Last night there was a meeting of the Aloha Knitters so I finally got some knitting time. I was shocked to realize that the last time I had picked up the needles prior to that was on Saturday! :-o
Despite the chaos of the chatter of twelve different women and meeting Naomi, which was really exciting, I was actually able to finish the knitting of the Nanner Socks.
Pattern: Nanner Socks by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Shibui Sock in Jonquil
Needles: Size 2.25mm/1US
Started: June 28, 2008
Finished: July 10, 2008
No modifications.
I had so much fun knitting this pattern. It was super easy to memorize making it the perfect project to tote along with me whenever I had errands to do. It was also an adventure as I got to try a couple of new techniques. The first was the Turkish Cast On. The second was the heel construction.
Usually when I do toe-up socks, I do a plain short-row heel but with this pattern Wendy has you do an actual heel flap. I’m a huge heel flap fan so I was eager to try it, but I was a little mystified by the heel turn. In fact, I really couldn’t see how it would work out. But I kept plodding on and lo..
… a perfect heel. Wendy is genius.
I think I’m going to try to do this type of heel for all my toe-up socks. Unfortunately I still don’t get how she does it so the math mystifies me. But then math usually mystifies me.
As for the spinning? The spinning continues to consume me.
On Tuesday I started spinning the Superwash Alpaca/Merino fiber Lori sent me. By the end of the day I had finished this much of the bobbin.
I just love the stuff. It’s so soft and buttery. It was like drafting a cloud. I was able to finish it all on Wednesday. I plan on Navajo Plying it sometime today. Thanks again, Lori.
I also managed to finish the first bobbin of the Corriedale From Hell. Lemme tell ya, I feel quite virtuous about it too.
In celebration of the finished bobbin, I threw this on the wheel.
Berry Pie Filling Merino roving from Moonlight Baker. Good stuff.
Jen sent me this roving to “test spin”. For some reason she wasn’t sure if her roving was good enough for general consumption. I have to say it’s plenty good enough. It’s 80 count Merino and it’s another buttery soft roving that I wish to eat.
Gratuitous close-up shot.
I have a graduation party to go to tomorrow night. I hear the place doesn’t have adequate air-conditioning and I’m having second thoughts about going. Only the food will be really good. And of course the people. The people I will love. I think. I tend to hate people when it’s humid and I’m sweaty. Is the food and people worth sweating for?
Have a good weekend everyone! Stay cool. ;-)
July 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
The socks turned out so well! I love that colorway.
And the CFH? I love it! I wish I could spin.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Isn’t Wendy’s heel turn amazing? I love her toe up patterns. Now I just need to figure out how to calculate those short rows to turn the heel!
Your Nanner socks are lovely!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Your Nanner Socks look gorgeous!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I’m still calling dibs on the blue!
The socks are gorgeous.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I loooove the socks, so pretty! My fave color yellow too!
The spinning is gorgeous! I especially love the berry one. Though, I’m not convinced it’s been tested enough, she should send some to me too. ;)
July 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Your socks are so nannery! I’m also happy you persevered on you CFH.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Gorgeousness! Your socks turned out really, really cute. Great shade of yellow!
And your spinning is absolutely to die for. You make me want to buy a spinning wheel.
Have a great weekend! :)
July 11th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Sweet socks! And your spinning does my dye job more justice than it deserves…
As for the graduation, it’s a hard call. If it’s a good friend, your presence will mean a lot. Food and good people are a plus. Wear something light and take a lot of outdoors “air breaks?”
July 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Beautiful spinning!
Can you get a plate to-go? ;^)
July 11th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Nanner-licious socks :)
July 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Love your socks! Love the colour too!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
The socks are amazing – I don’t get the heel flap either but toe-ups generally confuse me! Love all the spinning and the new roving is gorgeous!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Those socks? Like buttah! I applaud your willingness to try new techniques – and so successfully.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Lovely socks! But you still need to try my toe-up version!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Oh, those socks are amazing! Also, your spinning, all of it, is amazing.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I like this pattern. Nice!
July 11th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
ooooh, you got to meet Naomi!!! Lucky! Your socks and spinning are gorgeous, as usual!
July 12th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Lovely socks! It’s fun to try out new techniques, isn’t it! And wow, you’re a spinning machine!!
July 12th, 2008 at 3:11 am
The socks are fabulous! And your fiber….OH MY, it’s beautiful!
July 12th, 2008 at 3:42 am
Your nanners are very cute! : )
July 12th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Since you taunted me all winter with your temps, now would be the time for me to point out that it is 70F here. Of course, if was 90F and REALLY humid yesterday….
I like the Nanners!
July 12th, 2008 at 8:09 am
The nanners are cute. Isn’t toe-up great?
And the alpaca/merino is gorgeous. And the CFH is lovely, though understandably frustrating.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Those are very nice socks. You are a spinning machine here lately!
July 12th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Very nice socks, and I love the colorways you are spinning. Keep up the great stuff.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
love the nanner socks!
July 13th, 2008 at 2:38 am
I was disappointed to find that the Nanner pattern isn’t available any more. But I’ve begun to realize, as I gaze at those gorgeous socks, that it’s the yarn – specifically the color – that’s really tripping my trigger here :)
I know you like the Shibui – I guess I’m just going to have to go out and find some :) That shade of yellow is just heavenly!
July 13th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Wow! Those Nanner socks turned out great! Nice colour! Congrats on the Corriedale from Hell! It looks good from where I am sitting! Hope you enjoyed the graduation party. Food and people are always worth sweating for!
July 13th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Your Nanner socks turned out beautifully!!! Gorgeous detail on the heel and delightful pattern and color. I am so inspired by your spinning, I will be returning to my wheel tonight after a busy weekend of working.
July 13th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
That’s a toe up heel flap? it looks amazing. Pretty color too.
July 13th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Those socks are gorgeous. Still resisting the toe up — but I can feel the resistance weakening when I see socks like those….
July 14th, 2008 at 3:15 am
The socks are beautiful as usual and that is a cunning little heel! The spinning had better consume you or all that fiber you have stashed will :-) Your spinning looks terrific and your fiber selection is awesome. Even the Corridale from Hell looks good.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:16 am
yes, Wendy is a genius, and I love those socks…I have to get my new size 0 needles so I can knit mine….cannot wait.
AND OH THAT berry-colored roving!
OH MY…
(((hugs)))
July 18th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Oh those socks!!! Wow.