Pretties
May 24th, 2006 at 3:37 pm (Finished Items, Swaps, Works in progress)
As promised, I’ve got a few pictures to share.
First of all, a pair of soaker shorts for Arlo made with the Blackberry Ridge Kaleidoscope in Tropical Fish that I bought at Shepherd’s Harvest. I just need to treat it with lanolin (which means I need to *find* the lanolin) and they’ll be ready to wear. I used the Little Turtle Knits Picky Pants pattern for this, with a size 6 needle.
Next, some handspun yarn that’ll be sent off to my Secret Pal tomorrow. This is from the Spinner’s Web fiber I mentioned the other day. It’s a blend of wool, kid mohair, llama, and silk. There’s about 6.4 oz, ~320 yards, which puts it somewhere between aran and bulky weight. I’m going to have a hard time sending this off, but I know if it stayed here it’d just be eye candy instead of getting used.
Lastly, some sockiness. These are for my mom, since it’s been a while since I made her a pair. And she was the first one to speak up when I asked who wanted the next pair! 
The yarn is Opal something-or-other (the ball band is buried in my sock yarn stash) and I’m using US 0 needles instead of my usual US 1’s - I found that the fabric in my last pair of Opal socks loosened/softened significantly after washing and it feels too sleazy for my liking. I think these’ll be better. Sadly, I have not worked one stitch since I took the picture this morning. Bleh.
Oh, and can you tell I finally figured out that my camera has a macro setting? I’ve been using this thing for over 4 years and I just figured it out. I still want a new camera, but I might be satisfied with a point-and-shoot model rather than a digital SLR if it has a macro setting. I was window shopping for digital SLR cameras and I guess I didn’t realize just how expensive lenses can be. Wow!
Maybe I’ll go knit a little bit while it’s quiet here. For once, there’s a kid napping and one playing quietly instead of whining at me. I could get used to this!
trek said,
May 24, 2006 at 8:01 pm
I’m not a big fan of soakers but those might change my mind. I really love the colorway! The socks are looking mighty fine, too.
Tam said,
May 24, 2006 at 9:37 pm
I love, love, LOVE that green Opal colorway. Please be sure to share the colorway if that ball band ever turns up!
knittymama said,
May 25, 2006 at 6:18 am
grrr….mine is still sitting in the bag. I suppose it will be soakers soon enough!
We should get together with the kiddos! E-mail me and we’ll figure something out.
Kristi aka Fiber Fool said,
May 25, 2006 at 7:54 am
Those are cute soakers!
cecily said,
May 25, 2006 at 8:53 pm
That blue yarn you’ve spun is GORGEOUS…I’ve bought a spindle, but I’m still kind of afraid of using it/learning how!
~your sp8 hostess
PBnJ said,
May 26, 2006 at 12:11 am
Cute soaker! I made my very first ever soaker a few months ago - out of acryllic. And it works pretty well. I can’t wait to make some more. I’m also learning to drop spindle. Love your homespun yarn - such a pretty color. Plus I’m just learning to knit socks - yeah for me
- so I love all the neat sock pictures people put on their blogs - including yours! I bet your mom will love the socks. They look very cozy. You have a nice blog - I just love reading about fiber and animals and knitting and such!
Nikki said,
May 26, 2006 at 1:13 pm
I am just starting my first pair of socks, so you have given me sock envy…I love the color, you go socky gal!
Carrie said,
May 26, 2006 at 1:37 pm
What a lucky secret pal you have, the yarn is gorgeous!
The Opal socks remind me that I have a pink ball just like that hiding somwhere…so much sock yarn, so little time.
Christine said,
May 30, 2006 at 10:22 am
Your handspun blue is sooo pretty. In my mind, its already a cabled hat! Be sure when you’re trying out wheels to give Louet a try. I started with a Traveler that I finished myself. Just never made friends with it. Then when I gave that Louet its first spin, I was in love! Its like a Caddilac. Happy Blogiversary!