I started these socks before Socktoberfest 2006 – and they lingered on the double pointed needles for many months. I guess I needed a little color inspiration to finish these up for Project Spectrum!
Hokusai Ribbed Socks
Yarn: Yarn Pirate in Cannon Beach colorway
Pattern: Madder Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks
Needles: Size US 1.5 double pointed needles
This yarn has great saturated colors, and there weren’t any issues with pooling like I have seen with other handpainted yarns. It has a nice even variegation. The yarn was a gift from Georgia at Yarn Pirate last year, and when I started working with it, I was struck by the similarity between the sock’s variegation and the color palette used in the woodblock prints of Katsushika Hokusai.
See the color similarities?
I completed the socks today, as several inches of snow fell outside. I am looking forward to spring after weeks of sub-zero temperatures, but I can admit that it was a lovely snow – big fluffy flakes that built up quickly and looked like pillowy feathers on the ground. I sat down with a hot cup of tea, a recently turned heel on the socks, and listened to the majority of a great audiobook.
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I am still listening to it now, but so far, I am completely entranced by The Thirteenth Tale – what great storytelling! and the best part? there is a whole sequence about a woman’s sock knitting memories! |
It is such an amazing tale – I have three more CDs to listen to at this point, and if I could, I would just listen through the night. Much like my other audiobook – sock knitting marathon last summer, I will remember this story each time I wear the socks!
I just finished reading that! It’s such a good book!
Beautiful socks, by the way!
Ah, I remember when you started these
I’ve always loved your comparison to the woodblocks. Great job!
The socks look great – yay for finishing socks on a snowy Sunday!
Lovely socks! And, ooh, I’m next in line for that audiobook at the library — looking forward to the sock chapter.
I absolutely loved that book! That and Water for Elephants are the 2 great books that stand out in my recent reads.
Sounds like you had a lovely Sunday. Gotta love days like that. =)
By the way, the socks look great. I just love Yarn Pirate!
They’re beautiful! Great day to finish up a pair of nice warm socks.
I already commented on your flickr photo, but I just wanted to say again what lovely socks those are! So nice to see them finished. I love the blues and browns. (and I love those Hokusai prints, too!)
That book is on my audible list to get soon. Not this month, but next perhaps. Knowing that you think it is good will certainly bump it up the list a bit.
I know, I loved that sock-knitting part in the Thirteenth Tale . . . good book, too.
Lovely socks!
Love the (finally!) finished socks, but love the name you’ve given them even more. Brilliant!
they look great! i hope they keep your feet nice and warm in this chilly weather
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toasty toes in lovely colors!
lovely socks! and the wood block prints too. It really is a gerat color combination.
I love listening to audiobooks while I read. It allows me to do two of my favorite things at once.
Amy
the socks look beautiful! and the color similarities with the woodblocks are striking… very lovely.
i usually read or talk on the phone when i knit and i love having the memories of what i was reading, who i was talking to, when i wear that garment.
How funny…I am reading the same book! I was so happy to have a day of snow yesterday so I could READ! A chapter all about sock knitting?! Yay-can’t wait! My what purty socks you have knitted too!
I have to get that book! Love your socks and so cool that you will have those memories when you wear them!
I do see the similarities in the colors with the painting. Lovely colors! That Madder Ribbed Socks pattern is one of my favorite yarns for showing off handpainted yarn color schemes. I’ll put your book on my audiobooks list — aren’t they just perfect for knitting? You don’t have to keep glancing up at the tv.
Those socks are gorgeous! Lovely saturated colors — the pattern you picked shows them off beautifully!
That snow certainly did give a good excuse to stay inside and knit all day, didn’t it? That’s pretty much what I did.
The socks look great, I’m glad they’re finally off the needles! They’ll be perfect to wear on a chilly day like today and think of Hokusai’s wonderful works.
the socks look fabulous! another FO down
and in perfect time for PS.
they look great! i’ll have to take a look for that book at the library – I could use a new read/listen!
Love the yarn – love the inspiration – love the finished product! They look great, and so warm for a cold day.
…adding the Thirteenth Tale to my to-read list…..
I, too, loved the book. Harry Potter is definitely going to have a run for its money for best book of ’07 with it!
Love the socks! I will add the Thirteenth Tale to my must-read list (which admittedly is getting awfully long…)
Hooray for gorgeous finished socks!
And take your time with Thirteenth Tale. I wish I could read it again for the first time again. What a wonderful book.
wowo! i LOVE THOSE SOCKS!!!
I’ll have to request that one from the Library! I need a new audio book!
PS I love this print. I bought this in a magnet for my fridge at Epcot
Ooh, the socks are lovely! And you are right…the yarn is a perfect match to the Japanese artwork.
Thanks for the recommendation on the book. I’ll have to pick it up!
Lovely! I really like that colorway. Georgia’s quite the talented dyer!
Gorgeous socks and perfect for PS.
Lovely socks! The Cannon Beach colorway is amazing! Oh and that novel sounds so intersting—I had to purchase a copy too. Let me know if you get the series… I’d like to hear a few reviews first:)
Beautiful socks!
Love the socks! I am going to have to check out that book.
That bottom print (with the big wave) looks very familiar! We just got back from our trip to Tokyo, and I think we ended up with a mug and a t-shirt with that same picture on it! Gorgeous (as are your socks).
Ooh thanks for the tip about the book – loved the review @ Amazon. I am going to have to look for that.
Your socks look great- I have so many fond memories of Canon Beach – the colourway evokes the scenery perfectly.
Love the socks! That colorway is great. “Yarn Pirate” is having a trunk show at my local LYS this week—can’t wait!!
Lovely socks in a lovely yarn, which I am going to check out now. Darn you Lolly!
The socks look awesome! Congratulations on finishing them! Yay. ^_^ The snow was fun, wasn’t it? I love sitting at my desk and watching it out the window. It’s nice. Also, I love audiobooks. And podcasts, but mostly audiobooks. They’re great. I’ve listened to “Dracula” from librivox.com and “Pride and Prejudice” on a podcast. They make busy hands! And shorter drives.
Beautiful colours-congrats on finishing these gorgeous socks!
Love the socks and the woodblock prints do go beautifully with the colouring. Especially the boat on the waves print.
Very pretty socks!! Hurry and post them on SAM3 and I can give you your February credit!! Let me know if you need me to re-send your invite.
Hokusai is one of my favorites!!! It’s nice to see that someone else (normal, lol) recognizes his work. The socks are a very nice tie-in!! Love them!!
I really loved the Thirteenth Tale! It was great to knit to–I also listened to it. The voices given to the characters really brought them alive.
I’m adding that book to my reserve list for the library. I haven’t run across one that you’ve recommended that wasn’t great yet!
THe socks turned out lovely!!! XXOO
yay socks!
I finished Thirteenth Tale a bit ago- soo good. It sucks because that is the authors first novel. I was so pissed when I realized there were no more books by her.
Congratulations on finishing these! They’re gorgeous!