I’m enjoying this sock. I think I am enjoying it too much, because I should be finishing the ripple baby blanket. Babies don’t wait. [This one sure didn’t, because I just got a call from C’s husband to say that she’s been admitted to the hospital! Yay! Must knit!]
But when I have a little time to knit, I’m so drawn to this heavenly blue and these little X’s that I just give in. The knitting is slow on 2mm needles, but I am having such a good time. This is Cross Hatch Lace from More Sensational Knitted Socks in Sundara Yarns Blue Grape Hydrangea.
Now that I’ve decided (sort of) to follow the knitting rather than a plan (learn this, conquer that), I notice that I’m honing my techniques and trusting my instincts. I’ve changed the way I knit socks in small ways, likely not noticeable to a casual eye, but very noticeable and satisfying to me. My cast-on tail has never been hidden so well. My turned heel is tidy and without “ears.” My gusset join is perfectly gapless. My toe is usually round, with a lovely spiral of decreases that fits me perfectly. The best part is, I know how to accomplish these things intuitively. When did that happen?
I think it’s been evolving for a while, but because I’ve been working on some design projects this year I’ve become more aware of the small details. I’ve had to be clear about how to accomplish them, and that clarity has been added to my little bag of tools.
I found a wonderful book this week — Mildred Armstrong Kalish’s Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression. I couldn’t help myself, with opening words like these:
I tell of a time, a place, and a way of life long gone. For many years I have had the urge to describe that treasure trove, lest it vanish forever. So, partly in response to the basic human instinct to share feelings and experiences, and partly for the sheer joy and excitement of it all, I report on my early life. It was quite a romp.
When a “little” book like this gets the front page of the New York Times Book Review I pay attention. I’m so glad I did!
The wisteria is a bit confused. There are a few blooming tendrils like this pretty one I photographed this morning.
There hasn’t been a single day this summer that I’ve really wished for air conditioning, but today is hot, and I got my wish. Installing my window AC has been a dreaded annual ritual. My perfect landlord D is willing to haul it out of the basement through the Bilco doors, up my long staircase (I’m sure he added that landing just so he could pause for breath), and put it into the front window. And he reverses the process in October, too. This year I bought a new and very energy-efficient one, so “all” he had to do was get it upstairs from the back of my car, but still … the man is a saint.
I guess I’ll be setting that sock aside for now. A little baby boy will have a soft cotton blankie before long, if I just make it so.
Not Plain Jane 
Thanks for this post. Loved reading it. I bought the More SKS book just because of this pattern. The blue of your yarn is wonderful.
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I like that sock pattern. I can see why you are enjoying it.
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Your sock is lovely! And you’ve also made me add another pattern and another book to my lists!
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That sock is gorgeous! I’d be having trouble setting it aside, too. It’s interesting about the sock technique, isn’t it? I’ve noticed that same thing in myself. It is deeply satisfying.
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Your sock is indeed lovely. Thanks for continuing to sharing your work, and that inspirational attention to detail! (My baby WIP pile is demanding too.)
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That sock is going to be gorgeous, as will, I assume, its partner. Great colour and wonderful choice of pattern to go with it!
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I totally understand the enchantment with that pattern (I had it too)and it looks so lovely in sundara’s yarn!A/c… what a treat. We don’t have any here, and it’s going to be above 100 this week.. sigh
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I love the Cross Hatch Lace! I made a pair this past spring, my first from the book, and it seems so intricate for so little work. The blue is so intense, I just love that color. We haven’t put our AC in the living room (what are we waiting for?) but have used the bedroom one a couple of times. But yesterday we were at the ocean and we were a little chilly! What a difference a few miles makes. Baby knitting is deadline knitting, get to it!
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Sweetheart, thank you for staying in touch – it’s such a time in my life. When the wind blows clear I’ll write you all about it.lucky you to have just had your first HOT day. We’re on our third spell of hot ones – but then, oh yeah, I’m in the south. holding on to your thoughts.
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Oh my gosh, that sock is gorgeous — the yarn, the knitting, the pattern — all of it. Someday, when I grow up, I want to be an intuitively expert sock knitter like you. If I get to see you again at another KR retreat, I must sit next to you and watch while you weave in that cast-on tail and turn that heel and knit up that toe…. :-)I hope you’ll give a full review of that book when you’re done — it looks great. Also looks like it’d be a good audiobook.
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As a fellow Long Islander, I am feeling the same heat but the A/C is still in the basement. Wasn’t it just last week I reached for my sweater?Both books you mention will be added to my next book order. That’s some sock!
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You knit such lovely things, Jane! This sock looks very complex to me … !
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forgot to say I saw that book the other day and wondered if it might be good … I had never heard of it before that. I think I need that one! Still good reading, Jane?
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That sock pattern rocks!
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That definitely is a perfect landlord. And as for you, well, how many of us can sayMy gusset join is perfectly gapless. Don’t know what it means, but I am honestly impressed. As for the baby blanket, the baby won’t notice that you’ve made socks first, and the mother will be so sleep deprived, she won’t notice either. Follow the yarn!
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Oooh. I like your sock.
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