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. 

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 came home today to a package on the doorway – it was a package from my little sister, Sarah. These adorable wellies were inside! She claims that they are a belated birthday gift (my bday was last November!) After a squeal of excitement, they went right on my feet. Snow was just starting to fall, and there was a cold breeze (hence the blurry photos!) but what a perfect time for wellies: The meteorologists are predicting some snowfall and freezing rain tomorrow!

I’ll take the nasty weather if it means I can wear this fancy footwear!

**UPDATE:  Sarah got them from Target.com, and they have quite the selection!

Speaking of footwear…

I finished my first Hokusai Rib sock!
Yarn Pirate sock yarn (Cannon Beach colorway)
Based on the Madder Ribbed Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks
Heel detail | Toe Detail

Socks take me forever – plain and simple. Of course, other projects may have lured me away, but that is not because I don’t love this sock. The yarn is knitting up beautifully and fits in well with this month’s Project Spectrum color themes – both blue and white are represented, as well as brown and green. I started the socks last September, and nicknamed them the “Hokusai Ribs”, because the colors reminded me of Hokusai’s woodcut prints. The yarn is Georgia Yarn Pirate‘s beautiful Cannon Beach colorway. I am following Nancy Bush’s Madder Ribbed Socks, outlined in Knitting Vintage Socks. Just preparing to turn the heel…

I have other sock plans for this part of Project Spectrum (as well as many other socks planned for future color triads), and after a little dig in the sock yarn stash, I found a few other blues. Considering that blue is one of my favorite colors, it is poorly underrepresented in my sock yarns – I have a few variegated yarns with blue hues.

Blue gray Lana Grossa Meilenweit, and some self-striping Regia

Tess Designer Yarns in Navy

I am leaning towards one of the solid colorways – the Tess or the Lana Grossa – I have several cable / lace patterns that I want to try (all for my Nancy Bush Compendium project).

Which would you choose?

Of course, I have some Yarn Pirate socks to finish first…

After finishing my Lace Knee Highs, I shifted my sock knitting gaze back upon the lovely Yarn Pirate ribbed socks, nicknamed "Hokusai" because the color palette reminded me of the Japanese artist's work.

I am following the Madder Ribbed Sock pattern from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks. (Speaking of Nancy: my INTERVIEW with her was a real highlight of my Socktoberfest celebration! Such a pleasure!) I originally planned knee socks with this yarn, but I think that the lovely colorway will be well-suited in this attractive ribbed pattern.

And in true obsessive fashion, I am already planning the new socks I am going to knit this season. Thankfully, you helped me out with a little decision-making!

Not the latest tally, but the trend is clear: you all prefer green leaves! and being that all of the yarns are beautiful, and there is no shortage of beautiful patterns in this world, I will graciously oblige, and make the Embossed Leaves socks in Cherry Tree Hill Loden.

Thanks for helping me decide!

Still pining away for Socktoberfest? Well, you are in luck! There are still many sock-related projects going on, and the Socktoberfest Flickr group will stay open for submissions and inspirations all year long!

Some of the other sock projects that have caught my eye and attention:

• LimeGreenJelly's Big Sock Project: She and several other UK-knitters cast on for the world's largest sock! They are using ten circular needles, and cast on 1500 stitches! Over 50 knitters participated in the cast on, and a good amount of money was raised for charity on the same day! Jo is hoping that the sock will break the current world record, and even better yet? She wants YOUR help in doing so! She is willing to send the sock anywhere in the world for knitters to knit on. This would be a fun project for Stitch `n Bitch groups! Talk about being a part of something BIG!

Click for Big Sock Cast On party pics!

• Hillary's Sock Madness Competition: In Hillary's words, Sock Madness is " …a competitive sock knitting event like no other. It will involve knitters from around the world knitting socks in a tournament style competition. The patterns will be released at the start of each round and, we hope, will be unique." Sounds great!! And it all starts in March 2007. And my favorite part of it? "As with any tournament, we’ll need spectators and cheerleaders too." I am a great cheerleader

So, you don't have to go into withdrawal with all of these fun things going on! If you know of other sock-alongs or related projects, please leave a comment!

…personally challenge yourself to make as many socks as you can? 

…work through your yarn stash and rediscover the beauty of what you already have?  

…finish some socks that have lingered on the needles too long?

…try a new technique to enhance your sock making repetoire? 

…simply enjoy the process of creating socks and sharing your passion with others from all over the world?

…devote the month to make socks for your holiday gifts, or donate your finished socks to a certain charity? 

It's all possible with Socktoberfest!

I am planning to work with some lovely yarns from the stash, and to finish up some "linger" knits that have been on the needles for too long.  I am also planning to use some stash yarns to contribute socks for charity causes.  I have heard about several worthy charitable organizations that can use our sock making skills. I am compiling a list with more details on the different organization, and I will publish this straight away. 

In the meantime…

The lovely Yarn Pirate handpainted yarn is all balled up and ready to go.  I did not waste any time, either.  As soon as I did all of the math involved for the customized knee sock pattern, I started on these babies.

Look!  No pooling!

I am officially calling these knee socks my "Hokusai" socks, after the amazing woodblock prints by the Japanese artist.  And in some spare moments yesterday, I wound up the second ball of my Three Waters Farm handpaint for my second Lace (Not So) Knee Highs…

 It's going to be a great month, my friends!

Thank you so much for joining in the festivities!