Black Olive Is: In The Loop

The Jaywalkers...They Are Done.

The Jaywalkers...they are done.

I must say, there is nothing more comforting than coming home after a grueling day of hospitals, "arrangements," tense family members and generally sad events -- than slipping into a pair of soft, handknit socks and fresh new jammies.

This is exactly what I did. And it was the most self-comforting thing I could've done at that moment.

They fit perfectly. They are very soft. The colors are fabulous and I enjoyed the pattern thoroughly. This will definitely be in my "sock repertoire" for future socks to come.

And, take note at how closely they match:

Not perfect, but close!

What can I say? I tried, people.

I'm too tired to put up the FO details right this minute. I'll update sometime this week.

Before I sign off, I just wanted to thank all of you for your genuinely kind sentiments during this tough time. It really means a lot. Seriously.

I was very touched at all the expressions of condolences and individual emails which were sent, filled with stories of your own Grannies and your own experiences.

Knitters really are the best. :-)

One Jaywalker Down, One To Go...

Ok, people...this Vesper Yarn is so soft and luscious, that I sailed through this sock in about a day and-a-half (possibly and most-likely less...seriously)!

I just can't get over how great this stuff is. It retains it's memory really well, is stretchy enough for the Jaywalker pattern, comes in the most fabulous Knitterly Things colorways and is literally HEAVEN on my foot.

While at Claudia's yesterday*, the Blogger Contingent weighed-in with their thoughts and comments about this yarn. The general consensus was that it could possibly be the Color Your Own KnitPicks yarn which is available for those who wish to mess up their tidy home with pesky dyes and all manner of warping boards, drying racks, niddy-noddies and such. BUT, I'm not convinced. It's very close, but something seems different.

In any case, I'm loving it. And, in true Black Olive fashion, because I love it so much, it is of course completely sold out. And, on top of that, for some odd reason, I seem to be sailing through these socks faster than any other pair I've knit.

Please Knitterly Things Woman, please make more Vesper. :-)

In other news, I'm craving Birch. So, it could be a while before Elizabeth I sees the light of day.

Also, I have to thank a very kind man named Doug who took the time yesterday (at Claudia's) to show me all sorts of "insider" tips pertaining to spinning on my Ashford Joy. I learned so much from that small interaction that I am now convinced a class (or two, or THREE) is in order.

Typically, I'm a "book-learner," but this time, I think learning by watching and interacting is the way to go. So, Doug, if you're reading this, thanks!

Ok. Must go knit more. Then eat. Then bed.

* Thanks again, Miss Claudia for opening your home and hosting a most fabulous Fiber Party. As always, Igor and Kimba were in the Top Five Highlights of The Evening. Other highlights included: homemade bread; the Fiber Giveaway (where I scoffed away with two bags of Lincoln Locks and some gorgeous merino roving [still feeling guilty about that, by the way]); hanging out with wonderful blogger peeps, thirty-something odd handknit socks on thirty-something odd, shoe-less feet; three (count 'em, THREE) Rogues and a partridge in a pear tree. ;-)

"Jaywalkin' Over To The Jaywalker Bandwagon..."

I did it. I caved.

I cast on for the Jaywalkers this past weekend.

But, not before finishing these:

I stayed true to my plan and finished my co-worker's socks before even attempting to wind that luscious Vesper Sock Yarn slated for the Jaywalkers. I knew if I'd wound it before finishing the Koigu socks, there'd be no turning back.

I have to say, after the Vesper and the Ultramerino4 and the Lorna's Laces, the Koigu (I refuse to link to the atrocious Koigu site -- if you go there, you'll understand why) isn't doing it the same way for me anymore.

It also doesn't help that it takes FOR-EVER for it to come in -- if it comes at all. You spend so much time apart and the opportunities to "cheat" with other sock yarns become so plentiful that when that Koigu finally arrives, it arrives with a whimper and not a bang.

Know what I mean?

Anyway, so the Jaywalker pattern could be my new mindless sock pattern (very easy to memorize). I just love what it does to self-striping yarn. AND, technically, I did knit up this pattern WAY before this bandwagon business when it first appeared in MagKnits. But. sadly, my choice of yarn -- Mountain Colors Bearfoot -- was all wrong. The Bearfoot doesn't have much "give" and when I slipped my first attempt on Granny's feet, we struggled to get them past her heel. I then frogged and moved over to the Cabled Rib pattern, deciding to wait on the Jaywalkers until I could get my hands on some Vesper.

And there you go.

Here are some details of the beginnings of what looks to be a fabulous sock:

This Vesper seems to live up to it's reputation. It's as soft as Rowan Cashsoft DK -- which contains a bit of cashmere -- and is 100% Merino. The colors are extremely vivid and it stripes really well. So far, it's been a dream to knit.

I'm actually much farther along on this baby, but decided to post these pics first "For The Record" and also because I've been so busy I haven't had time to blog, much less photograph my progress this week.

So, stay tuned for more Jaywalker goodness...