Posted under socks
Once I finished the Embossed Leaves, I searched for another pattern that would capture my interest and my heart. I came upon the Rococo socks, by the indubitable Anne Hanson of Knitspot, that has been lurking on my queue for awhile now and knew that I had hit the jackpot.
Next came the search for the yarn that would compliment the pattern. I had always envisioned this pattern in some Fearless Fibers sock yarn and I had some Glorious Green in my stash, so I proceeded to cast on.
After a few repeats, I started to have misgivings. Serious misgivings. I could not see the pattern. Well, I could if I tried really hard and gave myself a case of some serious eyestrain, but that’s not the way to go.
It’s not the yarn that’s the problem. I love the yarn. I love the color. But this yarn and this pattern was just not meant to be. Do you see what I mean?
I really wanted this pattern to pop and that’s not what was happening. So I dug into my sock yarn stash in search of another yarn. I was thinking a light colored yarn would be best. The only problem was that all of my yarn was dark.
As I tossed yarn out of the bin with increasing frustration, there was nary a light color to be found. I had dark browns. I had dark greens. I had dark blues. I had nothing suitable for the lovely Rococo.
Obviously I was in a stash crisis and I needed some retail therapy to rectify the matter. I retreated to the computer in despair and started surfing the yarn shops. Nevermind that I had decided to be extra good this month due to some rather extravagant excursions to Isle Knits last month.
I started plunking sock yarn after sock yarn into my cart with wild abandon. I needed lighter colors! Brighter colors! After awhile, I began to realize that I may have been a little off my head. I decided a rational voice might be needed. I realized this might be the time for intervention. So I called my best friend Wendy M. for help.
Normally she would have urged me on in buying more yarn. She’s all about the enabling. This time I explained to her my need for the prevention of any purchases and she was more then willing to cooperate. She had me go through my yarn one more time and organize the yarn by color.
You know what? It worked! There on the bottom of the bin lurked a pair of perfectly wound balls of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in China Blue. Stash crisis averted.
I joyously cast on for the next installment of the Rococo socks and I think this is a much better pairing of pattern and yarn.
Ahhh. Much better. Onyx is equally happy now that the all commotion is over and done with.
Have a great weekend everyone and may it be filled with fibery goodness. :-)
loribird on 05 Oct 2007 at 12:49 pm #
Ah yes, the china blue is much better. So glad the crisis was averted!
Sue J. on 05 Oct 2007 at 12:54 pm #
Wow! Big difference in yarns. I definitely like the second choice. The pattern really stands out. I do envy you your self discipline. I would have hit “enter” long before I called a friend. Good for you. Have a great weekend.
Nora on 05 Oct 2007 at 1:01 pm #
Oh, wow! The blue is perfect! [I'm going to reference this post for future use - the difference really IS in the yarn!]
Karen B. on 05 Oct 2007 at 1:10 pm #
Now *that* is a purrfect pairing! And whatever you and Onyx have going appears to be working. She looks pretty good :o)
Dave on 05 Oct 2007 at 1:21 pm #
Much better — crisis averted
Kat on 05 Oct 2007 at 1:47 pm #
I agree, that blue is perfect with that pattern! Yay!!
Lauren on 05 Oct 2007 at 2:10 pm #
The blue is perfect - I love that pattern…
Peggy on 05 Oct 2007 at 3:43 pm #
Perfect!!!! Some patterns have to be knitted in a solid in order to really show it’s nicecities(?).
Jeanne on 05 Oct 2007 at 3:51 pm #
Perfect - love the pattern and the yarn is just perfect for it. Glad the crisis was averted!
Jane on 05 Oct 2007 at 4:10 pm #
Thank goodness you have a friend willing to stick with you while you go through your stash! The new color is perfect for the socks and we are all grateful that you averted disaster. Knit on girl!
Dee on 05 Oct 2007 at 4:27 pm #
That first yarn was just too nubbly! The blue Lorna’s Laces is just perfect!
debbie on 05 Oct 2007 at 5:23 pm #
hmmm…..i never thought of organizing by color - ain’t it great to be able to turn to fellow knitters for help! i have the rococo pattern too - but i have to wait a bit cause it’s toe-up….can’t wait to see the completed sock!
Debi on 05 Oct 2007 at 5:23 pm #
Now you know what kind of sock yarn you need in the future….the stash always knows Opal!! :)
Hattie on 05 Oct 2007 at 7:35 pm #
MUCH better in the blue. I so know what you mean about it popping. What good is it if you can’t see it?
Roseann on 06 Oct 2007 at 12:19 am #
I love your photo of Onyx, it’s like she’s thinking “Whew! Glad Mom found the right yarn!” Isn’t buying sock yarn so much fun? I admire your restraint and will be thinking of you as I “just look and see what they have”.
Rococo looks amazing in blue and my struggles with yarn vs. pattern are well documented. I confess I thought a solid color could do any pattern, your blog has taught me a valuable lesson.
fleegle on 06 Oct 2007 at 12:45 am #
Nevertheless, to avoid such a crisis in the future, you should stock up on a few lighter-colored yarns. But I am glad you saved the day this time!
Robbyn on 06 Oct 2007 at 3:27 am #
Well now - aren’t those snazzy! I see what you mean about the right combination of pattern and yarn. I never could have imagined it - I mean sock yarn is sock yarn - right? Well, obviously not!
The blue Lornas Laces looks wonderful - those will be gorgeous socks :) Now, if only I could finish the two pair I’ve got going…
Best to Onyx and the herd :)
Knitnana on 06 Oct 2007 at 10:55 am #
OH! LOVE IT and a much better pairing….yes, and you know what? I have that pattern and I desperately want to make it. But I happen to know I have absolutely NO solid color sock yarns in stash.
Hmmm….
No…No…no stash enhancement…
LOLOL
Onyx, what ARE you chewing on?
(((hugs)))
*karen on 06 Oct 2007 at 3:10 pm #
Wow, changing the yarn really made a difference. It’s funny how we gravitate to certain colors/shades, huh? Also, my weekend was full of fibery goodness and surprisingly, a lot of it is purple. I never thought of myself as a purple person…
Shelly on 06 Oct 2007 at 3:18 pm #
Oh Wow- what a match you came up with - so glad Wen was able to help out there!
I am so close to finishing a pair at the moment and am now plotting my next sock. This pair was a plain knit so to show off the yarn. Any suggestions?
Jenny Raye on 07 Oct 2007 at 4:27 pm #
What a difference the right yarn makes! Gorgeous!
textillian on 08 Oct 2007 at 1:23 am #
Before I scrolled down, I saw the green, and I thought it was nice; but after seeing the blue, I agree that it is a better choice for the sock. Not only is it brighter, it seems to be smoother, giving more definition to the stitches. Bravo!
Peggy on 08 Oct 2007 at 4:30 am #
This was the perfect choice for that pattern. What a difference!!! Now all your beautiful work will show.
Jeanne on 08 Oct 2007 at 8:14 am #
Good call…that second sock is MUCH better! (Not that I would ever turn down the first sock, but…l)
limedragon :-: Harriet on 08 Oct 2007 at 10:37 am #
Oooh, pretty!! I didn’t think it looked all that bad with the first yarn… but the solid, bright blue definitely pops! Nice find, and in stash to boot, yay! : )
Carol on 08 Oct 2007 at 11:01 am #
I see what you mean about the pattern! So much was hidden before. Don’t ever ask me about purchase intervention, I would have cost you as I’m quite generous with others’ money ;)
Debra on 08 Oct 2007 at 11:56 am #
*SO* much better.
And so good for your check book!
Dipsy D. on 08 Oct 2007 at 3:14 pm #
Oh yesss - the blue one is certainly so much better for this pattern - this is going to be an absolutely stunning pair of socks!
tiennie on 08 Oct 2007 at 3:54 pm #
Yes! That is a much better pairing. The pattern just pops!
Alison on 09 Oct 2007 at 9:46 am #
Some patterns just don’t mix with certain colors, but wow, that blue really works with the pattern much better. Glad you were able to stay good :-)
Rachel on 12 Oct 2007 at 4:51 am #
Wow, that is a fantastic example of yarn color clarifying a pattern. I don’t think I’ve ever been as convinced as I am right now that color makes a difference even if you’re using solid instead of variegated yarn.