FO: Spey Valley Socks

Pattern: Spey Valley Socks by Nancy Bush from Knitting on the Road
Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock
Needles: Size 2


First things first. I took these photos today. It was 103 degrees outside and those are wool socks. Just saying. I've got commitment people.

These socks are pretty awesome. I followed the pattern (except for the decorative pattern at the top where I accidentally omitted one repeat) and I adore them. I love the rounded toe, the smooth heel, the simplicity of the ribbing. They're great. That is, the pattern is great. Wildfoote yarn is fine, but it's never been my favorite sock yarn. It is nowhere near Luxury, in my opinion. But it does make a darn fine sock, even if it's not soft and smooshy and, well, luxurious. Let's see some close ups.



I started these socks in June. I finished the first one just before I went on vacation. I finished the second one while on vacation.

Then I started the Salto Socks in some Trekking XXL I had. The pattern is beautiful. It shows up gorgeously in light colors and the cable pattern is simple to memorize. I really liked how they were turning out.


Except for the sizing. I was using 1.5s and what I'm told is Trekking (ball band lost), and the socks were clearly going to be too tall and too narrow to accommodate my calves. It's a lovely pattern and I may knit it someday... with thicker yarn and slightly larger needles. Le sigh.

And now I'm back from vacation and sick of socks. I'm going to concentrate on finishing up a couple of lace projects I've got going and see where my whims take me...

Vacation!

Well, I'm leaving for a two week vacation! My contest scarf is all finished and turned in. I've got two knitting projects and a drop spindle packed. I am ready to go! I'll see you all in a couple of weeks. Here's a sneak peek of my contest design:


The cat is a bit too interested when I block lace....

Road Trip!

We took a weekend trip to the Olympic Peninsula (along with about a quarter of the population of Washington State, it sometimes seemed). We hiked, saw amazing scenery, but mostly we hiked the Ozette Loop. The loop goes for about 9 miles - three to the ocean, three along the coast, and three back the the trailhead. At the end of our first third of the trail, we were at Cape Alava, the westernmost point in the continental US. Which I thought was awesome. So naturally, I brought my knitting.



I knit about a row on my Spey Valley sock from Knitting on the Road. But mostly I hiked. And I am not used to hiking that much - I am very sore now.

The entire, long set, including a visit to Hurricane Ridge, is here.