Green Grow the Lilacs

I finished these Crazy Mixed-Up Socks. I started them on the 18th and finished them today, the 27th. These went faster than the others, but I am still having trouble inserting the heel. It is easy enough to cut into the tube, but the stitches are small and so, very hard to pick up. It takes me forever to do it. I woke up this morning thinking of a different way to do this. What if I start and knit a few inches of the tube,  knit in a heel, do some more tube knitting, some waste yarn, more tube knitting and then another heel. Hard to explain. I will have to try it next time and show you.......

This is the plan I had for the crocheted flowers! It would be better if they were Lilacs, but crocheted Lilacs don't do much for me!

 

Crazy Mixed-Up Sock--Green Grow The Lilacs

Do you think I am a bit obsessed? This is my third Mixed-Up Sock, about 12" long which means it is half done. I need about 24" to really have options for where to but the toes and heels. I am getting better at it. I am not sure where this is going. Don't be fooled into thinking this knitting is just about socks. There is something going on in the back room. When I find out what it is, I will let you know!

Finished Socks

I can hardly believe it. I finished these socks last night,
then washed and dried them early this morning. Here is something interesting about these socks. The first one I made, (the one with the orange ribbing) I made in the regular way with both yarns in my right hand. The sock with the yellow ribbing. I made holding the yellow yarn in my left hand. The "orange" sock looked smooth and the yellow one bumpy! Is that just because I am not all that adept at holding the yarn in my left hand? Washed, the difference is not too pronounced. I think I read something about this somewhere, but where? Maybe you can tell me and save me the effort of going through a zillion knitting books and articles!

Lady Fair Isle and the Elephant

I found a home for the Pink Elephant.
He is now sitting with Lady Fair Isle on top of a pin cushion in an antique chair.
In case you are wondering--
Lady Fair Isle is made from socks I began and then abandoned for some reason.
Her arms and legs are I-Cords and she has a crocheted skirt.
I still plan to change the color of her legs! 

Knitting Fever

I am taking a break from my other stitching by doing a little hand knitting. I thought I might learn Anna Zilboorg's technique for making "Free-sole" socks, and I couldn't put it down. Consequently, I only have a few more rows to go on this one and then I will reverse the colors and do the other one. I tried a lot of different things while working on this--ways to hold the yarn, turning the work inside out etc.  My two color knitting needs a lot of work. More practice!