These socks have been hanging around for awhile! I started them way back last Summer on our Alaska trip and have only now finished them, having suffered a serious case of SSS ("second sock syndrome").
I'm not sure why these socks stalled. They just did. But now they are finished I'm thrilled to bits with them!
Although this is a rich and vibrant blue color, they are still very wearable - unlike some socks that I've knit. It's so tempting to buy those brightly colored yarns that are oh so pleasing to knit. But when the euphoria of having knit such pretty socks is over there's a sobering thought. Exactly where and when I can I wear them??? I know of what I speak, just check out my Bird of Paradise socks. I've never worn them, pretty though they are. Live and learn.
Particulars: Monkey Socks (free pattern compliments of Knitty); yarn from Shelridge Farm 2 skeins Soft Touch Ultra Handpaints; US 1 needles. My only modification was to drop the needle size down to US 1 from US 2 needles because I like my socks to fit snug. Another similar yarn that is beautifully dyed and yet wearable is Hand Jive Knit's Nature's Palette .
A Healthy Life Style
Good health is not just about diet alone. It's about having balance in one's life. Too often we don't take the few minutes we need each day to step back and relax. One way that I make relaxation part of my routine is to enjoy a cup of tea.
Incidentally, drinking tea is also part of my healthy diet because it contributes to water consumption. It's hard to consume 8-10 cups of water a day if you don't much care for the taste of plain water. Yet, keeping the body flushed and hydrated is extremely important for good health and a clear skin.
Have a great week everyone ~ and take 20 minutes out of your day ~ to put your feet up with a cup of tea. Might I say this is even more delightful if you are wearing handknit socks!
PS The yarn pictured with my teacup is from Tilli Thomas to make the Wisps of Smoke Ring by Heartstrings Fiberarts.
31 comments:
I remember your trip to Alaska. You came back with stunning pictures. Really, it wasn't *that* long ago. Besides, you were busy with other projects. That would be the story I would tell everybody anyway.
Love the way the socks came out. The Monkey pattern is one of my favorites. Plus, I adore the color blue!
vely socks! I really must get to that Monkey pattern.
I agree so much about the tea - I start every single day with a quiet cup of tea. Sometimes it ends up being my favorite part!
yummy socks. I've had the monkey pattern on my list for a while now, hopefully I can get to them this year.
I'm in need of some tea right now i'm freezing!! alas I must take the dogs for a walk first.
Can't wait to see that Tilli Thomas knit up.
LOVE the beautiful socks. They were worth the wait! I have 1 1/2 pair of socks in a gorgeous lace pattern waiting for me to finish also (from a long time ago!)
Also, I totally agree with your attitude about a cup of tea. Can't make it through my day without a few tea breaks. My kettle sings frequently!:)
Your socks are lovely! I'd definitely wear socks like that around the house. Sadly I've just frogged my socks that are almost the same colour. The yarn was pilling badly just from handling them while knitting.
My mom has a collection of various tea cups like. Her Sammeltassen are beautiful, as is yours. Makes the tea taste better or at least I enjoy the experience more. :)
mmmmm,feet up a cup of tea...yes...perfect for body and soul! Love,love these socks!! so glad you finished them!!
Your china is gorgeous! I'm guessing that's an older china pattern because the newer patterns are all so plain and lifeless. But yours is lovely.
Those socks look great in that color. I always tend to knit socks for others and my sister loves any colored socks as she sometimes wears them to bed too so it doesnt matter if they are really bright. I hope your healthy lifestyle is giving you the results you need. I dont like drinking plain water all the time either but persevere. I guess it is easier to do so when the temps are in the high 30's.
Socks (at least 1st socks) are so much fun to knit! Somewhere I read that someone always casts on for the second sock IMMEDIATELY after finishing the first one. For some reason that helps her avoid SSS.
I love blue anything and those socks have it all. Beautiful!
Excellent pictures! So sharp and so different from what I see around here right now. That's a lovely tea cup, and I agree with you. It's very important to sit back and relax.
I'm quite envious to see your Tilli Thomas yarn. I've been lusting after this for some time now. The wisp smoke ring pattern is gorgous, what a wonderful project!!! Yeah, definitly, I'm a little green around my nose. :o)
Lovely, lovely socks, Claudi! And love the top photo! That sock yarn and pattern is wonderful! I have first sock symdrome (FSS?!)...After giving up on sock knitting many years ago after a not-so-great start, I'm trying again. Your socks inspire! That Tilli Thomas beaded yarn is so elegant... Tea is my favorite drink...hot or cold! We're going for more healthy too...Although Tuesday to celebrate the inauguration we did dip into some brownies...not the healthiest snack--LOL! Happy Knitting and here's to your health! :o) ((HUGS))
Gorgeous monkeys! The perfect yarn for that pattern.
I too am a sucker for yarn that great in the skein but makes a pretty impractical item. I'm going to try not to be tempted this year.
Wonderful post. Pretty, functional socks, tea, good advice...
Those socks are great, I love the colors. I haven't suffered from second sock syndrome yet (haven't really knit any socks). I can say thought that I have greatly suffered from second glove/mitten syndrome. I have plenty of lonely singles laying around the house that need mates :).
Claudia, they're beautiful! The colorway is TO DIE FOR. I hope you get some wear out of them...they really are too pretty to keep in a drawer!
There is nothing like a cup of afternoon tea with a gorgeous teacup and saucer. And tiny delicate cookies, if you can get them!
I definitely got a kick out of seeing Mr Puffy with the bird of paradise socks, I had not seen them before! My pup will not walk/move with something on her feet, I wonder if he is the same way?
Lovely socks! Agreed- we should all put our feet up with a cup o tea everyday :) I try to!!
Love your socks, I have to agree though, both the Monkey socks and the Through the Loop mystery socks I knit for myself usually sit in a drawer, I hardly wear them!
I need to find time to make a cup of tea ;)
I think I have sock envy! I love the pattern and the wool you used. Clicked on the link to have a look at your Bird of Paradise socks and LOVED the picture of Mr. Puffy so tolerantly sitting there with your socks on his front paws! Wish I could read his mind. Thanks for the laugh!
I love the socks! I think the blue color is sooo pretty. I know what you are saying about all the pretty sock yarn - every time I start a pair of socks I frog them because I realize I probably won't wear them. but I would wear your lovely blue ones!
i love your photography! so pretty
Cute socks! I love tea. Nothing like a warm cup, your knitting or a good book together. :)
As usual your knitting is beautiful. You have the knack of finding the perfect combo of yarn and pattern. I am totally drooling over the socks!!
I love tea. I don't think anyone can have too much tea.
Gorgeous socks!! You're very talented. But....why isn't Mr. Puffy modelling them?
*giggle*
So a few things: I really love the socks and they are my favorite pattern. I have made three pairs of monkey socks and have never been disappointed. Second, the tea thing is awesome. I am like you, drinking like 8 to 10 glasses of plain water does not sit well with my palette - so boring, but several cups of herbal tea are so easy to down :) and I agree with you on the sock color thing...bright socks are so much fun to knit but so challenging to wear.
Always a pleasure to read and look at!! Well done. And re: your Bird Of Paradise socks, I have a couple of ideas... ;)
I love your Alaska Monkeys! (And I'm taking 20 minutes away from unpacking and sorting a week's worth of mail, relaxing with Bloglines and some nice cheese for a snack!!)
So Mr. Puffy is eating whole grain rice cakes? I will have to share this idea with Mirabel & Sammy. Mirabel has put on a few pounds lately.
I love your Monkeys and your photos of them. The bird of paradise socks are beautiful. Even if you never wear them, they've served a wonderful purpose ... they are in one of Mr. Puffy's "signature" photos:-).
I'm really impressed with the pattern. Looks very artsy. I like the monkey and the colors in the stitching.
Linda
I am definitely taking your advice. I'm off to the hammock armed with a good book and a cup of Earl grey. See you in twenty minutes.
Your tea rituals are so much more inspiring than mine. You use lovely china and bake goodies. We just make tea and more tea and I've been drinking it lately from a stainless steel mug, the kind with the big round bottom with gripper on it that narrows to a small neck with a cap on it. I think they're sometimes called commuter mugs and were made so that they would sit still if someone placed them on the dashboard or someplace similar. It does a good job of keeping the tea warm and so do the two stainless steel Thermos carafes where we now place our tea as soon as we brew it. It keeps hot for hours instead of only a short time like with a tea cozy.
Eventually I need to finish a pair of socks. I learned how to do it with the Magic Loop method but never finished anything. Yours are very pretty.
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