What Was i Thinking

I must have been delusional when I thought up my list for holiday knitting... Seriously. I have decided to scale way back on the hand knitted gifts,  and I decided if they don't get finished it is no big deal. Usually I am very anti the Christmas knitting rush, but this year I thought I could sneak in a few big project... um no. So I am moving along with plan b, and of course there will be no progress reports until after the big day. This is why:

While I was in Vegas with my family, I would occasionally check my email and bloglines from my Mom's new iBook. No matter which of my family members I logged on as, my blog was listed on there bookmark bar. For some reason that really warmed my heart, that my family stops by here to read my ramblings.  I have lived away from them for quite awhile now, but it nice to know they can see what is going on. They did want to know what "frog" means: When you rip out some knitting. Anyway, point being I am thrilled as can be about the fact that my family stops by here. But that also means I don't what to spoil the surprise of their presents... so no pictures.

I have made some progress on my elfin socks:

I love love love knitting two socks at once.  There is no other way for me, knit both at once and your done. I am following that same example with my Christmas knitting... hint.  I love how these socks are turning out, I am just taking my time with them, which is why I bought a few more long Addi's while I was out of town, that way I can have a few pairs of socks going at once.

The second round of my jaywalker socks, is a no go. the ribbing is huge but the patterned cuff still doesn't fit. But I have taken an idea from Eunny, and I think I know how to make these socks work.  I am going to knit the ribbing for the cuff with a size 0, then switch to a 2 for the pattern section. I may add another section to the pattern if I still need more room. But I think I will be much happier if there isn't such a big difference from the ribbing and the chevron pattern. I love this pattern, I will make this work. Now if only I had more time to work on them.

While I was with my family my dad asked for some socks! I was so happy. I imagine it was how grumperina felt when her dad asked for a scarf, and sharfik was born. Now my mind is racing with patterns, on what to make him. I looked through Folk Socks, and I haven't found anything yet. Anyone got any suggestions? Good sock pattern for men? Come on.... help a girl out.... do I need to make one up?

And in honor of my father request I had to get some yarn... right? Some glorious Louet Gems, sportweight (opps, I mean fingering weight), in black. I have wanted to try this yarn for so long, so who better to buy to buy it for than my dad. 

Comments

[Janet]

I just bought some sportweight yarn to knit socks for my size 11 husband. Since I've never knit him socks before I think that allover ribbing for a nice snug fit should be a sure bet.
I've been looking around and have yet to find that pattern in sportweight so I'm thinking of going with a fingering weight women's pattern just using the sportweight.

[Janet]

I can't believe how thrilled I was to see that I had a comment! Thanks, and good luck with the socks.

[Angela]

Do you have the sensational knitted socks book? There are a lot "manly" stitch patterns in there. Or maybe like the Cable Rib socks from Interweave?

[Laura]

Thanks for the link to Sharfik!! It's just the perfect scarf for me to make for my brother in law for Christmas! Now I can't wait to get started! :)

[grumperina]

Awww! Your family is so sweet :). Good luck figuring out the Jaywalker... I'm planning to write up two bigger sizes this weekend, but we'll see how (if) it goes. I think Nancy Bush's most recent book, Knitting Vintage Socks, has a lot of very basic, manly patterns. Also Knit Socks! has some basic manly patterns.

[christine]

Hey Jolene - glad you're back! Why don't you try the Jaywalker in the bigger size for your dad's socks? I think it would be great in black, and good for a man sock.........

[debbie]

check out grumperina's website; she's put up some suggestions to rectify tight fit.

[Janet]

One more idea - Priscilla's Dream Socks from IK. It's a simple top down, short row heel and toe with wraps. I think I'm going to try it for my husband socks.

[irene]

oh you're crazy knitter those socks are just fabulous! I have to knit 3 scarves until Xmas and it is a little overwhelming at times...

[di]

great to hear you're making progress with elfine- I wish I could think of some manly sock patterns off the top of my head... I was drooling over some Nancy Bush patterns the other day- I'm sure she has a few that would be good.

[Amber]

The green socks are lookin good. As soon as this Christmas/sister's wedding rush is over, I definitely want to delve into some knitting. And my first new endeavor is 2 socks/magic loop. Never tried it before but I am stoked to learn.