David's B-day socks!

I'm way ahead with this present! My DS birthday isn't until October, but I'm glad that's out of the way. I'm not made for knitting several projects at once! I forgot to take notes when I knit the first sock, and making another pair in between the first and the second sock didn't help at all. They may appear to be identical, but upon closer inspection you can see some differences. It would not be a problem would they be for myself, but I'm not quite sure how DS will react. He's a bit obsessive, but I don't know if this goes for socks too.

I'd like for him to WANT knitted socks. So far he didn't want me to knit him any, but after his remark some time ago, that he hasn't seen me knitting any cabled things, I though I might surprise him. To make him even try them on, I did not take any chances in my color choice, no experiments there. Although this yarn surprised me. When I picked it out of my stash, it seamed brown to me. While I was knitting the socks though, under a daylight bulb, it always was grey. Taking pictures you see both versions.

I've used Schoeller & Stahl Fortissima Socka, 75% superwash wool, 25 % Polyamid. This yarn is full of surprises. It should not have been this soft and squishy to the touch, but it is! It does split easily though. It's 6-ply, knit with 2.75mm. I put two 6 - stitch cables down the front, and two 2 - stitch cables. All knit without a cable needle. For the back of the leg I did a two row ribbing (row 1 - K2, P2, row 2 - Knit), very easy, and it looks a little different. These stitch patterns are pulling together like crazy, that's why the socks don't look that big, but they stretch from here to Europe! ;o)

I hope he'll like them, and wear them, because selfish as I am, I would love to knit many more socks for him!

On another note: Remember my Magic Mosaic Blanket?

Heike has finished her magic mosaic blanket. It looks wonderful, and it's huge! She made eight more squares than I did. Have a look here. Makes me want to make another one!

This weekend the Braided Shawl KAL started. I was not sure at first whether I had chosen the right yarn, but I like it now. I'm on row 95 now, and I'm getting very sleepy knitting row after row of garter stitch. On row 148 or so There will be a row with yarn overs and shortly thereafter it will get interesting with knitting the braids. Yeah! The yarn is Koigu by the way.

If you are interested in knitting this shawl, I've gotten an email from Karen Noe, that she's selling kits with her yarn, and a pattern in English now. You'll have to google her website and order it from there, I'm still so sleepy - must do something else for a while to wake up. ;o)

I'm knitting this shawl, because I've committed to the KAL, but I'd rather knit mittens, hats, and another cardigan for myself. Oh, yes, I'm already plotting and planning in my head, and even found some yarn in my stash. Would love to swatch for it, but must (enjoy) shawl knitting first.