Finished: The Prettiest Darned Socks I've Ever Knit, If I Do Say So, Myself.

Helloooo! I'm here to deliver up my most favorite FO to date--please excuse the glut of photos, but I just couldn't help myself... And I am now utterly convinced that yellow socks make the very, very, very, very, VERY best socks.


Finished: Coziest Cable Socks Ever
Pattern: Cozy Cable Socks
Fiber: Colintette Jitterbug in Vincent's Apron (1.5 skeins)
Size: women's foot
Needles: size 1 Addi Turbo circular needle
Date Started: December 2007
Date Completed: January 2008
Modifications: Continued the cable pattern down the heel flap.


While these socks looked really difficult and tedious to make, it turns out they aren't at all! The pattern is actually very easy to follow, and once the cable pattern was established, I barely had to look at the cable charts at all. But I sure can appreciate the detailed and textured finish of the socks. They look like an impressive knit, but I'd rate them more fun than fiddly.


I did modify the heel a bit. I rarely knit heel flaps anymore, preferring the short-row heel, but I really wanted the cable pattern to continue down the heel. So, I broke down and suffered through the flap and having to pick up all those gusset stitches. Looking at the result, I'm very happy that made that mod. The heel now mirrors the pattern on top of the foot.


These socks are pure happiness. And you'd better believe I wore them while taking Prelim #2, which, I can now report is done and done. Two more to go. And the oral. Then knitting vacation, here I come! And by 'knitting vacation', I mean writing a grant proposal to fund my dissertation research with a little knitting thrown in for good measure.

P.S. I eked out ONE last finished mate from the singles collection... which I'll share next time. But since then, I've gone and cast on three, THREE new socks! More soon!

Things that make my day.

1. The Cat and Mouse Game.

Between Edwin Claudius and the computer mouse. Case in point: cat sees mouse.


Cat chases mouse.


Cat catches mouse.


2. Yellow yarn. I have it BAD for all fibers yellow right now. Maybe it's an attempt to fight the winter doldrums? Maybe it's a surefire distraction from the angst of prelim exams (is yellow supposed to be a calming color? I always thought it wasn't, but then, why was that awful soda of the 80s called 'Mellow Yellow', hmmmm?)? Whatever magic it holds, I am completely captivated by it. So much so, in fact, that I started a new Flickr group just for yellow knits. It is slowly sating my thirstiness for the yellow. If you need a swig of of the ol' Mellow Yellow, check the group out here.

3. Awesome, awesome knitbloggers telling me that I make their day. Big, big hugs to Alice, Em, Minty, Sarah, Jennie, barefootrooster,and Katie (a new blog to me! thanks for introducing yourself, Katie!) for including me on your 'You Make My Day' lists!

And it only seems fitting that I spread the love by telling a few people that make MY day in the knitblog community that I appreciate them. So, first, I have to preface by saying that there are a few among us who pretty much make my day on a daily basis--my knitblog homies, if you will... so thank you, Ashley, Minty, Sarah, Jennie, and Pam! Be heretofore advised that you are considered my knitblog homies!

So, the 'You Make My Day' awards. Rules: Give the award to 10 people whose blogs make you feel happy about blogland, then let them know so they can pass it on. In alphabetical order:

100% Pura Lana :: Because her take on Project Spectrum last year is still blowing my mind. I am in sheer adoration of all those socks!
adamknits! :: Because YARN NERDery is the best kind of nerdery!
Black Dog Knits :: Because she is simply my favorite Aussie, that's why.
Elliphantom Knits :: Because not only are her FO shoots utterly amazing, she also can crack me up with her witty photo description tags like no other. Seriously, people. It's hard to get me to smile, much less laugh.
Mustaa villaa :: Because anyone who can crank out that many beautiful pairs of socks (PAIRS being the operative word) makes my day in a serious way.
Neither Hip Nor Funky :: Because she has a penchant for making singing bad, bad songs that should never be sung seem so hip. And funky, as it were.
Slipped Stitch :: Because just when I had given up all interest in ever knitting anything but socks again, she went and came up with the most perfect sweater pattern ever. And then published it for free, no less. Also, I live a Londoner's life vicariously through her.
s i x o n e s e v e n :: Because not only does she share awesome vegan recipes with us, but it's all I can do not to toss aside my own knitting and knit whatever she's just finished. I mean seriously, this? And this? And what about that one? Seriously, who needs to knit mates to their socks, anyway, when one can be sweater-and-mitten twinsies with Parikha instead?
s t r i k k e r :: Because she can rock the emo fringe like no other knitblogger I know. And she's as freakish as me about coveting the perfect yellow yarn.
The Daily Purl :: Because, I once dubbed her The Daily Temptation, and I wholeheartedly stand by this nickname one hundred and fifty percent. Also, have you seen this girl's weaving magic?? Utterly, mind-blowingly amazing.

Be back soon with my most favorite FO to date...