What started it all, was my first purchase. Crown Mountain Farms updated their Sock Hop Yarn and I purchased two skeins of the "Brown Eyed Girl" colorway. Ever since I met DH, he has sung the "Brown Eyed Girl" song to me whenever it's on the radio, so it's kind of our thing. He even uses the song as his ring tone whenever I call him. How then could I resist this yarn colorway? (obviously I didn't) I now understand why people love hand dyed and hand spun yarn. It's GORGEOUS! The downside though .. now I really want to learn to spin. I'm giving myself one more year though to learn as much as I can about yarn before I jump in. At least that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.
The next thing that happened was an email from WEBS telling me their anniversary sale was about to end. I ignored it at the time, but then I was listening to their podcast and they mentioned Cascade 220 superwash on sale. Curses!! There were so many color options I was overwhelmed, but after thinking about it, I decided to go with a masculine color palette to knit some items for my grandsons this year.
I also saw that the Regia Silk was on sale, and since I'd wanted to try it for some socks, I ordered a bit of that too.
Finally, during the last part of the 48 hour time frame, I had an urge to check out The Loopy Ewe and wouldn't you know it, Sheri had just done a shop update. I received my order today, but I'm going to hold off on showing you those acquisitions until next week. Besides, I can't stop snuggling or sniffing or fondling the yarn long enough to take photos.
Despite no photos of socks in progress for almost a month, I have been knitting socks. Since I'd finally finished Molly's Matinee Coat, I allowed myself to start a pair of socks and chose to knit Falling Leaves by Jessica Landers from the Fall 2005 issue of Knitty.com. 
Unfortunately, after working the pattern up until where the gusset begins, I decided that the pattern either wasn't working for the yarn, or that I didn't like how I was knitting the pattern. The center vein of the leaf design is created by working a k2tog and a ssk side by side which creates a sort of ridge. Personally I didn't care for it, so I frogged the entire thing and started over. 
This time, I chose the Monkey pattern by Cookie A. I've knit it once before in a beautiful yarn that didn't work with the pattern, so I thought I'd try again. So far I'm thrilled with how these are turning out and it's so fun reworking the pattern toe-up. I'm trying to take meticulous notes and each time I convert a pattern from cuff-down to toe-up, I feel a bit more confident in my skills.I only have another pattern repeat or two before I'll be casting off, so I'm now dreaming of what socks I'll knit next.
22 comments:
A little retail therapy is NOT a bad thing. Looks like you made great purchases and I'm glad the results of the exam were good.
Oooh, such gorgeous retail therapy. I'm going to say something now that will shock and disappoint you. I live less than 2 hours away from the Webs store. I have never been there. *hanging head in shame* I really don't know what I'm waiting for!!
Your Monkeys are looking awesome! That yarn does work really well with the pattern.
I totally understand about the spinning thing. Every time I see some gorgeous handspun, I want to run out and buy a wheel.
Oh, and I may or may not have bought a sweater's worth of 220 superwash from Webs too. (I'm invoking the 5th.)
Oh Kristie, I am so happy your test turned out ok!!!!!!!!!! Your purchases are absolutely gorgeous, love the colors too! I am trying to decide on what colorway to make the Monkey Socks in myself - I just love them and can't wait to cast on. Any advise?
Retail therapy for a good cause! I'm so glad that test came back OK. Whew!
Your Monkey socks are simply gorgeous. That is a good pairing of yarn and pattern!
Talk to my husband about making yourself feel better by spending money. Me on the other hand, I'm the one that wants to make the stash smaller and I'm constantly searching for the right pattern to come along for the yarn I already have.
Brown-Eyed Girl has always been one of my personal theme songs. I was delighted when I first heard it on the radio after years of only hearing songs about blue-eyed people. LOL That yarn is *gorgeous*. Stunning. We're going to have to get together again soon so you can show it to me. Hint, hint.
After years of the occasional visit to the WEBS site, and never buying anything, I signed up for their email list. And it's all your fault!
The new monkey socks are looking fabulous!
I am thinking of you through all of this health stuff, lady. But uh, I am like seriously covetting the stash.
I'm happy to hear your results were good!
Nothing wrong with a little retail therapy, and even less wrong with a lot of retail therapy :)
You've got some gorgeous yarn there.
That Webs email alert is deadly!! I try to avoid looking, but sneak a peek most of the time. I just started a pair of socks with cream colored Regia Silk and it is heavenly!
Your blue Monkeys are beautiful!
We all need some retail therapy sometimes! I love the Brown Eyed Girl. I bought that colorway in fiber and it was soooo pretty when I spun it up - except I wasn't that great at spinning when I did it. I think I may have to buy sock yarn now!
I am glad your tests have come out fine! That is wonderful news.
I love the Loopy Ewe too and am forever checking their site. My friend Jen will be selling her 'Woully Boully' sock yarn there any day, check it out!
that is some great stash additions! Glad everything was o.k.
Retail therapy is just called for, sometimes. For example, I have a new Lexie Barnes bag that I haven't mentioned! Brown-eyed Girl was almost a necessity if it's your song, and you'll love the Regia Silk. So yummy!
Ohhh!!! You have bought some real delicate yarns! It inspires me to knit for sure :-)
Beautiful yarn and socks! I hope all is well.
Well, a little retail therapy is extremely important at times - I'm so glad that it made you feel better and most of all that the test turned out fine! And mind you, that's some goodie stuff that you got there, and these socks are looking awesome too! Great!
WOO HOO for good test results! Buying yarn seems to make me feel better each time something stresses me out. Unfortunately, eating too much chocolate usually goes along with the retail yarn therapy. Ah well.
OH I love the brown-eyed girl yarn. Sweet story to go with it. I somehow resisted the last email from webs. Aren't they awful? It was all I could do not to order more cascade 220.
Ah, the joys of yarn buying. Your Monkeys are looking gorgeous!
I love love love the monkey socks!! Beautiful colors! I'm with Christine, my retail therapy usually involves a lot of sinful eats while I'm shopping.
These are lovely! What socks are you planning to knit next?
Would you mind sharing the mods you made to do the Monkeys toe-up. We look like kindred spirits, as all my socks are knit toe-up, two at at time on Magic Loop. I've yet to make Monkeys and am gearing up to start a pair for the Summer of Socks KAL. Thanks!
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