So here's the second cast on for the year. It's the Hazel Knits Mystery Sock. As I showed you in the last post, I started it on Artisan in Cloudy Day and the variegation was cloudering (no pun, intended) the pattern. So I started over in Entice - Poppy. This was a special color from The Tinsmith's Wife - a yarn shop in Texas. The pattern is looking so much better with this color.
I did wind the yarn into 2 cakes so I could cast on the second sock, but NO! How about another sock of a different pattern? I've been wanting to cast on Owlie Socks for a while - at least 2 years and I decided this is the year to knit them. I can say that it is a lot easier than I had expected, despite some cabling.
I gave my husband 5 skeins of yarn to choose from. Here's our conversation.
Me: Which of these look most like an Owl if I were to knit these socks (showing him the pattern on the iPad).
Him: Who is it for?
Me: You (what?? What are you thinking? Oh, you must be feeling sorry for him because he's not all recovered from the knee surgery.)
Him: Cool. I like this one.
Hmm... he picked the most variegated skein, but it's beautiful. I had just bought that with my Groupon coupon from the yarn shop by my house. This is Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in a One of A Kind color.
And so I cast on. This is what it should look like (BTW, I asked Emily what color beads I should use for the eyes. She showed me some owl pictures like these:)
or
OK - I bought it. I use gold/yellow beads for the eyes. So this is where I'm at:
But I'm concerned about the foot with the middle ribbing running through the toes. My husband does not have good-looking feet. Hand-knit socks make it more attractive. Short, big toes. The toe in the pattern will not work. So I've decided I'm going to adjust it so I'll have the owls closer to each other and run the ribbing on the side.
It's very addicting and if you've ever considered knitting these, do it now, as they count for the January SKA Sockdown!
Well, I need to get ready to knit for an hour during the premiere of Downton Abbey. I got hooked while watching Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD last weekend. I watched all the shows, starting on Friday night and finished it Sunday night. I did get on with my life, but snuck in 10+ hours of TV - I did give up my sleep time, as well... Is anyone crazy about this series? It's really a good timing for me because I was just done watching Homeland, which is also on Sunday, 8 pm. I have to record The Good Wife to catch it later during the week.
I'm waiting for the Twisted Sock Club shipment, which I plan to knit - i.e. cast on #4. I'm also eyeing the SKA Mystery Sock and the Kirsten Kapur's Through The Loops' Mystery Sock. I must have missed the announcement in December as I'm not keen on paying full price on a Mystery Sock. It was free in the past. I may just wait and see how it turns out. Or, I could just be content and knit the 3 socks I've started this year!
Oh my! The socks look great and I guess you are always building up some spares for the UFO competition later in the year! The owl eyes are particularly impressive!
Sadly, I've lost my 'knit' and haven't made any socks (other than a couple of plain socks for Hubby for Christmas) for about a year (I am twotoast on Ravelry) :(
Posted by: twotoast | January 07, 2013 at 12:30 AM
Wow! Those look so owlie. Very impressive. I've had these in my queue for a long time to. Maybe this year.
Posted by: Viki | January 07, 2013 at 06:37 AM
I would say you nailed the owl eyes with the gold beads! And the yarn is working perfectly too. I think last year was the first year that Kirsten started charging for her mystery sock. I don't mind paying for a pattern that I know I like, so I usually wait to get an idea what her mock looks like before I buy it.
Downton Abbey! LOVE it!!! I recorded last night's episode and can't wait to watch it later today. As soon as I get my chores done, I have a date with the DVR :-)
Posted by: Dianne | January 07, 2013 at 06:53 AM
That is the perfect yarn for owls. Absolutely perfect. And the beads add such a nice touch.
Posted by: Lisa | January 07, 2013 at 10:34 AM
Downton Abbey is on the DVR but I can't watch it while the littles are about. All their yelling and requests sully the experience. I will stay up tonight and have a special date hopefully to find out how Mr Bates is gonna fare this season.
Posted by: Leslie | January 07, 2013 at 01:13 PM
What a great owl color!! Maybe I should try to keep up with ska this year... after January. Sigh. Too many deadlines!
I watched Downtown Abby on netflix b/c so many knitters are crazy for it!
Posted by: Alicia | January 08, 2013 at 08:38 PM