March 11
Greetings! I hope you all had a great week :) Last week I mentioned that out neighbor had started to boil... I mentioned this to a pal of mine on Ravelry who lives in Michigan and I wrote "Oh, I forgot to mention... the sap is running and my neighbor has started to boil..." She wrote back saying, "I ... I have no idea what that means". I had to laugh! I guess I've lived in Vermont so long that I just assume it's common dialogue. Apparently not! What I mean (for those who don't know) is maple syrup is in production... our local weather even has a 'sugaring forecast'! It's gotten a bit cooler at night which is a good thing... once the buds appear on the trees the sap stops flowing and the season ends... so we all hope for a good sugaring season.
As you can see we're headed into mud season but still have plenty of snow in our yard. But the welcomed signs of spring are all around us......
So, socks. I haven't made many in the past few years but did years ago, mostly rag socks. When the boys were little I made them booties and slippers but never true socks. Last year I made a simple, pretty pair of anklets in purple and lately I've been wanting to make more as there are so many beautiful and fun socks yarns to be had! First of all there needs to be nylon in it (for me). I don't want to spend all that time on a pair of socks only to have them wear out too quickly... so I look for an 80/20 blend (or 75/25). I did see these fun little spools that hold a wool/nylon blend... they come in various colors and you knit it into the heels and toes of 100% wool yarn to give it added strength. But, I still want the blend. I love using dpn's but tend to get 'second sockitus' so finally gave magic loop a try. To my surprise, I loved it! And to my delight, I figured it out! Then I got to the heel and did it magic loop style and... didn't like it. So, what I've decided to do , is to get both socks going with the magic loop, turn the heels one at a time with my dpn's (because I love that) then put them back on the one circular and finish them up! Best of both worlds (in my world).
Enjoy tonight's bags... I had a great time, as always, putting them together and be sure to notice a very special bag made from a 1940's vintage spread.
I think that's it.... my left over split pea and ham soup smells good warming up so I think I'll grab a bowl before the rest of the typing resumes...
Thanks for being here, have a great week and knit on good women!
Martha.
