Cable-Stitch Anklets (Sans Cable)

Pattern: Cable-Stitch Anklets
Yarn: Soxx Appeal, 96% superwash Merino wool, 3% nylon, 1% elastic, colorway 9510
Needles: #1 (2.25mm) Knitpicks dpns

Comments: The yarn is really a pale sage green, but it photographs more bluish. If we get another sunny day in this century, I will try to get a more accurate picture of it.

As you can tell from the title of this post and the socks, I left out the cables on this lovely vintage pattern. The yarn just did not show the cables well and it didn't seem prudent to put all that work into a pattern that would not show well. I have used this yarn before on my Purl Trax and Lake Geneva Socks. It has some elastic content, so you might need to stretch it ever so slightly--but not too much--to get the proper yardage, look and fit. But the comfort in the final product is worth the effort.

*Modifications were this: a Dutch heel...

And Joan's Favorite Toe (thanks, Joan!), which is more rounded than the wedge toe I usually knit.
Even without the cable stitch, I like the way the ribbing has that little extra "nub" in the purl stitches. So simple, yet so effective. The reverse side also looks good and makes me think that a scarf in this pattern even without the cable would be pretty.
*Why do knitters modify patterns? I'm as guilty of it as the next knitter, or more so. The reasons are too numerous to count and I have my own excuses for it, most of them purely subjective.

Daydream Believers

And Homecoming Queens.

Wasn't it just yesterday my granddaughter was this darling freckle-faced little girl?
Now she is a beautiful young lady--here with her dad (my son):

She and I saw the similarities between us:Circa 1960

I forgot to mention--she was Homecoming attendant this week at the academy she attends!I love this photo of them.

Minnesota--The Maybe State

Well, it's a bit too soon for this much snow. Notice my two-toned house...painting should start the end of this week...maybe.
The leaves haven't even bothered to change color yet. Maybe they will.

It's not exactly a Renoir, but maybe it's refrigerator-worthy.
And somehow even the word "maybe" looks odd to me this morning.

High Tea in Hayward

My book club is the most fabulous group of women you could ever hope to call your friends. On our recent retreat, we had a Jane Austen weekend. This included reviews of six of Austen's books and a delectable high tea. Here's a short video taken with my phone camera, with apologies for the quality of the video:

And here are some still photos---note the salmon and caviar tidbits; they were out of this world! The weekend was arranged by the two gals in the first photo. I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work and their good friendship. We are truly blessed!

All I did was read, eat, and knit one measly washcloth. Yarn: Louet Euroflax Originals
Pattern: Feather and Fan Washcloth by Theresa Gaffey, from the book, "Knitter's Stash: Favorite Patterns from America’s Yarn Shops."
Needles: #3 straights.
Comments: I loved knitting this washcloth during our weekend retreat!

Simple Textured Socks - A Pattern

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM Colorway D105.
Pattern: My personal pattern called Simple Textured Socks; see also side panel for pattern.
Needles: #1 (2.25mm) dpns.
Comments: The combination of "sproingy" yarn and this very simple pattern makes a most comfy sock with lots of textural interest. The rich fall colors of the yarn were difficult to capture on film.
I have made this pattern two other times--here and here, and have been asked to share it.

Here's how much of the 350 yards of Koigu KPPPM remained.
And I'm still knitting...

Birthday Monkey

Wouldn't every gal like an agreeable vintage huggable like this for her birthday?

And a book to go with him (this monkey may be a Conehead cousin):
And the best reissued knitting book:

more books (the Judge knows what to pick)...
and roses in the rain...Oh, and lots of good wishes from people I'm fondest of. I'm a lucky monkey!