop window. (That might be Lint, but I'm not sure.) I think mine will blend in nicely.

I also picked up a gorgeous skein of Mountain Colors Bearfoot sock yarn in the Granite Peak colorway. It's very soft and the colors are beautiful. I may use this to make my first pair of 'real' socks (as opposed to the slipper socks I made earlier). I've often marveled at the allure kintting socks seems to have for so many. But I'm beginning to see how intoxicating it can be. Once you get used to a basic pattern, doing the math to adjust for different patterns and gauges isn't too daunting. The projects is completely portable, something shawls and complicated lace patterns definitely aren't. And desipite the fact that they end up costing a lot more than the packs of Dockers socks I usually buy, they are so much prettier and softer and . . . just special! Seeing as how I'm still not a very speedy knitter, I don't know that I'm ready to sign up for a sock club or anything, but. . .

Actually, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself since I haven't made even one pair yet! I'm just using my imagination! :)

Anyway, I will have pictures later. As I said, I lent my camera to a friend. Her sister is getting married tomorrow in a very small, immediate family only ceremony and she wanted to use my camera to document the event, because it's got a few more bells and whistles than the one she has. I gladly gave her a quick overview and sent it along with her. Can't wait to see those pictures! Congratulations Tina and Ken!!!