What have I been doing?
I didn’t mean to be away so long. April was a lot of stress and anxiety, and I didn’t knit. I don’t seem to find knitting relaxing when I’m stressed out. I did do a lot of reading. May gradually got better, and I started to do some knitting, but anything with a chart and/or a lot of measuring was too fussy. So I worked on some socks. Not a lot, mind you. But some. Just keeping my hand in. Mostly I have sock legs.
First I wanted to try the “Poseidon” Blue Faced Leicester sock yarn I had purchased from Little Dog Designs. It is working up very nicely.
The sock is mostly 2×2 rib with 3 cables running up the front. The cables are from Janet Szabo’s basic cable book. They are alternating 2/2/2 left cross and 2/2/2 left reverse cross. One requires 2 cable needles, but could be done without any if that is how you like to do cables. I think the other would require a cable needle as part way through the cable you move the last two remaining stitches (having put 4 on to begin) on the cable needle from the front to the back. Anyway, they are fun, especially when there are only 3 of them. 😉
While in a cabling-sock mood, I tried the Lorna’s Laces Mother Lode, which has been ripped more times than I can remember due to horrid pooling, in Nancy Bush’s Rib and Cable Sock from the Autumn 2005 IK. I’ve made this pattern before (my first blog post!), and I really find the resulting socks comfortable, so I decided to see if it could tame the Mother Lode. There is considerable pooling again, but I think I can live with it. I really want to get this yarn knit up and out of stash. It’s starting to haunt me.
Finally, I’ve been knitting a sock in the luscious Raspberry Superwash Merino sock yarn I got from Fearless Fibers. The color is delicious, and I like it in the Stansfield 27 basket-weave pattern I took out of More Sensational Knitted Socks. A basket of raspberries socks. I’m almost done with the first sock–toe started!
Since Wednesday, in addition to everything else, M and I came home to a lost domestic rabbit tunneling by our front door. So we have been rabbit-sitting. We bought a cage and rabbit necessities and posted signs all over. No one has called, so Monday M will call the rabbit coordinator at our local SPCA. She is not a very nice rabbit, we can’t have pets on our lease, and M is starting to sneeze a lot. Here’s a photo of her in our little herb bed. We let her out on our enclosed patio when we are home, but we have to watch her as she wants to eat the tomato plants which are poisonous. She’s not very smart. I hope she can find a home with more rabbit-tolerant people.
Well, it’s good to get a post out. Now I just need to find time to catch up on what all of you have been doing. Thanks to everyone who emailed or left comments asking about my absence. When I feel good, I can keep up and stay in touch. Let’s hope that happens.
Great WIPs! I hope that cute bunny finds a home.
Welcome back! I hope things are getting a little easier. I really like how the BFL is knitting up, and the pooling on the Lorna’s Laces is interesting, at least. The bunny is cute! I’m sorry he’s been a hassle, and I hope he finds a home soon.
I hope things are going better for you now. The Fearless Fibers socks are a wonderful color! Hope you find a home for that bunny – it was great of you guys to take her in.
You’ve been missed, Brenda!
I have that same issue with Lorna’s Laces — as much as I love to knit with it, the pooling can be vexing. And I agree that the Raspberry FF sock yarn DOES look delicious.
Good luck with bunny — it looks so sweet.
Good to see you back in blogland. My posting has been lacking for months and months and I’m about ready to take the plunge again. Great socks in progress!
The colours are fantastic, knitting up really well. They look a real pleasure to knit
Welcome back, Brenda. I said a little “whoot” when I saw yous how up in Bloglines.
Great wips! You know, I have the same problem with my Motherlode. Looks great on the skein but knitting up becomes problematic. I must have some old-skool Motherlode because it is definitely darker. In any case, I’m using Anne Budd’s Diagonal Rib pattern to break up my pooling.
Hopefully, Miss Black Bunny is only huffy because she’s lost or been turned out of her home. I’m sure she’ll find a new home in no time at all.
I missed you Brenda! Hope all is well, and welcome back!
That Blue Faced Leicester looks sooooo soft…
If I could, I’d be adopting that bunny.
Wow! It HAS been a long time…the socks look great, and poor bunny…(tho’ I’m not the most rabbit tolerant person, either).
Hope she finds a good home!
(((hugs)))
I didn’t realize how long it’s been…time sure flies. I really like the raspberry merino yarn you are using for the basketweave socks. I don’t think I’ve seen a black rabbit in years. Good to see you posting.
Nice to see you again! that Poseiden is absolutely bee-yoo-tee-full. I Love the colours.
Hey, nice to see you again! 🙂
I hope the rabbit finds the right family soon. I wonder if it was released on purpose, and that’s why nobody has claimed it yet. 🙁
The differently-colored cables on that sock are actually kind of cool. It has that might-just-be-intentional look. 😉
Brenda- Life happens, doesn’t it?
I love the raspberry socks. I would definitely give that bunny a home.
Lovely to see you back and knitting! The rib and cable sock pattern is fantastic. Enjoy the bunny (I suppose – s/he sounds like a handful).