As you can see, the socks aren't exactly alike. I wasn't expecting them to be since the yarn was variegated and I still like them. The yarn is Rellana's Flotte Socke. 75% superwash and 25% polyamid. It's not as stretchy a yarn as some I have used. Rather hard to see in the picture but there is a thin white thread wrapped around the yarn. I like the effect but think that might have kept the yarn from being as stretchy as it could be. My next pair is going to be the same brand of yarn, without the thin white thread and it's one I'll have to see if I can match the striping on.

I've had a few people ask about the pattern for the spiral cap I made and, though I tried to email them, either their email address was incorrect or they have a blocking system going so..... You can find the pattern for the Spiral Hat at Folknits. For DK weight yarn, I used a 4 row repeat and for worsted weight, I used a 3 row repeat.

I had a really good excuse for not posting in the last week. I have been camping. Yes, in February in Arizona. Wet and muddy and, as we all laughingly agreed, very realistic for medieval times. We all actually had a great time camping and my family think I'm totally crazy. I'm the only one who actually enjoys camping. If you saw all the camping gear I take, you would know that I definitely don't rough it. I believe in comfort.

Surprisingly enough, I didn't have as much time to knit as I thought I would. Plenty of yarn was taken with me, just in case, though.

How has your week been?

As always, I love bright colors and couldn't resist this yarn. Schaefer Yarn's Anne. 60% merino superwash wool, 25% mohair, 15% nylon. The colors are red, yellow, orange, dark green and dark blue. Crayon colors.

This yarn is rather thin and, though the label says 7-8 stitches per inch, I used 2mm needles (US 0's) and cast on 80 stitches. The stitch count actually was 10.5 stitches/inch and 13 rows. The fabric is great and should wear well.

No picture of my next pair of socks but they are out of a yarn that I ordered from Germany. Rellana's Flotte Socks. Not in the crayon colors but in a variegated yarn of black, teal, fuschia, purple, and yellow and it's all wrapped with a thin white thread.... okay, hard to explain but it softens the whole look of the yarn. Pictures will be posted when they are finished. :)

I had forgotten how fast it was to knit socks even when doing them one at a time so it looks like I'll be on a sock kick for a bit. Plus, I do have 2 rubbermaid containers FULL of sock yarn. That should keep me busy for a while, don't you think?

The doorbell rang earlier this afternoon and the Mailperson had left a box a the front door! Woohoo, it's from my Secret Pal! Such nice goodies! A notebook with plastic holders for patterns I have printed offline. Fantastic way to protect them. The first plastic sheet has snapped pockets so I can put in needles, scissors, whatever fits! The candle is Red Current... yummy!... French Vanilla Cappuccino mix and a tube of Udderly Smooth Udder Cream to keep my hands nice and soft while knitting! Also, included was a really nice note!

Thank you, Secret Pal!

A quick note for my Secret Pal... I haven't forgotten you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love mindless knitting and find that it is super relaxing. The Green scarf is for the father of one of the techs at work. I had made scarves for all the people I work with and he told me that his Dad kept trying to abscond with his scarf. ehehe Because of that, I made his Dad one so he would quit trying to sneak off with his son's. The blue scarf if for the SO of another tech I work with. I think he'll look great in the blue and it will keep him nice and warm. They both are out of Lion Brand Homespun and are super soft. Plus they are machine washable and dryable.

The scarf and hat on the post before this one... are MINE!! eheheh Hurray.

I'm in the process of sorting through my SCA clothes and getting things packed for the camping event. Estrella in Goodyear, AZ. Typical of this time of the year.... what do you take when camping at Estrella? Everything you own. ::grin:: As of the last look at the weather, it looks like rain. I've camped in the rain before and it's not bad so long as you have your tent rigged for it. Ground sheet, rain fly, rain roof, lots of stakes and tiedowns. Tent heater and Carbon Monoxide monitor and I'll be safe and warm.

Anyone out in Blog-land going to Estrella War this year? If so, I'll be camping with the Barony of al-Barran so please looks me up! A few of us also are going to try having our own craft group of Kumihimo weavers since there is not going to be an official class there. THL Zada has offered to host the gathering in her campsite with The Horde.

I'll definitely have my knitting with me. Mostly socks since they are so portable and colorful, comfortable to wear and warm. I need to knit myself a pair of boot length socks, though. I ordered some Interlacement's ToastyToes and sure do hope that it arrives before I leave on Tuesday am. My swift and ball winder will be packed since some of the yarn I'll be taking with me are in hanks. Knitting socks always seems to be a great conversation starter, too!

Hope everyone is keeping warm!

Here is the Spiral Cap and angle scarf made out of the Diakeito yarn. It was wonderful to work with and I absolutely loved the colors.

You all would have gotten a great giggle... I was knitting away on the cap, plenty of yardage left in the second skein, when I thought I had better measure the length which is what becomes the circumference of the hat when sewn together. WOOHOOO, just in time! I was happily knitting away and almost made the hat too big.

After trying the hat on my head and not just the fake one, I would have liked it a little deeper from the crown to the brim as there only is about 1 inch that can be folded up to highlight the spiral effect. It's still super comfortable, thought and I'm happy with the way the hat and the scarf turned out. They will look great on my Sheerling coat that I received for Christmas from my brother and sister-in-law.

Yummy!!!These are Clementine Oranges. Very short growing season but I do love them. They are a slightly messy snack when on the computer but I do my best to not dribble over the keyboard. Wonderful way to get in some Vitamin C and it's a healthier snack than potato chips or peanut brittle or ::sigh:: Yes, even chocolate. I guess I can't be bad all the time. hehehehe

I'm really excited about the Secret Pal 4. My mind is running in circles thinking of the fun things that I can send my SP4!

Hope everyone is having a great SuperBowl Sunday! I'm going to be watching something else (sorry football fans) and knitting. What will you be doing?