It’s a miracle! The Mingus socks (Ravelry) are finished!
Yarn: Wollmeise in “Spice Market”
Needles: 1US/2.25mm
Started: April 23, 2008 (!!!)
Finished: February 23, 2008
Can you believe it took me **TEN** months to finish these socks? I think it’s because I wanted this project to go on forever. I just wanted the experience to last.
I loved loved loved this yarn. It’s Wollmeise! Wollmeise! I was blessed when Kris brought the yarn over from Germany one year. The Spice Market is just perfect. It matches a pair of my Danskos perfectly too.
As far as all the hype concerning this yarn goes? I think it’s well deserved. They yarn isn’t splitty and it gives awesome stitch definition. It’s nice to the touch while appearing hard wearing at the same time. And the colors? The colors are amazing. Words fail me.
Still. I’m not paying $75 a skein for it.
I am just sayin’.
The pattern was a little complicated, but I loved loved loved it. I firmly believe a little brain tease is good for the noggin. I had a rough start, but once I got into the rhythm of the pattern it was smooth sailing.
I cannot wait for Cookie A.’s book to come out. I haven’t pre-ordered it yet, but I will next week. It’s all so exciting! A whole book full of her patterns! Yay!
I had a little helper during my photo shoot.
As for my knee? We shall not speak of it other then to say I have an appointment with my doctor this coming Thursday.
In the meantime, I’m rapidly coming to the finish line on another UFO* (Ravelry). I have something coming in the mail and I promised myself that I’d get some of those pesky UFO’s out of the way before I started something completely new.
Since I haven’t really been able to update the shop with new yarn, I’m thinking of throwing up a new line of stitch markers on my shop. We’ll see what I can manage.
One last thing, there is now a Ravelry group for Hungry For Handspun! Come! Join us! Spread the word!
That is all.
Have a great weekend, everyone. :)
*UFO=UnFinished Object in knitting speak, for you non-knitters. I know you is out there. :)
February 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
The mingus socks are gorgeous.
Why is it that every time I see a cat tummy I just want to tickle it?
February 27th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Sometimes I don’t appreciate the pattern until I see another person’s project. Those socks definitely make me want to reconsider Mingus.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I always loved that pattern, and your socks *almost* convince me to buy it. But then I remember that her patterns fit size 9 feet…oh well, says this size 5 person. Gorgeous,Opal!
February 28th, 2009 at 1:24 am
I have I believe books one and two of that series where your shawl came from. I had bought them to make shawls, but realized when I was waxing all of the old furniture, that I may need to knit some doilies for it. I know. Knitting doilies. I’ve become my great grandmother.
The shawl is going to be lovely. I hope the doctor has a solution for the knee. Well, a non surgical solution. :D Happy Saturday Opal!
February 28th, 2009 at 1:36 am
What beautiful socks!! I didn’t even know Cookie A was doing a book — off to check it out!!
February 28th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Wow! Opal, that is one gorgeous pair of socks. The pattern seems just perfect for the yarn and vice versa. Kudos on an excellent job. I, too, love the yarn but hate the hype. One of the these days the demand will calm down a bit, I hope. Have a terrific weekend.
February 28th, 2009 at 2:05 am
I love those socks — pattern, colour, everything!!
February 28th, 2009 at 2:11 am
I love your socks, and the Wollmeise does look amazing! I’m jealous you got to try some. I agree with you though–unless I can get some at a normal price, none for me.
February 28th, 2009 at 3:02 am
Wow–spectacular socks! I’m thinking I might have to let that skein of Spice Market I’ve been hoarding see the light of day. :)
February 28th, 2009 at 3:27 am
The socks are beautiful. Both the yarn and the pattern are so great. But $75? Really?
February 28th, 2009 at 3:42 am
Love the socks and the color is so rich!
February 28th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Love the socks – the pattern is gorgeous and the yarn is amazing – what a great colorway.
Good luck at the doctor – I hope your knee gets better fast!
February 28th, 2009 at 4:04 am
The vibrant colors of Wollmeise have always been the draw for me. Is it that expensive now?
In any case, you’ve made a gorgeous pair of socks, Opal. And Sammy is just too precious!
February 28th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Ooooo…I love them. May have to give that pattern a try.
February 28th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Wow, those are gorgeous!
Can’t wait to see what you come up with in the way of stitch markers!
I hope the knee feels better very soon.
February 28th, 2009 at 5:42 am
God that color is gorgeous. Love the socks, the pattern, everything!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Really beautiful. I love the color!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:56 am
mingus is a work of art – it must have been 10 months of pure heaven with the yarn and pattern to match….have a nice cozy weekend; i’m enjoying my handknit socks in this cold!
February 28th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I don’t think 10 months is too long to finish a sock. haha They look lovely.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Oh my gosh those are beautiful!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Those are gorgeous socks! Really truly beautiful!
February 28th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Those are beautiful socks! I’d heard CookieA had a book coming out. I don’t normally buy pattern books, but I may just have to spring for hers. I love her designs.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I cannot believe you spent that much time on a pair of freakin’ socks. Even if they were worth the time served.
Thanks for letting me know about her book. It’s always nice when someone with actual talent gets a book deal.
xo
February 28th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Wow…gorgeous pattern! Cookie is a genius. I just finished my first pair of Wollmeise socks, too. I liked the yarn, but I didn’t love it. Mine was a bit splitty and it felt more like cotton than wool–it stretches out and doesn’t spring back. I think my favorite sock yarn is still Smooshy by Dream in Color–it’s so springy; I just love it. Wollemeise DEFINITELY has amazing colors, though. A friend gave me mine–I couldn’t get my hands on any. I saw two skeins recently go on ebay for almost A hundred dollars each!!!! Madness!
February 28th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
They are just beautiful socks – good luck with the knee!
February 28th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Gorgeous socks!! Love the colorway knit up, great pictures!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Mingus and the associated Beach Fog Smooshy are wrapped up in one of my sock-club packages. I’ll just die if that’s the one I pick tomorrow.
Yours look fantastic – I really love that colorway.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Those are gorgeous socks! That is a wonderful pattern/yarn match. I have not pre-ordered that book either, but am getting closer all the time.
I am excited to see the Springtime Triangle when it is ready.
I have been keeping you in my thoughts, especially with Thursday in mind.
xo
March 1st, 2009 at 3:16 am
They’re gorgeous, well done! :)
And no one should pay $75 for wollmeise either. I’m looking forward to Cookie A’s book too.
March 1st, 2009 at 3:27 am
Those are so cool – I think we’ve talked about this yarn before – despite its brownitude, it just makes my mouth water. And the pattern makes them look a little like cookies for the feet :) Heh…
March 1st, 2009 at 11:31 am
Beautiful! The socks are amazing! (and I love those Danskos!)
But I’m really not happy to hear you’re having to go back to the doc about your knee….
((((((hugs))))))
March 1st, 2009 at 11:49 am
I LOVE THOSE SOCKS!!! The color is wonderful!
March 1st, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I love your Mingus socks as you had inspired my pair. I took a peak at your Springtime Triange, it is very beautiful.
March 1st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
i’m a little late to the party but those socks are gorgeous!!! i feel the same way aobut the price of the yarn…maybe someday the yarn fairy will visit. :)
March 1st, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Wow, they are gorgeous! Spice Market is one of my favorite colors!!! Congrats!
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:27 am
Love that pattern and those socks! And lurve!! the kitty’s spotted tummy!!
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:16 am
Those look like fun to knit. And the yarn looks really durable, yet soft. Like the color, too.
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Ten months is totally normal, isn’t it? Gorgeous! But then again, so is your Feb sweater and that doodlebug necklace and that seahorse! So. Cute.
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Beautiful socks as usual! I love the color and the pattern. I have total sock envy.