fancy socks

While work continues on the final border of my Heartland Lace Shawl, I've cast on the first of my vacation knitting projects - socks! The yarn? Viola Sock in a colourway called "Red Squirrel". The pattern? Fancy Silk Sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.

I've knit the scalloped edge and a couple of inches of the leg. After the first repeat I considered frogging and changing patterns, but a little voice in my head told me to carry on. Now that I've knit a second repeat I'm glad I did. It took that much for the pattern to really assert itself. The more I knit, the more it grows on me. As well, the more I knit the stretchier the fabric seems. That's a relief ... I feared these socks would end up baggy and slouchy. The only thing left to worry about is whether I'll be finished them before we leave for vacation. They certainly knit up quickly!

the Frolic

This weekend was the Knitter's Frolic in Toronto. I attended last year but wasn't sure I'd get a chance this year. Not with brothers visiting from Fredericton and Ottawa. That is, until Mark kindly agreed to indulge me for an hour to take in the Frolic. Picture several large rooms filled with booth after booth, basket after basket, cubby after cubby of gorgeous yarn. Every weight, every colour and every fiber. It really is too much to take in.

Last year I was completely overwhelmed and left after not much more than an hour. My head was full, I had a slight headache, and I wasn't sure that I'd made the most sensible purchasing decisions. This year, I decided to focus my attention on finding the perfect red yarn for a shawl. Ideally a bright multi-tonal "Coke Red". I came home with two reds - a couple of skeins of Lucy Neatby Scarlet red in a fingering weight Merino and a few skeins of Dye-Version Candy Apple Red in a sport weight of Bamboo.

Now, about patterns ... I'm considering Haruni for the Bamboo yarn, but suggestions are certainly welcome.

a general update

With my few little refinements the Flip-Flop Socklet is taking shape. The big toe side now slants down correctly at the bottom edge. And with added short rows the top edge comes up higher to collar the big toe nicely. I'm still not entirely happy with the bottom of the sock, though. Right now it falls a bit short in the middle of my foot. Time to take a break from this project, though. It feels a bit like I have been maniacally knitting socklets and ignoring the rest of the my projects.

About halfway through the first period of the Vancouver game I finished the toe of my second Tiger Lily sock. What a gorgeous pattern! One thing, though, it's not very stretchy so we'll have to see how they fit. I purposely made them on the small side for my petite sister-in-law.

Next to finish? My Heartland Lace Shawl. This morning I threaded a lifeline through the last repeat of the Bison Tracks Lace. Ready to start the River of Life Edging!

in loving memory

My brother and I spent a few hours yesterday at the RBG planning a commemorative tree for Mom. We lucked out with mild weather and cloudless blue skies - a perfect day to hike around the gardens. As we pulled into the Arboretum a lone bald eagle circled above the car - an auspicious sign, I think.

The tentative plan is to plant a London Plane Tree in the RBG. It's a beautiful big sycamore tree with exfoliating bark and attractive green leaves. The fruit is a ball of seeds on stiff hairs that disperse by wind, similar to the parachute seed balls you see on dandelions. Birds eat the seeds. Two large London Plane Trees frame the entrance to the path leading to the shoreline where we scattered Mom's ashes last year.

Our tree'll be planted in a public garden with a small commemorative plaque. We'll be able to sit underneath it - well, once it has grown that is - and have a place where Mom's name is permanently engraved, a place where we can reflect and remember.

And Mom, we checked up on all your favourites ... the goslings are hatched and thriving, the swans look content and the lilacs are blooming.

if at first you don't succeed

My first attempt at a redesign of Flip-Flop socklets was somewhat successful, but not entirely so. Comparing my redesign attempt on the right with the published design on the left, I have achieved almost a chevron shape which better suits my foot and my flip-flops. But the socklet'll be even better if I introduce some downward slant on the big toe side. As Gavin points out, it needs to come down a bit further to cover where the Flip-Flop strap chafed the top of my foot. As well, short row shaping towards the inside top might bring the top edge higher and improve the way the collar wraps my big toe. And, although you can't see this in the picture, I'd like to add some short rows to the bottom of the socklet as well to bring the top edge higher to cover the balls of my feet.

All in all, I think my redesign shows promise, but it's time to try, try again.

the first attempt

These little flip-flop socklets took no time at all. It's a very simple pattern that works well enough, but I'm already thinking of some improvements. Primarily I'd like the outside section of the foot to slope downward so that my little toe isn't covered by the socklet. After all, isn't that the point of flip-flops - bare toes?

So I've cast on another set. Taking queues from patterns like Jaywalker socks and Rick Socks, I think I can plan increases and decreases to create the V-shaped socklet I have in mind. I've still got enough leftovers of Dye-Version Bamboo Stretch Sock, that I can play around for another couple of pairs.

a flip-flop fix

In anticipation of my upcoming beach vacation, I've been trying to wear my new flip-flops for an hour or two each day. They're brand new and hard as rock; very much in need of "breaking in". Today I wore them while out running errands. Bad idea! Now my feet are chafed and sore, but the flip-flops are still hard as rock. Ouch!

Upon surveying the damage to my feet, Gavin suggested "why not wear socks with your flip-flops?" Now that's a good idea! Within minutes I found this pattern in the Ravelry database. As soon as my lace shawl and my Tiger Lily socks are done, I'm going to cast on a pair. I've already dug out some left over stretch bamboo yarn from my stash.