Oops

Been ages since I've updated...still working on too many projects at once...but the past week has been all about socks. My NZAK (New Zealand AutoKnitter) arrived and completely lacks any of the persnickety-ness of the restored Gearhart so I've been cranking out socks like a woman possessed...

Two quick samples:

Socks That Rock Lightweight in Romancing the Stone

Wooly Boully in Neopolitan...insanely soft and squishy...


Both pairs done with a "mock rib" cuff (I haven't learned how to use the ribber attachment yet as they forgot to include the DVD instructions which are now en route...) which is a faux rib accomplished by pulling out 1 out of every 4 needles, knitting double the finished cuff length then folding it up and knitting it together...not quite as elegant as a true ribbed cuff but works well. I hardly ever drop stitches with the NZAK...amazing what new-manufacture and some 21st century manufacturing improvements (such as computer-calibrated parts and machined cylinders as opposed to the old cast aluminum/iron method) will do for one's abilities LOL

Haven't neglected hand-knitting socks though...could never do that. We had a bad storm 2 weeks ago where we lost power for about 12 hours. Found one of the few colors I have with black in it and cast on some "Blackout" socks by candlelight.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this yarn...I don't usually use heavier sock yarns but there's no resisting this stuff...Fiesta Boomerang...squooooooshy lofty stuff in DK weight...Madrid colorway

...so, I finished this pair and immediately cast on another...More Boomerang in the Salsa colorway...


And no, it's not just been socks...have 2 fair isle projects going:

Luskentyre by Alice Starmore (newly "rethought" colorway from Virtual Yarns in Starmore's Hebridean 2-ply). I've always loved this design and the photo doesn't do the richness of the colors justice...

And the Elephants Vest from Starmore's Children's Collection, also from Virtual Yarns in Hebridean 2-ply...this one's going by lightning fast because it's for a small person...closest thing to fair isle instant gratification one can get and not have it be a hat :)