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’m not quite done with yellow yet. Here is my most recent acquisition: Malabrigo sock in ochre which I purchased just yesterday at K2tog. Lovely, isn’t it?

I finished the pair of mini Hedera socks today while at Richmond High School and although I tried my best to even them out, I’m still not sure if their exactly identical. But move on I must. I need that needle for more socks.

While at RHS I met a very pleasant and lively young man from Guatemala named Luis who obligingly modeled the tiny socks for me.

He has a wonderful smile and I told him so. In addition

I found his Spanish easy to understand and learned some new words in the process. The mural on the outside of the classroom depicted Budhha in the same shade as my new malabrigo sock (see above).

Ok so I might actually be finished with yellow now. It’s on to a new color.

Stay tuned for the pink backpack project. Coming soon.

Have you ever placed a vase full of fresia in your bedroom? The scent is heavenly I assure you. Spring is in the air and with it come another pair of tiny socks.

I adapted Hedera by Cookie A. for a miniature sock and I think it came out better than my full size version which is full of mistakes. However, I ran out of this luscious yellow late last night and now I am adjusting, taking a little from the first sock to finish the second. Or should I finish with a splash of wild color? What do you think?

an unoriginal hat, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

People who follow this blog regularly are familiar with my fondness for the color gray. Or is it grey? I suppose it depends on what country you live in.

I do indeed like gray but even more so when punctuated by a brightly colored (coloured?) accessory. And yellow is my most recent bright color of choice.

The hat modeled is the unoriginal hat pattern designed by the yarn harlot, which I knit up on 10.5US needles with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick&Quick. The hat has a lovely sculptural quality and though quite dense, it’s very comfortable.

What can I say about this hat that hasn’t already been said? With only 56 stitches and 36 rows it knits up in a breeze. Don’t be frightened by the cables. As a matter of fact, this is my first official FO for 2009. Have you finished anything yet? Do tell.

alice in golden leaves, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

For quite some time I had the idea in my head that the pose in this famous Edward Weston photograph would make a great pose for ing socks. What poor Alice discovered is that one needs quite a bit of flexibility to execute the pose. I’m thinking that the woman in the original photograph (shot in 1936 by the way) must have been a dancer or some other type of contortionist to pull it off. Alice said the hardest part was laying head to thigh. No matter, I think we came a way with a great shot anyway. Alice needs only to flash her teeth and brilliant smile and she immediately brightens any photo (or room for that matter).

Just a peak into the mind of a great artist (ahem) and where my inspirations/ideas come from.

Alice’s smile may even have outshone the socks.

Yes the socks are done.

I finished them in time to enter in Sock Knitter’s Anonymous September Sockdown. Yes I admit I have a problem. I’m powerless over the knitting of socks. The very next day after finishing golden leaves, I started Nutkin but had to frog it this morning. It was coming out way too small, even for Alice. Here’s a look at the progress. Lovely aren’t they?

The same yarn will now become Pomatomus. Cookie’s socks seem to use a lot of little tiny stitches. It will still qualify as an entry for the September socksdown. I’m off to cast on now.

[Breaking News: I might make Mermaid Fingerless Mittens instead. I'll keep you posted.]