Nuff said.

You may remember that I started the Pyroclastic socks about a few weeks ago. In the first version, on the far left, I cast on 66 stitches on a size ZERO needle. This *is* Malabrigo after all and because it’s so soft and stretchy, it needs a very tight knit. Well when I tried it on over my big leg, it felt a little small – barely clearing my foot – so I cast on again, this time with 77 stitches but still on the size ZERO needle. That’s the swatch in the middle. That one felt much too big.

Finally I cast on again, with 66 stitches but on a size ONE needle. That one felt just right.

For the foot of the current version I switched back to the size ZERO needle and I’m starting to regret that decision. I like my socks tight but I’m starting to re-consider that preference. Nevertheless, progress on the sock has been swift. The pattern, which features some interesting shaping and unique stitch patterns, is quite lovely.

It’s also the type of sock challenge that I really enjoy. I’m pleased so far although I’m not sure this sock will be for me. We shall see.

There’s been no lag time between socks these days and progress on my most recent pair has been swift. A friend recently reminded me about Knitty.com and it was there that I found a sock pattern worthy of the super soft, yummy yellow Malabrigo sock I purchased at K2Tog a few months ago.

BTW: K2Tog is moving and opening in their new digs on June 1. The new location is near their old location on Solano, just a few blocks up the street, so be sure and check them out if you’re in the neighborhood.

Because this sock pattern was designed by Marlowe Crawford and it’s a tribute to Northern California, it seems fitting that I would continue my exploration of the Northern California coast this holiday weekend by visiting Bodega Head just north of Bodega Bay. See for yourself.

It was an utterly spectacular day on the California coast. Simply magnificent.

And the rock formations are certainly quite pyroclastic, aren’t they?

I was able to finish the Noro socks while I was in Bloomington for Max and Nell’s graduation from Indiana University. The photo above is an homage to the Hot Date Socks which I think are spectacular and hope to replicate some day (the photo too which I also love).

The photo below is a shot of the new IU graduates and still hard for me to believe that they are done. Finished. It went so fast! Congratulations!

I actually finished the Noro socks about two weeks ago and the Sleepy Hollow socks in early April but I’ve been slow to post them because I’ve been stuck on the photography. I haven’t been able to capture the Sleepy Hollow socks in a way that I find satisfactory (to me). Luckily my favorite sock model, Charlotte, is home from Europe and was happy to oblige. No one fills a sock like Charlotte.

Bella, who enjoys sharing the spotlight with socks, wanted to model too.

Even though I only live about 20 miles from San Francisco, I rarely visit the city and it can seem like another world. A far off land. Especially when it’s the annual Bay to Breakers which I accidentally encountered last Sunday on one of my rare trips to the city. As I waited for Nancy in front of the Orpheum Theater on Market Street, throngs of “runners” dressed in their best costumes passed by for my enjoyment. Only in SF…

Nancy and I met to attend a Ravelry meet-up at the Women’s Building in the Mission District. The room was filled with busy knitters from all over the Bay Area and although it wasn’t what I was expecting – Jess and Casey and Mary-Heather weren’t in attendance – I ended up winning a $25 gift certificate to Bluebird Yarns in Sausalito. Thank you! I’m excited to discover yet another LYS in the Bay Area – this one in Marin County.

Speaking of LYS…I finally had the chance to visit the world-renowned ImagiKnits and Wow! is it something. (BTW: The hat that Nancy’s wearing is the Hilde Slouchy Hat. Pretty cool, huh?)

The fibers are divided into two giant rooms according to animal and plant content, and from thick to thin clockwise – at least I *think* that’s what the proprietress said.

It was all so overwhelming and little too much information for my aging brain to absorb. I did take some mental notes and I now know where to come for a superb selection of hempathy and Euroflax linen. Oh and this gorgeous stuff whose name escapes me…

Here’s a Traveling Woman Shawl that a knitter made as part of the KAL for the Ravelry meet-up. I am considering one myself. She admitted it was her own handspun when asked.

Well at the end of this busy day (which included breakfast with Pat and snake hunting with Tod), my dogs were really barking.

BTW: I have volunteered to teach knitting and crochet at the Maker Faire on Sunday May 23rd from 2-6pm so stop if you get a chance. Hope to see you there!

It was either knit or fall asleep. I’m not kidding.

Stripes are everywhere I look these days and especially striped legwear. I couldn’t believe my eyes when a student at the High School I was subbing showed up decked out in tights to match my El Sob socks which, by the way, are coming along swimmingly.

BTW I want to mention that I’m using the Noro Stripy Sock pattern which is featured for free here.

This is my first time working with Noro Kureyon Sock and I have to say that I have more than a few complaints. First of all, it’s not as soft as the merino I’m used to working with and the fibers really stick to each other. I found that out yesterday when I did a fair amount of tinking due to a KNOT (yes a KNOT) in the yarn which interrupted the color pattern. Although the stripes may look random, they are anything but. They are carefully thought out and executed I can assure you.

In addition to being really sticky, the yarn seems to break quite a bit (or am I too tense?). Knitters who have used Noro are familiar with these complaints but watching the colors of the opposing stripes change gradually make Noro totally worth the trouble.

Here’s one more shot of R. Thanks for modeling!

I haven’t been able to put this sock down since I started it yesterday. Seriously addicting is an understatement. I was knitting last night at midnight after I got home from seeing this band. Dead tired but I just couldn’t put it down.

Although I’ve done Noro stripes before, I had forgotten how absolutely, completely and utterly mesmerizing they can be.

The inspiration came from these magnificent socks which inspired me to take this photo. I’ve christened this pair El Sob Stripes.

Today I spent the afternoon with my friends Pat and Mary. I am so grateful for all of my friends and especially these two. During the course of the conversation we discovered we had each had two C-sections (but Mary had the best doctor) and the product of those surgeries, our six children, range in age from 17 to 23.

The eldest, Rosie, showed up long enough to model the latest socks.

These are the “Mellow Socks” I started about a month ago. Aren’t they grand?

Lately I’ve been working hard to finish up a number of works in progress (aka WIPs) that have been languishing on the needles. But you know me. I suddenly have the urge to start a new pair of socks – I always have to have at least one pair going.

OK so I know I promised a tutorial on how to make the zippered, lined pouch and that is coming tomorrow. In the meantime, can anyone think of a good name for it?

True to form, I immediately cast on a new pair of socks as soon as I had a free needle. I’ve had this yarn in my stash for quite some time but the spring weather has finally inspired me to bust it out into the fresh air. I have to say that I am very pleased with the results so far. The color is “mellow stripe” and the yarn is Red Heart “Heart & Sole”. Love it!

The pattern is my own improvisation. Mindless socks, if there is such a thing.

Oh and one more shot of yellow. Can’t get enough. These are from the backyard and they won’t last long.

Happy spring!