Rain, Rain, Go Away

It is raining and very wet here lately.  It is always an awkward transition for me.  This is a semi-arid climate.  Typically, we have no rainfall from late spring into October sometime.  You get used to the outdoors being a part of your living space and leave stuff lying around outside.  You know the rains will come at some point, but, you still get quite peeved when the rain starts soaking your stuff.  It was a mad scramble to bring it drying fleece and sweaters.

Notice anything in this picture besides overgrown shrubs and dying tomato plants?

Does this help? 

We estimate it to be about 4 feet tall with its neck stretched out and a wingspan of 6 feet!  Great googly moogly!

Every year we get visitors.  They are scoping out the pond and our sweet little fishies.  I know this is the circle of life, blah, blah, blah.  Those are my sweet little fishies!  Yes, I do have more babies every year and there are more fish in there than a small pond can support (anyone want cute multi-color goldfish?), but those are my sweet little fishies! 

Sigh.  At least someone doesn't mind the rain.

Let's move on to a cheerier topic shall we?  I have sockiness to show.

Charlie Socks

They are my own design.  It has been kicking around in my head for almost a year.  The yarn is naturally dyed by me using osage orange and logwood grey.  The two dyes together make that wonderful olive green.  I love me some olive green.  (Hmm, olives! a la Homer Simpson popped into my head.  Does that make me 8?)

The second one is a variation on the pattern stitch that makes diamonds instead of chevrons.  I can't decide which I like better.  With one of each, I won't have to!

I am also working with more of that yummy Shetland fingering weight yarn from Elemental Affects.  I love this yarn!  It has the grab you expect from a true Shetland wool and a wonderful heathery quality to it.  What you might not expect is how smooshy it is.  Yummy!

I am designing several socks for them; this is the cabled one.  I want to use different techniques for each one, so this sock is knit from the cuff down.  Quite a departure for me.  I can't remember the last time I designed a top-down sock.  In this case I think it will feel like the sock zooms at the end.  The sole will be stockinette on fewer stitches to make the differing gauges work.

Please excuse the craptastic picture.  I can't use my usual brackdrop as it is rather sodden at the moment.  This is just before the heel flap starts.

I am experiencing my usual naming skills.  So far I call it, wait for it, . . . . .  Cable Socks.  Anti-climactic isn't it?  Brilliant naming ideas are welcome.  Er, any naming ideas are welcome.

Have I mentioned that I am going to Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck?  I just found out that they have fried pickles there!  I am so going to have one!  Hubby doesn't believe me.  I'll get photographic evidence.  Maybe he is just getting tired of hearing me talk about it.  Who would tire of hearing FRIED PICKLES! exclaimed at random moments?  Sheesh, he's got to lighten up.

Comments

[AuntieAnn]

Fried Pickles!

(Couldn't resist)

[Alexis]

Oooo, lovely socks!

I hope you enjoy your fried pickles at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck!

[Pam]

First of all, your socks are lovely. You do beautiful work.

I have to say, that as a native Bay Arean, I live for this time of year. I would be happy if it rained every day this winter. We just moved back home from Sacramento, and when it rains this hard, it floods there. I didn't mind that, either - our house was well above the flood line. We had a creek behind our house that was filled with all the waterbirds, and I loved watching them fly in and out. We also had eagles and hawks who reveled in the water. Water is cleansing. It also is good for my skin. There's nothing like an overcast, rainy day to get me knitting more. I love it! My meds and I don't do well in the heat; this is my kind of weather. If I weren't a dyed-in-the-wool ('scuse the semi-pun) Californian, I would move to Seattle.

As for Rhinebeck and fried pickles, the first sounds like it could be fun (although I don't do well in crowds); the second sounds like something that would cause me serious distress. I don't like pickles in any form - frying them sounds worse than friend Twinkies. Sorry!

[Donna B]

I like the diamonds. And love your olive green.

As for the cabled socks...the front cable looks something like a net or a web...does that help get the creative juices flowing? :-)

[judy]

gorgeous socks! will the patterns be available for sale? our state fair has deep fried pickle slices, and they are delish...they serve them with a dipping sauce.

[michelle]

As they say diamonds are a girls best friend - or in other words, I really like the diamonds. The yarn your using is beautiful. Do you harvest your own stuff for your natural dyes or do you buy it? Natural dying is the next step I'm hankering to take a plunge at.

This year at the county fair I had a fried oreo cookies - they were mad good. They'll fry anything I tell ya :)

[Debi]

I like Mr. Stork but I hate that he's eating the little fishes!

I like the chevrons myself but I love the sock (and color) either way!

mmmmm fried pickles :::best homer simpson drool::: Ok I'm 8 too, hee!

[Annie]

I love the yarn for your Charlie socks and the pattern is great too! I think I like the diamonds best.

And your cabled sock looks so soft and warm! Very classic looking design.

[Liz]

Just a guess, are they called Charlie socks because of the zigzag's resemblance to Charlie Brown's tshirt? I like them a lot.