Thursday, January 22, 2009

Blame Ranco

Last December when I was down in Helsinki for a bit I came across some new (to me) and beautiful yarn. I don't remember what I was thinking when I bought it. Since sock mojo was kicked out last July I don't think I had socks on mind, maybe mittens or gloves. But as soon as I had DPN's at hand I cast on for a sock. I think I did this unconsciously... I finished the first sock quite quickly, but as so many times before, the second sock got stuck somewhere between the cast on and the heel.

Then I hit this unhappy spot with Margaret and I had to clear my mind and get rid off the bad thoughts to be able to continue happily and I also needed some time to think over how to accomplish the necessary changes for the second time around. To keep my hands busy I picked up the other sock.

It was such a good experience. The yarn, Araucania Ranco, was so pleasing to knit with. The sock was finished in a few hours instead of a few weeks.

plain socks from Araucania Ranco with 2 mm DPN's

And then I had to go to look for some new sock yarn from the pile and I knit another pair. Although this time around it took a lot more time but the result was so worth the effort.

Trystero Socks by Cookie A
2,25 mm DPN's
Fortissima Socka (75% wool 25% polyamid) colour 1075

Knitting these socks and taking a break from Margaret was a clever move. While battling with little needles and twisting the cables, Margaret started to feel appealing again and last night I took it out of the basket and she is getting lots of attention right now.

But socks? Yes, I am sure they will happen from time to time and my feet feel very fortunate.

Lene

21 comments:

  1. On my walk to work this morning I was thinking it's time for the Araucania sock yarn to come out of the marinade. Nice inspiration!

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  2. it's interesting that i found myself doing something similar...when my mind is totally blocked, i have to do something with my hands...i do coloring books...just wonder whether this has something to do with brain structure?

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  3. Great socks, both pair, I especially like the pattern and the bit of red heel on that second pair.
    Best wishes with Margaret :^)

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  4. Ranco is one of my favorite fingering yarns. There is something special about it. Both your socks look warm and lovely. A change is as good as a rest and knitting socks proved so for Margaret.

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  5. I have used Araucania Ranco once (for socks) and really liked it. The red heels are so lovely.Good luck with Maragaret

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  6. They are gorgeous Lene, I love making socks
    Amber in England

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  7. I haven't knit socks yet but those are beauties, and photographed well, too. So many shots of self-modeled socks are not the most flattering images!

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  8. Can't go wrong with a Cookie sock! Thank you for introducing me to a new (to me) yarn.
    Good luck with margaret :)

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  9. "A change is as good as a rest", we say here, and it clearly applies to knitting too. Super socks, Lene!

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  10. What? You can knit from the heel to the toe of a plain sock on 2mm needles in "a few hours"?

    I am apparently a very slow knitter. Good thing I enjoy the process :)

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  11. Anonymous04:06

    I like the red heels too!
    Margie in Maryland

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  12. No, I'd rather blame it on Trystero. Have added it to my queue on Ravelry. Gorgeous socks! Thank you (I think).

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  13. Anonymous15:47

    I really like that top pair! They look so simple yet so good. Lets hope Margaret has stopped giving you trouble!

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  14. Anonymous16:07

    Love the patchwork in the background. The socks are nice too!

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  15. i love the new look of your blog! beautiful socks, too . . . i've been using ranco to knit guy socks becasue it has nylon in it and it wears very well so far.

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  16. Your socks are beautiful, I have been teaching my self to knit with Dpns and last year i made a pair of socks in Double knitting acrylic just in case i got it wrong. For the last week i have been knitting an ipod cover for for my daughters 13th birthday on Sunday in 4ply sock wool. Maybe i'll get onto socks soon. Jane x

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  17. Thanks for sharing! I am not a sock knitter, but from time to time, I think about it. You are pushing me in that direction!

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  18. Anonymous16:46

    Your work is beautiful, as always. I love the Trystero socks. They look so nice in your lightly variegated yarn! I love the way you did the toes. It looks like you changed from the pattern there. What did you do? Your blog often introduces me to some new idea and encourages me to think of new ways to do things!

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  19. Anonymous17:06

    i' ve been reading your blog forever! so inspirational and humbly written! today i leave a comment for the first time, because i just booked a flight to finland. to oulu. in april. to visit a friend who is staying there at the moment. wonderful! greetings from northern germany. eva.

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  20. Anonymous20:33

    Beautiful socks... the way you work through challenges is inspiring. Several "posts" ago, you wrote that a "folded stockinette" stitch was worked on your project, Nocturne. How to do the folded stockinette stitch? Thank you!

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  21. Lovely socks. I, too, would like to know about the toes - is the bit of "red" across the top of the toes part of the pattern - or did you add that on your own?

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