Quick, while Flickr is functional…
While we were at the beach, I knitted the Knight some belated birthday house socks. Actually, I cast on at home while I was waiting for him to finish his fire training so we could leave, but…
Project: Knight’s House Socks
Pattern: Basic Dude Socks. Umm… I had a few modifications and will cobble together my own pattern before I do the next pair. He’s delighted with them and barely allowed me to weave in the ends before he put them on. I used Judy’s Magic Cast-on, but 14 stitches to start made the toe too square, in my opinion. The Knight just shrugged, but the toe bunched up when he did shove them in his shoes for dog walking duties.
The heel is its own little nightmare. I had to darn holes all over the place in both socks, because this particular short-row method didn’t match my knitting style one bit. I thought I’d compensated after frogging once and trying again, but when the Knight pull the socks on, the holes were too much for me. He loves the way a short-row heel fits though, so I’m going to try another version next time.
Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Perfection in Sky, purchased at Dog House Yarns & More. I really liked this yarn. It’s similar to Wool Ease, but it’s softer to the hand and seems to wear just as well. Sadly, Kraemer doesn’t seem to have much of a following in these parts. Shame, because it’s a solid company with good prices!
Needles: US #5 Addi circs. Yes, plural. I think I’ve discovered the right methodology for sock knitting for me. Magic Loop, one sock per needle, but start both at the same time and finish both within a few hours of each other. A couple of my RCK pals have been doing this for years (but I think at least one of them uses double points)… You just always pick up the sock further behind.
Verdict: I think I need worsted weight house socks too.
Because I need to catch up on all the stuff I wanted to share, here are some photos of the cactus thing that attacks the girls and me at the beach. Sis had one stick in her bottom lip, Gretchen had one poke in her sweet little belly, and I had one draw blood from a finger or two while I was cleaning up pooooo before we left.
Here’s a singlet, the sort that gets stuck on living, breathing folk.
Here’s a more mature plant…
And here’s I assume the same plant in a different state… I don’t know if it winters red, or if that’s what it looks like when it’s dying, or what.
If anyone knows what this pest is, I’d like to know. We thought we’d rid the property of ALL vestiges of it last spring, but obviously not. Only the red-purple photo was taken on the neighbor’s property.
How are your holiday preparations going?
Do not know what that vicious plant thing is. Stay away!
the Knight’s socks look lovely. I even have yarn to join that bulky sock knitting group but so far, haven’t managed to get them started. Glad to see your’s are done. g
I love the color of your Knight’s socks. He is one lucky man.
How in the &*@#!! did a cactus get to the Carolinas? Some idiot must have brought it there! Outrageous, attacking my friend and her fur-girls!
That looks like one nasty plant… but nice man socks! I might have to try that method with DPNs… doing 2 at a time, just always picking up the one lagging behind… hhmmm…
I’ve seen that cactus before, no idea what you’d call it. Yes!! To worsted weight socks. I love the whole sock-in-a-day concept. And…the two socks, each on it’s own circ method has been MINE since I first discovered Magic Loop. LOL…remember our early needle swap?
We have lots of cacti at the Pond.
That looks like a nasty plant. We had a big cactus similar to that growing in the yard when we bought the house. Because it attacked the dogs a couple times, it was removed.
Neat socks, but no dog hair?
I wish I could diagnose the pests in my yard. I think we’re going to have to start over and re-sod. Le sigh.
Very warm looking socks. 🙂 Just tell him to beware hardwood steps in those things. My bum is still aching from my tumble down ours yesterday. LOL
I’ve been beaten to it, but I’ll add mine anyway: how on earth does cactus grow there and how did it even get there? Cactus is not friendly! Sorry you got stuck with it.
p.s. If those socks shrink and he can’t wear them anymore, you know where to find me…
I know EXACTLY what that cactus is…I used to have an MASS of them at my mailbox when I bought my house 25 years ago…I still find “new” ones trying to take root! Believe me they are NASTY buggers-I went through 3 pairs of garden gloves trying to rid my self of them…and still had the little “hairy” thorns in my fingers. It’s a “prickly pear” cactus!!! Beautiful yellow flowers in the summer but somehow that doesn’t make the thorns any better!!
Love the socks!!!
They look like they fit well.
I’m not sure what kind of cactus they are, but they sure don’t look friendly!
Those socks look cozy!!! Which reminds me … I need to make John and myself new house socks.
I do like the Knight’s socks, Chan! House socks are a great idea…I have an old pair of white cashmere socks that are so cozy. They sure get dirty, though. 😦
That’s a nasty looking prickery thing. Hope someone comes up with an answer. Is it really a cactus?
Tell your reluctant foot model that his feet look dashing in his new socks! SNOL They did turn out really nice. 🙂
Ick, those cactus things are just horrible!