Knotty Pines

My favorite sock book is a Thrift Shop score, purchased for 5 cents. The original price when new was 35 cents. I think it's worth every penny. A vintage mid-century pamphlet - Patons & Baldwins, Limited : Toronto - Socks by Beehive Book No. 75. 13 men's sock patterns, each with variations for long or short versions. Plain, textured, slip stitch patterns, colourwork diamonds and spear heads. All knit on 2.25mm needles. Knotty Pines is a textured pattern with lots of YOs. Slightly lace-y but masculine too. I'm pleased with the results, like little sweaters for my feet. Too warm for the summer, but great wool boot socks for the winter. The colour is actually more of a soft sage green, the photos appear more gray. The yarn was a St. Ives wool/nylon sock yarn that I had in the stash. I had to start the third skein to complete them.

Kitchen Cotton

A basket of kitchen cotton, the colours inspired by my midsummer garden. This yarn is intended for some retro washcloths. I chose gardenish shades: rhubarb, lettuce, poppy, herb blossom, weed, berry, pea shoot. I will knit something with random combinations, a fun break from larger projects.

Starting

Starting is the thing. Like entering an icy cold pool of water, you can either jump right in or wade very slowly step by step. A heart stopping instant or excruciating hesitation. I'm not sure which is worse. Either way, it feels pretty good once you exhale that first breath completely submerged, then break the surface of the water.