Sunday, February 10, 2008

Coping

As I'm sure you've heard from other Northern Knitters, we're having a bit of a cold snap. When I say cold snap, I mean that any exposed skin could freeze in minutes. I also mean that the cold is so fierce that it drops the temperature by 8-10' C (we refer to this as wind chill. Chill is an optimistic term.)

I haven't felt warm in days. I've spent much of my time curled up in a blanket knitting or watching movies. (Slowest. Movie. Ever.) I have managed to finish up the Socks that Rock January kit....







...and some birthday socks for my sister. They're done in STR Fooforaw. The pattern is Reverse Psockology. It was a quick knit but interesting because you basically knit the socks inside out.


I have a question for you sock knitters out there. What do you do with the part balls you have leftover from a pair of socks? It's rarely enough to make another pair, although sometimes I can squeeze out a pair of kid's socks. I must have a dozen very small balls of fingering weight but it seems a shame to get rid of them. Any suggestions?

Sigh. I feel like a hermit. I'm looking forward to Spring so we can get outside and stretch our wings. Only a few more weeks.....

8 comments:

MamaSutra said...

Hello, I'm delurking because I am also stuck in the cold (two weeks with two toddlers: yikes). Also, I came across a possible solution for your sock yarn leftovers:
http://sockpixie.blogspot.com/2008/01/solution-to-sock-knitters-dilemma-magic.html
I made one this weekend: fast and very cute (will I make the second...ummm, I hope so)! Hope that's of use to you!

MamaSutra
www.mamasutra.typepad.com

MamaSutra said...

Sorry, the link didn't work so well; I didn't even give you enough to copy and paste. If you go to sockpixie, it's about the fourth post down, you'll see the photo of little baby slippers.

Kathleen C. said...

Okay... this is just my personal take on sock leftovers...
I like combinations.
I like color combos done in bands of either wide or narrow stripes.
Or... I like the idea of fancy heels and toes on plain socks. If there's enough you could even do the ribbing in it.
And I see no reason to have those parts even match each other!
In fact... go wild!!!

T. said...

Oh - I love it when people delurk!! And good suggestions.

I have intentions of a mitred square blanket - but the thought of weaving in all those ends keeps me away.

And "chill being optimistic"....very funny my girl, very funny.

Amanda said...

"Make it your own" has a free pattern for a baby's beanie made out of left over sock wool - looks pretty cute too. Its a lovely sunny autumnal day here - does that help?

Anonymous said...

The socks look lovely! Thanks for getting people to post their partial sock ball suggestions - I'm going to check out some of those links.

Maybe winter will be over soon? I hope so - I'm going a bit crazy.

-andi

Anonymous said...

Dude, I so get where you're coming from. But then, you read my blog, you know how it is. Right now, I have all my sock yarn rolled into neat and tidy little balls in a big candle holder (it's probably about 4L big)someday, I will knit them into Ugly KneeHighs. Until then, I just keep adding to the jar.

Jennifer said...

Must. Take. Up. Knitting.

I'm impressed with your skillz (as well as Miss Andi's!).