lay lazy grey

Gems Pearl, size 1 needles, 72 stitches around, 2x2 ribbing (with some fun texture at the cuffs), 10" legs, 11" feet

I'm so happy they're done. A very unexciting project, though a nice and relaxing one when I wasn't tired of working on them. And I think that the recipient will really like them. I think it will be his first pair of hand-knit socks, so it was worth the effort. If anybody is wondering, this huge pair took just over 2 skeins of Gems Pearl. I had to start in on the third skein right before the toe of the second sock. This is good information for me to know, because it means that I can make some interesting socks for myself, with generous leg height, without worrying about running out of yarn.

The photo lies a bit. The socks are still a bit damp, so I don't think they deserve to be languidly lounging across that swift, as they are doing. They're not finished, in my book, until they're dry. But today was when I had time to take photos, so damp socks it is. I should mention that this yarn is very stinky when wet. Most wools have a distinctive wool odor when wet, but some more than others. These had an almost mildewy smell. It was pretty strong and gross, and when I was in the basement fetching things from the machine (soak and spin only, even for my superwash socks), I was worried about what was going on down there, with that smell. But it was only wet sock. I wonder if different breeds of sheep have wool that smells differently when wet, or if the varying scents have more to do with processing or dyes. I have other socks that smell almost pleasant when wet, which is quite the accomplishment for anything made of wool. Or maybe it just means that I like wool a bit too much.


I cast on (three times, actually) for some mittens for Alex. They're in leftover Cascade Eco Wool, and will be quite plain. Ribbed cuff, stockinette elsewhere. But that's what he wants, and as I'm nervous enough about having enough yarn for the pair in such a thrifty stitch, there's no way I'm adding other textures to them. I couldn't find the exact plain mitten pattern I wanted elsewhere, so I used the schematics from the other mittens I've made (from Schurch's book), and did the math to write a pattern for this weight of yarn. Even with three starts (due to cuff size and gauge issues), this will be a very fast project. Hopefully there will be a photo and a pattern within a week. It won't be an exciting, must-knit-it-now pattern, but just a little something for anybody else out there looking for a free, basic, in-the-round mitten pattern.