Trekking Shades Socks

Yarn: Trekking XXL #107
Pattern: Shades Socks
Source: The Wooly West, by Nancy Bush
Needles Used: 4 US 1.5 (2.5mm) DPNs

Another pair of fraternal twin socks in the Trekking yarn! This colorway was a real beauty, and fit in so well with last month’s Project Spectrum color triad (pinks, greens, and yellows) but I was only a few days late! The pattern was simple and a nice fit with the self-striping of the yarn. The only change I made was to discontinue the patterning on the foot of the sock. This seems to be my preferred method, ending the sock with some nice smooth stockinette. Another pair of socks for the Nancy Bush Compendium Project!

…and to spice it up for this month’s PS colors…

**The shoes are Nine West hand-me-downs from my mom**

Right after I bound off my pal’s scarf on Friday night, I picked up my Trekking yarn and cast on (yet again) for the second Shades sock. It feels good to be focusing on works-in-progress and clearing out the knitting basket. Plus, I have some great projects planned for the new Project Spectrum colors just waiting in the wings, but I need to finish at least one thing before I can start another… my conscience won’t let me continue!

The second sock started out more pastel than sock one.
Trekking is always a surprise.  And, it is quite photogenic too, no?

Last week, Isel and I made plans to meet in the city to attend the Textile Museum’s Celebration of Textiles day. I went with Jenna last year, and really enjoyed the day. This year was great too! (although I think it was hotter outside…)

Looms. They have really been “catching my eye” lately. I spoke with one of the festival’s volunteers about her weaving experiences and her recommendations for looms. These tabletop looms look like a good way to start out… but I need to do some more research before jumping in. Maybe a trip to The Mannings for some hands-on training… aren’t they pretty?

The festival included sheep shearing, many hands-on crafts, and demonstrations by fiber artists. Last year, I spoke with this gentleman about his work of restoring centuries-old Persian carpets. I was happy to see even more carpets on display this year, specifically the beautiful red and black one behind him.

The museum’s main exhibition right now is called RED, and it details the history and symbolism behind the color. Photography was not allowed in the exhibit hall, but many amazing textiles were displayed, including Vietnamese silk banners, 14th-century Persian embroidered scrolls (red with metallic embroidery-stunning!), Peruvian woven materials, and modern costume and fashion. It was a small display, but quite comprehensive in its scope.

I learned later that Coleen and Jody were at the same event, and we totally missed each other (probably by a few minutes!) They both got some great pictures of the other events – check them out! Sorry we missed you, girls!

Isel and I left the museum and went to a bead shop on Dupont Circle. She claims I “forced” her in there, but she went very willingly, and left with even more than I did! I bought a simple case of assorted beads and baubles in some very appropriate colors:

We then traveled to a nearby cafe where we could 1) cool off after being in the sweltering heat 2) eat some yummy food and 3) knit and chat. She worked on a not-yet-blogged sock (so pretty!) while I made some progress on the Shades sock above.

…and in true blogger fashion, we had to take some pictures of each other to document our day!

She got me too!

I have been quite busy with work this week: I attended an archival preservation workshop conference in DC (shout out to my fellow librarian/archivist readers!) and it has eaten up all of my time. Very little time to knit…

In fact, the knitting I did was quickly deemed unsuitable.

This was my knitting progress on the Shades sock at the knit night with the NYC Spiders. I was rolling – going with the pattern. Looking good and closing in on the heel turn.
Then, on the way home from the City, I met an interesting stranger on the train. We chatted the whole way from New York to Baltimore.  She was a designer and an artist, and shared storied about her mother who has worked with fiber for years as a knitter, spinner, and weaver.

I found a way to completely mess up an easy lace pattern. Dropped stitches, misplaced yarn overs…

Shades Sock #2 is back to square one.

At least Katy is making some great progress on the pattern!

I have three pairs of socks on the needles right now, and two of the pairs are part of my own personal project, the Nancy Bush Compendium. This is a long-term project that I am combining with this month’s Project Spectrum colors.

Remember Juta’s Stockings that I started in January? They were cast on as part of the informal sock knitalong that Maritza and I started, called the Green Socks Knitalong.

Now that we are all about green, it was time to pull them back out!

At first, I was not very happy with the way that the yarn (Tess Designer Yarns) was striping and flashing. I had not seen this effect in any of the other Tess yarns I have worked with, or the samples.  However, it really isn’t that noticeable in natural light, and it has kind of grown on me. I don’t remember seeing any other yarns with this same shade of green. The pattern is a simple arrowhead lace on the side panels of the cuff, and on the top of the foot – called “Juta’s Stockings” from Nancy Bush’s wonderful Folk Knitting in Estonia.

My second sock project is from Nancy’s mail order service, The Wooly West. It is the Shades pattern, and instead of using the different yarns as Nancy does in the pattern, I chose to use the self-striping Trekking XXL in the #107 colorway. I finished sock one, and sock two will be cast on very soon. (I am telling myself to finish the first Juta’s Stocking before I start on it!)

Canyon Hiking Socks and the Shades in Trekking socks

Uncovered after many many months at the bottom of my knitting bag… For all practical purposes, I had forgotten about the Canyon Hiking Socks that I started during last year’s Socktoberfest. I was excited when I started them – it was a fun and simple pattern in a bigger gauge, so naturally I thought I would finish them in a heartbeat. Here we are, six months later, and sock one is not even complete. I considered ripping them because they were a tad to tight, but I know they will stretch with some wear. The pattern is from the book, Greetings from Knit Café, which has several great patterns including this one. I substituted some stash yarns – Lion Brand Wool Ease and a recycled burgundy wool from the thrift shop – instead of the Rowan Wool Cotton that the pattern calls for. Seems to be a good fit too!

The Shades in Trekking sock is the exact opposite. I started this sock last week, and I already turned the heel and finished the gusset decreases. I simply can’t put this one down. I think Trekking yarn has that effect on me. I simply can’t wait to see how long one color will repeat, or what new color is going to be incorporated on the next row.

I had a battle with the flu this week, and that time out gave me the chance to work on both of these socks – in between naps and frequent trips to the loo…

I can’t explain why some socks get attention and others don’t – I love all socks equally! I do plan on spending some quality time with the knee highs though – although they probably won’t be worn until autumn with the wool and all. The dark heathery pink is a natural fit for Project Spectrum’s color theme this month (and it feels good to get a lingering project out of the basket and finished!)  There’s no denying that the Trekking is perfect – greens, yellows, and pinks (with some reds and blues thrown in for good measure) makes this one the ideal PS yarn!

Have a happy Easter, and a great weekend