Thursday Socks
Well, these are actually Wednesday socks because I finished them last night.
These are made from handpainted superwash merino from Lavender Sheep in the Blue Raspberry colorway, on 2.0 mm needles.
I immediately cast on a sock from the Austermann Step I bought at Knitty City over the weekend.
This is colorway #21, and it knits up into somewhat sedate stripes of grey and light blue. But this yarn feels awesome! As no doubt you know, it is treated with Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil, and it is definitely a treat for your hands to knit. And will no doubt be a treat for the feet as well. Heh. I rhymed. Treat for the feet.
Have you seen this little doo-hickey?
I bought it at Knitty City as well. I like it better than the “regular” point protectors, because the ends are attached with an elastic strap, so they don’t get lost. They come in different sizes for different size and length needles. Great for the commuter knitter who shoves her needles in her purse.
Blue Sky Needles
Did y’all see the Knitters Review article about the Blue Sky dpns in the cute little tins? I had to laugh when I found it in my in-box this morning. Good thing I had no great expectations for the needles. I freely admit I bought them for the tin!
I don’t have a terribly high regard for needles made from surina wood, so I did not expect much from these needles. If you are considering ordering a set, do read the article linked to above.
Lucy
In yesterday’s blog, Lucy was happily reclining on freshly laundered socks. I had laid them out on a towel to air-dry, and Lucy thought she’d help the process along by lying on them. Really, she is such a helpful kitty.
The blue/tan socks on the top are my Claudia Handpaint socks knitted in the “Ingrid’s Blues” colorway.
More Lucy
Reader Kyra sent in this photo and asked:
“Does this make me a Lucy groupie?”
I rather believe that it does, Kyra!
Some Admin Stuff
Some of you may have noticed lately the poor performance of my blog — the comments window took forever to load — and sometimes it didn’t, displaying an error message instead.
Last night I arranged for my website to be moved to a newer server at the hosting provider. The server it was on was having all sorts of problems. I think (I hope) things will be much better and more efficient now.
In the period of time this morning in-between the files being copied over to the new server and the domain name re-directing there, some of you left comments on the “old” blog, which were lost in the transfer. I just wanted to let you know that I didn’t delete anyone’s comments — they were just a casualty of the server move.
Back to Knitting
I got a bunch of Daletta in the mail today from Bea Ellis Knitwear, so I immediately starting swatching for my next project.
What could it be?
Okie-doke — I’m going away again this weekend, but will likely post Sunday night. And then Monday will be the kick-off for my Heifer International Charity project. So y’all come back now, hear?
Lucy sez:
Goodie! Quality time with my Daddy this weekend!
(Check out Lucy’s Daddy’s blog for a wicked-hard contest! I don’t know the answer and the KOARC won’t tell me.)
Listen to this post 
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
That gray-and-blue sock looks great–the shades are lovely. And really, there’s nothing wrong with sedate coloring and . . . hey . . . wait a minute . . . those are Lucy colors!
Did I miss earlier info on your Heifer International Charity project? DH and I have been supporters for a long time, and I’m curious about how they will take best advantage of your knitterly talents. Will Lucy be added to the HI logo? LOL!!!
Lucy is a love, just as my Midnight is, who also likes to sit under the ‘Midnight sun’ of our table lamp.
Boy Wendy, thanks for posting the link to the review of Blue Sky dpns! I wanted a pair so bad this AM but they only had sizes 5 and 6 on the Purl website so I didn’t order them. I was all bummed out until I read this!
Oh, I had totally been eyeing those needles- just b/c of the packaging. I’m a sucker for packaging. But it’s not worth 28 bucks. Thank you for posting the KR article- I hadn’t seen it yet.
I just love those blue raspberry socks! Lucy and Claudia Handpainted, go rather well together!
My LYS (Yarn Lounge) just got in a bunch of “Step”, and that’s the exact colorway I want — love it! I hope it’s still there when I finally get over there.
Yes, I thought of you when I read Clara’s newletter today. I’m actually glad to know that they’re not great needles — makes buying them less of a temptation.
I saw the KR article and was glad I didn’t buy the needles, but I do love the tin! Lovely socks and I can’t wait to see what the Dalatta will become!
Aren’t those dpn keepers the best!? Sheri has them at the Loopy Ewe - in a variety of sizes. I have…er…a few.
One of my cats likes to lie on a blocking project, while wet. Huh? Guess she can’t feel the wetness through her furry body!
Lucy is darling as always. Have a wonderful weekend!
i was just wondering what is your favorite webstore to buy yarn from? whats your opinion of knitpicks?
I thought those DPN’s from Blue Sky Alpaca were cute, but I did wonder if they were just rattling around in there. Too bad they didn’t put in a bit of scrap suri silk fibres to pad them.
Lucy is a very good helper.
Lucy is a real credit to her species. If DJ Erdmann had had a proper 15th birthday party yesterday, he would have invited Lucy. He did get to spend extra quality time with his mom, however. Frankly, I don’t worry a lot about either of their pretty terrific lives.
i love that dpn holder. i have one myself, and the LYS lady loved it and I had to give her the website from the package. i have the size that holds 5 size 1 or somethin, but i also used it to hold 2 size 6s on the ruffles scarf.
What happened to the leftover sockyarn log cabin blanket? Did you get over it? Were you waiting to finish some more socks to continue with it?
Heee! Idiot Mittens for DPNs! quel clever! lol
You can also get those point protectors from Nancy Bush at Wooly West.
http://www.woolywest.com/p_accessories.html
I bought a set of those surina wood needles when they were available a couple of years ago and had the same problem. Mine were not packaged in a tin, they came in plastic envelopes. I don’t think it’s the tin, I think it’s the wood.
28.50 for DPNs? NOOOOO Way.
Yeah, I might be a Lucy groupie too… but I need a coffee cup.
I love the way the color turned out on the toes and heels of the blue raspberry socks!
Oh good, Daletta! I ‘m hoping that means we (and you) will be treated to some kick-ass colour or texture work. And are those Knitpicks Options needles I spy? No Holtz and Stein? That makes me reconsider. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what Monday brings. Have a great weekend away.
I like the sedate blues and grays colorway of the new socks.
You don’t, by any chance juggle swords or plates or something while knitting, do you? You are so wicked fast I think I would faint if I watched you knit sometime … or go cross-eyed, or somethin’.
~firefly
Oooo, Daletta! Can’t wait to see what you make!
I think the Austermann Step colourway is lovely! They DO look like Lucy colours.
So jealous, I e-mailed to try to get some Lucy yarn myself and never got a reply back :/ Alas!
Don’t know how you do it, Wendy. I wish I could get myself to churn out socks like you do - especially now that the weather is getting so nice and cool down here in Texas.
thanks for the Knit Review link. good to know before buying. Lucy’s now a star!
I think I may need that doo-hickey.
Have the dpn holder- it’s wonderful, if you keep a couple in your knitting bag,along with a DPN… you’re ever without a stitch holder- either . slip stitches to the dpn, slip caps over each end- voila;)
Haven’t heard anything further on the Celtic Swan needles, are you still liking them? I rec’d mine this week, you’re rt the patterning in the cebter makes them just “sticky enough” to keep your needles in place without slowing you down;)
Reminds me of your Lucy -
http://www.etsy.com/view_item.php?listing_id=511641
Love the raspberry socks! Love the new ones too!
I bought some of the Blue Sky Aplaca needles when I went to see the Harlot in Austin…I love them! No splintering as yet, and they haven’t warped into arcs after one sock, like my bamboo needles invariably do. I have some Addi and Inox metal needles (just to prevent warpage) but somehow like the feel of the wood. I know that they’re expensive, but might you consider another try?
Lucy…you are the cat’s meow!
I am definitely a Lucy groupie. Yes, that’s what I am! I so love her bootiful cross-eyed loving glance. What a kitty. And you, Wendy, ain’t bad yourself–you rapid-speedy-gonzalez-knitter! You’re a wonder.
I JUST bought some of those point-covers at Stitches yesterday! They rock.
I also picked up some STR in “Lucy” …
I love the way the Blue Raspberry socks turned out!
Wendy, I know you did this a while ago, but I had a question about the Noni bag(pink/green striped baguette). I don’t remember seeing any pictures with anything included for scale. the bag measurements seem pretty large to me, and I am a little hesitant….. (I’m not good at altering patterns on my own). do you have any pictures of the bag in use, or with Lucy included for scale?
thanks so much if you address my question. If not, I’ve been lurking on your blog for quite some time, and truly appreciate all your tips and guidance.
joanne
Hi Wendy- I was enticed by the cute packaging as well, but I haven’t had great luck with the Brittanys, so I think I’ll just stick to my Pony Pearls, and pocket the $28.00 (more in Canada) for future yarn purchases.
where’d you get those fabulous sock blockers from?
ps–i am a wendy groupie!
I hope you have a great weekend! I look forward to hearing how your Gem with your new flyer worked out for you.