the Akamai Knitter

After finishing up the Cafe au Chocolat socks, I needed another pair to occupy my time while out and about. I browsed through the patterns in my new favorite book and decided to finally start the Embossed Leaves.

I’ve been eyeing this pattern for quite some time now and I thought that the Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn I got in a trade with Joy would be perfect for it. So far I really like the results.

This pattern is incredibly fun to knit. So much so that each repeat seems to speed by. I managed one repeat here at home on Wednesday, then a couple of others last night while at an Aloha Knitters meeting.

Before starting these socks, I had thought I lost my sock mojo. I think this project has reinvigorated my sock knitting joy. I’m not sure I can designate these babies as a portable project only. This weekend I might be seeing a lot of leafy action.

With all the running around I did on the weekend and this week, I was finally able to finish the Cafe Au Chocolat socks. It sure does feel good to have these off the needles!

Pattern: Retro Rib Socks by Evelyn A. Clark from Favorite Socks

Yarn: Trekking Pro Natura; Colorway 1603

Needles: 1US/2.25mm circulars

Started: August 6, 2007

Finished: September 26, 2007

Modifications: Instead of twisted specified stitches every other row, I twisted said stitches every row. I also did a eye of partridge heel.

I cannot tell you how much I love this yarn! It’s got the flex of wool but the bamboo gives it the most delicious sheen. The only problem I had was that when I dropped a stitch, I had some difficulty picking it up. The yarn would sometimes become a little ratty and splitty upon those occasions. Other then that, I have absolutely no complaints.

Once I grafted the toe of the last sock, I wore them around the house for a little while despite the heat. I noticed that they were a smudge cooler on the feet then my 100% wool socks, which is a definite plus in this weather.

As for the pattern? I love the pattern. It had enough going on so that it kept me entertained, yet relaxed enough that I could put them down and pick them up without getting too confused over where I left off. It also provides just the right amount of texture so the pattern doesn’t overpower the yarn.

These socks are definitely my new favorites and I’m so glad that I have another ball of the yarn to look forward to!

While watching football this past Sunday, I managed to finish up the knitting on the Rock Lobster Lock Bag. The pattern suggests completing three repeats of the pattern, but after measuring the length after 2.5 repeats, I decided it was long enough.

Before felting, the bag looked rather pathetic.

The bag was magically transformed after felting.

The specs…

Pattern: Rock Lobster Lock Bag by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Ella Rae Classic (Color 28) and Plymouth Boku (Color 1)

Needles: Size 10.5US(6.5mm) and 11US(8.0)

Started: September 16, 2007

Finished: September 23, 2007

The other modification I made with this project was to add pockets. I knitted two squares of fabric approximately 9″x9′ and then sewed them into the inside of the bag as invisibly as I could. This is a terrible picture, but you get the idea. For another shot of the pocket, click here.

I had a really good time with this project. I loved working with the big needles and the big squishy yarn. The slipped stitch pattern was interesting and entertaining with just the right amount of challenge.

I really loved the colors of this project. I’m not sure how much of my wardrobe will match with it, but I find that I don’t really care. For now, it’s enough that I love the end result and that I enjoyed the process of creating it.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about the Bee In Fields Shawl? Well, I can say that it’s finished and blocked.

Pattern: Bee In Fields by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Laceweight from Handpaintedyarn.com in Olive

Needles: size 5US/3.75mm

Started: August 20, 2007

Finished: September 19, 2007

Size: Tall

I decided to make the larger of the two sizes since I had the yarn. Plus, the shawl will cover my rear end, thus negating the arrow pointing to said portion of my body.

This was incredibly fun to knit and I have to admit to a case of post-project depression. I can only hope for more beautiful triangle shawls from the indubitable Anne. Though I might be able to console myself with some of her rectangular stoles.

In the meantime, I’ve been contemplating my next big lace project. I’m thinking something from A Gathering of Lace. I’m thinking the Sampler Stole would look fabulous in some of my Yubina yarn. It looks like it will be a challenging project, but that’s what makes it so attractive.

While I have that stewing in the brain, I’ll be working on getting some of my current projects off the needles. I already managed to finish one project over the weekend, but I’ll not say much about it in this post as it deserves more then just a brief mention.

Hopefully I’ll have even more to say about the weekend another day. Right now my brain is stumbling over words and nothing is coming out right. I think this is because I still haven’t gotten enough sleep. I will say that I really disliked one of the movies we saw.

(Rant warning.) Perfect Stranger was really disturbing in a depressing and pathetic way. While the acting was superb, none of the characters had a single redeeming feature. They all displayed the worst of what makes us human and it left me feeling hopeless and angry. Maybe it’s naive of me to want to see the the best of human nature in at least one facet of one of the protagonists. Either way, I was very disappointed in the movie. (End rant.)

I normally don’t go on about movies, but this one really bothered me. If anyone else has seen this movie, I’d love to hear your take on it.

If you’ve read this far down, I commend you. Who knew I had all that blather in me? Must be the sleep deprivation.

It seems the fog I was in on Monday was more due to a Fibromyalgia flare up then to any of the after-effects of the weekend. So instead of trying to put together a coherent post today, I’ve decided to just do a random list of my progress of some of my current projects.

1. I completed the Bee Fields Shawl on Wednesday. It’s currently soaking in some warm water with a few drops of soap in preparation for the blocking progress. I’m so looking forward to crawling around on my hands and knees. Not. :-P
2. I managed to turn the heel of the second sock and start the gussets of the Retro Rib Socks last night. Insomnia has its perks. I’m thinking of calling them Cafe au Chocolat. What do you think?
3. I’ve gotten past the first repeat of the Rock Lobster Lock Bag. I really love the yarns I’m using. (Ella Rae Classic and Plymouth Boku.) The colors are fun and seeing them evolve with the slip stitch pattern is highly entertaining.

For some reason, I felt like I hadn’t gotten much done this week, which is most likely due to the flare up. Making this list has really helped me feel like I’ve accomplished something. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and take stock of what’s in front of us to appreciate it.

Weekend plans include another trip to Isle Knits tomorrow to see if I can get more yarn for the bag. There’s definitely more Ella Rae, but there might not be more Boku, so please wish me luck!

I also have a couple of DVDs lined up, Wire In The Blood: Season 3: Disc 1 and Perfect Stranger. Nothing too heavy or exciting, but I think they’ll both prove to be entertaining. Of course, there will also be football. Mmm. Football.

I’m also going to be casting on for the Clapotis and I’m really excited. It’s just the type of knitting that I need right now. Miles and miles of soothing stockinette stitch. Just thinking about it makes me curl my toes in anticipation.

Well, I’m off to block the shawl. I hope everyone has a great weekend filled with lovely knitty type activities. :-)