I woke up today at an inanely late time. I don't even want to tell you how late, it's so embarrassing...but when I woke up and saw that it was raining (actually *pouring*), it made more sense to me. It's SO much more quiet when it rains...it really muffles the sounds from the everyday sounds...neighbors clanking around, cars starting up outside, etc. plus, I must've needed the sleep.
On the way to the kitchen, I thought since it was all rainy out, I'd wind my hanks into cakes...at least two of them and cast on for gauge.
McTaggart Tweeds from BeaverslidePossibly you can make out the purl bumps in the gauge swatch? There are 8 which means that I used a US8 needle. It always makes me feel satisfied to remember to do clever things like that. One thing was evident...the brown yarn (which I actually like better) gave closer gauge than the puffier grey. It also knitted up much cleaner than the grey. I've been wanting to knit a knockabout sweater anyway, so I'll use the Heathered Charcoal for that and order up more Tamarack.
Why scary in the title? One could be that I've decided to buy even more yarn (the Tamarack), the other may be b/c I watched one of the scarier movies in awhile. I never heard about it the first time it came out (did it go straight to DVD?), but it was on after I had settled in with my cereal and coffee. Egad. Scary. It was called Stay Alive. yikes. I must think of something cheerful now.
For Sockapalooza4 news...
Yes, I've cast on and started!!
argh, pooling...but at least it's prettyThe above socks are called Diagonal Rib from IK Winter 2004. Speaking of Interweave Knits...I really don't like their 'new' web system. What happened to all of the great patterns that subscribers could peruse by inputting the code word printed on their subscribed magazine? Maybe they think it's more "friendly" and "accessible" to have free patterns for all, but I miss the huge wealth of resources that once was on that site. It's pretty lame now. They give 4 free patterns and you can no longer search the archives. How I hope they reinstate this functionality when the newsletter site is really launched. I'm glad that I downloaded this pattern when I did AND that I was able to find it on an old HD. Yes indeed.
I suppose this should be posted on the Sockapalooza4 pligg site, but I find the site a bit overwhelming. I wonder if anyone will actually see it since people 'vote' for posts and other posts get buried if not voted for. Yeah, what? That said, I do realize that it's got to be challenging to find a way to corral 1,006 knitters' updates and the like so that's not to say that I don't appreciate the effort going in for this year's Sockpal fest, it cannot be simple.
For the sock savior socks, I want to use a pattern called Zokni socks from Pepperknit...it's such a lovely pattern. Oh shoot. I just checked and all of the sock savior socks have been taken! Maybe I'll check back to see if anyone needs a pair of socks later in the summer. You never know.
I've never knit with STR yarn before and I can see why people like knitting with this yarn. It's lovely and springy/sproingy and does not split easily. I am looking forward to knitting a pair for myself at some point!