Black Olive Is: In The Loop

"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...

Where In The World Is Black Olive?

I've been sick, people. Sick.

Immediately after that last post, I began to feel weird and generally "not right." The next day there was Scratchy Throat Stuff and then, well, I'm sure you know the rest.

I haven't felt much like knitting or spinning and have instead focused on just sitting on my papasan chair -- box of tissues by my side -- staring at the wall and hoping to feel better for the next day at work.

I did manage to knit a bit more on Elizabeth I before fully succumbing to the cold, the results of which you can see above and in the following photos:

(I know. Again with the plates. But, they get the job done!)

I have to say, either I'm getting good at this chart reading/stitch pattern thing, or it's just not as hard as it looks, because despite watery eyes and general cold-induced loopiness, I managed to not screw up any part of the rows I was able to knit.

I am thoroughly enjoying this pattern.

In addition to Elizabeth I progress, I knit a bit on the pair of socks I promised my co-worker. I don't even think I've blogged about these yet. I guess I just feel like I've knit SO MANY Koigu socks using my little generic sock recipe, that posting about them wasn't warranted. But, I feel I need to somehow inform you people that they do exist (they were started a while back) and that I haven't been completely dead to knitting this week.

As you can see, the first sock is on holders. After having my co-worker try it on, I decided I need to rip out about five rows before toe shaping begins. This is unbelievable to me because the foot on these already seems small, doesn't it? Or, am I just losing it?

Anyway, we had a family emergency last evening which resulted in sitting around the waiting room at the hospital for HOURS*. So, I decided to just cast on for the second sock instead of dealing with ripping and reknitting and then grafting the toe.

I must say, after about three days of no knitting (during the peak of my cold), it felt SO GOOD to just mindlessly knit on this sock. I didn't realize how much daily knitting time contributes to quelling my anxiety until I went without it for so long.

This little bit of knitting literally saved me from the insanity that is My Family and from the throngs of irritating people in the waiting room area. Were it not for the sock, I may have (not saying I would have, just that it was a slight possibility...ahem) been forced to drive my Mother back home -- far, FAR away from anything resembling the hospital. And I may have (again, not saying I would have) had to tell the people who came in at three am to morally support their friend who had his earring ripped off his ear, that it really doesn't take EIGHT PEOPLE to provide this kind of moral support and that they really DIDN'T need to continue their party in the waiting area.

I'm just sayin'. :-)

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*Grandpa had a health issue which required immediate attention. He seems fairly stable now and we should find out the results of his tests tomorrow.