Generally, I think it is quite tacky to post about a gift item prior to giving it, but I can’t wait to share these socks, and I’m not sure when I’ll get to visit my Grammy, so I’m breaking my rule. She’s a lovely lady and she’d probably want you all to be able to admire her socks as soon as possible. The good news is that I’m pretty darn sure she’s not keeping up with my blog, so I won’t spoil the surprise. Hmmm. I may not be able to wait. I may have to mail her these puppies. I don’t think I can take it… guess I need a new tagline
Katherine the Great
– more impatient than you can imagine.

These socks are soft and beautiful and lovely and wonderful and they totally remind me of her. This is, interestingly enough, the first pair of socks that I’m like wow, these are lovely. Don’t freak out, I didn’t just wake up and decide my knitting is fantastic – I think it must be the silk yarn (Southern Silk Sock from White Bear Fibers in Starry Night) and the pattern (Usak). Yet another from the Silk Road Socks book by Hunter Hammersen that is fabulous. I like it even more than expected which seems to happen with every pair from this book. What is amazing is that I expect to like the socks and then somehow I like them even more. every time.

So, here’s to my Grammy. Let’s all take a moment and send a happy thoughts her way. She’s a great lady; I hope she likes these and that they fit!

update: she got them in the mail Sat. 10/15 :)

I’ve knit several of these ornaments, four to be exact. I haven’t really had any major issues, so I began to grow complacent.
First, I bought aqua beads that came in a package with several different shades of tealish. When Meghan said, I’m not sure different colors of beads is a good idea, I said, I’ll be careful and plan. So, during the cluster that was the Aggie game last weekend, I carefully strung 110 beads in order so no big sections were one shade of teal. Then, I began to knit. I wasn’t paying much attention and soon, I was over halfway done and looking down at an ugly Christmas ornament. I love the Teal Mist colorway, so I wasn’t about to infect it with ugly beading. I ripped it out.
Then, I carefully sorted the bag of beads into five different colors and asked TH which one he thought was prettiest. He liked the opalish ones. So, I started stringing those on…..only to realize that some of them had chips in their shiny coating and looked cheap. So, I unstrung them.
I then selected TH’s second choice and strung 120 beads just in case. Ah, things seemed to be on a good path now. Until I took this on the road. I was knitting in the car (not while I was driving) and I somehow placed a bead and then knitted two stitches and placed a bead and knitted two more and placed a bead then the went back to the pattern with FOUR stitches between each bead. The sad part is that I noticed about 12-14 rows later. Sigh. I unknitted a row or two and then thought, there has to be another way to skin this silly irritating aqua ball of a cat. So, I got out the pruning shears to crack the bead off. Super plan! I’m a genius. Except that the shears were more sharp than I expected AND the bead was more sturdy than expected, so I cut the yarn and the bead was intact. No, I’m not kidding. So, I carefully pulled the extra yarn together and tied a square knot. I dropped the stitch and picked up the new formed loop with the knot to the inside. Crisis avoided. I finished up the ornament and surprisingly, it looks alright, especially considering the journey. Don’t you think?


Ps. Happy Birthday, Buck!