FO: Not actually Pin stripes socks --but close to!

Gooool! Or game, set, match? FIFA World Cup or Wimbledon--what matters is that these socks are done!

The pattern is called "Pin Stripes" and is free (and popular) over at Ravelry. The yarn is a 75/25 wool and nylon blend. Lion Brand apparently finished the yarn with Aloe Vera. Whatever that means my friends. It certainly does not knit any different than any other commercial sock yarn.

The pattern is a level up in the "spiciness chart" as compared to plain vanilla socks.

Other Pin Stripe socks that caught my eye:

• What is not to love about Andi's socks?
• Andi's take two; seriously?? she is a master sock knitter.
• Lollipop's Pin Stripes? yes, please!
• aww! the bright colors of these socks make my day.

Have fun with that wool my friends!

A visit to Northwoods Farm

No vacation is complete without a fiber souvenir. On our recent trip to South Carolina, my husband I visited Northwoods Farm Fiber Company. I knew that seeing just one Alpaca would make my day. I was not prepared for seeing 30+ Alpacas, meeting a wonderful group of knitters or bringing home a spinning wheel. What??

 

 

 

The farm has a wonderful shop. Full of a good variety of yarns and fiber. I chose a heavenly chocolate roving as my first souvenir. No one had to twist my arm for my second purchase: a new to me Louet spinning wheel. Julia is now my second wheel. I got it for less than half the retail price--with all the bobbins, lazy kate and about a pound of mystery yet soft as butter fiber. I am truly, madly in love with the wheel! 

Summer officially begun in the US. I will not let the heat stop me from spinning and knitting like there is no tomorrow. At least, that is my dream. What are your plans for the weekend?

WIP: Cap Sleeve Lattice Top

There is so much that I like about this project. It is a free Purl Bee pattern. It is easily adaptable; the top can be knit as written or modified to be worked in the round.

Don’t get me started on the possible color combinations. We will need to get coffee over that long conversation.

I got creative with yarns from my stash:

• lace section: Malabrigo Rios (Worsted / 10 ply / 100% Merino) 

• stockinette section: LB Collection SW Merino (DK / 8 ply / 100% Merino)

The combination of lace and stockinette makes it harder to notice that I am using different yarn weights. Clever, ha? If you don't find it clever...that is okay; we can still be friends. Project page: here.

What WIP is keeping you busy this week?