Under the Wire

Take a look at what I was able to complete last night, at the 11th hour before the end of Socktoberfest (literally):

Pattern: Gentleman's Sock with Lozenge Pattern by Nancy Bush in Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon) in Navy, two full skeins plus a little bit of two more skeins
Needles: US 1 Knit Picks 32" circulars
Mods: none

These socks were the first pair I knit at the same time on both needles. I see the appeal (i.e., a distinct lack of Second Sock Syndrome), but these were not portable at all -- which in my opinion is part of the appeal of the sock as a knitting project -- and I felt like I spent a lot of time moving things around and making sure my two skeins of yarn weren't getting tangled with each other. I may or may not do the two socks on two circs thing again.

A detail shot for your viewing pleasure

This is a great looking pattern, but not the fastest. The lozenge pattern (sort of a faux argyle) is created by purl stitches in a field of stockinette. It's the perfect "man pattern" for those bored with nothing but stockinette and plain ribbing -- subtle and not too fussy. I think J would wear these, and that's saying a lot. Unfortunately, he won't get to, as they're for his stepfather.

I do want to say a bit about the yarn. Essential is my go-to sock yarn; it's not particulary luxurious, but it's sturdy and superwash, not to mention ridiculously affordable. I still have several skeins in my stash from the first batch I ordered, and I have to say, I think they've been playing with their wool, because this batch felt really, really soft. Like fuzzy, handwash only merino. The feel of the yarn while I was knitting it almost made up for the fact that the stitches were so darn hard to see. (Note to self: only use yarn this dark for stockinette, which I can do without looking.)

This is officially the first holiday knitting project I've finished. Here's a review of what I'm knitting and where they stand in their progress:

Projects already started

• Lady Eleanor Shawl/Stole (for future MIL): through nearly six of 17 pattern repeats
• Clapotis (for my mother): nearly done with increase rows (this will go in the car with me this weekend when we go up to Ann Arbor)
• Felted Slippers (for future BIL): just cast on this morning, 1"+ knit on cuff of first sock

Planned but not yet started

• Socks for my father (feet measured, will be started soon)
• Big felted Christmas stocking for family friends who have my family over for Xmas every year (see #72 from last night's post)
• Socks for J (he knows he's getting them, so he'll pick out patterns/yarns)
• Something for my brother, if he'll let me

I'd say I'm in pretty good shape. I think I can probably finish my mom's Clapotis this weekend, provided I make good use of my knitting time in the car. My father's socks are going to be pretty plain -- a ribbed leg and stockinette foot (he's not a fancy shmancy guy). The felted slippers are being knit on US 8 dpns, so they will go quickly. And I'm keeping Lady Eleanor near the bed, so I can usually get at least a row done during the last hour of TV before going to bed.

J comes home from Chicago tomorrow (hooray!) and then Friday morning we're headed to Ann Arbor to visit my baby brother (I can no longer call him little, as he's almost 6'2"). Progress report on the aforementioned projects, and perhaps a peek at the Pumpkin Pie Knee Highs, when we return.

A final thought for tonight: when my alarm went off this morning, I was dreaming that I was knitting something in fair isle. Besides the fact that I've never tried to do this, in the dream I was also easily knitting continental (I knit English). What do you suppose this means?