Posted under socks
I’ve got four days. Four days until I leave for Pennsylvania to visit with BFF Shelly.
I’ve got nine days. Nine days until we leave for the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.*
To put this in perspective, I haven’t been to the mainland in over ten years. Ten years! I’m a ball of nerves. Sticky taut nerves. I’m so excited I can barely sleep. I’m so terrified I can barely eat.
So what do I do to relieve the stress? I knit.
Pattern: Twisted Flowers Socks by Cookie A
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Pine
Needles: Size 1US / 2.25mm
Started: April 12, 2008
Finished: April 23, 2008
No modifications
These socks were so much fun to knit! I loved the traveling stitches and the flowing leaves. I love challenging sock patterns. The concentration it takes to follow the pattern excludes all other thoughts from my little brain. There is no room for stress over the upcoming trip or for how pathetic I am when I’m sick. And just when I start getting bored with the pattern, I’m done!
There was a hiccup as I started these socks when I was in the throes of the big bag flu and I failed to read through the pattern. So I did not rotate the beginning of the second pattern round.
Of course I didn’t realize my mistake until I had reached the heel flap. I tried to rip back to the end of the first repeat to correct myself, but I couldn’t get the stitches back on the needles. I ended up ripping back all the way to the ribbing. Oof. There goes half a sock.
No worries though as I enjoyed this pattern so much I didn’t mind the reknitting.
For as much as some people rave about Shepherd Sock, I’m a little ambivalent about it. It’s not very springy and I like it when my sock yarn has some elasticity. The Shepherd Sock almost reminds me of a cotton blend yarn.
Still, the Shepherd Sock gives magnificent stitch definition and shows off the pattern to perfection. It’s also incredibly soft. So I really shouldn’t complain.
Did you notice a creature encroaching in on my photos? Pressie just wouldn’t leave me alone during my photo shoot, so I thought I’d give her a little face time on the blog since she’s so rarely mentioned here.
Happy Thursday everyone! I’m going to try and post before I leave, if not see you wish me luck!
*If you’d like to meet up with me, leave a comment!
Agnes on 24 Apr 2008 at 10:12 am #
Wow! You are going to have great fun! Enjoy your stay in the Mainland … would you stop by California? Slim chance, I think, right? How many empty suitcases are you going to take with you? Not that I am the evil enabler … but you know, MSWF … hehehe …
Dee on 24 Apr 2008 at 10:22 am #
Pressie is ADORABLE!
Where are you going in Pennsylvania? That’s where I’m from. I was born in North Hills. It’s just north of Philadelphia.
Have a great trip. Enjoy Maryland Sheep and Wool. Can’t wait to see what you come back with.
loribird on 24 Apr 2008 at 10:26 am #
Oh, man, you’re going to have a great time! If only gas wasn’t an arm-and-a-leg per gallon I’d try to make it down to meet up with you (Maryland = 2-day drive, Pennsylvania = 1)
Take loads of photos, and have a fantastic time!
And by the way? The socks are wonderful.
tiennie on 24 Apr 2008 at 10:34 am #
Very pretty! Have a blast!
Keatyn on 24 Apr 2008 at 11:10 am #
I love those socks they are absolutely gorgeous. I love all of Cookie’s sock patterns. I have only knit her Monkey Socks but plan on knitting almost all of her other ones as they are all beautiful and most of them are complicated which is wonderful since I always love a challenge.
hakucho on 24 Apr 2008 at 11:25 am #
Beautiful emerald socks!
Have a wonderful fun and safe trip….we’re going to Pittsburgh on our vacation in July…guess I’ll just miss you :(
desiknitter on 24 Apr 2008 at 11:39 am #
I love these socks! I got one through the single sock exchange a while back, and I should really knit the second one. I love the colour too, and I totally agree about Shepherd Sock. Not my favourite.
fleegle on 24 Apr 2008 at 11:42 am #
Sigh, I wish I were going. A friend of mine is and she has a little budget, too. You can shop for me, as well :)
I really like the socks–so Spring-like and intricate! The pattern, or one very much like it, is in one of my Japanese books and I have had to stickied for a couple of years to do a pair of socks. Must Knit Faster.
limedragon :-: Harriet on 24 Apr 2008 at 11:56 am #
Oooh, both pair you’ve finished are gorgeous. Would you mind throwing them off the plane as you fly over MN? : )
Shepherd Sock is a nice workhorse yarn. I sometimes wish it were a tad heavier.
Have a wonderful trip!
Lauren on 24 Apr 2008 at 12:22 pm #
Those are really lovely and such a fun color!
KnittinDoula on 24 Apr 2008 at 12:47 pm #
Sometimes kitties need to ham it up. “quit paying so much attention to your fibery goodies. pay attention to me, me, ME!” What can you do?
I’m so excited for you. If there was any way I could get to PA, I would. @$%@#$* gas prices.
Have a great time! Oh, and please photo your purchases so we can drool over the fiber pr0n.
hetty on 24 Apr 2008 at 2:21 pm #
Another finished pair of socks! Wow! You are incredible! Great colour and pattern! Pressie is soooo cute! Isn’t it funny how those furry felines can be such hams? Have a great time on the ‘Mainland’. Wish I could meet up with you and go to that festival! Take lots of photos. Can’t wait to see your purchases!
Jeanne on 24 Apr 2008 at 2:33 pm #
Nice socks! As we’ve already discussed how jealous I am about your impending trip, I’m going to leave it at that.
Roseann on 24 Apr 2008 at 2:46 pm #
More gorgeous Cookie A socks! I learn about so many patterns from your blog. I can’t wait to see you at MSWF. Cute picture of Pressie, she should be on a calendar.
Rachel on 24 Apr 2008 at 2:55 pm #
Those are truly beautiful socks! Great job! Have fun on your trip to the Mainland, too. It’s a good time of year for a visit!
Debi on 24 Apr 2008 at 3:01 pm #
I ripped my 2/3 finished first sock too…must be a right of passage with this sock :) Yours looks lovely!
So does Pressie :)
Mokihana on 24 Apr 2008 at 3:24 pm #
Fabulous socks! I hope you have a wonderful time on the mainland. Buy yarn!
Dave on 24 Apr 2008 at 3:32 pm #
Gorgeous socks, as per usual, in a totally scrumptious colour. I too am not enamoured with the Lorna’s sock. It’s okay, but there’s better. The few socks I’ve knit with it have already developed fuzzy spots. Enjoy your trip!!
Carrie K on 24 Apr 2008 at 3:43 pm #
Two cute sock patterns and a Pressie pic!
Oh how the mainland has changed in ten years…… Well, maybe not. Have fun! It sounds like you’re going to have a blast.
Hattie on 24 Apr 2008 at 4:14 pm #
Love them! I must finish my pair… having only one done is pathetic lol.
Nartian on 24 Apr 2008 at 5:14 pm #
Beautiful socks! I love this pattern.
Have fun at Maryland Sheep & Wool! If it’s anything like the Sock Camp I went too, it’s going to be way too much fun. And lots of fibery goodness (spun or unspun) to boot!
Bethany on 24 Apr 2008 at 6:18 pm #
Wow! Those are beautiful socks! I love the design and the green is gorgeous — I’m all about the green right now.
Have a great time on the mainland! I hope your trip goes smoothly and you have a lot of fun — I’m sure you will!
I’ll make it to another Thursday night at Mocha Java hopefully soon, but it won’t be before you go on your trip. Have a safe trip!
Soo on 24 Apr 2008 at 9:20 pm #
Have a great time on your trip! (If I lived on O’ahu I expect I wouldn’t leave it for the mainland often either — but I can see how a BFF and a wool festival would be quite a draw!)
knitnana on 25 Apr 2008 at 2:22 am #
You will have a fabulous time, I just know it! I always get nerves before I travel, too…but it’s sooo worth it!
Wish, oh how I wish, that I could get away and meet up with you.
(sigh)
Tis not to be…but have a blast, and buy lots of lovely stuff to share with us on your return, okay?
(((((hugs)))))
alice on 25 Apr 2008 at 3:41 am #
yay sheeps! :)
Robbyn on 25 Apr 2008 at 3:48 am #
Nifty socks - although I don’t honestly think I would have the patience. They look wonderful though :)
Now, coincidentally enough, I have a little someting (I’m not going to say what for fear of jinxing it) started in Shepherd Sock and am liking it very much. However, it’s*not*being worked on tiny needles which may make a world of difference. It is lovely and soft :)
::waves at Pressie:: Nice to see you!
Oh go ahead and be exciged - how often does this kind of thing happen? I hope you have a great trip and a wonderful time!
Meredith on 25 Apr 2008 at 6:23 am #
Wooooooo hooooooooooo!
luv,
mer
textillian on 25 Apr 2008 at 7:13 am #
Those socks look great! I will have to keep that pattern in mind.
And WOOHOO! You are coming my way. I have off on Friday, so I can see you then.
Karen B. on 25 Apr 2008 at 7:18 am #
Oh, hello gorgeous sock! And so soon on the heels (ha-ha!) of the hot pink darlings.
Sorry I can’t meet up with you at the festival (the tax man called), but I know you will have a blast stateside. Safe travels. Relax!
BTW, how did you know I’d been thinking about Pressie? She looks so sweet and happy.
nova on 25 Apr 2008 at 7:39 am #
Oh, those socks are nice. So yeah, I think everything will be fine. You are going to have a great time on the mainland. And seriously…MDSW. I wish I was going this year so I could see you again, I hope you have a great time!
*karen on 25 Apr 2008 at 7:53 am #
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival? Exciting! I’d be a ball of nerves too. But it will be great. You will have so much fun. You just wait and see.
becky on 25 Apr 2008 at 11:14 am #
Awww she is adorable. I love those socks. Great job! I hope you have a great time on your trip; too bad I won’t be close enough to visit you. I’d love to have a meetup.
Jeanne on 25 Apr 2008 at 11:16 am #
Gorgeous socks! How exciting - you are going to have a great time! Have lots of fun, and sorry I’ll miss you …maybe next year? :-)
debbie on 25 Apr 2008 at 2:13 pm #
beautiful work as usual! i like lorna’s laces shepherd sock as i’m knitting, but i agree, it tends not to have a ‘give’ to it….hope you have a nice trip - looking forward to lots of pictures and anecdotes!
lobstah on 26 Apr 2008 at 2:21 am #
Hope you have a most wonderful trip–wish I was going to the festival :( I love when you put up photos of Pressie–something about her just makes me want to give her a marathon cuddle!
Lisa on 26 Apr 2008 at 3:50 am #
I hope you have loads of fun and have to ship much fibery goodness home. :)
Nannette on 26 Apr 2008 at 5:10 am #
I’m so jealous! ENJOY your trip!
.: tani :. on 26 Apr 2008 at 5:12 am #
hope you have a good trip to the mainland (of course you will - MSWF!!). i love those socks; i’m in the midst of a pair of twisted flowers right now too.
if you end up anywhere near columbus, oh, and need anything, let me know. we got your back girl! happy and safe travel!
Christine on 26 Apr 2008 at 9:20 am #
The socks are beautiful!
I wish I was going to MSWF. I just didn’t work out this year :-( Have a great time. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Barb on 27 Apr 2008 at 6:19 am #
Have a lot of fun! Safe journey:)
Kim on 27 Apr 2008 at 1:25 pm #
That Pressie has a cute little face. She doesn’t seem to get as much airtime as Mr. Q does. I know how it is, having one charming, troublesome and adorable animal, and another more retiring beast. It’s hard to be equitable with exposure.
I’m impressed by your sock prowess, and unimpressed by the Shepherd sock knittability, as well, though that color is to die for. Give me springy, bouncy, squishy sock yarn. Give me Koigu. Or that failing, give me Trekking; cheap with lots of good colorways, in spite of the lesser spring factor.
We will miss you around the island, but I, for one, am insanely jealous of your MS&W venture. Pace yourself and don’t get overwhelmed by the throng of humanity. Drink a LOT of water; it may be hot n’ muggy back there and you’ll want to stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen. Take Claritin, if you’re the least bit prone to pollen, it’s a blizzard of allergens this time of year. I always found May to be a complete month of brainfog; hopefully you’ll fare better.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!
Jenny Raye on 27 Apr 2008 at 5:57 pm #
Have fun on your trip! So, what are you taking to knit? Or are you just going to wait to buy until you get there? Too much precious knitting time on the plane to wait, right?
Kelley on 28 Apr 2008 at 12:55 am #
Wow! Your two new pairs of socks are beautiful! Enjoy your trip and the weather here on the mainland!
domesticshorthair on 28 Apr 2008 at 5:00 am #
Great socks! They look like a lot of fun to knit.
The mainland, you say? It’ll be fun for you, I’m sure of it. Just remember that people move a lot faster on the mainland, so it might be a bit surprising at first.
Pack a small knitting project with you for the flight. Do I really need to tell you that? Sock projects are best, especially with itty-bitty bamboo needles, and pack an extra set of needles in your check-in bag just in case security doesn’t like your needles (not very likely with small wood needles).
Have fun and be prepared to blog about your adventure when you get back to the islands. Please.
2trees on 28 Apr 2008 at 3:41 pm #
*hugs to Pressie* :)
I just finished a shawl made from SS, and I have to agree that it is an unusual sock yarn.
Beware the addictive wool fumes at the festival…
Patricia on 02 May 2008 at 1:33 am #
I am green with envy. Its a 13 hour car trip to MSW and I can’t make it this year. Poor me. Have a fabulous time!
blogless michelle on 02 May 2008 at 2:08 pm #
what? no posting while you’re away? must mean you’re having a great time. enjoy it for all of us alohaknitters! way to represent!
Jane on 04 May 2008 at 1:58 pm #
Your socks are beautiful as usual. Good Hunting!