Bon Tricot

Back in January, I joined another yarn club – self striping of course.  The thing I like about the club is that the inspiration pictures are posted ahead of time, so you have some idea of what’s coming.  While it’s fun to be surprised, too often I’ve been left with yarn I know I will not knit, and while destashing is always an option, you rarely break even.  For the past two years, I’ve been loving all things mint.  It’s such a pretty pastel, and it mixes with everything.  So when I saw the teasers for Rustic Succulent, I knew I would join the club. Quaere Hand Dyed Yarn Self Striping Sock Yarn Club   Now with January’s yarn gone, I need to get going on February, March, and April.  Must.    Knit.     Faster.    

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted an early spring, but the weather in the mid-Atlantic has been blustery and cold.  I thought I would bring the sunshine indoors by knitting Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label in Saffron .  I purchased this yarn two years ago during the Boxing Day update.   I had never shopped TFA, and wasn’t prepared to be cartjacked.  This skein was the only one I purchased, and it’s been hanging out in my stash, not quite sure what it wanted to be.  When I came across the Wheatley pattern , I knew Saffron had found its match.  Et voila . Despite being fingering weight, the yarn is a little thicker than I’m used to, so my 64-stitch cast on is not as snug as I would like.  But I think these will be a great companion with my rain boots – socked full of sunshine on damp, soggy days.

The only thing better than knitting or reading a book is knitting with yarn inspired by a book.  And so it went with my March socks.  The yarn is Canon Hand Dyes’s Let the Wild Rumpus Start on Charles Self Striping.  As the colorway suggests, the yarn was inspired by Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are.  Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (Source: Google Images) I cast these on in the middle of the month, but I enjoyed the six striping colorway so much that these were knit in about a week.  This yarn was a destash purchase and it came with a mini skein of black for the heels and toes.  But I chose to use a silver mini for less contrast.  I feel like I say this all the time but I LOVE THESE SOCKS!  The turquoise, blue-greens, browns, and greys are colors I wear often.  So this pair will be sock drawer staple. 

Today is Selection Sunday when the NCAA will announce the teams that will compete in the Championship Tournament, otherwise known as March Madness.  I was late deciding what socks to knit up this month.  I finally decided on this colorway – Let the Wild Rumpus Start.  I also picked up a mini skein from Canon Hand Dyes' last update for the heels and toes.  Having knit the leg of the first sock, the silver H/T is a perfect match.   Canon Hand Dyes, Charles Sock Usually, I’m a monogamous sock knitter, but after February, I needed a pop of color and a pattern.    I cast on Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label in Saffron.    I’ve started the second sock and hope to post a FO pic soon.  Until next week, bon tricot ! Tanis Fiber Arts, Blue Label

February began with such promise.  I cast on my Isle of Skye socks.  Week one: first sock complete.  Then a nasty case of second sock syndrome struck.  I couldn’t get past the cuff.  I’m not sure how, but I managed to finish the second sock this weekend.  But with ten more pairs to knit, I question my resolve to complete the KAL. Canon Hand Dyes, Charles, Isle of Skye   To stave off SSS, my March socks will not have stripes, nor will they be stockinette.   I’m scouring my stash for a speckled skein or a sturdy semi-solid. I’m also casting on a non-sock project.  Before the holidays, I signed up for Indie Untangled’s Where We Knit yarn club.  The first shipment, Drops of Honey, arrived in my mail box.  It. Is. Stunning!   I’ve not knit many shawls, but the golden honey hue is versatile, and the pattern seems to satisfy my “set and forget” knitting style.   Concentration need not apply. ...

I can’t believe tomorrow’s Fat Tuesday!  Growing up in Pennsylvania, we celebrated with fastnachts.  The public schools feted Doughnut Day.  Every school lunch included a powdered doughnut.  I know times have changed.  The emphasis is on fruit and healthy snacks.  But some traditions, including the Pennsylvania Dutch fastnacht, are worth continuing.  Our family recipe requires a full day of mixing, kneading, rising, punching, rolling, cutting, (more) rising, and finally, frying.  It’s a true labor of love, and the results are gluttonous.  This year’s yield: 99 doughnuts! The only thing that could make baking with my family even better is knitting.   So while we waited for the dough to rise, I dug out this skein from my stash.   Since acquiring this yarn, my plan has been to knit Mardi Gras socks, but each year, I fail to cast on.   Not this year.   I have one cuff knit.   While they won’t be ...

I was never the cool kid growing up – a jenny-come-lately.  So it’s no surprise that my DVR list is a bit light.  No "it" shows are in the queue.   Downton Abby ?  Nope.  Breaking Bad ?  Missed it.  House of Cards ?  Natch.    Walking Dead .  Nada.  And Game of Thrones ?  It shares the same fate as the character, Jon Snow.  But even though I’m not watching hit shows, I knit with yarn inspired by them…that should count for something, right?    And so it goes with these bad boys: These are being gifted to my mom for a belated birthday gift.   White Birch Fiber Arts in You Know Nothing Jon Snow Until next week, bon tricot !