Since I last checked in, I ripped out the Marina Piccolo socks, I caught the flu, I had a birthday, and after much experimentation I came up with a sock that I’m happy with.
Here we have Friday Harbor (Ravelry link), from the book Knitting On The Road, in Mountain Colors Bearfoot, Juniper. I have never seen a sock make my leg look fat, but here we have it. A big, fat ol’ leg.
I think it’s the diamonds. The diamonds are death to the skinny leg.
Next up, we have Waterfall Socks in Fearless Fibers Glorious Green. I apologzie for the blindingly white leg. Apparently, I don’t tan even though I live in Hawaii. :-P
Basically, you can barely see the pattern. Only the more I look at it, the less I mind. I think it has a subtle charm to it. Still, I wasn’t completely happy with it and it got some rather lukewarm reviews at knit night. So these were relegated to the back burner on Thursday night. Who knows though, maybe I’ll bring them back out again.
After that, I didn’t touch anything sock related until Sunday night. That’s when I decided that I had recovered enough from the flu to pick up the sock needles once again.
Much hemming and hawing occurred over which pattern to use. I finally came across Queen of Cups and I thought that it’d be hard to mess these up in a solid color. So I picked out some solid Opal yarn and got started.
I’m not sure this is a spectacular sock, but I’m enjoying the knitting. In fact, I manged to finish the cuff and turn the heel.
As for my birthday, I was very pleased to spend the whole day watching football (Go Cowobys!) and baseball (Go Red Sox!). Also, my mother gave me one of the best presents I’ve ever received from her. A gift certificate for Isle Knits! I’ve been plotting on how to best spend it.
And even though this wasn’t exactly a birthday present, I was touched by the cute little magnet blogless Michelle gave me a couple of weeks ago. It’s a cap off one of the local drinks. I can’t remember which one. If one of the local gals reading this knows, please give a holler!
Isn’t it cute?
Another unintended birthday gift was a prize I won from Jenny Raye of Loves to Bike and Knit. I entered a contest to celebrate her blogiversary and was a lucky recipient of two great books.
So even though I’ve been feeling less then stellar, life is still pretty damned good. :-)
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Happy Birthday (a little late!)….hope you had a wonderful day. Have fun spending the gift certificate! The Queen of Cups sock is gorgeous – I like the combo yarn/pattern!
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Happy belated birthday. I think even with the flu you could knit socks 10 times faster than me :o) Shawls, too. And they would all be beautiful.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Happy Birthday. Isle Knits!!! Your mom knows you well.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Happy, happy birthday, Opal. I’m sorry I wasn’t on time with this greeting. Next year I’ll know better. I love the Queen of Cups socks. Beautiful. So sorry you caught the flu, but glad you are feeling better. If you can knit, you know you will be ok. Milo sends hugs to the kitty cats.
October 23rd, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I like the waterfall socks actually. It is subtle, but who wants to wear bright and multi-colored socks alll the time. It’s still pretty. I actually also have those in my queue but don’t know if the yarn I picked to use for it will work well or not. We’ll see.
The queen of cups look nice, though personally I don’t care for the pattern much. Not even sure why or what it is. Maybe I’ll like them better when I see yours done. ;)
October 23rd, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Happy belated birthday! Hope you had a great one and hope you feel better!
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Happy B-day!!!! The Queen of Cups socks are lovely.
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
those goodies and knitting would make me feel better …. wow 3 socks-in-progress – i like how the queen of cups is progressing. take care, hopefully to see you thursday night – no more kathy smith videos for me….
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Happy belated birthday Opal!!! I hope your day was extra special even tho you didn’t tell us, you silly woman :)
I am kinda meh about the first 2 socks to be honest but the Queen Of Cups is fabulous!! I think you need to spend your BD gift on more solid color sock yarns :)
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Happy Birthday!
I don’t know about the patterns, but the Mountain Colors Beafoot Juniper is *gorgeous*. And what a cute little magnet! How do you pronounce akamai, anyway?
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Happy belated birthday … you are right … life IS good! You have plenty to knit and plenty to read. Congratulations on the win.
I’m glad you are feeling better. It’s a bummer to be sick on your birthday!
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Happy belated birthday! Pity you weren’t feeling all that well. I hope you feel much better soon.
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I really like those Queen of Cups sock. Are you familiar with what the Queen of Cups means in The Tarot?
“The personality of the Queen of Cups combines the positive water energy of the Cups suit with the inward focus of a Queen. Because she has a sweet, loving and sensitive nature, the Queen of Cups has a kind word for everyone and never reacts with anger or impatience. There is a gentleness about her that soothes and calms. Compassion is her watchword. Her reactions to the world are guided by her feelings. In all matters, she lets her heart lead the way. She senses emotional currents and knows what others are experiencing without having to ask. She is never moody, but understands moods and their influence. She trusts her intuition and so is more open to knowledge that comes from within herself and beyond. She is often moved by the beauty and tragedy of life. The Queen of Cups feels deeply and has a reverence for all aspects of God’s creation. Her love includes and embraces everyone and everything.”
Sounds like you needed just that thing for starting to feel better!
In readings, the Queen of Cups asks you to think and feel as she does. For example: Are you aware of the emotional climate? Are you feeling loving? Do you trust your heart? Have you received an intuitive message? Have you been moved by another’s pain?
This Queen can also represent a man or woman who is like her, or an atmosphere of gentle love, acceptance and respect for feelings. In a reading, she tells you that her special energy has meaning for you at this time. Let yourself be inspired by this Queen in whatever form she appears in your life.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Happy Birthday! I wonder what is beyond S&B–Frogging and Whining?
October 24th, 2007 at 12:19 am
Happy, Happy Birthday!!!! Glad you’re feeling better – nasty flu! And I think you’ve hit a winning combination with the Queen of Cups socks. Have fun yarn shopping!
October 24th, 2007 at 2:07 am
A belated wish for a very happy birthday! Hope you’re feeling better. White legs are nothing to be ashamed of *she says in her Floridian white skin* Love your socks and your mom’s choice in birthday gifts!
October 24th, 2007 at 2:11 am
Oh I like the Queen of Cups socks!! I may have to make a pair yet!
I am with you on the first pair – not a pair of socks I would want to wear if they make my legs look fat. I am so glad you are feeling better- being sick is not fun at all! At least you are knitting again.
Your Mom certainly got you a great present!
Happy Birthday!
October 24th, 2007 at 3:37 am
Sorry about the flu! A very happy birthday to you, looks like it was wonderful!
Love all your SIPs, too. : )
October 24th, 2007 at 4:06 am
Happy Birthday (a few days late)!
Glad to hear that you are starting to feel better. Being sick on your b-day always sucks.
The Queen of Cups socks looks great! Is there a corresponding King of Beers sock pattern?
October 24th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Happy Birthday! And so glad you’re over the flu.
:(
((((hugs))))
October 24th, 2007 at 4:27 am
I hope you feel better soon and that you had a wonderful birthday. I plan to make Friday Harbor and enjoyed looking at yours. Queen of Cups is something else, just the kind of knitting I’m in the mood for these days. I like your waterfall socks, but after my Austrian Diamond fiasco, I might not be the best person for input. I look forward to seeing what you decide.
October 24th, 2007 at 4:42 am
I love the Queen of Cups (both socks and card)! Hope you are all over the flu…and how about those Red Sox!!!! (Though I have to say I’ll be rooting for the Rockies in the Series…regional loyalty and all that…but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Sox).
My “Wilderness” Bearfoot is very happy now that I’m turning it into Retro Rib socks instead of trying to get cute with it.
I’m glad you had such a terrific birthday!!!!
huggggggggggggsssssssss to all
mer
October 24th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Aloha from Wisconsin, and happy (belated) birthday! To answer your magnet source question, the bottle cap came from a Kona Brewing Company bottle — was either a Longboard Island Lager or a Fire Rock Pale Ale. Mmmm. I just looked at the company’s website and to my delight, I learned that they’ve just introduced a Pipeline Porter…made with Kona coffee! Though I might get kicked out of the state for saying this, I can’t wait to get back to our island to try it!
Take care and see you next week,
(blogless) Michelle
October 24th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Well happy birthday, you clever knitter, you!
Does it really get cold enough in Hawaii to wear socks?
October 24th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Belated Happy Birthday Wishes!
Feel better!
October 24th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I’m so glad I was able to bring a bit of cheer to your birthday!
October 24th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Happy Belated Birthday! I think you socks all look really great and I don’t think they make your legs look fat! I’m glad you recovered from the flue and I’m impressed you could knit those cable socks after being ill. I like the variety of socks so I don’t think it matters that not every single one is a bold statement. I like subtle from time to time:-)
October 25th, 2007 at 1:52 am
Happy, happy belated birthday to you! Oh, you’ve sure been up to quite a lot, and once more you’ve knitted up a storm! Fat legs? Oh girl – you haven’t seen mine, have you? ;) What I’m definitely wondering is: Do you ever get to actually wear socks in Hawaii? Does it ever get cold enough? Freezing here with snowfall outside, I’m dreaming of Hawaiian beaches right now…
October 25th, 2007 at 3:14 am
I got to thinking, you might enjoy this post of mine.
http://knittingandspinningwithewe.blogspot.com/2007/05/four-letter-words.html
October 25th, 2007 at 4:09 am
Well, it sure is lousy to have the flu on your birthday – I’m glad you’re feeling better.
But Opal, really! Three different pairs of socks in progress? How are we mere mortals ever going to feep up? Hell, it takes me 6 months to finish one pair and if I know you, all three of these pairs will be tootsie-ready by Friday!
T’ain’t fair, I tell you…
October 25th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Happy Birthday Opal! I like to extend the celebration of one’s birthday whenever possible. I like the way Queen of Cups is knitting up too.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Opal — this is Bethany from the Aloha Knitters group!
Your socks are so beautiful! Seeing them makes me want to learn knitting very soon. You’re so talented! I like the bottle cap, too — my boyfriend actually got the Akamai one earlier this week off a bottle, too.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Happy birthday! You get extra-special birthday wishes because today is MY birthday. LOL!!!
How awesome that you got a gift certificate for more yarn! :-)
I LOVE the queen of cups socks. That stitch pattern has been calling to me, too! How funny!