Davey's Ribby Sockies

My Brother, the middle one, is the coldest man on earth. My Paternal Grandpa used to hold the title, but after his passing, the crown went to Bro#1. Grandpa M wore long johns all year long, and multiple pairs starting in October. (and no, we didn't live in a particularly cold place either.) Bro#1 isn't quite as cold as Grandpa was, but he is a close second. It could have something to do with the fact that he is over six feet tall and weighs 130 lbs. Anyway, I decided he needed some warm socks to get him through the winter. He wears steel toe work boots for his job, and anyone who wears them knows how cold they are in the winter!

Name: Davie's Ribby Sockies
Pattern: Retro Rib Socks, from Interweave Knits
Yarn: Zitron Trekking XXL #71
Needles: Knitpicks classic circs in size 1
Notes: Bro#1 really doesn't like long socks. He wears those little short ones that slide down in your shoes most of the time. But, I expect, he will appreciate a slightly longer wool sock for the cold, February days outside, at work. I did make the socks two inches shorter than the pattern calls for, just so they weren't "long" socks. I also knit the "women's" size for the most part, as he is rail thin. No baggy socks!

I extended the heel flap to match the directions on the "men's" size. I was afraid the gusset would be too short for a guy, otherwise. I also knit the foot - forever -. Not really, but compaired to my little feet, it was a lifetime.

The pattern was really simple, once you get the set up going. The first few rounds are not completely mindless, but not hard either. All in all, a very good "boy socks". Not too patterned, not too boring for the knitter.

I like the trekking too. The subtle stripes give the socks just a little extra kick, with out me needing to do anything else. (I like that) Trekking also wears well, a bonus in boot socks for a 25yr old, I think.

With that, #17 bites the proverbial dust. Another Summer Knitting Goal complete!

Best Laid Plans

I don't know if you noticed, but I never did post while on vacation. I had intentions, I really did. The relaxing just got the best of me, and I never did manage a single post. In fact, I never even took a single picture. Not one. I did, however, knit like a crazy woman.
I had a great time catching up with my extended family, playing in the sand, riding my bike, (and lets not forget) shopping... you know, the basics of a great vacation. We had beautiful weather - it only rained once, and that was at night. The only drawback was the cold water. It is usually cold, but this year it was "JESUS F*CK! I HAVE FROSTBITE AND CAN'T CONTROL MY SWEARING!!!" cold. The lady from the yarn store (more on that in a minute) told me the water was April cold. WTH? I couldn't get past my calves, not matter how much I wanted too. Even DH, who can stand nearly any temperature to go swimming could only bear it for 5 minutes. It was the kind of frigid that knocks the wind out of you.
I did manage to surpass the lazy one day and pedal down to The Knitting Niche. I like to stop in every year and chat. The owner is originally from CT, and always remembers me. Not my name, just that I'm from CT, and my family is from PA. We chatted for a while about costumes and vintage patterns. She showed me an awesome collection of Victorian pattern magazines. (OOoo. jealous) I ended up only buying three skeins of yarn, but a very awesome three skeins they are.

MMMMMMmohair. I don't know what I will make yet, but I'm sure it will be pretty. This stuff is gorgeous. I have used similar mohair yarns before, but this is my first time for this brand - Idena Lux Mohair. We'll see!
The really nice thing about having such a laid back trip is the copious amounts of knitting time. I managed to knit an entire shawl and a half a sock! I didn't even knit the entire time I could have knit. I read some magazines, watched tv, and went for walks!

The shawl is The North Roe Shawl, and it is for my Grandma M. Yep - another holiday gift, and on my Summer Knitting Goals list. I'm blocking it today, so a FO report will be coming tomorrow.

I also started some socks for the other brother. Retro Rib Socks in Trekking made an awesome back-up project for the beach. I'm glad I took a back up project, too. I finished the shawl on Thursday night, and would have been knitting less on Friday. Sure, I went to the yarn store, but I didn't have needles or patterns along. I like to knit form patterns at the beach, not just wing it. Winging it is not relaxing. I don't want to think. I just want to knit. Someone else can do the thinking for me when I'm on Vacation.
I think that's it. I'm trying to get mentally back into work and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is not easy. My brain is firmly still on vacation.